Christmas Joys

Christmas Joys


Evergreen boughs that fill our homes

With fragrant Christmas scents,

Hearts filled with the loving glow

That Christmas represents;


Christmas cookies, turkeys stuffed,

Festive holly berry,

Little faces bright with joy,

Loved ones being merry;



Parties, songs, beribboned gifts,

Silver bells that tinkle,

Christmas trees and ornaments,

Colorful lights that twinkle;



Relatives waiting with open arms

To smile and hug and kiss us;

These are some of the special joys

That come along with Christmas.


By Joanna Fuchs

Animal Themed Gifts and Tee’s

It seems you can’t go wrong when giving an animal or pet themed gift item. Animal themed gifts have a way of bringing warm fuzzy feelings or laughter to the recipient. I’ve been busy working on some cute designs featuring cats all decked out for the holidays.

Here are a few that I like.  This cool grey cat featured on this magnet is on a soft rosy background. He’s looking pretty laid back in his Santa hat.

Another cute design is this same grey cat, except along with his Santa hat he has some colourful Christmas ornaments hanging from his ear. This design can be purchased on several different shirt types like t-shirts, long sleeved tops, different fabrics and hoodies too!

The next product that would make a fun gift for a cat lover is a unique coffee mug. This cat is looking pretty cool all decked out for the holidays. Take it even further and fill the mug with someone’s favourite teas, coffee or hot chocolate mix.

Another fun animal design that I’ve created is this cute little holiday pig. He really has a lot of character, at least I think so! He’s wearing a red and white polka dot ribbon with greenery around his chubby neck. I’ve put this little fellow on several different products.

  A keychain makes a great stocking stuffer. I also put this cute little pig on a t-shirt with a great saying. ‘Ham it Up!’ Gotta love that one!

 

 

Well Happy Shopping and try not to get too stressed out!  Stop by my store for more great gift ideas. Designs by Shell

Matthew and Friends in Alaska

This picture was taken in Alaska last summer: Adam, Kyle, Joe, and my son Matthew went on that trip.  They have since been inspired to pursue the art of mountain climbing. 

Matthew sure looks comfy in this sleeping bag.  Believe it or not, that bag can tolerate weather up to -30 degrees. The picture makes me smile because I think of all the family camping trips we went on; Matthew was the one that always ended up on a root, or in a puddle, or in some way made horribly uncomfortable during the night. In spite of that he loves to camp, however, I think he's decided to sleep on hiking/fishing trips from now on.  I bet he did sleep well in Alaska. I'm looking forward to hearing all the stories when he comes home for Christmas.  I'm sure there was a bit of discomfort out in the back country, but hopefully he was warm and dry. 



It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go! Oh, that sounds like a song! No, but really I can hardly believe it’s like 5 weeks til Christmas! I guess I’m a little over half way done my shopping. How are you doing with yours? Do you have lots of ideas brewing or are you still trying to find that perfect gift for someone on your list. Perhaps I can give you a few ideas…

I’ve been designing some funny cartoon t-shirts and mugs that might suit someone you know. This t-shirt comes in long sleeve styles as well as short sleeve and is available in several different colors too! This particular one has a wide eyed cartoon dog with his tongue hanging out. A funny saying is featured too! The mug that I’ve featured has this same cartoon dog only in a Christmas scene anxiously waiting to open his gifts! Other designs I’ve been creating include snowmen and winter scenes along with some elegant holiday decoration designs.

This snow couple featured on this tree ornament makes a great little gift for friends or neighbours. The ornament can be customized by adding the year or names as desired. An apron is another great gift idea for a mom or dad that likes to cook or bake. I have many different designs in my store. This one features a cute Christmas scene with a tree, gifts and little birdies tweeting.

One more gift idea that might be cool for a teenager on your list is a unique iphone case. This is a product Zazzle just released for us to design. The one I’ve featured has cool whimsical Christmas trees and pretty snowflakes. Well have a great day and happy shopping.

