What a fun but crazy week we’ve had here!

On Tuesday evening Nick, my oldest performed in his first band concert. I was such a proud mommy! I could tell he loved being on stage. He’s pretty passionate about being in the percussion section of the 6th grade Brass Band.

Then on Friday Luke’s entire elementary school dressed up, attended a play put on by the high school students, and came back to a fancy lunch. Volunteer parents pretended to be wait staff, and turned the lunch room into a classy restaurant experience. How fun! I wanted to be there, but I gave myself that day off to wrap all the boys’ presents.

Later that night Nick got to bring a couple friends to the Theater Department Holiday Party at the middle school. He brought his brother, Luke and friend, Jeg. His friend, Ruben (also in theater class) came too. And I chaperoned! It was fun watching all the kids dance, sing karaoke, play board games, make sugar cookies, and just act silly and have fun.

Friday ended a little differently than we had planned, though. Sebastian, one of the 8th graders wasn’t looking where he was going during the clean-up time after the dance. He ran into a concrete support structure in the cafeteria. Thankfully his mom was there (she was a chaperone, too). The boys and I drove them to the emergency room. And I found out yesterday after finally reaching her that he suffered a mild concussion and had to get 6 stitches.

Strangely coincidental Carter, a little boy the we care for in the mornings before school also had to get stitches in his eye brow area that morning, too. He fell on the coffee table at his house when they we getting ready to come over. So we didn’t see him and his sister Friday morning since they had to take a detour to the emergency room instead.

Please send good, healing thoughts to Sebastian and Carter. Poor kiddos.

Not sure what it was, but I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday after doing the last minute grocery & gift shopping and wrapping a few more gifts. I slept 10 hours last night and feel back to my normal self again now, though. I think I ate something that didn’t agree with me. Or…maybe it was the craziness of the week catching up with me?

It’s Christmas Eve Day. And since I personally had to whip up a last-minute gift, I thought I’d share the idea with all of you… Give a bundle of your hand-stamped cards!! Most of you who follow my blog are card makers, so I’m guessing you have a few cards you can gather up if you need a last minute gift. And most people would love to get greeting cards.

I put mine into an embossed & embellished acetate card box. This is super easy to make if you have these supplies on hand.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Directions:

• Keep your acetate box flat and insert your embossing folder so the image of the snowflake will be centered in the front panel of the box.
• Run it through the Big Shot.

• Add a Clear Faceted Gem (or other embellishment) to the center.

• Open it up, and fill it with your fabulous cards and envelopes!

And if you don’t have any spare cards lying around, fill it with something else. Cocoa mix and a couple candy canes arranged just so will warm someone’s heart.

OR… how about putting in some new Stampin’ Blends markers!?

I love Christmas, and I actually don’t mind all that I need to get done to prepare for it and all the festive activities that make the week before even busier. But I AM ready to just sit down and enjoy my family now. I’m sure many of you can relate. Happy Holidays!

Stampin’ Up!’s Year End Sales Event!  

Stampin’ Up! is ending 2017 with a bang! This is your opportunity to take advantage of special year-end deals on retiring and surplus items. The items in the sale are last-chance and limited-inventory, so take note that these items are available only while supplies last! Click Here to learn more.

Product Shares available for the New 2018 Occasions Catalog!

I’ve planned out my new product shares (ribbons, paper, embellishments, etc.) for the upcoming Occasions catalog that debuts January 3rd. I also have included FREE bonus Sale-A-Bration products in EVERY share. Click here for information & sign up opportunities. This really is THE BEST WAY to gather up lots of new product for less money. And the sooner your name gets on the list, the sooner you get guaranteed a spot in a share. (Invoicing will begin on December 27th.)

Introducing the NEW Stamparatus Positioning Tool!

Did you see the incredible new tool that Stampin’ Up! is bringing forth to us paper crafters?! It’s an amazing positioning tool that will allow you to get your images exactly where you want them. Click Here to learn more and find out how you can reserve yours this month so that you’ll be among the first to get one.