Christmas was Wonderful

I know the photo doesn't go with the story, but it was just too cute.

Christmas was wonderful!  We had the boyfriend's family over and I cooked my first full Christmas dinner!  The turkey turned out great...and I was worried since I'd only made one turkey before, and everything was ready almost at the same time!  Yay for planning ahead.


We opened presents, drank mulled cider, and just enjoyed everyone's company.  I couldn't have asked for a better one.


The boyfriend gave me lots of cool gifts, but my favorite one was the portrait of our fur monsters together.  He couldn't actually get them to pose together, so he had to do each one individually and digitally put them together.  It is so cute and sweet.


I hope you all had just as much fun on your day.

Until Next Winter...

Dear Christmas Tree,

I know I left you up much longer than I should, but you were so pretty with all your colored lights, and your Jack in the Box antenna ball at the top always made me smile. But now that it's almost February...(man, I take procrastination to new levels)...it's time to go back into your box and into your summer home in the garage.

Goodnight, sleep tight, and don't let whatever's crawling in the garage bite.

Joan

Christmas Presents

Christmas was a mixture of both good and frustrating. Frustrating because I had to work Christmas Eve day, Christmas Eve night, and all of Christmas day. The boyfriend had them off, and I felt bad that he was sitting at home alone.

On the 23rd, we waited until midnight so that it was officially Christmas eve, and we opened our presents since that was the only time we'd have to do it... Otherwise it would have been today...right now, in fact.

The boyfriend gave me the most awesome coffee maker I have ever owned. You pour the beans in until it's full. Then all you have to do is pour the water in and tell it how many cups you're making. It measures and grinds the beans according to the strength you have set it at, and makes the perfect cup of coffee. The pot is like a heavy duty thermos, so it keeps it hot without the burner...now no more burnt taste as you get to the bottom of the pot. I almost cried when I first tasted it, it was that good.

There were lots of little things we gave each other too: inside joke stuff to make each other laugh or cry. All in all, a very happy Christmas Eve Eve.

Sunday Funday Video - Cat Wrapping Tutorial

I saw this video, and I knew I had to look no further for the Sunday Funday Video of the week.

Have you ever wanted to give a kitty cat as a present but didn't know how to wrap it? Well, with this video, the problem is solved. So break out the Christmas paper and lure the cat over and have some fun.

Sunday Funday Bad Gifts Video

Before we get to the video portion of our Sunday Funday, I just want to let you know that yesterday I made my 70th sale! YAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!

...Now back to your regularly scheduled programing...

It's time for another Sunday Funday Video and what could be better than Matt Damon? It's an advertisement, but it sure is funny. I hope you all enjoy it.

Friday's Christmas Favorites!

Though many stores in the malls around America have been promoting Christmas since September, now that it's officially December, it's really time to get into the mood. Here are some items made by some great artists that just may do the trick!



There... don't you feel more in the spirit now? Go ahead, throw these people a few hearts or sales and help spread the love around.

Christmas Submissions!

Though the day is fast approaching, there is still plenty of time to order your Christmas things and have them waiting in your mailbox before the big day. I have only two of such items in my shop right now, but I'm working on more, in the mean time, tomorrow will be the Friday's Favorites; the perfect time for you to show off yours!

Submissions:

Every Friday I put together an Etsy mini featuring items made by other sellers and I post them here on my blog. This week I'm looking for CHRISTMAS ITEMS! If you have something Christmassy in your store, post the link in the comments, and come back tomorrow to see the Friday's Favorites!

Holiday Hangover

Well, it's January 2nd, and the holidays are officially over.

Pretty soon I'll be taking down the tree, and pretty soon, at the Venetian, I'll get to stop dodging Christmas decorations while I perform.

The tree thing always makes me sad, and I'd love to leave it up for longer.

The Venetian thing makes me happy, though, because the decorations make it really hard to see the stage, block some of the lights, and I'm constantly worried that one of my juggling balls will end up on top of one. It sounds like a silly worry, but it happened once, and though security promised to return it to me, I never saw it again. Then I had to buy another set of three.

Gone are the Christmas Carols in our shows, which makes me sad. I just love all the songs. During December, I'm one of those people that has their car radio turned to the all holiday station.

But as each year passes, the time goes buy quicker and quicker, which means Christmas will be here again before I know it.

Happy Boxing Day

I am so exhausted! After working late on Christmas Eve, and then working on Christmas Day, and then a party afterward, all I want to do is sleep. It is not to be. Today will be the last day of our Christmas Shows at the Venetian, tomorrow is back to the regular ones (do I even remember them?), and no sleep until Monday.

