Christmas projects

Here's a couple of things I've been working on.

First, an advent calendar. I bought the kit/frame last year on clearance.I also used my Cricut to create a little nativity play set for my daughter. I used Paper Doll Dress Up and laminated the characters and put magnets on the back so she can play with them on the refridgerator.

Challenge x3

Practical Scrappers hosted a "Tri-Challenge" this week with two other sites: Frosted Designs and Stuck On U Sketches. It was fun to try to combine all three challenges into one layout. The challenges were 1: use 3 ribbons, 2: use an owl, and 3: use this week's sketch. Even better, by participating in all three and posting to all three sites, there may be a prize. I really like the combination of patterned papers I used (DCWV Fall Stack). The owl is from the Wild Cards cartridge and Autumn came from Stretch Your Imagination. The large mat is from the new Winter Woodland cartridge. I turned the sketch on its side for my layout. Here's the original.

Final Order!

It was a great mailbox day yesterday! A letter arrived from the courthouse which read, in part, "...the Court being satisfied that all the requirements of law have been met and that the best interests of the child will be served thereby, doth now by this Final Order of Adoption. DECLARE, ADJUDGE and DECREE that the child, Hannah Marie Hunter, is henceforth to all intents and purposes the child of David A. Hunter and Karen A. Hunter..." It was signed by the judge and we are so thankful and excited! I choke up just re-reading those words. I am so grateful to God and all the people He put in place to make this happen. Our girl is ours in every way.

Punch Challenge

Practical Scrappers this week challenged us to use our punches. I used my Creative Memories paisley punch on a birthday banner project. I embellished each letter with a paisley. On the "35th" part I made a flower with 5 paisleys and a circle punch. I also used my scalloped edge punch for the borders. The foundation circles are from Mini Monograms cart and all letters/numbers are from Don Juan. I attached them with folded paper scraps. The papers are from My Mind's Eye.

FaithKeeping

Hey Redeemer Friends - here is our next FaithKeeping Project! I hope you can join us on November 21st, 1pm-4pm in Redeemer's Fellowship Hall. This is a fun little project. If you want to add photos like I did, come prepared with small photos of things you are thankful for. I put my photos into a Word document, resized them to 1 or 2 inches, and printed them out on a sheet of photo paper. This is a great project to record your most treasured blessings this year.

Office Supplies

Practical Scrappers this week suggested using office supplies in a layout. I love office supplies and any scrapper should know that some of the same embellishments can be found in the aisles of your local office supply store for half the cost as your local scrapbook store - colored staples, fun paper clips, plastic, corrugated cardboard, pens, and inks, to name just a few. Back to school time is a great time to find serious bargains that can be used on pages. My layout includes staples, notebook-look paper (though I used a Cricut cut), and I was inspired by office tags. I hope you like it - I love the way it turned out!

Numbers...

Bitten by the Bug is hosting another challenge. This time Regina asked us to use number(s) in our layouts. I came up with two that I like. Of course my subject is my Hannah and I used my Cricut - Graphically Speaking mostly. Ten toes is my favorite. Enjoy!

Priceless Challenge

Bitten By the Bug's challenge this week was to use the Priceless cut from Graphically Speaking, one of my favorite carts. I also used the Hannah Montana cart for the Girl cut and the large flower flourish. Thanks to my sister Kathy who made me a bunch of crocheted flowers. Enjoy!

Cutie Pie Layout

I couldn't help myself from finishing this cute layout of my cutie pie. The butterfly is from Home Decor. I couldn't throw away the negative outline, so I glued it on the cream cardstock and cut it out to use on the page.

Cute Card from Sweethearts Cricut Cartridge

I recently purchased the new Cricut cartridge "Sweethearts" and love some of the cute characters featured on it. The Kitten is so cute - perfect not just for a Valentine's Day sentiment, but birthdays, thank-you's, congratulations, or add a Santa hat for a Christmas card. Here's one of the birthday cards I made for a September birthday.

My Crop Strategy

I'm planning on going to at least two crops in the next couple of months. I'll be going to a 1/2 day Croptoberfest in October and a weekend getaway crop in November. I always agonize over what to pack, so I'm working on a new strategy. For the last few weeks, I've been designing and laying out my pages, but not adhering anything. I just slip my ALMOST completed page into the sleeve, maybe add a few extra bling or coordinating papers and leave it for the crop. So far, I've got about 24 pages that I should be able to finish at the October crop. I won't have to worry about packing so much it takes me a 1/2 hour to "move in" to my crop space. Theoretically, I only have to bring adhesive. I'll let you know how it all works out.

