Happy New Year!

Good morning!

I can hardly believe that it's New Year's Eve...and judging from the chatter out in blog land I'm not alone! Are you ready to say goodbye to 2010 and jump into 2011? I am!

I have some changes in mind for this little blog of mine and a renewed motivation to share whatever project I'm immersed in. I thank you for joining me post after post and hope that you will stick around for even more projects.

Before I sign off for the weekend, I wanted to share my word of the year for 2011. I've read a lot of them this week....simplify, cultivate, bliss, love, etc. and it didn't take me long to settle on my word. I have chosen APPRECIATE.

Have you chosen a theme word for 2011?

Kathy Mattea - Mary Did You Know?

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Christmas 2010

Good Monday morning everyone!

We are down to the wire now with only 5 days until Christmas. Are you ready? My to-do list consists of:

1) Christmas Dinner grocery shopping
2) Baking
3) Finishing up a few Christmas cards

That's not too bad right? Wish me luck because if there is one thing I'm good at, it's procrastination! :o)

I snapped some photos around the house this weekend and as promised, am sharing them with you this morning. I tend to keep things simple....I'd much rather have a few things that I love than a bunch of things I don't. It helps me to focus on what's most important to me during this busy time of the year.

Nativity Set

Day Tree

Night Tree

I pray for a blessed Christmas for all of you!

Handmade Christmas....

Good morning everyone!

I wanted to pop on here and say that I didn't fall off the face of the earth....and that I appreciate the emails making sure that I'm okay and checking in on me. You guys are too sweet!

It's been a busy season with Thanksgiving, then a birthday and now Christmas so my blogging time has been cut way down. And while our shopping list is pretty small this year, it's just not the same without something handmade!

Jolly Holiday

Merry and Bright

Both of these sets start with a stationary gift box with misc. cards/envelopes, tags, stamps, a pen and a notebook for writing things down. It's a perfect gift for the someone who has everything! Then add in a little chocolate card and a anti-bacterial hand gel holder and you are all set to go! :o)

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season and that you are taking the time to experience it to the fullest. Be sure to come back Wednesday for a tour of my own Christmas home!



Linking to:

Additional Favorite Christmas Projects....

Happy Friday everyone!

As promised, here are a few more of my favorite past Christmas projects.....



Have a good weekend!

Past Christmas Projects....

Good morning guys!

Like I said on Monday, this is a crazy busy week but I wanted to post something to jump start the holiday spirit here on Kaufman's Cottage! Today and tomorrow I'll be featuring some of my favorite past Christmas projects and will show you some new things next week.

Enjoy!

A paper bow with a matching gift tag and card...

A challenge card made with some sweet, sweet friends...

A 6x6 scrapbook page

And finally some Christmas cards done in non-traditional colors....

I hope you were inspired to create something handmade this holiday season and be sure to return tomorrow for more fun ideas!

Kristen's Gingerbread Giveaway!

Good morning friends!

I have a busy week planned but wanted to jump on here and tell you about an awesome giveaway over at Kristen's Creations! How cute are these?! Head on over and check out Kristen's site and enter for a chance to win!

A Reminder.....

Happy Black Friday! Did you get up early and go shopping? Not this girl! While I love shopping as much as the next girl, I love my bed a little bit more at 4:00 am! :o) Can I get an amen out there?

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I wanted to share one last post on this year's festivities. It's more for myself but just in case you've wanted a glimpse into my private life, I thought I'd post it here.

Yesterday, Emma (my niece) and I were alone in the kitchen. I was moving around cooking and things were pretty quiet as everyone else was out in the garage. I'm not sure how the conversation actually started, but I made some random comment about my kitchen. I want to say it was something along the lines of wishing it was more modern but that Uncle Chris and I didn't have the money to make any changes to it right now. Emma looked me right in the eye and said, "A lot of people I know don't have all of this fancy stuff." Suddenly I could see things just a little clearer.....my grandmother's china was on the table, a pot of freshly ground coffee was just finishing and the people that I love were gathered together out in the garage. I was so busy trying to get our dinner done in my 1957 kitchen that I lost sight of all that I am blessed with and it took a 10 year old's observations to bring my focus back into perspective. I immediately stopped what I was doing and looked at her and said, "You are absolutely right. And I'm thankful for what I've been given." And I truly am.

