Last Friday (I wish I could repeat this day), I was able to get out with some friends – and their kids – and have a nice casual Panchero’s lunch. Here’s some cute pics of the kiddos – they’re growing too fast! Afterward, I got to do some shopping at Sephora. I’m still reeling.
If you didn’t catch my post over at www.lightrefreshmentsserved.com, be sure to check out the good ideas for neighbor gifts. They have some fun articles running now about the days of Christmas. Back to neighbor gifts — my personal favorite was one that a friend and neighbor gave me years ago (Cole was just a baby then!): a relish tray. I know it seems strange but amid all the sugar and chocolate, it was really appreciated. We nibbled on it all evening long while we watched movies. So, it isn’t fudge and it isn’t a candle (you know, your normal neighbor gifts) but it IS something healthy and not what you would normally do for Christmas and I sure hope our neighbors enjoyed it — even if it is a little different. Just like us, I suppose. It wasn’t very expensive but let me tell you it took me quite awhile to wash, chop and cut. The sun dried tomato dip recipe was really good. We didn’t have any leftover and I’m pretty sure Don will be requesting some more tonight so I’d better get crackin’ in the kitchen again.
Any pet’s collar can actually enter, not just dogs. This contest is from the blog of Sue Whitney, of Junk Market fame. Be sure to check it out – there are some adorable ideas for collars out there. The picture above is from Sue’s blog (hyperlinked on the word “contest” above).
Who’d have thunk it? A cute advent house from Gardener’s Supply. Adorable! I’m curious, though, as what to put in the small little boxes without encouraging MORE candy at Christmas? Maybe quotes? Maybe scripture? Love notes? Jokes? Your thoughts on advent surprises?
Yet another felted wool project from Betz White’s book. Really. Great. Book. Easy stuff and so satisfyingly rewarding when you’re done (because they’re so cute!). I need to make some more of these cupcake pincushions for Christmas gifts for my crafty friends. This was project #2 out of the book for me. The first was the felted hand puppets that you can see here. I took a third project from her blog which was the Cashmere Bunnies you can see here. As you can tell, Betz is amazingly talented.
It’s not Halloween anymore but it’s so cold outside, I kinda feel grouchy enough to want to wear something like this! Knitted by the brilliant mind behind Things and Ideas. She has great instructions over at her blog which I love because it’s about knitting and gardening and gardening and knitting. And she’s moving, too, so I feel like we’re automatically related. Except that she lives in Scotland. These international knitters have so much more style.
This is a recursive post about a guest post. (You’ll get that if you are a TRUE geek like me, Lizabeth’s hubby.)
The guest post is up! You can see it over at www.lightrefreshmentsserved.com and it looks good.
Here is the image for the knitted bottle toppers that they didn’t post to.
The page that they live on can be found on their site by going directly here: Sundance Home Decor
Thanks for stopping by!
Post Poser Don
Getpalmd from Helsinki, Finland who wrote, “Cool, I’m in here.” Very succinct, I might add. If she doesn’t claim her prize within 7 days (email me back with your snail mail), it will go to the second place winner who was Rachel. We’ll wait to see if Sara from Getpalmd really wants her sunglasses. I’ve already emailed her with the news and hope she loves ’em!
Spotted online and saved for future purchase and/or to spark new ideas when I’m doing my own crafting. Great colors and design! The jumbo stocking was sent to me by my sister, LeAnne, and is now hanging beautifully on our shiny black front door (really, black. really pretty!). It’s from Pottery Barn Kids. The cable stocking and stuffed, plump fabric candy canes are both from Country Home. The tree skirt is from Company Kids. I can’t remember where the mittens are from…anyone seen these? I hate to post it without credit. That’s what you get for saving inspirational pictures at 3 a.m.
I like mine blank. Empty. Nothing. BUT — the realtor asked me to put some Christmas items up there. No problem, I say! Um…problem. I am a print designer and not so good with home decor. Here’s what’s up there now. I need suggestions? There are white lights. I wanted to use what I have. The corner with the baskets and trees — all those goodies came from Goodwill the same day the realtor asked me to put something up there. Gotta love Goodwill. I got some fake poinsettia plants for my front porch, too and they are gorgeous. What do you have on your kitchen cabinets? We’ve been taking lots of pictures of the house at various stages. You can see them my house pics flickr photostream if you’re so inclined. I wish I had a collection of antique scandinavian anything but…Grandma Jackson’s stoneware crock & bowl and some Christmas doodads will have to do for now. Be sure to check back as I’m announcing the winner of the Boden sunglasses either later today or tomorrow. She’s from Finland. So, if you’re not from Finland, you can be sure you didn’t win!
IMAGES REMOVED – website no longer linking correctly. It’s a shame, but people change and websites change, too — apologies to anyone who went to the link previously here that is now an anabolic steroid site! Yikes! (The UNL Quilt Museum link is still very valid and interesting!)
One of my friends who went with me to the quilt study museum in Lincoln at UNL where we saw the Korean Pojagi exhibit made me this and wrapped up a yummy loaf of bread. What a great treat, huh! I do have great friends…any of you would be jealous of Billie Kay. She can make, bake or create just about anything. I attract those kinds of friends because the universe knows that I am sorely lacking in those areas, but I keep trying! I forgot to take a picture before I unwrapped it and I could NOT get it wrapped back up the way she had done it.
Betz White wrote Warm Fuzzies, the book that I created my first felted wool project from (the felted puppets). I love the book! I looked up her blog online here and found a great tutorial for cashmere bunnies. My first bunny was small because I didn’t stuff her very much and for the second try, I didn’t have smooth stitching but once she was really stuffed, you couldn’t tell at all – note to self: lots of stuffing for these babies. My boys have loved them and Gabe has taken the baby over and named her Rachel. You can even see her hiding in some of our branch Christmas party photos as a tag along. So far she has hit both the gym AND the Christmas party – a pretty well traveled bunny for two days old. After I finished making them, I asked Ben what a bunny says and he replied, “Boing! Boing!” Not too shabby!
Here’s a few of our favorite shots. We are going to miss so many wonderful people when we finally move! You can see ALL of our church Christmas party pics here.
I guess he was really afraid! There are two bigger chunks of video that I might get around to uploading on youtube but for now this is how “calm” he was after the candy cane and stuffed reindeer!
Check this out from Seventh Generation. Do you have any idea that might change the world? They are working with JustMeans, a social media platform for people interested in sustainability, to engage folks in an online social happening to promote change. The 2007 Spheres of Influence contest will award $5,000 for one winner to implement a social business idea. The contest ends on December 31, 2008 at midnight. I haven’t come up with a winning idea, yet, but maybe my brilliant readers and friends can! This is one of those things where something like a simple change to current protocol would be the answer…if only I could think of what that would be! Definitely worth some thought… Did I mention that I love Seventh Generation?