Another year gone....

What a crazy year it has been.  I apologize for the lack of posts lately.  I want to change that this year.  I love having this outlet to tell of my adventures and creative processes.  A few things are changing around my house over the next few months and I can't wait to share them with you.  I also want to jump on the bandwagon that is One Little Word.  I have been thinking about my word for the past couple of months and it came to me about a week ago-so stay tuned..

A few months ago, I actually put together a December Daily album.  It's still just sitting here waiting to be filled, but I am looking forward to doing so.  In the meantime, here is the cover {as of now-I may add a bit more to it-don't know yet}

Here's to a new year full of hope, promise and growth.

Craft Wars Preview Party

You all know the saying "It's all in who you know" right?  Well, in this case it really is true.  See, I know this girl Mandi

As in met-her-in-real-life-and-drove-her-home-from-this-party-know-her.  She and her cute friend Jilly was on this little show called

Her other cute friend Bridgette helped her out by hosting a party, when her episode aired, at her parent's house. 

The only catch being that they were only opening it up to 100 attendees. I jumped at the chance and RSVP'd (hey, I would've come if was was being held in 1 hour away!)  Wouldn't you know it, I was number 10!!  And, at this point, the only one I knew was Mandi-but that's why I was going to this party right?  About 2 days later, my mom called to tell me about this party in which I told her that I was going. She asked if I could RSVP for her.  She ended up being #94-whew! just made it in ;)
We walked in the door to Mandi saying that she was so glad that we came and gave us a huge hug,  We were also greeted with amazing swag bags from Pick your Plum,

a photo booth-

my mom, me & Ashlee-she made the nummy Craft Wars cake

very yummy cupcakes from One Sweet Slice

a breathtaking view

and lots of talented women-some of which I actually know.

And, in case you are wondering. No, she didn't win--BOOO!  But the party was so much fun.  If you want to see how she got picked to be on the show, go here.  And, if you want to see her redeem herself (and her project), go here.

Jar pumpkins-my version

I am sure that you have seen these in blog land and on Pinterest.

{source}

Well, here is my version.

My daughter just ended another season of Softball and I usually give her teammates something.  When I found these, I knew that they would be perfect for what I wanted to do.  I have a bunch of the Homemade Chili Sauce jars cuz I think they have such a cute shape.  I thought that they would look awesome as pumpkins. 

Well, as it turned out, I only had five of these {I have used several in my craft room} and I needed eight gifts. Enter the ghosts.

I found these jars, and made them into ghosts.  I painted them the night before her last practice {she couldn't go to the game because of another fun event-SIBS Day*}.  So, they didn't dry all the way. That is why the candy is underneath them in the packaging.  She had a lot of fun helping me out with this project.  She is getting more and more creative everyday. I can't wait to start showing you what she has been creating.

*SIBS {Super Important Brothers and Sisters} Day Workshop is sponsored by Primary Childrens Medical Center and is a support group specifically designed to meet the needs of siblings of children with chronic illness or other disorders {her brother has High Functioning Autism}.
Linking here:

iheartnaptime.net  www.skiptomylou.org

Before & After

I have been working like crazy on boutique items {see previous post} and during this time, I have been going through my own home decor to liven it up.  I have had this sign (it says: Laundry drop your drawers here)

hanging in my laundry room for awhile now, but it has been bugging me that the lighter vinyl just blends in with the stain.  And, I didn't want to repaint it because I love the rustic look.  So, as I was looking through blogs, I came across this post and thought -doh!! Why didn't I think of that?!?  Anywho, this is the result.  I really like it. I think that I may be doing more of this masking technique in the future.

Spring Boutique

This past weekend my items were being sold in a boutique at Pioneer Hall right across 7800 from Gardner Village.  It turned out to be pretty successful. This gal hosts them four times a year and I can't wait to do another one with her. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

My display (I am working on streamling this-any ideas are welcome)

 DMarie Photgraphy

 Hearfelt Wall Hangings (the hostess)

 Iva Lillie

Here you go!

This is what I have been doing for Christmas. I hope you enjoy seeing it as much as I enjoyed making it. The first is picture frame converted into a sign. I did one for both my younger bro and my sis-in-law. The next image are the "I spy bags" I made for the two younger nephews and a niece.


The next two pics are of the pillowcases I made for the little ones (I used fabric of the characters they are in to), and the altered wood letters of my two nieces- one is 9 and the other is 6.

This last image shows the ribbon hangers for those cute flower clips all the girls have. These were also for the two older nieces. I did them in their respective favorite colors.

busy, busy, busy

As you can tell by the title, I have been busy these past couple of weeks. First off, I am on the Relief Society committee and I have been put in charge of the Craft Group. Just to let you know, the Relief Society is the woman's organization in my church. I have been working on the craft for the end of October. There has been a request for home decor and Christmas items. So, I combined them. I also added some Thanksgiving in there for good measure. I couldn't narrow it down, so I am offering 6 different designs. I revealed them the last Sunday of September and they are already a big hit. Several women have signed up to make them.





Then, the following week, I was part of a boutique in Farmington. The home was full of products from amazingly creative women. Some of my favorites included:
Emmie Cakes
Cutsie Cakes
Flutterby Designs
Vintage Fern or here
Individual Rivalry
Nadia's Place
It's The Little Things or here
Button Boutique
It looks like I listed everyone that was there, but that was maybe HALF of the amazing women who took part in this boutique.

Amazing Talent

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of being part of a Talent Night that our Relief Society's Enrichment committee did for our quarterly activity. It was a night to celebrate every woman's talents-no matter how small they believe their talent to be. We asked the women to bring items to "show-off" on display tables. We had everything from artwork to digital scrapbooks. We also did a talent show for those who wanted to "perform" their talent. We had two women play piano, three danced, one did a poetry reading, one showed how to decorate a cake using fondant, one showed a quick and super-cute up do and one showed how to accessorize their wardrobe to create a whole new look. I am so amazed by the incredibly talented and beautiful women that were in attendance that night. I am passionate about those who find, develop and share their talents. The theme was that not everyone can be a star. There was only one Beethoven, Monet and Pavarotti. Some women's talents are being the supporting act. And, you never know when your seemingly insignificant talents will help someone else out. I would like to share some of that talent with you now.