Bottle Brush Trees~ A Sneak Peek!

Hi Everyone~

I am sorry I haven't blogged in so long.  Life has been full of ups & downs this year.  The joy of new babies with another grandson born in June and the sorrow of the loss of my Dad in May, but thankful for the many blessings in my life.  I miss blogging and haven't had time to even check in on the many wonderful blogging friends that I have made along the way. 

I decided at the last minute tonight to share with you a snippet of what I am working on in the little bits of free time I get.  I started working on my holiday bottle brush trees this month.  I have also been making lots of jewelry in the past year that I have sold to friends & co~workers.  I do hope to also sell online in my Etsy shop as I get packaging & shipping costs figured out.

I just spent a few hours today working on some trees; this batch has music on the spools bases with bleached trees of 3 different sizes. I decided to make more than usual because I always sell these quickly. Here's a sneak peek so far...  No glitter added yet or any details!  

Hope this finds you all enjoying your summer.  
Let me know what you are up to & I will try to 
post again in the near future.

Blessings,
Cindy

Craft Bazaar Pics & Baby News!

This will be short but sweet...  Lots of pics & little talk!  I was in a craft fair here in Lebanon at the hospital.  Although, it wasn't well attended, I did manage to sell some things to make it worthwhile.  Anyway, I wanted to share pictures of my table with you.  It was 8 ft long x 1 1/2 ft wide; yep, very narrow.  I practiced at home setting up with my thrift store finds as display items on table cloths I had.  My hubby painted the two shelves, which were the old 1940's dark brown stain that I had purchased at the thrift store for $4 each.  I had the shutters & cup holder from prior shows.  I used chalkboards for some of the pricing, instead of tagging every little thing, which worked wonderfully.  I made the earring holders to slip on the upside down shutters.  The white tree is an estate sale find from a few years ago... $5!  The table cloths from our daughter's wedding & the sparkly cover from a piece I got on sale a few years ago.

I got many compliments on my display & I really enjoyed setting it up.  

On other news, our little grandson was born 5 1/2 weeks early on November 19th.  Nolan is doing well & I am a very proud grandma!  He got to come home 2 days before Thanksgiving.   I spend every chance I get with him.  It is especially wonderful that they live 3/10's of a mile from us!  He is now a little over 6 lbs & nearly 19 inches long.  Here he is, all bundled up & cozy...

So that is what I have been doing in the last few weeks!  Pretty exciting, huh??  Hope you are enjoying the holiday season & holding your family close.

Blessings,

Cindy

Sharing with:

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

From My Front Porch to Yours~Treasure-Hunt-Thursday-185

New Trees in my Etsy Shop!

I had full intentions of writing a post so many times.  I have had a lot going on and decided not to share as it all unfolded.  I am recovering from surgery; a fusion on my neck.  I am doing well, but computer time was very limited for a few months.  I am back at work now, building my hours back up slowly.  Anyway, the surgery was a success & I am in so much less pain.  I had migraine like headaches daily & they are gone.  I am so thankful to be on this side of the recovery process!  I wore a neck brace for 2 months, day and night.  I feel so free without it!!

I have also had quite a year with my father.  He almost died last December and made it through, even tho the doctors didn't think he would.  He had cancer & radiation, several surgeries, and even recently was not expected to make it through, but he is plugging along. I have made several trips to see him & God has been gracious to give me time I never expected to have to know my Dad in a tender way that was totally unexpected.

Other WONDERFUL news is that we are going to be grandparents to a baby boy due December 26th.  We are beside ourselves with joy & anticipation.  If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that we lost our 1st twin grand~daughters at the 28th week gestation.  That was the most painful time in my life and of course, our family as a whole.  So this will be our 1st grandchild here on this earth, with our two little darlings in heaven.  I have been very busy getting things ready for his arrival.  We have a baby shower this Saturday that my daughter and I have been preparing for, with help from the other Nana & Auntie.

