Almost Wordless Wednesday - Converse for Christmas

 

 Guess which ones are mine :)

Christmas in July BBA Challenge

Getting this in just under the wire! July's BBA Challenge is brought to us by LeAnn of Pasque Flower. Her challenge is Christmas In July and she has this to say "For the past two years, a bigger than expected Etsy holiday rush has caught me off guard and scrambling to keep up. So this year, I challenge myself and my BBA Teammates to start preparing earlier!"

LeAnn is right...the holiday rush will be just around the corner and it's wise to do as much prep work now to help ourselves out during this busy time.

It's so hard to prepare sometimes when so much of my work is custom orders. But here are some of the things I'm doing to prepare:

 *Cutting plenty of extra business cards and thank you cards so I don't run out during the holiday rush

*Stocking up on packing supplies

*I will have a friend helping me pack orders this year. We already discussed some of the logistics, but she won't actually start until probably September.

*Trying to get as many new listings posted so shoppers have plenty to choose from.

One item I've added specifically for the holidays is this new Ornament Stand. I made some ornaments for my mom recently and she asked if I had a way to display them when the tree is not out. These gold and silver stands are the perfect solution!

 

My custom photo ornaments aren't just for the holidays. They are cute decor for all year. And these little stands are great because they are just the right height, and simple so not to take away from the ornament. I got them listed in my shop this week so they'll be ready for the holidays.

Have you started planning for the holiday rush?

Holiday Break

As I'm sure many of you have noticed, my poor blog has been neglected lately. Things have been crazy busy, but in a good way :) This has been my best selling year on Etsy ever!

I have so many things I want to share with all of you including a Secret Santa Swap, an Ornament Swap and a Studio Update! The studio is coming along so nicely...I can't wait to share pictures!

But all of this must wait until after the holidays. Just a few more crazy days of packing up orders left and then it's on to family get togethers and holiday celebrations. So I've decided to take a break until after Christmas to regroup and get life back on track.

Wishing all my readers a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

Thank you for stopping by :)

Catching Up

I'm back from my blogging break and ready for 2013! But where do I start? So much has happened since I took my break that it's been hard to catch back up.

I guess I'll just start from the beginning...it's the most fun anyway :) One of the main reasons I had to shut down my shop early and decided to take my bloggy break to begin with is because Jesse and I went to Mexico!!! His cousin got married and we were invited to go along! There were 14 of us total in the group and we had an amazing time. We stayed at Moon Palace in Cancun and I would recommend this resort to anyone traveling to Mexico. All inclusive and well worth the expense!

It was rather windy the day of the wedding, but it was beautiful nonetheless! Here is a picture of the happy couple and one of Jesse and I the day of the wedding as well.

Something else we did while on vacation is swim with the dolphins. This was my number one thing I wanted to do while in Mexico. And it was all I hoped it would be. Here's one picture from our swim, but I think I'll save the rest of another post :)

We got back really late on December 23rd and didn't get to bed until 2:30am on Christmas Eve! We went to my grandparent's at noon that day and then to Jesse's mom's that night. Then we went to Jesse's dad's at noon on Christmas Day. We were rather tired by the time all the festivities were through...to say the least!

And to top things off....my nice camera got ruined while we were in Mexico due to the extremely high humidity the first day we were there. Luckily I had my waterproof camera as well and still got some pictures. Then when we got home, the media card in my desktop computer went out, so I had to get it repaired and try to run everything off my laptop in the mean time! Ai yi yi!

The best part of my time off was that I got to spend lots of time with my parents! They were here over the holidays and just left on New Years Day. I did put my mom to work a few days :) But mostly we just watched movies, went out to eat or played cards...time together.

It was nice to have such a long break, but I'm ready to get back into my routine and get back to work! I have so many new ideas for the new year and I'm excited to get started!

Wishing everyone the best in 2013!!!

Break Time

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I've been working away finishing up orders and getting the last ones packaged up. My parents also got here over the weekend so I've gotten to spend some time with them.

My poor little blog has been rather neglected the last month and I have so many things I want to share with you all, but I'm afraid it will have to wait until after the holidays. I've decided to take a little bloggy break until after Christmas.

