Searching for Contributing Writers...

We are moving into an interesting phase in our family life.  It seems like the past year has been full of change and new commitments.  In particular, we see this coming spring as being very full.  We're moving into a new season and are excited to see what the Lord will do as he's stretching us.  

I am currently looking for contributing writers for Creative2xmom. I have decided to open my blog up for some amazing ladies to contribute on a variety of topics that Creative2xmom usually touches on. I'm excited to hear your unique perspectives and insights on life. It will also give me a chance to step back and spend more time with my kids.

This is a win-win situation for contributing writers as well. It gives us both a chance to introduce our readers to new writers, and the contributing writers a chance to write for a new audience. It's a challenge to learn and grow in voice and ideas. It's a great way to increase your blog traffic and network with other bloggers.

I'm hoping to find guests bloggers whose commitment can range anywhere from once a month, up to once every 3 months.

Topics I'd most like to include:

Pursuing Jesus

Real/Traditional/Nourishing foods (nutrition topics, as well as recipes)

Kitchen tips and techniques

Frugality

Gardening and raising your own food

Infant, child care, and parenting (from a Christian perspective)

Homemaking and home management

Good stewardship/Natural living from a Christian perspective

Food preserving (canning, dehydrating, root cellars)

Homeschooling (particularly in young children)

Crafts and home decor

Strengthening your marriage

Party planning

If you have topics in mind that don't quite fit in, just ask me and I'll let you know what I think.

Please email me via the contact form if you're interested.

I think you'll find that I'm easy going to work with, and I would love to have you join the team at Creative2xmom!

Made by Me Monday

Hey everyone,
How was your weekend?  Are you enjoying all the fun activities that pop up in December?  Or are you reveling in the warm of the fireplace and a good book?

Either way, I hope this past weekend found you relaxed and energized.

We had a full weekend.  My husband's work Christmas party was the weekend and it was wonderful to see how they created a family event.  We love taking our kids with us wherever we go, so it was nice to see them included.

Then my friend, Laura, created a Christmas craft party for the kids on Sunday afternoon.  She's always so creative and I look forward to sharing some photos with you later this week.  She did a wonderful job and my kids were very delighted to be invited.

As for me, I also completed another Christmas present.  An I Spy bag for Noah.  I've been wanting to do one for quite some time now.  But I'm a horrible sewer.  So I had my mom help me a little while I was home for Thanksgiving and I just finished it this weekend.  Come back on Friday and it will be featured in our 12 Weeks of Christmas post.

For now, let's start linking up.  Write a blog post highlighting your project with a link back here so that others can join in on the fun.  Then link up below to the blog post itself.  You can post more than one project; just add more than one link.  So let's start partying!

*Disclaimer: Linked to these Parties

Lee's To Do List

I love this Rice Heat Therapy Bag (@ Sew, Mama, Sew).  The material is beautiful and it would make a great gift idea.

In case your searching for more Altered Clipboards, here are several variations (@ Frugal Girls).  These are so adaptable to the recipient and so much fun to make.

I'm dying to make these Chocolate Gingerbread Bars (@ Martha Stewart) with the kids.  They've been wanting to make gingerbread and read Gingerbread Friends.  What a fun activity for a winter evening!

In the past several months, I've found myself referring to this post over and over again: Raising Kids with a Heart for the World (@ Passionate Homemaking).  With all the conversations that have been coming up about the origins of Christmas, I'm reminded that this is so important.

12 Weeks of Christmas: Altered Clipboard

I am a true scrapbooker at heart.  I love to craft and bake and cook.  I love to read and writing is pure joy.  But scrapbooking... that lies deep in my soul.

When I start thinking about Christmas gifts each year, it's often these types of scrapbooking/photo gifts that first come to mind.  I love sharing the memories of our family through photos.  It adds a personal touch that just can't be matched.  That's probably also why I insist on doing Christmas cards every year.  I love sharing our photos with others so they can see how we've changed and our family has grown.

Altered clipboards combine those loves for me: scrapbooking and photos.  And they're so versatile, quick, and personal, they make the perfect gift for so many.

Materials needed:
Clipboard (easily found at Walmart)
Photos
Paint
Decorative paper
Modge Podge
Hot glue gun
Various embellishments

1. For this clipboard I chose to paint it first.  After the paint dried, I added the stamp, casually stamped in random on the board.

2. Next I cut a strip of decorative paper and applied Modge Podge to the back, then adhered it to the board.

3. While the decorative paper was drying, I selected and matted my photos.  I like a little matting as it just helps the photos stand out.

4. I arranged my photos, quote and embellishments where I wanted them and then adhered them with Modge Podge.

5. Finally, after all those layers had dried, I created a zipper flower with the tutorial I found here.  I just liked the way it came out and thought it was a fun addition.

There's an unlimited way you can create these clipboards.  You don't have to use photos if you don't want to you.  You could use one or two different types of scrap paper to cover your board.  A monogram emblem would be very pretty for a teacher.  Ribbon could be added to the clip part.  Let your imagination run wild and see what different kinds of combinations you can come up with.

Have you ever created altered clipboards before?  If so, what was your style?

These are a few of my favorite things...

Do you have the tune from Sound of Music in your head yet?

(Yes, I am a musical geek if you haven't already noticed from the King and I reference)

I'm seeing all these beautiful decorated homes for Christmas in magazines and on the internet.  But can I confess something?  I like my little hodge podge Christmas tree.  We've always decorated with our ornaments from childhood and the Disney ones my mom gave us when we got married.

And as the kids are getting bigger and collecting more of their own, I love taking them out year after year and remembering the events they all symbolize.  Some of my favorites are the handpainted ones that my Grandmother would create for all us grandkids every year.  I guess that's why I started the same tradition with my own kids.

So while we're all in the holiday spirit, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with you as well.

We have a friend that does glass work.

She gave this one to us a few years ago and I just love it.

This was my second or third Christmas with my husband.

See the resemblance?

Lydia made this one last year at a Christmas fair.

It's all glittery and catches the light well.

Reminds me of how simple and innocent kids really are.

I just like the meaning behind this one.

And the fact that it's Little People.

 One of my homemade ornaments from my Grandma.

So precious!

We got this one in Alaska in '07.

This is our family: bear hugs.

What about you?  Do you have special decor at Christmas?  Or is it a compilation like ours?  Show us your homes.  I love seeing how others celebrate at this time of year.