Flashback Friday: 2010

Oh my, another year has flown by. One of the neat things about blogging is being able to go back through the months and see what all happened...

• In January, Denis celebrated a "milestone" birthday;
• There was an impromptu trip to Hong Kong in February;
• March was spent waiting for Spring;
• During April I visited with Carol which included trips to MOMA, Tinsel Trading and BeadFest;
• Memorial Day celebrations in May at the Indy 500;
• Trying to keep up with my photography 365, including a Night Photography Class in June;
• Fourth of July festivites with local parades and fireworks;
• A stayacation in August which included local landmarks, a daytrip to Chicago, and the WI State Fair
• Denis' Best Buddies Bike Challenge in September;
• October was essentially one word...Halloween;
• Waiting for winter in November;
• and Christmas in Florida rounds out December.

A good year, even if I do say so myself. 2011 should prove to have some interesting moments, as each day is definitely worth celebrating. Happy New Year!

Motley Crew

We had a really nice time getting together with Denis' family this Christmas. It probably worked out better that we went to Florida this year, rather than to my family in the east...or we would probably still be there.

On Christmas morning we drove up to Randall's house, and this little one did not want to leave the scooter that Santa had brought for her. Can't say I blame her, looks like a lot of fun and she was very cute on it.

This was the first time in quite a while that everybody was able to make it, including the nieces and nephews from Georgia. And as always when family gets together you know there is going to be the obligatory group photo...

A sibling pose together.

There is a website Young Me/Now Me where people submit old photos of themselves along with newly updated ones in the same pose. There are some pretty good ones, and I thought it would be funny to recreate this photo of Denis, Randall and Sandra, but they didn't seem too interested.

There used to be a time when the uncles had to pay money to get hugs from Carissa, so we needed to capture this one for posterity now that they come free. But it does help if you sneek something into her wallet...

And our bit of excitement over the weekend was these two getting engaged Christmas day.

(Don't ya hate when someone snaps a shot you're not prepared for?) We wish Shelly and Tony the best as they begin this new chapter in their lives together, although Tony did get to experience a bit of what this motley crew is all about over the weekend...

Handmade Holiday

I didn't make many things this year, especially since the general request amongst the nieces and nephews was for money. There were a few items for the Vintage Stocking swap I did with Brandy...

I embellished a thrift store stocking with some vintage laces, burlap, and a vintage rhinestone snowflake pin. I tried to keep the color palette neutral with whites and creams, silver and mica glitters. Kraft paper and pattern tissue served as wrapping papers and then trimmed out with jute twine. I revamped a cloche ornament I found at Jo-Ann's with a new white deer and bottle brush tree, and added a glittery rosette and star to a bingo card. I bleached and covered with mica some bottle brush trees to top vintage blocks, constructed a mica-crusted snowflake wand, and a papier-mache pine cone box had a vintage ornament and bottle brush trim added to it. Once I got started getting stuff together I really got into it and could have kept going, but was already late in getting my box out the door.

And since I was sending a box for Matt, I thought would try and include a few things for Carol. I had been wanting to make one of those shadow boxes, sorta like Tim Holtz.

Funny thing is that she thought was a really great idea, and had already made one herself...

I like her box better

And the last thing I made was for Rachel's birthday, which is on the 23rd. I always thought that kinda stunk for her since it often got lumped in with Christmas. But we would be there with her to celebrate this year, and I thought a necklace would be nice.

But, instead of using beads I already had, I had to go to the bead store and pick some new things out. There's a bead shop downtown across the street from where I get my hair cut, so I tried there and picked up some stuff. Once I got home and started laying the necklace out, I decided I didn't like what I got. I still had a day left, and went across town to another bead shop and bought some other beads. The guy from the first shop had talked me into trying this beading thread, and when I got everything strung up I decided I hated all the white knots showing, and didn't like the beads I had just bought from the second store. So I ended up going back to the beads I bought from the first shop, and using the Softflex bead wire I already owned. And to make things even crazier than it needed to be, I did this all the night before. I amaze myself at what an idiot I can be. But it all worked out pretty well.

