Favorite things for March!

March has definitely come in like a lamb! The weather is warm, the birds are chirping, and even the flowers are beginning to bloom. Enjoy the warm weather and start thinking about Easter.

1. Box of chenille chicks - These twelve brightly

colored soft chicks are perfect to put in Easter baskets as well as to decorate your holiday table. Soft puffs of color for Easter. Put a few inside the eggs you hide for a fun surprise!

2. Pipe-cleaner eggs - Brightly colored striped pipe-cleaner ornaments. These would be a great start to an Easter tree. Get the kids involved in decorating for Easter by getting a tree to put all your favorite decorations. If you don't have an Easter tree use some lit branches to hang them from.

3. Oversized baby hydrangea ducks - Quack, Quack! These adorable little ducks are available in both soft pink and yellow. These are just too cute to pass up. Perfect to add a little cheer to your decorations.

4. Vintage velvet bunnies - The Velveteen Rabbit has nothing on this classically adorable bunny. A soft pink sitting rabbit with a garland of flowers around his neck. These would make sweet decorations for a mantle.

5. Wreath of blossoms - Daisy-like flowers in pink and sage. Help encourage the flowers to grow by hanging this bright wreath on your front door. Adding a wreath indoors or outdoors is a great way to liven up your space.

Mark your calendars, Easter is Sunday, April 8th this year.

Favorite Items for February

With Valentine's Day just around the corner it is time to start thinking about treating yourself and those you love. Here are a few great items to help you do that.

1. Soft Pink Angel Wreath - Who doesn’t need a guardian angel watching over them? We have the perfect decorative accessory to remind you there are angels watching– a wreath made of soft feathers – just like angel wings –to hang on your wall. Soft pink is perfect for Valentine’s Day and it works for Easter too. Hot pink is for those of you that love to make a statement! Either way, an angel wreath is very feminine -- just like you!

2. Cupid is Stupid Sign - Valentine's Day my not be your favorite holiday. You may have a friend who has had a hard time with love recently. This fun yet festive sign is a great way to decorate and acknowledge the holiday in a small way. It will be a conversation starter!

3. Egyptian Glass Perfume Bottle - Delicate handmade blown-glass perfume bottles imported from Egypt. The Christmas Attic has started getting product from Egypt. The product is hand picked by Fay. These bottles are available in a variety of different styles and colors, including; frosted glass with hieroglyphics, and rosy pink with gold etching. Keep an eye out in the store and on the blog for more Egyptian products.

4. Mercury Glass Candle Holder - Mercury glass is popular again this year. It is a great way to add a little sparkle to a tablescape. These candle holders are available as votive holders as well as pedestal wine-glass shaped. The red is a great color to transform into Christmas. The small detail fleur-de-lis is perfect for any francophile like me. It would give you an excuse to have a Bastille Day party in July.

5. Towel Wrap - This is the perfect give for any college student. A warm way to get out of the shower. The velcro band keeps it up and hands free, perfect to dry your hair and put on your make-up in the morning.

It was difficult to narrow down the favorite items for this month, there were so many great items. Come into the store and take a peek. All of these items are also available on our website.

Happy Valentine's Day! Spend sometime this month treating yourself and those you love.

The night before advent

Cheri recounts the last days before the big reveal:

Well – it is almost here. I feel like it’s the night before Christmas, but it’s the night before we start the advent calendar. Months of work and planning and laughing and tearing our hair out and now we are almost there.

It has been the week of the scissor lift. Who knew it would be so much fun to ride up and down in a scissor lift – next year we could charge for rides! Virtue even got in on the act – they hung three big trees off the old package lifts hanging into the alley. That looks great too!

So as I peer out the window around the OPMH canvas of a giant candy cane, I can see 20 of the 24 canvas arranged all over the face of the building! They are covered in bright drapes, ready to be revealed on their given day. I am so darn happy; it really feels like Christmas morning. Thought me might not pull this one off Nefertiti!!!!

Got to say without Chris Carter and all the guys – Awsin, Luka, Joe and Yuki – we never would have done it. All the girls just took rides – how bad are we.

The Advent Calendar Event continued

Well the advent saga continues! We realized today after one of the canvases blew off the building that we need to get a lift or crane to finish the job! Chris and Joe are having a time of it, but they are starting again on Monday – go guys. (Just rented a scissor-lift; that should be fun.)

