After 21 years.. FINALLY.. one who takes after Mom:)

Hello friends!  Finally.. I can say it!    One of my daughters takes after me!!!!!!  Since they were born -- all I have heard is how much my girls are like their father and how much they all look like him.  I have always been proud of that because he is a wonderful man.  BUT -- I guess deep down-- I was a tiny bit jealous because I wanted them to see something in me that they wanted to be like!  Well.. my oldest daughter, Hilary, has recently gotten into the "crafting mode".  I have been SO proud of the things she has created.  Last night she sent me a text informing me that she had started a blog.  (thanks to my inspiration she said!)  Woo - hoo!  I am not sure -- but I think that is a good thing.  Anyhow, please check out her blog over @http://thankful4newdoors.blogspot.com and sign up to follow her.  She's a wonderful young lady and I am sure she will be adding more things soon!  Thanks for your following and have a great day!

Hilary Brooke Crosson
www.thankful4newdoors.blogspot.com

Painted wooden cross

Hello friends!  Hope you are all having a great week.  I had an exciting night.  Tonight was our  "pinterest" night at our library (once a month we get together and  we create something inspired by pinterest).  Tonight, we all painted a wooden cross.  They were all so beautiful and we enjoyed our time together.  Thanks for the hard work Jennifer, Paulette, Cathy and anyone else who helps to make this possible each month.  Looking so forward to our craft next month too!

My cross

 

 

Our group of ladies.  Wish you could see each cross.  They were all so beautiful.

 

 

 

Krista Stone.. Your witness lives on

 http://smallpotatoesfornow.blogspot.com/

This is a blog that was written by Krista Stone. Krista and her precious son, Zachery, were murdered in their home over the weekend. She leaves behind 2 adorable little girls. Krista lived in Huntsville, Alabama and was a neighbor to my sister. She lived a christian life, was a wonderful mother and wife, and died a very senseless and tragic death at the hands of her husband. However, her ministry can continue to live on through her blog. Please click on the link above. Read her blog and sign up to follow it. At the time of her death -- she had 30 followers. Even though there will be no more posts, let's continue her witness by sharing this blog with others we know.

  

 

 

Altered Wedding Guest Book Tutorial

Hi Guys!  Today is Saturday so I spent the  morning  doing my usual "Saturday Scrounging" at the local thrift stores.    I have been looking for Hilary a wedding guest book (not usually at thrift stores --lol!).  I had seen several on Etsy that were gorgeous; but priced at 100-150 dollars -- I just could not justify spending that on such a small book!  I am sure they are worth every penny for all the hard work the designer has put into them, but it's not something I put into our wedding budget. So -- you can imagine how my wheels started turning when I saw a new little wedding guest book for $1.00.  YES -- that's right $1.00.  However, it was ugly not very attractive or stylish.  So I snatched it up and brought it home with visions of hot glue, burlap, lace and pearls in my head. And here's what I ended up with  -- along with a short tutorial on how I did it!



I hope Hilary and John like it!



Here is what the poor little thing looked like to begin with.



First,  I took the insides of the book away from the cover  Pulling apart  carefully where it was glued together.





Now I had the ugly cover, the pages and the binder all separated.

Next, I used the old cover as a pattern and cut a piece of burlap the same size.  Now -- don't laugh at this part.  But I used duct tape to secure the burlap to the book edges.  I knew I would be adding hot glue over that part too -- so being the good ole' Southern gal that I am -- I did what every southerner does--  I fixed it with duct tape!  lol.  The next step was to hot glue the book pages back into the binder and then decorate the front.

All done!



Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

I

Burlap and Lace Flowers

Hello Friends!  I have wanted to learn to make fabric flowers for several months. I  watched numerous tutorials and tried a few.. but never seemed to accomplish the "look" I wanted.  So -- tonight I set out to figure it out  myself.  Here are two that I made.  Still not perfect, but it's a start!  What do you think?

I won an award!!

