The countdown begins!

I realized a few days ago how fast time is flying by.... its only 6 weeks till my big holiday craft show and I still have so much to do!! I sat down and made out a schedule of how many puppets, playfood and peg dolls I need to create each week to hit my target goal for the show!!  Needless to say, it's going to be a busy 6 weeks but I think I got off to a good start don't you think?!

Once I get a few more in the done pile, I'll be hosting a give away so be sure to check back often for a chance to win!!:)

Straight pins and bobbins

It's been a mad dash of sewing to get things done in time to mail... and there have been straight pins and bobbins covering my table for days!! lol I am going crazy cause I can't share what i've been working on for fear of someone seeing their gift too soon so for now you'll have to settle on this... I think it's the only gift that is for someone without a computer! :) DH's Grandmother is crazy into crafts like me and is a GREAT cook so I thought this was fitting for her!

I got the pattern from Fiber Works in MT. It has got to be THE  prettiest quilt shop I have ever been to! Be sure to check out the pictures of the store when you get a chance! I can't seem to find the pattern on their site but I'm sure if you call you could just ask for it. It's called "Easy Apron by Laura Heine". If you do call, be sure to tell them I sent you! :)

And, I got my fabric at Gee Gee's (my newest favorite outing!) You can order from their site... they have THE best selection I've ever seen!!! It makes it oh so dangerous to go in there! :)

In progress

For once, DH is getting in on the fun of making presents for the girls too!

In a world where everything is bigger and better, we really really try to make an effort to simplify at Christmas. I think last year will always be the year we are striving to recreate... not to much, not too little, just right!

So this year, instead of going to the store and ordering a painted up, run of the mill Barbie house (wooden, plastic or whatever else they come up with these days!) we are creating one that will be bookshelf style and simple... perfect for their imaginations and love of crafting to go wild!

But, as we all know... a house is not a home without some of the creature comforts of furniture! So, Daddy and I went into the woods on the search for "logs" for the beds....I love that we were able to turn what would be garbage to anyone else into something that will brign such joy to the girls. Now I need to get working on the bedding!  :)

5 Question Friday

Can you believe it's already December 3rd? Where o where did the last year go?! I must have blinked because I think I missed November entirely! lol I can't believe how fast time is flying and how lax I have been on this blog lately.... it's not as if I don't think of all of you and want to write, it's just that my days have been so full since we got home from our trip that I hardly have time to eat lunch! lol It's been a flurry of decorating and crafting and trying to get presents finished up (ok lets be honest... started... lol). I'm sure it's the same for all of you too right? Well, I will try to do better, really I will. I have missed writing and will try to do it more often as I know I really do need a break from sewing and such. I am beginning to think my hands are going to permanently stay in place for holding my knitting needles! lolThe typing will be good for them! :)

So, in an effort to stay currant with you all, I am going to take part in the Five Question Friday from over at My Little Life... won't you play along too!?

1. What's on the top of your holiday wish list and why?!
2. What is your favorite Christmas gift from the past?

3. If you had life to do over, what would you be when you grow up?

4. When do you put up your tree?

5. What is your favorite Holiday?


Here's my answers to them...

1. What's on the top of your holiday wish list and why?!

  Hmm... this is a tough one. I don't really have anything that I "need" and I just got my new sewing machine/serger so I don't really feel like it's fair for me to want anything either... but in the spirit of the question and with the idea that anything is possible... as in if Santa brought magical gifts for adults too...I would say a big hat box with holes...and a fuzzy little dog inside... I know, so lame but it's really the only thing that I can think of that would be just for me and totally frivolous (I know it wouldn't really be just for me, as I would have to share with little ones but still)....that would make a magical morning for me. Oh to have wishes like that!

2. What is your favorite Christmas gift from the past?

A few years ago, my husband's grandma and aunt each got me part of a set of Christmas villages from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life"... I was so excited and so surprised! I so enjoy unpacking it every year and remember getting it with such great memories!



3. If you had life to do over, what would you be when you grow up?
 
I am one of the lucky ones, I am doing exactly what I always wanted to when I was growing up...I can't imagine anything better!: )



4. When do you put up your tree?

We actually put it up on Thanksgiving. While the turkey is cooking, the Macy's parade is playing and we are snacking on chex mix, we all set up the tree and attempt to get it lit...then we decorate it with ornaments the next weekend after we've gotten the rest of the house decorated during the week! I so love this time of year!


5. What is your favorite Holiday?

Growing up it was always the 4th of July but as an adult I would have to say Christmas and New Years....we got married on New Year's eve so this time of year is always special to us!

Not so anxious

I know, I am probably the one mom on the planet that kind of dreads Christmas day. Yes, I am anxious for the girls to get their gifts and to see the look on their faces when they get that super special gift, but a little part of me is always sad on Christmas Eve. I am always sad about the projects I just couldn't get to, the thought of taking down our beautiful decorations and that idea that this warm and cozy season is over the moment the present are open.

