Christmas in August...

Christmas in August. Not so far fetched an idea since the days, weeks and months are flying past so fast. I felt I would work on Christmas in August and this past week that is exactly what I did. My girlfriend came over and we spent an entire day preparing Christmas ornaments to donate and sell at the local elementary school annual holiday sale. It is so fun to watch the kids do their Christmas shopping and we donate 50% of our sales money to the school funds.

We aren't looking to get rich, merely pay for our supplies. These are some purchased snowflakes that we embellished with torn strips of fabric tied in a bow. I know it is hard to see them here but you can imagine how simple these are. We are trying to keep the price at 50 cents each for any of the ornaments we are decorating on a 5 foot tree.

Here are simple ornament balls, plastic so no breakage, embellished with more fabrics and then tied with a loop.

All of this takes a lot of time but we always think of the little first, second and third grade students looking to shop for just the right gifts they can afford. We usually make lots of various items which we plan on family members just loving what they get when they open their gifts. Bookmarks, towels, charms, note cards and tags, ornaments, and whatever else strikes our fancy. We try to cover all genders and ages which can be really challenging.

I also completed another gift item this week so I will share that soon.

The great outdoors is still requiring lots of my time and efforts as the weeding and plantings and yard re-do is taking lots more than I thought. I am grateful our weather has been very pleasant. We have not had any extreme heat unlike so much of the country. I think our elevation and all the pine and cedar trees are helping to keep it cool. We also are benefitting from what is called the "delta breeze".

Now I am off to get productive. I was found at the local Ben Franklin yesterday purchasing more fabrics and jewelry findings.

Wonderful Weekend to each of you...May you be enjoying your days relaxing and being creative...

P.S. Are you working on any Christmas projects? Can you share what they are?

One Simple Decoration...

One simple decoration.

Brings joy and peace to this holiday season.

The angel is a metal yard stake that I simply did not want to set outside to rust.

Her metal post is way too boring so I merely took some graduated sizes of ornaments and stacked them on the metal post.

Now it is sitting in a lovely large vase in the dining room.

I not only love the simplicity of this decoration I love the jewel toned colors and the shimmery silvery color of the angel as she watches over us.

I like to think this angel is reminding us to stay calm and enjoy this holiday season for all the reasons it truly represents and not the commercial overdone frenzy and stress we sometimes get caught up in.

May each of you take time to relax and enjoy the simple things.

Happy Holidays...