Happy MONDAY everyone (ha, yesterday I wrote Monday on my post. Am i the only one who was totally confused on what day of the week it is after the holiday weekend?:)

Yesterday I shared Days 1-12 of my December Daily album (which is inspired by Ali Edwards) and today I am sharing the remainder of the album, days 13-25. Thank you SO much for your kind comments... this is truly an extra fun project. And it's even one you can collect and put together as you go about December... what is important is preserving your Holiday memories- not having a book done ahead of time!!!

One thing I enjoyed incorporating in this album are bits and pieces of the "holiday finds" i have saved over the years (ali has mentioned this on her blog as well). I love using items such as this years Starbucks Red Cup (day 13), a gift card holder from Starbucks (day 15), a Trader Joe's grocery bag (Day 1o, previous post), a Starbucks bag (Day 23)** and old left over Christmas Cards I bought a long time ago that I still love (Day 16, Day 24). It's fun to keep your eyes peeled for little special items YOU love in order to incorporate into your December album.

** sidenote: I am noticing a theme here that i am slightly obsessed with Starbucks. hmmmm.

This might be one of my favorite pages. The Santa chipboard and Gold Damask rub-on are by Jenni Bowlin. I used a circle mask with Mister Huey Calico White over the gold. <3 style="text-align: center;">

I think this Starbucks bag will be perfect for holding pictures!

Etsy Shops to note: Vintage Santa (day 18, 25): Lisa Cooks Vintage Shop and Christmas Carols Paper Chain (day 25): Ormolu. It's alot of fun to find unique, one of a kind embellishments on Etsy (and also to support other small businesses). Also used quite a bit of Elle's Studio items, Jenni Bowlin calendars, die cuts, and chipboard. (please let me know if you have any product questions!)

Thanks again for stopping by and checking out my DD album! TWO days until it's time to start filling it out. Are you ready for December? Will you be playing along??

December Daily 2010 {Part 1}

Happy Sunday!!! So, over this long Thanksgiving weekend I have had some time to complete my December Daily album (which of course is inspired by the fabulous Ali Edwards).

Let me start of by saying i have created very few mini albums. I am definitely more of a layout girl when it comes to crafting. And with that, I have a confession: last year I made a December Daily and only filled out a few pages here and there. I was a DD dropout :(. I think my problem last year was that I spent ALOT of time putting together the foundation and was burnt out when it was time to document memories. Also I over-embellished the page and didn't really know where to place the story with all my embellishments.

So lesson learned, I made my mini album "more simple" (for me) and refused to "over think" the process. If I liked the paper, I used it. I left more blank spots to fill in photos or journaling, or to embellish as I go about the month (i did however incorporate some of last years "leftovers" as part of my album).

As for products, I really tried to use items I already had in my Christmas stash. and I LOVE the way it turned out. However, there are some newer products incorporated. ALOT of Elle's Studio (i LOVE these vintage number tags), Lily Bee (i plan to add Christmas Town rub-ons once pages are completed), and the Girls Paperie snowflake on the cover. Also I had some awesome Etsy finds incorporated in my book. The Santa on the cover is from Lisa Cook's Vintage Shop. (i don't think this santa is in the shop anymore but i see some REALLY cute vintage angels and nativity scenes:)

The book I decided to use this year was by 7 Gypsies and purchased at my LSS. It's a naked chipboard book that includes the rings. I love the tabs on the chipboard. It's very inexpensive (which is why i chose it) and i loved the thought of having some firm chipboard pieces mixed in with paper.

So, here are photos of the cover, and pages 1-12:

A few things i thought about as I was designing the album was our schedule. We have a few things here and there already planned for December (but somehow the entire month ends up being incredibly busy for us!) I planned ahead to have extra space for those days. For example: Dec 11 we are going on the Polar Express train ride so I added a little pocket to hold tickets and photos (generally, i didn't embellish it much because i will probably have alot to add after that experience!).