Okay – so the latest paintings just get better and better. Our real artists (no offense to anyone) have brought over their paintings and wow! Haley is a staffer here who is also an artist and who knew she was so good – the nutcracker scene is to die for.

Then one of our brunch attendees and I started talking and she was excited about our project. Next thing I knew, Nicki had offered to do a canvas even though she works in fabric as a medium. She created a piece and then had it digitally reproduced on canvas for the advent calendar. It is really beautiful – an angel, that even though it isn’t made of cloth, looks like it is – you can even see the stitching up close! And the colors – you just have to wait to see.

We got a peak, but it went back for final touches, of the OPMH older kids work. It is really good too! Silhouettes of the three kings on camels – it gives me shivers. How do these people come up with these great ideas and then make them look so good? And these are teenagers!

St. Raymond’s youth director came by with their canvas – a hand painted scene of the crèche with the holy family set into a background of palm trees and the star too. So great – I am really impressed with how good these paintings are. I know I keep saying that, but really, it is not as easy as you would think to do a realistic picture.

We are so blessed to have so many fabulous partners in our quest to raise money for Make-a-Wish. Thanks to all of you, from the bottom of my heart. Oh, and we think the date for the auction will be Epiphany (the day the kings arrived to see baby jesus)– first Friday in January. It isn’t definitive yet – keep peaking at website for updates.

Well, I am beat and have to be up at 5:00 am for our first black Friday sales extravaganza. Hope not too many people get up early to shop – I’m not sure I can handle a line at 6:00 am! Bring me coffee – please!!!

Advent Calendar Event

Cheri recounts her journey as she prepares for the advent event:

"Who would have known that making our building into an advent Calendar would change my whole outlook on Christmas. It shocked me.

I have to admit that occasionally I have had a bit too much of Christmas (I am human) after working in a Christmas Store every day for 365 days a year for 39 years. My personal Christmas is always lovely and I try and get excited every year for the coming of the season – it is a bit harder some years than others. But this year it hasn’t been hard at all.

The whole idea of the advent calendar is to prepare yourself for the coming of Christmas. I have been working on putting together this Advent event by gathering groups to paint canvases for the building for months now. After we had no response to our call out to artists to do the canvases (understandable with the economy in slump) I thought of seeing if preschools would be interested and then church youth groups – and they were!

My first school to join us was the Old Presbyterian Meeting House Preschool. My kids went there a million years ago and as a coop preschool, I thought they would like it. Tania, the director, embraced the project wholeheartedly and personally painted the pictures with each class. I was excited to see the result – but I wasn’t ready to cry over the canvases.

Yep, the artwork the kids produced brought me to tears. Sounds a bit dramatic, but to see how they painted outside the lines in such cheery colors simple images that bring Christmas to mind – candy canes, mittens, bells, gingerbread, Christmas trees and stockings – well it was so sweet, I just teared up. The kids have their names on their artwork and the name of their classes too! It brought back memories of working with my kids – now all teens – on holiday projects. I miss those days!

Well – that was just the beginning. I worked with my youth group for two nights first sketching and then painting our two canvases. We had Jennifer’s mom – an artist – help us draw the train with animals coming out of the cars and the girls just free-style drew a camel between two palm trees. They picked a bright yellow background that just makes the picture and we all giggled about how the heck a camel’s mouth and nostrils look. Patrice and Laura and Alece (sp) drew stars in the sky over our Christmas train. We all bonded as we added our finishing touches to the canvases including our groups name and bible verses that the girls thought matched our work of art.

The next day, I got to work tired and cranky until I opened up my email of Maurisa’s son’s preschool – St. Anthony’s pictures. Okay, my favorite is the town of Bethlehem at the bottom of the canvas and a giant glowing light coming from the town. You know, if adults had painted it – it would have a star – but the kids have a bigger than life blob of yellow that takes over the canvas – yes really big, because what is in the town of Bethlehem is really big – baby Jesus. Got to love those kids – tears again!

But wait – there was another picture of Santa flying over brightly colored houses that I would love to buy in the auction. It made a huge smile come over my face and I keep thinking of the image again and again as the day goes by.

