dilly dallying

I could ramble off a long list of things I should be doing, could be doing, would be doing, but what am I doing? Sneaking in a little time to make more les petits tirois*!



I plan to use some for packaging little surprise treats for friends



and will also list some on my online shops soon (maybe in sets? any thoughts?)

• • • • • • • •

Tinkered Tip: Easy gift tags


Small shipping tags from an office supply store + stickers + glitter + ribbon = quick, easy and festive


Sources: Tags: Staples; stickers, glitter, glue, ribbon: Michaels


Sources: Gift wrap: Target; candy canes: Bob's Candy Canes

Okay, back to the list! Perhaps I'll begin with baking something because other tasks are made nicer when the house smells yummy!

xo

*I received some of my very favorite comments at that post and thank you all so much!

being a copy cath

Did you know that you can order fabric swatches for free at
Cath Kidston? GASP



I am still stuck on the way this table looks, wrapped like a present in cheery, durable oilcloth. Turns out, oilcloth can be a little pricey so I thought I'd see if Target had anything to play around with to try out a similar look. Good ol' Target: vinyl tablecloths for $5.99.



I trimmed the oblong tablecloth and wrapped my table top, securing the sides underneath with masking tape. What do you think?

For anyone noticing and wondering about the red plate in the background . . .



It holds what's left of our gingerbread house.
For I-Spy fans: Can you spot Rudolph's girlfriend Clarice?

Moving on . . .



M from Tales from an OC Cottage had the most amazing post about filling make-your-own ornaments with paper. I thought how this could make a lovely teacher's gift.



and added strips of scrapbooking paper and printed text in red and green.

It's fun to see how one idea can spark another. This happens all the time with blogging and it's just the coolest!

xo

holiday swoon-along!

I was beginning to have Swap Withdrawal and so when I spotted this little call to action about a Shabby Pink Christmas Swap I signed right up! Not only did the swap lead me to find Sarah and her lovely blog but I was paired with my fun (and funny) blogging pal M over at Tales from an OC Cottage!

Over here in the OS (that's Ocean State) it hasn't been very sunny but I attempted some pics anyway. What M assembled for me was like a greatest hits of her recent beautiful posts!
Ready to SWOON-along?


glittered sea stars - they are like her signature piece(s)


glittered wishes


glittered vintage post card (my favorite)


presto change-o ornament!


a glittered wonderland


bright pinks and aquas!


M's dreamy photography on a card

Thanks so much to M and Sarah for adding extra sparkle to my holidays!

I hope my package gets to the OC soon. It sure is taking its time!

night blogging

Phew. This was a busy weekend. What better way to relax tonight than write a blog post while sipping some hot mint tea.



Bob's makes my favorite candy canes. They are always pretty and yummy and are tops for making peppermint bark. Here are a bunch in a pot meant for a plant. (I use these little pots all over my home for almost everything but plants!) I love how red looks when paired with pale blue.



I love how our Christmas tree looks at night. Sure it's a tight fit but all the more cozy!



Here is my oldest lighting the Chanukah candles. We celebrate both Christmas and Chanukah. My youngest wants us to celebrate Kwanzaa this year, too.



I took part in this fun swap hosted by Sarah at My So Called Junky Life. I was partnered with the superawesome M and am excited to show you what the beglittered one sent to me. I will save writing that post for when I am more awake.

Sweet dreams

xo

le petit tiroir

I thought it would be a nice idea to make something small but sweet to have for sale at my vendor table at the Snowflake Bazaar. Something a little girl could buy for just 50 cents and be excited with her purchase.



I have been noticing creations using small matchboxes (Cari uses them to package her pretty earrings).



I really enjoy small projects like this. I wrapped each emptied box with paper and tied them with lace, adding a forget-me-not or bead here and there.



I added cabochons to a few and being the silly girl I am thought how fun (for me) it would be to call them something fancy and French like the little drawers.



I never studied French so I had to Google the translation for "drawer." And voila ~
le petit tiroir!

And merci beaucoup to all of my blogging friends. Where else could I talk about things like this and be so warmly understood? I sincerely appreciate that and hope you feel the same.

Bonne nuit mes amis (Good night my friends)

xo

flurry of activity

I have been busy making preparations to be a 2nd-time vendor at the Snowflake Bazaar in my town. Last year I teamed-up with my sew-fabulous friend Shellie but this year I will be going solo.



I recently ordered some MOO cards, which I am loving, and will be taking some along to have at my table.



My little practice set-up in the troll-like basement!

Please note that most everything in my shops will be unavailable this Saturday because it will be for sale at my table. Whatever doesn't sell will be back at my Etsy and Lollishop by the following day.

Lots to do this week!

xo

the third reindeer

The other day I took a short drive to Brown & Hopkins Country Store. According to the shop's website, it is the oldest country store in continuous operation in the United States. I went to pick up a copy of their new cookbook, which includes locally submitted recipes, including two of mine. I also picked up two of these mini flocked reindeer ornaments.

I hung them from the chandelier which left one spot noticeably empty. We all agreed: I needed to return to buy a third reindeer.



I think they are so sweet.



Miniature, flocked and glittered . . .



PS ~ You can order the little reindeer from Brown & Hopkins here.

hooray for paper

I really enjoy making paper chains.



I made this chain using scrapbooking remnants while my youngest cut knights from construction paper.



File this find under GASP! A Cath Kidston magnetic memo set at T.J. Maxx for just $3.99! It might just be too cute for menu and shopping lists. Cath without international shippng rates!

Hooray for paper!

Hooray for Vintage Lizzie -- She is having a Pink Christmas giveaway!

xo