{christmas cards}

So....my computer is still kaput. I finally took it to the computer doctor after self diagnosing it myself and trying countless times to fix it. I never realized how much I used my computer each day, not only for work, but to check email, blogs, etc. I went through some pretty hard core withdrawals not being able to check my daily stops! The shakes and cold sweats have subsided, but it still sucks having to use the computer at my parents house (and the library), and I am hoping I get mine back soon!

Pray the computer gods will show mercy so I can get my technology fix soon!


Anyway....
I know this is late, but I thought I'd share it! This is the card I designed and sent out this year!

I thought it would be cute to take a picture of us in front of our house, and then after I got the tripod set up I thought, "Hey, let's grab the cats!!" (After all, they're part of the family too!) As you can see, the cats were freaked out (since they're strictly indoor cats and have never been in the front yard) and they were more interested in what was going on down the street. I think there was a squirrel or something.

It did make for a fun picture though! Haha!

I also designed the calendar on the back of the cards, because so often, it's just a blank, empty space and when December 26th comes around, we tend to throw the cards away. I thought with a pretty calendar, you could flip the card over, pin it to your office wall, and keep a little piece of me through out the year! ;)

I couldn't figure out how to make the calendar into a PDF, but feel free to print it off for your own personal use!

{Happy Post Christmas!}

Oh, it's so good to have the computer working again! We had a minor virus that kept making the computer freeze (hence the lack of posts), but I think it's better now! *phew*

I hope you had a great Christmas! Here are a few things I wanted to post about last week....

~Collaborating with the sibs and putting our architectural skills to good use to design a town of delicious gingerbread houses....

Okay, so technically they're not made from "gingerbread" and I may have let part of an egg yolk slip into my royal icing mixture, which pretty much made it impossible to form a "stiff peak" as the recipe indicated it would, after much whipping...who knew a teensy bit of yolk would do that?

Instead, we improvised with graham crackers and used hot glue guns to hold the structures together. Don't judge.

But they turned out quite lovely in the end, and good times were had by all!

We ended the weekend with our annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party!

The night was a blast and everyone showed up in their ugliest attire!
(Don't you love our picture backdrop? If this doesn't scream tacky, I don't know what does!)

We also played a hilarious game called Sedarahc, which is like charades but in reverse! If you haven't played it, you must!

{Oh Christmas Tree}

I forgot to include my Christmas tree in my Christmas decorations post! Oops!

So, here it is, in all it's twinkle light glory!

These are a few of my favorite ornaments- the mercury glass one was a clearance sale find at Modern Display's after Christmas sale & the sparkly teal one was a dollar at Wal-Mart.

And last, the pickle ornament. It is always a fun topic of conversation. Most of the time, the conversation begins something like this, "Uh...why do you have a pickle ornament on your tree?" to which I reply, "Because I just love pickles...their salty deliciousness really gets me in the Holiday spirit!" A blank stare or awkward chuckle always follows.

The real reason I have a pickle ornaments is because my parents had one. It originates from an old German tradition. A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year.

My parents pickle was much harder to find, as it is only about 2" tall and not shiny at all. We'd gaze into the tree for hours trying to find it (even though we never got an extra gift) and whoever found it, re-hid it.

My first married Christmas my mom got us our own pickle ornament to keep the tradition alive!

{DIY Holiday bows!}

You know I love pretty, custom wrapping, so when I found these, I had to share them with you!

Pom, Pom gift topper in my favorite holiday color combination (teal, red, and white!)

Click HERE for the tutorial!

I loved this gift bow tutorial from How About Orange!

Buying bows like this from the store is a bit pricey, so why not try making your own? Just don't throw them away! Store them in a box where they won't get crushed and use them again next year! It would even be pretty to make some using felt or old Christmas wrapping paper!

Click HERE for the tutorial!

{Merry Christmas}

I've had my Christmas decorations up since Thanksgiving, and while some wait until December to put theirs up, I just could wait. I love the way my tree sparkles, and even though it's fake, my Perfect Christmas wallflower make my house smell as though my tree was cut straight from the forest!

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite Christmas decorations with you all!

I loves these crystal candle holders! Would you believe the total cost was only $5!

I love these miniature antique ornaments. I wanted to display them, but ran out of room on my tree, so I put a little bit of fake snow in the bottom of this glass vase and place the ornaments inside! (Sadly, as I was putting the vase up on the shelf, one of my little birds fell and his beak broke...I have yet to fix him...oops!)

More vintage ornaments!

