Holiday, Christmas Cards

It may seem like a ways away but Christmas is really just around the corner when it comes to being prepared. Think ahead now and avoid feeling the anxiety and last minute stress that really shouldn't be part of the Holiday Season. Shop the sales racks at your favorite stores now and save time and money. A couple of my favorites are TJ Max and Home Goods (usually located in the same store), Target clearance end caps, and of course Craigslist! Don't be afraid to get something used and turn it into something fabulous. Everyone loves a home made gift.

Christmas Cards should also be on your mind. I absolutely LOVE receiving Christmas Cards, especially photo Christmas Cards. Add a family newsletter in there and I'm a "happy clam."

Here are a couple ideas:

1. Have your baby walk across a long strip of butcher block paper using green and/or red paint (not at same time). Cut that up in 4x4 squares and glue it to folded colored card stock. Use Winter and Holiday shaped paper cutouts to decorate a couple spots, or all four corners.
2. Get your kids to draw a picture of something seasonal, or turn their handprint into something seasonal yourself using a sharpie. Feel free to glue a design to cover with sparkles. Scan it. Go to Vista Print and (using one of their highly promoted sales) make a bunch of copies of one sided cards (or splurge and do a folded card).
3. Support a local photographic artist and do a fun family shot! Order through your photographer for high quality cards, or buy a cd and order your own through shutterfly or snapfish, etc.
4. Take pictures of your kids yourself. Cut and crop and paste mutliple together in a collage form. Use adobe photoshop or hey, scissors and glue (scan finished product at high photo quality) See Vista Print at above #2.

Gift tag finger painted by one year old and labeled with computer printed stickers.

Rake Head Necklace Hangers

Whenever my mom comes to visit she brings me goodies. A few years ago she showed up with a rake head she said I could use for my necklaces. "Hmm, interesting idea mom," I thought. I love it. Or should I say, I love them, as I have doubled my display space with two rake heads. I love that it not only keeps my necklaces separate from one another and in plain view for selection, but that I am finding a new use for an old gardening tool.

Quick Fix for Changing Table/Furniture Conversion

Needing a changing station in my bedroom, I decided to use an older dresser with some fun character. The depth and width worked out perfect, but it was a bit too short. Simply adding four bed raising cones has brought it up to a more desirable height for myself and my 6'1" husband. They're not the most attractive design addition but are hardly noticeable. I'm sure an ugly babies are us changing table would have shouted ugly much louder. I plan on using this dresser as a nightstand once the crib is no longer needed as a co-sleeper in my room.

Playing With Blocks

My mom found a bag of letter blocks at a yard sale a couple years ago. Blocks are fun but sometimes they can be too much of a good thing. Especially if it's the middle of the night and you're barefoot. These blocks are adhered using wood glue and although their heights vary, the sign is sturdy. Other ideas for your blocks:
Welcome, your last name, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Use them to spell out your kids names or your pets name next to their food bowl!
Have any other ideas for letter blocks? Post a comment I'd love to hear them!

Halloween Decorating

Halloween is a special Holiday for me. My birthday is 2 weeks before and so growing up I had Halloween birthday parties and have always enjoyed dressing up both myself and my home. I wish I had pictures of the grave headstones I made out of styrofoam for the front yard when I was in high school. Gotta love the big classy decorations but honestly you can't pick those up for too cheap even at Home Goods. Yes there are great sales on November 1st but who's really in the mood to spend money on Halloween decorations when it's November. One thing I did shop for on November 1st last year was princess costumes from target for my daughter for a Christmas gift. At 50% off, show up early and you'll have a huge selection of make believe clothes for your kids!

"It's Not Easy Being Green" - Reno Upcycle

But it doesn't have to be hard Kermi!

My friend Veronica Coleman, owner of Reno Upcycle was featured on our local news this morning! To quote the show,

"Upcycling is the idea of taking something old, outdated, unwanted, or just in need of a change, and giving it new life. Upcycling is a way to reduce and reuse items that may otherwise be headed for the landfill. Veronica Coleman is the creator behind the website www.renoupcycle.com. She's taken the upcycle concept of reducing by reusing, and turned it into a business."

Way to go Ver!
Watch the Show!