Thank You to The Wall Street Journal

I'd like to thank the Wall Street Journal for featuring my soap dispenser picture in the Dec. 19th, 2012 edition.

The article entailed lots of fun and creative uses for Ball canning jars.

 When Barbara, the photo editor, emailed me I was so very flattered!

Even better...our small town sells the Wall Street Journal.

Whoo Hoo!

You can read the whole article online if you have a subscription HERE.

 If you'd like to make your own dispenser, you can view the post HERE.

~Julia

Wishing You A Lovely Christmas

From our home to yours, we wish you all a very happy holiday! 

I hope your day is filled with peace, comfort, good memories, and the blessings of a new year ahead.

Here are a few snapshots of Christmas at our home...

Yes...my tree is a little crooked!

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart." -- George Matthew Adams 

Peaceful Christmas Blessings!

~Julia

Guest Posting on Passionedeco...Perche le Case Hanno Un'Anima

I am so honored to be a guest on my friend Francesca's blog,  Passionedeco...Perche le Case Hanno Un'Anima.

Francesca's blog and beautiful home and family are so inspiring and I know you will enjoy getting to know her.

I always leave with so many lovely ideas...

Thank you Francesca for having me over for a visit on your blog :).

~Julia

Gifts You Could Make in 12 Days

If you have followed along for a while, you know I love simple gifts, thoughtful giving, and something from the heart!

Here are a few gift ideas that you could make in the next 12 days... just in case you are still trying to cross names off your list :).

My bloggy friend Sarah posted this absolutely darling idea on her blog, Casa de Cupcake.

This would make such a fun gift for a camera owner!

You could pair it with a padded camera bag...

Make It and Love It has the complete directions.

Aren't these coasters just sweet?

Design Sponge featured them and I think they would be easy to make!

Heart Strings mittens for cold little hands would make a lovely gift!

They are quick to crochet and look so cozy.

And don't these look amazing?

I want a pair!

Click HERE for directions.

Too cute....from Martha.

For baby...these bibs are just adorable!

Visit The Purl Bee for directions.

And for little girls...

{Just click on picture to take you to the source.}

For boys or girls....this would be a great gift for hours of play!

You could even use an old quilt for the covers.

These handmade lunch sacks are adorable! 

The post at Create Celebrate Explore! has links to a couple of patterns.

Hooded towels....so easy!

Isn't this the cutest idea for someone who might have everything?

For the person who sews...

From Martha.

These slippers look so fluffy and warm.

I bet the recipient would love them!
Using different fabrics, they would even make a great gift for men.

Click HERE for directions.

If you knit, wash cloths are another wonderfully quick gift.

Click HERE for the pattern.

How about a lap duvet?

These would make great gifts for shut ins or people recovering from an illness.

The Purl Bee has directions.

This scarf looks so easy to make and very warm.

Click HERE.

Market Bags made from vintage pillow cases would make a lovely repurposed gift.

Snack Mix makes a really good gift for neighbors!

And finally, some tags you could add to your packages.

Creature Comforts is offering these FREE darling tags for your gift giving.

Holiday music?

We can't seem to get enough of this album this year.

It would make a great gift.

Happy Holidays!

~Julia

Christmas Decorating for the Birds

Christmas is in full swing here on the farm.

Is it funny that I decorate the coop for the holidays?

I don't think the gals really care, but I think it looks so festive from our kitchen window!

I made three little wreaths from some clippings and hung them in the windows with strips of red-checked fabric.

I love tearing strips of leftover fabric for decorating...it is a great way to wrap packages, too.

 We also decided to decorate a tree outside for the birds. 

Popcorn strung with apples, dried oranges, dried apples, and pretzels.

Just things we had on hand.

 To hang apples, just use a long needle and floral wire.

Press needle through top of apple and pull out the opposite side.

Make sure that you have pressed through a thicker part of the apple so that the wire does not come through.

 Twist tie the wire at the top and your apple is ready to hang.

 Jack and Ruthie helped decorate.

 We are studying birds in science, so I hope this will be a fun way to do some bird watching.

Hope you are having an enjoyable start to the holiday season!

~Julia