It's a Wrap

wow! What a fun swap the Countdown to Christmas has been. All of the boxes have been really creative and wonderful. I wish I had been able to get around and see more of the 1,750+ boxes submitted for the swap. I did manage to find where a few of my boxes had landed. But here's a quick rundown of what I sent in...

To keep it interesting for me, I broke my boxes into sets of two or three, making each set similar. Of course there would be snowflakes, with beaded snowflake ornaments inside...

Cute little sisal wreaths adorn the next batch, with bookmarks in two of them, and a Santa pendant in the third...

Sparkly holly with scrabble tile ornaments inside...

Red birds and a snowman hold sets of earrings...

Red ric-rac and stripey paper set the stage for small garlands of music notes...

More snowflakes, with another scrabble tile ornament and a jingle bell garland...

Charming vintage-style embellishments hold holiday charms...

Musical evergreens reveal some vintage holiday pins...

And the last batch shows off some "crystal" ornaments.

From all of the boxes that I saw, I'm going to have to step-up my creativity for next year. Thanks to Linda for hosting and doing all of the hard work getting all of these boxes swapped out!

Merry Christmas!

It's here, Day 25! And the final box of the countdown...

This snowman is spreading good cheer from the 25th box from Sophia. She included a lovely pendant with silver chain...a truly perfect gift for Christmas.

This has been a really fun swap, and I'm sad to see it come to an end. Thanks to Linda who hosted, and all of the artists that shared their creativity to make a beautiful and festive holiday this month. May your day be Merry and Bright!

24 Hours To Go

Less than a day away now on Day 24!

And this second to last box comes from Angela and features the Magi's journey following the Star of  Bethlehem. Inside she included a cute little bottle cap magnet with sweet Noël wishes.

Today will be spent sharing time with family, perhaps some cookie baking, and last minute prep for tomorrow. Should be fun...

Twenty-three Skidoo

The days have definitely skidoo'd, since it's already Day 23.

But Santa has a big wink on his face, for he knows just one more night before he leaves on his worldwide trip. Valerie is helping his sweet tooth with some candy canes stashed inside this box. But, I'm sure he'll get his fill of cookies and candy tomorrow night. Maybe I'll leave him some Tums...

Catch-22

Jolly is definitely a good word for Day 22. I'm nearly finished with my Christmas preparations, and just have a birthday gift to whip up for Denis' niece. So thank you Marie, for bringing me this cheerful word-of-the-day, and the glittery bottle cap magnet inside. Hopefully after hitting the roads and stores, I'll still be feeling jolly.

21 Jump Street

I'm showing my age with this post title...

but I am jumping around at how cute this box from Sherry is. Uh, oh, I don't see my name on Santa's list...really, I can explain. But he's definitely gonna need those mittens around here. Although it has warmed up a bit since we've been getting some snow. I love how the snow transforms everything and makes the ordinary so sparkly and pretty.

Matchbox Twenty

Eh gads! Day 20...

Erica came up with the most creative and cute set of boxes. I adore this wee "elf" wrapped up with red and green baker's twine and a jingle bell. And jolly snowman found his way inside the box to hang out on the tree.

Even though I don't have a lot that I need to get done in the next couple of days, I do feel that sense of being rushed and making sure that I have all of those little things on my list checked twice. So, let's see what I can get done today.

Ni-ni-ni-ni Nineteen, 19

Day 19...really? Well judging by the amount of people running around today, we're definitely getting close.

Today's box is one of those ultra-cute "book" boxes from Michelle. I think it's so clever that she disguised all of her boxes to look like tiny books. And what inviting covers, makes you want to open them up and find out what's inside...why, a beautiful bird and key charm, in a perfect shade of blue. Only six more to go...

Enchanting Eighteen

Day 18! We're really closing in now. Yesterday the clock over the fireplace came crashing down, so I guess you could say that time is literally "flying by".

