New Sugar Shack

The wonderful Julie at Pieceful Bits was kind enough to create a little blue sugar shack to match the pink one I bought at Christmas. Thank you!
Sadie Lou christened these little guys "Sugar Shacks" on the LolliShops blog and it's the perfect name for them.

Just between you and me, I'm not putting these away with the Christmas things. The cuteness cannot be contained.

Happy Holidays To You

Top 10 Requested Teacher Gifts

Picture Books in Winter available from theseasonalcottage Etsy shop.

Hot off the press! This tidbit was nestled in little one's December elementary school newsletter. Just in case you're not sure what to get or need a few last minute ideas...

Top 10 Requested Teacher Gifts

1. Books

2. Gift Cards

3. Board Games

4. Stickers

5. Stamp/Stamp Pads

6. Coffee

7. Fun Magnets

8. School Supplies

9. Fun Pens & Pencils

10. Food

LolliShopping!

LolliShops is a brand new venture that is just over a week old. Started by owner Sadie Lou Who , it is an online marketplace boutique for all things shabby chic, girly, pink, and sparkly.

And yes indeedy, I went LolliShopping on opening night. It was sooo yummy to see all the pretty pink and shabby goodies being loaded into people's shops! One by one they went, like candies dropping into a jar at the sweet shop. You know how there are things that you save to faves and then there are things that just call out to you...



First I went for a Glittery Pink & Green Cottage from Julie at Pieceful Bits and it was an honor to be her first customer. She blogs here . It arrived in no time in beautiful paper with some extra goodies and a nice note. I love it! It reminds me of a gumdrop or cotton candy and has inspired me to start a little Christmas cottage collection. Sadie Lou Who of LolliShops has called these "Sugar Shacks" and it suits them perfectly.



Next I saw a Faux Very Cherry Pink Cupcake from Jenni B Originals I think I might have been her first customer too. This is the sweetest and arrived pink and perfect along with a real pastel marshmallow twist candy that little one loved. I don't know how she makes these so delicate and yet hard-as-a-rock but everybody in my family wanted to know if they could eat it!



I've since been back LolliShopping (last night-after pining for it all week) and picked up this darling little Pink Shabby Sweet Cupcake Stand Pedestal from Darlene at Cherry Heart Boutique to display this cupcake year round.

Have YOU been LolliShopping yet?

Christmas Cards

Well, it looks like I've started blogging. It's a snowy Wednesday afternoon outside my window in Northern Illinois. We're headed straight into the holiday season; fasten your seatbelts!



Yesterday, I finished making Christmas cards with some supplies that I found on Etsy. Started with a set of black toile cards from eBay and added some paper from Michaels and then finished them off with Elle and the Snow Dove Tags from belleandboo.

The envelope seals are going to be these sweet little Christmas Tree Stickers from BrambleberryLane

The tags came prepared with those pretty ribbons that I just tied into a bow and used sticky dots to attach. It might have been nice with grommets or brads but I was afraid they would be too front-heavy and swing open when they were hung up.

They're done, signed by hubs and the two boys, and ready to go. Little one went artistic with a few and did his best snowman, gingerbread house, and polar express train drawings on the insides.





I worked a bit on some baby announcements (trying to stay ahead of deadlines this Christmas!) but more about those another day.

UPDATE: Dec. 4th what a coincidence! belleandboo are Featured Etsy Seller today