Is it too late to send Christmas cards?

One project I just wasn't able to complete in December was sending out my Christmas cards. I often run late on this task due to taking on too many holiday projects, as well as difficulty finding a time when the family is available and willing to take a family photo for the card.  As my mum always says " You were born late, and have been late ever since", and it usually ends up being the week after Christmas when I finally complete this task, but this year I am waaaaay behind schedule.


This last week brought some unexpected snow days which allowed some fun family photo opportunities and plenty of time to get this task done, only question was is it too late?

Well I googled my dilemma and of course I found an answer - When is it too late to send Christmas cards?
Through my search I also found different ideas for greetings I could use on my cards, so I have decided to proceed and Winter Wishes are on their way. I think using Winter Wishes as my greeting is a great solution as we are just barely a month into Winter, and now you might even say I am early :)

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Snow Day!

We don't get snow in Lacey very often, but when it does everything stops, and we all take a snow day.
This morning we woke up to a 12 inch thick blanket of fresh snow, it was absolutely gorgeous.  Living within city limits there is always a buzz of traffic, and the distant horn of a train, but this morning there was silence.






Since the snow will probably not last for long the day was stuffed full with all the important snow day activities: sleeping in, crunching through the snow, sledding in the Park, building a snowman, hot chocolate and movies.








It was a great snow day!

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Game Crazy!

This year I have resolved to get my book shelves under control.  I have many bookshelves stuffed with all sorts of things, and it always looks so cluttered.  Not to be too overwhelmed with this task I started with just one shelf, the game shelf. I first went through the games and got rid of games we no longer play. The remaining games were in either: broken boxes, boxes that were much larger than their contents, or packaged in such a way that it has become a game all in itself to get all the contents back in the box again.
So how to make all this look pretty? My answer was to organize some of these games into one box in a filing-type system.

What you will need:

• decorative box (the one I used was 6.5 high, 13 wide and 9 inches deep)
• Ziploc bags (various sizes to fit different games - I mostly used gallon freezer bags)
• scissors
• Labels (not necessary)

Put the contents of each game into a Ziploc bag.
Label each bag (I chose to make labels for each bag by color copying parts of the boxes onto a large 8.5x11 clear label that I already had on hand).




I found a pretty box at Michaels for 50% off that would work for many of the games.
Using the end of the box as a template I traced out dividers using parts of the old boxes, cutting them slightly smaller, so they will fit inside easily.

Before

After (Much prettier!)
I was able to get 7 games into this box (Scattergories, Catch Phrase, Fact or Crap, Angry Bird Game, UNO, Yahtzee, and a Matching Madness Game). Sitting on top of this box is an 8th game - Shut the box.

I was so inspired I went back to Michaels and found a matching box, but in a larger size, and this time left the games in their original containers. I was able to fit 4 more games inside and still has some extra room.

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What's so Pinteresting?

Just got an invite and joined pinterest this week, and I just can't stop pinning.

What is pinterest?
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard where you can organize ideas and things you love.  It allows you to share with others, or steal  repin great ideas from their pinboards.  You can follow friends and people with similar interests as your own.

I have had so much fun collecting various things; ideas for a much needed bedroom makeover, craft projects for up-coming church activities, and even outfit inspirations. One day this week I wore a totally "pinspired" outfit out of things I already had in my closet, but in a combination I had not thought of before.  I even painted my nails (something I haven't done in a long long time).

I've also experienced some "pinsomnia" as my mind has been buzzing with so many wonderful ideas I want to try.  It's very hard to turn your brain off after a good pin session.

Now I just need to put some of these great ideas into action, but in the meantime
Happy Pinning!

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What a Bargain!

Yesterday I just happened to stop by Target to pick up a few things and found that their Holiday clearance marked down to 90% off. They still had a great selection and was not that picked over. As any bargain shopper can relate - my heart was racing!

Now keep the 12 days of Christmas song in mind when you read my list of loot:
10 packages of felt ornaments, 6 boxes of Christmas cards, 5 packages of kids crafts, 4 boxes of place card holders, 3 boxes of red metal reindeer napkin rings, 1 LED USB powered star light, 1 wreath, 1 piggy bank and one 7 1/2 foot pre-lit Christmas Tree!
The Christmas tree alone is listed at full price at $250, I know they hardly ever sell them at full price, but when my grand total for all of this was $45 including tax I was ecstatic.
Well I can't remember what I actually went to Target for in the first place, but I will never forget this deal.

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Starting something new

I'm Jemma, married to a wonderful husband, and mother of four great kids. I work full time outside of the home and love my free time. I’m a soccer mom (mom who plays soccer), basketball player, mountain biker, yard sale junkie, bargain shopper, and last, but not least, a passionate DIY’er. Nothing thrills me more than finding a way to recreate something new for almost nothing. My husband does not always share my love of DIY, but is a great sport about it and always willing to give me a hand when needed.

The name of my blog is inspired by a quote by Maya Angelou,
"The happy heart runs with the river, 
floats on the air, 
lifts to the music, 
soars with the eagle, 
hopes with the prayer" 

and if I could add a line or two, ”exhilarates with a bargain, and rejoices with accomplishment.” 

Christmas is the time of year I go on a project frenzy. As a result, I spent a little more time surfing the web these past couple of weeks, and of course having to test drive my new Kindle Fire (Thanks Santa!). As always I was so inspired by the world of blogs (the greatest thinking tank ever!).  I thought to myself I would love to participate in something like that.

Then the New Year came about; time to stretch yourself, take a risk, and try something new.

So here I am!

My goal for this blog is to serve as;

1. a place to file my creations,
2. encourage me to act on my daydreams
3. motivate me to finish my projects
4. narrate my journey and accomplishments
5. connect with others who share the same interests, and
6. maybe inspire others too.

1.          

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