Sunday, December 27, 2009

Some last notes before the new year

Our holiday celebration starts at my Mom's on Christmas Eve, we have been doing it that way since us kids have been out of the house, it is a tradition that will carry on for many years to come.







Christmas Day
I started my morning at 6:30 with a good old cup of Joe

As I suspected Kayla had already gotten up and looked in her stocking, she lays everything on the floor then goes back to bed, I think I will have to be more creative next year, there is only so much you can put in there.
The girls opened presents, I could not believe how much Santa did this year, but note to self: (next year write down where you hid presents) I must have forgotten at least three of Kayla's.
Next on our agenda for the day is to go over Aunt Becky's for dinner, and boy was the food good.


Here are just a couple of other pictures I wanted to share.


My Mom and Nina(niece)


Kayla and Uncle Dean


Me and Hubby


Aunt Billie and Uncle Steve


Me and Jay (cousin)
There are so many more pictures but we would be here for days. We  then headed over to Chris' parents for a bit, then to my Dad's to celebrate. Every year my Dad make chili and home-made tortillas (mmmmm good)
It was a treat to be able to see our grandkids, we were not sure if we would be able to this year, I wanted to get pictures of us together because I did not know when the next time would be that we would be together again, I hope that my daughter realizes it is vital for them to be a part of our lives.




Auntie and Xavier


Auntie and Aaron


Pappa playing with Aaron, I think Chris liked playing with the car more :)


That was our Holiday, and I am so blessed to have my family around me, they mean so much to me.
Today I am reflecting a little on the future Christmas' for the Canacari family, even though the kids are older it is time for new traditions to start, and to put some to rest and keep as a great memory. I am already thinking of next year, (yeah scary huh) I now have to the time to focus on all the precious things, life is to short and we may not be here as long as we like so I want to make sure I leave fond memories behind for my girls.

For the first time in history I had the tree down and the house back to normal the day after christmas, usually I leave everthing up until after the new year, but having a real tree this year it was ready to come down. Plus I have a lot going on for the new year and need to focus, I will share that later.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Tis the season

It has been a while since I have posted something, it is amazing how time just goes by, I cannot believe it is already going to be Christmas? I was a little worried this year due to I got laid off my job, my end date was to be November 30th. I just had to take a deep breath and know that everything was going to be ok. I knew my kids and everyone else would understand that Christmas would be a little thin, but it would be hard for me since I love the season and I love giving. Then I got word that they would be extending my stay for another 30 days, I was happy, now I knew everything was going to be ok.



This year we decided to get a real tree, at first I was excited but remembered why we have had artificial, so next year we will go back to that. But I was happy when we bought the tree that a portion went to a charity of our choice so that was a good thing.

I also belong to a moms group Moms like me and although I do not post as much as I use to, I still keep up with some things and when I heard they were adopting 4-5 families this year I had to jump in, we bought some gifts for some of the kids and I also made little treats for the kids, I was happy to do this since I use to make all kinds of little treats when my girls were younger for their classmates, but since they are older 12 & 17 I don't do that anymore, but I did make these for my daughters co-workers. It is tough when you do not have little ones, you miss out on doing the little crafty things. Although I do have two small grandkids my daughter has taken all that away from me, we don't get to see them, and it is very sad, but that is a whole other story, I will just focus on the positive this Christmas season and enjoy my family.




I also started another project called The Wedding Connectors I created this due to there were no networking groups for people in the wedding industry, we have already had two meet-ups and they have been great successes. We plan on doing a wedding show, bridal luncheons, and other great events. The people that I have met have the same passion as I do and it is so exciting. So if you are a local vendor or no someone who is getting married come to us.

Enough of my rambling :) that is it for now I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. Remember to embrace what you have, give to others and celebrate each day.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving


It's the time of year when we're reminded to give thanks.
Instead of waiting until next year to be reminded,

Let's make every day one of thanksgiving;

After all, each day is a unique gift.

So, give a hug for no reason;

Say I love you, just because;

Share a smile with a stranger;

Take the time to count your blessings;

Don't take anything or anyone for granted;

And end each day with no regrets.

Thank you, my friends and family,

For sharing, caring, laughing and crying with me.

I'm truly blessed to have each and every one of you in my life

And I am thankful you have allowed me

To be a part of yours.


May you and yours have a safe and memorable Thanksgiving.

~ Barbi Hobson ~

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Holiday Bazaar

Support local businesses in your community. I will also have a table there you will find some wonderful gifts for the holidays.


http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/denver/event/1708

Date 12/02/2009


Time 07:00PM to 09:00PM

Location Ambajam

3457 Ringsby Ct., Taxi 2, Suite 107, Denver, CO, 80216

Christmas cards

just a couple more christmas cards I made. You can also get these customized with your family name or your own saying inside.




Sunday, November 8, 2009

Cards for a Cause

I am very excited to about this project, we will be carrying Cards for a Cause. This is the first of several to come. Now when you purchase one of these cards not only will you make the person you are sending it to feel special because you sent them a hand-made card, but you will also be helping to contribute for a cause.
Each card is $5.00 and 50% of that will go towards cancer research.

My Mother, and Step-Mother survived cancer, my aunt Bunny did not, she passed away when I was a young girl, I think about me, will I get it? will my daughters get it? these cards are my way of giving back.

We will also be carrying a line of cards for your furry friends, each card will be inspired by our family pets, be on the look out for those to come soon. There are so many animals that are abused everyday, these are animals without a voice, lets be their voice and help make a difference.

I would also like to hear from you, do you have a fundraiser? let The Papery Willow help you, we can create a specific card or gift for you and your cause.

