Down for the Count

It's that time again. I seem to have come down with that lovely combination of ear/throat/sinus infection that I get this time every year. So you'll have to excuse me today while I spend the day laying on the couch. At least that will give me some good quality time to come up with some New Year's Resolutions. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Eve.

{photo from here}

Distracted

While searching for party ideas for Hudson's upcoming carnival-theme birthday party, I got distracted by the lovely work of Erin Condren. Her work is fantastic. Here are some of my favorites:

Party Labels

So cute for personalizing those party favors.

Family "Call Me" Cards
So much more stylish than scribbling your number out on the back of a Chuck-E-Cheese receipt.

Personalized Flat Cards
Definitely a great way to get your kid to write thank you notes.

Family Calendar
Keep track of everyone's activities, and do it with style.

Now it's back to work. I've got a party to plan!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all!

I'll be back on Monday.

{photo from here}

The Last Minute

The last minute is when I do my finest work. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, so I've learned to work very well under pressure. If you, like me, are looking for a few last-minute ideas to make your celebrations spectacular, here are a few ideas. Thanks to Martha, of course.

If you get tired of hearing, "Is it Christmas yet?" like I am, then use craft time as a distraction. Hudson and I made a similar snow globe at his school last week. They're simple, fun to make, and your child will be so proud of his creation. And this is another way to recycle your glass jars. Get the instructions here.

These are so cute! And such a fun way to add some color to your dinner table; plus, it's a great way to use up all those ribbon scraps from your gift wrapping. {Photo from here}.

This one is so cute! I think H. and I will give this one a try...he's asked me every day when it's going to snow. I'm pretty sure he's expecting it to snow on Christmas. Since snow here is unlikely, maybe it will make him feel better if we can make our own ice cream snowmen.

If you're still looking for a centerpiece, here's your answer. Just use bowls that match your dinner plates, pretty flowers, candles and you're done. Elegant and simple.

{all photos and ideas from Martha. Because nobody does the holidays quite like Martha}.

When it rains...

...it pours. And I do mean that in the proverbial sense.

I'm sitting here laughing at the chaos that makes up my life.

I'm thinking of the way a single conversation can change your life before you even see it coming.

I'm thinking of the irony of his pager going off, the minute he drifts off to sleep.

I'm amused because the goofy guy I fell in love with is now a man who rushes out in the middle of the night to care for others.

I'm laughing at the willfulness of a child...the defiance of a little boy who can ignore my voice so easily, yet still needs my embrace.

I'm proud of myself because I've learned that I often don't know what's best for me, and that it's good when I don't get my way all the time.

Sitting here, reflecting on these sentiments, I've come to the conclusion that I'm not in control. Not one bit. And I like it. I'm learning to deal with unpredictability...and hopefully one day, I'll even be able to do it with an ounce of grace. I'm learning to soak up the joy that can be found in the ordinary, and to fully live in each moment that makes up my life. I'm learning that it's all the bumps in the road that make the ride so interesting.

And I guess it's a good thing that I love rain.

{Sorry for the strange post...I'm just in a reflective mood right now.} If you can tell, my to-do list for the weekend didn't exactly go as planned. :)

{I found this beautiful photo here}.

Happy Friday!

{photo from here}

Some things on my to-do list this weekend:
1. Ship packages to my family

2. Finish our Christmas Cards {they turned out really cute, by the way}

3. Watch Charlie Brown Christmas

4. Visit the tree at Union Square

5. Make paper chains and popcorn garlands for the tree

6. Decorate Christmas Cookies

7. Finish all our handmade gifts

8. Splash in puddles

9. Cut out more snowflakes

10. Drive around and look at the lights

Daddy's on call all weekend, so we'll be sticking pretty close to home. And it's supposed to rain again this weekend...so we're prepared with lots of fun activities to keep little hands busy indoors. Hope you have a nice cozy weekend. And good luck with all those last-minute preparations! {I know I need it!}

White White White

I picked up a great all-white bouquet from Costco a while ago, and it got me thinking about how much I love white. It's so simple and elegant. Perfect for the holidays. Here are a few favorites, which would also make great last-minute gifts. {richochet studio}

{muyinmolly}

{melissa schmidt}

{element clay studio}

{labokoff}

Have a nice day!

