A Passion for Scrapbooking, Decorating and Shopping

K-Cups...

Fall is the time of year where I resume drinking hot beverages to warm me up.  I visit Starbucks more often and I dust-off my Keurig and break out the K-Cups.

My current favorites are Green Mountain's Hazelnut and Timothy's German Chocolate Cake as well as many other teas, hot chocolate and coffees.

I love coffee and tea but admittedly, I do not typically drink it unless I need the warmth.

All summer I skipped coffee, but when Starbucks began offering their Pumpkin Spice Lattes renewed my love for flavored coffee. 

Fall is a great time to re-introduce warm beverages.  And if you do not own a Keurig, I highly recommend putting it on your gift and/or wish list.

To all coffee drinkers, I raise my mug of Pumpkin Spice to you and toast to another wonderful Fall season.

Cheers!

My materialistic ways...

I love to peruse magazines and I love to peruse the internet.  And as of late, I've discovered a number of items I had not seen before.

Like this pink 22" LCD TV by Haier (discovered in the latest issue of House Beautiful magazine).  I do have the perfect spot for it in my craft room but priorities take precedent over this TV, like purchasing mulch and fertilizer.  Yes, it's that time of year we must prepare our yard for winter.

Also in the same magazine was this Egg Separator.  I'm thinking this will make a great stocking stuffer for my guy who loves to cook.

I am definitely plotting and planning for the holidays.  Having discovered the 'Christmas List' app on iTunes for iPhone has made gift-giving much more organized and fun.

Today, I learned of a new website offering unique artwork called Sugarboo Designs.  With a combination of quotes, phrases and the ability to incorporate a picture into one of their infamous frames is such a lovely way to express yourself and decorate your walls.

I am IN LOVE with this French Directoire Bookcase from Wisteria.  As I always tell my guy, please do not get me jewelry for our anniversary or my birthday.  Rather, you can gift me furniture instead.  I'm a sucker for upholstery and casegoods. 

There you have it.  A few items to tantalize you with. Inspire you with. Delight you with.  And shop with. 

Treasured Timepiece...

Tejae Floyde exposed us to the wonders of polymer clay at Inspired.  And in her class, we created a decorative timepiece that I adore in many ways.

This was new territory for me and it was quite gratifying rolling the clay into various shapes and stamping the clay with images before baking.  I then dabbed acrylic paint onto the stamped images and wiped some of the paint off so the color would fall into the crevices of the images.

As I was working on this project I was constantly thinking to myself how much my nieces would enjoy making jewelry with polymer clay.  I'm envisioning polymer clay supplies as a Christmas gift in their future.  Then we can play together.

That's how I would describe Inspired...us gals playing together.

Keurig Lovers Unite...

For nearly 6 months now, I have been bonding with my Keurig machine making coffee, tea, hot cocoa or just plain hot water instantaneously. 

I'm the only coffee drinker in our household so the machine is very fitting for me and my lifestyle.  Before I leave for work, I brew a cup to go.  At bedtime, brewing a cup of Sleepytime tea is quite soothing.  And during the cold winter months, my guy enjoys a cup of hot cocoa. 

If you are not familiar with the Keurig, you simply add water to the side container and pop in a k-cup of your favorite brew, tea or hot cocoa.

Select the size of brew you'd like (small, medium or large cup) and it starts pouring into your cup.

And once you become obsessed with this machine, you begin to collect a variety of k-cups.  And you can purchase a reusable coffee filter to use your own grounds.

I would have shared a photo of the boxes of k-cups that I've collected into one of our kitchen cabinets, but my Canon 20D decided to quit working in the midst of this photo shoot.  Gosh, I hope it's not serious. 

Anyway, if you are looking for a practical Mother's Day or Father's Day gift, may I recommend this machine to you.  And there are several types of machines to consider.

If you think this would be the ideal appliance for your kitchen, why not gift one to yourself. 

I raise my cup of Green Mountain's Limited Edition French Toast coffee (my favorite) in a toast to the Keurig and those who appreciate a good cup of Joe.

Celebrating the "you" in your life...

 

Sometimes it's not that easy finding a gift that represents how much you care for a person or persons.  And between me and my guy, we try not to make a big fuss over Valentine's Day aside from making sure we spend time together enjoying each others company. 

As Saturday is fast approaching, and if you find yourself attempting to seek the appropriate gift for your loved ones, I've come across a few sites that may help spark a gift idea or two.

I've categorized them under 3 types of passion:

I like you...

• Tea conveys friendliness and is nurturing.  Try Numi Organic Tea (it's a staple in my gift closet).
• A Valentine e-card, like from American Greetings, can express friendship in a convenient yet thoughtful way.
• Starbucks Coffee is always a fail-safe way to express appreciation to someone you care for.

I adore you...

• With SpaLook, you could order some great spa products and give your guy a facial.
• Candy Warehouse can help sugar your way into one's heart.
• Just Flowers offers a quality selection of bouquets and are quick with delivery (I can attest to this personally).
• A touching and adorable gift is Willow Tree's With Love figurine, especially if you are not quite ready to say "I Love You" yet.

I love you...

• Lush Bath Bombs are incredibly scentiful and provide wonderful aromatherapy while you soak.
• Thomas Pink offers the most classic and tailored shirts for men & women. And you may wonder why I would suggest a crisp shirt as a Valentine's gift?  Just think Tom Cruise in Risky Business.
• Become Pillow Partners and gift each other with pillows from Pacific Coast Feather Company.  And place a box of chocolates on the pillow.
• If you and your love interest live apart, purchase a map and highlight the path between each others homes.  And write something romantic on the map.  Or if you are planning a rendezvous, highlight the route from home to the meeting spot.  Make it intriguing.
• If you are madly passionate about your loved one, check out Agent Provocateur. 

May you find these ideas helpful and inspiring.  And if they were not, I hope you at least find them entertaining.

Also, if you are in a pinch for a meal for V-Day, try Papa John's heart-shaped pizza.  It was our Valentine meal last year (see above photo).

Happy celebrating!

Last minute...

Are you knee-deep in gift wrap, tape and ribbon?  I have such a hard time keeping up with gift-wrapping tasks because I usually wait till the last minute and try to do it all at once. 

One of my last minute tasks included a trip to the shopping mall at 7am this morning to exchange a damaged gift.  It was pure bliss having Pottery Barn practically all to myself at that time of the morning.  And there are some fringe benefits to shopping on Christmas Eve because the sales have already begun. 

We still have cupcakes to bake, chocolate covered peanut butter balls to make and gathering up gifts to deliver to our families tomorrow. 

Tonight, we'll share our beverage of choice (hot chocolate sounds good right now) and sit in front of the fire enjoying our moments together and reminiscing about Christmases of past. 

If you are interested in a recipe for hot chocolate, I found one online here.  Filling a jar with this concoction could make a presentable gift for family, friends and neighbors.

Perhaps we'll even drive around our neighborhood and view all the holiday splendor that adorns each home.

And I 'd like to make time to hop on the treadmill today because we have 2 feasts to partake in tomorrow.  I can imagine my guy commenting to me that utilizing the treadmill for one day will not make a bit of difference to my waistline unless I am consistent about it.  He's onto me.

And he's right, but it helps my conscience and I need to do whatever I can to help me and my conscience sleep better at night.

So I will sleep well and dream of svelte waistlines and Dad's Egg's Benedict at breakfast tomorrow morning.

Sweet dreams, friends!

Gift in a jar...

It's Christmas morning and you realize that you forgot to get Uncle Bob, who is joining the family for dinner that day, a gift.  If you are like many of us, you feel the need to have something on hand for Uncle Bob to open because you do not want him to feel left out.

But on Christmas morning, the only retailer open is 7-Eleven. 

So the shopper-in-me wanted to take on this challenge in finding something appropriate for gift-giving from 7-Eleven. 

I discovered gift cards from various retailers & restaurants, including Lowe's & Applebees.  Our local 7-Eleven carries Korbel Champagne which makes for a nice celebratory gift.  They also carry NFL merchandise with our store carrying various Redskins goodies such as ornaments, pens, bottle openers and so forth. 

My purchases included Lottery holiday-themed scratch & win tickets and candy. 

Now the crafter-in-me wanted to be a little creative in the presentation, and this is what I came up with:

I took a mason jar and filled it with crumbled red tissue, scratch & win tickets around the perimeter and candy filled the middle.

I then added red cardstock to the top and added green velvet ribbon around the lid. 

If there is a gas station open in your area on Christmas day, gas gift cards are ideal, particularly for teens with a driver's license. 

And sometimes there are shops open at the airport, should you find yourself traveling or picking-up loved ones on Christmas day. 

