December 1

Mama and Nichole came to visit, so I was able to get some photos of me and Robbie in front of the Christmas tree. Then Mama and Nichole and I headed out for a short shopping spree. Robbie spent the day completing this week's assignments for his MBA courses.

CREATIVE TIME
I completed a layout based on the November 26 sketch from Stuck on U Sketches.

I didn't have a die cut page that would work, so I traced the outline from another paper onto this Stampin' Up paper. I had a white round doily (that I picked up at the grocery store) and chalked it with pink chalk. The dimensional sticker flower border is a Jolee's boutique product that Robbie gave me for my birthday. I really like all the pinks in this layout because Pun'kin was so excited to wear her pink shirt and shoes that day.

I added a dedication page to my art journal. I used the digital template from the Inspiration Everywhere class, changed the papers, added my own journaling, printed it out and adhered it to the first page in my journal. I also printed the Mary B's Autumn Delights Green Russet digital paper for inside the front and back covers.

The journaling reads: My first art journal, created as part of the Inspiration Everywhere class from Jessica Sprague. I am trying something new with this art journal, another outlet for my creativity and a place to record my thoughts. I'm really not sure what all will end up in this book, but I am excited to start a new venture? What Next?

I decided it looked a little plain, so I added a few stickers from my school category file.

As it was the first of the month, I also completed my digital workflow for all my November photos and created a digital monthly overview page.

Today's Christmas Decoration Feature - Sleigh & Reindeer
Above our front door there is a transom window that provides the perfect ledge for a sleigh and several reindeer. I'm not sure where the sleigh came from, I believe Robbie had it when we got married. It had gotten broken and we hadn't used it in the past few years. Robbie repaired it and glued a few antlers back on some of the reindeer before we were able to set them out. In all honesty, it's quite a hodgepodge. We have nine reindeer, some with red bows, some without bows, one with a green bow, and three of them with red noses! The four large reindeer belonged to my Grandma and I inherited them when she passed away nine+ years ago. Robbie actually made the smaller reindeer over twenty years ago. He'd made a huge batch and sold them at the pharmacy where his mom worked. These are the last five. So, even though our reindeer are different sizes and there are too many Rudolphs, I love having this little sleigh & reindeer display greeting everyone who comes in the front door.

BTW- I did not hear from Tammy for the Pay It Forward stamps prize, so I've picked a new random number and the winner is:

Cheri who commented - What a lot of wonderfulness on your plate Melissa! I'm so glad that I asked Stacy & Kayce about that alum discount for Wellness Journey and happy to know that I'm not the only one benefitting from it! I'll see you in class! :) November 16, 2010 6:46 AM

Cheri, please email me at robbieandmelissa(at)sbcglobal(dot)net so I can get the stamps on their way to you.