Mr. Monogram grew up on the water and with his dad always owning a sailboat or sport fishing boat and his step-father owning a marina, it is fair to say he has been sailing since a very young age. He has taken me sailing in various parts of Florida, in Mexico, St. Lucia, and in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy, and although I am not a big fan of boats, he is an excellent sailor (just don't tell him I admitted to that, mkay?). All this explains why he is great at all the fun yet confusing nautical knots that we all love so much.
Every summer I buy the mini's sailors bracelets from Nantucket Knotworks and swear I'm going to sit down a learn to do it myself but it never happens. It's sort of become one of our summer traditions, that the first day of their summer when school lets out, they each get their new bracelet for the summer. One of these days I really will sit down and learn how to do it, but before I show you how to do that, starting off with the classic Monkey's Fist Knot seems a little easier.
The Monkey's Fist Knot is sort of a roundish square knot that in it's large form, is tied around a heavy weighty object on the end of a heaving line to assist in docking a boat. But I've seen them in different sized used as bookends, door stoppers, and at Nantucket Knotworks, they even sell small ones as key chains which I love. And while they've got a convenient little kit for you to purchase, I'm going to show you a fantastic tutorial on how to do it yourself. I mean, I can already imagine these as great Christmas ornaments on mini #2's nautical themed tree in his bedroom, can't you?!
How to tie a monkey's fist - More DIY How To Projects
21 July, 2009
Nautical Knot Tying: Monkey's Fist
28 December, 2008
Winter Break
UPDATE 1/13/09: Well folks, I've decided to take an extended winter break. I just don't have the time or enthusiasm for creative blogging right now, so I'm trading blogger for Twitter. See what I'm up to, working on, cooking, and taking pictures of as I check in with you more than a dozen times a day. Now that? I have time to do. So for the time being, you can find me here...
23 December, 2008
What's Left
Well folks, it's T-2 days. What's left on your lists?
Here's a little peek at my not-so-exciting list of things that needs to be done today. But hey, good news for the Monograms! I've woken up with about 40% hearing back in my left ear. It's a start, right?
- Target
-black tights for me
-black socks for the mini's
-Bows & decorative crap for gift boxes
-dog food b/c apparently preppy puppy's dog food didn't exactly make it into the cart yesterday so she's a tad hungry and whiny this morning (but aren't we all?) - Haircut
-Mini #1 is looking a little too shaggy for my taste - 3 Minute Car Wash
-That's right. A 3 minute car wash that costs $3 and gives you unlimited time with the extra super suction vacuum of your choice. Merry Christmas to me. - Hobby Lobby
-Pipe cleaners b/c *someone* (and by *someone* I totally mean my husband) threw out my previously purchased pipe cleaners for our little snowflake craft
-more wrapping paper
-nice frame for Mr. M's dad & step-mother - Start wrapping
-that's right, I haven't even started. Don't judge, people! - Stocking stuffer
-nope, none of these either! - Mr. Monogram Christmas
-need to get on top of picking up a few more things for him as well. - Cookies
-all the dough was made yesterday so tonight we'll have to roll out the cookies & decorate - Airport
-2 trips, to be exact...
-the kids have absolutely NO idea Mr. M's dad & step-mom are coming to surprise them for Christmas so they are going to be SHOCKED and so excited to say the least!
Remember, if you want to be on the inside, so-to-speak of my SUV while we're doing all these oh so fun and exciting things, twitter along with me @ www.twitter.com/cmolino. Warning: Snarkiness tends to be at it's peak when I'm running errands real-time with the mini's (don't say you weren't warned).
Merrilly, Merrilly, off we go!
03 December, 2008
Holiday Designs from SWAG
I've been meaning to post these for a few days as I finally put up some new designs on my SWAG shop on Etsy. So stinkin' cute if I do say so! After the holiday's I will be neutralizing some of the designs and changing the colors so they can be worn all winter and not just Christmas. Let me know if you want colors changed and we can get that done right away for you.
03 January, 2008
This Post is Brought to You by the Letter "M"
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. Things were hectic and fun at the Monogram household, but also quite sad with the absence of preppy puppy. The boys received so many things that we still haven’t even taken them all out of their boxes, and I must admit that I am quite tired of putting together little Playmobil pirates, knites, skateboarders, and all their homes and methods of transportation that ensues. Ugh. While it’s the coolest stuff on the planet for kids to play with, each set comes with a zillion tiny little pieces that are a quarter of the size of your pinky fingernail. NO LIE. And while I’m admitting things here today, I have to admit the Wii has sucked away more hours from my days lately than anything else. This thing is seriously addictive and I’m pretty certain I’m developing carpal tunnel from trying to qualify in the Cars: Mater-National tournament. Good news is though I've found a great new exercise routine with it so stay tuned.
Before Christmas, I was able to work on lots of great projects around here, but unfortunately had to take my little absence what with everything going on with preppy puppy. But one project I did doesn’t have to just be a Holiday project. I think it could be an all year décor staple in your home, so that’s what I want to share with you today.
