Merry Christmas

Wow, I'm sure you are all busy today, Christmas Eve, just as I am. But, I wanted to stop and take a moment to wish you all a Merry and Blessed Christmas. I have truly enjoyed meeting so many new friends and I hope we will continue to cherish each other for many years to come. May the Peace of our Lord be with you today and everyday.
Karen

Decorating has begun

I am fascinated with little houses. My hubby bought me a set by Cody Foster and my friend Rhea of Sweet -n-shabby-roses made me some and now there is a snowy village on my mantle. I asked my hubby if it was too crowded and he said " No, it makes me happy" so it's staying. I guess they go with my obsession for bottle brush trees, especially the pastel ones. But, I better stop collecting, I have a mantle full and that's all a girl needs , right?

Visions of Sugarplums

My husband makes a new gingerbread house every year. (He doesn't like to cook any other time). Last year he entered his in a contest and won first place. This year he entered his in the same contest...and won first place! I think next year they'll ask us not to come back! Here he is with his entry and ribbon . The other shot of the room shows another of his houses (The pagoda) as they asked him to bring his past years creations to display. Ok, this is a man obsessed!But he won and we are proud of him.

A whole lot of bling goin on

I collect vintage ornaments the year round and usually have enough for one or two wreaths at the holidays. Here is the newest one. I hang mine over my mantle. My SIL kept hers up all year because she liked it so much. She is even thinking of making different colors for different holidays. I still like the pink and aqua best. No surprise there. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Don't forget to count your blessings. I count you as one of mine.

November already?

Wow, November already! Where did October go? I must have had my head in the craft paper and glitter! I went outside my color comfort zone for some Christmas tags and ATC's (artist trading cards) that I hung on wire so they could be used as Christmas ornaments.
I really had fun working with these victorian images as they really evoke the Christmas spirit for me and I'm starting to get excited about the season. Even though I hate to call it a season because poor Thanksgiving gets mowed over in the chaos I'm afraid. But, Thanksgiving is a holiday of smell for me. Can't you just smell the turkey, pie , and spices! So while we trample it in a shopping frenzy at least it smells good.

In The Pink

When I got married, Christmas had to be red and green. Not gold or silver . And none of that burgundy that the victorian decorators like. Christmas red and green. Somewhere, somehow, every so slowly , I stepped off the Polar Express . First, I allowed burgundy....went better with the decor , I told myself. Then some gold and silver for sparkle...silver bells afterall! Now it's fullblown pink and aqua. You won't see green except for the tree . And Santa....well he's wearing a very fashionable... ok , girly...PINK! My family tolerates it. My extended family doesn't get it I'm sure. But I'm dreaming of a pink Christmas as many of you are. So here are some things I've been working on with a frenzy that suits the season. Which reminds me, when did a time of calm and quiet, silent nights, become a stampede equal to the running with the bulls?? Well, that's another post.

71 Days til Christmas!

Christmas is coming fast and I know where you can start your shopping. I belong to a talented group of ladies in the Pretty Romantic Homes group. So many talents are represented in this group you are sure to find every sweet and pretty thing you need.....or just want! Some are websites, and others sell on etsy or ebay.

Ele of A Bit of Pink Heaven creates tags, banners, tussie mussies and more.

Amy of Bunny Rose Cottage sews pumpkins, makes paper roses, and cinnamon ornaments.

Katie of Rose Breeze boutique paints beautiful roses and scenes on flea market finds when she
isnn't quilting.

Rhea of Sweet n Shabby Roses uses her painting and sewing talents on ornaments, tags,
collages and flea market finds turned into treasures.

Lorena of 2 Chic Friends is another lovely rose painter, we call her roses "fluffy". She also sews
tea cozies.

Connie of Rose Porch Designs sews, paints, makes templates, but especially likes to decorate
sweet birdhouses.

Celeste of La Rea Rose paints using many styles like Shabby, Tuscan and Tole , in addition to
creating dream tags.

Bertie of Aunt May's Cottage offers lace medallions, victorian and wedding items.

