Rambling Renovators: December 2011

Great Reads 2011 vol.5

Can the Great Reads 2011 tour be coming to an end already? I love doing this year end recap, not only for the chance to highlight some of my favorite bloggers, but also because I get to revisit some fabulous posts I may have missed the first time around. I hope you've enjoyed these Great Reads and maybe found some new blogs to follow too!

This last group of ladies will knock your socks off. They are the DIY DIVAS and come up with the most original projects. Their lovely homes are a testament to what you can do with thrifted items, everyday materials, a bit of elbow grease, and some creative thinking. Have a peek at their favorite posts...

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Dans Le Townhouse - Stop by and see what’s new in the townhouse. With my Handy Hubby I’m experimenting my way through renovating, decorating, DIY projects and more.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post is my Artful Ikea Expedit Hack. Not only is this DIY project unique, it’s simple, pretty and oh-so-practical, hiding clutter in an artful manner and providing a new space to display DIY paintings. I really love that it’s a low-key project that anyone can try and adapt to suit (it would work on any bookcase and kids can try their hand at making the artwork).

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ABOUT THE BLOG: My blog Honey We're Home is my creative outlet for this lawyer by day and Starbuck's obsessed mama to an almost 2-year old son. I'm passionate about creating a haven for our family, decorating, and organizing. My goal for 2012 is to learn to create delicious, healthy meals. Wish me luck:)

FAVORITE POST: I found one of my favorite posts from 2011- I love it because it starts with a picture of James, but also because it's the first art we've added to our master bedroom and I want to really make that room our sanctuary.

http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/2011/05/inexpensive-botanical-wall-art.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Hi Sugarplum is where I get to chronicle the pain-stakingly slow process of making over our home, one DIY budget-project at a time. And there's a good dose of food, fashion, travel and sarcasm thrown in, just to keep it snappy.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post from 2011 was one I never thought I'd finish...the final reveal of my daughter's room! I think it was her favorite too, since she was forced to sleep on the back porch during the makeover. *not really*

http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2011/06/babygirls-room-reveal.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Ten June - My husband, David, and I purchased our 1952 ranch in March of 2010. We are in love with our little casa and all of the "old to the world, new to us" charm it has. By day, I work in the legal field, but by night I'm a painter, builder, contractor, crafter, plumber, gardener, decorator and self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfer. I describe my design aesthetic as young traditional with classic, clean lines and hints of rustic and eclectic elements.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post from 2011 has to be the completion of our master bathroom renovation. We worked for almost a year to turn our outdated 1950's yellow bathroom into our dream master bath. Here (http://www.tenjuneblog.com/2011/08/once-upon-time-bathroom-renovation.html) is the recap of our year of work and here (http://www.tenjuneblog.com/2011/08/big-reveal-our-bathroom-renovation-is.html) was the big reveal.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Nuestra Vida Dulce is a diary of "our sweet life" chronicling our adventures in decorating, DIY projects, and whatever else life throws our way.

FAVORITE POST: This is my favorite post of the year because I got to share our baby news with the blog world! :)

http://daveandjoi.blogspot.com/2011/11/so.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Modern Jane is an outlet for me to share my thoughts about what I love - transforming my home! I share my hands-on, budget friendly approach to renovating my home and making it pretty!

FAVORITE POST: It was tough to chose. This was a popular one but also very important to me. I was little shy of sharing photos of my home when I first started blogging. It was this post that encouraged me to just go with it! I also love that I share my to do list at the end of the post and they are two items that are finally getting crossed off the list right now!

http://modernjanedesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/living-room-picture-walk.html

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Wowee, what a fabulous week of Great Reads! I'd like to send a big squeezy hug to all the bloggers who participated. I enjoyed reading your blogs throughout the year and can't wait to see what you have in store next!! xoxo

And I guess I'll share my favorite posts of the year too... this is the one that stays with me in my heart, but this is the one that brought me great happiness. Oh, the debates HandyMan and I had when choosing the tile for the fireplace! But we came upon a solution and found the perfect compromise - and the results were even better than we had hoped. And really, that's what our house (and our marriage) is about - you work through things, you do a bit of give and take, and if you're lucky, you end up with something that makes your heart sing :)

Great Reads 2011 vol.4

The Great Reads 2011 tour stops in the Great White North today as I highlight some wonderful fellow Canadian bloggers! I've had the pleasure of meeting most of the ladies on today's list and they are as beautiful as they are talented. Their design styles are as diverse as the cities they hail from. Let's see what must-read posts they've chosen...