As I’ve mentioned many times, I always have the hardest time with my mantle décor. And two years ago while walking around JoAnn’s I found a huge paper mache letter “M." I had no idea what to do with it, but I picked it up anyway and it’s sat in my garage for the past two years sort of mocking me every time I looked over at it. I decided this was the year I made something out of that letter “M.” Remembering I had all that left over moss from the cancelled Derby Party, I decided to cover it to make an elegant but earthy additional to my Holiday mantle.
You Will Need 
-large paper mache letter (got mine from JoAnn’s Craft Store)
-small bottle acrylic paint (a similar color to your moss)
-LOTS and LOTS of moss (I ended up using 3 different types of moss)
-glue gun and LOTS of glue
-Ribbon if you chose to hang the final product
Step 1
Paint your letter so the background will blend in with your material in case you miss some coverage.
Step 2
Start gluing! As I said, I used 2 types of moss (reindeer, Spanish, and something else that was big and clumpy and dirty). I kept alternating between the different types of moss I’d glue on, using the Spanish moss as my filler to fill in the empty spots. NOTE: I recommend having a wooden skewer or craft (Popsicle) stick on hand to help press the Spanish moss down into the glue really well so you don’t burn your fingers. The Spanish moss is very fine and loose, so you’ll need to ball it up before adhering it to your letter.
Step 3
If you want to hang your letter, make sure you do what I DIDN’T do, and make sure your ribbon for hanging is of adequate length. I ended up cutting mine too short and as a result, was unable to hang it as I envisioned, but rather place it on top of the mantle. I still think the final result looked great though, so it’s totally up to you.
I have to warn you that this project has a high mess factor to it. But if you don’t like the messy moss idea, then you can always use whatever other materials you like to cover your letter. A few other things to try would be fabric, dried flowers, faux berries, small Christmas balls, any type of greenery, or even just ribbon. Originally, I was planning on covering it completely with ribbon, but decided I wanted a more three dimensional look to my project. In the end, I think I could leave it up year round (although I don’t think I will), just as I think you could too.
20 December, 2007
Stick it on the Mantle
When I decided to overhaul my holiday mantle this year, I also wanted to change the top of the mantle. I made two changes or additions, one of which I’ll show you now. It was a great simple project that looks really beautiful in person.
Walking around Michaels, I found these bunches of gold sticks in the floral area. They were pretty, only I didn’t know what to do with them. I like something tall on each side of my mantle and thought these would make a great starting place. But next I needed a decorative container to put them in. So I found a great shaped container, but the exterior finish on it was too informal and casual for my taste, so I decided I could use the same wide, olive/bronze taffeta ribbon I used for the ribbon garland to change the exterior of these containers. Here’s how it went…
You Will Need
-container of desired shape and size (remember that you need to take the height of your container into consideration when doing a project where the end result will be tall)
-green floral foam block (In my case, I needed one block and sliced it in half)
-gold or white bundled sticks from floral department (Michaels also had some really beautiful white ones that I’m considering picking up for next year)
-spanish moss (floral department of your craft store)
-10 yards of ribbon
-glue gun
The first thing I did was cut my foam block in half and stick it into my container. I then used one bunch of sticks for each container, and stuck them in where I wanted them. I should note, though, that I did have to trim the sticks because their original height plus the container would have made them much too tall for my mantle.
Once that was done, I glued clumps of Spanish moss to the floral foam to hide it, and make the container look nice and full.
Step 3
My final step was gluing on the ribbon (sorry, no picture of that step!). All I did was start in the back of the container and glue one end of my ribbon, and just kept wrapping (overlapping edges to give it a pleated look) it around, securing it with glue here and there. I love the ribbon wrapped result so much, and it matches the ribbon garland perfectly. And with one flanking each side of the mantle, it really helps complete my ribbon look this year.
19 December, 2007
No More Mantle Angst
I think I mentioned last year how much anxiety decorating the mantle for the holidays gives me. I’m talking full blown panic attack here. And every year, no matter what I do, I am never satisfied with what I’ve done. But do you know what? I think I finally figured it out this year. This is the first year I actually love what I’ve done, and in the process of decorating the mantle, I bought all new garland for the entry foyer stairs and balcony.
Here’s the mantle before the stockings were hung. I fell in love with a ribbon garland I showed you guys last year, and was dead set on duplicating it in my own home this year. I have to admit, it is really beautiful in person. I used an olive sort of bronze colored taffeta wired ribbon that really changes and moves with the light, a white and gold gossamer, a multi-hued pink and red wired silk ribbon, and a basic narrow white ribbon. I love my end result, and I am already planning on multiplying my ribbon garlands throughout the house next year as well in all my oversized entryways.
