SouthernScraps Happenings

P52- Self portrait

2012-01-27T06:22:00.000-05:00

This week's P52 challenge was to shoot a self portrait. Easy enough since I do have a tripod and remote, but difficult when Saturday and Sunday are the only two days of the week I can play with photos and the weather didn't coporate last weekend. It rained. So without any further excuses, here's my self portrait.

King Soleil- Friday Feature

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

This week I'm thrilled to showcase an etsy shop that has adorable crocheted children's accessories and upcycled clothing- King Soleil. Here's what Morgan had to say about her shop

I design and hand make everything sold in King Soleil. I am also a stay at home mommy to my children, Kingston, 1, and Soleil, 3, who not only inspire my shop name but also my new line of children's accessories and clothing. (My daughter especially loves this because I make my samples in her size!)

I love to upcycle and keep my products eco-conscious and child-friendly, while keeping with a modern and colorful viewpoint.

Here are some of the adorable items you will find there.

Children's Crochet Cowl in Alpaca Wool

with Handmade Peruvian Wool Flower Buttons

Crochet Baby Hat Butterfly Modern Photography Prop in Wool Bamboo

Cashmere Children's Dress Crochet Roses

Reversible One of a Kind Upcycled Cashmere

Valentine's DressFrom KingSoleil

Take 15% off any purchase at King Soleil with code southernscraps15

Find King Soleil on Facebook and at http://kingsoleil.tumblr.com

Have a great weekend!

DIY Rhinestone and cord bangle- Tried it out Thursday

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Quick reminder- there are a few days left for the jewelry gift certificate left- Enter HERE.

Inspired by these, I made these!

I started with these (plain gold bangles from Target),

some silky cord and rhinestone chain, both from Michaels. Glue on the rhinestone and then wrap the cord in between. I used hot glue, but if I wanted a rhinestone only bracelet, I'd use a jewelry glue because the hot glue only held long enough to get the cord on.

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be sharing here:

Think Pink Sundays*Keep It Simple Sunday*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Making the World Cuter*Just Something I Whipped Up at TGC* Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Running With Glitter*Twenty Minute Tuesdays*Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Tuesday Time Out* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Blue Cricket Design*All Things Inspired*Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*It’s Sew Stinkin Cute Craft Thursday*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner* Sassy Sites FFA*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours

DIY Photo canvas- Must Do Monday

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

I really need to work on getting some photos out and on the wall. Here are three ways to make your own photo canvas with Mod Podge. I've gotta try this.

from The Sassy Pepper

SITS girls

Blissfully Ever After

P52- I Dreamed a Dream

2012-01-20T07:13:00.002-05:00

and it came true. This weeks theme at P52 had a liberal translation, which is good or I would have been stuck.

When I was a kid, I hated PE class and running. I was the chubby kid who was always last to cross the finish line and crying because running hurt and I was always out of breath and just couldn't do it. Oh how I wanted to be able to just make a decent finish that looked as effortless as the others.

Fast forward to college- I was forced to take a PE elective before I could go forward in my sophmore year and got stuck with body conditioning as a class which was all about weight lifting and running, during summer I might add. But I did it. The instructor was great and I learned a lot about pacing myself and starting out small and working my way up. Then I dropped running, until years later when I met my husband and he encouraged me to start running again with him. Then we began to do some 5ks and gradually worked our way up in distance.

Here's the dream come true part- I completed a marathon in 2008. The inaugural Breast Cancer Marathon. It was awesome not only because I completed it but because there were so many survivors along the course saying "thank you". The money raised went to breast cancer research.

Here's my shot to symbolize my dream.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope all your dreams come true.

Friday feature- SMD Jewelry

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! I hope you are looking forward to a restful but fun weekend. Today I'd like to introduce you to SMD Jewelry. You'll find unique pieces here that no one else will have. In fact, 90% of her merchandise is one of a kind. SMD Jewelry items are made using a combination of antique, vintage, upcycled & new materials.

Let's take a look at some of my favorite items.

