Sweet Somethings

Yesterday I received the most delicious box in the mail from my friend Melissa. I met Melissa last year at Silver Bella and we immediately connected. This year we decided to do a Christmas stocking exchange and I am so happy that we did. Look at the amazing stocking she made me. The quality of her work is incredible.

Look at all of this lovely loot she stuffed it with. There was so much that she couldn't even fit it all inside. She choose the most thoughtful items. I've never had a stocking filled with this kind of goodness in my life. We've decided to make it a yearly tradition. Eventually we will have quite a collection of stockings and I've no idea where I'll hang them all, but what a wonderful problem to have.

 

And as if that wasn't enough, she put this book in the box as a birthday present to me. I love how she thoughtfully selected this particular book knowing that I am so interested in making journals right now. How sweet is that?

  

 

This pillow is also made my Melissa. I bought it moments after it landed in her etsy shop. The quality blows me away. Her stitching is incredible and the colors are perfect for this cozy spot. Even the pink velvet back makes me happy to look at.

Here's the stocking I made for Melissa. I have to say that it is one of the most fun projects I've ever done and I can't wait to make more this next year for my family. Both of the girls have already put in their request for the pom pom and pearl detail.

Gifts I'm Giving

Hi. I'm Jen. I used to blog here. Remember me? I know many of you are enjoying my new banner and wondering what creative genius is responsible for it. It's all the hard work of the very sweet, patient and talented Ashley Draper. Thank you, Ash, for making my blog look as pretty as it felt!

In the wee hours of the morning I finally finished the last of the aprons. I love how they turned out and since I wasn't working from a pattern, they got easier as I went along.

I thought I'd share a little bit of what else I'm giving this year. I'd love to hear what you are giving.

If you've seen Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium you understand. I really wanted one for myself too but I guess I'll have to be content with sharing. From Target:

For the smart guy in my life. From The Discovery Store:

A one year subscription to my favorite magazine.
There's a rumor that Santa might bring this to our house for one lucky little lady.
For the daring girls in my life. And maybe a little bit for me too.

For the Man in the Yellow Hat wannabe.

Art Apron

This is the apron I made to wear for Silver Bella. I just realized I didn't show it to you after I finished. I love aprons and own several. Different occasions, tasks and moods call for different aprons and a girls gotta be prepared. What is it about the way an apron makes you feel when you put it on? Like you are somehow more capable and better prepared to tackle whatever task lies ahead of you.

This is the 2nd apron I've made and it's by far my favorite. I'm not sure I'm done with it yet. I might continue to add to it a bit at a time. I love the rough edges, the fabrics that don't necessarily match, the odd bits and trims that I gathered up over time and that just sat waiting for their turn to be useful.

 

A scrap of fabric here, a bit of embroidery there. A favorite trim or button. I like the idea of it evolving over time and becoming a sampler of things I love. Kind of a history of creativity.

 

I love to wear it in the studio, storing my tools in the large pocket as I while away the hours but when it's not being worn it makes me just as happy hanging on a hook looking pretty.

Studio Tour

We finally have some sunshine today and with several snowy days in our forecast I thought I should take advantage of it and bring you along on a tour of my studio.


I've been searching for a couple of years for an antique piece to use as storage but wanted something I could get cheaply to tide me over. I finally broke down and got this a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that I'm so pleased with it that I've stopped looking for anything else.


Baskets of journals and current reading. Pretty boxes that help me store some of the good stuff.

Baskets for my fabric stash of which I am currently trying to enlarge. An old bird feeder holding some of my crepe paper and other paper rolls.

More pretty containers to hold beads and other fun stuff.

An ironstone bowl filled with shiny, glittery happiness.

The most inspiring inbox I've ever seen.

My happy corner where I can be found curled up with a quilt, a cat, a notebook and a stack of inspiration.

My twin. She is currently wearing my painting smock, craft apron, Silver Bella beads and a necklace I bought there.

This is just the beginning. I have many projects in store for this room, although many of them will probably have to wait until after the holidays. Until then if you are looking for me, I will happily be working away in here, dreaming of crepe paper and glitter. I hope you are having a sparkly day yourself.

Oh My Craftiness Part I

I thought I had taken pictures of all of my finished projects but it seems I was wrong. I will share the ones I did manage to capture. The one above is from my last class which was with Kim Kwan. I have to tell you that I was exhausted by then and the lighting was terrible where we had the class so no one was more surprised than me that I actually liked how the project turned out.

This project is from my Pam Garrison class & is made from half of a vintage scrabble board. It was a lot of fun to make and I'll be hanging it on my studio door very soon. I'm looking forward to making more of these.

This was from my very first class which was Carolyn Peeler. It was so much fun to make, so freeing. Emma claimed this immediately which was fine with me because I had her in mind the entire time I was making it.

Not to be out done, Emma created a true masterpiece for me based on love. In case you can't read it, it says: "We are Love, We are Love, We are Love. And don't you forget. Love." I'm keeping it forever. Notice the use of color, swirly doodles and gorgeous blue velvet ribbon. God love her. That girl wants to be in my studio almost as much as I do. We're getting ready to start practicing our embroidery stitches and last night she created her first paper sewing project, but more on that later.

