Advent Calendar & Christmas Mantel

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend!

I finally finished our first (DIY) Advent Calendar. In the past few weeks I got all that I needed and now I'm so happy about how it turned out.

I wanted to make something special for the kids, something they will remember when they grow up. So this is the start of our family Advent Calendar Tradition.

The stockings are from the Dollar Store, the gold and tartan bags from Walmart, the mittens from Michael's and the paper bags from Target. 

I used small wooden clothespin to attach them to the garland and on each clothespin there is a paper scalloped circle with the number of each day.

It is a very simple one so if you are thinking of making one "last minute" this one can be a solution!

I also changed the decor on the mantel. I used the three reindeer that were on my Christmas table last year and my new candle pillars I got this fall. The white candles were a bit plain to I used 2 piece of scrap tartan fabric to dress them up! 

Is your mantel ready for Christmas? Do you make your own Advent Calendar? If you do please live me a comment with the link so I can see it :)

Linking Up To:
Someday Crafts, The ArtsyGirl Connection, My Romantic Home, Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive, 365
The Crafty Nest, Serenity Now, Mammafelice, Truly Lovely, Tatertots & Jello,
Under The Table & Dreaming, Thrifty Decor Chick, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Southern Hospitality, Gussy Sews

Friday Night Finds: Advent Calendars

Sorry I'm posting this on Saturday but yesterday we were still "recovering" from Thanksgiving dinner and in the afternoon I went and change a bit my look! (You can see a picture HERE) 

Tonight's finds are all about Christmas Advent Calendars. This year I made my first one (I usually bought the $1.50 ones from the grocery store) and I will share it with you in a few days.

Here are some awesome ones. A few are very simple to make so you are still on time to start your own tradition too!

Plain tags on a pre-decorated paper gift bag {HERE}

Manzanita branches & little gift boxes. By Centsational Girl. {HERE}

Christmas Ornaments Countdown by Pottery Barn {HERE}

A knitted advent {HERE}

Using Chinese takeaway boxes! By Just Sew Sassy {HERE}

Fabric cones advent. (Can also be made with paper) {HERE}

Christmas Ornaments in a Vintage Coca-Cola crate. By Life as a Thrifter {HERE}

A must see!! {HERE}

Hope you are inspired now and will consider making one too. For more ideas visit my Pinterest board : Christmas

Starbucks Gift Card holder idea

Are you almost ready for tomorrow?? We will start at around 4 PM so I will have to wake up early to prepare all the side dishes and corn bread. This year we are also going to play Bingo after dinner so my SIL and I got a few gifts for the prizes. I found on Pinterest THIS cute idea to package a Starbucks gift card and here is how I made it: 

when I got the gift card I asked the barista for an empty cup and lid

I used a piece of brown packaging paper for the inside and white tissue paper for the pretend 

"whipped cream"

using scissors I cut a hole in the middle for the straw 

it was too long so I just cut it a bit

add a tag and barkers twine and voila'! Easy and cute!

And now back to work, I have to pack my mom's dishes to bring to my brother's house for tomorrow. 

Wishing you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


Linkign Up To:
Frugally Sustainable, Someday Crafts, ArtsyGirl Connection, Serenity Now, WorldWideMom,
Tatertots & Jello, The Crafty Nest, I Heart Nap Time, Petite Hermine, Homemaker on a Dime

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Specials

Here are a few coupon codes that some shops from the Holiday Shopping Guide 2011 are sharing for Black Friday & Cyber Monday:

jessicaNdesigns
coupon code BLKFRIDAY to receive 20%off on Black Friday 

My Rubber Stamp

1. FREE SHIPPING for Black Friday Sale (Thanksgiving Weekend • NOV 24 - NOV 27). Enter Coupon Code "FREESHIPBLACKFRIMRS" during checkout. Good for Domestic & International Shipping.

2. 15% Off your entire purchase for Cyber Monday Sale (NOV 28 - DEC 2). Enter Coupon Code "15OFFCYBERMONDAYMRS" during checkout.

