Blissfully Spring

Eggs, tulips and colored eggs- spring is springy all around us.

I can not describe but a piece of what spring gives me.  It is like a free gift that I have been waiting for months and months. The air smells new, we get to open windows on especially nice days. The sunshine that comes through the windows replaces the light. The green that starts to emerge. I love, love spring!
One thing I always try to do is engage my kids in a activity each holiday. Or as each season changes. One thing that brings us together at any time of the year is baking! They love adding the ingredients, helping ice. I must confess I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my cupcakes, I have the fancy tips, all different liners. It's a passion of mine. So, even though I am being slightly childish I put half aside for me and the other half is for them. One thing to say in my defense is that they usually get a bit board with it so I finish most of them myself anyhow.


This was also a sad year, our easter bunny lost an ear and got all chipped up. My children said that they have to have a easter bunny! So I went to pier 1 knowing how whimsical the decor usually is. I was not disappointed I walked into easter wonderland.  It was so hard to choose! Although target had darling table liners etc.


Our other activity we do this time of year is easter egg decorating! The old classic! I remember my sister and I sitting at our kitchen table with our mom decorating egg after egg!

My blissful lamp shade

    Hello to you all. Those of you who read my post about giving  "the card class in a box"- I heard back from my friend, she was simply delighted! who appreciate all the "little things you do". She is a wonderful friend.  I hope her crafty-ness comes shining through!

  I wanted to Blog today on a lampshade I made with a basket liner, a few stitches, a glue gun and a few hydrangea petals.

  I purchased a desk lamp at hobby lobby,(love there 50% off sales!) But I just wasn't in love with the little sparkle studs it had on the lamp shade. Plus we put our little black aged desk over in a corner of our living room. So, it needed some light! After all this is the place I blog from- so it should portray me and be comfortable.

  Back to the lampshade- I found some canvas material that was a liner from a old basket. (this proves anything material, other than ugly clothes ;) You keep! You have an eye for what you might re-use.
So I pulled it out measured the length against my shade and the ideas flew. I cut the bottom of the liner out, cut 1 strip down the length of it.

  Then I added some ruffle at the top with large stitched by hand straight stitches. they were easily gathered. Then out came the hot glue gun! with a little work I hot glued the top then pressed the fabric to the length I wanted. I continued all the way around the lamp shade until it was stuck!

So what I did next was make waves in the fabric with my fingers and glued underneath, the perfect little pockets for my little flowers to rest.

I put together my little flowers and I was done!

Love short little crafts that add character to my home.

"Pack up your craft goodies dear."

What would you do if your husband said it's time to pack up your craft stuff until we move. We don't have a designated room for it, which is what you need. (although that looks hopeful for whenever we do move!) If you diddle dabbled in a bit of every type of cratfy goodness, what would you save. even if you had a little box the size of economy diaper box. (for all you momma's!)  If that was all the space you had to put things you could use until moving, what would that be?

I would love your feedback on this one.

As such a crafty gal, there are always those last minute craft 911 moments! So this could be a disaster!

help me!

The Gift to Inspire

      I know that I have posted several times about how our fab crafty business can make amazing gifts. Well, I thought what about the gift of a card making class in a package?
      One of my dearest and oldest friends has always been more than complementary about my work, cards big time!  I do love pouring my soul and thoughts of the person receiving the card I am creating.  She had told me several times within the past 6 months that it is hard for her to put a card together from a-z.
     If you have never made a card before it can be a bit overwhelming. You usually do 1 of 2 things, buy to few supplies. lets face it it takes a while to build your work box of treasures. So because of the expense maybe we buy paper and stickers.  What is #2 you ask- well it is you buy the entire line of one of the many lines you adore at the store. Or you buy odds and ends that don't exactly go together. Okay there is 3 things.
       Now I wanted to share with you a way to help a friend get started. It doesn't have to be overly expensive either.

