August 25-31 - OVERTIME and Neighbor Gifts

Announcement: I didn't make it. I've gotten a bunch of Christmas shopping done, but I have not finished. Bummer! It couldn't be helped. There were other projects going on simultaneously as well as unexpected travel and difficulty this month. I just need more time.

NEW DEADLINE FOR 2013: SEPTEMBER 15

Last year, my wonderful neighbors got mini leg lamp nightlights and Christmas kitchen towels. This year, they're all getting a loaf of fabulous cream cheese pound cake. I make this every year for my own family, and it's the best pound cake ever. I bought some extra loaf pans to go with the ones I already have for faster baking.

THE SCRAPBOOK

Here's what I've done with the big scrapbook project in the last few days. Found some cute embellishments at the craft store, and finished two more pages. I'm showing just enough of the pages to give you an idea of what I'm doing.

 

I stalled on my nieces' charm necklaces because the jump rings (you jewelry makers know what these are) I had were so small they were difficult to work with. I bought some bigger ones, a little case to keep them in, and some key rings...because why couldn't I make key ring charms for stocking stuffers??!!

I've bought enough for my nieces, but I saw these chunky notebooks with 3-D-ish butterfly covers, and couldn't resist.

Finally, I found two new rolls of wrapping paper that I loved! I know I'm trying to use up the stuff in the basement, but these were just beautiful. I can imagine a red satin ribbon with that navy and white chevron pattern. Gorgeous!

TALLY 
5 gifts for Hubby, 1 wrapped, 4 in bags
1 gift for Dad, wrapped
3 gifts for Mom, 1 wrapped, 2 in bags
2 gifts for Father-in-law, still in the bag
2 gifts for 1 brother-in-law, wrapped
3 gifts for 1 sister-in-law, wrapped
1 gift for other brother-in-law, wrapped 
5 gifts for nieces, new jump rings bought for charm necklaces. (Little problem. For the life of me I can't remember what these five gifts are. I can only remember three.)
2 gifts for sister, wrapped
1 gift for brother, wrapped
1 gift for other sister-in-law, wrapped
3 gifts for 1 son, 1 wrapped, 2 ordered
5 gifts for 1 son, wrapped
3 gifts for 1 girl, 2 wrapped, 1 still in the bag to be returned
Photo prints for scrapbook, delivered
Scrapbook - 4 pages done; new embellishments bought
Neighbors and friends - cream cheese pound cakes. Gift bags bought.
Gifts for some of the dogs in the 'hood - still in the bag
Stockings - 2 things for everyone + keyring idea

August 22-24 - Not. Enough. Time.

 You guys, I need more time! I'm playing catch up today. So far I've wrapped four presents, finished two more pages of the scrapbook, and purchased another gift for each of my nieces.

I'm not even going to spend more time blogging now, because it's Saturday, and I'm just going to get back to scrapbooking for Mom's book.

Oh, I also had second thoughts about one of the gifts I bought for a young lady. It's too old-looking for her. Back to the drawing board.

TALLY 
5 gifts for Hubby, still in the bags
1 gift for Dad, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for Mom, still in bags
2 gifts for Father-in-law, still in the bag
2 gifts for 1 brother-in-law, wrapped
3 gifts for 1 sister-in-law, wrapped
1 gift for other brother-in-law, wrapped
4 gifts for nieces, charms for one necklace finished
2 gifts for sister, wrapped
1 gift for brother, delivered, not wrapped
1 gift for other sister-in-law, delivered, not wrapped
3 gifts for 1 son, 1 wrapped, 2 settled upon
5 gifts for 1 son, wrapped
3 gifts for 1 girl, 2 wrapped, 1 still in the bag to be returned
Photo prints for scrapbook, delivered - Better start the book! 
Scrapbook - 4 pages done.
Oodles of gift bags for neighbors and friends 
Gifts for some of the dogs in the 'hood - still in the bag
Stockings - 2 things for everyone

August 17-21 - Catching up!

On August 18, I made major headway with my Christmas list. I had driven to Charleston, WV, to be with family after my cousin passed away. On the way home, I stopped at Tamarack. I found three little gifts for my mom, two for a sister-in-law, one for my sister, two for my hubby, and five stocking stuffers! Here are some pictures of cool things I saw there.

A couple of days before, I found this large wicker-framed mirror at T.J. Maxx. I may go back and get this for a certain mirror-lover.

Today, I started Mom's scrapbook. I only finished two pages, but it's started. I've dealt with 12 of the 284 pictures so far. Argh!!

TALLY 
5 gifts for Hubby, still in the bags
1 gift for Dad, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for Mom, still in bags
2 gifts for Father-in-law, still in the bag
2 gifts for 1 brother-in-law, wrapped
2 gifts for 1 sister-in-law, still in bags
1 gift for other brother-in-law, wrapped
3 gifts for nieces, charms for one necklace finished
2 gifts for sister, 1 wrapped, 1 not
1 gift for brother, delivered, not wrapped
1 gift for other sister-in-law, delivered, not wrapped
3 gifts for 1 son, 1 wrapped, 2 settled upon
5 gifts for 1 son, 4 wrapped, 1 not
3 gifts for 1 girl, 2 wrapped, 1 still in the bag
Photo prints for scrapbook, delivered - Better start the book! 
Scrapbook & some supplies, bought; still in the bag
Oodles of gift bags for neighbors and friends 
Gifts for some of the dogs in the 'hood - still in the bag
Stockings - 2 things for everyone

August 16 - Two More Relatives Checked Off!

