You may have noticed that I was blogging “just a bit” the past few days.

I had the rare chance to turn my full attention to my folders and e-mails just bursting with shopping news.

That kind of pace was fun, actually — and I couldn’t believe how much is going on!

I was also happy to get out so much information since I’m going to have to leave you to again “shop amongst yourselves� for a bit as I head out for vacation tonight, to return Dec. 10.

Before I go, though, I’d like to ask you to be sure and check out my story, set to run in the Life & Style section (and on LoHud.com) tomorrow.

It was a nice chance to put the spotlight on some events and places to find some pretty unique holiday gifts — isn’t that what we’re all obsessing about these days?

The focus of the story is the annual “Goods and Objects: Artisan Exhibit & Sale� at the Pelham Art Center, but I also touched on some other local events where unique, hand-crafted goods are featured.

There are so many of these sales that we couldn’t include them all… but my friend and colleague Barbara Livingston Nackman (and fellow blogger; check out “Book by Bookâ€?) let me know about yet another that I’d love to pass along.

The Putnam Arts Council’s 13th annual Juried Gallery Craft & Gift Sale will be held Saturday through Dec. 21 at the council, at Tilly Foster Farm, The Lodge, Building 8, at 100 Route 312 in Brewster. The hours will be from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, with some 40 regional craft artists showing their work. Admission and parking are free.

And on the “regular” shopping front, I also heard about some other events:

— Stephanie Leggio of Pretty Funny Antiques in Tarrytown just called to say that she’s having her “Holiday Open House” this weekend. I wrote about the shop’s grand opening last month, remember? Stop by this treasure trove, at 80 S. Broadway, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow through Sunday for a great assortment of vintage Christmas ornaments and other holiday items. Call 914-631-3368.

— Main Street in Armonk will be turned into a “Holiday Shopping Party” Monday and Tuesday. The stores will welcome shoppers from 10 a.m. each day, with special activities including refreshments from 5 to 8 p.m. These simultaneous parties, trunk shows and silent auctions will be featured at shops including Lilies & Lace, Pink Tea and S&S Boutiques. And the best part is that proceeds from the event benefit Gilda’s Club Westchester. The organization offers programs and support for those dealing with cancer and their families and friends. For more details, call the organization at 914-644-8844.

— Holiday items are filling the shelves of the Katonah Thrift Shop for its Christmas boutique that continues through Dec. 21. The shop is in the lower level of the Women’s Civic Club of Katonah Memorial House, at 71 Bedford Road. For more details, call 914-232-3010.

— The Ruth Keeler Memorial Library and the North Salem Historical Society are holding a Holiday Boutique and Gingerbread Contest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 at the library, at 276 Titicus Road in North Salem. The sale will feature works created by local crafters, from jewelry to ornaments, stationery to photography. Also, the Village Bookstore in Pleasantville will bring books and holiday gift items to sell. For more details, call 914-669-5161.
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That’s it for a bit — happy shopping, Happy Hanukkah and I’ll be back here Dec. 10.