Christmas Coasters

I really like these snowman and Santa images. They are very bright and cheerful. I guess they could be described as whimsical. They were the perfect size for coasters. I got out the Mod Podge and made two sets of four to give to my daughters.

I love this snowman. I have not made a snowman in years. Maybe, this is the year to get outside and make one.

I like the way they have a distressed look about them. It is the tile coming through the picture.

I may have to make a set for myself.

All boxed up and ready to go!

Another finished project. Rather, two finished projects!

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Snowmen Coffee Cans

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone. I hope that everyone had a great day with family and friends.

I can hear the clock ticking. The dishes from Thanksgiving dinner were just put away and our thoughts turn to Christmas.

I made a few of these cans last week. Please forgive the picture quality, we have had a lot of dark days here in the north east. They are tin coffee cans that I spray painted red and green. I love spray paint!

I made a little handle out of wire. Then added some very colorful strips of cotton fabric to it.

I love painting snowmen. They do not have to be perfect, that's my kind of painting!
As always, there has to be buttons!

A little tag is added and these are ready to be filled with, well something!
I am thinking maybe some cranberry pistachio bark.
Maybe real candy canes, I love candy canes.
Maybe chocolate covered pretzels, I love pretzels covered in chocolate.

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To glitter or not to glitter?

I have decided to finish all the projects that I have started before I begin anything new! I bought six of these unfinished snowmen at Michaels a few weeks ago. I made one! That meant five more to finish! My math skills are still there, good to know. I painted the snowmen white and then threw some white glitter on them. They are very cute!

These were papered, also cute. They have just a touch of white glitter.

This is how they started.

All glittered up and waiting to be placed on the tree.

So much to do to get ready for Thanksgiving.

So many projects to finish!

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Happy Birthday Mom

It is my Mother's 74th birthday today. She is of course, the best Mom in the world. I bought this card for her at a local art festival. The beautiful poinsettia is a pin, it came attached to the card. When I saw it, I new I had to get it for her. Um, should I make her a handmade card, too?

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Snowman Ornaments

Thank you again to the wine lovers out there, this post would not be possible without you!

I had to think of something to do with all the corks I have, I decided to try and make a few Christmas ornaments.

It took a few tries, okay quite a few tries before I finally came up with this idea.

I bought a new stack of Christmas paper last week at Micheal's. I still intend to make my own Christmas cards this year. But, I have not come up with an idea yet! For now I can use the paper for other little Christmas crafts.

To make this snowman ornament, I glued a piece of background paper to a wooden tag. Then cut out the adorable snowman and glued him to the background paper. A piece of u shaped wire holds the tag to the cork. Another piece of wire holds the cork to the pretty ornament hanger. I can not believe I found these beaded ornament hangers. They were 12 for $1.00 . A little piece of raffia and poof! A cute little ornament!
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Apple Brownies

I had never heard of apple brownies before last week. I took the recipe from "The Katie Brown Workshop", which is a television show that I found on my local PBS station. I remember watching Katie Brown a few years ago on Lifetime TV and wondered what had happened to her. Well, she is on PBS now and I am glad I found her. Her ideas are simple and I like things that are easy to do!

I had all the ingredients right in my pantry. I did not have to search high and low for some expensive seasoning I would probably only use once.

They turned out perfect!
I think they would be great for breakfast, instead of a muffin. However, I think the best way would be with a nice big scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Coat a 13 x 9 pan with non stick spray
3 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups diced apple ( 2-3 apples depending on size)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a large bowl beat eggs and sugar until fluffy and pale.
Add oil and vanilla; mix well. Sift dry ingredients and mix into wet mixture.
Stir in apples.
Spread evenly into pan.
Bake for 45-50minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Enjoy!
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Natural Glittered Birds

I made these three bird tree ornaments last week.

I could not wait to see how they would look placed on my fake Christmas tree. The tree is always set up in the basement and ready to be taken upstairs, so why not see how they would look.

I am very critical of my work but I like how they turned out. I was going to say they looked so natural on the tree. But, can a red glittered bird look natural? Maybe
in Vegas.

This little blue bird did not photograph as well as the others, but the blue is so vibrant.

This is how they all began. I just added a bit of moss, ribbon and a little tag.

