Things I Treasure...

Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs...

As this holiday season passed, I realized it's been a very long time (over a year) since I've visited or written here. I love to write. I love to share. I just... put it off. With all the things running through my head at one time, it made it very difficult, and I just wasn't sure what to write anymore. But... looking around my house, at Christmas... all the magic that is still up and surrounding me, I was wondrous at myself for not being sure I put more time into things I treasure.

I treasure my family. I was definitely sad this season, and it didn't seem like the season at all because things were missing. And I say "things" because, well... they are tiny little details that maybe no one else would notice. Yep! I'm that ocd... First of all, this holiday season, we got our tree. The most gorgeous tree I've ever had in any place I've ever lived. I'm totally keeping it for next year, too! But... the only child of mine that actually put their "special" ornaments on the tree was the only one left living here. Every time I looked at the lonely bags of ornaments with the kids' names on them... tears welled up in my eyes. Even now... I cannot look at them without feeling the burn of tears.

Then again... all of our living children were here on Christmas morning. We haven't had that in YEARS. It was a wonderful feeling.

Darkness crept in slowly, as I waited at another family member's house. The rest of my immediate family (siblings from one parent) would be there or arrive whenever they felt like. One arrived not too long after us and that family came from over an hour away and appeared jovial. The other arrived several hours after the last... 6 hours after my group arrived. So sad. Disrespectful to the rest of us, as we were told that group would be there 4-5 hours prior. Two of my children had to leave. They had jobs and/or other Christmas family events to go to. Understandably... since all but one of my children are all adults and have other families and responsibilities.

There is always a little static with my other siblings... and this year did not disappoint...


*** and then it all changed ***

I spoke to a couple of people I'd expected to see at sometime during my break [from work]. My problems, my woes, my sadness - is NOTHING compared to what my dear friends are going through. No one had wanted to tell me. And so for that, as I sit here and plug this post in before the first day of the year is over in my time zone, people! Don't get your panties in a bunch and call me out on my lack of time-keeping skills! (in keeping with my non-resolution that's actually a resolution...) I am totally going to try to be a better listener but dang it! I'd totally thought I was!!! and definitely make myself more available for others. On that... I know I haven't been.

Wanna know my other "New Year, Better Me!" ideas? Here ya go:

1. Be a better listener.
2. Be more available, or at least present myself as more available!
3. If I do not complete a project, I'll be sure to put it on my calendar for a later date! and hopefully finish it by the end of the year
4. Read more.
5  Keep up with using items in my freezer... no need to be a hoarder elsewhere, right?
6. Try my hardest to write more!
7. Try to get that craftroom cleaned up at least a little bit!
8. Keep my super organized ways in gift-buying, organizing, and giving! truly... I'm really good at this one! Ask me about my gift journal!
9. Keep a menu or at least try to stick to it a couple of days a week
10. Let things slide off my back a little better. I shouldn't have to carry the weight for everyone.

What are YOU going to do?

*** oh yeah... SQUIRREL! ***

Back to the original title of the post... Things I Treasure...

1. Family (my pets are included in this!)
2. Friends (includes all of you!)
3. Loyalty
4. Me time
5. anything I can think of later, because I'm at a total blank space right now

I truly hope to see you all again for sharing... Who knows what it might be!

Last-Minute Gifts Blog Hop

Welcome to the Last Minute Gifts Blog Hop!  You should have arrived from Holli's Blog what a great name to have at this time of year!. If you are lost this is the beginning Alicia's blog.  As we approach the holiday season, I am sure we are all scrambling to find unique gift ideas. We hope as you hop along you are inspired by each bloggers ideas.

First, we would like to say a HUGE THANKS to our sponsor today.

Theresa is giving away a $20 Stampin' Up Gift Certificate to one lucky winner
AND

take 10% off any order placed through her (not available on website)
by December 31th. 

Email her at scrapsbygracie@gmail.com with your order. 

All you have to do to win this fabulous prize is comment on each of the blogs.

That's it! It really is easy.  

Of course, we would love it if you became a follower too. 

Comment buttons can be found at the bottom of the post (on most of the blogs).

Now on with the hop!

Now, now... if you know me or even if you don't know me and think you do, you may know think that "I" am the Ultimate Procrastinator... the Queen of Procrastination... By all means... get the words out while you can, because I don't take it personally. 