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Let me start by thanking Jen for including me in her Great Reads series! I am truly honored! My blog is called Our House (original title—I know) and I like to document the fun everyday happenings of my home—the always entertaining (and never ending) renovation process, the crazy moments of life with kids, all the DIY projects I get myself (and sometimes my husband) into, the joy of a good thrift store find, and all the things that inspire me!

FAVORITE POST: Now about my favorite 2011 post. Almost exactly a year ago I decided that 2011 would be the year that I learned the art of upholstery. I then proceeded to announce my plan to reupholster a tufted wing chair on my blog—and then panicked a little when I began to realize what I’d gotten myself into. But, after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears I FINALLY completed my first project! I breathed a huge sigh of relief and blogged about it here:

http://dougelissa.blogspot.com/2011/03/finally.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Life Begins at Thirty, Right? is a blog about me, my husband and our house. It tracks our renovations (both large and small) and the frustrations that come with living in a 15' wide Victorian rowhouse in Toronto. Sometimes it is funny, but not always intentionally so :-)

FAVORITE POST: Picking a favourite post wasn't too difficult. You'd think it would be my bathroom reveal. Or maybe the day the basement reno was finished. Nope. My favourite post was the pinnacle in my war against a well known Toronto predator. Read on... http://lifebeginsatthirtyright.blogspot.com/2011/06/im-being-held-hostage.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Barbara is a caffeine-fueled design aficionado that makes her home on Canada’s “wet” coast. She is the author of hodge:podge, a blog that showcases her frugal do-it-yourself projects, room makeovers, and interviews with fabulous Canadians, inspirational interiors and anything else that tickles her fancy.

FAVORITE POST: This wasn't difficult to pick!! I'd have to say my interviews with fabulously talented Canadians I feature in my series, "So Canadian, eh?" has been so gratifying to write. What I love the best about the series is meeting and getting to know various bloggers and designers across Canada, famous and not-so-famous. One interview in particularly stands out though, it was such a dream of mine to interview Tommy Smythe! He is such a talented designer, full of wit, charm and charisma, hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did:

http://hodgepodge-babselou.blogspot.com/2011/07/so-canadian-eh-tommy-smythe.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Cozy Cottage Cute is a little mish-mash of a blog where I like to share a few of my creative hobbies: renovating our 1940’s home, decorating (in white of course), antique shopping, furniture refinishing, sewing, baking, and photography. Project ADD always seems to keep things interesting in my neck of the woods, hee hee.

FAVORITE POST: One of my favourite posts of the year would have to be a simple shelf makeover: Shelf Before and After + A Shelf Vignette. This post incorporates so many of my obsessions: antique shopping, DIY, a furniture makeover, decorating, as well as some pretty photos. It basically sums up what I love..... all things white and cute. ;)

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ABOUT THE BLOG: First of all, thanks Jen for including me! I'm an Interior Decorator sharing "ideas and inspiration to live well in your home" which is the tagline of Decor Happy. It's where I write about what's inspiring me, a new find or event, client work and anything I think will be of value to readers who have taken time out of their busy day to stop by my blog.

FAVORITE POST: My favourite posts are ones where I write about a design project I have worked on. I think reader's really appreciate a good Before and After! Oftentimes, I'm brought in at various stages during a project so capturing the Before and/or After may not happen. I am really proud of this bathroom I designed where the clients gave me free rein to come up with something beautiful that reflected their tastes and budget. Early next year, I will share the professionally photographed images from this project:

http://decorhappy.blogspot.com/2011/10/client-project-bathroom-reno.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Thanks so much for including me, Jennifer. I love your blog and look forward to checking out all the other great reads! Just Bella is my little piece of the internet dedicated to all things beautiful. I am new mom writing about the things I love - life, home, design, food, travel, and - watch out! - I might even get crafty on you!

FAVORITE POST: It has been a pretty big year around here starting off with some exciting news that has really influenced the content of my blog posts. I announced in February that my husband and I were expecting a little babe and on November 9 our daughter Alice Michaela made her way into the world.

