Art-n-Sewl

Feathering a Nest... Part Three. The Wishing Tree

2011-03-28T13:29:00.002-04:00

The Wishing Tree

We asked the guests to write down their hopes, dreams and advice for baby Quinn instead of the typical signing of a guest book. It was so touching reading what people had written down.

I cut small pieces of ribbon and folded paper in half and glued it together to make the notes that would hang in the tree.

Little butterflies adorned the branches and added a whimsical touch to the wishing tree.

Her Mommy took all the notes and hung them on a little crystal hook near her bed so that as she grows up, the words people gave her and said to her can be ingrained in her heart.

The cake was absolutely stunning and went with the theme perfectly!

Here are the favors. We added ribbon to each and one. I took some foam, cut it to fit in this basket I had. Put a pink feather boa around and stuck in the favors for guests to take as they left the shower.

This was another simple project I whipped out in mere minutes. I cut out some scrapbook paper, stamped "Welcome Quinn" and hot glued it to ribbon...easy peasy!

Now we just wait for this little one's arrival.

Hopefully you have been inspired and gotten some good ideas for your own parties and showers.

xoxo Emily xoxo

"Feathering a Nest" Baby Shower....Part Two

2011-03-18T14:43:00.003-04:00

~The entry~

Y'all know how much I love my "tree" that changes with each season or event, and this was a perfect example of why. I took scrapbook paper and cut into leaf shapes and stuck them on the branches. Added a bunch birds and voila!

GORGEOUS
way to welcome the guests!

The Q hanging in the tree is for Quinn, the baby girl we were welcoming. I simply mod-podged the fabric her mama is using for the decor in her room onto the pre-cut Q and added some ribbon and a butterfly. Worked great for the shower and now hangs in Quinn's room awaiting her arrival.

These are the nests I made last spring. Tutorial here

I wish I could take credit for this adorable diaper cake. Our friend Kelly made it and did a superb job!

Now onto the food table. This was so BEAUTIFUL! I have always kept jars from cooking, jams etc and we used my big mason jars for the vases of flowers that we scattered around the house. Bird cages- we already owned then put down variations of moss around it all. We threw on some feathers and lit the candles and truly...we all wanted to jump into the table scape. It was magical, whimsical and felt like little fairies lived there.

We used small mason jars as the cups and anywhere we could incorporate the nest and bird theme..we did.

I still have so much more to show you all. I promise it won't take as long this time.

I still have to show you the cake, the favors, the wishing tree...yeah...good stuff still to come!

Happy Weekend everyone!

xoxo Emily xoxo

Feathering a Nest... Part One

2011-03-07T20:01:00.003-05:00

Oh gracious! I am excited to share this next few posts with all of you!
I co-hosted a baby shower for my friend who is expecting her first little girl soon. Her sister and I decided upon the theme of "Feathering a Nest" and then ran with it. It turned out to be so cute and I have great photos to share, but let's start off with the invitation.

In my opinion, the invitation sets the whole party up. It introduces the theme and gets your guest excited to attend. I wanted these invitations to be perfect...but had to be cheap.
So here's the first look.
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I found a box of 50 invitations to print yourself (makes it so much cheaper) at Micheal's on clearance...yeah baby!!

It was just the teal and white paper included in the box with an ugly little flower motif...and that was not doing it for my artistic sensibilities.
So, I bought some scrapbook paper, feathers, and the little sparkly gems. I had ribbon on hand and I went to work cutting, gluing and tying until I reached this magnificent little beauty of an invitation.

Each invitation was unique and different. When I finished making them, I almost couldn't send them off in the mail they were so adorable.

I think you'll agree they are darling. This is just a taster of the cuteness that is to follow in the next couple posts about this shower.

Spring isn't officially here yet...but it sure feels like it here in the Carolina's and I'm in Heaven.

xoxo Emily xoxo

NEW...

2011-02-18T10:56:00.009-05:00

Born

I love newborn babies. They smell so sweet, are so wrinkly and so fresh from Heaven. I had the pleasure of photographing this little girl.
Look at all of her hair!

What a doll!

Can you see why I am enjoying this whole photography thing so much?

xoxo Emily xoxo

Granny and Apples...

