DIY - Up-cycled/Recycled Outdoor Christmas Tree Topiary

One of the great things about Christmas is finding that perfect, fresh-cut tree to put in your home. Invariably, every year we have to cut a few branches off of the lowest part of the tree in order to fit it in the tree stand, and this year as I looked at these discarded branches, I had an "ah-ha" moment. 

I didn't want to put them to waste and I had a wire tomato cage lying around...

The result is a DIY, up-cycled, recycled Christmas topiary!  The process was entirely too simple. I used zip-ties to attach the branches to the tomato cage (which is up-side down) and aside from making the ribbon from some leftover burlap (awesome tutorial here), that is all I did. 

Merry Christmas!!

Holiday Bazaar

Don't ask me how, but I did it. After a lot of time and hard work, I am ready for this weekend's holiday bazaar!

This isn't just a shameless plug for my forthcoming gig, it is an invitation for everyone to come out and peruse the handcrafted works and wares of more than 70 artisans from across the Rogue Valley and surrounding areas.

Though you may spend a bit more than you would for a similar item in a retail store, there is something to be said about buying locally. You many have more of an impact than you think!

For the occasion, I put together a little collage of a few of the things I have been doing in preparation throughout the past few months. The last photo features a new addition to my greeting card line. I am excited to be debuting two new greeting cards featuring scripture and hope to be adding more soon!

Start your holiday shopping in Medford at the First Church of the Nazarene on Friday, November 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $1.00 (Under 16 are free)

Country Christmas Holiday Bazaar

The countdown is on - there are only three more months until the holiday bazaar season kicks off! I am thrilled to announce that I will be a vendor at the Country Christmas Holiday Bazaar at Medford First Church of the Nazarene! (http://www.medfordfirstnaz.org/)

There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, but it is so exciting to look forward to being a part of such a popular event in the Rogue Valley.

In addition to handmade greeting cards and photo coasters, I will also be debuting numerous framed prints in various sizes!  Plus, there will be several cards, coasters and prints that are not listed in my Etsy shop.

This is a great bazaar, full to the brim with local, strictly handmade items - so mark your calendars: Friday & Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd. 

I hope to see you there!

Christmas in July?

I don't know where the concept of "Christmas in July" came from, other than I am pretty sure that retailers are working on their Black Friday advertisements right now.

(You won't be seeing me in any line at the crack of dawn, the stroke after midnight after Thanksgiving or any other God forsaken times, even if it means missing out on slashed prices on socks at Fred Meyer. There is not enough coffee in the world...)

In doing some research however, I discovered that in July of 1944, the U.S. Post Office, Army and Navy - as well as advertising agencies and greeting card companies - started a campaign to promote the early mailing of Christmas cards to troops serving overseas.

Now you know!

To say that the holiday season is right around the corner may seem like a long-shot, but it will be here before we know it. That being said, I want to share a few Christmas additions to my Etsy shop:

Because I am already in the Christmas spirit, enjoy 10-percent off your purchase of individual, sets of 3, 5 and 10 cards for the entire month of July!! It's as simple as entering the coupon code Summer10 at checkout. (This discount does not include custom orders)

I now have "Jingle Bells" stuck in my head...