let the decorating commence...

Yesterday I went to our local fruit market and bought some cedar roping to hang outside, I'm hesitating going out there to get it hung up because it's 29 degrees out there!! So that's why all of my smart neighbors were putting their decorations up two weeks ago! go figure.  So I started inside to get the juices flowing...

I know I'm a week late but I just finished this advent 'wreath' this morning and I needed to show you the beautiful exvoto tags I bought from Rosemary over at Ozma Of Odds  they are really gorgeous and I knew when I opened them that I needed to use them on something special.  I love how this turned out!

These tags are stunning, truly.  I wrapped the dollar store candles in music paper that I printed onto vellum paper so that it will glow nicely and then just attached it with double sided tape, and tied the exvotos on with creamy string, tucked some cedar from the yard inside the old toolbox and waalaa!

One mantel down and 2 more to go!  I wish all three were real fireplaces, this one is simply the mantel, one day I would like to put a little electric fireplace in here.

  While I was at the market, I noticed that they had a couple of boxwood wreaths for sale as well!  Honestly I was doing the happy dance, went back inside to pay for those and get out of there before I saw anything else that I couldn't resist!  I planted boxwood this year just so that I could do things like this one day, but if I were to take any clippings from then well, lets just say I would only have little stumps in my dirt.

I quickly took the old picture down that was there and replaced it with the wreath tied with burlap (all while making dinner mind you).   Did you all know that in the floral section of Michaels you can find a roll of burlap ribbon that is about 6" wide?  I didn't and that caused another happy dance while in the store... hmmm,  no wonder my kids don't want to go shopping with me anymore!

This morning I replaced all of the cabinet card pictures that were hanging here and put up some of the vintage Christmas postcards that I found while cleaning the workroom.  I have a new mantra... cleaning is good, cleaning is good, cleaning is good...

I just love the graphics on them, so sweet and the little notes on the backs are even sweeter.

the view from the bench at the table.

So there you have it, the decorating has officially begun here at 612.  Now I'm off to brave the cold and do a little of it outdoors.  We'll see how long I last,  maybe some of the roping will end up inside!  Here's hoping someone will have hot cocoa waiting for me when I come in.

I'm joining in the fun over @ TeaRoseHome, stop by and see all of the inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful Sunday!  Theresa xoxo

the wheels are still turning...

No time to chat really, I tore up the workroom, which consequently means I tore up the entire downstairs... and I haven't even begun to decorate!  Can you feel the craziness?  I just thought I'd leave you with some pictures and a quick hello...

(sold)

look at that fabulous label!

 some vintage bottles that I decorated...

 Some big (o.k. I'll be honest, almost obnoxious)  poofy flowers to wear and feel all girly!  I love to feel girly and I swear these do the trick, I love to wear them and always feel a little special when I do! scouts honor!!

 So there you have it, the craziness ensues... I will be getting this house in order TODAY and then on to more creative endeavors!  I stopped at a friends house today and she was decorating for Christmas, and man oh man did I just want to stay there and play instead of coming home to work!  But alas here I am... I will play soon enough for now I really gotta roll up my sleeves and make some sense of this place!

All of these things will be added to my etsy soon, probably as I fall asleep tonight, so excuse any typos!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you are having a fabulous day!  Theresa xoxo

Projects new and old...

 Thank you Mr. Sunshine!  Today was a great day for pictures, so I worked on a couple of orders and snapped pictures of some glitter goodness and other Christmas projects.  Up first is a silver platter with a wonderful Santa from Graphics Fairy...

 I'll keep going with the upcycled plate theme, this next one is on a vintage ironstone plate with more graphics from Karen, actually she is represented quite well in this post because she is my GO-TO GIRL for graphics!  Thanks Karen!

this one has vintage wedding dress trim around the plate and Santa is poking through a little 'pocket'. I actually made these two last year and found them all tucked away in a tub when I was getting ready for the show a couple of weeks ago.  yay!  The next ones I made today, seriously do you all work like this, you start with one project and then the brain kicks into overdrive, you see something out of the corner of your eye and before you know it, you are starting on a whole new piece?  crazy, cookoo, all I know is that is how mine works so I'm usually doing no less than 5 things at once.  I know there is a pill for this but honestly at 49 years young, I figure it's too late!

and honestly, I love how these turned out so I'm glad I have no attention span to speak of!  I took a chandi crystal and glued an image with wonderful writing on it and then added a sweet Christmas bird, oh so sweet, if I do say so myself!

this one is just for me... I actually may add it to a ribbon or existing necklace and wear it!  More gorgeous script and then I stamped the number 7 on it, I have a few more of these crystals so will be coming up with more of these, I'm sure.  These crystals are unusual in that they are completely flat on the back and so make it easy to add the images.  I have some of the cut ones too so I'll see what I can do with those!

 Here is another piece from last year, I was doing wax collage around Christmas time and taught it at Lambs Gate, the antique store that sells my artwork and soap, it's very fun to do and really relaxing. New question... have you ever taken a class from someone who works on 5 projects at once? hmm... just kidding, I don't usually work on a project when I'm teaching, that way I remember that there are other people in the room! LOL!!  (plus I'll let you in on a little secret about me... when I like how something is turning out then I just might dance a little and I definitely WILL start clapping my hands and singing) it's true.  anyway,  The angel actually came from Graphics Fairy too, see she's just the best sharer ever!
I have much more to share with you but this old computer gets kinda warm when I am on it too long and well it already shut down on me once so I better call it quits for now.
I'm going to go over and link this up to the Graphics Fairy for Brag Monday party and while I'm at it I'm going to link up to White Wednesday just in case the days get away from me like they usually do!  I'm also linking  this to Boardwalk Bragfest... I love this party everyone has great ideas to share!
Hopefully I will be back before then, but if not Toodoodles!
Thanks for stopping by!  Theresa xoxo

the glitter is flying...

and here is where some of it ended up...

I'm hoping that we might get a smidgen of sunshine today so that I can take more pics of where the rest of it is!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Theresa xoxo