Merry Christmas!

  Merry Christmas and God's richest blessings  to you and yours.

A Day to be Thankful!

                   Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

The Pleasures of My Backyard!

 Hi Everyone!  Hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall.  The air is getting quite crisp and a jacket is now an essential part of the wardrobe.  It is getting a little too brisk to set out on the patio but I still enjoying looking out the window at the sweet little fall scenes around my yard.

   This little scarecrow hangs right outside my kitchen window and greets me every morning.   As I sit in the kitchen, enjoying my morning cup of coffee, and looking out the window, I realize just how enjoyable life's little pleasures really are.  The leaves were just starting to change when I took this pictures.  The colors have changed every morning and now are all a beautiful orange.

As the flowers start to look a little straggly, it is fun to add a colorful pumpkin to the planter.

To this planter I added a garden angel and a white pumpkin.  Most of the flower blooms are gone but I can still enjoy the garden and make it interesting.  Pumpkins are just a fun way to add creativity to your fall garden.

 This old teapot sits on the back porch step.  The flowers are all done for the season but the crow still makes it fun to look at.

  A fall flag flies from the patio fence.  It is easily viewed from my craft room window. This is a room where I spend a lot of time and looking out the window is just a delight.  This is my little corner of the world!  It is where I can be creative and enjoy God's handwork. It is the place where my heart is at rest, the  place where I feel  close to the Lord.  You can have the world but as for me,  just give me my own back yard.

To Everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecc. 3:1 

Blessing from my Backyard to Yours!

Bev  

Fall Decorating Surprises!

Sometimes decorating is like putting a puzzle together.  One must look for pieces that go together and then stand back and see if they actually fit.  It is a process of trying this and trying that.  When the pieces all fit together, then comes the sigh!!!  Ah, its perfect!!  That happened to me this fall, when trying to pull a vignette together.

After reaching frustration because the puzzle wasn't coming together, I whispered a little prayer, "Lord, Help".  Well, guess what, I had  a light bulb moment.  The thought came to look in the china cabinet!  As you know I love old dishes and this gravy boat is a favorite of mine.The empty dish was just not making it, so, one thing led to another and before I knew it the dish was filled with wonderful surprises.  An old postcard sent to my husbands Grandmother, a picture of my Mother when she was a young girl, a dried rose from my daughters wedding, a paper doily flower from a Christmas party.  All these little treasures are now on display in my dinning room instead of tucked in a drawer.  It was definitely an "Ah" moment when I stood back and admired it!!  I just had to thank the Lord for answering my little "help" prayer in such a delightful way.

I wanted to add a few surprises inside the china cabinet too.  It is so fun to look in and see this little bird.

How about this little bird nestled in a stack of cups.  Love his tail feathers!

This ornate lady is holding a paper mache acorn and a strand of old pearls.

 

Oh, and one more thing to share with you, and that is the centerpiece on my table.  This year I placed some cloth pumpkins and a turkey in a large dish, filling in around them with leaves, acorns and some green grapes.

Fall is such a beautiful time of the year.  The Lord really does put on quite a decorating show, inspiring us with the beautiful outdoors.  What a joy to bring that beauty into our homes too.  Touches of fall that delight the eyes and warm the heart of all who enter our homes.

Blessing from My Home to Yours!
Bev

Let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands - yes, the work of our hands, confirm ad establish it.  Psalm 90:17
 

Decorating for Cornfestival!

Our little town has a big celebration this month called Cornfest!!  It seems like the whole town decorates!!  Walking around town makes one think you are looking at a Better Homes and Garden magazine.  It is really so much fun to experience the festivities.  Well today I am excited to share with you my front porch.

  The welcome mat is out and I hope you will stop by for a visit.  Notice the corn hanging on the post??  Just for Cornfest!!

I filled this wicker basket with fall goodies, a small grapevine wreath, an old crow, a vintage flag, twigs, leaves and ....

This little sign, "Blessings" is tucked in the basket too!  Don't you just love it!!!

 This is a new addition to the front of our house and I am really happy with the way it turned out.  My handyman husband built a little picket fence.  The fence adds so much charm to our home.   My home is dressed for fall and ready for the big Cornfestival celebration.

I do love fall!  A time to celebrate the blessings we have and the beauty all around us.

Thanks you for stopping by.
Bev

"Let the people praise You and give thanks to You, O God: let the people praise and give thanks to You!  The earth has yielded its harvest: God even our God will bless us.  God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall reverently fear Him."   Psalm 67: 5-7 

Good Bye Summer-Hello Fall!

Just look at this beauty!!!  This is the window box right outside my craft room window. I get to enjoy it from both the inside and the outside.  I just love the little cup and saucer garden picks, but you know me, love those old dishes!!!  Looking at this window box makes one think that it is still summer.

A few Black eyed Susan's are still blooming!  Bless their hearts, they are not ready to give up summer!  My husband is right there with them.  We have had this discussion going on all week, he says it's still "summer" and I say it is "fall"!  We all know that Labor Day officially ends summer, right?????  He just likes to tease me knowing that fall is my very favorite time of the year.  I love everything about fall!!  Especially decorating!  Do you believe I have more fall decorations than Christmas?  It's true!!

