My Handmade Christmas Wishlist

During my One of a Kind Show experience this weekend, I found so many handmade items that I loved! Although these are not the same vendors as at the show, their work is comparable...and they're considerably less expensive. To quote my future Father in Law "There were a lot of optimistic people at the One of a Kind Show."

Since I live in Canada, and -20c is not an uncommon temperature for us, I need warmth in winter. It seems nothing warms quite like something knit by hand...
This headband buttons together at the nape of your neck. It's excellent for someone like me, who generally sports an updo...

Chunky Headband in Heather Gray by Bitsy Blossoms
I should also mention that these are two for $30...at the One of a Kind Show, one was $55.

This cowl is soooo snuggly looking.

Wheat Tweed Cowl by Candace's Closet


These next three items are inspired by my desire to be more ecologically friendly. I have handmade "ziploc" bags, but I still find myself using the plastic ones from time to time. Stocking up on more of the reusable ones should help curb this even more.

Reusable Sandwich Wrap by Food Stuffs

Throwing out those cardboard cup holders at Starbucks and those of its ilk really make me feel awful. So much so that I actually made my own felt cup holder a few months ago...alas, Loki liked it too...so he ate it.

Cupkozy by Cupkozy


I, like most, bring my own grocery bags while shopping, yet I often still have tons of plastic to deal with after my trip because of those little produce bags. I have been eying these for a while, and I think I'll go for two sets...we buy a lot of produce.

Reusable Produce Bags by Food Stuffs


These are also something I have been eyeing for a while...these little budget helpers are meant to basically encourage you to live on cash, and thus spend within your means. It requires some budgeting, but we want to buy a house in the next year or two, and pay off my student loan...so it's a necessary evil. Might as well make it nice to look at!

Cash Budget Envelopes by Crunchy Cute


The best part about shopping Etsy in December? Many sellers are offering great deals, like two for one, and free shipping.

Wedding Wednesday...Pink Champagne Wedding

This week's Wedding Wednesday mood board is inspired by my favourite libation, Pink Champagne. My theme for this wedding day is "Parisian Ballerina." Don't worry, I haven't changed my mind again...it's not for me. It's just a dream...

Pink Champagne Wedding by alanna_redman

Advent Calendar

If you're anything like me, the anticipation leading up to Christmas is just as much fun as the actual day, but those 99 cent supermarket Advent Calendars simply don't excite me enough. I'm looking for something a little more creative, and a little more inspired. If you have children, the Advent Calendar is a great tradition to start, and can become a treasure memory. The pockets can be filled with chocolate (of course) but also little notes or small trinkets. It's a great way to reinforce the non-commercial meaning of Christmas for the little ones. Here I've collected some of the prettiest examples I could find on the web. Many are made with recycled items, and most can (and should) be used year after year.

Recycle Bin Advent Calendar from Craftastica

This first example is comprised entirely of things you'll find in your recycling bin (as the name suggests)

Easy Envelope Advent Calendar from Quietfish

The bonus here is that she has posted the fun family activity she put in each adorable, tiny envelope!

Matchbook Advent Calendar from Martha

Ok, so you may not have 24 matchboxes lying around, but maybe in 25 years...

Magnetic Cookie Sheet Advent Calendar from Craftbits

This one would look fabulous if you used an antique cookie sheet, n'est pas?

Embroidered Felt Advent Calendar from Purlbee

This sturdy variety offers a chance to brush up on your embroidery skills, and provides another fantastic use for wool felt! What could be better?

Paper Cone Advent Calendar from The Red Thread

Use your leftover scrapbooking materials for this project.

Printable Advent Calendar from Mibo

This is the easiest of all the advent calendars to create, and it literally takes 10 minutes...you could also reuse it, if you're so inclined.
Since today is December first, I recognize it's a bit late to be posting this, but maybe of you work really fast you could get at least one of these beauties done by the weekend. Your kids won't mind opening five mini gifts at once, I'm sure...neither will you, if that's your situation!

24 Days to go!