Monday, December 5, 2011

Milestones and 25 Days Of Christmas

SO, this week was pretty exciting at Larissa Hill Designs. Even though the numbers may not be overwhelmingly impressive to veteran bloggers, I was really excited to see my number of followers hit 300 and my page views top 40,000+ this week, all in less than 4 months of blogging.

But even bigger, Mr. Goodwill Hunting posted a comment on my blog!!!!

Thanks to each and everyone who has ever read one of my blog posts, follows me, featured my posts on their blog or posted a comment on my blog.

On the 5th Day Of Christmas at 25 Days Of Christmas, Lori of Bleak2Unique is hosting "Heirloom Christmas Ornaments". Lori's tutorial provides detailed instructions from 50 years of family tradition and better yet, she cleverly names each ornament by it's personality. Her ornaments are absolutely breathtaking...

Here is a preview of what's to come on 25 Days Of Christmas....

December Blogshare LineUp!

December 1st - Tots and Me -

December 2nd - Vodka and Motherhood

December 3rd - Your Mama Said What

December 4th - Happy Go Lucky Harvey

December 5th - Bleak 2 Unique

December 6th - Pargas Junkyard

December 7th By the Brook Designs

December 8th - Radcrafter

December 9th - Pounds 4 Pennies

December 10th -. Smitten by Abigail

December 11th - Empty Nest

December 12th - Tiaras and Bowties - Think Smink

December 13th - The Freshman Cook

December 14th - The Bunnies o

December 15th - My Simple Walk

December 16th - Clipper Girls Saving Spot

December 17th - Childhood Myths

December 18th - Larissa Hill

December 19th - Coupons for Wisconsin

December 20th - Allergy Free Vintage Cookery

December 21st - Liz Finding My Own Life

December 22nd - Your Mama Said What

December 23rd - Lee Me and the Girls

December 24th - My Crazy Bliss

December 25th - Pargas Junkyard

Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway - South Bay Studio

I am proud to announce that South Bay Studio is our Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway sponsor this week.

Kathi creates beautifully hand-crafted custom cards and original artwork. From one-of-a-kind, colorful, intricately layered cards with designer papers, to miniature prints of original watercolor painting, you are sure to find something to suit every occasion.

Kathi's Morning Ride print depicts a wonderful ride on a crisp winter morning through the beautiful countryside. This is a print of her original watercolor painting. The print on watercolor paper has been dusted with glitter to give it that frosty winter morning look. It reminds me of a wonderful Victorian Christmas morning.

You will also find beautiful card sets at South Bay Studio that are prints taken from Kathi's original watercolor paintings. The cards are constructed of heavy feather-edge cardstock and of course, a hint of glitter for her wintery scenes. These cards would be perfect for Christmas cards, holiday invitations or as a hostess gift.

Some of my favorites include Cardinals, Morning Ride and Winter Cardinal card sets.

Kathi's one-of-a-kind handmade cards are truly magnificent. She has a large selection of Christmas themed as well as Birthday, Just Because, Inspirational and blank cards. She incorporates vintage photos, glitter, rhinestones and the finest designer papers.

Kathi is offering a $15 Gift Certificate to be used in South Bay Studio . So, you know what to do now....

Head on over to South Bay Studio and find one, two or three of your favorites and then come back and post a comment on my blog and let me know what your favorites are. Have fun admiring all that Kathi has created.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway - Abundant Haven Winner

And the winner of the Abudant Haven gift certificate is

Sherry of The Charm Of Home .

Thanks to each and everyone of you for participating and for your patience in the announcement.

Look for my new giveaway tomorrow...

25 Days Of Christmas - Chocolate Mint Brownie Bites

Kara from Happy Go Lucky Harvey is sharing one of her favorite holiday recipes with everyone at 25 Days Of Christmas. I'm including these delectable Chocolate Mint Brownie Bites on my Christmas Menu as well....

SO, if I total up the calories from Vodka and Motherhood and her Christmas Eggnog and these brownie bites, I've already topped my Christmas calorie count.

Head on over to Parga's Junkyard 25 Days Of Christmas to get a sneak peek of the wonderful lineup of 24 bloggers who are contributing their Holiday goodness throughout the month of December.

Enjoy.....

Saturday, December 3, 2011

25 Days Of Christmas

I was asked some time ago to participate in 25 Days Of Christmas blog share by Sonya @ PARGASJUNKYARD . SO, I need to apologize to each and every blogger because I have not been responsible on my end by promoting it.

Sonya has brought together 24 AMAZING bloggers to bring you the ultimate in Holiday goodness including recipes, gift ideas, traditions, and so much more...

Tots and Me kicked of 25 Days of Christmas with a creative Advent Countdown Tree that gets the entire family involved.

On December 2nd, Vodka and Motherhood shared an easy Southern Christmas Eggnog recipe...beautiful presentation and delicious!!! These are on my Christmas Eve menu....

And today, Your Mama Said What is out to show us A Simple Christmas . Breana provides us with surefire ways to simplify Christmas....a must read for all.

I look forward to sharing each and every of the 25 Days Of Christmas with you....

In The Cards

Finding the perfect spot to display your holiday cards can often be a difficult task. It seems that no matter where I place them, they are either falling over or collapsing, completely destroying the vignette I have so tediously created.

Last week, one of my favorite bloggers, Emily A. Clark featured this Martha Stewart Christmas Card tree. It resembles my Wedding Wish Tree and I love it.

So, as the Christmas cards begin to pile up in your mail box, how are you planning on displaying them?

Here are a few creative ideas from around the web....

Staircases and doorways offer a more traditional place to display your Christmas cards. Just punch holes in each card, then string them onto ribbon and intersperse them in your garland with ornaments.

320sycamoreblog.com bhg.com

Leftover lengths of ribbon provide an easy display option as well. You can easily attach the cards to a velvet, grosgrain or satin ribbon with double-sided tape, clothespins or by cutting slits in the back of each card and sliding them onto the ribbon.

Pottery Barn bhg.com

An embroidery hoop with clothespins, a burlap covered wreath and a wire wreath are just a few creative methods to arrange your holiday cards.

bhg.com homedecorators.com

Frames work too....They can be used to display cards by either hanging them with string or ribbon or by mounting them on a fabric covered framed bulletin board. And don't forget any available mirror space in your home. You can tuck the cards into the frame creating a wreath-like effect or attach ribbon with double-sided tape and string your cards across the mirror.