12 Days of Home for the Holidays Welcomes Lisa Swift

Lisa is an incredibly talented woman designing for companies like Little Yellow Bicycle and published in magazines like Scrapbook Trends and Scrapbooking and Beyond.  Lisa is a friend from Two Peas in a Bucket and is wonderful sweet.  Welcome Lisa!

Holiday time in our house means a number of different things. One of the very first things we do each year, even before Thanksgiving, is attend the Sweet Creations Gingerbread House display at the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY. This exhibit features upwards of 100 gingerbread house creations made by families, scouting troops and professionals. I am always so impressed by the creativity I see (and the spicy smell of the gingerbread is pretty amazing too).  This is a layout I did about our 2010 visit.

Making holiday cards is also at the top of the list. I like to make them over the course of the year, whenever the mood strikes me, and I start mailing them out right after Thanksgiving. Here are a couple of cards I will be sending out this year. The cat theme was my daughter's idea since she LOVES cats.


Once the cards are mailed, it’s time to turn our thoughts to decorating.  Although we put decorations throughout the house, the biggest task is the tree.  You’ll find an eclectic mix of ornaments on our tree — everything from handmade crafts to items my daughter made as a preschooler to ornaments we’ve collected during our travels (the most recent from our summer trip to Disney World). As an interfaith family, Hanukkah gets equal coverage on the tree. You’ll find Hanukkah-related decorations, like menorahs and Stars of David, mixed right in with everything else. This is a page I did about our 2009 tree.

Every once in a while I like to try my hand at making an altered item or two.  This year I transformed a plain pre-lit wreath into a piece of home decor that I look forward to taking out of storage year after year. I used embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle’s Once Upon a Christmas collection and an assortment of small ball ornaments to create this.

They say it’s better to give than to receive, so homemade gifts are always on the to do list. This year’s neighbor gift is a treat jar filled with Twizzlers red licorice and the sentiment, ‘Twiz the Season.

In year’s past, my daughter and I have made pretzel treats to give to friends and neighbors. These are really simple to make with only three ingredients:  small waffle pretzels, Hershey’s Kisses, and M&Ms. I made sure to include the recipe on this layout, as well as the tag we attached to the packaged treats. 

Sometimes pretzel treats are more fun to play with. My daughter wanted to pretend she was Rudolph. :)

So that’s pretty much how the holidays go in our house. I've enjoyed sharing some of our holiday traditions with you today. Debby, thank you so much for including me in this wonderful event! I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and I hope you are able to spend it surrounded by those you love. :)

Thank you so much Lisa.  Your holiday season is full of making wonderful memories and crafting.

Lisa
Remember The Good Times blog

Lisa's Personal Giveaway...
From Little Yellow Bicycle's new Winterings collection: a set of the 12x12 papers, a chipboard; acrylic album, and one package each of the following coordinating embellishments: vellum tape strips, clear cuts shapes, and favorite piecescardstock stickers.  You can see the collection here:  Little Yellow Bicycle Leave a comment here for Lisa and it counts toward this giveaway as well as the sponsored giveaway. I will announce a winner to Lisa's giveaway tomorrow.