Green, Faceted Lucite Necklace with Fiber Wrapped Chain

Just Peachy Swarovski Crystal & Etched Copper Leaf EarringsFrom SMDJewelry

Copper & Watermelon Tourmaline Bracelet

You can even help support a great cause with purchases from SMD. Check out this listing to find out how.

SMD is also offering you a discount code for 25% off.

Enter SMDJEWELRY25OFF at checkout.

Sweater pillow

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Almost a year ago I purchased a sweater from the thrift store to make a pillow from. A couple of months after that I found two pillows at a yard sale for 50 cents each. I knew I could use these in place of pillow forms for some pillow projects.

I finally got around to this. The first thing I did was place my pillow inside the sweater to measure. The sweater is a size medium so I could only get one pillow from it. I determined that I should just cut the sleeves off at the shoulder and cut straight down. I also cut the turtleneck off of the top.

I went back and trimmed the whole top off even. Since my sweater did not have side seams, I had to sew all four seams. I cut the bottom off, allowing for a seam. I turned it inside out and sewed three sides and part of the four with the machine. I turned it right side out and placed the pillow inside. I finished the last seam by hand.

Here's my pillow.

I played around with placing in on the love seat and the couch.

I may go back and add some flowers to it. I have enough of the sweater left over in the sleeves to make some flowers and do a couple of other projects. These make nice cozy winter decor.

I featured some other sweater pillows that were my inspiration HERE.

Linking to:

Think Pink Sundays*Keep It Simple Sunday*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Making the World Cuter*Just Something I Whipped Up at TGC* Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Running With Glitter*Twenty Minute Tuesdays*Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Tuesday Time Out* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH* Wow Us Wednesday*Blissful and Domestic* Blue Cricket Design*All Things Inspired*Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*It’s Sew Stinkin Cute Craft Thursday*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner* Sassy Sites FFA*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours

WIWW- A new necklace

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday. Today is the day to link up with Lindsey at the Pleated Poppy for WIWW. It's motivation to dress, dress up, mix, remix, and work your wardrobe.

I wanted a long necklace and hubby came through and gave me one for Christmas. It's from Chico's. Here's how a wore it a few days after Christmas. (Yes, I'm still a little behind on the dates, and I don't really like posting a week's worth of outfits in one post anyway. For a daily account of what I wear, visit me at Savvy Southern Style.)

skirt, sweater- JCPenney, leather jacket- gift

boots- Ana/JCPenney, necklace- Chico's/ gift

3 ways to make a ruffle tote - Must Do Monday

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

If I ever get back to the sewing machine, I've got to do this. I already have a pack of totes purchased for this project.

from Susie Harris

Ucreate

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Everyday mantel

2012-01-14T21:27:00.001-05:00

Hey there! I hope you've had a good week. Here is the mantel reveal I've been teasing you about all week.

Here's the whole mantel and hearth.

I used the jute and twine balls to fill some tall vases on each side. I also used my painted rattan balls from 2010.

Moving to the top.

On the left side I used my new subway art and a plate the hubby gave me for Christmas the very first year we dated.

I've got another plate on the other side and a candle in a glass hurricane filled with pinto beans. Pinto beans were also used in votives on each side and urns with flowers from another project balance each side.

I've never really been happy with my non holiday mantel decor and the hubby says this is too busy, but I love it! At least its better than before.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway from Firefly Myst. You'll have the chance to get some lovely jewelry.

Linking up here:

Think Pink Sundays*Keep It Simple Sunday*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Making the World Cuter*Just Something I Whipped Up at TGC* Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Running With Glitter*Twenty Minute Tuesdays*Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Tuesday Time Out* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH* Wow Us Wednesday*Blissful and Domestic* Blue Cricket Design*All Things Inspired*Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*It’s Sew Stinkin Cute Craft Thursday*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner* Sassy Sites FFA*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours

$15 gift certificate giveaway- Friday Feature Firefly Myst Artisan Jewelry

2012-01-13T00:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! I'm thrilled to introduce to you another great etsy seller- Firefly Myst. This lovely shop sells beaded jewelry and supplies to make your own. Let's take a look at some of her creations.

