Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shutter Photo Display with Muslin Roses

I added a little something to the top of my shutter photo display- muslin roses with burlap leaves.

Cooking blog

Here is the link to a fun cooking blog- Our best bites- just in case you're like me and haven't found it until now : )

Free Christmas Cross Stitch Pattern- Cardinal and Blue Jay

When I was a child a sweet next door neighbor "adopted" me as her granddaughter.  We had some fine visits.  She loved animals and critters. She set up a bird feeder to attract birds- especially cardinals.  Around Christmas I could sometimes catch a glimpse of their bright red feathers.  Often at the holidays I think of her and these beautiful birds.

I decided to celebrate that memory and came up with a simple little cross stitch pattern to share with you!  Consider it your very first Christmas present of the year!  I couldn't leave out the fascinating blue jay so there is a pattern for him too- These would make fine ornaments, Christmas cards, or tiny holiday displays.

A link to the patterns is found in the freebie section on the right or here.  Below is the Christmas card version.

 Enjoy!!!

Beaded Craft Project Gone Wrong

I checked out a book from the library on seed beading because I wanted to try making a wintry brooch.  I found and adapted a simple cross stitch snowflake pattern. Yep, those are my reading glasses- don't need 'em for reading yet, but I sure do for fine craft work!  

In case you are a novice to seed beading you should know that it requires an investment of time and patience.  It took me forever just to thread the teeny, tiny needle!  Well, after working through two BBC Jane Austin movies (and one Deanna Durbin chick flick) the pin is done.

.... unfortunately the end product isn't quite what I'd planned.  First: it's too large. Second: the blue snowflake gets lost in the silver background.  Third:  I messed up and stitched the beads on the wrong way in one corner....live and learn.  It does sparkle beautifully!  Maybe I can use it as a lumpy coaster...

Happy Veteran's Day

I just want to send out a special thank you to all the veterans and their families.  I'm so grateful for your sacrifice.  The school my kids go to is so awesome.  Their Salute to Veterans program is one of the key events of the year.  They made special signs to put on the back of each veteran's chair.  As I watched this large group of young people singing the national anthem, joining together in the pledge of allegiance and singing God Bless America my eyes filled with tears.  I  join them in stating, "Thank you veterans and may God Bless America"!

Link to Adorable Free Thanksgiving Printables

I think these are the CUTEST Thanksgiving printables ever- and they are free.  Check out the entire collection over at anna and blue. 

Wreath hanger and Burlap Wreath

I found this cute little cabinet door at our habitat for humanity store (the selection of cabinet doors has been drastically reduced- I hope that won't be permanent!).  It just needed cleaned, fresh cream paint, lightly sanded and brown stain applied to edges.  I'm not perfectly happy with the end finish as the cupboard had almost a "plastic-y" finish that was really weird to work with- but it will do for now.  I added a cute hook from Hobby Lobby - now I can hang a burlap wreath or other such things on it :0)

The wreath is made by taking 3 inch strips of dark brown burlap and bending forward and back while threading onto a metal hanger as shown here- takes five minutes if you really drag your feet dilly dally.

11/9/10  Oops, forgot a step.  After threading the burlap onto the hanger twist it- keep adding burlap until it has the fullness you are looking for.

11/8/10  Don't miss the other creative ideas at skip to my lou and making the world cuter.

Free Amazing Online Christmas Craft Magazine

Amy has created a free beautiful online magazine FULL of craft ideas for every style and taste- go check it out!  Just click on the link above and then on the magazine picture and then flip through the pages- place your mouse on the right of your screen- near the middle- an arrow will magically appear to take you through the entire magazine.  Have FUN!!!

Shutter & Pictures Decor- a copy

My daughter showed me this cute shutter makeover from How Sweet it Is and I decided it would be perfect for my new/up-do/ in process photo wall.

Here is my version. 

The shutters cost $2 at the Texas yard sale.  I used WalMart's store brand, red spray paint.  I simply sanded the shutters and added some walnut wood stain to antique them a bit more. 

I followed the tutorial for clothes pins from Twice Remembered.  Now I can have a rotating (if I keep up with it) photo display in my family room!

I decided to link up with Thrifty Decor Chick's Before & After party- so here is the before-the-TLC shutter photo-