My Christmas Wishlist

Every year my husband asks for my Christmas Wishlist and here is this year's list.  Did any of this stuff make your Christmas Wishlist?  Please tell me what is on your list! 

All links to Amazon are affiliate links.

1. Umbrella Ring Dish
2. Fuji Instax Camera and Film
3. Cards Against Humanity Game (Not to be played around children)
4. America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook
5. Presto Electric Knife Sharpener
6. Weber Grill Light
7. An Illustrated Journey by: Danny Gregory
8. Creative Lettering by: Jenny Doh
9. Wrapables Silver Lining Washi Tape Set
10. Family Membership to Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS)
11. Butterfly Art by Todd McKamy (can be purchased through artist or at HMNS store)
12. Singer Rolled Hem Foot

The Gift of Glass

Each year, I like to make gifts for teachers, close friends and family.  This year I mass produced stained glass Christmas lightbulb ornaments that were given to teachers and my close friends.

I think they turned out great.  I used one of my Cricut Christmas cartridges to make the template.  I made 10 and gave away all but one.

I had to keep one to put on my tree.  I kept one of the aqua colored one and it looked amazing.  I love how textured glass catches the light.  On the left, no light bouncing off the front, on the right, how it looks when the light catches it.

I also tried making a paperweight for my mother-in-law.  For my first attempt, I was very proud of it.

The seashells and sand came from the beach that is a favorite of us both: Ridgevale Beach, Chatham, MA.  I used four different kinds of glass.  Clear with ripple, white and milk swirl, aqua with ripple and dark blue.  I cut enough glass to finish one for myself and plan on doing that soon.

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!  

I hope you are enjoying being surrounded by family, friends, love and peace this holiday season.

P.S.  This awesome family photo was taken by my friend Lex.  You can find more of his photography here.

Christmas Programs

Want to know what I love most about a children's Christmas program?

This...

I love that kids have no shame.  They do what they feel, when they want and you just have to laugh about it.  This is my kid, the nose picker.  I also love the kids who do all the other really embarrassing things and hope that their parents took photos and laughed for what it was; a three year old, being a three year old.

At least he wasn't staring at himself in the projectors behind him! 

So, were you the parent of the nose picker, dress lifter, loud singer or any of the other embarrassing classics?

Sharing this over at:
Simple As That: Simple Things Sunday No. 112

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 24 & 25

Sorry that it has taken me so long to get this up.  Working on a satellite internet link, which equates to being super slow and not a lot of posting from me.

Anways, the day before Christmas we ventured to the kid's favorite pizza place for some pizza and fun.  Here is Maben sharpening his eyes with a shooting game.  Side note: we were actually told by an ophthalmologist to have Maben play some first person shooting games to help strengthen his eyes because he is having a little problem with getting both eyes to focus on the same object.  Who knew video games could be good for your eyes? 

Christmas Day:  View from flight 2, somewhere over Alabama.  Final destination for the day, Vermont.

That wraps up my 25 photos of Christmas.  I have to admit, it was a little difficult to remember to take a photo every single day for 25 days.  Makes me want to try a photo 365.  Not sure if that is going to happen or not.  We will see.  Now that this has completed, I will be bringing back Favorite Photo Tuesdays.

Merry Christmas

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! 

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 21, 22 & 23

Whew...been busy busy!  I have checked out from technology the last couple days.  Don't worry, that doesn't mean I wasn't taking photos! 

Day 21:  Visit to Santa
Maben loved Santa, Colton did not.

Day 22: Present are wrapped

Day 23: Opening Presents (We celebrated Christmas early)

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 20

I love wreathes at Christmas.  I have mixed feelings about whether or not I like them in other seasons.  So, when I saw this 10-12 foot Christmas wreath hanging above the entrance to a grocery store, I was smitten.  I would love one in a size that would fit my door.  I might have to work on that for next year.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 19

Sorry I forgot to post this yesterday. 

One of the things I think of when it comes to Christmas is bells.  The Salvation Army has their bell ringers, Santa's Sleigh has bells, the song Jingle Bells...the list goes on and on.  So, today I am showing you a bell that I received from my mom.

I wish I knew how to do the texture that is on this bell.  It's so pretty.  Any ideas?

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 18

One of my favorite things about Christmas was all the porcelain figurines that my mother would pull out.  Almost all of them musical.  They all fascinated me.  I am glad that I have some to pull out this Christmas to remember her by.

Dammit Doll

Here is a great last minute Christmas gift idea for any sports fans out there.  It took me less than 30 minutes to make and that included making my own pattern for the doll.

I attribute the Dammit Doll to my grandmother.  I am not sure if she found it or made it first, but she is who I got this idea from and now I am sharing it with you.  So, if you are panicked in the middle of the season that I call, "The Christmas Crunch," (the two weeks prior to Christmas) feel free to whip up a few of these for any of those sports fans in your life.  I have a few of these made for various friends this year.

The poem attached reads:

When you want to climb the wall,
And stand right up and shout,
Here's a little Dammit doll
You cannot do without.

Just grasp it firmly by the legs,
And find a place to slam it.
And as you whack the stuffing out
Yell Dammit, Dammit, Dammit!

Linking this up at:

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 15

I was presented this cute gift from Maben at school today.  Too cute!

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 14

Popping this in a little late, but you definitely can't have Christmas without Poinsettias.  This is a picture of a lovely one that magically appeared on my doorstep.  Thank you to however left it there.

Origami Paper Boxes

I have always loved origami.  I can't even begin to tell you how many origami calendars I have had in the past.  So, when it came to needing to box up a few small gifts for friends, I turned to an origami box.  Not only is it a unique way to box up a gift, but definitely a money saving idea too!

I pinned the instructions on how to do this on my Pinterest board.  I ♥ Pinterest.  If you want to see what I am pinning, come check me out.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 6

It wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas cards.  This is the giant menacing stack that is sitting on my counter waiting for me to label, stamp and send out. 

I hope everyone gets them before Christmas...

I'm terrible about mailing things out on time, really terrible.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 4

One of my favorite things to do around Christmas is to go out and drive to see all the Christmas lights.  This is a favorite of the kids too.  Unfortunately with the rain tonight, some of the really decked out houses weren't lit up, but there was one that braved the rain.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 3

We ventured out to a craft show this morning, selling all sorts of Christmas goodies.  The only thing we picked up were the sugary goodies.  I love all the sugary goodness about the holidays, looks like my kids do too!

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 2

I told you all how my husband took a stained glass class with me.  Well, this is the ornament that my  husband made.  Isn't it pretty?

The stars at night are big and bright...

Deep in the Heart of Texas

What I didn't tell you...after the New Year I get to take 8 more stained glass classes.  I can't wait!  Thanks hunny!

Winner and a Photo

Before I get to my winner, I saw a few blogs doing the 25 Photos of Christmas.  I thought this was a great idea.  I will post a photo every day from the 1st of December until Christmas Day.  Don't worry I will post other things too.

I tried my hand at attempting Bokeh.  I found it here and pinned it.  I have been wanting to try it ever since I first saw it.  I am still working out the kinks, but it was suppose to make the lights look like snowflakes.  Like I said, still working out the kinks.

Now onto my winner for my Blogiversary giveaway...

Sandra from Sawdust and Paperscraps and KarenOjai!  I have decided to make two pens, since there was only two comments on my giveaway.  Sandra, keep an eye out for an e-mail, Karen please e-mail me as I do not have your e-mail.

Thanks for your comments and your support!