quite possibly the cutest thing i have ever made.

you can't really see his pretzel stick arms, but that are there and all part of the cuteness.

and i am not lying here, RIDICULOUSLY simple.

recipe found here. it is mistakenly labeled as "Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly Christmas Tree".

holiday greetings.

a few years ago, after looking at our pile of saved christmas cards hauled out with rest of our christmas decorations, a lightbulb went off inside my head. "why not put them all in an album?" now, a little background. i do love the whole christmas card deal. i love getting them. i love sending them. it doesn't really feel like a chore to me. so each year i have carefully laid aside an extra card for for family to keep. with the exception of one year, when i accidentally cut the picture out of the card to give to ellie.

so here is my "holiday greetings" album. nothing fancy. i think i was given the album. i don't do much on the page either. i just let the photos and sentiments speak for themselves.


album cover. i may add something one day.




my favorite saying. i may use this again one day.


ellie's first christmas card appearance.


drew's first christmas card appearance.


tara whitney photographic genius.


cat's first appearance.


and......ta da....... this year's craziness. cards went out today.

and i just have to say that tiny prints is my FAVORITE place to order cards from. so yums!

i'm crafty.

i just haven't been very good at posting it.

(hopefully) over the next few days, i am going to post a few little ideas that i have been meddling with, quick and easy for the crazy holidays.

faux printed candles:

this is a great idea with a great video tutorial by the fab heidi swapp.



i used the christmas greetings mega brush kit from house of 3. they also offer a holiday candle kit specifically sized for making these candles.

a few hints:

printing on tissue paper is a beast. just be patient.

use pins instead of adhesive. much easier. stick it like a voodoo doll.



the wax will get a bit bumpy. you can smooth it out, but i like to just let go and live with the imperfections.



very fun to use the heat tool.

and there you have a great inexpensive gift.