I always have such fun decorating the tree and each year I am on the lookout for new Snowmen ornaments to add to my collection. I always find a few that I just can't pass by ...
Do you have a favorite theme for your tree? I'd love to see how you've decorated - Share your blog with me in the comments section!
Isn't she the cutest? She was created by Vanessa and I was so excited that she was still available when I logged onto her etsy site ! Her whimsical creations are usually snapped up in seconds but I think Miss Merry was waiting just for me :)
I made sure to put her in a very special place amongst twinkly lights, snowmen and sparkly trees ... I think she likes it there and has made herself cozy and comfy.
She has the most wonderful wings dusted with the right amount of fairydust...
I also have some pictures of our tree that we trimmed last night - I will put those in a seperate post .
I would like to invite you all to a Valentine Collaborative project that I am hosting on my Fat Books yahoo group forum. Here are the details - we have 11 artists signed up so far :
Your Heart's Desire .. This will be a Valentine themed ATC adventure! There will be no binding involved but I have a neat little presentation/keepsake idea to house these in ! Create an ATC with hearts, desires, cupids,and more ! If possible try to keep your color theme to Red/White/Cream - but you can use other colors if you wish . Flat embellishments are encouraged - please nothing bulky or large . Keepsake storage and postage cost is $13.00. Sign ups close on January 2. ATC's need to be mailed no later than February 1. If you would like to join us just leave me a comment and I will send you the invite to the group so you can play ! I am finishing up the details for the Valentine swap that I will be hosting on here as well so be sure to visit my blog on Friday for all the fun!
I have definitely been spoiled by the 2 wonderful gals that I have recently participated in swaps with and I have many photos to share of all the whimsical goodness !
In the Snowman and Snowflakes swap that I hosted here I was partners with Angela and there were so many goodies to unwrap - needless to say it took me a little bit since I ooohed and aaahed over everything !
close-up of the adorable pin !!
Ornaments, scrapbook papers, embellishments, hot cocoa, delicious truffle candies , snowman peeps -- too cute!
A great mug, the adorable Welcome decoration ... so many amazing goodies !
Thank you so much Angela for being an extra special swap partner!
I also participated in another swap and was partnered with Bev and again I was spoiled :)
I love the way these tarts smell and the glow from the cut out snowflakes is so pretty !
This adorable snowman and Joy and Snow blocks were created by Bev..
Don't they look sparkly and cozy in their new little home ?
And this adorable card was tucked in as well !
I also wanted to share something that I created for Bev and thought it was cute how we thought a little alike with a sense of "Joy"...
You can't really see it in the photo but I sprinkled the edges with glitter and fairy snow..
Here is the box of goodies before they got wrapped up and sent to their new home at Bev's house !
I'll be posting the details for my "Key to my Heart" swap next week! Stay tuned!
I have been so busy with decorating, shopping and life in general that I have neglected my blogging duties ! There will be photos aplenty in this post so grab a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy !
You could say I have a bit of an obsession with Snowmen ..I keep adding to my collection each year ..pretty soon I will have a great excuse to move into another house..my country house that I have always dreamed of .. never hurts to wish !
These are my two front windows which I always have so much fun decorating for the holidays ..
I got this idea from a recent issue of Cottage Living magazine : these are real branches from the tree in our front yard , they are painted white and then plaved in a vase with the clear/snowy pebbles, a decorative berry sprig from Michael's and some decorative icicles and tiny sparkly silver and gold glass ornaments. I really like how it turned out ! I wish the pictures could have been more clear ..
I was also busy getting my Snowman's swap box ready and mailed - I hope my partner Angela enjoys her goodies :) Here is a little sneak peek of what she will be getting :
A handmade holiday scrapbook - just add pictures and journaling!
some handmade tags for gift giving :
more goodies were put on top of these before the box was sealed up and sent on it's merry way..
And I was truly spoiled by Angela with my swap goodies .. I will be sharing those photos in my next post !!
