Country Christmas

Getting closer and closer..Christmas.. Thought I'd show you around some. This is the wreath on my back door... Made it from goodies I found at Hobby Lobby.
This is actually right across the road from me.. This family owns quite a bit of land and their house is set waay off the road. This is how they mark their driveway! If you look closely you can see the house number on the side.
This is the other house on the road that is like ours.. What is the style? Greek Revival? American Farm House? Anyway, the porch on Miss Linda's house is always dressed for the Season!
This is another... Caught it on the fly! I love the garland. I think next year we will put some garland on ours..maybe even with twinkly white lights!
So, here is my new... I know you guys are getting board with this..hang in there with me, almost over.. something new each week day till the 20th! This is an Etsy store banner..
Hope your week has been going well..maybe even festive!
hugs.

Two for Tuesday

Hi!
Hope everyone is staying warm! We've been blasted with some form of snow everyday now for about a week!
I'm going to be really busy tomorrow and I figured I better post two new pieces today to stay on top of my challenge! One new creation each weekday till the 20th of December.

This is actually only the 3rd round charm that I have ever made! There is a split at the top...and there is a wrinkle on the back due to the tape separating but other than that it turned out lovely.
It was fun..I'm going to have to pull my grinder out and see what other kind of shapes I can make!
Here is number 2.. The word peace really isn't smeared, the bevel of the glass makes look that way. This is the first charm that I have ever used fabric, some of the vintage fabric I brought home from my trip! Vintage feed sacks really do come in so many pretty patterns.
Here is the other side of the charm.
The sides are smooth... shiny shiny!!lol
This little guy is 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch.. Peace and Joy and Love..That's what I hope you guys find this Christmas.
Oh yeah..I just received a coupon from DSW.(They really do have great deals there! DSW stands for Designer Shoe Warehouse if anyone doesn't know)..It's my Birthday month..and well, mom was in need of some slippers! Elvis would be proud!! Blue Blue..Blue suede shoes..LOL!
hugs.

Christmas Bling.

Happy Monday Everyone! The washer is fixed...all is well with the world again...
Well, just thought I'd share our tree today..May look like a jumbled mess, but it actually turned out nice. I added white pointsettas and white ribbon, I'm thinkin' we need a new topper though, I love the hand made star but I want to see if I can find a more "Blinged" out star for the top.

Here is one of our collection of 'Shiny Brite' ornaments. We have some from when DH was young and some from his Great Grandmother. I found a set of 12 that are for sale in the store! I think those ornaments add a bit of nostalgia.
Each year, we add some ornaments that commemorate that year. Some are hand made like this foam one others are some bought on vacations...a bit of our family's life each year..I love it! As we put on each one, it brings back fond memories. I haven't figured out what to put on for the this year.

Here is a close up of the pointsettas..and #3's train. Each child has a special one for that year, so when they are grown men, they will have quite the collection.

Here is the shipping labels I had mentioned awhile back. We took labels and wrote on them some of the different names of Christ from the BiBle..Simple, lovely..tied up with red raffia. What are some of your special decorations?
Now to my Bella Colle challenge post.. A little Christmas Bling! I made this bracelet with Swarovski Crystals..silver..
Sorry for the blur, but you can see the color combinations..
Shiny..sparkly..This bracelet would be a special gift for someone! Maybe even for yourself!
If you love it, just email me..or leave a comment. My email is over there to the right. It is a bit pricey but that is because of the elements used, a truly unique bracelet.
Have a Happy Monday!
Hugs!

Hmmm...

Hi everybody! What a day!... I was able to make this lovely to keep up on my Bella Challenge...since I had technical difficulties this past week, this is my Friday "New" for the Challenge.

If you are just tuning in, I have challenged my self to create something new every weekday till Dec. 20th. I kinda like this..everyday my creative juices have been flowing..This charm is the tiniest! only 1/2 inch in width and length. 'Sparkly Frosty' behind a wee piece of beveled glass.
Smooth smooth sides! I just love how the colors of 'Frosty' accent his background. On the front of the charm I used a 'Christmas Toile' and added the words 'Merry Christmas'
A very festive little charm! The price is $13.00, since I'm still having trouble uploading to my store..(See below picture) If you like this little guy and would like to buy him, leave me a comment or email me at my address listed to the right in the picture frame.
Yes... I'm mad... I am amazed at how 'technical' our society has become. Is it a good thing? Hmmm... I guess I'm old school..computers are great but my goodness one thing can cause a huge SSLLLOOWWW down..The less 'fru fru' items I have on my car..one less thing to worry about! I love upgrading don't get me wrong..I would love to have one of those 'Black berry' phones..a dishwasher...a computer with a faster processor...a dishwasher. Oh yeah,..did I mention I want a dishwasher?!LOL!

But the more up grades I get, I become dependant upon them and when they break..my whole world turns upside down! Is that really an upgrade? Or more stress?...Hmmm....
So, my point.. My clothes washer! We have only owned this thing for 1 year and 4 months and it has died AGAIN!!! We bought this cow brand new from HomeDepot and this is the second time it is going to have to say 'hello' to the Sears repair guy! I want to pull my 9 year oldy but goody out of the barn right now...