Snow Queens & Sugar Plums

Christmas just wouldn't be complete without visions of dancing Sugar Plums. Tonight, my kind husband and I will be sitting in the audience of the San Francisco Ballet's version of the Nutcracker. Unlike most of the other adults in the audience, we won't be toting any tutu-clad toddlers with us. Funny, I know, but Hudson just wasn't interested.

Definitely my favorite scene last year was that of the Snow Queen. It was breathtaking. I can't wait to see it again. Pardon me for getting nostalgic here, but I actually participated in several productions of the Nutcracker myself. It was just the local, hometown ballet studio version; but it was still fun. I usually played the Sugar Plum Fairy, or the Snow Queen (perhaps that's why I'm partial).

And thanks to my loving husband for humoring me with a date night--my style; especially when he has much more important things to be doing. And another thanks to the wonderful grandparents who are so thoughtful and always so willing to babysit. Two years in a row...I sense we may just be starting a tradition here.

{photo from here}

Gift Wrapping Ideas

Now that most of you {unlike me} have finished your shopping, it's time to get started wrapping. I've put together a collection of simple, pretty, and fun gift wrap ideas. I love wrapping presents even more than I love shopping for them. And I think it's so much fun to make each package as unique as the recipient. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Use all those old paint chips you have laying around.

{from d.Sharp via party perfect}

Woven ribbons
{from Martha Stewart}


Monogrammed Paper
{from Good Housekeeping}


Tie it up with a jump rope. It's like giving two gifts in one!
{from Real Simple}


Let your kids make the paper. Grandparents especially love this one!
{from Martha Stewart}

Button-print paper

{from Martha Stewart}


OK, so I went a little heavy with the ideas from Martha Stewart...but let's face it, her gifts are the prettiest around. And for more ideas, just think of all the fun you can have with Kraft paper, newspaper, and other recycled materials. If you have any ideas you'd like to share, please feel free to pass them along.

Oh, and P.S. Check out all the great eco-friendly packaging ideas on maya*made. And definitely snag yourself some of these cute printable gift tags from The Black Apple!

Blog Love

Recently, I've discovered some fantastic new {to me} blogs. You've probably been reading them for ages, but just in case...here are some recommendations:

Mostly Mod: Miss Aimee's posts always make me smile. She finds the most wonderful things; and has such a fun, witty way of writing. Definitely a fun read.

The lovely Blair, of delights by design, does exactly that. Her blog is updated daily with the most delightful things. I just don't know how she does it.

the city sage: I could go on and on. Anne has such impeccable taste, she's a fantastic writer and has quite the eye for style. A definite must read.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Christmas in Germany

I always enjoy spending time with family during the holidays. My little brother-in-law currently lives in Germany, so we won't get to see him this Christmas. Here are some of my favorite pictures of Christas in Germany, so I can experience a German Christmas vicariously:

Wouldn't you love to go ice skating here?

{photo from Philipp Klinger}

From one of the stalls at the Frankfurt Christmas Market. These stars are amazing.

{photo from jennicatpink}

Inside a little shop. I love all the ornaments.

{photo from alexleo13}

Ryan sent us one of these traditional Christmas Smokers last year. It makes me giggle just thinking about it.
{photo from james496}

That was fun. Perhaps I'll explore Christmas in another country again another day.

In other news...Grandma's coming over to play with Hudson today while I do Christmas shopping. It looks like Christmas may actually happen after all. Three Cheers for Grandma!

Hooray for the Weekend

This is what our weekend is supposed to look like:


So I'll be hanging out tonight with a nice hot cup of:

Actually, I'm thrilled the weekend is here. I'm feeling a tiny bit burned out. {I've produced 500+ pieces per week for the last three weeks!} That's a lot of paper, my friends. Please note that I'm not actually complaining...I feel so blessed everyday because I get to spend my days taking care of the people I love, and my nights enjoying a hobby that I love.

Oh, and then there's that horrible nightmare I had last night--I dreamt that we woke up on Christmas morning, only to find out that Santa had indeed forgotten us. Things at the Williams household have been um...crazy, to say the least...which contributed to the oversight of our own Christmas in my dream.