Sharon of Sweet Victorian Rose paints the smallest roses and designs possible on sweet charms
and pins.

Stephanie of Angelic accents offers antique mirrors, china, and Lampe Berger products.

Most of these ladies have beautiful blogs that you could get lost in for hours.....hey! that's a good thing. Come make friends with some of my friends. And don't forget to check out my Etsy and Ebay shops for pillows, painted items , ornaments, tags and more.

Summer's last hooray!

While I work on items for Christmas, I'd like

to show you pictures from our recent trip to

wineries on Lake Erie.

The weather was wonderful , and while I'm not

a big fan of fall, I really enjoyed the beauty of

it all.

Those chairs on the grass will be brought in soon

as winter weather hits hard on Lake Erie. Now

on to Christmas crafting .

She's only a paper doll

This is my new treasure from the flea market. As far as I can tell they are called paper dolls....Duh! But look at the detail on that skirt. That is certainly a lost art. I quess they were a popular craft in the 30's. I am intriqued and may try making my own. It reminds my of my paper doll making days with the McCall's magazine. Anyone remember those days? Each issue had a paper doll...Betsy McCall... that I would glue to cardboard from between my dad's dress shirts that he had pressed at the cleaners. My Mom usually cut her out when she dried as cutting cardboard with safety scissors can be tough. I played with paperdolls as much as any other toy I had. But since I have advanced beyond safety scissors I may have to try one of these ribbon dolls. The sky is the limit as far as the design goes. As long as she has the required skirt to be-ribbon I suppose. If anyone knows a proper name for this craft let me know and I'll let you know how the repro goes.

Oh happy day!

I have been at it again. Tags that is. This time I used copies of vintage cards and button cards on some of the backgrounds. And glitter , each one has to have glitter. I can't get enough of working with the vintage children photos. They are so sweet and funny. Hope you like them too! Show us your tags!

My Girls

My Girls....my babies....really my grown women. They know how to spoil me with gifts that go right to my heart. For my recent birthday, my youngest, who just went away to college, sent me a pictorial of her all over the city. In each picture she is holding a painted letter sign..H..A..P..P..Y.......B..I....well you get the idea. A clever picture card that lets me see her at the same time. And while I sit and look at my pictures I finished my chocolate peanut butter pie made by my oldest. ( Maybe she'll open a bakery!) I am crazy for anything peanut butter! I am so proud of both of my girls and I treasure their thoughtful ideas more than any store bought thing. They are clever and creative and oh so old....no wait that's me that's old! Thanks girls, you go straight to my heart.

Tagged

I have been tagged by Vickie at Visuals by Vickie to play the name game. You describe yourself using words that begin with the letters in your middle name. Mine is Anne.

A-Afraid, not good at making decisions or trying new things.
N-Nice....if my family reads this , don't laugh.
N-Neighborly....is that a word! This is hard!
E-Entertaining....at family gatherings I stand on my head using the tripod method. My claim to
fame in the family olympics. Yes, we have one!

I tag Ele of Pink Heaven and Celeste of LaReaRose. Have fun!

Tag...... you're it!

I have been working on tags , some with fall hues and some pale blues. I was inspired by these beautiful vintage baby and girl photos. Somebody's sweet little girls! And glitter.....have to have glitter. I like using the tag as a card by itself with a message written on the back. Much more personal than anything from a store! Just wanted to show you what I've been up to. If you would like some, check my etsy store link. Thanks!

More Vintage Cards ....Yeah!

I found more mint vintage cards, mostly scriptural with a few holiday thrown in. So I have decided to sell sheets of copies of these beauties to be used in your art whether it is scrapbooking, collage, aceo, mixed media, decoupage, or whatever your imagination can come up with. If you would like some, look in my etsy store. Happy Wednesday!!

