"Hanging Out With Frosty" . . . A New Holly Day Pop Art Mini

With a goal that I had set to try and complete as much of my holiday decorating this weekend as possible I wanted to create Pop Art Mini design that would hang in our entry way as a Welcome to Winter . . .  and I made it just in the St. Nick of time!

"Hanging Out With Frosty" features the "man" himself and 3 of his "besties".  I'm happy with the result and think that it fills the spot I had planned perfectly! 

Now all I have left to do is some cookie baking, candle making and a little gift wrapping and than I'll be ready to hang out with Frosty too . . . how about you?

A Weekend Of Holiday Decorating Fun . . . Come Take A Peek!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas at our house and I couldn't be getting more excited for the big day to arrive.  This year is going to be very special as my family from Illinois will be coming and so I wanted to make sure I pulled out all of my holiday treasures old and new to make this a family Christmas to remember! Here's a little video of pics that I've snapped so far . . . hope you'll take a peek and let me know what you think!

I'm sure before the big day arrives I'll be adding a few more goodies to the grand scheme of things, but for now I'm enjoying a little holly day magic and looking forward to the arrival of family and friends!

Sparkle, Shimmer, Glow!

Happy Holidays from my house to YOURS!

A Wish for WHO . . . Well it's a WISH for YOU for An Owlsome Holly Day

A Pop Art Mini with an Owlsome Twist

Mr. Wise Old Owl has a Christmas Wish

Special holiday greetings for WHO WHO WHO?

Holly Day Wishes of Joy for YOU! YOU! YOU!



You can find the new "Owlsome Holly Day"  design in my Pop Art Minis Zazzle store where there are all kinds of special deals and savings going on all weekend! Be sure to check it out . . . Holly Day Shopping Online . . . it doesn't get any easier!

Happy Turkey Day . . . A Thanksgiving Wish From Me to YOU!

Happy Turkey Day and Thanksgiving Wishes

Plenty of good times, family, friends and dishes

A time to give thanks for our many blessings

Especially memories of those we are missing

Heartfelt and joyful our hands raised in prayer

For Thanksgiving is a special time we like to share

I'm thankful for so many things the list long, it's true

But I'm so very thankful for family and friends like you!

Just for a little fun I did some creative editing on the original "Turkey Day" Pop Art Minis on a website called Lunapic.  

Embossed

Sepia

Colored Pencil

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble! Gobble!

Dear Santa, I've Been "Beary" Good!

This little guy has a message for santa and he couldn't wait to share so I just had to put some things that I probably should have been working on tonight on hold so I could bring him to life in my latest Pop Art Mini! 

"Dear Santa I've Been Beary Good!"

My teddy bear friend what's that you say?

Oh, you've got to get a message to Santa today?

Well, with a heart so big and a smile so bright
If I didn't help you out it just wouldn't be right!

So jot it down and I'll see what I can do

To get that "beary" special message delivered for you.

Details, Details, Details!

I'll be uploading my teddy bear friend soon to my Pop Art Minis Zazzle Store so stop by when you get a chance. You'll find him in under the Teddy Bears Tab!

What's on your Christmas list for Santa this year?

Have you been "beary" good too!

I Went Back To The Drawing Board with a little "Let It Snow!"

It's been a while since I've taken the time and felt really inspired to work on a new Pop Art Mini design, but today was the day.  Motivated by a Pop Art Minis facebook Giveaway I'm putting together I decided that the theme would be "Let It Snow". . .  thanks to alot of input from my friends on facebook!  Inspired and ready to go I pulled out the oil pastels and the result . . .

a silly little snowman with a tip top, top hat, a perfect little panda-santa friend (sans the beard) and Milly the Mouse sitting happily on the brim of the top hat . . . a few candy canes, holly berries and snowflakes swirling in the background and wha-la . . . ready, set, "Let It Snow!"

A little video that shows the design from start to finish!

 

Turkey Day Table Toppers . . . Creative, Cute and Colorful! Gobble! Gobble!

GOBBLE GOBBLE Turkey Day is Almost here

Check out these fun decorations for fall festive cheer

A touch of color . . . red, orange and gold

Creative, Cute, Colorful and oh, so bold!

With only a few days left until Thanksgiving here's some Creative ideas for "turk-riffic" tabletoppers and party favors all with a "Thankful Twist"

Mums The Word

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Those leftover pumpkins from Halloween take on new life when you add colorful mums and flowers. Pop a mum add a floral pick and stick into the pumpkin until entirely covered.  You could even add some colorful fall ribbons and bows for an added touch of pizzaz!

