I gave it my best shot!

Sneak peek at what I worked on this afternoon.

I actually wanted to make a few cards using all the little do-dads I bought at Michael's on Monday. Cards, more cards? Why not try and do something from this book I got for Christmas.
Why not?

I could give it a try. I covered a small box with pieces of paper. I am not a painter. I don't even have the right brushes (I so wish I had after I started this). I have not painted anything other than snowmen in years, carrots noses and black dotted eyes are my speciality. I can draw a little, very little. But, I had the entire afternoon.

I glued the pieces of paper down with Mod Podge and distressed it a bit.
Nothing too complicated yet and I actually like it.

I found something in the book for inspiration.
As I said I can draw a little. Then I just paint within the lines.
It is all the little details and faces that stop me in my tracks.

It all went smoothly until I had to give this girl a face.

I repainted her eyes ten times! I almost gave up after the sixth try, the next step would be the garbage. But, I tried again. The nose just happened to look good on the first try.

Lips are not easy for me either. What I liked about this little project is that distressing is very important! I think I should take an art class to learn how to draw faces or at least look online for some helpful hints.

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Inspired to finish what I started

(Lowes)
I am so inspired by this cute porch swing! I am looking forward to warmer weather, when I can have my morning coffee and oatmeal outside. When I look outside my window I am not seeing this beautiful sitting area. My swing has snow on it! My deck, snow on it! My flowers pots, also covered in snow. Believe me, inspiring is not a word I would use to describe my deck. But now is the time to think about sprucing my deck area up a bit. I bought outdoor fabric last spring. I was going to make a few pillows for my swing. I never got around to it. The story of my life, so many unfinished projects! I will set a deadline of March 1, 2010 to have those pillows made. March 1 st there will be a post on my finished pillows!

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Dinning Room Table and Chairs

I did not do any paper crafting, sewing or painting over the weekend. Oh, I did cover the marshmallows and pretzels with chocolate! But still, not a very creative weekend.

Friday, I did buy two brown leather chairs that sit at the end or head of the dining room table. I guess I work rather slow. I bought the table in November. The mustard covered upholstered chairs in January. Now the leather chairs complete the look, almost. I think it might need a rug, nothing too ornate. I am thinking solid tan. March is a long month, maybe I can find one before April 1st. Oh, and maybe a long table runner. I did buy one at Homegoods Friday but it was too narrow. Back it will go, but not today.

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Happy Valentine's Day

Chocolate and Valentine's Day go together like snow and New England. I love chocolate, not that big a fan of snow! Let's talk about sweets! First, I love good quality chocolate melts and we have a "sweet shop" in town that sells great melts! I made a batch of chocolate covered pretzels to give out as little gifts.

Marshmallows covered in chocolate, another simple treat!

I wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!

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Cards cards everywhere a card!

I am in a card making mood.

This time, I pulled out my box of stamps and markers.


These are just a few of what I have been making.

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Nothing new here

I have been working on a few valentine cards, nothing really exciting. I even mailed them, so they should arrive on time!

This cards sits on the martini glass I covered with paper last year. The glass is full of candy leftover from Christmas. I bought too much chocolate for Christmas this year. Did I really say that? Too much chocolate? I still have unopened chocolate that I am putting out everyday and it is slowly disappearing! I would never throw it out, that would be a crime.

A card post without a bird, no way! I love them, they are so cute!

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Please be my Valentine?

I am so proud of myself for using my little leftover pieces of fabric, before I go out and buy more . I"m not sure what I used this pretty pink fabric for, not a clue. But, there was enough left to make two more little monsters, Valentine monsters!

They look a little sad, they really need a valentine. I am sure I can find two people that would love to be their valentines! Their pockets will be filled with a little something! Just what I am not sure.

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Superbowl Sunday

Even though I don't have a favorite team in this game, I am going to root for the Saints. We are heading to a party, where everyone sits and watches the game! Very serious sports fans here! I am bringing cookies! I made another batch of oatmeal plus a fan favorite chocolate chip. I made these little flags to make the cookies look a little more festive! They could be made for almost any occasion! Got to go! Meeting my daughter for a coffee!

Then , it is go Saints! Please forgive me if you love the Colts.