We are going to be getting our tree this Friday and decorating it over the weekend so more holiday goodness will be on my blog ...and we are taking a little trip to NYC next week .. I am so excited to see all the beautiful window displays ..do some shopping in ABC Carpet and Home , Tinsel Trading and a few other awesome stores that are must see's ! I'm also looking forward to a little Dean and Deluca goodness..bakery items and coffee delights ..yummy! Plus I will be sure to visit a couple of the other neighborhood bakeries to bring some sweet treats home for the big day ! I'm sure that adventure will be full of photos so stay tuned for that as well!
We saw Twilight after Thanksgiving dinner and I am in love with this movie. I've always loved a good Vampire flick - including Bram Stoker's Dracula with Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder , and Interview with a Vampire with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Twilight has definitely captured my heart and I can't wait till it comes out on DVD so I can enjoy it all over again. The love story is so overwhelming and intense - there were scenes that touched my heart and soul so deeply that I actually had to hold back tears . I must admit it saddens me a bit because I am afraid of how it will all end . I haven't had a chance to read any of the books but as soon as I am finished the book I am currently reading I will be starting with this series.
Rob Pattinson is simply gorgeous ..living forever with him wouldn't be such a bad idea :) I loved him as Cedric in Harry Potter but this role suits him even better . I also adore the soundtrack to the movie - so many great songs - my two favorites being Flightless Bird - American Mouth by Iron and Wine ..... and..... Never Think by Rob Pattinson! I never realized it was him until I bought the soundtrack . This song gives me goosebumps - the words are hauntingly beautiful. He also co-wrote the song - here are the lyrics:
If you haven't already seen the movie I definitely recommend it!
I have always loved this time of year for many reasons and one of them are all the beautiful, twinkling, and sparking lights . They just make my heart sing and I can't help but smile and take in all the beauty.
I can't believe Thanksgiving will be in a few days ... and that I'll be decorating the inside of the house next weekend for the Christmas season ! I'll also be a busy gal creating and making up my swap packages - I'll post pictures of the goodies after the girls receive them ..wouldn't want to spoil any suprises !
I am so excited that Twilight premieres this weekend - I am one of the few who have not yet read the books . (although when I do have some time I plan on doing that!) And I usually like to read the book before I see the movie but I never did that with any of the Harry Potter series and have adored them from the start . I know many bookstores and places of that nature are hosting little Twilight specials and parties which should be fun . I also read a news story on the actual town where Twilight takes place and let me tell you ...they are in for some real treats!! If I lived close enough to Forks, Washington I would be flying right on over there.
Here is the article on MSN.com:
If Forks' favorite vampire-human couple decided to make a movie date out of the "Twilight" premiere on Nov. 21, where would they see the show? The misty, one-stoplight town where they fell in love doesn't have a cinema.
A former timber capital, Forks -- population, 3,175 -- hides between mountains and grey, windy coast on the far edge of the Olympic peninsula in Washington state. A lush, green and isolated Eden, Forks gets a whopping 10 to 12 feet of rain a year. Author Stephenie Meyer had never visited before setting the first of her "Twilight" series there; she searched the Web for somewhere wet and dark (where vampires might feel at home) and found Forks. To date, the books have sold over 17 million copies, putting Forks on the map as a tourist destination.
So where would the books' teen couple Edward and Bella catch a flick on a Friday night?
The historic Lincoln Theater, of course, in Port Angeles -- about 45 miles from Forks. In the books, it's where Bella and Jacob mocked the movie "Crosshairs" and two doors down from the restaurant Bella Italia, where the star-crossed sweethearts had their first dinner rendezvous. Next door is Port Book and News, where Bella strolled past just before her inborn danger magnet drew local thugs and Edward sped to her rescue.
Other than Bella Italia, not all Port Angeles' "Twilight" sites are specifically named in the books. Yet, as these locales fit Meyer's literary landscape best, they've become the living landmarks that imitate her art -- and make Port Angeles a Twilighter hub, second only to Forks.
First blood: Port Angeles premieres
On Friday, Nov. 21, the Lincoln and the Port Angeles Downtown Association will do their best to set the "Twilight" mood for the premiere. That includes showing the film on two of the tiny theater's three screens. One seats about 163 people, the other 179. Queue up for your ticket on the 21st, no advance purchase permitted. It's the fairest way, according to the theater owner. Especially in light of the flood of fans expected to overtake a venue that its Assistant Manager Kaitlin says hasn't sold out "since 'Jackass Number Two.'"
