Hospital time

Just a quick post - I'm in the hospital.
Well, I'm not acutally in the hospital, but I'm here with my mother-in-law who fell and broke her hip this week.
Sucks to be in the hospital.
Really REALLY sucks.

My MIL is 91, just turned it last week actually. Here she is during our Christmas celebration a couple of weeks ago acting silly!  When she smiles she closes her eyes so this is her propping her eyes open for a picture. Except...funny thing is, her eyes are still closed! :)

{and yes, she is sporting her Snuggie!}

She's a real trooper.
A hard worker, a selfless mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, MIL and friend.

She lives with my hubs and me.
Always has, since we've been married.

I can count on one hand how many times she has not slept under our roof.

One of those was last night.

There will be many more in the next few weeks as she heals, recovers and rehabilitates.

I know you have had some experience more than likely with a hosptial visit or stay.  Don't you agree that the time in a hospital is off kilter somehow?

Sometimes, time goes super fast....other times it stand stills.

It's just odd.

Anyway, we will more than likely be spending Christmas here.

Not exactly what we had planned:
I don't have all my gift buying or wrapping done.
I don't have my groceries bought for the dishes I am supposed to make.
But, guess what?
I'm just not stressing out about that right now.  I think I'm doing what I am suppose to be doing and that's okay.

Please be praying for my MIL, or as we all call her: "Memaw".  I would appreicate if you will also pray for me and my hubs as we have a lot facing us with this situation.

Thanks and to you and yours, I wish you many blessings for Christmas and the coming year.

Week 50

wow! I cannot believe I'm at Week 50!!!

You know I have to get my Christmas on in the old 52 week project!   

The little tree is one I put up in Alex's old room for Brooke during her visit a few weeks ago. 

That room is also servign as my gift and wrapping landing zone! 

The chalkboard was on my Wishpot and Brooke got it for me (she drew my name, Yay!). 

It is one of Rachel Denbow's that is for sale in Red Velvet.  

I was so thrilled to get this gem and feel sure it will show up again in other photo shoots. ;0)

So I'm mentioned and hinted several times about a possible new project 

AND I've asked if anyone would be interested in doing this project with me for 2011....

so can you put 2 and 2 together????   

I'm so excited and looking forward to many possibilities for this project.  

I promise to post just as soon as everything is in place and ready,

but I do hope you will charge up your camera batteries

and get ready for a 52 Week Project.

(it's more than a self-portrait!)

What is IN my cup

It seems my blog posts have a theme this week.

So now I want to talk about what is IN my cup.

Can you imagine just wanting a clean drink of water for Christmas?

Better yet, can you imagine your CHILD wanting a clean drink of water for Christmas?

Well, imagine if all you wanted was clean water to drink 365 days a year?

I cannot - nor do I even want to quite honestly!

My bloggy/twitter/crafty friend Prudy has been led to begin

a little campaign through myCharity water to raise

$500 toward a Christmas water project.

She asked her bloggy/twitter/crafty friends to 

join in her efforts to raise awareness 

and ask for a small gift toward the campaign.

I was totally in as I also feel passionate about the mission

of assisting the over a billion in developing

countries who don't have access to clean water.

In fact, our church supports Living Water International

each month and so I am essentially already supporting

this effort through tithe and offering, but feel led to do a little more.

$500 seems like a lot of money to me,

but in reality, it's really not if we can raise awareness

to have many people who are willing to help Prudy's effort.

Amazingly, $500 will help 25 people get water!

How cool is that!?

I think it would be really nifty to know I had a hand 

in giving such a gift as clean water to 5 families.

Because I feel so strongly about this cause, 

I am going to do a little giveaway in conjunction with this - 

I'm asking you to donate, but you may not have the funds to do that right now.

Trust me, I completely understand!

However, you have a voice, a blog, a Facebook account,

Twitter, so you can help spread the word and it won't cost you a thing!

Who knows, Ellen, Demi or Ashton might see your tweet and retweet it. 

I wonder how quickly we would reach the $500 goal if that happened? 

(Hey, I can dream!) 

If you are willing to help in some way, 

 I am willing to do a little giveaway!

Come back and link me up to your post, tweet,

link...whatever you feel led to do.

(enter more than once if you do more than one 'shout-out' for Prudy's project) 

I will give someone a Crochet Candy pin on January 1st.

Sound fair?