Movie theaters are also open too. 

My advice is to make the best of every situation.  The effort you put behind the gift is what is appreciated most.

He's a little outdoorsy, that's all...

And if he is 'outdoorsy', maybe he'll like this:

Looking for daylite?



What's in your pocket?

I love your tackle box.  Can I borrow it for scrapbooking storage?


There's nothing wrong with being 'outdoorsy' as long as I don't have to go along. 

The clock is ticking...

I heard on the news today that it is one of the busiest days for the mail industry.  And it is the deadline for most retailers who offer shipping to receive packages by Christmas.  For some of us, this news can be alarming as it just occured that we are running out of time.

The good news is that many retailers are offering free shipping today.  So it was a good reason for me to place an order with Pottery Barn this morning for a last minute gift for a family member.  And Target came to my rescue today too with their offering of free shipping.

Nordstrom is my next stop for online shopping today. I'd like to get my mom some snow boots and who better than Nordstrom who has the selection of shoes that can make any shoe-obssessed-gal proud.

If you have last minute shopping to do, today is the day to do it.  Gift cards always come to our rescue for last minute gifts as they are readily available just about anywhere you go.  E-gift cards are even better.  And in the past, I have relied on Amazon.com for e-gift cards as they have a vast selection of items to please any gift recipient.

You also have the option to do some electronic gift-giving.  And what I mean by that is you can buy stock (I realize the economy is not good right now but there are bargains to be had), even a portion of a share from Sharebuilder.com.  It is a fabulous way to build up your stock portfolio.  Just open an account for your loved one, print the statement with the initial investment, wrap it up and place it under the tree.

For someone that insists that you not get them anything for Christmas, you can consider making a donation to your favorite or their favorite charity on their behalf.

I hope you are finding these suggestions somewhat helpful.  The marathon continues with a no-bake recipe and shopping for gifts where you'd least expect it.  There's more to come, including photos which have been absent from this site for some time now.

Etsy & Big Picture...

Shopping and browsing all the goods available on Etsy is a favorite pastime of mine.  Therefore, it is only appropriate that I share some gift ideas from talented crafters. 

Starting with Creative Thursday offering artwork that is suitable for adults and children.  And this print is currently my favorite.

AW Style Studio is all about handmade jewelry.  I do admire the hammered style and that is why I love this necklace.

Watercolors by Mary Ellen Golden is one of my favorite artists.  I own a couple prints that hang prominently in our powder room.

Say It With Letters offers all sorts of wooden shapes and letters.  I used one of their fancy schmancy letters as a design element for my sister's bridal shower last year. 

Claudine Hellmuth is a collage artist whose prints and original artwork provide a whimsical side to life. 

You can find more whimsical artwork at LadyBird Land by Allison Strine.  I made my first purchase just the other day and can't wait to receive my first piece.

If you admire fabric by Amy Butler and Heather Bailey, you will like Silly Jilly Boutique.  Her store includes camera straps and hats.

For the 2nd half of today's entry, I'd like reiterate that there are some great classes at Big Picture Scrapbooking in 2009.  Two classes I took this year are available again early next year - Library of Memories and Get Organized, Be Inspired.  I HIGHLY recommend both classes.

And I signed up for A Life Well Crafted that will begin very soon. 

There is also Elizabeth Dillow's Red Letter Days and May Flaum's Scrapbooking in Season. 

If the gift-giver is not sure which class to sign-up the recipient for, you can rely on gift certificates that are now available at Big Picture Scrapbooking.

The gift of creativity and learning new things is a valuable deed for the soul.  And as for Etsy, there's nothing like a handmade gift, even if it is made by someone else.

In my next entry, I will include last minute gift ideas as Christmas is, believe it or not, next week. Oh my!

More gift-giving ideas...

We've got a marathon of gift ideas going on here where I am continuing to share them by interest:

Travel Well
Paris Double Handle Cosmetic Case and Roller Duffle bag by Room It Up are a chic way to travel.  And a Dual Access Rolling Computer Case is convenient when traveling by air as it has a separate compartment for your laptop (which you can easily access and remove when you go through security) and one for your clothing.

There is also a Wheeled Underseat Tote that fits underneath a seat of an airplane.  This appeals to me because I do not like lifting bags. 

A masculine Passport Case makes for a nice gift for the international traveler.

Scrapbooker
A pair of Scrapbooking Girl socks would make a great stocking filler.  And Copic's Spica Glitter pen set are delightful pens that add just a touch of sparkle to your cards and layouts.  They are my current favorite.

Dymo's Caption Maker (pink) is a wonderful label maker with tape in a variety of colors.

Sports Fan
A do-it-yourselfer as well as sports fan would appreciate a Baseball & Football Hammer.  Perhaps a NFL jersey?

Cosmetics
Bare Escentuals is a favorite among my friends as well as myself.  And their Ruby Collection ia gift set worthy of gift-giving.  For a stocking stuffer, John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Hair Spray is a favorite.  It's hard to find locally, so AmericaRX.com has helped keep my medicine cabinet well stocked.

Sentimental
A nativity by Willow Tree is one I can personally recommend.  It brings serenity and can become an heirloom for future generations to enjoy.  Also, a crystal ornament from Waterford is a nice family gift and keepsake.

While shopping for gifts, whether it's online or at the mall, I like spoiling myself with a Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks.  It slows me down, believe it or not, as I sip and savor a few minutes of solitude.

I hope you too take the time to do something for yourself during this busy time of year as we prepare for the holidays with our family and friends.

And I promise to provide more ideas as I continue to finish my own holiday shopping.

Gifts for passionate people...

Today's gift-giving ideas are for those who are passionate about something, like:

Astronomy
Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium can locate and identify up to 6,000 stars, planets & constellations with GPS technology.  There is someone in our household who would love a toy like this.

Fly Fishing
Black Walnut Wheatley Fly Box is crafted mostly by hand and a special gift for a fly fisherman.

Handbags
Any gal who likes to coordinate her outfits down to her handbag would appreciate a Pouchee Purse Organizer.  I know someone who just received one as a gift and loved the quality of material and all the compartments.  They are also available in pink.

Cooking
All-Clad 2-pc. Nonstick LTD Panini Pan with Press is a favorite in our household.  And Giada de Laurentiis 17-oz. 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be a treat for a chef who appreciates fine olive oils.  It's the ideal stocking stuffer too. 

Baking
Barefoot Contessa Pantry at Stonewall Kitchen.com contains the perfect ingredients for wonderfully baked goods.  And good baking dishes are essential too, so check-out the Spode 15.5x11-in. Baking Days Baking Dish, Red.  It's red with white polka dots which evokes a festive look without screaming "holidays" so it can be used year-round.

Sleep
If your passion is sleeping, then pillows play an important part. Woolrich Flannel Sheets are our favorite for cold winter nights.

Papercrafting
There's nothing a papercrafter likes more than tools.  Zutter's Bind-it All and tool accessory kit can help any papercrafter create books in all shapes and sizes. The Provo Craft Cricut Jukebox and Cricut Essentials Kit are both excellent accessories for the infamous die-cutting machine.

Single Malt Scotch Aficionado
The "Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch" is a handy reference guide for those who appreciate good scotch.  And Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whiskey Glasses, Set of 2 is the perfect accompaniment to the book.

Wine Aficionado
Great wine like the Award Winner Pack from My Wines Direct is wonderful for someone who appreciates wine.  And Wine.com shares their popular red wines, providing some nice options for your consideration.  The Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator is a contraption any red wine-drinker will appreciate to help speed-up the breathing process.

Coffee & Tea
I have learned from my friends that the Keurig B70 Gourmet Single-Cup Home Brewing System brews coffee very quickly and is quite convenient.  Not only does it brew coffee using k-cups with a variety of brands, including Coffee People K-Cup Obama Blend, but you can brew your own coffee grinds using a Keurig My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter.  There are also teas & hot chocolate available in k-cups for your drinking pleasure.

Photography
An appreciation for photo-taking can take you down an expensive path of toys.  I have though received great recommendations for items that are reasonably priced.  A Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens has a multitude of great reviews listed on Amazon.com.  And friends that own this lens rave about the quality for the price.

The Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Pink) with Selphy CP760 Photo Printer (Pink) is an adorable set that includes the pocket camera as well as a mini photo printer.  I keep this camera in my handbag at all times now as I do not want to miss any photo opportunities in attempt to capture everyday life digitally.

As ideas continue to pop into my head, I will gladly share them here.  I've also got some favorites from Etsy, so please stay tuned.

The Ladies...

Today, I continue with gift ideas for the ladies. Whether it's for your grandma, mom, sister, spouse, daughter, friend, or for yourself, hopefully you will find the ideas inspiring at the very least.

