Personalized Photo Advent Calendar

Today I made an advent calendar using my own family photos.

In Picassa, I created a photo collage with 25 photos (8X10).

I decided on landscape, but portrait style could be used as well.

Once I was satisfied, I printed the photo collage on glossy 8X10 photo paper.

Then I picked a photo for the calendar to display when the photo windows were closed (I chose a photo of our house).

Next I printed the photo of our house on glossy 8X10 photo paper.

Then, I allowed the photos to dry.

Next I took a sheet of tracing paper and a ruler and decided on different size openings for each photo and what side the photo doors would open.

I alternated the openings randomly R, L, and top.

I drew straight lines for where I would use the exacto knife and dotted lines to serve as folding lines.

Next, I cut out the windows and numbered each with a paint pen.

Finally, I tapped the photo with windows onto the photo collage.

Result: Personalized Photo Advent Calendar

(Due to privacy, I will not upload any pictures of this project - thank you for your understanding).

Thank you for Picassa for assisting in this cool project/gift for my family.

So what if it's a kid's game...

So tonight my beau and I spent an hour an a half tackling and beating Shaun the Sheep! http://www.shaunthesheep.com/games/homesheephome/ It's an amazing game, kinda like angry birds, but nothing explodes and no one gets hurt. I am kinda in love with this game and the sheep are so cute and make little noises.

So what if it's a kid's game...sometimes they know the best games! And when they go to sleep the adults get to play them :) LOL... remember that parent-friends of mine...you get to play the game once your kids go to sleep..."yes mommy bought you a Wii (and it's my turn!...er your bedtime!) :)

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving...What are you thankful for? I feel like I try to reflect on this more often than not. This year, I am thankful for my family, friends and to be in the final stretch of graduate school. My family, who I know is always there for me, has always been a support and source of joy, I love you. My friends who have stood my me, met me for coffee, rather than drinks, understood my crazy schedule and have sent me words of encouragement., I love you. To my friends I have not regularly contacted (or vice versa), I love you.

I am thankful for so many things and so many people. My heart is so full. I am thankful to have had so many wonderful times with so many of you and I just want to say thank you for being you.