feed me friday: quick dips for new year's eve

If you are having people over tonight, it's not too late to whip something dippy up.  I love all things dip, so I thought I would share two of my favorites quick dips that you can stir together in a pinch. 

These are perfect because they require only three ingredients each, and they can literally be made in less than five minutes.  Woohoo!  My two favorite things: simple and quick.

Tex-Mex Quick Dip

Here's what you need:
~1 block of cream cheese (I always use neufchatel cheese because of the lower fat/calorie content.)
~1 - 8 ounce container of sour cream (Again, I use light . . . but when you put this much sour cream and cream cheese together, does it really matter?)
~1 cup of your favorite salsa (I'm a wimp so mild is the only kind I use.)

Here what you do:
1)  Not sure this needs explanation but . . . soft cream cheese and stir everything together. 

2)  Add your own twist by throwing in a tsp of garlic, a cup of corn, a cup of black beans or whatever ingredients you have a craving for at the time.

3)  Grab a bag of your favorite tortilla chips/pit chips or cut up some veggies and start munching!

Fresh Fruit Quick Dip

Here's what you need:

~1 tub of strawberry cream cheese  (You could use pineapple or almond too . . . just experiment!)

~1 container of marshmallow fluff

~1 tsp. of vanilla

Here's what you do:

1) Again, no real explanation needed . . . open everything, dump it in a bowl and mix by hand until blended.

2)  Cut up your fresh fruit and dig in!

See!  You can't get much easier than those two quick dip recipes!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!  Be safe, have fun and . . .

cook on!

in lieu of crafts . . .

I'm back from my blogging break, but not back into crafting . . . yet.  I have a few projects all written up, but I'm holding out on you until after my blogversary.  Ooooo . . . the suspense . . . how will you survive?! 

I'm not very good at holding off on posting though.  Usually, when I write up a post, it takes every ounce of self-control that I have to schedule it for the next day and not post it immediately.  So in an effort to keep myself sidetracked from posting my projects, I'm doing something a bit different today along with Amy at The Idea Room. 

If you only stop over here for crafty stuff, you probably want to move on now because I'm about to reveal a few personal details.  Gasp!

Randomness Revealed

~I used to HATE (and I don't use that word often) chocolate, but around the exact same time I got pregnant for the first time, I became 100% addicted to it.  Now, if you looked in my purse at any given moment, there would almost certainly be at least one piece of chocolate in there somewhere.

~I am a super big fan of the sun.  In fact, right now I could use a little dose of sun.  It's been gray for what feels like FOREVER . . . in reality it's probably been a week or so . . . but either way, I cannot function.  My mind is foggy.  My attitude is crabby.  And my motivation to do anything is non-existent.  Yep, if there happened to be a fan club for the sun, I would be first in line to be president of that fan club. 

~I wasn't really sold on the whole "mom-gig" until I became pregnant for the first time.  Not that I didn't think moms were great, but I just wasn't super focused on being one myself.  However, the minute I found out that I was pregnant for the first time, I became a mom at heart.  From that point on, I was sold.  Unfortunately, I never got to hold that sweet baby in my arms . . . just in my heart.  But I went through a few trials to bring my two sweet girls into the world, and it was totally worth it.

~For an entire year in college, I drove a car that did not reverse.  I had to park only in places that I would be able to drive forward out of or I would have to ask friends to help push me out of parking places.  Good times!

~I do not kill bugs . . . ever . . . except for ants in my home.  For some reason, I have no compassion for ants that are rummaging through my cupboards.  If I find a spider, crawling across the floor, I will scoop it up and put it outside . . . but if I find an ant crawling across the floor, all bets are off!  If ants are outside, I have no beef with them.  I will not allow my children to step on them or hurt them in anyway when they are playing outside. 

(Warning this is about to get weird!)

This sounds compassionate, but it really stems from an irrational fear that developed after seeing a number of really bad horror movies as a kid/tween - Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, The Giant Claw, Them!, etc. 

The common theme of these movies is that normal-sized things become giant-sized monsters that destroy everything in their path.  That last one, Them!, is the source of my kindness towards bugs. You see, that particular movie is about little tiny ants that become giant through some freak accident.  As giant ants, they enact their revenge on everyone and everything that stands in their way.  From the moment I saw that movie, I decided that I would be kind to bugs . . . just in case they become monstrous in size through some freak nuclear accident.  I would at least be able to say to them . . . assuming that along with their increase in size, they also have an increase in logical thinking and communication, "Hey, I've been trying to help your kind out almost my entire life.  Please won't you spare me and my family."  See, I told you that was going to be weird!       