I selected the Heidi Klum Sterling Domed Clover Pendant w/Chain from Mondera because the hammered look is a design element I admire.  It looks good on anyone.

The Brighton Frame Collection Set of 3 is such a classic gift.  And if you have pictures to include in the frames, even better.

A Pink Billiard Cue stick is a feminine way to express yourself while challenging your spouse to a game a pool. 

How about a Garmin nuvi 250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator in Pink?  I know someone who owns this little piece of pink technology and it seems to work quite well.  Plus the fact that it looks so cute on your dashboard.

Let's continue to keep these gift ideas colorful and suggest a Apple iPod nano 8 GB Purple (4th Generation).  Load it up with the gift recipien's favorite tunes so they can enjoy their iPod immediately.

Fragrances from Jo Malone makes for a wonderful gift.  The packaging itself is so classy there is no need to giftwrap it.  

A make-up organizer / case from Pottery Barn could be the answer to many females who own everything and anything when it comes to cosmetics.  This organizer is the ideal piece to keep it all in one place.

A Nordstrom gift card, perfect for everyone on your list.  She could apply it toward a nice handbag, sweater, cosmetics or a fabulous pair of shoes. 

I have more to share on gifts for those who like anything to do with food and/or cooking as well as ideas for papercrafters. 

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.

The Gents...

Are you nearly finished with your holiday tasks?  If I allow myself to complete everything by December 11 of each year, I wouldn't know what to do with myself between now and December 25.  I like the idea of having a to do list.  It gives me a mission.  Just do not overdo it.  Because when that happens, I get overwhelmed. 

I've got a few gift ideas dancing in my head for gentlemen.  And if you've got one or two or more gentlemen in your life and need an idea or two, I've listed a few below.

Scene It? Seinfeld is a game well-suited for anyone who enjoyed the series and currently views their re-runs.  Truthfully, I think I've seen just about every episode.  And to this day, I hear individuals quoting from the show all the time.  Have you ever used yada, yada, yada in a sentence? 

AAA 73 Piece Adventurer Road Assistance Kit is something we all need.  Recently I found myself without jumper cables and my battery was dead.  This kit is definitely on the practical side of gift-giving.

The Ultimate Popcorn Bowl and Six-Pack Sampler from Dale & Thomas Popcorn is a delectable snack during football season.  I just read in a magazine recently how popcorn is a better snack option than potato chips, including baked chips. 

Cutter & Buck Brighton Men's Milan Woven Leather Belt Brown - a classic and sturdy belt by the one-and-only Brighton. 

Digital Photo Album Watch available from Orvis.  You can store up to 60 digital images and it is Mac & PC compatible. 

Craftsman NEXTEC™ 12 Volt Lithium-Ion Hammerhead Auto Hammer can help drive nails quickly with very little effort on your part. 

Garmin nüvi 205W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator if he doesn't have one already, I believe any driver can benefit from this tool.  It's amazing the confidence you gain by having one at your disposal.  I do not like driving into the city but with a navigator I'm ready to take on any big city.

Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation) is the next best thing to an iPhone.  And you don't have to pay any monthly fees as you can tap into your home wireless network or anywhere that offers free wi-fi, like Panera Bread.

And when in doubt, rely on gift certificates.  And the nicest thing about GiftCertificates.com is that they come to you.

I have more gift ideas to share in the days ahead. 

Artisan 700 printer by Epson...

I find it challenging to keep up with technology, but I try.  And it takes time, patience and trial & error when I begin using something new.  Today's "something new" is an Epson Artisan 700 photo printer.  I received one several weeks ago from the folks at Epson who are kind enough to take interest in my feedback on their printer.

The first thing I did was take it to a crop for my friends to try.  Ensuring all the settings are to our liking, including the saturation level (with thanks to my friend, Denise), we printed vibrant photos to our heart's content. 

My friends brought photos files on USB sticks and compact flash cards and found it very easy to print straight from the printer.  You can make adjustments, including cropping photos directly from the printer's menu. 

The features that appeal to me are it's ability to print from other PCs, laptops, Macs via wi-fi hook-up (I haven't tried this yet), the dual paper tray...

I love how you can place 4x6 or 5x7 photo paper on the top half of the tray and copy paper or 8x10 photo paper on the bottom half of the tray.

You can also print directly onto CDs and DVDs.  Think of the possibilities....you could make CDs of holiday music from your MP3 collection and print holiday images onto the CDs as gifts. 

There are 6 Claria Hi-Definition ink cartridges utilized by the Artisan 700. 

Scanning is easy too.

The printer itself is not bulky and easily sits on a shelf, or in my case, an end table.  The front panel adjusts for your viewing pleasure.  These days it's all about ergonomics, right!?

 

There are many more features to this printer I've yet to utilize (read more about those features here) but I wanted to share my experience thus far because it would make a practical and useful holiday gift for the family. 

In fact my friend, Amy liked the printer enough to purchase the Artisan 800 for herself, which includes a fax and document feeder.

The Epson Artisan 700 will get no rest in my home.  Having learned a thing or two in Photoshop recently has given me added incentive to print more photos at home.

 

And I may take my own advice and make some holiday CDs.  There are photo ornaments to make too. 

It is going to be a colorful photo-filled Christmas in our home this season, with thanks to Epson.

Gift ideas: Artwork & Calendars...

When I last wrote about Kimberly Applegate and her artwork, I mentioned that I made some purchases myself.  The artwork has been framed for sometime now.

They've been leaning against a wall in our bedroom because we have not moved forward on our wall color selection.  My fear of color commitment is preventing progress but that is a story for another day.

I am very excited though about these pieces and know they will complement our room very elegantly when it's complete.

And in the wet bar area of our basement...

I decided we needed something whimsical and bar-appropriate.

It's the foil & wire from the top of a champagne bottle made to look like a chair.  I love this piece for it's uniqueness and imagination.  Very clever of Ms. Applegate and her creativity to create such a whimsical piece of art.

As I shared in the Art & Photography section of this site, it's the architectural muscle and style of chairs that truly represent my passion for interior design.  And I find her artwork to be the ideal gift for almost anyone who admires design in any shape or form. 

There are some pieces that represent a moment, such as a favorite chair with a pile of books nearby that would appeal to a book reader's typical setting. 

And with all the fuss I've made over calendars lately, I also learned that Joie de Vivre is offering her version for 2009 featuring her artwork (there are 3 versions).  It is the answer for my desire to have a home decor themed calendar as well as space to note small details. 

Both the calendars and artwork at Joie de Vivre make divine gifts for the holidays.  Keep an eye on eBay too for Ms. Applegate's original artwork. 

I hope you find these ideas helpful.

Joyeux Noël my friends.

Stockings & stuff...

Contents for a holiday stocking.  Sometimes it not so easy trying to find practical, affordable goods to fill one's stocking.  And in our childless home, we often ponder whether to carry-on this tradition.  At the last minute when Christmas nostalgia kicks-in, we decide to continue the tradition that began the year we were born. 

I present to you adult-filled ideas for the traditional Christmas stocking.

A battery-operated Sonic Travel Toothbrush.  Finally one that's easily transportable in your toiletry bag.  We are a fan of the Sonic Toothbrush in our household and even updated our model-type last year as a Christmas gift to each other.

Do you cry as you slice and chop an onion?  I do.  That is why I am intrigued by these onion goggles.  And the pink pair in particular.  A fashion statement can be made in your own kitchen.

Aluratek AIRJ01F USB Internet Radio Jukebox (Black) is something I just discovered on Amazon's website.  It gives you the ability to access more than 13,000 radio stations in over 300 countries around the world with no monthly fees using a USB stick.  And there is no software involved either.  I am very intrigued by this piece of technology.

Stanley 95-155 3-in-1 Tripod LED Flashlight can come in handy in those instances when your partner asks you to hold the flashlight while he looks at something. 

Holiday teas like Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride Holiday Tea by Celestial Seasonings is a stuffer that is bound to get lots of use during the cold winter months.  And it's something you can find at most grocery stores too.

Ballard Designs - 25th Anniversary Crown Tote is made of natural jute and has silkscreen images such as the crown, bee & Eiffel Tower.  I think they are quite classy.

Starbucks Holiday Coffee is another stuffer that can be put to use immediately.  If you get up as early as we do on Christmas morning, it should be the first thing that is opened if you need an aroma boost.

And don't forget the ever-reliable oranges, apples, lottery tickets and gift cards.  I've even found cash in my stocking in the past which always helps when you are in a last minute pinch.  If you are a crafter, there are many possibilities to make mini-albums, even cards to stuff homemade coupons making promises like watching his or her favorite movie with them (for me to make that promise, it means watching John Wayne movies). 

