Tuesday, February 8, 2011

presents, bows and paper chains


In case you're wondering, this is what it looks like to have your act together.
Sadly, it's only in one teeny tiny area of my life.
But it still counts.
I take the small victories wherever I can.

Those are birthday presents for family members.
A few cousins, an aunt and I can't really remember who else.
The birthday is months away for some of them.
But their present is ready.
I even added Grandma's to the stack on Saturday.
And her birthday's not until July.



Do you just love the wrapping paper?
I do.
It's from a big roll (I'm talkin' big) that was in my grandma's shed for many years.
Looks like some little critters feasted on it while it was out there.
I brought it in the house a few years ago and started using it for wrapping presents and packages.
Sometimes I'm tempted to not cut off that fancy edge the bugs made.
I think it would make the package pretty but maybe the recipients wouldn't agree.

Lookee what I made to put on top of all those presents:


Paper bows

Do you love them as much as I do?
No?
That's ok.
I got carried away late one night and made seven of them.
I think I've found my therapy.
Cutting, taping, folding.


I don't have any fancy scrapbook paper so I just used some lightweight construction paper I already had.
The only brads I could find were these star ones. I already had them too.
I used double sided tape to hold each piece together.
It worked beautifully.


Makes me happy to see my homemade bows on top of those presents.

I cut a few more strips of paper and made this:


I remembered how much Danny enjoyed the countdown to Christmas.
I made this chain to count the days until Grama Bama gets here.


Danny's not as excited as I thought he'd be.
I think he enjoyed erasing the little number on the chalkboard and figuring out which came next.
Oh, well. I tried.

One morning after tearing off the link I said,

"Oh, it's getting closer!"

To which Danny replied,

"Not very. The nights need to go faster!"

I disagree, my friend. I totally disagree.
I'd be fine with the days going faster though.


In other news:

I took a picture of Dan for his work the other day.
Danny and Cate wanted to be in it.
They're just so stinkin' cute.


And my mom sent an envelope full of my stuff last week.
Included were old immunization records, a fingerprinting card, some letters and a few pictures.

Behold, seventh grade.


Even my earlobes were chubby.


6 comments:

Arlene said...

Fingerprinted in 7th grade? :)

I LOVE your bows and I love the paper.

Tracey @ bitsandpiecesofthebetterlife said...

I have never made bows! I am usually a ribbon type of girl, but you have made me fall in love with bows in a way that I never have before. Can't wait to try and make some.

Glenora said...

We had all 4 children fingerprinted and identifications cards filled out - for the[police to use if they were ever kidnapped or whatever...the police department and the school system did this way back when.

Unknown said...

let us just say that I haven't ever outgrown my chubby 7th grade photo...which is unfortunate.

Judy said...

I love the bows! Will you teach me? I got a big package from mom too. I love my report cards from elementary school. Apparently I was just a joy, but was there really any question?

Catherine Glazner said...

Oh my goodness, I want to learn how to do the bows too!! They are soo cute!haha..Judy love your comment. LOL. Also you were totally cute in 7th grade!!