2012 Year In Review

WOW!  It's hard to believe another year has passed.

At the end of each year, I enjoy looking back through my blog posts and pictures reminiscing about the fun projects and events that took place throughout the year.

2012 was a fun and eventful year.

Lots of hours were spent in my studio, creating.

Two successful local shows and more online sales than ever, 

make me one very thankful and blessed girl.

14 fun-filled sunny days in Maui with my family, was a huge highlight too!

Here's to 2013!

Looking forward to what's in store and wishing you all the best.

Happy New Year!!! 

 

"Hot Chocolate Is On"

Growing up, my Great Aunt Gerta, who had a cabin next door to ours, 

would occasionally fly a flag decorated with a coffee kettle.

When that flag was flying, people knew

the coffee was on and all were welcome to stop in for a visit.

   

Well, if I had a "hot chocolate is on" flag, I'd be flying in now,

'cause the milk is hot and y'all are welcome to stop by!

 

Our hot chocolate station is a new family favorite.

One that will forever remain a tradition during the holidays.

So, what's it gonna be?

Milk, mint, or dark chocolate?

I chose dark chocolate and it's mighty good!

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?

Vintage Ribbon and Lace Paper Doll

 I have admired these beautiful works of art for many years.

Maybe it's the charm of rustling petticoats and the long flowing skirts that I love.

Probably, the romance of ribbon and lace.

Whatever it is, they're just beautiful.

 Sometimes, these lovelies can be pretty pricey.  

I was happy to find this one for less than twenty dollars, which I thought that was a steal!

 While going through an old Needlecraft magazine from 1920, I found this advertisement.

 I totally would have ordered one to make - especially for a buck!

Vignette Decorating

I've been switching things around here recently.

So I thought I'd share some close-ups of a few vignettes in our living room.

I'm trying to let my vignettes "breathe" by not over crowding the space with too much stuff.

Boy, is that hard for me.

'Cause I like stuff.

A lot!

The Next Best Thing to In-N-Out

We are burger connoisseurs.

My husband is PICKY when it comes to burgers.  He won't say one is great unless it is!

Like my Daddy, he too would eat one everyday if I'd let him...

 Sometimes I get fancy with the meat, and add all kinds of stuff.

But lately... all I've been doing is making a special sauce.

The other night I made sliders since all I had were Costco rolls in the house.

The sauce made the tiny burgers so good.

Ya gotta try this sauce on your next burger.

You'll be so glad you did.

Burger Sauce 

(all measurements approximate) 

1/2 C mayonnaise

Couple tablespoons of ketchup

Tablespoon of white vinegar

Couple tablespoons of sugar

Couple tablespoons of sweet relish

Tablespoon of grated onion plus 2 tablespoons of minced onion

*I don't measure the ingredients - I just eyeball it to the color/texture I like.

 

Vintage Canning Jars Make Drinks Taste Better. . .

. . . don't ya think?

We're so excited 'cause summer has officially arrived here in the Pacific NW.

Time to enjoy icy cold drinks on lazy summer afternoons!

One of my favorites - Sweet Sun Tea.

Here is how I make mine:

I use a super cool large old glass jar w/ lid that holds approximately 9-10 cups of water.

To the water, I add 11 tea bags any flavor (I use the good ol' standard Rose Tea).

Place filled jar in a sunny location for a few hours to steep. 

Once tea is the desired color, I add about 1 and 1/3-1/2 cups of sugar and stir 'til dissolved.

Chill in refrigerator and serve over ice.

On a side note, some people freak out about sun tea since it never boils (something about bacteria, I  think).  I have made and drank it this way it for years.  Never have had a problem or gotten sick from it.   

4th of July 2012

I usually try to make the girls something patriotic (well... with red, white, and blue anyways) to wear on the 4th.

As usual, I waited to the last minute to get something made.

So... I went simple this year.

We picked up a couple t-shirts from Target and appliqued a few vintage chenille flowers to 'em.

Super easy, inexpensive, and pretty cute too!

60's - 70's Mod

Do you like the colorful bold and funky prints from the 60's and 70's?

I think they're so fun!

Maybe I like 'em because they're so Brady... ha!

My girls love bright retro colors.

So, when I came home with this fabric (previously a curtain panel) they immediately fell in love.

Since both girls requested a dress, I whipped up a simple pillowcase style they can share.

It's perfect for summer (if it ever gets here).

Our only issue...whose turn it is, to wear it!

 

Vintage Chenille

My top 5 favorite textiles of all time, includes vintage chenille.

 Nothing compares to its fluffy, cuddly goodness.

I'm kind of a chenille hoarder.  Collecting since 2005 - this stuff is addicting!

Over the years, I have made many quilts, jackets, toys, handbags etc... 

You name it, I've made it with chenille.

I don't sew with it as much as I'd like to anymore, but when I do, I'm reminded how much I love it, and... how much of a mess it creates in my studio - ha! 

The other day, I pulled out a variety of white chenille bedspreads from my stash and put together a quilt for Daphne's teacher.  

Both our girls had Mrs. Emery for 1st grade so we decided to give her something extra special from us, since our time with her is over.

It's probably a funny gift to give a teacher, but I wanted to make something that was useful and she could enjoy for a long time.

And... who doesn't like to snuggle up under an extra cuddly blanket anyways?

Even though the calendar says summer,

Seattle's temperature this past Friday, was 57 degrees F.  Brrr brrr

We're still waiting for SUMMER!

 

Flea Market Finds

oh, and finds from an estate sale too...

  Over Memorial weekend, while we were up on Whidbey, we hit a couple flea markets and an estate sale. 

I ended up with a few treasures, some I'm keeping, and others I'll resale.  

  

It's always fun to get out and do a little junkin'!  

Horseback Riding

Sydney's Girl Scout troop celebrated the end of the school year, with a trip to the Flying Horseshoe Ranch.  It was such a fun experience for the girls (and moms too)! 

For a keepsake from the trip, I made each girl an apron. I had a couple western/horse theme fabrics in my stash that worked perfectly. The girls looked really cute wearing the aprons while they finished up our dinner preparations.

Sydney loved every moment spent walking, brushing, saddling, and riding her horse Beulah. 

Guess who wants a horse now - ha!

Snowballs & A Laundry Soap Bucket

I've been patiently waiting for one of my Viburnum trees to bloom.

Today was the day everything popped!

Not much makes me more happier than cutting a few bouquets of these beauties.

Well, maybe except for... filling my favorite find from last years Farm Chicks show!

Parlor Chair Makeover - Painted Upholstery

 

Have you ever thought about painting upholstery fabric?

I hadn't, hadn't even given it a thought really.

I've had this cute parlor chair for over 5 years.  I bought it with the intention of reupholstering one day.

Well that never happened, but I did do the next best thing.

Paint!

 

Instead of the not so pleasing harvest gold, she is now the perfect shade of cottage white.

It's amazing what a little latex paint can do.

I didn't add any fancy fabric painting additives to my paint.

Just used it straight out of the can.

It took 3 coats of paint to cover completely.

This fabric took the paint really well,  the new texture is similar to canvas.

Given the chance, I'd paint fabric again.

Would you try it?