{Holiday Ornament Swap '09}

I was very thrilled when i was invited a few weeks back to a "Holiday Ornament Swap"...needless to say, you know I was online fervently looking for a super cute ornament to make. I have to make 25 of the same ornament. One for myself and 24 to giveaway...we are meeting end of November to do our exchange!!! This is the best idea I've ever heard of. Apparently it is a "select" group of women....which in all honesty makes me feel good for two reasons: I know I will love the ornaments they make & that they will appreciate my work. I've started looking around at a few ideas, so I thought I'd share with ya'll...if you have an ornament idea that speaks "paula"...lemme know about it!!!

{pretty little things}

...as i was checking out the little window shoppe, they featured an etsy store: pretty little things & i love these upcycled bows~ i wanna make some NOW! the crafter made these out of the paper from a catalogue from the the paper source, how clever!

i {heart} peppermint bark...

...need i say more???

{pretty things}

i've been so busy but thrilled with the fact that my blog was searched for on google, ah, my moment came! i've been so overwhelmed with changes in my life lately that i've had no time to post, but i guess all things have their time. this morning i was missing posting so i headed over to PB, my most fave store! and ga-ga'd over all their beautiful christmas ideas.

on another note, i love RED & GREEN! it speaks christmas to me. a rich red though not the candy-cane red. the last issue of Style at Home disappointed me, it was all about not decorating in the traditional colors, but rather violet, blues & whites...that speaks stark & cold to me not warm & inviting. perhaps it's because i decorate with my kids in mind more than an adult atmosphere, i feel it's all about them really, i could watch them open presents all day! which will be the case anyway!

on the weekend we attended a special musical performance and that christmas tear came down my cheek. i was waiting for that special moment that starts the season for me. it happens every year & it warms my heart. i feel the love of the christmas season in my heart & it makes me utterly speechless! now, that doesn't happen to me often but so look forward to it!
So I hope you search for the spirit of the season in whatever form touches you the most!
Happy Christmas to you & yours!
~Paula

{gift giving}

...at least just thinking about it! I have this problem, I think about really cool things for people on my list throughout the year & then I either forget or they get the item before Christmas. So I was looking for inspiration online and went to one of the first places I went to when the internet first started....I was watching Oprah's first ever "Oprah's favorite things giveaway" episode (when I used to watch Oprah!) anyhow, it was Red Envelope....they are so cool, they wrap all the presents in red boxes with a beautiful ivory grosgrain ribbon...ahhhh! beautiful! sidenote: One year I wrapped all my presents ( except kiddie ones) in Kraft paper with raffia, it was awesome! I must do that again!) Anyhow, there's also gifts.com for ideas...well, I'm stuck on what to get for a few people, so I better keep looking for some cool & unique ideas! Best of luck with your shopping!!!