Little Bits of Christmas

Well? How's everyone holding up?

Are you enjoying your days?

 Or are you ready to scream at the car in the grocery store parking lot that just took the last space for the next 30 miles?

Today, I just gave many, many thanks that I don't work in retail.

Then I told each check out person to have a great day and made sure I thanked them. 

I listened to lots of Christmas music, made myself laugh and gave more thanks that I don't live in Canada right now. Or anywhere where you all have that "lake effect snow". YIKES.

Here's one way I made myself laugh today.

I collect the coffee sleeves from my Starbucks cups.

It's cool cardboard and it just seems a waste to toss them.

Plus, I pretty much keep the company in business by my decaf addiction alone, so I figure it's just wrong to toss all those cool pieces of cardboard.

O.K., I don't save all of them, but that might change, now that I've found something to do with them:

I found this idea from Roben-Marie's blog. It's a fantastic blog, you will have to take a look.

I also signed up for a gift bag class. Not sure when I'll get on that one, but it's gonna be good when I do!

Just cut up those little sleeves, add some pretty bits of ribbon, a piece of muslin and sew the edges.

Then stamp the gift recipient's name on the muslin.

Here's the funny part. I DON'T SEW.

But between the gift bags and these cool tags, I'm feeling like a seamstress.

If anyone wants a skirt made out of paper bags or coffee sleeves, I'm your gal!

Then I got all original, got out my crop-o-dile and put a hole in the tag and the bag and fastened the tag with a snowflake brad.

While this next idea is not original, it is the best gift to do. Well, once you get the hang of running tissue paper through your printer. And realizing that there is a wrong way and a right way to put the pattern on the candle. (Wrong way = wording upside down.)

This I found on Gail's blog, http://www.cantstopmakingthings.com. Very fun place to visit!

Cool, yes?

Now, if I could only learn to begin these projects in October. Not even in the summer. But October would be good.

Last year I swore I wouldn't start my sister's gifts two weeks before Christmas.

Well, Carol and Sue....

I didn't learn very well!!

Hope you are all finding joy and peace in your days and maybe even making yourself laugh!

linking this post to Sweet Vanessa's blog for 

Inspiration Friday