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I ♥ these!

by nord

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Bamboo solar charger, bokeh kit, hanger mini clips, Instax mini camera, keychain tiltpod, macro cell lense, magnetic Polaroid frames, underwater case and a photo project idea book.

These and other great gift ideas for people who love taking photos available at The Photojojo Store.

Me lovey!

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Cards, fine art prints, wooden mobiles, etc.

Purchase them here:

FreyaArt @ Etsy

[this & that]

This is one reason I’ve been so busy lately. My dear Jay volunteered the men to do the Christmas decorations for our ward’s Christmas party which of course means that I needed to come up with ideas and supervise the whole production (Jay knew I wouldn't mind the challenge). The budget wasn’t huge so I had to come up with something that could be made relatively cheaply and would make a big impact.

I must admit that I truly enjoyed making these huge paper wheels with the men. Just listening to them talk about cars, James Bond movies and their jobs was interesting. J

One of the loveliest evenings this December was when Jay and I taped some of these wheels together and Sienna drew a Rudolph picture. All while listening to beautiful Christmas music. It really is the simple family moments in life that give you the most joy!

We made about 50 of these paper wheels out of Christmas wrapping paper from Costco (a nice thick roll for only $12, can’t beat that!). We hung most of them from the ceiling plus put some on the walls.

We also put evergreen branches in silver Christmas gift bags and hung tiny silver Christmas balls on them. And since you can’t light candles in our Church (not because we’re weird, just because of insurance reasons J), I bought tons of battery operated white tealights (from Costco as well).

I also lucked out by finding silver & white snowflake dinner napkins that matched everything perfectly. All in all, I was happy with the decorations. Simple, shimmery, elegant.

There you have it – my first big decorating effort. I’ve done things in smaller scale before but never for 200 people.

I printed Sienna’s Rudolph picture on light beige card-stock = Christmas cards for her teachers.

Sienna made this cool paper-mache bird mask at school.

My favorite Elf on the Shelf idea so far.

Made some photo gifts again this year. Every year, Sienna gets a silver photo ornament. I think it’ll be a great keepsake for her as she grows up. The picture of Sienna laughing while wading in a lake near Banff is my this year's favorite. Love it when I catch a real smile.

I used the snowman wrapping idea last year to wrap chocolate boxes. I found the idea from Pinterest.

These gum packages were gifts for my Activity Days girls (I’m in charge of doing bi-weekly activities for girls aged 8 – 11 years old). Great stocking stuffer idea! You just need black and orange permanent markers and little bit of yarn or material.

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I don’t bake very often, but this picture makes my mouth water. I just might have to try this new recipe this Christmas.

Gingerbread cupcakes.

 Click here for the recipe.

[December Daily book]

Hard to keep my mind of the sad happenings but life has to go on or evil will win.

Today I started working on a December Daily book. I’m keeping it very simple as I don’t want to spend too much time on it. December is always a busy month.

I basically just bought a black note book with brown kraft paper pages. I print the photos and quickly write down what happened each day on the date note cards I made. If you are interested in getting a Microsoft Word document with all the date note cards ready to print, then leave me a comment, or e-mail me, with your e-mail address and I will send them to you. I printed my cards on very light beige paper.

Happy Monday everyone! J

[what a sad day!]

(Art by David Bowman)

I feel like I have to apologize for the blog post I posted earlier today. I did it before I heard the news about the elementary school shooting in Conneticut.

I know my blog is not a serious blog but it is hard not to say anything when things like this happen.

Today I can’t even imagine posting anything on my blog ever again. Yet life has to eventually continue normally, I know that. But something like this stops you completely and it’s hard to imagine being able to just keep living life lightly and worry free.

My heart is aching so badly for anyone involved in the effects of this shooting.

Oh to be able to take anyone affected by this tragedy, or any other tragedy in the world, into your arms and comfort them!

The only solace for me on days like today is my faith.

I know those children and adults who died are ok right now. They are in the arms of the Savior and surrounded by family and friends.

I know that a day will come when all sorrow and heart ache will end. I look forward to that day with more and more eagerness the more I hear about the horrible events in our world. They have always happened and they will continue to happen until the day when all is set right.

I’m so grateful for my faith on days like this. I don’t know how people without faith can go on when things like this happen. How can you understand life and tragedy without having faith in a Supreme Being who is loving and has a plan for all of human kind? I don’t think I could find enough hope without the gospel. It is so comforting to know that it will all be made ok in the end and that one day people actually will live in peace and love.

I’m so grateful for the scriptures and the knowledge and understanding they give me about life and why things happen. I’m so grateful that I have my faith. I can’t say it enough.

May those people affected by this tragedy (and any other!) have people around them to weep with them and to share their love with them.

Nothing else than the atonement will ever heal their aching hearts completely. I’m so grateful that one day their hearts will be healed by the One who suffered all the pain and suffering of the world and has the power to heal it all and make things right.

For those of you who might get offended by this post: I’m sorry. I just had to do this.

For anyone interested in understanding the gospel (which literally means “good news”) better, I am available to share my thoughts with you. The more knowledge you have of God’s love and plan, the less anxiety and fear you will feel on days like today. Feel free to e-mail me (sansku.etsy@gmail.com). 

The gospel truly is the source of peace and joy! Doesn’t take the hurt away but at least there is peace and hope!