Give Thanks

Courtesy of Parents

This is one quick and easy table topper that can be pulled together with things you might already have waiting in your cupboards and craft closets. 

Here's what you need to create this thankful and fun display . . .

•16" to 18" sticks

•Acrylic paint

•Paper grocery bags

•White paper

•Glue

•Colored pencils

•Tall drinking glasses

•Beans

•Lentils or split peas

HOW TO

1. Paint sticks different colors and let dry.

2. Cut 5" circles from grocery bags and cut 3-1/2" circles from white paper. Mount white circles on top of brown ones with glue and let dry. Write letters on each of the white circles to write a Thanksgiving sentiment. 3. Glue each circle to a painted stick and anchor in a glass full of beans, lentils, or split peas...or find color harvest candy for more festive look.   Display down the center of your dining table or along a buffet.

Autumn Harvest . . . Fall Under Glass

Courtesy of Country Living

I LOVE this...winter squash and pumpkins under glass and on elevated on cake stands so classic and beautiful!  For best display be sure to vary the height and For a vertical display, invert the cloche to add the squash, then cover the opening with a plate or cake stand and turn it right side up.

Candy Cornucopia

Courtesy of Heather Bullard

I love paper cones and these are adorable and filled with fun fall candy as well.  The perfect Thanksgiving party favor and just the right touch for some terrific table top bling!

For the complete HOW TO visit Heather's Blog!

Burning Bright

Courtesy of Mama Knows

I'm all about candles...so this one is right up my alley!  You'll also find some more great tips for making your Thanksgiving...or any holiday more festive and fun. 

These candles look like they've been wrapped with brown wool felt that has been decked out with cream color letters...taking center stage for a perfect fall look...burning bright!

HOW TO:

Candle Bands . . . From wool felt, cut bands slightly narrower than each candle's length. Cut two of each letter for the "Giving Thanks" display. Secure one letter to each side of the band with spray adhesive.  This could easily be done in Christmas colors and sentiment as well!

Very Veggie

courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Another great idea using candles and more than one serving of vegetables . . . this is one way to get everyone to agree that vegetables "ain't" that bad, in fact they're pretty darn yummy!   Asparagus- and green bean-wrapped candles, stretch two sturdy rubber bands around a white pillar candle, then insert vegetable stalks underneath the band. Cover the bands with a circle of satin ribbon and decorate the platter with a few white mums and coffee berry sprigs.

Plus, there's even a HOW TO Video for creating this "green" look!

Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

G is for GLITTER . . . Creative Holiday Crafting Fun that Sparkles with Glee!

Ok, I'll admit it . . . I LOVE GLITTER! The sparkle, the shimmer, the shine! It makes everything that much more magical and I say if something looks like it needs a little something extra it probably means it needs GLITTER!

So here's my fun finds that have just might add that little extra sparkle to your holiday decorating this season! 

Glitter Trees . . . oh, so shiny and bright!

Get ready for a little holiday shimmer and shine with this simple Christmas craft idea you can make with dollar store finds...My fave and I know several other bees in The Hive love the bargains and fun finds from The dollar stores! Get ready to sparkle, shimmer and shine with these Glitter trees! Complete project instructions over at I Heart Naptime a creative blog that has a lot of offer!

Starlight, Star Bright

Of course, Martha would have a craft that celebrated "glitter! Here's a clever how to make a glittery start that will make any tree sing a song of "starlight, star bright, glittery star I see tonight . . . "  How to follow this LINK

A Fresh Fruit Wreath . . . Glitter Sugar Coating

A fun fresh way to dress of your mantel or door this holiday season! Artificial fruit becomes a glittery sweet treat with crystal glitter coating.  Check out the how to details here!

She sells sparkly seashells down by the seashore . . .

Seashells and starfish covered with the sparkly pink and white stuff make for a magical coastal collection of fun!  Check out the how to over at Completely Coastal!

Glitter Fontastic

Miss Mustard Seed's creative blog features a "glass letter workshop".  I love fonts and this is one idea that I just couldn't pass by! For sure a "to do" on my holiday decorating list this season! LOVE it!

Ornaments in Nature with a touch of Glitter!

Even found objects in nature can become a glittery, glistening piece of art with a little shake of some gold or silver glitter! Add a festive ribbon and you've got yourself some magic! For the complete how to check out Living A Better Life's blog!

 

I will definitely be adding a little glitter to my holiday decorating this year . . . how about you!