Butterscotch Birthday cake

It was my husbands 31st birthday over the weekend. This brings out the inner baker in me. The part of me that at one time wished of owning a cupcake shop! So for my Sweet I had to make the sweetest cake that was special and unique to what he likes.  I started with a simple box of white cake mix, followed the directions for the two round cake pans. I would absolutely advise you to you egg whites here- fluffy delish in every bite! 


The best part to me is always the frosting. So I had decided on butterscotch buttercream. The homemade real stuff- no can required! I softened my butter, got out my half and half and powdered sugar. I started with a small pan at the oven 1 cup butterscotch chips and a tbsp. of butter slowly melted over medium heat in the pain * careful not to burn!!! Keep your eyes on it until it is ready!


Poor this lovelyness into a standing mixer along with softened unsalted butter. Then I added a 1/4 c. half & half. Then last but not least added the powdered sugar and adjusted half &half as needed.  Let that set a bit to the side while I make a instant pudding filling (butterscotch of course!) 


Finally I got to put my master piece together!  I use the cake rounds you can buy at Jo-Anns, cover it with foil and sit down my first cooled layer of cake. Cut the top off until it is a even surface.  Added the buttercream all around the edges (this helps from filling overflow!) then added butterscotch pudding to the middle. Then add your second layer, do not cut until even. Ice the cake with a spatula to look like a pro. Pick up icing bags and metal tips at Jo-Anns for truly professional results.


In the end the kiddo-s always enjoy decorating, so it doesn't look exactly professional. Yet, Daddy loves it more and it sure tasted special. It was geared towards one of his favorite flavors!


To end the story: the cake was gone very quick!


I hope you enjoy adding new flavors to your icings and cakes. If you can think of it, there is a way to make it!  Ooh la la! Enjoy!

Hello everyone! I don't know about you, but I my dear readers are simply ready for the flowers to start to pop! Just like the excitement you get as you see your first tulip for the year! the cool spring afternoons wind against my face, crisp, clean air.  It smells different somehow.

I thought today I should go around my house locating several "goodies" that I adore.  The thing is my stunning antique hutch that my husband thinks is a piece of trash, I will have to work on him with that one! He just doesn't see it like I do. It was in my house growing up always as a little girl until my mom decided to give it to me. I've thought about painting it a soft dove grey with a hue of blue undertones.  I see this and several of my other antiques and try to imagine what they must have been used for so long ago.  Regardless, I love the character. Just like my first antique rocker that the arm rails are coming apart from the rest of the chairs structure.

I feel like a modern farmhouse Martha, who is finding that this year I am finally coming into my own. this women that longs to pull the antiques out clean the up and hopefully make my house the way I have always dreamed.... on a budget! 


Also can't wait to get into my flower garden in the spring as well. Life is good.


Hopefully I will slowly be sharing with you the things that make my house home.

Feeling light, clean, and well a bit uncluttered.

Hello darlings! I am writing to try to help you explore this feeling I have inside with you. It is a blissful feeling. I have done so many little changes in a short period of time. I have reflected, I have taken time out to care for me- yes I just said it! Time to worry about me and not what everyone else needs, I take my mommy hat off a few times through out the day and stop to smell the roses.  I do yoga- drink green goodness everyday, I have tried to de-clutter my mind, there was cob webs in there!!! I have begun to try to meditate. I have uncluttered areas of our home.  With each day that passes I couldn't be happier I purchased this book "crazy sexy diet by Kris Carr, she truly is a inspiration.  I know how it sounds another fad diet, but this is a life changing experience.

I feel like a better person than I was when I started. I got off facebook & changed my email to not get all those trash emails!  So I unplugged is what Kris Carr would say. It is amazing the feeling of not having to connect, it is liberating! I get the computer on just for moments here and there, Then of course for my beloved blog.