Good Shepherd’s Youth Leader, Miguel, dropped off the three canvases they painted later in the day. First off I have to tell you Miguel is a gifted artist. He produced a stained-glass type image of the three kings over the Christ child – spectacular! He had a young woman in his group paint an angel image that is just great and then his youth group worked together to do a simple, effective shepherd with sheep. I was really impressed with the shading on this one—after tying to paint my own background – I realized how hard that is. Wow – these kids are talented.

Can’t wait to see the rest of the art arrive."

Join us on December 1st for the kick-off to the event. The first painting will be revealed! We look forward to seeing you.

Fay and Cheri's Favorite Things -- Halloween Edition

Ghosts, witches, skeletons, and pumpkins are all ready to come out for Halloween night! As the spooky holiday approaches here are a few things to help make your house, and your holiday festive:

1. Glitter Bones-- These sparkly skeleton bones make a fun decoration. They would be perfect hanging from the front door in place of a wreath. The glitter turns a spooky skeleton into something dazzling.

2. Giant spiderweb -- This spiderweb is available in a large or small size. These thick black webs are perfect to hang on the ceiling, over your door, or any large space you want decorated. We also have a large long-legged spider that can be put on the web for a creepy feel.

3. Spider Jewlery-- A large jeweled spider bracelet is the perfect addition to any Halloween outfit. It is the final touch on a witch costume, or subtle enough to wear to an office that doesn't like to dress the occasion. You will want to wear it all season long.

4. Branch lights-- These lights are not only perfect for Halloween but for any decorating. They come in white with white branches, white with brown branches, orange, and other assortments. The orange just scream Halloween.

5. Stork with baby-- Ok, so maybe this is not the most spooky item but with the holidays approaching a baby's first christmas ornament is always a welcome addition to a family christmas tree. If you think to send it as an early christmas present it can be hung on the tree and enjoyed all season long. It can be personalized too with the babies name and birth date.

Holiday Wine -- When having a holiday party themed wines are a great way to coordinate all the decorations, games, and decor. Renegade, Vampire, and Renegade to name a few.

Happy Halloween!

Fay and Cheri's Favorite Things

Fay and Cheri have picked ten items to help get you through the end of summer and transition into the fall. As the weather gets cooler and fall approaches here are some great items to help keep you having fun with the season.

1. Old Town Trivet -- With Old Town scenes these trivets are a

fantastic way to remember our wonderful town and can be used everyday in your home.

They make a great going-away gift or a welcome gift for the new neighbors. These wonderful pictures also come on a magnet.

2. Wildflower Vases -- A beautiful and delicate way to display your end of summer flowers. These can also double as small watering cans. They have a french feel to them.

3. Retching Pumpkin Drive-in -- this new Halloween piece from

Department 56. This is the Halloween must have item for 2011, it is creepy, disturbing, and fun all at the same time. It will be a welcomed addition to your halloween village.

4. Santons -- Santons de Provence from

France.Hand-painted,terra cotta nativity figurines produced in the Provence region of southeastern France. These figures are a great way to have anunique nativity for your family. They are also small enough to display with limited space.

5. Mugs -- The fall weather is right around the corner. Before we know it the time will come for hot tea, pumpkin lattes, and cider. These mugs will bring you happiness and a the perfect size to curl up with a book.

6. Towel Wraps -- These terry-cloth towels with velcro can be used to wrap around your body and they stay up. These are perfect to take to college or to send to your new college student to help them staywarm in the fall.

7. Riveria bags -- These new bags from Cat Studio are perfect to transition from summer into fall. The best time to go to the beach is after the height of season when everyone goes back to school. The beach is not crowded, it is cooler, and is a great way to get away

for the weekend.

8. Bloody Electric Candle -- With Halloween approaching it is time to start thinking about how to decorate your haunted house. These bloody candles are sure to cause a fright but not a mess because they are electric.

9. &10. -- Landbugs and Chimney sweeps for good luck -- In a previous installment we talked about the luck that comes from mushrooms, here are two more ornaments that are traditionally lucky. Many of us know that when ladybugs crawl on your hand it is said that you will be lucky, but not as many people know that chimney sweeps can also be lucky. When starting a nutcracker collection a chimney sweep is one of the first pieces that should be collected to bring luck to the rest of the pieces. Decorate your Christmas tree with lucky items this year.