Life in Pictures.

Black...and red and green and white Friday

It's here folks!!  The Christmas rush is officially on!!!  I LOVE the hustle and bustle of this time of year.  So, you're trying to think of something fun to give your friend or neighbor for the annual gift exchange??  Here's a fun idea.  It took me all of about 45 minutes to complete.  Can't beat that!!  I know I have mentioned it several times before, but I have a deep love for Homegoods, yep deep, undying love.  It's where I spend most of my cash.  I can browse the aisles for hours.  As a matter of fact last Saturday they had to escort me out.  I closed the place down. ;) 

One of my favorite things to do is check out the clearance asile for unloved items that can be transformed into something new and loved again. :)  A few months ago I spotted this cute little library card set.  The cards themselves weren't anything fancy, but the box they came in was so cute I just knew I had to do something with it.  I wasn't sure what, but knew I could think of something.  I think it found it's calling:

 

I turned it in to a box of assorted homemade gift tags.  There are tags with ribbons, regular tags and some little cards with envelopes.  Also included are a date stamp (i think it's fun to date cards so that if you save them you can remember when you received it) a small ink pad and a nice black pen.  What do you think???  Wouldn't that make a great gift for a neighbor or friend??  All the tags they need for their gift wrapping this season?? 

 

I LOVE to wrap gifts and so a little handmade touch like this would really  jazz them up.  It was SO EASY!!!  What really made it so easy was the   "tis the season" line from ms. Teresa Collins.  It is so cute.  The pre-made tags are all on ONE sheet of paper, you just cut them out.  The ribbon tags I made by just tracing a tag shape onto her cute papers (8x8 and 12x12 find them here) , the cards I just used her pre-made and already die-cut cards, and her cute stamp is on the front of the green card.    I LOVE it when it is so easy to make something so cute and fun looking.  I seriously just cut some stuff up and that was IT!! 

These cards measure about 3x2...I found the envelopes at a floral supply store 

 

the contents minus the pen, ink pad and stamp......

 

 

Once everything was neatly tucked inside I slid the lid on, tied it up with some ribbon and added a handmade tag on the outside. :)

 

Now who wouldn't want that???  ;) 

So search the clearance aisles of your local stores and see what you can create! :)

Have a great day!!

-t

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day.  I'm sure thankful for all you faithful blog readers that give me a reason to do something that I love!! :) 

The two little people that I'm extra thankful for on this special day....

 

 

Now go eat some more pie!! :)

-t

A Christmas Sneak...

of a new project to check out on Black Friday...

 

Have great day!!

-t

Cute Thanksgiving Tags FREE Download

Thought these were cute.  If you need a fun idea for napkin rings and you're running out of time why not print out these tags, roll your silverware up in napkins and tie the tags on with some twine.  Simple and cute!

 

go here to download them. :)

Have a great day!!

-t 

When I grow up-- the funniest thing you'll hear this week...

Oh, I had the FUNNIEST conversation last week with Andy.  Just to preface this story a little bit...Last year at Thanksgiving we went miniature golfing with our whole family aunts, uncles, cousins etc.  Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner he's been talking about that a lot and how maybe we can go again this year.  It obviously made an impression on him and he had a lot of fun...so ...

We were in the car heading to school last week and out of the blue he said "mom, do you know what I want to be when I grow up?"  Of course I said "no" and asked him what he wanted to be. 

"I think I'm going to be a PROFESSIONAL MINIATURE GOLFER."  HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

but it gets better....

So I chuckled and said "that sounds like a fun job" to which he replied...

"Well, actually, I can't decide.  I either want to be that or a PROFESSIONAL SNUGGLER.  I really like to snuggle with you and I'm pretty good at it.  You and I could enter competitions and stuff."

So you can imagine that I was having a hard time keeping my composure at this point. 

Is that not the funniest thing you've heard in a while???  A professional snuggler.  Oh, I love it.  I am so going to miss it when ths little angel grows up and dosn't want to snuggle with his mama anymore. :(

I'll enter a snuggling competition with you any time Andy.  I love you!

Have a great day!

-t

Do you have a special talent??

***This post will remain at the top of the blog for a few days, regular posting will continue so scroll down for new posts! :) ***

So, I had this idea.  Chistmas is coming and I know there are a lot of really talented people that make fun things and have etsy shops and such that are always looking for a way to get noticed.  And let's face it.  It's HARD!!!  How do you set youself apart?  How do you get the word out??  Well, I was thinking...what  if I do a "My favorite things" edition of Life in Pictures just in time for Christmas???  Gift ideas and such for the people on your list. 