We haven't decided yet whether this will be the year we end this tradition in our household but I can pretty much guess that on December 24th, we'll scramble to do something.  That's what makes this holiday so fun.  It gives us an opportunity to be creative, which is always good for the soul.

Gift ideas: What to get mom...

It's the first of December.  Time for me to begin putting a dent in my gift-giving shopping list.  It is this time of year where my sister and I have the same discussion each year.  What do we get Mom for Christmas?

If you ask our mother, she will tell us that she does not need a thing.  We want to express our love and appreciation for our mother.  For all those moments when she'd help remind Santa that we wanted Barbie dolls, the Welcome Back Kotter board game, satin jackets and platform wedge sandals.

As a scrapbooker, I have begun working on a pictorial of the grandkids (my nieces and nephew) using a kit I purchased sometime ago from Creatologie by Carol Wingert. 

And I purchased a feminine and large duffle bag from Vera Bradley to encourage more travel for our mother to see me as well as my sister and the grandkids more often.

If you find yourself in the same predicament, trying to find the ideal gift for your mom, I've listed a few ideas below:

• A cashmere wrap from Nordstrom is perfect for this time of year.  I keep a knitted wrap at the office as I always have a chill.  
• Hot Flash Pajamas & Nightgown from Acacia.  I think my Mom would get a laugh out of this.  And it seems pretty practical too.
• Brighton Jewelry from Cutter & Buck is one way to treat your mom to a nice piece of silver jewelry, particularly if you need to ship it to her.
• Yoga for Beginners from Gaiam would actually make a nice gift for any female in your family who is interested in fitness that is not too fast paced like aerobics.
• A Rosemary Tree from Gardener's Supply Co. is perfect for the mom who likes to use fresh herbs when cooking.  This is an ideal hostess gift too.
• A Cross Pen in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness is a good deed kind of gift.
• Down Surround pillows by Pacific Coast Feather Company's Hotel Collection accompanied by a good book will set the mood for some R&R our mother's deserve.  Or if you can get your hands on an Amazon Kindle (they are on backorder), and if your budget allows it, would make for a fabulous gift for book-reading moms.
• A subscription to your mom's favorite magazine is a great way to "send" a gift.
• A Keurig Single-Cup Coffeemaker is a wonderful gift for not only coffee drinkers but for tea drinkers too.  

I hope this helps spark some gift ideas for our mom's.  And if you have any ideas you'd like to share with me, why I'd love to hear all about it. 

I will be sharing more gift ideas in the days ahead. 

We meet again...

Here we are, seeking bargains on this day in November that has long been a tradition to many shoppers.  And because I love a bargain too, I've compiled a list of sales that may be of interest.  They are in no particular order. 

Black Friday at Amazon.com

Free Shipping on any $99 purchase at macys.com!

Enter promo code: GOBBLE at checkout. Valid 25-Nov-2008 through 30-Nov-2008.

November 28th only get Free US Standard Shipping with

$25 purchase at Benefit Cosmetics.

Enter promo code BLAKSHIP

Free shipping with any online order of $100 or more.

Shop NORDSTROM

Black Friday Deals from Brookstone.

Shop National Geographic Store and save with Free Shipping and Handling on all orders $75 or more! - Enter code MR10052 at checkout

20% off + free shipping on orders over $100 at ExposuresOnline! Offer valid 11.24 - 12.1.08.

15% off + $.99 shipping on orders over $59 at Home Marketplace from 11.24 - 12.1.08!

$20 off $100 - New Buy.com Coupon! Limited Time. New Bill Me Later Customers Only. See site for details.

Sears Day After Thanksgiving All-Day Deals start 9pn Thurs 11/27 thru Fri 11/28 + Free Shipping over $49

Adobe Get $25 Off Photoshop Elements 7 - Use Coupon Code: adobe200825off

SAVE 15% on orders of $60+ at CurrentCatalog.com. Offer valid 11-27 -12-01-08

Better than Black Friday or Cyber Monday - 10 days of savings at drugstore.com! Offers end 12.03.2008.

Cheryl & Co. Save $5 on your Holiday order - Use Code MJ, expires 12.31.08!

Pacific Coast Feather Co White Sale - 20% Off Select Items

Sephora - For a limited time, we are offering FREE SHIPPING on these select items. Just enter code GIFTY at checkout!

Thanksgiving & Black Friday Triple Bonus! Free Gift + Bonus $$ OFF + FREE Shipping at Pfaltzgraff.com! Now thru 11/30.

Huge Holiday Sale at Calumet Photographic! 11.26.08 thru 12.01.08

Free Shipping on Orders of $40+ at Celebrate Express

5% off at Overstock.com! Valid 11.28.08 to 11.30.08 @ Midnight PM MST ONLY

Wine.com Black Friday ¿ 25% off any gift basket or wine gift set! Code: FRIDAY25

Two Day Special. Shop the Online Sale for Electronics and More at OfficeDepot.com Today! Offer Valid 11.28.08 & 11.29.08 only! Shop Now!

FREE SHIPPING  SITE WIDE - Casual Living

ONE WEEK ONLY: 15% off your order--give thanks for savings at dELiA*s! Use code THANK15. Hurry, offer ends 12.4.08.

Gaiam Save $15 off purchases of $60 or more. Use code AFSAV. Expires 12.15

Get $10 Off Orders Of $125 Or More + Free Shipping At RadioShack - Offer Runs 11.25 - 12.31

Save $20 off orders $100+ at SkyMall for Black FridayCyber Monday

Free Shipping off $75 or more at SmartBargains

EXP 12/31/08 Get $15 Off $100 shipments! Use coupon code C88966 at Cooking.com

If you care to join me this morning, I will be doing my holiday shopping online in my PJs and a cup of coffee by my side.  I've decided to skip the hustle and bustle of mall-shopping on the busiest shopping day of the year.

I did receive a coupon today from Pottery Barn that you must use at their retail locations.  It is certainly a motivator for me to face the malls during the weekend as it is not often you receive coupons from them.   So I intend to shop for a gift for our home to put under the Christmas tree. ;=)

I'm trying to keep things simple and stress-free this holiday weekend and so far it's going pretty well.  I hope you and your families are enjoying the quality time together.  It's such a special time of year.

At West End...

I'm having a field day with all the catalogs that have arrived into our mailbox lately.  Alow me to introduce to you what arrived last night:  At West End.

It features various works of art using metal and other recycled items.  And lucky me, I found the most delightful gift for good friends of ours who live in Texas.  I share this because I love it and the recipients do not read this site so it won't spoil the surprise.

They are in the midst of building a barn on their property so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered this piece of art representing Texas and for an affordable price.

Another favorite of mine is the recycled Paintbrush Coatrack.  How very unique.  Hanging this in an artist's studio or even a child's playroom would create a conversation piece in it's own rustic way.

And the rustic letters of the alphabet are a customary statement for one's studio and/or home.  I certainly can envision one of these letters in our home.

I hope you've enjoyed the wonderment that recycled art can bring. 

2009 Calendar...

The year has not ended yet but I've already begun searching for my '09 calendar.  In addition to the blotter calendar for our kitchen desk I recently purchased, I enjoy having a calendar hanging in my little haven. 

The last 2 years, I've enjoyed calendars from Ali Edwards and Donna Downey via Cafe' Press.  For 2009, I decided to go a different route but I am not sure which way I want to go.  I've spent quite a bit of time between Calendars.com and Amazon trying to find the ideal calendar. 

I'm torn between Better Homes & Gardens (they also have an adorable perpetual calendar that is great for tracking birthdays and special occasions as well as a wall calendar dedicated to Scrapbooking) and Jon Bon Jovi.  I know, the two calendars do not even belong in the same sentence.  It's between flower arrangements and rock 'n roll. 

As I continue to shop around and ponder such tough choices here, I thought I'd share these calendars as they are the type of gift that is useful to almost everyone. 

And if you are aware of any interior design-type calendars for 2009, please let me know.

Gift idea: Candy & Snack Dispenser

One of my father-in-law's favorite snacks is peanuts.  Whether they are cashews, pistachios, peanuts in a shell, peanuts without shells, mixed nuts, and so-on, it's pretty much a staple in his home. 

In the pile of catalogs we received this week, I came across Plow & Hearth's and flipped the page only to see the ideal gift for dearest father-in-law.  A Candy & Snack Dispenser.  It will make a great companion to his resting place (aka recliner) while watching his favorite football team (the Redskins) play each weekend.

I also like how you can change the finial on the dispenser to suit the season and/or occasion. 