Next FaithKeeping Project!

Here's a peak at our September FaithKeeping project. These cute little purses can sit next to your favorite chair or on your nightstand. You can take them in the car, or give them as a gift. Each will store several cards with scripture verses and prayers for all occasions. We're meeting on September 26th - see the September 20th bulletin for more details or call/e-mail me for information.

The Great Escape!

Tag I'm it!

This is contest entry for those crazy folks at TodaysMama and Cricut. Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at The Great Gypsy Escape!


1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be?

remote cabin near a lake

2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car?

Michael Buble's Feeling Good

3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do?

go to a luxury spa and not feel guilty about it

4. What is your guilty pleasure?

just hand over the chocolate - preferably dark

5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home?

Europe

6. Last book that you couldn't put down?

What to Expect - the First Year

7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch?

long PBS version of Pride & Prejudice

8. My favorite local escape?

I don't go very often, but there's a little tea shop downtown...

9. How do you escape on a budget?

dinner out in the gazebo (even better if it's $5 Dinner deal)

10. Best food you've ever had while on vacation.

most recently - Culver's Frozen Custard (not very exciting, but it sure was good!)

Cricut Celebrates 100 cartridges!

Wow! Cricut is celebrating its 100th cartridge release "Winter Woodland" by giving away 100 cartridges. See the new cartridge at: http://www.cricut.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?id=361&s=1&sc=2 . And just for the record, I don't have all 100 cartridges. I only have 32 :)

09-09-09

What were you doing at 9:09 pm on 09-09-09? I was enjoying some quiet time out in my gazebo and searching the web. The weather was breezy and cool - hinting at the coming of fall. I came across a great idea called "Chasing 99." It's a website and blog that challenges us to read the whole bible, just the New Testament, or just the gospels and Acts in 99 days. Day 1 is on 9-9. I am challenging myself to read the NT. It will take about 15 minutes a day. Certainly I can watch 15 minutes less of television, or 15 minutes less of Facebook or computer time. Maybe even 15 minutes of time with Mr. Cricut (gasp!). If you'd like to join me, go to www.chasing99.org to get the overview and schedule and then check out the daily blog at chasing99nt.blogspot.com. Be blessed!

Money Saving Websites

Here are some of my frequently visited websites/blogs where I find coupons, good deals, freebies, and encouragement.

http://www.5dollardinners.com/

You really can make a meal for 4 or more with less than $5. The web author, Erin, has great articles and recipe ideas. Click on the “Bargain Meal of the Week” box located at the right and then find your grocery store to find $5 meal recipes/ideas.

http://www.couponmom.com/

This one you have to register/log in for, but it’s free. It allows you to find your store and look at all the sales plus coupons for great deals.

http://hotcouponworld.com/

print off your Target coupons here – Super Target lets you use their coupon PLUS manufacturer’s coupons for great deals – sometimes free or almost free

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/

http://mommysnacks.net/

http://www.savingcentswithsense.net/2009/01/couponing-101/

http://www.momadvice.com/blog/ and http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/search/label/Freebies

check in on Fridays especially for how and where to get free stuff

This will make you laugh!

Hannah's laughing it up - I guess she thinks mom is pretty funny!

Free Hotdogs, Anyone?

I've been signing up for a lot of free things lately. I got 2 day's worth of Parent's Choice Formula, a sample of the new True Delights Strawberry Chocolate granola bar (yum) and some Dunkin Donuts coffee in the mail last week- all for Free. Here's another good one I just signed up for: For a Free pack of Oscar Meyer hotdogs, go HERE

New Funny Video

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Hannah loves to stick her tongue out and watch when others do, too. It reminds me of my mom - she was always sticking her tongue out and trying to teach her grandkids to do it. Maybe she's been visiting Hannah!

