Christmas Card Ideas with Shutterfly

Since we've had a child (and now have 2) I have tried to mail out a photo card for Christmas to update family near and far on their growth. It's the only time of the year I correspond with my extended family that live all over the US, so it's important to me to have a nice, high quality card to share. Last year I used a local printer and was disappointed with the grainy, blurry photo and the lack of quality.
That's why this year I plan to use Shutterfly for my holiday cards.





They are also offering a wonderful deal for all you fellow bloggers out there...contribute a blog write up and receive 50 free holiday cards!!! (Now you're on to me, right?)




Shutterfly offers up some great gift ideas as well. You can create your own calendars or gifts or even make your own holiday invitations or announcements.
Now go get your 50 FREE Christmas cards from Shutterfly.com!

This is me...

You feel that creativity provides insight into your own being. In fact, it is like therapy for you, enabling you to get to know yourself better. You seem to be looking for a way into the mysteries of the subconscious. It’s not really self-expression you are seeking, but rather the tools of self-expression: discovering what your creation will reveal about yourself. Art helps you reflect on, analyse and expand your personality. You long to be creative, and it’s not just because you need to deal with your emotions. It’s the tension between contradictions, and the need to resolve doubt that drives you to be creative. Painting pictures, decorating rooms, arranging shells in the sand — these are all creative processes that allow your introspection to roam. You can trace your life through the different ways you have exercised your creativity. For you, art is there to make sense of life. You are more attracted to artistic activities
that demand reflection, planning and solitude, and the personal discoveries you make often provide answers for others, too.

(Found here and here.)

Inspiration: Woodland Animals

Since I've been decorating my baby girl's nursery over the last few months in a woodland animal theme, I've come across some wonderfully lovely items that are so inspiring! Many of them are owls~I just can't get enough. I'm constantly amazed at all the eye candy I find on Etsy.com and I'd love to own each and every one of these items, if I only had the space & the funds! So I just thought I'd share some (ok, a lot!) of my faves that have inspired me...



"The Bright Forest" (top) and "Rose" by Marisol Spoon on Etsy

Sleepy Heads vintage 70's children's book by vvpaperemporium on Etsy

Foster the Angora Owl by Woolcrazy on Etsy

Sterling silver Baby Owl necklace by Made by S.A.M. on Etsy
Ling Who Owl Bank by Just Puff on Etsy


Miniature Playset, Felt Owl in a Tree toy by HibouCards on Etsy



"Lilly Petal" felt owl plush, also by HibouCards on Etsy

Hedgie hair clip by Flashy Fish on Etsy

Bird in Her Hair, Pretty in Polka Dots hair clip by Ribbon Candy hair bows on Etsy

Woodland Friendly Owl Hair clip by Rosey Posey Bowtique on Etsy

Wooden animal toys-set of 3 by The Wood Garden on Etsy

Bon Bon & Belchick Squirrels by Sleepy King on Etsy


"Owl" (top)and "The Keeper of Time" (bottom) Both by Karen Davis on Etsy

Mason's Annual Handprint~Year 4

Each year around Mason's birthday, I paint his hand & have him put it on a small canvas. I love this tradition that has become a collection of artwork to show how much he's grown over the year. Here are links to past year's posts about his handprint art:

2009
2008

Worthiness

~Dr. Brene Brown

I blatantly borrowed this from the talented Ali Edwards' blog that I read regularly and her post. I love what it says about scrapbooking, making your own mark, and not worrying about what others think and not judging others. Kinda covers it all, don't you think?

New Digital Scrapbook Layouts

Ok, so the subject matter isn't new~ all from this last Christmas, but I just made these today!

Dream Lofty Dreams

Just messing around the other day & made this on Scrapblog.