Well Hello...

I started a book the other day. It's called "The Book Theif" by Markus Zusak. I was recommended from Pip's wonderful blog " Meet Me At Mikes." Wow! What an amazing book. I am thouroughly enjoying it.

My husband and I have been able to go on several dates while family is visiting. Yay! We went the other night to see "True Grit." I loved this movie. So realistic to the time period, and of course a Cohen Brothers movie. They are all well done. The acting was superb by the young girl in the movie. Definitly one I would see again.
Have a great day!

Back. And Still Enjoying The Holidays.

Wow, I can't believe another Christmas has come and gone. We had such a good time. Aside from having a stinky cold flu, yuck. The poor kids were a little sickly on Christmas, but that didn't stop them from enjoying all the goodies they recieved. We have my husbands parents in town, and they make the holidays super enjoyable. I get to kick back and relax. Papa makes all the food, and Emmie does the clean-up. What more could a girl ask for? I feel guilty at times, but they insist, and how could I resist. With being sick, this has been much needed help. I got some amazing new embroidery scissors, some new movies, and the most awesome gnome ever. I will take pics here soon.

Santa brought some Calico Critters for my daughters so that I could take a big and small pic with mine miniatures ;) We got the kitties and the bunnies.



Oh and yes, I almost forgot. Have you listened the the Icelandic band Sigur Ros. Well the lead singer Jon por Birgisson (sorry I didn't do all the accents) made a solo album titled "jonsi go." Quite amazing. The range his voice can go is just astonishing. My husband also got this for me for Christmas.



Have a great day!

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

All kinds of Christmas

Well I have been catching up on a few things wanted to make this year.

I made a little plaid wreath for my kitchen. I love plaid, and bells. So I incorporated both into my little wreath.



Super easy to make. If you even have an old flannel that is ready to kick the bucket, your set. I had some fabric on hand from a shirt I had made. All you need is
1 Wreath form
Enough plaid to wrap around the form. Cut into about 3 inch strips
5 bells (I strung them on a piece of yarn and then pulled them together into a little berry cluster, knotting the yarn. I then hot-glued them into place.
I then cut 2 leaf shapes and hot glued them on as well.
I then had some green and white rope to attach to my faux window.
There you have it.



I made my Christmas table runner too. I found this fabric that looks like vintage Christmas hankies. I was thrilled. Then I bought some small red trim with white balls on it. I was so excited to make it for my big dining table. It was so super easy too. I didn't add a back. I simply folded the edges and sewed the trim. Whalaa!

We did some candy eating and decorating this morning on our ginger bread house. I worked on making the pieces lastnight. It is a vegan gingerbread house for my daughters allergies. He totally has a face. I didn't realize until I took pics. And the candy canes are the eyebrows.




What is your fave thing to eat around the holidays? We always do a seafood Christmas Eve, complete with oysters and stuffed shrimp. Ooohh I can't wait. I don't think I can get enough gingerbread cookies either.
Have a super Monday!

Okay its almost time...

I can't believe that Christmas is in like a week! No way! I am relieved I just have one more gift to finish, and I'll be shipping them all out tommorrow. Whew! Now to make those Christmas decorations I've been talking about all month. No pressure.
I got a couple of my Christmas gifts early. I bought, what it called a "cozy mystery' called "The Quick and the Thread" by Amanda Lee. It is a crafty themed mystery. Okay before you think this sounds old ladyish, it totally is not, and is the perfect book to sit on the couch and relax on a winter evening. I highly recommend for a fun winter read!
I also got " The Crafty Marketplace" by Kari Chapin. I am really excited to dive in. I read a bit last night. This book is filled with endless information. I need to take notes. I think there are alot of things I didn't think through before I started selling my work, and I think this book is going to get me on the right track.

My wonderfully cute and sweet husband sent me this song this morning. It reminded me of when we first met. We love anything old, and have enjoyed such things since the beginning of our relationship. We would spend our afternoons after classes looking through some of the best antique shops in the country. We went to college in Springfield, MO, yes, where the wonderful Elsie from " A Beautiful Mess" runs "The Red Velvet Shop." It really is the best area for those sorts of things.
We found so many treasures that we still have today. Such good memories.



Oh yes we bought a Bialetti Moka Express to make some espresso. Were moving up in our caffeinne needs ;)I have to say I have been quite pleased. My husband was one of the best baristas in Southern California. He knows what he's doing. We keep changing little things to get them quite perfect. Last night they were great!
The Bialetti goes for about 29 dollars. I got mine on sale for 24. Not too bad.
I think you could find a good deal this time of year.

Have a great weekend!