You've probably stopped reading by now because you realized what an absolute nut I am, but just in case you are still reading, here's a few more random tidbits.

~Almost daily I do something that leaves me thinking, "Shoot, I wish I was a kinder person."  Whether I put my foot in my mouth, take someone for granted, dig my heels in on an issue when I probably shouldn't, answer a question with a bit too much sarcasm, or whatever . . . I could definitely be kinder.

~I love the song To Be With You by Mr. Big.  On a related note . . . I'm a dork.

~I like to read, run, lift weights, eat healthy . . . and I need to do all of those things with a little bit more dedication and passion this year. 

~I can be wordy . . . and long-winded . . . so . . .

Link up here:



And craft on!

blogversary GIVEAWAY sneak peak: i'm so excited . . .

I just can't hide it. 

(If you are a child of the 80s, your mind immediately finished those lyrics with, "I'm about to loose control, and I think I like it."  Remember my uncanny ability to remember song lyrics?) 

This Sunday, January 2, I will have actually been blogging for one year.  And more importantly, I will have actually kept up with my goal to make my children's Christmas gifts for 2010.  I'm not sure that when I wrote this first post, that I actually believed that I would follow through with my goal. But thanks to sooooo many of you who left encouraging comments, pushed me a bit when my motivation was low, and kept me accountable when I seemed to be slacking, I did it!  That's not true . . . in reality, WE DID IT!  So . . . thank you!

I am so grateful for each reader . . . whether you comment regularly (you know I LOVE me some comments), drop a comment in every so often, or never comment but always read, I'm grateful for you.  (Although, if you've never commented . . . not once, but you do read . . . I would soooo enjoy getting a comment from you . . . just once!  I promise that I won't start stalking you!  I might reply to your comment if your e-mail address is attached to your profile, but I will not stalk you . . . well, I will try really hard not to anyway!) 

In an effort to pass on some of the love you've given to me over the past year, I've armed-twisted some amazing ladies into giving you a chance to win a few prizes starting this Sunday, January 2.  (In truth, I didn't have to do any arm twisting because these ladies are just a sampling of the amazingly generous bloggers I've grown to love over the past 12 months.  Many of them feel like old friends even though I've known them less than a year.  A few of them are new friends that I've just had the privilege of knowing that last few weeks . . . either way, I'm so thankful for their generosity.) 

Here's a list of the amazing bloggers who are celebrating my blogversary with me and the fabulous prizes they are willing to pass onto you:

Sunday, January 2

Julie from Singing Three Little Birds and Belle Rose Designs

Giveaway Item: Rosette Ribbon Bookmarks

Monday, January 3

Bev from Flamingo Toes blog and Etsy shop

Giveaway Item: a $25.00 shop credit to Flamingo Toes Designs

Tuesday, January 4 (MORNING)

Sandi from A Legacy of Stitches

Giveaway Item: a basket of crafting goodness

Tuesday, January 4 (AFTERNOON)
Krista from While He Was Napping blog and Etsy shop
Giveaway Item: an 8 x 10 inch white vinyl subway art in a family theme

Wednesday, January 5 (MORNING)

Ellen from Ellzabelle blog and Etsy shop

Giveaway Item: a set of 8 applique fabric note cards and envelopes

Wednesday, January 5 (AFTERNOON)
Emily from Paper Pixie Crafts blog and Etsy shop

Giveaway Item: winners choice of one custom photo bottle cap necklace OR one glass photo pendant

Thursday, January 6

Mandy from Sugar Bee

Giveaway Item: a do-it-yourself craft kit to make this cute little number

Friday, January 7

Julie from Vibrant Designs blog and Etsy shop

Giveaway Item: a Heidi bag and a tutorial for the Heidi bag

Wow!  If I could enter my own giveaways, I would enter every single one!

Come back on Sunday and get ready for some giveaway fun!  There will be multiple ways to enter for each giveaway, and I recommend following twelve crafts on Facebook as well . . . just in case there are a couple opportunities for extra entries!  Hint, hint.

