My Happy List: Charlottes, Becky, Jenny & Aaron

My friend Becky sent me this adorable Charlotte ornament as a Christmas gift. Charlotte was packaged so sweetly with little gold stars and pink paper. She's a Christmas ornament, but she will not be put away with the Christmas decor. She will be staying with me in my creative space.

The Drake Hotel Christmases

Christmas wouldn't be the same for us without a little stay at The Drake Hotel in Chicago.

Are we there yet?

New Ornaments for the Christmas Tree

Whether they are given as gifts, store bought, or handmade, new Christmas ornaments added to the tree each year continue to create those holiday memories and traditions we so love. 

The snowflake on the left was included in the Little Pink Studio's November Little Pink Box. Instructions for making it were on the blog which included the photo of the vintage girl on the right. I was happy to have all the materials I needed to make one myself! 

What Kind of Holiday Cookies Do You Bake?

One of my favorite questions I like to ask this season is "What kind of holiday cookies do you bake?" I love to hear stories about how cookie baking is linked with family traditions. Ashleigh recently spent the night with us and we baked our two must haves for the holidays: molasses and bon bon cookies.

West Baden Springs Hotel of French Lick, Indiana

I've been wanting to write about our October stay at the West Baden Springs Hotel (WBSH) at French Lick, Indiana for some time, as it is such a special place. But every time I started to edit my photos of the trip, I got overwhelmed because there were so many of them. I finally decided that it would be helpful to break the pictures down into segments. Once I did that, it wasn't so daunting. So this post is only a couple months late. :)

Christmas at the Cabin Creations

I spent my Saturday crafting in this little cabin in the woods.

This cabin is located in Brown County, Indiana.

Thrift Shopping

Gotta love those dollar bins at Target.

My Happy List: Exploring New Restaurants

I mentioned recently how we visited Franklin and French Lick, Indiana where I found so many old treasures. On our way to French Lick, we ate at Benjamin's Coffeehouse/Bakeshop in Franklin on the square across from the court house.

Inside Indy's Ronald McDonald House

I have heard for many years about the Ronald McDonald House (RMH), but had never been there to see what it was like firsthand. Last evening I had a blogger opportunity to get an inside look. When I got there I was so glad I took the time to do that because I learned so much about this home away from home. The Indianapolis RMH is situated on the Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) college campus near Riley Hospital for Children on a little tree-lined side street off Michigan Street. It's purpose is to offer a place to stay for families whose children are hospitalized so that they can be near them. 

The Ronald McDonald House of Indiana on Limestone St.

A Sweetheart Weekend: Part 2 - Creating Beautiful Things

I mentioned how much fun I had at the Country Living fair while attending the Sweethearts on the Homefront weekend in Atlanta, Georgia here. Today I want to share some photos of the beautiful things we made and the decor that was in the room on Saturday. We celebrated 1940's themed jewelry, baking and sewing.

The memorabilia in the room added so much to the enjoyment of the day. Rosalyn-Sue Smith is an amazing event planner and artist.

A Sweetheart Weekend: Part 1 - Country Living Fair

I just returned from my first art retreat - Sweethearts on the Homefront, held in Atlanta, Georgia. Rosalyn-Sue Smith of The Patriot Girl Society and Jennifer Hayslip of The Whimsical Belle were our beautiful hostesses. This event was created in honor of our troops overseas through Operation Stars and Stripes. 

Studio Movie Grill - Tickets Giveaway!

I shared with you recently how Ashleigh and I attended the grand opening party for the Indianapolis Studio Movie Grill in College Park here. SMG has sent me 3 sets (of four) tickets to giveaway to 3 lucky Indianapolis winners! 

3 Horton's Tablescapes

As I had mentioned in this post, when I shopped at Horton's of Tipton's autumn market, two very talented ladies gave us a tablescape demonstration. They are sisters who work well together. One is an interior designer and the other makes awesome things for J'Ann & Co. in Noblesville, Indiana. 

Here was the first tablescape which was for a sunflower country-themed fall lunch. They even had menus that went along with the events.

Sunflower seed packets would be given as gifts to the guests.

A Red Carpet Studio Movie Grill

WOW! I received an invitation to the Studio Movie Grill's (SMG) Indianapolis VIP Opening Celebration. We were to enjoy a night of eat, drink and movies. I am not sure really where to start here. I am still overwhelmed with the WOW factor of the evening. Ashleigh was my guest and we were given the red carpet treatment every step of the way! It all started at 6 PM. 

Ash and I out in the parking lot before entering the SMG

Horton's Abundant Harvest

It's the craziest yet most wonderful thing...

Woodland Walk Ring

When I saw this Woodland Walk Printable Collage Sheet on The Graphics Fairy blog, I knew I would be doing something special with it. Isn't it wonderful!

Girl's Night Out

Circle Center Mall in downtown Indianapolis hosted a Girl's Night Out. We were given a passport on which to collect stickers from vendors located throughout the mall. The first 200 ladies to turn in their completed passports received a swag bag that contained samples, gifts and coupons. 

This was our prize, a really nice bag that zipped closed at the top for carrying lunch or wine bottles.

Painting Tins for Holiday Packaging

Moving Sale Treasures

A dear friend called me to tell me she was having a moving sale. I knew her house was up for sale but didn't know it had sold. I went there to be a support to her; I didn't go to purchase anything. 

 

Hi Ho Silver!

This platter was very colorful and I was about to give it to Goodwill when I remembered that we can transform things with paint. So I sprayed it with silver Krylon Metallic paint and am now eager to decorate with it this upcoming holiday season. Sorry, I forgot to get a before picture because I got caught up in the moment...it was really unattractive to me before, just take my word for it.