As you can imagine its been a year of baby fever, so rolling with that theme one my favourite posts has got to be Alice's nursery reveal. This room is so special to me, not only was it fun to design a room from top to bottom, but knowing that our little babe was going to live in it made it that much better. Now that my girl, Alice has arrived I love it even more and have spent many hours and sleepless nights enjoying it. My favourite room in the house for my favourite little girl :)

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Call me biased, but I think we have incredible design talent across our fair country ;) I've got one more day of Great Reads to introduce to you so come back tomorrow for the tour finale!

Great Reads 2011 vol.3

Are you enjoying the Great Reads 2011 tour so far? I'm so blown away by the wealth of talent there is out in the blogosphere. None more so than by this next group who I'll call THE ARTISTS.

These ladies and gentleman have what you'd call "the eye". Whether creating works of art, decorating spaces for adults or the wee ones too, sharing unique party ideas, or putting together outfits, they show a discerning talent for the visual. The way they use colour and texture is inspirational. Visiting their blogs is always a visual treat! I think you'll agree once you take a look at their favorite posts...

ABOUT THE BLOG: Lay Baby Lay is a blog dedicated to providing unique nursery inspiration and delight, interspersed with a glimpse here and there into life with baby.

FAVORITE POST: I would have to say my favorite post from 2011 is the one that I recently did on Vivi's birthday: http://laybabylay.com/vivis-first-birthday-party/

It was the icing on the cake for this year and I had been looking forward to that day since she was born. I was excited to celebrate that we had made it as a family our first year, that we had managed to figure a few things out though we still have much to learn, and it was so much fun and truly a labor of love to put together. Somehow it seemed like a big accomplishment to me, and I breathed a sigh of relief that we made it through this first crazy year! It was a really special day, with close friends and family gathering to celebrate with us, and I know Vivi felt so loved, even if she was a bit overwhelmed! It was also the beginning of my favorite season of the year - Christmas, and I'm so excited we can enjoy it with her this year. Last year, she was just a few weeks old, and we were all too sleep deprived and overwhelmed to participate much, so I am especially grateful we can celebrate it well this season!

As for my favorite nursery design, that is difficult to pick, but I do love this one: http://laybabylay.com/pink-navy/

It's so fresh and clean, and I think it would make for a really fun room that would grow well with baby. I had debated between navy and turquoise for Vivi's nursery, so this kind of look was a close second - maybe next time around, if we are so blessed!

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Making it Lovely is a design blog about living a stylish life and transforming the so-so.

FAVORITE POST: I love the way my little Eleanor's new bedroom turned out! http://makingitlovely.com/2011/05/26/eleanors-new-bedroom/

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ABOUT THE BLOG: The Sweetest Occasion is a lifestyle and design blog sharing stylish inspiration for weddings, parties and living a life full of celebration.

FAVORITE POST: It's so hard to pick just one post as a favorite, but our DIY party animal candles (http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2011/08/diy-party-animal-candles/) were a huge hit with readers and kind of sum up what The Sweetest Occasion is all about - pretty and fun unexpected touches that bring a little sparkle to everyday life.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Marcus Design blog is a place where I share my journey renovating my little rancher with my hubby, experiment with a few DIYs, and of course showcase the decor, artwork, and fashion I am being inspired by!

FAVORITE POST: Choosing my favorite post of the year wasn't easy - thank you for the chance to reflect Jen! It came down to my own projects, it's always a bit intimidating to share your own work but also fun and encouraging to get feedback from others. I'd have to say it's a tie between my Dorothy Draper Ikea dressers and my DIY grid-panelled walls.

http://marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-ikea-diy-dorothy-draper-style.html

http://marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com/2011/10/before-and-after-my-diy-panelled-walls.html

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ABOUT THE BLOG: DesignMaze is devoted to all things interior design/decoration, plus a few good things in life. It is my portal to share with you my latest finds, DIY + Transformation projects, insider scoop of designer trade shows, and recaps of inspiring design shows on TV.

FAVORITE POST: I've had so much fun in 2011 and it is difficult for me to pick one as my favourite post. However, I finally narrowed down to one and my favourite is the 100th post on DesignMaze! This post summarizes my journey to interior decorating, the great honour to be featured on TV and other online design media, and most importantly the many amazingly talented individuals I've met through my blog.

http://designmaze-tim.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-100th-post.html

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Fabulous favorites, right? A few more days left of the tour so I hope you'll drop by again tomorrow.

