Happy Holidays!

Hope you have a Happy Holiday!

I'll be enjoying a small break and will return to blogging the first week of 2010!!

Thank you for such a wonderful, busy year...

**And that funky new hat is in the shop!**

Something For Me

I have been itching to make myself a skirt to match Isa's Christmas dress that I sewed for her. Finally this past weekend, I found some time. I really wanted a bubble skirt. Honestly, I don't know why. They aren't especially flattering on my hourglass shape, but I just *wanted* one!

I used Vogue's - Very Easy Pattern.

I love what some "easy" is defined as..

It took me just over 2 hours. It is fully lined

(I used this scrumptious red silky lining.. why not it's the holidays, right?!)

My only word of caution is checking the measurements against what you actually are. I did 2 sizes up from what my jeans are, and it's still snug.. granted there has been a fair amount cookie nibbling and eggnog drinking..

And alas it turned out I didn't have enough fabric. I improvised and I think it makes for a fabulous change. I had enough fabric for 1 full skirt side. For the other, I just folded up the pattern till it fit the amount of fabric I had left. This worked in this situation because there is a serious amount of fullness and lots of leeway for less fabric.

When putting the dress together, I simply added a faux seam an equal amount of room away from where the 2 sides joined. The only other changed that followed was that I moved the zipper from the side to now the back. Thus, there is a visible seam on the yoke in the middle of my belly, but I honestly think it looks awesome and fully intended...which it partly was..

New Pictures!

Although I love taking photographs, I learned a long time ago that my Etsy listings that sell the best are the ones with photographs taken by professionals.

Here are some new shots & I will be creating listings later tonight!

Triana Ord Photography

Utah County

http://blog.trianaordphotography.com

Andrea Loftin

http://www.tummies2tots.net

Ginger Lover

Yes, I love Gingers! What can I say, my pops was a red headed freckled faced Ginger....

I also love *Gingerbread* (which surprisingly, my Ginger pops hates..lol) We took Isabelle to a fabulous Gingerbread village display at the Grand American in downtown SLC. This hotel is swank with a capital S! And of course our angel in her fur coat stomped around the joint like she was a Hilton heir. You can see the pics of our outing on my personal blog later this evening.

In honor of the this tasty holiday treat, here are a few of my favorite Etsy ginger items..

Gingerbread Man (Multicolor Felted Soap) by SoFino

Gingerbread Man Bowl by Thebrickkiln

Gingerbread Fudge by VintageConfections

***Pictures are owned by their respective Etsy shop owner and they retain their copyright***

Time Out For Cookies

I take my Holiday cookies seriously.. very seriously. I have all this coming Saturday blocked out to bake and watch my favorite holiday flicks: "A Christmas Story", "It's A Wonderful Life", and "Elf".

My daughter is still a little too young to make sugar cookies with, she's barely 21 months. I really wanted to find a way to include her in one of my favorite holiday activities. As if Twitter read my mind, I came across this posting about pie crusts cookies. And in my freezer I have an obscene amount of pie crusts, why I do not know..but I do!

This is the *perfect* baking activity for a toddler! It's low mess, quick, and a great way to introduce your littlest baker into the kitchen.

(recipe courtesy of Rachel Hobson over at Craftzine)

1. Leave pie crusts out till the are room temperature. Roll out very thinly on a lightly floured

surface. Pre heat oven to 350.

2. Cut out fun holiday shapes with cookie cutters.

3. Brush cookies with melted butter.

4. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

5. Bake for about 17 minutes & enjoy!

** 10% All Etsy orders till 12/15 - enter code "Cookies" in the notes to seller. **