Christmas countdown....3..2..1

As a child I would count down the days to Christmas and spend each and everyday anxiously awaiting for the day to arrive.  As the years have gone by and I have children of my own I can honestly say that I do not look forward to Chirstmas.   Sorry for all those fa-la-la-la-la-ers out there that can't wait for the holiday season I didn't mean to offend but I see Christmas bring out the worst in so many people.  The stress of gift buying, the long lines and impatiant patrons.  The crazy traffic and long hours in the kitchen cooking for hours so that everyone can gobble up their food and return to the "big game"  (when is it not a big game?)  Yes, I have  a little post Thanksgiving bitterness left over but really.  So my thought for today was, how can I make it fun this year for me and my children.  Even if it gives me the opprotunity to live vicariously through their experiances.  Second thought was how to do I bring the true spirit of Christmas into our home without feeling overwhelmed with projects and entertaining?  So I sent out on a web search for ideas.  My solution?  An easy to put together advent chain that gave simple scripture sudies and activites/ thought/ prayers to do everyday.


So far it has worked great.  Of course today is only day one but my eldest daughter who is only 6 was able to cut everything out on her own.  She and her four year old sister were able to staple all the pieces together and with in 30 min. It was completed and ready to be disassembled daily until christmas.  I opted not to attach any candy or treats to the chain because they get enough of that through out the holiday season and I felt that it took away from the overall message.  For any that are interested in making one for or with your little ones here is the directions.

Supplies:

- 4-5 pages of construction paper
- stapler
- daily count down print out.  Avalible Here


Directions:


1.  Cut out each square on the daily coutdown print out so you have 28 strips.


2.  Cut strips of construction paper the same with or slightly larger then the with of the countdown strips.
we cut along the with of the paper so each strip measured aprox 1"x 8.5"


3. Staple each count down strip to a strip of constuction paper.


4.  Loop first strip (begining with either the #1 or the #28) and staple it creating a loop or circle.


5.  Find next strip (#2 or #27) and loop it around the just created and staple.


6. repeat step 5 being sure to go in order until chain is completed.

Happy counting!

I'm really excited to release a new one of a kind, unique line of pacifier clips made with hand painted fabric from Bonita Rose.  Bonnie hand paints her own fabric lines in bold vibrant colors and patterns.  I was drawn to her art because of it's originality.  I could make a thousand items with her fabric and would never have 2 things look exactly alike.  You can find her items for sale on Etsy where she sells under the shop name BonitaRose.  You can check out the new line of clips that I created with her fabrics here.

Bonnie has a great blog where she lists great vintage finds and up coming projects that she creates.  The Hoop art project available on her blog is an easy fun way to bring her beautiful hand painted fabrics into your home.  For only $5.00 (yes it really says only $5.) she will ship you swatches of fabric that you can place in different size embroidery hoops and create a piece of art for your home.  I've seen this done with frames but never embroidery hoops.  Genius!  If your interested in participating in the project you can check it out here. 

There is even a creative jump start program that Bonnie herself has created.  A way to remove "artist block" and stir the creative juices with in to help you create the art that your capable of creating and enjoying.  The class is an E-course called "Do you want to color your world." And is a self paced workshop offered online.  For more information on anything you have read you can visit Bonnies' Blog at: alifeunrehearsed2.blogspot.com.

A Few of My Favorite Things....

I know I have disappeared off the radar and if anyone noticed and missed me, I'm sorry.  I took the month of January and part of February off for my sanity.  But my life has settled down a little and I'm now a year wiser and more prepared then before to get moving.  So to start off my "new year"  I thought I would share some of my favorite things I found on Etsy while shopping for my birthday gift to my self.  Please keep in mind that these shops are not affiliated with me or have not even been contacted so I get no free stuff for mentioning them on my blog.  Maybe you think I'm crazy for not capitalizing but at least you know I'm honest when I say that I would buy them.

My first find was this gorgeous make up from orglamix .  I am very much NOT a girly girl.  I do not do my hair daily and I wear make up maybe 4 times a month and that's usually to church.   But, this make up line has me super jazzed to start spending a little more time on me.  The beautiful colors and no lack of sparkle is what caught me eye.  The prices are super reasonable and their all organic too!  Need I say more?  I am a very faithful user of one makeup line but with these colors and a product guaranty of satisfaction.... I just may have cheat.








To go with my beautiful new face I would need a new pair of ear rings to frame it all.  In comes beachflowerdesigns.  Based out of Plainfield, IN Allison creates stunning one of a kind pieces of jewelry from earrings, to bracelets and necklaces.  It was her earrings that first drew me into her shop.  I am a sucker for things that sparkle, especially things that sparkle in multiple colors.  I love her use of such uniquely shaped stones.  You will not find jewelry like this in a chain store.  The thought that no one has a pair exactly like mine gets me giddy.  Her prices are super reasonable and you only have to pay shipping on one item.