Great Reads 2011 vol.2

It's Day Two of the Great Reads 2011 tour, where I ask some fabulous bloggers to pick their favorite post they had written in the past year. Check out Day One here. For today, I have the most inspiring group of women lined up. Stylish and talented, these ladies impress me with their ability to run businesses, live creatively and playfully, dress themselves and their kiddos so fashionably, while also being great teachers and mothers to their children. They are so versatile, I can't wait to see what they picked for their favorite posts...

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Design Mom covers the intersection of motherhood and design. It's a site where you can find inspiration, real advice, beautiful ideas and everything you need to live a curated, happy life with your children.

FAVORITE POST: http://www.designmom.com/2011/11/all-made-up-one-more-time/ I love this post, because the comments are soooo good! I love reading women's thoughts on beauty.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Hi! I'm Natalie author of The Busy Budgeting Mama.com It's your shortcut to home and hostess ideas, recipes &super-mom-motherhood. I'm married to a youth minister & mother of two girls living on a tight budget.

FAVORITE POST: I love DIY projects and throwing parties. My most recent party was for my girls who were turning 1 and 3. We threw a Story Book Princess Party. My favorite details from it have to be the $4 DIY Cardboard Castle that made their imaginations run wild!

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ABOUT THE BLOG: I'm Design Editor, also known as Catherine Davis. I'm a graphic designer, wife and mom to 2-year-old twins celebrating all things design. You'll find posts on graphic design like weekly font picks, free downloads and anything artsy craftsy. I have an Etsy shop that's an extension of my blog, Design Editor Shop, which features digital downloads and printable items. Stop by and say hello!

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post from 2011 would have to be the one I did on my Week In The Life album. I recorded a week in my family's life through words and photos and shared how I put it all together. It combines my love for graphic design and the most important people in my life. So cool. Plus, I had such great feedback from readers and people saying they were inspired by it which means the world to me.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Aubrey & Lindsay's "Little House Blog" is a blog that chronicles Lindsay's obsession with all things creative - between interior decorating, DIY Projects, being a stay at home Mom, and running a stationery studio, Lindsay documents each in weekly posts.

FAVORITE POST: Hi! Picking a post was incredibly hard for me as this year was filled with such lovely memories and DIY projects. If I were to pick a single post, it may be my Ikea Ribba Frame hack that was inspired by Sarah Richardson. I picked this one because it's such an EASY project to do to add colour to a room. I heart Ikea. :) (Ps., thanks for including me!) xo - Lindsay

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ABOUT THE BLOG & FAVORITE POST: 2011 was a challenging year for me. In the New Year, I found myself alone, raising 2 young men and not long after, the devastating Brisbane floods hit. There was a lot of pain in my life so I sought refuge in my blog and my blog community. I did a blog post about 'Ken', my brother's partner's father. He lost every single thing he owned in the flood... his home, his clothes, his car, his treasured books. He was not insured.

http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/2011/01/plumber-please.html

The emails I received after that post and the offers of support that came in from my blog readers moved me to tears. My readers donated over $4000 to help Ken, who was sleeping on a mattress on the floor of the ruins of his home. He had no hot water and no electricity. The funds raised enabled him to have a new hot water system installed pronto and an electrician connected up some safe power in order for him to be able to boil a jug. We purchased new gyprock and replaced the walls in his kitchen and a new kitchen was installed. To be able to help a helpless man in such need through my blog lifted my heart so much. I am eternally grateful for this blog medium. I can reach out to a community and help people. It has helped me take the focus off my problems and see the world on a much grander scale. It has helped me through the most difficult year of my life.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: On ish & chi, I write about the journey in turning my cottage house into a home for my son and I. Along the way I also share my inspiration, decorating ideas, fashion and sometimes my crazy love for all things related to the circus.

FAVORITE POST: My favourite post of this year was writing about my son Robert's new bedroom: http://ishandchi.blogspot.com/2011/01/toddler-room.html

I first started my blog when I was decorating Robert's nursery and years later, here I am, decorating a room for a toddler. We then added new art to finish it off and he loves his new room: http://ishandchi.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-art-for-robbie.html

If you enjoyed these must-read posts, you might also like these oldies but goodies from the

Great Reads 2010 tour.