It then dawned on me how perfect this type of dispenser would be for my desk at work.  As much as I love Peanut M&Ms with their festive and seasonal colors, I never filled my candy dish with these candies for my co-workers to enjoy for sanitary reasons.  Instead, I share individually wrapped Life Savers in the candy dish. 

This Christmas, my father-in-law will enjoy his nuts of choice displayed in this lovely dispenser as will my office desk look festive with my favorite M&Ms.

Songbird...

On a typical day, I have jewelry scattered throughout our home.  My earrings are laying on the kitchen desk from when I took them off the night before when I got home from work.  There's a necklace laying on the bathroom sink and a bracelet next to the laptop in the craft room. 

It's like I slowly take off each piece of jewelry as I walk through our home after a long day at work.  My shoes are usually at the bottom of the stairs, but I won't go into that right now.  It's a pet-peeve of my guy's when he sees my shoes scattered all over our home.

A couple Christmases ago, a very dear friend of mine helped me get my hands on a beautiful decorative tree to hang my jewelry from none other than Brighton and oh how I love it.  (I just learned that the Songbird Jewelry Tree is available online at Exposures.)

Each morning and every evening, this is my destination - the jewelry tree.  I do not wear a lot of jewelry but I try to wear a little something most of the time.  Truthfully, I've always admired how the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy would dress stylishly classy yet not have a single piece of jewelry on except her wedding ring.  I do like the simplified look but feel naked without at least a pair of earrings on. 

And I wonder if the jewelry looks better on this tree than on me. 

Political wall decor...

My guy enjoys history, including war movies, documentaries and politics.  So last year, I decided to do something political-themed as a birthday gift for him and his passions. 

I purchased Presidential campaign buttons from each election (on eBay) beginning with the year he was born.  I then found a display box/frame online and arranged them on the board.  This was a project I completed over a year ago and in looking at the display tonight, I realize there are no George W. Bush buttons (need to return to eBay).  And note I only purchased buttons of elected Presidents.

He now has a conversation piece to hang in the area of our home where the pool table and poker table reside.  Not only do I need to purchase a George W. Bush button, but depending on the outcome of the election next week, I'll need to purchase another button.  And as a result, I will need another display box. 

And please don't read into it too much as you will notice we have more than one Clinton button.  When I made my purchase on eBay, it came as a set of 3. 

It makes for a fun and inexpensive hobby, depending on the year you begin with.  I have to admit that Kennedy's button was the most expensive of the bunch.

If there's a political buff in your family, this is certainly one option as a gift.  And the hunt for the right buttons makes it all the more interesting.

Where I've been in the last 24 hours...

In the last 24 hours, I have browsed a number of sites and thought while you are here, would you be interested in viewing some lovelies that could possibly accent your home?

Discovering new accessories always brighten my mood and I was brightened by this Chicken Note Holder Frame at Wisteria.  Perfect for a craft room or message area in your home. 

Carolyne Roehm's exquisite taste includes a lovely vase which I could also see using as a decorative pencil cup.  It would add sophistication and classic style to your desk or workspace.

Hurricanes, from Source Perrier, that represent a federal style (in my opinion) with hand engraved stars are an accent I'd welcome in our home.  It reminds me of something you would find in Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello.

I've never seen metallic linen drapes until today on Pottery Barn's website.  Very chic.  It has inspired me in many ways.  We'll see if it materializes.

If I could, I'd decorate my entire Christmas tree with ornaments at Bayberry Cove by Wendy Addison.  The vintage glitter is what sets it apart from what you typically see in department stores.

And, last but not least, Linens 'n Things.  Did you hear they are going out of business?  You could always count on some much-need staples for your home, like bed sheets, organizers, bins, glassware, the works.  I'm disappointed to hear they will not be around much longer.  I am not one for crowds (you know how it is when the word of a sale gets around, particularly a going-out-of-business sale) but I will check out their website to see if I can find anything I can't live without for a good price.

I have also begun my holiday shopping.  And how I wish I could share them here but it would be hard to keep it a secret from the recipients.  I am very excited though about what I've chosen as gifts for family & friends. 

Tonight, I leave you with a resource on what to do with your pumpkin once Halloween is over.

Enjoy.

Presentations...

It's all about the presentation when it comes to giving gifts.  The perfect gift wrap, gift bag, gift box or anything we can do to achieve a festive look.  For efficiency, I typically choose gift bags.  They are recyclable in most cases and easy to handle.

And for the queries I received on the plastic storage containers for the gift bags in the armoire I posted yesterday, I wish I had resources to share with you instantly.  I could not find any online but can tell you that I purchased sets of gift bags in those plastic containers at Costco in years past.  Perhaps they will have them again this holiday season. 

There are times though where I feel like selecting chic gift wrap and coordinating ribbon in an attempt to make the gift look stylish.  It's similar to selecting patterned paper for your layout, right!?

For stylish gift wrap and anything else that pertains to gifting, I favor the Container Store.  Their selection suits my style and when I'm in the mood to coordinate gift packaging under our tree, I turn to their Gift Wrap Style Maker.

Truthfully, I spend more time being inspired by their ideas than actually executing them.  I cannot recall a Christmas where our tree and everything underneath it coordinated beautifully. 

I do make an honest attempt at gift wrapping packages with pretty bows.  My favorite type of ribbon is wired ribbon.  Without the wire, I am lost.  I like the ability to shape the bow and when it gets crushed en route to your parents house, you can easily perk it up a bit with a bend here and a bend there.

For the most spectacular presentations in gift wrap, Carolyne Roehm's book, Presentations: A Passion for Gift Wrapping, is a great inspiration.  Her website is another resource for classic-style gift wrap and ribbon.

When gifting baked goods, as we try to do each year, we turn to tins as they typically keep things fresh a bit longer than anything else we've tried.  With plain tins, you can go in many different directions with themes and the season.   Adding a bow in a particular color, like green & red for Christmas or brown for Thanksgiving, is what sets the tone.

And dearest Rachel made a great suggestion to include a set of alpha stamps in the gift armoire.  It's a classy way to personalize your gifts.

With the Giving Well class I am currently taking at Big Picture, Kolette kindly shared graphic images of gift tags which I've printed onto Bazzill Bling cardstock to include on the gifts we give.

It may sound a bit premature to be discussing holiday gift wrap, but it can't hurt to prepare early.  My past experience with last minute shopping means I spend more money than I intended.   My solution this year is to take inventory on what we have and make a list of what we need based on the gift-giving list we created.

And more importantly, I will try to take advantage of great deals on December 26th and stock-up for 2009.

An armoire for gift-giving...

When I'm away from home, I can think of many things I should be doing if I were home.  I then become anxious and get overwhelmed by those thoughts because I am not at home doing those things.

My solution to help calm my nerves and feel productive is to write those ideas and 'things to do' inside my little notebook.  If I can't be at home executing ideas I have in my head, I find it gratifying to jot them down.

So, my latest 'idea' was to move the armoire I originally had in my craft room down to the basement and designate it as a gift-giving work center.

This idea has been in the works for several months now and I finally got a chance to execute most of my plans today.

Here the armoire sits in the basement, still looking a little lonely but it's a work-in-progress.  Next to the armoire is a floor vase I purchased from Crate and Barrel several years ago where it is now a home to rolls of gift wrap.

Open the doors and you see where I am slowly organizing gift bags into plastic containers and identified each one by labeling them with Thickers felt alphabet stamps.  You just gotta love scrapbooking supplies, particularly ones that are multi-purpose like alphabet stickers.

I also added a Making Memories magnetic board to the door where I keep a list of special gift-giving dates of loved ones and a pencil cup for markers and pens.  There's also a decorative box/bag for cards and a little Jo Malone gift box I am using to house gift tags.

I have a jar (leftover from last Christmas) filled with pre-made bows, a box to store holiday cards and a cup for scissors.

In the first drawer, I filled it with various size boxes to organize tissue, bag fillers and ribbon.

I've designated the bottom drawer for gifts.  I'd share the contents but I can't reveal any secrets.  It's not a big drawer but it's enough to help me set aside some small items I've been saving for last minute gifts. 

I'm happy that the gift center is up-and-running in time for the holidays.  The nicest thing about this project was that I did not have to go out and buy a single thing.  I used items from around-the-house and re-purposed photo boxes, gift boxes and scrapbooking supplies.

As for my notebook of 'things to do'....well, it's growing every day.  What I find to be fulfilling is to open that notebook and take a red pencil and cross off 'to-do' items from my list as I complete each one. 

And tonight, I will sleep well.

A favor or two...

Our Stampin Up! consultant, Nancy, continually inspires us with crafty ideas.  So I am glad she finally began a blog to showcase her work.

