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...

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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...

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Teeny Tiny Needle Felted Terrarium

Oct 20, 2014

Teeny Tiny Needle Felted Terrarium

I’ve been in Beaumont helping mom and dad with a few of their aches and pains these past few weeks so while I’m sitting in the evenings I’ve been doing some needle felting. Over the weekend, I decided to give it a go at making a teeny tiny terrarium. The jar for this terrarium is only 2″ x 2″. Which means the mushrooms and gnome house are really tiny. The tallest mushroom measures 1″ and the gnome house is only .75″ and I LOVE the teeny tiny acorn cap used as the roof. Mom and dad have some super tiny acorns on their oak tree that are perfect for these little houses. It’s a battle between me and the squirrel on who gets them first. I plan on making several more of these teeny tiny needle felted terrariums because...

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Needle Felted Doll

Oct 14, 2014

Needle Felted Doll

I’m in Beaumont for a bit getting mom and dad taken care of, they are nicknamed Gimp 1 and Gimp 2, at the moment. Dad has a nerve in his leg bothering him and mom has a knee that wont straighten. Between the two of them they are quite the pair. When I arrived last week my youngest niece, Isabella came down with a 24 hour tummy bug so while watching her for a few hours I made her a needle felted doll. She picked the wool colors and instructed me on how she wanted her doll to look. Collaborating with kids on a project is really fun. She loves her doll and I was ever so happy to make it for her. The tummy bug hit my niece Madelyn, last night. I’m really hoping...

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Ron Hinkle Glass ~ Buckhannon, WV

Sep 19, 2014

Ron Hinkle Glass ~ Buckhannon, WV

Going to see Ron Hinkle’s glass shop is one of Mom’s favorite things to do when visiting, Buckhannon. She has made a visit to see Ron’s work every year I’ve been driving them to West Virginia. She’s also left with a bag full of gorgeous glass to bring home too. If you are lucky, when you visit, Ron might be in town creating some of his amazing glass pieces. If he is out on the road selling his glass items his assistant Richard is just as nice and loves showing how he creates glass items of all kinds and answering any and all questions about hand blowing glass. Heidi takes care of the gift shop and is the sweetest. Ron Hinkle Glass is a wonderful place to visit filled with wonderful people. This visit, I...

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Solitude Leather Bracelet

Jun 6, 2014

Solitude Leather Bracelet

I made this bracelet the other night and love it so much I thought I would share a quick tutorial so you too can make one. Just a little note… the crystal and pearl beads are from old necklaces I’ve found in thrift shops or flea markets and the gold heart charm and red and gold glass bead are some mom and dad found. You can find similar items I’m sure but if you really want that vintage charm you need to dig around thrift shops and flea markets for items you can take apart. Cut a piece of 15m Suede leather cord that is double the length you wish your bracelet to be. Fold the cord in half, at the bent end about .5″ down from the bent area wrap tightly a piece of...

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Mountain Magick Art ~ Jeff Holoubek

May 5, 2014

Mountain Magick Art ~ Jeff Holoubek

Several years ago, mom and dad were given some geodes by a dear friend who picked them up while in New Mexico. When mom and dad found out they were going to Estes Park with me, mom dug them out of the closet and brought them so they could get the geodes cracked opened at Red Rose Rock Shop & Dick’s Rock Museum. If you’ve never been to this rock shop the next time you’re visiting Estes Park you must go. It’s open year round and is filled with some of the most amazing rocks, fossils, gems and minerals from around the world. Using this pretty basic contraption, Jeff Holoubek cracked open mom and dad’s three geodes. The first two were nice but the third one, well it was REALLY nice. When Jeff saw what was  hiding inside he...

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Garden of The Gods ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado

May 1, 2014

Garden of The Gods ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado

Garden of the Gods was first called Red Rock Corral. Then, in August 1859, two surveyors who helped to set up Colorado City explored the site. One of the surveyors, M. S. Beach, suggested that it would be a “capital place for a beer garden.” His companion, the young Rufus Cable, awestruck by the impressive rock formations, exclaimed, “Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods. The row of hogbacks. The Kissing Camels formation is the nearest hogback to the right of mom and dad. The camel’s heads are above a hole in the rock where the sky can be seen. It’s hard to see the hole in some of the photos. But if you look closely you can see it in the photo above. The...