This was an idea I had when I was brainstorming thrifty Christmas decorating ideas for Studio 5. I found these frames at a thrift store and spray painted them white. A few sheets of pretty S.E.I. Christmas scrapbook paper completed the look!

And last, but not least...Creepy Santa.
My grandma had a Santa exactly like this one, and growing up, whenever we'd visit her in California I'd peek in the closet where Creepy Santa was stored, just to make sure he hadn't moved and that my slumber wouldn't be disturbed by him walking around at night. (Oh, the imagination of a little girl!)
When I found this one on ebay, I had to have it! Now that I'm grown, I find him 90% adorable and only 10% creepy, and someday I might just use him to threaten my kids when they are being bad around Christmas time. *wink*
Okay, not really...well...maybe...
Either way, I'm keeping him!

What is your favorite Christmas decoration?

{winners of Giveaway 11 &12!}

Hello friends!

I survived this weekend...phew!

Honestly, it was rough! From getting yelled at by a mean police officer and being 45 minutes late to a concert Thursday night to counting inventory in a 40,000 square foot warehouse and losing my car keys on Saturday night (only to find them in my coat pocket the next day), I was so glad for today (Monday) to roll around! I really don't know how you nurses do it...working three, twelve hour shifts in a row is insane, but I guess you just get used to it, right?

Not me, I'll stick to my 8 hour days!

Now, on to the winners!

The winner of the beautiful earrings by Hawleywood is...
dnA!

The winner of the Christmas Cards from JP Creative is...
Jen who said,
"I love that in the middle of all the craziness, time slows down for us to spend time together with those we love."
Congratulations you guys! Please email me (shans_design @ yahoo.com) with your information and we'll get you your prize!
Thank you to everyone who participated!
Merry Christmas!!

{12 Days of Christmas Giveaway #12: JP Creative}

Oh, how fun it has been to host all of these wonderful giveaways!

Thank you, thank you for participating!

I have one more "present" up my sleeve for those of you who didn't get a prize, but it must wait until Monday morning, as my entire weekend is being spent not making fun, colorful, delicious gingerbread houses, or watching Christmas Vacation, or even playing in the snow...no, this weekend I am spending at work, doing inventory (sad, I know! I'll be calling Jill Saturday night to schedule a massage!).

So, when you read this, think of me and say a little prayer that my feet will hold up during the 15 hour work day!

Okay, so now onto the final giveaway!
I commend all of you who have gotten your Christmas cards out all ready, but if you're like me, it is something I haven't checked off my list yet!

Lucky for us, Jessica from JP Creative is giving away 25 Christmas cards and envelopes to a lucky winner!

The winner may choose their choice of template below!

To win, please leave a comment with your name and tell us why you love this time of year!

Also, if you follow or become a new follower you'll get a second entry! Just be sure to leave a comment telling me that you're a follower!

{12 Days of Christmas Giveaway #11: Hawleywood Jewelry}

I'm so excited to have Jessica from Hawleywood Tales participate in another giveaway! Her jewelry is absolutely beautiful and the earrings featured for this giveaway are stunning!

These sparkly danglers are perfect for the upcoming holiday season! They were hand-crafted using vintage crystals from a necklace given to Jessica by a friend (for whom the earrings are named!) and delicate sterling silver chain. The lower three crystals on each earring are vintage, and the top-most crystal briolette is a new stone. All of the stones are gorgeous, and absolutely dazzling when the light hits them! The earrings hang from hand-formed sterling earwires, and fall roughly two inches below the earlobe. Wear them with jeans and a t-shirt to add some sparkle to your everyday routine, or deck yourself out for a holiday party and let the earrings be the icing on the cake!

To enter, simply leave a comment with your name!

Also, be sure to visit her etsy site to view more of her beautiful jewelry!

P.S. From now until Sunday she is offering free shipping!

{winner of giveaway #10: Jillmassage}

J Kimball you are the winner! Please email Jill ( jillmassage{at}aol{dot}com ) with your contact information and she'll set you up with a sweet massage!

{12 Days of Christmas Giveaway #10: Jillmassage}

I always get stiff and crampy this time of year. Maybe it's the cold weather. Maybe it's the strain on my body from carrying loads of Christmas presents around the mall. Maybe it's from bending this way and that while decorating. (wow...I sound like I'm 80!) But really, this time of year I think..."Man, I could really go for a massage right now!" and then I remember how expensive they usually are and end up making my husband rub my shoulders (which usually only lasts for about 5 minutes because "his hands get tired"...tell me my husband isn't the only one who does this!? haha!)