This "pretty in pink" box is from Sarah, and inside she's put a cute little tag stamped and glittered with a Christmas tree.

And speaking of enchanting, in yesterday's mail I just happened to receive my Vintage Stocking swap box from Brandy. Part of me thought about waiting until Christmas to open it up. Naw, the anticipation was too much...

I'm so glad I didn't! My jaw hit the table as I pulled the tissue back. This is so beautiful, and exactly what I would pick out if I were in a store shopping for myself.

Brandy pays attention to all of the small details that truly make a statement, like the glittery bells tucked under the pine cones, lace ribbon, and feathery garland. And how cute is this polar bear ornament complete with lace scarf and welcoming wreath.

I love this snowflakes tag (I see a die cut I think I need), beautifully detailed, and then there's this incredible tin with it's rich embellishments that houses a scented candle.

These gorgeous ornaments are spectacular, and look wonderful on the table top tree I set up.

Pretty parcels adorned with glittery snowflakes hold tasty treats...chocolate and peppermint, yum!

These tags are so pretty, and will really dress up my packages. And snowflake slippers to keep my toes nice and toasty.

And I absolutely love this feather tree made from the same feathery garland that adorns the stocking. I had some extra smaller ornaments from my Shiny Brite wreath that look perfect on this wee tree. A truly wonderful swap that is putting me in the holiday spirit.

Super Seventeen

Oh my, Day 17!

and "super" is this adorable box from Jill. Around here you can always use an extra pair of mittens, and that cute clip will help keep them from getting lost from one another...or pretty up a stack of bills.

I was a bit late sending off my Joli Paquet Vintage Stocking swap off to my partner, Brandy, but it's winging it's way to Texas. I was really nervous about swapping with Brandy, as she does amazing projects, and I knew there wasn't any way that I could make anything that would compare with what she does as a designer on the Joli Paquet blog. Here's a small sneak peek, and I'm pretty happy with my package, but let's hope I did alright by her. ;-)

Sweet Sixteen

Day 16! Which means single digits 'til Christmas. Also means another cute little matchbox...

This one is from Amanda. Oooh, now this one is totally up my alley with the blingy snowflake and glittery ric-rac trim. Inside is this cute little gingerbread boy. Think he might like to come live in my gingerbread house?

I finished up the gingerbread house last night, and while it won't win any architectural awards in design, I think it makes up for it in charm. Denis asked me what it was for, and I guess it's not really for anything...but me. I also partly did it for my mom, since she was the one that gave me the gingerbread mold. My holiday decorating has sorta fizzled since we didn't get the tree, so I suppose this will just be one more decoration.

Fantastic Fifteen

Day 15! Oh my goodness, you know what that means...

only ten more days of tiny prezzies! However, today I was fortunate enough to receive a box from JoAnne. Love the pretty Christmas fabric, and bright red velvet of the poinsettia. I also got one of those fabulous Scrabble tile pendants, and as lovely as it looks here on the tree, I do believe it would be better on a chain for wearing.

I made good on getting started on the gingerbread house. I picked up the Cream of Tartar for the Royal Icing, and will get the construction done tonight. It's been a long while since I've used this gingerbread house mold, and I thought I needed to bake one of each side. I was looking at the chimney thinking I was missing something, but knew I had baked all of the pieces. Well, I needed to bake one side twice, as the mold has two different house styles, one on each side. So I either have a house with dual personalities, or I can cover it up with icing and decorations. ;-)

Brizzie was very intently staring out the living room window this morning, so I went to see what had captured her attention. This little fellow was scavenging beneath the blue spruce out front...check out the snowy beard.

Phenomenal Phourteen

Day 14! And it features a cute gingerbread man and his house by Becky. Inside, Becky has tucked a frosted gingerbread ornament. This little box reminds me of the gingerbread houses I made as a teenager. I've been meaning to make one lately, even bought some stuff at the store last week. So rather than saying "maybe I'll make one", I'm going right on up and get that gingerbread baking. Update tomorrow...

