Merry Holidays to you!

I'm reaching the end of my Holiday preparations. What a strange season this has been. For some reason the Christmas spirit never really joined me this year. I did my best, and forced it anyway.

I made my cute card, but did I send them? No! I did give to some friends though. Yesterday, I couldn't find 2 gifts... still can't... burnt half a batch of cookies... stayed up till 3 am... a good thing is the fudge is only minimally gritty.

Oh well you can't be a jolly ol' elf every year. Well I know many who can, but I guess not me. As much as I have in my head how the perfect Christmas should be, it rarely happens. A big reason for me... PROCRASTINATION!

I've had a rough autumn this year, on a personal level. That could've had a big effect on my Christmas spirit. I did make a lot of holiday sales, both online and in the real world. That helped a lot, but also made me extra busy, and that also effected my preparations.

Well, even with an odd Christmas, I'm still grateful for the many things that I do have. My family, friends in the physical and virtual realm, and beautiful place to live, and a quaint little home.

I wish you all a most Joyous Holiday filled with laughter and love. See ya on the flip side!

Glad Tidings

I've finally finished my annual Christmas card! I couldn't get in the mood, and had no idea what to do, until tonight. Then it finally came to me. I wanted some kind of doll, and who's the cutest doll? Blythe of course! And she has a little boyfriend giving her glad tidings of joy! Not sure how happy she is to have a mouse for a lover, but at least she's got one.

This was carved into a "speedy-cut" stamp, then printed with acrylic paint. This is the fourth year I've made my cards this way. I was tired of the xeroxed black and white cards, and I wanted color. And it just took too long to watercolor all my cards, which is what I did a few times. So this is a way to get some color, and maybe glitter, without too much effort. I do enjoy carving these stamps though, and once I get the design figured out, it really isn't too hard to do.

So if you know me in the "real world" don't be too disappointed that you won't be surprised when you get your card!

A Merry-Jerry Christmas

Here's a long awaited return of Jerry Claus. It's Jerry Garcia, of course. These guys were an annual tradition of mine back the 90s. Since I've got some of my things available at Hungry Heart Records, I thought these would be fun there. If you're ever in Hemet, check them out.


I've been having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year. So these little ornaments are helping me a bit. Are you motivated for the Holidays yet?

An Exceptional Night, Leads to an Exceptional Sickness

Yes it's true, I, like so many others, have been sick!

On December 12 I had the most incredible night out, seeing the beloved Squirrel Nut Zippers! And what a night it was! Thanks to Wesley, we were able to go back stage after the show and meet them! We got pictures, and Wesley got some autographs (along with some little doodles.) It was very cool, and he was jazzed to share some of his sketch book with the band. They were very nice, and the show was so excellent. I'm ready to see them again. They've got to be one of my favorites of all time!! So many thanks go out to my bestest of girlfriends for the tickets!



I love this photo of Katharine Whalen, She's really looking at Wes, and giving him a smile! She always dresses so wonderfully, and her voice is amazing. Kind of Billie Holiday meets Betty Boop. I love it. I also always love Jimbo Mathus, the singer-songwriter-guitarist-extraordinaire. They are so much fun to watch, and dance to. I'll be looking for their return to the West Coast. Here's another good link to their unofficial site.

Anyway, because all of my allergies lately, and some complications from that, a simple cold became one of the worst cases of coughing fits I've had in a long time. I was having the worst tickles, and it lasted for the 12 days of Christmas! Finally, THE day before Christmas Eve I was feeling almost back to normal. Because of it, my Christmas plans were really skrewed up! I didn't get my cards out, didn't make the gifts I planned on making, didn't do all of my baking, didn't update my blog with lots of pretty stuff, etc, etc, etc. Oh well, sometimes you've just got to let things go, and accept them for what they are. You can't always be a Martha Stewart Christmas Wonder!

So I've got some updating to do on this here blog. Because some of the things that happened have got to be shared, if even for only myself.

I do hope that all of you who celebrate, had an enjoyable Christmas!!!

Sassy Elves and Sassy Windows

In yesterday's post I talked about my first real Christmas tree in a long time. What I was meaning was my "main" tree. I've actually had a small tree in my bedroom for a few years. I use to get a small potted variety. Last year I got this cute, retro style of tree in green, and added these cool purple-pink lights to my window. I've repeated it this year. I love the look!



I printed up some more of my Sassy Elf Christmas cards today. They're available at my Etsy shop. I must get my new design ready, carved, and printed soon... like tomorrow!! I thought I'd get it done today, but now it's pretty late and I've got some package preparations to do. Brad will have to do the mailing for me, since we've only got one vehicle shoveled out. Oh darn, I've got to stay home! I actually enjoy it. Some times I just need a break from the social scene at the school. Snow's a great excuse!

