I am sure I'm the last person in the craftosphere to see the line of Martha Stewart stuff for scrapbooking and crafting at Michaels. I don't live that close to a Michaels and hadn't been there in months, but I've been there three times now in the last week. I was sourcing things for my own doll kits and I felt I had to get this Martha kit to make the snowy village because, as Andy says, "Kits are cool."
I guess it's early to be talking Christmas, but not for me. I decided to make all the Christmas presents for the women and kids in my family this year. I hope this is a good idea. I am going to make personalized bags all from fabrics in my stash. Andy and I usually make our family presents every year, and we mostly enjoy it, unless we've started too late and then we start flailing and thrashing about in a panic. You've seen what it looks like when we do that on the porch. It's not pretty. But usually it goes well and it really makes the season feel special to me. Last year Andy silkscreened personalized stationery for everyone. The year before was cookbooks and homemade CDs, the year before that monogrammed polarfleece blankets. The year before that was felt Christmas stockings. I think the year before that was . . . gift cards — every single person got a gift card, no matter what. Whoopsie. I get burnt out, and then it's the exact opposite of "special, handmade." But what can you do. Every year I have good intentions, because I enjoy it, I really do, especially if I start early. This year, especially since I won't be making a bunch of stuff for Posie (alas), I think it will work fine, and I am desperate for some time with a needle and thread in my hand.
I like to wrap for Christmas, too. I really like to wrap. I thought these little paper stars were so pretty. It's a free handout at the display.
These are the kinds of Christmas colors I've always loved. I'm so happy that less traditional colors for the holidays are popular now. These mints and peaches remind me of these little cream-cheese cookies my mom made every Christmas — flaky little circles with a blob of pale pink or a blob of pale green icing. She would begin baking weeks in advance, since she routinely gave big plates of incredible cookies to all of her friends. And I'd have to try hard not to suss out which tin the pink-and-mint-green pillows were waiting in so I could keep myself away. I never liked anything with nuts, or anything with marshmallows, and not really anything chocolate. But a vanilla cookie with some pastel-colored frosting on it? Bumpa-da-bum: Charge!
Those stars would look so pretty hanging over the mantle above the village, wouldn't they? Here's the link to the Frosty Village Decoration Kit, too — they were out of this when I went back the next day. There is some totally awesome stuff over there, very cool boxes to make and other kits. But I do think pasting little stars together will bring me hours of mental relaxation and Serenity Now. Cutting and pasting is another one of those wonderful things that is still cheaper than therapy, and I think works just as well as therapy. Sometimes better.
I went down the road to check out the new Martha stuff at Kmart, too, but I didn't get anything. I don't know why. It's really cute stuff, and it all looked so pretty in the little Kmart catalog that came in the mail the other day, but then when I got there, I don't know. They don't carry paint at Kmart anymore, did you know that? I used to buy a lot of Martha paint there, but the guy said she sells it at Sears now. Man, she gets around.
I don't — my foot has been protesting quite a bit lately (and Andy, honey, I was definitely taking all the stuff you do around here for granted, now that you've been on the sofa for a week. So in case I haven't said it often enough, thank you for everything you usually attend to here at the homestead, and, um, er, are you feeling better now? You are? Phew! [dives exhaustedly for sofa the minute he stands up] ). So I'm going to try to stay grounded and play with putting together my own doll kits.
Thank you for all the feedback on those — I am so excited that you are interested. I was designing the pattern yesterday and I couldn't stop smiling. I really haven't felt this excited in a while. It feels so good to get back in the studio and plan things for you again. These are going to be so cool, cooler than I thought, actually. And yes, in answer to some of you who've asked, I've decided to include paint, varnish, and glitter paint in addition to the doll pins, heads, stands, fabric, and pipecleaners in every kit, so you'll truly have almost everything you need , including the full-color pattern cards. And I am doing a LOT of kits so everyone will be able to have as many as they need. They will make great presents for friends and neighbors and kids and teachers and anyone who might enjoy spending a couple of hours with Christmas crafts (that is, everyone, no?). I will put them on sale some day next week (I'll let you know for sure once I am confident I have all the supplies I need), and yes, I do ship airmail overseas (you just shoot the order through Paypal, as usual, and then I will catch up with you later for the shipping balance, depending on where you are).
We have puppy school later today, so I'd better get that little Clover Meadow ready and on her best behavior. Right now I'm watching her sprint giant figure-eights through the living and dining rooms with a big plushy trout in her mouth. It's like it's chasing her, except that it's in her mouth, and, . . . like that. Puppy short stories. She's the author, protagonist, and narrator of some great ones. My favorite is "I'm Going to Make this Ice Cube Disappear — GONE! I Am Awesome!"
Ohhhh all that stuff looks so good and of course puppyness. Love that.
I love the way Martha Stewart Inc. photographs her line of stuff--so beautiful and scenic. You can also find similar things from other companies like beautiful papers from Basic Grey, SEI, and Paper Source; stamps and other embellishments come from great companies like Making Memories, Hero Arts, Queen & Company and many many more.
i am soo so excited for christmas!
I was just in Michaels. I saw all that pastel prettiness, but I promised myself I would just buy what I came for. Clay. So I left it there, but I didn't see that star sheet or those houses. I'm going back next week. Hopefully there will be some left.
I hope your Andy is feeling better and up off the couch soon!
