Indulge Your Shelf

It's Christmas week!  Ben is on break from school so I'm looking forward to some relaxing days between now and Christmas Eve.  We're pretty well finished with all that must be done, so, besides planning and shopping for Christmas dinner, some baking, and delivering gifts to friends, we'll just be puttering. Speaking of friends and gifts, I have to show you some things I've been gifted from blogging friends: Lori Anderson sent me this vintage alphabet book with the most adorable illustrations! Angela sent me the gift of a tiny quilted pillow made from the same beautiful fabric she used on my large quilt, along with these cute little hot pads! The little quilted hot pads have tiny magnets in the tips, so you can hang them on the 'fridge! Speaking of little quilts, you have to see these beautiful crazy quilted Christmas stockings that have been a part of my holiday decor for years now! They're made by Linda , my favorite eBay seller, from lit...

Click on the red tag to go to the website for Free Shipping Day, where you can order online from shops -- big and little -- who will ship free!  For this one day only, shipping is free with the promise that whatever you order will reach you by December 24! I went ahead and signed up my handmade shop, Twice Shy Restored , to take part in the festivities!  Did you? I've finished all my handmade gifts and have just a couple more gifts to pick up from stores.  How's your Christmas shopping going?

I'm excited to share two upcoming blog events with you: mark your calendars! First, I'm hosting a linky party called, Show us your Best Handmade!  I've noticed how many of us are blogging about crafting gifts that can't be revealed until later, and I also know how it is to look back on our productive year after the holidays, and take stock.  So, I've created this event where we can blog about what we've created that we loved best, and link back here to share the beauty. Show us your Best Handmade begins Wednesday, December 29, and runs through January 2.  Post about the handmade creation of yours that was your favorite, and then come back here where I'll have a post up for you to link to the party. Do me a favor: grab this button (just copy the html code in the box below the photo) and put it on your blog's sidebar to help me advertise this party.  And tell all your friends! <center><a href="http://indulgeyourshelf.blogspot.com/...

I thought in honor of my recent Blogaversary, I'd re-run a tutorial I posted two years ago: How to make Baby Jesus Candy Cane Ornaments Lots of fun, and one the kids can help with, too! Stay tuned for news about this!

I know, I know, I have to stop!  But who can resist when it's at thrift store prices and the pieces are so dear? I love these like crazy! I don't know what I love more -- the ornaments, or the box! And then these incredibly delicate ones..  On the top left, a bottle brush tree, decorated, under plastic! Sweet tiny pink ones! I'm proud to have progressed enough with my projects to clear off the dining room table and put out a centerpiece (above) -- if you look closely, you'll see my Silver Bella Bling-y Bracelet added to the mix for some super sparkle! A little collection of bottle brush trees... and the one "putz"-like house I own.  I'm on mission to get more, though!   Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays Her Library Adventures There's lots more thrifty fun to be had -- click on the links on Monday and Tuesday to see what everyone else has been finding second hand!

Two years old today! Good morning friends, "old" and new!  I'm so happy to check in with you on my Blogaversary and say that we are a bigger group of 202 now, and I appreciate each and every one of you.  It touches my heart to know you visit and join in on the conversation when you can, and I take every chance I get, as well, to pop in on you as well -- because that's all part of the fun! Since we reached 200 followers, I'm adding a second gift for a second name drawn: This is a small accent pillow that I made just for this giveaway; it has Waverly blue and white floral toile on one side, and the other side is vintage fabrics.  The white linen background is covered by a corner from a vintage runner, and then accented by three fun buttons -- the pink chubby one is one of my favorites!  Don't be surprised if I throw in a few other little goodies when I pack this up to send, too! I've already chosen two numbers via Random Number Generator, and using B...

Tomorrow's the last day to enter my giveaway celebrating my 2 year Blogaversary and 500 posts!  Details here . After some Christmas shopping, decorating, and cleaning this week, I needed a day to rest.  So I spent some time yesterday crafting: This pillow was made with many elements from Linda Sue's generosity; the fabric is vintage Waverly, and everything else is old, too! Beautiful old printed ribbon with pink roses, and pearly buttons! I love how it came out; it's a gift for a friend (no worries -- she doesn't read my blog!) A while back I bought a necklace made from an old watch case at A Paris Street Market; I loved the case and the beading, but after a while I decided I didn't love the insides, so I changed them: Barbara might recognize her ATC paper is the background, on top of which I added vintage millinery flowers, a tidbit of lace, some of the original gold leaves that came with the piece, and a unique little figurine.  The little lady made ...