{read HERE for more info}

Jewel of the Lion

Sale going on from around midnight Black Friday (Thursday) thru midnight Cyber Monday 

WorldWideMom

WWMBLACKFRIDAY11 = free shipping (Nov.24 - Nov. 27) + first 5 costumers to make a purchase will receive a little peg doll princess or superhero.

WWMCYBERMONDAY11 = free shipping (Nov. 28)

 Sweetly Made (Just for You)
BlackFriday10 for 10% off Friday and Monday only 

Exaltation
Store wide 30% off using coupon code THANKS2011 (Fri-Mon) which can be used in conjunction with other coupons. 

How to remove a follower

This morning while I was looking at my sidebar I noticed a few Rated R pictures among my GFC followers!! Trust me, they were not crafters!! Maybe "party" planners...but not the kiddos kind of party! Anyway, like with Facebook, also with blogger you are able to delete "inappropriate" followers. In blogger case you can "block" them. They probably will be able to still read your blog but cannot follow you via GFC. 

It will only take a few seconds. And here is how:

Login to your blog account and go to Dashboard

Click "Followers"

(yup, that's me volunteering for the tutorial!!)

You will see all your followers, pick the one you want to block and click  Block this User.

Done! No more Rated R here!!

Linking Up To:
The Stuff of Success , Someday Crafts, Serenity Now, Tatertots & Jello, I Heart Nap Time
I Gotta Create!

Ready to shop 'til you drop?

Do you usually go out shopping on Black Friday? I went once when my in laws were here and left the kids at home with them but this year since hubby is working and the in laws are in Italy I will stay home and shop on line. Lots of great deals on Etsy and I will share soon some coupon codes from the shops featured on my Holiday Shopping Guide 2011.

But to start here are a few coupons to shop at Nikycole starting on Nov. 24:

BLACKFRIDAY11 = free shipping 

Nov. 24 - Nov. 27

+

First 5 costumers to purchase something from my shop will receive a pair of lovely rose earrings

(color might vary)

CYBERMONDAY11 = free shipping

Nov. 28

Here are some items you can find @ Nikycole:

Christmas Penguin headband {HERE}

Cupcake Wine Glass Charms {HERE}

Plaid Tartan Magnetic Tie Backs {HERE}

Cabochon Flowers Bookmarks Jumbo Clips {HERE}

Leave a comment below if you have an Etsy shop too, and let us know if you will be running some promotions for Black Friday :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Friday Night Finds: Craft Show Display Ideas

Hi everyone! Today I will take a short break from Thanksgiving and Xmas posts and share some ideas for craft shows displays. As you know I did my first craft show on August so I have been pinning many great ideas on my PINTEREST board.

This just makes me smiles! So cool! {HERE}

Such a fresh look. Like the buntings and drapes. {HERE}

PVC pipes! {HERE}

Great idea for business cards {HERE}

Vintage suitcase display {HERE}

Using drawers to display your goodies {HERE}

And if you are about to start craft shows PLEASE read this post. Lots of great tips! {HERE}

Find more great ideas for your booth and craft show table on my Pinterest board:

 CRAFT SHOW DISPLAY IDEAS

Linking Up At:

Favors for Teens Attempt

I'm still getting ready for Ryan's birthday party on Sunday. I got a few things to put inside the favor bags for the small kids but since I have a few teenage girls (that probably are not into Princess stuff) I went out and got them something that I'm sure they will like.

My ideas was to make them a Manicure gift set almost like this one HERE. 

But no luck! Everything was falling apart and was not even standing on his own. So I got a bit frustrated and ended up using good ol' cello bags!

Pretty simple this way and they don't fall! 

I used some stickers I got last year for Ryan's Jungle Theme party favors but that they didn't got here on time.

Here is what they will be taking home: 

Linking Up Here:
Serenity Now, Truly Lovely, Delightful Order, Tatertots & Jello, I Heart Nap Time,
Under The Table & Dreaming, Petite Hermine, Just a Girl, Someday Crafts, Thrifty Decor Chick

Debbiedoo's Pinterest Party