Some of you may not know this, but I am quite the crafty little devil. I am a huge DIY (do it yourself) junkie, and I love upcycling things I find at thrift shops or garage sales. I always had tons of creative ideas floating around in my head, but it has only been in the last few years that I’ve acted on them.
Some of my projects include:
Chalkboard coffee table
Liquor glass candle holders
Taj Mahal
I tried to make a lot of my Christmas gifts this year. I’ve got a clutch, a vase, picture collages and a few others things in the works. I prefer giving personalized gifts because I think it really conveys how much I want my presents to be better than everyone else’s.
Last week I put up a post that was 99% about kicking caffeine, and 1% about my desire to send Christmas cards to my Hooked on Tonics. Sending cards during the holidays is nice, but it’s so mainstream. I’m really trying to reach the Hipster demographic, and I just can’t fit this blog into skinny jeans, or make it drink Pabst Blue Ribbon.
I needed to think outside of the box.
Original box photo by Hay Kranen
I’ve decided that not only will I be sending SoJaT Christmas cards, but I will also be hosting a 12 Days of Christmas giveaway on this blog. Here are the rules:
- Each day I will present you with a challenge
- Complete the challenge
- Let me know you completed it in the comments section
- Send me tasteful nude photos of yourself (optional step)
Each comment will be assigned a number, and I’ll use random number generator to select a winner at 11:59PM PST the day of the post.
What are the prizes? Because I’m not some prize dictator, I’m going to give you three options to choose from should you win:
Prize Choice #1
Custom magnet. You supply the photo, and I’ll make a magnet out of it. Now you can display that awkward prom photo from 1986 on your fridge!
Before & After
Prize Choice #2
Custom Phonics by Tonic™ card. I’ll work with you to create a card for someone else, or I’ll whip one up just for you.
Got an anniversary coming up? This may be the perfect prize selection.
Prize Choice #3
GRAB BAG! I’ll surprise you with a random item from Goodwill, a garage sale, or something I steal from the next car I break into.
Who doesn’t need a Three Wolf Moon statue?
Okay, so what is today’s challenge?
Nominate someone for Freshly Pressed status
I just recently learned that you can tweet @Freshly_Pressed with a recommendation for a deserving WordPress post. Sharing is caring, and what better way to celebrate your favorite blogger than to help him/her get FP’d?
Let me know which post you nominated in the comments section, and throw in your own twitter handle so I can follow you!
Good luck to all who enter!
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Other contests you should check out:
Speaker7 – Speaker7 Attempts Some Type of Reader Giveaway Thingy
Sips of Jen and Tonic 
Hello! Those candle holders look nice.
I nominate anything by the charming and witty David Harding. His blog is http://www.davidhardingrme.com and it is really, really good. Some people think he is amazing, others think he is mega-amazing. Me? I think he is mega-amazing too.
The man, the mystery, the legend. How could he NOT have been pressed yet? Thank you for bringing this rockstar in the making to light.
I’ll be tweeting @Freshly_Pressed now…
He will be appreciative and love your blog and your crafts forever and ever, I’m sure!
I believe his twitter is @davidhardingrme
You are are kind one, Ms Tonic.
PS: Yes, he is a legend, isn’t he?!
I just read Allan’s post about his Grandmother – anything to do with a nana gets me – I nominated it! http://ohmsweetohmdotme.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/silent-night-squirmy-night/
Loved it! I love my grandma (and grandpa!) so this post definitely resonated with me.
I’m a sucker for Grandma and Grandpa posts – I’ve written more than my share of them:)
Great idea!
A few years ago, I crafted with cigar boxes. My friend and I made suped-up jewelry, knick-knack beauties out the wooden little cuties. We added feet (or drawer knobs), painted or silver leafed the outside. Lined with felt or velvet on the inside. Dirt cheap. My cigar stores will give you left over boxes. Some are beautiful as is.
Off to nominate!
That’s actually a genius idea. I’ve always thought cigar boxes looked so cool on their own. Imagine dressing them up a bit! I’d love to make a little purse out of one.
I nominated Cakes and Shakes http://cakesandshakes.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/meet-your-new-daddy/
Second nomination for Cakes and Shakes! Madame Weebles actually nominated her post from the 7th, and it is getting FP’d tomorrow!
Love this post as well. Read a few others, and I think most of them are FP-worthy.
Most are, except the really racist ones where she goes off on why we should join the Klan. Those ones are a real turnoff.
Oh, I guess I should return this sheet.