And the crop we attended over the weekend, she created fabulous make 'n takes where I 'made' and 'took' a cute party favor.

A little halloween treat bag with my new favorite punch shape as a tag.

She also used the new Sizzix die-cut exclusive to Stampin Up! where we made a winter-themed tag.  This is where I fell in love with the new felt ribbon.  I wish it came in more than one color though.

On display at her table were various home decor-type projects, including a Christmas shadow box using their vinyl clings and patterned paper.  Nancy added battery operated lights and miniature ball ornaments and created a lovely piece of holiday decor.

I was also dazzled by her "business card"...

The inside contains a calendar and notepad.  All in the size of a matchbook.

The ideas are running through my head as to what I could do to customize these little projects into favors for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

So I have Nancy and the Giving Well class with Kolette at Big Picture Scrapbooking to inspire me this holiday season.  Now all I ask is that Santa grant my wish.  And that is the gift of time. 

The art of giving...

Right now my creative world is filled with online classes I've signed up for through Big Picture Scrapbooking.  I am playing catch-up with the photography class that began in July and preparing for Cathy Zielske's Design Your Life. 

I love to give gifts and after reading the description of Kolette Hall's upcoming class, Giving Well, I decided to enroll.  Creating the perfect gifts, holiday cards and tags sounds like a lot of fun to me.  And this is the class I need to motivate me to prepare for the holiday season. 

When I took Kolette's class last month at CE, I learned that she designs rubber stamps.  So I can only imagine the exclusive downloadable artwork she provides in her Giving Well class will be just as nice as her stamps.

And while I'm on the subject of Giving Well, feast your eyes on some pink greatness:

It's a pink Garmin GPS portable navigator.  If I didn't already have a navigation system, I'd place one of these cuties on my dashboard. 

Consider this a possible idea for your holiday wish list.  Merry Pink!

All I want for Christmas...

...is a camera bag wristlet. Or I hope that is what our nieces will say when we present them with these adorable limited edition accessories at Christmastime.
 
How wonderful it feels to kick-off the holiday shopping season with pink & green.  I saw them on display at the Inspired event last month and decided they are the perfect complement to the cameras our nieces own (or will own...there's a birthday coming up). 

And now that I am seriously contemplating purchasing a purse-size camera, I wish I had ordered one for myself.  Donna's talented partner, Heather, is one incredibly amazing seamstress. I've also purchased an apron as a gift and I intend to do more holiday shopping from her site.

The gift of something handmade is quite special.  And that is my goal for this holiday season.  A labor of love and a gift from the heart.  And my contribution to the 'labor' is laboring over the selection of handmade gifts for family & friends.  I will be spending a lot of time at Etsy this holiday season.

Merry Holidays & Happy Christmas. 

Have a heart, make a card...

This post is a reminder to me that I have less than 14 days to make Valentine cards for my family in order to mail them for delivery by Valentine's day.  My challenge is to see if I can rise to the occasion and do this. 

And if I don't rise to the challenge, I have my conscience to live with. 

Can I be an Angel of Heart and make these cards in time?  All of you are my witnesses.

e-gifts...

Is time running against you?  Are you in need of a quick gift?  My savior is an electronic gift card.  It can be sent to one's email address, you can print it on your own printer and present it as a scroll to the recipient, or you could stuff it in a card.

Here are some retailers that offer electronic gift cards:

Scrapbook.com offers electronic gift certificates in a variety of denominations.

Giftcertificates.com offers all sorts of e-gift cards to various retailers, restaurants, etc.

Joann.com is offering gift cards in electronic form as well as actual plastic. 

iTunes offers e-gift cards and in printable form too.

Virtual gift cards are available at Nordstrom.

And don't forget Amazon.com.  Most of my Christmas shopping is from Amazon.

You can also consider giving magazine subscriptions:

Magazinecity.com has a wide selection of magazines, as does Magazines.com.  You can even give gift certificates and let the recipient choose their own magazine at Magazineline.com.

Are you enjoying the mad rush shopping for the right gift(s)?  Don't forget to take time-out and pamper yourself.  Treat yourself to a pedicure.  Or curl up with a great book and a cup of tea. 

Delight in the fun of the season.

A BIG gift...

A gift to consider for a scrapbooker, papercrafter, even rubber stamper.  And you don't have to go to the store to buy it.  There's no need to wait for a package to arrive either.

Sign-up your hobbyist for a class with Big Picture Scrapbooking. 

I have taken quite a few classes with Big Picture and have been very pleased.  There are a multitude of workshops to choose from.   I am currently signed up for Wendy's upcoming Get Organized and Be Inspired class (one of my favorite topics).

Speaking of organization, stay tuned to the Coming Soon section as Stacy Julian will be teaching her Library of Memories class again in February.  I HIGHLY recommend it.  I'm anxious to sign-up for the Photography 101 class in March with Barbara Carroll (I missed out on the first two opportunities to register for this class...it's quite popular).

And if you like to read books, you should consider Tena's Read All About It class.

Emily is teaching a painting glass called Got Paint.  My best friend and I took a class taught by Emily at CKU in 2006 and were totally inspired by her free-spirted artistic abilities.  I have a collection of Matisse paints thanks to Emily.

All you need to do is register online, print the class description, roll it into a scroll, tie it with ribbon and stick it under the tree or in their stocking. 

If you are not familiar with Big Picture Scrapbooking, hit the banner image below and take a free class. 

I'm nearly finished with my holiday shopping.  How about you?

Fun gifts...

Whether you love to journal or not, I think this book will get a laugh out of either type of recipient. 

Movie theater popcorn...my favorite type of snack.

And combined with a great movie or two, like Ocean's Trilogy of movies, I'm all set for the evening.

Champagne on-the-go in case you are planning ahead for New Year's.  And this champagne by Veuve Clicquot is heavenly.

I'm told that Sudoku is very addictive.  I just haven't taken the time to play the game as I'm afraid nothing else will get done around the house if I do!

I'd love to decorate a teen girl's room.  And if I did, I'd include this fun Victorian comforter from Delia's.

Timers - for eggs and pasta.  I never time it right.  Particularly on pasta.

Take a bite out of your paperwork with a Shark stapler.  A little humor for your desk.

A light for the BBQ chef's grill.  Particularly if the chef likes to grill at night when it's dark.

I hope your holiday shopping is going well.  I'm still working on mine.  The thrill of finding the right gifts for my friends and family is what I love about this season.   As my dear friend Tammy put it, I am a gift-giver...it is my love language.  It is my love language too. 

   

More gift-giving...

Receiving a home decor-related gift is one of my favorites.  What's even more fun is finding something appropriate to give, like:

Home fragrances by Barbara Barry, one of my all-time favorite interior decorators.  A classic gift for any home enthusiast. 

Another classic gift is roses.  This bouquet arrives in a hatbox and damask vase. 

I have long-admired these wine glasses from Italy. 

A Published Works Frame.  Anyone who has had their work published in a magazine, including scrapbookers, would find this frame to be the perfect gift.  (It's on sale too).

The Angler's Belt-Loop Watch is what any outdoors enthusiast will appreciate.  It includes a hook sharpener, compass, thermometer, and stainless steel snips.  And it is water resistant.

A gal needs a home for her jewels.  And Pulaski has a jewelry chest that looks very regal.

An accessory for your iPod....a Bose SoundDock.  Move it to any room in your home, take it on vacation with you, bring it to a crop.  :)

A wine dossier for those who enjoy their wine.  It's available at Red Envelope, and there's time to have it monogrammed if you order it today by 6pm ET.

My Mac and I have bonded over the last week or so as I have spent numerous hours seeking gift ideas for my family and friends.  It has been convenient ordering gifts online for loved ones far away.  It saves me time whereas I do not have to package and ship the items myself.

The one disadvantage I have learned, is when having items shipped to our home is to be sure my guy doesn't see the box.  There have been some items that have arrived that are not so discreet.  For instance, DeWalt's boxes are yellow and have their name plastered all over it.  My guy can spot that box a mile away and he spotted one on our front porch one evening.  So he knows what one of his gifts will be.  The good news is I don't have to worry about hiding a miter saw stand till Christmas. 

Food-related gift ideas...

Planning a New Year's party?  Get a 12 pack variety of Jones Soda.  They also have a Christmas 12-pack, but we may have missed the cut-off for shipping in time for Christmas.

My youngest niece will be receiving play-food made of felt to go along with the kitchen set Santa is bringing her.

A cook would appreciate a cutting board by John Boos.  I love the color of this board. 

I'm Dreaming of a Chocolate Christmas.  The title couldn't have said it any better.  Sweet inspiration for your sweets.

