Some News to Share

So…..how was everyone’s Christmas?

I have a had a great time enjoying the holidays with family and friends.

It was nice to step away from the blogs and focus on home for awhile.

I have missed you all though. I have some major catching up to do. 

Which is sort of ridiculous because I never will be able to do that. 

I got an iPad for Christmas and it has been a lot of fun learning all that I can do on it.

Things other then Angry Birds and Stupid Zombies that is. Instagram is a lot of fun. I’ll be taking everyday shots with that and then sharing them on facebook.  I also got to do facetime with my son in Atlanta. 

I have to figure out how to blog on it. Not sure if I can use Livewriter on it. Anyone know? 

Maybe there is another writing program I can find.

Let me show you what I ordered from Wuslu. I got these two old file drawers and I really love them. 

Wuslu will email you their daily deal and there is a limited amount of them so you have to grab it if you love it. But sometimes they get them in stock again. These were less then 20 for both.

I stuck them end to end and filled them with some wintery trees, candles and greens. 

It makes a great centerpiece and I think I can keep it up for awhile. 

It’s more wintery then Christmasy to me.

They have metal sides and wooden ends.

Now for the news I have been wanting to share.

 I have almost finished up with my Etsy shop and I will be opening that really soon. I know I have mentioned it before but I am going to get this going for real! My goal to open before the holidays is blown but I will go forward anyway. I just have to jump in no matter what time of year it is. Sort of like starting a diet. Hmmm. I'll work on that one too.

I had a hard time deciding on a name. I didn’t feel like my blog name would be appropriate. I wanted something more general so it would cover both the vintage and the handmade items that will be offered.

Skyland Drive is the street I grew up on.

Where I would ride my bike until it was dark. 

Where I would play in the creek and catch tadpoles and minnows. 

Where I’d fight with my sister over who was using who’s shampoo. 

Where my mom was always making something in the kitchen while my father was working in his garden. 

It’s the beginning of who I am today.

I hope the different name won’t be too confusing. 

I’ll let you know when the doors are open!

Oh and one more thing….

It’s my BIRTHDAY!

We are heading out to dinner with family and friends to celebrate at the Ale House and try out a few beers.

I’ll come back with a report :)

Happy New Year to you all!

Picture the Holidays

I have not been doing too well keeping up with my daily prompts.

It’s just so hard with so much that still needs to be done around here.

My boys will be home soon. Son #2 should be here in the next day or two.

Son #1 and his fiancé will be here Christmas Eve. It will be her first Christmas away from her 6 yr old son. He will be spending Christmas with his dad. I know it will be hard for her.

I hope we can help fill a little bit of the void.

So here are a few shots from my daily prompts.

Day 9:  It’s a Sign

I like to think I have a few angels watching over me. You?

Day 13: Simply Divine

Hubby brought me outside to show me what sprouted up in the middle of the lawn.

A lonely cosmo. I thought it was divine!

Day 16: The Season of Lights

Played with some bokeh.

Day 18: Recharge

A hot cup of tea and some homemade molasses cookies.

I made a couple of batches today and sent some to my mom. They are a good cookie to mail.

It’s a really easy and quick recipe so I thought I’d pass it along to you all.

I found the recipe on Allrecipes.com. It’s a great site and I use it all the time. I can save my recipes right there and even add notes to them.  It yielded more cookies for me then it stated. 

Here is the link to the recipe.

Crackle Top Molasses Cookies

I hope you’ll give them a try.

Have a great week! 

We’re in the final count down to the big day!

We Have a Winner!

I’m still decking the halls around here. 

Sorry I have not been around much but it's been busy around here. 

Too much to do and not enough time!

I do read blogs on my phone when I have some extra time.

I just can't comment from my phone. 

It's not of the smart variety. :)

 

But before I run out to do some more shopping I thought I’d pop in and say HI and let you know who won those cute stockings from Sailor Bags.

The winner is……

Chantal!

Congrats to Chantal. I will email you.

Thank you everyone for entering. 

I appreciate you all taking the time. I know you are busy as well.

Okay, off to TJ Maxx for some shopping!

Hope you’re having a great day!

Rudolph’s Stand In and Giveaway Reminder

Just in case Rudolph is not up to the trip Henry has volunteered his services.

It did take a little coaxing and he’s a little unsure but I’m sure he’ll do fine.

I think he’d rather spend his time snoozing on his bed.

 

Tomorrow is the last day for the giveaway from Sailor Bags.

So hurry up and go here if you’d like to win these.

Linking up with:

Tracy’s Trinkets and Treasures: Pet Party

Have a great week!

Another Giveaway! Ho Ho Ho!

I still haven’t gotten a Christmas tree but we will be getting one this weekend. 

I am ready to get my ornaments out and take some pictures of the lights.

I have put some other decorations out including some more stockings.

I was sent a couple of of these cute stockings from Sailor Bags.

I love the zig zag stitching on them!

They asked if I could incorporate them into my holiday decor and I said sure!

I used the blue one on my front door. What I love about these stockings is that they are made of real sail cloth and that means they can take being outside. I filled a little baggie with some stones to give it some weight since it would be top heavy without it.

I stitched up this little starfish out of some blue ticking then added a real one along with it.

I didn't have a tree trimming yet, so I went out back and picked some magnolia branches and some pine. I then added just a few things from around the house like a piece of driftwood, a shell, some feathers and a few pine cones. I used some rope to hang it from my door knocker and frayed the end.

I like that it fits between my front door and the storm door.

The red one I hung on the french door to the pool.

