A Blog for Christmas?

I have had a few emails from readers wondering about some frugal (but not cheesy) gifts.  It is always a tricky thing, because not every one will cherish an old painted frame or a necklace made from macaroni.

What a perfect question to ask because I was trying to figure out some things for family members that would be nice {and inexpensive}.  If you are reading this post, you are obviously a blogger, blog hopper, blog follower, or blog wanna-be-er.  This post is primarily for the internet blog savvy. 

A BLOG FOR CHRISTMAS! 

And any other Holiday! 

A Few Ideas for the financially challenged

1. Personal Blog designed and ready to go for that special someone

I decided to make one for my Little Gal who is 9!  I included her favorite age appropriate music, favorite websites, designed the blog in her favorite colors and pictures, and even put a picture of her in the corner with "Meet the Author" above it.  It will be her own online journal to write and add pictures!  We invited family members to join!  She is going to love it.  I would share it with you but, sorry, it is private.

2. A Blog Cookbook

This one is a work in progress but I am soooooo close to done.  You are welcome to take a look at it!  I named it Grandma's Cookery.  Isn't it just darling?  This is a family cookbook with recipes from all of the children and grandchildren, in memory of our dear Grandma Toni!  We had one rule, the recipe had to be one that you had made and enjoyed before you submitted it. Look at he fun pictures and cute designs!
The best part...all recipes are ready in one place to be emailed, printed, and drooled over!

3. Letters from Loved Ones...

This has always been a favorite of mine.  Memories from everyone, about a special someone, bundled together for a keepsake.  Why not bring that to the modern age!  Turn it into a blog, you can add pictures, music, and if you ever feel the need to put it on paper you can print up a blog book!

4. Your Favorite Family Vacation

Did you go on a special vacation this year?  Make a blog devoted to that fun trip!  

5. Favorite Family Stories

This one goes well with the Letters from Loved ones idea.  Only it has a fun twist!  Everyone has those stories that they like to hear over and over, right?  Compile them into a one stop shop by having everyone submit them to put on a blog!  Add a silly family photo at the top for an even bigger laugh!

6. Children's Artwork

Where do you put all of those cute things that your kids bring home from school?  Take a picture of them for safe keeping and add them to an Artwork Blog!  You can print it up for all of the grandparents!

The one thing you do need for this is a little bit of time.  You really can be as simple as you want with this, and Blogger.com has a TON of adorable backgrounds to choose from.  Wrap up the blog address in a cute envelope or tiny box and it is a perfect stocking stuffer.  Stockings are my favorite, aren't they yours too?

Have fun Blogging!  If you decide to make one please please please share it with us!

Cheers,

Open Sky

I don't usually post about good deals, but this one is so fun!

Have you heard of Open Sky?  It is a deal website, but you can cater what you watch by choosing who to follow!  They have oodles of celebrities to follow for style, health, all sorts of things.

If you sign up you get a $15.00 credit to use, and it is FREE SHIPPING through Cyber Monday!

I signed up and got these super cute earrings for only $15.00 + tax and shipped for free to my house.

I almost got these Tegu Magnetic Blocks for my little guy, what a great keep-in-your-purse toy!

Go check out Open Sky!!!

Cheers, 

Black Friday Deals!

Just passing on a bit of good cheer for those of you that are planning on making gifts this year!


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Great deals on kids crafts right now!

I hope you get a good jump on your Holiday Shopping, this year seems so crazy!

Cheers,

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers,

Trim that Tree!

Are you in a stump?  Pun intended, bahahaha.  I am not witty too often, so let me enjoy that one, K?

Here are some fun ideas for trimming that little (or big) tree of yours!

The Frame Tree

Use pictures of your family now, or vintage photos of those remembered.

Get creative!

The Candy Tree

For those of you with a sweet tooth.

The Ribbon Tree

Temporary storage for all that crafting ribbon you just don't know what to do with.

Whimsical Tree

Because who doesn't want to pretend they live among the Who's?

I love this tree, so cute.

Banner Tree

Cover your tree with simple words, or even words to your favorite Christmas song!

Use one long banner or separate letters to create words!

Charlie Brown Tree

 It is so cute and so sad at the same time.

 Cookie Tree

Eat your way through the Holiday Stress.

Which tree did I choose?

Ribbon Tree!

With an elegant twist.  Just gold, silver, cream and shimmery green ribbons strung from the top to the bottom.

I think it was the fastest I have ever decorated my tree.  

Now for some more fun, Holiday Shopping here I come!

Cheers, 

Early Birds...

We are actually going to be out of town this Christmas for a wedding!  The last and youngest sibling of Mr. Pepper is getting married and so we are taking Christmas with us out of state.  That means it just gives me another excuse of why it is completely normal that my tree is being decorated before Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for Christmas and it is after all, the most wonderful time of the year...

