Joys of The Season

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve

12.23.2008 ~ Party & Gift Exchange with my family at my parents house

12.22.2008 ~ Pearson Family Christmas Party & White Elephant Gift Exchange

12.12.2008 ~ Ward Christmas Party

Gingerbread Houses 2008

We have a tradition with Jeff's family every year to make Gingerbread Houses.   We really go all out, and it is pretty competitive.  Everyone tries to think of something really creative and unique to do, something that has never been done before.  Here is the set up.  You would think that the candy provided in the kits would do but no.  No, no.  My mother in law goes above and beyond to supply all kinds of goodies for our Gingerbread Creations. 

From frosting to pretzels, smarties to marshmallows, you name it, it's there.

Getting started and brainstorming seems to be the hardest part for me, but once I get going I just can't stop.  

Our Masterpiece(s) 

I did the one on the left, Jeff's is the one on the right.

(Chris's, Mine, Jeff's, Cam's, Whit's, Brandon's, Lynsi's)

All of the houses in a row.

We take our Gingerbread houses seriously around here.  Really.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Last week we attended our Annual Family Christmas Party with my Dad's side of the family.  We had a lot of fun... Ate some yummy food, played BINGO for cash prizes!  The little kids decorated gingerbread cookies. And of course Santa Claus came with candy canes and presents! 

My family

She wasn't sure what to think about Santa... She just STARED at him the whole time!  She was so good though, she didn't even cry at all...

Her very first Christmas present!  The cutest baby doll

This is the cookie I decorated for Bryn

My lovely mother & Kinley

Santa and his favorite elf (My cute dad)

My Grandparents, I love them

Cute McKenzie

I had to post this picture of Kinley... Poor girl

Some of the fam

Memory Board Instructions

Another idea is to use a wood frame with a clear section in the middle.  For this one I used pressed flowers, a vinyl rub on "Happiniess" and added some ribbon.  

 Without further ado, here are the directions for the memory boards...

You will need:

These boards are available at Roberts in a few different sizes.

Coordinating scrapbook paper of your choice.  

Mod Podge.  Matte or Glossy.  I use the glossy to make it shiny.  You can also use varnish for the top coat for a super glossy look.

Sponge brush for painting the Mod Podge onto the paper

To make matching magnets you will need:

Use this to glue the cut out circle to the gem, and also to glue the magnet and gem together

1 in circle punch

Clear Decor Gems

Magnets

Tips & Tricks:

-Before you start, separate the metal part from the wood frame.  This will avoid getting the metal part dirty while using the mod podge, it gets pretty messy!

-Cutting the paper:  (You can place the paper any way you want to.  Use as many different colors and patterns as you would like.)  What I have found that works best for me is to cut a 12x12 sheet of paper in half, on a slight angle.  Then cut those 2 pieces into thirds.  You should be able to get 6 pieces out of 1 sheet.  The square boards use approximately 24 pieces and the larger rectangle boards about 36.

-Paint the back of the piece of paper you are using and cover it completely with Mod Podge using a sponge brush.

-Use the angled side of the paper and line it up with the inside of the wood frame.  Alternate diagnal pieces to give it more of a zig zag look.

-It helps to place the wood frame on a table and have the section that you are working on hanging over the edge a little bit, so it is easier to wrap the paper completely around the board.

-You will have to hold the paper in place for a few seconds until it dries enough and stays in place on its own.  After your board is completely covered brush a couple of coats of Mod Podge over the whole board. (Letting it dry in between coats.) It dries clear and "seals" the board and makes it shine.

-It is really fun to add rhinestones, glitter, stickers, rub-ons, buttons, ribbon, etc.  On a couple of the boards I made I used my Cricut and vinyl sheets from Roberts (that come in lots of different colors, I used pink) to add names and words to the metal part of the boards...

I hope that these instructions are clear enough.  If you have any questions feel free to ask.  Also, if you make a board post it on your blog so I can see your cute ideas.  The possibilities are endless! 

This Cutie Patutie is 10 Months Old