Cutest dogs ever! . . .

Don't you just love these five little dachshunds wearing colorful crocheted scarves on their heads?

Reblogged from here.

Handmade Fabric Gift Bags I whipped up . . .

I just wanted you to see my last minute Christmas wrapping inspiration. I actually made these gift bags on Christmas Day. I had some awkward presents to wrap and deliver and did not have any boxes. I had some fabric still on the bolt and I quickly whipped up some cloth bags. It couldn't have been easier. I did not iron the seams or anything. Just quickly measured around the item, cut the rectangle, folded it over and sewed down the side and bottom, trimmed the corners, turned inside out, and then did a quick hem at the top. I didn't put a drawstring...not enough time and too much trouble. I just bunched the top and tied with a nice ribbon.

Aren't they beautiful? The recipients might be able to use the bags for something else too! I was so pleased with myself. Sometimes it pays to procrastinate; you have to improvise and great ideas come out of thin air.

My tree is finally up | Merry Christmas . . .

I picked up a really pathetic looking artificial tree at a garage sale last week for $5.00. Now that all the branches have been re-bent and the ornaments are in place I find it to be quite pleasing. I have always had a real evergreen; remember my post about the 600 trees I planted? I just can't bring myself to buy anything but a Charlie Brown tree and the lot nearby that sold them for a reasonable price closed down last year. Now I am set forever.

I decided not to use any lights, just shiny Christmas balls. They reflect the glow from the lamps in the room very nicely. I have other ornaments that I didn't use. The tree looks very old fashioned so I am declaring it finished. Less is more, right?




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Christmas gift suggestions . . .

via kari-shma

Merry Christmas to all travelers . . .

If you find youself away from home December 25th, try to capture the spirit of Christmas wherever you can find it.

It's out there in some of the most unexpected places!

Enjoy more vintage travel trailer art here.

Today is FESTIVUS | Send your cards . . .

Today is FESTIVUS. The made-up holiday created by George Costanza on Seinfeld as an antidote for the commercialization of Christmas.

Read about the Festivus Display at the Illinois Capitol.

Don't forget to send your cards!

M is for Manicure | Great Logo . . .

I think this letter M is such a clever design for a manicure cutlery company.

I got a vintage pair of pet nail clippers for Webster at at estate sale last week. The company is still in business using this logo. I wonder if MILLERS FORGE products are guaranteed perfect today?

Google Holiday Doodle . . .

How nice.
Full-size image here.

Lego Magic (video) . . .

LEGO ~ It's a new toy every day!

Korean Jar sells for almost $4.2 Million at Auction . . .

WOW! No recession here!

San Francisco, California:
International interest pushed the price for a circa 1800 Korean jar to nearly $4.2 million at Bonhams & Butterfields on December 9, 2008 setting a new auction world record.

The rare Joseon dynasty Korean blue and white porcelain jar was sold over the telephone, to an unidentified Asian buyer after a hotly contested bidding war among more than 12 clients, bidding from the salesroom floor and via telephones.

The mid-Joseon dynasty jar was discovered by Asian art department director Dessa Goddard in a monthly appraisal event held at the company's Sunset Boulevard gallery in Los Angeles. The jar was formerly in the collection of Mrs. Fiske Warren of Boston, part of the Mount Vernon Street Warren family. It has been in a family member's Southern California home for decades.

The jar was part of a worldwide tour prior to the auction. Its pre-auction estimate was $200/300,000, and the final selling price, including buyer's premium, was $4,184,000.

"We recognized that the subject matter of the Warren jar is unique," said Goddard. "One other jar in the Osaka Museum has a depiction of San Shin [mountain spirit] and his tiger; the Warren jar shows a bearded San Shin in the act of pulling the tiger's tail while basking under a pine tree, sun and clouds. The subject of the vase, together with its masterfully executed brush work, makes the jar of great importance to collectors of Korean art."

"Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you."

This Christmas Tree is To The Point . . .

There are so many clever people out there creating wonderful Christmas images from ordinary objects.

via poppypetunia (2nd photo)

Charles Dickens Christmas Card | FREE DOWNLOAD . . .

A Merry Dickensian Christmas to You!

"PLEASE SIR, MAY WE HAVE LESS?"
This Oliver Twist parody says it all, doesn't it?

Print as many cards as you need.

FREE DOWNLOAD from THE GUARDIAN, UK

Does Santa do on-site carpentry? . . .

I wonder if Santa can find room for this in his sack? Will it fit down the chimney? Will it have to be built in place? Only Santa knows!

via flickr

Grown-Up Christmas List by Michael Bublé (video) . . .

Grown-Up Christmas List by Michael Bublé

This is so moving. Please watch. You will be happy you did. Michael Bublé has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.

Wonderful Shakespeare Holiday Card ~ A FREE DOWNLOAD . . .

This is my Christmas wish for you!

I made this Christmas card years ago and it is my all-time favorite. All you need is one sheet of card stock. After printing, fold in half and write your own personal message inside. You might want to turn the page around and run it through the printer again. When you cut the page in half you will have two large postcards or gift tags. It uses only black ink so it is very economical, yet stunning!

You can thank me by leaving a comment!

Click here for my free download.

Happens to me all the time . . .

via GraphJam.com

Did You Know? | Fantastic video . . .

Graphic video about the unbelieveable progression of information technology. Less than 5 minutes in length and well worth watching!

Did You Know? from CraigsLeads on Vimeo.