On to the Next....Year 2012

It's been a while since my last post.  As the weeks and days got closer to the holidays, the "to do" list got longer and longer.  There has been less time for me to work on this blog.  However, finally today I have a little time to post about the past few days.  

Our dog posing in front of the tree with all of the presents.  Needless to say I think a bigger tree is needed.

Christmas at the in-laws involved presents and homemade Korean food.

T: Bimbimbap with bulgogi and spicy sauce

B: Kimchi pancake

Christmas with my family includes two big yummy meals in one day.  Brunch at my mom's where I made the B: ham and egg hash brown pie and a T: traditional Filipino Christmas dinner at my aunt's house.  Both meals were followed by opening of presents.  When my sister, cousins, and I were younger Christmas usually was an all day event, sometimes two.  However, as we got older some of us have moved away out of state, or out of the country but we still try to continue our traditions year after year.

One of my family's Christmas traditions is the passing of the Chia.  Long story, but this is the third Chia we've had ever since we started.  This year I got it!

Dela Chicky and Ella Elephant and I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Fabulous New Year!  Spend time with family and friends who truly care about you, and make sure you do - you!  

XOXO

Christine

I've Always Wanted One!

This is an update to a previous post from the beginning of the month where I talked about what I made for  the Handmade Gift Exchange on Craftaholics Anonymous.  Last Friday I received my gift from my very talented exchange partner, Jane.  It was a nice surprise to come home to a package after a crazy few weeks because of the upcoming holiday.

Yes, that's right.  It's a handmade crocheted wrist warmer/fingerless gloves.  I've always wanted one!  Jane took extra care with selecting the colors for me.  I love the flower detail too!  She even waited to open the package I sent to her until I got mine.  She's too sweet!  Thanks again Jane for my wonderful present! I love it so much! And a shout out goes to Linda from Craftaholics Anonymous for hosting a great gift swap.  Making something handmade is great.  Receiving a handmade present is wonderful!

XOXO

Christine

Some Birds and Arugula Pizza

Since I stayed in all of last weekend because I was sick, I missed out on all the sales and the hulabaloo of the weekend after Thanksgiving. I definitely had to venture out this weekend at least for some Christmas shopping, food, and some inspiration.  There were a few things that caught my eye and I had to take a pictures of them, because a mental picture at this time of the year definitely will not work!  

1. Started the weekend off with arugula pizza. Yum!

2. Received my package of felt supplies from Giant Dwarf.  Check out the button she added.  Cute!

3.  My Crochet Mama and baby owl were sold, and I had to pack them up.  I don't know if you can tell, but they were kind of my favorite since it's my avatar.  Bye bye cuties!

4.  A weekend isn't complete without going to Target.

5.  I have a thing for birds and birdhouses.  I thought that this little ornament was adorable.

6. Went back to Ikea to get a few things that I didn't purchase from the last Ikea trip.

7. Solar powered owl that moves its head side to side at Pier 1 Imports.  I succeeded in not purchasing it for myself.  The next time I go back, I can't promise anything.

8.  My week isn't complete without take-out from my favorite Thai restaurant.  The wait staff was wondering what happened to me because I haven't been there for a while.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

XOXO 

Christine

Handmade Gift Exchange

Recently I signed up for the Craftaholics Anonymous Handmade Gift Exchange.  I did the last one earlier in the year and had a great time with it, so I definitely had to do it again.  Linda from Craftaholics Anonymous does a wonderful job organizing the whole thing!  Everything is explained so clearly and she sends several email updates and reminders so that participants are kept in the loop and always reminded with sending their presents in a timely manner.  One of the perks is meeting someone else who loves to do lots of crafty things just as much as me!  My partner Jane and I had very similar interests and skills such as crocheting, knitting, and jewelry making.  

If you know me and my etsy shop well, my usual work are hats, owls, and jewelry.  I wanted to step out of the box and make something totally different from what I usually make.  Also, I wanted to make sure that I made something that my handmade gift exchange partner hasn't already made for herself.  However, we both discussed that it's not often that we make things to keep because usually we make them for others.  This is the end result, and I am quite proud of it.  Let me know what you think!  If you want to see what other participants made, check out the Handmade Gift Exchange Winter 2011 Linky Party.  After seeing them you might end up signing up for the next one!

XOXO

Christine