Stocking Stuffers

Stockings are an important part of our Christmas morning tradition.

And the job of filling them is usually left to me Santa Claus.

Here's my list of ideas for stocking-stuffers for girls and boys of all ages:

crayons,  markers, watercolors, brushes

finger puppets, small plush animals

matchbox cars
legos, small puzzles

stickers, stamps, ink, scrapbook paper

paper dolls

jumprope

deck of cards, travel games

baseball cards

tennis balls, golf balls

bike safety lights, cable lock
guitar strings
CD
camera strap, travel tripod

scissors, pinking shears, rotary cutter

fat quarters

thread, floss, yarn, trim, beads, buttons

knitting needles, crochet hook

pincushion

hot pad, dish towel, pot scrubbie
placemats, napkins

whisk, vegetable peeler, wooden spoons, icecream scoop

measuring spoons, cookie cutters, cupcake liners, silpat  

pepper mill, kitchen timer, turkey baster

bottle opener, cocktail shaker, coasters

BBQ tools, mitt

magnet

tea, coffee

nuts, candy, mints, gum

spices, mustard, jam
olive oil, hot sauce

apple, orange, pomegranate 

vintage brooch, earrings, necklace

 watch

money clip, wallet, keychain
magnifying glass, reading glasses

cell phone cover

scarf, mittens, socks, tie, belt

folding umbrella, mini flashlight

sunglasses

lipstick, nail polish, mascara, false eyelashes

toothbrush, comb, nail clippers
makeup brushes

hand lotion, lip balm

soap, perfume

pillowcases

gardening hand tools, seed packets

 work gloves, hammer, nails, wrench, pliers, folding ruler

windshield wipers, chamois
fish hooks, insect repellent, sunscreen
hand warmers, thermos
batteries

masking tape, duct tape

post -it's, pen, notecards

postage stamps

magazine
paperback book

small picture frame

Christmas tree ornament

gift certificate -to a favorite restaurant, store or salon

tickets- to a game or concert
membership- to local zoo or gym
money- folded origami style
your time- coupon for an extra long bedtime story or a cake
donate in their name- give a goat to an orphan or dig a well

I bet you can think of even more options to suit your family.

Be sure to take into account each person's likes and hobbies.
Go green by giving vintage, handmade and repurposed items.
Shop local.  Buy from small businesses in your community
And help your children learn to share generously with others.
 Visit Heifer International,  Outreach International, World Vision,
Catholic Relief Services, and other organizations
 to find creative ways to give this year.

Plaza Lights

With the flip of a switch, the Plaza lights are on!

And the Christmas season has been ushered in.

Sweet Angel Ornament

I found a picture of a cute little angel ornament online 

and thought to myself... "I can make one like that."

So I did.

Here is how I made mine:

Draw up a pattern.

Assemble supplies:

scissors, needle, felt, seed beads, thread, button and metallic cord 

Cut out all the pieces:

1 apron,  body front and back, wing front and back

Sew beads on the apron.

Stitch the apron to the body-front using a beaded blanket stitch.

Use a plain blanket stitch to attach the body front and back. 

(Top and sides only.  Leave the bottom til later.)

Stitch wing-front  to wing-back using a beaded blanket stitch.

Tack the wings to the back of the angel.

Use a decorative beading stitch to create "lace" along the bottom edge.

Attach a pretty button for a halo  with the cord,  and tie your hanging loop.

Ta Da!

I love the way she turned out!
I'm making enough to share with the girls in my book club.


* * * * *
I have two boys arriving this evening (son and nephew)!
So, I'll see you in a couple of days.
Many wishes for a  HAPPY THANKSGIVING to my American blogging friends!

Cat Attack

A vicious cat attack this evening left one mouse dead,

it's stuffing chewed right out of it and scattered upon the ground.

Authorities reached out to the community 

to see if anything would show up on area security cameras.

No use trying to plead "not guilty", Kitty. 

The whole thing was caught on tape.

The suspect has been identified as Katerina.

Memorial service for the dead mouse will be held later today.

Dainty Serviettes

Someone asked about the pretty serviettes

that show up in the background of my tea time posts.

 I have a growing collection of little napkins.

Daintily embroidered blooms and butterflies, crocheted edges, lace corners,

all carefully stitched by hands unknown.

They shyly peek out from under china and silver, 

quietly adding a finishing touch to the table,

happily allowing the spotlight to remain on the teapot.

366 Challenge Complete!

Get rid of the things you don't care about,

to make room for the things you do.

Keeping that saying in my head all year long

helped me to reach my 366 Challenge goal today!

I have cleared 366 items from my home,

one thing for every day of this leap year.

Not everything made it into these pictures, but you get the idea. 

Most of these items are being donated/recycled,

and a couple will be sent to someone I know who will enjoy them.

I left off at number 283,  so here goes:

284.  bag of hangers

285.  desk organizer

286-288.  tea towels (3)

289.  delft tile

290-293.  picture frames (4)

294.  boom box

295.  binder

296.  package of plastic cups

297. cups (2)

298.  firetruck

299.  trash bin

300-309.  books (10)

310.  small chest

311.  magnets

312-313.   ironing hams (2)

314.  swinging pendulum sculpture

315.   glass box full of seashell soaps

316-319.  Christmas sweaters (4)

320-321.  purses (2)

322.  crock pot

323.  markers

324.  floral decor

325. navy shorts

326.  socks

327.  teal polo shirt

328.  mattress cover

329.  calculator

330.  cleaning bottle

331- 343.  Halloween decor (13)

345-347.  pillows (3)

348-350.  plastic party serving trays (3)

351-354.  gift wrap bags (4)

355-356.  Americana bowls (2)

357-359.  grocery bags full of magazines to recycle (3)

360.  bag of shredded papers out of my files

361. set of dolly stamps

362. Fiskars edger

363.  brown sweatshirt

364. striped henley

365. framed photo of the Beatles

366. bottle of room spray

And there you have it!  366 things hauled out of here. Gone.

Are you close to reaching your goal?

I realize that I still have a LOT of things that could should must go,

so I will very likely continue with 365 things next year.

But with the holidays approaching I am glad to have this project finished!