A Favorite Thing: Today's Hike

One thing I know for sure is that I need exercise every day. It would be so easy for me to stay inside doing things around the house or working on my computer. I am a much happier person when I get out, get some sun and either ride my bike or take a hike. Today a new friend introduced me to a neat place to walk, a place that is very close to where I live in Indiana. It was an exciting new discovery for me.

My Happy List: The Bahamas

I just returned from one big happy week which was our trip to the Bahamas with friends.

a mural at a shop at the Grand Bahama International Airport

It All Started with Frames

Dan and I stopped at a really great antique store in our town square. He spotted some frames he thought Ashleigh could use for her art. They were a good price and could be refinished or touched up with spray paint if needed. I didn't pay much attention to them until we got home. When I took a second look, I got excited about what was in them: old wedding photos!

Waterless Snow Globes

My Happy List: Leopard Prints & a Hike

I tossed my phone on the stool in the bedroom closet and saw this. I hadn't made the connection before on how similar the patterns are and how much I love leopard prints. How funny...

Jam Cake

Blackberry jam cake has been a family tradition in Dan's family so I try to make it from time to time. When I was thinking of making him some sweets for Father's Day, it came to my mind. It had been a long time since he had some.

Owls

I have developed a thing for owls lately. What a coincidence that Ashleigh just drew one as a commissioned piece! I was so excited to see it!

A Favorite Thing: Blogging Treasures

This week my favorite thing includes all of the treasures I have received in the mail from my first year of blogging. This collage is not only about presents, but also about friendship, creativity, and my love of blogging. 

Sharing with

A Favorite Thing

Wine & Canvas Class

Our neighborhood association hosted a Wine & Canvas class for ladies night. It was great fun. Wine & Canvas is something that started in Indianapolis and is growing rapidly in other locations. I had heard about it for a long time so was eager to attend the class. This is my masterpiece.

New Mom Hospital Gift Bag

I loved this idea I saw on Pinterest of giving a Comfort Hospital Gift Bag to a new mother. So I sewed a little bag for our daughter in law and filled it up. It was so much fun sewing the bag and shopping for these special items to help her through the first few days of being a mommy.

Sock Monkeys

Well, I finally made some sock monkeys. Did you have a sock monkey as a child? I never did, and I wondered what they were all about. I wanted to know how they were made, and why they have remained popular for so many years. Would you agree with me that my becoming a grandma may have had something to do with the pursuance of this project?

I made each a little differently according to a couple different tutorials.

Paint a Snow Village

I'm getting a head start on Christmas this year instead of waiting until November and stress myself out! Last year I made a glittery church. This year I am adding to my collection as I found a few more pieces at Goodwill.

Sew a Jewelry Pouch

Here is another project I have been pining to sew: the jewelry pouch.

Tags Three

I spent an evening making these tags to continue on with my "Tags" series.

Father's Day Wreath Tutorial

Two Peacocks With a Sign

The Graphics Fairy shared this vintage peacocks with a sign image. I just happen to love peacocks and the colors fit in perfectly with my decor. I immediately downloaded it and typed "Welcome to our home" into the sign.

Sharing with the Graphics Fairy Brag Monday

My Stash: Ball Canning Jars

I enjoyed putting mustaches on these Ball Collection Elite Pint Wide Mouth Jars. These darling Ball jars were sent to me by the manufacturer, and a sweet colleague surprised me one day with the mustache stickers. I have been wanting to make these for a long time.

From Shirts to Bags

I'm still sewing bags and will probably continue on for awhile. I went to the fabric store and purchased a whole bolt of twill tape. I have recently fallen in love with twill tape.

Lined Drawstring Bag Tutorial

I have been wanting to make little drawstring bags for quite some time. Well, I finally got in the mood to get sewing last week. This is what I came up with after thinking through several ways to sew it. Since I have just gotten back into sewing, I do not have a stash of fabric yet, so I made this one from remnants from my master bathroom window treatment.

More Tags

I am having fun making tags. Most of the images were supplied by The Graphics Fairy.

1. from one of Ashleigh's recent drawings  2. teacup can be found here  3. another teacup - I added little pearls to each flower center and sponged the edges with ink  4. carriage has rhinestone stickers and sponged edges5. butterfly graphic  6. same as #4

Music Tags

I have been wanting to make tags to have handy throughout the year for gifts and such. I showed you in an earlier post how I used my die cut machine to make tags from Christmas cards. I really like this particular tag. I like how it folds over so you can write something inside and tuck it closed.

Jingle Bell Wreath

Each month I am making something new to add to my Christmas decorations for 2013. This time I want to show you my jingle bell wreath. 

My Mercury Glass Adventure

So, it was my turn to try out the Krylon Looking Glass spray paint. I had been pinning ideas about it from the internet for quite some time. 

Chalkboard Easter Eggs

Here's my take on Ginger's chalkboard Easter eggs from Ginger Snap Crafts. 

St. Patrick's Day 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2013. This is my second year to post about St. Patrick's Day. Last March, I showed you my St. Patrick's Day figurine and green checkered table cloth. This time I am showing you a metal bucket I picked up at Michaels and a little matchbox I made for Andria of Drawing near.

Treasures in the Mail

Green CopyCats

This little clover made out of a pipe cleaner and pony beads was simple and fun to make. I made a bunch so I can give some away to my colleagues this week while at work.

Matchbox Swap

I am swapping matchboxes with Andria of Drawing Near. I had never done this before so I had to do some research on how to make a matchbox. Then I would have the fun of decorating and filling it.

Christmas Ornament Wreath

This month I am going to show you an ornament wreath I made like many we have seen on Pinterest. I really had a blast creating this wreath. It's a fun and easy project to make.