I'm halfway finished with a custom order Bag Lady, since the one in my shop sold, and someone else wants one. I'm hoping to get it mostly done today, because I still have a Christmas present to make...I know, "procrastination, party of one".

The house is also a disaster area...if I can just get the kitchen in some sort of working order before work, I'll be happy....I have to make room for my brand new George Foreman Grill!

I Heart Friday's Favorites

The boyfriend's friend has two little girls who are at the age where they question Santa's existence, but still really want to believe. They are also the age where they're finally allowed to go to Midnight Mass. They decided that they were going to "catch Santa in the act", so before they left, they set up a camera to tape while they were gone.

After they left, my boyfriend showed up in a Santa suit, with all their presents to set under the tree. He made sure not to show too much on the camera, but merely glimpses now and again, and when he went for the milk and cookies, "saw" the camera and hastily shut it off.

The friend said that upon watching the tape, the squealed, screamed, jumped up and down, and were utterly proud of themselves for their ingenuity.

It will be a Christmas that they will always remember.

Now onto the favorites

For this week, it's all about spreading the love, and so these are some items that are the most hearted for each seller's shop.

After opening your presents, maybe there's something missing that you really wanted, well now's your chance to Christmas Shop for yourself!

I Heart Submissions

I just got my 400th follower! Yaaaaaaaaaay!

In other news:

The boyfriend and I are weak. We couldn't wait any longer to open presents, besides the fact that I got a gig tonight, and I'm working half a day tomorrow, we talked ourselves into it.

We did at least wait until after midnight, so it was technically the 24th.

...and I do have to admit, it's a lot more fun to open presents when you feel like you're doing something naughty.

There will still be stuff to do on Christmas. I don't have to be at work until 2:45, and in my family, it's tradition to do an eggs benidict brunch so there will be that. And after work, a Christmas party.

Submissions


I always think of this season as one of love (no matter what you're beliefs), so I'm going to take that quite literally. This week I want to see your most hearted item. Post the link to your item in the comments and check back tomorrow for the "I heart Friday's Favorites". Last week we had one sale!

My most hearted item is this Rainbow Entrelac Scarflette with 51 hearts. What's your's?

An Early Christmas Surprise!

Before we get to the surprise, today is Monday the 21st, and if you still have some last minute shopping, it's not too late. If you live in the US and need something in my shop right away, not to worry. For $15 extra, I will overnight it to you! Just send me a convo and I'll change the listing for you. I'm off all day, so as long as I receive the order before 3pm West Coast Time, I'll be able to get to the post office and get it out to you today.




Now onto the Surprise

On Saturday, I was leaving for work when I noticed I had a flat tire. Now I know how to change a tire, but I'm slow and I didn't want to be late for work. So I called the boyfriend to help me change it.

I got all of the stuff out of the car and he informed me that unfortunately my spare was flat too. Funny, when I pulled it out of the car it didn't seem flat...well, gallant knight that he is, he offered to drive me to work in his car and take care of it for me...how sweet.

When he came to pick me up, he was in my car...only better! It was like being on "Pimp my Ride" or on "Overhaulin'". I had been begging him to airbrush my car...just a little...to make it more than just a boring Toyota Echo. He put a small Betty Boop Decal on the hood, added some small pink flames and a pink pin stripe, got me Betty Boop seat covers, Betty Boop floor mats, and little LED's in the storage compartments....Plus 4 new tires (which were desperately needed) and new hub caps!

Turns out, I never had a flat tire. He let the air out of one of them in order to steal my car for the day. I, in fact, was making it difficult by actually trying to change the tire...yeah, the spare was never flat either. He thought upon discovering the flat I would just ask him for a ride...

What an awesome Christmas present.

Sorry, I haven't taken any pictures of it yet...I'll try to get that done soon.

Christmas Party!

Last night, my friend Penny (who is Amazing Johnathan's main assistant), had her annual Christmas party. It's tradition for me to go, and I've been going there for the past 7 or 8 years...maybe longer...

It's often held on a weeknight, since that's when the show is dark, and since most of the people are entertainers, they either have the day off the next day, or don't have a show until the next evening, so people can stay up late.

It was great catching up with old friends and making new ones. One lady who was there, was the person who got me my first gig as a magician. I rarely see her anymore since she spends much of her time in England now.

Just as I was leaving, Carrot Top (AKA Scott) showed up, and I was able to introduce him to my boyfriend. He's such a nice guy, and very quiet and unlike his on stage persona.

We did a grab bag, and a white elephant, exchanged gifts, and ate a lot. Penny is one of those people that gets really angry if you don't show up hungry. She even made corn pudding just for me, since she knows that that's my favorite thing she makes.

I'm more of a home-body, but I do love a party once in a while...we have one more to go to on Christmas night, and then I think we'll be good for the year...well, until New Year's Eve, that is.

