As a rule, I don’t like to make resolutions (or write posts this wordy).  I feel somehow that is setting ones self up for failure.  I prefer to decide to do things all year long and try to follow through.  Yet, as the year comes to a close, I find myself thinking of things that could be my resolutions.  That is, if I made resolutions….

How about being more crafty this year? That is something I thought about last year as well and never managed to get to.  I used to make all kinds of things ~ as my jam-packed craft supply closet will attest ~ but once I started licensing full time, that part of my life fell by the wayside.  I think I feel that if I have any creative energy, I’d better spend it on feeding that royalty pipeline.  This may or may not be the most productive way to ration my creative energies.

How about cleaning that entertainment closet?  When I have people over, I like to set not just a table, but a mood and have all sorts of place mats, napkins, napkin rings, candle holders, candles, containers, glasses, flatware,  etc. that help with this. Every time I’ve opened that closet for the last two years I’ve said the same thing: “I’ve GOT to clean up this closet!” Perhaps I’ll have before & after shots for you sometime soon (don’t hold your breath; “soon” might be a while!).

How about getting up an hour earlier everyday and putting that time to good use?  This sounds good ~ great even ~ in theory, however I am more of a night owl than morning person, so this might also involve going to bed earlier (something I fight like a little kid).  I hate getting up, but once I am up, I am OK.  Maybe I should focus on that aspect.

How about watching less TV?  I don’t actually watch that much as Captain Hubby has a monopoly on the remote (Is “How It’s Made” on continuously at anyone else’s house?  I like the show, but there are others :-)  However, I do love my DVR (how did I live without this device?) and record all my favorites and binge on them the one night a week that Captain Hubby spends at the boat.

How about reading more (or actually finishing the books I take out from the library without having to renew them three times)?  I was once a voracious reader, but now I wonder where I found time to do so much of it.  I think this is the year to make more time for this very enjoyable, relaxing, mind-expanding activity that I really miss. (I am reading a fabulous one right now: The Girl With No Shadow, Joanne Harris; it is the sequel to Chocolat. What an amazing writer.)

Hmmmm…as I ponder these non-resolutions, I realize it will take some creativity to actually put some of them into practice.  Anybody else have any non-resolutions?

So ~ did everyone get what their hearts desired for the holiday?  The gift I received that I am looking forward to learning how to use is a brand-spankin’ new sewing machine that blessedly comes with a free class.  I say blessedly because, to be honest it looks a little like a space ship to me and is rather intimidating!  But it is something I really want to learn.

Still trying to get to my Paris pics to share more of, but other things have been vying for my attention.  Like getting ready to go to the Atlanta show in less than two weeks!  Yikes!  Let me know if you’re planning to attend.

Now, for some Creative Blah blah blah….

Giving gifts to the same people year after year can be challenging.  The older we get, the less we want, need or even desire ~ and if we don’t have it, we probably don’t want it or it is too expensive even for a gift.  My two hardest recipients are my husband of 20 years and my mother, so I have to think outside the gift box!  Here’s what I did this year…

Captain Hubby had mentioned wanting Lazy Jacks for the sailboat.  Lazy Jacks basically keep the main sail from coming down in a big mess that is hard to wrangle on deck.  I didn’t know which particular brand he might like and preferred that he buy them himself, so I purchased the correct amount of gift cards from West Marine.  But of course, I couldn’t just give the cards….

I had a flat, gold gift box and I printed out a nice shot of Adios to fit inside.  I then took twine and outfitted this photo with Lazy Jacks, then double-stick taped the whole thing inside the box, also double-sticking the gift cards to the inside top of the box.

One of my mom’s gifts was a personalized return address stamp.  Knowing how much she loves Paris, it was a natural to incorporate the Eiffel Tower into her name!   (showing just a portion of the whole stamp here).  It is easy to upload your own design ~ I used this website to order a self-inking stamp.

Rather than just giving a gift card in a holiday card, I like to make the packaging fun.  All a friend of mine wanted was to paint her bedroom over the holiday.  I bought a gift card to Lowe’s and also purchased an empty paint can that I wrapped in one of my new patterns (SoHo for Studio E Fabrics) that felt festive.

An last but not least, it is always fun to receive a fun little surprise in the mail ~ and that’s what I got from my friend Carol Eldridge.

Look at this sweet little blue bird on his red spotted mushroom ~ doesn’t he look cozy and right at home nestled into the base of my Christmas tree?  Thanks, Carol!

I haven’t quite gotten all my Paris pics sorted, cropped, etc., but I did want to at least share the fun, festive windows & decorations that were everywhere….enjoy!  And have a very happy holiday!

Bonjour, y’all!  I’m back from Paris sporting a souvenir cold that has me moving a little slowly to answer emails (forgive me all), get my Christmas decorations up and weed through the photos I took while on my trip.  When I’m feeling a little more myself and a little less like a dishrag, I’ll post some of the fun shop windows, store diplays & Christmas decorations among other things.  Until then, I thought I’d at least share these below….taken while on an evening cruise (a very chilly one, I might add!) down the Seine.

Let the season begin!  I am always a little sad to see the fall officially go away, but I do enjoy the holiday decorations that start sprouting up.  Of course, I have to ignore Captain Hubby’s bah-humbugging about it “being too early”.  I especially love the lights at night and am looking forward to seeing more and more as the days pass this month.  However, I do have a pet peeve about the decorations & lights ~ it is over on January 1 ~ decorations left up after that grate on my nerves ~ especially those mini-Macy Day Parade wanna-be’s that look like trash on the yard during the day when they are not inflated :-)

Last weekend my favorite second hand shop had a holiday event with wine & nibbles & lots of great deals.  Captain hubby & I went with our friend Martha and had a great time (well, at least Martha & I did :-) and I snapped some of these fun vintage holiday items.  I bet some of you had these or still do!

And, I know, these have nothing to do with Christmas, but I thought they were kinda cool…