Website Wednesday: See Jane Work

You all know by now that I love office supplies. Of any kind. That's why I love this site. It's got some fun graphics and some really neat products. Check out the desk of the month photo, too. So fun to see all those supplies put together and in a real life setting (of course none of us have office spaces like that, but it's nice to dream, right?).

Check it out: See Jane Work

Theme Time Thursday: Calendaring

I love beginnings. I love the beginning of school (even though I am no longer in school) because I love all the new notebooks and pens and markers and paper and....oh, the list could go on. I love the beginning of a new year because I get to buy new planners and calendars. By December, my planner and calendars are looking ratty, full of lines through things that never happened or events that changed dates. The newness of a planner with all these open dates to just fill with information is one of the best feelings of January.


Every January, I go through my perpetual calendar (these are very nice - you always have a backup of all those important dates in one easy to find place) that lists all anniversaries and birthdays. I then add those dates to my planner. I also add a note about 2 or 3 weeks before to remind me that a birthday is coming up, so that I can have enough time to find something and mail it (no more belated cards!).

I also use a calendar on the fridge. We're always in the kitchen, so I put the calendar where we see it everyday. This calendar lists all the important events that either involve me, my spouse, or both of us - that way, no more questions about: "oh, we have that?" "what time is that thing happening again?" I also plan my meals for the week and write them on there. That way, we both know what the plan is for the week in terms of meals - no more standing in the pantry dumbfounded and then giving in to pizza. Again. The Container Store has this great magnetic calendar that would be perfect for this use. Should have gotten it when I saw it :o)

Finally, and probably most importantly, take the time in January to go through all your documents and see if you have anything that needs to be renewed in the coming year. Write down if and when you need to renew your driver's license or your passport. You won't have to do it right then, but at least you won't get caught by surprise.

Website Wednesday: The Ribbon Jar

My friend, Karyn, is always finding these great sites and knowing that I do Website Wednesdays, she always sends some great sites for the post. So here is yet another Karyn Find: http://www.ribbonjar.com/ Besides the really cool graphics - see the jar drawings on the header, they have really cool products.

As the name implies, they sell ribbon, and sometimes it comes in jars.

They sell ribbons of all types: many vintage but all really fun (and they say high-quality - many of which are from France and Japan). The other thing that is neat is how they package the ribbons and this is where the jars come in. If you buy 15 yards you can upgrade your order to make a custom jar. But every month, they come out with these special collection jars. Every month has a theme and from what I can tell, 2008 is going to be all nature-themed. January is a snow inspired jar. The January Jar just went on sale on Monday and they're already almost out (I think they only make 50) so go here to check it out.

Sites like these just make me want to go play with ribbon!

Tabletop Tuesday: Vinyl Record Bowls

My friend at work made these as a Christmas Gift. I've seen them before and she said they were super easy to make. I thought they would make a great tabletop decoration, but you could easily hang it on the wall as decoration as well.






Vinyl Record Bowl
(as seen on http://www.thriftyfun.com/)





This is an easy recycled craft that you can make in 20 minutes or less. It makes a hip container for that small potted plant that you are planning to give someone as a gift this Christmas.


Ingredients:

Record that you no longer care about
Oven safe bowl (approx. 9" across the top)
Cookie sheet


Directions:

Preheat oven 200 degrees F. Place Bowl upside down on the cookie sheet place record on top of the bowl. Once oven is preheated place in the oven for 8-10 minutes.

Now the record should be soft enough to mold, and cool enough to touch but use pot holders at first, just to be safe. The bowl and cookie sheet will be much hotter than the vinyl. Turn the bowl right side up and place the record in side it, and mold until you got the shape you want. You only have about a minute to work with it, so work fast. If it is not just right put it back in the oven for a few more minutes and try again.

Once it has completely cooled it is ready to use. It took less than five minutes for mine to cook completely. What for you may ask?

Fruit bowl
Flower pot (already has the drainage hole)
A place to put your keys
A decoration
A gift
Nail it to your wall has art
Paint it

* Beware to pet owners hair sticks to this very easy . Simply just wipe it down with a wet cloth.

Festive Friday - Christmas Events

Sorry these are coming so late; too late for inspiration for Christmas that is already long gone, but maybe you can catalog it for next year!

Cranberries
All these pictures have floating fresh cranberries with either a bouquet of white flowers or one single flowers (I used poms and spider mums).

Christmas Trees
I used black, white, and silver to compliment my miniature christmas trees. The christmas trees were placed in white pots (to cover the "ugly" plastic bases) and all decorated with miniature ornaments. I also used glass blocks topped with a candle.

To view all the photos from this event, go here:

• Cranberries, Commencement
• Christmas Trees, Candlelight Dinners
  

Website Wednesday - Uncommon Goods

I love giving gifts. The challenge of trying to find the perfect gift for a person is a thrill to me. So, I'm always on the lookout for fun, interesting, and new ideas for gifts. This website has never disappointed me. I always find great ideas. In fact, one of my relatives is getting a gift from there this year. If you're related to me, you're wondering if you were the lucky chosen one. You'll have to wait til the 25th.

Check it out and have fun shopping! - www.uncommongoods.com

Edit: I just checked to see if the link was working on the post once I made this entry live and I noticed that the big image at the top of the page spell out my name - I knew I liked that website, but looks like they like me back! :o)

Website Wednesday - Peppers and Pollywogs

Sorry it's been a whole week - I'm deep in planning mode in my personal life. My husband's birthday is this weekend...

So, here's the website for this week - Peppers and Pollwogs.

Don't ask me about the name, I just know that there is some really good information on this site. They have great ideas on a variety of topics, excellent tips, and lots of good references to other websites out there. I've found several other neat websites just from reading their articles.

You'll want to bookmark this one!