Day 10 of advent

It's getting busy, and I love it! It's busy with the season of giving, how could you complain? I use to be an early shopper, and my husband wasn't too keen on it. He said shopping in the season is so much more festive, busier, but merrier. He was right, so the last few years, we have enjoyed seasonal shopping and preparing.

This year I really wanted to make an Advent calender, but I have been struggling with some ideas. One, I don't want to give my kids treats, they get enough on Christmas, and I think it takes away from the big day. Most people do some form of activities, and this is the way I would like to go. I am having trouble with all the ideas, because I want all the activities to be giving and learning about the true meaning of Christmas. I liked this idea, but I don't really want to use paper, I would like something a little more permanent.





I also had the same idea as this crafter, which is the way I might go. I was thinking hand embroidering numbers on each bag.

I have time, my big one and I have our own special countdown we have been doing, and I have plenty of time before my little one is able to get the concepts. If you have suggestions, I would love to hear them.


The ornaments continue....
Today it was really early in the morning when I took the photos, so I was lacking light. Hopefully you can enjoy anyway.

The first is my son's ornament from last year. He was really into robots, and he was really excited to put it up this year.





The second is my son, at about 2 years old, with Santa. As he put this one up, he turned to my husband and said "dad, why are you dressed like Santa"? I was a little surprised he knew it was dad. He is a pretty smart guy, and my husband has really distinctive (sexy) eyes. he he

In the blink of an eye

In the blink of an eye, Monday was over. It went by so fast and was very full. We got some great news from friends, but we can't share just yet, since it's not our news to tell.


The gnomes you see above were purchased at Got Craft over the weekend from Cutesypootoys. They were my sons choice. I saw so many nice things, but I was really good about not purchasing, it is the season to give. ( and not to myself...ha ha ) I did pick a small little treasure up from Little Red Caboose.




I also got a chance to be a part of a great charity project called, Project 320. I will be designing their tags, cards, labels and more. Its such a great project. I am believer in surrounding myself with worth while people. I am not a socialite with tons of friends. I have a handful of friends but those people could move mountains. There is always room for new friends, and as you get older, you are more wise in your choices. I am very happy to have myself open so that I can become part of projects like Project 320.


For my ornaments, these don't have big stories. The first is another house, I bought when my husband and I decided to buy a bigger home for our little family.




the second one, is just a good design. Its...just because. I love the pose of the deer, the color, and the shape of the antlers. It's just says Christmas beauty to me. Who doesn't like reindeer.


Happy Tuesday.

My little holiday mittens

Thursday I teach painting and drawing to 5-6 year old, I look forward to it everyday. My Thursday class is my most loved class.

This year I had the pleasure of a few return students and some new. My class was so super focused, a great bunch of little artists. They were also the most polite bunch I have had to date! Parents, you are doing something right!!!

I like to make them a little something, and as the holidays are here, I made them each a little mitten with their initial on it. It's super easy. All you need is felt bits and pieces, ribbon, a cookie cutter, and a sewing machine (can also be done by hand)




I used a mitten cookie cutter to trace them out. Then I just straight stitched from one side to another, once I got to the top of the mit (where the hand would slide in) , I inserted a ribbon and finished the stitch all the way across. For a little extra, I used a zig zag stitch around the wrist area. They would make great ornaments or even gift tags.



For my ornaments, I miss one yesterday, so today I have two. This adorable little jack in the box was bought the first year my husband and I were married. By Christmas time, we were almost married a year, and we had lost our first baby. We wanted to have children again someday, and I found myself buying ornaments with a child like feel. I have a things for blues and greens. I also always wanted a boy, and now , I am totally blessed to have 2!!!!



My second ornament comes from Urban Outfitters. A beautiful Paper Crane. When I was pregnant with my second son, one of my fellow artists gave me a yellow and blue paper crane. I brought it home to share with my son. We hung it in his room, and said it was to remind us that the baby was coming. Last year, the baby came, so this was his first ornament.




I bet your ornaments have great stories too.

Last one for the seaon

Want to win one of my dolls?

Check me out on Kenzie Poo.



Rachelle was nice enough to stop by my shop and let me know she loved my dolls. She asked me if I would be interested in a giveaway on her site. Have you seen her blog? Insane eye candy, just makes you want to shop, that woman has taste.

My favorite post are turn this outfit into a room.




Just go and check out the lovely gifts I am among. I was also listed in her gift guide.

Time Off

Awww, I love this season, the season of giving. I am going to be taking some time off, finally. My shop will be closing down for the holidays after this week. Check out my shop, because I am putting items on sale.


Yesterday, we started advent with a tradition we will do every year, we put our our Nativity set.


I just love out Nativity set, we got it last year. Its perfect because its so kid friendly, they way it should be. I think the best way to get kids to learn is hands on, and



this allows my son to "play" out advent. Very sweet, indeed.

I just love this little Asian king.


This is the ornament from my husbands and I first Christmas. We went out to a tree farm and chopped a little Charlie Brown like tree down. We then got to sit around a fire and have hot chocolate, and on the way back we found a huge store full of ornaments. I wasn't sure about putting a tree on a tree, but the two of us cutting down our first tree together was a great memory and I wanted to capture it.

Welcome December, you are loved

Today is the first day of Advent.

It's hard for me to believe I was blogging around this same time last year. My little one was just a few months old.

As I was putting up the tree last year, I had a great idea for a post. I am going to show you my ornaments.

Each week until Christmas I will post an ornament from my tree. It wont quite be 24 as I don't blog 7 days a week. The one you see above, is my newest addition.

I just like sharing, if you were here, I would invite you over to see my tree and we could make an ornament together.


Like this one from My Fantastic Toys.


Happy Tuesday.

Tis' the season

One day until December is upon us. We put up our tree last week, we are so excited around the house.

So many things to be made before Christmas arrives. This year I haven't done any shopping. !!!! I have plenty of ideas of things I will be making, I am going to try and make this a mostly handmade gifting season. As much as time allows.

On my list are:

scarfs
aprons
dolls
and hats.

We will see how I far I get this season.


If you are a local, the Got Craft fair is coming, I am so excited. I have been waiting for so long.