Well, it's chilly this time of year, so I got busy making some heart-shaped hand-warmers.

We always do a cookie exchange with all my besties, but as we are all getting a little more health-conscious (aka older), a little gift is more appropriate...  So when I saw these cute handwarmers that Jessi made at Practically Functional, I knew what my girlfriends were getting this year for Christmas....

I had lots of sweater remnants from upcycled sweater pillows I've made, so it was fun to make these cute little heart hand warmers in lots of different colors...  :)
{naturally my favorite colors are the mint and teal...:  so retro cool...  !!!}

Now let's hope that they like them as much as I enjoyed making them for them....

In loving memory of the children who lost their lives in Newtown Connecticut.

{Guest Post from Anisha at NerdWallet}

It is simply phenomenal what you can do with a little creativity and some basic arts and crafts items. This holiday season you can easily save a ton of extra money by following these instructions for DIY holiday decorations! These are easy and cheap enough to do with the kids, friends, and family members of all ages. There’s no reason to break the bank this season, so simply follow these tips and instructions for quick and easy ways to decorate the home this holiday season.

1. Origami Hangers

Origami is perfect for decorative arrangements that last all year long. Always soothing and beautiful, origami is a super fun and easy way to decorate this holiday season. These customizable DIY hangers can be hung from a Christmas tree, mantelpiece, balcony, or anywhere in and outside of the home. Here’s what you’ll need:

• White or colored paper
  
• Markers or coloring tools
  
• Paperclips and/or string
  
• Internet connection or origami book
  

Use the internet or ‘How To’ book to find your favorite origami designs. Fold and create your desired origami designs from the colored paper. Colored pens or pencils can be taken to the paper for additional decorative designs such as eyes, feathers, or surrealist artwork. Paper clips and/or string can be used to hang your fun designs from a Christmas tree branch or other areas around the home.

2. Photo Hangers

Photo hangers, similar to the DIY origami hangers, can be used to portray your favorite photos or images around the home, from a tree, or over the fireplace. Just follow these instructions:

• Printer with Paper
  
• Internet Access or Digital Photo's
  
• Lamination or Clear Adhesive
  
• Paper Clips or Clothes Pins
  

Print out your favorite family photos (smaller sizes work best) and place them on larger designs of colored or regular paper. Wrap and protect with lamination or clear adhesive cover. Poke holes in the tops of each image and thread string to paperclip. Hang anywhere you desire and watch your surrounding comes alive with images and photos of all the things you truly love!

3. Table Candy Placements

These cute little table placements will adorn your table in time for big, delicious holiday meals! Guests will love to sit around these holiday themed placements as they create a holiday feel at just the right time of the year. What you’ll need:

• Styrofoam Cones
  
• Wax Paper
  
• Glue / hot Glue
  
• Peppermint Candy
  
• Ribbons (optional)
  

Bring out various sizes of Styrofoam cones that can be found in any major store’s arts and crafts section. Place these upon clean wax paper and glue peppermint candies around the entire cone. Various designs can be used such as a simple round-the-cylinder design to a spiral design, striped with other non-perishable candies.  Ribbons can be glued under the candies at the top of the cone, or wherever desired. Let glue cool and dry; place upon table when completed.

These holiday tips come to you from NerdWallet.com, an analysis-driven, quantitatively oriented decision website.

Jody is my inspiration.  She is the Angle Tree Angel here in this community.  She has put herself in charge of making sure that every child here in the Ucon, Idaho area has a gift to open on Christmas.  Jody works endless hours collecting names and information from local school officials and church leaders.  Then she sets up angel trees in the local churches.  All we have to do is pick a tag or two (or more) with the information of the child that we will be buying gifts for.  Often the tags are so humbling:  the child just asks for underwear and socks.  What a good reminder for us to count our many blessings.

Jody then collects the gifts, wraps them, and makes sure every family is well taken care of.  She is also in charge of the deliveries. 
Now, if you thought that this is the only thing going on in her life:  think again.  Jody has a busy family of 5 children, and she works as an LPN as well.  But she makes the time for this important work of the heart. 
Jody is my inspiration.

According to Jody, the greatest blessing is seeing how her own children now view Christmas.  They are so selfless in their desires and spend their time and energy worrying about these sweet children whose names are on the tags.  Their wishlists are just for them...!

Like I said:  Jody is an angel:  the Tree Angel!

I've been wanting to so something special for her,
so I decided to make her a little piece of mixed media art with her as the subject. 
"The Angel Tree Angel"
Hope she likes it.....

Today I thought I's share with you some of the amazing art done by Kris Day.
She is an incredibly talented assemblage artist 
who lives just within a mile or two of my house.

I always love seeing her art.  It is funny and creatively super inspiring!

So I thought you might want to see some of her art too: 
that's why I posted quite a few photo's of her current show: 
running now through Dec 22, 2012 in downtown Pocatello, Idaho.

See this assemblage "phone" on the front of the flyer?  She is so kind and lets me "store it" for her at my house sometimes.  It's so funny and a great conversation started.  She calls this piece" Let's Talk"  and it represents communication of all sorts....

All her pieces are unique and made from all kinds of items used in an unusual way.

Her art pieces resemble clocks, guitars, ships, etc, etc. 
Each assemblage piece takes her about one month to complete.

So if you want to learn more about Kris Day and her art, please visit her website:  KristineDay.com

Hoping you have a great day
{a Kris Day!} 
:)
Crystelle

 This hot chocolate is so delicious{!} that you may want to
drink it more than just once a year on Christmas eve

It's hard to fall asleep on Christmas eve, but we want to so desperately,
so we can WAKE UP in the morning! 
What to do.....?
.................
Introducing: 
"Hot Cocoa *with sleepy potion*"
Super yummy hot cocoa that guarantees a nice deep sleep: perfect for Christmas eve!

3 cups milk
1 can unsweetened coconut milk
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk {half a can}
2 Tbs cocoa powder
1/2 tsp vanilla

Optional toppings:

• whipped cream
• chocolate shavings

In a saucepan combine the three milks.  Bring to a simmer on medium heat, stirring occasionally.  Whisk in cocoa powder until well-combined.
Remove from heat, add vanilla.
Serve topped with optional whipped cream and/or chocolate shavings.

My kids love this stuff, and the "sleepy potion" really works, they say...
{The adults REALLY like it to.... ! }

Recipe by Aubrey Shaner as featured in Better Homes and Gardens

We still have several fun purses available for sale, so hop on over to the shop to take a look and get yours mailed out in time for Christmas.

Please follow this link

This month the vintage poster printable features a cover of Puck Magazine, Christmas 1908.
I love how the ladies are so feminine in their colors and posture...  :)

Puck was a humor magazine, published in New York City from 1871 until 1918.  The name Puck comes from Shakespeare's Puck character in  A Mid-Summer Night's Dream.

I took my printable (available for free at the bottom of this post) and reduced it to fit on a box of matches.  Using some Mod Podge and odds and ends, I decorated a gift tag and a  Christmas matchbox.  A great gift for teachers, co-workers, and neighbors - especially when combined with a candle!  The other side of the tag/box can be adorned with your personal Christmas message...  :)

Below is the downloadable vintage Christmas picture
(sans the Crystelle Boutique Brand Logo). 

Make yourself something fun!
:)
Crystelle