Pumpkin Swap

Look at the goodies that came in the mail! Sharon at Sweet*Victorian*Rose was my partner and she knew just when to send me my gift to cheer me up. Just a sprinkling of orange, just enough for us pink girls and vintage postcard and vintage image on tag, which I love, that she made to slip into my sachet pillow. I sent Sharon her pumpkin swap but forgot to take a photo first so we'll get one when Sharon receives it! Look how nice everything goes with my kitchen counter top. Thanks Sharon!

"Tears are words the heart can't express"

No pretty pictures . No happy day. I just got home from taking my 18 yr old daughter to design school in New York City. To see her walk off into the crowded New York street after we said goodbye was excruciating. I cried and cried till I couldn't cry anymore, and then I cried some more . Then I patted myself on the back and said "job well done" because she walked off into the crowded New York street by herself at 18. Most of it was her nature, but there may have been some good moments of nurture too. Fly and be free.

Nice is a blog requirement

My friend Bertie at Aunt Mays Cottage nominated me for the Nice Matters Award. Bertie and I are new friends so that is extra nice of her to do. I'd like to pass it on to people who have helped me in this cyberworld. That would be

Connie at Living Beautifully

Rhea at Sweet n Shabby Roses

Sharon at Sweet Victorian Rose

Really , I have found everyone in the blog world to be super nice. I think that's a requirement!!

"Diamonds are a girl's best friend"

Ok, I am a horrible photographer! I couldn't catch the sparkle and I kept getting this weird shadow. This is a huge safety pin basket that I bought from the boyfriend of the lady who makes them. I paid $5.00 for it! I hope he didn't get in trouble when she found out. Who would do all this work for that? I have long admired these and want to learn to make them. This one really sparkles, which makes me love it more. So some snowy, rainy day, I'll sit down with pins and beads (pink!) and fiqure this out. But I won't be selling it for $5.00 (although my twenty something daughter might..... she thinks it's the tackiest thing ever!) If you know how this is done or have a tip , please let me hear it.

"You can be my Cowgirl"

I received a custom order to make a few items
using these vintage cowboy prints. I'm a pink
girl but it is fun for a change to work with these
prints. I'm a cowgirl wannabe.....ok, it's just for
horses cause I don't like getting dirty.....and if
I could find a vintage pink cowgirl print I'd be
set! I remember these prints in my brother's
flannel shirts. I had ballerinas and don't get me
wrong, ballerinas are great. But, every once in
awhile a girl needs a horse too! Or maybe a
horse pillow or tote.

Unaltered art

I snatched up a batch of these vintage cards, some seasonal , some scriptural, but all in excellent condition , at the flea market. I'm having buyers remorse because I left two-thirds of the lot there! What was I thinking. I'm very practical and I have to have a use in mind to buy something. So I rationalized to myself that I would use them in creating something, some art. And yet they are art in themselves. Every sweet last one of them. I could never alter them. So I shuffle through them and look at the beautiful colors and wish I had the whole lot of them even if it isn't practical and I can't "use" them for anything.

Ladies who lunch

I found this cutie at the flea market. It made me think of the June Cleavers and how they did their housework in pearls and heels! Those ladies knew how to dress. And look at the "Barbie" waist on that drawing. That's gotta hurt!. I used to sit on my Mom's bed and go thru her jewelry box while she did her hair and make-up for dinner parties. I've had family get togethers but sadly, never a dinner party. So here's to all the beautiful ladies in my family and yours! ( and all the beautiful jewelry they left behind!). I think we all could use some of their glitz and glamour.

I love this view out my front door. It is everything summer......our flag, sunshine, my husband's garden. And we are blessed to be able to keep the door open! Can't do that everywhere , even in this great country. The second picture is my "babysitting project" Lily. I'm watching her and she is watching me for 3 weeks while my daughter is away. She has such a personality. I 'm afraid she only tolerates me as she is so in love with her "Mama." She is a red bellied parrot, only hers isn't because she is female. You know how in nature, the males get all the pretty colors because the mama's get to nest with the sweet babies. So it is with Lily. She pretends not to like me but I think she is coming around. I got her to smile for the camera. Yeah , that's a smile!