The garland in the entry foyer is all new. I moved away from the traditional frasier fir garland and bought 48 feet of this magnolia leaf garland with gold and red berries. The leaves are every so lightly sprayed with a sheer sort of gold paint so they really glisten and glimmer without actually looking too gold. I also added lights through the garland so it would really shine at night. Next year I'll probably add a ribbon garland to this as well.
Tomorrow I've got another crafty post for you guys, and will probably hop on as well on friday with more things. Yesterday I was busy making a lamb costume for the Christmas program at mini #1's school, so that pretty much occupied my entire day. If I never see another bag of cotton batting it will be too soon. ;-)
17 December, 2007
Polka Dot Ornaments
And I KNOW I am not the only person who has been suckered into their little free CD scheme either (in my defense, it was at least many years ago for me). But AOl aren’t the only ones who send these disks anymore. I seem to get them from all over.You know, companies using them as marketing told. If they only knew their marketing tools were headed straight to the trash can. But last Christmas, my sisters were saying that they were weeding through their CD collections and wanted to do something with the CD’s but just couldn’t come up with anything creative. I suppose this is when it’s handy to have monogram momma as your sister because they’ve got their own little go-to guru who can solve their decorating, crafting, and shopping dilemma. Well, let’s just say I try, anyway.
So this year I’d also decided to do a fun tree in the playroom/bonus room for the boys and the only catch was that I wanted all the ornaments on this tree to be homemade. And since I was determined to do something with these CD’s, and I also wanted to weed through my own CD collection and thin it out, this was the perfect opportunity. Let’s face it, the Greece soundtrack was great in college but now? Not so much. Enter today’s Christmas Craft project, CD ornaments.
You Will Need
-as many CD’s as you can find (or go buy a bunch of blank ones from your office supply store inexpensively)
-Mod Podge
-paint brush (I prefer a wide flat one for decoupage)
-decorative scrap booking paper or thick wrapping paper (fabric too, if you wanted)
-exacto knife
-ribbon for hanging
Step 1
Cut your paper into squares that are large enough to cover your CD’s. With a 12x12 piece of scrap booking paper, I was able to cut it into 4’s and get 2 cd ornaments from one sheet of paper.
Liberally apply Mod Podge medium to each side of the CD, and affix a paper square that you’d previously cut to each side. Pres down and smooth out all wrinkles as best as you can (tip: If you use a thin paper you will get lots of wrinkles and creases. If you use a thick paper you won’t get any). Don’t forget to glue the center!
Step 3
Once you’ve affixed all the paper to the CD’s and they are completely dry, use your exacto knife to trim all edges off around your CD. Do the center also, since this is how you will hang your ornament. When you've finished with your trimming and they are round and trimmed and looking très cute, the final step is to lay out a throw-away plastic table cloth or a large plastic trash bag (this is what I like to use), and completely cover each side of your decoupaged CD with the mod podge. I like to use a lot so it will be extra protected.
Step 4
Let them dry, loop the ribbon of your choice through the center and you’ve got yourself the cutest polka-dot looking ornaments you’ve ever seen.
I have to say, I have gotten so many compliments on these fun ornaments. They are so eye catching and adorable in my preppy color pallette I chose to match this room. They aren’t something I’d put on my big tree downstairs, but they are really big and fun and kitschy for the kids tree and I love that. They are particularly great for a tree with lots of holes, such as an artificial tree. Now, another super simple and great twist on this project is to use photos. These CD ornaments would be a breeze to make into photo ornaments for your tree, but instead of cutting out the center hole, leave it in tact and glue gun your ribbon to the top of your ornament for hanging. Have fun!
12 December, 2007
Pretty Packaging from Pre-Made Bows
Because I need a distraction and I saw this idea on TV and it was just too simple and cute not to pass along to you guys, I clicked over to Martha’s site so I could get the written d
etails for you. ‘Tis the season for wrapping, wrapping, and yes, more wrapping, and as much as I would love to do beautiful elaborate Marta-esque bows on each and every gift so my tree looks like it belongs in the Rockefeller’s living room, I just don’t have it in me. Forget the fact that I have never mastered the art of fancy bow-making despite much effort on my part (If I remember correctly, Alyssa’s mom is a pro so maybe she can pass along some tips!), I do always have good intentions. But like many, my good fancy bow-making intentions end up thrown out the window as I drive to Target to pick up my big bag of pre-made holiday bows. Peel off the back, stick, and I’m done. But this year, Martha has recognized that many of us are either bow-challenged or just lazy, and come up with some adorable ways to spruce up those store bought bags of bows.
Making your bows look like Cut Flowers Taking a large store bought bow in 
your hand, cut each loop at an angle, as opposed to straight through the middle, as Martha is doing here. The take a slightly smaller bow, and do the same thing. Affix that smaller one to the center of the larger one w/ the adhesive backing. Then cut a matching coil of ribbon and affix that to the center of the smaller bow. The end result looks like a beautiful flower and not your standard bow in a bag.