After you see the show (if you're so lucky) follow the red carpet leading from the Lincoln to Bella Italia for a meal of Bella Swan's favorite mushroom ravioli. Be careful not to spill sauce on your prom dress or drop your fangs in your drink. The festivities include a character look-alike contest, plus a gothic fashion show and a test-your-"Twilight"-trivia-IQ scavenger hunt with prizes from the film's production company.
The town fountain -- at the far end of the block from the theater -- will serve as the hub of the Swan-Cullen fun. But businesses throughout the area will offer "Twilight" specials and display their true-blood colors with red and black décor. As the town only recently received permission to host the film, many local merchants' premiere-day plans are still in the works. (So look forward to "Twilight" surprises around every corner.)
Other special spots and photo ops to add to your itinerary include Gottschalks Department store, where Bella shopped for her prom dress, and Port Book and News -- which, in addition to books, sells replicas of the heart-shaped crystal charm Edward gave Bella.
New love: Dazzled by Twilight opens
On Saturday, Nov. 22, Forks' first all-"Twilight" all-the-time shop, Dazzled by Twilight, celebrates its grand opening. Owner Annette Root was so dazzled by the saga herself that she began collecting "Twilight"-themed art and memorabilia. During her first pilgrimage to Forks she was disappointed to discover that no one business featured "Twilight." So she went home -- to Vancouver, Wash. -- and decided to create the mecca she'd been missing herself. A few months later she was back in Forks, prepping her new store for its grand opening.
As an ardent fan, she stocks her shelves with the essential souvenirs most Bella- and Edward-adoring hearts expect and desire: T-shirts, books, CDs, jewelry, book-cover-art-inspired trinkets (apple antenna toppers, chess pieces) and Christmas decorations (for a very merry "Twilight" Christmas). But possibly the best keepsakes Root offers are those that fans don't expect. She consigns many of her wares from Twilight-inspired artists from across the country. Acquisitions include everything from decals and soap dispensers to paintings. Her Bella bracelets come in six different versions (so far). "Each one speaks to a different person." As an avid collector, she laughs, "Every time I get a new box I usually have to buy a few things myself." Fans interested in hawking their "Twilight" masterpieces are welcome to contact the store.
After having been open only a few weeks, with much of its stock still coming in, Dazzled by Twilight is already a busy beacon for Forks buffs. Dedicated to both the store and fellow Twilighters Root offers to open her doors after hours for any visiting fan. She lives upstairs from the shop. Forks is "a magical place" she now calls home.
For the moment, at least. She's not ready to commit to an eternity.
Christine Champ is a frequent MSN contributor.
It definitely sounds like they are going to have an amazing weekend of fun in Forks and Port Angeles , Wa. The look-a-like contest and gothic fashion show would be a must for me to attend! And I believe I could spend a few hours in the Dazzled by Twilight store - I think that would be worth a trip to the town all on its own! I did click on the link and it states that there will be a website coming soon - I will need to keep checking on that .
We are going to the movie on Sunday - I'll post my thoughts after I see it !
She left pieces of her life behind her
everywhere she went.
It's easier to feel the sunlight without them,
she said.
Brian Andreas
We haven't celebrated Thanksgiving yet but it is beginning to look alot like Christmas here already. Santa is ready and waiting for picture taking and toy list making at the malls...decorations are adorning stores and mall corriders....speaking for myself I just can't seem to get into the full blown Holiday spirit until after Thanksgiving but it sure does look pretty!
My favorite home and garden store had its Open House this weekend and of course I had to go to see all the beautiful sights, trinkets and treasure galore ... they never fail to disappoint me.
There was plenty of shimmer, glimmer and sparkle to go around...I actually had quite a few specks of glitter on my face just from walking around and picking items up to admire them! They had quite a few snowmen displays which made me squeal with glee...I may have even found a few things for my Snowman swap partner :)
My most favorite display in the whole store is the Snowman in the gazebo and the snowflakes and icicles placed here and there...if I ever have the room for such a display in my own backyard I will certainly be taking inspiration from this wintry wonderland..