I still have a few things that need finished up, lots of family activities planned and Jesse and I will be taking a little vacation, so I thought it was Break Time.

Wishing all my readers a very Merry Christmas! See you soon!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

I've cut back on getting new items listed in my shop while I focus on custom orders for Christmas. But I couldn't help but take time to get this sign listed last night :)

This Believe Sign was inspired by my mom. She loves this word on Christmas decor, so I made this with her in mind.

I actually made two, but the first one sold at a show before I could get it listed...woohoo! It was maroon and silver.

Both color combos look awesome together and the gold and silver paint is metallic, so it really shimmers :)

How are you decorating for the holidays?

Friday Features - Furbaby Christmas

After posting about my New Ornaments yesterday, I went searching on Etsy for other cute Christmas items for our furry friends. I think I spent hours oohing and aahing over the adorable items I found! Today I'm featuring 4 of my favorite finds, enjoy :)

Dog Christmas Cards - Blank Note Cards Set of 6, Papillon Dog with Santa Hat Art, Pet Portrait Painting Notecards, Christmas Greeting Card

by StarglowStudio 

Black and White Cat Christmas Stocking in Hot Pink

 by AllenbriteStudio

Fur Christmas dog 20 inch stocking with plenty of room for doggy treats or people gifts. so cute.

 by Bettesfeltfancies

Sitting with Santa Claws Wood Sign Black Cat Christmas Pet Christmas Handpainted santa

 by TheGingerbreadShoppe 

 What are you getting your furbaby for Christmas this year? 

Wordless Wednesday - Grandpa (being a good sport)

A Handmade Christmas

This year for Christmas, I wanted to make as many of the gifts as I could. I had special ideas for all the girls on Jesse's side of the family and I love how each one turned out! I just wish I would have remembered to take photos of the recipients with their gifts! But luckily I did remember to take pictures before I gave them :)

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Jesse's mom recently purchased a home! She had the fun idea to name her new place "The Hen House"...I love it! So I made her a sign that is perfect for her new home :)

I cut it out of wood with my laser and made the wing a separate piece. I painted the wing orange (to match her kitchen!) and engraved the words on the wing. I then glued it together and added a hanger on the back. She loved it!

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For Jesse's sister-in-law, I made a large 8x10 picture frame with all their names on it. I put their last name on the top and all of their first names along the bottom. This frame matches their other home decor perfectly, so she loved it :)

For Jesse's other sister-in-law I made a super cute Double Name Album! Of course I had a lot of fun making this one since it's in my favorite colors :)

I did a mix of fun/summer/party pages as well as couple/love pages. It turned out great and of course, she loved it :)

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Did you make any handmade gifts this year? Tell me all about them!

On Santa's Nice List

I must have been on Santa's nice list this year, because my Secret Santa brought me some great gifts!!!

The Blogging Business Artisans Team celebrated Christmas with a secret santa gift exchange and we had so much fun! I want to send a special thanks to my Santa today, Athena, and tell her how happy I am with my gifts!!! Check out these goodies!

Bath Soap...in my FAVORITE scent...Vanilla!

Beautiful earrings in my FAVORITE color...Pink!

Athena purchased these beauties from another team mate, MysticWynd, and I just ♥ them!

Wanna see what everyone else got? And what I gave? Check out all the posts HERE!

Thanks again Athena :)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from my family to yours :)

Jesse, Edi, Dad, Mom, Sister-in-Law Lisa, and my Brother Jim Jesse and I

and Harley too :)

Friday Features - Tropical Christmas

Happy Friday and welcome to this week's Friday Features! This week's features were inspired by a recent Custom Album I made...Mexico! And it has a Christmas theme :) Sure wish I were headed to Mexico for Christmas! Luckily Etsy has just the thing to fix me up :)

No snow and lots of palm trees

by tapestry316

Handmade Large Christmas Stocking, "Flamingo Santas"

by tweetbytheseadesigns

Handpainted Palm Tree Christmas Ornaments with Blue Skies

by beachchik

Tropical Christmas Necklace

by SugarLaneShoppe

Have a Wonderful Holiday Everyone!

