Note Cards for Everyone!

A lot of this gifts I made this Christmas were note card sets.

These went with the gifts I mailed.


Perhaps this will encourage my friends to write me real letters? I do love real letters. I should send more myself.

The cards were a nice break from sewing. You'll have to wait until next week to see how the totes turned out.

I made my sister some with Texts from Last Night on them. We love that site!

I tend to keep them pretty simple.

Not only is it easier, but I tend to have a clean, simple aesthetic.

I also stamped some simple gift tags and sewed some bags to wrap the cards in.

A Year of Happy

Perhaps the Christmas project I'm most proud of is the one that was the easiest (sort of). For Caitlin, I made A Year of Happy: a jar filled with 365 hand-written quotes (or it will be when I mail her the rest). The quotes are mostly from Caitlin's favorite movies, TV shoes, books and people, along with some happy memories. (Although I might have included a happy memory that was with someone else. Oops!)



Despite the simplicity of writing things on coordinated paper and cutting them out, it took a very long time! I only sent Caitlin the first 195 and hopefully in January (February, March...) I can get the rest done. Surprisingly though, I haven't run out of quote inspirations yet. We'll see how I'm doing once I get to 320.





Mod Podge, more paper and stamps helped to decorate the top of the jar.

Week in Review: 12/18

I discovered Wordle via Ha ha. Wait. What? and it's a pretty fun way to pass five minutes. My wordle is above.

Despite the lack of babies in the immediate future, that doesn't keep me from planning nurseries! (Is this wrong? Creepy? Weird? It's not that I purposely seek out ideas, but if I see one I bookmark it.) Awhile ago I found the perfect piece of art for a boy's room, and yesterday I found the perfect piece for Elizabeth's room at Red Velvet Art! (Yes, I've had my daughter named since I first read Pride and Prejudice eleven years ago.)

Excellent and easy-peezy craft idea from Clever Nesting. Mildly concerned I'll burn my house down in the process, but I'll keep you posted!

My real-life friend Jenn was so intrigued by my brief mention of Krampus this week that she sought out other lesser-known Santa Claus sidekicks and shared her newly acquired knowledge.

Warm winter hats mess up my hair and Sew to Speak has the perfect solution.

Finished

I think I'm finished. I'm sure something little will come up, but I think I'm done.

The presents are all made and I can see my dining room table again.



The gifts are under the tree.



And in about seven hours I will be home-home, snuggled on the couch with some of mom's pot roast (my favorite) and a bourbon slush (another favorite).

Ever since I buckled down into holiday craft mode about ten days ago, I've been going non-stop, staying up at least an hour later than normal. I'm exhausted, but happy. Next week we'll start seeing some of the goodies I made, but first, a nap.

A Toast for Jane

Today is a very important day in the history of the world. It's Jane Austen's birthday.

I was going to celebrate by watching Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility but Lee's work party is tonight so that won't happen. I guess I'll just have to hug one of my four copies of Pride and Prejudice and drink some tea.

I might suggest checking out this post from Design*Sponge on English country houses, more generally referred to as "my dream home". And last year on this occasion I shared my Jane Austen testimonial of sorts, if you're interested.

And since I won't be watching S&S, I will just enjoy Emma Thompson's acceptance speech from the BAFTAS when she won best screenplay.

2009 Nice List

After yesterday's Naughty List, it's time for the Nice List.




1. Glee
I don't think I could love this show more without someone needing to get a restraining order. (That would be you, Mr. Shue.)

2. Peppermint Mocha CoffeeMate
One of my favorite things about Christmas is the excessive amount of peppermint-flavored things. Of recent discovery is peppermint mocha coffee creamer. Joy!

3. Kentucky Basketball
3a. John Wall
3b. Coach Cal
3c. Patrick Patterson
Nothing makes the season brighter than a 10-0 start, especially after playing UNC, UConn and IU. There's a lot of problems in the world, but with UK in the Top 10, I can sleep with the peace of knowing that something is very right. ;)


4. The Hangover
A great movie or the greatest movie? Either way, it comes out on DVD today and is the perfect last-minute gift for me if you're looking. If not, I'll probably be at Target December 26 with my Christmas money.

5. You!
Is that cheesy? Lame? For real though, thanks for reading, saying nice things in the comments, generally being awesome and contributing to my inflated sense of self-worth. ;) May you all get very nice things from Santa this year.

image: alliet

2009 Naughty List

Last year around the holidays I made a naughty list, which was so fun I thought I'd do it again this year, and follow-up with a nice list tomorrow.


Learn more about Krampus.

1. Jane Austen mash-ups
Okay, yeah, I can laugh at Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I've flipped through it in the store once and was highly entertained. But now that there's Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters and Emma and the Werewolves (Although this seems to be from a separate person than those who created the previous two.), it has clearly become an attack on my beloved Jane which should stop. Spread the love. Pick on some Bronte sisters. I mean, they already have characters locked in the attic so that would be a good place to start.

2. The United States Government
Since Lee co-signed his friend's mortgage and was on the title for a year, we don't qualify for the $8,000 tax refund for first time home buyers. I know this isn't really the government's fault, but it makes me sad even though I'm not a big fan of government spending in the first place.
Even after they expanded the qualifications, we still don't make the cut since we haven't lived in the same home for five years.
(Yes, I could get a mortgage without Lee but Lee qualifies for the VA loan which is better than the FHA loan.)

3. Ice storms
We lost power for four days. That was not cool, Mother Nature.


4. Cat pee
While I have forgiven Reagan, I can't forget. We still have a long way to go on the road to building back trust.


Note: I just realized that last year's naughty list was titled "2009 Naughty List..." Oops.


5. Jon and Kate Plus Hate
I have a high tolerance for over-publicized celeb fiascoes and miscellaneous celeb non-sense. If I get tired of your crazy life, then you must have already crossed the line 70 miles back. Although, I will admit to the unpopular opinion of siding with Kate.


image: annia316