The Coziest Night of All

As Mannheim Steamroller and Bing Crosby fill our home with Christmas spirit, we are all putting our last minute touches on gifts, meals and decorations.  May tonight bring love and wonder to you and your family.  

Pray Today

For the families of Newtown, CT.  May they find the strength to carry on.  

Scrappy Seasonal

Over the last year I've accumulated quite a heap of quilting scraps.  I've kept them all since I adore the fabrics, and thought I would make something wild one day incorporating them all.  This simple technique can turn any collection of fabric scraps into seasonal ornaments, and it's a treat for a three year old partner who can bask in the Mod Podge.  

All you need is a cardboard ornament mold (stars, cones, etc.) or plastic ball ornament, some Mod Podge or other papier mache paste, a sponge brush and your ab fab fabric scraps; all found all your local craft store.  Paint the paste onto the mold, add a scrap, and add another layer of paste over the scrap and voila!  

I love recycling the leftovers of other projects. 

Meeker on 10 Habits of Happy Mothers

On my eternal quest for simplicity, my husband found a great book for me.  I wasn't too keen on the title, one of the billions of self-help titles that I avoid at the bookstore.  Surprisingly, it's been a refreshing reprieve from the medical journals and texts I traditionally put first, and brought me back to the roots of what makes us happy as women.  Meg Meeker is a pediatrician, and gives a great spin on motherhood, career and keeping life simple.  She addresses the importance of friendships, our extended tribe of women, and prioritizing who and what comes in and out of our lives in this age of acceleration. Two thumbs up!  Other titles by Meeker: Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters and Boys Should be Boys.

Holy Family

Deep down I can't help but wonder if Christ will remain in Christmas.  Even in my short life Christ continues to fade from the store shelves and outdoor decorations, while Santa on a Harley and a blow-up Frosty the size of our garage fill the neighbor's lawn.  

But then I saw this touching Forever stamp at the post office yesterday. It's called Holy Family.  It brought warmth to my heart knowing that Christ will be in the home of each and every family we know as Christmas cards take flight.  Some things do last forever.  

I'm Dreaming of an Airstream Christmas

Somewhere on my bucket list is a Christmas spent in an Airstream trailer out in the country (preferably without snow).  Add our best friends and family, eggnog and a tree, and we'll make beautiful history.  Any takers?

He's gonna find out...

So I looked at this awhile back at Barnes and Noble.  A great, unique tradition created by American mother and daughter Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, this little elf and his accompanying book keep the whole family on their best behavior as Santa's arrival approaches.  He is sent by Santa Claus himself from the North Pole.  He does not speak, cannot be touched, but is more than capable of reporting back to Santa nightly as he flies back to the workshop after we've all gone to bed.  In the morning he reappears in another out-of-reach spot high in the rafters or bookshelf.  And most importantly, the children's eyes widen in amazement that he is patiently watching us all.  

My husband beat me to the punch and ordered one for us.  It's been quite the highlight this week.    

Corked History

This time of year conjures up crafting memories of seasons past.  Last year I took our 10-years collection of wine and champagne corks and gave them new life as a cork wreath.  Each and every cork had a unique texture, scent and story.  I held out on using the few synthetic corks that made it into the collection until I absolutely needed them; although they too had their place in time.  I used this simple method to assemble the wreath.  I added a few holly berries and gold branches to give it some holiday spirit.

Night Owl Crafting

I never thought I would say it, but a late Saturday night when everyone’s asleep is the perfect time to do a little crafting.  Only then do I know deep in my heart that I have uninterrupted time to whip up a little something here and there.  After a refreshing convo with my bestie, and children/husband nestled all snug in their beds, I assembled this felt partridge.  It is a combo of cutting, glueing and embroidery sewing, and it turned out pretty sweet, all in about an hour.

I found the pattern in this nifty felt ornament kit from Barnes and Noble.  Not bad for $13.  The white ribbon doesn’t really go, but it was included in the kit so I used it.  Additional patterns include owls, russian dolls, stockings, and other sweet notions.