my late list

I know it's a bit late for a gift guide, or even a list, but last night I was asked for one before the husband headed out to do some last minute shopping. So I started looking around and found such lovely things. They will have to get on the list for my birthday, next Christmas, or maybe...someone still has some shopping to do!

Clockwise from top: pave posts (anthropologie); hunter boots; happy tape; stirrup sock pattern (purl soho) (I may need to find someone to make this one for me too...my knitting skills have been a bit rusty lately. But what a cheerful project for the new year!); secret charms necklace (banana republic); clothbound penguin classics (anthropologie)

Some of these I've been drooling over for a while - the boots and books are a perennial favorite. The sparkles I just found and would love to wear all the time. And the tape - I would love this tape in every single color of the rainbow...so pretty (and happy)! 

I can't wait to show you the list of treats that I'm giving this year - so many good finds and I can't share them yet!! Almost time...

ornamentation

First, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who is playing along with the sewmamasew give-away and has entered to win my potholders. You can enter until tomorrow (Friday) at 10am Central Time, when I will be drawing a winner!

Second - for all those who have asked about fabric...I am very bad about knowing the who/what/wheres of fabric. I buy what I like and don't think twice about it (and I never save the salvedges). But I was able to track down the roosters, since that was the most popular/unknown from a tiny scrap that just happened to have missed the trash. It is from Blank Quilting - Morning Call in Vintage. I purchased it at the Ben Franklin in Bemidji, MN (yes - I go far and wide for fabric!) and I think there was still a bolt there the last time I was in (if you're in the area).

Third - here is another in the 12 Days of Christmas series...not sure if I'll get through 12 - only 9 shopping days left!

Since acquiring the silver tree, I have been unable to use most of our ornaments. There is a lot of gold and the tree is pretty scrawny, so I try not to overload it. Instead, I put ornaments all over the house! Hanging from mirrors, piled in vases, and adding extra touches to the greenery that we do have, such as this wreath on the door. The new rule in our house is use it or lose it, so I use every last one of them.

pretty in pink

The sewmamasew giveaway is still in full swing - go here for all the details!

This is this year's go-to Christmas CD. I picked it up at Starbucks on a whim and have been listening pretty constantly since. There is something so fancy about Pink Martini's music and this one is just as party perfect! Love.

cookie monster

When you are pondering what to give the neighbors, your bridge partners, or the mailman, it doesn't have to be a time-consumed craft or cost a lot of money. I always put together small bags of home-made treats, often defaulting to the cookies I know and love the most. Either take a Saturday afternoon to bake, or like this year, I just did one cookie a night for a few days. Nothing too fussy - no sugar cookies, no sprinkles!

I got small bags from Paper Source, filled them up, and put a simple ornament through a punched hole to close. Friends - if I haven't seen you yet this season - we should get together - I'll bring the cookies!

yum

This is my go-to potluck recipe. (I got it a few years ago from my friend Dr. G. She is a doctor and she makes and eats more cupcakes than anyone I've ever met. And she introduced me to this wonderfulness). (No - she does not weigh 300 pounds) (Not even close).

We all need a couple of these in our arsenal for that last minute invite - easy, minimal ingredients and super tasty. Guests will lick the plate clean...and you'll probably get invited back!

paint it red

I'm the first person to admit that there is no theme connecting my holiday decor. It used to be a red/gold/poinsettia affair, but then I got a silver tree and some turquoise lights at a thrift shop and...

Now I just bring it all out and see what happens. As I've added pieces, they do sway modern, but I really love the idea of rustic, woodsy with a twist in the Ralph Lauren Macy's window this year. Seriously - look at those red antlers. *If I ever run across a pair in the woods, I'm snatching them up and buying a bottle of spray paint. Wait - I already have the red paint - ask my college room-mates about the stuff I painted red in our house...phones, lamps...nothing was safe.*

So - take some inspiration from nature and give it a twist. Painted branches, pine cones, or antlers can add a bright pop of color and inspire a great holiday theme.

*Warning - tangent!

topper

Need a quick addition to your standard host gift?

Add a cheerful fabric ornament!

You will need:

fabric scraps

batting

small grommet with grommet tool

scissors

ribbon

1. Sandwich a layer of batting between two fabrics and cut out your desired shape. Zig-zag stitch around the ornament to secure all layers together.

2. Snip a small hole through all layers towards the top of your ornament. Be sure to leave the stitched edge in tact. Push raw edge of grommet through the front side. Turn over and use tool to secure grommet in place.

3. Finish ornament with a pretty ribbon - thread through grommet and tie.

4. Slip over a wine bottle, fasten to a pretty wrapped gift, or trim your own tree with home-made elegance.

party tricks

Omygosh - It's December. Which means crazy lines at the post office, corner store, grocery store...parties galore...guests, relatives...shopping...

We all know how crazy it can get this time of year - we all have those lists a mile long.

So I wanted to feature just a few tips, tricks, maybe even gifts to make the little things easier (and hopefully prettier). I've also  tried to think of simple solutions for gift-wrapping, homemade decorations - those pieces of the holidays that sometimes get left out.

Introducing:

The 12 Days of Christmas is not related to the song - there are no geese or lords a leaping here (plus there are 25 days until Christmas by my count). It also isn't limited to Christmas - we are all getting ready for something, whether the holiday is Hanukkah or New Years. It's about celebrating the small things! First tip tomorrow - please enjoy!

Also - I'm sure you have your own simple solutions - I would love to feature your tip! Send it to craftymsp (at) gmail (dot) com.