Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // Gingerbread House digital scrapbooking layout using #CreativeChristmas Bundle kits

Gingerbread Houses {Feeling Crafty}

December 1, 2014December 1, 20144 Comments

Last day of our Creative Christmas Bundle sale! Did you check out this amazing deal? It’s not to be missed! Here’s another project I’ve created with some of the pieces from the various designers… pretty cute, huh?! And I’m not a “digital scrapbooker,” but the items in this bundle make it super easy to create pages! But besides templates, digital papers, embellishments and overlays, the bundle includes printable cards, calendars, advent calendars, stitch patterns, classes, tutorials and so much more! The entire list is included below…

Do you create a December Daily album? I think this page, and my “Candy Cane Love” page would be great to include in a December Daily album! What do you think? Be sure to check out the entire Creative Christmas Bundle and let me know in the comments what project you’d love to create first? There is so much value in the kit with over $300 worth of products — classes, downloads, cut files, stitch patterns, calendars, gift projects and more — for only $29.99 – get it before it’s GONE!

The Creative Christmas Bundle ends in less than 20 hours at 11:59pm Eastern on December 1st. Check it out NOW! After the expiration time, all the individual items will go back to each designer and the amazing value will be gone! You can currently get $300 worth of products for only $29.99 – it’s a definite steal and shouldn’t be missed!

Once you’ve checked out the Creative Christmas bundle, be sure to head on over to my sweet and sassy friend Cara at The Hooting Pirate! Cara’s busy making gifts and December Daily cards with products from the Creative Christmas bundle. Lucky YOU gets to see more ways to use the fantastic products in the bundled deal!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day!

Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

CREATIVE CHRISTMAS BUNDLE DESIGNERS & CONTRIBUTIONS

Alison Day – December Daily Cut Files and video (retail value $15)

Beth Soler – Cricut Cut Files/phone tutorial (retail value $12)

Cara Vincens – Whimsical Printable Christmas Cards with bonus postcard option and coupon code to The Hooting Pirate Etsy Store (retail value $15)

Carole Cassel – Calendar Making Class using Paint Shop Pro (retail value $10)

Connie Hanks* (that’s me!) Printable Advent Calendar w/family activity list (retail value $15) {advent activity and numeral used}

Gina Zee – Upcycled Christmas Workshop (retail value $15)

Janet Carr* – Digital scrapbooking bundle (retail value $20) {papers, embellishments and overlays used}

Jen Funk Weber – Silhouette cross-stitch patterns (retail value $12)

Jen Wright – 12-Day Advent Envelope Project Tutorial with bonus Advent Cards (retail value $20)

Karen Fitting – Flower Calendar with Bonus Tutorial on tips for using Artisan beyond scrapbooking (retail value $15)

Kristie Sloan – Art Journaling Basics online class (retail value $20)

Lisa Harris – Santa’s Helpers Workshop – quick, inexpensive gifts (retail value $20)

Margareta Carlsson – Digital pack of holiday pocket page cards and photo overlays, everything both for digital scrapbooking and as printable pdf files for hybrid scrapbooking (retail value $10)

Mary Moseley – And Jackie Lyals Photo Gifts for the Holidays (retail value $10)

Melissa Shanhun* – Digital scrapbooking bundle with bonus audio and video inspiration and tutorials (retail value $80) {papers and embellishments used}

*Designers products’ featured in my “Gingerbread House” layout.

PS. Have you check out the Creative Christmas Bundle deal yet? Time is ticking! Don’t miss it!

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // gingerbread house decorating with young kids

Gingerbread House by Kids {Feeling Crafty}

January 1, 2014July 19, 201413 Comments

I’ll admit it… I’m a total helicopter-mama! I tend to do a lot for my girls, and the times I step back and give myself a break and let my girls spread their wings a bit, I’m always amazed by what they can do! Case in point, the gingerbread house we decorated a few days before Christmas…

Did I say “we”? Really, it was mostly them! And by “them” I should clarify that my 7-year old did most of the decorating, while my 4-year old did most of the ~~candy-stealing~~ snacking!

A friend of mine posed the question on Facebook, asking for advice to better prepare for the holidays next year. I offered my two cents, and now as I write this post realize I should have also mentioned buying the completely pre-built-gingerbread-house, ready-to-decorate-out-of-the-box. I usually buy the kind that are already made, but the walls still need to be assembled. And that costs us a day or so as the icing needs to set before the house can be decorated. I don’t think this one cost any more than the other kind, and boy was it a lot easier to work with than having to explain to my littles that we needed to wait an extra day before decorating.

My big girl asked if she could do the icing and I have to say, I was beyond impressed that she was totally in control and managed quite well! She even made snow men from the small marshmallows, adding a chocolate chip as a hat and candy for eyes! She even made a melted snowman using the icing…

My girls thoroughly enjoyed decorating the house and I totally enjoyed being able to watch them enjoy the experience, and I was even able to photograph it! Usually I’m covered in icing and only get the *finished* gingerbread house photos. We’ve done this for the past 4 years and I look forward to many, many more years of this fun activity! What have your little ones or loved ones done lately that surprised you? I’d love to hear!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day!
Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

PS. The gingerbread house came with lots of candy, but we supplemented with Halloween candy that hadn’t been eaten or disposed of, as well as some stale marshmallows and chocolate pretzels that were on their way out… Fun way to use those up!

Connie Hanks Photography // ClickyChickCreates.com // Gingerbread house party at Style Your Life®

Gingerbread House Party {Photo Feature}

December 17, 2013July 19, 20144 Comments

Fashion stylist (and friend!) Jennifer Rosson of Style Your Life® asked me to photograph her annual Gingerbread House Party for a “how to” blog feature she had in mind. Besides Jennifer being incredibly sweet, super fashionable and the hostess-with-the-mostess, she’s totally got the Gingerbread House Party plan down pat!

Be sure to check out her blog here to get all the details on how to host your very own stunning and kid-focused gingerbread house party : ) And while you’re there, check out her fantastic fashion advice – she’s ah-ma-zing!!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day!
Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

PS. Don’t forget to sign-up for the FREE photography webinar “Oh, Shoot! Creating a Successful Daily Photography Project” – I blogged about it here.

PSS. While you’re at it, check out Katrina Kennedy’s True Scrap 5 class “The Art of the Everyday” – actually, check out all the True Scrap 5 classes! Hands down, it was one of the best online class experiences I’ve ever had! And all TS5 classes are 25 PERCENT OFF – just under $10 each right now through 12/25. Everyone needs a “To: Me, From: Me” present under the Christmas tree, right?! : )