I know this isn't exactly a crafty blog, but sometimes I think we need to check in with ourselves and feel good and clean and new.  Yes I drink a lot of green juice! I put in just about every veggie imaginable. I add 1 fruit to 3 veggies. I blend with my super blender vita-mixer. (Love it!) I found it on ebay at a great price- it had been barley used.

I can't tell you all the secrets, I want you to go out and read this inspirational book.  I have RA and it says you can reduce your levels of inflammation to control disease, or prevent. I pray after all is said and done that I will continue with my green goodness in a glass and feel like a new person in every way imaginable!

Cheers to the green yummy juice! Hello blissful feelings!

I've missed you, my loved blog land friends.

   Hi there. I know I have been away for some time from my postings. But I am back, ready for more crafting and sharing joy, and feeling free in my own skin. That is my hope for you this new year, that when you look yourself in the mirror you aren't too hard on yourself & your art. That we stop feeling less because we feel like we juggle 100 things so how could we possibly be doing it all right? Well you are, you are doing your best to be the best you that you can be- no one can ask more of you!  That is my wish for this year that I enjoy my art without judging to harshly. That I allow myself to be simply who I am, and I believe through art and creativity you are at your best, because you are taking a moment to breath, to be, time for you!  All of those are really good things!


Other than that I have some fun stamping. I did this for gift tags and cards.

I found stamps out of the dollar bin at Jo-Ann's. I used my beloved black ink, got my fav colored pencils out and glitter & glitter glue!

Once I had everything out I started to create, I was never one who usually filled in my stamps, I would stamp them, age them, added a bead of glitter glue, embossed a bit, the usual. Yet I never did the simple thing and used my basic tools and the results were fantastic! It was a kid friendly activity too, which is always nice around Christmas time.

Here are the results!  You could do this with valentines treasures for your kids. Little love notes. Maybe hidden in your child's lunchbox with a fun candy?

The Art of Card Making, simplified.

To those of you that have decided to tackle making your christmas cards this year, and now you are why didi I get myself into this. Take a deep breathe and I will take you on a smooth ride to card making perfection.

The first order in card making 101 is a small trip to the store:)
~you will need blank cards and envelopes. I buy cream no matter what the season because I always have some left.
~search your craft stores for papers that reflect your style, right now the craft stores are stuffed with great lines! they will have a line of papers and embellishments you will love using.
~ remember size matters, if you are going to simply make cards, you don't need every piece of paper in their collection, pick about 4 favorite and a solid to enhance your pattern's. You may want to invest in a few of the coordinating embellishments, but before you do, go to the rhinestone section, buy at least a package of sticky flat back rhinestones you adore. They are a cheap add on! So is a coordinating ribbon, or buttons!
~ I want you to get the most for your money, so I would suggest you get a all purpose adhesive.
~ One other way to save is watch your store adds for off season, clearance stamps, and papers embellishments. Just because it isn't thanksgiving doesn't mean your the paper is not pretty! It is just much less!


*I will show you mine and maybe you will get a few ideas! I hope you enjoy card making. Remember we are all our worst critic! The reason home made cards are wonderful is that you made them from your creative heart. That is a blissful beginning to Christmas!

Once you do cards expand to gift tags! They have all different sizes- it adds such a personality to a gift!

Enjoy the season. I may be back on here soon to teach you a few tricks on those gift tags!

Thanksgiving with my kids.

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying the holiday season! I hope you are getting the bug to create! I know I am. Although the first thing I did was make place cards with my kids for thanksgiving dinner. They had a blast and it really let that mini artist out.  Look at the pictures and see how we did!

It feels like home.