Before I know it, I will be bringing the tree upstairs.

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Bird Place Cards

I hope you are not disappointed by the reveal. These are my little bird place cards for our Thanksgiving table.

I really enjoyed making them. I love to mix and match all the patterns. I could do it all day. Sometimes, I think I do! A little pretty paper, toothpicks and wine corks, who knew?

I put a small round piece of paper on the bottom of each cork to make sure that the birds did not fall . They were getting a bit top heavy.

They may not be your typical Thanksgiving place cards, but I love the colors. And you know how I just love to cut out birds!

The last little detail, the pretty off white beads, were an after thought. How can something so small have such big impact?

Thank you to all the wine lovers out there, these would not be possible without all of you!
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Veterans Day 2009

Remember all who serve and have served this country that we all love so dearly.
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Work In Progress

I am working on a little project for Thanksgiving.

As you can see it involves wine corks, toothpicks and paper.

If you look closely you can see it also involves a bird.

The beads and leaves are there, just to add a little something to the picture.

I am not a wine drinker, I asked the bartender at my favorite restaurant for a few corks. Believe it or not they were just going to throw them away!

I should be finished with these by Thursday.

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Wooden Snowpeople

I promised myself I would not post anything "Christmasy" until after Thanksgiving. But I have started my Christmas crafts and I am sure most of you have, too. I guess I have broken another promise. Like the one I make every Monday about eating better and getting more exercise! So, I will have to live with this broken promise, too.

I love these little guys and gals. They are made from craft sticks. I started making the snowgirls, but they took longer to make than I wanted. That is why the snowmen out number the snowgirls.

I am looking forward to putting them on our tree. But, I will wait patiently. I need more hours in the day already, without wishing the month of November goodbye.

I see a Christmas wedding in the future for these two. Handsome couple don't you think?
Not everyone can wear a bird in their hat!

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I say Vineyard Blue

Since winter is slowly creeping into my little corner of the world, I have decided to change a few things in this little area of our home. I painted the table a pretty shade of blue green. The actual name is Everglade Deck, not very inspiring. I am thinking it is more Vineyard Blue! I was thinking about repainting the walls, but the blue has given the yellow paint at least a few more months. It is funny how just a new fresh color can bring life to something that is just a little tired.

I recovered this chair cushion in a green fabric that goes so well with the table. This cushion has been recovered so many times! I just can not part with this chair I bought at Pier One over 17 years ago. Someday it will go, but for now it is here to stay. Oh yes, that is a burlap pillow with an owl on it. I made it Thursday. I am almost out of burlap.

The base of this lamp is an ice cream maker. My father made the lamp for me. I added the ivy and the lampshade.

I really like the color of this fabric, I am going to bring a bit more blue into the dinning room and kitchen area. Should be pretty. I have way too much red and gold tones right now. I need to change things up a bit. Better hurry, before the Christmas countdown starts and everything gets put on the back burner until the first of the year.

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Burlap

I really enjoyed making these little gift bags. I have not stenciled in quite a few years. But it is not rocket science, just a little paint on a brush.

I made four, stopping only because supper needed to be put on the table.

Okay, just a little peak at a few Christmas things I have been picking up here and there. We have three craft stores located within five minutes of each other. I can not remember where I bought half the stuff I have. That's alright because I can not remember where I put half the things I bought!


I may try and stray from the traditional red and green for Christmas through the years, but I always go back to what works. Can't argue with red and green. Oh, and a little bit of gold can not hurt either!

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Burlap, who knew?

Sunday night I was looking for decorating ideas online, I came across a few blogs that were loaded with burlap and linen ideas. I must say I really never gave burlap a second thought, I usually pass right by it the fabric store. Okay, I did not even know where to look for burlap at the fabric store. I had to ask where it was.

I had planned to stay home on Monday and concentrate on catching up on my ironing and cleaning the kitchen. But, all I could think about was burlap, I must have burlap! So, off to Jo Ann's I go to get a little burlap.

I made this gift card holder Monday night. I had already planned on making my Christmas wrapping a little rustic this year. By that I mean brown paper wrapping. But, that is for another day. I have already moved onto another little bag. I am now addicted to burlap!
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