What I got for Christmas (part 1)- DIY digital picture frame

David got me a digital picture frame for our wedding pictures. He made it special with some little DIY additions! He's got my fever now! Muhaha!

First, he covered the frame with a dark metallic gray (my favorite color!) cardstock. Then he used a gel pen to write some of our favorite places, experiences and just things that are special to us (like the scary giant black crane from David's beach night wedding proposal in Florida). He also added some of the leaf ribbon we used on our wedding invitations as a border and attached a purple flower like the ones at our wedding.


This was probably the sweetest and most thoughtful gift he's ever given me (and he's very good at that!). He also picked out a cute little bird stand to put it on since he knows my love of birds. Thanks honeybear! You're the best husband I've ever had (even if I've only had one)! Love you!

How to make flocked Christmas decor-DIY

I love the look of those bright fuzzy retro ornaments and figurines. So, I was ecstatic to find flocking powder at Michael's. And you know I love some glitter, so I got some of that too. And I made these little retro inspired guys:

These are those cheap little plastic toys for children that I jazzed up for Christmas. They came from Michael's. They have all different sizes. I chose four small ones: a lamb, seal, polar bear and hare. I liked the interesting shapes and heights on these guys.

How to make glitter and flocked animals:
1. Paint the animals all white with acrylic paint. You don't want any peek-through of the color underneath. And trust me, it will. 

2. After they are dry, use a paint brush to put a fine layer of clear glue on one side of the figurine.
3. Sprinkle the glitter or flocking powder generously on top. I used the Recollections brand. The glitter is called Snow and the flocking powder is Cherry.

4. Let dry and repeat on the other side.


These are adorable as a little mantle setting all on their own or with some moss or fake snow. I'm going to use them in our Christmas village next year. These would also make some great ornaments and a fun kid's craft.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone! This will be my last post until 2012. See you next year!

White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies

This year we had a cookie exchange at work. I was up until 12:30 making White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies. It was partly a disaster. Don't get me wrong, they tasted pretty good. But with all my baking-it was a trial. David asked me if I could never do a cookie exchange again. This is after we ate a million cookies this weekend. Literally, one million.


I got this recipe at Better Homes & Gardens. First, it needs more liquid, that's why the edges are cracked. Next time, I will add some cherry juice to make it more moist (ew who else hates the word moist?) and make it taste a little more like cherry. I also used white chocolate chips instead of white chocolate shavings.

These cookies are *supposed* to be dipped in white chocolate at the end and rolled in sprinkles. First, my edges weren't round so it wouldn't look as pretty. Second, I burnt the entire pot of white chocolate. Instead of having my usual baking meltdown, I drizzled! 


For drizzle:

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons water
• Sprinkles (or if you like to call them jimmies, that's fine too)

Mix the sugar, corn syrup and water together until smooth. Then put in a piping bag immediately and drizzle. You don't want it to get too soft or it will run off your cookies. You can make a makeshift piping bag by cutting a tiny hole in a plastic bag like I did. Then pour your sprinkles on top and shake off when dry.

Homemade holiday gift tags

Well, you already got a sneak peek at my gift tags yesterday on the wrapped presents. But, I had made a couple more that I didn't have on those packages. I absolutely loved making the gift tags because they took seconds and I like them so much more than the pre-printed ones I used to buy. It also helps that I have one of these:

from Joann

This was the first time I used it and it worked wonderfully! This is the Martha Stewart Scallop Tag Craft Punch. It's definitely worth it if I don't have to buy tags again (plus of course I got it on sale!) I made these homemade tags by gluing ribbon, tiny leaves from holiday picks and self-adhesive glitter letters and borders. You can find the letters and silver swirly border in the scrapbooking aisle.

Beautiful and simple budget holiday gift wrap

This year I decided to make our presents look as good as what's inside (truthfully I think the wrapping may be better than the dvd). So, I bought a bunch of 60% off ribbon and holiday floral sprays. Bring on the glitter!

Supplies:

Glue (anything you have)

Tape

Assorted Ribbons

Wrapping Paper

Floral Sprays

Bows

Gift Tags

Self-Adhesive Letters

I decided to start with a plain canvas so I used plain silver and gold wrapping paper for this. It shows off the decorations very well. But, it also shows every nook and cranny. I also used the traditional cheapie bows...well, for a little something traditional. I made my own gift tags so that everything would coordinate. The floral sprays are great to use for packages because they're very budget friendly and you get so much to use on packages. For these examples, I only used very little of the actual spray. Just glue them to a package underneath the ribbon.

