Last week, friends came by to help me practice my "Song of the Season" class that I am teaching at Kim's. As a thanks, and a Happy Holiday, I made up a little goodie bag for each of them.
These great scented candles from Bath and Bodyworks were on sale for 5 or 6 dollars, I can't remember, but it was a very good deal, so I bought a bagful to pass out this season. Each one got foofed up for the person it was going to. My pal, Angie loves pink roses as much as I do, so hers is topped with a circle of my favorite wallpaper in the world, and I wrapped a coordinating old, gold striped paper around it, tied it with a pink bow and added a millinery rose and a bit of sparkle.
Beth and Karla are both accountants, so their candles were decked out with pages snipped from a 1910 math book.
A bit of glue, a scrap of paper, and some foof, and they were quickly personalized to suit the giftees.
(the scent I chose was Vanilla Peppermint, and it reminds me of the happy evenings Sugarwings and I have spent with our cocoa parties by the Christmas tree. We like to stir the hot milk with candy canes, and then either add a spoonful of shaved chocolate, or a squeeze of vanilla agave syrup to our cups)
There is still another gift for Beth, but I didn't have it ready for her that day. She brought a Christmas present for me, and of course, I did NOT wait till I had one for her before I opened this. It was wrapped way too pretty. And even if I did pretend to be polite and wait, I'd have opened it as soon as she left anyway, then would have had to scramble to re-wrap it for when I had a gift ready for her and we could officially trade.
Her present was layers upon layers of gifts! A tattered old corsage and a hand made, ruffled scarf as a bow topped it all off. Under that, old wallpaper in gray and sage (I've already made something with a scrap of it, too).
Inside were two books, one was a 2012 planner done by local talent, Greg Johnson.I've never owned one before, but have always wanted one of his annual creations. I stole this photo from my friend, Debbie, she sells them in her Curious Sofa shop. You can get one for yourself, here
The other book is a flower child book from 1910. In the cover it says:
"To every child-flower that blooms within the curious garden that we call home, this little book is lovingly dedicated"
Its going to be a favorite of Sugarwings and I! Way too nice to cut up and use for projects, but I'll be scanning and using the pages, for sure.
These pages are for you. Just click to open in a larger size, save to the computer from that window, and print.
My dear friend, Shanna brought this beauty to me. She is a stained glass artist and makes wonderful Christmas ornies. My tree is full of her creations. This one is a new design, a tussy mussy, with hand painted enamel designs.
Now some more gifts for you! I picked three names from the comments this last week, and they have a choice of a dress form class or a cuff class online.
The winners are:
1-Debbie Jullirat
2-Wanda Contrears
3-Nancy Thompson
Will the 3 of you please email me to get the info for the tutorials?
Since its Christmas and I love making and giving presents as much as I love getting them, I'll do another giveaway too.
Between now and Christmas, leave a comment and I'll draw a name to win a surprise prize.
I would like to be considered for the surprise giveaway, as I truly love your stuff and your blog. Thanks!
Posted by: kimberlu budash | December 18, 2011 at 02:49 AM
I'm in too
Posted by: sandy | December 18, 2011 at 03:06 AM
Oh that pink bling on the candle is sooo yummy!
Did you make the orni in the last pic? So pretty!
Posted by: Francy | December 18, 2011 at 09:24 AM
Karla - hope you have a wonderful holiday! I would like to be entered for your contest.
Posted by: Rita Zink | December 18, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Karla - So sad I didn't get to go to your class at Kim's. I'm sure it was FABULOUS!! Merry Christmas! ♥
Posted by: Julie Weller | December 18, 2011 at 10:29 AM
I would love to win a surprise gift from you.
Posted by: Nancy Stone | December 18, 2011 at 10:40 AM
The parties by the tree sound priceless. Would love a chance to win the surprise gift.
Hugs Jackie
Posted by: Jackie Nobles | December 18, 2011 at 10:46 AM
yes yes yes!! I would love to wni somethign! You are such a lucky lady ti ahve such great friends around!! Love the last ornament with the shredded papers! Just beautiful!
Posted by: Jenny Sellars | December 18, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Your gifts given and received were just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing them! I imagine you're on a plane today back home after a wonderful and rejuvenating crafty weekend! What a great month!
