A New Tote!!

A week or so ago I bought some cloth napkins on clearance - $1.00 for a set of two!!I did a little piece work with three sets... ...and ended up with this!!
It's lined, with two pockets inside & I also made a little zippered pouch to throw inside.
Maybe some day when I'm REAL ambitious I'll have some of these tote bag sets in my etsy shop.
I needed a new bag...because I'm going to Orlando in March!!! I am very excited! The -45 wind chill today is making it hard to wait!! :)

Don't forget my etsy special- a FREE bar of soap - See the details here. This offer will last through the end of January!!

Fabulous

I have been given a Fabulous award from Tracey @ At Home on the Ridge.

(Thank you, Tracey!) So I am to pass this award on to blogs that I am addicted to and then list for you five things I am addicted to...OK, let's see...

1) I am addicted to HGTV, but my friend Pam assures me that this will pass. (Once having satellite TV newness wears off).

2) I am addicted to blogs...reading them...lots of them. :)

3) I am addicted to a morning cup of coffee.

4) I am addicted to reading. I read lots & often...the Bible, historical fiction, home decorating magazines, Christian fiction, inspirational, you name it...gotta have 2 or 3 books going at one time.

5) I am addicted to soaps, sprays, smelly stuff...that's why I make it! :)

Now, here are some blogs that I love to look at...and I tag you! Tell us what YOU are addicted to!! :)

My very good friend Beth @ Ragtop Originals - she is amazing and accomplishes so much!

My great friend Pam @ PamWardenArt - because, hey Pam...you can't just sit and twiddle your thumbs all day...I'll keep you busy realizing what an addict you are!

Stephanie @ Angelic Accents - she is very sweet and has a sweet blog

Dolly @ From My Cherry Heart - because obviously she is addicted to cherries!! and RATS, I missed her swap!

Debbie @ Ribbonwood Cottage - Hey! She just did a post on what she is addicted to...she is one step ahead of me!

Don't forget...the special at my etsy shop - see post below - order any of my "favorites," tell me something that's your favorite and I'll throw in a FREE bar of soap!

My Favorites and a FREE offer!!

I was thinking the other day about some of my favorite things. (I think that I was inspired by the start of another year) I absolutely love scented items, which is reflected in many of the things I make. So...this week I listed some of my very favorites in my etsy shop.

First of all, like I said, I love fragrances. I love to have great smells in my home. My room/linen sprays are great & the fragrances linger for a long time.

Another of my "favorites" is clean sheets...especially sheets right off of the clothes line. We've had record breaking snows here in Wisconsin this winter, so not much has come off the line lately, but I did just wash sheets in my Lavender Laundry Soap and they smell great!!! Fresh Linen is actually my favorite, but Lavender is so nice for sheets.

A winter-time favorite for me is a long bath nearly every night. I love to use my cupcake bath bombs. They make my skin feel soft and are just plain fun to use!

Head on over to my etsy shop and order one of my three favorites. If you include a note with your order telling me about one of your favorite things, I'll include a FREE bar of soap!! (My choice, but you can let me know if you prefer floral, fruity, or spicy/cinnamon).

The Reality of it all...

Christmas is coming...ready or not.

Some things are turning out well. I finally put up my Christmas village. It's been several years since I've had it up. I'm not sure why.

Unfortunately, however, my pointsetta got taken down to the church for the Christmas concert and was forgotten there. Apparently it was too cold for it. What a bummer.This is how it looks at the back door...constantly. But I guess that is OK...The reason it looks like this is because this is what it looks like outside...It's very pretty and a Christmas Wonderland...but I think we have enough for awhile. :)

This is what it looked like in my living room this morning. Fortunately, because I was able to have some time home alone today.... I was able to accomplish this:

I haven't posted about the Vintage Christmas Swap yet.

Here are some pictures of what I sent to Debbie at Ribbonwood Cottage.Here are two pictures of what she sent me. I love the "Let it Snow" plaque. It was a fun swap!! Getting lots of supplies for Christmas was great!
I also wanted to share part of an article with you. The following is an excerpt from something that Kevin Bauder wrote. (He is the president of a seminary in MN).

"As we marvel at the beauty and wonder of the Son of God, the lights and tinsel of the cultural Christmas become alien intrusions. This is not to say that they are bad in themselves or that we should not enjoy them as we experience the world at large. When we gather as Christians, however, our purpose in Christmas is to ponder and celebrate the incarnation of our Lord. At such moments, if we must think of a tree, let it be the one that was lifted up on Calvary. If we must ponder a wreath, let it be the one whose thorns pierced our Savior’s brow. If we must consider a gift, let it be the unspeakable gift of God’s own Son, deity robed in flesh, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, who for us men for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas!!

The Christmas tree went up today!! There are two Rubbermaid totes of decorations sitting in the living room & the plan is to get everything decorated tomorrow!! Then, I will begin in earnest with some holiday cooking, baking, etc. My new grandson will be here in a week & we will be having Christmas with him & his parents then, so I only have a few days to get ready!!!! Tomorrow should be a great day to stay in and accomplish much. We are expecting anywhere from 6-12 inches of snow here in WI tomorrow. I'm not too excited about that, but it will make for a pretty Christmas!

My swap package for the Vintage Christmas swap has been sent. (I will post pictures when I am sure that Debbie has received it). I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my package from her.