Christmas In A Jar

Hi Kids~

Now that the gifts have mostly all been given, I can spill the beans a little more about what I've been up to these last few weeks.

I first saw this project on Pinterest, and I thought it was great for several reasons some of which are that it was fast, easy, inexpensive and has a big visual impact, so I tracked down the original source and yay! There's a tutorial! I followed the tutorial exactly, easy peasy. 

I give you...

The Waterless Snow Globe!

Aren't they great? I'm so smitten with these. I actually made five of them as gifts.

I love the whole 'gifts in a jar' idea, and this year I've seen lots of new ones that are really fun & unique. This one was at the top of my list.

Each 'globe' looks a little different depending on the style of light post, and different ribbon.

And don't they glow! These tiny lights actually put off quite a bit of light.

I think they look a little like a scene from The Lion, Witch  & The Wardrobe, you know the one...

All I need is a little Mr. Tumnus. Maybe just a tiny red scarf.

I'm happy to report that everyone who received this as their gift loved it, and I have to confess, I'll be making at least one more of these to keep for myself. Another thing I think is so great about these waterless snow globes is that they're very portable, they run on a small battery pack which can be easily be hidden, or tuck into some greenery, then you can place them just about anywhere you like, and not fuss about access to an outlet. 

So what'ya think, pretty neat huh?

Gosh I love Pinterest! It came in very handy for me this year, stay tuned for more Pinterest inspired, handmade Christmas gifts!

oxo,

Lisa



Cozy Little Christmas!

Hello sweet friends!

From my house to yours, I'm wishing you all a very, merry Christmas! I hope your holiday is festive, and bright and happy!

We're having a lovely quiet day at home this year, easy & relaxing. I thought I'd share a few snaps from around the house, I love to decorate for the holidays. I haven't added anything new for the past few years, but somehow these little things seem (to me at lease) to look different, and more cherished each time I see them, and it's so nice to pull out these familiar treasures each year, that I don't mind a bit. Comforting memories of years gone by...

The Little Cabin, it is so special to me, I'll have to tell you about it sometime...

 Gather round the fireplace.

A woodland mantle, Miss Moose, Santa, Snowman and Mr. Bear, all present and accounted for. I love these critters, they've been with us for many years.

Well, I guess there is at least one new thing this year, these delicate & sparkly glass mouse ears commemorate our visit to Disneyland this winter. What memories!

This jolly fellow lives in the kitchen window. I love a fat man who comes bearing cookies! You should see his velvet trousers, quite stylish.

Believe... because when you stop believing, you get socks & underwear.

The manger. This is also very special to me, remind me to tell you about it. It was years in the making, from a very talented lady who we love so much.

Stay cozy friends!

And have yourselves a merry, little Christmas now.

oxo,

Lisa

p.s. Did you notice who's on the television in that last picture? Teeheehee, Lola really is the star of the show in this house!



Peace, Love & Joy

Happy Christmas Eve!

Peace, Love & Joy are what I wish for all of you, and for all of my friends & family,

Three of my good friends are coming over tonight, Christmas Eve cocktails & munchies, it's our "girlfriends" tradition. These three smart, funny, kind, beautiful ladies are sisters, and they are so dear to me.

I made these three hoop stitchies this afternoon, a gift for each of them. I'll let them decide who gets what.

 ♥

All three of these came together in no time, 2 hours flat from start to finish which included painting the hoops, stitching the words and adding the fabric in a quilted style, then placing them in a hoop and adding some gingham hanging ribbon. Everything came from my stash... a little bit of Mary Englebreit Christmas, and a little bit of Bliss. Christmas & Bliss, what a great combination!

I hope they like them.

Thank you so much for you kind comments about my little craft room. It looks pretty different as I sit here looking around right now, and writing to you after just finishing a project than it did in those pictures, lol. But that's the whole point, a place to play! If you haven't seen it yet, keep scrolling, it'll be the post right under this one.

♥oxo♥

Lisa 

Now if it's late in your part of the world, off to bed, you! As my mom used to tell my brother and I when we were little, Santa won't come if you're awake!



Christmas Tea At The Crown & Cumpet

Ho, ho ho y'all!

Jill and I snuck off to San Francisco yesterday. Ah, the city at Christmas... I love San Francisco always, but at Christmas, I think I love it even more, if that's possible. Everything was merry & bright and we had a grand ol time first at the Ferry Building, then wandering at Ghiradelli Square, then taking tea at The Crown & Crumpet, and afterwards, meandering around SF enjoying the scenery. It was a great day, I thought I'd share some pictures with you.

The Crown & Crumpet is starting to feel like our little hiding place in SF, this was our third trip to the C&C, but our first at Christmas and to our delight the C&C was dressed for a party and full of holiday merriment. It is really such a special place, we love, love, love it.

