New Year is Almost Here!

With the new year closing in on us so quickly, I've been pondering what I want to do that is NEW! Not new years resolutions, per say, but just how I want to live life differently. My hubby has a list of things he's planning i.e. exercise to lose some weight, put more time into his job hunting project, start a new line of curriculum, etc. For me, I just want to eat better, more healthy. I have been conscience of my choices for some time, but I can do better--that's just tweeking the old.

To find the NEW part, I've turned my crafting! I've started a new line of jewelry for my design shop. Although I will be using some of my existing bead stock, I'm purchasing some new natural stones, lampwork beads, and some beautiful new clasps! I'm excited about what the results will be! Here's one of the first designs: (You know me, I'm partial to PINK!)

For my handcrafts shop, I have decided to perfect my old cozy design, create a knitting needle carrier, and, thanks to my daughter's idea, design a new toy especially for boys. Of course, all will be previewed here and in my Etsy shops!!

Christmas Week - Part 3

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nick would soon be there. It's Christmas Eve and he'll be here soon enough!

The five stockings are in the living room for my daughter's family and the other two are my husband's and mine, in our "studio apartment". The angel tea light bell chime is a tradition that I brought from my aunt. I loved it as a child and still love the tinkling sounds that it makes. We'll light it on Christmas Eve evening, late. I love candle light for Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas - Part 2

Ornaments on the family tree in the living room, and my pencil tree in

"my studio apartment" family room living space on the wood burning stove heart.

Have a wonderful holiday season everyone! Remember the reason for the season!

Christmas Week! - Part 1

It's the week of Christmas and things are bustling and busy. Cookies and pies to make, candle light services to attend, family to see. So I thought I would give you a glimpse of my Christmas thru the decorations at our house--a little each day til Christmas. This is just may way of wishing you a joyous, blessed Christmas season! And many thanks for reading my blog.

This one is my granddaughter's gingerbread house.

Blessings,

Linda

Wordless Wednesday - Tis the Season!

Oh hum to Snow to Cheer!

Christmas season . . . hmmm . . . It doesn't feel like it! We've been watching Christmas movies on the TV, some hokey and some pretty good. but I still don't feel like it's Christmas!

I think I need some snow! So I went looking in Etsy for some inspiration! It seems to lead to Christmas cheer! Here's what I found:

Twin Creek in the Snow

4excavations

Chickadee in Snow

NatureMandalas

Surprise Package

VickieWadeFineArt

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Christmas Shopping?

This year, with the economy the way it is, with many of us out of work, living with relatives, or on reduced incomes with only one spouse working, Christmas Shopping will be different this year.

Shopping? How about the local chain drug store? They have most everything, usually at cheaper prices. I love the commercial that shows Christmas carolers singing in the mall, singing about not shopping in the mall! It cracks me up!

Shopping? How about something homemade? I made a little dolly blanket and pillow out of scraps of fleece for my granddaughter.

Shopping? How about a coupon for a future dinner out, or a promised chore done? Put it in a little bag that you hand decorate, like the one here that I painted.

Shopping? How about framing a written poem, or letter written to the one you love? It will become a cherished gift! I know, we did it for our children one year when we were broke.

As long as we enjoy and honor one another, it will be a happy Christmas!

End of My Craft Show Season

Recently I did three craft shows/bazaars! Three in two weeks! Well, needless to say, I was exhausted! . . . . . and . . . . . I have recovered with some rest. I won't go into a major recap--I already did a critique of the first show in a previous post.

http://pruitthandcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/11/bazaar-critique.html

(That post had a comment from someone wanting to see the booth.)

My daughter, Suzanne, had the booth right next to me; she sells vintage style aprons on Etsy.

http://herapronstringsshop.etsy.com/

I did enjoy meeting new folks, both vendors and customers. Well, season's over, so on to the big Holiday sale in my Etsy shop . . . . . . .

The Fab Miss B

Do you love the Goodwill shops? Thrift shops? Second-Hand stores? Then you will love this Etsy seller, who also loves to "ransack thrift shops"--by her own admission! She also loves to travel, write, paint, bake, read, drink champagne and make beautiful things to use and enjoy. And make Beautiful things she does!

Meet Miss B in her own words: "Bonjour! I'm Becky and I'm so happy to meet you.My funny last name “Kazana” is a Swahili word which means “to make a home”. My husband and I fell in love with this philosophy during our travels in Africa, and decided to adopt Kazana as our last name. It reminds us that our home is not a physical place, but our life together.In the last three years, our travels have taken us through Africa, Europe, China, and all over the United States. We have recently moved to The Big Island in Hawaii where we are enjoying the endless summer denied us growing up in Minnesota!"

She has two etsy shops: thefabmissb's shop and beckykazana's shop. Enjoy the sampling of her work, a few of my favs since I love to sew!

Holiday Banner HOW-TO

Make yourself a holiday banner like mine! See my previous tutorial about Paper Bag Art for the basics! http://pruitthandcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/03/spring-break-with-paper-bag-art.html

Although this was a Spring theme, it can be adapted to make a Christmas banner. Mine uses a Christmas fabric, that I cut up. I put them on the bags and added comments with puffy paint. Then I hot glued them to seam binding, tied a loop in each end of the seam binding and hung it from the finials on my curtain! Now I'm festive! You can be too! Try it! If you don't have the time, I have one available in my shop! And it is on sale!

Super Simple Christmas Recipe!

Here's a simple Christmas Recipe that will make your table look festive and it is SUPER simple to make! We all need a simple recipe when cooking for a large holiday crew! I really love this recipe and found it years ago--who knows where? I have used it year after year to add color to my table; and as another option for using cranberry sauce. Sorry I don't have a picture.

Cranberry Pears

Canned pear halves
Canned cranberry sauce
*optional: cinnamon & mint sprigs


You will need a flat casserole pan, either 8 inches square or a larger rectangular one. Put a layer of canned pear halves in the pan with the cored side up. [one half makes a nice single serving size. You can gauge the number of pear halves (& pan size) you will need by your guest list.] Then take a can of whole berry cranberry sauce and pour it over the pears. Continue with pears and sauce as desired. Pop in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes (or under a broiler for a shorter time), or until the pears are heated and the sauce bubbles just a bit. Do not over cook--this is just a heating process.

Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired, and add mint sprigs for a touch of green. Add a large spoon and serve in the casserole dish. Enjoy!