I have been busy making my bottle brush trees, as well as earrings.  I have enjoyed taking my jewelry makin' supplies on camping trips this summer, just having a great time making about 70 pairs of earrings!!  Once I started, I got hooked!  I had made earrings before, but wire wrapping wasn't coming easy until I saw a video tutorial on Fire Mountain Gems website.  That made all the difference!!  Now I am a pro...well, not really...but my earrings are so much better now than when I started!!

So, in a nutshell, that was a quick update.  Here are my trees to share with you.  I listed many of them on my Etsy shop which has a link on my sidebar.  Thank you so much for the new followers & your patience with me.  Life is busy for all of us & I appreciate your checking in with me from time to time.

Blessings,
Cindy
I'm linked with:
Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine's Corner

New Bottle Brush Trees with Lotsa Sparkle!

I have been busy glittering forests of trees in my studio!  I love experimenting with different colors of dye and glitter.  My search over the summer for vintage ornaments and glass garland was successful, in part, to my wonderful hubby.  He found me lots of vintage goodies at Friday estate sales when I was at work.  I would come home to the pretty little surprises sitting on the dining room table...lovely!  I have all the colors of the rainbow & more...

Here are some pics of some of the trees I have this year so far...

                                      

I also have red ones, purple/lavender, and creamy white ones I am still working on.  I will share them next time.  Don't you love the box the trees are on??  I got it at Goodwill for $2.99, along with a smaller one for the same price.  They are Bethany Lowe designs.  I have some trees already listed on Etsy with more to come...

What are your holiday plans?  We will have Thanksgiving at our son & daughter~in~love's home with about 20 family & friends.  I am really looking forward to it.  I am getting my Christmas list figured out so I can send gifts home with family instead of mailing.  I still can't believe how this year has flown by.  Is it just me or do you feel the same way?  Have a wonderful rest of your week.  I do apologize for my lack of keeping up with blog hopping.  I just don't have the time anymore & I do miss visiting.  Pop in and say "hello" & I will stop by your blog!  It keeps me in touch with you & I sooo enjoy your comments.  

Blessings,

Cindy

I'm sharing with:

Katherine's Corner~Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
Simply Shabbilious & Christmas Linky Party @Shabby Art Boutique

Wedding Banners Part 2

I am busy working on bottle brush trees & my table is covered in them. I need to get them done for my Etsy shop.  Time is not slowing down for me!   I would share a pic of my trees thus far, but our new camera got stolen.  I am a little disgruntled, so say the least.  We went camping a few weeks ago, & it was taken out of our truck.  Since we bought it because our old camera was only taking fuzzy pictures, I don't have a camera.  I am borrowing one from my sis~in~love, but haven't started to use it yet.  

Anyway, on to more banners I made for the wedding.

First is this little one the hung on the mailbox for cards.  Both banners are made from linen fabric on cardboard banner shape and stenciled letters that I filled in with paint (I didn't want the stencil open areas). I did some line work on the edges & around the letters.  A little bling on each.  Both are hung on jute... this pic I took in my dining room...

 Here it is at the wedding...

This is the 2nd banner for today's post.  Obviously for the gift trunk...  It is pretty large...

I hope to make a couple of banners with a new technique I learned about for Thanksgiving/Fall.  If I get the time to make them, I will share them with you.  So back to work on my trees...

Have a wonderful weekend.  Remember to "Fall Back" with your clocks on Sunday.  I can't believe it is time for that already!

