Weekend of Family Fun

Dec 23, 2014

Weekend of Family Fun

This past weekend, my sister and her family came up for the weekend. Her Christmas gift to Brittain was a ticket to see the Cowboys play the Colts, Sunday. It wasn’t the game Brittain was hoping for but it was a fun time spent with his mom. Since he isn’t able to go to Beaumont for Christmas I decided to have a family Christmas party for him at our house. Saturday morning, Madelyn and Bellie made snowmen out of donuts for breakfast. These were a big hit with the girls. All you need are powdered donuts, orange jelly beans for the nose and mini chocolate morsels for the mouth and eyes. A cup of hot chocolate is a great drink to go with the snowman donuts too. Saturday evening, we had our family party....

read more

Fun Getting To Know You Christmas Questions

Dec 19, 2014

Fun Getting To Know You Christmas Questions

Here are some fun getting to know you Christmas questions you can share with friends and family at a family gathering or party. I always find it interesting in how others celebrate the holiday season. If you don’t celebrate Christmas you can easily change the questions to fit your holiday celebration. My sister and her family arrive late tonight and I cannot wait to have some fun with everyone. You know I’m on “best weekend ever” notice for Madelyn and Isabella. I LOVE being their aunt. I have a weekend of fun all planned out that includes lots of hot chocolate, s’mores, cookie baking, holiday light looking and presents. It’s going to be a fabulous weekend. 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? This year it’s all about Gift Bags.  2. Real tree or artificial? We...

read more

Now Selling At The Crafty Scrapper

Dec 18, 2014

Now Selling At The Crafty Scrapper

I’m so happy to tell you that I am now selling my handmade vintage tin necklaces at The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie, Texas. Carolyn Ross moved her amazing store to a new building and she now has a boutique that offers unique handcrafted items. So, if you are looking for a little something special for a friend, co-worker or family member please go check out her store. All my necklace pendants are created from vintage tins and jewelry pieces and each piece is one of a kind. No two will ever be alike. Also, I still have a few Mystery Goody Boxes available. If you are interested in purchasing one, each box is a Medium Sized Flat Rate box filled with new and very gently used products from major manufactures like Ranger, Maya Road, Fiskars,...

read more

I believe…

Dec 17, 2014

I believe…

Originally Posted December 12, 2011 and to this day it’s still one of my favorites. Just recently my 8 year old niece was asking if Santa was real. My mom asked Madelyn what she thought to which she replied, I think he is real. Mom left it at that and Madelyn went on her merry way. I remember when I found out about Santa and for a moment I was sad but then discovered since I had younger siblings I was in a special secret club… I got to be a secret elf and help with wrapping and shopping which I just loved. I found this part just as rewarding if not more on Christmas morning. Watching my brother and sister run down the stairs, through the hallway and into the living room staring in amazement...

read more

Recycle All Those Saved Christmas & Holiday Cards

Dec 10, 2014

Recycle All Those Saved Christmas & Holiday Cards

In keeping with the “I’m using what I have for Christmas and cutting out the needless things I don’t” I recycled some saved Christmas cards and created two super easy gift card holders from one Christmas card. I know I’m not the only person that saves holiday cards. I cannot throw Christmas cards of any kind away. I love them all and especially cherish the ones that have my grandparents signatures inside. I started with a Christmas card that measured 4″ x 5.75″ but you can use any card size you want. This size just allowed me to keep the entire image without having to cut it down to fit a gift card. My completed gift card holders measure 2.75″ x 4″. Once you have your card picked out and if you’re like me and save all your Christmas cards...

read more

Weekend of Holiday Decorating

Dec 8, 2014

Weekend of Holiday Decorating

The Christmas tree is the first item to go up in our house during the holiday season. Ansley designed this “Peppermint” tree a few years ago and we’ve kept it since. It’s a fun tree that is easy to put up and take down and lets face it during the holidays easy is the key word. Once the tree is all set Ansley and I start to plan how we want to decorate the house. This year it is all about lights. In the den, we decided to hang three wreaths with white lights and some garland with red and white lights in the bay window. We added white lights on the fireplace mantel and I accented it with some of my favorite vintage mercury glass ornaments, garland and green depression glass. I say “I” accented...

read more

Countdown to Christmas Calendar

Nov 24, 2014

Countdown to Christmas Calendar

This holiday season I’m all about getting projects done in a day. This year, I can’t afford the take a week to complete a project, you all know I’m very capable of creating a mole hill kinda project into a mountain kinda project. So I thought and thought of how I could create a “Countdown to Christmas Calendar” without it taking me days to complete. I love counting down to Christmas just as much as a kid and thought I would share with you what and how I made mine. This project should take 3  hours tops from start to finish including drying time for the paints. Products Used: Maya Road Countdown Shadowbox, Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber Juniper & Metallic Gold, Coffee Archival Ink, Glue Stick, My Mind’s Eye ~ Joyous 6” x 6”...

