Craft Store Haul

The other day I took the Fam to the craft store to pick up a few things.  We had such a good time, that I thought I would take this opportunity to share what we bought. 

One of the first things we bought were these fabulous little tablets.  We loved how colorful they were and the upbeat messages they carried.

I could not believe the stores are already displaying Halloween stuff.   Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween.  In fact, it is one of my favorite holidays but it continue to be amazed at how quickly the holidays are shoved down our throats so early.  That said, I had to purchase this plague to hanging in our living room.  I figured it would be fun for Dawn to chalk in the changing numbers every morning.

I went to the craft store to purchase this little item.  I have a cable remote for my camera, plus a wireless remote.  I don't like them loose in my camera bag, and this little zipper pouch is the perfect size to house those remotes - keeping them together and safe.  I already have one that is black and says "This & That" which houses my rechargeable camera batteries, so I decided to go back and get this one for my remotes.

This I bought for Mum.  Dawn's the one who collects Beanie Babies (and she has a lot of them), but Mum fell in love with this little Sven from Frozen.

I found this in the Christmas ornament crafting section and wanted it.  Don't ask me why... I just did.  I plan on painting it white.  I don't know why.  I just want to paint it white and hang it on our Christmas tree.

When the Halloween season approaches, we hang a little Halloween-themed ornament on my truck's rear-view mirror.  Usually it is a funky witch's hate, but I saw this skeletal hand with purple ribbon and black spider, and I knew it was perfect for this Halloween's decorate touch to my truck.

I bought these three ceramic Christmas ornaments for a Before and After blog post when it gets closer to Christmas.  Mum picked out the Christmas bell; Dawn picked out the Christmas tree; and, I picked out the snowman.

That's it for our craft store haul.  Just a few bits and bobs to meet a few needs and have a little holiday fun.  What about you? Have you done any shopping lately.  What's a recent purchase you've been prizing on?  Share down in the comments... I'd love to hear about it.

Happy Wednesday!

Merry Christmas!

I hope the holiday finds you and your family celebrating with lots of joyous laughter, good food, and festive celebrations.  As for me and my family, we'll be diving in Mum's Christmas cinnamon rolls while ripping off the Christmas wrap from our little treasures, and living in our Christmas pajamas.

Happy Christmas, Everyone!

Christmas Cards

When I was a kid, I loved Christmas cards.  Whenever our little family received a Christmas card in the mail, Mum would always allow Dawn and I to open the envelope (being very careful not to destroy the return address) and pull the festive, often glitter coated, card out from within the safe confines of it's paper coat.  It was like a little present - filled with happy holiday wishes and updates from those near and far.  We loved watching her pin the card to the felt Christmas card display my Grams had made for her many, many years ago - joining the family cards which had already been pinned to the long fabric.

Every year, that displayed hung heavy on the hook - bursting with brightly colored card stock.  There never seemed to be enough room on that display, as cards always seemed to spread out from the felt and creep along the wall - held there by Scotch tape.  The cards always turned into part of the holiday decor - reminders of those who had thought of us during this special time of year.

The number of Christmas cards sent and received multiplied by the year.  And, every year, I remember the joy in getting to wrap my fingers around the most colorful pen possible, carefully gliding its tip across the paper as I signed every Christmas card we mailed out to friends and family.

However, as I have grown into adulthood, I have noticed those number do a reverse.  The Christmas cards sent and received have dwindled.  When I was young, our little family sent and received at least 50-75 Christmas cards each year.  Today, we send no more than 10 cards and receive even less.  The joy of receiving those Christmas cards haven't diminished in my adulthood, so why have the cards?

Some believe it is technology.  As hand written letters have been replaced with email and text messages, Christmas cards have been replaced by Facebook and Twitter.  Who needs the family Christmas portrait when there is Instagram?  Some believe it is laziness.  The newer generations simply don't appreciate the appeal of Christmas cards or are too busy to bother.

