At McClure's Orchard, I was told one of the horses was loose and we needed to help look for it.

 "But I have my pretty boots on," I said.  

She said, "I have rubber boots in my car.  You can wear those."  

"That horse isn't lost.  There's someone on it.  Who is that?"  "I think it's your main squeeze," she said.

"Honey, let's go over here and have a talk," he said.

(secret conversation)

"YES!!!" I said with eyes stinging and laughter and kisses to the most beautiful, handsome, funniest, kindest man.

And then our song played loudly over the trees and down to the most magical gazebo in the whole wide world.  Only at McClure's Orchard does such magic happen by the way.

The cork was popped.

Cats were let out of bags.

Happiness was everywhere.

So was the sparkle.

And we are now engaged and on our way to live happily ever after.

XOXO.  I love you tons, Aaron McCoart.

You know how much I love to make charm bracelets!  I was thinking about Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol when I made it.

This bracelet went together so easy.  I used Plaid's Holiday Glitz charms (at JoAnn Fabrics and Michael's), then peppered Swarovski glass pearls and crystals in the middle.  I love the vintage looking brass for a sweet, but classic look.

Thumbprints, fingerprints and hand-prints are the most fun to stamp with!  This is a pendant I made using Premier clay, a Beadalon cable necklace, Amate heart pendant, and Folk Art paints.  It's easy to make:  roll a ball of clay, push into bezel pendant, smooth out so it is flush with wall of pendant, imprint with finger and leave to dry.  Once it dries, there is a slight amount of shrinkage with the clay so it will pop out of the frame. This makes it easier to paint.  Glue the clay piece in and string the pendant onto a cable necklace.  Personalized jewelry in a pinch!

The second quick idea that makes parties extra fun is a hot chocolate bar.  It's kinda like a sunday bar, where you have all the fixin's.  This is a really quick one I put together for my students last year at Manchester College in the ceramics room.  Candy cane stirrers, cinnamon and peppermint sprinkles, flavored syrup, gingerbread marshmallow men and whipped cream combined to make a super custom cup o' cocoa.  Kids and adults will have fun with this one.  I promise.

These little snowmen cost next to nothing to make and they look super cute when finished.  Make one for all your friends and fam!

Check out my guest post on Mod Podge Rocks to see fun crafts and how to make these cute pins!

Plaid has another set of fun holiday charms out.  Here are some pins I whipped up with them.  You can find the safety pin with loops in the jewelry section of the craft store.  Use jump rings and chains to attach them and add a snippet of ribbon to the loop.  10 minutes to make (tops)!