It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas ~Where the Week Went ~~Daily Highlights

I just love this tin...

We purchased it at Lost and Found Occasionals Boutique 

on Small Business Saturday. It was going to be a gift, 

but I can’t part with it. 

It is perfect for our Christmas cards.

Perhaps I will go back and buy another!

The Pilgrims, Turkeys and Pumpkins are packed in storage tubs 

as we turn our attention to Christmas.

I cannot show you what is in those boxes, 

as it would ruin the surprise. 

Our daughters live too far away 

to come home for the holiday, 

so I am preparing a Christmas Box for each of them. 

Baby Jack will get his own Christmas Box!

FYI: If you are sending packages to an APO address, 

the deadline to get it to the USPS is December 8th, 

if you want it there by the Holiday.

Here’s our week in review.

On Sunday, we celebrated “Friendsgiving”at the LaFaves.

It was all about good friends, good food, 

and good football.

Remember that Thanksgiving Cheeseball?

The recipe was enough to make two pumpkins.

So easy, and it looks impressive.

Equally impressive,

Paula brought Sugar Glazed Cranberries.

The perfect balance of tart and sweet.

I enjoyed the excuse to make Pumpkin Cheese\cake 

one more time in November.

Monday, it was Holiday Date Night.

Hubby bought tickets for the Nutcracker Ballet.

It was a sold-out crowd at the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

We had great seats... in the second row.

The artistry and athleticism of the 

Moscow Ballet Company was outstanding.

Thank you, Kristen, for capturing this photo.

The set was so beautiful.

That Friendsgiving Dinner on Sunday...

Alan and Kari prepared a Ham with all the sides.

They sent the hambone home with me, 

thinking I would know what to do with it.

Well, of course, I did. My mother grew up during the depression. 

We did not waste a thing. More on this later.

On Wednesday, we said goodbye to the sectional 

in our family room. It served us well for 20+ years. 

It was ideal when our daughters were in middle school and high school. 

Their friends could hang out here...

no worries about spills.

Jasmine had a pedicure.

Our new family room furniture is leather...

need I say more?

“Throw Back Thursday”

This photo was in my Facebook Memories on TBT.

We often spent Christmas with relatives in Minneapolis.

Our cousins are our first friends.

Friday Night Jazz with good friends 

downtown at the Historic Ward Hotel.

Of course, one of  the biggest highlights of the week

Is when we receive photos of our grandson.

This captures the true innocence and delight of 

his first Christmas Tree lights.

We are blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania ~Countdown to Winterfest ~12 Days ~Putting Things Together

It is time for a Progress Report. 

With Winterfest less than two weeks away, 

it is time to make finishing touches on my projects

and pack the items for the move downtown.

Our wooden pumpkins are stained and adorned with homespun.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. 

November’s decor needs plenty of pumpkins, pilgrims, and turkeys.

The mitten ornaments are also ready for someone’s tree.

Along with the fleece star Ornies.

This Santa now has a face.

Our helper cat provides good support, 

even out in the noisy woodshop.

Spatter painting the Tins is a very messy job.

It is best done outside...and on a day with little or no breeze.

(Which doesn’t happen very often around here!)

We look forward to Winterfest Weekend.

The lights, music, good food, and creative gift ideas 

will certainly get you in the mood for the holidays.

Stay tuned for more photos of our preparations.

Take care,

~Natalie

Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop Celebrates an Anniversary with a Sale

Nine years ago today, I listed my first item in my

Tins and Treasures Etsy Store.

What was it?

A tin, of course.

The inspriation for my shop's name,

it was one of my most unique handmade items.

It recycles food cans that would 

normally end up in the landfill.

It has been one of my most popular items for years,

as it can be functional, as well as, decorative.

In celebration, you can receive 20% off any item 

in my shop, by using coupon code

9YEARS

at the checkout.

Click here.

Local friends, contact me,

if you would like to stop by 

to browse in person.

The 20% discount offer will expire on

July 18th.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Birthday to my Etsy Shop...Let's Celebrate with a Discount Coupon!

