Friday Features - Bling in the New Year

I can't believe we're already at the end of 2011! As always, the year flew by! But I'm ready for the New Year's celebration! My parents will be here and we'll be celebrating at my brother's house. Family and New Year's...What more could I ask for :)

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When I think of New Year's celebrations, I always think of bling and sparkle! Look at these fun New Year's finds all decked out!

Gold and Silver Food/Drink/ Cupcake picks or toppers for New Year's Eve, Set of 10

by KiwiTiniCreations

New Years 2012 Hot Pink Statement Cocktail Ring in Silver Speckled Polymer Clay for the Girlie Girl Fashionista Who Loves Sparkles

by CreaShines

Printable New Years Eve Pop, Fizz, Sparkle Collection

by wantsandwishesdesign

Rhinestone Ball Necklace Sterling Silver 18 inches long Sparkly New Years Times Square New York

by ELEVEN13

Sparkle Stars New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball Mask Costume Antique Silver Glow in Dark Black

by wispofsnipe

Have a Happy New Year's Eve!

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!

Christmas Break!!!

I'm officially off work until 2012!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited to have 13 days off to spend shopping, eating out and most of all, spending time with my family :)

My parents will be here almost the whole time I'm off work as well :) Then I'll have a couple of days to get life back in order to start the New Year!

I just ♥ this time of year :)

Wordless Wednesday - I ♥ My "Mailman Box"

More Cuties

I've been having more fun engraving Custom Photo Ornaments! Every photo I get just makes me go "Awwwww" :) I love editing these and making them come to life! Check out my latest group of cuties :)

Just look at those eyes!!!

I ♥ this one of Mommy & Daddy holding their new bundle of joy!!!

I'm going to miss Christmas season most because I won't be making as many ornaments. I have several ideas in the works for after the first of the year to hopefully keep these selling. Thank you for all the ideas I have received so far! Keep them coming :) What would you like to see on these ornaments, or what else do you think they could be used for?

Disney Adventures

I was able to get a couple of pre-made albums listed in my shop over the weekend! I still have a whole list of things I'd like to get listed, but I'll do them a little here and there and may wait on some until after the first of the year.

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This weekend it was all about DISNEY! I made this 6.5"x12" Disney Word Album in both a Mickey and Friends theme as well as a Disney Princess theme.

I know I would have loved to have one of these when I went to Disney World when I was 16! I may just have to go back and make one now :)

12 Years...And Counting!

I can't believe that Jesse and I had our first date 12 Years Ago today!

We met while he was working afternoons for the company we both work for now. I worked at TCBY/TacoMaker and he would come in on his supper breaks. He asked one of his friends about me and that friend just so happened to be dating one of my friends. We set up a double date and the rest is history :)

Happy "Anniversary" Jesse :)

Treasury Thanks :)

Craftcult was down last week, so I wasn't able to get a treasury post done to thank my curators, so today I'll be thanking everyone from the last two weeks :)

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Janet of HoneyFromTheBee featured my Bride and Groom Champagne Flutes in her Fifi Goes Shopping Treasury. I just love this Colorful Bracelet from Janet's shop!

Nicole of KnitNicoleKnit featured my Owl Earring Cards in her You Say Black, I Say White Treasury. I love the black in purple color combo in this Cowl of hers!

Judy of JNOriginals featured my Personalized Wine Bottle Stopper in her The Garlands are Strung Treasury! I'm in love with her Fuchsia Scarf!!!

Sarah of MagnoliaSurprise featured my Wine Set Coasters in her Foodies--BBA Style Treasury! And speaking of coasters....she makes the cutest coasters ever...Toast :)

Sylvia of SMVdesigns featured my Family Scrapbook in her Still Looking...Last Moment Finds Treasury! I just love these gorgeous earrings in her shop!

And Karen of MysticWynd featured my Custom Engraved Picture Frame in her You Can Feel the Warmth Treasury! I love the green and purple in these earrings in her shop :)

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

Open Season

Here in SW Iowa, hunting season is in full-force. First and second deer seasons have come and gone and there will be a doe season later in the year. While some hunt just for sport, many people in this area hunt for the meat. With beef prices so high lately, venison is a good substitute.

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I was recently asked to engrave some hunting photos and I love how they turned out. And since guys are always so hard to buy for...these make great gifts!

I know some of my readers aren't big fans of hunting, but in such a rural area, it is actually necessary to keep the animals from becoming over-populated. People hit deer with their cars everyday...I totalled my car this way! So I hope no one takes offense to these photos :)