I have also been trying to create a few things to update my etsy shoppe...I need more hours in the day ! I was able to create a couple embellished cones - and the floral arrangements are included with each!
You can see / purchase those in my etsy shoppe .. I hope to have a few more things to add next weekend !
This picture was taken a couple days ago when there were still a few leaves clinging to its branches....now the tree in our front yard is totally bare .. the fun of cleaning up all the leaves is still ahead of us ! Can you see the gorgeous Crow in the image above? There is a family of 3 Crows that have been living in the area for quite sometime and they recently have been hanging around our house...I leave peanuts out every morning for our little squirrel friends and the Crows have been taking a treat here and there as well. I was finally able to get a few much clearer images of these beauties .. they are my favorite winged creature..
Here is an action shot - the squirrel appears to be jumping over the Crow!
I have really been enjoying their visits each morning, I sit at the window with my cup of tea and admire them.
I've also been indulging in the latest magazine offerings ... I am a bit of a magazine lover and my favorite issues are always the ones from october - December. The covers this year are breathtaking and inspiring! I am particularly excited about the Cloth, Paper, Scissors issue - just look at those sparkly and glimmery snowmen!! How perfect for our upcoming Snowman Winter Wonderland swap!
I will be e-mailing swap partners tomorrow so we can get started!
There is also another gorgeous magazine that I want to share with you - it is pretty new , the Fall issue was the premiere issue . I just bought the winter one and it looks wonderfully captivating as well!!
I also have an idea for a fun and festive Valentine swap- I know it's early ..but I am hoping to get many participants interested in this one so I will be getting all the specifics together and will be posting about it in late December !
I'm going to grab an Espresso Truffle from Starbucks .. they are quite addicting..and curl up in a chair this evening with a magazine or two! I hope you get the chance to do the same !
come out and play in the Snowman's Winter Wonderland Swap! we have 6 participants so far .. I am hoping for at least 1 more so that I can have a partner!
If you have posted a comment to the sign up post below you also need to e-mail me the answers to the questions I asked in that post. Please be sure to do that asap if you haven't already!
I'll be matching up partners later this week!
These are my favorite fabric placemats - I have actually used them the past couple years . I tend to keep them around for less than that since each year I see new ones that I like! But these are just so colorful and fun that I can't get rid of them!
Here are a couple pictures of some new fall decorations that I have put out since al of the Halloween is tucked away . I loved the little orange wagon that this flower arrangement came nestled in - I bought this at Michael's a few years ago at the end of the season when they are 1/2 price. It looks perfect as main centerpiece on the dining room table.
Here is my kitchen window - tried to take the picture without getting any glare .... no luck ! When the weather is better I will take a picture of the other window that I decorate in the front of the house. It has been raining since Tuesday ... I miss the sunshine .
There is PLENTY of room to come and join my Snowman swap so if you are interested please come out and join the fun!! (see my post a few down from this one.)
I am still putting the finishing touches on my Godson's halloween scrapbook so I hope to have that up on my blog in the next couple days.
Also, if anyone can help me find some fun and funky stamps of octopus (preferably Teesha Moore style!) I would much appreicate it! Due to finances I will not be able to attend Artfest next year (I'm hoping for 2010!) but I am participating in the awesome ATC swap held by Bee Shay. So if you know of any odd octopus stamps please send the info my way!
I love looking up to the sky and marveling at all the swirls of color , branches and trees seeming to stretch up on their tippy toes to touch the clouds and dance among them. Our winged creatures are some of the luckiest on this earth for they get to be so close to such amazing beauty.
These are the kinds of days when I want to run into the house , find a huge fluffy blanket to lay on and gaze up as the sun sets and the stars come out to play.
I am really excited to see such enthusiam for the Snowman swap - there is still time to sign up so if you want to join us please add a comment to the swap post and also e-mail me with the answers to the questionaire in that post. Also feel free to post the sweet button (created by Shauna!) on your blogs to get the word out about the swap !
I am in the middle of creating a teeny halloween scrapbook for my Godson ..I will post pictures of that in the next day or two ...stay tuned !
Until then, take a few moments to look up at your autumn sky...and all the wonder that it holds...