Friday Features - Wrap It Up

Wrapping presents isn't one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. I'm terrible with paper, so I usually stick with bags. I've been asked a few times this holiday season to gift wrap items and send them directly to the recipient. And since 90% of my sales are gift items, it's about time I start learning to wrap presents nicely...LOL :) So I went searching on Etsy for some cute and easy wrapping ideas...enjoy!

I ship my Engraved Photo Ornaments in little boxes, so I love this idea for dressing them up :) And I have everything on hand to make these!!!

Gift Wrapping Set 3 Gift Bags, Paper Flowers, Gift Tags Holiday Gift Wrap FREE SHIPPING

by MDCardsandGifts

Most of my readers know how much I love wine :) As much as I like receiving it for a gift, I like to give it as well :) I like that this bag is cute, simple and can be reused. Maybe they'll give a bottle back to me in it :)

Wine Bottle Gift Bag

by HolidayCHEERfuls

As I mentioned, I love bags for wrapping! I love the size of this one and that it can be reused over and over again :)

Medium Fabric Gift Bag with Handles - Christmas Stockings on Green Sleigh Ride by Robert Kaufman

by GoosesBagsandGifts

These would also be great for my ornaments, wine bottle stoppers and pendants!

5 Burlap Favor Bags - with Ribbon Closure - Christmas

by CottageCandies

MERRY CHRISTMAS

´*•.¸(´*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•*´ ♥•.*MERRY CHRISTMAS*.•♥ ¸.•*´(¸.•*´♥´*•.¸)´*•.¸

From my family to yours!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve at my grandparents with my extended family playing games and celebrating :) That night we spent with Jesse's family and had a blast watching the kids open all their gifts!

Christmas day was quite a change...we stayed home all day! My parents came out and we cleaned and organized my upstairs storage area...LOL! Not quite a celebration, but we were together :)

Friday Features-Family Time

Merry Christmas! I recently had a discussion with some friends about how Time really is the best gift! We have decided to not buy many gifts this year on either side of the family. I do love shopping for the perfect gift, but I've noticed that I'm less stressed to get everything done this year and I still can't wait to spend time with my family. Who needs store-bought gifts when you can give TIME :) These great decor items say exactly how I feel... Treasure the time together -SMALL- Interior Wall Vinyl Decal by wallstickz The Best Times are always Found when Friends and Family Gather Round.....12 x 12 Ceramic Tile by ARareTreasure Together is our Favorite Place to Be --Sign by huckleberrylady Christmas Cottage Sign, ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU by familyattic

Team Treasury-Christmas Lights

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is drive around town and see all the beautiful lights! I hope to one day be on a normal schedule (I work nights) so we can hang outdoor lights and have someone actually enjoy them...LOL!

Until then, Linda of pruitthandcrafts has curated this beautiful Christmas Light and Favorite Things Treasury for our EtsyBloggers Team:

Thank you for including my New Red and Green Paisley Holiday Recipe Book Linda!!!

Friday Features-Pink Christmas

I am loving all the pink Christmas decorations that I've seen this year! If Jesse would let me, I'd buy a white tree and decorate it all PINK!

Of course Etsy has lots of pink holiday decorations as well :) I went with a snowflake theme for today, but I'm sure you'll see more pink ideas in features to come :)

Silver and Pink Snowflake Chandeliers

by KatesFetes

Wine Bottle Fabric Drawstring Gift Bag

by RLG1282

Pink Snowflake Scrabble Tile Pendant

by VanityDesign

Pink Snowflake Ornament

by jackisglass

Record Those Holiday Memories

By now most of us have our holiday parties and celebrations out of the way. You've taken tons of photos and you don't know what to do with them. Well...I have a solution :) Store and record your memories in one of these lovely scrapbooks or photo albums!!!

FAMILY Word Scrapbook Album-Red and Green

FAMILY Word Scrapbook Album-Hunter and Maroon

Happy Holidays Scrapbook Photo Album-Simply Stunning Series

Merry Christmas Scrapbook Photo Album-Simply Stunning Series

Merry Christmas Scrapbook Photo Album-Simply Stunning Series

(Note: The Simply Stunning Series Albums are currently sold out...but I would be more than happy to make you one...just convo or email me!)

So get those photos printed out and ready to put in your new album!!!