Pom Pom Bows Honestly, these instructions are so simple and they will really 
make your packages stand out. Follow the above instructions for “Cut Flowers,” however leave each center loop on the bows uncut. You want to do it twice, because you will need a pair to make 1 pom pom. Stick each pair (or, each “cut flower” consisting of 2 bows.. 1 small, 1 large) together by putting the adhesive backings together, and you’ve got yourself a fluffy round pom pom for the top of your holiday packages.
Perfect Peony How beautiful is this bow? And all from a pre-made bow. Who 
knew?! Well, Martha, and that’s why we love her but I digress. Here’s what you do…Grab some scalloped edged scissors (you can pick up scissors with all types of fun cutting edges very inexpensively at your craft store) and snip each loop in the bow. Then just fan out each of the individual ribbons to create a prefect abstract peony bow.
26 November, 2007
8 Steals for Cyber Monday
Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and managed to get some good shopping deals this weekend too. I don’t know about you, but I think there were some awesome deals out there to be had. Cresta and I totally made out like bandits at our specialty toy store in the very wee hours of black Friday morning and saved ourselves some serious cash. WooHoo!
Speaking of good deals, I was going to do multiple posts, but when I realized how many deals I had to share today, it was going to take me forever to post each one individually. So, pay attention and keep on reading because I’ve got a handful of really awesome deals and discounts to pass your way to kick off your online holiday shopping!
A Touch of Whimsy I love Gina’s designs and have been singing her praises since I found her on ebay forever and a day ago, so I have to pass along this fabulous giveaway. Not to mention, she is always ultra generous in giving discounts to MM readers. I know you guys like freebies so listen up! Right now through December 10th, A Touch of Whimsy is holding a Merry Wishes Giveaway. All you have to do is pick any 3 items (any price!!) on her website that you want, post them in comments on her blog, then a very lucky winner will be chosen December 10th. What are you waiting for?!?
LillyBella Last Tuesday LillyBella started their 12 Days of Christmas sale where they will be offering a new special every day for 12 days to celebrate the Christmas Season. I know I’m a few days late in sharing this with you, but it’s still not too late to run over there for the remaining days!
Pen & Parchment 3-Day only sale ends today, Cyber Monday, so Hurry! Receive 20% off everything on their site through Nov. 26th with Coupon Code:Gifts20. This is a great opportunity to pick up stationery, holiday cards and invitations, personalized gifts, and those fabulous personalized stamps we all love too!
Three Chickadees Everyone’s favorite chicks are currently offering 20% off everything in stock through this Wednesday, November 28th. Pick up a cute belt and matching watch or two, but make sure you enter “holiday” at checkout to receive your discount.
Frill Seekers I just heard the word about this great little site and once you go, I think you’ll love it as much as I do. Anything and everything personalized you could ever imagine, plus things you have NEVER imagined, can be found at this little shop. The owner has been so kind as to set up a discount for all MM readers, so put your hands together in excitement, girls! Enter MOMMA in the special instruction box at checkout to receive 15% off your entire purchase. Thanks, Heidi!
Monogram Marketplace Lots of people are picking up their personalized preppy tee's from the Monogram Marketplace for holiday gifts so don't be left behind! I also have two discounts available for customers. Either chose FREE SHIPPING for every order $75+ or receive $10 off your $50 order. These make great stocking stuffers, teachers, and friend gifts so stop on by today!
CoCoBlu Studio Don’t forget about the great deal Sarah set up for you guys over there! Receive a 25% discount on holiday greetings with promo code MONMOM and as an extra bonus, you’ll receive a free set of mommy cards!
CCC Gifts Another reminder that this deal is ending in a few days so if you’ve had your eye on something, go take advantage of it today! 10% off for all MM readers when you enter code MONOGRAM at checkout.
P.S. Make sure you check comments b/c additional deals are being shared there as well!!
12 October, 2007
I’m running out the door to Chaperone a field trip for mini #1 and his school today so I’m very short on time. But I wanted to pass along a few discounts before I left. I mean, a girls gotta shop, right?
I’ve m
entioned Tiny Prints several times on this blog because I think they’ve got super creative cards and invitations, great quality, and a huge selection that is truly unique. If you haven’t checked them out yet after all the times I’ve mentioned them, make sure you do it now and use coupon code FRIEND21 at checkout to save 15% on your entire order!
Another stationery site I’m fond of and have mentioned here is is Pen & Parchment and they are having a tremendous sale right now through October 14th that
you do NOT want to miss either. Use coupon code SCB30 to save 30% on personalized Stacy Claire Boyd (and I know how much you love Stacy Claire Boyd!). Find something else you like at Pen & Parchment? Then Use coupon code SP25 to save 25% on personalized Sweet Pea holiday photo cards and HOLIDAY20 to save 20% on all other personalized holiday photo cards and digital holiday photo cards.
