Good bye 2012...hello 2013....

Hi Everyone!  I can't believe that tomorrow is the last day of 2012.  So much has happened this year...I thought about doing a best of but it's really not my style (but I'll show you a few pictures from this year).  I appreciate all that has happened this year, the good and the bad, because you can't really appreciate the good without knowing what the bad is. 

I'm looking forward to what's in store for me and my family in  2013.  13 is a lucky number for me and I'm hoping that the luck continues in 2013.

But I'm not counting on luck because it's out of my control....but hard work and determination are things I can control.  And I plan on doing a lot of hard work through determination to make 2013 a great year.

As far as my family, we have a wedding coming up and I look forward to welcoming Rachel into the family when she marries my Marine nephew.  And I hope that good health and happiness continue for everyone in my family and in yours.

As for my business, I hope it continues to be successful in 2013.  I saw a lot of growth in the last four months and I hope that it continues throughout 2013.  Thank you to all my customers for making 2012  so very successful and busy!

 To my friends, thank you for your friendship and for making this journey fun.  I have enjoyed every second of it.  So goodbye to 2012 and here's to an even better 2013.  Thanks for stopping by!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas....

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 Here's wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Holly

A custom hand painted sign...

Hi Everyone!  Merry Christmas Eve!  I'm sure you're all running around trying to get last minute things accomplished, I worked until noon today, now I'm working on a couple of orders that came in this weekend and waiting until it's time to head over to my parents for Christmas Eve.  I'm making chicken stir-fry at my parents house tonight.  It's just the three of us for Christmas this year....my brother's family couldn't make it.

Today, I thought I'd show you one of the custom orders I received this holiday season. 

 I was asked to make this as a Christmas gift for a wife to her husband.  I doubt he reads my blog, so I think it's safe to show it before he opens it tomorrow.

 I made this on a piece of scrap wood that has some gouges in it...which I think adds to the look of it (they don't really show up in the pictures).

 I was a little nervous about painting a deer (I had never done it before).  But I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

I hand painted the lettering and the scrolls and decorative lines.  If you look closely, you can see that the right and left sides of the decorative edges aren't exactly identical.  I just couldn't make them match.  So now I need to get back to work on the two orders I received this weekend.  Funny thing is, they are both for my trio of dandelion paintings.

Which seem so strange to be painting at this time of year, but I love making these and it gets me thinking of spring/summer, especially since it's cold here and the wind is blowing.  I hope you are ready for Christmas and enjoy this time with your family and friends.  Merry Christmas Friends!  And thanks for stopping by!

Linking to:
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2012/12/catch-as-catch-can-103.html 

Wooden Star...

Hi Everyone!  Last week I had the pleasure of guest posting for my friend Gail at My Repurosed Life.  And in case you missed it, I thought I'd share it here too.

In keeping with the holiday season, I thought I'd share with you the primitive star I've been making for the last couple of years.  It's easy to make and fun to decorate.

I make these in different sizes but today I'm going to show you the one made with the large paint sticks that are used to stir 5 gallon bucket paints.  I got these at Wal-Mart.  I start out by cutting the handle end off of all five sticks.

Then I do a little sanding, mainly on the rough cut end.  Using Gorilla Glue and clamps, I glue the sticks together.

I start with two ends, glue and clamp them together and repeat with two other sticks, making them equal distance apart.

Overlap them and glue and clamp the open end and repeat with the cross stick.

I also add a dab of glue and clamps anywhere that the sticks cross and touch each other.

I leave them clamped together for several hours giving the glue ample time to dry.

And here it is.....

I painted it an off white but it would look great stained or antiqued.

I can't find the picture of it by it's self...this picture has two of them hanging on a hook at the last craft fair I did.  I finished it off by adding a wreath of grapevine with burgundy pip berries, rusty bells and stars, and two primitive angels.  I'd take another picture of it but it sold last month.

 Here are two of the stars that are ready for decoration.

The little one is made from regular size paint sticks and works great on the top of the Christmas tree.  Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to decorate the large star....I hope you are all ready for Christmas since it's almost here...I know I am.  Now I must get to work on an order that I got yesterday.  Merry Christmas Everyone!  Thanks for stopping by.