Pink Indigo Blue Swarovski Handmade Pink White Pinch Bead OOAK Necklace

Coral Swarovski Pearl and Blue Ceramic Artisan Bracelet

Earrings Artisan OOAK Flower Purple Red Ceramic Sterling Silver

There's a matching pendant to these earrings HERE

Here is what Collette, the owner behind Firefly Myst had to share about herself and her business.

I started my business Firefly Myst Artisan Jewelry about 4 years ago. My husband, who has been a potter for over 35 years, said that he could make me some raku and stoneware beads and pendants. He suggested that maybe I could design some jewelry with them.

Well, at the time I thought, "Me?Design jewelry?", but I thought I would give it a try. So I began designing bracelets and necklaces using his work, as well as, semi-precious stones, lampwork glass and sterling silver. I found that I really enjoyed it. So with a little encouragement from my husband, I decided to share a booth with him at a summer art show. My first show was a success so I now continue to do local art shows in Michigan.

In the summer of 2009, one of my jewelry designs featuring my husband's raku beads and heart pendant won third place and was featured in the Summer 2009 "Stringing Magazine". We called our piece "Creative Conspiracy".

I recently started creating my own beads and pendants to use in my work. I love making them!
I wanted my work to have a wider venue, so I opened my own Etsy shop where I sell not only my jewelry but also jewelry supplies!

Collette is generously giving away a $15 gift certificate to one of my readers! And she's offering a 15% discount off anything in the shop with the code FIREFLYMYST. The code will be good until January 31, 2012.

Now, how can you win that gift certificate? Easy! Just do one, or all of the following, and leave me a comment for each one you do.

1) like Firefly Myst on facebook
2) make a purchase from Firefly Myst
3) blog, tweet, or FB the giveaway,
4) like SouthernScraps on Facebook
5) follow SouthernScraps blog

The fine print: Immediate family members (and in-laws) of Collette and Fonda not eligible to win. Giveaway closes at 5:00 pm EST Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

Winner of Beach City Boutique giveaway

2012-01-12T19:11:00.002-05:00

Here are your random numbers:

8

Timestamp: 2012-01-13 00:06:53 UTC

#8 is

fireflymyst said...

I follow your blog!

January 9, 2012 6:26 AM

Send me an email so I can forward your information!

Made with love P52 #2

2012-01-12T19:04:00.002-05:00

This weeks P52 theme is made with love. Last Saturday I had the chance to visit a display of nativities at Epworth by the Sea. Of course I was going to photograph them and I'm tweeking it to the theme because

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". John 3:16(NIV)

What else has ever been made or sent with more love than than Jesus Christ?

Here's my favorite shot:

Canon 50mm, f2.8, 1/50, 400 ISO

Linking to P52 at Life with My 3 boybarians

SHOOT.EDIT.SUBMIT

this or that thursday

Jute, yarn, and twine decor balls- tried it out Thursday

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

I tried out what seems to be a simple craft and FAILED! I have been wanting to add some more non seasonal, everyday décor to my collection and thought the jute and twine balls would be just the thing. I made a couple by coiling some jute around a Styrofoam ball and gluing it down and wrapping the ball. These were easy enough, but if I ever make more of these I will try to use as little glue as possible, because I really don’t like seeing the lines and gobs of glue between my rows of jute. I also made one the same way with yarn.

Here is where the FAILURE comes in. I got some balloons and proceeded to make some twine balls with cotton twine and Mod Podge. Here’s what I started with.

I realize it would probably be cheaper with glue and water, but I’m lazy and thought I’d skip a step so I used Mod Podge. Only one of four really turned out well. One of them was really deformed and not at all even. This one pictured below that I tried with yarn still looks like something shedding out of its skin. I guess I used too much Mod Podge.

Yet another one apparently did not dry all the way or never hardened enough and it is now sagging under the weight of the other balls I put on top of it in a vase.

The solution to all of this- Big Lots! I got tired of burning my fingers with the hot glue/ wrapped versions and after trying yet another twine/yarn version with glue and water that failed to harden enough (I’m guessing I thinned the glue too much or used too little this time), I went to Big Lots and purchased 3 décor balls for 8 dollars so I could finish my decorating project (which I’ll share in a few days.) These were large enough to justify the expense. You can’t even buy three styrofoam balls this size for 8 dollars. Sometimes DIY does not save money or time enough to justify the money saved!

