Five Things

5 Easy Placecard Ideas

We're still not quite sure what we're doing for Thanksgiving, but I like to have the details wrapped up! Here are some adorable, easy placecard ideas I came across while trolling the web:

1. Ribbon Ovals.

  

I saw this on Our Wedding, but from the photo it appears it was taken from Martha Stewart (as so many good things are!) These would be adorable in harvest colors and several different ribbons.

2. Papertrey Christmas Placecard.

This is simply too cute! I found this on Maria's Craft Room. It starts with patterned paper, stamped with the Christmas tree and finished with vellum and a button. Click on over to get a little more step-by-step.

3. Vintage Photos.

The images on these cards are taken from vintage children's books. This one is for a wedding, but I think you could easily adapt it for holidays. Think about fun cartoons (Betty and Veronica!) or Dick and Jane. Originally posted on Intimate Weddings.

4. Screen Prints.

You can buy these cuties from Pixelimpress at Etsy. Or you could probably make your own using rub-ons from Hambly on some graphic or holiday-themed patterned paper.

5. Indian Corn.

How fun! A placecard and dessert in one. Step-by-step instructions on Holiday Crafts and Creations.

What about you? What special things do you do for your holiday table? Which of these is your fave?
 

5 Ways to Simplify Your Holiday Season

Simple is good. Simple is good. Simple is good.

The holidays go completely against simplicity, with the encouragement (and desire) to do more, buy more, be more. But I'm fighting that! Here are some (five, haha!) tools to help keep your holiday season simple:

1. Read this article from professional organizer (and scrapbooker!) Aby Garvey: "5 Steps to an Organized (and Joyful) Holiday Season." No, I didn't pick it only because she lists five steps; it's actually a fabulous reminder on how to keep the season of excess under control.

2. Watch this video on creating a holiday binder from another professional organizer (who I'll be interviewing here soon) and all-around impressive person, Krista Colvin.

3. Create this handy-dandy holiday organizer (vintage ScrapHappy Christmas Countdown project!)

4. Browse the Christmas Coach's christmasorganizing.com site. I haven't fully checked out all her offerings (haven't had time to get organized -- haha!) but it looks fun.

5. Go to the queen of all things organized, Martha Stewart, for her Holiday Organizing Tips. I love how these are listed! Very easy to navigate and read.

What is your best holiday organization/planning/sanity-maintaining hint? (Mine is to go to Aruba, but unfortunately those darned kids are insisting on a tree with all the trimmings.)
 

Weekly Goals Update

After several weeks, I'm seeing some weak spots in my goal completion. See if you can find them! ;)

1. Soup Night: Yum yum -- corn and carrot chowder, adapted from a recipe sent to me by Nicole Maki. (She's got some awesome recipes on her site!). I also made bread by hand -- it was really really really really good.

2. Clothes to Consignment: Appointment on 11/30. Nothing new to report!

3. Christmas Presents: I have some ideas -- see this post.

4. Thank-You Notes: Kinsey's haven't been mailed (still!) and Callie has done one. One. Ugh.

5. Gym: Oh yeah, oh yeah -- five for five! I did go at 9 one day instead of 5:30 b/c Ben needed some homework help that morning. But I'm keeping it going! I even added five minutes onto my bike routine.

And you????

5 Reasons to Check Out Doxzen!

Breaking news: You need to check out Doxzen Pet Photos for awesome pet photography!

1. Great photography - even if you don't adore pets.

2. Paula is really cool.

3. Pets deerve some love, too!

4. It'll make you smile.

5. I said so. ;) 

5 Reasons I Write This Blog

I've been reflecting on why I blog. Why take the time to write down my daily thoughts? Why in this format? Why do I choose the topics I do?

It's not like I've got this life thing all figured out. Heck, I'm totally clueless half (or more) of the time! But I do have a strong compulsion to blog, to share, to let people know what I've discovered on the journey so far. So in a nutshell, here are the five reasons I'm dedicated to this blog:

Photo from Ravenelle

1. To Simplify. Life is tough. If I can share a quick tip or solution with someone else and help them navigate the rough waters a little easier (or with a little more fun), then I'm up for that!

Photo from HeideHo

2. To Entertain. I've been told I'm funny. I think I'm pretty funny (but then I'm easy to amuse and my standards are low). So I like making people smile -- why not do it on a large scale?

Photo from Nadya Peak

3. To Connect. I don't fit into any pre-formed box on any chart. But I know my peeps are out there! This is a great way to link up with people who see the world like I do (a little off-kilter, through rose-colored glasses). Interacting with my readers is key for me -- that's why I make an effort to answer each and every one of you (unless you don't leave your address. Then it's not MY fault!).

