May you all feel the joy of the season, and your cups of couture will be overflowing with creativity in the New Year! From my family to yours I wish you the happiest holiday. XOXO - Daria

“I try to be true to myself in any holiday decorating. Keeping my personality even in the face of Christmas glitter. I fell in love with a banner at Anthropologie. But did not fall in love with the price tag! Every year I feel like I have to decorate before I start on my other Christmas projects. So this year I did this one for myself before anything. A treat to me for all the hard work I’m about to embark on to pull off Christmas once again. It has been the perfect touch at our front entry and I love walking past it everyday! Merry Christmas to me! You can give yourself this gift too! Here is what you need.” – Liz

Supplies Needed:
-15 Sheets of Felt various colour ( you might want to buy a couple extra to allow for matching options)
-Cross stitch Thread ( I bought this huge pack at Walmart for $10 ‘craft thread’)
-Yarn 3 colors
-Needle
-Printed Letters I used Arial in Bold and outline size 160
-Sewing machine
-Mat and Cutter
-Safety Pin
-Elastic band

Make your cuts. You should be able to get 2-3triangles out of each sheet with salvage
You will need 2 triangles per letter in the banner.

Save your salvages. If you only need 2 out of the color, stop cutting. The Salvage will be used for your letters and circle details.

Next print your letters, cut and trace them onto the felt salvages. Then cut out. Use any extra felt to cut out free hand circles of various sizes.

Line up 2 triangles of the same color. Sew ¼’ seam around all edges. Center and pin letter of contrasting color and sew as close to edge as you can.

Use your floss (craft thread) and needle to do a blanket stitch around the triangle. I doubled my thread for a thicker detail. Pick a thread of a contrasting color yet again for this look. Repeat on your circles as well. This part is what takes the most time, but the look is so worth it!!

For the braids use your colored yarn. I chose a variegated to save on money and still get a variety of color. Cut your full length of both Merry and Christmas and enough to hang, about 4.5 m. I used 2 length per section of the braid for a total of 6 strands. Tie ends in a knot and put a safety pin through the knot. Attach to carpet or somewhere you can anchor it.

Before braiding wrap up each section and put a rubber band around to make it easy to manage and easy to pull more length as you braid. Braid, braid, braid! Then repeat with second color way.

Voila!!

Now your ready to string your banner. Take your cream Yarn on a tapestry Needle and pull through the top portion of each triangle. This is also the time to randomly string your circles on between letters. To attach the braided portion you will need to cut small slits at the bottom portion of the triangles through only the back layer and feed through. If you use the safety pin at one end, it’s easier to pull through.

Once you have everything spaced how you like on the strands of yarn, pull your top and bottom strands together at the swag you are happy with. Do a simple slip knot to attach the strands, as well as create a loop to hang it from. You can either trim or let the ends dangle like I did. YOU DID IT It’s beautiful! Hang it and feel the Christmas spirit! Of course you could spell anything for any occasion in any color way and it’s sure to light up your day!

At the end of it you have this incredibly festive banner to love for years to come! Enjoy and Merry Christmas to you all!

Big Soft Ginger Cookies
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons white sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

You can find more great recipes on my blog:

www.pinkfigdesign.blogspot.com

Under the Pink Fig Recipe Collection Tab on the right side bar.

Here is the link to the cookie recipe on my blog:

http://pinkfigdesign.blogspot.com/2008/12/on-first-day-of-christmas-my-true-love.html

Instructions by Emalee Grambo. Photography by Patty Young.

Our pink tree, while a fun experience, was definitely a group effort to put together. So find your friends and neighbors to help you put this beauty up.
For starters, you will need some sort of small round object for the tip top of your tree. Being a sewing studio, we had plenty of sewing embroidery hoops lying around and we chose one that was 4” in diameter. Anything similar to this will work great. Just be sure there is no chance whatever you choose can crack… the first item we used—a clear plastic plate—cracked when we tried to put the tree up. This tree ends up heavier than you think.

You will also need:
1 Hula Hoop (at least 3-feet wide)
Colored duct tape or spray paint to cover the Hula Hoop if you wish
Clear fishing line (a bit on the stronger side)
180 shatterproof ornaments in glittery pinks (or the color of your choice)
Clear tape and a hot glue gun to reinforce areas of your tree

We decided we wanted our tree to be about 10 feet tall with ornaments placed every 6.5”. So:

1. Mark your hula hoop and embroidery hoop with ten evenly spaced marks around the circumference.
2. Cut 10 strands of fishing line at 12 feet each.
3. Starting at one end, measure a foot and mark with a permanent marker. From this point measure every 6.5 inches and mark with a permanent marker. About a foot should remain at this other end as well. This will allow room to tie each strand to the top and bottom hoop. All 10 of your fishing line strands should be marked in this way.
4. Proceed to string your ornaments onto each strand and tie three knots at each mark you made. On 5 of the strands, leave the very last mark empty. On the other 5 strands, leave the second to last mark empty. These will be the “top” of the strands. This will keep the very top of the tree from getting too congested. If you have the space, spread each completed strand on your floor to keep it from tangling up with one another. (Trust me on this!)
5. Once you have all ten done, spread them out as best you can in a circle around the object you have for the tippy top of the tree.
6. Tie the top of each strand, alternating between strands with the last mark empty or the second to last mark empty, to each mark on your tippy top tree piece. From four evenly spaced marks on this tippy top piece string fishing line to create a loop to hang your tree.
7. Now this is where you will need all the helping hands you can find. Have each person grab two strands as you lift the center of your tree up. If you don’t recruit these lovely friends, you will be spending the majority of your afternoon untangling these ten strands and your pretty pink tree won’t be looking pretty anymore.
8. Once you have your tree hung, you can proceed to tie each end to your hula hoop where marked. We found it most helpful to place the hula hoop onto a flat surface at the level where we wanted our tree to fall and then tie each end to the hoop.

