54 days of Christmas, FINISHED!

I did it! I have described everything that I have done to prepare for Christmas for the past 54 days (since November 1st)! I am proud of myself for accomplishing a goal. Even though somedays I did nothing Christmas-sy, I still stated that... Merry Christmas to all my faithful followers & readers!



DAY 1: went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service, and R came over to exchange gifts, K & kids also came over to exchange gifts, as did E.
DAY 2: Nothing Christmas-sy today
DAY 3: M brought over our gifts
DAY 4: Wayne took gift to G.
DAY 5: Nothing Christmas-sy today

54 days of Christmas, Day 6 and 7

DAY 6: Nothing Christmas-y happening today, I have a couple other projects that I need to finish up.

DAY 7: bought a large pot roast to have for Christmas dinner. We didn't go for a turkey - they are just too expensive; plus the pot roast will be so yummy cooked in my football crock pot!

54 days of Christmas, day 8 and 9

DAY 8: Finished wrapping up M & R's presents, Received a card from J.P.

DAY 9: We were given a bunch of food for Christmas, to help make the seasom better for us. Received a card from J.T.

54 days of Christmas, day 11 and 10

DAY 10: got M's present wrapped & picked up something for R at a thrift store.

DAY 11: mailed off a Christmas card and felt house to S.

Some last minute gift ideas:

1. Victoria Grey Ribbed Knit Spats Leg warmers Steampunk by: KnitLush
2. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries - vegan soap by: DirtyAssSoaps
3. Felt Moustache Ipod/Blackberry Curve Case by: NORMandLOU
4. Vintage inspired,Soft Blue Babydoll and Bloomers Set..... Last One in this color by: intima
5. Little Dandelions Purse by: EightSeasons
6. Medium Aqua Octopus by: trulyoutrageous
7. Rustic Wood Candle Holders Set of Six, Gift Boxed by: thelogbasket
8. Fingerless Mittens Gloves Free Shipping by: ShelbyRose
9. Postcard pack - 6 cards with white pearlised envelopes - Pearl by: Purrr
10. Crown Jewel - Vintage Swarovski Ruby Red Crystal Earrings by: ShySiren
11.Snow Bear - 8.5 x 11 inch Print by: alittlestranger
12. SALE Retro Apron by: PaulaAndErika

days 12, 13, and 14

DAY 12: Made 3 felt house ornaments (3x5") to give to R, M & S, while watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation": always hilarious!


DAY 13: mailed off our Christmas cards today

DAY 14: nothing Christmassy today...

54 days of Christmas, day 15 and 16

DAY 15: Started to wrap Christmas gifts tonight.

DAY 16: Finished wrapping the presents this afternoon; made a dotee doll to give to S., did a bit of sewing on T's quilt (it seems like this one is taking forever!)

Check out these Christmas-Inspired etsy finds:

1. Coda wrap dress- chocolate by: NataJane
2. Penguin Cup/8oz by: miekongo
3. LaLa Bloom --- Super Glam Lip Jam --- super shine and color --- Natural Gloss in Red Raspberry by: LaLaBloom
4. 1980's Vintage Stiletto Heals in Metallic Gold for New Year's Eve by: Melindamilkshake
5. Forest Green Jewel-Cut Shape Hemp/Cotton Bag by: tippythai
6. Cinnamon Spice Earrings Jewellery by: PotatoFace
7. Plaid wool dress with cuffed sleeves and cowl - s/m y: tangente
8. Haute Couture Pin up Girl with Happy Legs red dress Postcard set of 8 by: elainebiss

54 days of Christmas, day 17 and 18

DAY 17: Started quilting T's quilt, Did up our Christmas cards tonight, and bought the stamps for them, this afternoon; whether we can afford it or not.

DAY 18: we were too busy, then way to tired to do anything Christmas-sy today.

54 days of Christmas, day 19

DAY 19: Today I was able to mail away two Christmas parcels (the quilts I made). I still have to finish the third... Bought a yummy box of Belgian chocolates shaped like seahorses and seashells to give to G. I need to clearcoat M's painting.

54 days of Christmas, day 20

DAY 20: I made a felt house ornament, as an extra, to add to a swap I'm doing with Robin. Watched "Christmas Vacation" tonight. So funny!

54 days of Christmas, day 21

DAY 21: Picked up a pair of gloves and a small bottle of lotion to add to M's gift. Put our Christmas tree up tonight!

