"It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

It is indeed.  Days 1 thru 7 of my "25 Days of Christmas Countdown" have been nothing short of amazing.  I have enjoyed every bit of it!

Day 1 was filled with excitement as I informed my family & friends about my acceptance back to UCONN!  After many-a-year, I took some time in November deciding if it was the best decision for me and if it was the right time to go back and finish my degree.  My answers came.  And starting in January, I will be a full-time student studying for my Bachelors of Science in Psychology.  Go Huskies!

Day 2 was family night...a very important component to the Schimanski household.  We took a drive to Springfield, MA to see "Bright Nights"...a drive-thru light spectacular.  Complete with hot cocoa, of course!

Day 3 was super fun: Movie Night at our church.  The night's premire event: The Polar Express. 

Days 4 was spent baking treats for a cookie swap with friends.  I am much more of a "chocolatier" myself...so I made CAKEBALLS instead of cookies.

Day 5: spent with friends old & new.  A yummy potluck, a cookie swap and belly laughs.  Jen, you were the perfect hostess! 

Day 6 brought joy to my heart.  I spent the evening with my in-laws as we watched my son and fellow band members put on a winter concert.  This year Andrew is playing both the clarinet & the saxaphone.  That boy makes a mama proud!

Day 7 was spent with a friend buying gifts for people in need at our church.  She has a daughter Andrew's age and the two of them enjoy hanging out with each other.  They both came along as we shopped and tried to pick out the perfect gifts.  Before we left for Target, I snapped this shot of the setting Decemeber sky:

Merry Christmas blog readers!  Thanks for following along on my first week!  Hope yours was just as delightful!

The Stockings Were Hung.

Hubby's schedule has him leaving us next week till mid-December.  So yesterday, we got staright to work to get the house decorated so that he could enjoy the the season before leaving.

We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving parade (that I DVR'd from the day before) while we decorated the tree.  Yes...all of our ornaments are snowmen!

I can enjoy the holiday festivities and not worry about the hustle & bustle. 

Taking time to remember the "Reason for the Season" is what Christmas is about.  Hoping you take time to enjoy your holiday season too!

Taking Time To Play.

Some people I know have a lot to say.  Not me.  I figure no one wants to hear my schedule.  Everyday.  My life's not too-terribly exciting.  And I kinda like it that way.  Don't get me wrong...I've got a LOT going on...but we ALL have a lot going on.  And really, I have no interest in re-hashing it all.  Where am I going with all this?  A daily post on my blog is just something I can't get done right now.  Until I reach a point where I can show you all something I've made everyday, I've got nothin'.

I do, however, have something today. 

Saturday I spent the 1st half of the day at my friend Cookie's house.  She recently moved to the sticks (for you locals...that's Norfolk, CT) with her hubby to a gorgeous, sprawling ranch with lots of woods.  Beautiful!  We spent the afternoon downstairs in her scrap room.  I was so excited to start my "December Daily - Christmas Countdown" mini album designed by Stephanie Ackerman. 

(Pay no attention to the Twix bar in the corner...)

All the ingredients to create a beautiful Christmas Countdown are included in her kit.  I changed mine up a bit to reflect my personal style and my pictures, but I love how she put the coordinating pieces all together.  I'll get back to this in a moment.

Here are some pics of Cookie's scrap room:

Organization is KEY to a great working space.

Her cardstock is color-coordinated.

She has everything she needs right at her fingertips.

And the island in the middle is great for spreading out.  I've got to get my act together & re-do my stiudio space!

As for my Christmas Countdown album, I worked on it again on Monday.  I'm finished thru page 19, including the cover.  I can't wait to get it finished this weekend.  Then, I'll be all ready to capture my December moments, one day at a time.  It's important to stop and celebrate the season each & everyday.  After Christmas, I'll print my photos and adhere them to my completed album.  And my memories of the season will be saved forever.  Take time this holiday season to remember the moments that matter.  Create a keepsake of your own and have it for many Christmases to come.  Wishing you & yours a very happy Thanksgiving holiday!

Taking A Moment To Catch Up.

