O Christmas Tree...

is finally undecorated (not the easiest task in the whole world!) I always dread the process of taking the tree out, but look forward to a clean slate for a new year. Minus the one strand of lights that went out during the season, this was one of my favorite trees. I must say that every year! The one strand of lights stressed me out a bit, but once all of those glass ornaments are hung safely on the branches, there is no going back in! Purchase all new lights for next year - check.

And, these guys are FINALLY starting to settle down a bit!

Wishing you a happy, healthy and peaceful 2009!

Christmas secrets revealed - part 1!

Well, some of you were surprised with my jewelry under your tree Christmas morning. I cannot begin to tell you how exciting it was to make these pieces and know they would be wrapped and opened by unsuspecting recipients! I spent part of Christmas day wondering what the reactions would be. While I only took pictures of some of the pieces I had made (many I was just trying to get out of the door in time!), I could not share any of them with you until presents had been opened. So, over the next several days, I plan to share some of these pictures with you all. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas!

Christmas wishes...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Winner!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:18
Timestamp: 2008-12-13 04:10:47 UTC

Sorry it has taken me so long! I actually had the winner selected Friday, but have just found the time to post the news. I saw Sonya Saturday, so she is already wearing her "Peace" necklace. It looks fantastic on her, and I hope she enjoys it. As for what the remainder of my week holds...probably not a whole lot of blogging! I am fast and furiously finishing up Christmas gifts. My goal is to have them in the hands of everyone no later than this weekend. I would really love to enjoy the few days leading up to Christmas. This is also the last week of school, so I am getting kindergarten and preschool presents ready to go. I'll try to focus on posting some pictures once gifts are delivered. Hope you all have a great week!

peace...

Who couldn't use a little more peace in their life? Well, the least I can do is give you a chance to win a necklace that is stamped with the word. I told you I'd finally get around to getting the December giveaway posted! I have been working so hard getting caught up on Christmas orders, that this month has really been slipping away. Anyway, this necklace is a small sterling rectangle with rounded corners, hand-stamped and simply reads "peace." It is topped with the most adorable sterling silver dove and hangs on a 16" ball chain. You should be able to click on the picture to see more detail. It really is quite neat. So that I can get it to the winner before Christmas, we really need to get this giveaway underway!

As always, all you have to do to enter is to leave a comment. In your comment please share with me what is on the top of your Christmas wish list! If you refer someone else who leaves a comment, have them mention your name. Your name will be entered for this necklace as many times as others mention hearing about this giveaway from you...just a little incentive to spread the word! A winner will be chosen no later than Friday, so start commenting and sharing the good news with others. Can't wait to hear from you!

a giveaway - just not from me (quite yet!)

I know I thought it might be the end of this week when I got my December giveaway piece posted, but it probably won't be until tomorrow night. I still have a little to do to it, but I think it will be worth the wait! On a good note, though, my talented friend Wendi IS having a giveaway. Wendi is the one who does the fantastic embroidery, and her giveaway is just in time for Christmas! This is the information she sent to me:

Hey y’all! Stop by my website http://www.alphabetsoupembroidery.com/ and enter to win a $25 gift certificate. And when you refer a friend and he/she mentions your name in the Comments Box, you'll be entered twice!! So feel free to forward this e-mail on to all your friends. The drawing will be held on December 19 at 8:00 pm, so enter today! (Complete entry details are available on my website, so check it out.)

Now, don't forget to mention me when you enter! I'd love to win a gift certificate to shop with Wendi. Take my word for it...you'll love her stuff!

the holiday rush

Okay...I'm usually much better (at least a little better) about posting than I have been. Thanksgiving was fantastic, but amazingly busy. We had a wonderful time with my parents and friends in Washington. When we returned home, I had to get the house decorated for the Christmas photo shoot Burke was doing Saturday. Since that time, I've culled through tons of pictures to get proofs to clients in time for Christmas card processing. All of the people we photographed were so beautiful, so narrowing down the pictures was not the easiest part of the job - yet it is MY part of the job! On Sunday afternoon I noticed that our beloved golden retriever, Broker, was acting quite ill. After we returned from Bible study that evening, he was really awful. Walker had a migraine, and Broker was sick - not a fun house that night. Needless to say, we didn't sleep a wink. Broker was tested for many things (cancer was the scariest for us since we lost his sister to cancer 5 years ago.) As it turns out, they think he simply had a bacterial infection and needed fluids and antibiotics. The boys and I are heading out this afternoon to pick him up. We are all so ready for him to be home and underfoot again! So.....with all of that, this is my first post in quite a while.

I'm working on some very fun jewelry to fulfill Christmas orders. I just love doing what I do! Stick around this week because my plan is to get the December giveaway made and posted by Friday. I think you'll really like it. I'll keep you posted! Have a great week.