STAY

Rollover!

Sit!

Stay!

Good Puppy!

You can make one too.

We got our copy at Jennifer Paginelli's home show. We're lucky. We're just a 10 minute drive from all that creativity and inspiration.

You can get yours here.

S.W.A.K.

I DIG A PONY

First Sighting

We're Getting Warmer...

We made it!

Frannie and General Sis Boom

Frannie and Annie

Frannie and I had the pleasure of visiting Jennifer Paganelli at her Sis Boom show this weekend. Frannie is a huge Sis Boom fan and was so excited to finally meet Jennifer. The Sis Boom show was as grand as it always is, but this time there were pony rides. What more could an eight year old girl ask for? Frannie is riding Annie, who is all decked out for the occasion. Her toes are glittered (yes, I said glittered) and she has pink pom-poms all over. Isn't that saddle blanket exquisite? It was created by Nancy Deweir Geaney of Dark Horse Farm Designs, who also attended the show. And that's Marilyn Miller who owns Annie. If you're interested in riding lessons, she's the one to go to. They're available on Kennsitt Rd. in Wilton, CT. So, who do you think has the longer pony tail - Frannie or Annie?

S.W.A.K.

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

HEY, THIMBLEANNA, COME ON DOWN!
Okay ladies, here's your chance to win your very own bead-knitted purse. Take a look at those four pictured on the right - that's right - you could be the lucky winner - except that yours will be made out of crystal clear beads and white thread (I'm thinking ice and snow). I'm also going to add a little charm to the side, but I haven't decided which one yet. You know you want one! (Even Jennifer Paganelli and Martha Stewart are the proud owners of one.)

Here's what you have to do to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me what your New Year's resolution is. You must state a resolution or you won't be entered. If you don't have one, make one up.

2. If you don't have a blog, you must leave an e-mail address so you can be notified if you win, otherwise, you won't be entered.

3. Open to U.S./Canada residents only.

4. Keep it FUN!

Now go on over to the Whirl Into Winter giveaway event hosted by Quilting With Debi and enter all those other contests. On January 15th, at 8:00 PM eastern time, Frannie (who else?) will pick the winner.

You know I'm a sucker for a good song, so here are the lyrics to Baby It's Cold Outisde (my favorite version is with Tom Jones and Marianne Faithful):

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE
Words and music by Frank Loesser
As Performed By Tom Jones

I really can't stay
But baby, it's cold outside
I've got to go away
Ah, baby, it's cold outside
This evening has been
Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice
I'll hold your hands,
they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry
Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor
Listen to that fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry
Oh beautiful, please don't hurry
Maybe just a half a drink more
Why don't you put some
records on while I pour
The neighbors might think
Oh baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink
There's no cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how
Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell
I'll take your hat,
your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir
Mind if I move a little closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
What's the sense of hurting my pride
I really can't stay
Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside
I simply must go
Oh, baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no
You know it's cold outside
This welcome has been
I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm
Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious
Oh, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door
Like waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
Eww, your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a cigarette more
Never such a blizzard before
I've got to go home
Ah, baby, you would freeze out there
Say, lend me a comb
You know it's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand
I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see
How can you do this thing to me
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
Making my life long sorrow
At least there will plenty implied
If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay
Get over that old out
Ah but it's cold outside

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

S.W.A.K.

MELLOW YELLOW

(It even has a an adorable little slice of cake charm attached.)

Donovan
Mellow Yellow
I'm just mad about Saffron
Saffron's mad about me
I'm just mad about Saffron
She's just mad about me
{Refrain}
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
I'm just mad about Fortean
Fourteen's mad about me
I'm just mad about Fortean
She's just mad about me
{Refrain}
Born high forever to fly
Wind velocity nil
Wanna high forever to fly
If you want your cup o'er fill
{Refrain}
(So mellow, he's so yellow)
Electrical banana
Is gonna be a sudden craze
Electrical banana
Is bound to be the very next phase
They call it mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
Saffron -- yeah
I'm just mad about her
I'm just mad about Saffron
She's just mad about me
{Refrain}
(Oh so yellow, oh so mellow)

S.W.A.K.

It's alright, all night, it's alright
It's okay, all day, it's okay
You'll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
Yeah, yeah

If you don't want to make a Cookie Swap post, why don't you e-mail me your favorite Christmas cookie recipe and I'll copy it into my "The More The Merrier" Christmas Cookie Swap. I know you've got a favorite! (CuteStuffInside at hotmail dot com - and please be sure to fill in the subject line with "Cookie Swap").

THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!

P.S. - Get on over to Jennifer Paganelli's blog and check out her Christmas Trees post - you'll see a great holiday card holder made by Marnie out of Sis Boom fabric - notice the photo in the holder on the table (yep - that's Frannie peeking out at you!).

AMERICAN IDOL(S)

What a star studded week the last one was! As I mentioned in a previous post, on Thursday I had the pleasure of attending Sis Boom's Annual Holiday Show hosted by Jennifer Paganelli, herself. She is not only extremely creative, she is also a very lovely person, inside and out.

Martha and Frannie

Then, on Saturday, Frannie and I attended a book signing with Martha Stewart. This event was held at Stew Leonard's in Norwalk, CT. We live within walking distance, so we took a nice little stroll down to the event, and it's a good thing (no pun intended) because there wasn't a parking space to be had. Yes, the book signing line was very long, but Frannie was a trooper and I didn't hear a single complaint from her. We only purchased one copy of her new book, Martha Stewart's Cooking School, but it seemed as if the majority of people were purchasing a half dozen copies each. Although not personalized, Martha did sign each copy while chatting with each person in line. Martha's two French Bulldogs, Sharkey and Francesca, also attended the event, although Francesca did manage to escape for a moment or two. Everyone was yelling, "shut the door, shut the door," so she couldn't escape, and her handler finally managed to catch up with her. Those two puppies are awfully cute. Martha and Frannie even had a little discussion about Francesca, because they share the same name (Frannie is short for Francesca). I was even allowed to photograph Frannie and Martha together. Martha Stewart was very gracious and even invited all those attending with small children to come to the front of the line. Kuddos Martha!

Santa and Frannie
(How About That Hat? - I mean Frannie's!)

We couldn't leave Stew Leonard's without paying a visit to Santa. Frannie wanted to be sure he knows exactly what she wants for Christmas.

S.W.A.K.

It goes round and round, up and down
Round and round, up and down
Round and round and a up and down
And a one two three kick, one two three jump

Don't Be A Scrooge!
THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!

SIS BOOM!

I am lucky enough to live near Jennifer Paganelli, and this morning I visited her Sis Boom Holiday Shop - an annual delight. If you're in the area, you still have time to visit.

Magical, isn't it!

Can't wait for her spring show.

S.W.A.K.

Yeah, the name of the dance is PEPPERMINT TWIST

VIRTUAL Christmas Cookie Swap - THE MORE THE MERRIER!