Finally!

Im happy to share some sneak peeks of my studio.

It's about 80% completed and has been a work in progess. 

I underestimated how much stuff I've accumulated over the years. Plus the process of  unpacking and organizing took longer than I had expected.

 I decided to take my own sweet time making the space into the most heavenly inspiring work place for me to create in.

I can honestly say when I step inside these four walls now I feel uplifted and happy.

You can't help but smile.

These are before photos.

Several close up sneak peeks.

My collection of vintage stuffed animals now have a cherry happy spot to hang out in. 

One eyed bears need love too! 

 Glitter! Glitter! Glitter!

You can never have enough!

Let's play I spy!

Can you spot the fluffy cloud bunny floating by in the sky?

What about this sweet one nestled in the pinky white clouds?

These two are one of many. ;)

I have my happy wall full of baby planters, miniature figurines and vintage children's storybooks.

All there to help encourage and inspire. 

 Finally! 

My scrapbook paper is organized. That was a full day chore!

Basket of vintage wrapping paper.

Pretty ribbons.

(Fyi...later I will share more photos of the ribbon holder I made out of a GUN RACK I purchased. Yep! A gun rack I found at an antique store)

Vintage child's play cabinet full of crafting bits and bops. 

This is just a tid bit of my space.

I'll share the whole grand room real soon!

My goal is to have it fully finished within the the month. Im estatic to start working, playing, and making fun new whimsical creations.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a little sneak peek tour of my happy place!

Happy Creating!!!

XOXO,

Cheers! 

Happy New Years Friends!!!! 

Dont you just love the feeling of a New Year?

It's amazing how the first day into a new calander year feels incredibly different mentally.

As much as I love the holidays, I look forward to life getting back to some level of normalcy again. 

I think that's the time we tend to re-evaluate what our personal goals might be and what we strive to accomplish in the New Year.

Hmmm....what do I want to accomplish this year??? 

Well for one thing I am excited to focus on creating again.

It feels like ages since I've made time to sit down and create new pieces of work.

My creative soul misses it terribly!

With my new studio almost 80% unpacked and organized Im ready to dive in and start creating again.

(sneak peeks next week! Pinky Swear Promise!)

Studio home sweet home.

More fabulous goodness is lined up this year....

Im thrilled for the opportunity to be teaching at Karen Hillman Blue In Blue event end of March. 

It will be a cozy intimate group of creative gals in the heart of Texas!

Karen has a weekend full of lovely things in store for us.

The projects being #1! 

Superb!

I know there are a few slots still available so PLEASE join us!

 Psst! We have two shopping days planned for the Canton flea market!!!

Yipee!!

Click here for more information.

Shortly after Texas Im headed to sunny CA to attend my fourth Kim Caldwell

Artistic Affaire event.

Im in LOVE with the theme!!

Kim's event's always blow me away. Every detail is exquisite and her guest are pampered and spoiled like crazzy!

I always have a blast seeing my creative peeps and enjoying a little bit of the CA scene.

The biggest thing Im most anxious and looking forward to is FINALLY working on a project that has been brewing for the past three years now.

I've put if off long enough and finally Im going make the time to work on self-publishing my first children's book. 

It's one of my dreams to use my artwork mixed with photography (no illustrations) to create a beautiful and whimsical picture storybook. 

My story will be based on this pretty Kitty Kat named Duchess.

You will learn more about Duchess in the next few weeks. 

She wishes for a GRAND INTRODUCTION blog post.

When it comes to publishing a book fear has held me back.

Everytime I sit down to work on it I get overwhelmed. Plus, my mind races with the fears of "what if's".

Even tho' I've done alot of research I still feel like I know very little about the publishing world. The GOOD news to all of this is the self-publishing world has exploded and more and more writers are now turning to self-publishing.

There are so many reputable companies to choose from now. 

(If you, or anyone you know has experience with self-publishing a book and want to share your input,tips, or advice please email me. I would love to hear from you!)

Im SUPER excited and ready to work on my book. I told myself I must commit to this project that I've been dreaming about for so long.

The reward of being able to open my own storybook and read to my children is the dream of all dreams!

With that being said this is my motto for 2012.

Fabulous motto for ALL of us...wouldn't you agree?

I hope you too have a passion for something so big. Let's support each other in our endeavours and help make your dreams into a glorious reality.

Cheers to making our dreams come true in 2012!!!

XOXO,

**photo credits**

1st image tumbler

Disney quote pinterest

Welcome Friends to my Holiday Home!

This time of year I enjoy opening up my home to you and sharing photos of my home decorated for the  holiday season. 

Ever since I've started blogging I've made it a tradition to host a little show and tell of my festive home.

This year I really focused on decorating my new kitchen and making it super retro bright!

My children are at the age that they are really into Christmas so I needed at least one room of my house to be fun and colorful.

This is a fab ceramic tree I recently found.

I wanted that "old school" Christmas look so I hung the tree and wreaths with big fat bulbs like we used when I was growing up.

Im always searching for and collecting vintage Santa's and blow molds along the way each year.

My absolute FAVORITE new find is this Santa cookie jar!

My children's eyes light up over the lights, and Christmas sounds that fill the room.

I love my blue hutch with the red colored accents.

More sweet vintage collectables

I have displayed on my kitchen table a red Christmas tree with my children's handmade school ornaments.

I've added a few hot pink ornaments.

The very end of my table is my blue bench with the most precious Christmas pillows

made my the lovely and talented Jennifer Paganelli.

So sweet!!!

Children's table covered with Santa tablecloth and cupcake centerpiece.

I purchased this super cute Nicole Bowen plush Christmas critter named Cuddles at The Country Living Fair this past fall.

Adorable!

The rest of my tour is pretty much "snippits". 

My Living Room mantel I re-decorated this year. 

I love the ivory and creams! Very pretty!

How beautiful is this stocking made out of a vintage 1950's beaded sweater?

Love!!!

A small table vignette.

My Sugar Plum dining room to this day is my favorite holiday room of my house.

It's pastel candy coated room evokes a perfect mix of elegant and whimsy!

Stocking were hung with care.

Pastel Candy Canes.

Yuuuummmmm!

Glittery Cottages and Christmas Houses

Last but not least my Dining room "mascot" Mister Pinky Santa Claus. 

Thank you my wonderful and lovely blog friends for stopping by and viewing my

Christmas home tour.

I hope your home and heart is filled with the ALL the things you love & cherish most that help you celebrate this magical season.

 Christmas has arrived early for me!

A wonderful gift of having both of my last workshop events published in two inspiring and fabulous publications.

Where Women Cook Celebrations Book by Jo Packham was unveiled in mid-October. 

I was very fortunate to have Lark Publications sponsor my Dream event and all my lovely guest each received a copy.

Petticoats & Parasols was featured in the Sweet Cupcake Queen Cheryl Day of Back in the Day Bakery.

The book is a page by page visual indulgence of food and entertainment.

As of yesterday I FINALLY got my hands on the newest Winter Issue of

Creating Vintage Charm.

It's a stunning issue full gorgeous holiday decor, crafts, and tutorials.

Senior Editor and friend Sonia Crouse attended Once Upon A Dream and it was her desire and wish to feature the event.

Sonia did an incredible job with the layout. She captured it just like the Storybook it was meant to be! 

You'll have to order a copy to see the article and rest of the pages! ;)

Also, an *extra* bonus is Natasha Burns Midsummer Fairy Tale Mobile Tutorial. 

It's a beautiful project that I know you would enjoy creating.

I am always appreciative and humbled to have something Im so passionate about published in any publication. It's nice to have the memories printed on beautiful pages for years to cherish. 

Happy Holidays!