54 days of Christmas, day 22

DAY 22: tonight I went through the big Rubbermaid tub of gifts and seperated them out, into gift bags. Each person had a bag and as I chose a gift out to the box, it went into someone's bag. Gifts that I didn't know who to give to were set to the side, until I was done. Whose ever's bag seemed less full than the others, got something from that pile. A also decided that I should give something to S. Maybe I'll make a little something for them... Check out these fun ways to wrap your gifts:

1. CUSTOM gift bag in natural cotton with handstamped text by: palomasnest
2. 10 handmade gift tags / fantasy christmas fairy mermaid art by cckuik by: gjzcck
3. CRANBERRY SNOW - Christmas Gift Box Duo by: NatureInMind
4. Holiday Gift Bag - Holly and Berries - Zippered Pouch by: PinkBunnyPatterns
5. Christmas Gift Bag - Natural Cotton Ticking in Red and White - 6x6.5 - Set of 5 by: CreativeChics
6. Inspire Me Bundle of Christmas Vintage Wrapping Paper Squares by: scrapecochic
7. VINTAGE STYLE VICTORIAN INSPIRED CHRISTMAS SANTA CLAUS SAINT NICK GIFT OF PRICE TAGS by: frenchcountry
8. ETSY HOLIDAY SALE Wrapping Paper 3 Sheets SnowGlobe by: ThePaperAddict

54 days of Christmas, day 23 and 24

DAY 23 & 24: well, we are officially in December now. Christmas is in full swing in the stores and most people's homes. We went to walmart for a couple things today, and I picked up something to add to M.'s gift (even tho we really can't afford it). When we got home, I was wondering what we did with it. It wasn't in the bag, and it wasn't even on the receipt. W gets talking to people and gets the cashier all confused A LOT. somehow she must've thought it was for the woman behind us in the line and didn't ring it in for us... I suppose we'll have to go back and get another...

54 days of Christmas; day 25, 26, and 27

DAY 25, 26, & 27: Life has been too rough lately to think about Christmas. I was all "in the mood" for Christmas, but I'm not so much now. I still need to do the actual quilting on T's quilt. I'm not sure if I'll have the money to send away the three quilts that I wanted to... Maybe they will be a New Year's gift instead. I've been looking through the list I made of people's gifts & re-arranging some things and having to cut some people out, too. I still need something else to give to M. Would it be wrong not to send out Christmas cards this year?

day 28 and 29

DAY 28 & 29: Nothing christmassy happening these days... so I thought I'd share some wonderful YUMMY things I found on etsy tonight:

1. vintage 80's BLACK LICORICE velvet party dress by: clevernettle
2. Baby Blanket - Mint Julep by: iluvsugar
3. BUTTERSCOTCH-SWIRL GELATOMIN BANNANA SPLIT by: plushplex
4. Peanut Butter And Jelly Headband by: jenta2b
5. HAND PAINTED LOVELY LEMON WALL CLOCK MADE FROM RECYCLED RECORD ALBUM - EARTH FRIENDLY by: bearlyart
6. Homemade Chocolate Marshmallows by: whimsyandspice
7. Kitty Singles - Pink Grapfruit - HandDyed HandSpun Single Ply Wool Yarn 154 yards 5 oz dk weight by: kittygrrlz
8. Mango Earrings by: pamelasjewelry

54 days of Christmas, day 30

DAY 30: Nothing Christmassy done today. Reluctantly having to sell off some of my dolls (boo!!). Finding pretty Christmas things on etsy to take my mind off life situations (for a moment at least).

1. SO PRETTY - Handmade Earrings with Peacock Freshwater Pearl by: MGMartSupplies
2. Collectable Ornament Pretty Metallic Pastel Hand Painted Inside Glass Ornament is a 3 inch Glass Ball Embellished with Twisted Wire and Beads by: JudiPaintedit
3. Christmas Ornament Heart, shiny pink with beautiful lace and pretty beads by: FabricCrafts
4. Pretty Pink Cardboard House by: bleueclectic

54 days of Christmas, day 33, 32 & 31

DAY 33, 32, 31: We've had too much life crisis these past few days to even think about Christmas things at the moment...

54 days of Christmas, day 34

DAY 34: Made something of felt, today, to add to R's gift.

How to make Pumpkin Puree

1. Peel and cut up your pumpkin(s), removing the seeds

2. Steam the pumpkin for about 15 minutes

3. Put the pumpkin into a blender or food processor, I added cinnamon just because I add cinnamon to almost everything :P

4. Blend pumpkin until smooth

5. Finished! just like in a can! You can freeze for later, if desired.