Craft on!

calling all pictures

Technically, I'm still on my bloggy break for a few more days, but I've been checking my email. My inbox is full of smiles. You have been sending me photo after photo of you friends and family holding, hugging, using and playing with the handmade gifts you have this Christmas. Some of the pics include gifts you made using my tutorials and others are simply gifts you made in your handmade holiday quest. I'm loving every single one! You are all AMAZING!

Keep those pictures coming crafty ladies! I can't wait to show your crafty goodness off here in the coming weeks. Make sure you include a link to your blog if you have on along with the pics. If you don't have a blog, send along your name so I can include that too.

I'll be back on Wednesday to show you all the giveaway goodies that I have in store for you next week for my blogversary. Some super gals are giving away some fun items.

Craft on!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas friends! 

Today at our house we are talking about the best gifts we've been given.  I love the fact that many of the "best gifts" named aren't toys, clothes, games, etc.; rather, the best gifts are people, time together, memories.  I count each one of you as one of my best gifts.  Thank you!

You've been a blessing far more than you will ever know. 

Celebrate on!

see you soon!

I'm going to be celebrating with family for the next few days. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

from my family to yours!

See you next week.

Celebrate on!

packing, unpacking and repacking . . . holiday travel

So . . . do you travel to other people for the holidays or do people come to you?  We have the worst best of both worlds because we do both . . . which is great . . . really . . . I mean, really great . . . really.  Because then I not only get to plan meals, clean and cook for others, I also get to pack, spend long hours in the car with children, unpack, not sleep, repack, travel some more, unpack and do laundry.  Good times . . . noodle salad.  (Bonus points if you know what movie that's from.)  So I'm contemplating packing . . . which doesn't actually need to happen until Sunday, but I'm putting off the to-do list that I posted before.  I'm contemplating it because I'm setting out clothes into packing piles and I always end up wishing I had a different kind of bag or suitcase.  It's too late to do anything about it now, but a girl can dream.  I typically pack us all in normal suitcases . . . well, one small suitcase for an overnight, but I wish I had one of these for small stuff I need while actually driving - snacks, books, dvds, muzzles . . . uhm, I'm kidding about one of those . . . I'll let you guess which one: sling backpacks.

Or one of these for big stuff: duffel bags.

Or one of these for my stuff: cosmetic bags . . . love this Amy Butler bag!

Or better yet . . . one of these so I don't actually have to be in the car with the kids: car toppers.

So do you travel, host or do both?  I need some survival tips!

Craft on!

tuesday's true confession: i wish is was tuesday!

Is it Tuesday? 

I wish.

Because if it was Tuesday, that would mean that I have an extra day to get the following done:
~finishing touches on the felt food
~wrap felt food
~finishing touches on pretend and play restaurant set
~wrap restaurant set
~two super hero capes
~wrap two super hero capes
~two crayon rolls  (Woohoo!  I don't need to wrap them because they are stocking stuffers.)
~appliques for Christmas jammie shirts
~wrap Christmas jammies
~make parent and grandparent gifts
~wrap parent and grandparent gifts
~wrap friend presents for kids' Christmas party
~menu planning
~grocery shopping
~meal prep
~Christmas goodie making
~clean up massive disaster area . . . a.k.a. craft room/dining room
~sweep/mop floors
~vacuum
~clean bathroom
~get guest room ready
~and about 100 other things that I will realize I need to do between now and Saturday

Like the rest of you, I've been so busy lately . . . so busy, in fact, that I forgot that I have a blog.  It completely slipped my mind . . . I'm not joking . . . I wish that I was joking . . . but I'm not. 

This is me . . . looking all relaxed and blissful a few weeks ago when we put up our tree.  I miss that lady.  I hope she comes back soon!  I think my husband does too!

So happy Wednesday, but I confess that I wish that is was Tuesday.

Craft on!

super simple teacher gift

Even after a year of gift making I am still putting together some last minute gifts.  So . . . to all of you ladies out there who have been e-mailing me telling me that next year you are going to follow my example by starting early so that you aren't scrambling at the last minute . . . guess what?  If you are at all like me, it won't matter.  You will still be scrambling! 

This is an inexpensive, simple and fast teacher gift for any occasion. 

Crayon Gift Box

Here's what you need:
~a big box of crayons (I used a 64 pack of crayons.)
~acrylic paint and brush
~a sturdy box that can stand the weight of 64 crayons (I picked up one for 50 cents at a local dollar store . . . apparently they sell things at other prices than $1.00.)
~a hot glue gun
~the teacher's favorite candy or school supplies (I gave my daughter's teacher a little "get-to-know-you" questionnaire at the beginning of year to find out a few of her favorite items . . . like candy.)

