Getting My Craft On…

It's Sunday, my favorite day to get my craft on. Especially during the holidays, and even more importantly, when it's simply too cold to be out in the garden, a little crafting goes a long way towards cheering me up. Here's what I've been working on for the past month: Crocheted Snowmen. I've done five out of the eight that I will need as gifts for the kids in the family. They are absolutely adorable, and would be a great crochet project for a child as well, as long as they have been introduced to crocheting in the round. Also don't miss out on the tutorial for the magic ring, it is true, as everyone says: once you have learned this technique, you will never start your round crochet projects the old way again! Happy Crafting!

This free Mini Snowman Crochet Pattern comes courtesy of the Dapper Toad - Thanks!

What To Do with those Christmas Cards…

Such a beautiful idea! String the Christmas cards up the banister on the staircase!

Find great Christmas ideas like this on our Pinterest boards.

Fingerpaint Wrapping Paper

This is such a great idea and I love the non-traditional colors!

Join the Holiday fun with us on our pinterest Christmas board!

Washcloth Travel Roll - An Easy Homemade Gift

There’s nothing like giving away something that you made as a gift, whether it is for Christmas, Hanukkah or a birthday! The washcloth travel roll has to go down in history as one of the simplest homemade gifts ever. It only requires five seams, perfect for the beginning seamstress or tailor, or simply for us busy adults that have too much on our plates already. One great thing about it is that you can just throw it into the washing machine to sterilize it in between trips. Also, it’s free. Read on for instructions!
Read the rest of this post »

Gift Idea for That Person (you know the one)

Does someone on your gift-giving list have you stumped? I think we all experience this from time to time, right? That person who seems to have everything they need and everything they want? My parents are those people in my life. I really don't want to give them something for their house as it is already full of stuff. And they already are able to visit their favorite restaurants and see the newest plays, as they have the finances to do so. The next best thing I can do for them is something that fits right in with the spirit of the season as well: A Donation!

There are so many wonderful non-profit organizations out there, both locally and worldwide, that desperately need our help throughout the year and especially during this time. Look for local toys for tots organizations, food pantries or volunteer. Or donate a microloan through an organization such as Kiva to help someone abroad.

A donation on behalf of your loved one is a wonderful way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas!

Button Wreath Ornament - DIY

I'm definitely going to try this one with the kids - you could play with the colors to suit your Christmas decor tastes!

Join us on Pinterest for Christmas fun!

Photo Album Organization

With spring and summer vacations behind us, the fall and winter can be the perfect time to sort through vacation photos and create an album to save those memories. Don’t let vacation memories get forgotten in a box or a folder on your computer. Use cold winter evenings bundled up at home as an opportunity to go through family photos and turn them into an album you can enjoy for years to come.
Read the rest of this post »

DIY Tree Skirt Tutorial

NO Sew - can't beat that for decorating crunch time… This is really a well done tutorial!

Check out what Christmas ideas we are pinning on our boards!

Couldn't resist…

Upside Down Snowman!

Join the pinning fun on our Christmas board!

Adorable Handprint Snowman Ornaments

Too cute and easy - simply paint your child's hand white and have them grab a bulb gently from the bottom!

Find great Christmas craft ideas with us on pinterest!

Christmas Cutout Cookies

These would be a fun hostess gift - the recipe uses crushed peppermint candy which melts within the cookies!

Join the holiday fun on Pinterest with Stacks!

DIY Ribbon Organizer

So clever, simply use a small plastic mesh basket, add rods and voila!

Collect great Christmas storage ideas with us on pinterest!

Tailgate Fun!

Despite being a huge football fan for my entire life, I somehow managed to never attend a professional football game. This year, the Carolina Panthers who happen to be my favorite team in the National Football League, are set to have an away game in nearby San Diego, CA to take on the San Diego Chargers. It is a pretty rare occurrence that my favorite team plays on the West coast, as they are based in Charlotte, NC and mostly play teams on the East coast. I knew I had to take advantage of this rare opportunity and make the trip down to San Diego.