We live out in the country and have our own well and septic..no problem on the water supply end, just on the drainage end. See, we have a holding tank and have to monitor our output. The oldy but goody was using waaay too much water so... "upgrade"

This General Electric washer uses half the water... spins at 1500rpm...the clothes come out almost dry! I can stick a queen size comforter in it and I know it's gonna come out clean...IF THE THING IS WORKING!

This is the second time now that it wont spin...and leaves way too much water! ACKKKK!!!

I hope Mr. Sear's Repair man can fix it with out going over his service fee...

Guys..my point to this is, This family is soooo buying from Sears to begin with! "Oh yes please! Can I have your extended warranty!!"

Sorry to complain...I'm just starring at this huge mountain of clothes now!! If you don't hear from me Monday..send reinforcements! LOl!

hugs

Cookie Exchange

Happy Friday! Yay..It's Friday...goin' out to eat night..movie night with the family.. Thought I'd visit Blogland early today.. Last night, the ladies of our church had the annual cookie exchange. You make 6 dozen, bring it to the exchange and it is split between the ladies there..you get a variety of cookies without the hassle! Fun. Well, we also make the craft that is handed out at the nursing home we always go to closer to Christmas.
We sing Christmas carols and visit with the residents who live there. It really is fun, my boys enjoy it. Well, these three pictures are what we made last night. They are little foam snow men puppets that you can decorate. I made some into Angels...(paints not dry on this one..) You can doll them up with mittens, buttons..etc!
See, here is one dressed like a snow man. #1 actually got into the act!

So, what is this you are probably wondering..Well, it is a Etsy store banner I designed Monday and sold yesterday...YAY! This is a scrumptious store! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=16240 she makes awesome body care products!

Here is my new for the BellaColle challenge...A banner for an Etsy store. It's a bit elementary..I hope to get better! I want to learn how to cut and place ephemera better.

Anyway... busy day today.. Hope your week was fabulous! Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Hugs.

Now?

Hi! Well...Here goes, hopefully Blogger will behave!..
I just received this in the mail today! This lovely package is from the fabulous sisters over at http://kariandkijsa.blogspot.com/ Kari and Kijsa! They have and Etsy store now..and well, I just couldn't resist, I just had to purchase this...lol

It is truly beautiful and arrived wonderfully packaged! The frame is very sturdy and I know this will be a Christmas treasure for years to come! Thank you ladies!!
Now, here is what I was trying to show you last night..I have some nests I have to complete for some orders. The white eggs aren't really that yellow! They are more of an off white, more the color of eggs I think.
This sweet little blue one is for one of my good friends sister.
Here is one I have made for Phyllis from http://shabbyinthecity.blogspot.com/
This lovely nest is for Lynn from http://lifeatcedarhill.blogspot.com/ .Thank you ladies!

Hope your day is going well! Hope to have something new for tonight.

hugs.

Mom's Christmas

Wahoo! lots goin' on here today...hold on to your seats...stick with me now, 'cause I've got lots to show you today!! Yup, that's my DH! With a capitol "D"...
It looks like the house exploded today! Lots all over the place..We were pulling things from every corner this morning, throwing things away...putting new things in place. See, the other day we acquired a few items from our church... We donated $20.00 and were allowed to pick out a few 'office items' from a store room at our church building. A large 5 drawer file cabinet, one large two drawer cabinet.. two three drawer cabinets, a 'book shelf' and a very heavy duty table top! See, soo many office items had been donated to our church and well... we were trying to do a bit of cleaning out. A Church thrift sale as it were...

So, while my hubby was constructing this work station for me I put together this little tree of charms that haven't sold this past year. Very sweet charms that kind of commemorate the metamorphosis that has been Bella Colle this year!
An 'inspired' little tree..the branches are an iridescent white.. this wee tree I picked up at Target for a dollar last year.
Ahhh..Rosie has found a new place in the new 'studio'... That's my little race car to the left of Rosie! It is a vintage Jaguar that I use when I race my boys on their track! lol..Yay!
This is a table I have set up for packing and correspondence. Can you see the 'swag' on the lamp? It's a waay cool find from the fab Whimsylove! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5082846 Nikki will custom make a swag to your specks! I just looove pink and green and well, I just love it! Nikki rocks by the way!
Lots more space now... a more peaceful place to create and 'be'

Well, here is the space now..after a huge whirlwind! I am soo thankful..Christmas has come early for me..for Mom. I hate to say, " A place for everything and everything in it's place"..Dorky I know. Hubby installed a large outlet where I can plug in multiple items on the work station..He is a dear! Oh yeah, just wanted to point out, The Ten Commandments are proudly displayed in this work place! If you are wondering, the letters are a throw back to when I home schooled all three sons.
Dream I say! I hope you all have a place where you can steal away and just 'Dream'!
So, here is the 'Studio's' Christmas tree... a humbling reminder of how much God has blessed me this year! Okay here is my post for the Bella Colle challenge... things have been in an upheaval today, lol, I've got some beading/wire wrap orders to fill ... so, here it is... My friend from church has a birthday soon and she requested awhile ago for simple bracelet that says "WWJD". She says she will pay me.. Nope! Heidi! Love ya!
Not a lot of fru fru..for a down to earth lovely young mom of three lively young boys! I know you probably can't tell, but it really sparkles! I used Swarovski crystals and silver..pearls and a pretty heart clasp...Happy Birthday Heidi!

Well, after 2 hours of trying to post this..( started at 7p.m.cst) I hope your week is good so far! love ya!..