Merry Christmas

Pin It

Red Letter Paper Co.

The countdown has started. Christmas is only one month away, which means that its time to start decorating, stringing lights, baking goodies and sending our Christmas Cards. As a business owner I like to encourage others to participate in the movement to Shop Local, Shop Handmade that is currently sweeping the nation. One of my favorite things to purchase handmade is stationary. Whether it is designed by a local artist and professional printed or hand pieces together.

This year I will be sending out cards designed and printed by Red Letter Paper Co.. Red Letter Paper Co. has put a spin on the traditional Christmas Card and turned it into a fun and hip way to share the season.

They has everything from traditional styles....

To something a little more modern...



I have a variety sitting right here on my desk and I can't wait to send them out. Remember Red Letter Paper Co. doesn't just design amazing Christmas Cards, but cards for all occasions from Fathers Day, birthdays to baby congrats and just because.

 

You can follow Red Letter Paper Co. here

 

 

{This is a sponsored post, however all opinons are my own.}

Pin It

Firefly Confection - A Mouth Watering Review

It's that time of year, Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, followed by Christmas and then New Years. Most of us will spend the time with our families and friends. One of my favorite things to do during these cool weather months is bake. When I lived closer to my parents I remember hours of baking with my mom getting ready for family gatherings, church events and the ever famous Cookie Exchanges. I was never one to get too adventurous with the cooking. I like to bake, but tend to stick with cookies and pies. If you are like me in this regard, fear not, you have options! I love to order homemade goodies from the pros!

Last year I won an amazing giveaway that featured a package of Salted Caramels from Sandy with Firefly Confections. Now, I have to admit I have attempted to make caramels myself in the past, they were nothing like this. These are amazing! I couldn't get enough and finally had to give the bag to my bestie to keep them out of my reach. Last week Sandy sent me a bag full of her two newest flavors, Gingerbread and S'more. They are packaged perfectly to show off the yummy crust and marshmallow top of these melt in your mouth bite size bits of S'more heaven.  The gingerbread flavor, which can be a tricky one was perfect! The mix of flavors are amazing and I can't say enough about how wonderful they were. 

I unwrapped just a few, because I know where my weaknesses lie. I had to try one of each flavor and since hubs was home this weekend I shared some with him as well to get his opinion. I knew I was going to love them as I am an experienced Firefly taste tester, but Hubs was tricky. He's a bit of health nut and tends to shy away from most sweets. That being said he pretty much inhaled these, and I quote, "these are amazing, tell her not to send more." I was laughing so hard I could hardly think straight, I'm expecting him to ask for more any moment now. Oh, he'll be back, I'm confident on that one. 

So when you are planning our your holiday baking, consider bring something different this year as your hostess gift. I think you will love all of Sandy's products, but I personally recommend the caramels. 

Sandy makes a variety of goodies, everything from specialty cookies decorated for your parties perfect theme to caramels and other goodies. She is an active participant in Operation Shower, an amazing organization that supports the expectant spouses of our military servicemen by throwing them fun filled group baby showers. She has two little baker assistants at home who I am sure are helping her come up with these amazing ideas. 

                                     

You can learn more about Firefly Confections and Sandy in the following places:     

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

Shop 
            

Please note that this is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own...and hub's too.

Pin It

Samaritan Purse...Because We Can

Part of my Winter Bucket List {still in the works} was to be involved in a holiday charity.  We always help a local family in need at the office by providing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners as well as gifts for the children. This year I wanted something that Hubs and I could do together and incorporate Elle Dee Designs into as well. 

Last year my parents were active in OCC or Operation Christmas Child in their community. This year my mom took on a more active leadership role and is working hard to spread the word about this awesome cause and get others involved {as you can tell, she really good at it}.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

So this year we're putting together 5 boxes and praying daily.

  What is in these boxes you ask? Well, a little bit of everything! Here is a list for the Samaritan's Purse website with a few suggestions.

I shopped Target and Dollar Tree to get everything that was on my mental list.Here is the breakdown of who our boxes are for.

Boy 10-14 yrs

Girl 10-14 yrs

Girl 2-4 yrs x2

Boy 2-4 yrs

I figured that the 5-9yrs age group would be popular, so I figured I diversify some.

All packaged up and ready to go.

Girl 2-4 yr Box

Girl 10-14yrs Box 

Are you interested in putting a shoe box together? You can request the supplies to be shipped to through the OCC website, or use a similar sizes box and wrap it fun with Christmas wrap. The labels identifying your box can also be printed directly from the OCC website. 

After you have filled your box check the website to see where the local pickup is in your are. November 12-19 is the official collection week and there are locations just about everywhere for you to drop your box off. They would love for you to include $7 to help with the cost of getting your shoe box to its location, but understand if you can't. By donating your $7 online you can track your box to its destination {great way for the kids to see where their box goes}. Please continue to pray for these children and the workers with Samaritan Purse as they hear and spread the Word of Christ.

I hope that you will join us  Pin It

DIY St. Patty's Banner

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner. My friend Chrissy over at Boerman Ramblings post the most adorable wreath.

Head over there and check it out. I didn't have all the supplies on hand to replicate her adorable frame wreath so I improvised. I decided to make a larger version of the banner.

I found these super fun felt shamrocks at Joanns, There were $1.99 for a pack of 12. Which means I still have some left. If you are making this for your mantel then you might use them all up.

I have a huge spool of jute because I use it on LOTS of projects, but you can buy a smaller spool at Walmart for just a few smaller projects.  I hit up the used book store for an old out of date paperback thesaurus. I had a hard time at first with this project because I had to tear pages out of a book. I decided that I would have one book that I would keep to use for all projects that I needed it for. Of course I already have 2 more in the works.

Best thing about this project...no glue! You have instant results, no waiting for the glue to dry to show off your amazing creation.

#1 Cut the bottom of the pages into which ever pattern you like. You could go pennant, scalloped or flag style like I did.

#2 Fold the top of each page about a 1/2" towards the back.

#3 Place your strand of jute inside the hold and use your stapler to secure.

Each piece should look like this once stapled.

#4 Add your embellishment to the center of each flag.

Tada! All finished and hanging on the front door. Just a little something to dress it up.

Linking up with:

Pin It

Oh, It's Tuesday?

It's Tuesday, I have tons to say/write, but now of it seems like Tuesday stuff. I know that sounds weird, but I have a system. It's a good system and it works for me. Occasionally I can handle changing it up, but today isn't that day. I have a fun St Patty's Day craft to share with you, but it was inspired by a friends sneak peak and since she hasn't posted her's I don't feel right posting mine first.

So I decided I need your help. There are now over 150 of you out there, followers that is, and I need some opinions. It's easy, now stress, I promise this isn't gonna be like taking that 7th grade algebra test.

I have 5 women and 1 man that work with me. I am the "unit nurse" which pretty much means, if you are thinking, "oh crap" your next thought is where's Lani. Nice, right? I have so much fun making crafts and if there was such thing as an adoptive room mom I would so be there. I need a group of people to do small things for, I dwell on this... I have entire Pinterest board for this {you can see it HERE}.

So St Patty's is coming and I just can't decide which cutsie treat to make for them.

#1  Lucky Charms Jar

#2 Pot o' Gold

#3 Pot o' Gold & Rainbow

So please comment and tell me what you vote for... or you saw another adorable idea please post the link so I can go and check it out! Can't wait to see which one you pick.

Pin It