Wishing you all a fun and safe New Year!!!

See you right here next year!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....

Merry Christmas friends.....thanks so much for visiting my blog this past year. I appreciate each and every one of you and hope you all have a fantastic 2011!

Christopher Radko, eat your heart out!

I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to post again until after Christmas, but it's become a bad habit!!
I couldn't resist sharing the ornaments that take pride of place on our tree....I get wistful every single year when I unwrap them. Our dd made all of these at school as gifts for us...my Mom didn't save any of our ornaments that we made (that I remember anyway)...maybe it was because we were a military family and moved so often that she "cleaned out" every time so we wouldn't accumlate so much? I don't know and unfortunately she's not here to ask...(
My dd feels such pride that we put these on the tree every year....they make our tree unique and special. That's why I love seeing other people's trees and hearing their stories about their "special" ornaments....isn't it fun?

Merry, Merry.......

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays!
I'll be back after Christmas, but for now I think things are gonna get a little crazy around here so I'm off to tend to my family and festive goings-on.
I do hope you all have time to carve out some space for yourself to enjoy the season..:)
See you right back here after Christmas!

Vintage Inspiration Friday.........

I'm linking up with Debra over at CommonGround today with her Vintage Inspiration Friday.

This is a vignette in a corner of my living room that is surrounded by windows. The little deer are plastic and last year I used silver glass glitter on them...now they're so much prettier! And they seem to like their new home...:)

These glittered houses were purchased at Home Goods last year (or was it the year before?) and they came with the frosty trees already attached...

The rest of the trees are ones I bleached last year....didn't care for the bright green.
So even though most items aren't "vintage" except for the deer, at least the whole vignette has a vintage vibe to it......hop on over to Debra's and check out everyone else's stunning decor, won't you?

A brand new Etsy product.......

These are my new candles, listed today on my Etsy. I'm starting to panic a bit....no Christmas shopping to speak of. Better get in gear, huh? Most of my gifts will be handmade this year with the exception of my 10yo dd....I'm good but I just haven't figured out how to make those darn video games yet!

How is your shopping and crafting coming along...better than mine I hope...:).

A romantic vintage Christmas........

These sit on my foyer table...I love the old chalkware statues and the lovely candle was a gift.....it looks fabulous when lit!

I love my snowmen and snowwomen, part Christmas and part Winter, I can leave them up until Valentines day! (Does that make me lazy?)

I found a bunch of these signs last year after Christmas so I saved major $$$$, I was happy...:)

A sweet Etsy find.....very old and very pretty.

My favorite Christmas scent...it's called 'Cathedral' and it's "heavenly".
It pretty much sums up Christmas for me.

Just had to incorporate some old books into my display...
Have you started decorating yet?

Christmas came early!!!!!!!

Happiest girl ever! That's me right now...

After checking my mail on Saturday...looked in my mailbox and saw a Somerset magazine all wrapped up in it's plastic...but what caught my eye was the yellow sheet on the outside telling me I had been published, and here was my complimentary copy. So over-the-moon about it right now!

I had made this banner sometime late Spring or Summer and knew I was under the wire for the cut-off date but sent it in anyway.
Hoping....then I kinda forgot about it...only kinda...:)
Because every time I read ANY Somerset magazine I dream of being in it!
And now I am. So I'm encouraging all of you who have considered sending in your work to do so, because if I can do it, you can too. I'm living proof on page 148 of the newest Somerset Studio Gallery magazine.
So come on...send something in...you have nothing to lose and so much to gain..:)

ETSY coupon code savings.....!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving! I've decided to offer a 20% discount in my Etsy shop through cyber Monday at midnight PST. Just type in littlebeach20 for your discount in my shop if you've had your eye on anything.
And if you're one of the crazy ones who get out there tomorrow and mix it up, be careful!!!!:)

Unbelievable talent!!

So I was visiting Shari's website Plays with Paper (don't you just love that name?) and she had just introduced these darling little doll necklaces. 

I saw them and wanted one...I mean REALLY had to have one, you know?

Someone else left a comment on her blog that SHE wanted the doll...rats!

This is her back, finished in every detail, just stunningly cute!

So I did what any rabid fan would do, I emailed Shari and she said that she would be happy to make me a custom doll. My heart was happy.

I adore everything about this doll...(did you notice her "key" arms? And her little red maryjane shoes? And her sweet little hat? And all her ruffles?
Now I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I see an item and know that I can make something similiar, you know, but with my own twist and personality woven in to make it my own. This little doll, however, is way beyond my realm. I will treasure her and put her in a prominent spot in my studio so that she can inspire me whenever I'm creating.

Shari also included this darling Thank You card that she created. Yeah, that's another thing beyond my realm!

And check out this sweet little frozen charlotte she included with my package. I was thrilled to see this because I've only ever seen these on other's blogs or shops, never owned one of my own.
Shari, I can't thank you enough for making me my own special doll necklace.
If you've never been to playswithpaper
well, you must go see Shari's creations! You won't be disappointed..:)
Plus, she's having a giveaway....hurry!

Just listed....new victorian style glitter Christmas ornaments....

I love The Graphics Fairy website, have you  been there lately? She has the most phenomenal selection of images to choose from for your crafts. Today I fell in love with this beautiful snow angel trade card. I made a couple of copies so I could make some Christmas (or Winter) ornaments.

Of course I had to use my favorite fabric for the skirts. I also used german glass glitter and velvet leaves for their wings. They now reside in my Etsy shop...:).
I'll be back soon to share the most amazing package I received in the mail today. Hope you all have a lovely evening!
These both sold, thanks so much!!!

Glittered thrift store birds.....

I'd like to talk about birds but first thought I'd show a new pillow that I bought yesterday at Home Goods...of course I went in there to exchange a rug for my laundry room and walked out with this instead....isn't that always the way? The last time I was in there I was wondering why they didn't have more pillows that reflect more "current" tastes.
You know, burlap, linen....FRENCH?!

And then I spied this beauty...25"x25", huge and cushy. LOVE it.

In other news, I've been trying to create every day, some days big things, other days little ones, like these glittery birds. Using the above items...(don't you just love Twinklets? How can you not love something called Twinklets?)

Voila, my thrifted birds, which were kinda brightly colored for my taste (but the price was certainly right! Have you seen how much these cost at Michael's? It's a crime I tell ya).

Much prettier, don't you think?

This is how they started out...pretty, but bright. I like how they sparkle now and the colors are a lot more subdued.
So don't pass up those birds while thrifting, they can be made pretty with very little effort.
What will you make prettier today?

Do you speak a second language?

I don't, but if I did it would be this one! I came across this french dictionary this weekend at one of my thrift stores....it's called "Heath's Petit Larousse Illustre".  Published in 1922 and when I opened it I fell in love. Look at the illustration's...aren't they pretty? Each letter has the beautiful decorative pictures leading into that chapter.
Nerd that I am, I took it to bed with me so I could just enjoy the pictures. Maybe if I read it enough some of it will rub off on me?
Oh, if only.....