...and to all a good night!

We've decorated. We've shopped. We've wrapped. We've baked. We've packaged. We've shipped. We've baked some more for those on our list we forgot. We've been back to the grocery store four times in one day for that "one" missed thing. We've laughed..and cried (don't ever substitute half and half for heavy cream). We've made it.

Now that all the fluff is pretty much taken care of, I have had some time to think about how amazingly blessed I am. In a year that has given all of us quite a ride--devastating blows and little miracles, I am so thankful for this moment of peace that overwhelms me. I hope that peace finds us all in our quieter moments in the next weeks as we take count of what this year has meant. And look forward to whatever lies ahead.

happy holidays to you all..
see you in the new year

wrappin' it up

Yo. After three trips to the post office (one of which was today--NOT such a good idea with a three-year old), christmas cards made and addressed, gingerbread construction well underway, and the giant heap of wrapping mostly done, I feel like there's a light. Thump+thump. That's the sound of me patting myself on the back and surely jinxing my karma big time.

I know that lots of you have already discovered Amy's tags just in time and also these. Wunnerful...just what I needed!

Of course I'm not mentioning the lowered state of house hygeine that seems to have arisen while I was working on Christmas cheer. I'll deal with the pile of dead ants in the corner of the bathroom and the funky litterbox after I'm done with my happy dance. It looks something like this.

Here's hoping that you have time to do a happy dance--wherever you are.

Countdown...

Am I the only one that feels like I'm running out of time? It doesn't help that my husband put the NORAD Santa tracker on our Google homepage. It's a constant reminder of how many days and hours are left until I *ahem* I mean, Santa, has to have it all come together. Which it will. It always does. By the time Christmas morning is over, I'm already thinking about what to do for next year. Getting ready isn't as hard as being in the moment for it all. I'm working on that part. There was a brief moment--I took a deep breath at Peet's--and I was there. It was quickly followed by my daughter shoving the entire peanut butter cookie in her mouth and trying to talk in my face and the agonizing traffic that caused us to crawl the 1/2 mile home. Like I said, I'm working on it. Om.

I made the tote bag for a little girl's birthday party this weekend. I was very excited at how cute it turned out. It made me wish that my name began with an S. And I had a chunky white turtleneck sweater to wear with it. And brown go-go-ish boots. I would be so cute.

brrr...

I realize that us Californians are quite whiny...with our wildfires and earthquakes. And the past few days have been cold. I mean COLD. Crack your knuckles open cold. We're a big group of itchy, scaly, shriveled-up whiners. The only ones that don't seem to mind are the birds. It's a constant parade at the bird feeder. I love getting up in the morning, holding my coffee and watching them go at it. So busy and neurotic--all without caffeine. Nature's miracles.

Three little hedgies have come to visit my shop this morning. The last few were snatched up and I got some new fabrics in the mail...a good a reason to make more if I've ever heard one. The blue one looks like a tiny, delicious tea cake. Yum. I'm trying to wrap up my holiday orders, then moving on to family gifts and THEN I'm switching gears to do some painting. Really..I swear. Just as soon as I make a gadzillion cookies to distribute, the world's cutest log-cabin gingerbread house, gnocci to freeze for Christmas and two twirly skirts for two twirly girls. Oh, and single-handedly drink all the cranberry cordial that's steeping in the fridge. It's mine..all mine.

Cranberry Cordial
1 big 1.5L bottle cheap white wine (chablis, sauvignon blanc, anything will do)
1 package fresh or frozen cranberries (about 2-3 cups)
2-3 C. sugar, depending on how sweet you like it

Pulse cranberries in food processor. Add wine, berries and sugar to pitcher or carafe. Let steep 5-7 days, stirring every once and while. You may want to taste it periodically, too--for me that's about 4:30 every day. We start happy hour early around here. Cheers!

forgot to mention to STRAIN the cordial before serving (unless you like chewing your drinks)..

Sister Dollies

"Hey, is that my headband?"
"No. Your's is on your head. Duh."
"You totally copied me. Take it off."
"No way! I had it on first!"
"Whatever. You're jut jealous because my skirt is cuter than yours."
"Hey, don't touch me."
"I'm not touching you..not touching you..not touching you."
"MOM!!!"

When I saw the clothespin dolls in Melissa's shop, I tried to snatch one up but she had already sold them all! Boo-hoo. So do I give up? No. I corner her over a bowl of chili at Claire's house and won't let her leave until she's made two of them for me--in the likenesses of my little girls. They found them this morning, sticking feet-first out of their advent calendar. You can find her kits to make your own in her shop (if she hasn't sold out of those, too). They have wonderful bendy arms--perfect for acting out fight scenes. We have a lot of those around here.

Lookie Here!

I am so excited! The best little gift shop in Davis, Bower Bird is now carrying my speckled hen and goody goody items! The owner, Deborah, just snapped up all my leftovers from my last show...and then she wanted more! Sorry about all the exclamation points. I'm just thrilled to be represented in town and have a spot where people can see my little creations in person. Shopping local, buying handmade...it's all good.

Another Shop Update

Well, my blogging streak of two days in a row has ended--not much of a streak. My allotted computer time yesterday was spent elfing myself and my family at this site. So funny it hurt. I have listed new cards and tags in my goody-goody shop for those of you (like me) who have yet to send out cards or get those gifts wrapped. Or buy the gifts. Or think about what I'm going to buy or make. That's how far behind I am. I was so impressed by some people at the show last weekend who were walking around with detailed lists of "who" needed "what". I was one of those once... before kids. I may not be on top of things anymore, but but give me the drippy, bejeweled, glittery Holiday crafts and those proud faces instead. I'll take 'em.

Holy Crud!

Look at me! I'm blogging two days in a row! Woo-hoo! I managed to squeeze in a small photo shoot yesterday--in between wiping a screaming, snotty, chapped face and promising that, yes, Pinocchio WILL turn back into a boy from a donkey if they'd just GO WATCH THE MOVIE. There are days where some cosmic force is telling you to just give it up. Because now it's raining. WTH? So listing today are little hedgie and donut pincushions. Perfect for stockings or that person who sews and MAKES everything and is so superior about it. Oh wait, that's me.

On a related note (related meaning cynical and crabby), I've just discovered the Knock Knock folks have started a blog. I want to be friends with these people so bad I could stalk them. Personally, I want the entire collection of Self-Hurt books for Christmas. Spread the joy, people.

Post Show Hangover

It was a three day affair at the Davis Art Center Holiday Show--kind of like running a marathon while sitting down. That's how tired and sore I feel. I really can't complain, though. What's not to love about meeting etsy friends in person, making new ones and getting some "grown-up" time to myself? I'd be lying if I said my hubby wasn't a little relieved to head off to work today after having munchkin duty morning to night. As for me, I may or may not get out of my sweats and take a shower. Right now I'm pretty happy eating toffee for breakfast...

I will be listing lots of stuff for the shop this week--ASAP because I know most people are finishing up their holiday shopping (well, some of us haven't really started). Lots of small handmade love to round out your list.

Thanks again for the booth kudos at DAC (I'll be back next year!) and a big holla out to my in-laws and hubby for the food, potty breaks, caffeine and endless kid trips to the park in the bitter cold. You guys are so rad. Now, back to the toffee.