Here’s a little idea from a blog named chew ~

If you follow these easy steps, you’ll know just what to do ~

First get yourself a box ~

Then a Sharpie and some mox(y) ~

And soon you’ll be wrapping like this too!

Okay, so forget the rap career.  In my next life I’m coming back as a gift wrapper anyway (my mom was a gift wrapper at the Boston Store – it’s in my genes!), one who creates really awesome custom wraps like this one from chewingthecud, whose editor is a San Francisco-based designer.

I absolutely love this and am beyond impressed.  Such a simple idea executed so well.  The color pops and the black ribbon ties it off to perfection.  I’d love to receive a gift like this.  I might even find a place to put it on permanent display.  For all the quick, easy steps, visit chewingthecud.com.

Out of the box - set your inner artist free with Sharpie

Ready for giving

Details, details

This cat pretty much says it all.   Day after Thanksgiving and all I want is a couch and a Sharpie : )     This is Jasper, plucked from Kostia on Flickr.

As is tradition at our house on Thanksgiving, we did an art project with the cousins.  Previous projects have included handmade snow globes, beaded Christmas ornaments, small decorative Christmas  trees. This year we did ceramic Christmas ornaments with Sharpies.  See our fabulous results below!

It starts with a bowl o' Sharpies

My personal favorite by Aunt Suzanne

Emily's spider stocking

Sharpie stockings by Teague, Wil, Jack, Suzanne, Emily, Me, Paige

Emma's Peace

Thought I’d get a jump on the holidays with this card created by Emma, age 6.  Emma’s “Pees on -th” card (translation:  Peace on Earth) is part of the  One Million Peace Signs project on Flickr.   Check out the group’s website and blog.

Here’s what the project is about:

“Peace can start small, and every single act of Peace matters. Maybe you don’t have the time or energy to make a huge impact on Peace today…but maybe you can still commit some Little Act of Peace. And you can pass it on…right here. Brainstorm it at the dinner table and add your idea…we think it’s gonna be something we can all learn from and add to!”

Grab a Sharpie and do a Peace Doodle!

As of this posting, Emma’s photo is one of 9,006 photos from 2,988 members in 321 days.   Scrolling through the images is not only moving but inspiring.  I don’t know about you, but there are never enough ways to say “peace.”

Check out some of the amazing peace statements that have been submitted, then remember you don’t have to climb the highest mountain to spread the peace word; sometimes a Sharpie scribble is enough.

Peace.