Let it snow...

Hi Everyone!  Well it's happening here.  Our first snow of the season.  And it was upgraded from a winter storm advisory to a BLIZZARD!  Can you believe it?!  Our first snowfall is going to be a blizzard.  It started raining this afternoon and a some sleet tonight.  And I just came inside from taking my dogs out and it's snowing.  The blowing is just getting started and is to be bad overnight.

I live on a hill a few miles from town.  My home sits at the top of a hill overlooking the river bottom and the town below.  I can usually judge how bad things are by whether or not I can see the lights of town.  So far it's not bad.  I can still see town and the post lights of my neighbors (the closest one is about 1/4 mile as the crow flies).  When I can't see the lights I know it's bad. (These pictures are from last year's big snow storm.)

My parents were to leave today to go to my brother's to celebrate Christmas with them this weekend but didn't go due to the weather forecast.  Better to be safe than sorry!

 So in honor of the first snow of the season, I thought I'd share with you the clay snowflakes I made a couple of weeks ago.  I rolled out the clay to about 1/4" thick and then used this snowflake cookie cutter to cut out the shape.

 I used a toothpick to make the hole for the hanger.

 I added white German glass glitter before baking the clay.

 I baked them in the oven for about 15 minutes at 275 degrees and then let them cool before spraying them with a matte sealer to set the glitter.  Then I added red and white Bakers twine as the hanger.

 It's simple and sweet and looks great on the tree.  The glitter makes it shimmer.

I packaged them in clear bags with my tag at the top.  I gave a few of them as gifts and sold a few of them too.  And I put a few on my Christmas tree.  You could get really creative decorating these but I wanted to keep them simple.  So now I'm going to go sit at the window and watch the snowfall and then I need to work a little on my last two orders before Christmas.  I just hope that the power stays on throughout this blizzard.  I hope everyone caught in this storm stays safe.  Thanks for stopping by.


Linking to:
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/2012/12/creative-inspirations-linky-party_19.html 
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2012/12/catch-as-catch-can-102.html 

All Star Block Party #29....

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to the All Star Block Party!  Thank you so much for making our 28th party a great success  I've been busy filling orders...I love orders!  I like being asked to create something special for my clients to give as gifts to the special people in their lives, it truly is an honor.

I've been so busy with orders that I almost forgot to pick my favorites.  Once again it was difficult to pick my favorites.  And considering Christmas is almost here, I thought I'd stick to picking some Christmas related favorites.

I love this wrapping paper idea.  I am a huge fan of wrapping gifts and making them special and this does the trick.  Great job Katie!

Katie @ Fun Home Things

I love these lollipops that Kathy created.  They could even be turned into ornaments by adding a hanger to the top.  I am definitely going to make some of these.

Kathy @ Life on Lakeshore Drive

 And how adorable is this burlap joy sign that Amy created.  Stop by and see how she turned a $1.99 Goodwill frame into this wonderful sign.

Amy @ While Wearing Heels

 I love how T'onna recycled a pair of old jeans into these adorable stockings.  They are so cute!

T'onna @ Navy Wifey Peters Aboard the USS Crafty

 Be sure to stop by and say hi.  It will definitely be worth it.  And if you've been featured, please grab a featured button.

<div align="center"><a href="http://fullcirclecreations.blogspot.com/" title="Full Circle Creations"><img src="http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i402/fullcirclecre8/allstar.jpg" alt="Full Circle Creations" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I can't wait to see what you've been up to this week.  Be sure to check out the features of my co-hosts...

      Shasta @ In The Old Road

         Heather @ New House, New Home, New Life

           Meg @ Nutmeg Place

This week's guest co-host is Lisa from Create Inspire Me.  Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Lisa @ Create Inspire Me

We have decided to not have the link party next week because of Christmas but we'll be back the next week.  So I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families and friends.

 Now the business part of the party....We ask that you be a follower to participate. 

Link back to the blog that you linked up to.

Keep your links family friendly.

