Prairie Fairy has Moved!

Prairie Fairy recently moved back to Blogger, and so they are offering some wonderful "Spread the Word" candy:

So help spread the word! Be sure to find Prairie Fairy at their new location HERE. And enter to win some candy. Yum!

*smiles*
debbi

Ribbon Girl/Lili of Valley Giveaway!

There are two great prizes to be won over at The Ribbon Girl. See:

                                                             Win a LOV gift certificate!
AND

The giveaway ends Dec 29th. Head on over HERE to enter!

*smiles*
debbi

Rosetta Stone Giveaway!!

Yippee!! Marsha is giving away Rosetta Stone!! Here is the info:

"Now is the perfect time to give your child the gift of possibilities for the holidays with Rosetta Stone Homeschool — and you can WIN a Level 1 Homeschool program, language of your choice (valued at $249)!

Right now Rosetta Stone is having a special Holiday promotion on our Homeschool Edition program and we’d like you to help spread the word! Everyone can save up to $150 on Rosetta Stone Homeschool by visiting our website at http://www.RosettaStone.com/hsw1110.

By helping us spread the word you can win a Rosetta Stone Homeschool Edition Level 1 program, language of your choice, valued at $249.

This is a computer based curriculum and Rosetta Stone will also include a headset with microphone, and a supplementary “Audio Companion” CD so you can practice lessons in the car, on the go, or where-ever!

Students participate in life-like conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone incorporates listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary and writing along with speaking and pronunciation lessons. For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program to allow parents to easily enroll up to ten students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, grade completed work (the program grades the work automatically as the students progress), and you can view and print reports for transcripts. Homeschooling a lot of kids at your house? This program is designed to enroll and track up to ten students (five users on two computers) and will work for nearly all ages — from beginning readers up to college students.

To win this program, copy these paragraphs and post them in (or as) your next blog post, and/OR post about this contest on your facebook page. Then go to the original page at

http://www.othersuchhappenings.com/2010/12/rosetta-stone-giveaway-yay.html and leave a comment saying that you’ve posted about, or have linked to, the contest. Please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post, and good luck!"

You have until December 20th to enter HERE. 

*smiles*
debbi

My Christmas Gift Box

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my previous post.

With all of my shopping done, I have decided to begin working on the handmade Christmas gifts I need (it's about time, 'ya think!).  I needed a really pretty box to put a gift in for my best friend. Here's what I came up with:

I started with White cardstock (WalMart) and Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!). I stamped a large Snowflake on in White Craft ink (SU!) and then embossed with SU! White EP and heat embossed.

Don't you want to know what inside?? (Hint: Keep scrolling down!)

And, of course, I spritzed with Shimmer Mist (Champagne Shimmer Paint from SU! mixed with rubbing alcohol)! What would a project be without a little sparkle, I ask you? DULL, that's what! LOL

The matching tag was created in the same way as the box. And the ribbon is from JoAnns or Michaels (not sure which).

So, what is the box for, you ask? Well, I made my very first ever crocheted headband to give to my bff. Now, don't laugh! She's not going to wear it!! Long story short, she's a photographer. I knew she's been looking on-line at those cute hats and headbands with the big flowers, and I thought, "Hmmm...I could maybe make one of those!" So, I found a pattern for one and made it. And here it is:

I made my bff's headband adjustable, since she will be using it when she photographs different-sized children. 
There is a small hook on the back of the flower, which hooks onto the end of the headband at the needed length.

Here's a closeup of the flower:

Not bad for a first try! Now, I want to try a hat!! :-) You might say I'm hooked, lol. (Sorry, that was lame, I know.)

I'm entering my box in the following challenges:

*Scrap-Creations  -- Make it a Gift or Wrap (ends Dec 13)
*Bunny Zoe's Crafts -- Christmas...But Not a Card! (ends Dec 12)
*Craft Our Passion -- Anything Goes (ends Dec 13)
*Paper Playtime -- Snowflakes (ends Dec 13 - Winners drawn Dec 31)
*Paper Sundaes -- Gift it (ends Dec 11)
Valentines Monthly Challenge -- Snow (ends Dec 31)
*The Secret Crafters Challenge -- Christmas (ends Dec 10 - Winners drawn Dec 31)
*Pile It On -- Wrapping (ends Dec 31)
*Top Tip Tuesday -- Use Ribbon (ends Dec 13)

*smiles*
debbi

Look What We've Been Up To!

I am about four posts behind, and since time is limited, I am just going to give you a condensed version, lol!

Since Thanksgiving we have gone to the Christmas Parade with Pop Pop:

Decorated our Christmas Tree:

Put out the Christmas decorations:

(My three little angels.)

( My MIL made these stockings for us. So special!)

 (This is the Nativity Set that my Sis made for us for a wedding gift.)

( Isn't it amazing?)

And we also set up our train under the tree:

We taught our dog to sing (Just Kidding!):

And my dd's performed in the Christmas Piano Recital:

I also made a few Christmas gifts:

Come back soon to see what is INSIDE the box!!

*smiles*
debbi

Roberts Crafts Giveaway!

