Gotta Brag About Her

Photo credit: My Romantic Home

If you hav'nt seen Cindy's blog, "My Romantic Home", you've got to hop over and take a look. She is in the February issue of  Romantic Homes magazine featured in "The Romantics" article.Cindy is a lovely lady that pulls off romance, grace and charm like a modern day Grace Kelly of decor. Her style isn't fussy, no it is quite lovely while comfortable. She understands how to put a room  together for real people. No she isn't one of those maintained women that have days filled with tennis lessons, lunches and shopping. She has a full time job and is a single mother. She also shares her home with her dog that graces her pictures occasionally. That being said, she has the experience so many of us look to to learn from and be inspired by. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Cindy as she reviewed my aprons last spring. You can read her review Here.

Congratulations Cindy! It could not have happened to a more deserving Romantic.

The Greatest Gift

The Greatest Gift Ever Given.....

For unto us a child is born, a Savior. Let all the Earth rejoice in Him.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas,

Santa'a Magic Watch

Ever wonder how Santa gets everything done?

He has a magic watch!

It has always been a mystery

How in just one night

Santa visits every house

Then vanishes from sight

They say his watch has special power

Our wishes to fulfill

He sets the hands a half turn back

To make the earth stand still

Then off he goes from east to west

He makes his special flight

To visit every home and heart

And back before daylight

So thanks to Santa's magic watch

We wake one day a year

To find our stockings stuffed with joy

And homes filled with good cheer.

"Believe"

New Collections

Here's a preview of two new collections I've been working on for the upcoming L.A.Mart in January.

I love red! If my house was'nt so cottage looking I think this is what I would use.

Then again I really love this look too. This would blend well with all the greens and creams I already have.

What do you think? Red or Green/Black combination?

Reindeer need their Rest

Getting ready for the big sleigh ride.....

Reindeer need their rest! I was supposed to post these weeks ago....

On the way home from Albuquerque we stopped to feed the reindeer....

They are so sweet. Gentle as can be. When they take the food from your hand its like feeding a puppy. The boys loved visiting the deer park and so did I! I'm really sappy about animals though.

I can't believe the antlers on this guy. The boys think the magic to make them fly must be in those big antlers. I hope they are rested up....can't believe the big day is almost here!

Giveaway at Castle & Cottage signs

Giveaway at Castle & Cottage Signs....

Hurry over there and enter and you just might win this fabulous "Believe" sign. Here is the link.You know this is my favorite one word saying so I am just chomping at the bit over this one!

More Holiday Ideas

If you need a few last minute ideas for gifts, recipes, papercrafting or decorating visit Country Living. This is just one of dozens of ideas I found on their site. I love the clean lines of red & white and this look could be duplicated for Valentine's Day. Hope you are all having a great holiday season.

Hugs,

Just a Few Decorations

I started to go crazy with this post but then I realised that we all have a life and probably very limited time for blog hopping this time of year so my decorations will be brief....just kidding! But it will take more than one post to cover.

This is my favorite tree in the house because red & white looks so clean and fresh. It sits in the dining room next to the fireplace....

An ornament in honor of all the friends that stop by....

One of the pitchers from my collection. I change the floral with the season, if I can remember!....

Good 'Ol St. Nick with his coffee mug and pajamas. That's how I like to work....

Oh there's my favorite word again, "Believe"....

And again! Are you sensing a theme?

If you have bare spots on your tree, bows & flowers make great fillers. I bought a bouquet of poinsettias and cut them apart. It makes your $$ go farther than buying individual stems.

 

This is the mantle above the fireplace in the diningroom. So what do you think about "Imagine"? Since it will be up through the new year I figured it could be a conversation starter and would conjour up "make believe" topics and perhaps a few resolutions too. Let's play a game. Finish this sentence in the comments you leave.  "Imagine IF in the new year I......."

Here's mine: "Imagine IF in the new year I traveled to Paris.....Bonjour! And sipped espresso at a lovely sidewalk cafe. And then strolled through the quaint shops. OOH LA LA. I need a passort ;-)

 I look forward to reading your "Imagine IF".

Making a mess!

We drug out all the boxes.......

I guess I've been saving everything that even remotely resembled Christmas for almost 25 years.

Tigger was a little concerned that his mouse-toy would get lost in all the fuss.

