KARMIC GOODIES: It's beginning to look a lot like...

...CHRISTMAS!! ACK! Lately I have been trying to focus and find some balance, but I also have sooo much to share! 

Sadly my iphoto is on the fritz and my printer is dead, but I managed to get some pics from the week up to share! On Tuesday last week I did a little shopping with my mom and got some great deals at Joann's !! My eyes felt like they were going to bulge out while I scanned through all of the loveliness!! 

I got some X-mas goodies from the dollar bins to make a surprise project with Cyndy one of these days!! 

And some awesome fuzzy beads on clearance (not completely sure what to do with the purple hearts yet, but I couldn't resist!!) Notice the bright blue Duct Tape?! I LOVE this color so much and end up buying almost anything in the family of this blue. I am hoping to cover some stuff and/or make some duct tape wallets for fun!

Yummy embroidery threads in some of my favorite colors! I want to learn to embroider as well! (Such a dilettante I am!)

This company is so affordable!! I can't wait to really start sewing. I just began advising a Sewing Club at my school called "Sew Fierce". How cute? I wish I could take the credit, I am just the teacher in the room....but boy do I have ideas!!

Then I also got these great thick plastic bags for $1 each at a closeout store!! I am thinking about using them as gift bags or gifts!! Love the green plaid so much!

On Wednesday and Thursday, all I could so was work work work, but on Friday I got to hang out with Cyndy at her lovely and super charming apartment. It was such a treat to be able to have conversation, some mulled wine (wow Cyndy!) and craft!! I got to make the Schnauzer silhouettes for my Dad and Step-mom (pics to come) and then Cyndy and I tried our hand at this tutorial from Applehead for these really brilliant bookmarks. They definitely weren't as easy as we thought they would be, but they are still a pretty cool idea and were fun to make! Definitely will make more, I certainly have plenty of recycled cereal boxes!!

And, the penultimate: the Holly Jolly Fair at the Unitarian Church of Staten Island !! I couldn't wait to get to this event and because of my soul-stealing Saturday job I got to the fair so late...but I still scored!!

1940's ornaments!! (How did they know I was hoping to find these?)

I got these, the above (including the jars), two complete vintage puzzles, a vintage portrait, an authentic Vera place mat and napkin set, and a cute vintage plastic truck for $7!!!

Then I got these sweet brooches...

...and these sashes for $5!

Part of the fair featured a local art group called "Friends of Fire" with all types of handcrafted goods. I finally bought something from Laura of Notions and Potions . The picture below is just a glimpse at this work of art/ cigar box pocketbook. The details are astounding and unique!! Wowza!! Luckily the recipient of this gift isn't an internet person!! I hope she likes it!! Yay local art!!

And, little by little I am enjoying holiday crafts! I guarantee that by the time I am 30 I will be a Christmas expert...or at least thoroughly enjoy what I feel the holiday is all about: friends, fun, crafts, baking, giving, hot cocoa, decorating, looking at lights, singing carols, watching both Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and A Christmas Story as nausea...and of course, being plain 'ol:

'Tis the season!! MMMM.

P.S. Doilies rock! Just ask Martha !