Post-Holiday Goodness

I hope you had an amazing Christmas, are still enjoying Hanukkah, and are gearing up for celebrations to welcome 2012!  This particular week of the year is especially compelling because of a little something else: Post. Holiday. Sales.

If you managed to refrain from the craze of showing up at Macy's or Target at 6:00 a.m., you've had time to digest your Christmas feast and are now ready to hit the ground (or the Web) running (surfing) in your search for the most promising deals.  In honor of the amazing CCCOE team, here is a compilation of best places to start for your post-holiday savings!  Happy shopping!

Free shipping upgrades to ensure you get new calendars by January 1!

Adorable wristlets are 10% off at SahndaMarie, coupon code HOLIDAY11

GORGEOUS amazonite gemstone necklace from FineJewelryDesign, now on sale!

Super-cute prints from Amie at TheBarberShop are buy two, get the third for free!

Get 10% off goodies like this chevron cowl at FoothillFibersNPhoto!

Get gorgeous with LisamariesPiece plus 15% off (coupon code ONEDOUBLEZERO)

Lots of fun, fashionable vintage finds on sale at KMalinka!

Is your shop hosting a sale I forgot to mention?  Post your info below!

With best wishes for the new year from Emily Reiter.

Style Trend: Winter Whites

When I think of iconic symbols for winter, snow is probably one of the most automatic things that come to mind. This season, snow-inspired, winter whites are popping up on celebrities in both fancy and cozy-comfy ways:

*photos via googleimages*

Take a peek at these pretty winter whites, all made by CCCOE members:

For more general bloggy girly-girl goodness, visit me at: PuppyLovePreschool "Land of Little, Lovely Delightfullish Things"

Holiday Gifting Trends: FELT

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be FELT with the heart."

Okay so I *may* have borrowed the above quote from Helen Keller.  It just seemed so fitting for one of the sweetest, most versatile fabric trends for the holiday season: FELT.  Some fuzzy, felted goodness is just what Santa ordered for the winter season.

I started browsing CCCOE artisans for their felted creations and was blown away by the talent we've got right here on our own team for all things FELT!  Below is just a small selection of the felt awesomeness I found among our members.  Enjoy and get that last minute shopping done now ... with FELT!

Loving these felted pebble magnets from delica!

Totally jonesin' for this awesome Kindle Fire case in my favorite color combo!

CUTEST little slippies for the little loved ones in your life!  From rusticpatriotgirl.

More captivating felted creatures: birdie hair clips by petals

Lovely blooms and greys come together for this checkbook cover from PineBlossoms

Prettiest autumn colors in this headband from MySweetieBean

A charming tote for your feline friend (OR for yourself!) from wagsandwiggles

I guess it's obvious from some of my selections that I have an appreciation of button details, too.  :)

There were way too many amazing felt goodies for me to cram all the relevant listings into a single blog post; hope you'll check out the links to CCCOE member shops below for all the felted excitement you can stand!

• Stitchy Impressions (home decor and household goods)
• Rynrina (TONS of adorable felt clutches and tote purses!)
• The Felted Pear (felt food toys for the little ones!)
• Flea Circus
• Puppy Love Stuff (heartFELT baglets!)
• La Tea Da Designs (felted art & supplies)
• Day of the Thread
• Whimsical Paper Dot (felties!)
• Felt Better Plushery (stuffed toys)
• Zizi Rho Designs (jewelry and electronics cozies)
• Grapevine Captive (goodies for baby)
• Oh Sew Tru
• Zazu Faure (plushie friends)

I hope you'll share YOUR favorite felt goodness for the holidays with us in your comments below, especially if I had the audacity to overlook the felted lovelies in your shop!  Please let us know.

Guest blog by Emily Reiter, wearing felted hairclips and repurposed felt scarves while lounging on a felt-applique wool pillow.  :)

PSST :: unrelated note: if you're NOT finished with holiday shopping <gasp>, you can still shop AND get free shipping from e-tailers via the FREE SHIPPING WEBSITE with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve!  You're welcome.  :)

Happy Brownie Day!

Yep, you read right. December 8th's little known holiday is National Brownie Day. And with that in mind, I thought I'd share my favorite brownie recipe along with some fun brownie-themed CCCOE goodies because, as you know, there aren't really a lot of sweets lying around the kitchen in December... Fudgy Brownies from Epicurious.com

• 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cold large eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup walnut or pecan pieces (optional)

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides.

Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl and set the bowl in a wide skillet of barely simmering water. Stir from time to time until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth and hot enough that you want to remove your finger fairly quickly after dipping it in to test. Remove the bowl from the skillet and set aside briefly until the mixture is only warm, not hot.

Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Stir in the nuts, if using. Spread evenly in the lined pan.

Bake until a toothpick plunged into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack.

Lift up the ends of the parchment or foil liner, and transfer the brownies to a cutting board. Cut into 16 or 25 squares.

And now for some brownie goodness from our talented CCCOE team:

Candy Cane Brownie Cookies by KECookies'

Brownie Clutch by SalvageShop

Letterpress Recipe Cards by HawkGerber

Treat Bags by ShannaMichelleDesigns

This post was hastily written during the Christmas rush by Janet of CustomSepia.

Checking Out the New Listings

Every month, the team posts a new thread in the discussions forum where everyone can post their new listings. It's nice to go through and see what's new...

Christmas is coming, and the first things I noticed were some Christmas-themed jewelry, which would be great for gift giving or as something fun to wear for the season.

(By Penrose Designs and Designs by Felisa.)

If you've been cold (I know I have) there are some new items to keep you warm.

(Crocheted hat by Bohemian Hollow and woven scarf by Lulu's Creations1.)

Then I noticed a couple different kinds of bracelets.

Depending on your style, you can go with the leather cuff by Misha Girl or the beaded bracelet from MaRIAHjules.

And back at Christmas stuff...  

...just in case you need Christmas cards (by Nthegroove) or gift tags (by HeartAndHandmade2).

I like to pop by the thread periodically. December's will be up until the end of the month. Check it out.

This post was contributed by Liz of Zizi Rho Designs. Happy Holidays.