Tag archive for holiday

No holiday squeaks past me without a little crafty doo-dad being made to give away to someone special. I just can’t keep my hands off! I’ve found all kinds of heartsy-fartsy crafting inspiration on the web and in the blogs I read.

These adorable Kitschy Digitals designs are too cute! Wish I had an Instax Mini Camera. So sweet… so colorful. She notes good tips on embellishing your little Valentine’s as well!
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I was unsure how this Christmas would fare, it being just the hubby, dogs and I at home on glorious Christmas morning. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have thought twice about it. Brett, that ever-thoughtful husband of mine, did whatever he could to guarantee we would have a good Christmas together. Not only did he make me Ghirardelli hot cocoa with mini marshmallows, but he also got both dogs HUGE honkin’ Christmas bones AND……. (drumroll)….

my new machine!

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Baby's first Christmas!

I’m flying back to the great state of Texas tommorrow for a week to visit family. I feel Texas calling to me, and this trip is a long time coming. I miss my family and my friends and how fast people drive in Texas. I miss the sweet tea and how people wave at you when you drive by (okay, maybe that’s just in rural Texas, where I’m from).

Don’t miss me too much… I’ll be back before you know it.

I took this pic after we put up our lopsided Christmas tree. Iris was very curious, it being her first Christmas and all. Isn’t she cute in her little sweater?

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This year our gift-giving grand total will be much lower than last year’s. And from what I’ve seen and heard, that’s the norm this holiday season. People just aren’t spending as much, and they’re looking for unique and handmade gifts as opposed to over-priced store-bought items that hundreds of people ALSO bought for their loved ones. Ack!

So here’s my ode to you budget-friendly, handmade shoppers in need of some refreshing, and perhaps quirky, gifts for the loved ones. I wouldn’t turn away ANY of these fine items. Would you?

cutting board by Fine Little Shop - $32

These kitchen cutting boards are so decorative that I’m not sure I’d want to cut things on them! Hang them in the kitchen perhaps? I love the quirky cross-stitch-style design. Other fancy designy cutting boards can be found in Fine Little Shop’s Big Cartel shop.

Headphones Hand-printed Letterpress Poster by Roll and Tumble Press - $20

I’ve bought a couple of prints from Roll and Tumble Press and they are vibrant, good quality prints. Their letterpress prints are all handmade, and they have a variety of snarky and downright cute designs to fit anyone’s personality. I especially love this Read Between The Lines print and this Living In Sin sampler (we lived in sign for a LONG time!). Couple this with a vintage frame, or a clipboard to hang it from on the wall and you’ve got yourself an inexpensive, awesome art gift!
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I don’t require gifts at Christmas. I don’t believe in the push towards such commercialism during the holiday season, and we’re either making all our presents this year or buying them handmade from places like Etsy. So this wish list is compiled from my favorites that I’ve saved on Etsy. If you’re REALLY curious as to the other things I’m sinfully lusting over, sans handmade, then you’d be better off gazing at another wish list (it’s a lot of books!).

Farmhouse Patchwork Cushion by EmmaBeeTextileArts

Rufus and Rumsey Painting by mosie26

Quince Flower Stack by wireddesign

Hemp and Denim Market Tote by katherinehandmade

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I really try to make and give as many handmade items as possible, and this holiday season is no different. I’ve pledged to buy handmade this year for many reasons:

1) support artists and their handmade goods

2) you won’t see ANYONE walking around with the same shirt or hat on

3) as a crafter myself, it feels good to perpetuate the near-lost importance of making things with your hands.

If you don’t take my word for it, and want to learn more, here is some information and inspiration to step outside of big-box stores and go handmade this year.

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When you live across the country from your family, days like Thanksgiving have a different meaning than they normally would. While families are traveling today to meet up with various family members, dreading the interactions and the misuderstandings, I’m pining for my family. They have faults like anyone else’s and they’re annoying like anyone else’s, but a day like Thanksgiving is just a little lonelier without them around.

So just like million of families have probably done in the past, and will do tomorrow, I want to tell you all what I’M thankful for.

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I’m just overwhelmed with all the rad holiday crafts I’m finding online! Yesterday I tweeted about wanting to make this simple, but probably time-consuming, wreath. I think it’s an excellent way to use up extra paper scraps and wouldn’t necessarily have to be all one color scheme, but I think that’s the wily crafter in me. It might look *better* if the colors/patterns of paper followed some sort of color theme.
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