holiday tunes

Instead of making/baking a ton of Christmas candy and cookies this season, we decided to bake a little and listen to lots of Christmas music. While listening to tons of Christmas music, we decided to create a holiday CD. Our family picked out our top 18 favorite holiday songs(not necessarily new ones)and burned them to CD's. John created a cute label and then we tied cute Baker's Twine around them and shared them with family and neighbors.

I thought I'd share our favorite holiday songs in 2011.

We Need a Little Christmas - Glee Cast
The Happy Elf - Harry Connick, Jr.
Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis and Percy Faith
Last Christmas - Glee Cast
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Babyface
Santa Claus is Comin' To Town - Faith Hill
Mistletoe - Justin Bieber
This Christmas - Elliot Yamin
Drummer Boy - Justin Bieber
You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Glee Cast
Jingle Bells - Michael Buble
Marshmallow World - Dean Martin
Christmas Lights - Coldplay
My Only Wish - Jessica Simpson
Last Christmas - Taylor Swift
A Baby Changes Everything - Faith Hill
Auld Lang Syne(The Millennial Mix) - Kenny G.

What were you listening to this season?

For the Graduates

We had a few friends and a family member graduate from high school this year. A few of those friends were some of the girls that I teach in the Young Woman's program at church. I wanted to buy/make them something but I knew I couldn't break the bank doing so(with multiple gifts to give). I found this cute Subway Art online and knew that I wanted to print and frame it for the girls. I printed the art at Costco and found cute, simple black frames at IKEA...I love IKEA. I tied a simple bow in their school colors and delivered them as is. I figured they could take it to college with them and glean inspiration from it. I also made them simple graduation cards and tucked cash/gift cards inside. I am so proud of the Class of 2011. Their futures are bright and wide open with possibilities.

made with love

December was filled with awesome handmade goodness. I love thoughtful, personal gifts that were made and given with oooodles of love.

My friend, Brandi was busy making these cute camera straps. I was the lucky recipient of this one. What do you think? Does it scream, "Raimi"? I thought so :-). Thank you, Brandi!

















When we were opening gifts at my Mom and Dad's house on Christmas, I opened this beautiful quilt. My Mom had attached a note telling me that this was the first quilt that she had started/finished that wasn't a baby blanket or one of the grand kid's denim quilts. Thank you, Mom! I love it!
















My Mom was BUSY. She made the triplets (the 6 year old cousins) their denim quilts this year. She started a few years back, making the older grandkids theirs first. Their quilts have squares of denim from their Great Grandpa Shores old jeans. She even stitched Grandpa Shore on one of the squares. These quilts are something they will treasure forever!















John's sister decided that we would have what she called a frugal Christmas. Names were drawn and the rule was that your gift had to be homemade. You could spend up to $10.00 to buy your supplies. We found this super fun idea over on the eighteen25 blog...love those fun sisters. Those cute little snowmen are Garrett's fingers. He loved making his gift and was very excited to give it.






















Did you make or receive anything handmade in December? If so, please share!

and the winner is...

First of all, thank you for all of the organization tips/tools...so many awesome ideas. I want to try to incorporate all of your ideas into my world.














Drum roll please...
{thanks to my handsome assistant, dirty baseball field fingers & all :-)}














Congrats to Morgan -YAY! I will work on your binder this week & get it to you!

personalized gifts

Each year, during our girls weekend at the beach, we bring little gifts for each other. It is a fun tradition that was started a few years back. These little gifts can be anything from candy, mixed Cd's, lotion, to a package of brads. It is always a treat to receive these fun gifts. This year, I created binders for each of the girls. I found fun binders (they were all different) while I was out & about at various stores. I personalized each binder with their name, using American Crafts Thickers, some cardstock and a scallop punch. I then added buttons, flowers, ribbon & bling.













On the inside, I made page dividers using my Quikutz file tab die. They were simple to make & the tabs matched the color of the cover of each binder. I added a package of graph paper just in case they wanted to use their binders as sketch books. I also included meal planning & grocery shopping sheets just in case they wanted to use their binders for grocery shopping. The binders really can be used for anything. I will have to share my personal sketch book one of these days. It is red with tiny white polka dots...would you expect anything different ;-)?














I think it is time for a fun little give away. Leave a comment, sharing your favorite organization tip/tool. I will create a personalized binder for the individual that is picked(randomly)by my boys on Friday. Anyone is eligible to win, as long as they leave a comment...link your friends.

love is in the air

oh the excitement level in our home has been at an all time high. the boys have taken their time to address each valentine to their classmates. tanner has realized that this is the last year that he will pass valentines out at school {insert tears}. he is growing up way too fast. realizing that this was it, he took the time & wrote each classmate a note, telling them something that he admired about them. for instance, he wrote athena a note telling her that she was a really good artist & that he liked her art work. i thought it was really sweet of him to take the time to write something extra.















i feel like i have made/frosted sugar cookies by the truck load. you can find the recipe in the post below this one..












here is what we did for the teachers this year. each teacher got a plate of sugar cookies & a gift card for starbucks. you gotta have hot chocolate (or coffee for the boys teachers) with your cookies. we attached a little gift card holder on top of the cookie plate. a few years back, i worked the sacramento scrapbook expo for green tangerines & we made these gift card holders as a free make & take. so simple & easy to make. a perfect way to use some of your extra stash. I had all of the product on hand & did not have to purchase anything new(did you read that, john?) here are the steps:

double sided pattern paper {adds instant cuteness}
cut your paper to 4 X 6 in..














fold your pattern paper up from the bottom, about 1 1/2 in..














ink edges, staple left & right sides shut. punch a few hearts, add a bow & you are good to go.





enjoy your valentine weekend...hope it is filled with love & all things sweet.