Handmade Christmas

Ok..Finally, I will share with you a book that both my mom and I are a part of, Handmade Christmas! I've been meaning to make a post about this since September. I even was going to give away a copy..but I'm afraid it's too late this year as Christmas is right around the corner. Perhaps next year? This project was a real struggle for me. A year ago around this time I was working to meet the deadline which was right after the holidays..sort of a bummer deadline especially when you're trying to also keep up with orders in your own shop. On top of this stress, I was insanely sick and I didn't know it. I would wake up with grand plans to finish up the 6 projects I was to make and write directions for (something I believe I am pretty bad at...), only to give up my day to a 14 hour headache, what I thought was a migraine, but was in fact hypertension. It was not a fun time. It was such a relief to send it all out to Penguin books in Australia. I haven't read the instructions over, I've been too embarrassed..I hope they helped me out. They ended up using 4 of my 6 projects...the other 2 are very good though and I hope to share them as a DIY on here eventually. So that will be fun. I was a little disappointed with the photos of my projects. I'm not sure that they do them justice, so today I thought I'd share a couple photos I took of 2 of the DIYS..


Christmas Countdown Frame


Peace on Earth Window Display Banner - In the book the photo shows this hung on a wall, which is another great use, but the point is for this to hang in your window and be illuminated by your evening lights. In the day it is still visible and sparkles from the delicate glitter which outlines the letters.

To see the rest of my projects, as well as the 3 my mom contributed, you should pick up a copy of Handmade Christmas at the Penguin site! There are a LOT of projects from other crafters and bloggers. It would make a nice gift and I'm sure it will inspire many holiday creations..after all, this is the best time of year for your own handmade talents!


Just wanted to share some wooden trees my mom asked my dad to cut out for her so she could place them in her urns. We sort of went nuts collecting tinsel inspired trees and wreaths found at Home Depot. They had a definite Confetti System vibe. You can see my mom used her wreaths as a base around the tree.