A Simple Garland

I saw this simple garland here {photo 7 of 9}. I tend to find projects in this magazine that I like every year. It was just the thing to sit down and make this Sunday afternoon. I wanted to make something without making a huge mess or committing to a couple hours. I had everything {and you probably do too} and it took just under 30 minutes from start to finish!

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday. Don't forget to pop back over mid week for my giveaway!

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Aprons & Journals

I want to thank Cindi, Valerie, Kat, Melannie & Reanna today for a great class! These girls really rocked the aprons and they did a great job on their art journals. I LOVE teaching in my in home studio! Thank you again ladies! I also want to let the two ladies that couldn't make it today know that my thoughts are with you and you're in my prayers.

I made kits out of my favorite cookies, Cherry Tassies, for all the girls. I will be making some with the kids this week so I'll share pictures and the recipe. It's a keeper, so much so that I'll make one more kit for a giveaway mid week so stop by and check it out!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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A Surprise In Today's Mail

Today I saw the mail man pull up in front of the house and decided to go out and meet him since he had some boxes to deliver for me. He handed me the boxes and set the mail on top. As I was walking back into the house the mail slid off and fell to the ground. In with all the ads and catalogs was a Somerset Gallery. Well I don't subscribe to Gallery so I knew that meant I was in it somewhere. I was so excited I gathered up everything I could and ran back inside where I dumped everything back out on the floor. My Dad was over helping my husband put recessed lighting in my studio ceiling and he stopped to wait for me to find my project inside. We were so excited. It was nice that he was here to share that fun moment with me. He himself is an accomplished artist and has been in several magazines and on a few covers so he knows how thrilling it is.

I'm busy cleaning and putting my kits together for my studio workshop tomorrow. I have a lot of fun in store for the ladies that will be attending. I better get back to it.

Enjoy your Friday!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving with their friends and family. Every year at this time I'm reminded of a song we sing at church. "Count your blessings name them one by one, count your blessings see what God hath done".

Enjoy the day!

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Goals - Pen to Paper

Today I blew into work and as is my custom on a Monday morning, I made a list first thing. A list of everything I need and want to accomplish for the week. I have always done this. Being an ultra organized person I love to check things off my list and consider them done. After I'm done making my work list I immediately move on to my personal list for the week. What I know is this - whatever makes the list is as good as done. It got me thinking, if I want to accomplish my goals next year I need to commit them to pen and paper. I have all kinds of personal, family and artistic goals swirling around in my head but they need grounding.

Tonight I lined up a babysitter for tomorrow night. Mr. Sweet and I are going to go out for dinner and write out our goals for 2010. I will pen my personal and artistic goals on my own but I want him to be in on what I hope and plan for our family in the upcoming year. I also want to know what he feels should make the list.

I'll be back to share these goals in the hopes that some of them may be inspiring to you too.

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I'm Back With Lots To Share

Time has really gotten away from me the past couple of weeks. I can't believe I've gone this long without a post.

I was lucky enough to find some vintage Godey's Fashion plates this week. There are four of them and they're all so beautiful. Here is a picture of one of them.



Last Sunday I had a few friends over and Denise Juliani of Sparrow Songs came over to teach us how to make velvet strawberries. It was such an enjoyable class and Denise is very personable. If you ever have a chance to take a class from her it's a real treat. Aren't they pretty? I want to make some jumbo ones to hang on my pink x-mas tree.



Somerset Life (my favorite) had a challenge for dressed up calling cards. This is my submission. Simple but fun, this is my favorite colorful string.



I'm already feeling x-masy. I pulled out my collection of x-mas paper, etc. and made this tiny gift card size book...



And this 5x7 album for this years photos. It's a major eclectic mish mash of all kinds of x-mas bits from past years. It felt so nice to make something and use up old stash at the same time...



A peek at the inside...



I have some other projects that are almost finished. I'll be back to share those as well as a recipe for my favorite x-mas cookies that I'm going to make with The Littles this week.

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Unexpected Time to Create

I had some unexpected time to create this week, my oldest boy was home sick. When he would rest I would go to my work table and tie up loose ends. One project that almost didn't make it this year were these pretty velvet pumpkins. By the time I set out to order my kit from Olive Juice they were sold out. My friend Valerie did happen to get one so being the BFF that she is she shared with me. The pattern was just as I'd thought so I went to Britex Fabrics in SF and bought some of the most gorgeous velvet I've ever seen. The green one is my favorite, it's green/pink depending on how the light catches the little wrinkles. I suppose I can get away with enjoying them through Thanksgiving before they're packed up for next year.

Last night I was prepping some canvases for some personal projects and during the process I decided to mark the wood border on the front and stitch in the open canvas space. It's a teeny bit hard to hand stitch through canvas but I loved the effect. I'm not too far on this piece yet, or maybe I'm done...I can't decide...



Here is a closer up view...{I need something for the pocket}...



My Wendy Addison letters spelling out "Thankful" arrived this week and I had a chance to string them on to some ribbon to hang. I decorate for the holidays but in simple, small ways.



I love it when I'm at the store and lo and behold there are multiple new Somersets available...



OK I don't know how you're going to feel about him but the 80's girl in me had to have this rainbow painted turkey. I know, don't even say it... The Husb was staring at it last night when I walked by and I finally said, "What's the matter?". He looked confused and said, "Where did that come from???". I just laughed and walked off figuring my work there was done, I brought the unexpected home yet again :)

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Calling All Gypsies

I just finished a mini book celebrating all things gypsy. I'll be teaching this class on the 21st so come join me if you're in the area!

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Flea Market Review #27 {or so}

Today was the most beautiful day at the flea market. The sun was out and there was almost no wind. It was quite a miscellaneous day. Let me tell you what I got...

I was keeping em peeled for a long skinny old frame. I'll show you why later this week...



I'm in the process of making a 36x60 inspiration board and found this little convex frame to fill up to hang on it...



If somebody's selling metal spools I'm buyin...



Another teeny file cabinet, it looks white but it's a nice cream color...



THIS was a find for $2. It's an old book made of linen and before you ask, oh yes, we will be sewing some of the images to our aprons...



Some huge paper dolls with all the goods...



And some vintage ornaments for my pink tree that will go up after I clear the Thanksgiving dishes, lol...



It was a great day. I'm off to start painting the frame a cream color.

Enjoy your Sunday!

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