Return it before you cut holes in it. Once you do that, they won’t let you return it. I learned the hard way.
PS – Done. https://twitter.com/acharmcitychick/status/278205577937690624
YES. I read that post, and as someone who gains and loses the obligatory winter weight here in oregon every year, I approve.
To take away from any gained weight, I am sure to increase my hair size so people don’t notice until I lose it again. I am usually successful.
Genius.
I nominate Words for Worms: http://wordsforworms.com/2012/12/10/i-finally-read-the-hobbit-by-jrr-tolkien/
Me on twitter: @PsychobabbleFun
Tasteful and nude (this is how I look when I am hungry, as I turn into Melissa the Attack Marmot): http://psychobabblepants.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/death-marmot.jpg
Most excellent nomination. Also, did you just join twitter? I can’t believe I hadn’t followed you before.
You are very sexy as an angry marmot.
I did just join twitter! Getting FPed put me over the edge and I decided to sell my soul to yet another social networking site.
Sexy Attack Marmot says you’re welcome.
Done! I nominated this post for FP: http://onetrackmuse.com/2012/12/07/intermezzo-wherein-i-offer-you-a-few-disjointed-but-heartfelt-memories-of-my-dead-friend-frank-on-pearl-harbor-remembrance-day/#more-5452
Wow, that post is the shiznit.
Isn’t it? And get this: It’s being FP’d TOMORROW!! Yay! I feel warm and tingly now. I mean, more than usual.
SHUTUP! That’s the business right there.
I didn’t know that about tweeting Freshly Pressed recommendations. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll put it to use in the future. 🙂
I seriously just learned about it a couple of weeks ago. And someone IS running the account because they respond when you tweet them.
Wonderful wonderful idea. I nominated Army of Awesome People’s post here: http://armyofawesomepeople.com/2012/12/10/how-i-may-have-made-things-worse-for-rapper-psy/
I’m not sure how I feel about him writing crisis letters for Tom Cruise, but I like the rest of it.
He writes some hilarious things about Brad Pitt as well.
He’s back in my good graces.
I’m in! Now I just have to pick one of the many posts I’ve read that should be FP’d. Now as for those nude photos, do you want wallet size or 8×10 glossies?
I think nudity is always better when it’s bigger and glossier.
fun post Jen. Okay I nominated one of Society Red’s articles for freshly pressed. 🙂 I am thinking of some more crafty things myself. 🙂
I love SocietyRed too! One of my favorite bloggers for sure. Oh, and did you know that he recently got FP’d? For his vanilla ice cream post.
I did not know that, but the freshly pressed people let me know that he had already been promoted when I voted for his Mistress article. 🙂 Ah well… I tried. 🙂
Aw, what a nice idea, Jen! You’re awesome.
Also, what if someone only sends you nude photos and disregards the rest of this? My friend wants to know.
Then your “friend” has an excellent chance of winning…this contest, and a date with me.
Cool. She says the first one will be a picture of her butt. So. Enjoy that.
The liquor glass candle holders – classic. Now, I think I’ll spend the rest of the day trying to make some of my own. I am not very crafty.
Step 1: Find old glasses for 3 bucks. Step 2: Use industrial glue to glue them together. Step 3: Cover up industrial glue tracks with glitter. Step 4: Sit back and let the accolades roll in.
I was just going to improvise and shove a candle in whatever plastic cup I could find in the cupboard. It would probably melt. See, you are crafty – craftier than me anyway. You were actually going to use glue and glitter. 😉
Taj Mahal translated means ‘From Cardboard’. This all makes sense now.
David Dixon –
BMTHODD is freaking hilarious, good call!
I absolutely second the David Dixon nod (like that other guy whose name I don’t remember and I’m too lazy to scroll). They are some real strokes of GENIUS but since it’s Holdiday-ing time…this post http://bringmetheheadofdaviddixon.com/2012/12/11/somewhere-else/
Seriously, I am such a fangirl for this man.
I don’t think any nude picture of me would be considered tasteful.
I like a good money shot
You will make some man very, very happy one day.
Surprisingly, guys don’t like it when you scream, “SHOW ME THE MONEY!” at them in a bar…
They do if they HAVE money. That doesn’t, however, mean that they will give any to you. It will just be used to attract you.
This is exactly the same thing that happened to me when I met a guy named Bernie Madoff.
I think that was monopoly money, though.
Really good job on the Taj Mahal, Jen. I’m a crafter, too, but that one would take too much time! I’m thinking about FP posts…
All you need is a few tiles and some glue. Oh, and no life or friends.