Giveaway
What an incredible giveaway from Graphic 45, X-ACTO, Sizzix, and May Arts!!  Leave a comment for Lisa and I’ll put your name in the drawing. Leave a comment on each of the 12 day's posts to be entered for 12 opportunities to win this gorgeous prize package!  You can also go to X-ACTO's, Graphic 45's, Sizzix's, and May Art's Facebook page and “like,” leaving a comment you came from D’s Paper Studio and leave another comment on one of the blog posts letting me know to be entered again.  One blog reader's name will be drawn and announced on Monday, December 14th. On your Mark, Get Set, Go....!
Included in the Giveaway: 
Graphic 45:  Nutcracker Sweet 12x12 paper pad; both sets of coordinating stickers; Ornate Metal Keys; Ornate Metal Key Holes; Flower Staples, Envelope Tag Staples
May Arts:  (as pictured) Red and Green Center Strip 25 yards; Jute 400 yards; Mini-Pom Poms 30 yards;  Velvet 50 yards; Cotton Strip 30 Yrds
X-ACTO: X-ACTO Designer Series 9’’ Fixed Blade; X-ACTO Designer Series Precision Scissors; X-ACTO Designer Series Corner Punch; X-ACTO Designer Series Gripster; X-ACTO Designer Series Shapes Templates; CraftBond Glue Spots; CraftBond Quick Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen; CraftBond All Purpose Glue Stick
Sizzix: The New Tim Holtz Texture Fades;  They include: 658269 Holly Pattern & Wreath Set;  658273 Brush Poinsettias; Winter Berries Set;  658270 Textured Poinsettia Pattern Set; and 658272 Holly Branch; Pine Branch Set

I'll see you tomorrow with another new guest and their holiday traditions.  Check out Facebook Events for 12 Days of Home for the Holidays for a sneak into tomorrow's guest.

Have A Wonderful Crafty Holiday!



Comments

  1. Lisa, that gingerbread house display sounds fabulous...I have never seen anything like it except on TV. You are lucky to live so close.
    It is sweet the way we all have holiday traditions that fit our individual families!

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  2. Lisa, what a wonderful memories you have...love the last layout.. :)

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  3. Wow, Lisa!...Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful traditions....they are truely inspirational....
    I love how our papercrafting can be used throughout the year in different ways!
    creative blessings, Debbie/StudioBeeCreations

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  4. Love all the goodness on here! So beautiful!

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  5. What a great layout! I bet those gingerbread houses were something to see. I love how you do your "interfaith" Christmas tree. That is really a fantastic way to celebrate both. Oh and I love, love, love your cards. Thanks for giving us a peek into your holiday traditions.

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  6. I always loveeeeeeeeeeeeee Lisa's creations and these are no exception!! They are gorgeous Lisa!!

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  7. Lisa- these are amazing pages! Thank you for the inspiration (and the heads up about the gingerbread houses- maybe I will get a chance to go!)

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  8. Such fun and festive projects and I know a cat lover who would love getting that PURRfect card!

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  9. So much fun! We lived in Rochester for years, Great layouts and sweet projects!!!

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  10. I already "LIKE" the Facebook pages - added comment to each of them - Thank you for sharing and putting these 12 posts together.

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  11. Oh LIsa, these are all great! I know a few people who would love the cat Christmas cards!

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  12. Awesome projects...I love them all! My fave is the re-purpiosed wreath! Happy 12 days of Christmas!

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  13. These pages are gorgeous!!!!

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  14. Love Lisa's layouts and projects!

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  15. Fun ways to celebrate the season. Would love to see the gingerbread houses. thanks as always for sharing.

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  16. Beautiful work, Lisa! Your layouts are fabulous, and I really like the jar of Twizzlers! Thanks very much!...Nancy :o)

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  17. Those little puffy Christmas trees are TOO DANG CUTE! I 1ove the layouts too, so much good stuff going on there.

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  18. WOW Lisa you are one busy little elf!!! Love all the projects and fun pages and cards.

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  19. Great projects! Love the picture of "Rudolph"! Adorable!

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  20. Beautiful work, Lisa! Your layouts are fabulous!! and I really like the jar of Twizzlers!TFS Hugs Regena

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  21. Love all of Lisa's work-beautiful!

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  22. Lisa, thanks for sharing. I really love your layouts. I hope to learn how to add lots of elements and still keep it cohesive and fun. I've started following your blog.

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  23. Love the sharing of your Christmas traditions! Cards, layouts and recipe goodies are wonderful.

    Thanks for sharing some of your Holiday spirit!

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  24. Love your family. Traditions. The thought if seeing that many Gingerbread Houses under one roof would be an awesome site to see. TFS pammejo1@yahoo.com

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  25. Anonymous11:13 AM

    I think it's fun to do titles with play on words--LOVE the "Twiz the Season". MIGHT just have to give some in the stocking just so I can take a photo and use your title for the Christmas layout!