I’ll be linking to these great parties:

Think Pink Sundays*Keep It Simple Sunday*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Making the World Cuter*Just Something I Whipped Up at TGC* Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Running With Glitter*Twenty Minute Tuesdays*Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Tuesday Time Out* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH* Wow Us Wednesday*Blissful and Domestic* Blue Cricket Design*All Things Inspired*Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*It’s Sew Stinkin Cute Craft Thursday*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner* Sassy Sites FFA*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours

What I Wore- skirts

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Shirt, sweater and skirt- thrifted

I love bow tops and was happy to find this one at Goodwill. See more details of the skirt HERE.

Sweater - Liz Claiborne, skirt- Dress Barn

I've had this skirt for a while. It has a matching jacket, but I separated them and made a new outfit for myself.

Want to pamper yourself? Hop over HERE and enter to win a $15 gift certificate for Beach City Boutique Bath and Body products.

I'm linking up with WIWW.

Christian theme subway art

2012-01-09T22:52:00.000-05:00

Before we talk about my new subway art, let me remind you of a great giveaway I have going on right now. Beach City Boutique Bath and Body Products is giving away a $15 gift certificate. Go enter for a chance to pamper yourself.

I know I was late jumping on the subway art bandwagon but I had so much fun with my Halloween subway art, I had to make another one. This time I made one I could display year round.

I used the Making Memories Slice "Faith" cartridge for most of the words. I cut two crosses with my Silhouette and also cut the words Savior and Holy Bible with the Silhouette. I used papers from We R Memory Keepers Grandma's Kitchen pad and some solid color Bazzill cardstock.

I started with a blank 16x20 canvas. I painted it with Apple Barrel antique white acrylic paint. I adhered the words and crosses with Mod Podge and then coated the entire thing a couple of times with it. I brushed some brown around the edges after I adhered the words to make them pop a little more.

I'm pleased with it and I'll be displaying it on my mantel. I'll share my new mantel decor a little later.

Linking here:

Think Pink Sundays*Keep It Simple Sunday*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Making the World Cuter*Just Something I Whipped Up at TGC* Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Running With Glitter*Twenty Minute Tuesdays*Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Tuesday Time Out* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH* Wow Us Wednesday*Blissful and Domestic* Blue Cricket Design*All Things Inspired*Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*It’s Sew Stinkin Cute Craft Thursday*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner* Sassy Sites FFA*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours

Jute, twine, and yarn decor - Must Do Monday

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love all the DIY decor accent balls out there, especially the ones with jute and twine. Here are some options I'd like to try out.

Brassy Apple uses a variety of materials:

Brassy Apple

V and Co. spray painted her twine first:

V and Co.

Bayberry Creek also uses a variety of items:

Bayberry Creek

Happy Monday. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for the $15 gift certificate for Beach City Bath and Body Products- a great way to start the year- pampering yourself.

Friday Feature - Beach City Boutique Bath and Body Products

2012-01-06T00:30:00.000-05:00

Hi, hope you've all had an amazing first week of 2012. We are kicking off the first Friday Feature of the year with a giveaway from a very unique etsy shop- Beach City Boutique Bath and Body Products aka She's that Girl.

You'll find handmade soap and bath products in unique shapes and designs here. Let's look at some of my favorites-

Of course I'm partial to butterflies

Plumeria Soap Set Butterfly Garden in Aqua

And it really isn't too early to think about Valentines

Valentine Soap Set Rose Angel and Heart PINK SUGAR Scented

The scents alone in this must be a treat!

Handmade Soap Cold Process Hawaiian Sunrise Jumbo Bar

I asked Kelly, the owner behind She's That Girl/ Beach City Boutique to tell about her soap making process.

