new year's eve

It's been quite an end of the year for our family.
For those of you who have been following our story at all, you know my brother-in-law has been in the hospital since November.
Today is day 34 for him.
While undergoing procedures to embolize several arterial growths in his brain, he had a stroke.
He is now in rehab regaining control of the right side of his body.
His spirit has been a testimony to me and an inspiration to keep going forward even when the odds are against you.
If you like to follow his story that my sister has been writing for 34 days now here is a link to their CaringBridge.

On a lighter note...
it's not too late to grab RhonnaDesigns collection: It's Time.
Lots of graphics. Papers. And date brushes to dress up your blog. Your home. And your party.
You can still grab the bundle priced kit which will last you many a New Year's to come.



so purdy!!!
Off to go make some party hats and banners.

all digital design RhonnaDesigns

From our family to yours, I wish you a very Happy New Year.

Go slow.

Be God struck.

Grant grace.

Live truth.

Give thanks.

Become the gift.

a. voskamp.

a few of my favorite things

had a fabulous time making pretty stuff with heidi's freebie today.
did you get it?
have you been collecting all of them.
today was day 10.
and i adored that star so much.
because i adore making pretty stuff...
and pretty packages..

so here are a few closeups for you...

some simple takes on how to make some pretty packages...
tied up with string...

and now i am in the mood to go and watch Sound of Music...

now go...have some fun with packaging today.
i would love to see what you come up with.

december daily cover page

Do you ever start a project and it take on a life of it's own?
I am sure you do.
This is what my december daily is doing to me.
I am sure with all that is becoming our Christmas this year,
my mind is not staying to my theme.
It is discombobulated.
but here is the point...
I am keeping my book no matter what the circumstances of the month bring me and my family.
I had in my mind to show you days 1-10 today.
But it is just not coming together for me.
And here is what I am learning...
it's alright.
It's alright if it is not what you consider your creative best.
I am learning that anything is something.
And to be thankful for that.

So here is what I have for you so far.
I always include a family photo in our DecemberDaily.
Sometimes it is day one.
Sometimes it is the cover page.
This time it is the cover page.
The glassine bag holds an envelope defining what this year's December looks like with my brother in law in the hospital (today is Day20), with him having a brain bleed, pulmonary edema, facial numbing, and now a stroke. These realities are defining much of what this Christmas season looks like.
But it is our life.
It is our life right now.
And as we all have observed this past weekend, life is not always pretty.
Sometimes it is down right heart breaking.
I hope you know the hope that is Jesus Christ and that He is indeed the reason for your celebration.
Because I know, if I did not have that hope, I would not be able to walk this journey called life.
Hope you will discover the same.

Now go...and remember to document the reality of your life...no matter what it may look like.

junque bows and rhonna designs

a little bit of junque bow decorating over here.
i am totally inspired by Margie and her SparkYourChristmas2012...again.
i think you can still purchase her video classes...
she is thee queen of thee junque bow...
and with some serious ChristmasJunque inspiration from RhonnaDesigns...

i decorated my LadyEve with a junque bow and ChristmasJunque background papers + ChristmasJunquePieces.

details today over at RhonnaDesigns...
plus Amy's fabulous way with TheMegaBow.
(note to self...make sure you get ALL the hot glue webs BEFORE photographing!!!)

hope this inspires you to go and junque up your Christmas.

christmas is...

about miracles.
because as it stands, it was a miracle that brought that Christ-child into this world to begin with.
and He is allowing miracles to happen even today.

hello friends...
you may (or may not) have noticed i have been absent for over a week from this here blog.
i have been walking an unplanned for journey with my sister and her husband, my dear friend.
if you follow me on facebook or instagram you have seen posts here and there about his hospital stay and the battle with a brain bleed that has been going on for almost two weeks.
it has rocked our world.
obviously.

as we enter this week we remain hopeful and through much prayer that the end of this particular journey is coming to a good end.

but christmas is...
christmas is still happening. even if it be a truncated version.

so for today over at Heidi's blog her freebie #6 is a label with just that title: christmas is...

details on how to make are explained on her blog.
and here today i just show you a little bit of eye candy...
with always the hope that you become inspired to make Christmas a meaningful time that also includes hand crafting for those you love. those are always my most favorite gifts...
safe for the slippers i told my kiddos i would like this year...
i really wouldn't want them making those themselves...
but you get the idea.

so enjoy.
and i will indeed be back soon.