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Rocky Mountain Memories ~ Estes Park, Colorado

Apr 30, 2014

Rocky Mountain Memories ~ Estes Park, Colorado

All of last week I was in Estes Park, Colorado with mom and dad. We had a fabulous time exploring every inch of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. I loved being able to combine work with play especially with mom and dad. They are a blast to travel with and guarantees lot of laugh until you cry moments. Throughout the week, I will be sharing loads of photos taken during our adventure. First I have to tell you about the fun I had teaching classes at Rocky Mountain Memories April 25th & 26th. Cheryl Grigsby is living my dream. Seriously I’m not kidding, she has a scrapbook store, an adorable rental cabin and a home in Estes Park. Oh how this Texas girl wants to move to Estes Park so badly. I truly belong...

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Observations from an Alcoholic’s Sister ~ Emotions

Apr 16, 2014

Observations from an Alcoholic’s Sister ~ Emotions

There are so many different emotions family members of alcoholics feel. One emotion I definitely felt was anger. I was angry because of what I saw Richard’s alcoholism doing to him and to our family, especially mom. I felt as though Richard was being selfish and unappreciative of all that mom and dad were doing in hopes of him getting sober and it made me furious. I understand alcoholism is a brain disease but like any disease most do what they can to control or get rid of their disease, most don’t let the disease control them or end their life without some sort of fight. Alcoholism is a beast to control and I saw firsthand how strong the cravings were but I still felt Richard could have tried a little harder to gain...

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Observations from an Alcoholic’s Sister ~ Their Friends

Apr 9, 2014

Observations from an Alcoholic’s Sister ~ Their Friends

Their Friends ~ talk about a really hard issue for alcoholics. I feel alcoholics need to sever the majority if not all of their friendships in order to remain sober. This is because most alcoholics have friends who are social drinkers, are alcoholics themselves and they may even have some who are drug abusers; I know all of this was true for Richard. In order for a recovering alcoholic to find the strength to remain sober, they cannot keep the same group of friends. If the friends an alcoholic continues to hang around drinks or uses drugs in their presence I feel those new to sobriety are on a fast track to relapse. If you really think about it, how is a recovering alcoholic just coming out of rehab going to stay sober while...

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10 Years

Mar 28, 2014

10 Years

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of my brother’s death. Ten years is a long time yet it still feels like yesterday, I was enjoying a fabulous morning sunrise training my golden retriever, Sonny in the field. I went to my car to get us some water and noticed I had a bazillion missed calls on my phone. I called home asking what was up and I will never forget Alan’s words,” Its Richard.” He didn’t have to say another word, I knew he was gone. I could hear it in his voice and I felt it deep in my soul, my little brother was gone. At that moment, my life and the lives of my family changed forever. Mom and Dad lost a son, my sister and I lost a brother, my daughter’s,...

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Assemblage at Heart

Feb 4, 2014

Assemblage at Heart

I am always asked, “What are you going to do with this thing?” when I purchase odd items as I’m out and about junking. Honestly, sometimes I have not one clue but I’ve learned from experience if I see something that really intrigues me or something that I’m on the fence about I make the purchase. My dad has a saying, “You only regret the things you don’t buy.” and he’s right! Today, I thought I would show you what I did with lots of random items that helped me create this assemblage style doll. Now I know this might not be for everyone but I just love her and have her sitting on my shelf in my studio. As you can see she is made from lots of different flea market and non-flea...

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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...

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Cyber Monday Etsy Sale

Dec 2, 2013

Cyber Monday Etsy Sale

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I have a few added pounds from mom’s awesome turkey, stuffing and desserts. After dinner everyone was stuffed and all us adults needed naps except Madelyn and Bellie, they were running around like the energizer bunny and were glued to Ansley’s hip. Madelyn and Bellie LOVE Ansley. After 50 years, mom and dad finally have a table to sit the entire family. This has been one of mom’s wishes for years and I’m so glad it finally came true. Thanksgiving dinner was a wonderful way to break it in too.  From left to right are Mom, Laren (son-in-law), Terri (daughter), Amanda (niece), Steve (Amanda’s boyfriend), Dad (Santa), Brittain (nephew), Bellie (niece), Ansley (daughter), Me and Madelyn (niece). Today, through Dec. 16th I’m...

