Goodbye 2008!

I'm officially on vacation until the 6th of January. But I'm sneaking in a late night post.

We had a beautiful Christmas. Very busy, filled with family and fun.

I think this is my favorite time of year. That down-time between Christmas and the New Year. Filled with way too much food, sweet treats, new goodies to play with and family all around. And it's a time of reflection as we say goodbye to 2008.

Now I'm spending time with my flock and finding time to reflect on what the new year will have in store for me and what direction I'd like to steer this little crafty boat of mine.

I'm not making any more beads until after the 6th, but I am shipping what I have in stock and they can all be found in my etsy shop. There is also a little sale with some of my holiday items.

I will probably blog again before the New Year, but in case I don't...

I'm wishing you an abundant New Year, filled with creativity, joy, love and way too many beads!

So many crafts, so little time...

Make sure to stop by the Art Bead Scene today to check out our 12 Days of Christmas. Today is #6 and I created this fun Jingle necklace using one of my pendants/ornaments. Here is a sneak peek at 2 other projects that will be up before Christmas!

I'm off to the post office now to mail out another batch of packages. Tomorrow is my last working day and then it's a rush to get my Christmas presents finished.


A few last minute things I'm working on:
Sketchbook Covers
Silk pajama pants
Silk holiday skirts
A needle felted elephant
Some squirrels (minus the bead holes - my youngest daughter has been coveting my squirrel beads.)
Illuminated Manuscript Pendants
A 'guy' necklace for one of my bro-in-laws

Hmm, I better get my rear to the post office and then back home for some serious crafting. Are you still working on gifts? I know, I'm probably the only one not ready this year!

Jingle all the way...

Walkin' in a winter wonderland...

Well, it's cold enough here in San Antonio to feel like Christmas. Which just excites me to no end. I had a 1/2 dozen Christmas cookies for breakfast. If that makes me bad, then I don't want to be good. I'm on the "Elf" diet. You know - the 4 basic food goods: your candy canes, candy corn, corn syrup and maple syrup. I love that movie and think I'll play it back here while I'm packing up the rest of my orders for today.

I will still take orders through tomorrow and then I'm closing up shop for a few weeks to enjoy time with my family. The etsy store will stay open with items in stock and ready to ship.

Visit my etsy store today for a free priority mail shipping upgrade. I know you haven't checked everyone off that list yet. Okay, maybe I'm the only one still making gifts and picking up those last items on my list.

Men, why do we have to buy presents for them? That's no fun. Nothing sparkly or beaded.

Stop back tomorrow I have all sorts of goodies to show you. Free projects that will be on the Art Bead Scene this week, and my Christmas tree, so cute this year. Hope you are staying sane and grabbing hold of a few peaceful moments to enjoy the season!

Handmade Sunday

I just returned from a harried run to Micheal's where I picked up most of my gifts for my children, besides the ones I'm creating over the next week. I'm like some crazed little Christmas elf with my fabric, wool and beads awaiting me. I do a lot of "shopping" from my inventory after my sales for my nieces and sisters and sis-in-laws. Good thing I'm a little famous and they like my stuff.

I didn't get a chance to make an advent calender like I had planned, the season has just slipped past me this year. But I thought I'd share a little cartoon that I illustrated earlier this year:

(Click on them to see them larger.)

And here is a gift for you: some gift tags with this little guy on them. They are in a pdf, you can print them out on address labels and stick them on your packages. Have a creative Sunday!

I'm off to do some sewing and watch a the Christmas Story. Ho, ho, ho...

Stuff Those Stockings!

I was hoping to list these yesterday, but those orders kept me busy. It's so hard to get everything done in just 8 hours while the girls are in school. I would often work for 2 or 3 hours in the evenings, but I've had some serious convictions about not working every waking moment and spending more time with my family and friends. I'm a workaholic, so it's a challenge.

I worked from 6:30am until just now. I'm getting ready to turn off this machine, clean my house a bit and pull out the Christmas decorations. Bake some cookies and help one daughter create a solar system. All in a day in life, huh?

I'm loving these faux vintage locket pendants that I made for the show. I have a few left and they are now listed on my website. At 30% off, they make a beautiful gift for $26! Now is a great time to pick up some stocking stuffers, I have earrings for $15 and the cutest squirrel and hedgie pendants. All jewelry is shipping out the next business day by priority mail, still in plenty of time to arrive before the big day. You'll just have to run over and see what else I put up today! I'm off to enjoy the day, I hope you do the same.

Visit the Humblebeads' Jewelry Gallery and check those names off your shopping list!