Liebster Award

Hi Everyone!  I won an award!  It's a  major award!!  And it's not a leg lamp!  (Sorry -- I could not resist that reference to my favorite Christmas Movie, A Christmas Story) Seriously -- I am honored to say that Rusty Heart Designs  @ http://rustyheartdesigns.blogspot.com has passed her Liebster Award along to me.  Liebster, in German, means endearing, valued, and lovely. The award acknowledges up and coming bloggers for outstanding accomplishments within design that is presented on their blog.

Here are the rules for accepting the award:

1. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, and then
create 11 new questions for the chosen bloggers.
3. Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.
4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.
5. No tag backs.


11 Facts About Me:

I am a middle child.  (One older sister and one younger sister.)

I am a diabetic and have an insulin pump.

I love community involvement projects and once designed a community clean up campaign called "Get out of the funk and Clean up the Junk"  Lol.

I have been a scrapbooker for 20 years.

My idea of a perfect day is sitting in the swing with the sun shining and a stack of crafting magazines at my side.

I am a Christian and attend a Nazarene Church.

I  would love to retire somewhere on a lake.

My favorite flowers are buttercups and zinnias.

I love italian food.

I work in a law office.

I LOVE primitive crafts.

 

Here are the questions that The Rusty Heart asked of  me:

1. What do you do to get decorating inspiration?  I enjoy pinterest and visiting other blogs for inspiration.  I also enjoy being in nature and get inspiration from the natural things I find growing.
 
2. What are your favorite decor magazines?  I LOVE the Country Sampler magazine.  Although I don't have alot of primitive country decorations -- I still love them!
 
3. What are your favorite stores to buy pieces? I love antique and thrift stores.  My favorite is our local antique mall called Timeless Antiques.
 
4. Do you like to cook? and if so, what's your favorite dish? I get in the mood to cook on occasion.  I enjoy crock pot meals!  Easy and delicious.  But given the choice -- I'd rather be crafting than cooking anyday!

5. What seasons fall, spring, winter, or summer, do you enjoy decorating for? FALL!!  Without a doubt is my absolute favorite.  I love everything about it from the leaves turning, (all that red, yellow and orange) to pumpkins and Thanksgiving.
 
6. Do you like outdoor decorating or gardening at all? I enjoy outdoor decorating and I also enjoy using outdoor decorations inside!  I love planting flowers (zinnias are my favorite).  I created a fairy garden last summer and had so much fun doing it!  Pictures are posted on my blog :)

7. Is there a blog that you visit often that gives you inspiration?  I love visiting Sheila @ Note Songs.  She is a wonderful decorator and her posts are so inspiring.  We share a lot of the same "likes". 
 
8. Do you have a favorite color, and does it show in your home? I love earthy tones.  Mustard, burgundy, greens.  I have them in my kitchen and dining room.  Though I really went "out of my zone" this year with a blue bedroom! I love the mixture of blue, yellow and white so I went out on a limb and I really do like it.    
 
9. Do you have any pets? I have a wonderful tuxedo cat named Ace, 2 beautiful boxers in my backyard and an adorable 2 pound black Chi-Poo puppy that belongs to my youngest daughter, Hope. 
 
10. Do you like to go out or stay in on a Friday night? I enjoy staying home, ordering pizza, getting a fire going in the fireplace and crafting!

11. What room do you re-do the most often? My daughter's bedrooms.  Their taste in decor is constantly changing as they grow.  Of course, I only have my youngest left at home now.  The other 2 have flew the coop!  But I  enjoy helping them decorate their new apartments as they start out on their own.

Here are the 11 blogs that I chose to pass the award along to:  These are blogs that I enjoy following and I think you will too.  Please visit their sites and check them out!

Lori over @ http://www.applegrovetreasures.blogspot.com

Kristi over @  http://www.thankfulme.net

Angie over @ http://www.beneaththemagnolias.com 

Jenn over @ http://findingmysunshineinlife.blogspot.com

 Mary Beth over @ http://www.beingathomebynature.com

 Barb over @ http://barbscraps2.blogspot.com

Emily @  http://www.bluestarinkblog.com

Dee @  http://www.mikeandgabby.com

Linda @ http://www.paperseedlings.com/ 

Kristin @  http://kikiscraftkorner.blogspot.com 

Lynn @  http://lynnshomespuncountry.blogspot.com 

Rusty Hearts -- Thanks again for nominating me!


