December Countdown

December for me means, lots of shopping, parties and baking. Today I asked my daughter if it was too early to put up the Christmas tree. I love December. Usually the day after Thanksgiving-after the early morning Black Friday shopping, I start decorating. It usually takes me a few days to get everything out and set up. Over the years we, I mean I, have scaled back. We usually have two trees, one for me and one for the kids. several wreaths, lots of candles, the nutcracker and snowman collections and the countdown calendars. Each year we hold a Christmas party to celebrate our friends and their families, host the neighborhood Christmas Caroling party, have cookie exchanges and usually let the kids have some sort of event. So, with only 14 days until December, how do you prepare for the most wonderful time of the year?

On-Line Shopping

Ask anyone I love to shop and especially on-line- just ask my UPS driver. However, I've noticed a lot more pitfalls lately to the on-line shopping experience. Free shipping is hard to come by unless you are will to spend $99 or more. It used to be $50, which was easy to do. Discounts are often limited and can't be applied to many name brand items. Then there is the return policy. I just recently experienced this with GAP. You have a 45 day window of opportunity to return/exchange your items. I of course missed that window. The sales girls told me to call customer service, make up a story, shed a few tears and hope they will take my item back. I did call customer service, no tears necessary. I told the guy- my shipping receipt says nothing about a grace period for returns. He happily agreed to take back my item- minus the $6 shipping/processing fee. So lesson learned for $6... return items on-time and read return policies before you buy. I would have rather returned the item to the store, but in the long run I am probably saving money. They will credit my card and I won't be at the mall attempted to make an impulse purchase. So, how much on-line shopping do you do- share your tips and tricks.

Sleepless Sunday

Not sure why I woke up at 5:00 Am, could be because I was in bed by 9:30 last night. Needless to say, I had drank a pot of coffee, did two loads of laundry and read the morning sale adds all before 6:30 AM. I did managed to watch a cute Hallmark movie this morning too. I find that I record a lot of the Hallmark movies during the holidays. How do you spend your sunday mornings?

Saturday Soccer

Good morning- for once I am thankful that my sons' soccer games were rained out a few weeks ago. Today I get the chance to take some pictures. I haven't taken any all season. I'm not sure why. I am usually the mom hiding behind the lens.
So, here's for hoping for a sunny Saturday, a good game and a team win. GO JAGUARS!

Winter Wonderland Workshop

I made these for my Winter Wonderland Workshop on December
Cost $8

Noel Banner

Coffee Cup Gift Card Holder

Ho Ho Ho Gift Card Holder

For Sale

I have several extra new stamp sets for sale for $15 each.

True Friend













Today's Date








It's Your Day














Good Times









Thriller

Be Yourself

Tis the Season

Tis the Season for the reason to get crafty. Last weekend I had the opportunity to spend 3 days in Bodega Bay scrapbooking. I finished 25 layouts & 2 mini albums, 12 Christmas cards, a gift card holder, a NOEL banner, my December Daily and covered a recipe tin. This was the most productive weekend I've ever had.

The NOEL Banner and Gift card holder will be part of my December workshop.