No, I didn't forget Rudolph Day yesterday...I did work on some stuff! I just haven't quite finished it yet...but that's not totally my fault-Wal-Mart didn't have the silver ribbon I needed to finish it. I plan to check tomorrow and then I'll post a picture of my finished project.
I have been focusing on Halloween and fall crafts lately, but I do have some ideas for Christmas crafts and more gifts. I still need to finish the countdown clipboard, but I can't ever remember to pick up the little velcro pieces I need to complete it. Sigh.
Only 121 days until the big day! Whoo hoo!
Will YOU be ready??
Merry, Merry!
Cathy
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
August Rudolph Day
This is a table setting at a ladies' brunch I went to last Christmas...isn't it pretty?
Tomorrow is Rudolph Day. I plan to finish a vintage paper banner that I'm working on, and maybe work on some recipes for various events.
I did buy a Christmas gift Friday, but I can't share details yet. I am afraid that the recipient will read this! It's a goodie, very cool. Can't wait to wrap it and put it under the Christmas tree.
I'll be back tomorrow to post some Rudy Day stuff...stay tuned!
Merry, Merry!
Cathy
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Gem of a Website!
Did you notice that the faces on my Santas are similar...look at the mugs and punchbowl in the last post, then look at the face of the antique Santa in the picture in the sidebar....must be the real Santa!!
While doing a search today for gift in a jar ideas (you know, those nifty little gifties that you put in gift baskets, stockings, whatever that are jars of homemade mixes-cookies, brownies, soups, whatever...I've done these in the past and they are well received..) I found this link that I think you might enjoy. Lots of good stuff there!
One of the things that I love on this site (and others) are the gifts in a mug...same principle, but in a single sized serving. With single people and college students suddenly on my gift list, it makes sense to make some of these. I'll be looking at this closely in the next few weeks...if you store them correctly, as in an airtight container, they should be fine to make in the middle of September or so...that's what I'm thinking now. I'll add this to my Holiday Grand Plan schedule.
I hope you get some ideas from this gem of a website! Check it out!!
Merry, Merry!
Cathy
While doing a search today for gift in a jar ideas (you know, those nifty little gifties that you put in gift baskets, stockings, whatever that are jars of homemade mixes-cookies, brownies, soups, whatever...I've done these in the past and they are well received..) I found this link that I think you might enjoy. Lots of good stuff there!
One of the things that I love on this site (and others) are the gifts in a mug...same principle, but in a single sized serving. With single people and college students suddenly on my gift list, it makes sense to make some of these. I'll be looking at this closely in the next few weeks...if you store them correctly, as in an airtight container, they should be fine to make in the middle of September or so...that's what I'm thinking now. I'll add this to my Holiday Grand Plan schedule.
I hope you get some ideas from this gem of a website! Check it out!!
Merry, Merry!
Cathy
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
135 Days to go!
Don't you just love the vintage look of this charming punchbowl and cups? I got it for Christmas a few years ago, and I think it is so cute. I love to put what I call Christmas Punch in it...I'll share the "recipe' later! This photo was from last Christmas Eve.
Only 135 days to go until Christmas! Wow-as any good early Christmas planner worth their salt knows, once you hit that 100 day mark, things really kick into high gear...
I can't wait! I love the fall and holiday season build up...almost more than the day itself...so much fun!
I am thinking about Christmas more and more every day, and with the start of the Holiday Grand Plan coming soon...I'm really getting excited!
Here's the "recipe" I promised...it's really more a method than a recipe...you can use any kind of sherbet you'd like, according to the color and flavor you desire!
1 quart sherbet (I like pineapple, but lime or raspberry would be very festive, too)
2 ltr. bottle of ginger ale
Put the sherbet in the punchbowl and pour the ginger ale over it, smooshing up the sherbet until it's all melty and blended with ginger ale...yummy!!!
Ok, that's not much of a recipe, but it's good! And so Christmasy!
Only 135 days to go until Christmas! Wow-as any good early Christmas planner worth their salt knows, once you hit that 100 day mark, things really kick into high gear...
I can't wait! I love the fall and holiday season build up...almost more than the day itself...so much fun!
I am thinking about Christmas more and more every day, and with the start of the Holiday Grand Plan coming soon...I'm really getting excited!
Here's the "recipe" I promised...it's really more a method than a recipe...you can use any kind of sherbet you'd like, according to the color and flavor you desire!
