Please, see the new thread for all wish lists posted as well as games and fun... link below... Blessings, Angela Here is a link that might be useful: Secret Santa Swap, thread 3

I found the tax shelter in this posting when searching for a gift for my brother. He is a tax preparer and has everything. So I just had to share what I did for him. I took one of those woodcraft houses from Walmart- removed the two screws from the base. I cut a 1" block of wood that fit into the bottom of the house. I glued this block onto the base thus allowing the top of the house to be easily lifted off the base. I cut a 1/2" groove in the center of the block with the table saw so I could set a card of thumb tacks into it. This was hidden in the house until the top was lifted off. I wrote a poem for this & read it to him while my daughter did a Vanna White presentation of the house. Everyone got a good laugh out of this and I finally did a complete craft project! It's been a while. Hope you have as much fun with this as we did. Here's the poem: I drew your name for Christmas It's an honor, don't you know To get my brothers name for Christmas Ah! ashopping I will go. But then I started frettin After searching high and low Whatever will I get 'im (Twas wrong to worry so!) I went into an office shop Maybe something for your desk? I talked to the clerk a lot She tried to aid me in my quest. He could use a tax shelter Is what the lady said It seemed a bit off-kelter But there was nothing left instead. So here's your little shelter All painted so very nice The foundation has been mended The roofs' been polished thrice. The flowers are all blooming In the big pot by the door The bumblebees are buzzing And there's no sawdust on the floor. It seems to be the perfect place I do agree she's right It sure beats a plain old case And your tacks! They're finally safe at night!

Thanks so much! :) The spoons are really quick and easy, I find clip art,and just cull things from the junk drawers around the house for them. My sister gave me a lot of old jewelry,like single earrings and chains,and I cut up old greeting cards. I cut the handles off the spoons and forks with bolt cutters,really easy,the silver plate cuts like butter,then sand with these really rough emery boards,and then bend the rest of the handle back to make a hanger for the silk cord. I use a Clear Cast resin I bought at Hobby Lobby,mix and pour into the spoon til it's level. One of my sisters suggested using my grandchildrens pics in there, I haven't tried it yet,but the other pics seem to be holding up well,so their photos should work fine. I almost glued pin backs to them,thinking they'd make fine looking pins,but wondered about the weight of that. I think the Clear Cast was about $20,but I know I went to the Hobby Lobby site and printed out a 40% off coupon to buy it,so it was cheaper that way. Then I bend the handles to make bracelets,add beads and charms. The birdhouses I buy at walmart for $2.27 each,doesnt take a lot of old china and stained glass to make them, and yes,they're glued to candle sticks bought cheap at a yard sale :) Ribbon bead fringe glued to the bottom,and those beads that look like old glass knobs for the perch( maybe sold as prisms) Walmart has a box of over 100 in their Christmas decor for $10. You can't see the blue spoon very well,but it's one of my favorites,with a mermaid in it,I glued blue tissue paper to the spoon bowl,and used some old blue Easter grass cut up in there, put a little blue glitter nail polish on the mermaid,lol,it has real shells and a real tiny starfish. Next favorite is the little boy,with the leaf bead,says 'a wonderful world. The one with the white cat wearing blue glasses is for my sister,it has real bird feathers in it,my sister babysits a bird sometimes and saved feathers,lol,so she gets this one! I made a lot more not pictured :) Forgot to add pics of the lapel pins I made from tips of silver spoon handles. As you can see, I'm getting ready for a sale,cheap prices, I think,LOL!!!

Glad to hear the show was a success. Always fun to see what everyone is making. I think you were very smart to concentrate on smaller affordable things with the economy the way it is right now. I'm sure everyone was very impressed with the quality and skill in your items, you do such beautiful work. Bebe, you need to befriend a much younger painter and "mentor" her--and in return, she can handle moving the heavy stuff! ;o) Using the suitcases on wheels is a very good idea, weren't they a wonderful invention? There's a craft show today that I'd like to go to, but little GD is coming over so I probably won't get to go. Then there's one coming up on Dec. 5th where they set up booths all along a main street and sell all kinds of things--I'm trying to leave that date open so I can go. I love seeing it all, but have to admit that I don't buy allot, just don't need that much and allot are kind of pricey for my retirement budget. But I like to go look and I enjoy the festive atmosphere--sort of a kick off to getting ready for Christmas. ;o) Hope you can rest up a bit now, and again congratulations on having such good sales. Luvs