Something Grandma Always Made With Vintage Shiny Bright Christmas Balls

My Grandma started putting these cute ornaments trees together in the 40's.

They're something she always had on her dining room table, at Christmas time.

They're quite simple to make.

All you need is a 14" knitting needle, 28 various sized Christmas balls, and a vintage tree topper.

Start by stringing 4 of the largest ornaments on to the knitting needle.

Next, string on 4 more slightly smaller balls.

Continue to layer on more Christmas balls working your way up the needle.

Depending on the size of the ornaments you use, you may use less than 28.

*Note - I stacked a couple layers together with the same sized Christmas balls 

since I only had 4 varying sizes to work with.

To finish: top with a vintage tree topper or a unique ornament turned upside down.

Super easy, huh?

Well, I'm slowly getting all my Christmas decorations up.   

Usually, I'm done by now!

I've fallen behind, since the lights on two of my trees decided to not light up this year. Ugh!

If only there were Christmas light fairies to do the job and string on the lights for me - *sigh*. 

Non-lighting Christmas lights are the worst.

Wishing you all a blessed beginning to the Advent season!

Scarf Season Is In Full Swing

 Wow!  I can't believe it's been way over a month since I last posted.

October kept me busy with a local show, and lots of Etsy sales.

Currently, I'm right in the midst of my busy selling time.  My 4th season of flower scarves!  

Hoping I can continue to keep up with the demand,

which I'm forever grateful, exists!

 My girls love wearing their own cashmere flower scarf. 

Theirs are scaled down from my adult size so they fit proportionately to their size structure.  

Since I receive so many requests, I'll be offering child size scarves in my Etsy shop soon. 

Such a cute accessory for any age, don't you think?     

Thanks for stopping by today!

Joy

It's not to early to be thinking about Christmas, is it?

My dad replaced a section their fence recently, so I had him save me some of the old boards.

Last week I made a few blank canvases with the wood, so I could paint a few signs.

Here is one I just hand painted.

I saw something similar on Pinterest a few weeks ago.

If you're interested, and want instructions to make your own, you can find info here.

Treats For Their Lunchbox

Yesterday was Back to School for us.

Although the girls were excited to go, I was a little sad to send them back.

We had such a fantastic summer together!

I already miss 'em hanging out with me...

Now, as I try to get back in the swing of things, besides making my hubby's lunch, 

I have theirs to make again too.

Since everyone in my family is big on homemade treats, I try to keep them satisfied.

My mom has used this Peanut Butter Bar recipe FOREVER - one of my family's favorite.

They're pretty much a homemade version of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

 Try 'em, I know you'll love 'em

and I bet you can't, just eat one...

Peanut Butter Bars

2 cubes (1 Cup) butter (melted)

1 1/2 C peanut butter

2 packages graham crackers (crushed)

1 pound powdered sugar

1 package chocolate chips (melted)

Mix melted butter, peanut butter, graham crackers, and powdered sugar.  Flatten mixture in buttered

 9 x 13 pan.

Spread melted chocolate chips over top.  Refrigerate for 20 min.  Cut into bars.  

 

Summer At Our Beach In Pictures

Sheds - and I'm Not Talking Little Buildings

I like to bring something from nature in to my home decor, do you?

Most of the time, I'm only adding flowers, leaves and such.

But....a couple weekends ago, I picked up something so cool - a deer antler shed.
It's my new favorite thing!

And no, I'm not talking about a deer head antler trophy thingy to hang on a wall. 
Those things kinda freak me out!
Deer sheds are different, especially since I know Bambi was not harmed in any way for it.

I love its look, perfect naturally aged shabby sun-bleached white.

Just a fun way to add texture to a display.  

While researching deer sheds, I discovered that shed hunting is quite popular.

What a fun thing to search for late winter, when it's most common for deer to shed their antlers.

There are so many unique ways to use sheds.

Like in a beautiful floral arrangement. 

(source)

Or, just simply piled in a console bowl.

(source)

Now, how crazy awesome is this tree?

  

(source)

Or this wreath?

(source) 
Beautiful, aren't they?
So, would you bring a deer shed into your home?

Crafting Fun - Clothespin Trivet

 Crafting with kids is so much fun!

 Crafting with friends is even better!
I've had a project just waiting to be made, so when Daphne had a friend over, they got their crafting on.

  I had them create a wood trivet using clothespins.

The project was inspired by one my brother made for my mom
 when he was in the 1st grade (some 44 years ago).
My mom still uses it today!

 

The girls trivets turned out really cute.  

Wonder if theirs will last some 40 years?