One of my favorite designs I created for Styrocrafts was Santa the day after his big night. (full instructions available on site along with many more great projects) Sleepy in his robe and reindeer slippers, I often wondered if he was making any New Year Resolutions or just simply enjoying the last few days of the year reflecting, remembering and enjoying!

Resolutions, intentions, reflection on the year past. All I know is living with love and integrity, celebrating and sharing joy is the path I travel. Our hearts are bumped and bruised along the way but oh so much more fills them with deep love and strength. My darling daughters hold my heart, my love's reflection, a special one has danced into my heart and life is good! 2012 holds much creative adventure ahead!

To all of you who take the time to visit, to read and comment, a sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart. May 2012 be filled with what brings you joy always!

'Tis the season of celebration & decoration! The St. Mary's Reserve located on the North side of our city always puts on a spectacular show, home after home twinkles with a vast and varied collection of color, movement and characters.

Part of the holiday tradition is to drive slowly through the area and enjoy the show. This year I was able to take a few half decent pictures. One of the homes of a school bus driver even had the bus decorated!

Traditions hold the true meaning of this season, year after year we cherish those special times, remembering the years past adding a new collection of memories to join the album of our lives. Each year I see my daughters a little older but still delighting in the moments we continue to share, the annual gingerbread house creation, favorite holiday movies, John Denver and the Muppets playing Christmas morning. I cherish these moments tightly knowing there will inevitably be change. As we celebrate another year, the third in yet a different place still it is home for it is the place our hearts dwell.

Enjoy the lights, the traditions of the season you share with those you love.

It is time for the Favecrafts monthly bloghop! Prize giveaway and a chance to see many wonderful projects! "Like" your favorites!

I have been seeing many lovely designs using glass blocks, lit from the inside they are such a pretty holiday addition to a table or mantel. Needing some last minute gifts and inspired by the lit blocks I raided my stash of glass jars from the local dollar store.

Everything I needed was in my holiday box, sheer ribbons, balls and pinecones. Using Aleene's Fabric Fusion to glue the ribbons and Westcott's Titanium scissors. (The scissor's tips cut wire edge ribbon very easily and keep on cutting!)

I wrapped the jar with two layers of ribbon gluing it in the back. Made a bow for the top gluing it to the edge so the lights would shine through. Glued in the balls, greenery and pinecones. Inserted a small string of battery operated lights and added it to my holiday table! Now to make a few more for last minute gifts!

This time of year is busy trying to fit everything in, all the extra shopping, decorating and of course crafting! This is an easy inexpensive arrangement using a vase flowers came in and burlap from the hardware store.

I painted the vase green with acrylic paints, wrapped it in burlap. Country check fabric was stiffened with a white glue mixture (2 parts water to 1 part glue, hang to dry, iron and cut) to make the ribbon. Add a raffia bow, wood heart and pop in branches and berries. A perfect hostess gift!

The first Monday of the month and the DCC (Designer Craft Connection) is hopping! This month's hop is sponsored by When Creativity Knocks, Sock Monkeys Go BanAnas,

                   
  
 Fox River, Red Heel Sox, Judikins , Sock Monkey Stamp and RIT, the Dye Company!

To enter the contest open until December 19th
Go to http://www.whencreativityknocks.com/ website
In the Member Log in box click: Create An Account
-Entry Code: Sock Monkey 
There is also a discount coupon to purchase the WCK VideoBook: Sock Monkey Goes BanAnas

Now on for the adventure! We were sent Ana's video book to create a sock monkey along with the red heel socks from Fox River. Ana has several tips and an updated version of the traditional pattern to make a sock monkey super easy.

However do not make it at 11pm at night when you have already worked a 12 hour day! I have to admit I was half way through sewing when I realized I had missed the crucial first step of turning the socks wrong side out. Thankfully the socks look great on the inside too (and the hat hides a bad hair day or in this case the toe bumpy seam line!)

On with the adventure! 

 

Visit the Toymaker!

Just click on the DCC button in the right sidebar to catch up with some other monkey adventures! 

It is Fowl Friday with Fran & Freda! Tis deck the halls season, we love it! BUT there is a BIG problem! Owls have invaded once again, how Debra can let in these dangerous birds we do not understand!

We were here first, not that it seems to matter anyway a small consolation is that one of them is wearing a very silly looking hat, the other a scarf maybe it means they are the outdoors type. Perhaps they might enjoy the balcony, on a permanent basis. hmm I have an idea...Debra is away all weekend at the 37th Annual Arts & Crafts Show so we will be in charge and home alone, the ideal combination! Look out owls, this is one feisty fowl!!!