Things have been C. R. A. Z. Y. busy these past few (10+) days.  The scrapbook store had a retreat we sponsored in Simsbury, I had pies to help deliver for the PTO fundraiser, Andrew started the junior swim team, and hubby had to make an emergency visit to the knee doctor for a cortisone shot.  Not to mention the 5000+ other things I had going on.  But today I am taking a wee-bit of a break to get myself somewhat caught up.

I've got a few sponsor opportunities I am working on.  Last night I made some toppers for my bags of goodies:

I purchased my very own stamp from the Scribbling Club. 

And I'm working on these:

But this isn't the finished product.  You'll have to wait to see how cute they are when they are done.

I've got a list full of things to get done before I head off to work.  It'll be a late night for me, but tomorrow is my day off...maybe I can sneak in a nap. 

A Good Day.

A great big thanks to all the ladies who came out today to spend their Sunday with Debbie & I working on their calendars.  I had a wonderful time teaching, laughing & having fun.  It was a lot of hard work...

...but it was worth it.  Now imagine...think of these kits...times 20 students...times 12 months. 

Man, that's a lot of paper!

Everyone worked hard to stay on task.  (You know how women can be...all chatty & giggley!)

These two ladies did me proud!  They were doing two kits at the same time.  Talk about dedication.

See Debbie way down the end?  She was on her break.  I didn't get a break...I'm just sayin.  HA!

Now I'm home and hubby & child are making me dinner.  BBQ chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans & iced tea.  I've got the life!  Happy Sunday!

A New Adventure Begins.

If there is one thing I dislike, it's coming off a new routine.  I know myself...once I fall off my wagon, it's hard for me to start up again.  I was going strong with my blog posts...and then...WHAM-O!  I missed a day.  But I've had a real busy week, so I'm trying to get over it.  Trying...

Today was no exception to the busy-ness.  Hubby came home at 2am (yes, you read that right...) this morning.  That woke the dog up.  And with the dog up barking, I was up.  And I stayed up.  All through the night.  And now it is 10pm...and here I am writing to all of you.  I ought to have my head examined!  It's been a really long day.  *Yawn.*

Back to my title.  Adventures.  We're always starting new ones around here...especially this time of year.  Tonight Andrew started the Jr. Laser Swim Team at the YMCA.  It was his 1st time, so we all were a bit anxious.  But, being the proud mama that I am, I have to tell ya that he was F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.  He didn't stop once.  I am so proud of him.

He continues with his once-a-week lesson on Saturdays and will meet with the Jr. Swim Team on Fridays.

I have two more long days ahead of me so I am off to bed for some much needed rest.  Wishing all my peeps a good evening.  Sweet dreams!

Switching Gears

On the 1st Saturday of November our church plays host to a Fall Festival.  This year's event is this Saturday, November 4th from 9am to 3pm.  We offer handmade crafts, baked goods, a raffle drawing for beautiful baskets and a yummy lunch with homemade soups, sandwiches, hotdogs and desserts.  If you are local and would like to stop by, we would love to have you.  Admission is free and is handicap accessible.

I often assign myself the job of creating a "snowman-type" craft every year.  For anyone who knows me, you know I ADORE snowmen...country-folksy type snowmen.  We decorate our tree every year with snowmen ornaments.  So, I don't mind crafting them for the fair.  Here is one I am finishing up today:

I have 8 of these guys waiting for some type of seed for the bottom.  I went on the hunt looking for dried corn, but alas, I found only sunflower seeds.  Walmart no longer carries wild-bird food; only domestic.  And Home Depot had cracked corn, not whole corn.  So, I settled for seeds.

 Here is my finished one:

My hope is to make a few more tonight to put up for sale on Etsy.  If you love him, and would like one of your own, leave me a comment with an email addy we'll talk. 

I'll be working late in the studio tonight on another snowman creation.  Enjoy your day.  I've got lots of work to do!  :)

Teaming Up To Teach With A Good Friend

If you local & are looking for a great gift-giving idea, consider signing up for this spectacular calendar class, offered by my friend Debbie...and me.  Take a peek:

This class has limited seating, but we have a few spots left.  We would love to have you! 

Here are the details:

*Debbie B. & Christy have teamed up to offer an 8 x 8 calendar class on Sunday, Nov 7th, 10am to 5pm.

