Christmas Vacation

Christmas Vacation
We at Shabby Chic Crafts would like to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season! We will be taking a small break to spend time with family. PLEASE make note- Our last ship day for the year will be: December 18th. We will be back January 2, 2010. All orders placed during this time, will be shipped on January 2, 2010. Thank you!!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

xoxo,

Veronica

December Guest Designer- May Flaum

I just love all our designers they truly inspire to no end! I especially love this month's designer, I first heard of May when she came to our LSS last year. At the time she was one of the many crafty Fisketeers. Imagine my delight & excitement when she agreed to create with our products! Go on and grab a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy her wonderful interview and holiday projects! My FAV is her creation using a Starbucks sleeve! Oh yes! She is CRAFTY!!

* I have at least 3 chocolates hidden in my craft space. Thanks to the holiday season I keep discovering more!
* Every piece of patterned paper I own is out. It’s scary.
* At any given moment I have no fewer than a dozen creative projects on my ‘ I wish to-do this’ list.
* My damask obsession continues & grows. I’m considering a tattoo.
* I finally gave into ipod mania. That’s right, I’ve got one now and I’m loving it already!

There is no longer a time of day when I’m most creative – probably because having small children means getting creative whenever you can get the time! So for me any time I have some alone and quiet time, I’m well rested, and have plenty of tea (iced or hot – depends on season!) I am at my best.

I started scrapbooking at age 7, and it was to make albums of vacations so that I could look over them and remember my trips and adventures.

Playing “horse show” with my sister. We would make ribbons and outfits for the barbies, design courses and elaborate barn systems, keep score cards, groom our model horses – it was serious business that we’d get into for days at a time. I think what makes me smile most about the memory is that we had real horses and competed at real shows… when we weren’t pretending!

I find myself obsessed with core’dinations cardstock right now, and that’s probably why I’ve been wearing out sanding blocks like crazy. I love sanding paper or stickers to give them a totally different look. Of course this is also handy when you have excess paper hanging over the side (of a chipboard piece, tin, whatever!)

I’m glad you said ‘at the moment’ because for me it changes all the time! At the moment my favorite song is Harry Connick Jr’s version of Hello Dolly, most watched/loved movie this month is White Christmas, and Modern Family is topping my TV faves.

I’ll say ‘besides crafting’ for this one, and that would be reading. I love reading – especially happy fiction. I like mystery and adventure as well as romance – but I need it to not be a depressing read.

I just love May and all her beautiful projects! She sure helped bring me back into the Christmas spirit! Hope you love her as much as we do! She made some adorable Christmas projects! Do not for get to check out her VERY crafty blog: http://www.mayflaum.wordpress.com/

Here is May describing her cheerful projects this month!

“Starbucks gift card” – I never can throw out a Starbucks cup holder – but what to do with them? This year I found tiny key-chain size gift cards and I thought one would fit inside here beautifully – so why not decorate and make it extra fun. I stitched the bottom and sides, stitched and glued a handle and added the other embellishments shown. I also used a tag and ribbon wired onto the gift card itself to make sure it didn’t get lost. Finally I added the ‘naughty’ tag (it’s for my favorite naughty girl – she’ll like it.) and stuffed it inside with a bit of tissue.

“We Bake” – I’ll say it – this was quick, simple, and FUN! I love how I could use Shabby Chic Craft tags as they were intended, but also as a part of a layered flower and even punched out (leaves)

“Merry & Bright tin” – This was so simple – I just got a small tin and put a gift card and some other little details inside, then closed and decorated the outside for my recipient. I had these little light beads and when I saw the awesome ‘merry & bright’ tag I knew just what to do! I adhered it to the tin top, sanded off edges, and added glitter to the rim. Then I tied red ribbon and the ornaments on to finish. On the bottom you’ll see I used two more tags to add just a bit more fun and let them know who gets the present. I placed these this way so that when she opens it can be re-used.

“Party Time” – Hybrid scrapbooking is one of my favorite things (I’m working on an all new class right now!) – and I love just printing & cutting photo paper and layering from there. Rimming a circle tag with a scallop edge of paper that’s folded and stitched is a current obsession – I just love the look!