Bakers Dozen

Wow, Lucky 13 already...and this lovely box comes from Nancy and features a sweet angel vignette inside. I really applaud Nancy for having the patience to cut out all of the branches and angel to make the inside three-dimensional. While working on the 25 boxes, patience was something I was running short of.

Feeling a bit stir crazy, we did manage to venture out in the snow and ice yesterday to see The Tourist. It was pretty good, and worth braving the icy roads for a small break from around the house.

Twelfth Night

Did you know:

• A group of twelve things is called a Duodecad.
• Twelve is a composite number, the smallest number with exactly six divisors.
• The average human has twelve cranial nerves.
• There are normally twelve pairs of ribs in the human body.
• A number of sports teams do not allow field players to wear the number 12 on their jersey because it is reserved for their supporters (i.e. the Twelfth Man at Texas A&M)
• There are twelve basic hues in the color wheel; 3 primary colors, 3 secondary colors, and 6 tertiary colors.
• Twelve men have walked on Earth's moon.
• 12 face cards in a card deck.
• The number twelve has symbolic connotation in many religions.

Thank you Wikipedia

And today is Day 12 of the Countdown to Christmas Matchbox swap.

This lovely box is another from Cami, and has the prettiest ornament made from a vintage button and tag embellished with a sweet angel face.

We were fortunate that the warmer temps yesterday brought mostly rain (melting a lot of the snow on the ground), and then turned to snow during the night giving us about an inch or two. The blowing winds (gusts up to 45mph) will now drop the temps significantly. It's funny how yesterday was "warm" in the 30s, and just a few weeks ago I was trying to convince myself that 40's weren't "cold". Hope the birdies stay warm.

Eleventh Hour

It sorta seems like the eleventh hour, as we close in on the big day (sigh!). But Day 11's box gives me great joy...it's from Amy and I love the simplicity of it, and I finally got one of those cute scrabble tile charms that everyone else has been getting.

So now we're just waiting for the snow to blow in...maybe we'll try to squeeze a movie in before the thick of it arrives early this evening.

Hang Ten

Well, I actually hung 25 matchboxes, but it is Day 10.

Today's box is from Jan, and she was so creative with her little giftie. She took a jigsaw puzzle piece and I think stamped and colored a face, adding Glossy Accents or Diamond Glaze over the top to make it shiny, and adding a teeny tiny crown to the top of her head. Everybody has been really creative with the matchboxes. I was sorta afraid that I would end up with 25 pairs of earrings, but everybody really put their thinking caps on and came up with some wonderfully original ideas.

Another two-and-a-half inches of snow last night. Denis got home from his whirl-wind ten-day European trip just as the flakes began to fly. Another possible two to six inches predicted for tomorrow, so I'm thinking it may be smart to go get our Christmas tree today while there is a slight lull in the weather, and the temps are somewhat decent. Then I can spend the weekend inside, cozy by the fire, hanging "ten"-sel. (ba-dum-dum)

To the Nines

This box by Angela is definitely decked out to the nines in it's red and green finery. The clip inside is a perfect match, and they both look so festive.

I'm so glad that everybody has been coming by to check out the boxes...it's been a lot of fun. I wish I've had more time to make the rounds. Where does the day go?

And Eight Tiny Reindeer

Day 8! This is about the point where I switch from "I still have time" to "I'm running out of time".

Today's box is from Vanessa. I've been seeing her boxes on the other blogs and could hardly wait 'til I got to open mine. Now all of the boxes are wonderful, but Vanessa hand-crafted all of these tiny little mice, and the felt buttons, for the swap. How do you stitch up something that small? And the tiny little hat? Oh my goodness, my hands would just fumble.

One thing I did manage to get done this year is my Shiny Brite wreath. I've been wanting to do this for a couple of years, so I've been accumulating ornaments in blues, greens, and silver from eBay, flea markets, antique shops and thrift stores. I felt like I finally had enough in varying sizes to actually put it together this year, and I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Now, if I can just seem to get my other projects completed.