My brother and sister-in-law in LA came through and gave me ideas of what they would like. I took care of these two in a snap today!

TALLY 
1 gift for brother, ordered
1 gift for sister-in-law, ordered
3 gifts for Hubby, still in the bag
1 gift for Dad, delivered and wrapped
2 gifts for Father-in-law, still in the bag
2 gifts for 1 brother-in-law, delivered, picked up, wrapped
1 gift for other brother-in-law, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for nieces, charms for one necklace finished
1 gift for sister, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for 1 son, 1 wrapped, 2 settled upon
4 gifts for 1 son, all delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for 1 girl, 2 wrapped, 1 still in the bag
Photo prints for scrapbook, delivered - Better start the book! 
Scrapbook & some supplies, bought; still in the bag
Oodles of gift bags for neighbors and friends 
Gifts for some of the dogs in the 'hood - still in the bag
Stockings - started

August 14, 15 - Soliciting Gift Wishes

All I did to help with Christmas today and yesterday was to contact my brother and sister-in-law in Los Angeles to ask them what they would like. I also collected a few new gift ideas from my hubby. I was busy teaching piano and didn't actually buy or wrap anything. I did go through my T.J. Maxx purchases from August 12 and get them somewhat organized. Will have to do more tomorrow. And I definitely MUST get Mom's scrapbook started!!!

TALLY 
3 gifts for Hubby, still in the bag
1 gift for Dad, delivered and wrapped
2 gifts for Father-in-law, still in the bag
2 gifts for 1 brother-in-law, delivered, picked up, wrapped
1 gift for other brother-in-law, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for nieces, charms for one necklace finished
1 gift for sister, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for 1 son, 1 wrapped, 2 settled upon
4 gifts for 1 son, all delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for 1 girl, 2 wrapped, 1 still in the bag
Photo prints for scrapbook, delivered - Better start the book! 
Scrapbook & some supplies, bought; still in the bag
Oodles of gift bags for neighbors and friends 
Gifts for some of the dogs in the 'hood - still in the bag
Stockings - started

August 13 - Piano Student Gifts

Deciding what to give my wonderful piano students is always a difficult challenge. I would love to give them something meaningful and fun, but my decision generally comes down to cost. Last year, I shopped online for things to fill a goody bag and ended up spending about $5 per student.

This year, I decided to ask a couple of students for suggestions. One of them said she thinks candy is always good and she also enjoyed the personalized music labels I gave as gifts several years ago. The other student came up with a rather brilliant idea: design a special charm for 2013 and make these as gifts.

I already make charms that my students can earn by memorizing and playing various scales on the piano. This one would be a "limited edition" charm that would simply be a gift.

I loved the ideas both of these students gave me, and I believe I'll go with exactly what they suggested:

1. Candy
2. Personalized music labels
3. 2013 collectible charm

TALLY 
Piano Student Gifts - decision made
3 gifts for Hubby, still in the bag
1 gift for Dad, delivered and wrapped
2 gifts for Father-in-law, still in the bag
2 gifts for 1 brother-in-law, delivered, picked up, wrapped
1 gift for other brother-in-law, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for nieces, charms for one necklace finished
1 gift for sister, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for 1 son, 1 wrapped, 2 settled upon
4 gifts for 1 son, all delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for 1 girl, 2 wrapped, 1 still in the bag
Photo prints for scrapbook, delivered - Better start the book! 
Scrapbook & some supplies, bought; still in the bag
Oodles of gift bags for neighbors and friends 
Gifts for some of the dogs in the 'hood - still in the bag
Stockings - started

August 11, 12 - Lots of Progress!

Yesterday, the only thing I accomplished was finding out that Son #2 has nailed down the two items on his wish list and determining what this was going to cost Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Today, on the other hand, I bought so many gifts that my debit card suffered severe trauma. Where did I shop? T.J. Maxx! It was amazing. I found two items for my father-in-law, one for a certain girl, three for my hubby, four for neighborhood dogs (I can't believe I did that), supplies for Mom's scrapbook, and a few stocking stuffers. I bought so much stuff that I can't remember what all there was. I'll go through the bags tomorrow and get it straight.

TALLY 
3 gifts for Hubby, still in the bag
1 gift for Dad, delivered and wrapped
2 gifts for Father-in-law, still in the bag
2 gifts for 1 brother-in-law, delivered, picked up, wrapped
1 gift for other brother-in-law, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for nieces, charms for one necklace finished
1 gift for sister, delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for 1 son, 1 wrapped, 2 settled upon
4 gifts for 1 son, all delivered and wrapped
3 gifts for 1 girl, 2 wrapped, 1 still in the bag
Photo prints for scrapbook, delivered - Better start the book! 
Scrapbook & some supplies, bought; still in the bag
Oodles of gift bags for neighbors and friends 
Gifts for some of the dogs in the 'hood - still in the bag
Stockings - started