Black Friday and Cyber Monday

At the last minute, I decided to offer FREE SHIPPING all weekend. If there was something you were considering as a holiday gift, or to wear to a party this season, make sure to stop by my shop, Ulixis Crafts, and pick it up!

Hamilton

I moved to Hamilton 5 years ago to attend McMaster University. Most people I talk to don't like the city, but it's the first big town I've ever lived in, and for me it was love at first sight.

I don't know much about the city, but it is an old town with a rich cultural history. The town was conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased farmland after the War of 1812. It took some time for his idea to take form, but a police board and city limits were defined by statute in 1833. Many of the old buildings are still around today, and quite a few have been converted into museums or historical sites.

I guess one of the reasons many people don't like the city is because our economy relies a lot on the steel mills. On hot summer days, the smell and smog can be a little unpleasant, and I do get some thick black dust. But I love to go for walks through the old neighborhoods, and dream about living in any one of the mini-mansions.

While browsing through Wikipedia, I found out that Hamilton has a coat of arms, shown above, as well as a flag! I rather like it, with the pretty flower and chain. Here's Hamilton's skyline, as seen by the edge of the escarpment, or mountain. You're basically looking at downtown Hamilton. Behind you is the mountain, a whole city in itself ~ to the right is the East end and Stoney Creek and to the left is Westdale with the University, as well as Dundas and Ancaster. I live near that tall building on the left of the photo. In fact, if you look closely and know what you're looking for, you might be able to see my apartment building. I don't know how long I'll be here, but I'm enjoying it while I am!

Where are you from? For you, what makes a city a "nice" or "good" city to live in?

Item of the day: Shadow Pods

I've kept a personal journal since I was in the third grade. Throughout the years, my dedication to writing has varied, but I've always gone back to it with a renewed sense of commitment. I enjoy writing out my inner thoughts and feelings, as well as the mundane parts of my day. It helps me work through problems and decisions, and gives me a good laugh when I go back over things I've written years ago. Have I ever matured!

The point of all this is that I'm almost finished the notebook I've been chronicling in for the past year. I've always had store-bought journals, so I was quite excited at the prospect of getting myself a new, handmade one! My friend Angie recently purchased a journal (see her blog) and convinced me that moleskine was the way to go. I've also had a moleskine sketchbook before, and was impressed with the quality. So I wasn't planning on copying Angie's purchase, but after doing a general search through Etsy, the shop she chose seemed to be the way to go.

Shoofly has really pretty gocco designs.. I went with the shadow pods, in the larger size, lined:I'm writing a couple of pages a day now, just so I can finish the old notebook by the time I get my pretty new one! Can't wait!

Front Page!

My treasury, Golden Glimmer, made the front page!!! This is only the second time this happens, so I'm very excited!On the front page, it doesn't look exactly the same as I curated it, but that's because a few items sold. So far, 4 have sold! This is what my treasury looks like with the alternates. The top alternate, a necklace by moxiedesigns, was in the top left corner, but I switched it when it sold. Woo hoo! Thank you for the front page!!

Item of the day: Cardinal

Debra Linker is a wonderful artist whom I met via the "More Meaningful Gifts" BnR. I immediately fell in love with her cardinal prints, so I asked her to make me some Christmas cards featuring the cute little cardinal face:They turned out really well! You can find cardinal cards here, and feel free to ask Debra if you have wording you'd like to add to the front.

Through various games and promotions on the MMG thread, I also received a free copy of Debra's wonderful crooked Santa card:
He is so adorable, I'm uncertain whether to send him to someone or keep him to myself! Do check out debralinker (and her sister shop, ditto) ~ you're sure to fall in love with her work!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would just like to wish all my American readers Happy Thanksgiving!I hope this holiday finds you and your family healthy and in good spirits.

Item of the day: Merry Christmas Card

I liked these green button cards by ScrapArcs so much, I asked for a set of 4 ~ 2 dark green and 2 light green.I like how the watermark ink used for the "Merry Christmas" and green patterns is slightly raised and shiny, for a real professional and unique look.

