Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Angel Wings & Faded Charm Wins

Angels have always been a favorite of mine. I have a huge collection of angel figurines that date back to when I was in Junior High. We redecorated my bedroom in roses and angels and I was always on the lookout for a new angel to add to the collection. It seems that I am seeing a lot of angel wing ornaments this year and I love them. Of course I had to make some myself!
Just the simple shape of the angel wings is so pretty. But add some vintage French script, glitter, rhinestones and some crinkled seam binding and it is beautiful and elegant! They are fun to make too!
I recently won a fabulous giveaway from Kathleen at Faded Charm. She sent the sweetest package of goodies. They just so happened to arrive on Saturday when I was sick with the flu, so that made me feel just a little better!
I love this cone covered in sheet music, white feathers and a beautiful image of Mary and baby Jesus. It fits in perfectly on my tree.
I love this big burlap stocking with pretty white ruffles. Tucked inside is a vintage music card. I have it hanging on the chair where I do my blogging.
And this cute little bottle brush tree sits atop a vintage spool wrapped in sheet music. I think it looks just right next to the birdhouse my grandpa made for me!
Thank you so much Kathleen-I love my gifts!
Linking up with:
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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Ruffly Tree Skirt

Tree skirts have always been a problem for me. The first few years that I had my own Christmas tree I don't think I had a tree skirt. Then I had one but I hated it. I finally got a red one and the next year I decided to decorate my tree in blue, white and silver so the red skirt didn't go. This year I decided to make my own. With a little inpsiration from Miss Mustard Seed via Pinterest, I made this ruffly tree skirt!
Let me tell you, I didn't follow the directions to a T, I am like that-I just kind of wing it and do my own thing. I started out with the tiniest of ruffles and it took me FOREVER to get just the first row. I got smart and made bigger ruffles with bigger pieces of muslin. I also just used a red felt skirt as the base so there may be a little red peaking through. This was definitely a trial and error sort of project. I love the way it turned out and I think it looks perfect around my little tree. This won't be the last time I try my hand at this project. I found making all those ruffles quite therapeutic!
It is only a 40 inch tree skirt but there is a lot of muslin on it...I think I ended up using about 4 1/2 yards total. But I probably only spent $10 for all the material. Oh, and there is no sewing involved here-just lot's of hot glue!
Sorry that this pic is a little blurry, I was trying to get the lights on the tree to come through and the setting I used shows the lights but makes it blurry!
And this is just one of my favorite ornaments. Last year at my work Christmas party this was the ornament that everyone wanted. I didn't end up with it at the end of the exchange, but I really wanted it. I went to the little shop that sold them the next day and I found the last one buried deep in the back of a Christmas tree. It was meant to be mine-no matter how I went about getting it!
I can't believe we are only 10 days away from Christmas...hope everyone is enjoying the hustle and bustle going on around them!

Linking up with:
Common Ground:Vintage Inspiration Friday
Hope in Every Season:Homemaking Weekend
Artful Affirmations:Deck the Halls Sunday
Coastal Charm:Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
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Monday, December 12, 2011

Vintage Skates

I went ice skating once in high school. I didn't fall, but that is only because I never let go of the side! I have found a much better use for ice skates these days. In the middle of summer I stumbled upon a garage sale with 3 different pairs of vintage ice skates. These tiny little size 13 skates were too cute to pass up. I knew that as soon as Christmas came around, I would decorate them up and put them on display!
Aqua is one of my very favorite colors and I couldn't pass up these aqua picks from Michael's. White, silver and aqua are pretty colors together no matter what time of year it is!
I didn't glue anything onto the skates, so I can change them around any time I want. I definitely like to use ice skates for decorating purposes instead of ice skating!
I have been so lucky lately and have won some really great giveaways. Tracie at Fishtail Cottage was having one heck of a giveaway and I was lucky enough to be one of the many winners! This pretty little salt shaker ornament is what I won. It was created by Debi at Garden Party. Thank you both, Tracie and Debi, for the chance to win such wonderful goodies!
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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Clara's Tea Party

The Nutcracker Ballet comes to the College campus that I work on every year. Before their performance, they have a special tea party for their smallest guests and this year I took my 2 1/2 year old niece Madisyn. Here are some of the highlights of Clara's Tea Party before the Nutcracker.
{Her momma made her red & white tutu as well as her red & white hair and shoe bows!}

When you first arrived, they would announce your name and you walked through swords on a red carpet. "Announcing the arrival of Princess Madisyn"!
This is my favorite picture of Madi meeting a Nutcracker Ballerina, or as she says it "Bal-uh-ween-uh". You can tell she is in awe!
Now she is dancing with the ballerina. She would have done this all night!
This ballerina is dancing en pointe and Madi can't figure it out...she wants to dance on her toes too!
There was face painting. Madisyn was a Snow Queen!
The Tea Party had lot's of goodies. Mady only licked the frosting off of her 3 cupcakes and she spilled hot cocoa on herself. The girl loves her chocolate!
There was fun dress up stuff. Another highlight of her night!
She is such a girly girl and I like to think I have had a little something to do with it!
Arts and crafts finished off her night. She was tired but she had so much fun! We can't wait to do it again next year. And maybe, we might even be able to stay and watch the Nutcracker Ballet!

