12 days of BPS Christmas

Big Picture contacted me about contributing to their 12 days of Christmas celebration – and of course I said yes! (You can see the full layout + many other fantastic pages here). I’ve got a prize to share too in this post that is related to this layout…

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I’ve got a super fantastic fun class that starts next month that is all about scrapbooking details and special events throughout the year. Not just the obvious like big holidays- but also the details and special traditions and other little things that make our lives and year special. In my world, tree trimming certainly qualifies. Since I have seasonal details on the brain it was fun to have instant scrappy gratification by using photos that were just days old.

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The color palette (pinks, reds, aqua, minty green) was soooo fun to play with. I like testing out different holiday color combos.

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I adore the  Heidi Grace Christmas line this year, and as a special treat to you I’m giving away a few things that I used to make this layout! Some wish tags, red glass glitter, tags, and more. Want to be entered? Just leave a comment here! The prize now closed- but more to come! Winner announced on 12/21 so be sure to check if you were entered for this!

congrats to amy4257 (dead until dark) and scrapycandy (Monday prize) for winning! E-mail me mflaum (at) comcast (dot) net to claim your prize. Remember- LOTS more prizes to come still- you have lots of chances so keep checking back!

We’ve been under the weather here, but still doing lots of family holiday fun stuff. Here’s what I did with our santa photo this year:

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Just two chipboard hearts, some german glass glitter from www.onehundredwishes.com, and a cheap frame & charm (I cut the loop off of him) from the craft store. It was quick & simple- but makes the perfect Santa photo frame to display!

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I layered liquid adhesive and various colors of glass glitter (white, red, silver). The chipboard hearts are stuck down with liquid adhesive too.

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If you’re wondering how I came to be in the girls Santa photo… well I didn’t want to be nor  was I ready (hence the glasses on my head and purse in my arm). However, the girls wouldn’t go near him. Rebecca burst into big tears and Elizabeth wouldn’t speak- she just made animal noises at him. Ah but I think that makes for an even better memory and I’ve already scrapbooked it!

Have a wonderful Tuesday- and get out there and do something just a little crafty. It’s fun- I promise!

let’s talk sookie.

I’ll spare you the long story. Short version: I finally decided to try the series of books that the show True Blood (i’ve never seen it) is based on because they keep coming up, and I decided it must be for a reason.

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The Sookie Stackhouse novels (aka southern vampire mysteries) by Charlaine Harris are definitely one of the most intriguing and interesting series reads I’ve ever experienced. There are currently 8 books (9thbeing released in 2009) and worth every minute to read. Sookie (our heroine) is a waitress in rural Louisiana and is telepathic. As she shows in the stories, while this can prove to be a great gift it can equally cause problems and hardship. I enjoy the books entirely, but what I really appreciate is that Sookiefeels real. She has thoughts, worries, and problems that any person can relate to. She is a good person, a person I’d want as a friend, and also she learns, absorbs, and is true to herself as much as possible. The attention to detail and interesting characters  (supernatural and human) give a backdrop for many, many adventures and mysteries.

While the books are definitely not ‘young adult’, I really appreciate that the author doesn’t get overly descriptive or graphic in the romance. She also doesn’t use profanities, or if she does it’s so rare I simply do not recall.  These two details I definitely noticed and found refreshing.

It’s hard talking about this series without telling you specifics, but I wouldn’t want to ruin the pure reading joy and experience. I went in with very little knowledge of the series (other than 1st book basic plot) and I’m glad I did- it was fun, shocking, and totally fabulous. I like that I don’t know where the author is taking Sookie, or who she’ll end up with. The way the books are written there are so many possibilities, and they continue to change. However she ends up, I think that the author will take care of her and some good things will come to her.

dead Since it is December, and I’m in the midst of my gift giving I have something for one of you.  That’s right, I’ve got a copy of the first book (dead until dark) that I will happily gift. Just leave a comment to be entered. Winner has been drawn and announced, but I have other prizes soon to come…

Of course if you’re a fan (and have the book) I’d love to hear from you too. I do like chatting with fellow book lovers!

PS- I confess (to my fellow fans) I maintain hope and root for the Tiger or the (new) packmaster as a permanent love interest… we shall see.

fun in the city

Yesterday turned into a trip to San Francisco- and two of my favorite areas. Union Square and the Ferry building. Both rich in food, shopping, and sweet treats!

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Love the HUGE tree in the square. I also adore how the shops all around range from high fashion like Chanel and Gucci to Nike town, Williams Sonoma, Borders Books, and of course Britex Fabrics (aka heaven on earth!). So many shops- really anything you might need or think of!

Now if I had to choose 1 building to spend all my days in (never leaving) it would be the Macys. It’s got a Ben & Jerry’s, Godiva, Wolfgang Puck cafe, Tom’s Cookies, Cheesecake factory and more so I’d eat WELL. It also has every kind of clothing, shoe, make up, and accessory a woman could need as well as bedding and home stuff too. Yes, you could spend some serious time in the Macys. (sigh)

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Since we were all there, I didn’t have much time for Britex Fabrics. That’s probably a good thing for my budget, but at least I did sneak in for 15min and get some new purple and pink buttons…

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After lunch we hopped on down to the embarcadero area and visited the ferry building. It is so full of yummy places- from meats to chocolate… and even a stand from a patisserie I’ve been meaning to visit forever- Miette! They have a confiserie in another location- I’ll have to check that out another time. This was a fun stop, and filled my head with so many pretty things and tasty treats!

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So many cakes and treats…. so little room in my bag to take them home!!

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Well that’s just a few highlights of our day. I’ll be back with gift #4 before you know it- have a great Friday!