Posted by: Laurie | December 18, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Your posts always fill my head with way more ideas than I have time! Please add my name. I would be delighted to win one of your creations!
Posted by: Kathy | December 18, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Karla I wish I had thought of this idea with prettying up the candle jars as I had given several candles away and they would have been so much more special if I had added special touches like you did with yours.
Just love all your creativeness!
bee blessed
mary
Posted by: mary | December 18, 2011 at 02:09 PM
Love your candle idea! What a beautiful gift, you are so wise, me lady!
Posted by: Marilyn McIldoon | December 18, 2011 at 02:47 PM
Karla, anything you come up with is a delight, so please enter me for the Christmas week treat...that last photo of the ornament is gorgeous! Merry Christmas to you and yours. Patty in Kansas
Posted by: Patty in Kansas | December 18, 2011 at 02:59 PM
What gorgeous treasures you received! I have been wanting one of Greg Johnson's journals for a long time now, and couldn't pass up the chance to get one when Debbie announced that they would be on sale in her shop. It was a Christmas gift to myself.
Thanks for the chance to win something pretty from you!
Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: Alice | December 18, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Please put me in the give away pile. I have your dress tutorial and love that it is so easy to change and do whatever you what with it. It is very fun! Your bottle trees have my interest. Is that a tutorial or class too? They are terrible cute.
Posted by: Merce Hamlin | December 18, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Oh I'm keeping my fingers crossed (toes, too). I'm using your idea to dress up candles next year....these are just as cute as baby dachshunds....And the stained glass tussy-mussy is incredible!!!
Posted by: Lorelei | December 18, 2011 at 05:48 PM
I love how your thrifty hand works...lovely embelishments on simple candles...another pretty ornament too...
just precious...
Posted by: Edy | December 18, 2011 at 06:03 PM
Oh I hope the surprise is the ornament in the last photo! Cute, cute, cute! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Posted by: Connie | December 18, 2011 at 07:07 PM
i will join in the Christmas fun, put me on the short list please. have enjoyed all the wonderful inspiration this month for Christmas and the fun. Merry Christmas to all of you.
Posted by: Linda McMillin | December 18, 2011 at 09:23 PM
Hi Karla,
You've turned the candles into something so beautiful! Your friends loved them for sure! And the gifts you received are wonderful! Like you giving and receiving homemade gifts are just the best.
Have a blessed Christmas,
Sonya
Posted by: Sonya | December 18, 2011 at 11:41 PM
Oh, what a lovely job you did with those candles!! and such beautiful gifts in general. Thank you for the possibility of winning a surprise something. I love HAPPY surprises. :-) Blessings to you and your family as you prepare for the holidays. :-)
celita in italy
Posted by: Celita | December 19, 2011 at 04:11 AM
Wonderful new classes. Great personal gift ideas, useful and beautiful Love the flower fairy book, a girl can never have too many fairy friends.
Wishing you and yours the very best of the season.
Posted by: fairyrocks | December 19, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Loving your site. Everything is so pleasing and fancy. I'd love being in on the giveaway.
Posted by: Mary Kiczenski | December 19, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Love what you did to dress up the candles. The Flower Children book is fantastic, what a treasure!
Posted by: Rhonda C. | December 19, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Beautiful gift and I loved what you got in return!
Posted by: jeanie | December 20, 2011 at 09:50 AM
What a fun day! Beautiful gifts.
Posted by: Erica | December 20, 2011 at 11:35 AM
I don't think I've ever won anything from a blog...would be a lovely surprise ! Those candles, are darling ! Your talent amazes me, Karla. I love everything you make !
Posted by: Deborah Woodrow | December 20, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Great job on the candles - such a cute idea. I love your ornament in your last picture. As always, I LOVE your blog.
Posted by: Debbie Blanken | December 21, 2011 at 12:20 AM
I would love to be added to the giveaway. Such a brilliant idea for the candles, a great way to give a personalized gift to everybody! Thanks so much for the inspirations.
Posted by: thepricklypinecone | December 22, 2011 at 12:26 AM
You are always so inspiring! Love your style!
Posted by: becky d | December 22, 2011 at 01:43 PM