CHRISTMAS IS COMING

SLIDE SHOW

So tell me, where does the time go? One minute you've written a blog entry and then before you know it, two weeks have passed and you haven't posted a thing!

Well, here is something I have been working on over the past week, although this is not exactly what I was referring to in my last post - I'll be showing you those soon, and I promise, not another two weeks to see.

Back to the business at hand - do you remember those wedding party favors I made last spring? Well, I had a few empty cones left over, and I thought, hey, maybe those would be good for Christmas. So out comes my handy-dandy glue gun, pipe cleaners, glitter, bells, and crepe paper ruffles and the next thing you know, voila! Christmas candy cones! And what do you think they're filled with? Here's a hint - S.W.A.K. - Hershey kisses, of course!

I also made some, what I call, "candy crackers". I've been saving empty Reynolds foil tubes - they are really the perfect size - not too wide in diameter. I cut the tube into 4" lengths (3 pieces per tube). I wrap each tube in a piece of decorative paper (I've used more Paris map and Sonata music sheet paper) , dip each end in glitter, fill with kisses, then wrap again in clear cellophane and tie each end with ribbon. Very festive. By the way, all the ribbons used here are vintage - a gift from my husband's great aunt. I just love them and I have a lot of different reels in a variety of scrumptuous colors!

I'll let you in on another little secret - did you notice the tier stand that the cones and crackers are displayed on? Have you any idea what that is? Well, several years ago, this was a Starbucks Christmas display - you may have seen it. It had all kinds of wooden figures glued to it. I admit it, I rescued it from a terrible fate - it was sitting next to a dumpster. I took it home and gave it TLC. First I removed all the wooden ornaments from each tiered tray (and yes, I did save them - I'm sure they'll turn up in a later post), then I took each tray and gave it fresh paint and glitter so they sparkle like snow and ice. Finally it was time for re-assembly. Each tray was turned upside down so they are no longer trays, but shelves. It makes a great display piece. You never know what you'll find!

Did you notice a theme going on here?

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - It's comforting to know that there are others out there who are up all night we me!