I just want to say to every person that is thinking to nominate me for the freshly pressed turd award, which obviously is 90% of this blog’s visitors: I can’t be freshly pressed as I am not on WordPress.com. I am better than that and better than you. Thank you for your time.
You are a WordPress.org-er? You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face around here. *puts fists up*
Yeah, fuck you, WordPress.com-ers! WP.ORG 4 LIFE!
That needs to be a tattoo
I have it tattoo-ed above my stomach, in between my shot- and stabwounds, because you know, I’m gangster like that.
THUG LIFE
Baby, Babeeeh! *Honestly, I have no idea how to spell that, but you know how Tupac says that*
Ohhh you’re so sweet Jen! This is an excellent giveaway marathon!! You are looking quite sexy as the Hoff you know.
All the luck to the contestants! No need to include me as I already got my precious Jen trophies ^_^
I nominate you, Tj, cause us Dutch people need to take care of each other 😉
Oh wow! So kind of you Daan, dank je wel!! but not sure if I’m qualified for being FP-ed haha. I *just* moved to a WP blog and need to get back to posting my ramblings again 🙂
I look good in a speedo, don’t I?
Most definitely! I recall a glitter speedo now…and a dance on “I’m sexy and I know it”…
A post that struck a chord with me is by Ms. Petrilli. The one she wrote about her mom – http://summersolsticemusings.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/2413/ – It was like a roller-coaster of emotions capture in words and after reading it, I kept thinking about it as it reminded me of my grandma. I applaud Claudia for bravery and strength. 🙂
Love her writing. She’s really raw and honest.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw thank you so much! I’m very touched
Ohhh I forgot to let you know I did this! But you’re most welcome!! You know your article touched me 🙂 xoxo!
That’s very sweet of you! ❤
Oh! Do I need to tweet to Freshlypressed as well?
Yeah! Go ahead and tweet @Freshly_Pressed so they know you liked the post!
I just tweeted!
*high five* Awesome!
*high fives!!*
I I were able to, I would recommend http://russtowne.com/. He’s one of the wisest bloggers out there. Jen
Going to stop by and check it out!
I think you’ll like him!
The Taj Mahal looks fake. Just saying. I nominated: http://talesofacharmcitychick.com/2012/12/09/eros-philia-and-agape/ for freshly pressed. Don’t know if they do poetry, but it’s better than a turduckin recipe. Follow me @chrisdevoss or don’t.
Seriously, I had no idea La La was the Pablo Neruda of WordPress! And I’ve been following you for awhile. Oh, and calling you and hanging up as soon as you answer.
Thank you. Mystery solved.
Is there any way I can win the picture of you as the Hoff?
Maybe that’ll be your grab bag item if you win. Along with an 8X10 signed headshot of me.
You’re a clever Gal Jen….I’m not – I don’t even know how to twitter! But I wil think on this anyway and get back to you.
Tweeting is pretty much just spewing random thoughts out on to the internet. Like blogging, but with WAY less words.
Ha ha…will have to try and set myself up.
Where did you learn about the tweet FP dealie?
I believe I saw The Cheeky Diva comment about it on SocietyRed’s blog.
Ahhhhhh ~ I guess since I don’t tweet, I’m not ‘in the know’ 🙂
Wait. It has to be “tasteful”? Very well.
This is a great idea! I nominate Rachel from rachels-table.com! ANY post. @RachelsTable
P.S. – And thank you for the shout-out! You do know this admission of craftiness obligates you to enter, yes?
It has to be tasteful so that when guests come over they don’t think I’ve just left my porn laying around. I had never heard of Rachel’s Table but it’s a GREAT blog. I followed it!
And yes, I know it obligates me.
Thanks, Jen! When I saw that YOU followed me I was so pleased, but also wondered, how did she find me? Jules knows how to bring people together!
Wait. What? How am I JUST seeing this. On the day I get Freshly Pressed, no less! I really need to pay more attention to the Twitter-ing, which I just checked for the first time in weeks.
Thanks, Jules!! I love you more than bacon (ornaments).
Ooooh that is crazy that you saw this right after IT FINALLY HAPPENED.
I mean: You’re welcome.
Seriously. Thank you. 🙂
Jen,
You are a fantastic human being! My first Holiday gift is on-going this week, with a special A Becca on Fire extravaganza. I’ll be back here today as Le Clown wants to win everything.
Le Clown
This coming from the guy who raised a billion (give or take) dollars for Movember. Also, isn’t winning the hearts of all your followers enough?