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Banana Butter Bread Recipe

Nov 15, 2013

Banana Butter Bread Recipe

If you want an awesome Banana Bread recipe this is one you need to try. When I was down visiting mom and dad last week, mom had two loaves waiting on the counter so we could as she says, have something to nibble on, but it was really more like devour. Oh my goodness is this bread GOOD! Needless to say, by the time I left there were no longer two loaves. Which is the reason there is no beautiful photo of the loaves sitting on the counter, but at least I did think to photograph the recipe and share it with you. This way you can have the actual loaves sitting on your counter. This recipe is awesome, I...

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Noel Miniature Wreath

Nov 8, 2013

Noel Miniature Wreath

This is the latest mini kit added to my Etsy shop. Once completed this miniature wreath measures approximately 7″ and will certainly add a sparkly festive feel to any area of your home or holiday tree. 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. Noel Miniature Wreath Kit Contents 1 Yard Champagne Tinsel 1 Yard Brown & White Twine 24” Tan Seam Binding 7 Chipboard Snowflakes 6 Self Adhesive Pearls 2 Wooden Birds 1 Large Chandelier Bead 1 Medium Chandelier Bead Chipboard Letters ~ Noel 2 – 2” x 3” Sheet Music Patterned Paper Step by Step Instructions with Color Photo Kit does NOT include: Martha Stewart Crystal Coarse Glitter, Folk Art Vintage White Acrylic Paint,...

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Deerfield Fair

Oct 14, 2013

Deerfield Fair

While on the epic road trip with my mom and dad, one day we, along with other family members attended the Deerfield Fair. This was the fair my dad, his siblings and parents went to every year. Even though it has grown quite a bit since dad was a kid the feel and events were still the same. I truly enjoyed the entire experience as it still had that old fashioned non-commercialized feel and dad got to relive a part of his childhood all over again. As we entered you could feel all the excitement from people young and old. They had vintage tractor displays, log splitting machines from the very early 1900’s that were running and making music for the old timers, Fried Dough was the first thing Mom purchased and mine was...

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Stitching Some Time Away

Oct 9, 2013

Stitching Some Time Away

Before leaving on my epic road trip with mom and dad I started this embroidery piece. I thought it would be a fun project to work on when there was a little bit of down time. Well, I finished it last night and could not wait to show you the results. The aprons remind me of the kind my great great aunts would have worn while cooking in the kitchen of the old homestead. I’m such a vintage girl at heart. And if the aprons look familiar well they are my Antiquated Collection Stamp Set ~ Misses’ Apron. I just lightly stamped the images onto natural muslin using Coffee Archival ink then started stitching...

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Thrifty Paintbrush Holder

Oct 8, 2013

Thrifty Paintbrush Holder

While wandering around an antique store in Maine, I came upon this adorable planter. I was going to pass on it as I really didn’t need it but aunt Brenda talked me into it as she knew I thought it was really cute AND it was only $6.00. Then dad chimes in and says, “Lisa, all this stuff is about want, not need” which is so true. So now I have an adorable vintage planter that will be the cutest paintbrush holder ever! Plus, I have the added bonus of happy memories when I look at it. Also, the awesome frame around my photo is one from #rhonnadesigns app. If you haven’t checked it out you really need to do so, it’s amazing and so...

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My Life In A Dinghy ~ Brenda Richards

Oct 2, 2013

My Life In A Dinghy ~ Brenda Richards

“My Life In A Dinghy”, featured artist, Brenda Richards. I bet you are wondering how you’ve missed this artist. Well, Brenda Richards is my Aunt! While driving my mom and dad up to West Virginia, New Hampshire  and Maine we stopped in Delaware for a night to pick her up and bring her along. As I was walking in her house what did I see sitting on a shelf, but a little dinghy she created as a surprise after reading about this fun blog feature. Is she so awesome or what!? I love that Aunt Brenda took the time to make her own little dinghy but then she’s always taken the time to do for and surprise me all my life. Aunt Brenda’s, Life In A Dinghy Sailing over the ocean blue by the...

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