Only submit projects made by you.

No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.

We reserve the right to delete any link that does not follow these rules.

You are welcome to link up any of YOUR creations, old or new.  It can be crafts, remodels, woodworking, artwork, recipes, gardening, sewing projects...you get the idea.  We want to see what YOU'VE been working on.  Make sure that your link  is to your specific post and not your blog's main URL.  Be sure to visit some of your fellow blogger's link ups.  Then leave them some comment love.

So grab a button and show us what you've been up to.

Do you see a link that you like?  You can now share it on Twitter, Facebook or 

Pinterest with the new inLinkz link tool that we are using!  Just hover your 

mouse over the thumbnail, click on the down arrow next to the gear symbol, 

then click on the social media site of your choice.

 

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Guest posting today....

Hi Everyone!  I wanted to let you know that I'm guest posting today over at My Repurposed Life.  

 Here's a sneak peek....

So if you're looking for me...that's where you can find me, be sure to stop by and say hi!  Thanks for stopping by.

All Star Block Party # 28....

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to the All Star Block Party!  Thank you so much for making our 27th party a great success  I've been sick all week so I haven't been able to post anything this last week.  And I've been busy filling orders so nothing new to share with you yet.  I was busy today trying to get orders ready and didn't get a chance to pick my favorites...until now.

I love these candy cane ornaments.  A wonderful, personalized gift for family and friends!

Susan @ Homeroad

 And how adorable and easy to make are these....nativity ornaments!

Barb @ Second Chance to Dream

 I love this snowman wreath.  Such a fun and easy project!

Mary @ Sweet Little Blue Bird

I can't wait to see what you've been up to this week.  Be sure to check out the features of my co-hosts...

      Shasta @ In The Old Road

         Heather @ New House, New Home, New Life

           Meg @ Nutmeg Place

 Now the business part of the party....We ask that you be a follower to participate. 

Link back to the blog that you linked up to.

Keep your links family friendly.

Only submit projects made by you.

No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.

We reserve the right to delete any link that does not follow these rules.

You are welcome to link up any of YOUR creations, old or new.  It can be crafts, remodels, woodworking, artwork, recipes, gardening, sewing projects...you get the idea.  We want to see what YOU'VE been working on.  Make sure that your link  is to your specific post and not your blog's main URL.  Be sure to visit some of your fellow blogger's link ups.  Then leave them some comment love.

So grab a button and show us what you've been up to.

Do you see a link that you like?  You can now share it on Twitter, Facebook or 

Pinterest with the new inLinkz link tool that we are using!  Just hover your 

mouse over the thumbnail, click on the down arrow next to the gear symbol, 

then click on the social media site of your choice.
 

 Loading InLinkz ...

All Star Block Party #27...

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to the All Star Block Party!  Thank you so much for making our 26th party a great success.  I can't wait to see what you've been up to this week.  If you haven't seen my features, click here.  And be sure to check out the features of my co-hosts...

      Shasta @ In The Old Road

         Heather @ New House, New Home, New Life

           Meg @ Nutmeg Place

And our guest host this week is Rachelle @ Adventures in Creating.

Cool candle holder!

You should definitely stop by and check out some of Rachelle's really cool projects!

 
 Now the business part of the party....We ask that you be a follower to participate. 

Link back to the blog that you linked up to.

Keep your links family friendly.

Only submit projects made by you.

No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.

We reserve the right to delete any link that does not follow these rules.

You are welcome to link up any of YOUR creations, old or new.  It can be crafts, remodels, woodworking, artwork, recipes, gardening, sewing projects...you get the idea.  We want to see what YOU'VE been working on.  Make sure that your link  is to your specific post and not your blog's main URL.  Be sure to visit some of your fellow blogger's link ups.  Then leave them some comment love.

So grab a button and show us what you've been up to.

Do you see a link that you like?  You can now share it on Twitter, Facebook or 

Pinterest with the new inLinkz link tool that we are using!  Just hover your 

mouse over the thumbnail, click on the down arrow next to the gear symbol, 

then click on the social media site of your choice.

 Loading InLinkz ...