Starting.....

Do you have that one blog or website that no matter how you are feeling you know you can go to and you will be inspired, motivated, or just plain happy? For me I have a few, but there is one in particular that if you were to scroll through my "inspiration" tab you will find over and over again. Elise Blaha's website, Enjoy It is the source of my inspiration and motivation many times. Today she wrote a post about a "Fresh Start". Yet again she inspired me with a short and simple post. Her words "Just Start" were what I've been needing to read and hear.

My mind is now bubbling with excitement and focus. I am working on my one word for the new year, thinking about merging my 2 blogs so I only have 1 blog to update and allow my customers to get to know me better, and finalizing my 34 before 35 list(can't wait to share it). Working on New Year's decorations to put in the shop. Hope to have those there this weekend. Hoping the roads aren't too bad so I can go to the library tomorrow. I have a couple things that came in today that I can't wait to get my hands on, one is a book on book binding and another is a dvd about the movement to a handmade nation. I am also determined to watch Eat, Pray, Love sometime soon. I know it's not a Christmas movie, but something is telling me I need to watch it soon. I haven't read the book so all that I've read about not liking the movie after reading the book doesn't bother me.

So with all this I am feeling much better, still a little under the weather, but my mental state is much better. Looking forward to new beginnings, new ideas, and starting....NOW!!

10th Day of Christmas

Favorite Christmas songs(traditional and non-traditional)

1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas-by far my favorite Christmas song of all. As for the version, either Martina McBride or the Pretenders.

2. Thank God For Kids-Kenny Chesney or the Oakridge Boys. Not really a "Christmas" song, but for some reason I only listen to it at Christmas. It is on Christmas cd's so maybe that's why.

3. The Gift-Colin Raye and Jim Brickman. LOVE this song.

4. Let it Be Christmas Everywhere-Alan Jackson. I don't know what it is about that song.

5. Mary, Did you Know?-Donny Osmond. Such a beautiful song.

6. 364 Days to Go-Brad Paisley. This song reminds me of my mom so much. She LOVES Christmas and everything that it entails.

7. River-Robert Downey Jr, from the Ally McBeal Soundtrack. Love his voice on this song.

8. Hot Chocolate and The Polar Express-Tom Hanks. One of my favorite movies and the soundtrack is just as amazing.

9. Little Wood Guitar-Sugarland. This is the first year I've heard this song and from the first listen I was in love.

10. Silent Night. Josh Groban and Paul Potts are 2 of my favorite versions. Such a beautiful song.

What are your favorite non-traditional and traditional Christmas songs?

11th Day of Christmas

11 Pictures I want to remember to take.

1. Mom's Dining room table covered in all the goodies. She goes all out baking and I can't wait to see the table covered.

2. Tree on Christmas Eve. Lights all off, just the lights on the tree, packages all along the bottom.

3. Everyone dressed for Midnight(10:00) Mass.

4. Stockings all hung on the fireplace.

5. The kids Christmas morning with their Santa gifts.

6. The living room after we open presents before it gets cleaned up.

7. The snow we have right now.

8. The little bits of decoration we have at home.

9. The trees in all the rooms at my mom's house. She puts a tree in everyone room or decorates every room, including the main bathroom. It has a Santa Outhouse theme. So adorable.

10. My mom's kitchen while we are rushing to get all the last minute goodies and stuff for Christmas Eve baked and then once we have it all clean for Christmas Eve Dinner.

11. The tree with no presents under it after they are all opened.

Already planning a mini book in my head of the Christmas pictures. Have some ideas of some cool spins on the traditional pictures.

12 Days of Christmas Day 1

Last night as I was trying to fall asleep I was thinking about what if anything I wanted to do for the 12 Days of Christmas on the blog. I'm going to keep it fun and easy. Today is 12 movies I want to watch before it's time to put them away.

1. Holiday Inn (Special Edition)- I am a black and white movie junkie. This is one of my favorites. I've actually thought about leaving it out and watching it all year, but then there is something special about only watching it at Christmas.

2. Home Alone- I still laugh so hard I cry at this movie. Even though I know everything that is going to happen, I can't help but laugh as the bad guys get bashed, burned, poked and slammed.

3. The Polar Express (Full Screen Edition)-Seriously one of my favorite Christmas movies ever. I remember when we first bought it Dart watched it multiple times a day. The music is some of my favorite Christmas music too.

4. Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition) and Miracle on 34th Street- I love both versions. I have already watched the new version twice this year, but will watch it at least one more time.

5. It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)- Another of my favs. I still get teary eyed when I watch it.

6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition)- Another one we've already watched a couple of times, but will watch again. I love the neighbors, they crack me up almost as much as Clark himself.

