New Years Resolutions

Funny how the new year always makes one start thinking of things they want to change or do differently as another year begins.

I've been thinking about the new year and what I would like to tweak a bit and resolve to do.

1.Exercise. Yes, don't we all do this every year! Mine isn't so much for the weight loss (I won't complain if I lose a pound or two) but to make exercising a habit and to keep in shape. Having babies puts you out of shape real fast. I could find all kinds of crafty things to do or web sites to spend time oohh and aahh-ing over instead of exercising. My plan is to start by exercising 1 day per week until it's no longer a chore. Then adding another day, until working up to 3 times per week. I feel this is something I can commit to and not set myself up for failure. 

2. Budget. In our house my husband works construction which means seasonal work. That plus me not being a good saver, means that it has been feast or famine in this house. Now with 3 kids, not really the way we want to live. I'm not the one who spends on big ticketed items but rather buying little things here or there. I am sucker for a good deal, (even if I don't need it!) and buy on emotion. When I go to the craft store I might add $5 to $20 extra per visit. That added up through out the year gets to be a lot. Then on the other side of it I have a room full of good deals. I do roll my money back into my crafts. Sell something = buy more. But I'm pretty sure I have WAY more than I will ever need. 

Pencil in need self control here.

I would really like to prove to my husband that, yes indeed we can make a budget and I can stick to it. We were talking before he left to sit down together and come up with a budget. Have a regular weekly grocery amount, a regular set amount that goes into the winter fund (the regular utility bills, food & fuel for the vehicles) and also the emergency fund (the unplanned expenses, i.e. car repairs, broken water softener, etc.). Since we only get 1 hour to talk a day right now, I'll have to sit down & do some homework. Then we can together see what is needed and what is extra.

I'll take any advise your willing to offer and give it a whirl. I've tried some things that others have done. Some have worked while others haven't. 

I want to get this figure out for real this time! Yes, I do know that we will never be as prepared as we want to be. But I want be able to enjoy life while living debt free.

Do you budget? What do you do?

The best for last

These two are my favorite.

Cards were made using Paper Lovelies January's kit.

I believe the kit is already sold out.

Kit included:

Websters Pages - Winter Fairy Tales:

• 12 Websters Pages double-sided 12x12 papers
• 1 Websters Pages 12x12 diecut paper
• 1 Websters Pages Storyteller alpha sticker sheet
• 1 Websters Pages 8" bling strip
• 2 Websters Pages Sentiment fabric tickets
• 2 Websters Pages 12" bloomer trims
• 2 Websters Pages feather flower
• 2 Websters Pages pins



January's kit

Paper Lovelies has yet again put together another beautiful scrap booking kit!

For $15 you get coordinating paper and matching embellishments to go with it.

How great is that?

I'll have more cards to share tomorrow.

If you would like to see previous kits that Paper Lovelies has offered and kit ideas go here.

I do believe she has already sold out of January's kit.

I've said this before, quantities are limited and these kits go incredibly fast.

Each month the kits are released on the 25th.

Today we say good-bye for now.

We don't know how long he will be gone or when he will be back.

 Ryan took a job building ice roads on the North slope and flies out this afternoon.

Yesterday and today have been spent gather and packing Ryan's gear.

Yesterday I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the unknowns & the responsibility that I will have holding done the fort.

I know I am capable and will be just fine.

He has gone and done this once before.

We are truly blessed to live around family and some really great friends. I may will need them.

I have to just think of each day as it comes.

I'll be back tomorrow.

Cricut Card Thursday

I was inspired by this gift bag and challenged myself to make a snow globe card.

My take of the gift bag.

 Now to make your very own snow globe card.

Items needed:

Christmas cheer cricut cartridge, white, green, brown, gray & blue card stock, a Christmas sentiment stamp, red ink, Buffalo snow & glitter.

Load a piece of 12 x 12 white card stock into your cricut.

You will need to use your arrow keys.

On your screen you will see In/Out & Left/ Right.

Using your arrows move your blade housing so that your screen reads:

In/ Out: 4 1/2inches

Left/ Right: 1/2 inch.

Select the globe & cut at 4 inches.

Do not unload your mat.

Now move your blade housing to sit at:

In/ Out: 4 1/2 inches

Left/ Right: 6 inches

 Now cut globe again.

I usually will select the 'repeat last' button so that way I know I am cutting the same image again. This will eliminate accidentally hitting the wrong image. 

Unload mat.

You will now have 2 snow globes that are cut perfectly aligned and spaced.

You will want to cut your paper next.

Measuring from the left side cut at 8 1/2 inches.

Measuring from the top cut at 11 inches.

You then will cut between the two, measuring from the top and cutting at 5 1/2 inches.

Fold each piece in half to create your card base. The globe will be in front.

Stamp Christmas sentiment below snow globe.

To cut tree select <tree1>. Load green card stock, cutting tree at 2 inches.

To cut reindeer select <reindeer1>. Load brown card stock, cutting reindeer at 2 inches also.

To cut snowflake select shift then <snowflake>. Load blue card stock, cutting at 1 3/4 inch.

Repeat snowflake cut.

Now taking a piece of transparency cut it at 4 by 10 inches. Fold it to make a 4 by 5 inch rectangle.

Unfold. Using move able tape, tape to inside of card. Make sure your fold is to the bottom of card. This allows you  to see where your images will sit inside the globe. Glue images in place.

Fold transparency closed and tape along two longer sides.

Fill will Buffalo snow and glitter.

You can also use very small or crushed beads. They would move around better inside your card.

Tape top closed.

Place on inside of card front and tape top and bottom.

Cut a piece of gray card stock at 4 by 5 1/4 inches and place over transparency and adhere.

You now have a beautiful snow globe card.

Last peak

before January's Paper Lovelies kit is released.

Yesterday I searched every where for one of the last gifts. We were gone for 5 hours and we made 6 stops. The kids did wonderful! I should have known... They were so hyper last night, I felt like these walls were going to close in around me, and they did not sleep well either. I did however find a gift with Ryan's help. It is not what I had in mind but it works. 

Another sneak

I keep telling myself that after Christmas life will slow down, just a little bit.

My husband says that for me life will never slow down.

He may be right.

I like to keep myself busy.

He probably doesn't want to see me not busy.

Are you done with your Christmas shopping/ gift making?