BEST.GIFT.EVER.

So, it appears I shouldn't have made fun of Mike for going shopping on Black Friday. Luckily, his friend wanted to go, so I did not have to brave the crowds. My sweet hubby was running around town all night and came home at 7am with 2 things. One: a pair of wireless headphones for him and... Two:


I couldn't believe it when I saw him walk through the door with this baby! I've been wanting a die cutting machine for the longest time, but never looked into it because they are kind of expensive. He even got a green one to match my craft room. He said it was for my birthday, but I could have it early so I could use it to make Christmas cards. A+++++, Hubby :)

When I told my mom about my new toy, she told me to pick out some cartridges as a birthday present from my parents. So, of course I went out to Michael's (they were having a great sale) and grabbed some Christmas themed cartridges.

I've been playing with it all evening and am figuring it out pretty well. I still have a long way to go, but I am off to a great start. I may want to make 100 Christmas cards now that I have a Cricut!!! Thank you Mike & Mom... you guys are the best :)

Christmas-y Things

The Grinch (aka: my husband) says there will be no Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving. While I am a bit disappointed, I suppose he has to draw the line somewhere. If he doesn't set boundaries, I am likely to set up my Christmas decor in the middle of June. While I wait (not so) patiently for Thanksgiving to come and go, here are a few things that are holding me over...

*Finding, buying, and wearing my Christmas pj's for this year. Super warm slippers and a cute kitty to cuddle are an added bonus:


*A new festive mug from which I can enjoy many servings of hot cocoa.


*Starting the process of making my Christmas cards. I could not decide on one design, so the plan is to make 5 different types & making 10 of each type. 50 cards is my limit... I'll have no mercy if there is a 51st person I remember last minute ;p

*Making Christmas surprises for my family since I cannot be with them during the actual holiday

Less than a week before my house becomes a Winter Wonderland!!!

46 Days 'til Christmas!

I feel a bit like an elf at the North Pole lately. I’ve been in my little shop o’ crafts working away. I’ve been putting together some surprise gifts for my family and I just finished the cards my dear friend, Susan, ordered from me (yay for Etsy love)! The cards were technically finished over the weekend, but I kept going over them to scan for imperfections and to trim ribbon for the third time. I don’t know what it is about making something for someone close to me. I get a little stressed out and want it to be perfect.

The cards were really fun to make, though. All I had to do was follow the idea that Susan got here. It was a large order, so I set up an assembly line when I put the cards together. It makes everything go so much faster and I felt more efficient. I love picking up new ideas or tricks while completing new projects (ie: when trimming paper, you get a cleaner line if you turn the paper as you cut. Maybe that’s something that’s already well known, but I never gave it much thought until I was cutting out numerous ornament shapes). I’m off to the post office to send Susan her cards today. I hope she likes them :)