Holiday Fun.. Videos

I love this commercial from Target! I totally want to get up and spin on my head ;)

I just discoverd "Dottie Angel" and I just love everything she does. The video of her on etsy is amazing!



And lastly, Zach Galifianakis makes me laugh so hard. This clip from the "Jimmy Fallon" show really makes me laugh. By the way, Jimmy Fallon is my fave late night show. Consistently funny!

Im lovin' the Navajo

I love these cute slipper boots from Target. They are stylish , yet comfy

I love the colors in these navajo style blankets by Urban Outfitters.

I'm not sure where this sweater is from, but the colors with the grey is adorable. I would live in this.

I adore the colors in this somewhat navajo design by 7headz. I love the hearts!

How about you? What is your current trend crush?

Have a great Monday!

I took pics!

We did a little drive last night and visited a couple of your fave Christmas houses. The top one doesn't even capture the half of it. He has a little workshop with elves. Its' nuts. We haven't missed it in 6 years.

We decided we would get donuts this morning, so we went to Krispy Kreme, ready to eat some glazed goodness. We pull up and of course order a dozen of the original glazed, what they are known for, and the lady gets on the speaker to say,(Spoiler Alert) " We are all out of them." What the... Out of donuts, your a donut shop. We all gasp in the car. I found it funny and ironic.

I hope to get some Christmas crafts on to share next week!
Have a great weekend!

Friday

Wow, my weeks are quite fast lately. Next week is my last week of stocking orders and I'm ready to get started on some handmade goodness! I would love to do alot of things handmade for my kids, but they have other ideas, I understand, I was a kid once too. All those commerical that make you think you will have the time of your life with that hamster that runs around the house in a car. Yep, they wanted those.
I have plans of making a Christmas table runner( I found the most amazing Christmas fabric), making some little holiday trees, a wreath, personalized stockings of the kids choices (legos and hello kitty sound like the order this year), cross-stitch gifts, of course some gingerbread houses, well the list could go on and on.

Unfortunatley my dreams of making the kids a tent this year doesn't seem
plausable. I'm not sure the space is there. As my daughter says, " Whaa, Whaa, Whaaa." But I did find a pop-up tent that can easily be put away. My husband thinks that sounds more like it ;)

I have my Christmas cards planned out in my head. Lets just say we will have some stand-ins that look quite similar to us.
I love doing something off the wall for our Christmas cards. Last year the front of our card had us with boxes on our head in front of the tree. Maybe some of the family didn't get it,but I like to throw people for a loop. Why not. Keep people wondering ;)

I think I am actually going to learn how to screen print. I have a whole kit that my husband bought me several years ago, still in the box. What ashame I know. But this year I'm going to make it happen. I'm a bit scared, but you know what, I'm gonna just go for it. I have so many funny sayings my husband comes up with( seriously brilliant he is) and sketches, that I think would be perfect for silk screening. I took a class about 12 years ago, and now I can finally use my skills, that I don't remember anymore ;)

What are your wishes for Christmas? Things you want to make, receive, or buy?
Have a great weekend!

HO...HO.. HO.. I need a nap

(not the actual house, found via weheartit)

The holidays really are my favorite time of year, but by the time the new year rolls around, I just want to take a nap. I really do like shopping for gifts though. I love thinking about the joy on my kids faces as they see what they opened and had hoped for.
One tradition that I love to do every year around this time is to drive around and look at all the Christmas lights. There is a particular house we visit every year that seriously has like every lawn decoration you can think of. We love it.

We love to watch CBS's "Sunday Morning" show. This past week they did a feature on the storefronts in New York City at Christmas time. I seriously love the the "Lord and Taylor" window. The replicas of Christmas memories. Check out the retro kitchen.

Have a super duper Wednesday!

Popping in for a visit

I have been super busy with the holidays, so I wanted to pop in and share a couple of my holiday finds recently.
I just got my vintage pixies/elves in the mail today. I got all four for just a bit over six dollars, not to bad. I have been wanting some for awhile. I also found the cute little set of elves at the thriftstore this weekend. I didnt' realize the one with the knife looks a bit creepy with the knife. He looks so happy though ;)
I am currently trying to find some cute vintage deers. Those are next on my decoration hunt. I love to find new decorations each year. I get bored and like to switch them up.
I hope you have a great Monday!