Christmas Confession #1: I’ve never let my kids decorate MY tree. They can put their handmade ornaments on their smaller trees in their room. I know, I’m a bad mother.

Christmas Confession #2: Even though your Santa may wear a RED suit, mine doesn’t. I loathe RED. There is not a speck of RED (or Christmas Green) in my house during the holidays or any other time. My Santas have Gold, Cream, White, Silver, and Aqua robes…LOL!

Christmas Confession #3: I like getting Christmas cards with pictures of your adorable kids. Except the ones that include those annual summaries of their overachievements.

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas! Lisa – The Domestic Diva’s Disasters Blog

Lisa’s Glamorous Lined Christmas Stocking Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• 1/2 yard outer fabric
  
• 1/2 yard lining fabric
  
• 1 yard fusible interfacing
  
• Sewing Thread

Print out a template or trace an existing Christmas Stocking.

Stocking Templates:

Tipnut’s Stocking Template

Martha Stewart Hankerchief Stocking Template

Martha Stewart Quilt Stocking Template

Martha Stewart Remnant Stocking Template

About.com Stocking Template

Woman’s Day Stocking Template

Fuse interfacing to the back of both your outer fabric and your lining fabric..

Layer both outer fabric and lining fabric right sides together. Trace template and cut out layers.

Sew one top of outer fabric to one top of lining fabric. Repeat with second outer fabric and lining fabric.

With right sides together, place outer fabric/lining piece on top of other outer fabric/lining piece. Sew together …

leaving a 3 inch opening on the lining (for turning).

Clip your curves.

Turn right side out and press.

Stitch Lining Opening closed.

Stuff lining inside outer fabric. Fold over lining to outside to create a self-cuff.

Make Cuff

Measure the circumference of the top of the stocking (mine is 16 inches) and add 1 inch to that measurement. Now take that measurement (for me it’s 17 inches) to cut the width of the cuff fabric with a height of 7 inches. My cuff fabric is 17 inches by 7 inches. You following this?

Fuse interfacing to the back of your cuff fabric.

Fold in half width-wise, right sides together.

Now fold height wise.

Stitch through all four layers of raw unfolded side. Turn right side out. You now have a cuff with the a raw bottom edge

Line up raw edge of cuff with finished edge of stocking. Stitch or serge.

To make a loop to hang your stocking, cut and interface a 2” x 10” piece of fabric.

Fold fabric in half lengthwise and stitch to conceal raw edges.

Fold finished loop in half right sides together. Stitch or serge together bottom edge.

Attach loop to inside cuff seam. Stitch.

Fold cuff to outside of stocking, add a fancy crystal brooch, and hang your stocking!

Monogrammed Cranberry Ornament

You will need: – Some “Cranberries” I used little red foam vase fillers – Glue Gun – A Letter – Burlap – Wire

1. Glue the Cranberries around the boarder of you letter.
2. Continue to fill in the rest of the letter.

3. Make your burlap bow – above is how I made mine

4. Glue your bow right on top!

5. Take your wire making a little hook and glue it to the back as close to the centre as possible

6. Hang it on your tree!

I didn’t have a Christmas tree so I display it on – so my lovely barren tree outside our apartment will have to do! Merry Christmas!

This recipe was passed down from my Grandmother who’s ancestors used to run a bakery in Germany.

My little frosted men might look unassuming in their simplicity, but I assure you they are extremely delicious, addictive, and make for a wonderful family tradition!

RECIPE:

5 cups sifted flour1 cup shortening
1 tsp. salt1 1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg1 egg well beaten
3 tsp cinnamon1 cup light molasses
1/2 tsp ground cloves1/3 cup water
1 tsp ginger1/8 tsp baking soda

Sift 1 cup of the flour with salt, spices, and baking soda. Cream shortening. Add sugar gradually to shortening beating till light and fluffy. Add egg and slightly warmed molasses. Stir in water. Add remaingin flour 1 cup at a time till dough is soft and moist. Chill for 6-8 hours. Roll about a quarter of it and cut with cookie cutters. Continue. Put on lightly greased cookie tray and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool and then ice with mixture of confectioners sugar and water beaten till smooth and colored with food coloring if you want to be creative.. Raisins can be used as decoration.

Jenny Alden Barth critiques and reviews desserts at www.DessertDarling.com with a 5-cherry rating system to guide you to the very best. She eats the good, the, bad, and the ugly so that you don’t have to.~

Hi this is Daria’s Mom. One of our family’s favourite Christmas traditions is making popcorn wreaths to give away to friends and neighbors (and teachers). It is an easy treat to make and tastes yummy!

I use an angel food cake pan to get the shape of a wreath, and then I also form my own candy cane shapes, which are also fun. If you want to be creative you could do star shapes or whatever else you can think of to make this fun and interesting. Our children still look forward to this tradition and now we are passing along to our grandchildren. Hope you enjoy as much as we do.

Here’s the recipe (I do up several batches)

Pop 1 ½ cups of popcorn (remove all unpopped kernels).

Syrup:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
½ cup marjarine
1 pinch salt
Bring to a boil while constantly stirring. (Burns easily, watch closely)
Cook to almost soft ball stage in cold water. Remove from stove and add 1 tsp. Vanilla.
Pour over popcorn. Mix well.
Pour syrupy popcorn into well sprayed angel food or bundt pan. Press and leave about a minute to take form.
Remove from pan and decorate with jube jubes, and/or Christmas candies of all sorts.

Note: Prior to preparing the recipe I cut out cardboard squares big enough to hold the popcorn wreath, or rectangular ones to hold the candy cane shapes. Cover the cardboard with tinfoil and you are ready to go. Makes it easy to deliver your decorated treat!

These sweet sayings are Free for you to download and print off at your local print shop (or at home on your printer). Put them into a cute frame and place them around the house to make your holiday festive and bright. These make an easy and affordable gift for someone you love as well. We’d love to see pictures of where you place your prints and how you display them, post a link to your blog if you share them – (*remember good things come to those who share…).

We have two NEW Holiday designs available for 2011:

“Joy Love Peace Believe Christmas” in a classy and beautiful tree formation

“Have yourself a Merry little Christmas”

Each download is available in 3 sizes (4×6,5×7,8×10)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.

With much love,
Daria, Maggie and the entire Boutique Cafe Team

FREE DOWNLOADS
Click to download the sizes you wish
“Joy Love Peace Believe Christmas” Tree
4X6
5×7
8×10

Click to download the sizes you wish
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
4×6
5×7
8×10

**Last Year’s Free Printables are still available for download here >>

These sweet sayings are Free for you to download and print off at your local print shop (or at home on your printer). Put them into a cute frame and place them around the house to make your holiday festive and bright. We’d love to see pictures of where you place your prints and how you display them, post a link to your blog if you share them – (*remember good things come to those who share…).

We have two Holly Jolly designs available:

“All is Calm, All is Bright”

“A Little Cup of Christmas”

Each download is available in 4 sizes (4×6,5×7, 8×10, 11×14)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.

With much love,
Daria and the entire Boutique Cafe Team

FREE DOWNLOADS
Click to download the sizes you wish
“All is Calm, All is Bright” (colors are Turquoise and red)
4X6
5×7
8×10
11×14

Click to download the sizes you wish
“A Little Cup of Christmas”
4×6
5×7
8×10
11×14

For Christmas this year I wanted to gift my “oodles” of darling nieces and nephews with something handmade from me. I decided to use the Owl Pattern from my friends Kim and Kris at www.thediydish.com to make my owl buddies. Then I created a little nest for each owl to sit in, now they can set them on their dressers and have a little bed for their owls to nap in.

Merry Christmas xoxo Daria

What is needed for this project:
Small wreath from Michaels or your local craft store
glue gun
glue sticks
feather boa (if desired)
wood strips/filler (could use paper raffia)
styrofoam eggs (not required but I had some lying around the house)

Enjoy a trip through the homes and traditions of friends in our very own Boutique Community. This episode will make you feel all warm and fuzzy, and ready to decorate like crazy. Thanks so much to those who participated by sending in their pictures. This idea makes me feel like Robin Leach from Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous (minus the accent)!! It’s a fun little holiday jaunt into the homes of some very creative gals who give so much year-round to their families and community. We hope you feel inspired by the Christmas decor, so cozy up with your hot cocoa and visit the homes of some of our closest friends.

Holiday Homes Included in this episode:
Chelsea – Vintage Chic (Free!! Pillow tutorial on her blog>>)
Patty – Mod Kid Boutique
Emily – georgietees
Liz – LizzyAnne
Lisa – The Domestic Diva(TUTORIALS: Make Tulle Garland, Bow Tutorial, Scents of the Season, Gift Wrapping Tutorial)
Catherine – our “Muirhead Family” Tree
Daria – Boutique Cafe

Don’t miss out on the incredible shopping deals still available in our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide>>

These sweet sayings are Free for you to download and print off at your local print shop (or at home on your printer). Put them into a cute frame and place them around the house to make your holiday festive and bright. We’d love to see pictures of where you place your prints and how you display them, post a link to your blog if you share them – (*remember good things come to those who share…).

We have two Holly Jolly designs available:

“All is Calm, All is Bright”

“A Little Cup of Christmas”

Each download is available in 4 sizes (4×6,5×7, 8×10, 11×14)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.

With much love,
Daria and the entire Boutique Cafe Team

FREE DOWNLOADS
Click to download the sizes you wish
“All is Calm, All is Bright” (colors are Turquoise and red)
4X6
5×7
8×10
11×14

Click to download the sizes you wish
“A Little Cup of Christmas”
4×6
5×7
8×10
11×14

If your business would like to contribute prizes to our Boutique Cafe Holiday Giveaway pls contact Daria (daria@boutiquecafe.com) (**Prizes considered must be value of $25 or more, we require a picture of the item and a link to your shop). Promotion on Boutique Cafe in our Holiday Show Post will be provided for your business of course!!

HO HO HO!! – Santa Daria

Our Boutique Cafe Holiday Gift Guide – Promos and Discounts for BLACK FRIDAY:

Rosa Dolce Designs: Promo Code “BCHGG” for 25% off!
Glow Baby: 20% off your order with Promo Code “boutique”
Hip Fabric: “BC10” for 10% off your entire purchase (excludes shipping)
Girly Things Online: 10% Off your order! Use promo code “LAUNCH10”
Jilly bo Billy: Promo “Holiday20” for 20% off the already reduced prices!
ggrightsize.com: Free Shipping! Promo Code “33139” til Dec.31/2010
Margarita Bloom: 10% Off! With Promo Code “MBLUV”
Lola and Clementine beautiful fabrics on sale now!
Kickboard USA!: 15% Off! With promo code “BOUTIQUECAFE”
You Can Make This: 10% off your order with promo code “BoutiqueCafe”
Apple Pie Accessories: Get 10% off by using code “BoutiqueCafe” when ordering
My Lucky Wish: 20% off purchase. Enter Promo Code “BCHOLIDAY”
Bugalug:15% off for BC readers with Promo Code: BC15
Amy Michelle Go Totes: Chic and Classy Line on Sale through Dec.31st!
Boutique Graphics: 10% off using code “CAFE”
Olive & Ollie: 10% Off with Code “holiday10” at Check out
KIOKKO Bebe Couture: 20% Off your order. Use Promo “BOUTIQUECAFE”
Above All Fabric: Use Code “CAFE” for 15% off your order!!
Laurie’s Gifts: Visit for special holiday offers!
Fabric Shoppe: Great Prices on Fresh Designer Fabrics, Shipped Daily
Jewelry for Gifts: All jewelry comes to you in a beautiful foil gift box perfect for gift giving!
Boutique Cafe: $5.00 Off a Boutique Cafe Ad “MARKET” ad placement! Use Code “HOHOHO” with Paypal payment

The Magnificent Two Dollar Black Friday/Cyber Monday Listings:

MamiGirl Boutique:20% off Sale Friday Only in her Etsy Shop! Use code “THANKFUL” at Etsy cart checkout

Dizzlepop: BOGO / buy one get one 1/2 off my snappy coffee cozies through December 3!

Receiving Cuddles: All Custom orders for a Loved Blankie will get a matching Travel Blankie FREE! (*All orders for Christmas that require shipping MUST be in before the end of November)

Young Crafty Wife: 15% off code in my Etsy store, use “Blackfriday” in checkout!

Made-2-Matche: 27.99 deco set sale for boys and girls (We also have a frequent flyer program that allows you to earn free customs.)

M2MBoutique: We have a 10% off coupon “m2mbooutique” is the coupon code

Jilly bo Billy: Everything is 50-80% off, PLUS FREE Shipping Canada and US. Sale ends Sat midnight PST

Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony: 15% Off Purchase in my store. Check-out code “BCAFE15”, valid until Sunday Nov 28

Studio Lara: One Day BLACK FRIDAY SALE on select items!

The Nutmeg Tree: 30% off Baby Outerwear 25% off Crochet Ballet Slippers 20% off Ornaments!! AND best of all… FREE SHIPPING through Cyber Monday Nov. 29th!

Fun PersonaliTees: Use coupon code “20OFF” when you checkout at our Etsy store and you will receive 20% off your purchase all day Friday!

Fat Quarter Shop:20% OFF your order at the Fat Quarter Shop! Use code “blackfriday” during checkout before midnight Monday, November 29, 2010.

Fabric Hound: 40% off most reg priced merch- BF40 displayed in listings, 10% gift card for yourself when you buy (buy $100 GC, get $10), orders of $100+ get 10% off stackable coupon for later…Shop now!

Sweet Girl Boutique: 15% off with Promo Code “BLACK15”

So Fun Fabrics: All books are 15% off, all patterns are 25% off and all Moda pre-cuts are 25% off! Most fabric has been marked down to $6, $6.50 or $7 a yard. Sale prices are as marked – no promo code to bother with! Shop our Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale!

Fashionable Fabrics: Modern Designer Fabrics and Sewing Patterns at some of the best pricing on the internet plus 5% off everything in the shop till Dec 2nd. Use code “boutiquecafe5”

Ri Lala: Thanksgiving SALE from 11/26-11/28. I am giving a 20% off entire purchase use code: THANKS20 FREE shipping on purchases over $100 (after discount, shipping amount will be refunded through paypal) and FREE gift with your purchase

Details by Des: Use Promo Code “BLACKFRIDAY15” to save 15% on all purchases made today.

Servane Barrau Designs:10% 20% 40% off select items Black Friday – see site for all the savings!

Kiokko Bebe Couture: Enjoy 40% off entire order with code “BLACKFRIDAY” (valid until Nov 29th )

Little Bits by Lisa:20% discount on all purchases made from my website or Etsy and Ebay stores on Through Cyber Monday. However, hair accessories shown on my website are not included in this sale. Once your purchase and payment and have posted, your 20% discount will be refunded.

***MORE Promos and Discounts coming in throughout the day – keep checking back! (to include your shops promo discount for Black Friday contact daria@boutiquecafe.com)

For all our current specials visit our Gift Guide for promos and discounts, to spoil the kiddos and save too!
Take me to the Promo Codes »

Boutique Cafe Holiday Wish List

Let’s Fill up those stockings and Save together! *Personalized and Perfect My Lucky Wish offers so many great gifts, especially the Citrus Slice Lunchbox Stationary set! An indulgence any gal would enjoy. Gift enclosures, luggage tags, note cards and more – all in personalized Polkadots. We love it! (**TIP: use our promo code “BCHOLIDAY” for 20% at My Lucky Wish this holiday season). *Tote It! Pamper your Princess The gorgeous totes from Amy Michelle will pamper any fashion savvy mom. Fill them to the brim with all your baby gear, and still look like a million bucks! (Their “Chic” and “Classic” lines are on sale throughout December). *For the Love of Fabric make it a Handmade Holiday snag the cutest fabrics from Fabric Shoppe on Etsy. (Great prices on fresh designer fabrics)

Kick It with a Kickboard! *Make them Giddy! Kickboard USA will help you spoil them this holiday Kickboards and Scooters and g-Bikes Oh My! (Use our Promo Code “BOUTIQUECAFE” for 15% off) *Dress ‘Em Up! Boutique Brands galore can be found for boys & girls at Jilly bo Billy Boutique including this adorable Misha Lulu red skirt! **grab our promo code “Holiday20” for 20% off the already reduced prices! WOW! *A Brilliant GUIDE book to getting him or her exactly the RIGHT size, and RIGHT gift! These pocket sized shopping guides assist you in picking the perfect gift. This is so smart, a must have. (Use Promo Code “33139” for Free Shipping through Dec. 31/2010

If your company is interested in joining our popular Gift Guide, simply email daria@boutiquecafe.com and we’ll send you all the information you need.

**please feel welcome to grab this logo and link to our gift guide on your site. We love you for sharing!

Share the 2010 Boutique Cafe Holiday Gift Guide on your blog or website.

Copy the code below and paste it into your web page:

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We make inclusion easy, affordable and fun for small business owners! After all, that’s what we love more than anything at Boutique Cafe, helping businesses get noticed and doing so shouldn’t cost a fortune. We’re here to help and we love supporting you.

Let’s make it an outstanding year once again! – Daria

We’re celebrating the holidays a little differently this year at Boutique Cafe, my new baby Lola Olivia was born on Dec. 10th and isn’t sleeping at night. Needless to say I had to find a creative way of bringing the holiday spirit to our viewers, while including some extra help from a few special friends to pull it all together. What I came up with was a wandering through various homes in our very own Boutique Community!!

This idea makes me feel like Robin Leach from Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous (minus the accent)!! It’s a fun little holiday jaunt into the homes of some very creative gals who give so much year-round to their families and community. We hope you feel inspired by the Christmas decor, so cozy up with your hot cocoa and visit the homes of some of our closest friends.

Holiday Homes Included in this episode:
Chelsea – Vintage Chic (Free!! Pillow tutorial on her blog>>)
Patty – Mod Kid Boutique
Emily – georgietees
Liz – LizzyAnne
Lisa – The Domestic Diva(TUTORIALS: Make Tulle Garland, Bow Tutorial, Scents of the Season, Gift Wrapping Tutorial)
Catherine – our “Muirhead Family” Tree
Daria – Boutique Cafe

Don’t miss out on the incredible shopping deals in our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide>>

Happy Holidays with love from Boutique Cafe! See you in the New Year!

*** Giveaway! Boutique Cafe wants to make your holiday extra merry by giving away two (2) Zhu Zhu Pets to two Very Lucky BC readers!
Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each:
• Leave a comment in our shownotes for this episode telling us your favorite holiday tradition!
• Become a fan of Boutique Cafe on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
• Follow Boutique Cafe on Twitter (@BoutiqueCafe) and leave a comment telling is you’re our newest follower.
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the two winners from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: December 26, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

** Click button below to view video coverage, or view it on our YouTube channel right here>>

Here’s a quick & easy Bowdabra Tutorial …

Get out your junky craft scissors and some florist wire. Cut a piece about 12 inches long.

Place the wire through the center of the Bowdabra.

Leaving 12_ for the tail of the bow, cinch ribbon between the holder.

Make a loop and twist it away from you…then place in between the holder.

Make as many loops as you want as long as you have the same amount of loops on each side. I usually do 6 or 8 loops in total.

Cut the ribbon leaving another 12 inch ribbon tall.

Cross the wire and twist tightly. Then fluff your bow.

And if you don’t dovetail the ends of the ribbon, everyone will think you are an amateur…
Fold the ribbon end in half lengthwise (do not crease it). Cut across at an angle to form the dovetail end.

Nothing puts you in the holiday mood more than the smell of Christmas. Since Christmas scents are usually limited to Pine-Sol™ pine, sugar cookie and country kitchen apple scents, I started making my own. Combine the following:
1 sliced orange
1 sliced lemon
10 cloves
1 tablespoon Allspice
3 cinnamon sticks
Add two cups of water and simmer (low flame) on your stovetop. The smell fills your house! Occasionally add more water as it evaporates.

Our good friends at YOUCANMAKETHIS have so many sweet NEW ebooks to make your fall and holiday season a hit! Don’t miss out on a jump start on those Christmas projects, now is the time to get planning. YouCanMakeThis has an incredible collection of everything you need to start your projects off right.

At Boutique Cafe, we’re excited to offer our popular 2009 version of our Holiday Gift Guide for your online shops, websites and stores to take part in! The savings guide will go live on Oct. 31th – Jan. 1st 2010!! We’re excited to showcase those sellers who will offer special deals to our readership, afterall saving some $$$ is a gift to us all this year.

To reserve your ad space simply send us an email to daria@boutiquecafe.com and in the subject line please put “Holiday Guide Reservation”. We’ll send you further details on how you can take part and create a holiday selling season to remember!!

I found these cool Origami Christmas Baubles on Etsy today and just had to share. What a fantastic idea and cute too! These ones are made by SnowdropsAndDaisies and you can view them here>>

Snag this set on eBay here >>

Babycapes were created by two moms, who faced the similar struggle of trying to get their busy baby girls into car seats with bulky winter coats. The Babycape has a generous front opening with three snaps so it’s easy on/easy off and allows you access to harness straps. It has a cozy hood and openings in the sides for little arms, but the pièce de résistance is its back opening with a single snap. When open it lets you easliy slip your child into a stroller, car seat or front carrier without removing the Babycape, and when closed it makes the perfect outdoor cover-up.

Olivia and I were able to test the pink Minky Sherpa Suede Babycape during the Christmas holiday. I couldn’t wait to see if it were as easy to use as it appeared, but I was even more interested to find out if it would keep her warm even in frigid weather. I will admit it took us a few tries to get the hang of the Babycape. (Perhaps if I’d watched the instructional video on the website like any smart person would do, I’d have got it the first time!) Our first attempt we put it on her in the house, slipped her arms through the arm holes and quickly realized we had to take her arms out in order to get her arms under the harness straps. Then we put her arms back through and adjusted the cape around here. Olivia, who isn’t the best traveler anyway, was a bit flustered by the time we were done and none too happy.

When we tried it again and left her arms under the cape she got a bit frustrated having her arms covered, but at least it was easier to get her in the car seat! And even in 20-degree weather she stayed toasty until the car’s heater took over. Because we had a bit of a struggle the first few times using the Babycape I almost gave up, but when we tried it today, Olivia and I both seemed to finally get it! She kept her arms under the cape until I had her in the car seat. I of course didn’t realize until now the generous front opening was for me to use to adjust the harness straps. I was flipping the cape up to secure her, which she thought meant it was time to pull the Babycape completely off!

Now we’re becoming seasoned pros at the Babycape thing and I am slowly falling deeply in love with it. It really is a much safer alternative to a big winter coat and it is less hassle than a coat and blanket, which is what we were using (and the blanket was always just as cold as the car!). The Babycape is to die for when it comes to style and design and it is super soft to boot. Today I caught Olivia turning to look up into her hood and smiling at who knows what. (I think she was smiling because she too had fallen in love with her Babycape.)

I love that the moms behind Babycapes are just as interested in making sure your child is safe as they are in telling you about their product. They’ve dedicated an entire page of their site to safety information complete with a safety video and links to sites with more information about car seat safety. When a company is as concerned about your child as you are, you can rest easy knowing their product was designed with your child’s safety and comfort in mind.

Babycapes are custom made and assembled in the U.S.A. They come in a wonderful array of luxurious, machine-washable fabrics such as Marshmallow Minky, Minky Sherpa Suede (love how that rolls off the tongue) and Minky Cuddle. And because one size fits newborn to preschooler, you won’t have to purchase a new coat year after year. Those Babycape moms have thought of everything—talk about superheroes!

The weather is still frightful, at least in my neck of the woods, and Babycapes will come in handy for a few months yet. I suggest you pick one up now, especially since they’re on sale through January 31st. Considering Babycapes last a good 3-4 years, that’s less than $30 a year…a heck of a lot cheaper than your typical winter coat and a heck of a lot safer in a car seat. Comic books and movies will tell you, the superhero is always a safe bet!—Emily

*** Giveaway! Babycapes is giving away one Babycape, winner’s choice! Please leave a comment telling us your favorite Babycape (color and style); include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: January 14, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Leah F., the winner of the Babycape giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

NEW EPISODE We’re back for our FOURTH straight year of our popular Holiday Shows! In our SECOND holly jolly installment Daria interviews designers and momprenuers including Dawn of My Princess Closet, Kim of You Can Make This.com, and Lisa Otto with both Creative Writing Studios and also Boutique UP! Daily

This episode is full of Spectacular Giveaways including: A Pinkalicious Books to Bed set from My Princess Closet(Which was featured on “The View” this morning!!), 2 $50 eBook Bundles from You Can Make This.com, and 3 Kimberbell Doll patterns from You Can Make This.com!! We’ll draw the winners on Dec. 22nd! Good luck Everyone and Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe.

**Due to family emergency this will be our last 12 Days holiday show. I express my sincere apologies, and thank you for your understanding as I leave town to handle some personal issues. I hope you love the Holiday Shows and we’ll be posting winners shortly. Merry Christmas my dear friends! – Daria

Get as many pieces as you like to create a wonderful mix and match mini wardrobe that will be festive for the holidays and long after. The extra full twirl skirt has a stripwork effect to the fabric. The white peasant top has a softly shirred back and layeres of eyelet lace across the little tummy area. The jacket is reversable and the petti skirt is about half the fullness of a regular petti.

PLEASE NOTE: MINI PETTI SKIRT shown is NOT included but can be added for an additional $45

Available on Etsy from HandmaidensCottage

Designed by pickles*and*co and available on eBay in custom sizes! More styles and patterns in her store as well. Get baking this season and look cute doing it!

$25 Buy it Now >>

For all our current specials visit our Gift Guide for promos and discounts, to spoil the kiddos and save too!
Take me to the Promo Codes »

Boutique Cafe Last Minute Holiday Gifts

It’s Time to Shop and Save It’s not too late to get some fantastic deals. *A little BLING!! Cinnamon Sticks Jewels These sterling, handstamped bangles are a great gift idea for the lady on your list. Stamped with “Faith, Hope and Love” they make a sweet statement and are so hot right now!! (**TIP: use our promo code “fship” for free shipping this holiday season). *Apron-rrrific! Pamper the Chef! Aprons have made a gigantic comeback the past few years, and with designs like these from D-Lux 57 it’s easy to see why! (**use our promo code “BCDD101130” for an additional 10% off + free shipping). Bake up some holiday memories, and enjoy your apron all year long! *Artwork is IN! Watch her light up with beautiful canvas creations from Two Little Witches. Charming, dreamy and ideal to update a bedroom for your little miss. Don’t miss our promo code for Free Shipping by using “BCXMAS” at checkout.

Make Shopping with Kids a Breeze! *Snacks in a Snap! On Tray is changing the way smart mommy’s shop. Tote along some snacks while you have your kids in the cart, decrease the tantrums and increase the fun! ($7 and comes in cool colors, it’s a great stocking stuffer) *Dress your Pretty Baby! For your growing Fashionista, find bliss with the Baby Bella Maya ruffled onesie gift sets This irresistable set includes baby booties, a matching headband and a onesie with a print ruffle on the tush in an adorable keepsake heart box! **grab our promo code for 10% off your order using “CAFE01”. *Boy Clothing that is TRULY Cute! We often hear that it’s hard to find cute boys clothing, look no further than Hippos Toes Boutique for fashions that will please. Whimsical clothing for boys and girls With our handy promo code you can also score 15% off your order “BC15”!!

If your company is interested in joining our popular Gift Guide, simply email daria@boutiquecafe.com and we’ll send you all the information you need.

**please feel welcome to grab this logo and link to our gift guide on your site. We love you for sharing!

We’re back for our FOURTH straight year of our popular Holiday Shows! This week Boutique Cafe and guests are bringing to life the stuff christmas dreams are made of, in the first of 3 Spectacular Christmas shows. Daria interviews designers and momprenuers including Barb of Lola and Clementine, Myrinda of Sweet Girl Boutique, Leslie of L’il Darlins, and Kim of Olive Kids.

**This episode is chock full of Giveaways including: a $25 Gift Certificate to LolaandClementine.com or her eBay auctions as well, $25 Gift Certificate to Sweet Girl Boutique, $25 Gift Certificate to L’il Darlins, Bib-A-Roo from Lil Darlins, $80 Gift Pack from Olive Kids with personalized Frame Print, Placemat, Name tag and Bookmark. How to Enter: Comment under this post to qualify for our drawings. We’ll draw the winners on Dec. 22nd! Good luck Everyone and Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe.

**We still have ONE interview space available for the 3rd and final 12 days of Christmas show. If you are interested in having your shop, store, group or designs featured please email daria@boutiquecafe.com for further details.

For even more bang for your buck, you can DIY your way to Christmas Cracker bliss. All you need is some gorgeous wrapping or scrapbooking paper to get started. I found these great directions with step by step pics and instructions. Fun for your holiday table or ON your tree as festive and fun ornaments. Fill your crackers this year with sweet treasures, or personal notes of praise for your family members. What a treat on Christmas morning to snap open a little love note.

Assignment Share: I’d love to see pictures of the crackers you design this year, blog about your DIY Christmas Crackers and then come back and share the linky to your blog. We’ll all come over to Ohhh and Ahhhh over creative you! (I’ll be sharing pictures of these snazzy crackers on our tree too!)

Can’t wait to see! – Daria

“Bear’s friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up—by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents!”

I snagged my copy at our local Winners store for under $10 (I think it was closer to five bucks). If you see it, be sure to grab your family a copy too! The kids will love it. – Daria

Endulge in:

10% off with Sweet Girl Boutique + Free Gift Wrap
10% off at You Can Make This
15% off with Studio Jewel
$2 off shipping with Pammy J
Free Shipping at Two Little Witches
Free Shipping with Cinnamon Sticks
10% off at Baby Bella Maya
10% off at BonBon Cupcakes
10% off and Free Priority Shipping with D-Lux 57 aprons
AND MANY MANY MANY MORE!
Don’t forget to snag our Holiday Guide Button to add to your sidebar. Let’s support these incredible small businesses and share the joy this season!

To join our guide as a retailer, please send an email to daria@boutiquecafe.com for more details.

Now’s the time to shop so plan ahead for your custom boutique wear. This one features loads of gorgeous ruffles, appliqué and that all important Sugar n’ Spice! Custom sized from 18 months – size 8!

Bid Here

Make it yours and bid today >

We are really loving the super charming applique, and of course the ruffled back! Girls Size 3-5 available.

Bid on this Penguin Perfect Holiday dress here >>

On Boutique Cafe we’re excited to offer our popular 2008 version of our Holiday Gift Guide for your online shops to take part in! The savings guide will run from Sept. 1 – Dec. 31st. To reserve your ad space simply send us an email to daria@boutiquecafe.com and in the subject line please put “Holiday Guide Reservation”. We’ll send you further details on how you can take part and create a holiday selling season to remember!!

About the group:
“Blossom Leigh is a unique group of designers with a wide range of talents. We all love to create and value the deep friendship that we have all made in this group. I think the best part of our group is that we are all friends that make group decisions. No one is in “charge”. We all help and support each other to make our group a success.”

**GIVEAWAY!! The ladies of Blossom Leigh Boutique are offering a FANTASTIC prize to go along with their Holiday launch. One of our lucky readers will win a $30 Gift Certificate from BLB group!! To enter simply leave a comment about the fashion show in our comment section below. The winner will be drawn on July 29th!!

Shop for the Holidays right now by searching their auctions on eBay. Thanks to each of the BLB designers for the use of their pictures! **Please allow time for the show to load.

We’ve sent you details of your win! Congratulations!! Thanks to everyone for the amazing response to this giveaway, and for your support of Blossom Leigh Boutique’s fun launch.

This week Boutique Cafe and guests are bringing to life the stuff christmas dreams are made of, in the 2nd of 3 Spectacular Christmas shows. Daria interviews designers and momprenuers including Bobbie from The Mommy Designers, Cuffies.com,Iza-Bella, Izabe Graphic Design, The Network Newsletter, and MJ Graphic Design, Crystal from Boutique So*Euro and Crystal Dawn Photography, Maja from The Savvy Organizer, and Patty Young from Mod Kid Boutique. Podsafe Song by Tresa Street “Christmas of Love”.

**This episode is chock full of Giveaways & Promos including:
$20 Gift Certificate to Izabella.com, $20 Gift Certificate to Izabe Graphic Design, 3 pairs of Cuffies, Free Shipping using Promo Code “Boutique Cafe” at Cuffies.com, $20 to MJ Graphic Designs.com, A full twirl skirt and appliqued tee shirt from So*Euro, Organizational Phone Coaching Session with The Savvy Organizer herself for 1 Week, and a custom appliqued tee shirt from Mod Kid Boutique!

How to Enter: Comment under this post to qualify for our drawings. We’ll draw the winners on Dec. 22nd! Good luck Everyone and Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe.

*Boutique Cafe has teamed up with our friends at Best Buy to offer TWO Insignia MP3 Players We’ll draw the winners from all comments made in each of our three holiday shows. (you may comment in the show notes of each of the holidays shows for entry).

We’re back for our THIRD year of Holiday Shows! This week boutique cafe and guests are bringing to life the stuff christmas dreams are made of, in the first of 3 Spectacular Christmas shows. Daria interviews designers and momprenuers including Toni Hamel Designs, Mary Ann from Pink Papillon Jewelry, Robin from Kaboodle Kids, and Daina from Jenna Claire Handbag Studio. Podsafe Song by Geoff Smith.

**This episode is chock full of Giveaways including a $25 Gift Certificate to Toni Hamel Designs, A personalized hand stamped bangle from Pink Papillon Jewelry, Burgundy Bliss Party Dress and Leggings from Kaboodle Kids, and a “Makeup Your Mind” bag from Jenna Claire Handbag Studio.

In addition to our featured guest giveaways, Boutique Cafe has teamed up with our friends at Best Buy to offer TWO Insignia MP3 Players The new Insignia 1 GB Kix player with interchangeable color caps, PC & Mac compatibility. As well as the 4GB Insignia Pilot Video MP3 player with bluetooth and 2.5” LCD color display! We’ll draw the winners from all comments made in each of our three holiday shows. (you may comment in the show notes of each of the holidays shows for entry). Drawing for the two MP3 Players will take place on Dec. 22nd.

How to Enter: Comment under this post to qualify for our drawings. We’ll draw the winners on Dec. 22nd! Good luck Everyone and Happy Holidays from Boutique Cafe.

**All you need to do to snag this sweet prize is visit Molly O Designs website or her eBay Store and have a peek around.Then come back and comment here on which is your favorite item in her store. It’s that easy!! The winner will be drawn on Dec. 17th.

**UPDATE – Winner Announced! Congratulations to our poster “Cathy” from the Domestic Psychology blog. You have won the Bow of the month for a Year from Molly O Designs! What an incredible prize. Thank you to everyone who entered, we were so overwhelmed by the response. Happy Holidays!

For Erica’s online tutorial on how to make them for your family and friends – Click here and jump in>>

Click to Join The Savvy Organizer Mailing List »

Snag these on Etsy right away, they’re in high demand »

The above sold in seconds, so she’s relisted another set »