The Cutest Bunny on the Block

Super Saver

I've been having fun this week learning the ins and outs of couponing. There are big bucks to be saved and I'm getting in on it. I've linked a few of my favorite sites that I've found so far (on the right). This past week I made french dip sandwiches and veggies for less than $5 - we ate it two nights. Our Gian Grocery store also has awesome "meal deals" each week. Last week I bought a bag of Tyson chicken strips for $5.99 (with coupon) and got FREE: large apple juice, quart of Edy's ice cream and bag of frozen crispy french fries! This week the deal is a rotisserie chicken (yum)at $6.99 and free 2-liter 7-up and free bag of Dole salad. I'll start keeping track for April and am excited to see how much I can save on groceries. Since my income is no longer coming in, I feel good about saving on the grocery bill.
Hannah is eating cereal now before bed - she seems to take it well and digests it fine (everything works its way out just perfectly) - and it gives us all a couple more hours of sleep - yippee!

Almost 11 weeks

Hannah will be 11 weeks old this week. She just weighed in at the Dr.'s office at 10 lbs 5 oz and measured 22 inches. She's such a sweet girl.

Hannah Video

Hannah's Baptism

It's been such a great week! What a blessing to have my 3 sisters come to visit and share in Hannah's baptism day. We also had Grandma Kathy and cousins and friends stay with us or visit just for the day. Hannah will be surrounded with love and prayers always. My oldest sister Kathy and cousin Jeremy are Hannah's godparents and it was so heartwarming to watch as each met her and held her and interacted with her - she loves them already! I think Hannah loves all her aunties and cousins and grandma. David and I got several nights of sleep as they all took the night feedings and insisted that we let them. We are so blessed! Hannah was a perfect little angel for her baptism - she didn't cry at all as our pastor poured the water over her head. She let out a little cry shortly after and the pastor joked that it was an "Alleluia" or a thank you for everyone's prayers. We praise God that not only has Hannah been adopted into our family, but now she is also a member of God's family. Grandma Kathy made her beautiful baptismal gown and cap and Auntie Kathy made her angel blanket. Hannah has stolen many hearts!

Like Father, Like Daughter

Too Cute!

Growing Girl...

Hannah is now 9 lbs 4 oz and over 20 inches according to our Drs. appt. Sorry I'm slacking on the picture uploads! I'm getting ready for lots of visitors coming this weekend for Hannah's baptism.

Happy Valentine's Day!

One Liners

Mo-om! Hannah's at my window!

Okay, I guess we can hang out at this window together.

Got Milk?

Hannah got some new toys!

Thanks to our friends at CMS (where Karen teaches) Hannah got some new toys - a swing and a play mat. The play mat has been very handy the last 2 nights between the hours of 1 and 3 when Hannah decided she wanted to play. We're working on being awake more during the day. :) I wish they made swings big enough for me - I think I would like rocking my day away!

4 weeks old tomorrow!

Wow! I can't believe Hannah will be 4 weeks tomorrow. She's growing so fast: the little knit hat we took her home in no longer fits her head, she's eating over 3 oz, sometimes 4 oz, each feeding, she's sleeping for longer periods at nighttime (yeah!), preemie clothes are way too small. This morning I began to smell a foul odor, so I set about to change her - not a moment to soon! Coming out of the diaper and on to her back - it was a mandatory emergency bath and another load of laundry. :) You'd think I'd be annoyed, but I'm loving all parts of being a mom. Hannah's outgrowing her little bed sleeper, so last night we moved her from our bed to a pack 'n play bassinet. It's still in our room, so it's easy to get up with her at night, but now she has a little more room to stretch. I bought a little sling carrier so I can carry her around during the day and still accomplish other chores. We both like it - nice and cozy!

More B/W

Here Jeannie - more black and white photos...Isn't she beautiful?

Hannah's Growing

Hannah had a Dr. check up and weighed in at 7lbs 3 oz, 20 1/8 inches long! Good Girl is gaining weight and growing like a weed. Dr. said she's doing great. I took some black and white pics yesterday - there's something so peaceful and beautiful when you look at a little baby. Love her!

Hannah and Dugan

I got this stuffed dog (Dugan) from "Santa" when I was in 2nd grade. He's been through a lot over the years. My brother Bob used to beat him up for fun and to make me cry. A couple times Bob beat Dugan's eyes off - but Dugan always came through the "surgeries" just fine. :0 Now Hannah gets to cuddle with Dugan - I think they both like it.