A Very Merry Christmas To You!

"Hallelujah, the King is here, given for all men.
For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem."
(lyrics from Third Day's "Born in Bethlehem")

Merry Christmas everyone! God bless you as you celebrate!

Fun Tip for Little Cookie Bakers

When I was growing up my mom always made sugar cookies with us for every holiday. Christmas cookies were always my favorite though because we got to paint the cookies. Now that I have kids of my own, we carry on a lot of the same traditions. This year my children got to paint their sugar cookies, and they had so much fun I thought I'd share the idea with you! All you have to do is mix an egg yolk (just the yoke) with some food coloring and viola! Cookie paint! Then after the kids cut out all the cookies they painted them and added sprinkles before we baked them. The "paint" gives a pretty glossy look to the cookies (like an egg wash would to bread etc) and don't worry, it doesn't add any flavor. :)

Here are a few pic of my little chefs with their cookies. They each made 2 dozen and proudly displayed them for a photo.

See the cute aprons they are wearing? My mom made 4 coordinating Christmas aprons for my children and I to use for cookie baking this year! (She is such a talented lady! THANKS MOM!) They look so darn cute in them, especially my little guy, who was napping during cookie baking. My mom is going to be opening an etsy shop in the new year, so I'll let you all know when you can get some of her cute aprons (the retro ones are to die for!) for yourselves.

Merry Christmas and happy baking everyone!

Vintage Christmas Sign Ideas

I thought I'd share a couple of the Christmas signs I made for the Christmas Swap.





I apologize for the blurry photos, it's just so cold here I was really rushing to get the photos taken. :) I wanted to let all of you who joined in the swap know that I received the last of the goodies today. I got everyone's wonderful creations sorted and out in the mail today too, so be on the lookout for your packages! :) Thanks for playing along everyone! I'm so excited about all the things I received, I can't wait for you all to see yours too! AMAZING job everyone! Superstars, everyone of ya!

Well things are getting very busy around here, I have a couple special orders to get finished up, my kids and I have been baking cookies like crazy (were doing marshmallows next, has anyone tried that yummy recipe? You won't be sorry! :)), making the last of my Christmas gifts, cleaning house, and oh yes, that pesky last minute shopping. I don't know about the rest of you, but Christmas has really snuck up on me this year. I keep thinking it should be a couple weeks away, partly because I don't want it to be over and partly because it seems like yesterday was Thanksgiving. :) I just love this time of year, and since there are only a few days left until Christmas, you may find the blog looking a little lonely. :) I've got some new things in the works for the new year, so you'll be hearing about them before too long. I'm still adding things to my etsy shop daily, so be sure to stop by and have a look.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas Season!

A Crafty Christmas Swap Update

I just wanted to update everyone on the swap. I'm just waiting for a few more gals goodies to arrive then I'll be shipping your lovely ladies your packages. It's just a crazy time of year for shipping, so I think it's just taking extra long for things to get here. Anyway, I'll email you all when I send them out, and in the mean time, I'll start sharing a few sneak peaks of the goodies that have came in. So be on the look out! :)

Christmas Goodie Tin Idea

Hi everyone! Sorry I've gone missing the last few days, it has been so cold here (highs of 8 degrees lows of -30 degrees with the windchill) and I've been hunkered in with my sick children. I must say though, despite the bitter cold, it looks so beautiful outside. Winter blue skies, a blanket of snow covering everything, Christmas wreathes and lights everywhere.... it really is wonderful. (as long as I don't actually have to go outside :))

Anyway... I'm back to share another fun Christmas idea today. My local scrapbook store had a cookie exchange last weekend and I thought I'd share the cute little altered tin I made to store my cookies in.

The tin is just a brand new empty paint can that you can get at your local hardware store, Home Depot, etc.


Then I just covered it with paper (use small circle punch to make the "hole" for the handle) on the sides and top. I added the cute little vintage deer image, some chipboard, a doily, buttons, and tinsel.


Then I tied ribbons, more tinsel, and hung plastic mini Christmas balls from the handle. I think it turned out really cute!


Paint cans are pretty cheap, and they make great containers to give gifts in too. Then it's like giving a double gift because they can reuse the beautiful container every year! (this would be great for any season/holiday, not just Christmas)

I'll be back to show you some cute little signs I made for the Christmas swap and few other goodies between now and Christmas.

I'm still adding new stuff to my etsy shop daily, so be sure to swing on over to Pink Owl Paperie and give it a look see.

