A SWEET FAREWELL TO KODACHROME

The final roll of Kodachrome film was developed in Kansas today.

Kodak announced it was discontinuing the iconic film in 2009, after the competition from digital cameras caused a large sales decline. Kodachrome is a difficult film to process, requiring expert handlers. Dwayne's Photo in Kansas is the sole remaining developer, and the last roll of film to be developed was shot by its owner Dwayne Steinle.

Kodachrome film has been renowned for its exceptional rendering of color, vivid images and archival longevity. For many many years, it was the preferred brand for print media.

Dwayne's Photo has been inundated with requests for developing this film, many from photographers who have been hoarding the coveted film for years. One customer picked up 1,580 rolls of film used. The nearly 50,000 slides cost $15,798 to develop.

Kodachrome has been responsible for some of the most recognized and coveted pictures in photography history. Though the new digital wave makes photography more accessible to the world, I can't help but feel that a true art is being lost as technology progresses. For the few left that still use film, I hope you will continue to keep that passion and art form alive.

As a dedication to the end of this wonderful era, here are a few photos shot by the iconic Kodachrome. Some pictures you may remember, some you may recognize, and others are here for your pure enjoyment.

A Sweet Farewell to Kodachrome

A New Years Project

New Years is only a couple days away and I wanted to share a great little New Years project I found on Design Sponge that will help you kick off the new year on a sweet note and will be a great little keep sake for many years to come.

A QUICK DAILY JOURNAL YOU CAN REFLECT ON YEAR AFTER YEAR

Every day, you jot down just a quick little note reflecting on your day. Every year, you can reflect on what happened the same day the years prior. What a neat way to put time in perspective!

Your Supplies:

1. 183 Ruled Note Cards

2. A Berry Container

3. 12 Post Cards

4. A Date Stamper

5. A Crafting Cutter

Cut your note cards in half.

Stamp a date on each card.

Cut your post cards down to fit inside the berry container.

Separate each month with a postcard.

CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!

I managed to get everything done. Whew! I got all my Christmas presents sewn and wrapped! *I'll show you the sewing projects after Christmas. I don't want to ruin the surprise. :)
I got all the presents wrapped and under our tree! By the way, our tree this year is a cool large twig that I found on the beach covered in cool knots and little pine cones. I got all the decorations up and I managed to do a little table arrangement to show all you guys. For the most part, I just used what I have around the house and some leftover bits and pieces from our wedding centerpieces. Take a look!

Our chandelier above our dining room table. I draped a little frosty garland around the base of the lights and I removed the light globes so it would look like candles sitting on top of the garland.

I got a huge lot of Brazilian coffee sacks from a local coffee shop for free! I have the old traditional red table cloth, but I thought I would try and make traditional Christmas red a little rustic and nature-like. I used some of my vintage art deco silverware and my vintage Americana mason drinking jars.

This nifty old bird cage has probably been around forever! My dad gave it to me when I was a little kid to collect bugs and lizards in. I've always just had to hold on to this thing.

Picked up some cranberries and cinnamon sticks at JoAnn's, and the trifle dish I got at TJ Max a while back. I love it!

My husband and I always open our stockings to each other on Christmas Eve as well as one special Christmas Eve gift. I can never fit everything I get Curtis in one stocking so this year I figured we would go with some fun bags! It worked so much better! I love these cute owl bags from World Market!

Every year on Christmas Eve my parents used to give me my special Christmas Eve gift. It was always a brand new pair of pajamas! I always loved that tradition so I've decided to carry on the tradition with Curtis.

I found these super cute flannel boxer pajamas for Curtis at Target. I love those pine cones!!

We also had to make sure that our little kitty Tula got to participate in our Christmas Eve celebration. We let her open one of her presents too, though I don't think she would appreciate pajamas quite as much as we do.

~A can of catnip filled sardines!!!~ LOL

She was so excited, I couldn't get a focused picture of her because she was rolling around so much!

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS EVE NIGHT!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

HANDMADE ORNAMENTS WITH A VINTAGE LOOK!

I just found this fun little crystal ice burg ornament project online and I thought I would share it with everyone. I think its super cute and easy. This one has a fun vintage look to it but you could pretty much do anything! Its like your own little landscape! Below is a step by step on how to make it.

Step One: Choose the crystals you would like to use. Lay them out and get a feel for how they would look best clustered together.

* If you would like a color to shine through the crystal, add a little bit of paint to the side of the crystal that will be facing the inside of the ornament. The light will shine through it on the tree and make it glow which ever color you decide to paint it.