14 September, 2007
Crane & Co Holiday Card Discount
Well, it's a very rainy Friday here in Somewhere, SE where the Monograms reside. Aside from the fact that my brown grass is laughing at the weather with a "it's much too late now!" type of attitude I'm sure, I have to admit I love these days.
03 January, 2007
Putting Christmas To Bed
Now, about Christmas… It was a great time, and having small children during the holidays really makes you feel like a kid again yourself. Not to sound like a Folgers commercial or anything. It is so much fun to share all the moments I had as a child, with my own kids, and to see their excitement and expressions. Mr. Monogram and I always said, even before we had children, that if we ever lived away from home that our children would always wake up in their own beds on Christmas morning. So we hold true and fast to that, and Santa always comes to our house here, and then later in the morning we drive to my parent’s house in Atlanta to be with my family for Christmas day dinner.
But on Friday before Christmas, Mr. Monogram’s dad and step-mom came up from Florida to share in the Christmas festivities with us and put out a big Christmas Eve spread. You see, Italian heritage has us celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. My grandmother does lots of yucky slimy fishes such as smelt, but I prefer non slimy and non yucky seafood myself. In fact, for Italians, Christmas Eve is always the biggest meal of the holiday, and requires a tremendous amount of preparation and planning, accompanied of course by a very long, drawn out meal and lots of drinking too. The meal is lengthy and goes on for a long time, followed by a Panetone, Italian Cream Cake, fruit and nuts, and lots of freshly brewed cappuccino. After all, all that preparation and cooking does yield lots of dirty dishes!
Lucky for the mini monograms, Santa did not change his route and decide to skip over our house after all. Believe me when I tell you, there was lots of talk about that possibility. And like my parents, I admit to going a *tad* overboard for my children. Santa had some trouble locating a blue bike with blue helmet that mini #1 had specifically asked for, so after a special order at the local mountain bike shop, thankfully he was able to come through for mini #1. Whew! But don’t worry I won’t bore you with all the details of what we all got because lord knows we’ll be here ‘til Easter morning and I just have better things to do than that. So let’s move on.
After the mini’s did a fair job of destroying the family room opening gifts, they had a great time playing with their toys as monogram momma frantically raced around the house in her Superwoman cape (and now you all know I really get it all done) trying to pack everyone up for our trip home. And what a lovely trip home it was in the pouring down rain, too. THAT, I could have done without, thank you very much.
But by the time we arrived at my parents (Mr. Monogram’s parents following behind, as they always spend part of Christmas Day with my family as well), the mini’s were ready to get out of the car, stretch their legs, and catch up with all their cousins. My sisters and I each have 2 children a piece, so with a total of 6 grandchildren and 2 large Labrador retrievers in the midst of all the grown-ups, it makes for a pretty hectic scene.
I will interject here though, and tell you that I was a little ambivalent about this Christmas at home. You see, my parents moved from the home I was born and raised in, into a new home, so this was the first Christmas of my life, not in the house I grew up in. Okay, so their still in the same neighborhood, but that’s not the point. That was a little difficult for me. Add to the fact that my best friend from prep school’s parents also just sold their home and moved after Thanksgiving (and this was the first Christmas in 20 years I didn’t get to see her or her parents), this was just a lot of change for monogram momma. But it all turned out great and as BIL #2 said it seemed like we’d had 10 Christmases in that house already. I guess home really is where the heart is?! Kleenex anyone?
So the rest of the week was spent with my sisters, BIL’s, parents, and nieces & nephew. We rode the Pink Pig (although it's not the same Pink Pig I rode as a child on the roof of the Rich's Department Store downtown), ate at a favorite restaurant. It was good to catch up with some friends and old neighbors as well, and on the 27th, my 93 year old grandmother arrived in town with my dad’s Sister, My Aunt Liz, and his cousin (Carolanne). It was great to see them and catch up and the mini’s really enjoyed seeing my Aunt especially I think. In fact, they were having such a great time with their cousins and visiting family that I decided to stay another day and we didn’t leave to come back home until Friday.
It was a whirlwind but fun. It will definitely be the holiday remembered for not knowing where the light switches are or even where the silver salt and pepper shakers could be found. 30 years of living in the same house pretty much guarantees that my parents always knew where everything was, and this year, in a new house, had all of us running around in a scavenger hunt it seemed. But anyway, that’s it in a nutshell, but I know it’s really the pictures your after and not my *eloquent* written word you came here looking for so here you go!
Christmas would not be complete without a visit to Santa. This was our 4th visit and each time, the mini's kept modifying their list. But really, who cares when they look so cute all prepped out in black watch plaid dress pants, white turtleneck (monogrammed at the neck), navy blue v-neck sweater and Classic Stride Ride Saddle's (mini #1) and a navy blue fine, pin-wale corduroy longall with antique brass buttons (hand made by yours truly), white turtleneck (monogrammed at the neck), and Stride Rite Classic Saddle's (mini #2)?
