almost there!

well september 1 is just right around the corner, and then we are just three weeks away from the autumn season (officially).

i have some craft supplies ready for one set of craft gifts, and i really need to get baking again. right now, my baked goods baskets will only contain gluten free cranberry orange scones and gluten free chocolate cupcakes. i would like to add an iced sugar cookie if it is possible, and definitely some sort of chocolate truffle. of course we shall see what it comes down to at the end of the season.

it's never too early for christmas crafts

this year, with the economy in a serious recession, and a genuine desire to return to the simple things in life, i have really focused my efforts on experiences and homemade things for christmas.

in my baking challenges, i am happy to report that i have a few successful gluten free items that i can share with friends and family this year:
gluten free cranberry orange scones
gluten free chocolate cupcakes
& gluten free pies (apple, pumpkin, strawberry, cherry)

i am hoping to finalize my recipe for gluten free sugar cookies this month.

last year was an embarrassment and a disaster. this year will be better, and i will be able to fill up my gift boxes with delicious things.

as for gifts, i am reviewing my martha stewart crafts encyclopedia, the internet, and magazines to decide which crafts i would like to do as gifts this year.

i'd like to make totes for people, and since i learned to make pillows at my sewing class... perhaps a pillow as well. maybe a set of notecards, personalized for each person.

it's never to early to start planning & working on holiday crafts.

paper snowflakes

i have been so excited in preparing for "christmas in july" that i have literally injured myself in the process.

i spent the weekend working on cutting out some tropical colored paper snowflakes, and it seems to have aggravated my carpal tunnel syndrome from using the scissors.

all is well that ends well, so i am going to rest up a bit. do not expect very long, wordy posts during july as i cut back a bit on activity for my right hand for a few weeks.

i will be celebrating so i will try to post every day except for sunday during the month of july, starting tomorrow with the kick-off!

monthly planning

since rudolph day for june 2009 is only 10 days away, i wanted to finalize my plans. it is also a thursday so i will be working and will have less time to work on things.

right now i am planning on watching "elf" the movie and working on my christmas notebook and figuring out which crafts i'd like to complete for gifts this year. i have some bracelets to work on and luckily i have all the supplies for those.

hopefully i will get a chance to test out another recipe next month!

may 2009 rudolph day

i just got back from michaels craft store since i had a special 20% off coupon for memorial day + a 40% off coupon for one item. i bought a glitter stamping set from the martha stewart crafts line. it came with some really cute deer stamps that i can use for holiday stamping!

i am going to watch "love actually" tonight. i was going to make gluten free cranberry scones (test run!) but i am not sure i will have time or the ingredients since our refrigerator has been acting up lately. as for christmas gifts, i have definitely started an ideas list. i am holding off on buying - i have to get through my husband's birthday first.