Good Bye 2010....Hello 2011

As I get ready to enter 2011....I fondly remember

wonderful moments. Fantastic times spent with friends.

Personal goals met. Fun spent in the craft room.

The moment Lincoln's hockey team won the International

Silver Sticks tournament in Canada. Attending the 65th

Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwich in Poland.

Watching our baby fish. Understanding the circle of life

from a child's eye. Spending time with blog friends....and even

being able to meet a few personally. Reflections are wonderful....but

as I turn the page on the calendar there are a few things I hope to

accomplish....attainable goals....nothing I am incapable of

achieving. Realistic. Baby steps.

1. Enter studio & create daily.

2. Save money & pay down debt.

3. Truly listen.

4. Exercise

5. Build a chicken coup.

6. Participate in more swaps.

7. Bake homemade bread.

8. Be joyful.

9. Learn to take better pictures.

10. Bake fresh....homemade cookies occasionally.

11. Blog frequently.

12. Redesign Lincoln's bedroom.

13. More Happy Hour's

14. Care packages to college.

15. Relax.

16. Create fabulous meals.

17. Do more with friends.

18. Go out on a limb.

19. Pay attention.

20. Lot's of dates with Jeff.

These....of course are written in no particular

order. They are attainable goals I know I can achieve.

I think they will make my family better. I think they can

possibly make my community better. 2010 has been

a tremendous year. Basically I have loved

every minute of it. I am really looking forward to 2011.

I wish each and every one of my beautiful blog

friends a wonderful 2011. May peace be with you for a

Happy New Year.

I Knew I Loved Wreaths......

I always knew that I loved

Boxwood wreaths.

Simplistic & beautiful. Adding

serenity to the splendor

of the season. But do you know the

true origin of the holiday wreath?

Wreaths originated as folk traditions

of the people of northern Europe.

In the deep winter, candles were lit on circular

shaped bundles of evergreen.

Both the evergreen and the circular

shape symbolize everlasting life.

The candles light gave

people comfort at the darkest time of the

year, as they looked forward to the warm days

of spring.

Traditional Christmas wreaths are a symbol

of faith. Since wreaths are

continuous in shape, with no beginning or

end, they symbolize God's eternity

and mercy during the Christmas Season.

Wreaths are decorated with evergreen leaves and

branches because they symbolize everlasting

life and God's everlasting love.

Their green color is a representation

of hope and new life.

I always new that I loved boxwood

wreaths. Now, I know the tradition behind

them. I take great comfort in this

seasonal tradition. Now, when I look at a wreath,

I will know that God's everlasting love

is ever present. Blessings for an artfully

creative day.

Snippets from Christmas 2010

The memories of Christmas 2010 are

still lingering in my mind.

What a joyous.... happy time we had.

Fun making gingerbread houses.

Hadley (my niece) is just 6 years old

and stayed with the construction

and decorating of her

special house until it was completely

finished.

Santa REALLY came!

And boy do I REALLY

love him.

The holiday decorations were splendid.

I sure do love those Santa mugs.

Can a girl have too many??

They are too cute and I really

feel like they are winking at me.

Even after 27 years of

collecting Spode Christmas Tree.....

I still adore it. I like to add

to my collection yearly.

I feel so blessed for family. Christmas

2010 was the best....I can't wait

for next year.

Go Hoosiers!!

It's official!

I am a licensed Indiana University Artist!

Paper work really isn't my thing

but I did it.

Go Hoosiers!


Getting the pendants ready to
go to Lola Rue!
They have been a huge
success & people really have
team spirit around here.




Lindsey is even very
excited.....she plans to attend
The IU Kelley School of
Business next year.




.....and the very best part???
The royalties I pay to IU will support
scholarships. Last year alone....
the IU licensed crafters
generated more than 1 million dollars
in scholarship money. That's something
I want to be a part of!!!!
Blessings for an artfully creative day!!!

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish each of you a

wonderful & joyous Christmas.

May all your holiday

wishes come true.

Blessings~

Snippets of my Craftroom

I thought I would invite you in.

To my little piece

of Heaven.

Where I spend so much of my time.

My craft room entertains

my mind.....peaks my curiosity.

I have adored ribbons of all

types for as long as I can remember.

My favorites are Hannah Silks

and Seam Binding.

Life wouldn't be as grand....

if not for my stash

of vintage wallpaper.

The oldness makes it better.

Breaking pieces and

tearing all add to the element

and vintageness

of the things

created.

I can never pass up a spool of string

or a vintage bottle

from Lola Rue....created by Lisa.

The creaminess of the string

and the subtileness of

the pastel blue inspire me

restfully.

......and can a girl ever have

too much vintage

mercury glass???

I think not. I also can't have

too many vintage pantry jars

or apothecary jars.

Be still my beating heart!!!!

Oh my mercy....don't get me started on

vintage salt shakers.

Cut glass or sterling.....they will

always inspire.

I hope you have enjoyed a few

little snippets from my

piece of Heaven. I hope you have

an artfully creative day.

Pin Cushion Rings

Oh my goodness!

Can I just tell you how fun these were to make.

Cute on top of everything else.

Like many of you know....we have been

FELTING!

I wasn't kidding when I told you Betz White's

Felted Rosette class was life changing.

These aren't the rosettes she taught.

But....she really sparked

my creativity.

I hand painted the pins and added french

knots to the center part of the

flower.

I used old wool sweaters.

Cut them up.

Shaped them into flowers.....added a ring

form.....and viola'...the cutest

little felted ring.

Blessings for an artfully creative day!!!