2011 Be GONE

I was going to do a look back of the year, but realized that this is a year I'd rather not remember. Here's to hoping 2012 is better.

So I'll just wish you all a Happy New Year!

Custom Christmas

I thought I was done making for the year when I got a custom ornament order 1 week before Christmas. I couldn't say no to a friend of nearly 30 years. Turns out it was my favorite project of the year.

YEAR END CLEARANCE at Sylvia-Louise

Year End Clearance

ALL ready made bags 66-82% off!

Get any bag in the shop for $25 or $50!

We'll help you stretch your Christmas money farther.

Sale runs thru January 3, 2012.

All bags will ship January 4.

We have a BRAND new style to release in the new year. 

Can't wait to show you!

We have a winner . . .

And the WINNER is . . . 

JOANNA

Your prize package is going out in the mail today! 

Thanks to everyone who entered!

It's not too late to save 10% off your entire FlyAKite purchase.

Use coupon code CELEBRATE at checkout thru 12/31.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

This is NOT a Stick

Have you noticed that people are yarn-wrapping EVERYTHING these days. After the huge windstorm we had, I had a brainstorm. I went out on a stick hunt. I found the perfect stick for my project idea.

I was looking for a multi-pronged stick. There were so many to choose from. (I might have brought more than a few home.)

Here's what you'll need for this cheap and simple project. Total cost $1.82. (I had a coupon for the yarn).

* A Stick

* Yarn, any color

* Glue gun

If you're like me and find a way to tangle the yarn when using it straight from the skein, you'll want to take a few minutes to wind it into a ball.

Now you're ready to begin. Put a small dab of glue on the pointy end of one of your branches. Then start winding yarn around that tip, catching the glue. Leave a short tail of about 2-3 inches. This tail will be covered as you wind the yarn around the stick. If you wound your yarn into a ball to start with, you will have already practiced this next step. Make a small yarn ball at the end of each small branch. Then wind the yarn around and around the stick, covering it completely.

When you get to the "Y" of your stick make a few figure 8's. Put a dab of glue on the stick, secure the yarn, leaving a short tail. Cut yarn and begin again at the tip of the next branch.

Repeat all steps until you get to the last branch. For the last branch, after you've covered the joint, continue wrapping yarn to the bottom of the stick. 

Secure with a small squirt of glue. Done! And so easy.

Put it in your favorite vase. Add festive ornaments.

 Today is the last day to enter the FlyAKite GIVEAWAY! Winner announced tomorrow.

Be good and buy handmade

The "be good & buy handmade" phrase was coined by Michah Coston, and the graphic created by Cory Godbey.

FlyAKite Giveaway!

FlyAKite's motto,"Share love and spread happiness around. Everyone can use a smile." Keeping with that theme and the fact that it's almost Christmas . . .

We're excited to offer this FlyAKite prize pack.

1-Tall Snowman Ornament with hand crocheted scarf
1-Tall Christmas Tree Ornament
1-Short Christmas Tree Ornament
1-Christmas Tree Greeting Card, blank inside for your personal message
1-BRAND NEW to FlyAKite Love Birds Greeting Card, also blank inside
Over $30 value! Plus other fun festive stuff!

AND it's easy to win. Just visit FlyAKite on Etsy, come back and leave a comment about your favorite FlyAKite item.

Additional ways to enter:
* Follow this blog 1 entry
* Tweet about the giveaway 1 entry
* Like FlyAKite on facebook 1 entry
* Share on facebook 3 entries
* Blog about FlyAKite 3 entries

PLEASE leave a separate comment for each activity you have done so you get credit for your additional entries. Also, leave a way for us to get ahold of you (email, twitter, etc). This contest ends Tuesday December 13th. Winner will be picked randomly and announced December 14th.

EXTRA bonus: Use coupon code CELEBRATE at FlyAKite to save 10% on all purchases thru December 31

This contest is open to everybody, but we can't guarantee that international winners will receive their prize pack before Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Thank you to everyone who entered & for your feedback!

Count Your Blessings

This Thanksgiving I am grateful for so many things---too many to list. But at the top of that list is family, friends and health. I am so incredibly blessed and loved. For everyone who has shown their support and love for my family the past 8 months: THANK YOU from the very bottom of my heart!

