Site Title

 December heat + early day for Henry = afternoon at the beach.   They played and played and played. I soaked up the sun's rays. It was heaven. I love that I didn't do anything to alter this picture of Kate and how it's all sunkist and sandy and warm and… just perfect, like our afternoon. Don't be fooled. It was a 'balmy' 75 degrees. 

Prior to going to the beach, we snuck in a trip to the LACMA because you know, I'm serious about this whole Christmas card situation and I really want to try to pull it off and just get a photo. A PHOTO. It was kind of a bust: "May your days be merry and bright!"

I'm winding down. It's been a very busy week. The fireplace is on, the tree is lit. My santa mug is full of cocoa. Chris is watching a TiVo'd Jimmy Falon interview with Paul McCartney. I'm tweaking a few last things on the holiday blog. Thanks for all those who have signed up so far! We have folks from Germany, Australia, England and the US of A! 

Henry had his 'Winter Performance' at school this week. There was a little program where his class sang songs. Sweaters, hats & mittens were encouraged, so we obliged. It was 70 degrees outside. The next day was his party where they all decorated gingerbread houses and  where he received a gingerbread ornament with a picture of himself inside. It hung on the tree for a brief time until he decided it needed to be tacked to the wall in our living room (which is where it currently resides).

It hit me that Christmas is in 2 weeks- I can't believe it. Where has the time gone? We haven't bought anything mostly because we are combining all the Christmas money & getting the children 1 gift that they each really want. Kate also wants me to make her a doll "just like the one Ivy & Yindi have." It's really the only handmade I need to do and so I'll be doing that. There might be pajamas- we'll just have to see how it all works out with the doll situation. Henry made his list for Santa tonight. There are a few small things he wants as well. 

I'm seriously considering christmas cards. We haven't done them in years…what's wrong with us? Heidi, who did an awesome job designing the promo stuff for the holiday craft studio has her own company and while I was perusing through the site trying to determine what I should do, I realized that maybe our dreams of sending out Christmas cards this year might just happen. I discovered that she has this really cool 'Uprint' option where you can have a complete custom designed card done and emailed to you within 24 hours. THEN (and get ready for this) you can go and print them yourself wherever you want. I don't have to worry about ordering cards & paying for shipping & wondering if they'll get here in time. It's genius. We could theoretically take a pic this weekend and have them ready to go by early next week….this may work after all….I'm going to sleep on it (although I'm already feeling like it's going to be a big YES!)

Onto other holiday news, I bought reindeer antlers & a giant red nose for our car. Chris is embarrassed to be seen in said car. It's my own little way of bringing holiday cheer to all my fellow grumpy angelinos who are stuck in traffic and need a little pick me up. He should be thanking me. Look at all the good I am doing.

  
The online studio will have step-by-step photo instructions on how to make your own tin can lanterns, fabric letter garland, scrappy wreath, pom-pom garland, christmas p.j's, pillowcases, glitter trees, peppermint bark, homemade hot chocolate, fudge & rocky road (which also double as a great neighbor/friend gift!) We'll also share ways to display all those holiday cards you get in the mail, plus much, much more! I wasn't planning on it- but I'm thinking I'll whip up some pepperminty meringues and show you how to make those, too. The list goes on & on! Em & I will be on hand to answer any questions you have or to talk you off of any crafting ledges. There will also be a private flickr group for you to share your festive creations with the group!

The site will be up & running on Friday. You can register now & the username and password will be emailed to you within 24 hours of registration (perfect for a weekend full of crafting & holiday food making : )

Em & I are thrilled to be your crafting partners in crime.

See you on the flip side (of the blog that is!)

For complete details on the studio, see post below.

Emily & I have been working our little tails off finalizing the details for an online holiday studio. We are both really excited about it and know you'll love it, too. For all those out-of-town and out-of-country'ers who couldn't come to my craft night, you'll now have a chance to get step-by-step photo tutorials of everything we made along with holiday projects & idea's from Emily. You'll have access to 12 craft tutorials, recipes, gift idea's, a gallery to share your creations in and a message board to chat with others, post your ideas, ask questions and be merry!

The online studio will be a separate password protected area of my blog and the cost will be $16

I was hoping to have it all up and running today, which now looks like tomorrow but I'm pretty sure it will be up first thing Friday : ). Check back in this space in the next day or two for registration information! See you then!

When you turn 1 years old in the Moore family it means we load up the little chair, haul it to the beach and take photo's of you in it. They have all done it. And while there are many things that unfortunately don't make it down to the third child in the family, this isn't one of them. I realized as were getting ready to leave that this is the first time I have ever put shoes on Charlie. See, I wasn't kidding. I chalk it up to the fact that we live in sunny California and who needs shoes when you can't even walk? No one.   It was overcast up in Malibu and even though we had a few sprinkles here & there, it was a perfect afternoon for taking pictures. 

On this Sunday, I am grateful for:

Sandy Hands:

My little artist who is always so proud of his work:

Little Bums. They've all sat in this little chair and and now look how they've grown:

Sometimes when we are driving and I look back at them all wedged in the car, I turn to Chris & say "How did that happen? Where did they all come from??" And then I feel like the luckiest Mama in the entire world. 

This look. He's all mine?? REALLY?

This face & the way she tells me: "Stop talking" like she couldn't be more annoyed with anything in the whole entire world. Who me??

The Beach.  You are always ready & waiting for us. Even when we don't call to tell you we are coming:  

While Kate has had her eyes on a certain item from the Nova Natural catalog for months now (for Christmas- it's all she wants) this little get up from Magic Cabin has me seriously rethinking things. Not only is it over the top adorable, it's significantly easier on the old pocket book if you catch what I'm throwing out.  It's all a matter of how well I can persuade a 2 1/2 year old. Not always easy, but worth a shot. There might have to be a tootsie pop involved.

 Good thing I am a saver of fabric scraps! At this weekends party, we'll be making these 12" festive holiday fabric wreaths. I've been saving all my red & green fabric for months so there will be lots to choose from. Everything is provided, all you need to do is show-up! 

I decided not to show a sneak peek on Wednesday-  a girl's gotta keep a few surprises, right : ) 

I'm down to a few spots left. Sign-up below!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I love  me some pom-poms! I made Kate (2) giant green ones to go on her ballet slipers when she was Tinkerbell for Halloween. Anyway, one of the things I will be teaching how to make at this weekends craft night are yarn pom-poms. We'll be making 2 different sizes (red & white) that we will turn into a holiday garland. These look adorable hung on a mantle or bookshelf AND you can keep it up until February because it also makes a great Valentines decoration. How's that for duel-purpose decorations?

I'll also be sharing my favorite recipes for peppermint bark & hot chocolate! You won't want to miss it!

I will post additional projects we'll be doing this Tuesday and Wednesday.

Space is limited. Click below to reserve your spot!

Any additional information about the party (date/time/etc.,.) can be found here on the original post.

Happy Holidays!

 Happy Thanksgiving (well, it's the tail end of it now- but I'm sending happy wishes anyway!) My sisters made a killer GBC & a mean sweet potato yammie situation which was pretty much to die for. I should really track down a link for it because it's pretty deluxe. It was a wonderful day spent with my peeps and everything (I mean EVERYTHING) was delicious.

A monumental birthday was also celebrated for this little turkey: Charlie turned 1 years old on Thanksgiving. Woot! Woot! We are so thankful for him. He keeps the whole family in stitches. He is growing leaps & bounds and while he hasn't shown any sign of walking, I think another week or so on his new birthday walker might prove otherwise (and how about that shirt Henry picked out for him? LOL!) And speaking of shirts, the turkey shirts were finished just in the nick of time. As in, I make Kate's entire shirt on the way to my Aunts house!   Anyway- as usual our bellies and hearts are full. We have so much to be grateful for. From my turkeys to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!