My Christmas Tree

The little storm from yesterday turned into quite a dumping! That made for a stay-at-home kind of day. Cold and beautiful!



We've been decorating a little at a time. I needed a tree topper so I thought I'd make one. I got this dove at my local thrift store. I cut the wings off and glued on just a piece of the wing.(The original wings were just too big, and the real feathers didn't glitter well) Glittered it silver, made a pink-glittered, Good-Witch-Glenda crown, and gave it a little message to hold. He looks rather stoic perched proudly at the top.



This is actually my first "real" Christmas tree since I grew up. In the past, for many years, I had a manzanita branch for a tree. I was suddenly ready for a change. I found it at the local thrift store. It was in an enormous box, and they just didn't want to put it together to see if it was complete. So what a score for me! The over load of ornaments works, and looks, way better than on the manzanita. A branch was fun and unique. But this new tree is very refreshing, and I'm lovin it!!

Snow Flakes Inside - Snow Flakes Outside

Last night we were busy making some snowflakes. Later in the night we had out first snow of the season!

The large rainstorm last weekend, rain all day yesterday, and now snow most of the day today... How glorious to have the moisture, and to help end our drought! Ah, the relief of the fire danger season ending, or at least a break in it for a while!

Today we made some more snow flakes and decorated our front door windows. Thanks to our room parent, Barbara M., Wesley has been very inspired to make lots of these. They look red in this no flash pix, but we actually made pink and white.

A few years back I read about a family who had a holiday tradition where they had a snowflake night. They would cut their flakes, then have contests on most prettiest and other assorted categories. They would have a full celebration of the snowflake, and enjoy hot chocolate and goodies for this night. We had a little version, years ago when Wesley was 3 or 4. We didn't carry on with the tradition like the other family. But we did have a good time cutting these out, and they look so festive in our window, with our winter wonderland outside!

Retro Christmas!

I love all things retro when it comes to Christmas! I seem to enjoy the kitchier-side of Christmas, rather than the perfectly trimmed, serious stuff. Although I really do love ALL Things Christmas, really!

While at my mother's house this weekend, we helped her with her tree. She's got a lot of wonderful goodies as well! This little treasure was found at a yard sale a couple of years ago. I was so jealous that I hadn't found it! I love this trio of carolers. And it's a music box too!



These 2 little elves are some of my all time favorites! They use to belong to my ex-step Dad, but they mysteriously ended up with my mom after the split. That's one reason I love them so much, just happy memories. Sorry, Bob G. but I really think we (or at least myself) loved them ever-so-much more than you ever could!! I have a collection of Christmas elves and these probably started my love affair with them!

We are still in the process of putting on the holiday duds in our house. I hope to share some pix soon!

Getting ready for Christmas

I'm trying to get more Christmas items in my Etsy shop. Although I'm a little late, as usual! Really organized people have been onto Christmas items far longer.

These cards were printed from my stamp that I designed and carved. They were printed with acrylic paint and dusted with fine fairy dust.

This design is a sassy little elf. She's all ready for her party, martini in hand. I love how retro she is. I'm big into all things "Retro Christmas!"

The colors are not your traditional Christmas colors. That's how I usually make my Christmas cards.

Those of you that receive a physical Christmas card from me may recognize this as my 2006 design. I've been creating a new Christmas card design for 17 years now. This elf was the second time that I made them from a hand carved stamp. Usually they have been copies. I better get busy and think up this year's. I wonder if I'll ever run out of ideas?

Here they are in my Etsy shop.

Vintage Record Cover Box

I started making these upcycled record cover boxes a few years ago to uniquely wrap any gift that would fit into them. Last year I started offering them for sale. And I'm happy to have even more to choose from this year.

This cover is particularly special, in my opinion. Brad first told me it was "Father Knows Best." I wasn't sure. But after reading the back cover I discovered it was the "Donna Reed Show" family. I didn't recognize Donna Reed. I know Donna Reed best as Mary from one of my most favorite movies, "It's A Wonderful Life." This photo is her in 1964. But I thought that made this cover even more fabulous!

I collect these records all year, well I always collect records of all sorts and have for over 20 years now. I use only records that are beyond their use for music, either because of damage, or just plain boring, and insignificant. But the images on old records are simply too much fun to let go to waste sitting in a stack. So I love to give them a new life.

Once I started selling these boxes I started coating them with layers of acrylic medium and a final glossy varnish. The covers can get pretty brittle with age, and these coatings make the box more sturdy. I also add a piece of matching decorative paper for the bottom of the box.

They look so lovely just tied with ribbon sitting under your tree. They are a great way to hold your cards, stationery, or other little trinket items. They fit in perfectly with any vintage inspired Christmas decor. They are just so cute!

I've got some for sale in the Christmas section of my Etsy shop, now.