Crafty gifts

I was so busy over the holidays between crafting for the huge 12 Days of Christmas Swap, gifts for family and friends, cooking, visiting etc. that I'm kinda behind on posting photos of my crafts. So here's some of the things I made for family and friends. I primarily made embroidered ornaments this year and a few tea towels.

Cute little snowman for my cousin and his family. The patterns are Aunt Martha's and are adorable. Every one of them was so cute! Most of the front fabric is a flour sack towel that I cut up because I messed up a transfer. So instead if it just sitting there calling me stupid becuase I can't spell (duh) I decided to salvage it for these smaller items.

There was also this one I made for my aunt. I mean come on--how cute! I just backed them all with felt, added a cute ribbon and pinked the edges. Really simple.

This one was for my brother-in-law.

This was for my sister. They are both from the Black Apple patterns from Sublime Stitching. I adore these patterns. I really liked how these turned out. I tried to use subdued colors that were subtle but pretty.

Don't they look just like them! haha

The little reindeer went to my grandma. I got this pattern from a huge book of iron-on transfers that I found at a flea market. It's straight out of the 80's and filled with hundreds of patterns--some cheesy and kiddish but the holiday stuff is really great.

The cute kitty was for my cousin. I went with a sushi theme for her gifts because she loves it. Check out that gold collar. Meow!

So I also made a sushi towel for her. These are also Sublime patterns. I think she really liked them both.

I like the steaming bowl of rice! Too cute.

Sexy pinup got mailed away to my friend in Hawaii. She hasn't been living there long and she's so supportive of my craftiness. So I wanted to send her something. I thought--hula girl? tiki? palm trees? but she's so bloody sexy that I thought a pinup would be appropriate! (hee hee) Plus I know how it is to move a lot and have to buy things over and over-especially smaller items.

Her hair matches my friend's color. And wow---small faces are hard! It's difficut to get the subtleties of the features. So I think I need to practice doing faces.

And just look at that rear! Woo hoo! Super sexy. This is also a Sublime pattern.

So that about wraps it up for now. There are a couple more things that I seemed to have forgotten to get a picture of so I will have to take one and post later.
I still can't believe that I finished everything. I did just about everything in a week. I was so busy with the 12 Days swap and that took up all of my time. So next year, no procrastinating and no swaps around the holidays. Too much stress!! But it all worked out and I'm pleased with everything.


Just for giggles, here's Maggie with some of her stocking stuffers. She got some new toys that she really liked.

Let's kick off 2009!!

I hope everyone had a great New Years! I actually took it easy with my Colby--we stayed around the house and watched the ball drop. The photo of us over there was on Christmas Day at my mom's--I realized that I didn't take any photos on NYE. It was actually nice just the two of us. I don't see him very often during the week due to opposite schedules, so I like when it's just us. Not a bad way to start the new year.

So what do I hope for the new year? I'm optimistic for 2009. I'm sorta doing the typical thing of getting in shape and losing weight and all that, but I also want to focus on my overall health. I've already been to the chiropractor and he's getting me sorted out. Turns out my back aches sometimes because of a birth defect--who knew? Gotta love x-rays. I need to start taking better care of myself if I plan on seeing 2010!

I've also deemed that this will be the year of creativity. I will focus more on my painting and really try to finish a substantial amount of pieces. I would love to show my stuff but I have to have something to show!! So paint paint paint! I,of course, still want to do crafty things too. That really makes me happy. I like making things for other people and have a list of things I want to make that needs to get checked off. I received a crochet/knit kit in the 12 Days of Christmas Swap (I will post on that soon) and I WILL learn to crochet and knit this year and make really awesome things!

I also want to focus on just one craft swap at a time. While I love swapping and receiving great pieces from awesome crafters, I got a little overwhelmed last year. So one at a time and do a great job. This will be hard for me because there are usually several I want to do at a time. I've already been tempted! I've joined the Embroidered Valentine Towel swap and am focusing on that.

I also would really like to leave the country this year. Colby and I have been talking about a trip to Europe for our vacation perhaps in the fall and I really hope it happens. We just can't decide on where--way too many options. But we love to travel and haven't been doing alot of it lately.

Also, I want to purchase one piece of original art and some smaller crafty items. If I want people to buy things from me, I feel I should reciprocate with purchasing from fellow artists and crafters. I would ultimately like to purchase one piece of art a year to start a nice collection. They don't have to be totally expensive. You can find great pieces from emerging, local artists for cheap. The hard part will be being selective. I mean I can't buy everything I love! So I will have to choose wisely.

Well--I guess that's it. It's alot and I know it will be tough, but it's nice to have goals. Each swap I finish successfully with no stress, or painting I actually finish, or pound lost will be a step in the right direction. Here's to a 2009 filled with positivity and creativity!

P.S. I also hope to be a better blogger. I've realzed that I'm behind on posting-like NYC photos and Christmas crafts. Blogging has really helped me stay focused and organized so I need to be more on top of things! TTFN!

Merry Christmas

This will probably be my last post for the year due to holiday broo-ha-ha, so I thought I'd post some photos of the ornaments I made for two of co-workers. I've made tons of stuff as gifts so I will have loads of things to share soon! I've been really stressed the past week with trying to get all my crafting and cooking done. I am looking forward to spending time with my family and friends and relaxing a bit.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I thought I'd share some photos of my tree! I usually put up a 6ft white tree that I absolutely love but, this year due to space, I bought this smaller 4ft pink tree. I'm actually pretty pleased with it and like how it looks all lit up. I also have alot of my grandmother's balls that give it some shimmer. So here's to smaller spaces, vintage ornaments, and my new Hallmark ornaments which I spend way too much money on every year.

