Friday, December 31, 2010

A new year

Always did like a clean slate,a blank piece of paper... Oh, the possibilities of it all!
I have some goals for the year 2011- gives me something to live into.

Been thinking about what my word might be for 2011,I was pretty happy with 2010's word- mindful. and I think having a word did help me be more mindful and blogging did, too.

My word for 2011 is Serenity. I became mindful of my desire for it this year. I'll retitle my Year of Mindful Living blog but you will still find it here
Happy New Year!

Silhouette giveaway on Brown Paper Packages Blog


Don't miss out on this great giveaway of a Silhouette on Brown Paper Packages blog!
Lots of other fun things to check out, too.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Santa Party Mix- it's Sue's fault


My friend, Sue, gets me into all kinds of trouble. She posts fabulous links every Wednesday to the most fun things to make, look at, dream of, cry about...... I could go on and on. Two weeks ago she posted this fun link to this fun recipe.
Of course I had to make it! And of course it is a Sunday night when I have to work tomorrow, am having company for dinner and I should be finishing wrapping the guests' gifts and maybe cleaning a bathroom, but no, I am making cute Bugle Santa hats. One thing I would change is to add a whole cup of craisins.  It is so sweet that it needs the tang of the craisins for balance.
It is super cute and delicious, too. I added a bit of cinnamon to the white chocolate when melted. I recently have acquired an addiction to some white chocolate and cinnamon popcorn thing at Target for the holiday season. I have been through two canisters and gained 5 pounds (and I'm not kidding about that).
My new addiction is to Caramel Bugles, thanks, Sue! They are yummy!

Last Farmers Market 'til spring





It was an icy, and at times slip-slidy, walk to the market today. But, I couldn't miss the last one, and I totally forgot to ask Anne about the caramels-shoot-just remembered that.
Oh, well, as you can see it was a carnivorous trip with some apples thrown in- last chance for Gold Rush until next fall.
I'll still get to see the meat and chicken vendors over the winter. They come for two hours on Saturdays some just every other week. But, no Anne or Claire, no Charles, no radishes......
So, today's haul, the last whole chicken of the season, cut-up only from now on, a pork roast, ground buffalo (this and chicken will be available through the winter), apples with a couple of pink cameo thrown in, Kenny's cheese-Garden Havarti- for my girl, Amy, and goat cheese- which is so expensive I only get it a few times a year. What's not to like about a cheese called Fromage a Trois? It's beautifully layered color and flavors are a real treat! The Bourbon-soaked, chestnut leaf-wrapped cheese will maybe be a gift. Yum. See you next year, farmers.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Where Women Create 12 Days extended

Tonight is the last day to enter the 12 Day contest on Where Women Create. You can use the button in the side bar to get there! Lots of good reading from creative women. Enjoy!

Day 5

 Today's gift and card are from Kaye. The soldered slide is beautiful and I love the beads at the bottom.  Sadly, the postal service went crazy with it and smashed the glass.  Boo.  But, I appreciate the creativity Kaye shared with me. It truly is lovely. Thanks, Kaye!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day 3 and 4 Byhandartists swap















Day 3 was Romona's gift from Germany! Isn't it sweet? It is about 1x2 inches.
I think the colors are wonderful and it is so nicely made. I'll enjoy coming back to it over and over again. The quote is one of Suzanne's stamps.




Day 4 is from Barbara R. The wreath is exquisitely done with beads and attached with ribbon to a velvet backing. It will hang on my tree!

Many thanks to both artists for their beautiful gifts.

A Martha Stewart today

 I took advantage of my morning off to make this quick wreath Christmas card holder. It was in Martha Stewart this month- a re-run from a prior year for their 20th anniversary edition.
So simple but cute.

You'll need:
Embroidery hoop
mini clothes pins
hot glue gun
ribbon

I put the clothes pins about 1 1/2" apart with one clip out and the next inward. I've had this vintage ribbon forever and thought it perfect for the hanger for the wreath.
I'm grateful to get any cards, I haven't sent a one- people will have to get a Winter Solstice card from me this year. :(

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Day 2 Byhandartists 12 Day Swap

Today is my day!  I always have a tough decision to make about what to create. Since I had been using sticky back canvas, I decided to incorporate that, but you wouldn't have to.

My 12 Days of Christmas gift for my art friends.
Sticky back canvas brooch
I painted the canvas with distress ink that I stamped on a craft mat and misted. I used a variety of reds and greens. Then I stamped the canvas, some with word background stamp, some an Asian background, just what ever I was in the mood for. I cut the flowers using my Tim Holtz die. I ran the cut flowers through my cuttlebug with different embossing folders and hit the high spots with some more ink. I cut one flower out of brown felt. I cut a 1" circle of paper for the base and sewed a vintage button through all of the layers. The layers stuck together where I wanted and where I didn't, I brushed baby powder to absorb the stickiness. These can be kind of scrunched up for more dimension. I hot glued a pin to the back, hole punched some decorative card stock and pinned it on! Into the bag it went with a button tied to the top. I'll try to find a closer picture of the pin, too. Hope everyone enjoys them. I plan to wear one on my brown wool coat!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Day 1 Byhandartists 12 Days of Christmas Swap

All of the beautiful presents that have arrived so far!
This is such a fun swap and everyone is always so creative!  Day 1 package arrived in the mail today-perfect timing, no?
Deborah had Day 1 and it came in this beautiful bag, which I will use over and over again I am sure. The partridge is cut wood that has been covered in paper and embellished. The stamp on the tag is from Suzanne at Quietfire Design. You can see it has made a lovely addition to our tree. It is the first ornament  placed on the tree this year will always have a spot reserved for it! Thanks, Deborah!
Beautiful!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Byhandartists 12 Days of Christmas Swap

I tried three ways to rotate this picture, no luck, bizarre!
Here are some of my 12 packages that have hopefully found their way to recipients in the US, Canada and Germany! Isn't that fun? You'll get to see what my gift was on Day 2! I only had 10 of the drawstring canvas bags so I sewed up the two brown felt ones to finish the group. I always enjoy sharing art and seeing what others create. There are no parameters for the swap except that it be small and hopefully slip through a mail slot. Let the fun begin!

Friday, December 03, 2010

Ten Two Studios Countdown

Fun images compliments of Ten Two Studios! Go and enjoy!

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Where Women Create 12 Days

Another place to head over to get into the Christmas spirit- Where Women Create 12 Days of Christmas celebration. Hear from women artists daily and register to win one of the prizes!

Tim Holtz 12 Days of Christmas Tags

If you love tags and techniques, don't miss Tim Holtz's blog. His 12 Days of Christmas tags started yesterday.  Lots to see!

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Farmers Market 11/27/10

Farmers Market purchases from Saturday.
There was a huge drop in number of farmers there this week. But, love what I got! The apples are delicious- some of them literally- yellow delicious!
This sweet centerpiece was made by Claire, the dixie cup flower lady.


As was this great swag for my dining room

And this swag for my door for the holidays!
I'm looking forward to them already....

Crafty Crow Book giveaway

If you have kids or are a kid at heart, head over to Crafty Crow for a fun book giveaway today.