Pre-Christmas Post

The New York Times had an article this week about how people are turning to crafty and handmade gifts this year in an effort to save money and personalize Christmas. I did that as well, but instead of making the gifts myself, I shopped on etsy.com, "an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade." I figured we are close enough to the present opening that I can give a shout out to the artists I purchased from without giving anything away.

Art from kellyrae

Art from lindsayart

Address labels and stickers from SimplyEmbellish

T-shirt and onesies from phippsart

Baby accessories from hushboutique

Christmas Shopping

So for anyone out there that still needs a Christmas gift for a little girl (or maybe even a big girl), check out these auctions on eBay. There are 7 beautiful dolls available, handmade by Alicia Paulson. They are similar to the pattern in her new book Stitched In Time. Each one benefits a different organization such as World Vision or the Red Cross. But hurry, there are only 35 hours left. Here's the full scoop, including a little background for each of the girls pictured below. Happy bidding!

Christmas

I absolutely love Christmas because I really, really like presents. They don't have to be big or fancy, I just like to get presents. And I know that the real reason I like Christmas is because of Jesus and then because of my family and friends, but I still really like presents. This list is for the trivial presents only. My gratefulness for family, friends and Jesus should be understood. I get paid in hugs and tipped in kisses for crying out loud, what better present is there?? So here are some of my favorite presents of 2006 in no particular order.


1. Mint nonpareils. Also known (by me at least) as chinese hats. Mmmmm. . .


2. Gap giftcards. The only store where the best jeans for me are called "Long and Lean." Ironic, isn't it?



3. My new kitchenaid food processor. Thanks, Dad and Pam.



4. My amazing new "Gravity Lock" salad tongs. To open them, you point them downward. To close them, you point them upward. I may not understand how they work, but they are darn convenient.


5. My giant new trash can. I asked for a trash can for Christmas because my husband builds these really nice ones out of wood. So now I have my nice trash can, although it is a bit on the huge side. He may have to cut it down a little so it will fit in the kitchen. I think he made it so big so he won't ever have to empty the trash again. And maybe so that if someone is after me I can hide in there. Who knows.




On a side note, I am also grateful that my phone, which somehow found its way into a semi-full bathtub last night (thanks, Soph), has made a full recovery. That was a close one.