Hurry! Shop closes Thursday!

Just a quick reminder that the shop closes for the holidays, starting on Thursday December 16th.

If there's something you see that you just can't live without, grab it now!

Blissful Burlap

Yes, I realize that it's only 14 days before THE DAY, but my Christmas crafting has just begun! I can say that I've been doing my research on what crafts to create for some months now, so at least I'm prepared for what's ahead (sort of...).

Things have to calm down for me to be able to create. When I'm frazzled with life (Army life keeps you really frazzled...) then I just can't get the crafty juices flowing.

But this week, I put aside many (many!) things and chose to create anyway. Laundry is now a mile high and there are random piles throughout the house, but it was worth it!

It's so very relaxing to create...even when I have to use the seam ripper.

So my medium this week was burlap.

I've been wanting to play with burlap for months now!

Before I get to my little creation, here are a few fun ideas that I've seen recently and each comes with a tutorial. (bonus!)
Love these...

A sweet Parisian style bag by La Maison Reid.



Design Sponge featured a tutorial for this stamped burlap chair...Oh my.


And this wreath! I've seen a lot of burlap wreaths recently, but this one by Craftaholics Anonoymous is my most favorite.


So here's what I created.
Not as fancy and ornate as the other crafty divas, but I try!

What do you get when you combine burlap


with your favorite scraps...



A cute little cottage style table runner!


This is a gift for a family member. I'm not saying who, but she could be reading this right now - the suspense builds...

I have a few more crafts to post, but some will have to wait until after the holidays. My sweet family reads my blog, so I don't want too many surprises revealed before Christmas!

I'm off to do more cutting, measuring, sewing...woohoo!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember, if there's a grump just behind you in line while shopping, be sure to smile and wish them a very Merry Christmas!


Joining these Crafty Divas this weekend!

Joining Funky Junk Interiors Tonight!

Hi Friends.
Today Funky Junk Interiors is once again hosting a very fun Saturday Night Special! They have 3 linky opportunities, and I'm jumping in on the Collections category.


The blog that I'm featuring is a re-run from several months ago, but I always love a good re-run (which is why Friends is on my TV almost nightly!).

So...if you want to see some scrumptious vintage china like this...


Then head over here!

Hope you've had a fabulous holiday weekend!

Don't Forget...Small Business Saturday!!

In the midst of chopping, stirring, whipping, and praying over my pies (I'm not a baker...), I wanted to let you all in on the first ever Small Business Saturday.

After you pound the pavement on Black Friday, take a seat at your computer on Saturday morning (cup of coffee in hand...) and help support small businesses.

In this tough economy, Americans are becoming more and more creative in finding ways to support their families.

Fabulous folks of all ages and backgrounds are opening up small businesses - join them in making the American dream come true!

Shop Etsy



Shop OpenSky


For my overseas friends, shop Dwanda


Have a blessed holiday weekend!

Matryoshka Fever

I have this thing for Matryoshka nesting dolls.


I adore the kitschy-ness of each design and the colors are always amazing.

I received my first one when I was just 9 years old. My grandmother presented me with one upon returning from Russia – one of her favorite travel spots.

I have my own little collection that I’ve pieced together, but now that I’ve been playing online, I think my collection (aka addiction) is going to expand.

First, I found this link via Rachael Ray’s magazine and here’s what I found…

These adorable Matryoshka measuring cups!


But then…on the same site, I really got into trouble when I found these…


And then these...


I decided that I hadn’t been tortured quite enough, so I ventured over to Etsy to see what my fellow creative divas came up with, in the world of Matryoshka.

I'm not big on wall calendars, but one of these would be right at home in my kitchen!


Look at this yummy wallet. Yes, please!

I'm always on the lookout for cute little change purses - while traveling through Europe, those Euros take up lots of space in my wallet!

It didn't surprise me at all that these brooches are made in Latvia. Europeans have unbelievable skill in making a work of art out of felt. Beautiful!


Oh my.
So now that I see just what's out there, I want it all!
Send. Help. Please.

Hanging out with these Fabulous Folks!


Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Groovin' to the 70's

What can I say...I still love the 70's. The music always brings back memories, the clothes were unforgettable and the freedoms that we enjoyed as kids to run and play, made everyday an adventure.

I paid a mere 50 cents for this little treasure and it’s worth so much more to me.

It’s a copy of People Magazine from 1979.

Looking through old magazines is so enjoyable.
A real pictorial blast from the past.

This particular People is a peek straight into my days of youth (yes, I’m that old…).

Check out the cover…



And just inside the cover is this ad for Chaz, featuring one of my favorites, Tom Selleck. He’s still as adorable now as he ever was. I miss my Magnum P.I.



There is also a feature article on Brooke Sheilds. I adored her as a kid and I have to say that she’s one of the few child stars that ended up growing into a well balanced adult!



Now onto some 70’s wheels…

This was the same kind of ride that one of my favorite neighborhood family’s drove. I LOVED their groovy van and all the fancy features that it had inside…including shag carpet, of course.


This was the car of my dreams.
Especially in yellow.
The only thing missing is a surf rack on top!


I have to say that I would still drive one of these today!

Now onto home décor…

Chandies (aka chandeliers) were in! And they still are!



Remember this? A monstrous hunk of wood to house the TV.



Now that I’m looking at it, I wonder what it would look like if you painted it a nice shabby pink…hmmmm…might be worth investigating!

And finally a little reminder of just how cool Neil Diamond was.
I still love his music.
Right on!



I hope you enjoyed our little groove down this 70's path.

Until next time, keep on truckin'!


Here's who we're playing with today!
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A Morning Masterpiece

When I woke up this morning, I couldn't figure out why my bedroom looked pink.

Really, really pink!

Then I looked outside...


Wow. God certainly knows how to paint the sky.

As always, He gets the bonus points today.

Hope your week is Blessed!

Gettin' My Craft On

I still have a bazillion projects on my plate… furniture to finally finish painting, working on the shop, and of course Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

But this weekend I took some time out to make a special gift for a sweet new baby girl - Ms. Madalynn!

Some of our friends were blessed with a new baby about 3 weeks ago. I would have had her little gift ready prior to her birth, but this gift is personalized and they kept her name a secret until her birth.

I have to say that I don’t blame them for keeping her name a secret – everyone always has an opinion about the name that You choose for Your baby. (Especially when you choose to name your baby boy ‘Rowdy’ like we did!).

So here’s the palette that I started with…
this bee-u-tee-ful frame from Goodwill.
You know you want one.



While the paint was drying on the frame, I got my groovy deco paper ready…



And the finished girly gift…





Yay! Another finished project and the best part about it is that it’s a blessing to a sweet new baby girl.

Welcome, Ms. Madalynn!



Check out these Crafy Divas...I did!

Hurry! The Spectacular Vintage Give-Away ends Sunday!

Get on over to Poor Pitiful Pearl's blog page!

We've sponsored a Give-Away there this week and it ends on Sunday.

Here's what 'cha get...
$20 in Store Credit plus FREE shipping!

Use it now...use it later...or use it to buy a Christmas gift!

Here are a few items from our store that could be Yours...







Details for entry are at the bottom of the interview.

Can't wait to see who our Winner is!!!

Blessings!