New Year - 2010

Wishing you all many unexpected blessings and beauty in the New Year.

Love to all my Blogging Friends.

Silver Sunday Starts Soon!

Beth at Gypsy Fish Journal is hosting a new blog party, beginning January 3rd. I might have to polish up some of my silver bits and be ready to join in the fun. Anyone else joining? I hope you can, it sounds like fun.

White Wednesday - Bottle Brush Trees

I have seen bleached bottle brush trees all over Blogland, so I figured I might as well jump right in and try it myself. It was SOOOOOO easy. A little bleach and water in a bucket and soak the Dollar Store green trees - TA DA! White Trees.
I applied spray adhesive and sprinkled on Martha Stewart Snow Glitter, that didn't work too well. I don't know what might work better. Then hot glued some pearl bobbles in place.
One tree is sitting in a little silver cup that I bought at a White Elephant table for .25. It polished up very nicely. The other tree is sitting in fake snow in a thrift store crystal glass.
What have you been crafting lately?

Gift Card Package - Part 1

This is the first original idea I have had in a long time. (At least I haven't seen it anywhere else yet)
2. Purchase pillow boxes from the Dollar Store (4 for a $1)

3. Open along seam and flatten.

4. Apply a good strong adhesive on the right side of the pillow box, cover with pretty, vintage wallpaper and brayer it smooth.

5. This is what it will look like so far.

Gift Card Package- Part 2

5. Trim with scissors to follow the original pillow box, making a new flap with the wallpaper.

6. Use a paper punch to cut out half circles at the end. That makes it easier to open the package.

7. Fold along the original vertical folds, glue down the flaps.

8. I used bulldog clips to hold it together while the glue dried.

9. Add some paper shred to keep the surprise a mystery.

Tie with a pretty ribbon and add some scrapbooking bling.

I hope you are able to follow my instructions.

-smiles-

Christmas Decor

Frosted ornaments hanging from my dining room chandelier.
My Dad's idea was to put the Snow Owl on the fireplace. My DH bought me the owl last year for Christmas. He is certainly unique. (The owl, that is, not my DH)
The vintage silver coaster idea came from a dear blogging friend, Janis at Junk Dreams. She has the BEST ideas ever. I thought of making the JOY banner after I saw Janis' BOO banner in the fall. Looks like 'Great minds think alike'.


It is easy to make silvery Christmas balls. I bought old glass ones at the local thrift shop, soaked them is dish soap and warm water, then scrubbed off the colour. They are mostly silver underneath.

Our Christmas tree had a red cardinal attached to it. I found the dove at the thrift store for .25 and replaced it. It reminded me that God will not give me more than I can handle. It was a great blessing that day.

Cocoa and Comfort

This week I am sharing some photos from Country Living Magazine. (The cocoa is mine *grin*)

I hope you are savouring something warm and wonderful right now, too.

This is my favorite one. I am on the lookout now for some vintage books, white of course.

This is a very simple, inexpensive idea.

I sure miss some of the decorating magazines that have folded. Canadian Home & Country was one I subscribed to for years. It is gone now. Country Home was another one. They still have an email sign-up as well as a website.

The internet is great, but I still love a good magazine.

A Blog Makeover

I thought I would change the look of my blog for the holiday season. I have spent hours working on it, my the time goes so quickly. Anyway, with the help of Cute n Cool Blog Stuff , Picnik , and Big Huge Labs this is what I came up with. If I get some more time, I think I will play around with it some more. Happy White Wednesday, everyone!

A Prelude to Christmas

One thing that always puts me in the mood to decorate for Christmas is visiting some of the lovely, smaller boutiques and shoppes. This is one I try to get to at least twice a year, Spring and Christmas. Wendy was gracious to allow me to take a few photographs so that you can enjoy some of the beautiful decorations. This shoppe is as beautiful inside as it is out.
I have found that so many shoppes are not allowing photographs to be taken.
I wonder why that is?

Here is the link to their website.

This quote on a pillow is perfect for those of us who love all things vintage and chippy.

This is the treasure that I bought to bring home with me. Something that reminds me of

'The Reason for the Season'

White Wednesday - My Dream File

I have a special file on my laptop named my "Dream" file. In it I keep links of things I would love to have, mostly things for my home. In my head, I realize we can't have everything we see. It just isn't practical. But, the heart is a place meant for dreaming. So, I file away some beautiful things in my Dream file, where I can visit them anytime I feel like some eye candy. It is also very easy on the PayPal account.
These darling turkey placecard holders are from Cindy's online shop Cute Pink Stuff
They are filed away in my Dream file. There are many more lovely things in Cindy's shop as well as on her blog by the same name. I'm sure she would love a visit and a comment or two.
Thank you dear Cindy for allowing me to use your photos on my blog.
-smiles-

White Wednesday

Photo Credit - Sandi @ My Yellow Door

Do you need some inspiration for Christmas? I found some at Christmas Pudding.

A cute blog dedicated to all things Christmas. Sandi is also a fellow Canadian. I hope you enjoy meeting her as much as I did.

-smiles-

To My Dear Blogging Friends

Meet my Dad.

This is him in the hospital recuperating from a fractured hip. He was feeling chilly so we covered him up in a heated sheet. My sister took this photo of him goofing around and I told him I would put it on my blog. I am now making good on my threat. lol

Many of my blogging buddies have been concerned about why my posts are so sporadic. Dad has come to live with us in Lady Pamela's Cottage. So now my days are pretty full. We are both enjoying the extra time spent together, and Dad is getting stronger every day.
Thank you for your prayers and concerns. I will post as time permits. Hugs to you all.

White Wednesday - With Apologies

First - I apologize for posting so late on Wednesday. Second - I am sorry for the poor photos.

You are all such sweet blogging friends, I know without a doubt that you will forgive me.

BUT - I absolutely could not wait to show you all my new bridge lamp. The darling young lady at Creekside (in Abbotsford) was able to find not only one, but two for me to choose from.

I was soooooo excited, that I could not eat (totally not normal for me!)

Thinking back, I should have brought my camera to show you their store. Now I have a really great excuse to go back there.

White Wednesday - Pumpkin Tea Party

I came across this lovely online boutique called Scarlett Rose. I have never seen a tea set that is both all white and fall at the same time. I think it is so precious. I emailed June and got her permission to post her photos. I cannot decide which pieces to purchase. (Of course, all of them. But really, which one?)
The lovely, breathtaking teapot?

The cute, unassuming cream and sugar?

Or the teacup with the adorable leaf for a saucer?

Which one would you choose?