2012 Wrap Up

As we prepare to wrap up another year I can't help but think back on what a great year 2012 was for us.  I realize that my presence on my blog was not as frequent as years past and quite simply, it's because I was more present in my life.

 

Silly me, I though as my kids got older they would need me less.  I've been both wrong and grateful for that fact.

 

This year I chose to shed the working Mom guilt and get involved with my children and their activities.  I've completely enjoyed my Girl Scout troop {homegrown from just my girl to 19 girls strong}, being a cheer manager and a proud football & baseball Mom.  I also decided to sign up to teach my kids bible class at church and I'm still teaching the ladies class on Bad Girls of the Bible.  Everything I've done has had it's rewards and I'm happy to have pushed myself to really be in the moment this year and make the most of everyday.

 

Of course all of this has left less time for me to craft but the time that I have set aside has been well spent on new projects and ideas that I've wanted to try for some time now.  I've done some sewing by hand, candle making, canned some delicious jams, embarked on some homemade beauty products, made more jewelry and tried a bunch of new recipes.     

 

2013 promises to be another great year.

 

March of 2013 marks my 20 year anniverary with the company that I work for.  I was 19 when I started.  It has been a great job and I love the founders like family.  I was able to buy my first home when I was 23 and I've truly never wanted for anything.  I'm grateful that I've been blessed with a great job and great people to spend my days with all these years.  

 

I'm excited to launch my new website and blog in early 2013 complete with a shop where I will be offering handmade products, art kits and vintage finds.  The necklaces in the photo above are a sampling of the restyled jewelry that I will have in my shop. 

 

I'm also excited for my third annual Creative Camp Out that will take place this summer.  I turn 40 that week so it's going to be a party!!  Registration for this event will open on February 1st.  Of course if you've attended in years past and plan to join me again please email me and I will reserve your spot.  Space is limited to 15 attendees.

 

Until next time...

 

Wishing you all a happy & blessed New Year!!

 

 

What A Difference A Year Makes

 

Yesterday our football season came to an end with Jake's team winning the championship.  This was exciting on so many levels.  Last year, his first year, they lost every game and scored only two touchdowns the entire season.  It was grueling in every way but they kept their heads held high and had fun out there.  This year they were determined to turn that around and show the league what they could do.  They couldn't lose this year and were undefeated.

 

This season has been somewhat emotional for me in ways that I was not expecting.  He turns 12 in two weeks and the realization that your 2/3 of the way through the parenting of a child is a sobering thought.  I fear the time is going to accelerate fromt this point exactly the way friends and family have told me it will.  

 

Jake was the captain and quarterback of the team and I quietly took pride yesterday as I was watching him in action realizing that, in so many ways, he was drawing off of things we'd taught and instilled in him.  How to win or lose with grace, be in control of himself, take direction, execute a plan, give others a hand and so many other values and life lessons that he's picked up along the way with us. 

His Dad was clearly proud, so much so that he had him off his feet.

 



 

My Dad never missed a game and was often times at the field for a game before us, being on the chain gang anytime he could to ensure the best view possible of the game.

Victory is sweet.  What's not sweet however is the fact that a football just missed my head and hit the glass doors next to me.  How many times do I have to tell these boys that we don't play football in the house???

 



The Busiest Time of The Year

 

This has got to be the busiest time of the year don't you think?  It sure is for our family.  It's hectic but I love to see my kids on the football field, helping with cheer practice, boy & girl scout meetings, teaching my ladies bible class on Bad Girls of The Bible, making soup from scratch, trying new recipes, having a fire going and watching this season of Revenge!

 

I've been spending some time in between all that at my craft table working on things for my new online shop/blog.  I'm loving the candle & jewelry making, two things that are relatively new for me.  I've been collecting vintage victorian compacts so that I can remove the tops and use them in necklaces like this one.

 

On a different note, if you're coming to my class on December 1st you won't believe my little market area.  I've got all kinds of things packaged up pretty.  I may show some peeks later this week so that if you'd like to call shotgun on anything you can and I'll set it aside for you!



Scented Ribbon Now in My Etsy Shop

 

I just listed some of my scented crinkly ribbon tonight in my Etsy shop.  I also have 4 new choices in 1" that are not shown here.  There is silver cream, dark turquoise, plum pink and chocolate truffle to choose from.  I've been experimenting with scent on fabric/ribbon and my next batch will be strawberry rose scented.  It's so wonderful!  I can't wait to try it out.

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New Etsy Offerings Are in My Shop!

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Pin Keep Samplers

 

I've been admiring these pin keeps for awhile now and even purchased a couple this past year.  I love how pleasingly plump they are.  I watched a tutorial on how to make them and then went to my craft table and winged it.  Usually they're made with one fabric on the top and one on the bottom or in some cases four squares sewn together for the top.  I decided to make mine sampler style which is a fancy term I use when I have no plan.

I will have 12 kits for this pin keep at Tinsel & Treasures.  I also plan to teach my method at a future class {remember those? :}

 

It's a great project to use your scraps and broken bits on.  If it can be secured with a needle and thread you're golden. 

 

More peeks soon!

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First Day Photo Opp

 

This past Wednesday my kids were cured of their boredom, school started yeah!  Is it just us or is the summer break too long?  After a couple of weeks off they were asking weekly how much longer until they were to go back.  In my daughters case I think she just wanted to go shopping for school.  And speaking of school shopping it's confirmed, I need to make an appointment to have my head examined.  I spent $119 on bra and panty sets...for a 6 year old.  What am I going to say, she HAD to have them.  