Blessings,
Cindy

Burlap, Linen, & Lace Banners...Part One

I have several banners I made for our daughter's wedding.  I will admit that, if I had time, I could get carried away making banners!  LOL!  They are fun to make and worth the effort.  The first one I made was "Mr & Mrs".  Elizabeth didn't know what she wanted to use it for, just that she wanted one.  So, of course, as her Mom, I made one!!  Ultimately, it ended up on the bride & groom's table.  After googling & checking out pinterest, I decided on this design for the banner...not totally like any one I looked at online, but my own version.  (more details below)  

The wind was blowing the table runner but had to let it go... out of my control!  Anyway, the table is an old door found on Craigslist, with a pine frame that was distressed to look like barnwood; made by TJ (the groom) & my hubby.  The letter "B" was cut from plywood after our daughter drew out the pattern.  It is distressed with black, then white paint, which didn't dry...so then it got scraped & sanded to this look. The two heart wreaths are from clearance at Valentine's day made from wood roses.  They were another find that we didn't know what we would do with them, but worked into the theme beautifully. They were 70% off at about $3.50 each.

The banner is made from cardboard banner pieces I got from Craft Warehouse, covered in linen fabric with glue, antique lace across the top with hand~sewn gray pearls on the points of the lace, the letters were large cardboard letters I had & covered in a deep gray paper, edged with a glitter pen design, and then a gray jewel was added to the bottom of each triangle. They were hung with black leather.

Here's a close up...

So that is one banner... There will be more in my next post.  Hope you are having a great week.  I am starting to get some things in my Etsy store.  It isn't a quick process, but nice to get the items listed. There are trees, spools, glitter, and sweet little containers waiting for me on my work table...  Just need some time to work on them.  It is funny how little time I have since I am working full time outside the house!  We are having lots of rain & wind here.  What is it like in your neck of the woods??

Blessings,
Cindy

I'm sharing with:
Katherine's Corner~ Thursday's Favorite Things

Memorable Days & Sneak Peeks...Vintage Canning Jars

Can summer really be over?  I have been so busy that my blog has suffered from lack of posts & that is ok... to a point!  I left you hanging for months & now is the time to jump back in.  Please forgive me for not following up with you sooner.

Five months ago, our youngest, our only daughter, Elizabeth, got engaged to TJ. On September 14, 2013, they wed in a beautiful ceremony in Sisters, Oregon at a venue called Shepherdsfield.  As you can imagine, it has been a whirlwind of activity making things and preparing for the big day.  Since Elizabeth lives in Redmond, about 2 1/2 hours away from Lebanon, we have made many phone calls, texts, and emails getting all the planning done; plus the numerous trips back & forth working on things together.  Of course, I would have it no other way & neither would our daughter.  We work well together & love creating; each of us has our favorite crafting mediums which is a win~win.  So for the next few posts I will be sharing the special touches that we made to make her wedding day unique to her & TJ.  Isn't that what it is all about?  Each wedding should be significant to the couple.

So I will share a sneak peek in this post & hopefully have a little more time to write more in the next. My life has been very busy with the wedding and working.  I got a new job on June 20th which ended up being full~time covering another person on medical leave.  She returns tomorrow & my schedule will adjust.  It ended up being a blessing due to wedding costs, but definitely limited my time creating. I think I have been in OVER~DRIVE!!  LOL!  I have hardly taken time to breath!  But it was all worth it! 

So here is my first pic to share with you...Remember those vintage canning jars??

These were the table centerpieces.  This is a quick photo I took just before the ceremony.  Believe me, I was rushing around to get some photos & didn't get all I wanted but you get the idea.  I fought the urge to primp things...hard to do!  

Have a fantabulous rest of your week & always remember what is important in your life... 
Sometimes you have to let your version of perfection go, so you can see others blossom.

Blessings,
Cindy

Sharing with:
Katherine's Corner~ Thursdays Favorite Things Blog Hop # 106
The Shabby Nest~Frugal Friday
My Romantic Home~ Show & Tell Friday
French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home~ Home Sweet Home #137

Gifts from Katherine at the Chatelet~

I have been so behind in sharing two lovely gifts I received from a sweet blogging friend.  Katherine from the Chatelet blog sent me these two exquisitely dainty eggs she made.  They are so delicate and made with such care.  Katherine has a lovely blog and makes such beautiful things.  She always has something unique and delicate that she is working on.  I admire her sense of style and craftiness.  