Homemade bread

I think it's pretty obvious by now that I love to cook. My Christmas list is as follows (plus my entire favourites list, hehehe):

• salad spinner
• bread maker
• pasta maker
• flat whisk
• cast iron dutch oven
• Kitchenaid mixer

Clearly, I like preparing food.
This past weekend, Pat and I went to stay the night at his Aunt's and Uncle's place - they have an enormous, beautiful house and are super nice people. I love visiting with them, they're like our adoptive godparents. Anyway, while I was there, I was able to scratch one item off my Christmas list:They gave me a bread maker!!! It was a wedding gift, and in 15 years, they've never used it. So now this near-vintage machine is all mine!! I was so excited, I made my first loaf Monday night. It was a simple white bread:
It was delicious! I was gnawing on my knuckles because it smelled so good while baking! The loaf was gone by lunchtime Tuesday, so I made another loaf last night, this time a sweet bread. A heavier bread, not as tasty, but still good. I can't wait to try all the other recipes in my recipe book - whole wheat is up next!

I love my bread maker!

Item of the day: Santa's Belly

This card was just too cute for me to resist ~ I'm going to send it to my brother's family, where the kids will love it.I love how DzDesigns recycled a popcan tab for Santa's belt buckle.

While shopping at DzDesigns, I also came across a sweet card that says "For you and yours":
I loved the organic feel to this card ~ it's going to my aunt's family.

And finally, I picked up this gorgeous snowflake card saying "Home for the Holidays" ~ a perfect sentiment for us, since we head home for Christmas each year. I just loved the unique inside to this card:
If you're still looking for your holiday cards, do check out this shop! You're sure to find something that fits!

Item of the day: Christmas Cards

The holidays are almost upon us, and it's about time to be sending out those Christmas (or seasonal) cards! This week, I'll be featuring the Christmas cards that I've purchased and will be sending to my family.

First up is my friend, Angie, from jellybeans and artbyangie. I just love her work, and couldn't go without getting some of her cards. My family will be thrilled that they know exactly who made their card!
Of course, I couldn't decide which ones to get, so I asked for a custom set of 4: one of the red trees, the set of 2 Christmas forest cards and one partridge in a pear tree card.
She has a few other prints to choose from, as well as some adorable snow bunnies in her artbyangie shop. If, like me, you can't choose just one, get a variety set!

Tasty!

Pomegranates are such beautiful fruit.Tasty too!

Item of the day: Copper Pinwheels

I just love unique earrings. I like them to be dangly, and a bit flashy, but classy too. These pinwheel earrings by novadesigns are sweet and simple, yet I've never seen anything like them before!They'd be a great addition to any jewelry collection!

Item of the day: Ruffled Bloom

I purchased a necklace for my mom from missficklemedia last year, so I was browsing through her shop today after recently going through all my old Etsy purchases. I absolutely love this ruffled bloom necklace:It's so unique and delicate, and I love the stunning colour combination!

Portrait

Can you see the face in my mustard?

Item of the day: Evergreen Ornament

I purchased this evergreen ornament from CreationsByRobin last year, so it'll be practically like new when I pull it out this year. It's simple beauty really captured me:The polymer clay disc has a bit of a shine to it that you can't see in the photos. It's really a wonderful piece! This shop doesn't have any ornaments in stock yet, but keep an eye out as the season gets closer!

Holiday Swap

I'm getting really excited about the coming holidays! I'm trying to decide what to get for my family and I think I'm close to being done. I also have my own list drawn up, and I hope I get the #1 item: a bread maker!

Last year, I did a Christmas cracker swap with the lovely Amy from Ruby Moon Arts. It was SO much fun ~ putting together a cracker, and receiving one in the mail. I love getting gifts in the mail! So this year, I knew I definitely wanted to participate in some sort of a holiday swap.

Remember that awesome More Meaningful Gifts BnR I keep talking about? The one where the people are so nice to chat to, and the advice flows like water? The one where we host a sneak attack every week? Yeah, that one. Well, one of the wonderful contributors, "sew" AKA Jessica from sewmanylittlethings, has offered to host our very own BnR holiday swap!!! Of course, I don't think you *have* to be part of the BnR to participate, but you can always stop by to chat!

If anyone is interested in participating, contact Jessica via convo. Let her know your address and the holiday you celebrate. The entry deadline is December 1st, and then Jessica will randomly pair up the participants. So you have to make something that will fit into your swap partner's holiday (which may or may not be the one you celebrate)! The mailing deadline is December 10th, and Jessica will send out reminder notices so no one forgets. Please only sign up if you intend on sending your partner something! There's nothing worse than participating in a swap and not getting anything!
I'm really excited ... and trying to decide what to make for my partner. I love Christmas time!

Treasury!