Linking up with:
It's a Very Cherry World:Rednesday
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Christmas Whites & a winner!

I know I have said this a million times already, but I love blogging! I love being able to show all of you the things that I create, bake, make and love. But I also love to see the things you do too. So many of you have so much creative talent I can't stand it! There are just too many wonderful ideas out there and every once in awhile I have to indulge and try it out for myself. Something I have never used or decorated with were bottle brush trees. It was about time I tried it! I found these little trees very cheaply at my local craft store. They were of course green, but I quickly changed that. A little bleach water and within 20 minutes I had these beautiful white trees!
I kept the decorations simple. The two smaller trees have a sweet little string of white pearls wrapped around them. The big tree has pearlescent bubbles, white and silver balls, tiny pastel candy canes and a silver glittered star on the top.
They look even more beautiful sitting under a glass cloche tied with a pretty ribbon. I am amazed at how exquisite these simple little trees look under glass. It really says Christmas to me!
I don't know who the first person was to think of bleaching bottle brush trees and decorating them. I don't know who the first person was to think of putting such pretty things under a glass cloche. Whoever it was-thank you for the inspiration! My favorite view is through the chicken wire on my little white cabinet.
And I finally tried my hand at these book page wreaths. The hardest part for me was rolling the page into a cone. Once I got it, I was on a roll (lol) and I didn't want to stop! I am making large wreaths for Christmas gifts this year. This small one is for my office and you wouldn't believe the compliments I have gotten on it so far. It makes me smile! Thank you to whoever came up with this brilliant idea too. You are a crafting genious!
Now on to the winner of my Eiffel Tower Ornament Giveaway. Thank you to everyone that entered and welcome to my new followers! You have no idea how happy it makes me to see a new comment on one of my posts!The winner is:
June is the sweetest. She has an AMAZING blog with AMAZING pictures. Her home is so beautiful and her gardens always leave me in awe! She was one of my very first followers and she leaves me such kind comments. She is also a fellow Idaho girl and someone I am so glad to call my friend. Congratulations June!
Thank you to everyone who entered! You just never know when I might have another giveaway up my sleeve so be sure to stay tuned!!
Linking up with:
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Monday, December 5, 2011

One more day to enter giveaway


Don't forget to enter my Eiffel Tower Ornament Giveaway if you haven't done so already. Tomorrow is the day I draw the name at 12:00 pm Mountain Time. I can't wait to see who wins!
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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

More ornaments & a giveaway!

I am having way too much fun with these Eiffel Tower playing cards. The ideas for ornaments just keep coming and I keep creating! Here are 2 more...it is way too hard to pick a favorite since they are all so wonderful!
This one has vintage crocheted lace in a creamy white color all the way around it. A white pearl button on one corner and a black pearl button on the other corner, a silver glitter star and a sheer black bow make it so pretty! I even glittered around the Eiffel tower.
These look so lovely on my tree!
This one is probably the most simple, yet still just as stunning. I made a paper rosette out of vintage sheet music, glittered the rosette, then added a clear rhinestone to the middle. The opposite corner has a silver glitter star.
Don't you just love these!?! I know I do. I have many more ideas for these cards including a banner! Although I have 4 sets of these playing cards, I have a feeling I will need to go back for more! Here are all 3 of them together...see-how could you pick a favorite? You don't have to, I am going to giveaway 1 of each to one of you! Just leave a comment on this post and I will pick a winner on December 6th so that you will have them in time to hang them on your tree!
Just leave a comment and I will pick a lucky winner on December 6th!
Thank you to those of you who stop by and leave a comment-you have no idea how much it makes my day!

Linking up with:
Faded Charm:White Wednesday
Faith, Grace & Crafts:Pearls & Lace Thursday
Kristens Creations:Share Your Creations
Common Ground:Vintage Inspiration Friday
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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Eiffel Tower Ornament 1

How was every one's Thanksgiving? Mine was just right...we spent Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family-his large extended family. I believe there were about 160 people there! Crazy, I know! We also went to visit my mom's mom who has been in the hospital since November 1st. On Friday, I made our own little Thanksgiving dinner just so we could have leftovers! No Black Friday shopping for me this year and it was so nice to sleep in! And I have already got into the Christmas spirit-we put up out tree yesterday and I have already started creating some new ornaments!
JoAnn's has some really great Paris themed goodies in their dollar bins. For $2.50, you can get 2 sets of Eiffel Tower playing cards. Use some coupons and the deal is even better. I got 2 because I knew that I could use these cards in all kinds of things. My mind was thinking all night and here is just one of the ornaments I came up with! I made a medallion out of vintage sheet music, glittered the edge of the card and glued it on.
I glittered a tiny white rose and glued that in the corner. It adds just the right touch of whimsy. These don't have to be packed up with your Christmas ornaments, you could use them year round!
There are a lot more ideas going on in my head for these cards. So stay tuned for more creations! Go out and get some yourself-I would love to see what you come up with!