7. A Christmas Story (Two-Disc Special Edition)- My husband's absolute fav, we even have the board game. I think we are going to watch this one tonight in fact.

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas- I decided earlier that this will become the movie we watch every December 1st. The speech Linus gives about the meaning of Christmas is a great way to begin the month.

9. Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Full Screen)- Another love in our house.

10. I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown- I love Rerun on the back of the bike. And Spike, Spike has always been a favorite of mine. Even had a Spike stuffed animal when I was little.

11. Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (Disney Gold Classic Collection), Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas, Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse-Something about all the Disney characters to love at Christmas too.

12.Santa Claus - The Movie-This movie has been one of my favorites for as long as I can remember. I remember seeing it when I was little and then for years I couldn't find it. I will never forget the day I found it on DVD.

Okay, after doing this list I realized 2 things. 1. I better get to watching movies. 2. There are at least another 12 I want to watch before Christmas is here or over.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Thoughts in my head

So I'm thinking about some different changes I want to make to Pink Owl. Well not really changes, but additions. Working on my product list, referral program ideas, sales, and so much more. Trying to decide what all I want to do with this blog; just projects and business updates is what I'm thinking, but at the same time I want you as the readers to want to keep coming back. I have another blog that I update all sorts of things on and am trying to keep it mostly non-business related.

Some of the things I am working on and hope to have in the Etsy store this week are custom banner listing, hair clips, card sets, and a wallet type thing I want to give my hand at sewing. As far as the custom banner listing, it will basically be a listing that you don't actually purchase, just gives the info on what type of banners could be created. Then you would be able to send me a convo and we would work out the details of what type of banner, wording, colors, etc you want.

Just something cheery to brighten your day. 

7 on Sunday

I feel horrible tonight so I'm sure this list will be short.

1. Kids had breakfast with Santa on Saturday. Love going to the place we go every year. Will post pics later this week.

2. I am way behind on my December Daily postings. Need to catch those up this week.

3. Took Audrey to see Junie B. Jones Jingle Bells, Batman Smells Saturday. My mom got the tickets and was so looking forward to taking her. Instead my mom got sick and spent Saturday in bed.

4. Dart is going to go to bed one of the happiest boys in the world tonight. Why? Because he got to watch his Jacksonville Jaguars play and win today. And as I'm typing this the Eagles are winning as well.

5. Trying something new for myself regarding to do list everyday. Making a list of things I must get done this week and also listing each day for those things that need to be done or we want to do on those days. Like remembering that this week is the Biggest Loser Finale(hoping Patrick wins, but will be happy if Frado does as well). Will let you know how I like it.

6. Also working on a list of things I want to blog about. One of those things is craft fairs. Will give more info on that later, but if you have attended one in the last 6 or so months or even had a booth in one will you email me at scrapnmom77@gmail.com, if you would be willing to share your experience and answer a few questions for me.

7. Thinking about doing a 12 days of Christmas thing starting tomorrow. Won't be anything major or anything, just some fun stuff.

I'm going to bed extra early(at least for me, bedtime is usually around midnight if not later). Hoping that by going to bed early I will wake up feeling better.

Card Sets

If you are still looking for gift ideas for teachers or friends, I'd like to suggest card sets. I think I featured them on the 25 days of Handmade Gifts, but just in case you forgot or didn't see them. Giving cards is like giving 2 gifts in 1. Think about, you give your friend/teacher a set of greeting cards, they then are able to turn around and use the cards to give to a friend, etc. We all have a ton of "stuff" in our houses and most of us if we are honest don't need more knick knacks(besides that just means more to dust around), so giving cards is great. How many times have you rushed to the store last minute to buy a card and stood there staring at the choices. You pick a card out, read it and after repeating that process about 20 times you finally find one that will work. You go to the check out and hand over $5.00 for a card. Seriously card prices are insane(or at least I think so). And where do those cards end up 9 times out of 10, recycle box(well hopefully if they get thrown out that's where they go, not the trash).

Small square cards. Great for kids birthday cards.

Regular size birthday cards. Great for sending to a friend.

Small mix greetings. Great for anytime you need a quick card.

Small mix greeting. I think these are great for kids.

I love making mixed greeting sets to give to teachers and friends. Aside from not spending a ton on 1 card, you might be more inclined to send a Thinking of You card to a friend who could use a pick me up if you already had them on hand. Who wouldn't love to find a card in the mail mixed in with all the bills and junk.

If you are interested in ordering a set shoot me an email or convo me through etsy and we can work out the details. Regular size cards come with envelopes even. If you would like envelopes for the smaller cards we can work that out, they just don't mail well and so I don't include envelopes. That is what makes them great for kids birthday's, a gift you are handing a friend, or even to drop in someones lunch box.