To all of you out in blog land who have enjoyed my blog, I am so sorry I have been gone for so long! I must admit being here feels like I walked into my home on a chilly day to a fireplace and a cup of tea. This is such a part of me now, my little blog page. Popular or not, I love sharing the things that have helped me through my journey of the pain RA brings and fibromyalgia. It may sound silly but it is a outlet, for pain, for a broken heart, or a desire to make something with you own two hands. Although I really don't have a excuse for being gone so long, other then life has been so busy and stressful.  I hope that you all have been up to something fun that brings that bliss to your soul. I was able to finish (finally) my daughters quilt. I am now onto Christmas stockings. Not to mention I have been really trying to use couponing more and the coupon strategies that save you so much at the grocery.  Sometimes I ask myself as a mother with two young children should I put my love for creating to the side, just until I am not called for 20 times in 20 min.? Then I ask myself, does this bring me joy &bliss and something of my own, a way to describe me. To answer my question it's yes. I absolutely find a mental break when I dive in to all the pretty mediums to make a card, or the stack of pretty fabrics, I am in love all over again!

Also this time of year I usually go a bit high gear to make certain things to give as gifts. Which brings me great joy, something I made with my own hands, is now owned by someone I care deeply for. It is like giving them a piece of my soul and what I stand for.

I will post sooner next time! I promise!

Little Girl's big style by:Mary Abreu

  Every time I go into this charming boutique here in town I get so inspired by the detail put into these little people clothes. Surely any little girl would feel fancy dressed in something from my friends shop. It just has that feel to it- you walk in and she uses antique drawers to store extras in, she has gorgeous fabric banners hanging from the walls. It is a happy place, you are greeted with a smile and she will taylor anything to your child's needs. Then there is the wall of hair flowers and bows and everything in between! It is little girl heaven.

  I came across this book that has similar styles to the style that is my friends trademark. I know I will never be the pro that my friend is, but I thought even if I could make a dress or two- a shirt with ruffles. How thrilled my little girl would be. I already make almost all her hair flowers, which saves me money, but if I could make a portion of her wardrobe too- how fun this could be.

   This book is filled with tips and pointers, they have a section for skirts, shirts and dresses. They really do give you advice that you can follow. This book is boosting 23 projects from size 2 through 6! So if you have a little one around size 2 or 3 you will get the bang for your buck!  I always go to the fabric sales and at Jo-Ann's I can't let a coupon go to waste! So my fabric drawers are full I need to get to it, before my little one grows out of this glorious book!

Hope you enjoy!

Still quilting

I am still enjoying my time on my sturdy sewing machine. It makes me especially happy now to know when I picked a machine with the quilting ability that I chose well.  At the time I ordered it I was afraid I may not enjoy the beauty of quilt making, so the bit extra I paid would be wasted. Now, I couldn't be happier with my Janome sewing machine.

I was very scared to get to the point I am at now, the actual quilting part:) To put the back material the batting and front together and actually sew them together with a design! I quickly got over it after going back through my wonderful book and seeing line quilting. I was no longer overwhelmed- a bit nervous because I didn't want to do a bad job on the last part! So, this morning I pulled my sleeves up- it was time to tackle this quilting business. So, here I am, my quilting is partially finished. (A girl needs a break once in a while, to blog of course) But- what I wanted to tell you was don't be scared, the line quilting is pretty easy, I just rolled up the side of the quilt I wasn't working on, moved my machine to the far right of the table (I am working on the right side of the quilt) so that I could put the extra fabric both on my lap as I work and resting on the table. It has made it work out pretty well. Although, I have little mistakes, I guess what I was afraid of happened a bit here or there, but what I realized the joy of making this quilt is far more important then perfection and my daughter loves it! She will not know there are a few mishaps here or there. Oh, and people that may stop by, that I just might give the "home tour to" I highly doubt they will be investigating my quilt. So, I guess what I wanted to tell you was don't be anxious, take it easy on yourself, especially for your first one, and just enjoy creating. It really has been a perfectly blissful experience for me!

TIP: to any of you planning on making a quilt, find out the amount of batting you need and head to Jo-Ann's they have the soft and natural brand on sale! Which is what I was recommended in my simplify book. It has been a dream to work with and- it's on sale so well that for a twin size quilt I only paid 13.75! That is a lot of batting. So check before you go make sure it wasn't the last day for the sale when I went. Hopefully you can manage to take advantage of this price!

