Archive for the ‘holiday’ Category
Crafting or Cooking for a Cause
I read this article in the paper the other day about volunteer opportunities. This immediately caught my eye:
The Northern Illinois Food Bank needs 260 handmade holiday cards to include in boxes of food sent to senior citizens in December. Contact Tia Milne at 630-443-6910, ext. 130.
And, because my cookie exchange party is just around the corner, I thought this was timely, too. Eight dozen cookies in the house… it’s easy to share.
Advocate Hospice needs holiday decorations for its centers and homemade cookies to give patients and their families.
How many of you sew? There’s a need for you, and not just around the holidays!
Assist in making bed jackets, lap blankets and other items for patients – be a L.O.V.E. volunteer.
I’d love to hear about your favorite organizations or maybe you craft or cook for a cause… more to come.
I Love Advent
Christmas Tree in progress
Most people might say they love Christmas, and I do definitely love the holiday. But after a little thought, maybe I really enjoy Advent more with all the preparation, the anticipation, the planning… there’s so much I want to do, but have already resigned myself that some projects will be for next year. I have much to be thankful for, much I want to give to family, friends, those with needs, those less fortunate.
All month, I’ll try to share with you some thoughts and ways to give back… not that you’re already bombarded with ideas, but perhaps just some food for thought.
One of my favorite ornaments
Food and Gift Packaging
I was super excited to get these goodies from the offices of Martha Stewart Living via Craft Critique. If you’re getting ready for the holidays and looking for ways to wrap or package your baked goods, please take a look at my review on Craft Critique! Leave a comment at their site and you just might win your own set of treat bags and boxes!
Tags: favorite things, gifts, martha stewart
Catching up on Crafty Inspirations
I love these artists, bloggers and their creations… they just make me drool. Check them out if you dare.
Image from http://donnadowney.typepad.com/
- Donna Downey’s wall art
- Oh Fransson! Book Tour and Giveaways
- Anna Maria Horner’s Rainbow Around the Block project
- Tatertots and Jello Complete Blog Makeover giveaway and Bumble Bee Birthday
Of course, this is just a handful of things to check out. I’m completely backlogged with articles to read and projects to finish.
Other random Friday thoughts…
- I’m excited about working with new reporters at Craft Critique.
- Still working on the t-shirt quilt, but finished a couple of baby blankets.
- After hosting a party, I usually have two to three (relatively) unproductive days. I need to clean up.
- I can’t believe Thanksgiving is nineteen days away.
- Most of my family will be in the Philippines for Christmas = early Christmas shopping and gifts.
A Really Good Weekend
I spent lots of time preparing for last week and weekend… not only was it Halloween, but our little man turned 4.
And, as usual, the Halloween crafts didn’t get done, but I did get goody bags finished the night before the school party.
I always intended on posting a tutorial for a last-minute batcave made from store-bought wall decorations, dollar store garbage bags and duct tape… but unfortunately it was far too last-minute. I was busy writing a food article for Halloween.
On Halloween, Abby played her last soccer game (the team’s record 6-1-1)…
… then we headed out for some trick-or-treating with friends.
Like I said, a really good weekend. I hope all of you out there had one too.
Tags: birthday, crafts, decorating, family, Halloween, kids, soccer
Making Birthday Invitations
The inspiration for this design comes from Jessica Jones at one of my all-time favorite blogs, How About Orange. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Chicago Craft Social last year – such a nice person.
Her tutorial is here. I just made it work for Abby’s birthday party invitations, both of them. One for a small gathering of school friends, and one for the family. Thanks, Jessica, for your inspiration!
