Auld Lang Syne

I can't believe it's almost 2014 already.  It seems just like a few days ago I was saying that about the year 2013, that ugly year I turned that terrible horrible no good very bad number. But I suppose it wasn't all bad.  England was amazing, work was good, family and friends were fabulous and I'm sure it will only get better in the coming year.  Alas, no prince charming yet but maybe that will be solved by the below resolutions.

1. Stop biting my fingernails.  It's fairly impossible and I've been trying for 30 years but it's gosh darn time!

2. Give match.com a shot.  We'll see.  It's goes against everything I believe in but I'll give it a go.

3. Be more creative in photography, scrapbooking, writing and crafting.  I've found a few photography challenges and the whole scrapbook everyday life thing is sounding more and more exciting.  

4. Travel more.  This budget idea I found on line is really quite helpful and making 2 trips (one back to the UK since it doesn't look like I'm moving there any time soon) downright plausible.  Also, a few day trips here and there certainly wouldn't hurt.  If anything, they'd provide something to write about, something to photograph and something to scrapbook.  I could knock out 2 resolutions in one!

5. Last but not least: Be more open to new ideas and say yes more often!

Happy 2014!

Adobe Newbie

After months and months (ok, probably about a year or so) of waffling back and forth on whether or not I was a Photoshop girl, I still haven't decided yet I suppose.  I'm so indecisive!  I got lucky and received Photoshop Elements 12 for Christmas (Thanks buds!) so I suppose it was sort of decided for me. And I spent the day researching all sorts of digital scrapbooking goodies on Project Life, Pinterest, and Etsy. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get home to install the program and get started.  

Well the program is installed and...and...and...I haven't a clue what the heck I'm doing! I took a few classes on lynda.com a few months ago on Adobe and remember thinking it was intense then, but I assumed I'd remember some tips and tricks so I could at least upload a picture or 2.  Yeah, not so much... The worst part about this is that I have all these nifty free downloads and templates to start playing with and I can't even figure those out.  

Thankfully, DigitalProjectLife.com has anticipated these little intricacies of Adobe, and has provided a link to JessicaSprague.com which not only has classes for Photoshop Elements but also nifty Scrapbooking courses for Wacom tablets - of which I have also no idea how to use. Thank God for technology!

Christmas Craft Roundup

Thanks to Pinterest (and an unfortunately un-social social life), I spent a lot of time on Christmas crafting.

Oatmeal Raisin Granola found here

My own corny creation

Polaroid Coasters found here

I whisk you a merry Kissmas found here

Clay Pot Nativity found here

Tea Light Snowheads found here and Clothespin Snowmen found here

DIY Doggie Treats found here

Jewelry Hanger from my own little head

Gift Card Snowglobe found here

Snowmen Notecards found here

The Sweetest Place on Earth

Christmas in Hershey Park is an annual occurrence of lights, chocolate and fun taking place in Hershey Pennsylvania (aka the Sweetest Place on Earth because of the all the chocolate of course).  While the crowds were cramped, crazy and chaotic, the lights and Christmas decorations were creative, twinkling and sweet (and as you'll see from the pictures below, quite difficult to photograph at night).  But of course, all the chocolates around helped to brighten the mood!

Happy Birthday Bud!

I'd like to wish the happiest of birthdays to the best dad a girl could ever ask for.  

I'm not sure what I would ever do without you.

I love you dearly and I hope you had an absolutely fantastic day which is exactly what you deserve!

Over in a Blink

I just can't believe that after months of preparations; crafting, baking, buying and wrapping, and it's all over in a blink of an eye.  I look forward to Christmas, contrary to all the stressing, each year.  I love finding the perfect gift or baking delicious cookies to share.  The whole season is just a bit more magical and "sparkly" than the rest of the year.  This year was no different.  The holiday was spent with laughter and love with family and friends, gifts a plenty (a crock pot, slippers, jewels and books - oh my!), LOADS of delicious food and drink and of course gifts and crafts for loved ones and friends.  

And now it's over and it's back to reality.  Of course, there's one saving grace in all this, at least we get to stretch it out just a bit longer until after the new year.  Thank goodness!  I know this time of the year is chock full of things to do and there's hardly time to breathe, but I'd really quite like to share this hopeful, magical, sparkly feeling at least a few more times throughout the year, just maybe without the psycho preparation stress I take part in each December : )

Merry Christmas to All!