Katie Says: "It's Roundup Time!"

I just love this idea. Last year, I started a Project 365 project and I wanted to have a daily 6x6 layout to capture Orbit #48.

Things haven't completely worked out for THAT project! Fact is, I'm not much of a scrapbooker. I like doing things in 3D mostly - sculpture would be a huge love of mine if I could figure out a way to deal with all the creative works I produced...

Maybe I can get a one or a two page layout made to commemorate the whole month and I'm thinking this strategy would work very nicely...

Let's start with my source ;)

I'm big on knowing where something comes from so I add that in as often as I am able. I do a LOT of work, research, etc. online. I happened across this not too long ago (don't remember how, could have been a twitter post or something like that):

Katie the Scrapbook Lady's 'It's Round Up Time'

I see that Katie has a 'year end' version of this process too. How wonderful!

Well, I spent a little time the other day (so i need to finish) digging through my notes, calendar, etc. filling in the blanks of her 'survey' so I'll have a record of December 2009. Here are some of the things that happened for me...

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
 
Currently reading: War of Honor, Homemade Money, Selling the Dream and a book with my boyfriend, Jeff.

Finished:  Making a Living Without a Job

I got my last ‘Scrapbooks, Etc.’ magazine and a way to subscribe again for 2 years at ~$20

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

Got some great Christmas shows in – Prep & Landing (new, a favorite now), Shrek the Halls, Peanuts (not as fun as I remember)

Saw the usual, as available during the holiday season – CSI, Dexter, Sanctuary, Dollhouse

Watched miniseries “Alice” – very cool

Saw many videos on “Watch it Shred” – very wild stuff…

A friend brought a tape of the latest “Dr. Who” called “Waters of Mars"

No plays

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?

Jeff and I started reading to each other

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

Celebrated Christmas this month – a few gifts between Jeff and I, mom bought livestock for families in need overseas and a small celebration at Joan’s

Made ornaments with glitter inside & gave to my scrapbooking group at the 'Cookie Exchange Crop'

We created disks for Sandy & Joan of almost all the pictures taken of Jake, Jeff & his family for the last 3 years

Got money

Got LOTS of cards!!! They are so beautiful

Sent some swaps of cards, etc.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

Can’t think of anything at this point…

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

Feeling more pain during the night from my hip

What were my accomplishments this month?

Created the ornaments with glitter inside

Finished working through the exercises from “Making a Living Without a Job” and I probably retyped 1/2 to 1/3 of the book! I really want to get the revised edition

I won a lot of great stuff! Earrings, a book (yet to arrive!) a bracelet, two pair of socks ($12 each! also coming still) and more chances to win other things – great odds!

What were my disappointments this month?

I wanted to bring in more money thru my business endeavors (I did earn some!)

Anything else noteworthy to include? 

My dear friend Rick Wills (who i haven't seen in ages!) was in town and we had a very nice visit! 12/6







Rick Wills

Got some design ideas figured out for pamhoffman.com & sent them to Richard!

Jeff started braiding my hair for me (he does a great job too!)

We got some rain this month!

Enjoyed Tim Holtz 12 tags of Christmas early in the month

Learned more Russian

Many flowers & potted flowers came into my life

Dover Downloads – free samples from the Dover Publications site

It's been an amazing month and I want to publicly thank Katie for this Round Up exercise.  If I do layouts, I have a great summary to work from.  If I don't, I still have a pretty good record here for myself.

Thanks Katie!

How do YOU keep track of it all? Do you have your photos organized somehow? Do you create layouts or just various crafty things (like i do!)?

Pam Hoffman

We're a LITTLE Nuts About...

When it comes to decorating for the Holidays, my boyfriend and I go a LITTLE nuts around here...

Let me explain.

I have read that the average Christmas tree in your home is decorated with 75 ornaments.

OooKay...

We have something like 2x or MORE than that JUST ON THE TREE!

And then we start decorating other stuff.

...we decorate the lampshades... and the speakers... and the slats on the cupboard doors, and the hinges on all the doors in the public areas and the light in the hall has one hanging from it... and there's a big snowflake hanging off the blinds over the one window... almost forgot, there are ornaments covering the top of the big blinds over the french doors and we put garland and an ornament over the big framed art behind the couch... OH, and I found a NEW place for an ornament this year! - I wedged the hanger thingy between two books on the bookshelf bolted to the wall and dangled the ornament past the bottom of the shelf...



Hhmm.. did I forget anything? Probably...

OH, I know...and some of the 'usual' places (like on top of the TV, found a picture).

Like I said, it's a little nuts around here with Holiday decorations!

We have collected so many things over the years and I love to GIVE ornaments too.

Why am I telling you this? Well Gen over at 'Quadville' wanted to know (and there is a GIVEAWAY involved) which inspired me to type this all up... I KNEW I'd figure out what to do with all those pictures I snapped this year! ;)

Are you a conservative decorator, do you go a little (or a lot) nuts like we do or are you the person who puts up the 'Ditto' sign & points to the neighbor with the crazy decorations? You can tell me... LOL

Pam Hoffman

Happy Birthday Mom!

Pat Hoffman

Born the same year John Lennon was!

Handmade Gift Giving

I rather LOVE giving handmade items to family and friends. They don't always love them back so I need to figure out who likes what and what to avoid for some of them.

I'm making something for my boyfriend, (who ALWAYS loves the stuff i make!) he already knows about it and said he'd help me finish it! Isn't he 'da bomb'?

Here are a couple of photos of my progress to date...




I've seen some really great, creative, handmade things online lately too! I really should capture them somewhere...new project!

Here is the inspiration for my gift (and hopefully mine will look somewhat similar ;).

[if i figure out where it came from, i'll give the appropriate credit!]

What do you like to create for gifts? Who do you like giving them to? Are they well-received?

Pam Hoffman

Happy Holidays!

Dover Downloads

Do you know that Dover Publications offers free samples?

I've been getting some WONDERFUL images from them for about the last year or so.



It's pretty simple, just visit their 'Free Samples' site and register for the emails by adding your good email address in the box.



That's it!

Then every Friday you'll get an email from Dover Publications and you can click on the link to visit their free samples page and pick what you would like from the selection.

I've seen games, puzzles and mazes, stickers, 'stained glass' and fun stuff on their site. There's samples of stories and wonderful drawings and etchings from all sorts of sources.



The deals are quite good on the books there too.

Why not hop over and get started on your own collection of great Dover Publication samples? What do you like the best from their choices? Have you bought Dover books in the past? What do you look for from them?

I'm excited to learn what you like in their choices.



I've had a lot of ideas how to use them too! From using them in ATCs to putting all the architecture ones together for a sort of mini book for my boyfriend! (he loves architecture!).

What would YOU do with these great images?

Pam Hoffman

[not a picture of me, i just really like this image!]


FTC Disclaimer:
*I have no affiliation with and have received no compensation for this recommendation.

OMG! A Chance to Win a Computer!

Have you seen?

It's all over...

HP & BlogHer are giving away computers.

Start on Kelly's Review site...

Then check out Stephanie's Totally Together Reviews...

MckGiveaway has a funny story about her new machine.

Oh, BooMama got one too!

Only a couple more days to go!

AND REMEMBER! Follow the directions. While these are high comment sites - the odds are STILL better than the lottery!

I'll let you know what happens,

Pam Hoffman