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek at my book! I will be back soon with the remainder of my December Daily album.

thanksgiving

I hope your thanksgiving was wonderful and filled with wonderful food, friends, and family! It was certainly a good one here at the Hufford House, and as we were sitting around the (multiple) thanksgiving tables, I couldn't help but reflect on our thanksgiving (and holiday) traditions with my side of the family.

My dad and his three brothers grew up on a pony farm in the middle of Indianapolis. Many years later, they purchased this land and built three houses (one brother lives in the house they grew up in) on this piece of land. It's the best of both worlds- a "country", open, feel only a mile away from one of the busiest intersections in Indianapolis. Not to mention, I grew up next door to all my cousins on my dad's side of the family. Each family had three children (one boy, two girls each-- how crazy is that!). Each year we rotate who hosts our holiday get-togethers, and pretty much walk next door to celebrate and feast. I will always remember peeking out the windows on Christmas morning and seeing the little faces of my cousins waving from their upstairs playroom as we all waited to run into our living rooms to see what Santa brought.

I realize how rare it is to live so close to extended family members, and the older I get the more I appreciate this incredible blessing of a close family.

As the years roll by we have welcomed more people to our Thanksgiving and Christmas tables, as cousins have gotten married, children have been born, in-laws join the family, or friends have been invited over. I am especially thankful this year that my father-in-law and sister-in-law celebrated with us-- it was so nice for todd and i to have both of our parents and siblings celebrate together this thanksgiving.

I am so thankful that I live so close to my family members and we are able to celebrate in this way. I am also thankful that my mom's side of the family and todd's dad's side of the family only live a few hours away and we are able to see them frequently as well.

One of my favorite pictures from Thursday-- he was pretty intent on eating that cupcake.

And here is my daughter walking in my cousin Maggie's five inch heels. I am not kidding here. She walked up to Maggie, told her she looked like Cinderella and demanded her shoes. She did a pretty good job walking around in them (with help) which made me laugh (and a little scared at the same time!).

Have a wonderful rest of the holiday weekend!!!

Ella Bundle Sale

Hi friends!

How is your thanksgiving weekend going? We are having a wonderful thanksgiving weekend over here! So, did anyone participate in the Black Friday madness sales today? I did NOT, but I have to say, I am enjoying the many sales going on on the internet. Nothing better than shopping at home!!!

With that said, i wanted to pop in over here to share a GREAT sale going on over at Ella Publishing. I am a BIG fan of Ella's ebooks- and if you have ever purchased one, I am certain you are fan too. Each ebook is FULL of inspiration, tips, and layouts. And right now many of these ebooks (including the brand new ebook, Double Page Design!) are on sale!!! Check out these three different bundles below.


Design Bundle: $13

Enjoy Ella's NEWEST eBook, Double-Page Design, along with Design Workshop and Stretch Your Sketches for just $13. (Regularly $17.97) Place all three eBooks in your cart, then use code SAVEONDESIGN at checkout.

Photo Bundle: $12

Enjoy 40 Top Tips for Better Photos, Picture Perfect, and Special Effects for Digital Photos for just $12. (Regularly $17.97) Place all three eBooks in your cart, then use code SAVEONPHOTOS at checkout.

Word Bundle: $11

Buy Journaling That Matters, Quick & Creative Quizzes, and Text Tricks for Scrapbookers for just $11. (Regularly $16.97) Place all three eBooks in your cart, then use code SAVEONWORDS at checkout.

Holiday Bonus!

Buy any single eBook and get Vintage Hip Christmas Crafts for just $3 more (reguarly $5.99)! Use coupon code HOLIDAYBONUS at checkout.


The Fine Print: You may use any or all of the coupon codes above from Wednesday, November 24 through Saturday, November 27. However, only one coupon code may be used per transaction. (In other words, if you want to use all four codes, you'll need to make four separate transactions.)

