Santa Visit

Noodlebug is 2 1/2 and people warned me that he would probably be afraid of Santa this year.  He actually did really well. He was a little nervous about the whole thing and didn't want to sit in Santa's lap. He WOULD sit in my lap, however.  He asked Santa for a Slinky Dog. 

Giving Thanks and Opting Out

I've been thinking about what I am going to tell Noodlebug about the first Thanksgiving.  I have thought about what it must have been like for the Pilgrims. They arrived here searching for religious freedom and found a lot of challenges and hardships.  Without the help of the Native Americans, they probably wouldn't have survived their first year.  So, when they sat down to that first Thanksgiving meal and looked back at the difficult times they had been through and the friends they had made, I'm sure their hearts were filled with gratitude and praise. 2010 has been a horrible year for so many people I care about. Jobs have been lost, marriages have crumbled, loved ones have passed away, financial hardship is everywhere. 

In the midst of these reflections, I have been taking in all the Black Friday ads that are everywhere. Now, I love a good deal.  I get a ridiculous thrill from seeing how much I have saved by using coupons.  But I am sickened when I think about the lengths people go to for Black Friday discounts.  What does it say about us that we go directly from the Thanksgiving table to waiting in line at 4am for deeply discounted flat-screen television?  I have heard stories on the radio of people pushing and shoving, stealing items out of other people's carts and resorting to truly disgusting tactics to get a good deal.  One poor man was even trampled to death last year because of this game of getting a good deal on things we don't even need.  I am opting out of Black Friday.  I will be cherishing the day off by spending some quality time with my family.  We're going to see the Nutcracker movie and spend some time outdoors together.

2010 has been an annus horribilis full of challenges and sadness.  When I look back, I realize that what got me and others through it was the support of the people in our lives.  Like the Pilgrims, I'll be sitting at my Thanksgiving table thinking of the friends who supported me over the past year and helped me to survive. And I'll be counting my many many blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my blogger and internet friends!  I am thankful for you and I wish you every happiness in the coming year.

I'm Still Here!!! (Handmade Holidays Part Two)

I am 3/4 of the way done with Noodlebug's scarf.  I have the fabric all ready for the pillowcases and I attempted my first set of slippers last night.  (Disaster)  This has been a crazy week but I am looking forward to some quality time off with my family next week.

While I struggle with my current handmade holiday projects, find some new ones at Sew Mama Sew's Handmade Holidays Extravaganza!

They have some WONDERFUL project ideas. I'm already eyeing the firewood tote for my husband.  Stop me before I craft again!!!

Oh, and if you aren't overloaded with creative ideas yet, there are some really creative ideas for Neighbor gifts over at How Does She? I especially like the battery idea for families with children.

HANDMADE HOLIDAYS (the countdown begins!!!)

I LOVE to receive handmade gifts. They always feel so heartfelt and genuine.  I, however, do not always GIVE handmade gifts.  I am going to make a real effort to do so this holiday season for a variety reasons. I have a bunch of ideas and now I just have to find the time to get started.

If you are in my friend gift-giving circle, please read no further. (this means you Kim and Gary)






No peeking....







Okay, now that they are gone we can get down to business.





For the children of my friends, I plan on making hooded towels using the DIY Dish tutorial.

For the parents of those children, I plan on making photo ornaments using this Little Bit Funky tutorial.

(photo borrowed from and owned by LITTLE BIT FUNKY)

For my girlfriends, I am thinking of doing a set of pillowcases in a holiday print using either this Little Bit Funky tutorial or this one from Dana Made It.

(photo borrowed from and owned by LITTLE BIT FUNKY)

Of course, I love making things for my girlfriends so I am going to attemp to make some slippers using this pattern.  I haven't tried it yet so it all depends on how difficult they are to make.

(photo borrowed from and owned by WINTER PEACH)

For Noodlebug, I am currently knitting a scarf.  I am about halfway through and hope to be done in about a week.  I am using this adorable pattern and it is going well so far.


