Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Busy busy…..

Well….it’s been a while and I am so sorry about that.  I have missed blogland and everyone here lately.  I was sick for a week before Thanksgiving and then with the Holiday, I seem to be running at LEAST two weeks behind on everything. 

With that being said, I’ve decided to take it easy on the Christmas decorating.

Maybe just tuck in a little greenery with my existing decor.

Scatter a few shiny ornaments here and there.

And just keep things simple.

Enjoy a little nostalgia, family, and the reason for the season, as they say.

Which is not to say that there isn’t plenty of glitter and glitz going on around here.

Because there is indeed!  I love this Santa!  And the best part…..I  found this guy at T.J.’s for $16.99!  Yippee!  Another great bargain, and my only Christmas decor purchase this year.

Oh…and yes, I have put up a tree.  Just ONE tree.  I KNOW……crazy, huh? 

Plenty of decor pics. to come.

I have been very thoughtful and sad this month.  For others.  Who are experiencing terrible losses. 

Do you remember when you were a child?  I was very fortunate, all I had to worry about was counting my packages under the tree.  The same with my children, and my grandchildren. 

But there is such a loss of…..I don’t know…..would you call it innocence?  Guess what my grandson asked for for Christmas?  An outdoor automatic security light for the house.  Isn’t that just too sad?  That  a 12 year old feels like he needs to worry about such things? 

I know that many children never feel safe.

But we all work so hard to provide a safe and loving environment for our children.

Then something shatters their sense of safety. 

Just needed to vent a little, I guess. 

I loved this picture.  I just threw these pretty velvet flowers here, waiting until I had a place to put them. 

Then I left them.  Just so casual, simple, and……uumm……quiet.  Pretty without being fussy or too “done.”

That’s the kind of Christmas that I guess I’m looking for. 

A quiet, reflective, simple, and prayerful Holiday. 

Love to you all……

Denise

Thursday, November 18, 2010

HOW many days!?

I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is next week and then we’ll be well on the way to Christmas!

This year has flown by.

Have you started decorating for Christmas yet?

I’ve been digging through boxes and boxes of decorations this week.  Trying to decide what to keep and what to sell at the Rink.

Which is where I came across this…..

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It WAS a Santa with this beautifully embroidered coat.

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With pretty detailing.  I was pulling him out of his box one year (brand new) and promptly dropped him on his face, which was porcelain and broke him.  I was sick.  SICK I tell ya!  Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. :)

Anywho……he’s been stuck in the closet for years.

Heather and I were shopping last week at T.J. Maxx, and yes, I am now extremely BROKE!……  And found the cutest felt snowman head ornaments.

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So I tore off the Santa head and replaced it.

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Replaced the Santa outfit with white fabric and bling and my Snow Girl Diva was born!

She absolutely refused to wear all white!  Boring, according to her!

Besides, I just had to use that gorgeous coat!

This was about a 30 minute project and used things that I already had in my craft room. 

Nothing better than getting new Christmas decor for nothing!

I did something similar to this guy last year.

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Are you ready to craft?  I bet you have some old Christmas decor that would be perfect for this kind of a project.

 

So now that I’ve saved you potentially Tons and Tons of money :)…….perhaps you would consider something that would bring a joyous Christmas to others.

The BETHEL FOUNDATION is a wonderful wonderful non-profit  organization for single Mom’s and their children.  If any of you have struggled with being a single mother, you know how difficult it can be both financially and emotionally. 

Their Christmas program is called Angels For Mom’s.  I know that times have been difficult this year for many of us, but if you have just a little to give, Bethel would really appreciate your help in adopting a mother and her child or children for Christmas.  This would be a great project for the business where you work.  Everyone could put in just a little money and you could give a family a wonderful Christmas.

As I said, times have been difficult and the need this year has sky rocketed. 

Heather first became acquainted with Bethel when she was a single mom, and now works there three days a week.

Your can reach them at 405-286-3700 if you are interested.  You can also access their web site from the link above if you would like to know more about them. 

Of course, I intended this message for anyone local, since I know that there are many of you who read my blog.  However, I am sure that they would accept out of state assistance also.  :)

Just ask for Heather!!