This week, as the laundry pile grew,  I went on a decorating binge.  I guess you could call it a "Decorating Frenzy", dragging the boxes up from the basement and unpacking all my goodies.  It is like opening lots of  presents.  Treasures that were put away last year, forgotten about, only to be rediscovered again.   This little picture is one of those treasures.  I made it probably a good ten years ago and it still delights me.  By now I have quite a collection of pumpkins too. About every year I find another pumpkin that I just have to have and this year was no exception!

Here is this years winner!  The pumpkin that I just could not live without.!  Ha!  It is my new favorite!

A muslin tag hangs from the side by a rusty little safety pin.  The white pumpkin is dirtied up with some cinnamon.  Tree branch stems adds to the rustiness.  A real fun one to add to my collection!!

Subway art has become so popular!  On a recent shopping trip, I found this little sign.

 

Sorry honey, but in our home fall has arrived!  Good bye summer, hello fall!  Keep smiling!

From our Happy Home to Yours!
Bev

"Pretty Packages" (Bridal Shower Part 2)

Don't you just love to get a pretty package!!!  Knowing that it has been creatively wrapped with care just for you!  Wow!  Even the smallest gift speaks volumes.  One is sure to feel loved and blessed, even before peeking inside.  The little flower, made from cloth and burlap was a smaller version of the flowers wore by the bride and guests of honor. 

    "DELIGHTFUL"!!!!  The bingo card and paper were from "Simple Stories", which is one of my favorite paper ccompanies.  This tag has a small pinwheel on it.  So fun to make!  Oh, don't forget the strawberries!!     

Decorate your gift to reflect the party theme.  From start to finish be creative and enjoy the process.  The results are sure to be "DELIGHTFUL" and bring much "HAPPINESS".

"It is a good "DELIGHTFUL" thing to give thanks and praise to Your name, Oh Most High."  Psalm 92:1

 Thanks for stopping by. 
Bev

 

Summer Party!!

Wanted to share with you a bridal shower I recently had the privilege of hosting.  It's summer and summer is a time to enjoy all the fresh produce like STRAWBERRIES!!! Yum, just can't get enough of those sweet little treats!!!

   Each table was decked out in a vintage tablecloth, scales, strawberry box and fresh flowers.

Don't you just love the old blue fruit jars!! 

I've had people ask how to make the coffee filter flowers. You will find a good tutorial at this blog:  http://www.dandelionandgreyblog.com/2009/12/creating-garland-from-coffee-filters.html  and the clip art vintage tag in the center was found???  I wish I could remember, sorry.  Check "Graphic Fairy", which is one of my favorite list.

  There is nothing like a refreshing cup of cold soup on a hot summer day.  A garnish of whipped cream and fresh mint adds appeal to the eye.  The recipe is "Strawberry Peach Soup". 

"Strawberry Mint Limeade" and "Ice Tea" for the beverage.  The red and white straws were fun to use.

                                       The little food labels add a touch of charm.

All the pictures were taken by my daughter.  Thanks Elizabeth very professional!

                                                            More strawberries!! 

"Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies" made using a strawberry cake mix.  Love the sprinkles!!  The little decorated bag makes a great party favor.  Eat now or save for later, either way it is sure to make each guest feel special.

More summer fun with pinwheels, a picnic basket (draped with a banner made from paper doilies and buttons), and a framed picture of the engaged couple.  Oh, and don't forget the vintage tablecloth! 

The honored guests, the bride, Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, and Grandmother's. All were identified with a cloth flower corsage.

Here is the Bride and her Mother, all smiles!  Weddings are such happy occasions and such a joyous time to celebrate life.  Many blessings to the Bride!

Bev  

Simple Scrapbook Page, Big Message!

Scrapbooking is so much fun but soooo, soooo time consuming.  Once again this year I find myself way behind.  My resolve is to keep it simple and focus on the happy times spent with those I love. 

This page says it all!!  This little girl is already a toddler and snuggles are a little harder to come by.  Change happens way too fast.

This layout accomplished my goal to simplify.  The flowers and grass were stamped using an old stamp set. When I say old , we are talking  10+ !!  I still love it and every once in awhile out it comes.

I used dimensional to give the flower a 3-d look, and paper pieced the center.  If was just the touch of color that I needed.

"Life is a matter of moments."  Those moments are precious!  If I don't get another page done, I will be thankful to have this one done.  It was a moment in time that passed way too quickly.  I will cherish that moment forever! 

Hope this layout will inspire some creative thoughts.  Remember, keep it simple and press on!!

Blessings!
Bev 

A Strawberry Shortcake Party!

 

July is birthday month for two of my daughters and this year we just couldn't resist taking a walk down memory lane.  The whole idea began to take shape when I saw this adorable stamp set used on http://cherrysjubileehome.blogspot.com/  Talk about creativity!!  Her projects are always over the top!!  Well I ordered the stamp set and created something similar using papers from my stash and a graphic from http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/   This is a pocket card with lots of fun goodies tucked inside.

White ribbons, red buttons and Khaki paper, just love the combination.  Inside the pocket I tucked some strawberry tags, a book mark and pictures from "Strawberry Shortcake" parties they had when growing up. 

I also tucked inside a card with a special message!! 

What's a party without a cake!  Wow! does it bring back memories!!       

      We even played  "Pin the Tail on the Donkey".  What a hoot!

Love the party hats!!!  Thanks girls for all the great memories!!!  Oh, and by the way you truly are all I prayed for and without a doubt you are my "Shining Stars.
Blessings!
Bev