Good-bye Christmas

Well, it's done. All of the Christmas festivity has left our house. Last night I was finally able to watch a whole Christmas movie as I took down each ornament, unwound the lights from the tree, and packed each branch away in our many Sterilite containers. Oh and the stockings and banister decorations all came down as well.

Unfortunately, I was unable to actually put together my planned outfit, so this is what my night looked like:


Not too shabby. I ordered the movie from Amazon, courtesy of my aunt. My sister-in-law gave me similar red Husker sweatpants for Christmas, and the monkey slippers (from my in-laws years ago) probably need to retire- but they're just so cozy!

Until next year...

I really need to post pics of this family to my LKP Design page; here is one of my favorite photos from the shoot.

Things I did this weekend that make me awesome

(Chronologically listed, starting with Friday night)

1. Put together a fifties-inspired bowling outfit (ended up not bowling, but I still looked great in my red nails and cardigan and pearls)
   
2. Ate sushi with friends
   
3. Worked Saturday morning
   
4. Took a Power Nap
5. Played: searched/inspired by and created wedding invitation proofs
6. Played: worked on moving announcement postcards
   
7. Played: found some fun tutorials for creating elements in a non-profit informational booklet
8. Went to my first 2012 Worship Committee meeting
9. Munched on carrots instead of a whole box of GS cookies
10. Posted here!
    

Look what I found

I found these amongst my scrapbooking supplies while at Archiver's- "Before" and "After" invitations for two friends' Junior Voice Recital together. I didn't have experience with design programs yet, so I created the invitations in Word and printed them on vellum.


Different colors of scrapbook colors; stamping; cutting cardstock corners; printing on vellum- this is an example of projects that I love doing, where I can combine multiple techniques and elements. I can say without a doubt that my skills have improved since 2007 and I've learned new ways to incorporate multiple media into one project.

Festive trimmings- for me and the tree

I've said for the last few days, "I think I'll take down the Christmas tree tomorrow." It still hasn't happened, and I've figured out why- I need to assemble my outfit! So, because I didn't trim my tree in the correct attire, I will wear something festive when taking it down.

Classic Little Black Silk Taffeta Cocktail Dress
Pointed Toe Tapestry Heels
Knitted Clutch Purse
Beaded Cluster Bracelet
Vintage Christmas Poinsettia Brooch
Vintage Yellow Gold Ring

and- because you can't find everything on etsy, Cinnasnap nailpolish from Target

p.s. this took much longer than it should have

Hello old friends*

*Archiver's, scrapbook supplies, Ree


For the first time since I've lived in Lincoln, my aunt and I went to a Scrap Mania at Archiver's in Omaha. This trip was the last of our Christmas gifts to Ree. We had a blast! She worked on a scrapbook- but sadly I didn't have any photos for inspiration. Don't fear, I was productive. I made thank you cards for Christmas and Birthday gifts.

Here are the necessary tools (this was the least amount of materials I have ever brought along!). Of course you must spread everything across the table. Do NOT cross your side!

Of course snacks are necessary. Ree made chicken wraps for our supper and we snacked on Girl Scout cookies, fruit snacks and yogurt.

Spell it out

You can find "alphabet letters in nature" photography at most craft shows and even in stores like Hobby Lobby. A couple years ago I shot some letters for a family member.

Last summer, some good friends of ours moved into their first house. What a perfect time to spell out their name- I had been putting it off, because honestly, who has three Gs in their last name?

But once I set out to find the letters while I was out and about, it didn't take very long. Here is a screenshot of the letters while I was playing with the order on my computer.


I ordered the matte at Hobby Lobby (you have to special order for anything with more than four windows/letters) as the rest of the housewarming gift; and the couple had it framed themselves.

Out with the old

Say good-bye to the old website...we are working on getting the new one running!

It's tradition

My mother-in-law gives each kid an ornament every year. Ben has a multitude of Santas in his ornament collection, and lately has been accruing more dental-themed pieces. This year he got two Santa Dentists! The top two ornaments- the first Santa and my Teacup ("spot on", considering my love for tea)- were from the in-laws.



The lower two, including the camera (can you "picture" a more perfect ornament for me?), were from my aunt.

**I hope you noticed the carefully planted puns.

My parents sent me a few sentimental ornaments from home for me to have: ornaments from my Grandma and Grandpa Skelton.


Grandpa worked at Campbell Soup. Aside from this Campbell Soup ornament- every year Grandma and Grandpa would send our family a Campbell Soup ball. We have some awesome video footage from a Christmas when my younger brother was hanging up one of the glass balls. He was chattering away, and telling my dad, "we have to be very careful with this one--" right as he dropped it. Luckily the mustard-yellow shag carpeting was enough cushion so the ornament didn't break.

I love having a variety of ornaments- ones that reflect our personalities, our interests/passions; that remind us of our past and family; and let us share in our today together.

Lone wrapped gift

So I did a cute wrapping theme this year of black and white with red- but of course I only took one picture. I also created some creative tags for some of the gifts, but do I have evidence?


Oh my this Christmas just absolutely flew by! I don't feel Christmas was here long enough at all- so I plan on keeping my Christmas tree and decorations up a little longer. I'll let you know when they come down. I ordered some Christmas movies through Amazon, so it will at least be until the movies arrive and I can watch one or two. But for now I will relish the decorations and plug in the tree lights at night.

Black and Gray

Mostly I wanted to showcase #3- the miraculous jeans that fit perfectly, which were also the first pair that I tried on today.


I bought the following at Kohl's today for less than $40, with an overall savings of about $72.

#1 Mudd Striped Sweater
#2 Takeout Cocoon Sweater Vest (the vest I bought matches the gray stripes)
#3 Mudd 5 pocket Skinny Jeans

I already have black slouch boots from Payless (similar to #6); and my in-laws gave me the flower-embellished hat (#5) and a black scarf similar to #4 for my birthday.

What I became accustomed to

So Ben has been on break from classes for the last three weeks. The timing is great for me because of course the last few weeks have been filled with holidays- Christmas, New Year's, my birthday - and lots of other deadlines at work, in my freelance work, and with other birthdays and celebrations. During the last few weeks I've been really spoiled, as I have been coming home to meals just about every night, and Ben has been packing me lunches too.


Here is one of the amazing meals he fixed me. I don't have a description of the food- he would be way more detailed in the ingredients than I could write right now- but I think the picture says enough.

Ahhh much better

I am not a bad blogger....I am not a bad blogger. Here is a little something to tide myself over. I have posts in my head, and pictures to go along with them. But for now this will do.