Just what I Needed

In one afternoon we got so much done!  The shelves are up and I can't wait to paint them!  Today, I'm going to make the curtains and start working on some new pillows for the shop.  Here is a sneak peak of the room (second photo is artwork done by my six year old).

My Own Space

Finally, I little room for all my sewing and crafting!  Over the next few days, I will be moving my sewing machine and loads of fabric out of our livingroom into an extra bedroom upstairs.  I'm excited about what I can do (on a limited budget) to make it all my own.  I'll post pictures next week.  Thank goodness I have a hubby that will help with the shelf making! 

Happy Holidays!

Yes, I'm a little late posting this picture.  This was taken between rain a few weeks ago.  We still have all this snow,  it's beautiful!  Happy holidays from our family to yours!

My favorite gift

For over a year I have seen Lisa's jewelry on blogs.  She has amazing pieces.  I read her blog, I loved getting to know her.  She has a beautiful story, and her blog will have you hooked.  I ordered the family tree necklace for Christmas.  It is perfect, just the right size to hold in my hand through out the day and rub my fingers over.  This represents my little family of five, that is so full of love and life.  Hop over to her shop and see for yourself,  http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/

What we're listening to

I've been wanting a stereo/record player for some time now.  My grandparents have an antique shop (it is no longer open, they are both in their nineties) with about 13 models.  The trick was to find one that worked and that I liked the look of as well.  We ended up getting this one.  I'm in love with it!  The sound is so clear, and we have been listening to so much more music!  I'm lovin' Perry right now.  This is what I'll be doing tonight with a warm fire burning.  I wish I could freeze these last few days before Christmas. 

Our Charlie Brown Tree

We live on a tree farm with thousands of balsam fir trees and other varieties.  At Christmas friends and family come and pick out a tree.  Our trees aren't prunned.  We love that about them!  Every year we go into the woods behind our house and tag a tree before the snow gets too deep.  This year, we wanted to decorate it on the first Friday night in December.  Only problem, it was going to rain that day.  My husband went out and chopped it down early before work and put it in our garage.  The kids were excited, tree decorating was still going to happen that evening!  Lucky for us they have a great dad!  This year was the same as years past, we put on colored lights and all the precious decorations that we have gathered over the years.  No color themes here!  We like it this way. It's personal, ours.  The tree  is surrounded by a skirt that I made a few years ago.  Handprints of my littles circle the tree.  Full of love, full of the spirit of Christmas.

It's beginning to look like Christmas

Thanksgiving was good, so good that I could go for some leftovers.  It goes by so fast, but it was nice to get together with family.  We have been getting ready for Christmas and also my open studio (Monday).  I keep thinking of new things that I should make.  I'm giving myself to the end of today to get any sewing done, otherwise I'd work myself crazy.  Tomorrow , I'll make the desserts and clean the house.  I'm lucky to have the help of three children and one awesome husband.  It's snowing and blowing here.  We went into our woods yesterday and tagged our tree, before we got the snow.  I love this time of year, it's so magical!

Sale!

The holidays are just around the corner, so I decided to have a little sale in the shop.  All my items that are ready to ship (all except the "create your own items") will be 20% off until Monday@ 6 p.m. eastern time.  Why until that exact time?  Well, I'm actually having an open studio at my house that evening and I'll need to close the shop for a couple hours.  Really, really bad timing with Cyber Monday and all.  That needs to be put on the calendar next year!  Oh well, it will all work out.  I'm excited to have friends and family over.  Yes, a bit nervous too!  I hope to give some updates as the week goes on.  If you see something in the shop, the coupon code to use at checkout is THANKSGIVING20.  Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Operation Christmas Child

We spent last Sunday night packing up boxes for "Operation Christmas Child".  This year we decided to send three boxes.  Each of the girls got to do one.  We prepare for this all year long, picking up things along the way.  When school supplies go on sale, we pick up extra.  So much care and thought goes into packing these.  Their little hands examining each item and wondering if it will be liked.  I dare you to watch the video at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/.  The fastforward like clips of the family carving a turkey in America and then the little one eating what appears to be garbage breaks my heart.  The things we send aren't expensive, just items my kids would normally play with a few minutes and then forget about.  They each drew a picture then closed up the box.  Done for another year.  We are already talking about next year.  Hoping this brings joy to a few children this Christmas.

