last week of christmas in july --

it's the last week of the handmade circle's christmas in july sale at etsy!  there are still plenty of great things still available!  be sure to check out the shops!  CLICK HERE for a list of the 50+ great shops that are participating, and a video of some of the great items found in them.

everyone has a "christmas story" -- some are full of wonderful memories of family and friends, gingerbread and mistletoe -- others are sprinkled with disaster - tangled chirstmas lights, burnt cookies, and ugly christmas sweaters.  but -- they are all memories, cherished and laughable.

i recently asked some of my fellow teammates to share some of their christmas stories.  here is what some had to say as well as some of my favorite things from their shop.

joann of  ISewMuchTime shares:

Rose and Paisley Table Runner

 One of my favorite Christmas memories has to be when our two boys were young, now 29 and 32! To see the look on their faces when the came down the stairs to see all the presents left for them. We used to blow up real big balloons in bright colors and place them all over the presents and throughout the house. Their bright faces and the bright colors of the balloons made it all worthwhile. Enjoy your family; they grow up too quickly! Merry Christmas in July! God Bless!

stained glass mosaic tea

pot

kate of  PiecesofhomeMosaics shares:

 My now hubby proposed to me on Christmas Eve. He had me open up my fluffy pink robe he got me. And unknown to me the ring was in the pocket! I didnt notice the ring in the pocket! He went and put on his suit. He came out, i got all flustered! He got down on one knee and he asked me to reach into the pocket of the robe! I found the ring and I was so surprised and dumbfounded! He was shaking and with a crackly voice he proposed! That was 25 years ago!


janet of  CreationsByJanetUSA shares:

inspirational bracelet

 When my children were young (now 38 & 41) I would hide their Christmas presents in an attic closet for weeks before Christmas because I was an early shopper. Only a few years ago I was told by my children that when they got home from school & I was still at work, they would look in the closet to see what new gifts had appeared!!! But they were always "surprised" on Christmas morning, so I never suspected that they knew about all their presents.


 andrea from EmbellishByAndrea shares:
This really could be made into a "Christmas Vacation" movie!! We call it the

tissue hold

"The Schlickbernd Christmas from Hell"

Let's just say it all started on Christmas Eve. NEVER fly on Christmas Eve or Day. The airlines are understaffed and only the low on totem pole work. We watched from our window views the jet bridge operator trying to back up to the door for over 30 min. (My husband was about to get up and do it himself). Finally the dude figured out how to turn just right so as to make the connection to the door. We were off.

Well, not exactly. Now, we are all lined up on the jet bridge and the door to the airport is locked. 10 min. or so later, the SAME jet bridge driver unlocks the door for us. Oh, and guess what?? Same guy had to go out and unpack the luggage.

Okay, so now we are finally off. Off to where you ask? Well now we fondly call it the 'sardine house'. You see, my husband's folks thought it a good idea to cram 16 people, one handicap and in a wheelchair, into a small, one level, three bedroom rental.

This was the sleeping lineup. In the main living room/kitchen combo, there were three sets of bunk beds all in a row and a couch that was a pullout. Sound cozy? The grandparents had their own room with a queen sized bed and private bathroom. There were two other rooms that had double beds in each, one with a bathroom and then a communal bathroom.

Right after we arrived, our 17 year old informed me that she was sick...stomach flue sick. Now, let's just say that this was not your typical 24 hour stomach bug. This was the full blown, shooting out both ends, 4-5 day nightmare that kept attacking one person at a time. YEP, only three toilets and a whole lot of people. Got the picture??

Now let's put the ages of our group out there, 5 to 67 and grandparents who get up at 5 AM and are a wee bit deaf so have no clue as to how much noise they are making. (Now remember where the bunk beds and pullout is located). Teens who stay up till 2 and sleep till noon...little ones who need to sleep early and get up early. You get the picture, it was an awful Christmas nightmare that just wouldn't end and we were stuck there for almost a week. You want to talk about cranky, irritable people!! Whoa!!

As Shakespeare said, "Comedy is tragedy plus time".
Ya, we can look back now and laugh but would we do it again??? Not on your life!

 jayne of TwiggyandOpal shares:

business card holder

 One of my favorite memories was when in was in 3rd grade. One night we were all sitting in the living room when all of the sudden we saw Santa! He was pitiful! It was one of my brothers who was dressed as a skinny, funky and young Santa. He knocked on the door, we opened it laughing all the way! One of the gifts he brought us...my Grandma and Grandpa! They flew in to surprise us all! Boy, what a surprise it was! One of the many, many memories I have of a big family holiday





kimberly of  Madeforjake shares:

silhouette wall art

My favorite Christmas memory is of all the celebrations with my grandpa (Pa). He was the most thoughtful and caring person I had ever met. He would bring homeless people home to have dinner with us. We had these huge celebrations with all of our family even distant relatives. He would invite people who had children and were having a tough Christmas. He even bought gifts for all of the kids. He truly was an angel.









dora of chumaka 

turquoise pendant

In my family we always open one gift on Christmas Eve. One year my niece who was 3 would not let her cousin who was 7 open a gift. Well the 7 year old went to open her gift and the 3 year old punched her in the stomach and ran... boy I LOVE my family

 Shannon of AMomentinParadise :

jar candles

There were six kids in my family and every Christmas morning my mom would make us line up on the stairs youngest to oldest and have our pics taken. Now that the kids are all grown it's rare for all of us to be together at once. There was finally a year we were all together again for Christmas, my mom got us all silly sweatshirts saying whether we were big or little sister or brother and had us all line up on the stairs for a pic. I think that was one of my mom's favorite Christmases :)



Amy of  Lucary shares:

potholders

One year my parents left to go Christmas shopping and I snuck a peek in the closet. When they asked me why I peeked, I said I didn't. But unbeknownst to me, they put a piece of tape on the door so when I opened it, it came unstuck and I never knew it was there! I was horrified and so upset!






 what great christmas memories and fun!  please stop by these shops and the others listed too --- grab some wonderful handmade items for your loved ones this holiday season!  shops are offering 10-35% off during the ENTIRE month of July! be sure to check out the link above for all the shops participating --- and check the shops banner area for announcments on thier sale and coupon.

don't forget to stop by Serenity Lane Designs. for some great christmas - or anytime items too!  and -- if you're looking for something special, let me know - - i LOVE to do custom orders!

thanks for stopping by!

happy stamping! :)


--diane