Put your orders in early

My orders from today

This year there is a lot of emphasis on buying items made in your own country, buying local and buying handmade. All of these things support your economy better than buying mass produced items from other countries.

Remember, however, to buy early. The guy at the farmers market with the local honey will probably sell out early. Your local bookstore may not have time to re-order an out of stock book if you wait too long. And artisans from all over the country are more than happy to make custom items for you, but most cannot do it at the last moment. Quality handmade items take time.

I am blessed to be able to have on-line storefronts on my own website, on Etsy.com and on Artfire.com.  I know from experience over the last few years that me and my fellow artisans with on-line shops get a spate of last minute requests that we have to turn down. If you place your custom requests now you still have time for most of them to make some very special items for you.  If you wait another week or two you may miss out on some fabulous gifts.

And if you are unsure where to start finding incredible handmade items on-line, I know dozens of wonderful artisans I can direct you to.  Just ask!

Happy Thanksiving from Sue Runyon Designs

I love Christmas cactus. Except . . . well, they always seem to bloom at Thanksgiving for me. So maybe they should be called Thanksgiving cactus. I've never been able to keep one for long as we are always moving and I end up giving them away, but we found this one at the local plant nursery this year. It was in bud and we didn't know what color it would be, but it's a lovely pale apricot color and we are enjoying it.

 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16

Sue

$50 Gift Certificate Give-a-way

On Cyber Monday, November 28, I will be giving away a $50 Sue Runyon Designs Gift Certificate to one of my e-mail newsletter subscribers.

If you are already one of my subscribers you are entered to win and you don't need to do a thing. As always, my e-mail newsletter subscribers are automatically entered in ALL of my give-a-ways.

To become a subscriber sign up here.

Newsletters are sent by e-mail no more than 6 times per year and you can opt out at any time.

Best Wishes,
Sue

NEW Items: Natural lavender filled linen sachets with hand tatted motifs

I see beautiful lavender filled linen sachets for sale and always wonder what happens when the lavender scent eventually goes away or it gets dusty or dirty?  So I designed these with removable cotton mesh inserts. You can remove the insert and add drops of essential oil to refresh the scent. Covers can be washed on delicate and then pressed with a hot iron. Materials are all natural, and high quality. These are in my shop in plenty of time for Christmas shopping. They make excellent hostess gifts, teacher gifts, secret Santa gifts and stocking stuffers.

Natural/purple Set of 2 for $17.50

Inserts are removable for refreshing with essential oil or laundering the covers
The lavender is very fragrant. The rose has a mild and pleasant scent and you can add the essential oil of your choice to it.

Natural/Ivory Set of 2 for $17.50

Natural/White Set of 2 for $17.50

White/Black Set of 2 for $17.50

White/Lavender Set of 2 for $17.50

Sue

Thank you to our Veterans!

from Pensacola Air Show today

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

1939 by Robert MacArthur Crawford

from Pensacola Airshow today

It's a Lego Christmas !

Since my son, Caleb, was born, we've been collecting some ornaments for his special little tree each Christmas. We try to find something that relates to his current interests or where we've been during that year.  This year his favorite thing has been Legos and a Lego Star Wars game on his Wii game system. This past weekend I gave him the "Ultimate Lego Christmas Ornament Challenge." He was up for it.

My Lego Christmas penguin with Caleb's Lego Star Wars canister

I had to give it a try too.  There may be more in the works, but this is my Lego Christmas penguin and Caleb's Lego Star Wars game "canister." Apparently the canister has some sort of function in the game that I don't understand, but which is very is important. I think my penguin has something of an Angry Birds look to it, but that's all in keeping with the year 2011 anyway. These will be glued together and a hanging string added to make permanent ornaments. I'll probably write the year on them with a permanent marker.

My Dr. Who tardis police box time machine

 We've enjoyed watching the series Dr. Who on BBC this year so above is my version of Dr. Who's police box time machine the Tardis.

Sue