Project 13~Make a Calendar for Special People...

Grandparents.

They really deserve something special for Christmas, don't they?

This year I am treating the special Grandparents in our life to a homemade calendar with pictures of their grandkids.

I purchased the calendar base from my local scrapbook store for $11.99 {Making Memories line.}

It's a coil bound scrapbook in 8.5 X 11" size with pre-printed calendar pages inside.

I am making this calendar x 2~ one for each set of grandparents.

The first step was choosing the pictures and visiting the local drugstore to get them printed.

I started by decorating the cover:

I used a very basic format for the inside pages.

Each month features 2-4x6 pictures.

I kept the scrapbook design very simple and clean.

This is the page for February-I featured Ty since it's his birthday month.

For the month of April, I featured the kids with their dogs.

This is the month of May...a little something for Spring.

This is June.

And back-to-school pictures for September.

I have the months of October, November & December to finish before I can wrap this up and move on to my next project.

I am getting lots of comments from readers saying that I have 'inspired' them.

That makes my heart so happy!

The whole purpose of sharing my projects here is to inspire.

I really want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read my blog and allowing me to share a little of my life with you.

It's a wonderful feeling knowing that I have inspired  some people to create!

{And special thanks to my poor parents...who read my blog and are seeing all their presents...but there will still be a few surprises for you!}

This post is linked to these terrific parties:

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Project 12~Gift in a Tin

I thought I would share this project that I made for my Grandmother for Christmas.

It's a scrapbook made in a Stampin' Up square tin.

{I've had some emails from people telling me that they cannot find the round altoid tins...only the square tins. So I wanted to show a project in a square tin and I think it works just as well!The square altoid tin is smaller than this tin...but the idea is the same.}

The front of the tin is covered with scrapbook paper and inked around the edges for a vintage feel.

Then I added a yellow sunflower {Heidi Swapp product} and a button.

This sticker was added as the final touch.

When the tin is opened, this small scrapbook is the surprise inside.

The interior pages look like this:

I continued with the blue & white paper theme with touches of yellow.

This scrapbook fits nicely onto a plate stand for display.

The last step for this project is to add the pictures...I am planning to add black & white photos of the children.

And I plan to tuck it into a nice little parcel that I will be mailing soon!

This post is linked to these terrific parties:

Project 11~The recipe for those cookies....Chocolate Dreams Dressed for Christmas!

Some of you asked about the recipe for these cookies...so here it is!

This is my favourite cookie ever!

Chocolate Dream Cookie Recipe
Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup cocoa

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Beat in eggs for about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are puffed. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

I make a double batch for Christmas when I want to package them for gifts.

 To dress them up for Christmas, we melt white chocolate and drizzle over the cookies. Then we sprinkle crushed candy canes for some colour and crunch!

{True story last year.~My daughter wanted to help by melting the white chocolate.

We hit a little learning curve here~ she 'seized' two batches of white chocolate before we got to a usable batch of white chocolate for drizzling. Mom [me] had to run to the grocery store twice in half an hour to pick up more chocolate. So remember to melt the chocolate with very gentle heat!}

And here is the final packaging:

Wishing you a wonderful Saturday!

This post is linked to these great parties: