I feel like I took quite the little vacation there. But I needed it; now that I am caught up with the real life stuff (um, Christmas anybody??) I am feeling a lot more in control. I think I am ready for the big day; how about you guys? Ho Ho Oh No stress or just tying the bows up at this point? I am glad I still have a couple more gifts up my sleeve though. It has been so much fun to do these giveaways.

I have to say that when I saw this hammer in person I liked it even more. It is so petite and cute (and our lucky winner is getting a blue one with daisies on it-which I think is way cuter than the one on Amazon’s picture). Now I am cursing myself for not ordering one of these for me too! Next Amazon order (and you know it will happen eventually).  So, onto our winner:

#8: Emily Larsen:

I’ve used an x-acto knife for just about anything. I keep one in my purse at all times, and you never know when it might come in handy. It’s great for screws and, of course, cutting things, and you can get the pointy end in the smallest holes and cracks. It’s a little dangerous, though, and I’ve got the scars to prove it. Maybe that cute hammer would fit in my purse too?

I think this was my favorite question. Your comments made me laugh (and usually I can relate). Emily, I am right there with you. My x-acto knives get a lot of love from me.  And actually the hammer will fit in your purse. See:

Granted, my purse is definitely big; but doesn’t it look happy there? Emily, please email me your address so I can get it out to you and stop thinking about keeping it for myself. : D Congrats!

Good things come in small packages and hand-made is no exception. Use a combination of easy to find craft embellishments and your child’s artwork along with polymer clay to make little trinkets that are sure to be treasured. Head on over to Today’s Mama and I’ll show you a few fun ideas.

I have to say, I really wanted to pick everyone. But Random.org has spoken and the winner is:

#10 Kristine:

I couldn’t remember so I had to go through photo albums and check. Our last official family (with no extended family) picture…taken by a person who is an actual photographer…was 1999. Even then, it was taken in the Target Photo Studio, probably by some teenager. We have had gracious family, friends and neighbors take pretty decent pics since then, but we haven’t had a “photographer” take our picture in 11 years. Last Christmas we tried to do it ourselves. Not so great…glare off of the fire place, bad…self timer shot…bad. Anyway, I think we are due!

I think she deserves it! 11 years is a long time to go! Although I know she has had some really qualified stand-ins. Congrats Kristine. I will forward your email to Stephanie and she will give you instructions on how to redeem.

You can still enter to win:
pyrex batter bowl
6 in 1 hammer/screwdriver set

This is a fun one! I love to make these for friends; the votives look so beautiful lit up. You can make them simple and sweet or over-the-top intricate and stunning. Either way, just a little tissue paper and a glass candle holder or even 1/2 pint jar will transform into a great gift. So head over to Today’s Mama and make one or three today!

Ready to get writing? This was one of my favorites. Really such a sweet and thoughtful gift. The winner of the personalized notebook from Sweetlife Paper is:

#4: carriem

At a party the other night, we were talking about how much we love this season because you get so many delicious goodies. For someone special, you can take the treat tradition to the next level by placing those goodies in a mixing or serving bowl that they will enjoy using the rest of the year. I highly recommend a batter bowl. It is always well used, the first thing you reach for to whip up cookies, pancakes, or filling for pot pie. (Hungry?) Pampered Chef makes one that I have really enjoyed, but I found this one by Pyrex for less than half the price (about $7). I like that it has the measurement marks set so that you look down into the bowl to read them (versus looking on the side). A nice ceramic bowl or one of Ikea’s mixing bowls would also be great. This really is the perfect last minute, easy to do gift. Just fill it with some white chocolate or caramel corn (or whatever) and tie a bow on the handle. Perfect.

I will send this Pyrex bowl to you to use for yourself or pass along to a friend. To enter, leave a comment telling us what your favorite quick and easy treat is by Monday, Dec. 20th.

*Extra entries can be earned by blogging, tweeting, or posting on Facebook (with links) about this giveaway. Please leave a comment for each additional entry.

The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Tuesday Dec. 21th. Good luck!

Did you enter to win?

6 in 1 hammer/screwdriver set
Photography session with Stephanie Bletzacker
Sweetlife Paper Custom Notepad

Happy Monday. I could use a giveaway today. How about you? The winner of the chic serving tray with a beaded spreader from C.D. Childs Design is lucky:

#1 Susie

We are still up to some serious craftiness at Today’s Mama. Come see today’s post about making felt Christmas stockings. These are quick and easy (my favorite) and are so darling. Your kids will love making them for favorite friends then stuffing with a bit of candy. The inspiration for these, was actually my own beloved Christmas stocking growing up. Which was a red ballet slipper. I think my Mom made them, she is impressive that way. She also had cowboy boots for the boys. So clever. Give it a try, you can make them big or small, but either way, you’ll love how felt stockings turn out.

Okay, lower those eyebrows. I am not talking about getting Aunt Mildred a Sawzall here; I am thinking of a hugely practical and unexpected gift. We have given many men in our lives a nice new set of screwdrivers as a gift and the response is almost always along the lines of “This is so great! I have lost a few in my old set over the years.” However even better than that, my wonderful friend Charlotte shared an idea that made it impossible not to include this on the list. This year she is getting all of her friends this nifty little hammer.

It is basically everything you need for “around the house” jobs packed into one (easier to store, harder to loose) package. They make these in plain steel, but I like the silk screened version. It’s cute and the girly-ness will deter use (and loss) by the man of the house. You can pick this up on Amazon for $5.50; which certainly makes it a reasonable gift to give Auntie dear or a few friends. Trust Charlotte. She knows what she is doing. If you know her, you know that she is the woman Martha Stewart wishes she was.

Now, to receive a 6 in 1 hammer/screwdriver set for your junk drawer, leave a comment telling us what is the most “creative” thing you’ve used as a tool by Sunday, Dec. 19th. (Come on, we’ve all used a butter knife to try and get a screw out. It’s a safe place, you can share.)

*Extra entries can be earned by blogging, tweeting, or posting on Facebook (with links) about this giveaway. Please leave a comment for each additional entry.

The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Monday Dec. 20th. Good luck!

Did you enter to win?
Photography session with Stephanie Bletzacker
Sweetlife Paper Custom Notepad
a C.D. Child’s fused glass serving tray

I am having brain issues and never hit my publish key. So sorry! Hopefully most of you were doing more fun things than checking my blog this weekend though. ;D  The winner of the $20 gift certificate (and some serious cuteness in the general head region) is:

#2: Deborah

I definitely can’t live without my rubber band to pull my hair in a pony tail! But really, I could never have too many headbands. Love these!!

Congrats Deborah! Hope you enjoy! I have forwarded your email address to the stylish people at H&h and they will contact you with instructions. Hope you guys are having an awesome weekend!