In Alaska, things seemed to slow down a bit. People weren't in such a hurry to take it all away, they seemed to savor the cozy feelings indoors, as the feeling outdoors were much colder and what some would see as pleak. But living here, people seem to live life at a much fast pace. I can't quite put my finger on it but things seem to be more rushed and less savored. So for once last moment, I want to take in the views I see and the feelings that go along with them...tomorrow will be here soon enough!

This year we left Santa a Mickey Mouse waffle and milk instead of cookies!

Grow-a-Santa was huge hit! Thanks Toni!

Consumer Confusion!

What is it about the end of May that screams "Time to buy Christmas decor"? Maybe I missed something but didn't we just get thru Mother's Day and Memorial Day?

Yesterday the girls and I were at Hobby Lobby looking at the summer goodies (stepping stones, patio lights etc) when we realized they are all on clearence! Yippee! Then I discover that the isles they once occupied are empty and getting set up with fall decorations of acorns and fall colored leaves and then to my horror...fake snow was being put out on the shelves too!!! Now, most people know, I would take snow over this stinkin' hot weather any day of the year but come on people! Are we really turning into a society that is only motivated by superficial holidays? Can't we just enjoy today at face value and not constantly be looking forward to tomorrow (or 7 months from now in this instance)? I am all for planning, and yes I admit I have already started thinking about Christmas presents but that's only because in the long run, although I am a planner, I am a huge procrastinator and I have to start now or I will never get my projects finished in time! In an attempt to not let history repeat itself, I am going to try, once again, to get presents mailed and delivered on time this year but even I don't need to start buying crafts for Christmas in MAY!!!!

Am I the only one?

Am I the only one that dreads taking down the tree? I'm not talking about the chore of actually taking it down (that will catch up to me later) but rather the abrupt halt to the the warm and cozy feeling that the green branches and lights make in my house making it all seem less *blah*....I told myself that after vacation I was going to stay in denial and keep up all the decor as long as I could. Heck, I even put out some of our new stuff that I got on sale the day after Christmas! lol I was doing good, held up in the house for days after we got home without leaving the house. I was able to still pretend that it is cold and dreary out and that the winter season wasn't over. That is until yesterday! The girls and I went outside to hang laundry in the sun and it was a blamy 74 degrees! How can I feel warm and cozy inside when it's so nice and spring like outside?! So, the tree is coming down and with it the lights that I so love getting up to every morning. I think I'll stay in denial a bit longe tho and leave my garland out on the mantle...maybe if I add some red to it I can stretch it out till Valentine's....Ü

A Wall-E Christmas

Ever since we saw the movie Wall-E at the movies, I swear I have seen the world thru a different light. For the most part, Wall-E is a slightly exaggerated tale of what our lives as humans are becoming in a world of bigger is better, faster is easier and convenience at all cost is just a way of life.
The moral of that story was thundering thru my head today as we went to the mall for some last minute shopping with family. What were we thinking!? I have never in all my life felt so uncomfortable in a crowd of people! Honestly, I felt a bit snobby, which was probably really terrible on my part but I just couldn’t help it…All these people were walking thru the mall like a herd of cattle, occasionally breaking away from the pack to buy yet another gift that didn’t mean enough for them to buy it prior to five days before Christmas. When I complained about this thought to my husband he said that some people think that is part of the holiday thrill, to search last minute for that “perfect” gift but I just don’t know. …I have been obsessing over the perfect gifts since June!
I struggle with this every year, yes I want my kids to feel the magic of the season but I don’t think it should break the bank (or spirit) by buying a bunch of “stuff” just for the sake of buying stuff. The kids don’t care if the toys are fancy or expensive. I started getting things for the kids back in June and when all was said and done I think I spend about $40 a piece on them- but you wouldn’t know it to see the packages under our tree (or rather in the back of the truck). My favorite place to find that “perfect present” is a huge moving sale or our local thrift store. I know some people would think that is terrible but it allows us to do more with our kids rather than buy more things to throw at them. It is driving Janie mad trying to figure out what her “big box” is…. Little does she know it is full of about $150 worth of Littlest Pet shop toys that I collected for her for about $16!!! Christmas morning will come and she isn’t going to think twice that they aren’t new. They are ready to play with and won’t take forever to get out of the theft proof packaging…
I know my views can be a bit strong, and I hope that anyone reading this isn’t offended. I know that not everyone can live their lives the same, that’s what makes us all so interesting but I do think we could all do for some improvement. If I can make one person think twice about something, my writings have been worth it. I have a number of blog “friends” whom I have never met but in my mind they are my friends and I respect their views and have learned SO much from them. Modern technologies do have some advantages….