Spice Up Your Holidays....

Everyone knows that along with the chilly temps, the falling leaves and the turkey, comes holiday stress: family, large amounts of cooking, meal planning, hostess duties and travel.

You could solve it with yoga. Maybe meditate a little or inhale some weird calming incense to deal with the frustration that can accompany the Thanksgiving holiday.

Or. You could mix yourself up quite the yummy little seasonal cocktail, stop worrying about whether your jewel-toned napkin holders match appropriately to the perfectly coifed linen napkins and tell Martha Stewart to shove it.

Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
1 oz. Malibu Rum
3/4 oz. canned pumpkin pie filling
1/2 oz. Kahlua
2 oz. with cold milk

Garnish: sprinkle of cinnamon. Mix ingredients in blender with ice and blend thoroughly; Pour into graham cracker-rimmed highball glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Jingle Jolly to you!

Being the Charmaholic that I am... I had to find a way to put my stash to good use! And while it looks like I eat alone, in actuality - I'm just too stinkin' lazy to set a full table just to snap a photo.

I know there's a way to photograph quilts so they don't look all wonky. I just don't know what that way is. And it certainly doesn't help matters that my method of photography is point-pray-click.

So anyhoo... this little Jingle Jolly finishes at 16'' x 40''. I used a pack of Holly Jolly by Sandy Gervais for Moda. My pattern calls for 37 charms... exactly what's in the Holly Jolly charm pack!

The entire pattern is free for download here. If you like this pattern, you might like to go hog wild and make a 62'' x 68'' size quilt from a 12 fat quarter bundle from Karen Snyder's pattern "Cheaper by the Dozen" in her book "Bundles of Fun". I know it's fun... because I've made one. It's a perfect "retreat project" or sewing with friends.

Cross-posted here: thehappyzombie.com

Corduroy pouch with striped ribbon

Corduroy pouch with striped ribbon, originally uploaded by nestdecorating.

Nest Pretty Things has an assortment of cute pouches perfect as wrapping for any small gift. Nothing better than wrapping that is part of the gift!

Flamestitch

Flamestitch offers a range of totes and messengers with personality. Those who are unafraid to carry their laptop in a bag constucted of vinyl and astro turf (yup!) will find much to love here.

Art Smock

What aspiring artist wouldn't love their very own ar smock? Fill the little pockets with paints and brushes and you'll be their favorite person. Get this pretty little smock while you can from Buttons Magee. If you missed out, don't worry she has plenty of other pretties sure to please!

Holiday 4 Pack - Flat Cards & Envelopes

Holiday 4 Pack - Flat Cards & Envelopes, originally uploaded by Janick { Nea Jewelry }.

I really should create a seperate card/stationary category! my first love is clearly paper. These cards by Nea Blossoms Shop do not dissapoint. They are a set of flat note cards with envelopes. They'd make a cute holiday thank you card. They may not look like a good kids gift, but it is never too early to trian the kiddos to write thank you notes (just make sure they mail them!).

Gift Card Holders

These gift card holders are quick to make with a few scraps of felt, two buttons and some string or twine.Once you've got the basic pattern cut out, you can embellish to your heart's content.
And then fill them up. Gift cards are the obvious filler but what about "coupons" for things like babysitting, or dish washing or lawn mowing? Neighbors, friends, spouses all appreciate coupons ;)

Again, I can't figure out how to add pdfs to blogger (if you know, email me) so I posted the pdf here.

MaderadeColores paints the most beautiful toys and holiday ornamanets from her home in Venezuela. Her specialty is this brightly colored box of typical Venezuelan toys. Adults and children alike will find the fun in these gifts!

Pixie Blossom Pin Cushion Tutorial

Pixie Blossom has kindly aggreed to share a tutorial on how to make adorable teacup pincushions. It is just the kind of thing I know all the sewing women on my family would love! Even a few of the non-sewers would love it just because they are so sweet!

After you are done making your cushions be sure to check out Zee's etsy shop. It is choc-full of Christmas cheer! But be sure to get some while you can, she says this will be her only holiday update!

I need a Gocco!

Just look at the cool images that people are coming up with! It seems as if the sky is the limit to what clever designers can make this handy little machine produce. A current favorite of mine is this print by 3P-3. They also have stunning holiday cards, and t-shirts. It truly could be a one stop shopping destination.