Soapmaking is my passion and my hobby. I have been doing this for more than 10 years. It’s part art and part science. As a chemist I am wired to like weighing, mixing, and formulating bath and beauty products. It’s also important to me to raise the bar along with other responsible soapmakers. I am a proud member of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild. Many of us out there are responsible soapmakers but there are many who are not. After buying handmade bars on the Internet I became discouraged that people did not list ingredients, or label soap properly for interstate commerce. Some bars I bought stated 5 ounces and upon arrival they weighed in less than 4 ounces. That just means they weighed it shortly after cutting and may not have allowed it to cure fully. Some folks claim their soap to be all natural. The FDA has no legal definition. Sodium hydroxide, lye, is used in cold process soaps. There is nothing all natural about a fine chemical. Hence, I want the best products to be used on my body and that of my family and friends. So I make my own!

I source the finest ingredients available to this industry. I always test my products on myself, family and friends before I decide to sell them. I keep detailed records for all of my formulations. I love to sell at my local Farmer’s Market in Alamitos Bay Marina in Long Beach, CA. I work with many of my customers to formulate shampoo bars and bath and body products tailored to their skin type. Making soap is so much fun. I love to work with exotic oils, bright colors and amazing scents. I use fragrance oils that are preservative free. I also love mermaids so many of my glycerin soaps are mermaid themed. I package all my soaps with a full declaration of the ingredients and I shrink wrap them for added safety. One batch at a time I am doing my part of raising the bar for soapmakers…

Kelly has generously offered to give my readers a $15 gift certificate/credit to her shop.

How can you enter?

Go visits Kelly's Facebook Page and "like" it.
Post your favorite She's That Girl/ Beach City Boutique item on your Facebook wall and tag Beach City Boutique.
Follow my blog (SouthernScraps Happenings)
Like SouthernScraps on Facebook.
Tweet, blog, or share this giveaway on Facebook!

Leave a comment for each one you do- a total of 5 entries.

The fine print: Open to U.S. residents only. Immediate family members of Kelly or Fonda are not eligible to win. Giveaway ends 5:00 P.M. EST January 12, 2012.

2012 p52- Week 1

2012-01-05T18:43:00.000-05:00

If you read my resolution post, then you know that one of my goals is to improve my photography. And a good way to do that is to take photos often. For this reason, I'll be participating this year in P52 with Life with my 3 boybarians. If you read that resolution post, then you'll also understand the meaning of my photo for week 1- resolutions. It signifies one of my resolutions.

f/3.5, 8sec, ISO 400, 50 mm lens

I wanted to capture a low light image and capture a warm glow from the candlelight. The candles are a little brighter than I wanted but that was the best I could get and have the Bible visible enough. And I don't know what was causing the green reflection either.

I'm open to suggestions and kind critiques.

Also linking to shoot.edit.submit and this or that thursday

Rainbow cookies- Tried it out Thursday

2012-01-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

For New Year's I tried out my in-laws' recipe for rainbow cookies. These are some of my hubby's favorite. This is his grandmother's recipe and his sister bakes them every year for Christmas. I decided to try them for New Year's since rainbows are associated with luck and we have other traditions for luck and prosperity in the New Year.

Cookies ready to go in the oven.

Baked and ready to eat.

Here's the recipe (modified a little for better understanding) and as I made them.

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
3 cups sifted self rising flour
cocoa
red and green food coloring
red and green candied cherries

We couldn't find red cherries so we used green in both parts. You can also add nuts.

Mix the first 6 ingredients together. Divide dough into three equal parts. Add cocoa to the first part until you reach desired color. Add 1/4 cup green cherries and green food coloring to second part. Add red cherries and red food coloring to the third part. Pack in loaf pan in layers with wax paper between each layer. (Chocolate, green, red) Chill overnight. Remove from pan and paper. Slice and place on greased cookie sheet. You will have to cut the "loaf" down the middle and then slice each half. Bake at 350 degrees until done (about 18 to 20 minutes.)

Sharing here:

Think Pink Sundays*Keep It Simple Sunday*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Making the World Cuter*Just Something I Whipped Up at TGC* Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Running With Glitter*Twenty Minute Tuesdays*Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Tuesday Time Out* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH* Wow Us Wednesday*Blissful and Domestic* Blue Cricket Design*All Things Inspired*Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*It’s Sew Stinkin Cute Craft Thursday*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner* Sassy Sites FFA*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours

WIWW- Polka dot scarf

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Top and cargo pants- JCPenney; Vest- Old Navy;

scarf- Target; boots- Belk

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a great start. I must admit I lounged around in sweats and tshirts most of the New Year holiday weekend, so here's an outfit from a couple of weeks ago.