I know it's not much,

but it's just a simple token of my appreciation 

for using your voice or outlet for a good cause.

And I know there are tons of good causes out there,

but there is just something about knowing there are humans

(and animals for that matter)

who don't have clean water...something so basic

geez, I take so much for granted!

If you made it this far, thanks so much for reading through my mumblings -

and if nothing else, just say a simple prayer that more and more 

clean water can be provided each day!  :)  

AND when you get down during the holidays as we can all do, 

just have a nice glass of clean water, 

imagine how you can let your glass overflow, 

and remember how blessed you are. 

Check out these other great ladies who are helping the efforts:

Jenny Rain:  http://jennyrain.com/
Elora (Love Wins):  http://eloranicole.wordpress.com/
Amy Sullivan:  http://amylsullivan.blogspot.com/
Mary Hess:  http://maryhess.com/
Laura Leigh Parker: http://www.lauraleighparker.com
And of course Prudy: http://www.prudychick.com/

my cup has grown!

Consider this part two to yesterday's post about how blessed I am. 

Not only is my cup overflowing...my cup has grown!

This is about an event that I was honored to take part in a couple of weeks ago.
A couple of dear friends who attend different churches and I decided to get 
our churches to partner to host an event we called Care 2 Share.  

We had done a similar event a couple of years ago 

through our workplace, but felt led to do this 

as a ministry to get those in our community into 

our churches and show them a little bit of the love that only God can offer...

that unconditional, no questions asked kind of love.  

The idea, to give something to those who might not have the 
same resources we have or maybe they were just having 
a crappy year and needed a little help for the holidays.

Basically the way it worked was anyone who wanted to participate 
brought their cast off items - but good cast-off items - 
the kind that could be regifted or reused.

The idea was those who had a need could come and

trade non-perishable food items for things they need.

OR, they could just come get what they needed.

We even had a gift wrapping station set up so

their gifts could go home and be ready for Christmas!

{ETA: the above photo was taken toward the end of the event -at the very end there 

were only 5 boxes of things left,which were taken to a local mission.} 
Well, let me tell you, it was a huge success!

It's hard for me to express how I felt after 

taking part is this ministry and truly seeing what

a need there is right in my own community.

There are several touching stories from the time leading 
up to the day of the event, and stories that happened during the event, 
and I'm sure there are stories still happening.

There were even children involved in helping organize and prepare.

Is there anything better than teaching your children to give and help others?!

 

The point is we made a difference!

Now, I don't know if souls were saved or lives were changed 

(well besides mine and probably others who took part), 

but hopefully seeds were planted and maybe, 
just maybe when some of the many wonderful people and children 
who were able to share in a new toy, or a warmer coat, 
or even a some new Christmas decorations will have a 
positive feeling about our churches and the love that God has to share. 

I want to encourage anyone reading this to get involved in some way.
Regardless of your circumstances, you have something to offer.
Whether it's helping in a shelter,
donating items to a place that resells and uses money for a cause,
cooking a meal for someone you know is in need, 
sponsoring a child for Christmas...whatever you feel led to do...just do it!

I can promise you,

there is a blessing in there for you

and it feels really good when your cup grows 

and continues to overflow!

my cup overflows

Being a Christian and having Faith is a very important part of my life.

It's who I am.

It makes me, ME.

Sometimes, I'll admit, it's hard.

Sometimes, life sucks.

Sometimes, Faith can waver and I get discouraged.

I mean, let's face it, life is nowhere near perfect....
I don't think that was ever a Promise of God.

Lately, though, I feel overly blessed.

I feel like little things are going right and even though I struggle with many aspects of my life, I feel stronger, I feel happy about who I am and what I stand for, and I feel like I'm coming up the mountain to the peak- out of that proverbial shadow of the valley of death!  

(if you've read my blog, you might recall this depressing post) GAH.

I think during this time of year - you know...the holidays?  

Yes, I think during this time of year I tend to reflect on positives in my life.

No, I don't have the money to buy everyone I want to a gift.  

BUT, I do have tons of people who I feel are worthy of a gift.

No, I don't have a picture perfect home that is decorated all Martha Stewart-y
or adequate for fancy dinner parties like I'd like to host. 

BUT, I do have a roof over my head and a sweet
little fencepost tree that makes me smile.

No, I don't have an extravagant plans for a holiday trip to New York
or a full calendar of fabulous New Years Eve gatherings, 

BUT, I do have family and friends who invite me to their homes
to celebrate occasions in down home, laid back style.