Great Reads 2011 vol.1

I hope you have had wonderful holidays so far. These days, I want nothing more than to relax, spend time with family and friends, and snuggle up with a stack of blogs, books, and magazines. Last year, I ran a series called Great Reads where I asked some of my favorite bloggers to highlight their favorite post they had written in the past year. It was so much fun, I decided to do it all again this year...

I have some fabulous bloggers lined up for your reading pleasure over the next five days. Today, its all about the RENOVATORS & DECORATORS.

These handy folks definitely know how to transform a space. With tools in hand, they can take a room from boring to oh-so-beautiful. From building roofs from scratch to renovating houses, tearing down walls, and transforming small rooms with DIY ingenuity, they always impress me with their skills.

The spaces they create are memorable, inspirational, and original (a difficult thing to do in blog world!). When I read these blogs, I'm always motivated to go build something. Maybe you will be too.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Hazardous Design is a documentation of a home renovation on Hazard Ave. My husband and I are going room by room through our 125 year old house to update it into the 21st Century. In addition to documenting the renovations as they happen, Hazardous Design is also where I gather ideas and inspiration for future projects.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post of 2011, "A Fairy Tale About French Bistro Bar Stools" is one of those future projects. Our kitchen may still be stuck in the past, but every time I read this post I slip into the world of make believe and imagine it has been beautifully remodeled. A girl can dream!

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ABOUT THE BLOG: Young House Love is basically a DIY diary of all of our failures and successes as we make our house a home as affordably as possible.

FAVORITE POST: Here are a few links of our two favorite posts for ya (ack - it was a tie):

a) http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/08/the-eight-month-difference/ (because it shows how it's a slow process to make a house over- definitely doesn't happen overnight!)

b) http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/09/the-updated-light-fixture-blues/ (because it was a really fun project that turned out really well - we love the unexpected indigo paint and the giant shade that we scored on sale)

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ABOUT THE BLOG: House*Tweaking is a blog designated to tweaking all things house and home. Right now, we're in the midst of renovating a dilapidated 1950's brick ranch - not our dream house but, hopefully, the house in which to pursue our dreams.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite DIY project this year was the 'love' headboard we created from old fence boards found at my husband's family farm. It was easy, inexpensive, upcycled, unique and, most of all, meaningful. We enjoy using furniture, art and accessories in our home that have a story behind them. Thanks so much for asking me to participate!

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ABOUT THE BLOG: My blog what would I say about my blog? Well, Just Beachy is my little spot to share my love of interior design , family and even a little baking. Just Beachy has evolved into my personal outlet for my passions which mostly have turned out to be carpentry, I love to add character to my home and I’m no longer afraid of a nail gun. My philosophy is that a home should be pretty even when its empty, decorating is great but it’s the bones that set a house apart. My blog will be changing over the coming year as I share our journey of us buying and building my dream home, should be an interesting ride , lots of fun to come.

FAVORITE POST: My favorite post from 2011 would have to be http://chriskauffman.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-little-bunkie-guest-house.html here I take you on a little tour of our summer guest house aka bunkie. I have always dreamed of adding an out building to our small suburban lot , a place for slumber parties and winter storage. This summer we finally took the plunge and worked away completely on our own and build a sweet little guest house. We did have a chance or two to try it out in the warmer months , it’s a good thing too because we are leaving it behind for the new owners , I hope they enjoy it as much as I planned we would.

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ABOUT THE BLOG: I am so honored to be included in Jen's list! I am such a huge fan of Jen and her blog. In fact, it was one of the first blogs that I followed with regularity. I am a fairly new blogger--little over a year, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all the new projects and new friends it has brought my way. My interior design business offers renovations, from 'the ground up' builds, and decorating. My blog shares my design projects, my DIY and art projects, my inspirations, my teenagers, my dogs and just the craziness of it all.

FAVORITE POST: I think my favorite post is the one sharing my own budget friendly bath redo. Probably because it a rarity when I finally complete a project in my own home! Every bit of it we did ourselves--the tiling, the wainscoting, the sewing and the sharpie created wallpaper. Saving money always makes it a little more lovely, right?! http://shannonberrey.com/_blog/Shannon_Berrey_Design_Blog/post/Bathrooms_done!_schumacher_birds_DIY_/

Come back every day this week for more must-read posts!