BUT I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

There are SO many cool things out there.  How can I find them all by myself??  Believe me I'm looking everyday, but there is no way I can possibly know about all the cool things that are out there.

Do you know of something??  Do you have a friend that makes really cool jewelry, t-shirts, floral arrangements, gift baskets, etc.  Do you have a favorite online boutique or etsy store??  You name it.  Let's see it.  Tell me about it.  Send me a link or a picture.  Tell me why you love it. 

If you are a retailer or artist that would like to have your work highlighted, if you'd like to send me a sample for a prize giveaway or a coupon code for blog visitors email me and I'll feature you on the blog. 

Here's the catch.  I need your suggestions ASAP!!  December is here!  Send your ideas to me at [email protected]  with the title "Favorite Things"  if your idea is picked to be featured I'll contact you! :)

I can't wait to see all the fun things you guys know about! :)

Have a great day!!

-t

Um...YUM!!!!!!

Are you looking for a way to sweeten up your weekend??   Why not make some of these...

 

 

Are you drooling yet???

These Nutty Peanut Butter Caramel Bars can be yours in just 30 minutes today.   :)

Enjoy!!

-t

Thanksgiving Table

OK so we're at a week and counting!!  Do you know what your table is going to look like this year???  Here are a few fun ideas if you're stressing about what to do! :)  I LOVE this color combination.  SO fresh and fun. 

(If you haven't tried IZZE yet...you have to!!  It is SO yummy and comes in tons of fun flavors and colors to compliment any table scape.  :)  You can usually find it at Target and Cost Pus.)

 

I thought these were fun ideas for the "kids" table.

try these for your napkins and give the kids paper placemats or cover the table in butcher paper and let them have at it.

   

If little appetites just can't wait for dinner have this as your centerpeice...

 

for dessert why not have the decorations on hand and let the kids create their own turkey...

    

now get busy!!  only 6 days left!!! :)

have a great day!

-t

1st annual Chili cook off!!

This weekend we held our 1st annual neighborhood chili cook off.  (have I told you yet how much I love our neighborhood??? ) ;) 

What's better than good friends, good food and a little competition???  :) 

 

this is the pumpkin stuff...i finally have a picture for you...i think it was a hit! :)

 

Here's the recipe again for those that have asked...

"Pumpkin Stuff"

4 eggs

1 large can (30oz) of pumpkin pie mix (already has the sugar and spices in it)

1 12oz can evaporated milk ( i use sweetend condensed)

1 yellow cake mix

1/2 cup butter

 

mix eggs, pumpkin, milk and one cup of cake mix.  pour into greased 9x13.  sprinkle remaining cake mix on top of mixture in pan.  melt your butter and drizzle over the top of the cake mix.  bake at 350 for 45minutes to an hour.  serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

 

the judges were marked so we knew who to bribe. ;)

  

let the tasting begin!

 

It was a BEAUTIFUL indian summer evening.  Temps were in the 80's even after the sun went down.  Bad for fire season, GREAT for a movie night!! :)

 

Hope you have a great day!!

-t

Christmas Cards

 

I've decided to try something new this year.  The last few years we've gotten a few REALLY cute holiday cards.  You know, different than what I usually order every year from costco or shutterfly.  Don't get me wrong, those are totally cute too, but this year I was feeling the need for something different.  SO, I decided to attempt to make my own. :)  I had so much fun doing it that I may send out 4 or 5 different cards this year just so I can make some more. ;)  But seriously, I did have a ton of fun making them and decided that I am going to make a few more.  I'm going to offer them for $25 for the file.  Once I make the samples you can choose which one you would like, send me your picture, I'll make a compressed file for you and you can have them developed wherever you would like.  Sound good??

Here's a sample of the cards... (sorry to all of you who will be receiving our card this year! this is probably what you'll be getting!! :)

 

 

I'll make them all to hold one picture (horizontal or vertical) I just did the three pictures for a specific look for my pics! :)

Do you want to be notified when I have the gallery ready to view of cards to choose from?  Send me an email at [email protected] with Christmas Cards in the subject line and I'll email you when they're ready. :)

Have a great day!

-t