Merry Christmas!!!!

I hope that everyone has a VERY Merry Christmas!



The above picture is of the card that I made, and sent out this year. I first saw a version of this card posted on Lynda's blog and fell in LOVE with it. Mine did not turn out exactly like hers, but it's very similar! It has lots of glitter (Stickles) and shine. I really like the way it turned out.



I am also including the card that I made last year. (I was a knucklehead and didn't keep a copy for myself, so I had to have one of the girls at work bring hers back in so that I could copy it! I am supposed to be adding one to a Christmas card album each year! I have been experiencing major brain dumps and totally forgot to make an extra one!)

The first week of December (2006) we had an ice storm, and it really saved my patootie, because the original Christmas card I had planned on making was NOT turning out. The day after the ice storm hit, I took my camera out and starting taking tons of pictures. EVERYTHING was covered in ice! It was breathtaking! Once I saw this picture I knew it would be perfect as my card. I had my son go into Adobe Photoshop, and add the words Seasons Greetings in the lower corner, then I uploaded it to Sam's for printing. It was a simple card, but I LOVE it!

Christmas Tree #2

Finally, I have taken pictures of the Christmas tree in my bedroom. Originally, this tree was put up in the "powder" room that guests use when they come and visit us. But, since we never have guests over, and there is only one electrical plug in there, I have started setting it up in my bedroom. (Eventually, I plan on getting a larger tree for the bedroom, and this will go back into the "powder" room.)

Both rooms are decorated in what "I" am calling a Moroccan theme. (You can see some pictures of my bedroom here and here) This Christmas tree kind of reflects that theme as well.

This picture is dark but I REALLY like the way the lights made a design on the walls. It almost looks like a faux finish has been painted on them.



I used a peacock as the tree topper.



I LOVE this picture of one of the peacocks on the tree!



And here are a few more.



Now, I need to move to the living room and decorate "BIG MAMA!" She is 9.5 feet tall! I also have to put up the garland coming down the stairs. I will post those pictures when I am done.

Christmas Tree # 1

YEP! I am one of those crazy people that has Christmas on the brain all year long! Every year I add more trees and decorations to the house. This year we will have a total of five trees up. (My goal is to eventually have one in every room!)

The kids both have their own trees now, so they are included in the five. They will decorate theirs, and I will be decorating the other three.

I always start putting up the trees in November because I like to take my time decorating them, and if they are up earlier that means I get to enjoy them longer.

So, this weekend I got the first tree up. It is the cardinal/woodland themed tree.



(I really like the picture above. I am thinking I may need to make my Christmas cards with it one of these years!)

It has picks with "ice" on the ends, berries, pine cones, cardinals, and all kinds of things sticking out of it. It sits in the dining room.



I chose cardinals because they are one of my favorite outdoor birds! I love to see them in the winter time with their red feathers contrasting against the white snow. SO PRETTY!

It's Started!

I am so excited! The Christmas Notebook has started this year's session! It's time to start preparing for the holidays and this totally helps me do it.
I'm still working on my notebook but it's coming along.
There is also, Holiday Grand Plan which is an 18-week program that helps you clean, organize, & decorate your entire home for the holiday season that begins on Sunday, August 26th, and Organized Christmas which has a 6 week program that begins on October 21st.
They are pretty much the same kind of programs as The Christmas Notebook but, I like reading the awesome ideas that come from all of them. I figure that even if I don't follow them exactly, I am still further ahead than I would be if I didn't follow them at all.
Because of these programs, I have actually started Christmas shopping for this year already! THAT IS A FIRST! Never before, have I purchased a Christmas present in JULY!
So, what are you doing to get ready for the holidays?

Only 191 Days until CHRISTMAS!

I KNOW........I KNOW........it's Father's Day! BUT, have you started thinking about it yet? I have had Christmas on the brain for the last few days. Today, I was on some Christmas websites and clicked on a few links, and then a few more, then all of a sudden I was looking for Christmas card ideas, and then designer Christmas trees, and look at what I found! Isn't this the coolest Christmas tree? LOL! I don't drink beer, but I told my husband that this would be perfect for his entertainment room down in the basement! They have stacked the bottles on top of glass plates. I am not sure how they did all of the lights but I don't think it would be too hard to figure out!



And then I saw this one! This just totally CRACKS ME UP! We could do a diet 7-up one here at our house. We would probably have enough cans saved up in a month! YES! We drink way too much soda!



So, do I have all of you in the Christmas spirit yet?