One activity I have really been looking forward to, is finally having the opportunity to do some tailgating at a real NFL stadium. I have done a little lightweight tailgating at college football games, but never anything of this magnitude.
Read the rest of this post »

Savory Snowman :)

This cute little guy is made of cheese, a great appetizer for all of those holiday parties coming up!

Come see what we're pinning for Christmas!

Healthy Holidays

Tips for staying motivated to exercise during the winter…

Join the Christmas fun on Pinterest with Stacks and Stacks!

Dealing With those Extra Holiday Pounds

Now that you’re stuffed to the brim, maybe you are thinking about those 3 pounds you gained last holiday season. And the one before that, and so on… you get the picture. The day after Thanksgiving is a great day to get started on making a plan for avoiding (or at least minimizing the damage) from those holiday pounds. After all, it’s a long weekend for many of us, a great time to catch up on (or dust off) your exercising routine. My rule for holiday health is to keep it fun, though. Why drag something dull and over-the-top uncomfortable into a season that is supposed to be filled with cheer?
Read the rest of this post »

Too funny…

Join Stacks on Pinterest!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from All of Us at StacksAndStacks.com! We hope your day is filled with joy, good food and great company!

Why I Walk on Thanksgiving

It’s not just about the exercise. As Henry David Thoreau said, “I have met with but one or two persons in the course of my life who understood the art of Walking, that is, of taking walks—who had a genius, so to speak, for SAUNTERING…” No disrespect, but this guy really liked his walks! And so do I.

My long, thoughtful walks started early in my years with my dad, a master of sauntering: Around his neighborhood, over the creek looking for crawdads, talking about how the weather works, buying a coffee at the convenience store, then returning to his warm apartment. Before dinner, after dinner, it didn’t matter when, how, or where. We would just walk.
Read the rest of this post »

Too funny…

Love the look on the Turkey faces

Check out our Thanksgiving board on pinterest for fun and for real tips!

Great Game Day Idea

Fun game day food idea! Guacamole football field with cracker end zones.

Come Pin with Stacksandstacks!

Bins, Bins, Bins

What can I say about bins that hasn’t already been said? I think we can all agree that plastic storage boxes are sort of the “gateway drug” when it comes to getting organized. They’re user friendly as can be and you don’t have to be a master organizer to figure out their many uses. So I thought that rather than telling you something you’ve already heard, I’d do something fun with plastic bins. Now, I’m no Dorothy Parker or Dr. Seuss when it comes to clever rhyming but I hope you’ll enjoy this little ditty!
Read the rest of this post »

Where's Waldo-the-Snowman?

Something purely fun to pin today! This makes me wish it snowed here - Love it! I wonder how long this took to make…

The Great Debate: Slow Cooker vs. Pressure Cooker

Okay, maybe not the most important debate going on in the world right now, but important nonetheless. My family kicked off the holiday season yesterday with what we call “pumpkin day” and I found myself (as always), trying to convince the lady of the house to give pressure cookers another try. You see, she is of the generation that thinks that the pressure cooker is going to explode in her face, as it did her Aunt’s (grandma’s, etc). That’s simply not the case though, pressure cookers are completely safe now thanks go better locks and release valves.
Read the rest of this post »

New Idea For A Jack-O-Lantern

Dry ice inside a pumpkin - I'm gonna have to do this! I think I'd add a green glowstick or a battery operated candle to make it even eerier.

Come Pin with Stacks and Stacks!

Better Than Going To The Movies

Ow wow! I would do this every night in warm weather! Wish I had the yard for it…

Gardening Indoors For Winter

Indoor veggie gardening - great for fall and winter! Who knew?

Yummy Fall Dinner Recipe

This is like a pot pie with a biscuit crust on top - yum! This one calls for home made biscuits, but I'm sure the canned ones would work for a short cut.

Logs As A Centerpiece - Who Knew?

I love this idea! Especially with the canning jars and mis-matched glass - beautiful!

Show me something Pinteresting!

Another Cote Fall Decor Idea

Oh! I'm SO doing this! I always wonder what creative thing I could do with all the colorful gourds besides just laying them around.

Come see our Fall Decorating Pin Board!