Simple, Quick, and Affordable Christmas Tags

I thought I'd share the tags I'm using on my gifts this year. I love to make tags using all my scrapbook goodies. This year I needed a little something simpler, but I still wanted a handmade look. Solution: I just whipped up a few designs on the computer, printed them on white card stock, and cut them out. I added a little red and white baker's twine and viola! Quick and cheap homemade tags!



I thought they looked really cute on my packages, and if you want you can coordinate the colors etc to match your wrapping papers! Speaking of wrapping paper, I have to admit I am terribly addicted to the stuff. I guess since it's pretty paper it goes hand in hand with my scrapbook addiction. Ever since I can remember I have been in love with pretty packages. I love to see them tied up with trims and beautiful ribbons. Every year I buy new paper. My hubby shakes his head and says, "you don't need any more wrapping paper!" and he's right, I know but I can't help myself. I figure as addictions go mine are pretty harmless though right? I'd love to hear all your clever ideas for wrapping presents. Leave a comment here to share the creativity with us!

A Crafty Christmas Swap Updates

I just wanted to let all you "swappers" know that the goodies have started to come in, and oh are they wonderful! Everyone is in for a real treat! Remember the deadline to have your goodies into me is the 15th. As soon as I get them all in I will start shipping the lovely packages back out to you! Thanks so much for playing along everyone! If you have any questions just leave me a comment here or email me! Thanks so much!

Today's Christmas Idea: Yummy Homemade Marshmallows

Here is a recipe card for some yummy homemade marshmallows. They are actually really easy and taste SOOOO much better than those store bought ones. I like to add a bit of peppermint extract to the mix and swirl in a few drop of red food coloring as I pour them into the pan. They are great in hot coco this way! I have tried several marshmallow recipes, and this one is definitely the best. Try dipping them in chocolate after you've cut them up, super yummy too!



Just click on the recipe to make it larger, I was having some trouble getting it to save as a larger file.

I would love to hear some of your yummy holiday recipes, leave a comment and share some of your favorite goodies here!

I've got some more new goodies for the shop, so be on the lookout! I am going to continue the free gift wrapping too, so just put "wrap it please" in the notes to seller.

Journaling Card Layout Ideas

The lovely and oh so talented Jenn Stevens sent me this photo of a layout she did using some journaling cards from my etsy shop. I just love her style! Look at those cute little tags layered at the bottom: simple and brilliant! Thanks so much Jenn for sharing! You should definitely go on over to her shop and check her out. Amazing!



These are the journaling spots she used from the shop.


I'd love to see/share your creations too, send me a pic and I'll share your ideas here!

Christmas Inspiration

So today's Christmas inspiration is all about decorating deals. I had to share these little vintage look-a-like bargains I got recently. The first comes from Target's dollar section. I got these fabulous sparkly gold bottle brush trees for $2.50! What a steal! They are pretty big too, I think they are around 7-8" tall. I love bottle brush trees. I have a collection of actual vintage ones that sit with my vintage Christmas village that my Grandma gave me. (I'll share that another day, you can actually find a lot of the houses on etsy. You may want to start your own collection.

Lovely aren't they?

The next deal I found came from Lowes. I know, of all places. :) I found these sparkly trees for $6.50 in the Christmas section. They were 50% off! I love the color, they are a mix of gold and silver glitter, so they remind me of the way silver glass glitter looks once it has tarnished with age. (The photo doesn't really do them justice, sorry!) The little snowman is also a favorite of mine. My Mother-In-Law and I share a love of old things, so she always sends me the most wonderful vintage/vintage replica decorations every year. I always look forward to seeing her latest finds.


So if you like these goodies, head on down to your local store before they are gone! Oh, and Target also has the most wonderful replicas of vintage mercury glass decorations. They are beautiful! I can't wait until they go on sale! :) If you have any wonderful holiday deals you'd like to pass along leave a comment here to share!

Using red and white to decorate.... and a thank you!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who participated in the Christmas sale and shop events! I am wrapping and packing up all the goodies today and then they will be in the mail! I'll let everyone know when I've shipped theirs.

I thought I'd also share a little photo of my friend Joy's new home. I had to laugh because I obviously had not had enough coffee yet when I set her there. It wasn't until I took the photo that I realized the glittery little sign above her head says, "Joy".




I have an open shelved china cabinet in my dining room and I just love decorating it for the holidays. It was built from 2 antique cupboards and is painted off white and a pale taupe. I filled it with all my white dishes and crystal. At Christmas I hang the red glittery signs, drape the top with greenery, and fill the bowls and pedestals with red and pearl Christmas ball ornaments. I love the look of the simple red and white.

