A talented doll artist

Not too long ago I shared with you the first giveaway I received and here is another one. This is from Candice Wirth. Candice is an amazing artist and art teacher. She also teaches classes on doll making (I know because I’ve been to one of them) and they are great!  Candice, I’m ready to take another class.
Isn't this bunny precious?  She is made in my favorite colors.  Thank you, Candice!  I love her.

Candice's work was featured in Art Doll Quarterly for the Summer 2010 issue. Please read more about Candice at her blog http://www.candicewirthdesigns.blogspot.com.

One Thousand Gifts

Lately I've been in a little bit of a funk.  You know what I mean - the kind that something is wrong and you're not sure how to pull yourself out of it or "how can I think differently about this situation".  Then yesterday I was speaking with my new blogger friend, Mary, and she told me about a book called 1,000 Gifts.  It is a book about looking for the good around us - living in the moment.  Right away I went to our local library and they didn't have it.  The librarian checked the library loan to see if we could get it transferred down and one of the big libraries in Denver had 8 copies that were all out with 12 more people requesting it when it came back in.  Needless to say, our librarian is now ordering the book for our local library "because it must be good." So, it could be a while before I get my hands on a copy (I should probably just buy it), But, I do want to get started on this journey of recognizing all there is to be thankful for (because there is so much).
So, here I go. . .

1. new days to begin again 

2. my family

3. health

4. being a child of God

5. my dogs

6. friends

7. perfume

8. blue jeans

9. air conditioning

10. the smell of spring

11. snow

12. books

13. mercy

14. being creative

15. walks with my dogs

16. coffee (with cream)

17. when people smile at you

18. laughter
19. quiet moments

20. chocolate

Go here to read more

Marvelous Monday

We should start a blog part called Marvelous Monday because today would be my first day to post on it!  I had the most wonderful day!  I made plans to meet with Mary Ellen from Mary's Meanderings  and what a treat it was!!  She has THE MOST AMAZING HOUSE EVER!!!  I told her that I'm coming back to spend the night.  Every room oozes with grace and charm!  You just feel so warm and comfortable there.  I "only" took 29 pictures of her place while I was there which was just the tip of the tip of the iceberg.  We went shopping at some wonderful shops that were full of thrift, new, and antique.  We are both thrift girls, so we speak the same language there.  Then we went back to her house and had the most wonderful lunch in the little house out back (I think it is the garden house). . . salad with grilled chicken, feta cheese, dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds tossed in plus homemade bread.  Then for dessert we had frapuccinos.  Yum!  Please stop by and visit Mary!  Talk about talented.  Thank you, Mary, for a wonderful Monday!  And, just FYI . . unless you have photoshop, Mary, you need to do some cropping of those two pictures.

To Have and to Hold

Today is the 2nd annual To Have and To Hold wedding blog party.  I am really excited to participate in this party because my daughter is getting married this summer.  I can't wait to share pictures of her special day!  We decided that rather than be in high heels for several hours that the bridesmaids might enjoy some more comfortable shoes.  
Bride and Bridesmaid Flip Flops
Supplies: inexpensive flip flops (I got these at Hobby Lobby)
              glue (grip glue or jewel glue) - the key is to let it set overnight.
              diamond wrap (I purchased this width on eBay, but originally saw it on koyalwholesale.com.  They have some great ideas for it - very creative and very blingy! (Two of my favorite words).
1. Prep your flip flops (just kidding, but didn't know what else to say here).  I know - here is the BEFORE picture.

 2. Get out the role of diamond wrap.  Measure how long you want your strips to be.
 3. Next, put glue on the back of the diamond wrap and adhere to the straps of the flip flops. (Make sure that you use a glue that dries clear).  Because I was doing several at once, I decided to use clothespins to help hold them on for the initial part of the drying.  (Next time I'll try to have sparkly clothespins - for the wow effect).  Don't leave the clothespins on throughout the drying process because they might end up being glued on and that would be a bummer!  I let these dry overnight and the next day they looked good. 

 4.  i just put this picture in because I liked it.

 5.  The AFTER picture.  Didn't they come out cute?

 6.  For a finishing touch and to personalize it, I put the name of each bridesmaid on the sole.  Use a metallic pen.  If it were my wedding (and it's not) I'd use a gold or pink metallic pen.  But since my daughter (who equally has good taste) likes silver, I wrote their names in silver metallic.

 7.  And, for the bride...

 Need some ideas for bridesmaid gifts?  For that matter, do you need gifts for Christmas or birthdays?  Okay, I am going to let you in on a secret.  If you don't live in Texas, this is a pretty good secret.  There is THE MOST FABULOUS STORE in Texas.  It is called Sam Moon.  You have never seen so much jewelry, purses, luggage, accessories and gift items EVER!  The prices are great!  It's a way to get something beautiful for someone you care about and be budget conscious.  My daughter picked these out for her bridesmaids.  She will wear the silver and pearl necklace on the left and her bridesmaids will wear the rhinestone necklace on the right.  Go check out the website.  It is sammoon.com. 