To carry around my new make up and jewelry I would need a gorgeous new purse.  I have a ritual of purchasing a new purse for my birthday each year to make sure I'm not too boring and out of date.  I have to be honest though I buy something cheap, usually on sale and with a coupon even if I can.  If I wasn't such a thrifty shopper and I was able to justify to myself spending the money I would buy a bag from daphnenen in a heart beat.  She is an artist/designer out of New York who understands the versatile role that a purse must play in a women's life.  She creates limited edition purses (pieces of art) with style and function in mind.  With the use of fine italian silks and fabrics, color and textures Daphne designs and creates each by hand (by that I mean her and her sewing machine).  The blue and green circle purse is even made with handmade fabric.  For now I will just window shop until the day comes I can justify and commit to one of these beautiful designs.




Being a mom I require pieces of clothing that are versatile, easy to throw on and off and can be machine washed.  With those criteria in mind I set out to find something new that I could add to my collection.  I came across loads of beautiful creations but it was the work of annajoyce that caught my fancy.  It was the colors and scrappy look that I couldn't pass up.  Let me please clarify, I am a crafter and scrap-booker by nature and the way her pieces are put together reminded me of paper piecing.  A technique used commonly by scrap-bookers but here used with fabric.  The sweater I love looks to me like a scrapbook page that you can wear.  Once I entered her shop I found that her talent didn't begin and end with clothing but went on to include home decor pieces as well.  Even better is that her products are eco-friendly.  I can see a new sweater hanging in my closet in the near future.




Finally as with every good shopping trip I started to get hungry and headed for something I could snack on.  I was amazed to find so many yummy things available on Etsy.  You can purchase cupcakes, cakes, cakes in a jar, and treats of any type, the list goes on and on but I had to settle on one.  I decided I wanted to sink my teeth into something from SweetsIndeed where candy becomes art.  The use of candy on a skewer brings a new life to candy that I haven't enjoyed since I was a kid.  Instead of purchasing flowers next time I think I'll purchase sweet skewers from here.  They can be ordered like a bouquet of roses but you have the fun of enjoying them with your eyes and your tummy.  Though the shop inventory is limited right now there are new items that arrive with each holiday and calendar event.  I do plan on offering these at my kids's birthday parties.  Very sweet indeed.




So there you have it.  As sung by Julie Andrews "These are a few of my favorite things".  It never ceases to amaze me at the endless amount of talent that can be found on Etsy.  Though I am on the web site daily for business I have to limit my self to the amount of "window shopping" that I do.  Otherwise I would spend all day looking at the beautiful creations made by others.  So what did I end up getting for my Birthday you ask?  Well, a  new purse of course.  My kids say it looks like an alligator but I like it.
A new sewing machine and a new camera.  But best of all my daughter shared our family for her kindergarten sharing time (show and tell).  And that truly made my day.

Pregnancy Advice Overload

I don't know about you but it seems like everyone has an opinion when your pregnant.  To breast feed or not, to stay at home or work, home birth vs hospital.  I don't think it's just our hormones taking effect as some would like to believe.  I really can't believe how pushy and nosey some people can be.  No I'm not pregnant but going to a friends recent baby shower really stirred up some past pregnancy emotions that I had and that this mom to be was feeling at her shower.  Is it just me?
I personally think that if you are acting in the best interest of your child then any decision you make it the right one.  If a mother chooses not to breast feed that is their choice and if she does it against her better judgement or comfort then neither her nor her new baby are going to enjoy each other as they should.  If a mother chooses to go back to work instead of stay at home who are we to judge?  She could stay at home against her wishes and resent her child/ children for loosing what she felt was her identity.  Is that acting in the best interest of her child?  I don't think so.
I understand people want to help and offer advice.  However when the advice becomes a "have to" as opposed to a "this worked great for me" is when it starts to cross the line.  I think it is especially sad when those demands are put upon you buy family (either biological or by marriage).  It takes the joy and excitement out of being a parent yourself when you feel as if you have to meet up to the standard put before you by family.  Even more so by family that your not so crazy about.  Some of the advice I think re confirms that you should do the opposite "Oh, so that's how he got that way...good to know.  Thanks for the heads up I'll be sure to not follow your example."
Maybe this sounds like rambling.  Or maybe it is touching home with someone.  Either way, as someone who is VERY outspoken on her feelings and a very strong communicator let me tell you what works for me.  If the person is not family and you don't have to worry about their constant advice then say thanks and move on.  If your receiving constant advice/ criticism from family then say something.  I'm not encouraging anyone to go hormonal and loose it to their mom or mother in-law but I don't think it's fair to you or her to allow yourself to get all worked up with out giving them the chance to stop.  My husband and I have a rule that we are not allowed to get up set with each other about anything that we haven't given the other an opportunity to change.  I think the same applies here.  Letting someone know how they are making you feel is perfectly acceptable.  They can't tell you that your wrong, it's your feelings so how can they be wrong?  Your perception is your reality and whether they are trying to make you feel that way or not is not the issue it's how their actions are making you feel.  Call them out on what they are doing to you and how it makes you feel.   If at that point they choose not to change then at least you know that you gave them the chance and the consequences of their actions are on them.  Then they'll know why you don't like to come and visit for no reason or "hang out" and visit just because.  And for all the grandmas out there, we need your advice when we ask for it and your support even when we don't.