I already had these great glitter letters. They come in a large pack which may cover your whole family if your first names don't all begin with the same letter (like David AND Dave)...Or use them for the first initial on a gift tag (that's my present with the M!).

Have your wrapped all your gifts yet? Only 6 days left! Happy wrapping!

Our Christmas decorations debacle

Saturday was the day we decided  to put up our Christmas decorations. We were determined, since we missed last year. The year before we had our Christmas tree up until June. Yes, June. We would hide it in the guest bedroom whenever anyone came over. 


We brought up our fakey tree and box of ornaments from the basement. Growing up, we always picked out a new ornament every year to add to the tree. I still do this every year. Some of the ornaments I have are at least 20 years old and very special to me. Well, guess what? The box was empty except for some cheapie glitter ornaments and a few balls. ALL of my ornaments are missing! Including the little frog with a crown I bought last year from Papyrus. And the black sheep I bought in memory of our dog Poco (I have no idea why that makes sense to me). We tore up the entire apartment looking for them. I still have no idea what could have happened and why I have some, but not the good ones.


So, we decided to go on a late night ornaments run to try to get something to put on the tree. To cheer me up, since I was feeling a little blue. The tree isn't all that Christmas is, but it's a special time to decorate the tree together. We went to 5 stores trying to find lights for the tree. Apparently, don't wait a week before Christmas to buy lights. Everyone was out. We found one of two sets at our last Target (the rest were pink). Michael's was cleaned out. Pier 1 had lots, but they weren't on sale. I can't restock a tree at regular price. Although, I did come out of there with an ornament I love. Walmart was a mad house. But, they had a few things. Despite the pains, I do think this is my favorite tree yet. 

It's a glitter fest! And I wouldn't have it any other way. David picked out these cherry red balls. I wasn't thrilled with them at first, but now I love them! They really pop off the tree. Our tree skirt is made with purple fabric left over from our wedding. We got the fun red and green bows from Walmart. 

This lovely swan comes from Pier 1.

Found some cute penguins at Target.

This is our official ornament of the year. It's a dachshund in honor of our little monster, Elroy. He comes from Z Gallerie. 

And this is kitschy corner. A collection of odd things, like a blue reindeer with a feather boa.  Somehow these did not go missing. 

How was your holiday decorating? Have you ever lost all your ornaments? Doesn't it seem like things go missing every year? 

How to make your own holiday gift basket

Yesterday my dad had shoulder surgery. It went great, he's fine! I talked to him last night and he was surprisingly alert and surprisingly not drugged out. Since he's going to be out of work for 6 weeks and probably incredibly bored, I decided to get him a gift basket. However, he's also diabetic. And it is hard to find a gift basket that won't put you in a sugar coma as it is. 

So, I took on the daunting task of making one myself. And it was incredibly fun! The great part about it was being able to fill it with sugar-free treats and savories AND crossword puzzles AND a little something for the pups.


First, I bought the contents at Target and Barnes & Noble. I bought sugar-free candies and cookies, Hickory Farms gift pack (with sausage, cheese and crackers), nuts, doggie toys, crossword puzzle book and a magazine. Then, I took a trip to Michael's to buy everything ON SALE! I bought the basket (50% off), the treat containers, ribbon, bows, a silly ornament and a floral pick

Yes, this is for a man, muhaha! But, I didn't really care. It's probably one of the few times in my life I will actually make a gift basket so I went all out and had fun with it. The down side? It cost $23 to ship. Wah wah waaaaaaah.

My top 10 Christmas gifts of 2011

Like many of you, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Not so much because I get gifts, but I LOVE giving gifts. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I go a little overboard sometimes (like my dad's gift basket that I'll show you later this week!). But, my mom goes way over the top. She told me this year is the worst (best?) yet. I'll have to take a pic so you can see just how spoiled I am. But, I put together this list of some of the best things I've found this year (and some of which I've even bought. Shhh!!).

1. Super cute ceramic owl figurine on Etsy. Choose from all these colors.
2. I love personalized gifts the most. Custom pet silhouettes from Red Envelope.
3. Don't tell, but I got this Infmetry romantic star projector for David. I can't wait!!
4. A personalized mug from Anthropologie is much more fun to drink from.
5. I don't need a new camera, but I love the design of this Urban Outfitters one.
6. These 6 handpainted frames for only $35 on Etsy.
7. I saved these state cutting boards in my favorites on Etsy to give to my mother-in-law in one day. Well, now she sees it. ;-)
8. These are the best marshmallows from Williams-Sonoma. A store I always must go into.
9. Kitty Crayons from Etsy. Something to buy my friends who have children.
10. I want this West Elm jewelry tree for myself. This is the nicest one I've ever seen!