Is it Christmas yet?

Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s taking every ounce of my being not to turn on the Christmas music, get down the decorations and just START my Christmas. I’ve already finished about 80% of my Christmas shopping, thanks to many middle-of-the-night feedings where I perused blogs and did online shopping on my iPhone right after Baby Girl was born. I had a lot of extra time on my hands back during those first few weeks when I was up 21 hours a day.

Man, I don’t miss those days.

My goal for this year is to check all of my to-do items  off the list early so I can just sit back and ENJOY Christmas. I tend to get so busy that I sprint through Christmas, doing and going but not always stopping to breathe and be thankful. Or, there was last year, when I was newly pregnant and so sick I could barely eat crackers, so I sort of missed the entire holiday season (along with New Year’s, Valentine’s, Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter…). This year, I kind of want to stroll through the month and relish those “firsts” with my growing family.

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One of the things I am most excited about is taking Baby Wrenn to see Santa for the first time. A few years back we found this AWESOME picture of my dad’s first visit to see Santa. As you can see… it was a classic.

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I experimented with Christmas bunting last night, and I’m so pleased with the result! I’m thinking about adding it to the shop. This one is already spoken for, but I plan to whip up some more soon – if you’re interested in some, let me know – I’m just going to make a limited quantity. I plan to use some for my mantle and bring a strand to decorate my new office.

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I’ve also got a few quilted Christmas pillows available. I love this star pattern (I recently finished a star quilt top that I can’t decide if I want to list in the store, or get greedy and keep for myself).

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And the back of those pillows – which just so happen to match the bunting.

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I’ve also got Christmas prints – this one sat proudly on my Christmas mantle last year, and I also used it as a hostess gift.

What about you? Are you ready for Christmas, or are you closing your eyes and pretending like it’s a long, long ways off? What part are you most looking forward to?

Friday Favorites

Today I’m linking back up with the Bargain Blonde for a Friday Favorites feature. Want to join me? Just leave a link to YOUR latest online favorite down in my comment section. I always love to get new ideas!

To see the original source (and some great tutorials) just click on the picture. I believe in giving credit where credit is due!

I don’t have a lot of free time at the moment (that’s what starting a new business will do to you – but I LOVE it). But, someday soon I plan to learn how to make baby bibs so I can stock up on some baby shower gifts. I liked this tutorial, although I also went ahead and just bought some bibs hoping I can deconstruct them and make my own pattern. I’m kind of a rebel like that.

My internet friend Lauren is wonderfully creative, and she came up with this idea for an invitation. I’ve done boxed invitations before and got raves from my guests over them, but this one is even better!

I love gray, I love neutral bedrooms, and I love that mirror. I could have some sweet, sweet dreams in that bedroom.

Somehow I married a man who can build just about anything I dream up, and as soon as I saw this wooden box I showed it to Mr. Right, and he has assured me he can make me one. I think it would be great for any season on our old barn dining table.

I love my chambray shirt that I snagged on clearance at the J Crew outlet, and I love this fashion blog by what seems like a really nice Christian girl.

And finally – I have discovered this blog which also has this etsy shop. Oh my word, this gal hand-draws all of her artwork, and I am amazed at her talent. It’s like all the doodles I used to do in school, the only difference is that hers are gorgeous, and mine looked like doodles.

I love it so much that I bought two of her pieces – this sewing machine print will soon hang in my sewing studio.

I bought these cards, which will go in my new orders, so if you visit my shop, you’ll be seeing this soon!

 I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend filled with all things lovely and relaxing!