Wild Woman is on vacation beginning December 9!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
xo karon
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Monday, December 8, 2014
Monday, December 16, 2013
Happy Holidays!
I'm taking a bit of a break from blogging and such for the next couple of weeks. I hope you share a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends and I'll see you in 2014!
~peace
karon
Saturday, December 7, 2013
A few holiday images from The Garden Shed
...instant downloads that are lovely for do-it-yourself gift tags, Christmas photo cards and holiday memories~ come see!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
A Holiday Table ~ Rustic Handmade Elegance in Red, White and Black
start with fabulous red dishes!
I found these in the sale section at the supermarket a couple of years ago. They were a great deal and are so pretty on the table!
Choosing a theme or colors will help organize you and tie your decorations together making your table the talk of the party! Pick something you love or already have pieces on hand to use - this should be fun to prepare! I never throw out anything I think I might use on a table and am always picking up little bits and pieces on sale. Just this week, I found four wooden 3D snowflake ornaments, three aqua blue and one pale golden yellow - I just know they will find a place on one of my tables in the near future!
For this table (and party), I found the most gorgeous heavy cotton fabrics in patterns of fresh red and white - they have an almost Scandinavian flair. I designed three patterns for ornaments, one each for a heart, dove and skinny evergreen. Handsewn and decorated with snowflake cutouts and stamped initial charms, they are a charming personalized party favor as well as pretty decoration for the table!
I usually set the table in layers. Here, a Christmas red tablecloth is the base. Brown kraft paper comes next - it's great for sharing an inspiring quote, having guests sign or leave a message as a souvenir of our dinner or a canvas of entertainment for the kids to draw and color. I use this a lot! Wide ribbon or wrapping paper runners are a colorful, easy and inexpensive way to add a third layer of interest. This sparkly red and white striped ribbon was in a gift wrap basket at the grocery store (and will reappear this season somewhere else!).
Black felt snowflake place mats anchor the centerpiece of the table. A mix of ornaments, candles, branches, holiday napkins, white candles and a sprinkling of silver glitter finish it off!
Let's Eat!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Fabulous Stocking Stuffers for Your Guy!
Check out these great Stocking Stuffers from the Artisan's Collaborative
for the man in your life!
1. Chunky Cowl from Little Shop of Crochets, $20
2. Fire Plane Photograph from Bleu Oiseau, $34
3. So It Goes, Typography Print from Islays Terrace, $12
4. Italian Silk Tie from MeshuMaSH, $18
5. Retro Pep Band Tee from Dotto, $10
Click on the main photo to see all our shops' gifts for Him!
Happy Shopping!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
It was a Christmas Dinner Luau!
Everyone knows I love a good dinner party -- especially if I get to do the decorating. Christmas day here in New Brunswick dawned sunny and bright (and just a tad cooler than in the Hawaiian Islands!). It was a perfect day for our Christmas Dinner Luau for 20.
I spent part of the weekend before digging about in my stash of decorating bits and pieces, searching the supermarket for whole pineapples and papaya and hacking fronds from my tropical house plants. A sale at a local department store yielded garlands of white silk poinsettias, two dozen flower leis, palm tree foil confetti and some citrus-y hued ornaments. I even found a Tiki balloon on a stake and planted him in a flower pot in the corner. The finishing touch was my set of 8 tropical leaf plates that I received as a gift a few years ago. The number and variety of plates in our house is a long-standing joke around here -- my husband often asking if I'm expecting 50 for dinner :) My philosophy is you never know when you'll need 8 tropical leaf plates and clearly, I have been proven right!
My niece greeted everyone with a flower lei and a welcoming Aloha! She and her brothers were very excited -- Santa brought them a trip to visit Maui in March so their gifts from us followed a perfectly tropical theme as well - 'coupons' for boogie boards and dinner with their aunt and uncle while they are on the island. We were grateful for a wonderful dinner and especially having everyone together -- A good time was had by all!
Mele Kalikimaka!
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Seeing RED! Holiday Preview...
I am lovin' all shades of red for this holiday season - drop by and find a festive lovely for your seasonal celebrations or that special someone on your gift list!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Fredericton Fall Craft Show was a huge success!
It was a mild rainy weekend, perfect weather for Fredericton's Fall Craft Show, held at the Capital Exhibit Center this past weekend. The show was expanded to three days this year giving plenty of time for the lovers of handmade to visit and indulge themselves!
Friday and Saturday were like old home week! It was wonderful to see and chat with friends, family and many loyal local customers who dropped by the show.
It was also great to catch up with several of my 'maker' friends that I haven't seen since last season and meet some new artisans too (hi Donna!). Wishing everyone a fabulous and busy holiday crafting season~
Many thanks to the those who began their holiday shopping or indulged themselves with one of my creations and also to the organizers for their hardwork and dedication to the handmade community right here in my hometown!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
...that time of year
When I was teaching, August brought all the things I needed to do for back to school into my dreams. I'd lay awake at night with plans for my classroom, kids and school going around and around in my mind! These days, August brings my 'to do' list for the holiday season front and center and I MUST write it all down and get it out of my head or I won't sleep a wink until I do!
So, in no particular order, here goes:
1. Shipping and Packaging
* Order shipping supplies - jewelry boxes, shipping boxes, bubblewrap, envelopes, tissue paper, ribbon, business cards and customs forms
* Prep shipping area - precut bubblewrap, ribbon, tissue
* Begin to prepare holiday themed Thank You notes
* Gather and prepare gift wrapping - boxes, paper, ribbon, gift tags
* Find out Canada Post's shipping deadlines for the holiday season and post in my shop. Add to Message to Buyer for completed purchases.