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Mom

Anyone who knows my mother knows she's oozing with creativity and is very good at the artsy things she takes on.  She's so generous with her gift-- most of the things she makes she gives away.  My dad too.  Her work, like my dad's, requires a lot of patience.  She's actually painted scenes inside of Emu eggs.  I don't have any pictures of that, but I do have a picture of the puppets she made me for a halloween story I wrote involving bullies.

The troll and bowls were made by my father and my mother made the Red Hat Lady sitting on my Serger.  She, herself, is a member of the Red Hat Society.  They have the best time getting together for dinner, riding in parades, and dressing in purple and red.  The poem below is what the Red Hat Society is based on. 

                                                                                                                  

Trolls

When the temperature begins to drop and the holidays draw near, I think of my family in Minnesota.  I go on a Sentimental Journey you might say.  The Buche de Noel reminded me of my dad because I do believe he used to actually have a Yule Log for the Christmas fire when he was young. 

These trolls are hand carved by my Norwegian father.  Silly me-- I thought I'd have the patience for sculpting and bought a little tool kit with different types of blades, found a small block of soft wood  (after trying a harder wood) and discovered that this carving stuff wasn't all that easy.  When I cut my finger, I decided it wasn't fun and set the tools aside.  Anyway, after that, I had an even greater appreciation for what my dad did/does.  Did you notice all the trolls have fish on their lines?  Yep, dad's a fisherman.  They live on a lake connected to a chain of lakes so his summers are spent doing what he loves.  If he's not on the lake, he's in the garden working with rich black soil.  They have many flowers and fruit bearing plants/trees.  I love where they live.  The side of their house facing the lake has a large window.  It's very scenic and peaceful.

Buche De Noel

                                                                                                                                                           Aimee Blume, a very talented friend of mine, made this Buche De Noel to teach those who attended her Kitchen Affairs class how to do it.

This cake is inspired by the Yule logs that were traditionally burned on Christmas Eve.  Aimee did a great job making the color and texture of the cake look natural--ready for the fireplace.  She has mushrooms, fungus, leaves, and moss (all yummy) to make it real interesting to look at.  Aimee is going to make a Buche de Noel for our Christmas party as a hostess gift! How sweet is that?!

                                                                  

Holiday Cards and Party Invitations

Such a grey day out today! The perfect day to work on designs and build up inventory! Zazzle has a great sale that you may want to take advantage of, 50% off all cards and free shipping too! Apply Code ZAZZLECARD50 at checkout. Nov. 16th last day for the sale! Now that's a good deal! The party invitations and cards are all customizable. Above you'll find a small selection of some of my favourite Christmas cards and invites. To view more stop by my store Designs by Shell

Winter and Snow Themed Gifts

Well it feels cold enough out to snow but hopefully we won't see that for awhile. I love to look at snowy scenes and think about romantic walks on a snow covered trail or even sitting curled up by the fireplace on a snowy evening with your favourite book. I've designed some really cute winter scenes featuring little birdies perched on a signpost with a snowy background. Also some sweet snowmen with Christmas trees and gifts around him. If you love scenes with snowy night skys and pretty snowflakes stop by my store to view some cool items. Designs by Shell

Cancer Article, Book: A Case For Adventures by Katie Kerr

Janine Perkett, Lola Perkett, Cary Pallin, Bruce Perkett, and Eric Pallin

The woman in the blue is Cary Pallin, a Radiologist from Kenosha, Wisconsin.  What great person!  I have always admired her strength, intelligence, love of life, and sense of humor. Our kids used to play together when they were young. She's always been an inspiration, but I've been thinking about her more lately because of the recent article I did for the Evansville Courier & Press on a program called ConKerr Cancer.  It made me reflect on her job--what important work she (and her husband) take on!   One of their kids plans on following in their footsteps-- that child had an interesting internship in Tanzania.  I can't imagine...

The article I wrote was the cover article for the Warrick (the county I live in) Tab in the Courier.  The boy pictured, Ryan Kerr,  had bone cancer.  His mother started making cheery pillow cases for her son and others in the hospital when he had to be there for treatment. He has passed on, but people like Shirley Stephan, the local woman pictured above, continue to sew for other children with cancer and life threatening diseases, keeping his memory alive.  To find out more about how the program was inspired and has spread, go to http://www.conkerrcancer.com/.