NOW  -- Here are MY questions for the 11 bloggers above that I have nominated.  Post this information on your blog for others to see.

1.  What is your description of a perfect day?

2.  What project have you done or created that you are most proud of?

3.  How long have you been blogging and what got you started?

4.  What is your favorite style of decor?

5.  Who or what gives you the most inspiration?

6.   What is your favorite season of the year?

7.  Who do you admire the most?

8.  What is your favorite blog to follow?

9.  Where is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

10. Describe your home decor.

11.  Do you enjoy outdoor activities?  Such as?

 

"Stampin Up!" with Kristi and Robin

Our "Stampin Up" group recently met and made 2 cards and an adorable Valentine 12 x 12 scrapbook page.  I wanted to share some pics from our Make and Take.  We always have so much fun and come away with some great ideas and new cards.  This month we even had an awesome door prize which was won by Thejuana Washington! (I must admit-- I was jealous!  Lol!)

Not sure why Thejuana is all "frowned" up!  She won the door prize!  Lol!

A "Shari Berry" Surprise!

Have you ever tried any of the berries from "Shari's Berries?"(http://www.berries.com/)  Well, my sweet and wonderful  husband sends me a dozen for Valentine's Day every year and they are delicious!  I got mine a day early this year and I just wanted to share them with you!  (Lol -- wish I really could.  Though I can be quite stingy with them!)

These are the instructions on the box -- Isn't that funny?

 

A Lovely Thrift Store Find

Hello friends!  While Hope and I were out on our "Saturday Scrounging" trip this past weekend; we found this pretty little heart wreath.  It looked so shabby chic and was priced just right at $2.00!  I brought it home and filled it up with some pretty dried roses and babies breath.   Another lucky find!  I just love thrift stores!  Don't you?

The "After"

The "Before"

Make your own Cloche

Cloche (or glass domes) are so popular  right now and I have became a little obsessed fond of them.  I have seen so many beautiful ones on pinterest and I can just see my easter table full of them with moss and little ceramic bunny rabbits in them.  I started my quest to find some affordable ones a few weeks ago.  I visited  my favorite store -- Hobby Lobby.  But even with my 40 percent off coupon; it was more than I wanted to spend.  Next, I tried the thrift stores.  No Luck there either.  So -- I set off to make my own.  Here is what I came up with:

I placed dried roses on a bed of moss in mine:)



You will need a tube of E-6000, a stand (or you can use a candlestick)  a small cup and saucer size plate and a small glass bowl  (dollar tree sells this size bowl).  Mine came from yard sales -- total cost --$1.50.  Put glue on the top of your candle stick or stand and place it on the bottom of the plate as shown below.



After placing the glue on the stand -- let it dry according to the directions on the tube.



After it has dried, (mine took about 45 minutes) flip it over and place whatever you would like to display on the plate and then cover with dome.  I added a lace bow to my stand.  The possibilites are endless.  I have seen tiny baby shoes, jewels, clocks and all kinds of things displayed in cloches.  Have fun and let me know if you make one!



A Nice Surprise at the End of the Day

I came home from work today and found this bag of goodies on my back porch!   I don't even know who left them but would sure like to find out.  I have been looking for some of these adorable little jewels to use on some of my craft projects.  Thanks to whoever left these!  They really put a smile on my face!  UPDATE:  I found out who left me these little treasures!  Thank you so much Brenda Welch!  You are a great friend and blog follower:)

Shabby chic Tussie Mussie

Hello friends!  I have been seeing alot of Valentine tussie mussies out there in blogland and I wanted to make one.  BUT when I got started it somehow turned into a wedding thing... well... you know what's on my mind.   Anyhow, I came up with something I think will be great for the bridesmaids to carry.  I put dried flowers in this one but for the wedding--we will have fresh flowers.  So.. what do you think?