Christmas Decor 2010

I thought I might do a virtual tour of sorts of some of my Christmas decor. As you can tell I am on a tinsel kick this year. I have collected my little trees the past couple of year. I wanted to do the silver tinsel garland around the house too.
I won some vintage elves on ebay yesterday that I cannot wait to get! I got four for only 6.55. Yeah! They are in very good condition too.
Have you noticed the little "Elf on the Shelf" sets this year. They are everywhere. The vintage ones look just like the look alikes. I got four of them, and the kids keeping talking about how they will have to be really good if four of them are keeping an eye out on how good they are. I have one that you can see by my orange phone, but he is actually a bunny on the shelf. I adore his colors.
Have a great Thursday! Whoa, where did the week go? Oh and what is your fave Christmas decoration? I would love to hear.

Christmas Came Early....And Other Random Fun Things

A sweet and most awesome flickr friend heard my distressing cry that I just "had to have" the miniature Sylvanian Families. She so sweetly was able to get me a set! I can't even tell you the child-like joy that came over me when she told me she could get one for me! I did a little photo shoot with my "Danbo" this morning.


And she sent a Re-ment cockateil with the most adorable bowl! Danbo loves it!

My son is quite the little artist, and I just had to share a picture he drew based on one of his Arthur books. I love the mouse teacher!




Seriously check out this video, if you get bored , forward to the end, its worth it.
If you like that type of thing. I do ;)


I was up super duper late working last night. I'm off to sit and watch a movie with the kids and have some fun putting up some more Christmas decorations for the house.
Have a great Wednesday!

Hello..

photo found here

We had such an relaxing weekend. We spent Thanksgiving with my family in Ohio, getting to see all my little nephews and neice. We did Christmas decorating yesterday. I may take some pics of a tour of the house for the holidays. I am a bit obessed with little tinsel trees. I have a green, blue, and silver. I just love to see them sparkle. I love snowmen too. I have acquired quite a collection, much do to my in-laws feeding this obsession ;) I think my two fave things to decorate with is trees and snowmen, how bout you? I think it would be fun to do icicles on the tree. Even though they can be quite messy, the remind me of being a kid.
I have to say for some reason or other as soon as December was nearing I got quite tense. I am finishing up some stockings for a consignment order, and busy making stockings for my shop , and I think I'm feeling overwhelmed. As a mother to three little ones, they are at the age where Christmas is magical and the excitement is evident. I don't want to be a scrooge because of all the things I have to do. Quite frankly I don't need to make stockings and sell them, but I like to, but I think I get in over my head, thus, creating a stressed out mommy.
As I write this, my son is wearing a santa hat, pushing a toy cart that is to be a sled for Santa. The joy and thrill of anticipating Christmas is in the air.
I need to sit back and take it in.
Have a great Monday!

Happy Thanksgiving.. A Day Early

via sanrio.com


Have a Happy Thanksgiving tommorrow! I can't wait to eat a whole bunch of food!
See you in a few!

Hello Monday!

And we are back. My weekends are quite busy it seems lately with sewing and now shopping. I hit up some amazing deals at Target yesterday. I check the ads constantly during the holidays to find the deals. Now you won't find me up at 3 o'clock in the morning though on Black Friday, thats just too much for me.
I have been having fun making these little ornaments. I really want to whip up a ballerina too. Kinda sorta like the nutcracker.



I also made blueberry muffins for the first time on Saturday. They turned out quite tastey too. I will definitly be making these again. I found the recipe on Vegweb. I love that site. I have found so many allergy friendly recipes.



Have a great Monday!

Some Fun Ornaments

I have been working on Christmas things here for a few weeks, feeling as if I'm not getting anywhere, so I decided I would take a break from all my work to make something the kids would enjoy that was personal.
I asked them what characters they would like in ornament form.

My son pick Huckle from Richard Scarry stories. We love to read those books, and they even have a cartoon that is super cute.



My daughter picked one of my favorite characters "Hello Kitty." She was super easy to make too.



And my youngest picked an all time favorite for little one's "Elmo." He was an easy one as well!


It was quite fun making characters we adore around the house.
What types of homeade things do you like to make around the holidays, recipes included?

Bakin Bread...

Okay I really have gotten into baking lately, so when the lovely Emma at "From Scratch" shared her recipe I had to try it. She gave a recipe too that you bake your bread in a dutch oven. I had never heard of this before. So I was up to try it yesterday, and boy was I ever thrilled how it turned out. Simply delicious. We usually like to get a nice loaf at Whole Foods, so when my son said it tasted just like the bakery, I was flattered ;) It really is quite easy. And it has no milk or eggs which is a super plus. Seriously check it out, you won't be disappointed!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Thinking about Decorations

via weheartit

So I have been thinking about decor lately for the holidays. I am really into a vintage look. I have been trying to find some bottle brush trees ever since I saw "My Paper Sparrow" on flickr. She compiled the the most amazing collection of pics on her flickr.
Now if I could find some for a decent price.
I do a white tree for my main tree (fake). How bout you? But I also have a blue, and green tinsel tree. I love the little tinsel trees.
I love love vintage ornaments as well. I bought some look alike ones that Target did about 7 years ago. My mom has a awesome collection.


via weheartit

I have been trying to come up with some new ornament ideas. I made my son an R2-D2 several years ago that still dons our tree.