One day we had our friends come over to make Gingerbread houses and trains too. I know it's not a masterpiece but the boys really did do all the decorating other than the icing. I will take full credit for that mess!
Close-up of our train, the mini's favorite. Notice our caboose is even monogrammed. We leave no details untouched here at the Monogram household!
The octopus (yes octopus, not squid. Although we did have fresh squid as well). This is one delicasy I hapilly pass on at Christmastime. 
The table was all set with holiday linens and my formal china. I think this was mid-way through the set-up though because the iced-tea glasses are not shown in this picture. See the little nutcracker there? Yeah, you won't believe this but he was a DOLLAR STORE FIND and I bought one for each place setting, then printed up our names on the computer and hot glued them to each nutcracker as placecards. They were so cute and festive. Talk about a great findHurricane Mini Monogram after a brief but deadly visit Christmas morning. After tearing through all the Christmas wrapping, this Category 2 hurricane left no present un-turned and destroyed everything in it's way. A week later, it's effects and after-shocks are still being felt.
The mayham we walked into at my parent's house on Christmas Day. These are just the gifts for the kids from my parents. Insane.
One of the few efficient bakers we keep on staff here at the Monogram household. He showed such fine tecnique and grace in rolling out the cookie dough before throwing a handfull of flour at disgust at the other sous-baker.
I told you it was a pink pig.
02 January, 2007
Pack It Up
I’ve never really been a big collector. I mean, if you consider he
adbands and barrettes and fabric and ribbons and everything else I’ve ever bought but somehow can’t seem to part with (see # 80). But other than just general stuff I am emotionally attached too (which is pretty much anything, up to and including my grocery receipts for some reason), I really only collect one thing. Christopher Radko ornaments.
I started collecting them our first Christmas married. I don’t know why I felt the pressure to collect something, and being that I love Christmas and his ornaments are beyond gorgeous, that’s what I chose to go with. And I have not been sorry (has my bank account been sorry? Well, yes.) I can still remember purchasing my first Radko myself, at Neiman’s. I went for the classic wedding bells, to signify our first Christmas married, and I get nostalgic every time I look at that ornament. And don’t laugh, but I keep an inventory of them in an Excel spreadsheet by name and #. Current count has me right around 52. Yahoo! I said don’t laugh.
But I do realize so many of you probably collect other Holiday items as well, that you will need to pack away. Heck, even if it’s just ornaments from the tree, they’ve got to be packed up as well, right? Sister #1 has an obscene amount of Department 56 Snow Village that pretty much takes over their entire house during the Holidays. I mean, you know it’s bad when you have to take furniture out of the house and set up 
specially made shelves and tables and display units just to house this little holiday addiction. She may not be able to get drunk off of it, but trust me when I tell you it IS an addiction. But the bottom line is she really enjoys it, just as I enjoy my Radko. It is a lot of work though, don’t you think? Carefully opening and unwrapping the breakables, carefully setting them up then threatening everyone with their life if they even come close to touching them, and then having to carefully package everything back up again a few weeks later. This is probably why I chose not to display mine this year. My heart just wasn’t in it this year and I had too much on my plate.
So in my search for some crafty and clever new ideas
for storing your ornaments and holiday collectibles, you’ll be happy to know I stumbled upon some great things. Of course, leave it to Martha, to come up with something so simple but yet sensible, that it makes you hit your head with that “duh, why didn’t I think of that” expres
sion. Check out these pictures. By cutting a piece of corrugated cardboard to line the bottom of each storage bin and prevent slippage, she used her trusty hot glue gun to attach simple paper cups to the cardboard base. Wrap the ornaments in tissue paper and place them in the cups. Then all you have to do is stack cardboard-and-cup flats inside the container. You can also see for smaller ornaments, Martha uses egg cartons. Brilliant! But I guess that’s why she’s THE Martha, after all.
Now, if you don’t want to go to all the trouble Martha has laid out, and you fancy yourself more of the run into Target, pick up a load of plastic bins and be done with it type of person, then by all means, have at it. There are storage bins galore out there for you in all shapes, sizes and colors. Divided or un-divided for 
ornaments, the choice is yours. I like these from the Improvements Catalog, myself. But in terms of storing all other holiday items, then I recommend clear plastic storage bins. You can separate the items by color, location (hallway or dining room), type (lights, candles, garland, etc), then put a large piece of paper inside the tub, face OUT, with the description. That way, you don’t have to worry about the tape losing its stickiness and the label coming off, and it’s super easy for you to spot and know what’s inside each box.
I know I’m not the only one out there who over-bought wrapping paper either. It gets me every year without fail. I can’t help it and I blame my obsession with all things paper on my fascination with festive holiday paper as well. So you know I’m not going to throw my unused stash out. Throw the pretty paper away?! Well that would just be wrong! So you can pick up specific wrapping paper storage containers like this one from Target or Wal-Mart, or do what I do and group them together a
nd secure them with heavy duty rubber bands. I then store them in a HUMONGOUS Toys R Us shopping bag that is also secured with a rubber band. It gets put up in the attic where it will wait until I summon for it next year. But another good idea I came across is to store your wrapping paper in hanging garment bags. If the garment bag has outside pockets, then use those for your gift tags, unused cards, and tissue paper. Pretty smart, right?