Yes, my cup truly overflows.

Next up.... how my cup has grown!

Two Weeks??

I'm not sure I've ever gone that long without blogging!

I don't know what's wrong with me lately, but I have not been motivated to create, blog or even take pictures! *GASP*  {{{Crazy, I know!}}}}

Anyway, I thought I needed to at least acknowledge ye olde blog on this last day of 2009.  I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by, seriously!

Christmas was great - pretty low-key.
I'm enjoying my vacation and dread it coming to an end on Monday.  Booooooo.

Today is Alex's 18th birthday- which is completely unbelievable.

Resolutions & goals for 2010?  not really.

I simply want to be a better ME.  that's all.

I'm still working on my December Daily.
I was almost to the giving up point, but I trudged on and will complete it.

I also completed Memaw's little book for her birthday using the December mini from Crazy Daisy Kit. Co. I will be back with pictures of that.

Speaking of Crazy Daisy...there are still December kits available and these would be great to scrap your Christmas pictures! 

They girls are taking January off so there will be no January kits...I know, I'm sad too, but I'm sure February kits will not disappoint!

If you have a subscription, it won't effect that at all.   Also if you fan Crazy Daisy on Facebook or follow on Twitter, you can take $5 off your order!  How cool is that????  Check out the details on this  blogpost.

Wheeeeee! December Daily time.

Ali Edwards has already started posting about the December Daily 2009!
I'm so excited to do this project again!

I hope you will join me.
Here is her post to help get you started:
Ali: December Daily

Need more inspiration?

credits here:

1. december eight, 2. Day3 copy, 3. December Daily {25 inside}, 4. December Daily - Day 3 - Page 2, 5. December Daily {3}, 6. xmas diary, 7. December Daily – Finished!, 8. December daily, cover, 9. christmas diary1, 10. December Daily - door decor, 11. day 29 back, 12. December Daily Album: Day 24, 13. December Daily Album: Day 24, 14. Christmas tree, 15. dec-20, 16. 11, 17. December Daily - Day 20 - Page 2, 18. Day 9 Page 1, 19. December Daily Album: Day 21, 20. December Daily Album: Day 18, 21. album , 22. my book, so far..., 23. December 10, 24. Day 15, 25. Day 10 - page 1

Here is mine from last year: Dec Daily 2008

Merry Christmas!!!! (don't be a hater....the stores are already putting the stuff out ya know!)

Elvis is in the building

as promised, I am posting in honor of The King's birthday this week.

I have blogged many times about Joe and Jake, my little cousins.
Joe is the oldest and is quite talented at the ripe old age of 7.
He has been performing for a couple of years now locally...churches, fairs, and other events.
His two main things: Gospel & yes you guessed it, Elvis!
This kid has literally studied Elvis.
Watching movies over and over.
Listening to CD's
Reading and investigating.
He has long since outgrown this particular outfit, but this was last summer at our county fair.
He has the moves down and can sport the look.
But he is missing something.
It is obvious is it not?
I mean the kid is a toe-head!
He desperately needs Elvis hair!
So, now I ask you 'oh avid blog readers'...
How many 7 year olds do you imagine had an Elvis wig on their Christmas list this year?
I would not even venture to guess.
However, I do know one....
Well, that meant "Aunt Cousin Kim" (as Joe & Jake call me) to the rescue.
Yes, that would make me "Super Aunt Cousin Kim"
I should probably have a cape or something, don't ya think?

I digress...
Anyway, I scoured the world wide web in search for the perfect Elvis wig.
I found several...but mostly they were minus the sideburns. (purchase separately - what a rip)
Until, I came across My Costume Wigs.
I hit paydirt!
They had a whole entire Elvis section!
I found one in my price range and decided to email them to make sure it would fit, etc.
The nice folks at My Costume Wigs emailed back the sweetest email.
I received the parcel and it was so nicely packaged.

I would highly recommend this site for any wig or costume needs.
I perused some of their other selections and they range from celebrity styles to geisha, mullet and clown styles. They even have mustaches and fake eyelashes.
Check them out.

I was so excited for Joe to unwrap his new Elvis wig.
Here is his reaction when he first saw himself:Okay, I'll admit again, I have never been a huge fan of Elvis, (sssshhhh don't tell Joe).
but I am huge fan of Joe; therefore, I will love Elvis as long as he wants to perform his songs...and his moves!
So here's to you Elvis Presley!
Happy Birthday - if you are in the building.

