I took a break this weekend to work on a few projects. First I finished up our advent calendar for this year. I decided to keep it simple and something we could use each year. 

 

I used items I already had on hand. The backing is a metal piece I received from one of Jenni Bowlin's monthly kits a while back which I had spray painted with chalkboard paint. The tins had been organizing a bunch of alphabet embellishments- which I ended up mixing altogether in a glass jar (which totally freaked Justin out- he said I would be regretting that move later). The ribbon I had on hand also (but only in two short pieces which I knotted together). The star is a nail I picked up at a local antique/flea market a few years ago. 

To make this a little more interactive I plan on typing out a bunch of quotes and/or quick projects for each day and tuck it in with a small candy (of course). 

I also got a chance to work on my December Daily album this weekend- which was a great accomplishment since in past years I had never gotten my album ready and worked on it in pieces each day (which does not really work out come December). I am excited to share- I just have a few loose ends to tie up. 

In other news Reiley had been battling with a loose tooth for several months now. Yes, it was quite a drawn out process from the point when her dentist pointed out it was loose this summer. Then it started breaking off. So, she was collecting the pieces of it for the tooth fairy over the last few weeks. Finally Saturday night the last piece came out. I frantically searched for something to put under her pillow (and ended up getting too creative). I photoshopped a tooth fairy image to stick on a dollar bill (the tooth fairy always gives her 'special' money- like gold coins). Then I grabbed out the glimmer mist. 

BIG MISTAKE. 

Reiley plays with glimmer mist all the time. She uses it more than I do. 

Sunday morning when she woke up she was all excited- thought the dollar was awesome- wow it sparkles...I am going to add this to my collection...

Then she came downstairs while I was working and asked if I did it because the dollar smells like glimmer mist. I could not help but give her a awkward smile and she knew I was the culprit. 

Later we worked on our December Daily albums together when she began questioning about Santa...

So, I guess we are all cleared up now since the Easter Bunny was never something she believed in. She did say she was happy I was her Santa and Tooth Fairy- and even mentioned she would do the same thing for her kids when she grew up because it was important for them. All in all it was a very informative day for her. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

and...

Julia Sandvoss  recently contacted me about using some of my Thankful paper chains for a Thanksgiving project for Show Me St. Louis on  KSDK St. Louis. Check out what she made with them and her other projects here- or watch the video