And check out this black & white crumb cake.  I'm dreaming of sitting in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea and noshing on this delectable cake. 

Cookies presented in a festive bowl certainly makes for a nice hostess and/or family gift.

Hope you are enjoying the inspiration when it comes to gifts and food. 

This post is a reminder to me to begin our grocery shopping list for the holidays.  I hope to see a mouth-watering rib roast on the cutting board.  And my sister has shared a recipe for sweet potato casserole which she served at Thanksgiving that I plan to try.  It was like a dessert!

There's also my Dad's traditional Christmas morning breakfast.  So I am online now searching for the perfect comfy-cozy outfit that will stretch with my waistline in a not-so-obvious way. 

May you and your families enjoy the traditions that the season brings.

A hodge podge of gift ideas...

My mission to seek the ideal gifts for family and friends has led me down many paths over the last couple of days.  And I'd like to share some with you.

I am ordering this dog toy for my newly-married sister and her husband's new dog.  Hopefully they will get a kick out of the Chinese take-out container as it relates to how they became engaged.

I actually found an online/catalog retailer that sells Brighton.  They carry my favorite pair of earrings as well as a matching bracelet (which I do not own).  And if you are looking for a gift idea for your Dad and/or husband, their belts are well-made and make a fabulous gift.

This set of lipsticks and accompanying clutch by MAC is something I came across on Amy P.'s site.  For me, it's always about the packaging and MAC knows how to dazzle a gal's desire to look pretty and girly (in a sophisticated kinda way).

Every year, I look forward to Starbucks seasonal items, like Gingerbread Biscotti.  This year, they have a Christmas gift set that includes their Christmas blend coffee as well as Gingerbread Macadamia biscotti.

The mini-chandelier is on sale online at The Container Store (thanks, Heidi!).  I am still enjoying mine.

I am sooooo excited about this new hammer by Tim Holtz.  When my best friend and I took his class at CKU in 2006, we used a hammer he created himself with supplies available at the hardware store.  As we hammered our paper with this special hammer, it gave our paper a look of hammered metal.  I was IMPRESSED.  Now you can understand why I'm thrilled about discovering this tool is now available to us papercrafters (with interchangeable tips).  I'm not waiting till Christmas, I've ordered mine today!

I wish you success in your holiday shopping endeavors.

 

Making Memories carousel...

Making Memories is shipping this beauty in time for Christmas.  I was happy to discover this as every other link I have shared on this blog is to an item that is on backorder. 

So, if you are in need of a great Christmas gift for a scrapbooker/papercrafter, student, parent or anyone who loves to stay organized, this carousel would make a fabulous gift.

And if you are feeling extra-generous, you could fill it with supplies like foam brushes, metal ruler and a craft knife for starters.

Tis the season to be shopping....there's only 14 days left!!!!

   

Small bits for his stocking...

This post is dedicated to Carmen and anyone else seeking ideas for stocking stuffers for our guys. 

Luggage tags from Pottery Barn.  If there's time, you could also have them monogrammed.

If he owns an iPod, an accessory like a voice recorder comes in handy when you need to remind yourself of something (I need this).  You could also stuff an iTunes gift card in his stocking.

Does your guy like hot wings?  How about some popcorn with the same flavor to fill his stocking.

A tool most men need is a nose hair clipper.  And Tweezerman has one that will fit in the smallest of nostrils.

Socks are a never-ending necessity.  If you want to be practicable, then crew socks make a great gift.  My guy looks forward to his new pairs every year.

Planet Earth is currently a top-selling DVD.  Not only is it a great stocking stuffer for a guy, but the entire family can enjoy it too.

Does your guy like to be creative on the computer?  Download software by Adobe (photo-editing, production, design) directly from their site onto his PC or Mac and leave a little note in his stocking indicating you have a hidden treasure on his machine.

A book on single malt scotch is a nice way to introduce your guy to the fine art of scotch.  I was intrigued the moment I saw Emeril featuring a taste-testing of single malt scotch on his show.  And if your guy is a connoisseur of single malt scotch, place his favorite bottle in his stocking.

If he doesn't like to wear a watch, a Carbiner Watch (available at Wind & Weather) is an ideal gift and stocking stuffer.  It can attach to his zipper pull, belt loop, or bag.  The watch fob includes a thermometer, magnifying glass, compass and flashlight.

I hope your holiday shopping is progressing very well.  I've spent my entire morning today doing online shopping.  Some of it for the holidays and some for the home. 

Happy shopping!

Gift wrap...

When I have time and patience (which is not often), I like to take my time and package gifts that are coordinated in a decorative way.  That means lovely gift wrap accented with ribbon and sometimes even a little something extra to embellish the package.

I aspire to decorate gifts like my best friend's mother and Carolyne Roehm.  They both know how to make a gift look presentable.  And Ms. Roehm's book is evidence that she has great style. 

Some of you have so kindly shared links with me of great finds, including giftwrap in my favorite damask pattern.  The Container Store even carries damask-patterned tissue. 

I am in awe over the digital images created by Rhonna Farrer (available at Two Peas) where you can create your own basic black & white gift wrap.  Amy Maness very kindly shared this link with me yesterday.  I am anxious to download it and to give it a try this weekend.

In all honesty, I am quite lazy (most of the time) and rely on gift bags and tissue.  My rationale for this is you can recycle a gift bag.  Lately, I have scooped-up fashionably decorative ones at Target.

Speaking of fashion, Jessica shared great resources for gift wrap, AND she's currently hosting a giveaway that involves a Marc Jacobs bag.

How very exciting.

Teens...

Having spent last weekend with our older nieces and nephew, we got a taste of what they are currently "into". 

They play Guitar Hero like no one's business.  What I liked about it is the music, most of which is from my era. 

One of my nieces enjoyed the movie Hairspray, which we viewed on DVD.

We saw Fred Claus at the movies.  I never imagined Santa having a brother till now.

The girls like to shop at Abercrombie and The Gap (they are getting gift certificates for Christmas from their Aunt & Uncle....shhhh....).

Our nephew will receive his first electric guitar (remember, it's a secret).

And if I were a teen, I would like:

...to sparkle in a classy way with fabulous product from Bare Escentuals.

...wear rainboots depicting one of my favorite shops

...decorate my room with bedding from Delia's

...a Leopard print lap desk for a surface to do my homework

...a charming watch to wear to make sure I am on time for my classes

...a Venus by LG cell phone to stay in touch with family and friends

...padlock earrings in sterling silver to dangle on my ears

...a gift card to Sonic (a great place to quench your thirst).

Baby it's cold outside...

Here are some gift ideas for those of us who experience winter in it's truest form:

A classic cashmere coat with a form-fit.  Not too long, not too short. 

And for guys, a combination of cashmere and wool.  It's so BOSS!

This season, I find myself attracted to capes.  And boy do I love this wool cape. 

A chunky capelet makes a lovely casual accessory.

For guys, a duffle sweater by Marc Jacobs is cozy yet classy.

Long knit leather gloves are just what I'm looking for.  I do not like exposing any skin, and depending on the coat I'm wearing, sometimes cold air seems to travel up my sleeve.

Ugg Australia have gloves that look as though they'd keep your hands warm and toasty. 

Spoil your guy with cashmere-lined gloves by Faconnable.   

I Live for Sugar...do you?  Love the cupcakes on this scarf.

More Ugg, this time in the form of a lovely shearling scarf.

And here's BOSS displayed in a classy wool blended scarf for men.

Snow jogger boots for women.

And Ugg boots for men.

Long underwear is essential on a cold and snow day.

A beanie for the guys to keep their body heat from escaping.

All of these winter items are available at Nordstrom.  And if you shop online and spend $100 or more, you get free shipping.

Now I must go revise my wish list and add a few of these items to it.  :)

Small bits for her stocking...

I find a lot of joy in stuffing stockings for Christmas.  And every year I make one for my mom.  Usually, I will include her favorite staples as well as a few unexpected items.  More importantly, I include scratch 'n win lottery tickets.  She loves them. 

Here are some favorite finds I've come across recently:

Philosophy's Falling in Love fragrance is a popular one.  And I just discovered they carry soap in that fragrance. 

A pocket-size hairbrush by Mason Pearson would be a delightful surprise in one's stocking. 

Carmex lip moisturizer will save your lips from chapping.  And if your lips are already chapped, it heals them immediately. 

Anything from Elf Cosmetics.  They are affordable and they were recently featured on Oprah. 

Magazines - either a subscription to a favorite where you can include the current issue in their stocking or a gift certificate where the selection is all theirs.

Unmentionables from Cosabella.  Need I say more?