Funny Christmas Presents

I found this site that has some pretty funny presents. If you're into the gag gift, or if you just want a chuckle, check these out!

Yule Doos Christmas Ornament


Quit scanning the shelves of the Hallmark store for that perfect ornament...because here it is!

The Yule Doos Christmas Ornament can turn a crappy holiday into an even crappier one. This magnificent piece of poo is sprinkled with glitter and comes ready to hang with a red & green satin ribbon.

Fear not, the Yule Doos ornament is unscented. Measures approximately 3" high and 3" in diameter



Twelve Shots of Christmas


The Twelve Days of Christmas would have been so much better if only they were accompanied by some hardcore drinking.

With the invention of the The Twelve Shots of Christmas Shot Glass Wreath you and your friends can find the holiday spirit while enjoying some "holiday spirits".



Tube Sock Christmas Stockings



The "No frills" approach to Christmas Stockings.

Put those red velvet boring stockings back in the attic and get yourself a few Tube Sock Christmas Stockings.

Finally the tube sock will be a appreciated gift especially stuffed with holiday gifts!





Inflatable Turkey


This Inflatable Turkey looks so delicious you can almost smell the stuffing. But keep the carving knives away, because this bird is strictly for show!

Each 16" long, vinyl turkey is perfect for staging your Thanksgiving table while the real turkey is roasting, or a replacement beach ball to bat around on a sunny day.

The Inflatable Turkey comes deflated in a 4-1/4" x 2-3/4" x 2-7/8" illustrated SPAM-like tin.

Tuesday's "Take some money back"

Since Thanksgiving is on the way and Christmas will follow close behind, I decided that it was high time I had a special on my Christmas Scarf.

It's great for the holidays because it's warm and cozy, and the red and green give it a nice holiday flair!

Buy it and receive a $5 rebate via paypal. All you have to do is type "5 DOLLAR REBATE" in the note to seller, and your account will show a refund in that amount by the end of the day. IT'S THAT EASY!

So go ahead...Clicky Clicky...you know you want to.

Ouch!

I'm sore today :(

Well, it's all my fault really...I had the "brilliant" idea to go running yesterday even though I'm totally out of shape. I knew Bess needed some excercise, and I figured I needed some too. It was probably good for me, and I'm planning on doing it again, but right now....ooooooooow!

Then, I made the big mistake of asking my boyfriend if he needed any help moving his stuff...Part of me thinks that I should have just waited for him to ask me knowing that he wouldn't...I hate moving, whether it's myself or someone else...and yet I'm really excited that he's moving in. Luckily, his last show today ends way before mine, so hopefully there won't be much to help with.

In other news, there is only two more days left in the Holiday Section Sale. When I made these items, I made sure to use the colors of the season, but didn't make it overtly Christmas or anything, that way, they could be (theoretically) worn all year round...or at least during the cold part.

Lastly, I made another treasury!!! Please click on it and show it some love!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=37757

Everyone please try to enjoy the last couple days of 2008...I know it's been a hard year, but I think we all have a lot to look forward to!

Saturday Sale on Friday!

Yes, I know today is usually the day where I highlight some of my favorite items on etsy, but because of the holidays, I'm going to switch it up a bit. Instead, the sale will be today (thru December 31) and I'll have my favorites posted tomorrow.

And now for the sale! Everything in my Holiday Section has been discounted. Some items by $2, some by $10!!! I have already lowered the prices, so you don't have to worry about special codes or convos...but act now, because in 2009, the prices will return to normal.

I also managed to make my first treasury! (So I guess this could kind of be Friday's Favorites after all) Click here to check it out I tried to cooridinate little outfits within the rows.

Don't forget to check back here for the "Friday Favorites on Saturday" post!

Did you not get everything you wanted for Christmas? Maybe you'll find it here!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I don't know about you guys, but so far, this is the best Christmas ever!

First of all, it's the first Christmas that my boyfriend and I have spent together. He bought (and made) me some wonderful things! First of all, he noticed that I needed some book ends since my ex had taken his back. Then he made me these cool wire things to hold my books open while I knit. I had bought one a long time ago, but was always freaked out that I might lose it...the ones he made were better than the original! At some point, when it's not so early in the morning I'll take a picture of it for you guys.

Then, he also made me a stand with backdrops to help me photograph my etsy projects. It's soooo cool! My kitchen now looks like a professional photography studio. My boyfriend is so talented and I looooove the fact that most of my presents were not store bought, but made by him....I was crying and crying (these were tears of happiness)...I really got a great guy!

Today, I'm making him eggs benedict and mimosas when he wakes up!

Hurry up, click here so I don't have to retake any pictures, I can just make new ones...lol