read more

Home For Christmas

Dec 27, 2013

Home For Christmas

This year, we seemed to celebrated Christmas a little bit at a time. We had a family get together with Terri and Laren at their loft on the 23rd then a small Christmas celebration at our house Christmas Eve.  Christmas morning, my nephew Brittain and I headed down to Beaumont to see family and celebrate Christmas with my parents. Alan and Ansley both had to work on the 26th so they couldn’t come along but when I return home they’ll have a small Christmas celebration with the gifts I bring back. We arrived at mom and dad’s house in the late afternoon and everyone was ready to exchange gifts. It’s always a flurry of excitement during Christmas at mom and dad’s. I’ve been very blessed to always have an amazing Christmas. Mom and Dad...

read more

Season’s Greetings Altered Hoop

Dec 16, 2013

Season’s Greetings Altered Hoop

I decided to make a fancy holiday altered hoop with this little embroidered piece I stitched using two new stamp sets by Pink Persimmon, Christmas House & Holiday Hello. I find great joy in hand stitching a bit each night. It’s a great way for me to relax as I’m usually wound up tighter than an eight day clock. This sweet holiday decor piece can either hang or sit on an easel to add a little holiday cheer to any spot. The wooden hoop measures approximately 4″ in diameter. I used Maya Road Rhinestone Trim, Fabric Tape, and Satin, Mini Gingham and Tulle Trims to alter the side and back edge of the hoop. A White Snowflake Transparency adorned with a vintage earring and a clear glass button accents the front. I hope this...

read more

Documenting My December Album

Dec 11, 2013

Documenting My December Album

This year, I was super inspired by Caroline Lau to make a December album. I started to call mine a “Capturing Christmas” album but then thought I really wanted to document a few other things as the family and I prepared for Christmas so I decided on calling it my “Documenting December” album. I cannot do the every single day route, this just does not work for me at all. I over think everything and having to commit to everyday makes me instantly start to stress out. I love seeing how everyone documents their December each day and I applaud them for being able to do it, so I’ve decided highlighting the month decorating, baking, wrapping and shopping is something I can do without any stress. Today, I thought I would share what I’ve...

read more

Something Fun to Entertain the Kids

Dec 4, 2013

Something Fun to Entertain the Kids

When I was a little girl around the age of 3 or 4 my mom would go to an elderly lady’s house to do her hair. This lady had an awesome album filled with greeting cards she put together for little ones to flip through. I remember sitting on the floor looking at page after page in this album. I LOVED it so I thought of a fun idea for young kids during holiday gatherings. Find some old Christmas cards and if you are like me you have lots. I found this one that works perfectly for this type of project. You will want one that you can cut the face out of (snowman, gingerbread man, Santa, Elf, Reindeer even animals will work great). Using a craft knife cut out the face on your...

read more

Merry and Bright

Nov 27, 2013

Merry and Bright

This shadow box is created from plaster then painted and glazed with an antique wash to give it that perfect aged look. It measures approximately 5.5″ W x 7″ H x 1″ D. The outside edge of the shadow box is wrapped with vintage lace, red seam binding and accented with two vintage Christmas picks. The background of the shadow box showcases hand cut words “Merry and Bright” from vintage sheet music from the early 1920’s and a glittery snowflake with an iridescent rhinestone center. I created the doll from plaster using a mold from a vintage doll in my collection. She is hand painted with acrylic paint and given an antique wash. The dolls dress is created from antique doilies and she wears a crown made from a vintage book page sprinkled with...

read more

Frozen Charlotte Christmas Ornaments

Nov 4, 2013

Frozen Charlotte Christmas Ornaments

Here is a new Frozen Charlotte Christmas Ornament kit I put together, this weekend. If you are interested in purchasing this cute DIY holiday ornament kit please visit my Etsy shop. Once completed your ornaments will look adorable adorning any tree, wreath or gift. Since I ship Flat Rate if purchasing more than one kit please contact me so I can create a reserve listing for you with the correct shipping charge. I can usually get up to three kits in one small Flat Rate box depending on which kits are purchased. Kit Contents: 3 Scallop Chipboard Pieces (Small, Medium, Large) 2 Handmade Frozen Charlotte Doll Busts from mold I created from doll in my stash 1 Small Gold Jingle Bell 2 Rosary Beads 1 Small Chandelier Bead 1 White Paper Flocked Flower 3...

