The end of the week is upon us. I had a very productive one and today I have to get my party planning hat on. Saturday is the Army/Navy game (Ed likes to refer to it as the Navy/Army game) which is a big deal around my house since Ed is a Naval Academy alum.
We have always had a party and when we lived in the Philadelphia area we went to the game quite a few times. Now that we are in South Carolina, having a party to watch it is the next best thing.
Before I move into party mode though, I have a mixed bags of items, ideas and inspiration I want to share with you.
Yesterday I tried to combine work and relaxation when I got all the Christmas presents I bought for family and friends wrapped. It was cold and rainy outside, so I decided to get the job done. I watched two of my favorite Christmas movies while I wrapped.
We all love the holiday classics, like It’s A Wonderful Life, but my two favorite movies to watch at Christmas are Desk Set starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. The second is, Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan.
Desk Set is not a Christmas movie, but is set at Christmastime. It takes place in a Rockerfeller Center, NYC office. I never worked in an office, but if I did, I know I would have liked working in this one with the characters in the movie. Christmas In Connecticut is about a magazine writer hosting a war hero at her house, plus a whole lot more. It wouldn’t be Christmas for me without being able to watch these two movies.
I always enjoy finding out what Pantone’s color of the year will be every year. Previous colors never excited me, but I am loving the color of 2018.
Holiday DIY’s I Want To Do:
A fast and easy way to create a Gingerbread Village or a sweet way to wrap a small gift.
If you love the Dollar Store and Pom-Pom’s, you will like these fun and festive Christmas gift wrapping ideas.
Like all things Rudolph? These are cute stamped, handmade holiday cards.
I am going to try this the next time I serve up mugs of hot chocolate.
Gift Ideas for Family and Friends
Citrus Fruit from Hale Groves comes fresh from Florida. It is a gift Ed and I give ourselves and friends every year. It sure beats the grapefruit that we get from the grocery store.
When I am out and about I always get asked, Where did I get my phone case? I customized it just for me. :-) Here is where: Custom Envy Phone Cases
If you are still looking for holiday and gift ideas, you can find more in my Shop pages: Holiday and Gifts and Home
These are the best black leggings, ever. I love them and have 3 pairs. They have a high waist and pockets. Yes, two pockets for your cell phone or keys. I live in them.
Need help with holiday planning? This may help you get and stay organized.
And lastly… I have a book to give away to one of you.
Christmas Paper Crafting is a Christmas paper crafting kit in a book. It is filled with ready made cards, gift tags, envelopes and more that you cut right out of the book.
A fun way to create with your kids or grandkids.
Giveaway is Over: Winner is: Barbara H.
I will be back on Monday with more quick and affordable holiday decorating ideas.
Till then… :-)
Linda S says
What a great blog – I can’t believe I’d never seen Desk Set, my kind of movie! As a leggings-lover, I decided to buy the ones you recommend – they just arrived and I really like them. Target only had a regular size Large in stock and luckily for me they fit perfectly. As a purple-lover I’m very happy to see Pantone’s color of the year! And thanks for bringing up net-neutrality, we all need to be informed.
Diane Landis says
The book looks like a lot of fun, I would love to win it. Thanks!
Vikki says
I love working with paper and would certainly use this neat paper crafting kit. Thanks for the giveaway Diane. Vikki in VA
Sandy Stevens says
I would sooo excited to win!
Laurie Perry says
I would love to win! Love crafting books.
Jamie says
Love this !!!! Would be awesome to win ???
Debra Bartels says
Oh how fun! Would love to be the winner. Great activity with the grandchildren. Thanks for the chance. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Cheryl says
Would love to win this book! I just downloaded paper snowflakes to cut out & decorate with so this is right up my alley!
Sandi says
Hi I would love to win this for my college age daughter! She has a chronic illness and is super creative. She loves making things to brighten someone’s day!
Amanda Pennington says
I’d love to win the papercrafting book! My four munchkins would thoroughly enjoy it! On a side note, for easy gingerbread houses, you may have already heard about making faux ones from graham crackers. We did it today and I’m totally sold! Hot glue regular crackers together (cinnamon ones don’t hold as well) in the house shape and use a good serrated knife to cut anything you wish, then embellish away. Also, Ikea sells a lovely pre-baked house that you assemble yourself for $4. I got it before I heard about the graham cracker one and it’s just beautiful. It’s nice to go straight to the fun of decorating and skip the baking step.
L Schock says
I thrive on sending and receiving mail. Basically all my relatives are spread across the country, and I send them and my friends for every little holiday. I love getting mail also. I will use this book to defer some stationary costs by making my own. I will try some crafts with my five- year old nephew, who is trying all sorts of hobbies with me, thank you so much for this offer.
