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?!