I'd love to hear about your favorite place to decorate in your house or what colors you like to use. Leave a comment after this post to share your decorating ideas!

Yesterday's Giveaway Winner!

Dun dah dah dunnnnn.... and the giveaway winner is Regina! Thanks so much for entering the giveaway! I'll get your goodie out to you as soon as I get your address! Yeah! I just love giveaways! Thanks to everyone who entered!!!!!

I still have quite a few more goodies to add to the shop, so keep your eyes out! I've been having so much fun with the Christmas ideas that I think I will keep them going, so watch for lots of fun holiday projects, recipes, decorations, and activities. Thanks to everyone who shared some of theirs with me!

Today's Christmas Idea: A Yummy Treat

These have become one of my families favorite Christmas treats and they are so simple to make! The kids have a ton of fun dipping and drizzling them in chocolate after they've cooled. They are so yummy I wonder why we only make during the Christmas season. (just click on the recipe to make it bigger if you can't read it)

I'd love to hear some of your favorite holiday recipes! Leave me a comment/link about your yummy treats and I'll add them all to the blog so we all can share some new ideas!

Have a wonderful day, and be sure to check out my etsy shop - today is the last day of my Christmas sale! (see previous posts for sale details)

Yesterday's Giveaway Winner!

Wooohoooo....the winner of the Fabulous Felt Photo Corners is MissZula! Hooray! I'll ship those out to you as soon as I get your address! :) Thanks for participating! Be sure to go and check out the giveaway for today and enter!

Today's Christmas Sale Giveaway!

Today's prize is a cute little birthday card! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment after this post, then I will announce a random winner tomorrow. This is the last sale giveaway, so be sure to get in on the fun!

Today is the last day for the sale too, so be sure to swing on over to my etsy shop and check it out! I have been putting lots of new goodies in there and I have more to list still so keep your eye out. (see previous post for all the fun sale details)

Today's Christmas Idea: Count Down to Christmas

I got the most wonderful idea off of Nicole Samuels blog and I just had to share it with you all. (she said she heard the idea from someone else too, but I can't remember who :)) It's a wonderful way to count down to Christmas with your children. First you need to get/buy 25 children's Christmas books. Then you wrap them all up and each day your children get to open one book, that way every night you read a Christmas story together before bed. What a great way to count down the days till Christmas! Then after Christmas you just pack up the books for the next year. My darling cousin-in-law knew I was planning on doing this and she went out and got me about 2 dozen used Christmas book! What a sweetheart, and what a good way to get a bunch of books with out spending a ton of money! Thanks so much Jessie! Man kids books can be so pricey these days.

I also wanted to share another fun idea for an advent calendar. I made a "mini album" out of paper lunch bags (I folded them in half, stacked em up, and stitched down the center to bind em). I decorated each page of the book and stamped 2 #'s on each page as well. (1-25 for the days of Christmas) Then I made 13 large tags that would fit into the "pockets" that were made from the open ends of the bags (I decorated the tags and put ribbons on the end so they would pull out easily). Then I typed up a list of fun things to do each day until Christmas. I mounted an idea on each tag (front and back) and put them randomly in the book. Now everyday we pull out a tag and do what the card says. I put all kinds of things on the cards from wrapping presents and baking cookies, to buying gifts for the needy, helping a neighbor, and or going out for coco. I'll give you a little tip: be reasonable while your planning your daily "events", I learned making a lot of simple but fun plans works the best. Each day a new family member gets to pull out a tag and my kids love it, especially because there are a few tags that let the "puller" get to decide the "plan" for the day.

There are so many great ways to countdown until Christmas, I'd love to hear about your traditions too! Leave a post here and share what traditions you have during this holiday season!

Be sure to check out my etsy shop because I've been putting a ton of new goodies in there and I am having a Christmas Sale! (see previous posts for details)

Also be sure to leave a comment on today's giveaway so you can be entered to win!

Yesterday's Giveaway Winner!

Yeah! We have a winner! Michele you won yesterday's mixed journaling cards pack! I'll get those out to you right away! Have fun with them! Yeah! I just love a giveaway! Be sure to check out the earlier post and enter today's giveaway!

Christmas Sale Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is for a set of Fabulous Felt Photo Corners. I made a ton of these for a kit club recently, so I thought I'd make some extra to giveaway! They are so fun to use on your scrapbook pages and projects. I just love giveaways! All you have to do to enter is leave a post here by 12:00 AM mountain time today and then I will announce a random winner tomorrow! Good luck!

