LIFE UNDER GLASS

After weeks and weeks of a winter without it, the snow has finally arrived.  We had about 6 inches fall a few days ago and today we're getting 3 more.  It's beautiful - but it does cover up any hint of grass and earth.  

For a long, long time.  

Well, I was paging through a decorating magazine the other day and saw this.

 Remember, last year at this time I grew "Cat Grass" and not only did it look wonderful but it smelled great too - especially when you trimmed it.

  

So I decided it was time to take the candy canes and santas out of their glass containers and get something green going again.  My inspiration came from these photos.  Most of them were from an old 2009 Country Living Magazine.

So while the wind is blowing, and the snow and temperature are falling . . . I'm getting out some containers . . 

and some plants . . .

and putting little bits of summer throughout the house.

 

It's a perfect day to light some candles, pour a cup of coffee, and nestle in.  

Just me . . . and Norma.  

On days like this, she gets extra attention!

BONNE NUIT PILLOW FEATURED

A few days ago, I was contacted by the editor of the Fine Craft Guild.  As a result, my French Rose Label Pillow is featured on their website - along with the complete tutorial and a link back to my blog!

  Fine Craft Guild is a decorating and craft website with over one million page views annually.  

Kind of cool!

You can see all kinds of decorating ideas/tutorials on their site.   Click here!

   

PROJECT IDEAS FOR MCKINNEY

In a few weeks, I'm going back to McKinney for my annual winter visit with Jan.  I'm looking forward to sharing photos of all her new landscaping when I get back, but while I'm there, Jan and I are planning on keeping up our tradition of making stuff!  We've been making things together for about 38 years, and since our time together is limited due to living on opposite sides of the country, we have to have all our plans and materials organized well ahead of time.  First of all, we need ideas.  I came across this beautiful magazine the other day:

This magazine is written completely in French (which I do not speak or read!) so we're unable to read any directions, material lists, etc.  Kind of fun.  Makes the project that much more challenging!  Here are some of my favorites:

What will it be . . . ?

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM

My mom.

January 8, 1927 - May 5, 2013

http://mankatofreepress.com/obituaries/x6225257/Mary-Susan-Vose

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

And from a year and a half ago:

This Sunday, my mom will be celebrating her 85th birthday.  

What do you get a woman who has everything . . . on her 85th birthday?  I decided the best gift I could give her would be acknowledgement of the reasons why she is so special to me.

So I made a simple little accordion book, and filled it with 10 things I love and admire about my mom.  

(There's a link to a YouTube video showing you how to make your own book, at the end of this post)  

My mom is an avid reader, so I used a great old book cover for the front and back of the accordion book.  Just tear out the pages and wrap the cover with some pretty papers. 

 Then, after deciding how many pages you want, fold a long piece of paper, accordion style.  My book needed 10 pages, so I had to use several pieces of paper pieced together. Then glue your typed script or photos on each page.

Fill up the book with memories of the most wonderful things you know about the person you're making the book for.

    
My mom and dad - right about the time they met.

Once the book was complete, I wrapped it up with a little charm made just for mom, with a birthday sentiment on the back cover.  She really is, one LOVELY lady!

A Christmas time lunch just a couple weeks ago, with my mom!

You can never repay your parents for the gift of life, but I think it's important to let them know how grateful you are for that gift and the many ways you love and admire them.

"Happy Birthday Mom!"

A little YouTube video showing how to make your own accordion book!

NEW YEAR - NEW LOOK

   It's a new year.  Something about putting up that new calendar must make people want to clean, clean, clean - myself included!  My car knows the way to the drop-off line at Goodwill pretty well by now.  I guess after weeks of having my house a little over-decorated for the holidays, I crave more simplicity once the new year arrives.   Simplicity and change.

First of all, I decided it was time to give the BLOG a little color change.
Something calm and soothing.

Then, on to a few color changes around the house.  

Thanks to Horchow, aqua/turquoise is one of my favorite colors.  

       

 

 Then, I looked in the "Turquoise" folder I keep on my computer.  While I don't remember the source for all of these, they show some great ways to bring some turquoise-like color into a room.   The"slip" on this chair is not my style, but I do love the color of the chair itself.

         

So, today, I'm pulling out my little pot of turquoise-like paint and doing a little damage.

I'll post the results . . . if I like how it all turns out.