1 quart sherbet (I like pineapple, but lime or raspberry would be very festive, too)
2 ltr. bottle of ginger ale
Put the sherbet in the punchbowl and pour the ginger ale over it, smooshing up the sherbet until it's all melty and blended with ginger ale...yummy!!!
Ok, that's not much of a recipe, but it's good! And so Christmasy!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Christmas Planning Center
Our original fearless leader in the early holiday planning game, Cynthia Townly Ewer, affectionately known as CEO to her many readers over at Organized Christmas, has a good article on setting up a Christmas Planning Center. Read more here about her ideas!
I have my own version of a Christmas planning center. My base station is my kitchen table, which is where I'm sitting right now! I love, love, love my kitchen, and have worked really hard to decorate it in a style that suits us, as well as being functional. I'm still working on it...but I do love it! My kitchen is decorated in a loose French Country design, with golden yellow walls and my 28 year old chicken/rooster collection scattered all over the whole area. I was a rooster fan before roosters were cool!! LOL.
My kitchen table was a wedding gift from my (stay with me here-it's complicated) ex-but-still-dear-Sister-in-law's grandfather. He made it, stained it and even delivered it! He put legs on it, but when our family started growing they weren't functioning as well as we needed, so I bought an old table from a flea market and Lynn put the pedestal from it under our current table-viola! leg room! So now, it's my favorite work space in the house!
I can sit at the end of the table with my laptop and still have easy access to the bookshelf, the coffeepot and the laundry room, where my craft items are stored. I like the big double windows by the table, and the fact that I can look into the living room and see the fireplace. It's wonderful when the house is decorated for a holiday (any holiday, really) with a lighted garland of some sort on the mantle, and a fire in the fireplace. I usually put some spices-cinnamon and apple peels or cloves and orange peels are my favorites-in some water to simmer on the stove while I work. I used to be able to see the tv from there, but since Lynn bought his newest toy (55", people. It's a big*** tv!) it's in a place where I can't see it. But, due to the multi-room tv shift that the new one caused, I now have a small tv with a dvd player in the kitchen...perfect for watching "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Santa Clause" movies....or just listening to Christmas cd's.
My current projects are in a lidded picnic basket, pretty enough to leave out but still have the "clutter" hidden. My Gooseberry Patch books and my Christmas notebook are easy to get to from my Center, and are in fact often stacked on the end of the table while I'm dreaming and scheming...I mean working!
I also can use it write cards, wrap gifts or just read Christmas books.
Consider creating one of these little organizing gems, if you don't already have a designated space!
I have my own version of a Christmas planning center. My base station is my kitchen table, which is where I'm sitting right now! I love, love, love my kitchen, and have worked really hard to decorate it in a style that suits us, as well as being functional. I'm still working on it...but I do love it! My kitchen is decorated in a loose French Country design, with golden yellow walls and my 28 year old chicken/rooster collection scattered all over the whole area. I was a rooster fan before roosters were cool!! LOL.
My kitchen table was a wedding gift from my (stay with me here-it's complicated) ex-but-still-dear-Sister-in-law's grandfather. He made it, stained it and even delivered it! He put legs on it, but when our family started growing they weren't functioning as well as we needed, so I bought an old table from a flea market and Lynn put the pedestal from it under our current table-viola! leg room! So now, it's my favorite work space in the house!
I can sit at the end of the table with my laptop and still have easy access to the bookshelf, the coffeepot and the laundry room, where my craft items are stored. I like the big double windows by the table, and the fact that I can look into the living room and see the fireplace. It's wonderful when the house is decorated for a holiday (any holiday, really) with a lighted garland of some sort on the mantle, and a fire in the fireplace. I usually put some spices-cinnamon and apple peels or cloves and orange peels are my favorites-in some water to simmer on the stove while I work. I used to be able to see the tv from there, but since Lynn bought his newest toy (55", people. It's a big*** tv!) it's in a place where I can't see it. But, due to the multi-room tv shift that the new one caused, I now have a small tv with a dvd player in the kitchen...perfect for watching "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Santa Clause" movies....or just listening to Christmas cd's.
My current projects are in a lidded picnic basket, pretty enough to leave out but still have the "clutter" hidden. My Gooseberry Patch books and my Christmas notebook are easy to get to from my Center, and are in fact often stacked on the end of the table while I'm dreaming and scheming...I mean working!
I also can use it write cards, wrap gifts or just read Christmas books.
Consider creating one of these little organizing gems, if you don't already have a designated space!
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