Here's an instant way to make hot cocoa a little extra special for the holidays, just add a candy marshmallow. You can find these kinds of marshmallows in the candy aisle at most stores. They're relatively inexpensive and come in all kinds of holiday shapes. 
Thumpetty thump thump, 
Now that Thanksgiving is over I'm getting everything prepared for Christmas. As I've shared before, I like to put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. I know that might sound a little rushed but Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I used to spend my holiday breaks with my Grandmother and everything about that time was wonderful. We would go shopping, out to eat, and to the movies. Her house would be filled with all kinds of treats, pies, cookies, candy, etc. And the best part, I pretty much could eat anything I wanted when I wanted. So it's with those memories that I want to make the holidays special for my children.
I was looking through the new Pottery Barn (PB) catalog when I stumbled upon something that looked very familiar, paper stars. And they weren't just any paper stars but over sized lucky stars. Did anyone else catch that? Every year PB comes out with something to fill their vases and apothecary jars. This year one of the fillers was over-sized lucky stars.
Instructions for Small Stars
Other option - use wrapping paper to make the stars. You will be able to make them just about any size that you want, due to the width and length of the paper.
New to the E-zine scene is Kireei magazine. The magazine emerged from the site Kireei which focuses on design and products in the following categories; home, children, eco, kitchen, and photography (many of which are handmade). In this first issue of Kireei magazine you'll find interviews, child book reviews, tutorials, and much more.
One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is wrap gifts, weird right? While most people dread it and find it to be an inconvenience, I find it relaxing. Part of the fun is picking out the paper, decorations, ribbon and creating a theme (yep, I usually have a gift wrap theme). Somethings I make and some things I buy. 
Starting with a food package, cut strips horizontally. Next, turn all the strips inside out.
The strips naturally coiled into a figure 8 shape. The left "8" I taped the center together to make two loops. The right "8" has not been taped, it's just to show you how the strips naturally form. Next, take one loop and push it down in the center to make a bow shape and tape (refer to right picture).
Now push down the other loop just like you did in the last step and tape. Make three of these and one basic loop (refer to right picture).
Take two of the bows you made and tape them together in an "x" shape. Next tape another bow vertically down the center of the bows.
Last, tape your basic loop in the center. Done.
Photos via: top left-Pretty Ditty, top right-Make & Takes, bottom left-Maya Made, bottom right-The Red Thread
Let your guests know exactly where they're sitting with these cute Google map place cards. These place cards are quick, easy and inexpensive to make. In fact, you probably have everything you need to make these at home. Here's the how-to.
Go to google maps. Enter the desired address in the "search maps" box. Zoom in or out according to how you want your map to look. To copy the map hold down keys Ctrl, Alt, Print Screen" all at once. Paste into a photo editing program such as Photoshop.
Crop to desired size. Add a white rectangle on top for the name. Copy entire image and fit as many place cards as you can on your 8 1/2" x 11" page. Print on white card stock. Cut out.
Glue down Google map on a second piece of card stock (refer to picture). Fold in half.
Invite some guests and host a dinner party.
Have you checked out the giveaway page lately? I've got a new giveaway up for these Ecosystem Journals and there will be three winners! Click here for details.
A lot of you have been asking for the pattern for this knit cloche hat and I just wanted to let you know it's now on the site, here. Sorry it took me so long to get it back on the site. Enjoy.
Have you noticed how the mustache trend is slowly fading away while the black rimmed eyeglass is just waiting to take its place? Soon there will be eyeglass everything: plushies with eyeglasses, plush eyeglasses for babies, eyeglass rings (draw your own face on finger to complete), hats with faux eyeglasses knit into them, eyeglass parties, eyeglass invitations, and most inevitably eyeglasses on a stick. So, to celebrate this eyeglass trend I thought I would make a stamp. My inspiration came from my sweater in the picture above. Below are brief instructions on how to make an eyeglass stamp.
I specifically created this image for the stamp. You're welcome to use it for personal use. Right click, copy, save, and print. Feel free to make the image any size you want. I made my stamp about 3 1/2" length.
*Tip - Baby-wipes work great for cleaning stamps.
Simple card I made with the stamp.
Today I tested out this pumpkin scone recipe I found online (it was a hit with the family). With so many recipes out there, I always find it hard on choosing the right one. Especially when I don't know how they're going to turn out. So, today I thought I would share a few recipes that I've found online that I consider keepers. Enjoy.
It seems like once a year I go through this phase where I can't stand my hair anymore and have to do something drastic with it. Anyone else get like that? This time I opted for the Katie Holmes bob and chopped off about 7 inches. The bangs were a little different for me but not entirely new. In junior high I once rocked the 90210 Brenda haircut which I thought looked good at the time. However, now that I'm looking at this picture, I'm not so sure (picture below).
So, now it's been two weeks and I'm still not sure what to do with this hairstyle. What do you guys think, keep it, grow it out, ditch the bangs?
Today you can find me over on my giveaway/review page sharing about a special holiday tradition along with the recipe for Grace Episcopal Coffee Punch. Hope you'll stop by and check out A Cup of Tradition.
This Japanese money envelope is also known as kinpu. Often money is given for special occasions and presented in one of these beautiful folded envelopes. These envelopes come in many styles, some more elaborate than others. For this tutorial, I thought I would share a very basic style with you.
Place money in center of the decorative envelope. Fold in where you have scored the paper starting with the bottom flap first. Fold facing left flap in. Fold facing right flap in.
Your envelope should now look something like this.
Wrap decorative washi paper around the envelope and glue in back. Do not glue the washi paper to the envelope. You want it to be able to slide off. Wrap mizuhiki cord around decorative washi paper and tape together to hold in place. Hot glue mizuhiki knot in front. Done.
Here are a couple elaborate mizuhiki knots from some money envelopes. If you feel like a challenge, you can try and recreate these.