 

4. To Document. I don't keep a journal, even though I'm a writer. This is it, baby. If my great-great-grandkids want to know about Crazy Nonnie Lain, this is where they'll have to go. My family stories go in the scrapbooks, MY stories are here.

Photo by Loomingy1

5. To Inspire. Again, I don't have it all figured out (wish I did!). But every once in a while I get something right, or my failures are large and spectacular enough to inspire awe and incredulity. I want to be honest and authentic, to let you know there's someone else out there struggling with the same topics... sometimes experiencing a tiny success, and sometimes falling flat on her face.

Now it's your turn -- why do you read my blog? What do you like? (Yes, flattery will get you extra brownie points).

5 Super-cute, super-easy gift ideas

Yeah, the Christmas countdown has begun. It's November, canyoubelieveit??

So today I've got a round-up of super-cute, super-easy gift ideas, perfect for teachers, grandparents, or other special folks.

1. Do-It-Yourself Doodle Frame.

I actually had never seen this before - a frame that's a pad of paper that you doodle on, tear off, and doodle on again! Perfect for next to the phone or on the teacher's desk.

Wouldn't this be an awesome present when accompanied by a pack of markers or crayons? So fun! (You could even do a family photo and write nasty things about those who chose to leave their dirty socks and underwear on the bathroom floor instead of putting them in the hamper where they belong. Well, maybe not... but I'd be tempted!)

Step-by-step instructions from Tami.

2. Placemat set.

Okay, this is not particularly simple for a beginner seamstress like me, but I think with a little concentration I could do it -- and it's so darned beautiful with the fabrics Susan chose, I will have to give it a shot! (The problem is, of course, I would use all my patience creating the first placemat and the poor recipient would end up with one, instead of a set. But that's just me.)

Get step-by-step instructions via the Fiskars site here.

3. Photo Collages.

I fell in love with the craftiness of these collages when I saw them on Stacy's blog. I could easily do this in an afternoon, with the kids' help! (Actually, on second thought, I'd enjoy it much more if I did it by myself instead of with "helpers." Is that bad to say?)

Get the overview here (no step-by-step, but if I create these I'll do a detailed instruction set).

4. Simple Drawstring Bag.

Yes, "simple" is a relative term, but I think even I could do this one! (The drawstring is a different story -- that looks a little more complicated. But when winter comes around here, I may be looking for some ways to keep myself -- and the kids -- busy!)

Step-by-step instructions here. Scroll down past the drawstring instructions to the bag instructions. And if you're "advanced," try the drawstring, too!

5. Felt Aquarium Magnets.

What a great stocking-stuffer or teacher/classroom gift! These are so easy -- even for me. :) Step-by-step instructions here on the Purl blog.

What super-cute, super-easy gift ideas do you have? Do tell!

Giving Thanks

Welcome to the Giving Thanks {Blog Hop} 2009...

Thanks to some very amazing artists, over the next week, you will be able to hop around the web and find some amazing projects celebrating Gratitude and Creativity. We are very excited to be bringing you a cross-section of artisans, sharing their stories, creations, and thanks with all of you. Not everyone will post something everyday, but, there will be something somewhere everyday. You will just have to hop around and see what you can find.

Each person participating has the full list of attendees posted, so you can hop from each one to another. We hope you find something that inspires you, sparks your creativity, or reminds you to be thankful this Thanksgiving. From our house to yours, please enjoy your week and our gratitude...

Debbie Hodge http://www.debbiehodge.typepad.com
Kelly Purkey http://kellypurkey.typepad.com
Lisa Dickinson http://lisadickinson.typepad.com
May Flaum http://mayflaum.wordpress.com
Patti Milazzo http://pattimilazzo.blogspot.co m/
Stacey Kingman http://staceykingman.blogspot. com/
Stephenie Hamen http://cropgirl.wordpress.com
Margot Potter http://margo tpottertheimpatientcrafter.blogspot.com/
Lain Ehmann http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/five_things/
Margie Romney-Aslett http://www.margieromney-aslett.typepad.com/
Rhonna Farrer http://rhonnadesigns.blogspot. com/
Wendy Smedley http://wendysmedley.typepad.com/
Jodie McNally http://jodiemcnally.com/
Liz Hicks http://blogerisms.blogspot.com/
Becky Novacek http://www.beckynovacekphotography.com/
Jennifer McGuire http://jennifermcguireink.typepad.com/
Elizabeth Kartchner http://elizabethkartchner.blogspot.com/
Allison Kreft Abad http://hamblyscreenprints.typepad.com/

5 Creative Advent Calendars

I would love to take credit for all these, but no! :) I'm happy I came up with just one of the five.

