The Ducks are Taking Over!

Day 25.
The Ducks are Taking Over!

I stumbled onto something that is just too adorable for words! Often I do a video review when I find something that I want to share with you, but this company has already done an amazingly entertaining video to spotlight their equally creative products. If I told you I was blown away by a line of rubber ducks you might not immediately get the full impact of my enthusiasm, so please check out this website and watch their video and I think you'll see why Sam from CelebriDucks, hatched in the USA, has quacked his way into my heart as a great gift idea!

http://www.celebriducks.com/index.php/made-in-america/

Aren't you glad you checked that out? Double snaps for this awesome company!

Stuff for your Stocking

Day 24.
Stuff for your Stocking

Ok, back to our holiday stocking. Now that we have that project completed we have to find some things to use as stocking stuffers. Here are a few ideas to get us started...

 

 

I absolutely LOVE finding little additional gifts to round out the holidays and filling a stocking is a fun way to mix in a few of those surprises. If you're looking for some more stocking stuffer suggestions take a look at these...

How about some fun new colors of water-based nailpolish by Acquarella?

http://store.acquarellapolish.com/

Or some sweet treats to make for a relaxing bath...

http://www.beaubain.com/

And my experience has been you can never go wrong with chocolates...

http://www.worldsfinestchocolate.com/

I think these are all particularly fun ideas for adding a little something extra to your stocking and all are made in the USA. You'll have a great time adding these goodies to a stocking...and just tell 'em they're from Santa!

Thank you, veterans!

 

Day 23.

Thank you, veterans!

I am married to a veteran. My husband served for six and a half years in the army and went to Korea twice during that time. My father entered the Navy near the end of World War II. I thank them both and all of our nation's veterans for their service. This Veterans Day let's consider a gift of an American flag.

 

 

 

In honor of Veterans Day I drove a talented young lady named Kimberly Sargalis in a local parade. During the parade we saw LOTS of American flags and we decorated the car with several of our own. I know that many American flags are manufactured in other countries, so it was important to me to make sure we knew the origins of ours. For this occasion we were particularly pleased to show patriotism and honor to our veterans by showcasing flags that were made right here in the USA.

 

 

Today I encourage you to thank a veteran. We owe them so much. I also encourage you to give special attention to the label on the purchase of your next flag. There are many places where you can purchase an American flag that was made right here in America. Here's one...

https://www.flagstoreusa.com/Default.asp

I hope you fly your American flag with patriotism and pride. And thank you again to all our men and women in the Armed Forces, past and present, who have served with honor.

 

Handmade is Heartmade - Making a Stocking

Day 22.
Handmade is Heartmade - Making a Stocking

A handmade gift is a heartmade gift, don't you think? I love to get creative and make presents for my friends and family. Some gifts I have made and given to loved ones in the past have included a quilt for my mother made with squares all featuring family photos, a bracelet made from my own handcrafted beads shaped and painted to resemble each of my aunt's 12 cats and a picture book that transformed my nephew into the star of an original story as a result of some creative use of photo editing software. Maybe these thoughts will give you a few ideas too.

Using supplies that are made here in the USA I'd like to now show you how to make a stocking from scratch and give a gift that can be enjoyed throughout the holiday season for this year and years to come.

 

It's so gratifying to make something special and see the project come together well. Then the feeling of giving the gift and feeling that your efforts are being enjoyed and appreciated is even nicer. Now that we have the stocking we're going to need some cool stocking stuffers to fill it. I have some ideas...

It's chilly outside, but I've got a Warm Glow

Day 21.

It’s chilly outside, but I’ve got a Warm Glow

I mentioned previously that I took a trip to St. Louis this year…but did I tell you it was a road trip? I drove 16 hours in each direction, which gave me lots of time to stop and shop at outlets and interesting stores along the way. While passing through Indiana I came upon an attraction that was too good for a candle lover like me to pass by…the Warm Glow Candle Company! If you’re driving along Interstate 70 they are just off exit 145. They tell you to look for the big candle. I assure you that is no joke, it is a BIG CANDLE! Here is their sign by the road…

 

When I went inside there were fragrant candles everywhere I looked in their enormous outlet store…a true paradise for someone like me! Now, candles are always great, but as a souvenir from this trip I wanted to bring home something a little different, so I selected one of their electric candles. This is a great item that is hand dipped in one of their many aromatic scents. I chose one in a gingerbread cookie scent (because I love all things gingerbread) and it has a fabulous fragrance. The light bulb inside gives off a beautiful glow that heats the candle up just enough to really make the scent really fill the room. For those times when you want to enjoy the candle atmosphere, but may not want to actually light a flame, an electric candle is a perfect alternative.

 

If ever you’re travelling through Centerville, Indiana, the Warm Glow Candle Company is definitely a place I’d suggest visiting. Or in the meantime you can see their store online at www.warmglow.com.

Another Great Candle Find

Day 20.
Another Great Candle Find

While searching for some more cool gift ideas online I found a company that impressed me and I placed an order for some unique scented candles that have a beautiful fragrance, a clever and decorative design and are made right here in the USA. I was thoroughly pleased with my experience ordering from the American Spirit Candle Company and their website at www.americanspiritcandle.com.

How cute is that little snowman? These candles are absolutely perfect for the holiday season...or maybe for tucking into another gift basket!

Art Appreciation

Day 19.
Art Appreciation

Sometimes when you see a gift item it just speaks to you and you know that it's the perfect item for someone on your list. I think the same can be said for art, which can also be a treasured gift, and occasionally the story behind the work is what makes it all the more interesting. That was the case for me when I learned about the art of American artist Ellen Clapsaddle. Although her name was previously unfamiliar to me, the style of her images was immediately recognizable and spoke to me and I gained a much greater appreciation for them once I learned a little about her life and the fact that she lived quite near to where I do today. She is known particularly for being a very prolific postcard artist. Her vintage cards are apparently quite collectable and prints of her work are also very desirable. Locally printed items are available from www.jimparkerartist.com and Jim Parker took some time to tell me a little more about Ellen Clapsaddle and the work that made her known.

A search for more information about her online turned up a number of other places to find her vintage cards. For someone who loves art or history you can find a piece of both from this artist who I'm proud to say was from my local area.