Sunday, December 4, 2011

Visions of Sugarplums - Day One

Hi and welcome to Day One of Visions of Sugarplums!  Join us all week long for fun projects, recipes, traditions  and giveaways!   More about that in a moment...

We've been decorating the house off and on for the last week and it's like seeing old friends.  I love opening the boxes and even though I already know what's inside, I still feel so happy holding the old ornaments in my hands.   And every year, I just have to add new decorations, too!  A favorite around our house has always been "The Night Before Christmas."  So, I created a Night Before Christmas Puzzle Tin.  
The idea is to place puzzle pieces in the tin and beginning on Dec. 13th, remove a piece.  Two puzzles are complete on Christmas Eve.  Then, the poem can be read.  This is when I wish Lauren was still small enough to snuggle with me drinking hot chocolate, reading together with the twinkle of the tree and light of the fireplace! 

Maybe I can talk her into snuggling with me anyway!  How about it Lauren?

The puzzles are the front and back cover of the book.   If you're interested in making something similar, you can download my magnet squares here. 
Just right click on the image above and save.  I really like a heavy duty magnet.  I buy mine in rolls that are 60 mil thick.  I think 30 mil would work, too.




The book pages are available here.

 I printed the book pages at about 4 1/2" x 6".  The cover is 7 1/4" x 11 folded in half.  Then I sewed right down the middle to bind it together.  The puzzle pictures were printed a little larger than 3" x 3".  Then I used a free puzzle svg to cut the puzzles to 3" x 3".  At that size each piece will fit in the mini muffin tin.   I made this in July and have made four more since then.  It seems like a lot of pieces, but it goes pretty fast. 

Now a little info about the giveaways.  There will be a giveaway here each day Tuesday - Friday.  I'll pick a random winner for my giveaways on Friday.  Every comment you make here between now and Friday night and every comment made on every participating blog will be an entry for you into the drawing for my giveaways.   For the sponsoring giveaways, your comments will count for that particular day.  For example, your Tuesday comments will be an entry for the Tuesday giveaway.   Your Tuesday comments also count for my giveaways.  I will give away two packages that are identical.  So, everything you see in the following pictures (and all the items I'll add throughout the week) will be given to two people.  

I must say I love the vintage viewmaster pockets.  I've been using them like crazy as cute pockets in hodgepodge books and I'll show you another use on Wednesday.  This picture shows 3 vintage bingo cards, wooden buttons, 2 viewmaster pockets,  5 vintage red Dennison labels and an assortment of vintage Dennison Christmas labels. 
This picture shows 28 recipe cards, Martha Stewart label assortment, frame, 5 vintage postage stamps, vintage ice coupon book, star cookie cutter, sweet elf, peppermint candy cards, 2 Christmas tags and a box of 5 vintage Dennison Christmas tags.  I'll be adding to this collection, so keep watch! 

I have some other wonderful people blogging with me today.  Visit Mika's Pantry for a wonderful recipe to spice up your Christmas Eve dinner.  I can always count on Mika to have great recipes, especially breakfast and dinner.  Lauren (my daughter) from The Past on a Plate is sharing an old-fashioned (what's old is new) way of involving your husband in some Christmas fun:  Baking Kris Kringle Cookies with your Husband.  When I talked to her this weekend, the dough was chilling, so I can't wait to see how they turned out.   Jennifer from Just Wedeminute will be sharing a family tradition.  Be sure to visit and leave a comment for them, too! 

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow for more Visions of Sugarplums fun!

22 comments:

  1. Oh Lori! This looks like lots of fun! I LOVE your magnetic puzzle book! My youngest is now 14 so the puzzle idea is out, but she will still cuddle with me occasionally to read a book :) What a fun giveaway! And lots of great ideas for the holidays! Thanks for sharing!

    rebeccadunham at hotmail dot com

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  2. Lori, thanks so much for all the information. I downloaded the book, it's fabulous! Love the puzzle idea also. Marilyn

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  3. Lori, not only do you make the most beautiful creations but you come up with the most fun party ideas. I love your giveaway items. I sure wish I had a little one to do the puzzle with. I wonder if Mattie my fur baby would enjoy it. hee-hee.

    Hugs...Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute

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  4. As always Lori, your creations are amazing! We love the "Night Before
    Christmas" at our house as well. So I'm going to be downloading that for sure! Thanks for the great ideas!

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  5. I can tell everyone that I've seen the puzzle in person and it's very very cute! And I'm not too old for snuggling.

    Fabulous giveaway, too! There are going to be two very lucky people!

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  6. That vintage view master pocket made me gasp in delight- I would LOVE to find something like that here in Brooklyn!!! I will participate- the projects are so different from visual style they are hugely inspiring- thanks for the link over at Paper Issues. ;)

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  7. And let the fun begin.. Such a wonderful hop my friend. So glad you included me.. I am off to check out the other blogs..

    Hugs, Linda

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  8. Such a wonderful start of the blog hop Lori! I'm in love with your magnetic puzzle book, brilliant idea and super cute! The images you used are so pretty! Hope the hop will be a great success, see you tomorrow ;-)

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  9. What a fun idea! I love that you put it together a little at a time and have it finished on Christmas Eve :)

    ~Hopping over from the Artful Rising Link Party!!!

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  10. soooo sweet! and now I am wishing that I had my old viewmaster goodies.

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  11. I love this puzzle idea! It looks great, my 'little one', (17 y/o) would still love it. I never get around to making my countdown project.....

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  12. Lori- This is one of the cutest things you've ever done! I love how you manage to have so much detail in your projects. It makes me want to keep looking to make sure I haven't missed anything!

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  13. Lori, I ADORE everything that you make! The tin is so cute and the puzzles are right up my alley. Can't wait to see what else you have this week.

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  14. what a fantastic project Lori, wow I need to make a puzzle....this is awesome....tfs...hugs

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  15. The vintage and the book--TOTALLY love them.

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  16. Amazing project Lori! That must have take a lot of time to do and it's so professional! Thx for linking it up to the Make It Monday party!

    Mary J x

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  17. I saw your thumbnail at Make It Monday and knew I had to take a look. What an awesome creation! I think this would be great for my daughter to do with her young children! Thank you so much for the idea and for sharing!
    ~Hugs!~

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  18. Wonderful project ... so clever

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  19. Lori! This is amazing. I actually got a little choked up over the cuddling part...gak! I admit, while my 6'1" and growing son is still under my roof, I make him bend down and hug me whenever I can. :) Cuddles occasionally too.
    This is a wonderful project and thank you for all the links!!
    I'm leaving my comment but also saying..

    Thank you for playing along with us at Make It Monday!
    Hugs,
    Lisa xx

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  20. Hun this is so cool! I love what you have created and the whole story you have put with everything.
    Thank you for joining us at Make it Monday this week.

    Hugs Krafty Karen - DT for Make It Monday.



    Remember, to leave a comment for the other entries & be sure to mention you saw
    them on Make It Monday.

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  21. This puzzle project couldn't be any sweeter, Lori! I am so looking forward to joining you for your 2012 inspiration hop :)

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