Have fun quilting, and most importantly be blissful and enjoy the little things.

A new found passion for quilting

I have always loved the way a quilt felt covering my lap on a crisp fall day. I have always admired women who were able to do it so well. My Great Grandma is one of those people, I couldn't begin to know how many she must have made. You see my Maw Maw is unable at this point to continue to make them. They are so much work!

Then one day I was in my local craft store looking over all the pretty fabric, and found a book simplify, quilts for the modern home, by Camille Roskelley.  I flipped through the pages at the store, I was amazed the gorgeous fabrics she used. You see that was one thing about quilts, I was never very found of the fabric choices or how they looked old, but I loved them - how they made me feel inside all cozy and warm.  Yet this book made a quilt look so pretty with her mix of fabrics and her modern patterns, I loved it. I thought I will buy this read it and see from there. I would not allow the thought of making a quilt overwhelm me.

So, I decided after reading this book which I loved to go to my local quilt shop in search of these gorgeous fabrics she spoke of in the book, she also makes fabric lines with her mother Bonnie Olaveson for Moda. The fabrics she has made are gorgeous. In the book she explains how to "simplify" fabric selection. So I gazed at all of these modernly beautiful fabrics, and decided I would make my little girl a twin quilt for when she got into "a big girl bed".  I found these soft tones and sort of a shabby chic style line I adored. I wasn't sure though which quilt to try to tackle first, so I asked the nice lady that worked there, that was when I ended up buying the pattern hopscotch. She told me it was perfect for beginners. Although I had wished to use one of the quilt designs in my book, I thought next time.

I got home with a bunch of fabric and a lot of ambition. I put all the squares together first. Then put the project away for a few months. I needed a break.  Then I picked it back up two weeks ago, I now have the entire top done, I am off today to buy the batting and material for the back! I am so excited and a bit scared this is such a new adventure.

I urge you to take a look around at Camille's blog you will fall in love instantly. One of the things she is hoping by doing what she does is that she will encourage young mother's like herself to start quilting. She sure got me hooked! Quilting has been such a calming experience. Also a very fun one!

I just ordered two patterns from her store which you can get to from her blog, one called BLISS imagine that! I promise it wasn't the name that got it me, it was so very pretty! I also ordered her pattern for quilted stockings!

Check it out at www.camilleroskelley.com it is a gorgeous blog! Wait until you see her red polka dot chair - I adore it! I hope you enjoy!

Hair Flowers

If any of you have been waiting on this post I am sorry for the delay! I expect you have your supplies ready to make your little ones precious flower. First of all these are suggestions, not the only way of making them. Use your creativity, add glitter, don't. Use tulle, don't or maybe use a tad extra!

First you need to take the flower apart. Rip the middle piece out, I sometimes have to cut it out. Once this is done you can lay your layers on the your workspace. Grab your tulle, cut out of it a few circles (as many as you may want to use, you could cut different sizes for different layers or simply A few larger pieces for the bottom, your choice. Once this is done, use a lighter to burn the edges of tulle, to prevent fraying. Now either by sewing or a glue gun (I suggest low heat!!!) Add layer by layer your flower. Then once layered add your center- usually I glue this section.  Then turn it over take the claw clip you bought, now you can either line it with a matching ribbon or glue it on without a ribbon, just make sure you glue the back side of the claw clip on, so the top of the clip is facing you if it is turned over.

Let it dry. Give it a check, make sure that you have secured all sections enough, and there you go your little ballerina has a brand new flower for her bun! I hope you enjoy making it for her!  I also hope this was informative and helped. Not everyones will look the same, remember at every craft show I have graced there has always been another booth with flowers- they are always different in their own way.

Enjoy! I hope your little ballerina does too!