Pumpkin Enchiladas (this isn't really a food blog)

Yummy! And very easy. My Aunt Cheryl made these top vote getting Pumpkin Enchiladas for our annual Halloween party. They were DELICIOUS! Since the weather has finally cooled down to normal Fall temperatures here in Southern California, we've been doing more cooking

The recipe she gave us was for 2 single serving enchiladas. Two isn't enough, and I've made enough enchiladas is my time that I just gathered my ingredients and started mixing. (The diced tomatoes are for the Spanish rice and snuck their way into this photo). There is no exact science to making these.

In a large mixing bowl dump your pumpkin, diced green chiles, about 1 cup of salsa and maybe 1/4-1/3 packet of taco seasoning. (I used half and it was a bit much).

Dice a medium sweet Mayan onion and sautee. Add to pumpkin mixture.

Shake your enchilada sauce, before you open the can, and pour just enough to cover the bottom of your 9X13 pyrex.

My family prefers flour tortillas, but you can use corn. Spoon pumpkin mixture into tortilla, roll and place seam side down in the pyrex. If you want more enchiladas don't use as much filling, if you like your enchiladas really substantial then fill 'em up.

Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top. Add shredded cheddar cheese, the more the better. Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5-10 minutes more, until cheese starts to bubble and brown. 

Let enchiladas sit 5-10 minutes so it will be easier to serve them. If they are too hot they slop all over the place while you're trying to get them out of the pan. Have fresh tomatoes, sliced avocado, olives, sour cream, or whatever else you like to garnish your enchiladas with. Serve with Spanish rice, beans, chips and salsa. Happy fiesta!

If you are unsure about the pumpkin, use the same ingredients but substitute refried beans for the pumpkin. And if red enchilada sauce is too strong for your taste use the milder green chile enchilada sauce. 

Tis the Season

I've been waiting for this day for months. Not this particular day, but I've been in the Christmas spirit for a really long time. Maybe because I started making Christmas stuff in August. I've been anxious to start listening to Christmas music. (I gave in and started singing carols last week).

For me, stretching out the holidays makes me feel less stressed and I get to enjoy them even longer. I know many folks out there get bent out of shape when Christmas is displayed before Halloween, but I would have been sad out of luck for the Christmas orders we've had since September without those jumping-the-gun retailers. Maybe it's my retail background, but I look forward to the festive displays and merchandise---regardless of when it starts.

The point of me telling you all this you ask? FlyAKite is fully stocked with ALL NEW Christmas ornaments and greeting cards. We've been busy little elves and the results are ADORABLE! (if I say so myself)

Share love and give a smile! Let us help you spread the holiday cheer!

Pumpkin Pie

i don't like it

Let me back up. I come from a family that practically lives for pie. My Grandma Wilde is the QUEEN of pies. She is an excellent cook and famous for her baking. I love her. I love her pies. All except the pumpkin (well, and banana cream, but that's because I can't eat bananas). It's not just hers. I just don't like pumpkin pie. I like pumpkin flavor. I like it baked in other things. I like the spices. It is so unappetizing to me in pie form. It's cold. It's got a funny texture. It's heavy. Given the choice on Thanksgiving I would rather just have another scoop of green bean casserole and a roll.

That said, when we moved to LA a few years ago our apartment manager brought us a pumpkin pie right around Thanksgiving. We were very grateful for her thoughtfulness, but wondered what we were going to do about this pie situation. We decided to get some whipped cream and at least try a piece.

HEAVEN!

This pie is light, almost like a mousse. The flavor is fantastic. Her crust is AMAZING. We eat it for breakfast, which is really the best way to eat pie.

We get a pie every year. We look forward to it. She makes dozens to give away, but won't reveal her recipe. Thank you Terri!

11/11/11

Today I'm thankful for the men and women who serve to make our country free.

Fighters WIN

There has been a battle raging since April when Dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer. In June his bladder, prostate, pelvic lymph nodes, urethra and appendix were removed. In July doctors told us that the cancer had spread. The last 9 weeks of chemotherapy have been HELL. Today he got the results from his latest PET scan and . . . 

the chemotherapy is working!!!

The cancer in his neck is half the size and the spot in his chest isn't visible. He will have two additional chemo infusions, so he won't be done until January, but we couldn't be more THRILLED! 

Dad has been AMAZING through this ordeal. He is so strong. Our faith has been strengthened. Our prayers have been answered. The next 12 weeks will still be challenging, but we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.