read more

Milk Glass

Sep 17, 2013

Milk Glass

I have a serious love for milk glass. When I spot pieces of it when I’m out looking for trinkets to use in projects I think of every way possible I can use it in my studio. So today, I thought I would share with you some of the ways I use the pieces I’ve found. This little sherbet dish holds some of my favorite glass buttons. I placed the little bird on top of the buttons just because it looked cute. This is a small ashtray. I place beads in it when I’m accenting embroidery pieces or sewing them into flower centers. This is a great way to keep lose beads in one spot when stitching. These items… candy dish, cups and saucers, bowl and sugar and creamer are perfect to use as...

read more

Antiquated Collection ~ A Merry Christmas ~ Sneak Peek 4

Sep 12, 2013

Antiquated Collection ~ A Merry Christmas ~ Sneak Peek 4

  This Jingles stamp is by far my absolute favorite stamp. I love old fashioned jingle bells and this one is perfect! The size and detail are amazing. And stamped with Archival Coffee Ink… it’s perfection! I tell ya Judi at Pink Persimmon has some serious magic in her hands. I just don’t know how she does it. But now that I’ve created some things using this new stamp set and we’ve made a few adjustments I will share full images with you next week. You’re gonna want this stamp...

read more

Antiquated Collection ~ A Merry Christmas ~ Sneak Peek 3

Sep 11, 2013

Antiquated Collection ~ A Merry Christmas ~ Sneak Peek 3

I know it’s not even fall nor has there been any frost covered pumpkins but this new stamp set has me dreaming of snow, holiday decorations, gift giving and all things merry. I love the font used for the stamps sentiment as it’s simple with a little flair. I hope you’re enjoying these sneak peeks because I’m certainly enjoying being able to share them with...

read more

Antiquated Collection ~ A Merry Christmas ~ Sneak Peek 2

Sep 10, 2013

Antiquated Collection ~ A Merry Christmas ~ Sneak Peek 2

Oh how I LOVE this little girl. She’s all ready to head out for some holiday fun with family and friends wearing a jacket and matching knitted hat accented with flowers and kept in place by a green ribbon tied underneath her chin. This stamp has so many possibilities and not just for the winter months either. I’m going to give it a try and see if I can hand stitch the stamped image on muslin. I think it would look so sweet. I’ll certainly let ya know how it turns out...

read more

Antiquated Collection ~ A Merry Christmas ~ Sneak Peek 1

Sep 9, 2013

Antiquated Collection ~ A Merry Christmas ~ Sneak Peek 1

Today, I have something fun to share, a sneak peek of a project I created using a new Antiquated Collection stamp set. It combines two of my favorite things… vintage and Christmas! And I kid you not, I literally squealed when I pulled this stamp set out of the envelope. I LOVE it so much. I created all weekend so I have sneak peeks ready to share all week long. See ya back here...

read more

Delightful Arty Crush ~ Nellie Wortman

Aug 30, 2013

Delightful Arty Crush ~ Nellie Wortman

“Delightful Arty Crush” is an ongoing feature I have on my blog which showcases artists who’s work I admire and find inspiring. It features a wide range of artists from collage, textile, encaustic and lots of other amazing mediums. I’m sure you will find each artists work just as inspiring as I do and I hope you will visit their blogs and other links included in their feature. The images I share with you are just the tip of the iceberg in regards to their awesomeness. Today, my “Delightful Arty Crush” featured artist is, Nellie Wortman. If you have not seen her blog “Early Morning Thoughts” you must give it a visit. What Nellie creates using textiles and other mediums is truly inspiring. Her blog is filled with photographs of items she has created....

read more

Home for Christmas

Aug 14, 2013

Home for Christmas

This is the second of three classes I will be teaching at Creative Cards and Crafts in Villa Park, IL ~ Oct.18th & 19th. In this Home for Christmas class I will show you how to create three old fashioned Putz style houses using patterned papers from the new Graphic45 12 Days of Christmas line. Once all three houses are built and accented with Stickles and glitter you will group them on a decorative acrylic platter covered with faux snow and sisal trees to complete a miniature winter themed neighborhood. As a bonus I will show you how easy it is to bleach sisal trees at home if you wish for yours to be off white in color. And a vintage Christmas project would not be complete without including a few vintage mercury glass...

read more

Estes Park

Apr 30, 2013

Estes Park

Friday, morning I jumped out of bed just as I did as a child Christmas morning. I was so excited to get to wander around town with Ronda before my Afternoon Tea class, because well, you all know laughter follows us where ever we go. Before walking out of my room I had to take a peek out the bedroom window and this is what I saw… a perfect sunny, blue sky Colorado morning. Talk about making me really get a jump start on my Texas makeover. But before getting ready, I quickly got side tracked watching birds and the cutest little chipmunk stuff his cheeks full of bird seeds. They were just outside this window singing and scurrying about. The chipmunk was super busy filling his cheeks with bird seeds, running off to...

read more
css.php