We all have so much going on (I know I do!), that it's hard to remember everything at every moment, so sometimes... someone/something slips through the cracks. NOT TODAY, FOLKS! This is how you cope with that last-minute-putting-together-little-something. I do it all.the.time.

First things first. Duh. Why do people say that anyway? Have little things around. Purchase yummy smelling candles and smallish, quality items that can always be put together in a basket-type things. 

Make lots of little "french-fry" bags, ready to go... (I made these in my Christmas-in-July post... using We R Memory Keepers; click here to find out how! using We R Memory Keepers; click here to find out how!) Add labels, insert candycanes and more tags tags are all the rage!, put it in a dollar-section little gift bucket, and voila! You've got a "last-minute" gift... to GO!

And then... if you're like some people I may know or not know... Food gifts are definitely the way to go. This is a simple (but festive-looking) delicious braid. Absolutely ANYONE can do it even my less than culinary friends!

Open up 2 cans of COLD refrigerated crescent roll dough (Pillsbury works best... and NO, I'm not paid to say that...) Separate the dough into the triangles; lay them out like the picture, overlapping them; pat the center down but if you're OCD like me, you can roll it... what the heck... it's just one more thing to wash, no biggie...). Mix together 1/3 cup powdered sugar with 8 oz. softened cream cheese. Spread down the center of your masterpiece. Scoop pie filling (this is Comstock Cherry Pie Filling) on top of the cream cheese follow the picture as a guide, folks... 

Starting at the "top," fold across the corners of the dough to the other side, until they are all folded over and it makes a faux braid. Pinch the top and bottom ends "closed." If you'd like an egg wash (to make it shiny and pretty and sparkly...), simply beat up and egg and brush it all over the pastry. Bake at 375F for approximately 22 minutes, or until golden brown all over.

Doesn't that look DE-LISH??? I honestly don't know who wouldn't want that!

FYI, if you'd like to make it a cream-cheese only (no fruit filling), increase the powdered sugar to 1/2 cup. That's all there is to it. Simply said... It's awesome! Sometimes, I have to make two... otherwise the person I was going to gift to never gets it... if you know what I mean... 

Next up is Jearise! She's always so much fun! Have a Jolly Holly-day with her!

If you get lost along the way, here is the entire lineup:

Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/

Amanda ~ http://salnclts76.blogspot.com/

Sue ~ http://suek86401.blogspot.com/

Kim ~ http://katydidcards.com/

Holli ~ http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com/

Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/

Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

Card A Day Challenge blog ~ http://cardadaychallenge.blogspot.com/

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com/

Holiday Magic Blog Hop

If you are here for the Year of Card Techniques, please go HERE, or you can check out all of my hops for today (there's only two!). We'd I'd love to have you!

Welcome to the 

Holiday Magic Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us for a weekend full of the magic of the Christmas Holidays! Our talented crafters have created all sorts of projects to inspire you and bring the joy of the season into your hearts!

You should have arrived from Sandy's Blog. If you just happened upon this magical hop, Connie Can Crop is the first stop in this hop. 

This is a one day blog hop and we appreciate your leaving a comment for all of these amazing crafters.

We have an awesome sponsor for this month! 

One lucky winner will win a $21.00 gift certificate to shop their awesome products.

Be sure to visit them online here.

On facebook here.

And their blog here.

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 10 pm Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday 12/14/16

at Connie Can Crop.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

You know... I like basic, simple things. And I happen to L-O-V-E craft paper (the look of it)! This... is what I started with. 

It's TIME to make Christmas CARDS!!!!

Remember MISTI? She's my new best friend. She makes all those off-centered or imperfect cards that I used to make look like...

THIS!!!!

And then I had to drag out CB... She hasn't played in a while (Cuttlebug, people... Not an actual person!!!)

And I cranked through over 30 times! Let's get real... I lost count...

I thought the edges needed a little deco... So I cropped them with one of my Crop-A-Dile Corner Chompers. (This one is "photo.") Obviously, I did the same with the craft cards, too...

And Santa came a little early and brought me these Spectrum Noire Sparkle Markers (I call my UPS driver Santa... even though "I" pay for it... YES! I ordered them off HSN...) They still came BEFORE Christmas and in time for my Christmas Cards!

Aren't they so pretty? (I used clear. Actually I had my friend pretty them up while I worked a swim meet... I think she had fun!)

