Christmas Countdown

It's getting close isn't it... It's a special time of year for us. We are planning on staying home, having the youngest two children, and one grandchild over for Christmas dinner and present exchanges.


It's different when your kids are gone living their lives independent from you. I miss those days when we'd be hurrying kids off to bed, to wrap the last of the presents, quietly get them under the tree, and fall into bed after 1am only to awake by 6am by kids screaming that Santa had made it during the night. Those were the days! Now... I still individually wrap little stocking stuffers (other presents under the tree), and that's what everyone want to open first. They take their stockings, sit next to each other on the floor and compare their goods -lol. I take pictures and they love every minute of it.

Wishing all my friends the Merriest of Christmas'. 

The Heart of an Angel

I want to tell you a story about how an amazing gesture of one woman, and how it sparked the hearts of so many.

On November 11, 2011, Holly with Royal Metals  on Artfire mentioned in an Art Fire forum that she had been thinking about doing something for the poor little children that are in her local hospital.  Her heart was yearning to be able to help these children make a jewelry piece for their moms for Christmas., so she made the call. 

A week later, the hospital contacted her, and agreed to let her come and help the children. The excitement for her thoughtful jesture spread throughout the forum, and other jewelry designers jumped in and began sending her beads, wire, and all kinds of supplies she would need to make sure that each child that was able to leave their rooms would be able to learn how and make their mom a gift. This is being done at her own cost of supplies.  She never asked for help, it was offered in abundance.

 

So, with a new joy in my heart, I want to say how very proud I am of her, and all the wonderful people that joined in on Holly’s goodwill gesture.  This truly was a true Christmas blessing for children and their parents.  I can picture in my mind how excited they were to be able to actually make their mom’s a present that they can cherish for the rest of their lives. 

Holly plans to return to the hospital several more times before the Holiday, and continue her volunteering into 2012.  

So,  is anyone doing a special Christmas Blessing this year?

New Design for New Beginnings

I just had my Blog redesigned, and I can't quite get the hang of things yet.  Hope you'll be patient with me. I am going to try and add back some of the things that are missing, and hopefully add some gadgets that I think will be exciting.

While I'm redesigning, here are some pictures of what I made for my Celebrity Gifts to Jessica Alba and Hilary Duff.

Jessica Alba's Daughter's Gift

 

 

Hilary Duff's Gifts

They are due to be delivered to both on Friday, December 2nd. I'm hoping like crazy that I'll get to see Jessica Alba's daughters using my gifts in a magazine. Wouldn't that be crazy?  Hilary's baby isn't due until March, so I'll have to wait a while for those.

If there is any news from my gifting, I'll be sure to let everyone know.

Thankful Thanksgiving

The day is over, the food is in the frig, and the kitchen is finally clean. I thought I'd share some things I was most thankful for today.

I was so thankful when my eldest son and his family decided to come to dinner. Living in another State, we don't get to see him very often. My youngest two, came with the littlest Grandson and it made for a wonderful time. We got to Skype with my family in California, so my little (well, not so little) family was actually all together through the technology of the internet for this wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

These are 3 of my kiddo's









 

I'm so thankful that the Lord Blessed me with wonderful children. They are my life.

Nana G Creations goes to Hollywood!

I have been given the opportunity through a wonderful organization called “The Artisan Group” to participate in a Celebrity Gift Bag for not just one star, but two! 

Hilary Duff is expecting her first baby (a little boy), and I will be sending my little “Sweet Baby Boy” 3-pc Receiving Blanket set. I wish I knew what the little guy's name will be so that I could personalize it for her, but I’m hoping that she will love her gift.

Jessica Alba, just had her second daughter in August named Haven. She also has a daughter named Honor, which I won’t forget. I will be custom making Haven my Boutique Pink Butterfly Pocket bib, with a matching personalized pacifier clip. So as not to leave out Big Sister in the gift giving, I am making a custom matching tote/purse that will have her name on it.  Any second time Mom that has had a baby shower knows how important it is to keep the older sibling involved and part of the event.  I’m hoping that my gifts will be welcomed and used. 

So, that’s my wonderful super exciting news. Whew! I’m still shaking all over about it.  I’ll post the finished items for you all to see as soon as I’m through. The Date 11/11/11 sure was a very special day for me.

Oh, and to top it all off... I will also be participating in the Golden Globes AND Academy Awards Celebrity Swag Bags through the Artisan Group. For this year's events I will be including my business card in each swag bag, and I've secured an advertising spot in the gift guide for the Academy Awards. 

See why I'm so excited?

Can a Hippopotamus really turn into a Zebra?

It sure can!  I wanted to make one of those amigurumi zebra's and giraffe's for my grandson, a then if he liked them, add them to my website to be included in a future product line. Anyone that knows me, knows I'm always getting into one thing or another :).

Anyway, I searched my 2 favorite handmade sites for crochet patterns, found 2 that I thought would work, and as a courtesy asked if they would mind if I sold my finished product from their pattern. Unfortunately, I was faced with one saying "no", the other limiting me where I could sell :(.

My ArtFire forum friends were helpful, and told me to check the internet for free patterns. I did, found the giraffe, but my little Zebra friend was no where to be found.  So, I found this little hippo pattern, compared it to a pattern I really loved, and made my own. So YES, a hippo can turn into a Zebra.


Whatcha think?

 This was the little hippo pattern that I found on the internet. I think it's with Lion yarn.

 These are what I ended up with :)

And yes, he's kissing his new little friend. His favorite is the Giraffe!

Introducing Baby Butch and Little Miss Priss

Hi Everyone.  I've been very busy lately, with trying to come up with new idea's for my website http://www.nanagcreations.com/ (shameless plug).  I found this wonderful baby pattern and decided this would be an adorable addition to the family.

I've been reading up on some child development issues regarding boys playing with dolls. So far the pro's definitely out weigh the con's for sure.   Here are just a couple of key points that I totally agree with.

1. It's emotionally healthy for little boys to be able to play with dolls.  They learn how to be gentle and caring in a way they might not learn by playing only with trucks and guns.  Nana's comment: Yep, I agree with this.
2. Your thinking about growing your family, and you need to teach your little boy how to be gentle, loving, and attentive to a new baby. Teaching is visual with children. They will surely learn by responding to a little baby doll, just as you responded to them when they were infants. Nana's comment: Children don't remember the time period when they were infants. They don't remember that you were gentle with their heads, wrapped them up when they were cold, or fed them bottles. You need to teach them, and what a better way to do that then to start with their own little boy baby doll?
3. Your doll playing boy just might grow up to be a pediatrician, a teacher of young children, or enter some other career that reflects his gentle nature. Nana's comment: A parents dream!

These babies aren't quite ready for adoption yet, but they will be real soon. Each one has a little outie belly button, blue, green, or brown eyes, and a cute little pinchable bum. They are all hand sculptured on a high quality fabric that has a peaches and cream feel to it, with ten little toes, ten little fingers, and an adorable little button nose. These two were born on April 15, 2011, but yours will come with a Birth Certificate on a date you choose. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a baby doll that has the same birthday as the little one your giving this to?

This little boy got his name from what my Grandson calls his Pops (grandpa). We tell him say hi Pop's, and he says "Hi Butch". He's just learning how to talk, so even though Pops laughs and finds it so cute, we're gonna keep practicing. 

Lil Miss Priss? She just looked like a Prissy little girl to me :)

I would love to have your feedback on these little one's. Who knows, maybe one of them will be my first contest give away that I'm planning on doing in the near future.  What do you all think?

*Coming Soon - another surprise baby*