So thank you Emma for helping Aunt Melissa see things as they really are. You bring a joy to my life like no one else and it is my deepest hope that you never lose the ability to see things like you did yesterday!

Have a good weekend!

Just One More....

I promise this is the last fall/Thanksgiving card I'm going to post this season! Is it just me that can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is almost here? I certainly hope not!

I'm not sure if I'll post anything for the rest of the week as I'd like to concentrate more on my home and family during this time. I'd like to encourage you to do the same thing....and with the risk of sounding like a broken record....

Have you found something to be thankful for today?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Gratitude....

Image from bhg.com

Good afternoon!

I hope your day is shaping up to be a good one. It's one of my favorite kind of days at home....the only thing on my agenda is puttering around doing some light housework and watching the rain turn into snow.

Plans for Thursday are all finalized and everything is purchased so that leaves me with a peace of mind. Usually I wait until the last minute to do things because I seem to always be running behind! I'm thankful that this year is different....

I wanted to leave you with a quote that sums up how I'm feeling these days. I hope you find many things to feel gratitude for today!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life....it can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home and a stranger into a friend." Melody Beattie, Author

Have a good week!

2010 Favorite Things at 320 Sycamore.....

Good Friday morning!

I've been following Melissa's Favorite Things Party all week long and wanted to share my list today! Here are a few of my favorite things in no particular order....

1. Coffee! We like it bold and strong....no sissy stuff for this girl! Right now we are enjoying the Costa Rican Blend from Costco and it is gooooooood! I couldn't find a photo on their site so you'll have to trust me on this one!

2. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation! If I could only have one makeup item for the rest of my life, this would be it. I love the even coverage and it lasts all day long. Why mess around with something that's just going to wear off?

3. My Scor-Pal! I bugged my mother for six months prior to my birthday about getting me one of these and I can't even begin to describe how much it helps me in my card/box/gift making. I love it!


4. Scotch's ATG Gun! This adhesive has saved hours and hours of taping, gluing and re-assembling my projects! While it looks huge and bulky, it's actually quite comfortable.


5. My Kitchenaid Mixer! Need I say more? Mine's Cinnamon!


6. My Coach Penelope Handbag! I saved the best for last.....I love it. It's roomy, stylish and durable. I won't give it up until it falls it literally falls off my arm!

There you have it! Why not come over and join us at the party? Have a good weekend!

Thanksgiving Menu....

It's a little late in the day, but can you believe that I've actually posted something four days in a row? I don't quite know what's come over me!! :o)

While I won't be doing printed menu's like the faux one above, I wanted to share our Thanksgiving menu while it's on my mind....

Turkey
Dressing
Mashed Potatoes (for those who don't eat Dressing)
Green Beans
Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Rolls
Pumpkin Pie

Appetizers:
Meat, Cheese and Crackers
Deviled Eggs

What are your must-haves for Thanksgiving?

Hostess Gift....

Hostess gifts are almost a thing of the past aren't they? I say, let's bring them back! A little kindness goes a long, long way. Even a store bought beverage seems more thoughtful when you add a little handmade tag to it!

Have a good evening!

Free Thanksgivng Printables....

Looking for some Thanksgiving decor that won't break the bank? How about this?

Or this?

Or even this?

All of these printables are available for free from Jessica at Craftily Ever After so head on over today and choose one for your home....

Thanks Jessica!

Have a good day!

Past Thanksgiving Projects...

Good morning!

It's hard for me to believe that the holidays are here already! And because I don't want to skip right over Thanksgiving and go straight into Christmas, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite past projects for this time of year. Enjoy!

Sweet Treat Turkey

Napkin Ring

Turkey Bag

Turkey Bucket

Pumpkin Card

Simple Box

Have you given any thought to what you are thankful for?