Ugly

*Image by mirsasha

Ugly dolls are the theme for a baby shower I'm helping to throw this weekend.  I love these fuzzy little dolls with their funny quirky back stories.  Perfectly imperfect, great for cuddling with kids.  I can't believe that this is my second baby shower since TX.  I just found out that a co-worker friend is expecting twins so there is at least one more baby shower on my calendar this year.  I have some ugly cupcakes planned just for a fun finishing touch.  I need to get my baking rear in gear!  Do you have a favorite Ugly?

Labels

*Image by banquet for {frolic!}

I used this template, tweaked slightly, for my special Christmas jam gift.  And oh joy, oh joy it's Friday, and that means at 3:40 p.m. I will be student free for a few glorious weeks.  Yes, I'm taking their work home to grade (ie: put in a corner for most of my time off).  My first packages came in the mail and soon I'll be ready to put up a tree in this house. Even better is that I have a massage scheduled for Saturday morning...  What does your weekend have in store?

Berry

*Image by Marilyne K

I'm so glad that this week is almost over, but that just means I have one less day to get my Christmas gifts in order to hand out to co-workers.  I wanted to bake, but am feeling worn out and lazy.  Maybe I'll bust out some spritz cookies before Friday rolls around.  That gives me today.  I have a few of my work buddies taken care of.  Trevor made jam & I'm making labels to get a little chuckle from my teacher friends: Exemplarary Liberry* Jam.  Yes, you read that correctly.  It's an inside joke.  What do you think a Liberry tastes like?

*Translation: Exemplary Library

Birdie

*Image & calendar by bowerbox press

My grandfather is a bird watcher.  He has chairs set up to watch the feeders on his patio.  Such a fan of birds is this 90 year old man, that because he can't quite chase the squirrels by running at them, scares them away with a leaf blower.  I can imagine this calendar, or even a card hanging on his refrigerator.  Finding things that 90 year old men could practically use are few and far between.  What is your grandfather into?

Wooden

*Image & necklace by levoyagecreatif

A friend's husband asked me to help him find some inspiration for a 5th anniversary gift. The traditional gift is something made from wood. My first ideas led me to do an overall search of 'wood' on etsy - but that was pretty tedious. His wife is especially fashionable and always seems to be wearing statement jewelry pieces. These necklaces from Norway inspired me because they are so simple and neutral. What would you suggest for a wooden gift?

Industrial

*Flask by Stanley via Canoe by way of Design Crush

This spring my friend was the bridesmaid at the wedding with the flask. Apparently, in Texas they frown on that kind of thing and later in the evening when it was spotted the flask was confiscated. Oh for shame! I told her I'd get her a cooler one to make up for the flask taken. This flask seems totally up her alley. Fancy or seemingly indestructible?

Gifted

*Image via ban.do

When I got my first-ever box in the mail from ban.do it was so hard to give it all away. Two of my most fabulous girlfriends got some adornments for Christmas. I finally gave myself a little gift that should be here right in time for Valentine's Day. My mom has pictures of herself in giant floppy bows when she was little, I wonder if she'll appreciate the fashion of an adult in such a get-up. I wonder how my kids would react if I wore something like this to school. What do you think?

Poppies

*Image & print by bittersugar

I wanted to put this print in the mail to my mother for Christmas, good thing Valentine's Day is a red-themed holiday too! Now that the shop owner is back from vacation I can finally put this gift together. It will be a two holiday mash-up in the mail. Packages for no reason are even more fun, don't you think?

Gnomes

*Image & card by Egg Press

Christmas - check. Gnomes - check. Letterpress - check. Perfect! I was so delighted when my little eye spied this card. Two of my good friends dressed up as garden gnomes for halloween and this had their names written all over it. Plus, the card totally fell into my lap and was on sale to boot. Those are just a few things I can't pass by - perfect letterpress printed cards and those same cards on sale. My Christmas cards all made it into the mail, now it's time to finish the New Year's cards (no, I don't send two cards to everyone). Are you a Christmas card person?

Wrapping

*Image & crafty instructions via Martha Stewart

I've been lazy - I still have packages to wrap up and ship out, not to mention cards to put in the mail. I thought I would have time until the mail man showed up super early today with a package. Guess I'll have to add the post office to my list of errands to run today. I do love the fact that I slept in today, glorious. Do you get a vacation?

Poetry

*Game via Chronicle Books

I couldn't wait until my friend at work opened this gift. I really wanted to play and make a haiku, but once we rolled out all of the dice it was too overwhelming for a Friday afternoon. The brain drain of actually teaching curriculum on the last day of school before a break, while your colleagues play, is tiresome. Haikus will happen, just not on the first day. I think this is more of a guided zen poetry experience than a game, but so much fun nonetheless. I am so glad I can start revealing the sweet gifts I've found now that some have been given! What are you giving this year?

Naughty

*Image & coal by MBellveaux

One year my brother got some coal in his stocking with a warning note from Santa. Really, we just crumbled up some charcoal briquettes and made it look like it had ridden on a sleigh. Would you put coal in anyone's stocking? Have you been good this year?

Trimming

*Image & tape via Happy Tape

Wrapping up packages this year is so much fun. I got my hands on some fun Japanese washi tape and some other fun wrapping accessories and have been playing around with combinations to put smiles on everyone's faces. Ribbons, wrap and gift tags are right up my alley. Now all we need is a tree for some of these packages to rest under. I love giving beautiful gifts. What is your favorite part about receiving a gift?

Snowy

*Image & stamps by Yellow Owl Workshop

Usually a Seattle winter includes much gray, drizzle and cold. This year instead of rain they got snow for Thanksgiving. I know not everyone was happy to be home bound, due to the cold, but a week off can't be all that bad. My week off is over and I am headed back to work with the children. I can't say I am excited to be up early this morning, but I can also begin my countdown to winter break. It was fantastic seeing my family and hanging out with friends, now I have writing cards, wrapping gifts, and mailing packages to look forward to. What does your December have in store?

Warmth

*Image & thermos via Kate Spade

Kate Spade just put out their gift guide and this thermos stuck out right away. It's pretty, can you blame me? I wouldn't mind some of the other items featured on the list, don't get me wrong. I guess I'm just a practical gal. Have you made a holiday wish list? What's on it?