Holiday Hum Drums

Has the stress started yet? I do know a few people in my family that haven't even started thinking about Christmas yet.... come on people it's only 2 weeks away. We hit the big warehouse store today and got a few things for our open house on Christmas Eve. I think DH said we spent more in this one trip than we did the entire month last month but I have a good start on the fix'ens. I even started looking through my gift pile to see what I still had to make before the big day. I still have a couple of hats and wrist warmers, dish cloths and a few hot pads. We'll see if I get to the dish towels.....maybe that will be a plan for next year.

So how are you doing? Have you made all your big plans, traveling or staying at home?

I do have a new item for Christmas this year, it is a notebook/journal with pictures by DH and myself from our travels. If you need a quick gift for someone, there it is. You can order it directly from Blurb and get it within about 5 to 7 days so there is still time.

A Penny for your Thoughts by Dana and Paul James | Make Your Own Book

I'm thinking next year of doing one of my paintings as a weekly calendar although I like the idea of the notebook as it isn't date specific and you can use it for just about anything. I do still have a recipe book of DH's moms favorite dishes in mind to do. I know the family would enjoy that one. Ideas?

It's been Christmas Party after party for the past week. Saturday we went to our gem and mineral club's annual party... lots of good food, awards, gift exchange and the new officer installation. It's always a fun time. We also have an ornament contest and unfortunately I didn't win again... :-( I made these great little bird nest ornaments with gemstones as the eggs. They were fun.

We have one more party this coming Wednesday which will be a little different as we haven't attended one from this group before. They have a white elephant auction for charity, so that should be a riot. I'll be sure to take a few pictures.

I'm currently trying to get my classes scheduled for next year at Shipwreck Beads and new classes written up. I've already submitted one new class which is the Falling Leaves Bracelet.... tutorial was posted last month. Other than that, I'll still offer my Standard Gem Tree, Pine Tree and Holiday Tree. New tree classes that I'll be writing up is the Crystal Willow and maybe the Lace Leaf Maple. I've had students interested in learning them so I guess I should get busy.

Stay sane and safe. If the stress gets too bad just have a glass of wine and watch a good holiday movie.

Making a List and Checking it Twice

I've finally started making my Christmas presents for this year. I had wanted to get them completed this past Summer but nooo I had to wait and now I'm stressing over everything I have yet to do. I did find a great little quick crochet scarf pattern that I've worked up and altered for three of the gifts, a scarf, infinity scarf and a neck warmer along with some wrist warmers which are kind of like a fingerless glove. I love them so much I may have to make me a pair.

After making these few things, I decided to make a list of who I was making for and what I was making them. What an eye opener, I can't make these scarves for the men as they are too lacy, so now I'm in a quandary.  What to make the men and I have more men than women? My list of ideas for men weren't very good or even original but included hats and BBQ aprons.Now what to do? I think I'm in need of big help in the idea department. Once I get my list together completely, I'll share the links to the tutorials I find or other ideas.

If you read my last post then you will be wondering where those photos are of the Museum of Flight. Well here are a few from my phone camera. This was my first visit but I'm sure it won't be the last.

Here are a couple more that hubby took with the nice camera..... he did a little photo editing to jazz them up a bit.

Valentine's Day, Celebrating Love

My hubby and I don't normally celebrate a holiday like Valentine's Day as we feel it is just another one of those Card company promotions. What I do feel is that we should show our love for our spouse every day of the year and not just this one. Sure you can go out and buy your loved one something special on this day and I really wish you would (from me of course), but why not show them how much you care by doing something special for them instead of buying. I know we are all strapped for cash so this year would be the perfect time to start a new tradition. So, how about some of these ideas to get you started.

Make your own chocolate treats, fudge, cookies, candy - I know that for Christmas I made cookies and treats and everyone loved them probably more than if we had purchased fancy chocolates. One of the special items was Chocolate dipped pretzels. I purchased those pretzel rods from the local grocery store and then found the chocolate melts made by Wilton which are very easy to melt in the microwave. I also purchased  Health bits and mixed chopped nuts. Once the pretzels are dipped in the melted chocolate you can then sprinkle on the nuts and candy. What a hit. For Valentines Day I bet you could use the white melts and red sprinkles, so cute and festive.

Handmade Valentine's Day card - This is one of the easiest things to do. Lots of computers have programs that help you create cards, but you could also find a wonderful love poem on-line, type it into your computer using a neat little font, print it on vellum and insert it between a folded piece of red or Valentine printed cardstock. All the supplies you could get at any craft store or scrapbook store for pennies on the dollar of purchasing one of those fancy cards.

Jewelry - Yes you can make it yourself. I have several published tutorials to help you out, but if you want something for your hubby, why not make him a larger version of the Love Knot Ring (forget the cluster of gems). I used 14 gauge wire for my ring, but for one that is larger why not use 12 gauge. It is simple enough that I think a man would wear it, especially in sterling silver.

I'm sure you all have lots of other ideas out there for hand crafting your own Valentine's Day gift but if you don't and would prefer to purchase something for your love, here are a few products that I found interesting.

Fire and Ice Cigar Pen by Turnz-U-A-Round
Sumatra Mandheling Fair Trade Organic coffee by Brainscan
Mint Lip Balm by Venus Candles
Bath Fizzies by Bathgasm
Heart and Crystal Earrings by Letamarie Designs
Funky Valentine's Day cards by Love to Stamp
Ruby Necklace by Dana's Jewelry Design

Most all these items except for mine, Ruby necklace, was found on ArtFire.com. If you are interested in the Ruby necklace I have it listed in my 1000 Markets shop.