Slowly but Surely...

it's beginning to look a *bit* like Christmas. I have been sick the past two weeks (boo!) and am super behind on my holiday preparations but I have managed to whip out some new Christmas decor to give the house a festive feel.

I had a million grand ideas for a new advent calendar this year. On November 30th and nothing done, I ran to Target to buy one. Oh my - so ugly and overpriced. Ran back home, busted out my felt stash and an old bulletin board I had laying around to create this one. Inside each little stocking are two treats for the boys and a Christmas related activity to do for each day. It has been a blast so far and the boys love to peek inside each morning to see what we get to do.

Do you see these adorable trees?!?! I found them on the Anthropologie website (pictured on left) and pinned them a few weeks ago. However, we are really cutting back this year and they are totally out of my budget. Bless my sweet mom for figuring out how to make something similar and helping me with them! I think they turned out great and cost us just $17 to make six of them. 

Speaking of my awesome mom, she put together these little *globes* from some trees, mason jars, and salt. Love them.

Again, keeping the budget in mind I made this little peace banner for the fireplace out of linen and some leftover felt. It cost me a a few dollars and I love it.

Since we used mellow neutrals to decorate the family room, I figured the boys needed new stockings to match. These are nothing fancy and I was able to use fabric and felt that I had on hand.

(Please ignore the ugly black TV). We kept the decor simple and understated this year but I really like it.

And of course it wouldn't be the holidays without our cheeky little elf, Cooper. This is Cooper's third year with us but thanks to Pinterest and some creative bloggers, Cooper is far more clever than before.

Although I'm feeling frazzled and behind, my little guys are enjoying every bit of this joyous season. I hope you are too!

(I'm a little too scattered to come up with proper tutorials on these right now but if you have any questions as to how I made anything, please message me at finleyandoliver@gmail.com - I'd love to help.)

Dem' Bones

The boys decided they wanted to be skeletons this year. I figured it would be easy enough but let me tell you, these costumes were a serious labor of love. I decided I'd hand stitch each of the bones to give them more character and it took forever. The boys could care less about this detail but I think it was definitely worth it.

A Belated Birthday Gift from Parkside Harmony

This past Sunday, I went to check out the newest H&M store in Scottsdale with my friend Erica of Parkside Harmony. When I picked Erica up, she presented me with a belated birthday gift - a gorgeous handmade journal.

 

Erica picked out a stunning paper in gorgeous blues for the color and used an orange waxed linen thread for the binding. It's so beautiful, that I hardly want to write in it (but I will, of course).

Each of Erica's books are made with Stonehenge 100% Cotton paper- a heavy weight (90lb) paper suitable for a variety of media. All pages are hand cut, hand torn, hand folded, and hand sewn by her. The book is bound in 6 needle Coptic stitch. I have no clue what Coptic stitch is but it looks very cool!

Erica's books are so well made and beautiful, that she is featured in Etsy's Blog *today* in their Eat, Pray, Love inspired finds. You can see it here.

I absolutely love handmade gifts - especially when they come from dear friends. Thanks so much Erica and thanks for tagging along with me on our little shopping excursion.

Be sure to visit Parkside Harmony to see more of Erica's stunning work.

Shop Handmade and Help the Gulf Coast

First off, I apologize that I haven't blogged in a few weeks. We are in full on summer mode here and the boys and I have been keeping ourselves busy. I promise to get back to blogging more regularly soon.

Anyhow, I want to tell you all about a fabulous shopping opportunity. Kate from Flapper Doodle has generously donated her time to organize a wonderful Etsy shop, Help the Gulf Coast, with amazing items donated by equally generous Etsy sellers. 100% of the proceeds (minus Paypal + Etsy fees) will go to Oxfam America and the National Audubon Society to help with clean up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

This is just a small sampling of some of the amazing items available at Help the Gulf Coast on Etsy.

Monogrammed Eco Notecard Set by Ex Libris Handmade for Help the Gulf Coast

Feather Wrap Ring by Brilliance Found for Help the Gulf Coast

Original Collage on Recycled Wood by Staunch Studio for Help the Gulf Coast

So what are you waiting for? Now's the time to do some shopping and feel good about your purchase knowing that you contributed to the relief efforts from this catastrophe.

Major Mother's Day Giveaway!

Laura of Laura Winslow Photography is going to be hosting a {HUGE} giveaway on her blog for Mother's Day. Seventeen amazing, handcrafted items will go to the lucky winner including one of my little hats.  Below is a teaser of some of the crazy cute items up for grabs.

The giveaway will be posted on Laura's blog within the next day or two. You can also check her Facebook page for details and the announcement of when the giveaway is open to enter. It's going to be major so don't miss out!

ETA: There are now 20 items going to one lucky winner in this amazing giveaway!

ETA x 2: Giveaway is now open until this Friday. 25 amazing prizes to one lucky winner! Enter here.