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My new favorite

Last night I made a batch of oatmeal cookies for a friend's birthday. If you asked me on Wednesday what my favorite cookie was, I would of said "Thumbprints". But that was then, this is now. I dipped 1/2 of the cookie in white chocolate. It brought this little cookie to a whole different level. I will admit, the entire batch did not make it to this plate. I kept a few for us.

Yes, these deserve a close up, they are that good. I am happy to say that one of the things I wanted to more of this year was bake. I made blueberry scones and brownies on Wednesday, it is nice to accomplish at least one thing on my list.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Enjoy the Superbowl!
See you on Monday, hopefully with a new paper craft!

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Keychain

I found this cute saying the other day. It was engraved on silver tag. A beautiful piece of jewelry, I should order one. I don't always remember cute sayings, but this one I did. I don't like things too perfect. A little crack in a plate doesn't stop me from using it. A nick in a coffee table, is no big concern. I am always distressing my paper crafts. This little key chain is made from a chipboard tag I had leftover from another project. I painted it tan, painted on a few gold dots, added a little whitewash and distressed the edges. The words are on white card stock, also distressed. Now all it needs is a few layers of Mod Podge and it will be ready to use. I painted a few more tags, I will have to finish them later. I have one foot out the door, I going to Home Goods.

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Valentines

I have to get started on my Valentine's Day cards, since it is only ten days away! I see that some bloggers have already moved on to Easter! I tend to think day to day, I am not in that much of a hurry. I know a lot of bloggers make things to sell so they are always having to think ahead.

I bought this already painted wooden sun at Joann's. It gives the card a lot of dimension. The colors are so bright and cheery!


I also purchased the bomb at Joann's. That sounds strange! I always struggle with making things for boys. I think he will like this card!



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Faithful Subscriber

It is sad that so many magazines are going out of business. A few years ago, I would look forward to sitting down with a cup of coffee and reading my favorites cover to cover. I would find many decorating ideas and maybe a new recipe or two. Now I go on the computer enter the design look I am interested in and up pop as many images as I can handle. Rustic bedrooms! White bedrooms! Blue bedrooms! Blue and white bedrooms! I think I may have contributed to their demise by going online instead of going to the store and picking up a few of my favorites. But there is still one that I subscribe to, Country Living.

I found this picture in this month's magazine. If I had this little sleeping nook as a child, I don't think I would of ever left my room. What am I saying I would love to have it in my house right now. I would curl up in that blanket with my Country Living magazine and read it cover to cover. Then I would ask my daughter to bring me a cup of coffee and a muffin because I would stay there for the entire day!

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Linen

If you just glance through a magazine or read a blog you have noticed that linen is very popular in the decorating world. All those pretty linen covered rooms! Linen couches, linen curtains, and linen pillows! Linen! Linen! Linen! I must have linen. Well, I can not redo my entire house in linen but I could add a little bit of it here and there.

I made two table scarfs for the nightstands in our bedroom, they look nice. I had enough leftover fabric to make a small heart pillow. I am loving this linen and oh, the white ric-rac trim. I am going to make sure I keep my sewing machine handy, this is fun!

Nothing too fancy here, just a distressed tag and and a plain old straight pin.

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Inspired

Let me introduce you to my little friend. Okay, she doesn't really have a name, but let's just call her Rosie. She does come with a story, here is the short version. A few days after Christmas I went to Anthropologie and saw a cute little monster in their register area (image below). I had to know what it was. The salesgirl told me they were gift cardholders. I wanted a gift card holder. I thought about buying myself a gift card and then just using it right there for my purchase. That is how cute it was. But, I just paid cash for my purchase and went home, minus the gift cardholder. Please do not shed any tears, I bought a really nice warm sweater that I wear all the time!

The little monster on the left is the monster that inspired me to make Rosie.

I said I wanted to do more sewing this year, so I got out my sewing machine Saturday afternoon and made a few of my own gift card holders. Now, granted they are not as cute as the original, but they will do. I used whatever materials I had at home. That way I can go out and buy more!


Saturday night I thought that an owl would make a cute holder. Sunday morning I cut out an owl pattern and sewed it up with out any complications. I love when that happens. However, I did not make it big enough to hold the card! Minor complication. I guess I could slip some cash in there. People still like cash right?

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