Holiday Cards

It's barely past Halloween and everywhere you go it's suddenly Christmas! I'll admit, I "try" to start my Christmas gift buying early. Mostly due to the fact that I need to spread the money out over a few months. Plus, it's nice to enjoy the holidays rather than be frazzled with too many things to do.

So today I'm thinking about Christmas cards. A couple years ago I made 50+ cards to send out. I was so on top of it! Last year, I scrambled at the last minute and put together a photo card a week before Christmas. While I really loved having the homemade touch a few years ago, I was amazed at the options available for photo cards. It's definitely not the same as it was 10 years ago! The options are almost endless!

Here's a layout I did with last years photo card:

I love the simplicity of it with the black and white and just a dot of red. I also love the multiple photos (let's me pick the best photo of everyone.). I would love to have something similar to this for this year.

I decided to start my search for the perfect card at Shutterfly. Shutterfly is a great online photo resource for photo sharing, photo books, cards, calendars, etc., etc. Their holiday card selection alone has a gazillion options! The set-up makes finding the perfect card for you so simple. Items are categorized by style, # of photos, size, and even color. It makes searching for my simple, multiple photo card SO much easier!

After refining my search, here are a few that popped out at me right away:

I love how the photos are the main focus on the card. This can have up to 6 photos.

Love the retro design on this one.

This is real similar to the first one, but with a little tree added.

This one is so fun! Love the non-traditional colors.

I love all of them!!!! What's fun is I can create each one with different photos and then decide. Crap, I have to pick photos too! Good thing I'm starting early.......

Make sure to stop over to Shutterfly and check out their other stuff too! They have a great photo sharing page, calendars, and so much more.

Which holiday design is your favorite???

Norwex

Last month I was invited to a Norwex home party. I'll be honest, I was very skeptical about these high priced "cloths". Not to mention a party for cleaning supplies?? Not your typical candle, jewelery party. Anyway, I went to the party (mostly for the free margaritas!) and was pretty surprised at what I found.

"All Norwex products support our company mission to improve the quality of life by radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning. With a commitment to effective cleaning, responsible care for the earth, and the power of information, together we can become a generation to leave behind a legacy of improved quality of life."

While I consider myself a "green" person, I'm not a fanatic about it. I recycle and reuse things on a day to day basis. I believe that "organic" is great, but I don't go out of my way to solely use organic products. However some of the Norwex products sold me and intrigued me more than I thought they would. Many of the products are pretty high priced so I decided to just try a couple items to start.

Basic Package: Antibac Enviro Cloth & Antibac Window Cloth

I decided to try out a couple of their more popular products: Enviro Microfiber Antibac Cloth & Window Cloth. I've had these cloths for just a week and I tell you what---I love them!!! I have used the Enviro Cloth for EVERYTHING! I've used it to clean off the kitchen counters, table, stove, walls, doors, sink, windows....seriously I think I could go on and on. What's amazing about these cloths is that you don't use any cleaning agent at all. Water. That's it. Water. AND it cleans just as well or even BETTER than my Comet or Fantastic would have. Actually, I haven't broke out my kitchen sprays at all in the past week. Just think of the money I'll save on cleaning supplies! (I get a little crazy when I save money....)

Tonight I've been invited to another Norwex party. Of coarse I'm looking forward to some free drinks and girl time, but this time I'm excited to try out a few more of their products. The problem is, there are so many products I want to try! Here's a few items on my wish list:

Bathroom Scrub MittAntibacterial Microfiber Kitchen Cloths

Microfiber Mop Starter Package

Halloween Fun!

Dressing up for Halloween is one of my favorite things! Adults are never too old to dress up!

Here's a glimpse of my family this weekend:

Little Red Riding Hood & the Big Bad Wolf

Little Red Riding Hood

Big Bad Wolf (he was VERY proud of his homemade hood!)

Alien Adam

Zombie Chainsaw Dylan

Zombie vs. Alien

My cutiepie nephew Dino Zach

Spiders!

This year I added a few fuzzy spiders to my Halloween decorations. These cute spiders were super fun and easy to make. You can find the directions on how to make them here.


Stop over tomorrow to see pictures of me and my husband all dressed up for our annual Halloween party!!! Only a few more hours and I'll be transformed into...................??? You'll just have to stop back to see!

Halloween Goodies!

The Halloween parties are in full force today!!! I love Halloween! I thought I'd share some of our fun Halloween goodies with you. Happy Halloween!!!

Ghost Pretzel Sticks

Candy Corn Treat Bags

Mini Notecards on Treat Bags

Treat Bags decorated with foam stickers from Michaels

Scary Trees from Oriental Trading Co.

Mr. Pumpkinhead!

Snapshots of Life

I've been obsessed with a blog called "Eighteen25". The site features lot of crafting projects and all around family fun. It's loaded with fun ideas! (If you follow their lead, everyone will think you are a crafting genius!!!).



This week the gals at Eighteen25 started a new photo series- "Snapshots of Life". Every Wednesday evening they will post a time of the day. Your assignment on Thursday is to stop and take a picture of what you are doing at the time posted. I LOVE photo challenges and I couldn't wait to get started! I set my phone to remind me and at 5pm today I was ready!

Here's a glimpse of what I was doing at 5pm tonight.

Thursday- October 28th, 2010 5:00pm

Can you guess?? I was setting up the basement for our daycare Halloween party tomorrow! And since I can't just take one picture, here's a few more shots of my decorating--including a witchy photo of me hanging the decorations. :)


Two posts in one day!!!! I'm on a roll........

I'm coming back!

I know, I know, I know. Where have I been??? Well, I took a break from the blogging world (and scrapping!) for awhile. I've been doing a lot of reading, spending time with family/friends, and working. But, I'm kinda missing my blogging world! I don't know how much time I will have to post and I don't know what kind of topics I'll be posting about, but maybe this will encourage me to start scrapping again!

Stay tuned to see what unfolds!

Challenge #59: All Dressed Up

I'm back for another Scrap Whispers challenge! This week's theme is a fun one---"All Dressed Up". Use that theme in any way that you'd like--Halloween, formal occasion, or just "dress up" your layout with bows and sparkles! Make sure to link your layout on the blog or on the forum for a chance to win a fabulous prize!!!!!

I decided to do another layout from my sisters wedding:

Snow Buddy

Just a cute layout I completed in February of my nephew!

"The Cinderella Deal"

"The Cinderella Deal" by Jennifer Crusie--*** (3 stars)

The story starts by introducing Daisy Flattery and Linc Blaise, apartment neighbors who couldn't be more opposite one another. Daisy is a free spirit, animal loving artist. Linc, a history professor with cold sterile furniture. While interviewing for a new job, Linc is found trapped in a lie that may cost him the job. He turns to Daisy to help him out.

I like to call this a "nice and fluffy" book. A very romantic comedy of sorts. Follows along the lines of a modern Cinderella story. Excellent read if you are looking for something lighthearted and witty. Super quick read!