Thank you so much May! Albert and I appreciate your time and crafty hard work!

I will be back tomorrow with my December Journal so far. I also have 2 projects that are sitting on the kitchen table...can't wait to share! A great big hug and thanks to all you wonderful readers! We just LOVE you guys!!

xoxo, Veronica

Busy weekend

Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. We started operation:renovation and let me tell you...it's NO fun!

Have you remodeled or bought a fixer home before? Please share with me any tips tricks to getting rid of foul smells.
The people who lived there were probably the MOST disgusting people on earth. Nope, this is NOT an over exaggeration. It's the darn truth. I keep asking myself, how do people live this way?
The stench is awful and really it helps NONE that I am pregnant and have a keen sense of smell.

It's lovely....

Please share any ideas or blogs that will make this transition better. PLEASE!

your very sad friend,

Veronica

Gift Card Holders

Although my craft week is over, I still have so many projects on my plate right now. :) I plan on sharing them with you...hope you're ready. lol

My rule for gifts at Christmas is keep it simple & cheap. lol Especially this year, who knew a new house would suck you dry egh!? There's paint, door knobs, moving trucks & NOT to mention all those fees for breathing in the lender's office...haha!
So, I decided any child over the age of 10 will receive a gift card from us. It allows me to enjoy my holiday season-stress free and it also allows the pre-teen to choose their own gift. Oh, Bah-humbug, where's the spirit!? lol I find that most kids that age prefer money or gift cards anyway!

I decided to spruce up the four cards I plan on giving. These ideas are perfect for birthdays too! Here are 4 quick and easy ways to do so.
Supplies:
pattern paper or fabric
cardstock
ribbon/twine
sewing (optional)
embellishments (tags from our December Daily Album Kit)

I find that I am better with visuals than reading so I created a short video on the tips and tricks to these 4 card holders in case you want to know more.

Gift Card Holders from veronica milan on Vimeo.

If you have any questions please email me.
Have fun creating your own!

xoxo, Veronica

Christmas Parade

This weekend we headed out into the freezing cold air to watch the parade...it was worth it though, Ethan loved the marching band and Santa of course!
Faces in awe....his little cousin M, loved it too. Ethan swears he is going to be a drummer some day... You can only imagine his excitement to see these drummers marching.

We waited an hour for this jolly ol man!! :)

I'm currently working on my Christmas album. These pics will definitely go in them. :)

How was your weekend?

xoxo, Veronica

We have a HOUSE!!!

I can not share in words how excited I feel today. Our wish was to have a house on some acres so that we can grow a tiny organic farm. God has been very good to us. It is not our "dream" home, but at this exact moment, we feel so blessed to finally say, we are HOME OWNERS!!!

No more asking Ethan to stop jumping because the neighbor downstairs will complain.

No more small balcony for BBQs.

No more small gatherings because the apt is too little for our entire family.

No more money given to something that will never be ours.

It was a long and dreadful journey...with lots of tears, frustration, anger, lost hope and finally happiness. We signed TONS of papers this morning and will be getting keys next Wed. Albert and I are still in that state of shock. Did we really just BUY a home? Did we really qualify? lol We have been living in this tiny apt for 8 years...with no real hope to move into a house.

This is NOT at all a "brag" post, it's more of a "thank you Jesus, I must record these feelings" post. Our new house is a fixer, it's not a home many would be jealous of. lol We will work hard at making it a home. I just wanted to share my happiness with you, my friends and family! We will be making our big move before Christmas. I am SO stinkin happy.

I will be back next week with a couple of more projects I have up my sleeve, and then...I will work my pregnant booty off, packing, giving Albert orders, watching him paint, cleaning and finally resting up and starting a NEW year with awesome blessings in store. :)

We are currently finishing up orders from the last 3 days. We thank you so much for all the orders and support. Thank you!! Thank you!!

xoxo

Veronica

Christmas Project #12- Paper Ball Ornaments

These Christmas tree ornaments are very easy and fun to make! I was shopping at Target today and noticed these HUGE paper ornaments...I knew they were easy to make. So, I just had to try them myself.