Will glitter make your holidays sparkle and shine just a little bit brighter?

40 Days Till The Big Day! Creative Ways to Countdown to Christmas?

With only 40 days left till the big day I thought it would be fun to do a google search to find creative ways to share in the countdown to Christmas.  Those special little advent calendars that make the holidays so much fun and filled with anticipation.  Here's my top picks for the big Count Down . . . 40, 39, 38, 37 . . . you get the picture!

Cookie Sheet Advent Calendar

How clever is this?  Scrapbooking a cookie sheet in the form of a calendar makes the season a baker's delight!  check out the how do from this link!  Courtesy of Making Memories and the Creative Katie from California who is full of "scrappy" and amazing ides! LOVE IT!

Tin Can Calendar

Candy and a special message inside each little tin! Fun, colorful and definitely creative!

Thanks to Christy Nelson for this fun idea!

Pennant Fun

I love pennants and this idea is quick and easy and adds a festive touch to holiday decorating. 

Courtesy of Nini Makes  Be sure to check out the link...lots of fun crafting ideas here too and even a pattern for the pennant...which can be made out of so many materials from kraft paper to felt and everything in between!

Sweet Slippers

Adorable little slippers each with a numbered tag tucked inside hang on a clothesline announcing the Countdown event! Sooo sweet! Created by the Great Craft Disaster . . . which is not a disaster at all!

 

The Bucket List with a Twist

Colorful tin buckets tied off with festive and fun ribbons all hung on a line make this one idea I had to share!

Courtesy of All Things Wonderful . . . and it truly is!  Let the countdown begin with a colorful tin!  hehehe

A Tea Tree Countdown

Sweet . . . a different flavor everyday to take the stress of the season away! aaaahhhh . . . now that's a great way to countdown! Enjoy!  Courtesy of Bright and Blithe

The Envelope Please...

This is one envelope that will not go unnoticed! Created from color papers and lots of fun scrappy details then hung on a line perfect for the pickin'  Check out how to make this Advent Creation at Maya Road Design Team for a banner event at your home this year!

BINGO! This one's a Winner!

A distressed wooden Bingo Card inspired Advent Calendar is a winner for sure!  Check out the how to's from Shanty2Chic 

I think this might be just the card I was looking for to inspire my 2010 Advent Calendar!

Do you celebrate the countdown to the big day with an Advent Calendar? 

 Have you created an awesome Advent Countdown?

Please share a pic or link to your countdown creation!

A Little Family Skype Time To Plan Our California Holiday Adventure!

Time To Board The Santa Express for A Good Old Fashioned California Holiday Adventure!

So this morning I was awaken by a buzz, buzzz, buzz as my Skype rang out on my computer.  It was my Sister Shari buzzing me in for our first official Family Skype Conference call to plan the fast approaching California Holiday Adventure!  Before long my Niece Jaci had joined the conversation and a short time later, my other Sis, Ami, My Daughter Emily and my Niece Ashlee! It was definitely a colorful and fun time and we were able to get through the planning of the entire trip in just under 3 hours...yeah, 3 hours,  but it was all FREE (gotta love skype) and so much fun! 

I think we might make it a regular Sunday morning event! hehehe. 

Since I live in California my house will be the home base during the time that everyone is here and that means that I will definitely be doing some holiday decorating this year.  Motivation that I have not seemed to have in the last couple years so that's a good thing! Plus, we have so many fun things planned from a fishing trip launching from Balboa Harbor with an evening cookout and mmemorial for my Mom on the beach (that's gonna be a tough one) to a Mighty Ducks Hockey Game that kicks off my daughter's Birthday...and so much more in between! Actually we'll be celebrating 3 birthdays...Emily, Evan and Parker...WOW!

From Jaci's notes Shari even created a fun event schedule complete with little drawings...how cute is this!

Oh, I'm sure as the saying goes, "best laid plans of mice and men . . . " there will be a few tweaks and changes to the schedule before and probably during the holiday trip, but what is for sure is that it will be awesome to all be together for the holidays!  

So, now my job will be to prep the house, create the menus for meals at the home base and make sure that I have enough clean towels and places for everyone to sleep!  This may be a bigger job than I thought...better get a move on!

So to summarize...

Fishing Trip $72.25, Disney Tickets $101.00 (unless Saul comes through, hehehe), Breakfast with the Goofy $30.00 (Parker's Bday A Can't Miss), Dinner at the Elvis Restaurant $25.00 + (Celebrating Evan's Bday), Ducks Hockey Tickets $36.00 (yeah, we're in the nosebleed section), Birthday Cake from Whole Foods $45.00+ (Emily's Bday Request) Car Rentals, Meals, Shopping $ALOT! 

