Creative Grace: Christmas in Oregon

As I type this, we are winding down our trip to visit my family in Oregon.

Job hunting prompted my parents to move to Oregon when I was in college. A few years later my brother and his family joined them. Since the move, my hubby and I enjoy driving up to visit when we can, and that is especially true this year since now my Mom and two nieces (whom I affectionately refer to as "Big Chiquita" and "Mini Chiquita") are expert card makers now. We got in a lot of crafy time this visit which was so fun for me (I honestly can't remember the last time I made a card for fun). So, I thought I'd share some cute crafty chiquita pics and a couple cards with you!

Before stamping, we all had to find our crafty mojo - so super soft fluffy crafty-mojo socks were in order!

I'm pretty sure Big chiquita will put all the card designers out there to shame one day! She's a total "outside of the box" thinker - it's fun to see what she comes up with. She's also taken to helping her Grandma remember techniques when Grandma forgets (oopsies!) :)

I'm sure Mini Chiquita is smoking past her kindergarten counterparts! Her coloring is so excellent and she's so good with scissors. She's also an expert at glitter, one of her favorite things, as evident by the glitter we find tracked all over the house (Grandpa's favorite thing)! :)

The girls worked really hard making everyone these beautiful name cards which they carefully placed at everyone's seat for Christmas dinner.

We all also designed some special cards which I'll be sure to share in a special post for you in a couple weeks ;)

Before heading up north, I was "under the gun" to make my calendars (which I give as gifts) and holiday cards. I thought you might like to take a peek at the card I made. I sadly didn't have time to send out cards to many people (I can blame that on my thesis, right?) - but I managed to get a few out to some people I knew I wouldn't be able to see.

I love this big stamp that was released this summer by A Muse - I thought it lent itself nicely to something more retro. I just had to go with pink and green :)

So, as I sit here sipping the last of the eggnog while saying goodbye to 2010, I wish you all a fabulous new year!