~Oh . . . and don't forget your supervisor to make sure you are staying on task.

Here's what you do:

1)  Paint the bottom of your sturdy box a solid color.

2)  Measure out or eyeball the number of crayons that you will need on each side.  I lined mine up to create a rainbow effect, and I also made sure they were all turned the same way.  Start hot gluing each crayon on to the box.

3)  Do that all the way around.  When you come to a corner, glue the corner crayon to the crayon next to it not the box.

4)  Fill with a favorite candy of your child's teacher or a high-demand teacher school supply - paper clips, binder clips, pens, stickers, etc.

I also paired this with some Diet Mt. Dew . . . the intended teacher also indicated that Diet Dew was her favorite drink of choice on the questionnaire.  My daughter wrote a super sweet note on her cherished Hello Kitty mini-stationery to top off the gift. 

This gift works for teacher birthdays, first-day/last-day of school gift or just a random "thank you for teaching" gift.

Craft on!


Check out the great parties I may link to by clicking on the blog name below or visiting my "I like to party" page that shows off all the party buttons.  These gals go to a lot of work to host these parties.  If you participate in parties please take time to look through a variety of the projects linked up.  They are a great source of inspiration!


Weekend - Somewhat Simple Holiday Party, a little lovely, Craft Envy, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision to Remember, 504 Main - Tickled Pink, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, I heart naptime


Monday - Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, The Trendy Treehouse, CRAFT, Making the World Cuter, Mad in Crafts, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Between Naps on the Porch, Tools Are For Women,  It's So Very Cheri, Skip to My Lou, Sew Can Do, Polly Want a Crafter


Tuesday - All Thingz Related, Sugar Bee, New Nostalgia, Creative Itch, Lucky Star Lane, Hope Studios, These Creative Juices, My Delicious Ambiguity, Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!,


Wednesday - It's So Very Cheri, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blue Cricket Design, Trendy Treehouse, Tea Rose Home, Someday Crafts, My Backyard Eden, Sew Much Ado, Night Owl Crafting


Thursday -  Fireflies and Jellybeans, Life As Lori, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple, Seven Thirty Three, The Train to Crazy, PonyTails and FishScales


Friday - The Sabby Nest, A Little Knick Knack, Fingerprints on the Fridge, It's Fun to Craft!, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Kojo Designs, Simply Sweet Home, Frou Frou Decor, Remodelaholic, Momma's Kinda Crafty

sunday kids' craft and grandparent gift

Today's Sunday kids' craft also doubles as a Christmas gift.  And the best part is that you can still pull this off before the big day!  

All bapas and nanas . . . or whatever you call the grandmas and grandpas in your life . . . cherish memories with their grandchildren. When my girls were three years old and ten months old, we started working together with my brother's children to begin a memory book for grandma and grandpa. This is a simple book that kids – no matter what their age – can help with year after year.

This gift encourages your children to remember special moments with their grandparents and allows them to creatively express those memories on a special scrapbook page each year. They get to make their very own page.  Wrap it.  And give it . . . all by themselves.

Here's what you need:

• a scrapbook (You just need this for the first year you begin this gift-giving tradition.)

• various scrapbook supplies

• pictures from the year of special times with grandmas and grandpas

Here's what you do:
1) Print off pictures of your children and their grandparent from the current calendar year.

2) Allow them to pick out a few of their favorites.

3) Spread the scrapbook supplies out on the table and let the kids create their own memory page . . . just one per kid . . . for that year. Obviously, you will need to help cut or glue depending on your children’s ages and skill development, but try to allow them to do most of the work on their own. The beauty of this gift is not in perfection it’s in children making their own gifts for grandma and grandpa . . . gifts that will be cherished for years to come.

For the first year, give grandma and grandpa the wrapped book. And let children wrap their own pages and present them to grandma and grandpa when opening gifts.

Craft on!


**Have you checked out the DIY Life eZine yet?  Do it!  The DIY gals were kind enough to include these ideas of mine in this season's issue, and it is chocked full of other holiday ideas from other great bloggers.

Check out the great parties I may link to by clicking on the blog name below or visiting my "I like to party" page that shows off all the party buttons.  These gals go to a lot of work to host these parties.  If you participate in parties please take time to look through a variety of the projects linked up.  They are a great source of inspiration!