A holiday tea! Those words alone make me all kinds of happy.

Look at all these sweets!

And these sweets, too.

This fabulous red Christmas tree grabs your attention as soon as you walk into the Crown & Crumpet.

A cheery fireplace mantle. Love those fabulous, pink feather trees!

The tea, service and food were as fabulous as always. That's one thing about the Crown & Crumpet that I especially love, the consistency of the product. Each time we've been there, we feel like "friends" of the shop, like they've been waiting for us to arrive. It's awesome, and not stuffy. Such a joy!

Of course no trip is complete without a memento, or three. I bought this happy, little soldier at the Crown & Crumpet's gift shop, so sweet.

He went straight onto the tree in our family room.

And my happiest purchase of the day, this lovely little broach! I've loved the work of the maker, Lorie Marie for some time and she has a terrific blog which I follow (it's over there on my side bar too, have a look!) as well. I knew that she sells some of her wares at the Crown & Crumpets gift shop, and I was excited to see them in person. When I did, I HAD to have one of these pins. It's everything I love, felt, happy colors, flowers, stitching, in a word; perfect. I really wanted one of these, but it's just not in the budget at the mo... maybe for my birthday.   

Oh, and then there's this! Couldn't leave Ghiradelli Square at Christmas without some, it's my favorite.

I know I've said it before, but you can be sure I'll say it again, if you're a tea fan, and ever you're in San Francisco, you must find the time to have tea at the Crown & Crumpet, you will love it. I promise.

I know this has already been a picture heavy post, but I'm really enjoying and learning to use my new camera, so I hope you'll forgive my photo indulgence a little more. Here are a few snaps that I think are pretty from the Ferry Building...

Just inside the Ferry Building.

Rose & geranium French macaroons, tasted as pretty as they looked. Miette.

Beautiful shrooms, Far West Fungi.

Gifts from the hive, Bee Kind.

All sorts of wondrous fromage (hot guy not included), Cowgirl Creamery.

Mine! Mine! Mine! This guy crept up on me, good thing Jill was watching.

So that about wraps it up, I hope you've enjoyed another trip to my favorite city by the bay!

More Christmas goodness coming soon, stay tuned!

oxo,

Lisa



The Magic Christmas Kingdom

Ho~ho~howdy!

Wow! Where did the last couple of weeks go?? Well my dearies, that was an unintended bloggy break. The weekend of my last post I got down to some serious business in the craft room, and I've been a busy little elf ever since! Can't share everything just yet (you know how that goes this time of year) but trust me, I've been working hard and I have lots of other tricks up my sleeves. Last weekend was different, we ducked out of town for a quick, but jam packed, magical trip...

Disneyland!

I've always, always, always wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom during the Christmas season, when the entire park is decked out in its holiday finery. If I had a bucket list, Disneyland at Christmas would have been on it.

I took approximately one bazillion pictures, which I will not forcibly subject you to (much) (although, if you'd like to see lots more than what I'm posting here, I've made a set of this Disneyland trip over on my Flickr account, which can be found here. I think there are just over 100 photos in the set, and belieeeve me, that was trimming it way down from what I actually took! You are move than welcome to pop over and have a look. Please feel free to leave a comment or two, I love comments, and I love Disney memories so share, share away!) but I thought I'd share just a few of my most holiday-ish shots here with you today.

Small World, lit up like the sun. This picture doesn't do it justice.

We were only at Disneyland for about a day and a half, so we really had to move, but in that time I think we did and saw, and rode everything that we wanted to, some things even more than once.

Spinning madly.

The Grand Californian

Victorian carolers in the lobby, truly wonderful.

(note the kiddies in their stripy Christmas pj's, adorable!)

Jack, The Pumpkin King as Sandy Claws. In case you didn't know, the Haunted Mansion is completely re imagined for Christmas after the much beloved Nightmare Before Christmas, it's an astounding transformation. One of the highlights of my trip to be sure.

Me & Pluto

Stealing a smooch.

Hanging out near the castle... can you see the snow topped peaks? About 1/2 second after this picture was taken, guess who walked up behind me? None other than my favorite mermaid, Ariel!! She must have been on her way to meet Prince Eric or something, because she was walking superfast!

It was wonderful. The only thing I wished was different was how soon we had to leave. I could visit Disneyland at least once a month for the rest of my life and be a happy camper.

I look forward to visiting again, and again... and hopefully sooner rather than later!

Again, there are LOTS more pictures here, get yourself a cuppa and come over for a visit. Let's continue our conversation over on Flickr.

I hope you've enjoyed a peek of a few of the Christmas goodness to be had at the happiest place on earth! So tell me, have you been during the holidays? What's your favorite thing about Disneyland? Do tell!

oxo,

Lisa