2009

Oscraps is having another challenge. I love those challenges. They make me think and scrap differently. This one was the year in review. I find myself looking back at the little moments that together made this year memorable.I tried to grab a shot from each month that tells the story of that month and found it to be painfully difficult to choose just 1. So, as of January 1st I will be blogging Project 365. You can find it here at 365 WeeFaerie Days if you want to see how It's going. I've been doing this without posting for over 2 years so hopefully, with the responsibility of posting my photos, my shots will improve lol! That would be nice, right? The only problem I foresee is the scheduled aspect of it. I'm a whenever type of person that just the word schedule freaks out, appointments make me cringe, calendars are evil, clocks must be broken... you get the idea. But, my own blog, my own project, I believe I can do. So, feel free to visit me there too, heaven knows I could use the encouragement to keep me on track lol! It does help that I'm picturing an entire scrapbook like this page, only, definitely, a page for each week.

Winter

Remembering The Yesterdays

A challenge over at Oscraps sent me on a little trip down memory lane this morning. The challenge was to scrap your best Christmas gift. I've had a ton of good presents and good Christmases but 1 year instantly jumped into my mind, 1978. That was a good year! Now having said that, like that, I feel aged somehow lol! But it was a good year. I got great presents like always but there were 2 that have become treasured to me. The first I still have, he is a stuffed dog that my mom made for me affectionately named Dog (I was a creative genius back then lol). Dog has always been with me, sharing tears, keeping secrets, saving me from my nightmares and my kids have each loved dog too. He truly is a treasure. The second was my very first camera, a Polaroid, that I wish I still had! With this camera in hand I would explore my world trying to take perfect shots. Some photos were well, horrible but I learned with this camera that everything can be beautiful. That photos don't need to be of the obvious, some of my favorites were the ones that my parents said were a waste of flash (I loved the sound of that flash). I'm sure some of my photos still, even with digital, would be considered a waste but that's ok because that first camera taught me that the photos are for me, my memories, and if others don't like them that's fine and if they do then well that's good too. No, that's awesome lol!

Through A Frosted Window

Christmas is the sound shhhhh from tiny lips as they strain to hear deep into the silent night, the little ears listening for the sound of jingle bells, a thud on the roof, and a deep, husky laugh. Christmas is a frosty window and sitting by that window through the night hoping to catch a glimpse of the old man’s magic. Minutes turn to hours, hours turn to sleepiness and through that frosted window sight shifts. Once staring into a cold night and seeing snow, now magic dust fills the air and the eyes. What used to be the shadows of branches made by the tops of trees cast from over the house has become antlers from Santa’s majestic fleet. Even the laughter and melodic bells before such a struggle to hear fill the winter night and the heart with warmth. It all happens by that frozen glass. Yes, sight shifts through a frosted window and a child can indeed see Christmas. Even though I am older with children of my own I still stare in wonder when I see frost. Sometimes for it’s intricate beauty and other worldly appearance, but mostly because if I soften my sight, and let my mind wander, frost takes me back to a time when reindeer played on my roof and elves would wink cheerfully at me while helping Santa with his work.

A Bit Of Sweetness Quick Page

You are in for really sweet treat! JetjeZ has created a completely magical quick page with the A Bit Of Sweetness kit! Isn't it adorable! You can pick this amazing creation up at The Life And Times Of JetjeZ

A Bit Of Sweetness

Download Elements

A sugar coated world awaits you reminiscent of the magical days of childhood. A place where clouds look like cotton candy, flowers glow and stars sparkle. A place to daydream and let your troubles drift away and your mind linger in a bit of sweetness.

A Bit Of Sweetness Papers

A sweet set of matching papers for you:

Download Papers

A Wee Bit Of Inspiration

Mmmmm Candy...

Silly me posted this photo without a recipe. So after several requests, here's the recipe:

Double Chocolate Cherries

1- 10 oz jar of maraschino cherries with stems (about 24)

Chocolate Fondant

3 tablespoons butter softened
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 oz unsweetened chocolate melted
2 teaspoons half and half or milk
2 cups powdered sugar

Coating
White chocolate dipping chocolate *my choice :)
OR
1 12oz pkg vanilla milk chips
1 tablespoon shortening

Drain cherries on paper towels at least an hour to remove moisture

In medium bowl combine butter, corn syrup, chocolate and milk. Beat until smooth. Stir in powdered sugar then knead until smooth. Pinch off an amount slightly larger then a cherry, roll into a ball, flatten and wrap around cherry, covering completely (except the stem, obviously lol). repeat with all cherries and refrigerate at least an hour. I place them on a wax covered cookie sheet to make life easier.