Well friends, today is a good day. My good friend Jill just opened her brand spankin' new spa and is offering one of my readers a FREE 60 minute massage!

*hallelujah!! (are you hearing choirs of angels sing too?)*

And, she is offering $10 off any massage if you mention my blog when you book before Christmas!
Hello people, that's only $35 for an hour massage!

You can apply that discount to a gift certificate too and what better gift than the gift of sweet, sweet relaxation and pampering!

Just email Jill ( jillmassage{at}aol{dot}com) or call (801.541.5902) to book a session, and remember to mention my blog for the discount!

And, to win the free massage just leave a comment and tell me why you need it!

P.S. This giveaway is open to Utah readers only since Jill is a local gal! However, if you have friends or family in the area, why not win it for them? Perhaps as a Christmas present?

Good luck!!!

{winner of giveaway #9: Lulu Girl Jewelry}

And the winners are.....

Keara Miller

JustusJohnsons

Alyssa Hertzler

Congrats you three! Now email me shans_design{at}yahoo{dot}com with your shipping information and be sure to include what kind of pendant you'd like- picture, monogram, or scrabble!

{12 Days of Christmas Giveaway #9: Lulu Girl Jewelry}

I'm so excited to reintroduce Lulu Girl Jewelry to you all!

Specializing in personalized soldered charms, Lulu girl will personalise each and every charm to reflect your life and personality!

Today, Lulu is giving away a personalised pendant to 3 lucky winners!

The winner will receive her choice of a picture pendant, monogram pendant, or scrabble pendant. If you have a family picture you would like made into a pendant, email it to Lulu and she'll make it happen!

Pendants range in size from 1" x 1" up to 2" x 2" and come strung on a ribbon.

Picture pendant: $10.00

monogram pendant: $10.00

scrabble pendant $10.00 (with embellishment on bottom $15.00)

These are a few more examples of what you can use to personalise your pendant!

If you're interested in ordering a pendant, please email Lulu!

Lulugirljewelry@gmail.com

This giveaway will close at midnight tonight!

Leave a comment for one entry and become a follower or blog about this giveaway for a 2nd entry!

Good luck!

{winner of giveaway #8: Design Gal magnet board}

99 was the lucky winner today!

Congratulations to Jessica of La Estilo!

I just know this is going to look fantastic in your kitchen!
Please email me with your information so I can send you your prize!
shans_design{at}yahoo{dot}com

Holy cow...I had no idea my little magnet board would get so much attention!
I feel the need to quote Sally Field and say, "You like me! You really like me!"
Thanks for your support and kind words!

Only 4 more giveaways to go!

p.s. A few of you asked where I got the fabric for the magnet board- isn't it purdy? I made the pillows in my bedroom out of it too! I found it at Joann's!

{12 Days of Christmas Giveaway #8: Design Gal}

Today's giveaway is brought to you buy yours truly!

Anytime I go thrifting I always look for fun, ornate frames and mirrors. My collection has built up quite a bit, and I thought for today's giveaway, I'd share one of my finds with a lucky winner!

When I found this frame, it was dull and gold. I do love gold frames, but this one was way past its prime, so I painted it heirloom white and added one of my favorite fabrics for a pop of color!

The end result is a lovely, magnet board, perfect for displaying pictures and to do lists in an office, or to hold recipes in a kitchen! This would even look lovely used to display Christmas cards!

I love the ornate detail of the frame!

Leave a comment for a chance to win and tell me where you'll use it!

Oh! If you become a follower, you get an extra entry! AND if you post about this giveaway, you get another entry! Just make sure you leave an extra comment with the link to your site!

So many chances to win! :) Good luck!

xo, Design Gal

{winner of giveaway #7: Garden House Floral}

Congratulations to Andrea M!

Please email me at shans_design{at}yahoo{dot}com with your information and I'll pass it along to Karlie!

{12 Days of Christmas Giveaway #7: Garden House Floral}

I believe in buying local and supporting local businesses. So when my friend Karlie who owns and operates the local floral business, Garden House Floral offered to make an arrangement to giveaway, I was thrilled!

If you want chic, one of a kind floral arrangement, she is the girl to call! Karlie is known for her unique designs, quality of flowers, and low prices!

Today, Karlie is giving away a FREE arrangement worth up to $50, including delivery in the Salt Lake Valley!

Just leave a comment and cross your fingers! :) Good luck!
Oh, and be sure to check out her amazing designs! Visit her blog!