You can find me...in the daises

I watched a little girl at the pool today with a miniature bag of m and m's. She devoured them as if the bottom of the bag had a treasure chest in it. Each one eaten faster than the color could be decided. Once she was done she joyfully hopped up and handed the bag to her grandmother. No disappointment or frown. Simply, pure enjoyment.

I wonder what my life would be like if I had devoured each day like this little girl.  Would everything have been rosy?  With a sweet smell that lingered?

Sadly, the last few months have been a mountainous climb full of disappointment, tears, and too many changes to list. Almost like a seed packet, neatly packed tight.  Someone emptied us into the soil and out of what we new only as home.

Our manicured home has become a new "different". A full time job, a divorce, and an uncertain future have caused me to humble myself and find guidance and friendship where I never knew it existed.

You can find me in the daisies at our local garden center. Capturing pictures of the latest farm fresh arrivals. Each person I work with more deserving than the last. A new family to hold my hand, show me my backbone and a solid future with which to plan on.

During the early months we sat wistfully and cried together and this day never seemed possible but just like Spring arrives every year, we too have blossomed into a family of four. Tighter than a bud in bloom.

Our once familiar home became a shell until we broke open the door one day lately and embraced the future we (me and the three kids) will share. 

New spaces for "my" mending within steps of the door I swing through each night.

Old faces revisited and newly placed. 

Friends who have been dear reminding me that strength is from within.

Thank you for all your kind words and sweet notes, sometimes weekly. 

I have learned some very important things in the past few months.

1. Nursing wasn't for me.

2. Trust can always be broken.

3. Friends are priceless.

4. Children are the best gift ever.

5. Follow your heart...mine lead me back to the garden. 

and 

most importantly

DEVOUR each day like there is treasure at the bottom.

 I will keep you updated as to how my room works out. Thank you for all your kind words and sweet notes, sometimes weekly they have been my treasure. 

With my new work schedule post might only be monthly but I assure you it feels good to be where I am right now...in the daisies.

Glitter Cookies

I cannot remember where I saw these ornaments but you should know I am not the genius behind them. Merely a copycat of sorts.  These are worth every flex of glitter.

A hole was punched in the top and the bottom with a nail and hammer from the inside out.

A few glass Christmas beads from broken strings were wired on with jewelry wire to the top and the bottom of the ornament.

After several days of drying and a little photo shoot...these sweet ornaments are headed out in the mail.

Simple, vintage Christmas glitter cookies.

Now I am off to sew.

Christmas Seals

I won't lie...there is a Christmas mess at my house. Literally, bins lining the walls of the living room. Major tree lighting renovations have commenced. The lights have been hung outside and flowerpots overflow with juniper and holly. There are scratches all up my arms and thorns under my nails...I love Christmas. For a few moments each week I have snuck downstairs to play with glitter. Want to see?

Gathered up some poker chips and Christmas seals.

Hot glue some Christmas twine to the back of your chosen chip color.

Punch out some Christmas sheet music and twist to make 14 cones per ornament.

Dip the cone tips in white glue.

Dust the glue end into a pile of glitter.

Begin to glue the cones, seam side down to the poker chip.

Mod Podge your Christmas seal to a poker chip.

Glue the "seal poker chip" to the top of the cones and marvel at how numb your finger tips are from hot glue!  

What can I injure tomorrow? 

Wrappings...

I love to wrap things. Anything really. A sandwich, card, package, you name it. It is a lot like making a bed. You just tuck in a side and fold a flap here. It makes things feel finished. A perfect way to wrap up  a project and start a new one. 

Today was not the day to "wrap" my bed. Reagan had big cat nap plans. Off to work I went.

Wrapping was on the list today for a mailing. This is how I begin. Grabbing my favorite vintage pattern paper out of patterns I don't care for (like the ones with bell bottoms!) usually thrifted. The markings and font on these papers are wonderful.

I like to secure my paper with my favorite washi tape on the back. 

The fun begins by grabbing my handy tool box full of game pieces and cards. These are great for accents, thank you notes, graphics or just because.

I couldn't stop there....I grab a couple new finds and some old ones too. The fabric tape and tag are from Jaime of Raising Up Rubies. Her blog is amazing and her shop is beautiful. Please stop by and see all she has to offer, you won't be disappointed.

A vintage doily tied with bakers twine.

Secured with fabric tape and tagged askew.

For the final touch I place a little glassine envelope that holds one of my cards. I like to personalize my packages with vintage seals and an initial of the recipient. Lastly, I clip it to the bow and tag by a little wooden clothes pin.

All the while I worked around this flapping tail and massive hairball. Honestly, you would have thought the bed was a better place to rest...

Butter or Romaine?

I simply cannot thank you all enough for your words of encouragement and support. It has brought such pleasure to me to be able to stitch and share my crafts. 

 You might remember this awful pink that was supposed to be beautiful but turned out more 1988 mauve than I hoped.

No better time than "Where Blogger's Create 2012" to turn this piece back into the treasure it was. With that in mind I settled between Romaine or Butter Up.

Butter Up won me over. 

Pardon the reflection of the cleanest floor around?

Painted that puppy right over the pink (I do love my chalk paint) and gently sanded to reveal the original pecan and peaks of pink.

But the doors just had me stumped again. Sprawled on the floor with my book collection I found my go to Bumper Book. Such great illustrations. These two number pages immediately caught my eye.

Perfection at last.

While the paint brush was out (yes, I am dangerous) a nearby footstool got a face lift and a decal. You can just see the pink alcohol ink over spray. It is not just for scrap booking...right?

I have absolutely the worst lighting in my studio. No matter how many lamps, lights or bulbs I try the glare, color or film always causes photo issues...but it doesn't stop me from sewing.

Lunchbox Social Tags

The inside of a Tiny Tales book. I want wallpaper just like this. Do you think Dr. Dan would mind if he had to shower around Mother Goose? This is one of those things I probably shouldn't even ask...just do. These would make darling bookplates for a little one.

Our Lunch Box Social Tag Swap package arrived late last week. In true Elizabeth fashion it did not disappoint. 

A bluebird so sweet I think I need to make enough to fill the sky above. My very own heart...I cannot tell you how beautiful the details are. Perfect little picnic ants and a flower to set the table.

The tags wrapped neatly in waxed paper just like mom did.

Elizabeth's tag. Note the rick rack that loops off to the side. 

Our hostess of Creative Breathing.

Sandy of 521 Lake Street. That sweet little bluebird is the perfect dimensional touch.

Shirley of Zetta's Aprons. Drive in ready. There is a camper on the back.

Tammy of Tammy's in Love. The doily edging is quite feminine.

Chris of Perfectly Printed. Who doesn't fish and picnic? Love the darling image.

Jenny of Jenny's Heart. This is a tricycle I want to ride. With the glitter on it too...

Hung on a make shift garland with ants at the ready I have enjoyed each fleck of glitter, every punch of paper and all of the vintage images they have.

Thank you all for sharing your craft.

Elizabeth...I love this heart with all of mine.

The soldier blue suitcase all dried and perfectly ready for display. It turned out even better than I thought it would.