So pretty! Simple, too! I love the look!

And there you have it! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 Up next is Alicia, who has something magical for you, as well!

Here's our line up in case you get lost:

Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Janet- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/
Shannon H- http://shannonhdesigns.blogspot.com/
Angela- mermaidsnmonograms.blogspot.com
Christi- https://tranquility1905.blogspot.com/
Sue- http://suek86401.blogspot.com/
Holli- sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Ashley-  http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
Diana- http://daisylovecreations.blogspot.com
Kim- http://katydidcards.com
Veronica- http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com
Amanda- salnclts76.blogspot.com
Miranda- http://www.nanasscrapspot.com/
Sandy-  http://simplycraftycreationsbysandys.blogspot.com/
Lisa- http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com
Alicia- http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
Sharon- http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com
Jearise- http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
Sarah-  http://sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com/

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

And don't forget to check out the this month's challenge!!

Connie Can Crop Challenge #53

Baby It's Cold Outside

due 11:59 P.M. Saturday, December 31st

Pacific Time

Christmas in July! (Day Two)

Welcome to Day Two of... Christmas in July!

We just couldn't stop playing with the holiday theme, so we've got a second day filled with great ideas that you can start creating now for Christmas. Along the way today, you'll find card and gift ideas, a scrapbook layout page or two and even a couple great decorating ideas.

We hope this hop gets you in the holiday spirit a little early this year.

We'd like to say a HUGE THANKS to our sponsor today.

Theresa is giving away a $20 Stampin' Up Gift Certificate to one lucky winner AND take 10% off any order placed through her (not available on website) by July 30th. Email her at scrapsbygracie@gmail.com with your order.

All you have to do to win this fabulous prize is comment on each of the blogs. That's it! It really is easy. Of course, we would love it if you became a follower too.

Comment buttons can be found at the bottom of the post (on most of the blogs). (and for those that you can't find... it's probably at the top next to the title of the post!)

Now on with the hop!

Can you tell I'm not all about cards or layouts at Christmas YET?

I'm extremely cheap! frugal. I saw some stand-up letters somewhere, all decorated and such... and they cost $30! per set!!!! of two!!!! OMG!!!! He** NO! I would NEVER pay that. That'd be $90 for Santa to laugh!

So I bought some paper mache letters at Michaels remember I'm cheap... so of course I used a coupon! and painted them up. I was going for the "snowy mist" look... it didn't work. How do most of us fix mistakes? Cover them up! Work with them. I applied a ton of Mod Podge then sprinkled a ton of ultra-fine red glitter. Remember... it gets EVERYWHERE!!!! Just a little note here... There aren't painting pics because I probably accidentally deleted couldn't find them. So sorry. Not sorry. They really were kind of boring pics...

I wanted my letters to sit together permanently, but be separated. Make sense? Well! It does to me! I used my FAVORITE silicone caulking! It's not just for cards and layouts, people!!! and made three little lifted blobs and set them together, making sure they were the perfect distance apart. And no... I didn't glue the three sets of letters together, Silly! Can you imagine the nightmare of storage?

More up-closes of my beauteous letters! Sorry I don't have a Christmas-sy background... it's a little early in the year for that! Also... I hope you don't take the "HO, HO HO" personally.. if you do, please get therapy for your issues and don't take them out on me!

and here are all three sets! I haven't decided yet if they'll go on different shelves... or all in a row... or strung out... the possibilities are endless. But I love how they turned out! Don't you? And I did have a friend ask me, "Where's mine?" LMAO! Are you kidding? Wait for your birthday, girl!

Miranda's up next, and I'm pretty positive she's got some more holiday bling to share with you.

Here is today's hop line-up in case you get lost along the way:

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
Barbara ~ http://barbarab3.blogspot.com
Kim ~ www.katydidcards.com
Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/
Miranda ~ www.nanasscrapspot.com
Daphne ~ http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com/
Holli ~ Sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Sharon ~ http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com
Sarah ~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
Amanda ~ http://salnclts76.blogspot.com
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

If you missed Christmas in July! (Day One), please go to Theresa's blog and scroll down a post. Or... you can start HERE! and hop on through.

Christmas in July! (Day One)

Welcome to Christmas in July! (Day One)

Get ready for some great ideas that you can start creating now for Christmas. Along the way today, you'll find card and gift ideas, a scrapbook layout page or two and even a couple great decorating ideas.