For me, I believe it is a combination of many things.  While I appreciate the convenience and immediacy of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (though I don't have an Instagram account), along with the ability to snap a photo with your mobile phone and send it off in an instant, nothing can replace the joy of receiving a little colorful envelope in the mail - filled with glad tidings and holiday spirit.

How about you? Do you send Christmas cards? Do you like receiving Christmas cards?  Do you like sending Christmas cards? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Happy Tuesdsay!

Christmas Fontaliciousness

Tis the season for Christmas cards, Christmas letters, and all things print.  Because of this, the search for the perfect font to reflect the glad tidings is of high importance.  I thought I would share a few of my favorites and where you can find them...

• Santa’s Sleigh... http://www.dafont.com/santas-sleigh.font
• Contribute... http://www.dafont.com/contribute.font
• St. Nicholas... http://www.dafont.com/st-nicholas.font
• Chalk Hand Lettering Shaded... http://www.dafont.com/chalk-hand-lettering-shaded.font
• Xiomara... http://www.dafont.com/xiomara.font
• Sail... http://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/sail?q[term]=sail&q[search_check]=Y
• Honey Script... http://www.dafont.com/honey-script.font
• Alex Brush... http://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/alex-brush?q[term]=alex+brush&q[search_check]=Y

Rejoice and have fun!

Pier 1 Holiday Haul

Recently I decided to do a little Christmas shopping.  There is so much awesome stuff out there to shop for/at that it isn't always easy to settle on a purchase.  However, a favorite go to place for me is Pier 1 - especially at Christmas.  Keep in mind, this is not a sponsored post.  Pier 1 has no idea that I'm writing this post, nor did they provide any of the items I'm going to show you.  These purchases are mine.  I used my money and made the decisions on what to buy (with a little help from the Fam).

First off, did I mention how cool the store is decorated? I love all the festive, colorful bits and bobs that are strategically placed throughout the store.  I want to just wrap myself in a soft, fuzzy blanket, nestle into my sofa, and watching faery lights blink on and off for hours.

And, of course, what Christmas tree would be complete without ornaments?  Many folks theme-up their trees, but we just throw all our ornaments on that we've collected through the years.  It is now getting to the point where we're going to have to put up 2 Christmas trees every year.

I just love their displays, though.  Santas, snow folks, and  many, many others galore.  So, let's start with the purchases...

Merry Christmas!

This is the Christmas card we went out this year.  We thought we would do something a little different this year, so we went with the simple 5 x7 card with front and back printing.

But I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy Christmas! I hope your day is filled with plenty of family, food, and festivities.

This blog is going on hiatus until January 2013, but I promise lots of fun and surprises for the new year.

Christmas Trees Galore

A tradition in my little family is to head down to Lynnwood, Washington and visit Wight's.  Wight's is a garden store that bursts into a bustling  Christmas shop at this time of year.  They take dozens of trees and decorate them with all sorts of lovely lights, baubles, and bits and bobs.  And no tree is ever the same, nor do they repeat their trees each year.

There are big trees bursting with all sorts of extensions...

And smaller, more delicate trees with intricately placed decorations.

This tree reminded me of Clare - who has gone from big city girl to acclimating herself into a cowgirl lifestyle.

While the colors of this tree reminded me of New Orleans and Mardi Gras.

I immediately thought of Maggie over at Do These Shoes Match This Purse? when I saw this pink creation.

While the colors in this tree reminded me of candy, cupcakes, and cookies.

This dog and cat tree was Dawn's favorite...

While Mum's favorite was the purple creation... Probably because purple is her favorite color.

My favorite was this baby.  With a life-size Santa sitting comfortably in front of it, this tree was the tallest in the store and loaded with all sorts of baubles and lights. 

If this doesn't put you in the Christmas spirit... Nothing will! So when you get a chance... head to Wight's in Lynnwood, Washington.  You won't be disappointed by the Christmas spirit.  We never are!

Happy Christmas Eve!