Beverly Hayes says
The book looks darling! I honestly never win anything. LOL
It would be nice to win this cute book for a change. Thanks for the giveaway!
Norma Rolader says
Oh my what adorable ideas Thank you
Kris says
I’d love to win the book! I craft with my grandchildren, especially when they are home (and with me) on their holiday break. I had never heard of the movies you mentioned but will definitely check them out. Thank you!!
LInda says
Love both movies. I’d like winning the book! Fingers crossed!
Lou E Clifton says
I have never seen this book and would love to win.
leigh says
Would love to win, and I also enjoy your blog very much!
kat says
I love both of those movies.
The scene on the roof – where Tracy is trying to trick Hepburn- is one of the best ever.
Or the one where they are sitting in the stacks talking about his ex – where he says, “Now if women’s hemlines are going up I might be interested.”
Such good writing.
Hope you didn’t get too much snow today.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Kat – I agree with you that the scenes and lines in Desk Set are great! I love every minute and the acting is great too. We were right on the edge of the snow line and didn’t get any snow. It would have been nice to get a little, being from the north, I do miss seeing it. It does make for a comfy-cozy day.
Dianne Mitchell says
Would love to win this book.
Sue Scanlon says
Love to do paper crafts w/the grands.
Linda O'Neill says
Thanks so much for your generosity. It looks like a fabulous book. Hope I’m the lucky one.
Kathy Beemer says
I’d love to win! Thanks for the chance.
wendy clark says
The paper crafting book looks great and will be well used! Fingers crossed!
Evelyn Ames says
I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! And I would love to get even more ideas to make ours very special!
Judy Wright says
I would ABsolutely LOVE to win this book!! I am a huge fan of card giving (and make many myself!) Thanks for the opportunity to win this and have a blessed, Merry Christmas!!
RoseNell says
I would love to win this book to share my love of crafting with my great- grand daughter. Your blog is the only one I read and I love your style. I’m in the midst of moving right now, and this helps keep me sane !! Thanks.
Charmaine Kaumeyer says
I would LOVE to win Christmas Paper Crafting!
Melissa says
I would love to win . Awesome book !
Fritzy Dean says
ME! ChooseME! I would love to win the book.
Happy Holidays , Diane!
Faye says
I would love to win the Christmas Paper crafting book. I enjoy all of your posting.
Love it when you give links to such interesting sites!
mary heicher says
I would like to win. Simple enough? lol :)
Ashleigh Hall says
Diane, You have the best taste! I have been looking for something fun to do with my daughter who is 10 this holiday season! Paper crafting would be perfect! I would love to win this beautiful book! Thanks for the chance! Happy Holidays.
Jane Conheady says
Ooooh yes pleeeease! I would LOVE to win! ???
Deb Wostmann says
I would love to win this. Wonderful blog today.
Romeogirl says
This was the perfect blog. Made me smile and I loved everything on it!!
Darcy says
I would love to win this. Thank you for the opportunity and for sharing.
Karen A. says
What a fun book this would be to share with my granddaughter! Thank you for the opportunity!
Brenda says
Oh, I love all things paper. Pop-up books, wreaths, trees, carved books. Sure would like to have this book!
Thanks for the offer.
Barbara H. says
Thanks so much for sharing so many great ideas, and this book offer too! It looks like something that would be so fun to do with my grandaughters!! Blessings to you this Christmas-
Kathy says
I would love this book. So much fun!
Patti says
I would love to win this book. Thanks for the give a way
Linda JF says
Thanks for offering this book, Diane! Christmas Paper Crafting sounds like my kind of book! I’d love to win it! Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Colleen says
I would love to win this book!!
Christy C. says
I would love to win.
You have a lot of great info today. I’m going to check out the leggings and phone cases.
Sharon H says
I would love to win this book! I make cards but they’re not the kind little hands would enjoy…..and I’m challenged when it comes to being creative with the littles. It’s sad, but true. This would be perfect to use with my great-grandbabies! Thanks for the opportunity to win it Diane, and have a Merry Christmas…and I hope Navy wins!
Karen W. says
I would love to win this book. My granddaughters and I enjoy “art-tivities.”
Thank you for the link to the post on Net Neutrality!
Shannonn says
I’d love to win that book
Wendy Hancock says
I would love to win this book and share it with my seven-year-old granddaughter who loves to do paper crafts :)
Jodi says
I would love to win the book! I like to be crafty!
Carolyn Clark says
I would love to win the book because I’m always looking for great paper crafting ideas! Thanks!
Kathy Carlson says
Yes, I would love to win this book. Thanks.