Step 2: Start gluing your crystals together. Loop a string through the inside and let the extra dangle from the bottom. Once all the crystals are glued together you can just cut the excess off. Glue your fake snow around the top of the crystals.

Step Three: Add a little shimmer paper for some added effect and glue your characters to the top.

There you have it! A fun handmade Christmas ornament that you can keep for yourself or share with your friends. Have fun!

THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIDERS

Only one more week until it will be Christmas! I wish you all great tidings of comfort and joy! Today, my husband and I spent the afternoon with his mothers side of the family celebrating their yearly Christmas get together. Its so wonderful to be able to spend time with family and enjoy the spirit of Christmas time. During this time of year, I always think back to the Christmas' spent with my family when I was a child. Every year, my mother would make a special ornament for all of our friends and family to hang on their tree. One year she made little spider webs out of wire, glitter, and crystals. I remember how beautiful they were, I just loved them. Along with the ornament was a little story of the legend of the Christmas spiders. To this day, it is one of my very favorite Christmas stories. I hope you enjoy, and maybe think about adding a little tinsel or spider web to your Christmas tree this year!

THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIDERS

Long, long ago, on one Christmas Eve, the spiders were banished from homes while the houses were cleaned for Christmas and their webs were broken. They just managed to survive and had to move to the farthest corner of the attic for the time being. However, some of the young spiders longed to see the decorated Christmas trees and Chris Kringle who would come to bless the homes in the midnight. The elders tried to make them understand that they were not allowed inside the rooms but the young spiders were quite curious and adamant. Finally, the oldest and wisest spider came up with a solution and suggested that in the night, when everybody went to bed, perhaps they could creep out of their corners and get a closer look of the magical Christmas tree.

Even the adult spiders felt the thrill of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them and in midnight, when the house of a noble family was dark and silent and everybody was fast asleep, spiders crept out of their hiding place and slowly reached the Christmas tree. They were so captivated by the ethereal beauty that they spent all night in the tree, crawling up and down and examining its beautiful ornaments. They could not curb their urge to weave pretty and delicate spider webs all over the tree as they danced on its branches. In the wee hours of the morning, Chris Kringle came to bless the house. He was surprised to find little spiders and their webs on the tree.

He knew that every creature was made by God and yet he knew how the mother who had worked hard all day to make everything perfect would be dismayed to find the spider webs on its tree. Thus, with a heart full of love and a lovely bewitching smile on his lips, Chris Kringle gently touched the spider webs and set them sparkling and shining in silver and golden colors that made the Christmas tree look even more beautiful than before. It is said that this is how tinsel was introduced to decorate Christmas trees. Some people also hang a plastic spider in remembrance of the devoted little spiders who worked hard that Christmas Eve.

OOOOH BABY IT'S COLD OUT SIDE

Today was such a cold rainy day here in the Pacific Northwest! It was the kind of day that makes you want to stay inside and drink hot coco all day! Well, now you can have a little fun with it when you do. Here is a recipe and some fun ideas for topping your hot coco with some extra special marshmallows! Yum! And, since Christmas is just around the corner, here are some great variations to celebrate!

Makes 100 Snowflakes

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (each scant tablespoon)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Vegetable-oil cooking spray

Directions:

1. Coat a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; line with parchment paper. Spray parchment; set aside. Pour 1/3 cup cold water into bowl of an electric mixer. Sprinkle with gelatin; let mixture soften, about 5 minutes.

2. Place sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Cover; bring to a boil. Remove lid; cook, swirling pan occasionally, until syrup reaches 238 degrees.(soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.

3. With mixer on low speed, whisk gelatin mixture, and slowly pour the syrup in a steady stream down the side of the bowl (to avoid splattering). Gradually raise speed to high; beat until mixture is thick, white, and has almost tripled in volume, about 12 minutes. Add vanilla, and beat 30 seconds to combine.

4. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; smooth with an offset spatula. Let stand at room temperature, uncovered, until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight. 5. Coat a 1-or-2-inch snowflake-shaped cookie cutter with cooking spray to prevent it from sticking. Cut out as many individual marshmallows as possible; coat cutter with more spray as needed. Use marshmallows immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

Variations:

Almond or pistachio: Substitute almond or pistachio extract for vanilla. Add food coloring if desired.

Lavender: Omit the vanilla extract and beat in 1 1/3 cups bottled lavender syrup. Add food coloring if desired

Lemon: Substitute lemon extract for vanilla. Add food coloring if desired.

Peppermint: Substitute one-eighth teaspoon peppermint extract for vanilla. Add food coloring if desired

*If you want to add some texture to your marshmallows, try covering with sugar, powdered sugar, or sprinkles!*