I used the same greens from the yard.

I had another star out of the ticking but then I added a metal snowflake and some ribbon.

I also had this cute bird in a nest.

I think they came out pretty cute. What do you think?

Would you like a chance to win a couple of these cute stocking for yourself?

Sailor Bags is offering to send someone their own set. 

You can decorate them to suit your own style or use them just as is and let Santa fill them up!

Just leave me a comment down below.

If you want a second chance then you can like Sailor Bags on Facebook. 

Then leave me a another message telling me you did. 

They happen to be running a lot of specials right now on facebook and on their site.

 Like free embroidery thru the 13th. They also have great totes, duffels, backpacks and more.

Oh and one more thing, please make sure I can access your profile or leave me your email.

You have until Monday Dec. 12.

That is it!

GOOD LUCK!!


Linking up with:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday

Funky Junk Interiors: SNS 111 Stockings

Picture the Holiday and a Winner!

Okay, this week is already zipping by. I need to get my lists in order so I can check things off and I will feel like I’m accomplishing something. Right now, not so much. 

I thought I’d show you a few pictures from a project I started.

I’ve been participating in a photo group called Picture the Holidays. 

It’s was put together by Tracy Clark and Paper Coterier. 

Every day for the month of December we will get a prompt to help guide us for our photos.

Day 5 was The View from Here.

The photo above was my view tonight while outside hanging lights. 

Yes, I’m a little behind.

Day 6 was Every Little Thing. (It’s a JUNIOR mint! And it’s very refreshing!)

It’s definitely been a challenge for me. But I will do as much as I can and hope to improve along the way.

Okay, now for the winner of the FOLK magazine and the mini stockings!

Number 2 is Allison! Allison doesn’t have a blog but she really should.

She is the sweetest person and leaves me the loveliest comments.

So Yay Allison! Email me your address and I will get those out to you soon!

Fear not, I will be having another giveaway soon. 

I have Christmas stockings of another kind to giveaway this time. 

I hope you will come back and try again!

One more picture before I go from Day 4 You Hold the Key.

The key to helping me refocus is the sand, sea and salty air.

Have a great week everyone!

Christmas Stocking

Have you entered my FOLK magazine and mini stocking giveaway?
Well you should. You only have until tomorrow.

So hurry!

I thought I’d show you the big stocking that I got out of that green sweater.

Ever have one of those days when you have something all figured out in your head, yet it still does not turn out like you thought? No matter how many times you go over it?

Here is how it started.

I cut it all apart.

Removed the seams so that I had a nice flat piece to work with. Save the seams you can use them later.

I printed out a pattern I found online and pinned it all and then cut it out.

 

Here is where I made a bit of a left turn and the craziness began.

I sewed the neck ribbing on to the toe of the stocking. Attached the cuffs to the top. 

Used the sweater seam for the hanging loop.

See how they are sitting? I should have just layered them like that, ribbing inside. 

But NO, when I went to the machine I lost my mind and did the opposite.

I took one look at my creation screamed a few colorful words. 

So, out came the seam ripper and I started again. 

The cuff was still not right either. 

I have a seam on the outside but you know what? It’s okay by me.

So I will not try to explain the sewing procedure, you are on your own.

As a matter of fact I should have just left an outside seam for the whole thing because of the weight of the wool. Which is what I did for the mini ones. It cuts nicely and doesn’t unravel.

And yes, I’m sure you noticed that every picture is a different shade of green.

The light has been so bad in the house and this time of year it’s even worse.

I only get morning light and I am so not a morning person.

But in the end I’m happy with my soft fuzzy stocking. I love the color. The last couple of shots are most accurate since they’re in the living room where I have sky lights. I need to change my overhead light in that sewing room. Much too shadowy.

Okay, that’s it. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

And don’t forget about the giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. CONGRATS ALLISON!

Linking up with:
Funky Junk Interiors: SNS 111 Stockings

FOLK Magazine Giveaway and more

CONGRATS TO ALLISON FOR WINNING!

Were you wondering if I had forgotten?

I almost did.

It’s been a busy week. I planned on doing this yesterday but then Henry got sick.

We had to take him to the vet for a bunch of tests. 

I was getting worried. He was lethargic and trembling.

Turns out he has pancreatitis. 

He’s doing much better now and is starting to eat again.

I am so relieved.

So I wanted to do a quick little giveaway.

I just so happened to get two of the Nov/Dec issue of FOLK so I thought I’d pass one along to one of you. They are a new magazine and this is just their 2nd issue.

Donna from Funky Junk Interiors is a contributor for FOLK. 

She shows you how she made that cool twiggy garland.

This is from FOLK’s website.

(felted snowball garland. I’m getting addicted to the felted wool!)

It’s a beautiful magazine .

They focus on handmade and made in America items as well.

So I thought I’d add a little something handmade too.

I’ve been sewing with those wool felted sweaters and whipped up with these mini stockings.

They are the perfect little size to tuck a gift card in. 

You could add them to a package or hang them on your tree.

I don’t have a tree up yet. Shocking I know. It still feels early to me.

So I stuck them on a wreath for a picture. 

I think they'd be a great addition for a wreath that you’re putting together.

So what do you think?

Would you like a chance to see what FOLK is all about?

Just leave me a comment below and let me know how far along you are with your holiday decorating.

Are you just beginning? 

Already finished? 

Or do you wait until the last minute?

I will randomly pick a winner on Monday night.

Please make sure there is an email for me to contact you. 

Feel free to spread the word :)

That's it, easy peasy.

Good Luck!