Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas is an amazing time of year. It is definetaly my favorite holiday but it can also be a little stressful at times. I love the lights but especially the gift giving. There is nothing greater than giving a gift.
I guess you can call me one of those OCD Moms. Our tree always completely matches, from top to bottom. Yes, even the wrapping paper must all coordinate with each other. The girls have their own tree they decorate as they wish. I guess it works for us but someday the girls will start their own traditions.
We usually split up the holiday with several different families. We have my husbands family, which consists of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins galore. We have my sister and her family, along with my mom. This year my dad stayed with us during the holidays and was there Christmas morning when Santa arrived with all his gifts. We also have close friends we get together with during the holidays over dinner, wine and more gift giving. The preparation itself can be overwhelming but always worth it in the end.

Mia (photo on the left) watches as we unwrap our gifts.

Gift Cards make a GREAT gift!

I have made this cute little gift card holder for a friend and below you will find the directions to make it yourself.

Cut your cardstock base at 3x7.5" (blue), scoring at 4" and 6.5". Use a decorative punch to finish the edge, I used a scallop punch from EK Success. Cut your pattern paper at 2.5"x2.25" (penguin) and the pattern paper stripe at 3"x.25" (flower). After attaching the pattern paper as shown then fold and staple as shown. Wrap with coordinating ribbon and any embellishments you desire. I have used the Quickutz 2x2 penguin.

Giving can be a great GIFT!

My favorite holiday is definately Christmas. I love giving gifts. This year for the teachers I have made these easel calendars. My daugthers will be giving them to their teachers, the school secretary, principle and the crossing guards. What a great way to say "thank you" for their services during the holidays.
I have purchase the easels at the dollar store and created the calendar template on my computer. I have used chipboard for the base and covered it with the paper of my choice. Then I embesslished it with my Quickutz dies. This project can be completed on any budget.

Happy Holidays from the Fleming Family!

This year I struggled with what to do for Christmas cards. I am not one to send out a letters for I have always felt one gets carried away with embellishing ones family. I am also getting tired of the traditional Costco Photo card. These in which I have all done. I wanted to come up with something a little different.


This year I have made a photo sleeve for inserting my girls photos for family and close friends. It is cost effective if you don't have to make many and a unique way to send your photos.

Play Ball

Hoops

Cruisin

Baked Apple Roll

Baked Apple Roll $3.99

Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells $11.99

Snowflake Truffles

Snowflake Truffles $3.99

Naughty or Nice?

Naughty or Nice? $11.99

Nature Bars

Nature Bars $3.99

Be Jolly

Be Jolly $11.99

Later Gator

Later Gator $11.99

Dinomite Kid

Dinomite Kid $11.99

Cards for Little Critters!

I made this baby card using paper from My Mind's Eye Alphabet Soup Boy Paper and I embellished it with a giraffe from the Cricut Cartridge, Create a Critter.

Birthday BOY!

I always struggle with boy/guy cards but here are a couple I have created that are SUPER simple. The first one is using the Quickutz 4x4 Dump Truck die and the second one I cut the turtle from the Cricut cartridge, Life's a Beach.

Cranberry Squares

Cranberry Squares $3.99 (Recipe Kit available at Paper Cottage)

Good Times

Good Times $11.99

Balsamic Glazed Chicken Tenders

Balsamic Glazed Chicken Tenders $3.99 (Recipe Kit available at Paper Cottage)

Reel Catch

Reel Catch $11.99 (Page Kit available at Paper Cottage)

Slow Cooked Minestrone

Slow Cooked Minestrone (Recipe Kit available at Paper Cottage)

Hunting

Hunting $11.99 (Page Kit available at Paper Cottage)

Pineapple Zucchini Bread

Pineapple Zucchini Bread $3.99 (Recipe Kit available at Paper Cottage)

Happy Fall

Happy Fall $11.99 (Page Kit available at Paper Cottage)

Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars $3.99 (Recipe Kit is available at Paper Cottage)

Too Cute to Spook!

Too Cute to Spook $11.99 (Page Kit availabel at Paper Cottage)

Spooky...

Spooky $11.99 (Page Kit available at Paper Cottage)

Families are Forever

Families are Forever $11.99 (Page Kit available at Paper COttage)

Overnight Salad

Overnight Salad $3.99 (Recipe Kit available at Paper Cottage)

For the TEACHER in your life!

A little something for the teacher in your life. I have covered this note box with paper by Crate Paper, School Spirit Collection. You can add any saying you want. I also added an apple from the Cricut cartridge, Doodlecharms. I got this idea from a friend and you can decorate it for just about any occasion.