Blog lazy

That's what I'm coining it anyway.
I've been so lazy in updating the blog since Christmas Eve.
I will catch up this week.
I'm nursing my sore wrists and fingers so it is difficult to type.
Why? you ask.
Guitar Hero will do that to you. Period.

I'm missing this tonight:

I took all the Christmas decor down today....until next year.
Usually it doesn't bother me and I'm always ready to get it out, but I truly enjoyed the tree and few decorations I had out, so I'm a little sad.
2009 is upon us,
which makes me say "Dang!" in my best Joe Dirt.

Merry "Week-Between-Christmas-and-New-Year's-Eve"

Merry Christmas

These moments are what giving*love*family*Christmas is all aboutBlessings to all and to all a goodnight!

is this thing on?

Just checking in to make sure the old blog will still let me post...it's been a little crazy getting prepped for Christmas. Still lots to do but I hope to post something later tonight.

for now some photos from yesterday:

Alex & Matt wanted some pictures together and of course we HAD to do it on the coldest dang day of the year! They turned out pretty good I think.

I especially love this one:
Also had our annual mother-daughter lunch - Here is a group shot. We had so much fun and were already planning next year's get together.
My prend and I are standing with our mom's sitting. Left to Right: Judy and her mom June, Karla and her mom Joy, and me and Mom!

Okay, back to gift wrapping!

Cans for Comments

Two posts in one day!
I know I'm just crazy like that!

I had to post this to urge any & all my blog readers to visit Courtney DeLaura's photo blog:
Peachtree Studio

PLEASE go make a comment.
For every comment to her Cans for Comments post, she will buy a can of food to donate to a family in her community.

Also this cutie patootie is matching it in her community!
How cool is that?

Go - NOW!

she crafted

I have seen so much Christmas craft inspiration as of late on the world wide web.
So much in fact that my head is swimming with lots of ideas that I want to try out.

Wreaths seem to be the most popular items to craft.

Since I have started utilizing my Google Reader and subscribe to every artsy-craftsy blog known to man (or woman) I have found some really good ones that I attempt to check out with every new posting.

Especially those with new handrafted eye candy.

One such blog: A Foothill Home Companion is filled with the eye candy I speak of.
And yesterday there were these great little origami stars with a link to the video tutorial.
I watched - amazed at how simply they went together.
Well I immediately pulled down one of my Anthropologie catalogs and my paper trimmer and went to town.
With some trial and error, I came up with several of these little cuties and put together this tonight.

How cute is this?
A little wreath ornament! Yea!
There are so many possibilities with these.
There is even an Etsy shop dedicated to making these into jewelry.
clever? yes!

Now I realize it may not be Martha Stewart worthy and my little stars are far from perfect, but I love it & it is now hanging on my tree - with is also not Martha worthy -OR- perfect either!

happy hump day

This week has been one of those short yet long weeks, KWIM???

I have failed to photograph the December Daily, but I assure it is pretty well caught up...well except yesterday and today.
Not bad for a chronic procrastinator, huh?

Just a short blog recap of the past two days.

Yesterday was the "best-mom-in-the-world's" birthday.
Yes this woman:I was happy she got to just relax and hang out at home, watch movies, take a nap, put up Christmas decorations, have lunch fixed for her, and have tons of calls from everyone who loves her.

She is deserving of that and so much more!

{ Love you mom!!! :) }

FFWD to today:
freezing dang cold!
icy windows - chance of snow....no go!
Christmas reception at work in Melbourne.
These chicks who make my work life a pleasure:
They are awesome and fun and I'm blessed to call them not only my "department" but also my friends.
Observation for the week: I'm living up to the woolly mammoth look in every group picture. Case in point today and the previous post.
GEEZ!!!

okay so....

I have my Daily December all caught up and ready to photograph and post.
I'm so excited about this project.
I'm also doing a POTD (picture of the day) over a SIStv, which I'm then incorporating into my little book.

Did the Tour of Homes yesterday.
Local beautifully decorated homes and cookies at the end. :)

How can you go wrong?

Here is a quick pic of us chicks that toured, thanks to Nancy (far left) who was generous and kind enough to purchase extra tickets for this annual fundraiser for the local Timely Club.
More to come..

Christmas parade recap

This has become one of my favorite things each year during December.
Last year it fell on my birthday which made it doubly cool.

