Crafty with a Notebook

I recently got an email from Big Picture Scrapbook company to sign up for a class called "Cut the Crazy Out of Christmas". Now, I'm ALL for having a peaceful Christmas season. Particularly given that the craziness actually begins at my house at Halloween and then it's a mad dash through to Christmas day. You see, I have a baby born on November 11, Thanksgiving, a baby born on November 28, a month of Christmas traditions that I set up before I had kids, my mother's birthday and then Christmas. My poor husband has his birthday in early January and I'm usually so burnt out on "creating the magic" for the rest of the family that his birthday is just a date on the calendar. Now, I know some of you feel the same way without those extra birthdays thrown in there so I know I'm not so extra special or anything.

Well a few years ago, I joined FlyLady.net where I found that she has a whole "Cruising through the Holidays" plan to help maintain calm versus chaos. I used her tips and created a notebook. Then I found some more helpful information at FamilyFun.com a couple years ago. All of this was FREE. As I looked over the $25 class mentioned in the email (that fee did not include supplies) I realized that the only thing that was really different was that they decorated the planner. I've seen other's do this and I've always wanted to decorate mine but I'd never gotten around to it. This $25 class was the kick in the pants I needed to decorate my planner. Mine isn't decorated in "christmas" paper because it's more than just Christmas. But here you go. I used a kit that I got a few years back that I've always liked but was afraid to use. (Because then I wouldn't have it anymore. Does anyone else do this crazy hoarding thing with your favorite craft supplies?!) The paper is from Foofala, the stamped letters are from Close to My Heart, the ink is Twilight from Close to My Heart and Sage Shadow from Stampin Up! The inside tabs are made with the Stampin Up punch and their matching tab stamp set.