 Now, for the rest of the story....
Can I just say that God is so good!  I have been a little stressed these past few weeks trying to figure out how to make everything come together plus the fact we are on a limited budget. Well, let me tell you what happened.
We knew that Jody (aunt of our future son-in-law) was going to do the flowers.  We had seen pictures and heard about her creations and were eagerly anticipating talking to her.  We met with her but in addition, Jody brought down her beautiful daughter-in-laws - one of which is a wedding planner.  This beautiful young woman (Chelsea) asked us what our budget was, what we wanted and that she and Jody would take care of it all.  She said that was their gift to the bride and groom.  She told me that often people don't know what they can/can't do and that is where she could help.  (That right there took off a lot of stress). Not only did she work with the reception site and caterer, but she said that she already has the decor in the colors of my daughter's wedding.  Chelsea told us that she wanted to give us the "surprise effect" and that we could not see it until that day.  (I get a sneak peek right before the wedding).  The wedding colors are going to be black and white with touches of red.  I'm pretty sure that she also mentioned that she would add some bling to it as well.  (There's that word again that I love).  I cannot WAIT to see the wedding and reception site.  I know that it is going to be so stunning.  I can't wait to show you pictures.  But, in the meantime, Chelsea was gracious enough to allow me to share some pictures from her website.  I hope you enjoy!
Chelsea from Simply Sophisticated.  You can also find her on facebook.

 Some black and white decor

 A black and white cake. . . isn't this fun?

 love this picture

 This table arrangement is so beautiful.  Look at those chair covers!

 A close up of the chair covers.

 I thought this was such a beautiful picture of these bridesmaids walking down nature's aisle.  How gorgeous!

 Gerber daisies and roses.  The vases are enveloped in the diamond wrap.

Isn't this picture sweet?

And so the story begins....

Today I am linking up with Stephanie at Angelic Accents for the 2nd annual wedding blog party
and
Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday
Please stop by both places and see the other wonderful blogs that share in these special events.

What Not to Wear, , ,to your wedding

Tomorrow is an exciting day!  I have been thinking all week about what to post about.  Tomorrow is the "To Have and to Hold Wedding Blog Party" and I'm going!  Please be sure and visit all of the participants.  You are in for a real treat! 

I thought that I would give a warm-up - something that will make you smile.  I went online to find some creative wedding dresses. These crack me up.  I hope you enjoy!

 Did someone say yabba dabba do?!  I wonder if at the end of the ceremony if instead of saying, "I now present Mr. and Mrs. Smith," the minister instead said, "Meet the Flintstones".   Don't you just love that?  I wonder if the guests had to come in costume.  One thing for sure, they will never forget that wedding.  I bet they are a fun couple!

 I wonder if this bride's last name was Peacock?  Actually, I knew a lady with that last name and she used peacock feathers to decorate with - not wear.  Very creative!  I'm just curious where she stores this dress.  I mean, we are given strict instructions how to pack away our beloved wedding dress, but I'm thinking this one was a little more challenging.  I wonder how long peacock feathers last?

 Talk about a large wedding party!  Do you think those were all the bridesmaids and groomsmen that carried this train?  Maybe it was the guests too!  Can you imagine?!  I bet they didn't have a dance after the ceremony!  I mean, how could she dance?  I would trip.  And, speaking of packing away our wedding dresses, what would you put this one in?  Maybe the train is detachable.  Cracks me up!

 Seriously?  Where do people come up with these ideas?!...You may now kiss the bride....HOW?! 

I am guessing that this couple either loves Peter Pan and Tinker Bell or fairy tales.  If I were a guest at this wedding, I think that I would've worn something sparkly with wings.  Talk about creativity! 

 Have your cake and eat it too?

 I think she has the White Queen thing going on in this picture.  Alice would like this one.

 Always the bridesmaid and never the bride?  Well, yeah, if you wear dresses like this one, you will be.

My college professor who taught us about history in textiles would love this one!  Talk about one of a kind.

I just wanted to whet your wedding appetite.  Please be sure to come back tomorrow.  I do have some beautiful pictures from an amazing wedding planner as well as a creative idea to make for your bridesmaids.

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did! 

Holly

Inchie Swap

I just got done today making inchies for the latest inchie swap at Roses on My Table.  If you haven't been by there, be sure to do so.  Not only do they offer fabulous online classes but you can participate in so many fun and creative swaps.  The upcoming swap these are made for have the theme of either music or chocolate.  I chose chocolate because it is my favorite food group.  Enjoy!

Blessings! Holly

Summer Food Makes Me Feel Fine

My all time favorite vegetable is artichokes.  Not only do they taste wonderful but they are such a beautiful vegetable.  There is something about biting the edge of an artichoke leaf and pulling it through your teeth. Yummy!

I’ve always cooked them on the stove top, but I learned that you can also cook them in the microwave or finish them on the grill.  We were grilling out and so after I drained them from the stove top, I cut them in half, put butter on them and grilled them for about 15 minutes.   Here are some other variations of how to cook them.

Microwave:

Cut artichoke in half and season cut sides.

Place cut side down in flat bottom microwave-safe dish.

Add 1-2 inches of water or broth or ½ cup each of white wine and olive oil.

Cover lightly – cook on high for 20 minutes or until tender.

Drain and let cool before serving.

Oven:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spread artichoke petals open to season.

Between the petals, drizzle olive oil and stuff chopped garlic.

Sprinkle top with ½ tsp sea salt.

Tightly double wrap and seal each individual artichoke with heavy-duty foil.

Place in pre-heated oven and bake for one hour and 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool before unwrapping.

 I also decided to try grilling portobello mushrooms.  (Side note: If you are the only one willing to try them, then you may be eating them all alone).

I mixed together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, oregano, basil, and garlic salt.  Stir it together and let marinade for 15 minutes.  Brush it on the underneath side of the mushrooms. 

Put on the grill for 5-8 minute on each side.

 YUMMY!