So you'd think all this typing and writing about storing my holiday things would have me all pumped up and motivated to start taking down my own decorations and get my party started, but nope. I'm throwing the mini monograms in the car and we are headed out for a bit. I need to hit the grocery store, Mr. Monograms office to get my purse out of his car (which will obviously be our first stop before the grocery), and if the mini's can keep from arguing and fussing long enough, we might even stop at the park before heading home for naps this afternoon. I'm still recovering from the cold from hell, so I see a nap in my future this afternoon as well. So I guess we need to start packing it up in the car now so I'm off.
29 December, 2006
I'm Back but I'm Sick
Well Christmas was great at the Monogram household and if it wasn't official before, it certainly is now, that the mini monograms are probably the most spoiled children in all the land. More to come with pictures and details next week, I promise.
We headed to my parent's house in Atlanta on Christmas afternoon and I ended up staying a day longer than expected. Of course, with 6 kids (the mini's and their cousins) and no less than 12 adults in the house at all times, it should only be expected that those little monkeys who are breeding grounds for colds and virus' managed to get me sick. Mind you, no one else is sick, but my head could quite possibly explode any minute now from all the congestion and sinus pressure. Nice, huh?
Anyway, I'm hopping off here to get back in the bed as preppy puppy has me under strict house (and bed) arrest until the veil of sickness starts to lift and I am certainly not complaining. If you've emailed me about the ongoing fiasco of Inviting Smiles, then don't worry, I WILL get back to you. As the saying goes, It's not over until the fat lady sings and ya'll have NOT heard monogram momma singing yet! ;-)
Have a GREAT weekend!
24 December, 2006
Merry Christmas!
The cookies have been baked with the help of my trusty assistants, mini monogram #1 & 2….
The stockings have been hung by the Chimney with care…
The house is bedazzled, hoping Santa soon will be there...
The entryway’s gleaming all shining with lights…
P.S. Monogram Momma is taking a little blogging vacation and probably won't return until Thursday, the 28th; but you never know.. I still might pop in to say and quick hello before then!
22 December, 2006
Annnnnnd The Winner IS!!
Once again I am just amazed by all my creative and fun loving preppy readers! You guys are the BEST! I swear! I really love doing this contest because you guys never dissapoint!
21 December, 2006
Simple Silver Cleaning
Add baking soda and a bit of aluminum foil to a pot of water, add the silver you want to polish and boil away to your hearts content!
In other news, I can't believe it's already Thursday and Christmas Eve is just 3 days away. Where have the days gone? I swear it's like I've been asleep all fall and now, all of the sudden, Christmas is here and this momma is just not ready. I've still got some shopping to do myself, all the wrapping has to be done, decorating the dining room, and the cleaning. OH, the cleaning. UGHH. If there ever was a time I needed a Christmas miracle, it would be now (okay, so technically, a second Christmas miracle since my first was the discovery of my heisted wedding set last week).
At any rate, I will be hopping on probably a few times today and making more posts than usual because well, I just have a lot to say I guess! We had a great time yesterday with friends and today we're making and baking our cookies. Kroger here we come! (that is really more of a warning than an announcement to you Kroger employees, btw, since I will have the mischievous mini monograms in tow)
20 December, 2006
Center Stage
If there’s one thing about my mother, she has always made a big to-do about setting the formal dining room. Even as a little girl, I can remember getting to help properly set the table with all the fine china, crystal and silver. What a treat to go pull everything ever so gently out of the large armoire in the entry way, listening to the bone china ding and rattle against each other as I carried the cups and saucers, one stacked inside another. Of course, by today’s standards it would be considered vintage given that they’ve been married 41 years, but I digress.
The table always looked beautiful with beautiful fine linens and napkins, place cards, and floral centerpieces. But it’s not just the centerpieces. Leave it to my mom to sporadically place other small accessories and decorative items along the table to as we sat and dined, there was always something to look at and see down the tablescape. I guess she was my first "Martha."
So really it should come as no small surprise, that I get a lot of joy in setting my own dining room. It just really brings me back to being a little girl in my Christmas finery, white tights and black patent leather mary-janes. And while I do no have the expansive 14’ table my parents do, I really enjoy setting my formal china, crystal and sterling at the holidays, and also coming up with creative centerpieces. Although I admit, mine never looks anything like my mom’s with the multiple fabrics and runners, ribbons, and flowers galore, but it’s it usually ends up being more than I end up having time for so it’s just fine for the Monograms.
