{ Hello 2010 }

Here we are...the start of a New Year. Are there some of you out there that are resolution makers? I have never been one of those people...can never really stick with it for long...or just plain forget about it after I make it. I will admit though, that this year there are a few things I would REALLY like to stick to.

1. Lose weight...I know, I know...but this year I will be turning the big 40 and well...it's something I MUST do.

2. Get all my Christmas Card Challenges done on time....meaning done when I post the challenge and not get it done by the end of the month!

3. Scrapbook...anything...something. We took our Disneyland vacation in May of 08 and I still only have 4 pages done!! Gotta get on it!

4. Concentrate on the important stuff...myself and my family and not stress over the stuff I can't control!

5. Be more at one with myself...I know, I know...that one sounds a little zen like...but I guess that's kinda where I am going with it

Okay...well...that was almost a list of resolutions...maybe I am one of 'those' people? Anyway...wish me luck in all of this. And if you are setting any goals or resolutions for yourself...I wish you all the best!

Okay...onto the first creation for 2010. Technically this was created in 2009 as I made it New Years Eve...but it was made with a new Christmas Stamp...so I am going with 2010!

This is my first Side Step card. I saw Nancy's card and wanted to give it a try. I like mine...it's different. The only thing that kinda bugs me about it, is the fact that it spreads out so much. Anyone else made one? And does yours flatten out when you stand it up? It's just a little thing, but it kinda bugs me. ;0) I do like my new stamp though... Heidi Among the Flowers. She was fun to color.

I am hoping to get in some more stamping this week...although we are back to a normal schedule this week, so one never knows. ;0) Be sure to keep an eye out for the new 2010 Christmas Card Challenge. I have a few changes planned for this year. I sure hope everyone has fun with it again this year!

Thanks for stoppin' by

{ Goodbye to 2009 }

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas...but can someone please tell me where in the heck 2009 went???!!!

Wow! 2010 is around the corner...literally. I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Years. It will be a VERY quiet one in our household. Hubby has to work tomorrow and we are all still tired from Christmas. We had 3 family dinners at our house this year. We had a good time, but it is a tiring thing...especially boxing day having to squish 15 people into our house!! ;0) But like I said it was a great holiday.

I was lucky enough to get lots of yummy stampin' supplies. I got a swack of new stamps, some new Martha Stewart punches from my hubby, some nesties and a punch of paper and embellishments. I think the biggest hits in our household have to be the girls new DS's...which Mommy plays as soon as they go to bed! I am thinking I might *need* one for myself soon...or some extra batteries! ;0) And of course the new Band Hero for the Wii!! I was not too sure if Hubby would REALLY love it...oh ya!! Lets see...the day after boxing day we played from 10am until 9:30pm!! Yup! So a very good Christmas in the Houghton household.

Before I sign off for 2009, I will share with you a gift I made for my Aunt for Christmas. I sooooo wish I had decided to try on of these sooner. I have definitely decided to make more of these for next year though...























I was surprised at how easy these really are to make. And not at all that time consuming. Once you have done one...just pick the papers cut out all the pieces and boom! It goes together really quickly. I just need to get me some more cardboard. I like the cardboard you get with the SU designer paper packs. Works great! If you have not tried one already...THIS is the template I used. You can alter it to make it the size you want...mine is 6 X 6.

Oh and a little extra note for ya. I have been downloading some tunes the past few days...it's been awhile since I got some new music. Anyway...thought I would share my newest FAV! Shiloh. She is another 16 year old up and coming star, but she is Canadian. Canadian Girls Rock! I had seen her video Alright on The Family Channel , so I decided to take a listen to the album. Love her! Great vocals, great lyrics and music. I like her...can you tell? Take a listen...her ballads are awesome! I promise you will like it...I hope!

And another awesome find...by my hubby...was Orianthi. Awesome! She was Michael Jackson's find for his final tour before his death. Amazing guitar player!

I was also downloading some tunes for the girls and Demi Lovato is actually quite good. I was a little surprised...worth another listen too.

Okay...off to organize my new stampin' goodies and get my room back together...had to use my table for Christmas dinner!

{ 3 more sleeps! }

Has the panic set in yet? ;0) It will all get done and it will be great no matter what.

Just thought I would pop in today between the tobogganing and wrapping to post a few things.

First off...if you have not discovered THIS blog yet...well check it out!!! Be sure to add your name to the followers list...and Karen might have some freebies for all of us! I will definitely be ordering some of her fabulous digis after Christmas is over!!!

Here is another creation I did using my new Verve stamps...

This was a very simple card...but I still like it. This one was using the CFC12 sketch...once again never got it posted in time! ;0)

Thanks for stoppin' by today and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

{ 6 more sleeps! }

Wow! Time sure does fly. I can not believe that it is really only 6 more sleeps till Christmas. Wow! Just thought I would pop in and do a quick post. Today is also the first day of Winter Break for the kids...and so it begins...threw them outside so I could do some tidying up with out listening to them argue...yes, it has begun already! Oh well...hopefully I can get them baking today and then they get to help clean up the playroom downstairs...how fun, eh?! ;0)

I have a card for you that I created a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to win a gift card from Verve Stamps awhile back and this was my first creation using my new Believe set.

I look forward to playing more with this set!

I hope to be back a few times this week, but no guarantees. ;0)

{ A Calgal Challenge }

I apologize for not posting this week. I have been busy working and shopping. But guess what? I only have 5 more gifts to buy and a few of them are because they are things that will not be available to buy for another week or two. Woohoo for me!! I always say that I want to be finished my shopping by Dec 1st and I am the closest I have ever been. Now I can spend December relaxing, wrapping, baking and just having some Christmas fun instead of freaking out worrying that it won't be done in time!!

Okay...onto the card...here was my take on our Calgals Challenge for November. Shannon gave us this sketch, which was Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge.

Shannon was nice enough to give me a brown flower, since I did not bring any along with me. But when I got home I decided to add this orange one too for some added bling. It's okay... I love my new Verve stamp though!

Well...today is tree and house decorating day today. This will most likely be a whole day affair as I will be setting up my Christmas Village this year. We don't have room in the house for it, so I set it up on the top of our kitchen cabinets. It actually looks really nice there. Maybe I will post some pics once we are all done. I only set it up once in awhile and I thought since this year we are having 3 family dinners here...5 of us on Christmas Day, 15 of us on Boxing Day and 7 of us on the day after Boxing Day! Well...best get started decorating.

Thanks for stoppin' by...

{ Found some Mojo! }

Yup...I did! Here is my take on this weeks MojoMonday Sketch Challenge/Contest.

I am very happy with the way that this one turned out! Simple...yet...well...I love it!

Have a great weekend all!