 

I know this looks like a tender moment between siblings but I'm pretty sure he pushed her or did the equivalent of the moment he heard the snap of my camera.  Apparently we've hit a wall and it's just not even close to cool to like your younger sister.

 

Oh right, I have one more child!  The one who is the last out the door everytime we depart the home.  He almost missed his photo opp.  This is the last year that they will all ever attend the same school at the same time.  It's the attack of the Super's.

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I Managed To Make Some Stuff!

 

It's been so long!  How are you?  We enjoyed a busy summer of camping, beach days, BBQ's and the past 6 weeks have been non-stop football & cheer practice.  With Tinsel & Treasures coming up I've been spending little chunks of time at my craft table getting ready and I do have to say, I've missed crafting!  I've got more jewelry in the works and next week I'm going to make my first batch of hand poured candles in vintage inspired mason jars.  I'm pretty excited about that.  I hope to have time to make up some Fleur de Sel Caramels to wrap up and sell and I hope to have some sampler style pin keep kits too.  I'm going for quite the eclectic table this year that's for sure!! 

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Love That Somerset Life!

I got my post script email from Stampington this afternoon and I love to take a peek at what the next Somerset Life has in store {it's my fav}.  It promises to be wonderful as always and I was happy to see two peeks at a couple of contributions from yours truly.  The only thing that could make Somerset Life better is if it were a monthly publication {hint hint to the powers that be}. 

I've had more emails inquiring about my whereabouts and I'm still here...just busier than ever.  Like I said in a previous post I've been busy with sports and my new Girl Scout troop and recently I volunteered to teach a ladies bible class on Sunday mornings.  Now you know I'd die before I'd teach anything boring so I chose "Bad Girls of The Bible" and we start this Sunday.  Always the trendsetter I am I tell ya.....:)

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Class Peek

Some of the product I've been waiting on for Creative Camp Out classes is finally here.  Here is a peek of some of the items on my desk that I've been having fun with.  I LOVE the little sequined hearts and the faded wooden tickets.  It's nice to be back in create mode!  Next peek will be extreme paper dolls!

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Hello!!

I'm not sure where to begin I've been gone from my blog for so long!  I've missed "being in touch" here. 

So much as been happening lately.  In a nutshell my boys started baseball and so between practices and games we're at the field every night of the week and Saturday.  I also started a girl scout troop for my daughter because we could not find one that could take her anywhere.  That's been a ton of work but so worth it.  Four other girls have joined us so we're having fun on our Daisy journey!  To be truthful, these are things that my children have not really ever been able to do because up until now I wasn't walking in the door from work until 6pm or so.  Last month I decided to change my 20 year long schedule and I began working 7-4.  I'm busier than I've ever been but the kids are enjoying sports and scouts and for that I'm really happy.

In other news, I'm still counting calories...I've been at it since January 2nd and I've lost almost 30 lbs.  I feel great and I've been sneaking off to Anthropologie every few weeks to treat myself to something new.

I realized that I never shared these embellished tins.  I love the first one.  The words cut out of a book called "Lust For Life" totally crack me up.  The ones below are tinier and so handy for storing small things.     

And last but not least, I have 4 spots left in the class with Colleen Moody.  It's going to be a great class and a big one too!  Please let me know if you'd like to join us.

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It's That Tme

At some point you need to stop collecting and start creating.  This week I pulled ALL of my beads and findings that I've been stashing for ages and got them organized.  Let's just say that I have way more than I even realized.  It feels great to know that you won't judge me for buying this haul before I ever knew what I'd eventually do with them.

I made a couple of necklaces this week but I was mainly playing around to practice some basic skills that I've recently learned.  I found out right away that tools matter!  I'm getting more comfortable with linking in vintage pieces that never thought they'd be involved in a necklace in their lifetime. 

Here are a few of my favs...

Love the color of these and all the fun shapes...

The silver ones are plastic but I'm not above working them in somehow if it feels right...

And fnally last Sunday's flea market purchases to work in to future necklaces...

I'm going to get back to my to-do list for today.  I took today off work so my list is all fun.  So far I walked around the lake, had an egg souffle while I read a trashy novel, shopped the new Target for kids clothes, had a lemon lime Icee and went to the bead store.  I still need to craft, take a bubble bath, nap, load the car up for the drive-in and pick up a custard pie to take to my parents for dinner.  Not necessarily in that order :)



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Smooch

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a high end makeup girl and I don't care who knows it.  I also happen to be anamored with great packaging.  I might have overlooked this inexpensive lip balm at Bath & Body had it not caught my eye as I walked by.  I spied the yellow tube and I had a feeling it was lemon flavored and it was.  Sold.  I bought a few thinking I'd like them and I'm glad I did.  Now I have one for the car, one for my purse and one for my desk drawer at work!   

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Fabric Flower Tutorial

Last week I treated myself to a couple of tutorials on Etsy.  I've been wanting to purchase this one for a while so it was the first one on my list.  I loved it!  The directions and photos were great and it came together so well.  If you like making fabric flowers you won't be disappointed with this tutorial. 

I tore some of my fabric scraps and I like all of the strings that resulted...

Happy Monday!

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Wordless Studio Post - Friday

Wordless Studio Post - Thursday

Wordless Studio Post - Wednesday

Wordless Studio Post - Tuesday