You won't believe this giveaway!! Roberts Crafts is giving away $450 worth of DCWV products!! And for a paper addict like me, that is one awesome giveaway, lol.  Here's a pic:

You have until Dec 6 at 6am (MST) to enter. Go HERE! 

*smiles*
debbi

Such a Cute Idea!

I found this idea at The Idea Room that I think is sooooo ca-ute, and I'm just going to have to try it!!  Look at this:

It's a monogrammed bottle of  hand sanitizer, and it's way easier than you think! The full directions on how-to can be found here.  Easy. Quick. Inexpensive...I'm thinkin' teacher gifts...

*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday

I just love Thursdays...almost the weekend! I haven't posted a Thank You Thursday for a while (sorry!), but I thought I really needed to get back to it starting today.

If you're like me (I'm a dirty rotten sinner, people!), I can get so caught up in the presents and drama of Christmas and forget about the important things. Things like...CHRIST (helloooo! the Reason we celebrate Christmas!!) and just how many things I have to be thankful for.

So, here I go, my Thank You Thursday post (long overdue!).

THANK YOU to God. Thank You for all of the wonderful ways You bless my life every day. Every Thank You Thursday post is just a list of your many blessings to me. I am so blessed.

THANK YOU to my Emily-Friend. She inspires me to make my house a home.

THANK YOU to Shanty2Chic. She hosted an amazing giveaway which I won. WOOOOHOOOO!! (Thank You, Lord!!)

THANK YOU to Silhouette for giving away their wonderful, awesome and amazing machine...to ME. (I can't wait for it to come!!)

THANK YOU to Amber of Amber's Antics for the stamp set she is sending:


I will be able to use this for so many of the cards I make for people with cancer! I am really excited about this set, since I know so many people with cancer (unfortunately).

THANK YOU to the mail man who keeps bringing packages for my husband (*groan*).  I am so thankful for a husband that orders Christmas gifts for me, but I. hate. waiting. And my husband gets such delight in making me wait! lol

THANK YOU to my awesome kiddos that like to make cards with me! I LOVE that they enjoy one of my favorite things. *smiles*

THANK YOU to my FIL, who hates to travel. He endured many hours in airports and in planes just so he could be with us for Thanksgiving. I certainly appreciate his willingness to come and stay for a few days. We really enjoyed his visit!

I could go on and on...but I have laundry to do, hee hee!

I hope you all are having a thankful week. Being thankful sure cures a lot of those "grumpies" that I can feel during this stressful time of the year. And I have so much to be thankful for!

*smiles*
debbi

I WON!! I WON!!! Okay...Breathe. In. Out. In. Out

I am so excited and I couldn't possibly convey that excitement in any font that my computer offers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I WON A SILHOUETTE SD!!! me. ME!!!! I cannot believe it! I wanted to win this so badly, but never thought I would. I mean, what are the chances, really? But, Praise the Lord!!! I won. WOW.

This is what I won:

(Laptop not included.) And I won it from the most wonderful blog called Shanty2Chic.

If you don't know what a Silhouette is, you can learn all about it here.

I am SO amazed, in shock really. WOW!! God is SO good.

I can't wait for it to come!!

WOW.
*BIG smiles*
debbi

Our Thanksgiving Feast

Last Thursday night, we hosted a Thanksgiving Feast. This was a project that my children needed to complete for their school (we homeschool and use Learning Adventures curriculum). We worked for several days planning the meal, the costumes and the games. We made decorations
, made and sent out invitations,  created and printed the programs, 


and made the costumes.

 Finally the night arrived!

The table was set.

The guests arrived, all in their costumes!

Notice my two Indians and one Pilgrim:

We had a wonderful meal:

We ate turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and vegetables. And, of course, for dessert...

 Pumpkin Pie! Made by:

My oldest dd!

We also ate Pilgrim Hat cookies, which were made by me (Emily-Friend, where were you?? I needed your cute cookies!! Or, at least your help, lol. )

After supper we played traditional Pilgrim games, and took a few more pictures.

 Don't you just love this hat?!

We had a very fun night!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. We, like the Pilgrims, have so much to  thank God for!!

*smiles*
debbi

Silhouette Giveaway!! OOOH!

I am, yes, I really am posting AGAIN today! BUT, you will thank me, because you could win this:

Check it out at Thrifty Decor Chick HERE. Or, (a SECOND giveaway!!) The Idea Room HERE Or, (yep, a THIRD giveaway!!) The Shanty2Chic HERE Or, (*gasp* a FOURTH giveaway!!!) MomsReview4You HERE, Or, (Oh My WORD! A FIFTH giveaway!!) LoveStitched HERE. WAIT! Here's a SIXTH!! (breathe. in.out.in.out.) DecorChick HERE.

Okay. Calm yourself. Go enter. The giveaway ends Sunday, Nov 28.

*smiles*
debbi

Courtney's One-Dale Sale!

Check out Courtney's One-Day CTMH Sale...QUICK! It is for ONE DAY only--Friday, November 26. All of the details can be found HERE.

In addition to an awesome sale, Courtney is also giving away Blog Candy! Here's a pic:

YUM! You can see all of the details and enter HERE.

The smell of turkey is about driving me crazy...it's almost time to eat. YUM! I hope you all are having a wonderful day with family and friends.

*smiles*
debbi