Weekend - Somewhat Simple Holiday Party, a little lovely, Craft Envy, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision to Remember, 504 Main - Tickled Pink, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, I heart naptime


Monday - Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, The Trendy Treehouse, CRAFT, Making the World Cuter, Mad in Crafts, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Between Naps on the Porch, Tools Are For Women,  It's So Very Cheri, Skip to My Lou, Sew Can Do, Polly Want a Crafter


Tuesday - All Thingz Related, Sugar Bee, New Nostalgia, Creative Itch, Lucky Star Lane, Hope Studios, These Creative Juices, My Delicious Ambiguity, Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!,


Wednesday - It's So Very Cheri, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blue Cricket Design, Trendy Treehouse, Tea Rose Home, Someday Crafts, My Backyard Eden, Sew Much Ado, Night Owl Crafting


Thursday -  Fireflies and Jellybeans, Life As Lori, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple, Seven Thirty Three, The Train to Crazy, PonyTails and FishScales


Friday - The Sabby Nest, A Little Knick Knack, Fingerprints on the Fridge, It's Fun to Craft!, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Kojo Designs, Simply Sweet Home, Frou Frou Decor, Remodelaholic, Momma's Kinda Crafty

stuff your stockings: finale & giveaway

Can you believe that Christmas in NEXT SATURDAY?!?!  Aaack!  Deep breath.  Double aaack! 
Okay, so perhaps you need a quick stocking stuffer that can be done with stuff you already have on hand or can get easily from a local store.  Well, Stephanie from Binkies and Briefcases has the idea for you.  This is stocking stuffer idea is perfect for the kids in your life.  PLUS, Stephanie is giving a lovely little gift for you as well.  Check out the details at the bottom of the post.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi! I'm Stephanie and I blog over at Binkies and Briefcases.

I have been following Elizabeth for quite a while and have been so inspired by her that I also decided to make all of our Christmas gifts this year, plus I added another little challenge for myself. I'm making all of our gifts by re-purposing things we already have so it's going to be a totally no-spend Christmas.

I was honored that Elizabeth liked my felt solar system enough to share it as a Stocking Stuffer Saturday idea!

To make your own you need:
1. Fleece scarf
2. A few squares of felt (you can find these at any craft store)
I also used some fabric markers & embroidery thread for some extra details

Start by folding one side of the scarf in on itself 6-8 inches or so.


Sew the bottom shut and sew half way up the side. Cut the top half off of the piece that you folded over and you will be left with a little pocket where you can store the pieces when they're not being used. I used embroidery thread to embroider his name on the pocket later.


Next cut space-related shapes out of your felt and use a fabric marker to embellish them. I made a rocket ship, a few stars, all of the planets, and the sun. I labeled the sun and labeled each planet with the first letter of its name.


Store the pieces in the pocket and roll it up. I made a little band out of elastic to keep it shut.
Fold it closed for easy storage:


Open for hours (more like 10 minutes if I'm lucky) of imaginative play:


I think this could also work for home schoolers learning about space, a birthday gift for a child, or even a teacher gift when the class starts studying the solar system. (I was an elementary school science teacher in my life before kids and I would have loved a gift like this.)

I have also gotten a few suggestions for other ideas like making a race track. I'm envisioning a pink one for the My Little Pony Preakness races. Anybody with me?

Thank you so much for having me Elizabeth! I have loved all of the inspirational pieces you have featured and because of your influence me children will forever have the memories of these homemade toys. They might not have cost a dime to make, but memories like that are priceless!

We are also happy to be giving away an 8 x 10 of this architectural print that was inspired by a Restoration Hardware print. (Frame not included)

Here's Elizabeth with the details....

Thanks Stephanie!  Stephanie will be sending the winner their very own Restoration Hardware inspired 8 x 10 print to frame and display.  What a great idea!

Mandatory Entry:
Leave one comment telling me where you might hang this print.

Optional/Extra Entries - leave comment for each entry:
~Be or become a follower of twelve crafts
~Be or become a follower of Binkies and Briefcases
~Leave a comment at Binkies and Briefcases

Giveaway closes on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at 11:59 PM (CST).  Frame not included.  Winner will receive an 8 x 10 print.