I really do love snowmen. I'm working on a plushie snowman slowly. I have never done a whip stitch on the edges, my first attempt, and it has been quite fun.
I really want to make an advent calendar of some sort. I have a couple of weeks before the count down will begin. Gotta get those holiday wheels a spinnin'.
I start decorating usually the day after Thanksgiving, although I have been known to do it a couple of days before. What about you? When do you like to start decorating?
Have a great Tuesday!

Weekend wrap up...

My husband and I (more my husband) worked on a new banner for my blog. The old one was a bit fuzzy, I'm kinda of not good at those sorts of things. I was trying to come up with what my blog was about so "Needles (for my sewing), Noodles (for my cooking), and doodles (well for any sketches or randomness). It made me laugh.

Friday night we watched one of my all time fave eighties movies "Sixteen Candles" with Molly Ringwald. I loved any movie she was in. She was able to capture exactly what it felt like to be a teenage girl . Really when you watch it, all those awkward feelings of growing up and wanting to fit in come back. I'm so thankful I am past all that ;)

I was looking through some of my suggested shops on Etsy and I found this beautiful print by "Zaraillustrates"

You have to check out the beautifulness that is shop "YellowGoat."
Check out this "Good Time Ring" made to look like a polaroid


Okay, have a super Monday!!

Some Things I'm Liking Right Now... And something funny

The other night I had been woken up by my son, he has been having some belly issues lately (he's getting better). I layed back down, it was around 4 0'clock, and it seemed like I tossed and turned for hours, never getting back into a full deep sleep. Sure enough the alarm goes off and I look at it and say "You have to be kidding me." I have been laughing about that ever sense. Do you ever have those "You have to be kidding me" mornings?
Its Friday, Yay! I have somethings I have been likeing lately.
I have really been liking wearing my brown converse for the fall. When I first met my husband he was a converse wearing cutie, and he instantly got me hooked. The go with everything

I know you really want to hear what I like to eat for breakfast, right? Well I actually don't like to eat breakfast, so instead, I eat it before bed. Not the typical way, I like to eat it out of the box with a cup of milk. I'm love the Oatmeal Squares.

Did you ever play with the Calico Critters when you were little. I have a set, that I loved so much, and now you can find them everywhere. Well as a miniature freak, I was thrilled when one of my flickr friends had a miniature version of the Sylvanian Family for her Blythe doll. Agh! I want one so bad!

Here's there website
Have a Super Friday!

Hello...

I really like Ben Folds. I have enjoyed Ben Folds for many years now, and I never get sick of his voice. I like his sense of humor in some of his songs as well. He can go from a really emotional song such as "Fred Jones Part 2"

His song "Hiroshima" makes me laugh everytime. He tells how he ran out to a show, and fell off the stage. I love this song because it shows he doesn't take himself to seriously.

I remember when we were naming my daughter, his song about his daughter "Gracie" I listened to like a thousand times.
Have a super Thursday!

Christmas Wishlist... Is it too soon?

I have been thinking about a little Christmas wishlist. My husband and I don't usually go all out for each other on the holidays. With three kids, we kind of shop the clearance sections after Christmas, and have our thrill of getting stuff really cheap. But anyways, here are a few things I have spotted recently that I wouldn't mind having.

Well I absolutley love Pip at "Meet Me At Mike's" so when she released her second amazing book "Sew La Tea Do" I was thrilled. Okay, and a fox quilt on the front. Can we say "Awesome."


I love paper dolls, and how did I not hear that the Emily Martin from "The Black Apple" was coming out with some. I love you her work, in paper doll fun.


We always frequent the toy aisles when we go to the store, and legos are a huge hit in our house. As a dollhouse nut I was so excited when I saw these now houses they are making.
Check out the Lego City House

My husband prefers the Lego Beach House

Now that I saw the beach house again, I think I like that one alot too.

Oh and an interesting read for Embroidery and mystery lovers, over on "Follow The White Bunny," Nicole featured author Amanda Lee of " 'Quick and the Thread." It is a cozy murder mystery about an embroidery shop owner. It sounds like a perfect winter read. She is having a giveaway to win a copy. I hope I win!


What are you wishing for this year?