Melt your dipping chocolate. OR melt vanilla chips and shortening in a small sauce pan. Holding stems of cherries, dip into white chocolate and place on wax covered cookie sheet. To the left over white chocolate add a few drops of red food coloring to tint pink and drizzle over cherries. After coating dries store in a tightly covered container. Centers will soften slightly in 10 -14 days.

Coming Soon~ A Bit Of Sweetness

I know what you're thinking. 2 new kits so close together, It can't be. Yes it can! A Bit Of Sweetness is coming soon. This is my favorite kit I've ever made! It has beautiful papers and hand drawn whimsical elements. I love it and hope you will too! Be watching this blog, you never know what day it will arrive.

Crimson

Christmas Eve

Download Elements

Christmas Eve is magic. There's no other way for me to describe it. It's a night where everything takes on new life and every noise has meaning. Do you remember when you were little, waiting for Santa and hoping to catch him? I would actually hear the sleigh bells and reindeer hooves as they landed on the roof of our house. A cascade of snow falling from the eaves had to be the work of helpful elves and not just the wind. That snow itself, glittering in the moonlight as it fell took on the appearance of magical dust. I remember how a rustling, I now know to be my parents, was Santa unpacking his sack and filling stockings and when they would laugh I was sure it was the jolly old man. Yes, Christmas Eve is magic. Sight shifts on that night. I'm not sure whether it is because of tired eyes combined with all the twinkle lights and candles or because on that night there is so much excitement, so much love that it becomes almost tangible and glowing. Even to this day, on that night, I can still see... magic. So, here's a gift to you to help you to create your own Christmas magic. 12 papers and 65 elements of pixelated cheer. I hope you love them and I hope your Christmas Eve is filled with magic!

Christmas Eve Papers

Here's the matching papers

Download Papers

Father Christmas Quick Page

I am thrilled that my dear friend and amazing designer JetjeZ has once again created a beautiful quick page to go along with my new Christmas Eve kit. It's absolutely gorgeous! Be sure to grab it here at The Life And Times Of JetjeZ

Poppet

My daughter and I have a greeting that we always use. I say, "Ello Poppet" then she says, "Ello Gov'ner". We've done this for years and I'm not sure where we got it, maybe Mary Poppins? Anyway, lately she's taken to trying to reverse it. So this is to confirm which one of us is Poppet hehe :) She reminds me a little of Anastasia from the cartoon here. I kept waiting for her to break into song.

Dancing bears, painted wings,
Things I almost remember
And a song someone sings,
Once upon a December

Someone holds me safe and warm
Horses prance through a silver storm
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory

Someone holds me safe and warm
Horses prance through a silver storm
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory

Far away, long ago
Glowing dim as an ember
Things my heart used to know
Things it yearns to remember

And a song
Someone sings
Once upon a December

Christmas Is Coming!!!

Christmas is coming and here's a sneak peek,
Of a surprise I have coming some time this week.
You've all been so good and so sweet through the year,
That I just had to find a way to bring you good cheer.
Thank you for visiting my home on the web,
and leaving nice comments~ yours truly, Deb

Elf Season

A couple of people have joked about when I'll start doing the Christmas Elf shots, since I have been known to do that kind of thing. Elves, faeries, angels, it's all good. So, here kicks off the elf season.

I {heart} You


I knit a lot of hats lol! I think my kids have them in every shape and color but the elven ones are the best! It's a great stress reliever, I highly recommend it.

Finally!!!

Finally, I have twinkle lights and sparkly things glittering around my house! Finally, Christmas decorations fill all the nooks and crannies! Well, honestly I started decorating a week before Thanksgiving and the tree actually went up Thanksgiving night because the kids couldn't wait any longer. Really, it was the kids... If you've been reading along you know I've been thinking about twinkle lights for about two months, so here's a bit of sparkle, more to come I'm sure. I'm not quite through decorating yet :)

I just love happy little faces!