Also, I am going to make the ABC Learning Toy from Amy Powers' Autumn edition of INSPIRED IDEAS.  I figure it will be a good way for Noodlebug to practice his letters. (see page 35 for a peek)

I have the materials for everything. Now, I just need a little time and energy to get it done.

What will you be making for gifts this holiday season?

The Cat in the Hat

So, Noodlebug was the Cat in the Hat for Halloween.  His father and I were Thing 1 and Thing 2.  I have no pictures of us as a family. I'm hoping a friend was able to get a few good ones so you can see us in all of our glory. In the meantime, here are two mediocre photos of Noodlebug's costume. 

(a bedraggled Thing 1 and Thing 2)



(Noodlebug with his friend Kiera holding popcorn balls!)


And here is the Jack Skellington pumpkin that we carved. Noodlebug loves "Nightmare Before Christmas" and I told him I would make him a Jack pumpkin. I didn't even use a pattern!

Now, we have to take down all our Halloween decorations and start planning for Thanksgiving!!!

I'm the Luckiest Woman in the World

(Halloween photos coming soon.....)

Breathless

Remember this?

I won I won I won!!!!
I can't believe it!!!!

When I was a little girl, I went through a big "King Arthur" phase.  I daydreamed about knights in shining armour going on quests and fighting for the honor of fair maidens. 

By the time I got to high school, it had worn off.  A little bit.  My friends and I went to the local Renaissance fair every single year although I could never afford to get a costume.

In college, I continued the Renaissance Fair tradition but I also took a course on Arthurian legends which reinvigorated my interest.

Now, I will finally have a costume to wear for any festivals or fairs that come my way.  Of course, I won't look as pretty as Kathleen (Grosgrain) but I will do my best.  You think I could get Noodlebug to dress up as a knight?

Halloween Preparations

The costumes are finished. (I'm hoping I can get a good photo of Noodlebug in his costume for the GILT contest)

We carved a pumpkin last night. (photos to come later)

I am ready to proctor the pumpkin contest at work today wearing my flashing pumpkin necklace and my new handmade pin by Kim.

Now, if the rain will just stay away so we can trick or treat. 

Fingers crossed....

Check back here soon for photos.

In the meantime, I am adding this book to my wish list:

Partly because I love Amy Sedaris and partly because I am a poor person who loves to craft!!!

GILT Halloween Best Dressed Photo Contest

As a mom on a budget, I love shopping all the wonderful sample sale/flash sites that have come up over the last few years. Many of them sell high-end children's items at deep discounts which I love. GILT is one of my favorites!!!

When the opportunity came up to share this GILT contest with you (this is a compensated post through the Mom Bloggers Club), I felt I couldn't pass it up!  So many of you are so creative that I know you can win!!!

If you think your child’s costume is the cutest on the block, here’s your chance to prove it. Post a picture of your kid in his or her outfit to enter for a chance to win $1,000 Gilt Credit.
 
Visit the“contests” tab on the Gilt Children Facebook page or click on this link to enter to win:

How the Contest Works


Between October 22 and November 8, upload a photo of your kid in his or her costume to the Gilt Children page by clicking on the Enter link above. The 10 most popular entries—as voted on by Gilt Children fans until November 19—will become finalists.

Fans can encourage their friends to vote for their the following ways:

1. Invite friends to participate in the contest using this link.


2. Post your vote to your Facebook wall my selecting “share on my wall” when you vote for your favorite photo.

3. Let your friends know that you can vote for each entry once per day -- so submit your entry early and vote often!



A panel of Gilt Groupe judges will then select five winners based on the overall quality of the photo and the costume, announcing the results by November 26 on the Gilt Children page and Twitter account. Each of the winners will receive a $1000 credit for use on Gilt.com.

I know I could REALLY use that credit!!!

The Ever After Frock Halloween Grosgrain Giveaway

The Ever After Frock Halloween Grosgrain Giveaway

Want to win something pretty? How about your own "Ever After" Halloween costume made by Kathleen of Grosgrain?

(photo borrowed from and owned by GROSGRAIN)

Of course,  I hope to win this costume too but I would also be happy if YOU won.

Follow the link at the top of the post to sign up!!!