While everyone else is thinking snow, santa and cookies, my gray matter has already skipped ahead ahead. Its thoughts are on hearts, chocolates and love.

When I got these in the mail last week, I'm sure that my neighbors heard the audible gasp and "awwwwwwwwwwwww" two blocks over. Vicki has really outdone herself on these sweetly "mended hearts" for our January classes. More details to come soon. -c

My Day at the Circus Journal book

Graphics 45 paper and Michael's dollar goodies make a nice mix.

Thought you might like to see a few pics of a new book that I just completed for a young friend of mine. I wanted this to be a very inter-active journal for her to document her first trip to the circus. Lots of flaps, pockets, and space for pics, memento's and writing spaces.

A repurposed encyclopedia makes great covers, binder rings tied with loads of ribbons make it fun.

I re-purposed a vintage encyclopedia for the covers. Man, those covers soaked up Gesso faster than a college kid at a frat party. And while I had hoped for a red/white striped cover, I was not disappointed with the red/pink "happy accident" that resulted.  

Loads of interactive pages, here the transparency flips to either side. 

Inside, I literally used everything but the kitchen sink. I had hit the Michael's dollar area several months back and there were lots of great things, like this letter C, which was actually a luggage tag. It made a nice visual point on the page. And "C" is for Circus.

The mask was another great Michael's dollar find.  Fun journaling space on the back. 

The clown face was actually a mask from the Michael's dollar spot too. I also cut up some note cards and used the tops for flaps and journaling cards. They all mixed in nicely with the Graphics 45 paper.  I wanted loads of layers with the pages. 

Lots of doodling, pockets, and flip pages make it fun, and personal for my young friend. 

Taking my inspiration from Hope at Besottment, I added LOTS of journaling and doodles. I wanted this book to have a very personal feel as well. Sorta like a Smash book. And I was happy with the results, as was Miss Avery. So much so, that I'm working on another book for my young diva friend, and I hope to show you those results soon. I'm thinking of possibly creating a class for this type of book. Not the circus theme, but more of a general theme. What do you think? -c

Just A Little Christmas Home Decor

A collection of vintage silver trays, plates, sugar bowls and small oddities make up each place setting.

Time seems to slip through my fingers faster than my money these days. Like most of y'all, tis the Season to run, run, run, it seems. But I got a chance last week to slow down and do a few things out of the ordinary and I thought you might like to see.

The entry way features old antler horns, watch faces and touches of gold and silver.  As well as that Southern favorite, magnolia leaves.

Cowgirl Lisa Mac wanted a a wee bit of help putting up just a little bit of Christmas. I was more than happy to oblige, as merchandising is one of my favorite things to do. And I figured Lisa would have wonderful things to play with.

This wall scape sits above the display of glass jars, antlers and Christmas baubles. 

That hunch was one hundred percent right! It was a great day of just placing pretty objects in new areas, setting a fun table and thinking outside the box for some window decor. Here are a just a few of the displays that I did:

This lovely display sits atop a small cabinet in the front room.

Loads of vintage books with wee touches of Christmas.

Old books, nests, an old turtle shell and vintage silverware make for unusual counterpoints.

Sweet garden display atop the fridge.

A garden theme for the center of the table.  Lisa had several pots of paper white bulbs in various stages.

A garden theme fit the bill for the table scape and this wonderful pile of goodies (above) were going to be center stage.

More silver and gold baubles, vintage silver trays and garden books.

Crumbled sheet music, greenery, burlap and vintage garden edging make a different window topper.

The "curtain" for the dining room window was actually a layer of several different things. The base was old, chippy, garden edging. I folded and crumpled newspaper behind that and tacked it to the wall. Then we began to layer burlap ribbon, greenery and silver Christmas ornaments. The effect with the Christmas lights twinkling through from the other side of the window was quite pretty.

Loved this simple arrangement on the stove top!

But uhm, not that Lisa REALLY needed my help. LOL. Not really, as you can see by the pics that follow, she's got a way with display herself!

Loved the way she put the plate backs facing outward on these cute shelves above the sink.

Gorgeous cabinet in the bedroom.

This was my favorite.  Wonderful display of vintage trays in her bathroom!

And her Studio, oh-so-much vintagie goodness. And I love the way that she uses her own artwork everywhere. And she has a real treasure trove of vintage goods from her family. Old love letters from her Grandma, quirky photo's from her great grandad the photographer, old pictures and more make for a family history that is a very visual presence in her beautiful home.  What a treat to spend the day play decorating in her pretty home!  Thanks Lis for letting me come over to your house and "play".

PS for another look at more of Lisa's Christmas decor, and to see what we were up to, check out her post on, Tarnished and Tattered.

-Cindy