Be sure to go check out the big sale event in my etsy shop too. There are lots of new goodies in the shop and more are going in today. There are several ways to get free goodies too so check the shop and earlier blog posts for details!

Today's Christmas Craft Idea

Handmade ornaments are so special, and if you add a cherished photo they become great keepsakes and gifts! I made this cute little ornament out of stiff felt I cut into a scalloped circle. Then I embellished it with red and green papers, glitter, chipboard shapes, buttons, and bakers twine. I added a photo of my son (tip: changing the photo to black and white or sepia will help it to stand out better on a colorful ornament.) the glittery star (a holiday floral pick from the craft store) and hung it from some red tinsel. I also ran a string of little pearls around the edge to finish it off. It was so quick and easy to make, and what a wonderful gift for grandmas, aunts, etc.



Pink Paislee is doing a 12 days of Christmas ornament idea fest on their blog. Be sure to check it out for some more inspiration! (see blog list for link)

I'd love to see some of your handmade Christmas creations. Send me a photo and I'll put you on the blog and send you a little goodie from the shop!

***don't forget to go to the previous post and leave your name and email to enter the giveaway!****

Today's Christmas Sale Giveaway!

Here is today's giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a mixed set of 7 Pink Owl Paperie journaling blocks from the shop. These are so much fun to use, and there are a zillion ways to use them. I have even made place card for the table using my journaling spots! So, to enter all you have to do is leave a post here by 12:00 AM mountain time. Then tomorrow I will announce the randomly drawn winner and put up the next days giveaways. Also for each purchase you make in the shop I will enter your name again on that day. So get busy and leave a post here then head over to shop shop for the sale! :)

Free Christmas Gift Wrapping

During the Christmas sale event (Fri. - Sun.) in the shop I'm offering free Christmas gift wrapping for those of you buying gifts. (or if you just want your purchase come wrapped for you I can do that too :) ) I thought I just share a few pics to show you what they will look like. The ribbon is sheer with this fabulous deep red flocking. So festive! If you want your purchase wrapped, just tell me "wrap it please" in the notes to seller at check out. See you all tomorrow for the sale! (see previous posts for detailed sale info including giveaways and freebies)

Gift With Purchase Sneak Peak

Here's a little peak at those vintage Christmas gift packs you will get when you spend $40.00 or more during the Christmas sale in the shop this Friday through Sunday. Each pack is a little different, but all equally fun! The goodies in this kit could be used to make the altered bingo card Christmas sign I showed in previous post. There are so many possibilities for these!




Be sure to check out yesterdays post for all the Christmas sale details. There will be giveaways too, so be sure to stop by the shop and blog! More new goodies going in the shop today too.

Christmas Sale Event Information

Here's the scoop:
The sale starts on Friday morning and will run through Sunday. I have started to load the shop with the new goodies today, more will come this evening and tomorrow too. There are going to be a lot of fun "events" to go along with the shopping. I will be running a giveaway each day on my blog, so be sure to stop by each day to leave a post and enter. I will also be sharing fun holiday crafts and activities here starting Friday. Each person who purchases $40.00 or more during the sale will receive a fabulous vintage themed Christmas gift pack. (I'll post some pictures later, but you could use it to make a vintage bingo card Christmas sign like in the earlier post) Each day I will also list another way you can get a nice little freebie with your purchase. I will also be offering free gift wrapping for those of you buying presents, so get ready to get some serious Christmas shopping done! :)

New Goodies Going In...

The new goodies have started going in the shop! There is lots more to come!
Here's a little peak at the Family Mini Album (with the Pink Paislee papers) that I promised a while back. It will be in the shop soon!


I'm putting together some very cute little vintage kits for the Christmas Sale... they are going to be part of the gifts with purchase! I'll be back with some photos and details later...

Christmas Sale!

The Christmas Sale will start this Friday! There will be lots of fun things going on, including daily giveaways, so be sure to mark your calendars cause you won't want to miss it! New goodies will be going in the shop today, and I'll give you some more details about the sale too!

I thought I'd share a little Christmas door sign I made from a vintage bingo card.




I also made a matching card to go with it. I think they will make a fabulous gift!

New Goodies Sneak Peak

I thought I'd give you a little peak at some of the new goodies coming to the shop for the big Christmas sale. I made some super cute little 2009 planners! Here are a few shots of the covers:

I think this one is my favorite with the red and that aqua blue. I just love the Pink Paislee papers!

...and of course it has a little glitter too.


I'll have all the official sale info for you later, but it will be a fun event with giveaways, some gifts with purchase, and lots of new goodies for the shop!