I put the boys to work on our big tree. Yes, I caved in and bought a fake tree. That is something that I've always deemed as  the "Cardinal Christmas Sin". BUT, I usually have everything up really early and keep it up until late January and.....well that's just a lot of pine needles on the floor. And then there's the fact that I don't put up just one like a normal person with some sense. Oh no, I put up several. And I just hate putting it all away. It's like saying goodbye to a friend.

Tigger decided to get cozy under the tree and wait for Santa Cat to come.

And Misty.....well I'm pretty sure she will be getting coal. She doesn't want anything to do with all the decorations so she sabotages things when she thinks we are'nt looking.

I'll post the results of my decorating madness soon.  Have a great day!

p.s. Download the Santa stationery from Macy's Believe Event HERE.

Macy's Believe campaign

"Believe"

As you know this is my favorite one word saying, well Macy's is having a wonderful "Believe Event". Follow the link to visit their site and  learn how you can support the Make a Wish Foundation and help a sick child. Best of all its fun and free! Click on the word believe above to follow the link. Download the Santa stationery HERE. The preview to "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause" is also on their site....totally cute!Did you know that is based on a true story? Yep. I didn't know that untill now. Very heartwarming!

p.s. I should have mentioned the promo is: for every letter to Santa received by Macy's promotional mail-box, $1.00 will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation. Go write your letters!!!

It's December?

How did another page on the calendar turn without my being prepared? Is it me or do you feel as though time is flying by? Well the holidays are upon us and here are a few treasures I saw while visiting in New Mexico. The Queen and I accompanied by our hubbies visited a sweet little shop by the name of "Willow Creek". The store was bedecked with baubles and twinkles and snowmen on watch....

Are'nt they the cutest?

I love Nutcrackers. I will share pictures of my collection when I get done decorating.

Ornaments and sparkles!

My favorite one word saying,"Believe".

Oh mercury glass....gasp!

A victorian tree. Would'nt that be perfect for a Christmas tea?

This victorian rabbit is beautiful. The perfect centerpiece for an Easter tea party or to adorn your teaware collection.

Oh yes, Willow Creek just happens to carry my aprons!

I love this table display. Perhaps its because they used 2 of my favorite colors: pink & green in the floral arrangement to pull from the colors of the packaging. Who is that happy shopper? Oh it's the Queen. I'm camera shy! If you are in Albuquerque be sure to visit Willow Creek and tell them I sent you! They are located at 3107 Eubank #34. (505) 291-1556

I'll share more of the family trip soon!

I am off for a much needed vacation to visit the Queen in New Mexico for the holiday. I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are surrounded by those you love. Love and hugs to all of you.

Christmas Stocking Tutorial

Can you believe Christmas is next month? And Thanksgiving next week? I just dont know where the year has went! I've been terribly busy lately and have missed my blogland friends! Hope you are all doing well. I thought it would be fun to post my first tutorial and feature this super easy unlined stocking. Gather up your supplies...

Cut 2 stockings from the fabric of your choice. Click on the pattern and it should open so you can print it. It will print on a standard sheet of paper. The finished size is just 10" tall but you could enlarge it if you want.

With right sides together, Stitch using a 3/8" seam. Leave the top open.

Making a few tiny cuts in the seam allowance along the curves will help the stocking to lay flatter when you turn it right side out. Be careful not to cut past the seam. When you turn it out, if your seam is lumpy just trim the seam allowance close to the stitching.

Press after turning right side out. Here is where you determine how long and wide to cut the cuff. The top of my stocking is 4 1/2" so you want to double that number to 9 and add a seam allowance of 1". Then I decided how wide I want the cuff to be which is 2" so double that to 4"and I added 1/2 inch for the seam allowance. So I cut a rectangle 10" by 4-1/2".

 

Lay that piece face up and fold the left side over to the right like you are closing a book.

Sew a 1/2" seam. See how it is right sides together? Now you are going to turn it right sideout.

Here is the cuff!

Put the cuff inside the stocking matching the raw edges across the top and the cuff seam to the seam

on the heel side of the stocking.

 

Stitch the cuff to the stocking with a 1/2" seam. I stitch on the inside because there is better visibility and you wont get twisted up and have a mess. Yes, I learned that the hard way(is there another way).

Now turn the cuff over the outside and voila, you have a stocking!

I used ribbon to make the hanger. Just make a loop and tack it on with a few stitches by hand or machine and embellish with buttons, glitter whatever you like!

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial! I would love to hear from you.

Why don't you share your pictures with me?

If you would like a big dose of inspiration
 watch my new video series, 
"Inspiration Delivered."

If you love this tutorial and have benefited from it 

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XO~