I'm not ready for Christmas!

Of course I wasn't ready for Thanksgiving either. This year is ending way too fast for me... I feel like I've barely begun to create my Christmas jewelry. I've incorporated some red and green glass pearls this year,
ordered new preciosa glass beads,

and played with some cute Christmas-themed buttons.

Once I get my camera downloaded again, I'll share the aluminum wire ornaments I've also been creating.

Valentine's

While sorting out Christmas, I found a box labeled "All Holiday Except Christmas." I'd almost forgotten about this one... I have little bits leftover from high school and college - including some Valentine's Day items. I figured why not - put them out now. Of course that would mean I still decorate the same as when I was in high school, but we won't delve into that.

One of my favorite items this old pin. My mom had lots of buttons leftover from her high school days that made it into my hands.

Not sure I'd ever be able to wear any of them again, but can probably provide good conversation when the neighbors come over to visit (like the shark's mouth where we keep the candy and the batteries charged...)

Get back in the closet!

This past weekend my husband and I finally took the Christmas decorations down. Where I live right now, this is crazieness... we're the only house that still had Christmas up after January 1st.

When I grew up, Christmas decorations were always a big thing. All day, the day after Thanksgiving involved large boxes, tissue, and dust. As every piece of the regular decor got packed away and Christmas emerged. The whole operation took the entire family about a week (seriously - one mover asked my mom in 1996 if she owned a florist shop - was the only reason he could figure he was moving so many wreathes, garlands, sprays...). This decorating never came down before president's day weekend in February.
As an adult, I now wonder if it was less the spirit of Christmas and more the pain of putting it away that kept it up so long.

Holiday Shopping...

I love it when the stores get ready for the holiday season... The things that appear like peppermint mochas (really, now why can't these be made year round?), fresh peppermint bark, apple cider,

This week my grocery store had a "Naughty and Nice" bottle from my favorite winery - the Duplin Winery. I thought it was cute and needed it for my kitchen counter. What seasonal favorites are you rediscovering?

Love...

“Love is a grave mental disease.”
- Plato

For a great article on Valentine's quotes and trivia, read here.

Hearts, Hearts, Hearts

In honor of Valentine's Day, I have been going nuts in the heart department :) In truth, though, I've always loved hearts year round, but was making this set specifically to wear to dinner next Sunday... I had this shirt with a deeper neckline and nothing quite perfect to wear.

So without further ado, here are the earrings:
They are rather simple, one piece of 20 guage wire for both the heart and the earwires that I have hardened and flattened. (I believe I enjoy pounding metal with a hammer a bit too much.)

And here is the matching necklace - a three heart pendant on a suede choker.I also made a matching bracelet and ring, but need to redesign both (I've been wearing the entire set since last Saturday and yesterday caught the bracelet and ring too often on my pockets...)

Do you want this set? There's a Hearts Galore Giveaway on the Shore Debris Facebook Fanpage where you can win it.

I'll also be sending a set to Hearts for Haiti later today, but if you miss it in both places, they are up in Shoredebris1 on e-Bay.

Dreaming of snowflakes...

In honor of the snow forecast for the weekend, I thought I'd browse etsy for some interesting snowflakes. If the previous snow forecasts are any pattern, this is as close as I'll get to snow :)

This pointy snowflake tile is from Gretchen Kramp Ceramic Tiles, a shop full of handmade ceramic art tiles.
These snowflake earrings look so dainty and are from Sweeter Than Me handmade designs by Kristen Friesen.I could send some greetings to Florida in these handembroidered snowflake notecards from June at Noon. This woodland snowflake ornament looks almost warm to me and are from Green Rose Designs.And I'm always hungry when I am cold (along with the ever present sweet tooth), so I thought I'd finish with this tasty-looking snowflake treat. This Winter Wonderland Snowflake Cookie Giftset is from Holiday Candy Lane.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

(P.S. ignore the dead squirrel dog toy in front of the presents...)

Twas the night before Christmas...

and all through the house

not a creature was stirring...

not even a mouse -

MOUSE!!! - Happy Holidays!