Marathon Training

I'm going to do a marathon!  I'm not a runner, I'm not in great shape, I do not work out regularly, and for some crazy reason I've agreed to walk 26.2 miles with a bunch of swim team moms in March!  Crazy? yes.

I have a training schedule that somehow works me up to 26 miles, but I'll believe it when I actually complete the marathon without passing out.  I found this awesome resource for figuring out where to walk/train...

Go to USA Track & Field's site and click on their "America's Running Routes" and you can map out routes for training. I've already mapped out 3, 4, and 5 mile routes and they all include Starbucks Coffee--guess we know how I'll be spending my mornings...

Easy Environmentally Friendly Gift Tags

I actually managed to find some jeans that fit this weekend--I do need to hem them---but they fit everywhere else which is just short of a miracle.  Somewhere out there is a woman with my waist, hip and butt measurements who's 5'10" and could wear the jeans right off the rack, but I digress...

Look at all the junk that comes with the jeans!  Is all that labeling REALLY necessary--I think half the cost is just in the heavy cardstock advestising the product.  And it is really heavy, laminated cardstock with a metal eyelet and sturdy black cord attached.  Methinks this can be upcycled...

...into a Christmas/Holiday/Whatever gift tag!

 1.  I created a "To/From" label big enough to cover DKNY's denim info (for the DKNY tag I needed to make a fold-over sticker) and added some clip art.

2.  Printed it onto a piece of my sticker paper (regular paper and glue works too) and trimmed with scallop scissors

3. Then stuck it to the cardstock. TA DA!  Holiday Tag.

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Easy as can be, one less piece of garbage, and one less tag needed for the holidays!

This idea would work really well with child's art.  You could scan one of their pictures for clip art or you could have then do a one-of-a-kind piece of art straight onto the sticker.

Monday For You

I found a great little retro drinkbook at my in-laws yardsale.  I was drawn to the wonderful little Holiday Drink Tree on the cover.

Wouldn't it make a great gift tag for a bottle of wine or other spirits?

I think my favorite color is this retro pink

Feel free to use any of the images by clicking on them, but remember they're only for person use.

An Ornament Exchange!

It's the first exchange of the season!  How fun--I'm soooooo excited about Christmas.

Sponsored by Pamperingbeki .  Sign ups end November 12th so head on over right away and sign up!

Festival of Trees Designer

They're done!

For the past three years I've been designing a Christmas Tree for our Chamber of Commerce.  This tree, and many others by local designers, are used throughout November for the Festival of Trees and then auctioned off at the end of the month. 

This year I went with a generic theme, "Christmas Glitz".  I think I've been watching too much of TLC's "Toddlers and Tiaras"--can't believe I just admitted to that.

The tree is festooned with sparkly white poisettias, crystal snowflakes, snow drops and sparkled ribbon.

Usually I'm much more theme oriented...last year was a bird-laden tree, "Feathered Friends", and my first year Alyssa and I designed "Undersea Christmas" complete with fishes, anenome like ornaments and clear bubble balls.  I just felt like the economy being what it is that a less specific tree that could be used for more than one themed display would be fitting.

My mom thought the tree was a bit boring and not up to my usual standards.  I'm nervous that she may be right, but then she could be incredibly wrong (not a first for her and me).  We'll see...

I also pumped out this wreath for the festival.  After spending a week wiring ornaments and silk flowers to a 6' tree, a wreath is pretty easy.

It's so fun being a "designer"!  I also love being able to spend $500 on a decorations for a single tree!  Can you imagine?!  I'd never blow that much money on my own tree, but it is a lot of fun having that much at my disposal when at Michael's!

Giveaways!

Recessionista Party is giving away three beautiful purses/bags (they've hinted at some other consulation prizes too!) through Monday morning, Nov. 9th.  Head on over and leave a comment to enter!

My favorite is the Kathy Van Zeeland In the Clear handbag. 

Blue Cricket Designs is hosting a Give-away-a-day Extravaganza through Nov. 6th!  Give-aways are from several different designers.  There a several ways to enter, so check it out!

Wee Folk Art is giving away a cute little appliqued Advent Tree through Nov. 10th. 

Handmade Holidays

I'm just so excited!  I love the Holidays and I love them even more when they are handmade!  Workshops and tutorials are popping up everywhere...

 Sew-Mama-Sew's blog is featuring it's Third Annual Handmade Holidays this month!  Great tutorials, recipes, and handmade gift buying ideas.  Each day there is also an awesome give-away so be sure  to stop

by and leave a comment.

Wee Folk Art is also putting together a Handmade Christmas Directory.  Stop by and grab a Support Handmade Button.  They also have some fabulous tutorials that you can make as gifts as well as fun give-aways.

I'm participating in Betz White's Felt & Stitch Holidays Workshop II this year!  Yeah!  She opened up a second workshop to fit more people in as her first one filled up immediately.  Thanks you, Betz!  Check out her site for some great gift tutorials and ideas.

...Here's to me not getting too overwhelmed this year.  As much as I want to I just can't do them all...I simply must convince myself of this fact!