I snagged a treasury west today. It was snowing this morning, and I needed a bit of Sunshine:
I also found myself in this gorgeous (now expired) Christmas treasury curated by designsbyericakortz.This lovely treasury featured the wonderful members of the MMG BnR I love so much!

Speaking of the MMG BnR, we had our 3rd sneak attack last night and the lucky winner was ditto! Head on over to her shop and surprise her with a late sneak attack of your own!

Item of the day: Decorative Tree Baubles

Today's featured shop, makalewakan, is chocked full of great, country-home ornaments and home decor. It was a hard choice to make, but the two I chose to get for myself were the rope ball:and the corn ball:I also really like the moss ball and the bean trees. This is definitely not a shop you want to miss when stocking up on organic, natural and homey ornaments.

Item of the day: Woodland Angel

I know I've mentioned my love for misseskwittys before. I have a little flock of felt birds from her. So when I saw this woodland angel, I knew I had to have her: ... and why not another little bird at the same time?! But I wanted a special, seasonal bird so I asked Misses Kwitty to make me one:Isn't she cute? Mine wasn't the only one made, so you can get one of your own! I'm warning you though, they are so adorable, you'll need to get your own flock too!

Item of the day: Snowman Ornament

I love holiday decorations - pulling them out each year and becoming reacquainted with everything you have. In my house, snowmen are a must for the winter season. It makes it easy for shopping during the holidays. Does it have a snowman on it? Then mom will like it. A few years ago, my brothers counted all the snowmen my mom had, and stopped at over 100.

I've definitely acquired my mom's love (or obsession) for these cute little snow people, so today's snowman ornament by MudHutt was a must-have.I particularly love the curly earmuffs and pretty blue snowflakes. I can't wait to get my tree!

Item of the day: Funky Tree Ornament

This ornament by littlebitfunky is one of a kind. And all mine.But isn't it adorable, with it's button ornaments and ribbon star? Of course, you too can have a little bit of funky for your Christmas this year - there's a matching heart ornament:
But you better hurry before I decide I want the matching pair!

100 SALES!

I've almost had 100 sales on Etsy! A good part of those were trades instead of real sales, but still!

I'm currently at 98 sold... so whoever happens to be my 100th sale: keep an eye out for your package - there will be a little extra surprise in there for you, as a token of my appreciation!


I'd like to thank all the wonderful Etsy buyers, sellers and traders who have helped me reach this milestone!

Item of the day: Glitter Birds

Since I mentioned yesterday that I've started collecting ornaments so that I could get a bigger tree this year, I decided to make this week's theme holiday ornaments. Specifically, ornaments I've bought to fill up my yet-to-be-purchased tree.

First up is one of my absolute favourite shops, jessicajane. I snatched this yellow happiness bird as soon as I saw it:Unfortunately for me, the other 2 matching birds were sold already. Her little birds are absolutely adorable! I really want to add these glitter ones to my tree as well:They would add that perfect amount of gleam to the holiday decor!

Item of the day: Watercolour Ornament

I've been thinking a lot about the holidays lately, making up gift tags, browsing for gifts and collecting ornaments. I'm determined to get a new tree this year, and if I have too many ornaments to fit on my table-topper, then I have a great excuse!

These watercolour ornaments by cynthiacallan are breathtaking:I can picture a whole tree filled with these soft and delicate ornaments. In fact, they'd look great with these other ornaments I've featured and bought from westheather.

FRONT PAGE!!!

OH WOW!!! OH WOW OH WOW OH WOW!!! I'm on the front page of Etsy! One of the treasuries I posted about yesterday (lighting the candles, which is now actually expired) made it to the front page!! I'm SOOOOOOO excited ~ this is the first time any of my items has made it to the front page!!EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! :D

I'm a little excited!

Item of the day: Vintage Bird

The art shop krisblues is one of my favourites. I especially love this little vintage bird:Isn't she sweet? She'd look great with my growing collection of bird prints (that really need to be framed and hung!)..

Treasuries!

I found myself in 3 treasuries today! I think that's a record for me! How exciting is that?!?

Sneaky Sneaky by AmeesadornmentsThe sneak attack that is referenced in this treasury happened last night and was a great success! The shop that was attacked was sumpinelse.etsy.com. If you want to participate in next week's sneak attack, check out the More Meaningful Gifts BnR!

Rosy Cheeks by nancywallisdesigns
lighting up the candles by glasfadenThank you so much to these great sellers who included me in their collections!