Last year I was determined to be prepared with lots of great ideas for my table centerpieces this year, so I pulled some great ideas out of a "Christmas Ideas 2005" magazine (which I *think* was put out by MSLO). So I thought I'd share them in case you are hosting that final party or gather this weekend, or for Christmas Eve or Day, or even for New Years. Of course, you know monogram momma has your back so they are all simple and fresh ideas, that you can pull together in no time flat, but that will really sit center stage on your dining room table.
Cyndrilical Rose Arrangement I have picked up these glass cylinder vases for under $4 at my JoAnn's store, so I'm guessing you probably can too. Strip the rose stems of all thorns and leaves (saving the leaves), then cut each stem to the same length, which should be shorter than the height of the vase. Fill each vase inside with the roses, trying to make them stand up as straight as possible with on leaning. Then take your leaves and line them up around the outside of the vase, securing them with a rubber band, then topping that off (and hiding the rubber band) with a pretty red taffeta bow. Now THAT'S simple!
Coffee Bean Design If you've been hanging around me long enough, you already know that I love to decorate with natural things that I can easily pick up at the grocery, such as split peas, coffee beans, kumquats and cranberries. By sticking a smaller vase with your water and actual flowers inside the taller, large vase here, you can then pack the larger vase, surrounding the inner one, with coffee beans (to keep them dry). In shorter, smaller vases, just fill with coffee beans and place a votive inside. When the votive starts warming up, it will gently warm the coffee beans and exude that fresh coffee aroma.
Mint Julep There are so many things you can do with mint julep cups. Seriously. And although the hydrangea's (as shown here) are near impossible to find this time of year, you can still fill your mint julep cups, or small silver vases, with moss and minty green holiday balls for a festive table top look. How great would these look sporadically placed along a buffet table?
Rustic Holiday Table If you've got that more rustic or woodsy holiday look going for you, then I love this. This would look great even more casually on the kitchen table or island also. And I know we've all got extra greenery and tree branches at our disposal this time of year too. If you don't have any extra laying around your garage as I do, then run over to your local tree lot and they are usually happy to give the trimmings away for free to anyone who wants them. By placing them in a pretty red flower pot, including some burlap in the mix, a few red ornaments and pine cones, you've got yourself the perfect little pot.
White Christmas Artificial trees can pretty much be found anywhere right now. Heck I even saw small ones for sale at Walgreens Drug Store when I ran in there on Saturday to pick up a prescription. And this close to Christmas, everyone is practically giving them away too. So pop your head in, pick up a small one, spray paint it white, followed by a can of spray Snow, and you'll have yourself this lovely little white tree. They've used star ornaments here, and placed it in a very inexpensive aluminum tin that you can pick up in the paint department of your local home improvement store. And to create the look of snow in the bottom of the pail, pick up a large container of good old fashioned Epsom Rock Salt to add to that wintry, White Christmas look.
Rosemary I love these bushes. I love their shape, their smell, just everything about them is so wonderfully Christmassy to me. So dash on over to your local garden center and pick up two in whatever size you want (make it fit with the size of your dining room. For instance, if you're room is large with high ceilings, then get larger ones. But if it's on the smaller size with a low hanging chandelier, then pick up bushes on the smaller size), then place them in pretty decorative pots on the table. Add some festive ribbon and for little effort and cost, you've got a great statement.
Single Rose How simple is this? Well if you like a more streamlined and contemporary design, then place one single large bloom (either real or good quality faux) in a round vase. These vases are inexpensive in the floral section of the craft store. You can do several of these all the way down the center of your table at spaced intervals.
NOEL Who doesn't have extra candlesticks and ornaments hanging around this time of year? This is a simple and fast centerpiece but yet very eye catching, don't you think? It's a little casual for me, but this would also work on a mantle, sideboard, or sofa table and look very festive.
Low Lying Color Want something a little closer to the table and not hovering high above your head, obstucting your view from the person accross the table from you? Then this is just for you. If it were me, I'd use one of my elongated silver bread platters, lay down some festive greenery and leaves, then put some colorful Christmas balls on top for my low lying splash of color.
Wreath Who says it has to belong on the door? Run over to your local craft store and pick up a few wreaths and use them as centerpieces with candles in the center, or by placing your dishes in the center of the wreath. I love this idea for a buffet table, where you can put your caserole right in the center, while drawing attention to the dish with the greenery that surrounds it.
Wrap it Up You're already in the midst of wrapping, so why not wrap up a few extra packages and place them on the table for your centerpiece, or on teh buffet table. If you opt to use them on teh buffet table, then use lay the boxes so the bows are in the dront, and you can place dishes and napkins and food on top of the boxes, giving you all those levels and heights you know monogram momma is always so keen on doing.
Peppermint Sticks This is fun and kitschy but at the same time, sort of elegant. Either Glue or use a rubber band to affix the peppermint sticks to your glass vase, then wrap a ribbon around it, add a little florist foam inside and stick in all those beautiful roses to create that heaping festive mound.
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