An All Gold Everything framed calligraphy to go along with my gold-themed exchange gift.

Happy New Year's eve! It's been a great 2014, and I think a definite highlight is my new calligraphy hobby. So, I decided to end the year on a golden note by featuring my All Gold Everything exchange gift.

This year we had two gifts at the gift exchange, one for food and one for anything good. I decided to go with a stationery/office supply/calligraphy gift. I found a fun black and gold frame and that jump started a package of black, white and gold supplies. It included everything from large, shiny gold paper clips to read-to-send notes. I scoured most of Charlottesville in search of supplies that matched my color scheme. And then, on top of that, I burned many Michaels coupons so I could stuff my little bag. It was like a fun scavenger hunt while Cole was studying for finals. . . .

For Christmas, make cute little paper bows for your packages.

I mentioned a few posts back that I would provide a DIY paper bow tutorial, and here it is. These cute little bows look complicated, but with a little glue, some pieces of paper and a few steps, you can make your own bow. These bows are great for a handmade look or for when you need a single, cheap bow. You could use any paper, Christmas (like shown) or party balloons for a birthday. . . .

Merry Christmas from Cole & Brenna!

Can you believe it? Only seven day until Christmas. Personally, we are ready for this wonderful holiday: gifts bought, crafts complete, plane tickets purchased and Christmas cards sent. And let me share the last one with you.

I enjoy creating a custom card for us, and this year I put my new calligraphy and hand lettering skills to use. I posted my "Joy, Peace & Happiness" background at the start of the month, and that was a glimpse at our Christmas card. It started with a brainstorming session. Then, I moved on to the actual sketching process. I used some grid paper, a pencil and my giant eraser to do the job. I am not too speedy at sketching things, but eventually, I drew letters that I was pleased with. They "Joy, Peace & Happiness" letters are a mix of lettering, swirls and calligraphy. My holly berries and leaves are, well, pretty simple because when it comes to drawing, simple is my skill set. . . .

Cole and I brought pretty packages to our Community Group Secret Santa.

On Thursday night, we celebrated Christmas with our Community Group from church. The main event was the Secret Santa exchange. We used an online Secret Santa organizer called Elfster. With name in hand, we each found a $10 gift and brought it to Community Group on Thursday. Guests dropped them in a basket by the door, to keep things secretive of course. Then after they were all distributed, we went around and had to guess who the gift came from. Cole ended up with the ingredients to make a gin and tonic, which he will probably need by the time finals and papers are over. I got to add a cute, polka dot Moleskine notebook and an Aladdin mug, which matches my Aladdin water bottle actually. Perfectness. . . .

Chelsea and Evan gave me the honor of designing their save the dates.

When a friend came to me about her sister's wedding, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to design her wedding stationery. Not only has Chelsea been super sweet ever time I have seen her, but she is organized — a thought-through-everything-ahead-of-time-and-organized-it-into-a-Word-document organized. For me, that's like working with another me. I love planning all the details of a plan before I hand it off to anyone.

Aside from the technical details, Chelsea and Evan picked beautiful colors: purple and yellow. Two of my favorite colors are then paired with graceful lace and earthy burlap. Everything about the wedding says Kansas to me. Plus, working with purple is a fav. . . .