We hope this hop gets you in the holiday spirit a little early this year.

Theresa is giving away a $20 Stampin' Up Gift Certificate to one lucky winner AND take 10% off any order placed through her (not available on website) by July 30th. Email her at scrapsbygracie@gmail.com with your order.

All you have to do to win this fabulous prize is comment on each of the blogs. That's it! It really is easy. Of course, we would love it if you became a follower too.

Comment buttons can be found at the bottom of the post (on most of the blogs). (On a few blogs, the comment button is at the top, near the title.)

Now on with the hop!

If you came here from Alicia's blog (Golden Goddess Designs), then you're in the right spot. She sets the bar pretty high, doesn't she?

Do you remember... how I said I was going to get to organizing my craft room and use up what I've got and not purchase anything else? ever needing a food-safe goodie bag, but never finding the right size, color, or pattern? I sure do! So when HSN aired their 24-hour crafting event earlier this month, boy, was I in trouble! I saw the perfect solution! We R Memory Keepers has the most awesome tool to create custom bags. And it came with food-safe glassine paper, too! It came with mini clothespins and gold sticker/sealer-thingies, too... but I'll probably never use those...

And so... I played! And played! And played! I made several different sizes. Here's my notes:

• Be sure to keep the instructions just in case you have a "Duh!" moment and it comes super late, like I do so often
• Do not place the paper (and the tool) on a gripping surface. (The paper doesn't quite rip as easily - it grips to the mat/surface.) A self-sealing mat will suffice and work well. It goes so much better. I know this after making over 15 bags. It took a while for me to figure that part out.
• Do not cut the paper in the size you want, lengthwise... Only cut the width. Otherwise, you'll be "duh'ing" yourself every time you have to grip a teeny tiny edge to make your bag not "shrink" due to "waste". (like I did... many, many times!)

And so... after semi-perfecting my bag-making... I began my Christmas bags!

I got this perfect paper (on a roll) a while ago 2 years ago and was hoarding it! from Williams-Sonoma. I don't know why... but on a trip there less than a year ago, I tried to get more and they claimed they've never carried it. It is not currently available, I guess.

Adding to the notes:

• Be sure to cut the edge (sides) of your paper straight! If you don't, then your bag and measurements will be a total disaster... trust me...

The directions come with the tool... but just in case...

1. Cut the top and bottom to the size you want with the serrated edge of the tool. GO SLOWLY. unless you want to rip the paper... it's pretty easy to do.
2. Fold the paper along both sides according to the tool indents. Use the tool to fold it perfectly.
3. Fold the bottom up. Use the tool to fold it perfectly.
4. Add adhesive to the inside (wrong side) edge of one side, and the folded outside (right side) edge of the other side and press together. (I used my ATG gun for this. Worked perfectly!)
5. Add adhesive to the bottom flap and fold up. Voila!

See the inside? Isn't it WONDERFUL????

Yep! My need is for 100!!! I can do it!!!

Add a tag... change it up and add it several ways. Secure it, or don't. It'll look great either way. Now they are just waiting for some Christmas cookies! Yum! Thanks for visiting!

Miranda's up next, and I'm pretty positive she's got some holiday cheer to share with you.

Here is today's hop line-up in case you get lost along the way:

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
Barbara ~ http://barbarab3.blogspot.com
Kim ~ www.katydidcards.com
Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/
Miranda ~ www.nanasscrapspot.com
Holli ~ Sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Sharon ~ http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com
Sarah ~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
Amanda ~ http://salnclts76.blogspot.com
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

Be sure to hop tomorrow too for even more great holiday projects and ideas. You can start tomorrow at Theresa's blog.

Last Minute Gifts Blog Hop

Welcome to the

If you arrived here from Sharondalyn, then you're perfectly on time. Or... if you arrived here just because you did from a post or tweet or whatever and would like to start at the beginning, please feel free to start at Theresa's Blog, where it all begins...

We've got some awesome ideas today to create those last minute holiday gifts. Each of the bloggers has one or more great idea for fabulous, easy gifts that can be created at the last minute for those holiday gift giving opportunities. You may want to create a few of them to have on hand in your "Gift Closet." Doesn't everyone have a gift closet full of gifts ready to give? We just can't have a hop about gifts and not give a few away, so be sure to hop to and comment on each of the blogs by Wednesday 12/30/15. Theresa at ScrapsByGracie will choose 5 winners.