I couldn't decide which picture was best so I put in both!  Aren't they just lovely??  Katherine so carefully sewed each lace piece to the wire frame and then decorated them with more lovelies.

Thank you sooo much, Katherine!  I love my lacey eggs & have them hanging in my studio so I can enjoy them.  Do go visit Katherine's beautiful blog HERE.

I have been crazy busy at work and doing some projects at home.  I hope this finds each of you well and enjoying the springtime.

Blessings,
Cindy

Sharing with:
Thursday Favorite Things #88 at Katherine's Corner

Avon...Bug Guard Plus Review~

Hi Everyone~

I joined up with Avon a few weeks ago & haven't really been trying too hard.  I wanted to get some products for myself... don't tell anyone!!  Anyway, I have been using some really great lotions, shower gels, and lately bug guard.  I can't keep it to myself any longer!  I love these products & I will let you know as I use them what are my favorites.

The view from our little boat on the lake...

Today I am sharing the "Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Towelettes".  We went camping over last weekend at Green Peter in Oregon, just an hour away from home and had a wonderful time, including some fishing.  I caught two, which was so fun!  The campground was rustic & quiet; I'm sure that in a couple of weeks it will be crowded, so it was a great time to go for us.  The weather was warm, around 80 degrees and a little humid.  It was prime breeding for the mosquitoes!  I happen to be one of those that those little creatures love... sweet blood or something like that!!  LOL!  I had brought the "Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Towelettes" to try.  I was so impressed, as well as my hubby.  It was as if we had an invisible shield around us by about 6 inches.  Some of our kids came on Saturday & I watched the mosquitoes hover over my daughter~in~love's head, but never get any closer.  I was amazed!  The scent is nice and light & the product isn't sticky.  The towelette covered two people for us, instead of just one.  I guess it depends on how much clothing you have on!  It lasted over 6 hours.  So that is my review.  If you are interested in this product, you can click HERE or go to my link on the top of my sidebar to order.   The item # is 045-714  @ $12.99 for the 16 package or for a pack of 8 it is $6.99 (item # 269-562).  In the Avon Campaign # 11, there are several products in the Skin~So~Soft Bug Guard line that are on sale.  Check out pages 3~11 in the main catalog.  Any questions, just email me or comment on this post.

Next time I will share a gift from a friend...  Have a great week! 

Blessings,
Cindy

Blessed Easter and Vintage Blue Jars

My sweet dear hubby found some vintage canning jars on Craigslist today.  He had them all sitting on the dining room table when I got home from work & I couldn't resist taking a few pics to share with you.  They positively glowed in the sunlight & cast shadows on the rest of the table.  There are 32 of the beauties.  We have plans for them, but alas that is for another post!  

Have a wonderful Easter Week!  May the true meaning of our Christ's sacrifice and resurrection fill your heart and soul with love and reflection.

Many Blessings to You and Yours,
Cindy 

I'm sharing with:
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop #83 @ Katherine's Corner

My Giveaway Win from Angie!

This is another long overdue post, but I wanted to share with you my beautiful cone ornaments I won from Angie at Hopemore Studio blog.

Angie is a real sweetie & sent me two ornaments that she crafted.  The details are lovely & I ended up keeping them out after the holidays!  Go visit Angie & her Etsy shop (which is linked through her blog).

Here are the ornaments she sent me...

 Aren't they adorable?  Thanks so much, Angie!  I love them!

Blessings,
Cindy

Gifts from a Friend!

This is long overdue, but I would like to share my wonderful gifts from my friend, Laurie at "Laurie's Charming Designs" blog.

If you haven't visited Laurie's blog, you need to!  She is such a talented artist and I am sooo glad I met her through our blogs.  I live in the same town that she used to live in... a little town, mind you.  It is a small world indeed.  I know that if we lived close to each other, we would be more than blogging friends!  Anyway, she makes these lovely charms that she handpaints then puts between glass.  I was beyond happy when she sent me two for Christmas representing my two little angel grand~daughters.  So now I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

And the back of each had a rose...