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Eclair Cake for Thanksgiving

Surely you have heard of Eclair Cake, haven't you? I am surprised when I meet someone who has never indulged in this yummy no-bake cake! It is one of the staples at any of my family gatherings and I promise you will love it!
There are only a few ingredients needed:
*1 box of honey graham crackers
*2-4 serving boxes of Jello Instant French Vanilla pudding
*3 cups milk
*1-12 ounce container of whipped topping
*1-2 cup bag of milk chocolate chips or 1 can chocolate frosting
Lay down one layer of graham crackers in a 9x13 pan. However you lay them out is fine. You will use about 1 sleeve of crackers per layer and there are 3 graham cracker layers altogether.
Mix 3 cups of milk with 2 packages of pudding. Once it has started to thicken, fold in the entire container of whipped topping. Then take half of that mixture and spread it on the bottom layer of graham crackers.
Add your 2nd layer of graham crackers on top of the pudding mixture.
Then put one more layer of graham crackers on the pudding. At this point, you can use a can of chocolate frosting for the top, or melt a bag of chocolate chips and spread on top. Let the chocolate set before you cover it. This cake is best when you have let it set overnight, the graham crackers soften and the pudding sets...it is soft and delicious and has so many layers of flavor! Give it a try-I know you will love it and make it all the time!
I recently won a giveaway from the sweet Jenny at Jenny's Heart. She put together a fun package of pampering goodies! Lotion, polish, chocolates, a candle, a pumice stone and some super cute aloe infused socks! I shared the chocolates with my husband, but the rest of it is all mine! Thank you Jenny for your generosity and friendship!
I am wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! If you are traveling, be safe! I hope you enjoy being with your family and friends, and if you are going shopping on Black Friday-good luck!
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Monday, November 21, 2011

A Prayer for Motherhood & a winner

I beleive that sometimes God brings certain people into your life for a specific reason. It might take awhile before you figure out that reason or it might not take any time at all. As soon as I started at my new job, I knew that God wanted me here for a reason-to meet my new friend Kelly. As some of you may know, my husband and I have been trying to have a baby for sometime. We try not to get too stressed out about it but it gets to a point where you begin to wonder if it will ever happen for you. I have so many friends that just blink an eye and get pregnant and it is so not fair! My new friend Kelly is currently going through fertility treatments and has had no success yet. We are kindred spirits in this quest for Motherhood together! I don't have the money to go through fertility treatments, so I am relying on prayer to help me out. Kelly just found out a week ago that the latest fertility treatment didn't take. She was heartbroken and I cried right along with her. After she left, I knew I had to do something to help ease her pain. Saint Gerard Majella is the Patron Saint of Motherhood. I found these beautiful silver medals on Ebay and bought one for each of us.
The front of the medal is engraved with Saint Gerard. The back has Madonna and the Jesus Child on the back. As a Catholic, I know how powerful these medals can be. I decorated a box to put the necklace in and wrote a sweet note to Kelly, letting her know that my prayers for my own baby were accompanied by prayers for her too. I included a copy of the Prayer for Motherhood:
Prayer for Motherhood
O good St Gerard, powerful intercessor before
God and wonder worker of our day, confidently I call upon you and seek your
aid. On Earth you always fulfilled God's designs, help me now to do the holy
will of God. Implore the Master of Life, from whom all paternity proceeds, to
render me fruitful in offspring, that I may raise up children to God in this
life, and in the world to come, heirs to the Kingdom of His Glory.
Amen.
She was in tears when she found the necklace and card on her desk this morning. It meant so much to her and it means so much to me to have someone in my life who understands, who I can go to for advice and comfort. If you think about it, please say a prayer for us!
And now, the winner of the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software is Michele from Nook & Cranny. Congratulations Michele! If you didn't win but would like to try out this amazing software, use coupon code STMMMS39821 at check out to receive $10 off your purchase plus a $10 coupon to use in the My Memories Store.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving Week!
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Monday, November 14, 2011

Grady's Story

My Grady dog and his story is currently being featured on the blog From Alone to Home. Please go check it out! I am so glad to have this handsome Black Lab in my life!
From Alone to Home is a wonderful blog that features pets that have been adopted from shelters and rescue groups. Even though we rescued Grady from an abusive home and not a shelter, Kate was kind enough to make an exception for my buddy. Thank you Kate!
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