I especially love when the day is pretty & sunny like today.
It was also a tad bit cold & pretty darn windy too, but hey, can't have it all!

I remember it snowing one year.
Booosh, it was cold.

Anyway, I actually have a picture of each individual entry in the parade but will certainly not bore you with all of it, but I did want to share some of my faves, beginning with these two chicks riding the Ozarka College float.

Yes, that is Karla and Nancy - also known as The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who!

This was pretty nifty!
Apparently there is an antique tractor club somewhere in the community and they brought some of their beauties to town.
John Deere:
Farmall:
and Case:
Next we have Cody & Marcus, A.K.A Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum! (j/k guys!)

They were pulling Molly's daycare float.

And you cannot have a Christmas parade without the Big Guy!
Better known as Santa.

Okay, I have to tell this story, so please bear with me.

Alex & her friend Tracy decided to ride their horses in the parade this year, first time in a couple of years they've ridden horses. Anyway, they wanted to carry a banner to "advertise" their 4H club and Alex went to Tracy's house last week and they made a nice looking PAPER banner. (key word = PAPER) - just stay with me a minute.

Now, when she came home and showed it to me, I was like, "that is really cool, but where is the banner going?"
and she said, "we are going to carry it."
I said, "on your horses???"
and she was like, all nonchalantly/smart aleck-y, "well, yeah!"

I don't know how many of my blog readers have ever ridden a horse - in a parade - but there is a lot going on when you are riding - in a parade. Kids everywhere, sirens, candy being thrown, bands, music, screaming. Not to mention you are riding on asphalt which is slick to a horse wearing horseshoes.

Anyway, I am picturing these two knuckleheads on their horses - good horses, but "HELLO!" A paper banner between two horses, during a parade....come on!
I explained to her that the banner would probably never make it through. She explained how they were planning to rig up the banner with these large plastic candy canes so they could hold onto it. yeah right....

So that was our conversation last week.

Fast forward to today.....
Do you remember me mentioning how windy it was today?
Well, that was just double jeopardy in my mind for their groovy banner.
I even told Alex I needed to get their picture before they left because that banner would never make it through to where I was going to be during the parade taking pictures.

Well, low and behold - those little stinkers made it all the way through! I was astounded!
Are you still here?
Okay, good.
Sorry for the long story, but I was just so floored that #1 they made it and #2 that I was wrong!
I can admit when I'm wrong.
Mind you it doesn't happen very often! ;)
I was wrong in this instance!

I present Tracy, Alex, Toby & Hippy....AND
their banner!

Here we have the ever loveable, ever cutie patootie, Molly Grace.
She had a blast being in the float throwing candy.
And here is Amy, Molly & Brandi.

Lastly, the girls! Including Nancy.

This parade is just so downhome and fun.

There is free cocoa, coffee and cookies at the end.
And the Big Guy is set up handing out candy & fruit and finding out what all the locals want under their tree Christmas morn.
They even take Polaroid pictures of the little ones with Santa.
Just good times all around.
I love living in Small Town, Arkansas, USA!

There will be another parade next Saturday down the road in Hardy.
Don't know if I'll make that one.
Probably depends on the weather.

Wow, I've blogged two nights in a row.
I'm on a roll here!

I'll be back tomorrow with more of my Daily December pages.
Happy Saturday Night!

Check out this giveaway

HOW AWESOME IS THIS???Would you not love to win this groovy*glittery huge 3x4 feet Santa canvas?

Go here to enter.
(Thanks Mandie for the head's up.)

I'll post an update on my Daily December book later - tonight? maybe,
or tomorrow.

Back to Basics Christmas

Anyone who knows me IRL, knows how I go on about Christmas and how sick I am of its commercialization of it.

The stress, the financial woes...and all for what?

Really, what do we receive?

NOW, I'll admit that I am completely thrilled and still in complete awe of my Canon Rebel that I received last year. I would have been sadly disappointed had I not gotten it. And I know the kiddos should receive some gifts for Christmas. I'm simply talking about how we go completely overboard with thinking we HAVE to buy this person something and that person something and end up getting a bunch of piddly gifts that - although thoughtful and sweet - are usually unused or un-needed. I love the idea of Rethinking Christmas. Giving of our time or talents. Spending quality time with our children, those are true gifts - the kind you cannot buy at a mall.