A Pancakes & Pajamas Birthday Party

Do you have all your presents purchased and wrapped? I hope you're sitting at home relaxing and getting ready for days spent with family, no emails, no work, and no deadlines, at least for a little while.

In the midst of all the holiday preparations, I decided to be crazy and throw a little get-together just for my family. My sister and I could get the kids together and decorate some gingerbread houses, maybe enjoy some hot chocolate too, but, as things tend to happen with my family, everyone else decided to join in on the fun. And seeing it's my brother's birthday just after Christmas, we decided to celebrate... with a Winter Wonderland Pancakes & Pajamas Party!

Everyone came dressed in their pajamas. This was the first and only time in my life I had seen my dad in a set of pajamas - what a hoot! The kids had a ball putting their houses together...

...we enjoyed some hot chocolate while my holiday playlists played in the background...

hot chocolate bar with all the fixins'

...the little ladies had a ball playing with the costume closet...

... and then we enjoyed 'breakfast for dinner'. Our menu was a fun mix of savory and sweet - crepes filled with Nutella and bananas and stawberries, pancakes (we shaped the kids' pancakes into their initials), cheesy strata, bacon and sausages, potato rosti, and sparkly juices...

...with dessert of HandyMan's famous lemon tart and my snowy cupcakes. It was a great way to start the holiday season. I think we'll make it a new tradition - because really, nothing says comfort and joy like eating Nutella banana crepes in your pj's.

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I'll be relaxing next week but I have a treat lined up for you... its the Great Reads 2011 tour! I did this last year and it was so much fun, I had to do it all again. I've asked some fabulous bloggers to share with you their most favourite post from the past year. You'll definitely know some of these bloggers and others you may be discovering for the first time. They are all on my must-read list, so come back every day next week to read some fascinating posts!

Grumpily

Grumpy gus made an appearance again and no way, no how was she going to sit on Santa's lap and smile for him. Oh well, there's always next year!

Thinking & Dreaming

I had a wonderful dinner with Lindsey, Heather, and Christine the other night. I love getting together with other bloggers... because you can prattle on and on about blogs and no one gets bored with the discussion. Unlike when I try to have these conversations with HandyMan ;)

Source: i672.photobucket.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Bloggers really are the most supportive bunch. Truly, they are. Make that supportive and inspiring. I get so jazzed when I hear about other bloggers doing fabulous things, making appearances on TV and other forms of traditional media, starting new ventures, fulfilling their dreams.

Ever since Nicole wrote this post, my own dream list has been on my mind. I'm in a sea of change, no doubt, trying to build a new career - one where I'm driven by passion and creativity. What exactly do I want to do with my life? Good question.

Source: flickr.com via Katie on Pinterest

But as the new year rolls around, I think I want to try and answer that question. So I'll be working on my Life List over the next few weeks and posting it here because I believe putting it out there will help motivate me and focus my actions and let it draw from the energy of the universe (yes, I believe in that).

Maybe you have a Life List too? Do you write resolutions? What's do you hope to accomplish this year?

Edible Gifts

And the countdown is on, isn’t it? Time to get those last few gifts purchased and wrapped. We were one of those crazies at the mall this weekend, trolling around for a parking spot, fighting the crowds, waiting in long lines to pay. Were you there too?

I did manage to get some baking done, and put the final touches for Chloe’s daycare teachers’ gifts together. I decided on these sweet looking Raspberry Cream sandwiches from Martha Stewart. It was my first time making them and I liked how they tasted, a little bit sugary and a little bit salty. The cream turned out a bit runny but adding more chocolate helped it stiffen up.

Yummm, pink glazing.

I used these printable gift tags from lovelydesign...

...put the cookies in white dot bags from Creative Bag and closed them with stripey twist ties from Fort & Field. They'll go in the stamped bags I made for each teacher along with a mug and hot chocolate mix. Now that that's done, I can move on to finishing the few sewing gifts I planned on. So many projects, so little time!

How about you... are you done all your shopping? Are your gifts wrapped neatly and sitting under the tree?