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NOW GET TO DECORATING!!  CHRISTMAS WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!

See ya!

Denise

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Saturday Evening

I am so sorry for the long and unexpected absence from blogland.

Although Hubby and I and our children and grandchildren are just fine, we have suffered a terrible tragedy in our immediate extended family.

It simply has felt like we have had the breath knocked out of us and the grief that we feel for our family has been indescribable.  Although we continue to grieve every day,  after a period of lots of praying and crying, we finally have had to just take a deep breath and turn our grief over to God.  We realize that we must get back to our daily routine and are doing our best.

Sometimes He has a way of distracting us when we need it the most.  For me, this has been moving our booth, yet again, at the Rink.  But what a positive change!

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Heather and I are simply in love with this great structure that showcases the middle of the booth!  We supplied the awnings and this is the design that the guys at the Rink built for us!   Awnings on all four sides.

And……..

Here is the center piece inside.

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This HUGE burlap lamp shade with a chandelier hanging from the middle. 

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We also love our hanging swing which will continue to display pillows and soon, a Christmas display.

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Heather recently completed painting this cream colored hutch with turquoise interior.  She and I found the most wonderful cream colored plates with gold detailing on the edges.  It was difficult not to keep the plates for myself, I tell you!  Our booth and displays are still in the process of being completed, but we are working hard to get everything in order.  It’s time for us to get Christmas decor ready to sell!!

For those of you who were wondering about the decorating seminar, after our family situation, and the extra work involved with our booth, we’re sorry to say that it just won’t be possible.  I must apologize for phone calls not returned and e-mails that may have gone unanswered.  I just flat lost any info. or phone numbers that I had.  SORRY!!

BUT……….here’s the NEW plan!!

We have had tons and tons of interest in……..

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Yep……our burlap lamp shade!

SO…..we are having a make it and take it class at the Rink!  Although I normally like to have classes and such before Thanksgiving, the month has really gotten away from us.

The date will be…….Saturday Dec. 4th at 10:00 A.M.

The cost will be $12.00 and you provide your own supplies necessary for making your lamp shade.

I will also be throwing in a couple of Christmas craft demos.  These will NOT be make it and take it, but demos. only.  However, you will hopefully get some great cost saving ideas for your Holiday decorating!

If you are interested, please e-mail me.  The Rink won’t have the schedule and date until after Monday, so if you call them, they won’t know what the heck you’re talking about.  :)

Supply lists will be provided for you after you sign up.  So….if you are interested in making a super cute lamp shade like the one above, eating donuts and drinking coffee, and just in general having some good laughs with the girls,  just let me know!

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend.

Denise

P.S.  I would love a similar lamp shade in a pretty linen as well.  So if you aren’t too “into” burlap, don’t despair, you can still make a pretty shabby chic type shade for your home!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Sew on and on!

Sorry this is the first time I have posted this week.  Things have kept me away from the computer and my usual routine.

Finished a couple of projects last week, though.

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Like these panels for the windows on either side of my front door.

I needed curtain rods but didn’t want to spend the money.  So….I took the super cheap tension rods that I already had and made a cover for them.  Saved me quite a bit of money!

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Which made me feel at least better about the stupid price that I paid for the cotton lace!

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Yet another blurry picture!  Darn it!

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Finally got Her Highness back in her regular chair.  The snooty little girl didn’t like the slipcover that I covered her chair in.  To protect it from HER fur.  It took a fluffy pillow and a soft fuzzy blankie to convince her.  What a Diva!

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Moved a few things around and found this great print on canvas to hang on this wall.  I needed something with “presence” for this small but busy busy painted wall.

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Loving the color.

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I could wear this.

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from free people

With boots.  Don’t know why I threw that in.  Except we’re going to have our first freeze tonight……. and that sweater looks yummy and warm…..  And I love weird clothes……. to go with my weird house…….. it all makes me weirdly happy!  :)    In a week where there hasn’t been much to be happy about……  So I embrace my weirdness…...  If only I were weirdly rich…….  I could order that outfit……

Sigh….on well.

Check out Free People.  Link above.  Cute stuff.

Denise

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