Andy good to hear that you are doing well. Alicia it is neat that you and Andy do homemade Christmas gifts. I ran out of time so maybe next year, but I did do a quilt for one of my daughters’ friends and my Christmas Cards. No, it is never too early to talk Christmas because I think about it all year round. It is my favorite time of the year. Martha Stewart has neat stuff at Michael’s but the problem with Michael’s they never keep their shelves well stocked. I love her paper that you have on your blog, I think I need to buy some, but not sure what to do with it. It’s kind of fun just to have around for one of those bright ideas I get and that is once in a while. How fun Puppy kindergarten hope Miss Cover has fun.
oh all that looks so tempting!
I haven't been around and didn't catch what happened to Andy. Wow. I'm so glad everything is ok now!! :)
I really like the Martha line. Quite a bit of it has found it's way into my craft room! Good luck at puppy school. We adopted a Golden Retriever a couple months ago (he's 11 months) and we've got one more class and we graduate from basic obedience...yay! And, have you ever thought of writing a children's book/series? You are *such* a talented writer. Seriously good.
I SWEAR I bought a Martha Stewart Holiday village kit from her old crafts line (it looked pretty much the same as this one, just a bit more red and green, less pastel). Hubby and I can't remember whether we actually broke that one out and assembled it or not (we did finish her Halloween village version together). *sigh* old age sets in at 35 for me.
Anyhoo, I've already bought a couple of the little advent cottage kits, a few large glitter snowflake kits, and of course, the poinsettia wreath kit. I'm going to be a busy, busy gal this holiday season.
Andy, I'm very glad to hear you are getting better. Here's a big virtual hug for you /hug
I convinced the small craft store near my house to carry her line! It's so pretty! Love the party decorations and invitations. But I don't love Michaels so I am happy to say that my little artco store now has the martha love going on....
Is her paint really at Sears? It was at KMart, Sears and Sherwin Williams, but I think there is only one line now, new colors, available only at Lowes (or Home Depot, can't remember which?).
I only know this because it ticked me off a little to not be able to touch up my living room paint. LOL
I know what you mean by getting burnt out by making Christmas gifts. I decided last year to knit fluffy scarves for all the females. I didn't care that Christmas is in the middle of summer... they could just put the scarves away for winter. Just between you and me, I got SO sick of knitting with fluffy wool.
This year we went to Phuket, so Christmes shopping was done at the markets in September. ("Madame, we have handbags cheap, cheap...!")
I wonder what I'll do next year?
And why do you need pipecleaners to make a doll? Guess I'll have to wait till next week to find out.
Haha, a stuffed trout! That's great. Love the village, think I'll have to try to find that. Too cute!
you have got to show us a picture of the sweet girl and her trout....
please!
tracy x
They USED to sell Martha's paint at Sears. I used to buy it there all the time. Now, nada--at least not here in Austin. In fact, Sears seems to be doing away with their paint department altogether. I've always used Sears paints. Now I'm experiment with the Valspar paint from Lowe's.
Oh what fun you will have! I don't live close to a Michaels and never went there when I did. I am a hobby lobby girl! LOL!
I'm with you on the handmade gifts. What to make for the men though?
I love the frosty village kit. I wish we could get MS craft and stationery bits in the uk. I have one of Martha's Christmas books crafts from the 12 days of Christmas and it has a little village to make in it but the kit would be so much easier! I look forward to seeing it when you've made it up.
Hope you have fun at puppy school. We go to classes and Milly came first in the agility this week. I'm so proud!
I hope your foot is feeling better! And glad that your husband is.
I love the colors in these pictures. I love a pastel Christmas, although I usually mix it up with the traditional colors at our house. I wish I could get my hands on a paper star handout. Those are so cool! But I don't live anywhere near a Michaels. Can't wait to see a picture of them in your home! That picture of your mantel is beautiful.
what a pretty post
love the ms michaels line
i've been denying myself a trip but, I fear it won't last long
can't wait for the doll kits
Oh Martha how I love her stuff! Too tempting. I hope you post pics of your handmade gifts, we try to do most of ours too:-)
My puppy "bear" and I are sitting in our fav. comfy armchair reading posie advenures. Wouldn't Clover be proud of us.
I love visiting here Alicia, you're such a warm and gracious hostess.
For what it's worth, there's a whole web site of the craft items as well:
Martha Stewart Crafts
http://www.marthastewartcrafts.com/
And she also has a line of bed, bath, and kitchen items at Macy's now:
http://www.macys.com/martha/
OMG! I have to get one of those Villages. Last year on Blair's blog I saw hers and desperately wanted one...but she had gotten in from Martha by Mail. I am so glad that Michael's has it. I havent' been down there yet to see the xmas stuff. I'll be going to see it now though!!
Sherwin Williams has Martha paint as well. They are serisouly gorgeous colors.
I am so excited to get the holidays going this year. I started going through and sorting all of my vintage christmas goodies today and I could play with this stuff all day! I remember when those little houses from the kit were a feature in her magazine. I made about 6 of them and I still have them. Gotta love Martha and her empire. I can't wait to get our tree. There is a place out here that sells untrimmed nobles all big and natural for $25. I just pray that the dog doesn't try to mark it...
Those stars are wonderful made out of that gorgeous paper. Back in the early '80s we made stars just like this out of sturdy ribbon (the fancy-edged ribbon was particularly pretty) - never thought about making it out of paper! We put a string through the top and used them as ornaments - even got a little fancy and put two stars back to back for a more 3D ornament. Thanks for posting this - I have to try it :)
My favorite thing of the holiday season was cookie swaps. I get a little sad I don't live around family anymore and my friends aren't baking types.
Maybe one day I'll organize an online cookie swap. =)