Aren't they gorgeous?  I hung them on a new vintage~type white tree that my hubby got me for the holidays.  Thank you so much, Laurie!  I will cherish them always.  They are now hanging in my living room on the pegs of my faux mantle.  Have a wonderful day everyone!

Blessings,
Cindy

 

Mixed Media Creation

I have been very lazy busy and haven't posted in soooo long.  Thank you so much for your patience with me!  I thought I would write a quick post and share a mixed media painting I did a few months ago.  It is only my second attempt at this type of art, but I did have fun.  

 It is hard to see the writing, but I wanted it to be muted.  I sewed on the pearls to the bottom of the vintage handmade lace and made the dimensional butterflies from 5 layers of different papers including vintage book pages, scrapbook paper, vellum and printed butterflies.  I added a swarovski crystal to the corner sun with vintage buttons & a doily.  This represents the butterflies fluttering to heaven.  It is hard to see that there is dimension to the added rays from the sun and the corner scrollwork.  

This piece of art hangs in the front office at my work in a mammography department.  I work in a back office, but am happy to share it with others.

Have a great rest of your week & I will share some goodies I got during the holidays from some wonderful bloggy friends next...

Blessings,
Cindy 
I'm linking to:
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop 77 @ Katherine's Corner

Giveaway Winner!

I just did a sequence generator through Random.org and it chose #21, which is...
Deb Kaufman!

Deb, just send me an email with your address and I will get your trees to you.  

Thank you sooo much to everyone for entering and such sweet comments!  I can't tell you how much it means to me to have such wonderful, caring followers & friends.  I am behind on emailing all of you who participated, but know that I will.  May God touch you as you have touched me.

Merry Christmas to each of you & your love ones and have a Blessed New Year!  

Blessings,
Cindy  

White Bottle Brush Trees for Giveaway

Just a quick post to remind you of my giveaway.  I am giving away two creamy white bottle brush trees.  Please be a follower or become a follower.  Let me know how you are following.  Make sure you leave me an email address if yours doesn't show on your comment.  Thanks!
Merry Christmas!

Blessings,
Cindy

I'm linking to:
Blissful Whites Wednesday @ Timewashed

My Christmas Giveaway!

Holiday Greetings!
As many of you know, this has been a particularly difficult year for my family.  Although I still have moments of deep sorrow, I know that God is near and holding us tight.  I also know that the twins are in Jesus's arms, safe and sound.  In that I find comfort.  So in honor of Emma and Myla, I am having a giveaway for Christmas and I invite you to enter.  My only request is that you already be a follower or become one.  Please let me know how you chose to follow my blog, through Google Friend or Linky Followers.  I don't know how to track email followers. (If there is a way, someone show me Please!!)  I so cherish the friendships I have made through blogging and always appreciate your sweet comments.  

The prizes are two bottle brush trees, hand~decorated by me.  I will have a few more goodies included, but haven't decided what yet.  All you need to do is leave me a comment on this post, with email address if yours doesn't show, so I can contact you.  I will appreciate you sharing this giveaway with others, but it isn't mandatory.  I will draw a name on December 10th. 

Thank you so much to all my followers.  I can't express how humbled I am that you would take the time to pop in to my little blog.  Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Blessings,
Cindy  

I'm sharing with:
Homemaker on a Dime: Market Your Biz and Giveaways #77
Home Decor & Organizing Link Party #77    
Savvy Southern Style~Wow Us Wednesdays 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday # 141 @ Coastal Charm
Timewashed~Blissful Whites Wednesday 
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop #64 @ Katherine's Corner 
From My Front Porch to Yours~Treasure Hunt Thursday #83 
The Vintage Farmhouse~Creative Things Thursday 
By Your Hands Giveaway Link Party
The Shabby Creek Cottage~Transformation Thursday