Are you decorating a tree?  Have you put thought into what type of tree you want this year?

Come back tomorrow for some ideas.

Cheers,

Crafting is Contagious...

These pictures below are from a recent follower who tried one of our projects and was kind enough to share her finished results!  Isn't it so cute how she is instilling the need to craft in her tiny daughter... I just love it.

She really went to town!  A bench, a small table and a stool!

I love seeing finished results from readers.  Honestly, it is so exciting knowing that sharing your crafts can spark that fire for someone to want to make something special of their own.

Have a great weekend!  If you make something using a tutorial from The Sassy Pepper...Please share!

We would love to see your masterpieces!

Cheers,

Delayed! Winner for Christmas Cards!

Mr. Pepper and I were on our way home from Maryland yesterday...a looooooong day of travel.

We were delayed on our first flight, which delayed our second flight.  It was a lovely 11 hour trip from East Coast to West, and I am so glad to be home.

The delay also delayed my winner posting for the Christmas Cards!!!

The winner is...

AMY

Who was the first to comment on this giveaway!

Please contact me at thesassypepper@gmail.com for details!

Congrats!

Christmas Cards and a GIVEAWAY!!!

This is the first year I have finished my Christmas cards before December!  I had no choice, we have two weddings coming up and more than a few full schedules in one home.  Also, we had our family pictures done and I was too excited to wait.  :)

Because I was soooo on the ball this year, I thought...

Why not help someone out who just doesn't have the time.  (Plus I had these extra cards I designed and chose not to use, so why keep them shut in my computer another year?)

Design One: Black and White

Design Two: Autumn Red

Design three: Polka

I am giving away...

100 - 5 x 7 flat holiday CARDS with envelopes

DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

BEFORE DECEMBER!!!!

You choose your favorite design above,

send me your picture via email and you will get your cards the first week of December - if not before!

Do you want to win?

To enter you can do one or all of the following:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post saying which design you want

2. Become a follower of this blog

3. Post about this on your own blog

4. Become a follower of us on twitter

5. Post this giveaway on twitter

6. Like us on Facebook

7. Post about this on your Facebook page

8. Follow Pepper's boards on Pinterest

That means you can have a total of 8 entries, just remember to post a comment for each entry.  And yes, if you are already a follower for our blog, twitter or Facebook it counts!  Just make sure to leave an entry saying you already follow us.

All entries must be received by November 14th at midnight Pacific time.

Winner will be chosen and posted November 15th.

Happy Merry Early Christmas!

Pin-tastic Harvest

The word "Harvest" is just lovely isn't it?  It implies colors or oranges, reds and yellows.  It makes you think of that chilly fall air.  I think that I love it because it implies gathering something together that has grown to perfection...which is sort of what happens in the fall with family.  Anticipation over each holiday starting with Halloween  through the New Year.  It is so much fun looking back over all that has happened the year through.  I love that word "Harvest".

I searched under "Harvest" on Pinterest, and yes you guessed it.  I found fabulous things.

I linked up to the actual sites so that you can experience all of the goodness.

Harvest Party Guest Post Decor from 2010 on www.amyatlas.com

Adorable Mug Sleeve from chicnwarm on Etsy!

Harvest Pumpkin Soup from Sweet Peas Kitchen.  Yes there is a recipe!

Adorable Centerpieces for those of you hosting Thanksgiving...

from Brenda's Wedding Blog

More things to do with pumpkins.

Check out these amazing centerpiece ideas on See Jane Party!

Leopard print pumpkins?!?!  I love it.

 I hope those wheels are spinning in your head as fast as mine are!

Cheers,

Autumn

I know that Fall and Autumn are the same thing, but for some reason...when November hits it seems more like Autumn to me than Fall.  Is that weird?

Now it is November, and I am craving Pies already.

Mini Freezer Pies to be exact...

Do YOU want a pie?  You can find complete recipe and instructions HERE.

They are tiny, cute, yummy and freezer friendly!

Happy Eating!

Collecting Nature

I have a problem.  I wouldn't call it "hoarding" exactly.  But yes, sometimes I keep things that I don't exactly need.  Since we have made a new dreaded "budget" (shoulder wince), sorry...I almost threw up in my mouth at the word "budget".  Oh, I just typed it twice!  That was hard to do.

Okay, since monetary funds are sparse (that's a little better)...I have been collecting things that I may or may not be able to make into something fabulous.

I have a few piles of sticks and branches...

I also have started collecting pine cones...

I am hoping to make something similar to these inspirations photos below.

Pottery Barn Faux Mixed Leaf Branch

Look at this adorable Pinecone hanging I found on Pinterest!

And Pinecone Trees!

Oh oh oh!  I can mix my branches and pine cones!

So start your stick collecting!  Add in a few pine cones, and a little anything from Nature.

Let's come up with something amazing!

Stay tuned...