Living My Dream

American Crafts Layouts (and Happy New Year!!!!)

It is such a busy time of the year, but I actually got two layouts made for American Crafts today. The first one is about this darling little puppy a friend of a friend recently got. So I decided to shoot a TON of photos of her. She is a cockapoo and the most adorable puppy I have ever seen. Luckily she was already spoken for or she would have become a member of our family!

American Crafts Products Used: Woodness Gracious Paper (35555) - Amy Tangerine, Light Bright Fabric Finish Paper (35559) - Amy Tangerine, Amy Tangerine Mini Daybook, Amy Tangerine Tags - Bits, Shaped Paper Clips - Elements, Small Good Times (42213) - Remarks Books, All Together (42219) - Remarks Fabric, Hello Thickers, Amy Letter Stickers - Remarks

This next layout is of some pictures I took while we were in Hawaii this summer. It also uses all Amy Tangerine products. American Crafts just came out with several new Daybooks - I took the mini one apart for this layout. I removed all the pages and cut 1" strips from them for the background of the layout.

American Crafts Products Used: Noteworthy Amy Tangerine Mini Daybook, Kraft Cardstock, Lovely Peacock (43245) - Thickers, Let's Go (42215) - Remarks Dimensional Stickers, Wishing (42216) - Remarks Fabric Stickers, Dreaming (42217) - Remarks Dimensional Stickers, AT Tags (77259) - Bits

So how was everyone's Christmas? We had a good time and spent a week in Utah visiting family. I got to speak to my son on the phone - he is in Argentina on a mission. I was so excited to hear his voice and it was by far my best Christmas gift! Although my new Cameo Siloette was a close second - haha. Now I just have to get it out of the box and figure out how to use that thing! Have a wonderful New Year blog friends!!! Suzy

Merry Christmas Friends!

I have to admit, I don't always enjoy the Christmas season. I get too busy and it just passes by without me taking the time to really find the joy in it. This year is especially tough for me because I miss my son and my brother - it is my first year without them here for the holidays. I am looking forward to talking to Thane on the phone though as he gets to call home on Christmas day. That will be the best part of the day for me!

I made a couple of Christmas quotes to remind me of what the season is all about:

There are things I love about the holiday season. I love smelling a fresh Christmas tree every morning when I get up. I love the Christmas songs that Tom has playing in our house all season long. I love how we sit in the living room with the tree working together while the girls are at school. I love that it is a season of giving and many of us are trying to be nicer to each other and serve more. I love the decorations! I would say I love all the goodies, but I am going without those this year on my quest to delete sugar from my diet!

But on the other hand, I have never liked the commercialism surrounding Christmas. I don't like the whole gift purchasing part - where you feel obligated to spend money on people who don't really need or want anything so you can go into debt. I prefer making people gifts so I know my heart is in it and it isn't just about obligation. I don't like people feeling like they have to spend a bunch of money, especially if times are hard for them.

The point I am trying to make is that Christmas to me is about spending time with family, enjoying the smells, treats, and songs of the season. It is the joy that finding ways to serve and show love to others brings me. Whether it be as simple as taking photos for friend's Christmas cards or drawing quotes for others to enjoy, I just love the parts that are just to make others happy.

I hope all my blog friends are enjoying this season for what it is really supposed to be about. Giving, remembering Christ, loving, family, and celebrating with those we love. I hope all of you realize you don't have to give expensive gifts to show your appreciation to others. I hope you are able to feel the spirit of the season by giving of your heart and time to those you love. I myself am really trying hard to. Which means I haven't been to the mall and I haven't purchased ONE single gift yet. And I just may not to boycott the commercialism! haha

And with that, Merry Christmas to all! Suzy

PS - This is the page I had on the American Crafts blog this week. If you go to this post, you can leave a comment by Friday to win their complete Hollyday line which I used to make this layout.  

American Crafts Blog Give-a-way

Hello blog readers - sorry for my recent absence. I still haven't started my shopping (need I say more?!?)! I just wanted to tell you all to hop on over to the American Crafts blog today. They are featuring some Christmas projects I made and giving away their ENTIRE Hollyday line! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!!!! (((and I promise to be back soon - I have some Christmas doodles to share))))). Here is Hollyday:

And here is a little peak at my layout on the AC blog:

Happy Holidays!  Suzy