Hope you are all having a great week and not making yourself too crazy getting ready for Thursday. We are looking forward to a small dinner, just the 4 of us. That means no cleaning like a madman, a scaled back menu, time to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and time to read the paper. I'm thankful for that.

The Adventure Continues

Just so y'all don't think that hippo in a tutu was the look I was rocking all weekend, here are some slightly better pictures. I'm missing a picture of me with Carolyn Peeler. The lighting was terrible and I'm so sad about it because I really, really adored her. I'm so glad that she was our first class because she taught me so much about technique. I will always be indebted to her. Plus I feel like we bonded when I got all emotional talking to her about what her class meant to me. Well, I call it bonding, she probably calls it frightening. Whatever.

Me and Kim Kwan. I loved her. She's quite spunky which is one of my favorite qualites in a person.

Me and my honorary niece, Molly. She was in I think 3 of our classes and she is so talented, sweet and gorgeous. And she's a recently graduated art major which makes her totally cool in my book.

Me and Cammy with the Queen Bee herself, Teresa McFayden. She was so warm and friendly. I will be forever grateful to her for putting all of this together.

That's me with Mary Engelbreit. Ladies she was amazing, down to earth and frank. She was encouraging and honest and I'm so happy I had the privilege of meeting her.

That's me and Pam Garrison. Is it just me or does she make me look like an amazon? She is the most adorable woman. All that talent and charming and gorgeous to boot. Hate her.

This was my spot at the group class the first night. I hope to start showing you guys my finished projects in the next couple of days. Plus I've been revamping my studio and I'm even more inspired now. I'll be showing you that in a few days too. I have lots to share, the hard part is tearing myself away from the fun to post!

Felt Frenzy

Maybe it's the time of year but I'm overcome with felt fever. Everywhere I turn I see delicious things made out of felt and I want to play & create some too. I'm so inspired by pieces like these items pictured above and below from Anthropologie, as well as the other places below. They inspire me to want to sit and play with felt and thread and create whimsy. I imagine I could get lost for hours in all that fuzz. As I make my Christmas shopping list for Sweet Hubby, I'm wondering if there are any good books out there on creating whimsical, crafty, cottagey things out of felt. I'm also wondering where you buy the good felt and not that stuff that sells for a quarter at the craft store. Please help my inner child's dreams come true and point me in the right direction. Felt coasters from Martha

Felt stockings from Martha

These wonderful trees from the ohso talented Charlotte Lyons

From Mahar Dry Goods

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen

My bags are packed. Mostly. The important stuff has been tucked away and the rest will happen later today. I'm so filled with excitement about this trip. Thank you Sweet Hubby for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime and for spoiling me so much. Thank you for being so blinded by my charm that you actually think I'm worth it.

Some quick randomness before I leave for Omaha. This newest Somerset magazine is filled with an incredible amount of eye candy. If you have a creative space or wish you did, then this is worth every penny.

This is my new best friend. She actually arrived early. Does that ever happen? I've been enjoying baking for the last 5 days and to celebrate I thought I'd throw a potluck and invite all of you, my sweet friends. Come back and visit me on Tuesday and be prepared to post your favorite cold weather comfort food on your blog & to share it with us. I look forward to coming home inspired and ready to cook, bake, create and just generally be the domestic goddess I was born to be.

The Time Has Come

It's here. It's time for Silver Bella. So begins the time of year when I can blog about little else. Feel free to take a sabbatical from me while I get it out of my system.

Four nights away from it all. I will miss my family so much. I will miss you all too, but I will have more glitter & wine powered fun than you can imagine. I thought I'd leave you with a peak of my felt ornaments all packaged up and ready to swap.

 

This is an in progress peek of the apron I made this year. I hope all of you have a week filled with friends and creativity. Okay, wine and glitter too. I look forward to catching up with you soon.

The Apron that Almost Wasn't

Have you ever had one of those projects that just fought you from beginning to end? That's how this apron was for me. Quite honestly I've been thinking about this project for months. I never could get my fabrics to come together just right. I finally gave up and went out last week and bought some new fabrics and that helped. Until I actually started sewing it. I had no pattern. And I might add, no clue either. What I did have was a yucky virus which is what I'm going to blame all of the errors, ripped stitches, wrong machine settings and temper tantrums on. Now it's done and even though I pretty much hated it by the time I finished it, I think it's growing on me.

If you're like me you like detail, so here are some close ups. That little fleur-de-lis lovely is from a bag of buckles I got at a garage sale for .50. Yep, you heard me right. That picture below is the last minute towel loop I added. I tend to be messy in all of my endeavors, so it makes sense for a girl like me.

Gettin' My Craft On

I've been thinking a lot lately about how much I miss taking time to be creative. I've been in a bit of a funk with it this past year but I'm ready to break free and get my craft on. Be prepared to see more of that around here. For me it's all part of being a cottage style, vintage lovin' freak. I'm feeling inspired to make some ornaments like my Momma made when I was a little girl. Sadly my share of them got lost in our move to Miami several years ago. The one above I recently found at a thrift store.

If you want to get inspired to get your craft on for the holiday season, go check out Amy Powers Inspired Ideas online magazine. I'm making this wreath by one of my favorite crafty ladies, Charlotte Lyons, right away.

On another note, thank you all for your support and for sharing your own stories on my last post. It meant a lot to me.