Ring bearer pillow

So, I know I promised a post about making flowers for your little ballerina, but I was just too excited to share with you my finished project.  A while back I posted about this project and that I would show you the final result.  I hope the bride is happy with it. It is made from dupioni silk, fabulous ribbons, and I tucked in under her flower, a bit of antique lace I picked up. So, just incase she needs her something old, she has it.

This project was truly a joy for me. To make something tone on tone, simple, yet elegant and blissfully pretty.

A chance to win!

I know we all like winning things, especially gorgeous items that you will use, love and feel blissful once received! Well, then head on over to dreamy whites, there is a giveaway that would make my day to win! It is a sweet banner made out of a new fabric Moda has come out with Cabbage & Rose, also you will receive lavender filled pillows! Oh how dreamy this blog can be! If you have not yet checked out dreamy whites you are missing out! She has gorgeous pictures, a gorgeous home and wonderful taste. Enjoy!

Remember to enter to win from her blog by the 1st of October! Also enjoy taking a look while you are on the blog, it truly is Bliss in itself.

Flower supplies for your little ballerina

You will need a either a hot glue gun or sewing skills to attach layers and centers. You will need a large flower that is open and has layers. You will also need about a 1/4 yard of tulle, pick your own colors for these. I used white and pink. Pick what you would want to use for a center try to find something flat on the back. Just a tip, do not buy cheep rhinestones than glue, the rhinestones come out cloudy! Also don't froget a flat backed alligator clip. (these are readily available at hobby lobby or on line.  So get shopping and we will put it all together!

Here is what I have been up to!

I haven't connected with all of you in some time know. Promise I have been crazy busy, from making flowers for my daughters ballet, to helping my son with his homework, and some how between the lines I have found time to talk about my lucky day. I went to a local craft store, I noticed a row of gorgeous center pieces (which I usually like to do myself, but they enchanted me.

As I walked over I noticed the center piece I had been eyeing was 50.00, which for the amount of flowers was not a bad deal at all. Then I came across a center piece that had a broken vase, this tempted me to ask customer service if they would give me a discount. They ended up telling me 15.99- I told them I couldn't pay that for a broken vase. The lady said I will give it to you for 5.99! Sold! The thing was they were just going to throw this away. So, it is true that someone's trash is another persons treasure.

I went home hit the vase off with a hammer and simply replaced the flowers into a vase that was much more me anyway. Now I have a 50.00 dollar centerpiece that I got for 5.99! I knew I had odds and ends of vases in my garage, so it was just the matter of having the vision, and taking home my fantastic deal! Now that was a crafter's dream!

Get Noticed- and get out there!

Part two of what I had written last. I wanted to show you a few simple things you can do to have people take notice!

One point I wanted to make was to get out there. I spoke of this before on my blog about getting in to craft shows is a great way to network your product! Although- I must tell you I was once in a craft show face to face with another gal who only did jewelry, much different from my table but she had pretty things. I walked over and looked at them and the price! OUCH! My pocket would have hurt. Not to much she was rude and snippy.  So when we all turned in our tickets for our sales of the day I had to wonder how well she did. Customer service was poor, over priced items, hmmm. Well enough about her, you need to be the other kind of gal or guy, that draws people in. Remember how we talked about your clothes, look like you- wear your style and dress it up a bit. Wear your flower rings you are selling. Or a great flower in your hair. Show off your work on you.

Then remember the packaging, if you are serious and fully confident in the product you are selling check out bags and bows, they are a great company to work with, have a ton of classy choices, and they sell in bulk. Believe me the tissue paper is worth every dollar. Or little by little buy in bulk. I buy plain craft bags at the craft store, dress it up with a handmade tag that coordinates my tissue and there you go!

One thing I started doing was stamping all of my information on the back of my handmade items, when  possible, or attach a sticker to the package with my info!

Here are some picks! Hope this was helpful- happy selling!