Prezzies!

I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely Christmas. Here are some of my favorite prezzies of the day, courtesy of my sister. First up, this fab, oversized and much needed pin cushion, with vintage fabric on one side and cream colored corduroy on the other, by Etsy seller Blue Hair Knits.

Second, an adorable birdlike creature by Jellycat, which my sister bought my little girl during a stopover in Paris on her awesome Hungary trip last month. Ooh la la! (You can also find Jellycat plushies at Monkey Bean Toys online).

Last but not least, an item that encompasses two of my all-time favorite things: gummi candy and Smurfs. There is no way I am eating them. Despite my sister's reassurances that we can have more sent in from Hungary. (UPDATE!!!! You can order a whole tub of these babies from German Deli online).

And To All A Good Night

Most things didn't get done or didn't get done the way I wanted them to, but that's okay. All that matters is remembering why we celebrate Christmas in the first place and being with our families. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Texas Christmas Cuteness

Look how our neighbors decorated the two giant cacti at the end of their driveway! So cute!

More Giftwrap Ideas

Better Homes and Garden (yes, them again...I just subscribed) has some really pretty gift wrapping ideas on their website. Here's the link.

I Heart Paper Crave

I really, really heart her! First, she created these awesome FREE to download gift tags (are you noticing my obsession??? I might start randomly applying tags to things all year long....). Second, her beautiful blog has not only a directory of tons of FREE downloadable tags on other sites, but if you scroll down to previous posts, she also has some others, including from the adorable Black Apple. Why is she so awesome? Yay for us. P.S. Yes, this is my third post in the last 12 hours. I'm having a little trouble staying focused on what I should be doing! What can I say -- it's Christmastime!

More Stocking Ideas

I know we are getting down to the wire on Christmas decorating (woo hoo, only six sleeps till Santa), but I love the awesome stocking ideas I received via email from Better Homes and Gardens (I love them now, does this mean I'm an old lady?!). Here's the link for you to check them out for yourself. Some have patterns included. P.S. I want to make a wreath like that, with the fabric sash...have any ideas on where I can learn how?

Sublime (And Free!) Gift Tags

Ah, the lovely Jenny Hart. So talented and beautiful. And generous! Woot! Over at her Sublime Stitching blog, you can download free gift tags and a pattern to make your own hand-stitched gift tags. Adorable.

Simple "Quilted" Christmas Stocking

So, in the aforementioned Better Homes and Garden issue, they showed some beautiful white matelasse stockings. I decided to get some matelasse pillow shams at TJ Maxx and turn them in to stockings, but alas, the closest they had were these quilted shams for $12.99 each. Close enough.

I love how the stocking turned out! All I did was: (1) cut off the muslin back part of the sham (cheesy thing wasn't quilted all the way around); (2) trace around another stocking onto the wrong side of the sham, leaving a .5 inch seam allowance; (3) fold over and cut out two stockings; (4) make a small tube with left over fabric to use as the loop for hanging; and (5) sew right sides together and then turn right side out. The whole process took less than an hour, and that was interrupted several times. I'm going to make another one tomorrow, and I'll try to get a better photo than this one.

Delightful (FREE) Gift Tags

I don't think I've looked at Better Homes and Gardens in years -- until this weekend. The December issue had some excellent Christmas ideas for decorating, gift-giving, etc. AND my favorite: free downloadable gift tags on their website. You have to register to get the downloads, but I just printed them, and they are adorable.

A Dress By Belle And Boo

As you may know, Belle and Boo is one of my favorite artists on Etsy, and I've featured their "Tree Hugger" print at least a couple of times. Well now they've teamed with an Australian clothing designer to create this adorable dress. Oh how incredibly cute!!! $58.

Flights Of Fancy

Turning my thoughts away from Christmas for the just the briefest of moments, I wanted to comment on how much I like Paula Prass's Flights of Fancy collection for Michael Miller fabrics. It has shapes (pebbles, quatrefoil) and colors (lime, orange) that I love. It would be perfect for home accents. You can get the entire collection at J. Caroline Creative, AND through December 20, shipping is a flat $5.

Stop The Insanity!!!

Breathe. Deeply. Have you ever received a catalog in the mail or gone into a store and said, "I want EVERYTHING in here?!" Well that was the case for me when I received the Back to Basics Toys catalog. How had I never heard of this before?! The sad part is that about half the stuff I want for my child, and half the stuff I want to play with myself. Here are just some of the MANY items I love from that store. You can get 15% off your entire order through December 12 with the coupon code RETMEN15. Happy shopping.

PS -- To any relatives who are reading, I already ordered a few of these items, so please check with me first if you are so sweet as to consider doing any Christmas shopping for the little one.

Wooden tools puzzle.

Wooden tool bench.
Tonka garbage truck with lights and sounds.
Tonka fire engine with lights and sounds.

Wooden see and spell puzzle.
Pink baby grand piano.

Rhythm instrument set.

Moon shoes (yep, this is one of the things I want for me).

Mandala drawing machine.

Kawasaki music table.

Jump-o-lene.

John Deere front-end loader.

Pink bouncing horse (sturdier than the ball ones with the handle on top). Also comes in blue.

Yes, an at-home zip line. Oh how I wish we could run this from our roof to a nearby tree!

Fashion designer kits (just like Fashion Plates from the 80's).

Wooden construction site.

Activity cube. Like the ones in waiting rooms, but without all the germs.

Stock Photo Does No Justice

Well, I took my baby Christmas shopping yesterday. Guess what I bought? That's right, a handbag for Mama. It's the Tulah Ray split satchel bag, 50% off at Nordstrom. This stock photo from their website does the bag no justice. First of all, it looks better zipped. Second, the color I got is a dark greenish blackish, which is awesome. Third, I like it with the shoulder strap detached. Fourth, it looks like a $1500 bag. It is that awesome. I am in love with this bag. I'll try to post a picture of mine later. They still have some online.....just saying.

Cowboy Christmas

Can you imagine having a brand new baby right at Christmas!? Well, a friend of a friend did just that, and I was asked me to make a West Texas themed onesie for the little fellow. Here it is. Fabric is Flea Market Fancy (green); Katie Jump Rope (brown); and random Hancock's (gray). It turned out quite cute, and the photography doesn't do it justice (I NEED to build a light box).