Craft on!

feed me friday: lentil soup

So . . . tell me the truth . . . you were expecting some sort of sweet holiday treat or fabulous addition to your holiday meal for the last feed me Friday before Christmas Eve . . . right?!  Well, guess what . . . brace yourselves . . . in fact, you might want to sit down for this one . . . I don't make a big Christmas Eve or Christmas Day feast.  Nope!  Not this girl!  Here's the deal . . . I make a BIG meal for Thanksgiving.  It's A LOT of work!  Grocery shopping, prepping, cooking, baking, cleaning . . . I can only do all that once a year.  Yep, I admit it . . . I have a low tolerance for big holiday meals.

So . . . three or four years ago I decided that everyone who comes for the big Thanksgiving meal is sure welcome to come for the Christmas meal, but they will be getting homemade soup, salad and warm bread . . . and that's that.  

I usually take pity on them and throw in some sort of sweet treat as well. 

I started doing this out of necessity . . . my sanity demanded it.  But I keep doing it because I LOVE this tradition. 

I usually do one or two of the same soup recipes every year and then add a new one.   This lentil soup recipe is a must have . . . even if you don't think you like lentils . . . or don't have a clue what lentils are . . . you should try it sometime this winter!

Recipe is below, but first I had to show off my super cute assistant chef.  Don't worry . . . no child was left unattended by the stove while cooking soup.

 

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 carrots in coins
2 stalks celery, chopped into slivers
1 small red sweet pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups dry lentils
8 cups water or veggie broth
1/2 cup spinach, rinsed and chopped
1 tablespoon vinegar
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
1. In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery and red sweet pepper.  Cook and stir until onion is tender.

2.  Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano and basil.  Cook for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in lentils, and add water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for at least 1 hour.

4.  In the last five minutes of cooking, stir in spinach and vinegar

5.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add a chunk of warm bread and ENJOY!

Cook on!

ha! i did it!

Most people who know me really well would say that they didn't think I would stick with this crafting and blogging thing.  I'm well-known for my very short attention span.  I love to try new things and start new things, but I don't love to maintain those things. 

Truth be told, on the days that I wanted to give up, my motivation to keep going was this comment said last January by a person in my life who will remain nameless: "I guarantee you that you won't be doing this six months from now."

Ha!  I did it!  (Oh, you know who you are, and I love ya for giving me the motivation to keep going in the moments of low motivation . . . well, I love you for a lot of other reasons too.  There is nothing like proving someone wrong to keep a gal like me motivated!)

Anyway . . . one year ago January 2, I started this little blog literally on a whim.  I thought about it in bed the night before.  Woke up that morning and thus twelve crafts till Christmas became an official blogger blog. 

I thought my family and a few friends might read this blog and keep me accountable in my gift-making goal.  That would have been a total of about 14 readers.  So you can imagine my complete surprise when 120 people signed up on GFC to read by June, and you can imagine my jaw-dropping, fall-off-my-chair-fainting surprise that over 1000 follow through GFC and over 2000 subscribers almost a year later. 

I'm not going to have a huge party, but I am going to celebrate a bit.  When I stick with something for a year, it deserves celebrating!  So . . . expect some fun posts the first week of January and a week of giveaways as well. 

If you are interested in sponsoring a giveaway during my blogversary week, let me know.  There are two giveaway spots still open, and I have a perk or two in mind for those interested in promoting their site or shop through an blogversary giveaway.  Or perhaps you would just like to pop in with a guest post . . . let me know that as well.  Contact me at twelvecrafts(at)gmail(dot)com.

Feed me Friday will be up tonight.  And guess what . . . we are going to welcome back stuff your stockings Saturday tomorrow with a last-minute stocking stuffer and giveaway.

Craft on!

there's still time . . .

I LOVE getting e-mails, pics and links from those who have tried out one of my tutorials and gift ideas.  It's so exciting to see that at least a few people can figure out the chaos that ends up in my explanations and tutorials!

Here are a few of the lovely pics that have been sent my way recently.  Check them out!  There's still time to make each one of these projects in time for Christmas!!  You can do it!

Samantha from Making Life Prettier used my doll bassinet carrier tutorials part 1 and part 2.

Jocelyn's kids from We Talk of Christ used my memory mitten ornament tutorial.

Cleo and Karen - no blog, but a great pillow cat from my pillow buddy tutorials part 1 and part 2!

Not only is the kitty pillow buddy super fab, but her name is fab too . . . Princess Elizabeth Gonzales Kitty.  You can't beat that!

Go get your supplies and . . .

craft on!