Things to be thankful for and a winner!

I have a terribly long list of things to be thankful for but here are some to share:

A beautiful song, , A comfortable chair, A cool breeze, A drink of cool water, A full moon, A gentle rain, A hard rain, A good book to read, A good coat, A good husband, A good pillow, A Mourning Dove's song, A scenic drive, Air conditioning, Beaches in the morning, Blue jeans, My Brother, Butterflies, Butterfly kisses, Children laughing, Christmas morning, Clothes that fit well, Comfortable shoes, Compliments, Computers that work, Dove Milk Chocolate, Dishwashers, Diversity, Dried pineapple slices, Fairness, Crackling fire in a fireplace, FAMILY, Flowers, Freedom of religion, Freedom of speech, Fresh ideas, Good conversation, Good eyesight, Good friends, Good health, Good movies, Good teachers, Good tires, Grace, Grandmas and Grandpas, Holding hands, Honest people, Hugs, Indoor plumbing, Kittens, Laughter, Parents, Parking spaces near the front, Peanut butter, Plenty of closet space, Polite drivers, Porch swings, Quiet mornings, Rainbows, Roasted peanuts, Shade trees, Silver Bella, Smiles, Snowflakes, Soft toilet paper, Sunrises, Sunsets, Thanksgiving dinner, That I am not a turkey today, The color of autumn leaves, The ocean, The smell of homemade bread, The words "I love you", Tire swings, True friends, Uninterrupted dinners, Warm kisses, Warm showers, Whipped cream, White puffy clouds and GOD.

There is so much to be thankful for, these are just a few. Don't forget to take some time this holiday and everyday to be truly thankful for our wonderful blessings.

And now.... drum roll please! My husband randomly picked a number from your posts and the winner of the Thanksgiving I am Thankful For Papercrafting Kit is:

A Silver Bella Sister!!!

Danielle Muller at daniellewww.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com!!

Send me your address Danielle and I will get this out to you. Congratulations, and Enjoy!!!

Thank you all for your sweet sentiments and comments! You all give me so many more reasons to be thankful!

~xo

kits, kits, and more kits!!!

I am starting to branch out and sell a few paper crafting kits here and there. They are stuffed with goodness and just about everything you need to complete a project minus your basic tool kit. If you are interested, just click on the link to my newly updated etsy shop! In addition to sending you the kit, I will email you instructions and photos of the completed project.

Here's the first one:

Every Thanksgiving I spend at least two full weeks planning and preparing a meal fit for the noblest of kings. On the big day, the house is exploding with the smells we love so very much and the timer on the oven rings telling of another wonderful dish that is ready to cool. We bless the food and everyone dives in. We use our most beautiful china (the stuff for only special occasions) and everything is perfect. We are surrounded by family and friends, and the yummiest of foods. Several courses later, we all retreat to the couch for some football or more family fun. This is one of our favorite holidays with so many photo opportunities for sure but there are never any good photos because I am up to my elbows in cranberry sauce and pumpkin pies while making sure everyone in comfortably stuffed.

I figured it was about time to document at least one Thanksgiving before these wonderful memories escape me forever. With this kit, you will create a sassy memento of your Thanksgiving favorites will all the trimmings. It includes paper, binding ring, vintage jewelry, chipboard, vintage photos, ribbon, German glass glitter, beads, card stock, feathers and much, much more! With this, will have a special decoration to display for years to come, full of warm memories, precious family and oh yes, the cranberry sauce!

Here is a peek at the book:




~xo

Holiday Hoopla @ The Pink Pineapple!!!

I am just too excited to get the chance to work with such great talents at the Holiday Hoopla at the Pink Pineapple! The other girls I am so blessed to get to teach with are:

Leah Fung http://www.leahfung.typepad.com/

Michelle Hill http://www.polkadotwhimsy.typepad.com/

Candice McLean http://candicemclean.typepad.com/

Stephanie Ackerman http://www.homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/

Be sure to check them out, they are magnificent!

We all get to hang out Sunday December 7th from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. to create and be with our other kindred crafty girlies. You will get to make 5 projects and they can either be gifts or you can keep them for yourself (I think it will be hard not to!)

Get ready to get your glitter on girls!
Here are some sneak peeks of the class I am teaching:

The supplies you will need to bring for my class are:

scissors
crop-a-dile (don't worry if you don't have one, we can share)
tacky glue (Aleene's is great but any will do)
Art Glitter Glue (this is wonderful, but any sort of glue you can make a thin line with will work)
sanding block

There are only 32 seats and it is already more than half full! Call today to reserve your spot 760-598-2222.

I am sure it will prove to be a fabulous day of good times, great projects, and warm holiday wishes, hope to see you there!

~xo

as promised... the 12 days

I promised several Bellas that I would post our swap when it was complete. Here is the most glittery, glamorous days in all its glory (and they are glorious!!!):

I did the cover:

Liz Albrecht of the Artist Cellar was the first day of Christmas her paints were just perfect for the project, shimmering and shining!

Kim Caldwell of Artistic Bliss was day 2 with so many layers I could not even count! Stunning!

Michele Witchell of Willy Nilly Art & Whimsy was day 3 with her French hens are all speaking French! Ooh, la, la!!!

Cherie Wilson was day 4 with her vintage sheet music and glittery birds, so sweet!

Sylvia Estrada did amazing things with the 5 golden rings, and on material non-the-less!

Alisa Noble's fingers were probably numb after cutting all those geese, but it was worth it for the 6th day of Christmas!

Oh and that Heather Ales... Who but her would have thought of a ballerina for seven swans-a-swimming???!!! Love her for that!

Julie Hackney and her maids-a-milking was a huge hit! Just look at that chic cow!

Karen Lea wowed us all with her ladies dancing, the vibrant colors, rhinestones and feathers to boot... I feel like I was just at the Copa Cabana!

And then there is Miss Stacy McGinnis! She was so clever making her lords a leaping cute little frogs. Just look at that ornament in the corner... what a clever girl!

Lisa Orme, what a treat it was to get these in the mail, she used real vintage glass ornaments on the page!

And finally, last but far from least, my newest flying buddy Cheryl Stoneham created the most beautiful final page for our 12 days. Just look at the scrolling detail and the wonderful glitter trim. You cannot tell but that pink stripe is a vintage velvet ribbon going down the side!

Thank you all who participated! My Christmas decor will be the envy of all! I am truly blessed to get to have worked on such a special project with you all!

~xo

where does the time go?

It seems like yesterday was the middle of Oct and now today we are almost to Thanksgiving! Feathers have been flying and glitter is everywhere but so very worth it! I have packaged up my swaps and shipped them off to Omaha for our wonderful event, The Silver Bella. I cannot wait to see all so many kindred spirits there crafting and exchanging wonderful ideas and love! Here is a package of the goodness I sent off yesterday:

I will post more pictures after I return. The girls get first lookie-loos at their projects.

Secondly, I am excited about teaching new classes at our very sweet local store the Pink Pineapple! You can check out all the goodness at their site to the left of my blog. Super cute store and really nice people! I am fortunate to have such an opportunity as this and love to work with even more crafty and creative minds!!! I am a lucky girl indeed!

More later after the big event!!!

~xo