The Lady Bugs Have Landed

I'm really not digging this fall weather, the temperature is warm (70's again).  Lady bugs have flown in as they do each fall when it warms up like today.  It's hard for the kids to play outside with lady bugs landing on them every second.  I'm ready for the cooler temps., sweaters, hot drinks, and the fireplace.  Here's a glimpse at what I got done today.  Look out for these in the shop in the next day or two.  I'm thinking they would make nice broaches.  What do you think?

Getting there

My table is over run with little pieces of fabric needing to be sewn together into balsam pillows,sachets,flower pillows,etc.  Good news is, I got the "home" ornaments done and they will be listed in the shop soon.  Hope I can get a little time to do a bit more sewing, but the warm weather is calling my name.  We're in the 70's today.

Shop Update

It's was a busy weekend here.  Halloween costumes were made and etsy orders were packed and sent out.   I am now trying to restock the shop and get ready for a craft fair that is in less than two weeks-yikes!  I've got so many ideas swirling in my head, I'm hoping to get to most of them.  Today I spent most of the day cutting out fabric, burlap and making flowers.  We'll see how much I'll get sewn tonight.  I'm planning on a shop update sometime tomorrow.  Until then, here's what my ironing board looks like.  I love all the scraps of fabric.  There will be a total of six 'home" ornament/door hangers in the update tomorrow along with a few other items.    

Corners in my home

We have a lot of solid pine and cherry walls in our home.  I really can't bring myself to paint them.  If I did, it would change the whole look of the house and what if I hated it?  It's not worth taking the chance so instead, color is added in other ways.  This wall came together the other day with very little money spent.  My kind of project.  Here's a run down:

Old church pew-free
Mirror-was in the family
Chair-$1, spray paint$1, fabric $4, batting $2.
Canvas-pack of 10 for $15 at Michaels (still have 3 left), acrylic paint $3.
Pillows-I made from fabric scraps, linen.
Baskets-Repurposed from another room, love that.

This wall makes me happy for so many reasons.  It only cost me $26 out of pocket.  The art work was done by two of my three daughters, this personalizes our space .  We store libray books and crocheting in the baskets under the pew.  What corner in your house makes you happy?

Open Shop

Toward the end of November, I will be inviting friends and family into my home for an "open shop".  Allisa over at http://www.quiltish.blogspot.com/ offers great tips on pulling off an otherwise nerve wracking event.  I love her idea of leaving a computer on with your etsy shop.  Since, I'm sure some of my guest won't be familiar to Etsy, this will be a great way to showcase what so many of us do.  November should be a busy month for me since I will be doing two craft fairs, an open shop, and keeping my etsy shop full for the holidays.  I hope to learn a lot from this experience and apply it next year so I'm better prepared.  So, if you have a chance, go take a peek at Allisa's blog and shop.  She has lovely items and business tips.

Waiting

Our new batch of chickens we got in June should start laying eggs any day now.  They arrived in the mail as day old chicks.  I remember it was a ninety degree day.  The kids were so excited to open that box up.  Thankfully all ten were fine.  Now they look full grown.  I keep checking every morning for that first egg.  We love raising chickens.  We got our very first batch over two years ago.  They roam our yard pecking for a bug or worm or sometimes scraps from the kitchen.  The yolks are orange in color.  Nothing beats a fresh egg.  Well maybe, chocolate.

Here

I'm finally here.  I have read so many blogs these past two years, that I have decided to go ahead and join in.  I have such a huge list of favorites that I try to read.  So many projects and tutorials in my home have come from blogs.  I should really make a banner that reads "I found it on a blog".  My family doesn't even ask anymore, they just know.  Hopefully, this will be a glimpse into my life that I share with my husband and three daughters.  So much crafting, sewing, gardening, chicken raising, and just simple living.  Let's get started....