The young woman holding the book is Ryan Kerr's sister, Katie.  She wrote a book A Case For Adventures to help children understand what it's like for a classmate or friend to go back to school after having treatment.  I haven't read it, but I do want  to order that book and encourage people to donate her book to hospitals with children facing this problem.

Wreaths Are Elegant Holiday Decorations

Wreaths are an elegant decoration for the holiday season. They can be hung on front doors, in windows, over mirrors and on walls. They add a nice touch to many areas of the home. Items featuring wreath decor have been my focus for the last few days as I've been designing for my store. Several items like postage, greeting cards, mugs, t-shirts and magnets have these fun holiday wreath designs added to them. Wreaths can be done in several styles and themes. Everyone likes something just a little different so it's nice to have a variety of types. Here is a little article I did on Ideas for Decorating Christmas Wreaths. Above you'll see some of my recent designs, to see more stop by my store Designs by Shell

Pondering Ventriloquism, Sweet Farts, and Leaf Blowers

Isn't ventriloquism wild?  It's amazing to watch someone seemingly "throw their voice."  According to Wikipedia, "...Originally, ventriloquism was a religious practice. The name comes from the Latin for to speak  from the stomach, i.e. venter (belly) and loqui (speak).[1] The Greeks called this gastromancy (Greek: εγγαστριμυθία). The noises produced by the stomach were thought to be the voices of the unliving, who took up residence in the stomach of the ventriloquist. The ventriloquist would then interpret the sounds, as they were thought to be able to speak to the dead, as well as foretell the future."  I'd give anything to go back in time to see an ancient ventriloquist.  Wonder what he/she wore ?  If stomach noises were considered to be noises of the unliving, I wonder what they thought stinky gas?  If two people with loud stomachs sat in the same room, would the unliving be having a conversation?

Speaking of interesting noise, at the last writers conference I attended, I learned there is a new picture book out called "Sweet Farts" by Raymond Bean.  I don't know this, but Raymond was probably teased about having gas because of his last name.  At least he made the best of it-- nothing like turning things around, making money off it...   The picture book is about the invention of "sweet farts"-- eating one of those candies would produce the yummy smell of that particular flavor out the other end, if you know what I mean. I haven't read this, but I think the idea is funny and kids will love the book!

I haven't been thinking about ventriloquism or gas until this evening (went to Jalisco's and watched Terry Tator : Live from Las Vegas when we got home), but I have been thinking a lot about noise. This is because I now go for two mile neighborhood walks. I'm raising my metabolism and learning to hate leaf blowers at the same time.  Whatever happened to the good old rake?  They say we need more exercise, what are we blowing leaves around for?  The machine is sooooo loud and obnoxious!  Of course the beautiful autumn days when the sun is shining--it's not too hot or too cold--is when people think it's the perfect time to blow leaves. It's awful meeting up with one of them on a walk, but I swear there's nothing worse than getting comfortable on your deck watching the birds, the blue sky, the green grass and colorful leaves only to be blasted out of tranquility by a leaf blower.

Planting Pansies

 Our daughter, Janine, busy with planting the Pansies she recently purchased at Colonial (where she works) for a dollar.  We also have a vase filled with beautiful pink roses on our kitchen table.  I would take a picture of that right now, but I'm just too tired.  She gave me two rose bushes for Mother's Day one year and takes care of them for me. Take my word for it, they're gorgeous!  Thank you Janine for bringing such color into our lives!

Have You Made Your Shopping List

This elegant black and white design got me a TBA, (Todays Best Award)


Have you started thinking about who is on your shopping list this Christmas? I can't believe how quickly the time is going, less than two months away! Perhaps you've started your shopping like me, I like to get going on it by now and be finished by December. That way December leaves me time to decorate, bake and enjoy festivities with my family. I thought I'd share a few fun ideas for gifts, not expensive ones but perhaps ones that will make people smile and be memorable. gifts like coffee mugs, travel mugs, unique aprons, t-shirts with sayings, these are all fun ideas for Christmas gifts. Come by my store for lots more interesting gifts...Designs by Shell