Here is what you need for each ornament.
Supplies:
Pattern paper (double sided works best!)
2 brads
ribbon/ twine

Directions:
Cut 6 strips of paper (1/2"X 12"), cut those in half so that you have 12 strips (1/2"X 6"), stack them together, using a cropadile puch a hole on top and at the bottom, slide brads in and then seperate until a ball is formed.

xoxo, veronica

Christmas Project #11- Button Tree

I have failed you... I forgot to post today. So, being the lazy pregnant woman that I am. I will just show one of last year's Christmas projects.

I made one of those beautiful button trees. Looking back, I can see that I left some empty spaces...I will have to fix that once I decorate the house.

Is everyone enjoying December so far? I know we are! We enjoyed a nice walk in the cold air to Starbucks last night ans drank coffee and shared a polar bear cookie. mmmmm

Okay, I will stop in tomorrow with another project and Friday we will end our workshop. So sad.

Christmas Project #10- Snowman Ornament + A Giveaway!

****WINNER***
In honor of my BEST FRiend having her baby boy last night...Lucky Number 21 is the winner!
Cynthia B. said...
Love the snowman ornament - so cute! Thanks for the chance to win the journaling kit!

My friend had a beautiful healthy baby boy (21 inches long). In...get this...
ONE HOUR. Yes, she labored for one hour. She almost had him in the car. Bless her little heart!


Here is a quick ornament for your tree this year.

I had a ton of these tin cases left over from Ethan's baby shower favors. Yup, I never throw anything away. I now store brads in them.
Supplies:
Tin with clear lid
snow glitter
ribbon
paper (snowman & background)
I made a quick background and a snowman in illustrator, then I cut them out. Glue the background to the back of the inside and I left a tab at the bottom of the snowman. I punched 2 holes with my cropadile in the top of my tin, tied a ribbon. Pour glitter inside. Glue shut and place on your tree or in my case...let Ethan shake it like crazy!

Very simple. :)

Giveaway-
Since today is December first- and everyone is starting their daily albums, if you wanted a journaling kit, and never got around to it, here's your chance.
Leave a comment for a chance to win one.

I'll pick a winner tomorrow. :)
xoxo, Veronica

Christmas Project #9- Advent Calendar Game *FREE DOWNLOAD

Can you believe December is here tomorrow!!? Wow. The countdown begins...
I have another cute advent project, this advent calendar idea comes from my sister. She has an 8 year old son and she made this bingo Advent calendar for him last year. I'll admit it took longer than expected, but it came out SO cute! I just loved this idea that I decided to make one of my own! I'll probably use this next year with Ethan. Supplies Needed:
Tin tray, cookie sheet or sheet of metal (these trays cane be found at a dollar store).
Stickers -letters from MM falala collection
Red paint- cherry red
Ribbon
Bingo card (free download)
Embellishments (tags, rub-ons, chipboard, or buttons)
Button magnets
Empty jar - any jar of jam, honey, peanut butter etc...

Directions:
I found this tray for $1 at the dollar store. I love sweet deals!! I made sure to take a magnet with me and checked to see if it was magnetic. I spray painted the tray with cherry red paint.
Using my crop-a-dile, I punched some holes at the top of the tray, and tied a bow.
I then printed the bingo card and sewed it onto a piece of pattern paper:
After, I glued that onto the tray. I wanted to keep this simple, so I painted some chipboard stars and added that to the tray along with buttons. The letters are from Making Memories-canvas falala.

For the magnets, I adhered some buttons, paper, stickers, brads (remove backs), & stickles to the tops.

I decorated the top of my empty jar with some ribbon, pattern paper and a Christmas Icon Tag.

How to Play:
The way the game is played is simple, have your child place a magnet onto the number corresponding with the day (example: Dec 1, place a magnet onto the number 1). Your child won't get a gift until he has completed a bingo (up, down, or across). The free space is last, because it's for the 25th of December- CHRISTMAS!!

Hope you enjoyed this idea as much as I did! Please feel free to link our blog on Twitter, Facebook, forums, your blog...there is no need to ask for permission to do so. We would love the exposure and WE THANK YOU!!! A giveaway is coming up tomorrow, make sure to come back. :)

xoxo, Veronica