2. Shop
* Change banner and avi to holiday theme
* Update shop sections
* Update shop announcement, policies, profile
* List all holiday items including new pieces, gift sets, ornaments and holiday themed items
* Stay on top of all paperwork
3. Inventory
* Stock up on raw materials - make a list of what I need and order by September 1
* Pre-make as many pieces as possible
* Photograph all new pieces
* Tag all items
* Create new pieces for the holiday season.
4. Promotions
* Plan and prepare all holiday promotions
* Prepare monthly newsletters for September to December
* Keep blog up to date
* Keep FanPage up to date
* Stay active on my team and community and make some fabulous treasuries!
5. Local Events - Prepare inventory and booth for each of the following:
* Fredericton Fall Craft Show - October
* Christmas at the Market - November
* Christmas in the Village in Gagetown - November
* The Kubbyhole - October to December
6. Personal
* Gift shopping - make list
* Gift wrapping, mail away gifts by November 30
* Holiday decorating - boughs and lights outside, tree and inside decorations
* Plan Christmas dinner and invite guests
soooooo-- lots to do but I feel so much better! what's on your list?
karon xo
Monday, January 9, 2012
Handmade Holidays
My Christmas shopping experience this year was the easiest ever! It was my hope to find handmade gifts for as many friends and family members as possible...and now that everyone has received their lovelies, I can't wait to show you all what I found!
ohlittlerabbit creates the most wonderful colorful screenprinted organic cotton teatowels, veggie bags, bedding, aprons and other housewares -- they arrived perfectly wrapped in brown craft paper -- so charming, I wanted them all for myself! I'll be returning for more.
Peace sign studs in sterling silver from Michelle Chang are delicate and just right for my 'peace-sign-loving-niece'-- she's worn them everyday since Christmas!My writer friend loved this handmade journal made by Cheri Ucci of Paperfetish Designs. The handsewn binding is of very good quality and the cover is treated with gesso, ready for her own artistic work. I love it too!
These gorgeous blue felted mittens were made by a local knitter who was a member at the Kubbyhole -- they are so warm and match my niece's winter jacket like they were made for her!
Delightful in everyway are these whimsical zipper magnets from AmaliaVersaci in cool blues and greens and warm yellows, orange and red. Opening the package was a visual treat, with each set boxed and tied with a Christmas red zipper - so lovely!Rachel Awes awesome artwork is printed on her beautifully inspiring greeting cards and were perfect for my sister. Each was carefully wrapped in cello and the set was tied with a pretty ribbon!
Everyone loved their unique presents and it was a wonderfully enjoyable Christmas shopping experience! I know where I'll be 'headed' next November!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Handmade Holidays ~ Blue Christmas Gift Guide for Her
1. Sapphire Gemstone Earrings, by JarosDesigns 2. Glitter Blended Blue Fingerless Gloves, by bysweetmom 3. Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Necklace, by moonovermaize 4. Knitted Cowl, by theYarnKitchen 5. Blue Flower Wall Collage - Daisy Delight, by Arthur and Olive 6. Blue Circle Skirt, by AliceClosetPerfect gifts for a Blue Christmas!
Friday, October 28, 2011
...is it too early for Christmas music?
methinks not! I mean, really...what is it about Halloween that makes me want to hear Little Drummer Boy?
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Ye Olde Candy Shoppe...
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A Christmas Carol
'I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.'
~ Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
*******
A Christmas Carol, one of my favorite holiday stories, has inspired several new designs for the holiday season. Images of the Victorian Era-- carolers, lamplight, snowfalling, candles on the Christmas tree, songbooks, holly, delectable sweets and ringing bells as well as the more elaborate details of design from the time period have had some influence... Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
snowflakes, hearts, leaves...and a Saturday afternoon
Sophie, my 9 year old niece, spent last Saturday at our house-- the sun was shining, autumn was in the air and it was a perfect afternoon to spend creating! We spent a couple of hours drawing and designing projects-- hers to be completed in playdough and mine in precious metal clay. We chatted about winter and the approaching holidays (which we are all going to spend at the lake!), stories and words. Here are some of my creations that began on that lovely afternoon...xo
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Havin' A GREAT Weekend!
Saturday dawned bright and sunny and mild and I headed to our local garden center for boughs and berries to pretty up our front porch (what do you think of our PINK front door ~ my husband takes a fair bit of ribbing over that door from all his manly friends and just about anyone who sees it, really...poor guy). I've been on the hunt for snowberries this time every year for the past few and I hit the jackpot yesterday ~ bunches and bunches available for the taking (well...buying).I even had my hubby out helping with the Christmas lights with just a minimum of grumbling ("This is what you consider quality together time????" - direct quote)...anyhow...I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of hours of arranging, bow-tying(?), and lighting the place up in order to attract as much holiday attention as possible. Here are a few photos...
and, on a couple of happy Etsy notes, my beaded star ornament is featured in Friday Finds, Thoughtful Gifts Under $50 - THANKS and whooohooo! It brought enough shoppers to reach my 500th sale!!!! Yay! Thanks so much everyone!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
holiday earrings
The Christmas music has been playing at my house for over a week now (I know...I'll be good and tired of it before the end of November, but I just can't resist right after Halloween!). Anyway, the notes of Frosted Window Panes and Silent Night to name just a couple, have sparked my holiday mood and inspired some new earrings! Drop by the shop to check out these and more ~ Enjoy!
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