Linking up to WIWW.

Must Do Monday- 3 painted doily projects

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Doilies have become quite a trend over the past couple of years. Here are three projects that caught my eye that I'd like to try.

Painted doily canvas bag- Just Sew Sassy

Painted doily tee- Maybe Matilda

This last one doesn't use a doily, but if it works for the shirt, then I think it would work on a skirt too.

Brassy Apple Stenciled Skirt

Thanks for stopping by! What's on your "Must Do" list?

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm:51:10

Looking back, looking around, looking ahead

2011-12-31T18:38:00.002-05:00

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So how did I do on my non-resolutions for 2011?

I dug into spiritual gifts, but not deep enough. That's going back on the list.
Lots of things got organized and some of it is still in pretty good shape. A couple of areas never got fully completed- the craft room and the master closet. The pantry could use another going through now too, but overall I'm in pretty good shape.

Some of those projects got completed, some didn't. That's okay. I did make lots of things this past year. You can check out my top ten here.

Where am I now? Blessed beyond belief!

Thanks to all of my visitors, followers, Facebook followers, and those of you who leave comments! You make this blogging thing so much more fun! I wish you all the best in the new year. Thanks also to my etsy customers. My blog and shop have grown a lot in the past year. Thanks to those of you who have featured my shop and my blog projects. You are all awesome and I look forward to sharing so much more with you in the coming year.

So what would I like to do next year?

Continue to learn and develop my spiritual gifts and grow in HIS word.
More projects, projects, projects! The "to do" always exceeds the "done" but that's okay too.
I hope to make some blog improvements and apply some more of the things I learned at SITS girls and 31 days to a better blog during the past year.
Maybe try some guest blogging- not sure though- it's hard enough to get stuff done for my own blog.
Have some guest bloggers here- Would you be interested? Give me a shout in the comments or an email if you are.
Improve my photography- I finally learned how to use my camera off auto (on manual) during 2011! There's still room for improvement. I'll also do a future post on some great resources for learning your DSLR and photography.
Spend some quality time with the hubby- which is what I'm off to do now!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Friday feature- LillyPearll

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Wow! This year is almost over! Where did it go? It's the last Friday of the year, but don't worry, I'll be featuring lots of great etsy shops in 2012.

Today I'd like to introduce you to LillyPearll. This cute shop is run by two sisters, Kay and Beth, that love to make things from whatever they can find.

"We reuse, recycle, upcycle, and repurpose things. We come from a line of Grandmothers who saved every Holsom bread bag and pie tin they ever bought!!!"

Here are some of my favorite pieces from LillyPearll.

Necklace Vintage piece Green Tea

Silver Frozen Hearts

Purse BlueBerry Cayenne LillyPearll Delicious Collection

You can find LillyPearll on facebook. They also have another etsy shop, Bessiee. Check them out!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!

Top 10 of 2011

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According to Blogger statistics, eight of my top ten most viewed post/projects for 2011 are 8 of the 10 popular posts over in the sidebar, along with the wrapped cord bracelet and fancy flip flops.

Here are my own top ten favorites- the ones I had the most fun doing or was most pleased with the results.

Bubble gum bracelet

Bloom sash

Broken jewelry cross

Feather brooch

Beach mantel

He is Risen banner

Strawberry applique towel

Halloween subway art

Christmas mantel with pom pom garland

Stella and Dot knock off

What's your favorite?

Linking here:

Think Pink Sundays*Keep It Simple Sunday*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Strut Your Stuff*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Making the World Cuter*Just Something I Whipped Up at TGC* Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Running With Glitter*Twenty Minute Tuesdays*Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Tuesday Time Out* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH* Wow Us Wednesday*Blissful and Domestic* Blue Cricket Design*All Things Inspired*Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*It’s Sew Stinkin Cute Craft Thursday*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner* Sassy Sites FFA*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic