Christmas Countdown: And so it begins

Twas a month before the night before the night before Christmas.

Out of all the nooks and crannies, and drawers, and storage, and trunks, and buckets have come the
cards, ribbons, cookie cutters, notes, baggies, bows, pens, labels, birds, bits and bobs ... and tape ...
to start production on the various groups of holiday cards, partridge in a pear "little birdie" secret gifts, kitchen elf neighborly treats, tokens for drivers/engineers/supers, etc etc etc that are part and parcel of this time of year. I have to start now, despite it not being Thanksgiving yet. My countdown until D(eparture) Day is already on.

What I don't have is stamps!

What I probably will have is carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you would like to be added to the holiday card list, good luck. ... I mean, e-mail me to be added to the roster. Another two or three will not make a difference when the list is already over - wow - 80 something.

Christmas Ideas needed

To those friends and family members of Auntie Nettie who have not given her your Christmas ideas yet, be warned. Please get me a list soon, or you will end up with coal under the tree. Or worse yet, something like this:

Proud to be American Chias ... Washington, Lincoln, Obama, and the Statue of Liberty? (What the heck?)

For a complete list of what gift you might get, please go here.

A Graphic Letter to Santa*

Dear Santa,

It may seem to be a tad early to be starting my annual Christmas requests, but then I realized that I was one of those people who has started (and in some cases finished) my shopping. Plus, I started having hysterics from the first holiday travel spot accompanied by Christmas music I saw on television this weekend. I think I scared the neighbors, I was screaming so loudly. (Advertisers, please note: IT IS TOOO SOON!)

Anyway Santa, I would like to see if one of your graphic design inclined elves can design me a logo for Auntie Nettie’s Attic – one that I can use on the blog, the business cards, and over on the oft-mentioned, but not quite there yet etsy.com site.

If the elf was to ask, I’m hoping that it could incorporate my love of books, yarn, a crochet hook**, craft projects, photography, cooking, and travel, etc. How you can work in the Attic setting is up to you. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. In fact, simpler is probably better. Some kind of black and white, pen and ink line drawing would be fine, ala The Toy Society.

I know it seems like a lot to ask Santa. However, my one design guy is busy to the nth degree with his own little elves and taking and teaching lots of classes. I managed to get myself on his Naughty list with some pirated materials, too, so I can’t really hope for a Christmas present this year. I assure you, aside from that transgression, I think I’m on the Nice list. You can check with Grandma Mary and Grumpa Max if you want to be sure.

Many thanks for your consideration of this request. All my best to Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and the elves.

Hugs and Kisses,

Auntie Nettie

* Please! This is a family friendly site. What kind of graphic were you expecting?
** This is important. Knitting needles and crochet hooks are NOT the same. Just ask Mrs. Claus.

Sensible Superbowl Alternative

What brilliance! A genteel alternative to football ... just like last year.

An encore presentation of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC's Emmy-nominated Sense and Sensibility begins Sunday, February 1, 2009. A young cast of Britain's most buzzed about talent (Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield, Dan Stevens) daringly captures the Dashwood's fall from grace in a vulnerable and seductive adaptation by Andrew Davies.

Once again PBS ... thank you. My new Jane Austen action figure will be joining me in Austenfest Sunday (thanks to Jane, who read my letter to Santa). Perhaps if I get up early enough I can watch Emma, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and two of my versions of Pride and Prejudice before hand.

Huzzah!