I have to share this awesome idea that I read about/watched today at Rhian's blog...all the way in England! She is unbelievably creative and adorable and full of insight. Now I am enamored with her even more than before!

I seriously became excited after watching this YouTube video on her blog.
It is so simple!
What is it? you ask....
It is the Advent Conspiracy.

I share it with what few blog readers I might have in hopes that I can help spread the excitement that I have about it.

I hope you will take the time, as I did to watch some of the other videos about Advent Conspiracy.

Then I hope you will share it with someone.

I have already made a commitment to give some handmade items and buy local for those gifts that I do purchase, but I really want to encourage my family and friends to take this idea into consideration. It doesn't have to be about a certain cause or group, it can be about helping a child or family in your community.


I'm so proud of these two for making a decision to participate in the Angel Tree project and spending their hard earned money to buy gifts for a child in their community who might not get anything else for Christmas.
It is unimaginable for me to comprehend, but it happens right in our communities - children who get nothing more than what some stranger who has a heart and a few extra bucks buys for them.

I am inspired by their generous spirit & huge hearts.

December Daily

I have finally completed all of the Thanksgiving festivities and will post more on that subject tomorrow.

I did want to share a little project that will begin taking shape tomorrow - the first day of December.

The first day of December not only marks the day of my birth, it also marks the first official day of the Christmas season. The birthday of the most important figure to ever be born - EVER! Christ. Thus the name Christmas! If you know me, you know one of my pet peeves is how some establishments and people have a hang-up with using the name Christmas for this season. I mean, come on, let's call it what it is: CHRISTMAS! Another peeve is when people use xmas. I know most don't mean anything by it, and use it only as an abbreviation of some kind, but it is just one of those fingernail on the chalkboard things for me.

Okay, I'll jump off my soapbox and get back to my project.

The uber talented Ali Edwards inspired me (along with a bazillion other scrapbookers) to do this project. I'm excited to begin tomorrow documenting a snapshot of each day leading up until Christmas. My hope is to have at least one photo of the day and a little remembrance of some kind for each day.

Here is a picture of my little book. It is comprised of kraft paper, transparencies (actually unused x-ray film - thanks Amy!), Anthropologie catalog, envelopes, Hambly, Christmas scrapbook paper, and will have other goodies before it's complete.

I'll try to keep the blog updated with photos of the book throughout the month.

Something new in my Etsy shop, a little different too.
Check out my little JOY notecard set.
I can also customize these to include your name, initial, another sentiment, etc.
If you are interested, let me know!
And thanks to Deltha for this great idea!

Finally, I want to introduce the newest member of our family: Nutmeg (Meg for short!)

She is my Aunt Joyce's new dachshund and how dang cute is she???? I love dogs, and she is precious. She is supposedly 7 months old. I'm thinking she is one lucky pup to have Joyce as her new Mommy. She has been there about 24 hours and is already spoiled! I love it!

More Thanksgiving #3 tomorrow along with a Birthday breakdown!

What does Spring plus Fall equal

These are some out of car window pics I took going down mom's driveway last Sunday.
I was doing a little editing on these in Photoshop and came across some actions I downloaded from deviantart. The one I decided to try was entitled "spring."
I thought it would be cool to see what it would be like to mix a spring action with a fall picture.
Here are the results.
Odd. But kind of pretty!


This dang week has absolutely flown by!
Where did it go?

So it is two weeks from Thanksgiving.
You know Christmas will be right behind...
If you are wanting to order any CountryText alpha-prints for gifts, please let me know as soon as possible. Especially for a custom frame job.
If you are local, drop me an email or call.
If not, go to my Etsy and shop away!

While you are there, do check out all the awesome eye candy that Etsy has to offer.
Make some Christmas purchases.
Etsy has the coolest search options.
Browse by color, location and a plethora of other ways.

I can promise that the individuals artists and crafters will appreciate it much more than Wal-Mart or the other big boxers. (disclaimer: I am not a Wal-Mart hater, I shop at Wal-Mart almost daily, my family works at Wal-Mart, they have rolled back prices...just sayin').

Plus, the quality will be fantastic.
That is one thing I've noticed about most artists or crafters who sell their own goods, they take great pride in their craftsmanship and want to make top notch items. There is gorgeous stuff on there. I have found a lot of jewelry I would love to have!

Anyway just a Handmade plug I suppose, but do consider at least buying local this year, our local economies need your dollars to thrive in these scary times.

okay, off to wash dishes.