I've been sewing and crafting since I was a wee one.

My mom wouldn't let me use her sewing machine until I was 10 years old.

So everything before that was handmade.

My first venture into selling our handmade items was at a craft fair,

sponsored by our daughters' elementary school PTA...

There were tables set up around the gym for the crafters,

and the PTA sold homemade soups for lunch.

I was hooked...

I had to come up with a name...

"Tins and Treasures", it was.

My decorative tins created from recycled food cans 

are perhaps some of our most unique items.

And then everything else falls into the category of "Treasures", right?!

My "Crafting ADD" probably explains why I have such a collection of items in my shop.

I like to sew, knit, crochet, paint, and hot glue!

Even, my hubby has gotten into the action.

He has an awesome set of power tools out in the shop.

The best seller at our local arts festival, is his Wine Bottle Necklace.

He can get a couple made during a football game in the fall

(depending on how close the game is, of course).

My Infinity Scarves are a hot item too.

Waiting to be finished and listed are these owls.

I started them last fall, before I broke both of my wrists...

and now, just getting back into my studio.

Today, July 11th, is the anniversary of the opening of

my Tins and Treasures Shop on Etsy.

To celebrate, I am offering a 20% off coupon.

At checkout, enter the coupon code

6YEARS

If you are a local friend, just contact me to get together.

You can still use the discount and we can skip the shipping charge!

Double Bonus!!

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' On Wednesday ~ Question of the Day ~ and Sometimes I just Laugh Out Loud

Tomorrow = first term parent/teacher conferences.

This week students are checking grades and handing in missing assignments.

So, I am correcting and recording like crazy tonight!

In Basic Foods class we prepared our Homemade Pizza...

and again, the never-ending debate...

does the pepperoni go under or over the cheese?

I overheard one student say, 

You have to put the pepperoni on top, so the customer knows what kind of pizza it is.

Obviously, he works in a pizza place with a lunch buffet.

How do you all layer your homemade pizza?

My Etsy Team is preparing for the Winter Gift Giving Season with our

Warm Winter Wishes Celebration.

Check out my shop here

to see my latest batch of decorated tins.

Ok...back to correcting the test I gave today...

I just have to share this...

Now...Remember...I teach at the High School level...

Did you notice this message on the top paper of the stack of school work in the photo above?

Yup...you're reading that right...

"I am aware that I got many wrong.

May this picture of a Giraffe give me +1 :)"

In 3 years, he is going to be in college.

Maybe.

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Working on Wednesday? Introducing our new Fall Collection at Tins and Treasures

Labor Day Weekend was a great opportunity to put some finishing touches on our new Fall items for my Etsy shop.

Hubby has finished several Wine Bottle Necklaces using beads in the warm colors of fall.

They can dress up a bottle of wine for the bride and groom,

or the host and hostess at your next dinner party.

If wine isn't your thing...use one to decorate a bottle of gourmet olive oil

or herb flavored dipping oil for your favorite chef.

While hubby was watching football/golf/baseball and working his magic on copper tubing,

I was in my sewing studio finishing another batch of Infinity Scarves.

The colors of fall are so rich and warm.

Soon, it will be cool enough to appreciate the comfort and warmth of a scarf around my neck!

Of course, my shop couldn't be Tins and Treasures without a batch of Fall Decorative tins...

...just tuck some treats inside for your prayer partner at church or your secret pal at work.

Pumpkins are a must in your fall decor.

And, I guess, I went nuts with the Knit Sweater Sleeve variety...

but they are just so fun to make!

It looks like I've raided a few closets...

but thanks to the local thrift stores, I have found some great sweaters in some great fall colors.

I'm going to be listing these items in my Etsy shop over the next couple of days,

however, if you see something you'd like or have questions, 

just leave a comment here or send me an email. I can always make special arrangements for you.

The official first day of autumn is just around the corner.

Happy Fall, Y'All!

Take care,

~Natalie

Visit Karen at Sew Many Ways

to check out what everyone has been working on.