Black Friday and Cyber Monday

At the last minute, I decided to offer FREE SHIPPING all weekend. If there was something you were considering as a holiday gift, or to wear to a party this season, make sure to stop by my shop, Ulixis Crafts, and pick it up!

Hamilton

I moved to Hamilton 5 years ago to attend McMaster University. Most people I talk to don't like the city, but it's the first big town I've ever lived in, and for me it was love at first sight.

I don't know much about the city, but it is an old town with a rich cultural history. The town was conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased farmland after the War of 1812. It took some time for his idea to take form, but a police board and city limits were defined by statute in 1833. Many of the old buildings are still around today, and quite a few have been converted into museums or historical sites.

I guess one of the reasons many people don't like the city is because our economy relies a lot on the steel mills. On hot summer days, the smell and smog can be a little unpleasant, and I do get some thick black dust. But I love to go for walks through the old neighborhoods, and dream about living in any one of the mini-mansions.

While browsing through Wikipedia, I found out that Hamilton has a coat of arms, shown above, as well as a flag! I rather like it, with the pretty flower and chain. Here's Hamilton's skyline, as seen by the edge of the escarpment, or mountain. You're basically looking at downtown Hamilton. Behind you is the mountain, a whole city in itself ~ to the right is the East end and Stoney Creek and to the left is Westdale with the University, as well as Dundas and Ancaster. I live near that tall building on the left of the photo. In fact, if you look closely and know what you're looking for, you might be able to see my apartment building. I don't know how long I'll be here, but I'm enjoying it while I am!

Where are you from? For you, what makes a city a "nice" or "good" city to live in?

Item of the day: Shadow Pods

I've kept a personal journal since I was in the third grade. Throughout the years, my dedication to writing has varied, but I've always gone back to it with a renewed sense of commitment. I enjoy writing out my inner thoughts and feelings, as well as the mundane parts of my day. It helps me work through problems and decisions, and gives me a good laugh when I go back over things I've written years ago. Have I ever matured!

The point of all this is that I'm almost finished the notebook I've been chronicling in for the past year. I've always had store-bought journals, so I was quite excited at the prospect of getting myself a new, handmade one! My friend Angie recently purchased a journal (see her blog) and convinced me that moleskine was the way to go. I've also had a moleskine sketchbook before, and was impressed with the quality. So I wasn't planning on copying Angie's purchase, but after doing a general search through Etsy, the shop she chose seemed to be the way to go.

Shoofly has really pretty gocco designs.. I went with the shadow pods, in the larger size, lined:I'm writing a couple of pages a day now, just so I can finish the old notebook by the time I get my pretty new one! Can't wait!

Front Page!

My treasury, Golden Glimmer, made the front page!!! This is only the second time this happens, so I'm very excited!On the front page, it doesn't look exactly the same as I curated it, but that's because a few items sold. So far, 4 have sold! This is what my treasury looks like with the alternates. The top alternate, a necklace by moxiedesigns, was in the top left corner, but I switched it when it sold. Woo hoo! Thank you for the front page!!

Item of the day: Cardinal

Debra Linker is a wonderful artist whom I met via the "More Meaningful Gifts" BnR. I immediately fell in love with her cardinal prints, so I asked her to make me some Christmas cards featuring the cute little cardinal face:They turned out really well! You can find cardinal cards here, and feel free to ask Debra if you have wording you'd like to add to the front.

Through various games and promotions on the MMG thread, I also received a free copy of Debra's wonderful crooked Santa card:
He is so adorable, I'm uncertain whether to send him to someone or keep him to myself! Do check out debralinker (and her sister shop, ditto) ~ you're sure to fall in love with her work!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would just like to wish all my American readers Happy Thanksgiving!I hope this holiday finds you and your family healthy and in good spirits.

Item of the day: Merry Christmas Card

I liked these green button cards by ScrapArcs so much, I asked for a set of 4 ~ 2 dark green and 2 light green.I like how the watermark ink used for the "Merry Christmas" and green patterns is slightly raised and shiny, for a real professional and unique look.

Homemade bread

I think it's pretty obvious by now that I love to cook. My Christmas list is as follows (plus my entire favourites list, hehehe):

• salad spinner
• bread maker
• pasta maker
• flat whisk
• cast iron dutch oven
• Kitchenaid mixer

Clearly, I like preparing food.
This past weekend, Pat and I went to stay the night at his Aunt's and Uncle's place - they have an enormous, beautiful house and are super nice people. I love visiting with them, they're like our adoptive godparents. Anyway, while I was there, I was able to scratch one item off my Christmas list:They gave me a bread maker!!! It was a wedding gift, and in 15 years, they've never used it. So now this near-vintage machine is all mine!! I was so excited, I made my first loaf Monday night. It was a simple white bread:
It was delicious! I was gnawing on my knuckles because it smelled so good while baking! The loaf was gone by lunchtime Tuesday, so I made another loaf last night, this time a sweet bread. A heavier bread, not as tasty, but still good. I can't wait to try all the other recipes in my recipe book - whole wheat is up next!

I love my bread maker!