You deserve something, too...

I was supposed to post a giveaway on Monday...it's Wednesday now! How did that happen?? Ack. 

Christmas has taken over at our house, which is generally wonderful, but leaves little time for anything else.

So, please accept my apologies and a chance to win yourself a little something.

I just LOVE giving gifts and jumped at the chance to give you this.

You work hard to get ready for the holidays. 

Cards, decorations, school activities, gift shopping, family dinners, parties with friends...one month seems too short to fit it all in.

I think you deserve something for yourself after taking care of everything and everyone else.  

How about $80 to spend on anything you want at CSN stores?

I thought you might like that.

CSN has just about everything, from corner tv stands to bedding to shoes.

And $80 could get you a lot...just think of the possibilities.

So, how do you win? Just leave a comment. 

{make sure to include your email if it's not visible in your profile}

If you want an extra entry, blog/tweet/facebook about it and include the link, if possible.

I know the holidays are hectic so the giveaway will be open until January 1st and then I'll pick a winner.

The fine print: the winner must be a resident of Canada or the US. 
I'm so sorry. They're not my rules, but I do have to follow them.

God Bless you and yours.

Have a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year's!

Pin It

Giveaway Winner and Christmas Goodies!

We have a winner for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway! 
Carol, who was comment #57 (picked by random.org), and will be getting these in the mail.
Congratulations!

I was inspired to try out a bokeh shot by Cheryl

We've been having a lot of edible Christmas goodies around here, too...
I do love Christmas baking. There's even an ornament from last year attesting to the fact.



The boys and I have been busy in the kitchen making all sorts of cookies.
Chocolate Crinkles, just like my mom always made (and still does).

Our tried and true Spritz Cookies.
What boys wouldn't love shaking colored sugar all over these?

My little man wanted to take come cookie pictures, too.
Not bad at all, my sweet boy.

Another one by my little helper.
It's just a shame these break so easily...
I can't be giving away or setting out broken cookies so I have to nibble them up.
Someone has to make the sacrifice.

 Snowballs. My favorite to make and eat.

Lots of snowballs...

Peppermint Bark, just like I made with with my dear friend in Portland.
Did you know how easy this is??
2 bags of white chocolate chips melted and mixed with 5 or 6 broken candy canes. Done.

Study in Peppermint Bark, taken by my 4 year old.

He might be better with the camera than I am...

A package full of cookie love for the neighbors.

As much as I would love to eat them all, I'm pretty sure that's not a good idea.

As a reward for making all the way through my cookie baking odyssey, 
you get a heads-up on another giveaway next week...involving a sizable gift card...
Stay tuned - info will be posted Monday!

Pin It

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

If you're new here, welcome and thanks for stopping by!

Today, I'm participating in Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day when an amazing number and variety of bloggers and shops offer up their crafty goodness just to share it with everyone else.

If you haven't seen the amazing lineup of giveaways, head over and check it out.

I created a handmade set of 6 Christmas coasters to give away. 

Each quilted top is unique and they measure 5" square with a non-slip backing.

I do love how they all coordinate and yet don't match perfectly.

If you want to enter to win, just leave me a comment (one comment per person, please). Make sure your email address is visible in your profile or include it in your comment. Otherwise, I can't let you know that you've won.

That's it. Really.
The giveaway will be open until December 17th and then I'll pick a random comment for winner.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Pin It

Taking Off

This weekend, I get to fly up to Portland, Oregon and visit one of my dearest friends.
A whole weekend with her and her lovely family and I am so excited!
And what is a trip without a little sewing? 

OK...I admit that this sentiment is not universally shared, but this trip called for a little sewing.

Before I get to my sewing, does anyone have recommendations for very cool fabric stores in Portland?

I'm thinking there might be something in the Pearl District, but I have no idea.

If you've got any tips, let me know!

Back to my sewing...

My nook by Barnes & Noble (which replaced my tragically dead Sony Reader...moment of silence) needed a case for awhile now (since the Reader case I made won't fit) and I wasn't about to drag it through the bustle of airports without a little protection. So I made up a little gadget case with a magnetic closure.

It's padded with quilt batting (Warm & Natural, my favorite) and even has plexiglass slipped in between the layers of the front to protect the screen, thanks to my very handy husband who supplied the idea, materials and garage skills needed.

And I couldn't help myself so I made up a little case for my sunglasses to match.

Isn't it nice to have a place for all your important little things?

Now I'm off to the airport! Have a wonderful weekend!

Pin It

Christmas in the air

Hello there!! I've missed hanging out with you all on the blog and hope you're having a wonderful December. I am so sorry that it's been such a terribly long time since I've posted. We have had a crazy house here with the holidays getting underway and the fact that we put our house on the market recently. Just getting the house ready and keeping it clean with our circus (as I fondly refer to the boys and massive dog...) has been quite a job in and of itself. Pair that with being pregnant and I'm passed out on the couch every night at a ridiculously early hour.

But I am back now and am LOVING the holidays. We've decorated the tree. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, well with nails, anyhow. And I only have a little shopping to do.

Oh, and somewhere along the line, I turned into one of those women. You know, the ones who have villages of Christmas buildings ranging from the quaint (country house, church, etc.) to the oddly endearing (winery, pet shop, anyone? yes, I have both...). 

I could not stand these things a few years back and now I'm in love with mine. Each year a different selection gets set out and I usually get a new one to add to my growing village. Getting married and having babies definitely alters us as women, but I never saw this one coming. 

And, so as not to disappoint, I have a craft for you all! If you need a quick little present or gift topper (it would make a great gift tag if you put a picture of the recipient in it...just saying), this is a quick little project. Just factor in glue-drying time so you won't get frustrated. This little number is headed to our now annual Girls Night Ornament Exchange. Chances are, this will be the only handmade ornament at the exchange (like last year), but nobody complains.
And if you're reading and will be at the exchange, you get a sneak-peek. :)

You'll need small quantities of felt (light blue, grey, white, green), yellow pom-pom, tacky glue & glitter.

Cut out your pieces according to my low-tech, hand drawn template (printed to fit on a standard 8 1/2"x11" sheet of paper)

This next step isn't necessary, but I like the look of it. 

Run some stitching around the blue frame piece, like so.

Add the year, label, love note, recipient's name, whatever you like on the back.

Now run a bead of tacky glue along the curvy edge of your white piece and sprinkle with glitter.

Then glue it to the blue piece, aligning the bottom edges. 

Glue your green tree shape and then pom-pom on top of that.

 Run glue along three edges of your backing piece, leaving the top long edge blank.

Sandwich the front and back together.

If you're lazy like me, glue a piece of ribbon on the top corners of the back to hang your ornament.
If you're industrious, you would sew this on and I would be very proud of you.

Slip a piece of cardstock or a photo measuring 5" x 3.5"  in the ornament and admire your craftiness!

I might have to add some more glitter to the tree...you know how much I like glitter for the holidays...

Pin It