**note, if you purchase one of these bundles, be sure to head over to the Ella blog for a chance to win the bundle for FREE!!!!

Happy Shopping!!!

thankful

i love thanksgiving.

i love reflecting on the blessings in my life and setting time aside to express gratitude.

i am thankful for my husband, for his Godly leadership. For his pursuit of God's will for his life and our family. For his love for spontaneous adventures (like coming home from work last week and reserving 2 tix for us to visit New Zealand this spring- what!?:) For his unconditional love.

I am thankful for my children. for their unique personalities. For their tender hearts--- for the close relationship they have with each other. I pray that relationship will always be protected. For their sensitive hearts for obedience (one in the vest is more sensitive than the other :) For their love of learning and desire to understand God and His love for them.

For my parents. Who modeled a Godly marriage throughout my childhood. Who taught me that a husband and wife relationship comes before parent/child relationship (contrary to what the world would teach). For my strong foundation of Christian faith that was built through them and my grandparents. For being such a strong support system as I have become a wife and mother.

For my siblings and my sister in law. For the fact that i consider them my dearest friends. Family that you consider FRIENDS are an incredible blessing. They have been there for me through thick and thin.

For friendships old and new. Friendships that were built in "real life" and ones that have been built through blogs and online. I am equally grateful for both . I have been blessed.

For a hobby that has blessed my heart more than i can imagine-- preserving my thoughts and memories and also building many many friendships along the way. It makes me happy.

And most of all , for my salvation through Jesus Christ. For the Word of God that brings me absolute and unchanging truth. Knowing I am loved by my Creator and He has a plan for my life-- i am thankful. There is a purpose, a plan, a love story unfolding between me and my God. No matter what life brings (and has brought)-- trails and circumstances- i have Him, and that is what matters most.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Always Believe (a little christmas, pre-turkey style)

One week from today is Thanksgiving-- how can that be!?!

As much as I LOVE thanksgiving, i also LOVE decorating and preparing my home for Christmas. It's so much fun. Confession: I have already begun pulling decorations out here and there. I know, i know-- respect the Turkey. And I do, but a few Christmas decorations here and there before turkey day isn't bad, is it??? ;) Since I will FULLY decorate next week, I decided to do a fun Christmas layout in the meantime.

I LOVE, love, love, Elle's Studio's new Christmas items (also mixed in are some Elle's Christmas items from last year). The fun, bright colors just make me happy-- she has such a fun twist on the traditional Christmas Colors. I love the mix of pink and red too :). I am also using many of her items for my December Daily album, which I hope to post after thanksgiving.

I wanted to create a layout with a "magical" feel, and I just love the way it turned out. Yes, we have fun with Santa Claus at Christmas but that is not what I wanted this layout to focus on. The journaling reads: "believe in miracles, in love, in family, in Jesus, in joy, in compassion, in mercy and grace, in the true reason we celebrate Christmas, in the babe in the manger who loves you dearly. Merry Christmas Jonah." I timeless Christmas message I want to share with my son; it's my hearts desire that he will one day choose to believe this too.

Also, a little design tip: Do you ever punch items out of patterned paper and then kick yourself later when you need to use that paper??? I do!! Story of my life!! The pink music note sheet paper already had a butterfly punched out it. I simply incorporated it into the design and added a second butterfly punch on the striped pattern paper. Don't be afraid to use leftover "scraps" when creating collage-like designs. It adds interest and a unique texture to the layout!

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill. Pattern Paper, "believe" flash card, circle die cut, all journaling cards: Elle's Studio. Stick pins: Making Memories. Red ledger alpha stickers (2008): Jenni Bowlin. Silver Alphabet: American Crafts. Butterfly punch: Martha. Bakers Twine: Martha. Snowflake: Girls Paperie. Silver/White Stars: Dazzlers.

Thanks for stopping by today! And don't forget, check here to see if you won my scrappy box giveaway :)