Well, three Christmas cards and a pig. He was just so cute I had to include him - I guess the pig is symbolic for the new year? Hmmmph. Learn something new every day. Anyway, they all look so easy and adorable and are by Robert Sabuda. You can check out his instructions and patterns here. My kids will love trying these this year but I won’t promise to get any actually mailed…

Well, my anti-consumerism streak lasted about 10 minutes, that is, until I received this email from L.L. Bean. I’m still not whipping out the debit card just yet but this greenery does have me drooling. I know there’s nothing like the real thing but I’m thinkin’ it’s a good thing that I have some pretty faux greenery with white lights packed away that might quell the craving just a bit. I guess we’ll be putting up Christmas decor early this year… Plus, I’m thinking it might be the year for gingerbread creations. This igloo is adorable! All pics are from L.L. Bean so be sure to check out their site here.

Love the Human Fund card (yes, we’re Seinfeld rerun fans).  Some of the designs are fabulous.  Some of the designs are really not my taste. There’s a huge variety at Cafe Press - and it’s because this site allows you to sell your own cards, calendars and other items and prints on demand - fabulous.  It’s like nouveau Ebay or Etsy but for print!  Me likey!  Check the selection out here and click here if you’re interested in selling designs.  I especially enjoyed browsing the political bumper stickers - wow - eye openers!

I know, I know, it’s early for Christmas…but my fabulous artist friend Traci Osborn sent me this she has been working on and it’s beautiful! I wish I had her talent…but I know I don’t have the discipline necessary to get there. She even sent me the outlines I could have worked with on the computer to create something but, alas, I couldn’t have even envisioned it as well as this. Hope it puts you in the Christmas mood like it has for me. It’s coming up fast, you know.