Lets make a difference










Sunday, November 1, 2009

A rockin Halloween party

Friday I had the pleasure of enjoying a Halloween party with the girls, it was held at Cherokee Ranch  in Castle Rock. we had such a great time. This place is beautiful, as you drive up a dirt road filled with trees and wild life you already begin to get the feel of this magical place, if you are having a event or wedding this is a must place to go visit, you will not be dissappointed.


 They had a live band Mid-life crisis who totally rocked the house, this is the second time I have seen this band and they are a must see or if you are having a party you must hire them. There was a dance floor full of people at all times and I think I must have burned a million calories that night.

Pictures to come of me and the girls having a great time.



Thursday, October 29, 2009

May-n-Ais-Findings

I had the opportunity to do a portfolio page for Chrissy Fasone Doolen the owner of May-n-Ais-Findings
she makes the most beautiful jewelry you must see. She has so many talents, she loves paper crafting, photography, and now making hand-crafted jewelry.


check out her sites.

Halloween

Ok so I have posted Christmas and Thanksgiving stuff, I guess it is better late then never that I finally post some Halloween stuff.

This is a cute little treat bag that can carry candy or your baked goods.



I also made a cute little tag, you can put this on a card or a bigger goodie bag.




Any of our creations can be modified for any event, if you like one of our ideas just send us an email and tell us what you are planning.

SNOW DAY

I love the snow, today I actually stayed in and watched the snow fall, I have been making lots of good treats I can't wait to show.








Kayla made Halloween cupcakes, and of course I had to take pictures. She asked me why I always take pictures? I told her she should be use to it by now, I mean I have been taking them for 17 yrs, but when she has her own kids she will understand why.



Saturday, October 24, 2009

Be thankful

I got in the mood for Thanksgiving today. I decided to make a little ensemble that consisted of a favor box, place card, and a card (with the card you can either use it for an invitation or something to just send out to all the people you care about.

With the table cards instead of putting your guests name on it, I decided to create different quotes on the card, with these placed all around the table your guests will be able to read each one.

This set can be custom made to what ever them or color you are planning for your holiday dinner.






Friday, October 23, 2009

Busy day

Today I am meeting with Rebekah of  http://www.5280wedding.com/ we are looking for our location to have our first networking meeting, so excited to get this off the ground. I have been working on a website, and trying to get all the lose ends done. I cannot wait to see this grow. I have gotten some good responses so far and that is a good thing. I will keep you posted as it comes along. Our first meeting is November 11th.
Have a safe and fun day, remember life is to short. ENJOY!

See The Papery Willow featured

I am so excited to share this. I am featured on http://lostintheattic.typepad.com/  I love Rachel she is so devoted to supporting the locals and she works very hard at it. Thank you Rachel for having me on your blog it means alot.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Busy weekend= more creativity=meeting=so much to tell

I wanted to share with you a couple of things I made this weekend. I got a little excited and started some Christmas cards already, ya I know it is only October, but I could not resist.







I also made a cute note pad, I use a 4x6 sticky note pad and covered it.


I am going to work on some Thanksgiving stuff next but just wanted to do a test run on some Christmas cards.

I also went to a couple of bridal shows this weekend just to take a peek. I met a wonderful lady from Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park, her name is Stacy Horn, she was such a joy to chat with, I hope to do some business with her in the future.
I have also been doing alot of back office work on my business, boy can that be time consuming, I am still trying to get my husband to pick up some of that slack but I think he likes helping put invitations together better :)

Now on to some other news I am just thrilled about. I had a meeting with an old friend last week Rebekah and I am happy to announce that The Papery Willow is partnering up with 5280 wedding connection to build a vendor network group for the wedding vendors in our community, our first meeting is November 8th.
We are building this group to help promote the local vendors in the wedding industry, I wanted to create this because there are no networking groups for the wedding vendors and if there are not to many, there are tons of other great networking groups but they just did not seem to fit with what I was doing or trying to promote.
We are looking for some great things to happen in 2010
  • bridal shows
  • bridal luncheons
  • and a chance to give back to our community
Things are looking good and I am so excited to have found someone to partner with that has the same passion as I.


I also decided to apply for the leading lady award by Ladies who launch
this is another great resource that I am going to become very active in. So many things have clouded my vision this year and now I am free of it and ready to do what I have to do and do what I want to do. Some people feel their way is the only way, I feel it is your choice to make, there is no right way or wrong way as long as you learn from your mistakes, turn your negative it to positve and move on, the ones who do not move on are the ones who will not succeed, I refuse to be the one who does not succeed. I am committed to helping others grow their business by promoting them, and giving the encourement they need. I feel it is so important to have a mentor when building your business and in the past have not had any mentor, but I am on the right track now.
so keep on checking back and watch me grow, everytime I am hit with a hardball I get up and fight even harder.
Thank you to all who have supported me.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Discover

This set can be used for almost anything, the inside is blank. This is handstamped with some beaded embellishments. This is a pack of 6 with coordinating lined envelopes.






Business cards

If you know me, you will know that I can't do anything normal :) Since my new adventure with my business and new look I can't just hand out a normal business card I have to make it better, I think it is good to leave an impression when handing out your cards, whether you are at a networking event or a show, take that extra step to jazz up the way you present your business card.

I made a card about 3 1/8 x 5 1/8 and stamped "thank you" on a oval punch out and inked the edges. I then stamped a tree on the front with versamark, this creates a  watermark on the paper for tone on tone.






I put my business card on the inside with clear photo corner, then put each one in a glassine envelope, and there you go, what a great way to make a first impression.




I got the glassine envelopes at Envelopperinc
 

Graphic Design by Polka Dot Dandy