Sarah is doing GREAT!

Her surgery went without a hitch... no more appendix! ... just a couple of little incisions and a new stuffed monkey with a belly button!



She is feeling okay and we should be heading home around noon tomorrow! Yea!
THANK YOU to all for your well wishes and prayers!!

Laura

On the 5th and 6th Day of Christmas Projects....

...I was still playing with Tim Holtz Configurations Boxes! First, made a gift box from the outer box and lid. It even comes with an acrylic "window" pane! Great for a gift of candy or a small item.

Add some ribbon or lace and some Prima flowers and...VIOLA!



Next I made ornaments from the little boxes. TOO MUCH FUN!

Here's a little greenery and some tiny candy canes...


Next a Tiny little snowman...


A floral snowflake....


and lastly, a STEAMPUNK ornament!


You have to get some of these boxes...they are so much fun!!

I will post how Sarah's surgery goes here on the blog tomorrow. THANK YOU for all your prayers and best wishes!!!

Laura

Christmas Clock and Winter Wonderland kits are up!

These two kits are up on Etsy at www.followthepapertrail.etsy.com.



The 5th day of Christmas Project will be up in a few hours.

Laura

Fairy Box

Here are photo's of the "Out of the Box" Fairy Box that we made on Ustream this morning. I uses one of the Tim Holtz Configuration Boxes (6.75" x 8.75") and the new Graphic 45 "once Upon a Springtime" paper Collection. Thanks again to Jenny who sent me the little fairies from Isle of Mann in the UK.







Here is the numbering layout for the Advent Calender that we did last night on Ustream... as promised! Click on the picture to enlarge and read/print



Laura

PS Sarah and I went to see the new movie "Tangled". AWESOME movie! We are going to see it again and take Grandma....

Countdown to Christmas Class tonight...

...on Ustream! Join us for class tonight after you have braved the crowds and hit the mall (NOT this girl! Ha! Ha!)



For this class, you will need:

3 of the configurations boxes from Tim Holtz. The first time I saw these boxes when he introduced them this summer, my mind immediately said "Advent Calender!". You will need one of the largest ones with 14 boxes (8.75" x 10.75") and two of the smallest ones with 5 boxes (5.5" x 5.5")

Patterned paper. For the sample shown, I used K and Company "Secret Santa". The one I am doing tonight will be with Making Memories "Noel". (It has a more traditional or vintage feel)

Coordinating card stock, if desired.

Acrylic paint to paint the boxes. I will have mine pre-painted as it takes some time to do.

Small eyelets and narrow ribbon

Numbers for boxes. These can be stickers, stamped, or cut with your electronic cutter.

Accessories and embellishments. look for "stuff" that fits in the little boxes...use your imagination! I also used some cute ornaments to add a theme to the outside.

Class will start at 7pm Pacific Time and will probably continue tomorrow at 10 am Pacific Time. CLICK HERE to go directly to my Ustream channel.

Laura

I give Thanks...

...to all of you for becoming part of my life!



As I sit here and reflect back over the year my family and I have had, we have so much to be thankful for! Yes, we have had challenges, but they are small when compared with those of many of you. Like you, I find a bit of escape from the difficult times and celebrate the wonderful times through my art. I thank you all so much for allowing me to share what I do and for all of you to share a bit of yourselves with me. This year, the world seems a whole lot smaller to me as i have friends around the world! You have come into my life, made me laugh, made me cry, but mostly, you have made me grateful that we live in a time that we can hold hands and share ourselves from every corner of the world!

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Laura

On the 4th Day of Christmas....

...I made gift boxes from my stash!



I covered craft paper mache wine boxes with punched paper strips.
This would make a lovely hostess gift for those Holiday parties coming up! They're fast...less than an hour. They're inexpensive...the box is just a few dollars at most craft stores and the paper came from my stash. They are easy...just punch or edge strips of paper with decorative scissors and glue to the box. It's easy enough for kids as well! The strips can be attached either vertically or horizontally.







Here are the punches I used for the round box:







Here are the punches I used for the square box:



For everyone in the U.S., have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Laura