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Christmas Craft Show Open House

  

My Mom and I hosted a craft show at my house over the weekend. My Mom used to do craft shows with my older sister back in the 90's but this was new territory for me. Although I have recently developed an interest in all things crafty I have little craft experience to speak of. We came up with the idea at the end of September sitting in the garage during our garage sale but we didn't really REALLY decide to go for it until around Halloween. So, basically 6 weeks to throw the whole thing together - and that included actually MAKING all of the crafts!!! Talk about a crash course for this girl who, two months ago, didn't know one end of a glue gun from the other! Anyway, my Dad (who will be 80 years old in March) put up a bunch of signs for us (in the snowing 20 degrees weather - thank you Dad!) and my husband made homemade cookies and hot apple cider and kept the fireplace going as we nervously opened the doors! I think the snow kept some people away but we did have some visitors throughout the weekend and most of them actually bought something! Really? Something I made. You actually want. to. pay. money. for. something. I. made? Really? Get out!

We even had a drawing to give away some fresh cut trees that we grew on our property! We had them on the porch as people came in the front door. :)

Here are a few snippets of our "craft shop".....

Thanks for stopping by!

I am linking up at the following parties. Won't you join me?

Merry Christmas! (Better Late Than Never)

From our family to yours!

I'll be back after the New Year and I can't wait to read all of your wonderful holiday stories and see all of your beautiful pictures!

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I originally planned on posting this on Christmas Eve but stuff got in the way......you know how that goes, right? Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I promise to visit all of my blog friends in the upcoming week! I can't wait to read about your holidays and to see what you are up to now. As for me, I am exhausted (I know, shocker) and today is the day that I begin my organization transformation!

Basically, I'll be cleaning my house. But in an organizing and transforming kind of way.

2010 is my year to finally get my act together! I'm going to clean like I've never cleaned before. I'm going to organize like I've never organized before. I'm going to containerize (as in storage containers and LOTS of them) like I've never containerized before. I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!!

Sorry, I got a little carried away there for a second.

So, let the games begin. 'Cuz Pajama Mama is in da house and she's ready to get her clean on!

For shizzle.

Christmas Memories

Apparently, three year old future Pajama Mama wasn't a big fan of the jolly old man in the red suit. (circa 1970)

My brother Scott, sister Kelly, sister Jennifer and me. Notice my arm around Jennifer? Every single picture of us growing up, I had my arm around my baby sister. (circa 1971)

My FAVORITE Christmas present OF ALL TIME!!! My Dad built this four and half foot tall Barbie house for my sister Jennifer and me! It was made of all wood and had fancy paneling and carpet! My Mom searched the whole summer before for furniture at garage sales and items she was able to order through the mail, so the house could be fully furnished by Christmas. It even had a garage!! I don't think I have to tell you that we were the hit of neighborhood. At least with the female crowd ages 5-13. My Mom still has it at my parents house (but I think it would look better at mine - wink wink!) (circa 1977)

Ray on Christmas morning, age 4.

Ben looks a lot like his Daddy did! (circa 1967)

Christmas card 2004.

Christmas card 2007.

What are your favorite Christmas memories?

Because It's Just Not Christmas Without A Turquoise Seal

From top to bottom:

1. We made Christmas cookies! Do not fret, they taste better than they look.

2. Ben and his teacher at his class Christmas party.

3. Our "Days 'til Christmas" countdown banner.
4. Notice my beautiful staples at the top? Nice touch, don't you think?

5. Getting messy making ornaments.

6. Our painting station.

7. My attempt at trying to paint cool looking designs.

8. Ben's ornaments. Notice the turquoise seal?

9. Ali proudly showing off her ornaments.

10. And......BAM!!

A Northwoods Kind Of Christmas (Sort Of)

We don't live in the Northwoods. Sorry to disappoint if you we're expecting to see pictures of a cozy little cabin nestled deep in the tall pines of northern Wisconsin. We do, however, live in a cozy little cabin in Illinois! Close enough, huh? My father-in-law does live in northern Wisconsin, if that counts. (By the way, if you have the opportunity to visit northern Wisconsin and you love fishing, snowmobiling and relaxing - I highly recommend it. Not that I love to fish or snowmobile......but relaxing, that I can do.)

Since we live in a log home, I was so excited when I found these Northwoods-y Christmas ornaments at a garage sale this past summer. And if you know anything about me, it's that I love my garages sales. The ornaments were brand new (still with tags) and I snagged them for 50 cents each.

Two words: cha ching.



















I realize that a fishing themed Christmas tree might not be every body's cup of tea. I get that. Because, honestly, before I found these ornaments I never would have thought of myself as an outdoors-y Christmas tree decorating kind of woman. Especially since I love all things sparkly.

Plus the fact that I don't really do outdoors. Too many bugs.

But, you know what? My northwoods Christmas tree has grown on me. And nothing says Merry Christmas like jolly old St. Nick in flannel, a tackle hat and proudly displaying his trophy trout.

Kind of brings a tear to my eye.