A little red shuffle to express a little holiday spirit.

They are very fashionably decorative, brought to you by Hanes.

A Cath Kidston mending kit where you can handily place it in your travel bag, handbag or office desk.

A tweezer for a good cause.  Go Green!

Foot petals for those sandals and pumps we wear to look fashionable.

Speaking of feet, how about a Foosage for sore feet. 

A travel make-up brush set by Laura Mercier that fits in your handbag as well as your travel bag. 

Stuff away!!

For the love of Santa...

What's a little girl to do when she goes to the Mall to see Santa and decides at the very moment she sees him to cry.  Mommy joins her for comfort.

and her Aunt jumps in too and plants a kiss on Santa (let me just add this was at Santa's prompting).

I managed to knock his hat off but Santa was a good sport about it.  Yet I didn't take this opportunity to tell him what I wanted for Christmas.  Although while at the mall, I managed to drag my guy into the Apple store and pointed out a nice wireless keyboard and monitor.  ;)

Hope everyone is enjoying the season!

Appropriately thirsty & hungry...

I enjoy baking, and if I had the time, I'd bake up a storm and produce batches of cookies, breads and anything sweet to give as gifts.  Most holidays, and any other occasion for that matter, I am time-challenged.  So in a time-challenged world, here's what I've come across that is available online:

A meal of lobster tail and beef delivered to your home via Lobster Gram.  My Dad would love a gift like this.  Hmmmm....I think I've found my present to him. 

And Clam Chowder by the gallon from Legal Seafood would really please my Dad. 

Starbucks has a gift set of coffee beans and a thermos.  Perfect for a commuter.

And for anyone who likes to cook and entertain....

Pizza, pizza, pizza...a stone for your grill.  I've just discovered another great gift idea for my Dad who loves to BBQ.

A Fiji Margaritaville machine is large enough to quench anyone's thirst for a frozen concoction. 

And Red's rule!!

Nuts for amber...

As a houseguest last month to my best friend's family, I purchased some fall-appropriate thank you gifts.  A glass pumpkin (filled with fall-wrapped chocolates) and pumpkin-scented candle, both amber in color.  And when the hostess displayed it in her kitchen, I thought, why didn't I purchase one for myself?

So, I did (with a little help from my BFF who also purchased ones for herself too).

We liked it so much, why not purchase another candle for our friend Deb's birthday as gift. 

Now, since Thanksgiving is around the corner, I want to give gifts with a little fall flavor.  How about more amber?  This time in the form of vases. 
I filled the vases with a variety of nuts and included a nutcraker.  They are lined with cellophane bags and finished off with autumn-colored ribbon.  Their families can enjoy the nuts over Thanksgiving and can choose to use the vases for fresh flowers, vase fillers, candy, or whatever they desire.  I would have purchased a third one (for myself) but I got the last two and needed both for gifts. 

This collection of amber glass is available at the one-and-only Target (I believe most stores are out of the pumpkins, but check online if you are interested). 

Appropriately crafting...

What do we crafters want for Christmas?  Do we want a non-crafter trying to buy us things as gifts?  Let's see if we can help:

A desktop organizer by Making Memories will help keep our miscellaneous supplies in order.  I use mine to hold new product until I get a chance to store it in it's proper place.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 and Photoshop CS3 allow us to be creative with our photos that go into our scrapbooks.  A reference book to accompany the software, or if you download the software (which is what I did), would make a great gift.

A camera to go in our pocket would be very convenient.  Don't want to miss any photo opportunities, no matter where you are. 

Across the Street Lazy Letters organizer is the accessory to have for placing your alpha chipboards in some sense of order.  I love mine to pieces!

I have friends who swear by this system of organizing when it comes to scrapbook embellishments.  You need the top and bottom pieces as well as a cover.

Donna swears by her Arccivo and I seriously believe I should put this on my Christmas list.  I like to put my projects away, even if I'm in the midst of one.  This would be a simple way of accomplishing that task, and it's portable.

Life Artist by Ali Edwards is very inspiring for the scrapbooker.  Ali's style speaks to me and shows how to take everday moments in life and document them.  I love how she hand-writes the majority of her journaling and expresses herself in a way I can relate.  Good vibes are a result of reading this book.

Anything from Stampin Up would make a fabulous gift.  I'm pining for those ink pads and tray organizer!!!!

Appropriately electronic...

I love techie stuff.  It only takes the push of a button to get what you want, right?  Here are a few to consider for your holiday gift-giving:

Flippin for the Flip.  It's a 60 minute camcorder and small enough to fit in your pocket.  Oh how I wish I had this at the recent Bon Jovi concert.

How do I get there?  Thank goodness for GPS (this one is highly recommended by CR).  It gives me the confidence to drive just about anywhere. 

I am putting the iPhone on my gift list for 2009 (when my current contract is up). 

Mac is the way to go.  Whether it's a MacBook Pro or an iMac, you will love it.  I'm having a hard time convincing my guy though.  He prefers a PC.

Speaking of Macs & PCs, a hard-drive is a must.  If you and/or loved one does not own one, this would be the perfect time to give one or receive one as a gift. 

Sirius satellite radio is great for NFL fans, Martha Stewart fans and even Elvis fans. 

I'm even including a scrapbooking-related item in this list.  And that is the Cricut Expressions.  It is such a quick and efficient way to produce die-cut shapes and letters. 

A Bose SoundDock would provide great listening pleasure from the collection of songs saved on your iPod. 

Tivo is becoming a staple in many homes.  And if you have favorite TV programs that you are not always home to view during it's scheduled time, Tivo is the answer.

And here's a new discovery from Amazon - Kindle.  It's a wireless reading device.  You can do all your book-reading with this device, among other things.  Check it out.

Handmade gifts...

If you don't have the time to make handmade gifts, let me recommend some who can make them for you:

I recently ordered handmade soap, lotion and lip balm as gifts from Rose Petal Betty Bath Co. The packaging is sophisticated and the product smells heavenly.  This was a discovery I made on Karen Russell's blog.

Funky Camera Straps by Emily Falconbridge are very hip and unique.  And Emily was very kind to honor my special request by using fabric I provided for my strap.  I received it the other day and absolutely love it!!!

Beth's Market Bags are adorable and sturdy.  She uses oilcloth material and creates the most stylish shapes.  I've ordered a few as gifts for family and friends.  In fact, I purchased Beth's Lunch-sized bags and am filling it with Rose Petal Betty product as gifts for my co-workers.  And I discovered Beth's eBay store from Paula. 

Damboise Designs has wonderful wood-shaped letters that are durable and decorative.  The ideas are endless as to what you could do for gift-giving.  And it's your opportunity to be creative too by embellishing a letter or shape.  The fun never stops.

My girlfriend Korie makes the most sparkly shirts a crafty girl could wear.  Made with Swarovski crystals for the whole world to see it shine very brightly.  And check out her Paris Flea Market for craft projects.  They are so tres chic!

The opportunity to find amazing handmade gifts are on Etsy.  I spend hours browsing the great works of many artists.   Jessica at Funky Finds is always featuring such creative works of many of these artists.  And Kim's Today's Creative Blog site features all sorts of creative souls, some of which have their own shop selling their wares.  So don't forget to look there too.

Appropriately masculine...

Do men like to receive gifts as much as us gals?  I think they do.  And I love seeking the ideal gift for the man in my life.  And at times I do find it challenging.  Below are some ideas that have peaked my interest.

*NEW* An English Bulldog iron bank is very masculine and provides a place for all that spare change our guys empty out of their pants pockets each evening.

*NEW* Ocean's Trilogy.  Appropriate for men and the ladies. 

This desk chair is one of the most comfortable we've ever sat in.  It sits in our study where hours can be spent browsing the 'net and/or paying bills.  My hubby loves his chair. 

A classic money clip with a gift card and/or love note attached to it would make it extra-special.

A way to a man's heart is through his stomach.  And for my man, it's beef, and lots of it. 

An authentic NFL game ball may motivate one to go outside and toss the ball.  Or a true NFL enthusiast may put it on display in their special room.

A beer dispenser for those who enjoy their brew from a tap.

Craftsman tools in any shape or form make a practical gift.  Perhaps even a motivator if you have a project or two that is in need of attention around your home.

Golf accessories for the avid player and fly fishing accessories  for the avid fisherman.

A personalized dartboard would be a fun activity for the guys, especially when football season is over.

A wallet monogrammed with your guy's initials....very nice touch.

For all the equipment you've accumulated in your home, it would be nice to have one remote control to operate it all. 

If you'd like to see more on gift ideas, I'm working on a list for food & drink enthusiasts and home-related gifts. 

Have fun shopping!