1. Mini-stockings.

I created a template from cardboard and traced 48 (2 each) stockings on the washed and pre-felted thrifted wool sweaters I've been collecting. (Note: If you, unlike me, don't haunt thrift stores for cool wool sweaters to wash and felt and cut apart, you could easily create the same look from store-bought felt).

I then sewed them together, cut out numbers from regular thin craft felt with my QuicKutz, and hand-sewed the numbers on. They are then strung on a piece of ribbon or yarn with clothespins. Each day holds a holiday tradition ("Make cookies," "Watch 'The Grinch,'" etc.).

2. Vintage spools.

This adorable idea is from Cathe Holden. Pop over to her blog and get step-by-step instructions, complete with PDF downloads.

3. Pyramid Boxes.

Julie Ree created this adorable garland. I'm thinking you could do this with those cool tea boxes that Oprah loves called Tea Forte (and cost about $1 a piece), but you could also make your own using these instructions. (I bet Cricut has a template, too.)
 
4. Recycled Christmas Cards

I love the idea of recycling old cards into mini-envelopes for this calendar. Full instructions from Homespun Threads. (I think I'd change this up a bit by painting the clothespins red and green, or leaving them natural-colored and stamping or writing the day on them. Then I'd hang it over the mantle or in the kitchen.)

5. Cookie Sheet.

 

This one is an oldie but a goodie from Teresa McFayden via Craft Magazine. (I think I might make one of these this year as a decor item, and use it in conjunction with my felt stocking one. I'm thinking this would be a fun crafty project for Thanksgiving afternoon, when I'm trying to avoid washing the dishes or eating more dessert.)
 

What about you? Do you have a favorite advent calendar, or a link to a cool one online? Share!

5 Reminders

I love collecting pieces of inspiration for living a better, easier, simpler, more fulfilling life. Here are five I've come across lately that I wanted to share with you:

1. This poem from mnmlist.com: Simplicity is the path, not just the destination:

Simplicity, many people think,
is an end in itself
But they're getting it backwards
Simplicity is the path, the means
It's not a far off destination,
somewhere in the future
It's right here, right now
It's taking things one at a time
It's asking simple questions
It's taking simple actions
It's doing it slowly
It's considering and being conscious,
with everything

When you find yourself becoming overwhelmed
on the path to simplicity
Taking a complicated, frenzied path
to get there
Stop, consider, and choose
the simpler path
And take it slowly
And easily
And lovely

2. This video from Rod MacBeth:

3. This quote: “What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.” (Colette)

4. This blog. When the accident happened, I heard some of what was going on but wasn't familiar with NieNie or her story. I just discovered her blog yesterday, and was transfixed. She is beautiful - a true example of the light shining through the cracks in the vase.

5. This program. Scrappers Give Thanks is a fabulous idea, and I encourage all of you to accept the challenge! (you may find a little gift from Ella in your online goodie bag).

What about you? What's inspiring you these days? Share!

5 TV Shows I Love

You may be wondering what in the heck I'm talking about, since just the other day I posted about why we don't have TV. But that doesn't mean I don't watch my faves -- on DVD or iTunes! Here's what I can't miss (I usually watch these while scrapbooking):

1. C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation . The original, not the CSI:NY or CSI:Miami. I love this show. It's the first show, EVER, that I've felt emotionally attached to! I love the characters, the writing, the black humor... and yes, I cried when the team saved Nicky in Season 4.

2.What Not to Wear. This show is the best of reality TV. The compassion and gentleness the hosts (Stacy, Clinton, Nick, and Carmindy) show for their guests always brings a tear to my eye. I just bought What Not To Wear: Mom Makeovers, hoping they'll have some tips for me!

3.House, MD. This is a new love, recommended by several of my blog readers! Now I don't miss it - I buy the season on iTunes and watch the second it comes out. Again, black humor, great characters, a little bit of an "ick" factor. Perfect!

4. (Jon and) Kate + 8. I hate to admit it, I started watching after the huge brouhaha this past summer. I guess my own life was in such turmoil that I needed to see that someone else's life was MORE messed up!

5. ??? This is where you can help me! I have room in my rotation -- what's your can't-miss show that you think I'll love, based on my choices above? Tell tell tell! (Note: Don't recommend "Lost," "American Idol," or, "So You Think You Can Dance." I'm not interested.)