FAMILY TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS...PRICELESS!

The BUMBLED BEE...A Treasury of Bee-utiful and Buzz-worthy Finds!

Got the buzz this afternoon to go on a golden Bumbled Bee hunt in hopes of finding some fun little treasures that feature the "awesomeness" of gold and black...not necessarily the glittering kind, but more the kind that would honor a Queen Bee herself!  In decor and a whole lot more the amazing "Bumbled Bee"
standout in a crowd and here's some buzzz-worthy
stuff to prove it!

Baby Bee...A mobile that buzzes with delight! 

This was just too cute.  I'm sure there are alot of creative crafter's in The Hive that will love this idea..  Stuffed Felt Bumbles and Beehive, stitched details and a little wire...wha-la...a Bumble Mobile that doesn't sting a bit!  Courtesy of Pink Perch

Card and Clips

How cute is this...a handmade card with black and white checked paper tiny wood bumbles that adorn miniature clothespins and a golden bow to tie this presentation into one nice little package! Bee-utiful!
Courtesy of Notes from A Cottage Industry

A Bee-day Party That's Sure To BEE all the BUZZ!

TOO FUN! Thanks to A to Z Celebrations for posting the pics of this awesome and buzz-filled event.  From the Party invites to the Treats this was one honey of a Bee-day party for sure!  Bee sure to check out the complete blog for all the details.  Definitely Buzz-worthy!

These Bees TakeThe Cake!

What I Know Today Blogspot knows alot about taking the cake to the next level with these little beeauties! Cupcakes that say BUZZ perfectly!  And they were even "diet" cupcakes to boot! hehehe!

How About A Little Tea With The Bee?

Ok, all you potter's get your wheels a turning and your hive's a burning to create your own amazing version of the Bee Teapot...perfect for brewing a little fun in The Hive!  You can buy this one here!

Or maybe a Pop Art Minis Bumble Tote or T... ready to buzz from Zazzle and Me!

Ok, sorry...a little self promotion I know, but I the bees made me do it! tehehehe!

These bee designs are both available in my Pop Art Minis Zazzle Store along with a whole lot more!

And last, but not least a little golden nugget...The Golden Bumble Bee by j crew!

I'm sure that that the amazing jewelry designers in The Hive might find inspiration from this little golden gem and create something that is even more awesome and bee-autiful!

Are you ready to join the Buzzzzz Club? 
What's fun and Bee-tuiful creations have you made!

Please feel free to post pics or links to your BUMBLED Beauties and Buzz-worthy Creations!

Pretty Papers, Ribbons and Bows...Gettin' Creative with Gift Wrapping...That's a WRAP!

With the holidays fast approaching (only 42 days till the BIG day) I thought it would be fun to do a little "google" search for fun, funky, recycled and creative gift wrapping ideas.  Below are my Creative Pretty Paper Finds...maybe they'll inspire your wrapping this season...I know I have found inspiration!

Festive Envelopes . . . Great for Gift Card Giving

These handmade envelopes, fashioned from magazine pages and wrapping paper, are great for holiday letters or flat gifts, such as CDs. Unfold a regular envelope. Choose patterned paper larger than the envelope (or stick mismatched pieces together with glue). Trace the envelope onto the paper, fold (use envelope as a guide), and secure with glue stick. If mailing, add a label.
Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Fontastic Fabulous
Ok, font lovers (myself included) this one is perfect for a pretty package with a personal touch! Print out your favorite fonts on your computer...create your font stencils from recycled paper finds for some glamorous and fun holiday paper fun! This is one wrap even the men in your life would be happy to receive!
Courtesy of BugsAndFishesBlogspot.com

w

Chalkboard Stickers

Take some festive wrapping paper add a ribbon or two and a chalkboard sticker tag.
Courtesy of Merriment Design

Newspaper with a Peppermint Flower Twist

Recycled newspaper takes on a new twist after wrapping itself nicely around a gift and being topped off with a paper flower complete with red and white pepper twist ribbon tucked inside for a colorful splash of holiday fun!  What's black and white and red all over...hehehe?
Courtesy of Creative Underworld

RECYCLED Wrapping...and a VIDEO that shows you Step by Step! Thanks Threadbanger.com

Potato Stamping Fun  . . .  A Tisket A Tasket A Recycled Basket.

And that my friends is a WRAP!