*Feel free to bring a lunch or go out...we'll break for a half an hour.

*This class always sells out, and we've got a limited number of seats available. 

*Cost is $62.50 per calendar. 

*Call to reserve your spot soon.  860.693.9197

*Can't make the class?  Call to sign up for a kit.

*These make great holiday gifts. 

Hope to see you there!

The Trickers Have Come & Gone...

...and the treats have been put away.  It's November dear friends.  For us that means voting, a Thanksgiving feast, and holiday preparation.  Lots to do, lots to do.

I came across this pic today from one of my cyber friends, Stephanie Ackerman.  Her passion for life and her optimism inspite of doubt really inspire me to be a better person.  Her work is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!  She is a self-taught "crafter-extraordinaire" but don't take my word for it.  Go take a peak at her work on her blog.  Tell her I sent you!

Most mornings she is kind enough to remind us we are all here for a reason.  Today's Facebook post was fitting for me:

Doesn't this just make you think for a second?  Wow.  She's right.  We all have that potential.  Thanks Stephanie!  You have shaped my goals for today.

Make you day extra-ordinary.  Why?  Because you can!  Happy November everyone!

It's Finally Here!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Thank you Vanessa for making my mantle look so good!

Vanessa taught this amazing banner class two years ago and I still hang it out every year.  I love it.

We got to play with Stickles and ink.

And die cuts and chipboard stickers.

And ribbons too!

And no spider would be complete without the googley eyes!

This afternoon we carved our pumpkins and we're all set for our trick-or-treaters. 

Wishing you a very safe & happy halloween. 

Kind Of Like Kermit The Frog...

...well...almost.  Remember how he says "it's not easy being green?"  Well, I'm not green, but it's not easy.  Being famous that is.  It's hard work.  Now, I may not be as famous as some people...Kermit, Craigy Ferg, Bon Jovi, or Queen Vanna, but I'm famous enough.  The NY girls at the store tonight knew who I was...the chic with the blonde side-ways hair.  And people tell me they read this blog-o-mine.  So, in my mind, I've got peeps.  I've got friendies.  And that makes me famous!  (Remember my tv appearance??)

In my last post I promised pics of my other Halloween layouts.  Truth be told, I forgot my camera.  All week.  I FINALLY remembered it today and was able to take these shots.  I hope you enjoy...I myself just love these layouts.  And it's all because I love My Minds Eye products.  See for yourself:

This will be the layout I use for the trick-or-treating pics I take.  These little costume people are

SO STINKING CUTE!

Their eyes just make me giggle!

My Minds Eye...you rock!

Here is the second layout I did from the leftovers of the 1st.  I'm thinking I might use it for the pumpkin carving pics I'll take tomorrow:

Not too shabby for just using leftovers, huh?

Wouldn't these guys look great with some pumpkin carving photos?

Even the CROW is stinkin' cute!  Did I mention that I love this line?

I'm sad that Halloween is almost here, and that it will be over soon.  But I've got two days before it all comes to an end, so I'll see what else I can crank out before then.  And so, to all my peeps out there...HAPPY HALLO-WEENIE! 

I'm Feeling Inspired

I had some creative mojo this weekend.  I was really digging the Halloween theme and that feeling really came out in my projects.  Here's just a sampling of what I did:

A few weeks back a received a "freebie" from Part Time Sally.  If you placed an order over $20, you received a Halloween goodie including papers, rub ons, ribbon & a mini album from Cosmo Cricket.  Here's what I did with my loot: 

The rub ons went on so smooth...just like "butta!" 

I had been saving these little spiders from an earlier Little Yellow Bicycle collection. 

He looks so cute on the web!

This velvet-y purple scalloped ribbon was great to work with. 

I can't wait to add this year's pics to it!

Echo Park Paper has a nifty little challenge going on right now.  I'm trying to win (of course!) so I just submitted this layout on their Facebook fan page:

I really loved working with their Halloween collection. 

I am a sucker for foam pop dots.  My pages gotta have dimension!

I added a pop dot to my spider too...so spooky!

I've got some projects to showcase tomorrow using the My Mind's Eye Halloween collections.  Stay tuned scrappy friends.