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  26. Love the Twiz the Season title and those pretzle, kisses treats! Our library does a gingerbead house program for the kids, each get to make a small house using a milk container as the base. Great fun.

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  27. Beautiful layouts and projects :)
    I love those pretzels, I made some for a crop and didn't take long before they were gone...and so so easy to make.
    It would be so neat to go to a gingerbread house display

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  28. such wonderful traditions ~ now I think I smell gingerbread :)

    TFS

    margoplace91@comcast.net

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  29. I enjoyed reading your post, Lisa, about your family traditions, and your creativity is amazing. TFS your wonderful creations.

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  30. Great projects! I am LOVING that first layout, really neat design, and thanks for sharing your traditions!

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  31. What beautiful projects. I like to look here everyday so I can get inspired for my own! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  32. Lisa - Great projects. You really have the right holiday spirit (s)
    loyaz1 at wbhsi dot net

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  33. wow..those gingerbread houses are quite fancy! Thanks for sharing your ideas. We love to make those pretzel treats too!

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  34. Lisa, thank you for sharing your traditions! I'm still ROFL about the Rudolf layout--too cute! Love how you've blended your interfaith traditions, too. WTG!

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  35. The Holidays are such a wonderful time to decorate, bake and craft! They all go so well together too!

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  36. I love your cards. Thanks for sharing your traditions.

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  37. I would also like to enter your contest, in addition to Lisa's, and not sure I'm doing this right :)
    loyaz1 at wbhsi dot net

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  38. Love your traditions and all your projects Lisa! Thanks for sharing her with us Debby!

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  39. Lisa, I didn't know you lived so close to me! I'm in Syracuse! Love seeing your traditions and home decor! Beautiful!

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  40. Lisa what fun traditions and ways to remember them. Love your layouts. I would LOVE the chance to win some Little Yellow Bicycle because I dont have anything from that company. Thanks for a chance to win some new goodies.

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  41. It must be too late because I can't even count how many opportunities you listed to be able to enter to win! Great projects. I really enjoyed all of the Christmas variety.

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  42. I definitely want to go to Lisa's house for the holidays.I love her interfaith tree and all the homemade goodies for neighbors and friends.Great example of the spirit of sharing and giving.

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  43. Love your holiday traditions. That page with the Rudolph nose is so sweet.

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  44. I so enjoyed reading this, Lisa. Your family has so many fun traditions. We love making those pretzel treats too. They are also good with Hershey Hugs!

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  45. Love the twizzler idea. I think I might have to swipe that idea if I can find the right sized jars. :)

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  46. Love reading about your traditions and seeing your LO's and projects.

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  47. I love your stuff!

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  48. what great projects lisa!!!

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  49. I am a person who loves traditions, so I found your post full of fun ideas besides beautiful crafts toy have made!

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  50. Love...love...love Lisa's work!

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  51. Lisa, as usual, gorgeous LOs! I really love that one of your baby girl - the design, the photo, everything. Thanks for sharing!

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  52. Wow, I love your layouts! Thanks for sharing.

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  53. Love all of your projects. How amazing each one is. I love all the details you put into each one to make it its own. Thanks so much for the ideas.

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  54. Thank you for sharing the traditions of your family and of course your fabulous creations! I love that you scrapped your pretzel treats and the tag you used with it!!!

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  55. i would LOVE to go to the gingerbread expo! that sounds like soo much fun! Thanks for sharing your traditions with us, p.s. I'm totally loving the idea of the 'twiz the season!' twizzlers gift, it's just brilliant!

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  56. Sweet traditions! Thank you for sharing yours! How exciting to see this through the "12 Days of Home for the Holidays"!

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  57. they are all Beautiful..

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  58. Kam mccallan8:47 PM

    So many cute ideas! Thanks!

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