Some of my new Hallmarks--I collect the Disney, Dr. Seuss and Star Wars ones.



I love this one that belonged to my grandmother.

This one was hers too!


Also, check out these great Christmas items I found at the thrift!
Two little ceramic elves. So darling!

This chubby Santa which is actually a painted gourd!

This handmade Christmas mouse that needs just a little TLC but I had to buy her! She was $1.50! She was made out of a large soda bottle and what seems like a styrofoam carved head. So sweet! I had a good week at the thrift!


I cant wait to have a larger space someday to decorate like I vision it all in my head. I hope everyone is getting in the holiday spirit. I know it always help me get in the mood when I put my tree up.

On another note: I'm crafting like mad for the holidays. I'm doing the 12 Days of Christmas swap and of course things for family and friends. I don't think I've gotten a good night's sleep in two weeks. I just hope I can finish everything in time!!

Christmas Favorites

I'm not gonna lie to you----------I love Christmas!! I'm a sucker for everything Christmas. I am so excited to watch the Peanuts special tonight that it got me thinking about all of my favorite holiday movies and tv shows that I MUST watch every year. So here's some of my favorite Christmas movies!

My most favorite is A Christmas Story.

Who can resist the story of Ralphie and his quest for a Red Ryder BB gun (with a compass and a stock). I laugh every time I watch it and have been known to watch it in July.

The Battle of the Lamp

A deranged Easter bunny--a pink nightmare.

Football? What's a football?

Next up is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Hysterically funny! Saucer sledding, fried pussycat, yacking on a bone, yuppie neighbors, twinkling lights, kidnapping, and who can forget.........
Cousin Eddie and his green dickey. Awesomeness.
Colby's favorite line is....

Shitter's full. My favorite is "this is going to be hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny Kaye! Clark has that crazed look in his eye and it's just hilarious.

Number three: Scrooged. I love Bill Murray. He is a genius and this role was made for him. For those of you living in a cave, it is a spin on the classic Christmas Carol. My favorite scenes are the ones with the ghosts of Christmas Past and Present. Absolutely fantastic!

The ghost of Christmas Past is played by none other that Buster Poindexter. My favorite line of his: "Go back to Jersey you moron!"

The ghost of Christmas Present is played by the fabulous Carol Kane and this scene is my favorite. She just totally abuses him and all the while is "so glad she wore my pretty dress."

Next up is a classic; White Christmas. It is such a wonderful movie filled with great songs and dancing. My favorite is the "Sisters" song.

I mean look at those costumes. Absolutely fantastic.

And I can't forget the finale. So beautiful.

Number 5--A Nightmare before Christmas. I'm not going to say much about this movie becaue I could go on and on. It's one of my favorite movies of all time and is absolutely wonderful. Great songs and characters.


Next up--ELF What a fantastical and wonderful movie.

Buddy the elf is a great character and Will Ferrel does a great job with the role. I love when he leaves the North Pole and travels with a penguin and through the candy cane forest.

Next, another classic--It's a Wonderful Life. We've all seen it and love it. It's a fantastic story, great actors and Zuzu's petals.

My favorite scene.

Lastly, Miracle on 34th Street.

I love this story about Santa Claus and believing in something even though you're told it's not real. I love this version of it. The newer one is ok but it's something about Natalie Wood as the little girl that makes it so great. Just wonderful.

I know there are tons more holiday movies out there, but when I think of the ones that I just have to watch every year, these are the ones that come to mind. They all just make me happy when I watch them, which is what makes them special to me. What are some of your favorites?

Chuck Palahniuk Swap: Part 2

I received the most awesome crafts from my swap partner for the Chuck Palahniuk Swap. She was so inventive and creative and really blew my mind! I love everything-- so on to the loot!

A Shannon doll from the book "Invisible Monsters." She is the main character and wears a veil because the bottom half of her jaw is missing. This is my favorite book and was glad that she crafted something from that book for me!! She also has a secret.....

When you remove the veil she turns in to Brandy Alexander another character from the book. Just look at the embroidered facial details! Such a fantastic job!

She even included some pills that Brandy takes---for all my estrogen needs. (They were really Tic Tacs ;))

An altered book with a surprise inside......
hee hee little stuffed penis complete with veins. Could represent so many of his books really. Too funny.

A sex addicts journal from the book "Choke." This is absolutely hilarious. It has pages about how to tell if you are a sex addict, the 12 steps to recovery etc. I jus rolled on the floor laughing.

How to Tell if you're an addict page.

Some of the steps page.

A Marla Singer frame. She is one of my and my partner's favorite characters. The frame has quotes by and about Marla around the frame and an image of Marla from the Fight Club movie.

A Marla doll that I absolutely adore. She's wearing a prom dress and even has cigarette. I can't even describe how much I love this.

So another successful swap. I'm so glad that I've had really cool and inventive partners. I have been so lucky.

Phew!

I have been uber-busy lately. Lots of craftin' going on. I have been working on my stuff for the 12 Days of Christmas Swap and have only 2 weeks left to craft before sendouts. I'm a little stressed but looking forward to finishing everything and seeing what MissDisney makes for me!

On another note: A radio station here started playing Christmas music. So I guess it begun and this year I'm actually ready!