So next week, I'll be taking a little time off from my hobby-turned-night job to spend with the two people I love most. And then I'll see what I can do to convince Santa to come visit us. {wink, wink}

Have a good weekend!

{photos from here and here}

Dear Santa...

...I've been good this year, haven't I?

{photo from here}

Hot Off the Press

I first heard the good news way back in April, but my Lovebird Card has now been published in this book. The book just came out...that's why I was saving the news until now. A new, spiffed-up version of The Lovebird will be making its debut next month with my 2009 Valentine Collection.

A Little Clarification

While I was at the ReadyMade show, I met an editor for a popular blog. She asked if she could photograph my table and include me in a post. Naturally, I was thrilled. Tonight I went back to read the comments. One person pointed out that the images in my vintage collection are not illusrated by me. {Um, obviously...that's why they're vintage}. This reader then goes on to question my talent by saying that cutting and pasting doesn't make me talented. I respect her opinion, and she's welcome to share it with whomever she pleases.

So just for the record...my Vintage Collection is just that. It's a collection of copyright free vintage images that I've reproduced with my gocco. I've made it clear in my item descriptions that the images are "found vintage images" meaning I didn't create them. I'd be happy to share my sources if you're interested in reproducing the images yourself.

Gift Guides: Stocking Stuffers

I think stocking stuffers are my favorite gift items to buy for the Holidays. Maybe it's their diminutive size, or maybe it's just because I loved pulling surprise after surprise out of my stocking as a child. Anyway, here are a few of my top picks under $15 this year:

Apple Jacket, from Jacqueline Knits

{Everyday I throw an apple or two into my diaper bag as I run out the door. And everyday, I end up with bruised apples. This would definitely help a girl out of her icky apple predicament.}

Mommy Calling Cards, from Sara Tams

{LOVE. Need I say more?}

Recycled Poppy Bobby Pins, from foundling
{They're recycled and pretty}

Robin Necklace, from bobbijordan

{This necklace is just too sweet for words}

Two Bar Set, from Morgan Street

{Make their stocking and their shower smell pretty}

Address Labels, from bohtieque

{Make their letter writing a little easier, and prettier, too}

Sports Cufflinks, from TillyBloom
{For that guy who's got everything}

Linen Holiday

I love the look of these linen Holiday decorations. Not to mention, that they're indestructable when there's a three-year-old running around the house.

Linen Christmas Trees, from strawberries and cream

Birdcage Ornaments, from tabitha emma

Peace on Linen Mini Pillow, from Flax and Spindle

Have a Happy Monday!

I'm Back

Did you even notice I was gone?

I wasn't really gone for too long...and I most certainly didn't mean to leave you hanging. Life just got a little hectic for a moment, but now things are back to normal. Well, as "normal" as it gets around here.

Part of the reason for my absence, and for my sucky blogging last week, was that I was busy preparing for the ReadyMade Winter Ball. {I got this picture from Orin Optiglot's flickr, but it actually shows me right in the center as I was taking down my table.} It was so much fun doing my first "real" show, and I actually did pretty well. I worked so hard the week leading up to the show, that my little workshop turned into more of a sweatshop...but I've got tons of new stuff that will be appearing in the shop throughout the week.

My other random observation about the show: I decided that doing shows is like the adult version of a lemonade stand. And I was definitely a lemonade stand kind of kid.

The day after Winter Ball, my parents rolled into town with some wonderful new dining room furniture for us. It's perfect, and chunky, and totally casual. I've even got room to store my china now. I feel like a real adult all of a sudden. Besides the great stuff they brought, it was just fun to have my parents around. It's just what a girl needs to recharge her batteries. I'm lucky enough that my parents just so happen to be two of my best friends. We had a great time, and naturally, our weekend went way too fast.

So today I'm shipping out all the orders that were placed last week. (I'm sorry they're so late...but I'm including free gifts to make up for the delay!) And I'm filling all the Christmas card orders that have come my way. In addition, I've got tons of fun new kids activites and gift ideas to share with you this week. So stick around...I'm just getting back into the swing of things.

Smile & Love

I love everything in the Etsy shop bailey doesn't bark, but this Smile and Love cup set especially melted my heart.

Will You Be There?

If you'll be in the neighborhood, stop by my table tomorrow evening and say hi.

Now I'm off to whip up a few more goodies to fill my table!