One winner will receive a class of their choice from today's hop sponsor:

One winner will receive this:

One winner will receive this:

 One winner will receive this:

and One winner will receive this:

Now on with the projects!

I originally had one project done... then found out my daughter (the 10yo) reads this blog... So I had to scrap that post.

Then I finished another project. But found out that my friend who had never EVER EVER reads this blog started reading this blog and was amazed and didn't know about all the things I do/did. Oh, hi, Andreea! lol!, so... I had to scrap that post, too!

Couldn't have my "secrets" be divulged, now, could I?

So... This project really truly is a last-minute gift like the last-minute-procrastination-type of gift. And that's ok. It just didn't give me time to make it as perfect-looking as I usually like (or am known for... lmao!).

First... to look through my stash. We all have a "stash". Don't deny it. You know it. And I know it. Oh and don't lie, either. Lying is worse than denying. And you know "... he sees you while you're sleeping," "he knows when you're awake..." Kinda creepy, huh? lol. So back to my stash...

I found this:

Clearance at Joann's. I bought a cart-full handful and have used some, but I pretty much left them Plain-Jane-ish. I mean... They are kinda spectacular all on their own. I happen to love Heidi's stuff... You know, like I totally know her personally... or not... but, I'm not creepy and not a stalker, so don't even think that. This photo holder is just pretty and sleek. But... I have a "FFF" (that's code at my high school for Fine-Feathered Friend!). It's like a secret pal that we have for a semester. I give mine LOTS of things. It's fun and I love it. Oh, I receive stuff, too... but from someone who secretly got me. So this week is our big reveal (end of the semester, finals, all that jazz and the last week of school before three [count them... 1, 2, 3!] weeks off from school!!!!!) and I was already done with her many gifts of reveal, but I knew I could always add more.

Out of the box, it looks like this:

And then... I added a little glue (I squeezed it out in strips, following the Chevron pattern, then spread the glue with a Q-tip)... and some teal glitter (my FFF's fave color is teal...) and zig-zagged that glue through, doing a couple of lines at a time (so the glue didn't dry out),

then pouring sprinkling glitter to completely block that stuff out cover the glue,

then patted it softly, and let excess glitter slide off.

I had this left and had to let it dry 24 hours to allow the glue to be completely done. Because all that excess glitter left on the shiny-non-glued parts was going to make my OCD sent me in a major tizzy. So I walked away...

And it was just like I left it 24 hours ago...

So I tapped it. Nope. Still there...

So I brushed it with a soft (and dry) paint brush. It came off beautifully. But now I have to wash the paint brush because I just can't have glitter on it and blowing on it and tapping it just doesn't seem to do the trick, and I just hate washing stuff!!!! Christmas is next week, and I just don't seem to have enough to do... Ugh.

I put it back in the box... and now it's ready to wrap and give away unless I decide to keep it afterall... um... no... it's Chevron, and I don't much care for Chevron patterns. They hurt my eyes, even after just a couple of minutes.

If you have LESS time, it could easily be inked... Instead of all of the above. But that's up to you...

So you have that!

And just so you know, I'm totally young. Yes. I am. I was having an extremely difficult time moving yesterday (and last night), when I had planned to make all of the rest of my Christmas cards to distribute today at school. So... I woke up this morning and whipped out 16 of these puppies cards in 40 minutes. Not so bad... if I do say so myself.

So I guess I can be Queen of Last-Minute Things, should I want to be... But this was totally stressful to me, so I don't believe I'll make it a habit. Yes... I procrastinate all. the. time. but not that bad!

Thanks for hopping by today, don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into
the drawing for the 5 great prizes. And now... (do you hear the drumroll?) on to Jearise! I'm sure she has something totally great for you (or your friends) to do for their last-minute gifts. OOps! Did I say that? (In my best Urkel voice.)

Here's the full blog lineup, so you can view everything for your last-minute needs:

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
Kim ~ www.katydidcards.com
Jessica ~ www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
Charmagne ~ www.sanurascraps.blogspot.com
Barbara ~ http://barbarab3.blogspot.com
Sharondalyn ~ http://clippingsbysharondalyn.blogspot.com
Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com (You are HERE)
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com (Hop to HERE)
Rhonda ~ http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com
Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com