Finding Christmas MoJo

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  And feeling like it, too!  I must confess.  I usually begin the holiday season with great intentions for being "Christmasy," but I always fall short and end up feeling a little "Scroogish" by Christmas day.  I'm not sure why, but I suspect it is a combination of the stress of shopping, fighting the crowds, money (spending it), as well as realizing that I'll never actually attain that same Christmas feeling I had as a child.  This year, however, I'm feeling the spirit.  I'm on a roll!  Don't tell anyone, but I've been listening to Christmas music...and might even been singing a few songs, too!  I've been crafting, sewing, decorating and baking!  I can't wait to show you a few of the presents I've made, but first, what do you think of the awesome cork board pictured above?  Meaghan, my Handmade Gift Exchange partner sent me a box of goodies which included the hand painted frame with an inserted cork board, handmade push pins that look like vintage typewriter keys, plus shells from the Outer Banks and hot cocoa mix from England!  I absolutely love everything she sent.   If you missed the photographs of the journal cover I sent Meaghan, have a look at this previous post.  Participating in the Craftaholics Anonymous gift exchange has been such a great experience.  I'm so happy I have gotten to know Meaghan; I feel I've made a true friend.  Thanks again to Meaghan for the thoughtful gifts and to Linda for hosting the exchange!  

If you are a Pinner, no doubt you've seen the pins about making your own coasters using ceramic tiles, Mod Podge and scrapbook paper.  In the last few days, I've made two sets of coasters to give as gifts.  I made the first set of four using scrapbook paper.  I backed these with cork I had on hand.

I tried something a bit different for the next set of four.  Instead of using patterned scrapbook paper, I used regular paper that I had a printed individual letters onto.  Again on Pinterest,  I found a link to a Flickr collection of letter photographs.  After scrolling through hundreds of l's, o's, r's, and a's, I found the perfect letters to spell out, "Lora."  I printed these letters and adhered them onto my 16 cent tiles.

I backed these tiles with felt.  I really like how the turned out.  I will be posting a "how to" in the coming days if you are interested in making your own.  So, stay tuned!

Besides the coasters, I  completed a few sewing projects, too.  I've made two French press cozies with matching mug rugs, as well as a zebra print pillow.  (I forgot to photograph the mug rugs)  

                                                 

Wow, where has the time gone?  I haven't even gotten to show you the goodies I've been baking up!  I must run for now, but look for a few scrumptious Christmas candy recipes, as well the tutorial for my version of tile coasters in my next post!

I hope you are enjoying this Holiday Season.  I know the Holidays can be difficult at times for some, including myself, but, at least for the moment, I have found my Christmas Spirit...and I'm holding on tight!  

Tootles!