2010 has been our first year in business, and as such, we've been celebrating by having a monthly giveaway.  December will be our last (though surely not our last giveaway ever).
Since we've been trying to showcase a selection of our products through our giveaways, it is finally time to have a set of pillow covers as the prize!  Take a look at the giveaway details on this page to find out how you can enter...

It was supposed to blizzard today.  In fact, they've been forecasting it since yesterday morning.  But, alas, it has passed us by, which makes me sorta sad as I was looking forward to it.  I love a good blizzard.  What can I say?  I'm crazy that way!  In spite of the wimpy amount of snowfall, I still decided I was feeling Christmassy and jumped on the handmade Christmas tree ornament bandwagon.  What I REALLY wanted to have was gingerbread guys hanging on my tree but I have found it super hard to actually find an inedible gingerbread recipe that seemed like it would work so I settled for dough guys.  Maybe I can paint them dark brown?  They do look kinda cute anywho. 
For those of you in the "handmade Christmas" know - Ava's doll is FINALLY completely cut out and ready to be sewn together.  The clothes DO look like clothes and I am feeling far more confident that Ava will actually have a 'do-doll' to open on Christmas day than I have been to date.  This is officially the MOST difficult sewing project I have ever undertaken on my own.  And, to be honest, sewing the body together freaks me out - what if I ruin her?  Ah well, we can only do our best right?  As for the rest of my handmade gifts, for the most part they are at least started and should be done with a bare minimum of work.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that with the number of bare minimums put together, I end up with more of a maximum. 
Enjoy your 'snowy' Tuesday!
-celia

I've been stressing over getting my 'handmade Christmas' going and possibly done SOON.  I hate waiting til the very last minute to buy gifts and it stands to reason that I won't like making them at the last minute either...but life has contrived to get in the way.  The last few weeks I've been sleeping BRUTALLY and feeling similar so I haven't had the gumption to really get going on anything much, last week Ava and I both caught a cold (though she's still struggling with hers and mine is gone), and (on a brighter note) I've been browsing the internet on my Ipod and finding AMAZINGLY creative and crafty mommy bloggers and AWESOME creations that I am finding difficult to keep from trying to make.  NOW! 
Instead of working on my presents, I find myself bookmarking ba-zillions of sites with cool stuff that I will make eventually, printing out patterns for wonderful things that I can't wait to make, and actually starting to make some of the things I've seen - which wouldn't be soo bad, but it isn't helping me get my gifts made and it isn't helping me get stuff made for New Leaf either.  ARGH!!  what can I tell you?  I'm inspired! 
Here's two of my absolute favorites right now:
homemade by jill  http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/
this is a WONDERFULLY crafty and creative mom with amazing ideas that she shares with the blogging world.  I seriously can't tell you how much I love this site.  
Spool Sewing   http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/2008/05/16/bird-mobile/
I must make this mobile.  Ava's room screams for one...I NEED one somewhere in my house.  Isn't it wonderful?
-celia

Thanks to everyone who signed up for our free email newsletter; we enjoy connecting with you each month with do-it-yourself tips, news, coupons and sale information.


 Congrats to Sandra, the winner of our November giveaway draw!  If your name is Sandra, check your email -we'll be sending you a note in regards to mailing your wire-bound notebook.  

If you weren't the winner, there is one more giveaway draw in celebration of our first year of business.  Next month's draw will be held on Dec. 1st.  The giveaway item will be announced here and on Facebook in a few weeks.  Have a lovely November and keep updated on our Facebook page about the pre-Christmas shopping sale starting Nov. 15th.

-Maria