Need a Quick Gift Idea?

Thanks to my friends at Worldstart.com I learned about a great blog with a host of ideas for quick, handmade gifts.  I checked out several of the links and know I'll be back to view them all.  Try http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/08/101-simple-handmade-gift-tutorials/ and I know you'll find something you can use too!!
If your tree is looking a bit bare try http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/09/101-handmade-ornament-tutorials/
And if you want 'green' ideas try this link and you're bound to find a project or two to do.
Be sure to subscribe to EverythingEtsy.com so you don't miss any of her future posts!

Chicken Christmas

Sunday was our annual Chicken Christmas Brunch.  My friend Joyce hosted us and did all the food, which was fantastic.  Usually we all bring a dish to pass but this year Joyce insisted on doing all the work.  We chatted for hours, much of the time about all of our grandchildren.  There was a gift exchange that required a $10 purchase from Home Goods.  Being on my ABC kick I found an egg carton with soap shaped like eggs that came from New Zealand, to use for my exchange item.  Lots of fun and beautiful things were swapped.  I got a pair of Champagne flutes from Diane.  Mary got my 'eggs'.

Standing are Diane, Kathy, Carol, Debby, Pat, Joyce, and me.  Seated are Mary and Sue.  Missing on Sunday were Jackie and Judy.  Kathy had a photo book printed for Carol of the photos that Debby had taken when Carol presented her quilt trunk show to the guild earlier this year.

Several of the gals are doing a Shoo Fly block exchange.  Here are the blocks that Kathy received that day:

Debby and Kathy were dressed like twins, unintentionally!

And here are the two mothers-in-law, Joyce and Carol:

After five hours of eating, drinking, and gabbing we all went our separate ways.  It's such a fun group we hate to part!

Busy, Busy, Busy

I hope you don't think that I haven't had anything to say since last Friday's post.  Quite the opposite is true!

Saturday was a great day and I got a good chunk of my shopping done for Christmas.  I tried a new bakery, Natalie's Bakery, in Madison Heights on the recommendation of my friend Sue.  It was fantastic.  The aroma was magnificent and I wanted to buy one of everything they had to sell!  I bought their New York Rye and a loaf of Olive Oil Italian.  They offered me a sample of their Stollen and while I was tempted I held off.  But I assure you it was temporary as I fully intend to go back and snatch up a loaf.  It was fresh and fruity, not rock hard like I'm used to.

You might remember that I'm on an ABC kick for Christmas -- Anywhere But China.  I'm making a very concerted effort to choose gifts that were not manufactured in China, trying for the USA but going with other countries who trade fairly.  Even more so, I'm shopping in small shops in my local area, keeping my hard earned dollars in my community and supporting people who really appreciate my business.  Besides Natalie's Bakery, I spent a lot of time choosing the right gifts for Holly & Mike at American Apparel.  It's a small shop in Royal Oak that primarily sells clothing manufactured in Los Angeles.  I found a super cute knit pencil skirt and a pair of winter leggings for Holly and for Mike I chose a pair of fleece lounge pants and a pair of rubber boots (made in Canada but that's sooooo close, plus I am 1/2 French Canadian!).  I love spending my money locally -- the shop employees are so friendly and genuinely want to help you select the right item.

Torn

This weekend will fly by and I have so much I want to do.  A thousand different crafty things are spinning around in my head.  Ok, maybe only a few dozen but still -- I can't decide what to do first.  I've got errands to run tomorrow, including a dreaded trip to Costco to get the Christmas ham.  Do you have ANY idea how crazy it will be there on Saturday???  I'm going to have to get there early and get out as quickly as possible.

I washed the two pieces of fleece that I'll use to make a throw for baby Denver for Christmas.  Then I have to decide on my Secret Santa gift for work.  Let's just say there'll be something crafty included.

Sunday is our Christmas luncheon for the Chicken group.  I've got my $10 gift from Home Goods ready to go. Someone's going to cackle over this one!!!

Puffy Eyes

Tonight after work I walked Maggie quickly, changed clothes and headed over to the funeral home.  My dear friend Sue's mother passed away on Sunday.  I only knew Margaret for a few years but she's the kind of person I wish I'd known all my life.

A true Irish lass, she always had a twinkle in her eyes.  Kind as they come, she even commented on the good qualities she saw in my roommate.  Margaret was a creature of habit.  She always got her hair done at the local beauty school.  When she drove she only made right hand turns to get where she was going.  And she loved coneflowers, a cup of tea, and an occasional glass of Sangria.

Her family has endured so much this past year.  Sue's youngest sister battled breast cancer.  Her other sister Jennifer died suddenly from a heart attack in January.  Sue's father-in-law, a paraplegic, died in August, and now her mother is gone.  Too much for one family.  Never ask -- 'what else?!'

Done Done Diddley Done

Tonight I picked up my Christmas cards at Write Impressions in Royal Oak.  I had forgotten how much I LOVE this store.  I need to stop in more frequently.  My mission tonight was to find cards that weren't made in CHINA.  Not hard, they had a lot to choose from that were made in USA, even some cards made by my friend Kate's husband's employer.

I got all of my cards addressed and those that need to be mailed will be dropped off at the post office in the morning.  Phew!  Probably the earliest I've gotten this task done in many years.  

Stay tuned until 12/25 when I reveal my favorite card........

BSKG Meeting

Tomorrow is the December meeting for the Black Sheep Knitting Guild.  Together with my friend Sue, I need to bring some items for our door prize drawings.  Let's just say there'll be some interesting fiber, books, and a special OOAK sheepy item......