hearts

From my heart to yours...

a few favorites

 photo by crafterall

I just wanted to share two more of my favorite Christmas presents (the giving kind). These were two etsy finds that I was busting at the seams to share. The first - a beautiful Lake Superior cut-out by crafterall. Marnie does beautiful work with paper and this was a custom bathymetry (pretty much the opposite of topography - in lakes!) I requested for my parents. She is a paper cutting wizard and it turned out so great! The detail is perfect and it is definitely a great gift to give to lake lovers. (Say that a few times fast...)

photo by sypria

And these pretties are felted wool dryer balls from CleanSypria. I purchased them thinking they would be a gift. (For who? I'm not sure - I get a bit gift-crazy during the season). When they came, I realized that I just really wanted them for myself. (Don't you hate that?) I've used them a few times and they really work!!

And so pretty sitting on top of my dryer waiting for me.

stockings

I'm close to finishing up the decorations around here and wanted to show you my newest addition this year.

My organized aunt added her bit of advice to the twelve days of Christmas project:  
Make a deal with yourself that you will only have x amount boxes of decorations. If you cant resist buying something new every year, you must get rid of something old when you pack it all back up. (I have 3 boxes, no more.)

I think that is a great piece of advice. I have one large bin full, but then let all sorts of stuff fill extra bags, smaller boxes and random spaces in the closet. This year after the holidays I am purging and weeding out what I don't love in the holiday decor.

These are worth the one-in-one-out rule:

Last year I made the white stockings out of flannel fabric, but had no time to decorate. This year, I wrapped the top in dark gray felt, and borrowed a project from Better Homes and Gardens (but can't find it on their website) and made these felt flowers. (They have some great projects this month - I'm planning on making a couple more and will have to do a tutorial.) All of the felt is just glued on with fabric glue - it took me just an hour. Finally, I topped them off with some stick-on bedazzling jewels. Love these - I used them in my gaga costume (to bedazzle my face), at Halloween and now - so multi-purpose!

deck the halls

I wasn't going to go all christmas crazy at home this early, but I couldn't help myself.

Today was a bit lazy, but since the boxes were already out from beneath the stairs, I figured why not - I'll get the decorating started and do a little bit all week. So I did most of it. All that's left is the outdoors, which is a shame, since it was warm out today. I probably won't get out there until the next cold snap or blizzard and freeze my fingers. I'm also planning on getting a bit of greens for inside and outside, since this is the second year of a tinsel-y tree. I need the smell of evergreens! 

Have I discussed Christmas trees here? I'm a fan of the real thing, and have loudly proclaimed my distaste for fakes. For years, I would bring a tree back from my parents every Thanksgiving in the trunk of my small car. I've purchased trees from the farmer's market and the corner lot. I've never convinced my husband to come with me to cut my own tree, but it is another one of those fake farming day-dreams I have spinning around my head.

Last year, I converted to a fake. The reasons are many, but I think the last year that we had a real tree, it dried out so much that by New Years, there were more needles on the floor than the branches. Plus - carrying a tree in your trunk? It also results in needles - found in July. I do like pine needles, but not a trail of them out the house and to the curb. So I shopped for a non-natural tree and found this skinny beauty. I will go back to real trees someday, but for now I'll keep the sparkles.

trick or treat

Happy Halloween!! For those who guessed, I did turn that deck of cards into a slightly uncomfortable (I couldn't move my neck that much) neck ruff for my Elizabethan Queen of Hearts. The husband found me a crown and I did manage to get the robe to look decent as my regal garb. Hope you got some tricks and treats in this weekend - I'm about treated out!

starting early

I started on my halloween costume yesterday!! This is part of it...can you guess what part?

american

Hope your 4th of July is full of family, friends, flags, food and fireworks. Cheers. (photo by farmkidstudios)

flags

Happy Flag Day everyone! I have been thinking about a flag quilt lately and found a few inspiring ones on flickr. This one is simple and lovely. Backwards, I think, but very nice. Maybe before the 4th of July...

The sun still isn't shining and it's getting pretty ridiculous. I'll be back with sunnymonday next week...hopefully I'll have some shiny inspiration by then. Until then, fly your flags high!

be mine

Happy (early) Valentine's Day!

step one

Ever wake up immobilized with thoughts about what you will do that day? There is a list so long of opportunities that all you can do is sit in bed and think about the possible game plans for the day...

If I work out right away, running errands on my way home, and work in the sweat shop this afternoon...

or, If I stay in my pjs and clean the house, then I'll have the rest of the day to paint...

The lists go round and round until, finally, I settle on no game plan and proceed to get up and get moving.

So - with no game plan, not as much gets done, but I make some of these:

Flannel burping cloths for the donations to Haiti with a contrasting cotton backing.

 

And a sweet little flannel pillow just in time for valentines day.

Now - off to contemplate my next move...

merry merry

Merry Christmas.

We are off to the north tomorrow to avoid CHRISTMAS BLIZZARD 2009!!!!

It is already white here - I hope some of the snow follows us...I really like a White Christmas.

Hope all your festivities are jolly and you arrive to and from your destination safely.

I have a few holiday goodies left over from my sales this year, so look for an after holiday give-away next week. Until then...

cookie love

passing out Christmas cheer in the form of cookies.

snapshots

clockwise from top: a hanging card holder; pinecones and red balls; snowflake made from discarded plastic soda rings - purchased from twin cities green; my funny snowmen; more red and gold balls

modern take

I know I promised holiday decor this week, so today I plan to do a roundup of twinkles around the house. Right now, I'd like to share the "wreath" I whipped up last week. Most wreaths are green or at least some sort of natural, but since this year we're going oh so not natural (ahem, silver tree?), I decided to make this  modern wreath with scraps from my workshop.

What's that? You need a modern wreath too?

i don't really want to go out there...

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

But these shiny gold ornaments that used to be B's Grandma's hung up between our kitchen and dining room are so delightful...

The first storm of the season has hit us here in the twin cities. Which means blowing snow, freezing temps and did I mention the wind for my commute into work this morning. At least I'm not in a car, but I do fear that the bus will be hot and steamy from all the un-regulars trying to avoid driving as well. How's that for a morning image? Wish me luck!

sparkles

Send some of that snow to me!!! I'm ready - this week is christmas decorating week! Stay tuned for my holiday projects...

over the river

We are off to South Dakota for the long weekend. Lots of food and family. B will probably be out in the fields again and I'm carting my sewing machine along with unfinished projects for a craft sale next week. I'll probably check in - I have some new sparkles to show off (the hubby has been working on a logo/business card for me).

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Hope your day is full of love.

anatomy

5" panel of fabric with hearts, flowers, birds and trees dancing down the row-xmas tree border-cotton batting-snowy white flannel backing-straight "ditch" stitching-stippled outlined stitching-binding-love

ps-inspirational