2011-02-05T13:26:00.010-05:00

Did I trick you? I bet y'all think I said granny apples. Well, I did not! I said Granny AND apples.
In these parts visits from grannies are rare. See they both live in England, so when we are blessed by their company, it is always a good time.

My mother-in-law flew over for a few weeks to see us a few months ago. It was wonderful spending time and reconnecting. My husband was traveling most of the time she was here. For some of you you might be thinking...how did she do it??? How did she cope all by herself with her MIL??? Well, I won the mil lottery and we are great friends, so it was a blast. Plus she helped me get all of my 2 bushels of apples from the mountains... canned.

Neither one of us had ever done it, but in the end. We made a dozen quarts of applesauce and 25 jars of apple butter.

This is apple butter for those of you who are like...what in the world is apple butter?

It is simply:

apples
spices
a little bit of sugar

and you let it cook down for 6 hours in a crock pot.

When you taste it, you don't know how you lived without it every day for all of your life ;-)

You spread it on toast, biscuits, whatever.
DELISH!

I crack open jars of applesauce all the time and think about my mil now. Maybe I should make my kids call her granny apple from now on.

Nah...

xoxo Emily xoxo

I'M BAAAAAACK!!!!!

2011-02-02T16:12:00.004-05:00

I know, I know...it's been a LONG time. I am going to try and make my way back to the blogging world. I've missed it and missed you all too. Let's see, I will be doing lots and lots of updates and bringing you up to speed but here is a quick recap. I'm loving photography!! You can see more of my work by clicking on the button below.

We had a wonderful Christmas and a very sad one.

My nephew Rowan passed away after fighting for 6 months with severe heart problems to stay here on earth with us. Unfortunately, his little body couldn't fight anymore and his heart gave out right before Christmas. Our family received a package in the mail a few weeks after Christmas with handmade presents for every member of our family from Rowans mother Helen.

In her quiet time sitting by his bedside in the hospital before his death, she was thinking about others. Not about herself, not about how hard her situation was for her, for her family, but about other people. She hand knit everyone in the family slippers. Red for the girls, green for the boys.

It blows my mind that she could be so thoughtful and so angelic whilst going through such an ordeal. She is an inspiration to me. An example of humongous proportions.
Helen, if you are reading this, I honor you for the human being you are and the mother you are.
I love you and I think everyone that reads this blog should know about you. I love you! Not only have you warmed mine and my children's feet this winter, but all of our hearts!

I'm excited to be back sharing my ramblings and thoughts with all of you. Hopefully there are still a few of you hanging around ;-)

xoxo Emily xoxo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 20 ~

2010-07-01T14:22:00.003-04:00

Wow
- I can't keep up with my own life lately, let alone this blog. I am so sorry that I missed last weeks challenge. See, I was busy watching 5 beautiful girls while my sister welcomed another little girl from heaven to this earth. That's me holding little Audrey above.

I took plenty of pictures and would like to share them this week as my "art".

She is as beautiful and precious as newborn babies come. Spending time being "mommy" to all my nieces this last week was a bonding and special time.

I am falling behind on this blog lately because life in the summer with 3 kids, a budding photography business, being a mom and a wife, is leaving little time to even think about much, let alone blogging. I am going to give myself a little break for a few weeks because I am constantly feeling like a failure and that's never a good way to think.

Please forgive me for putting "real life" first for a little while and rest assured I will be back.
For those of you who can handle the challenge- keep doing it!! Don't give up!!

MUCH LOVE-

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 19 ~

2010-06-17T14:26:00.004-04:00

What an absolutely exciting day!!!

I was asked a few months ago to be one of the featured bloggers on the Creative Connection blog.

You can view my guest post "Confidence to Create" by clicking here

I am beyond flattered and excited to be in such wonderful company on such an amazing and inspiring blog.

Link up and share what you have been up to.

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 18 ~

2010-06-10T10:29:00.003-04:00

Is there anything more American than baseball?

I think not!!

Our best friends invited us to a baseball game this week. Ryan, officiates sporting events in the evenings and we were able to watch him work. It was exhilarating and amazing seeing our friend making calls, plus it has been years since I had been to a baseball game.

See- it's in my blood. Some of my fondest memories as a child are going to night games with my father and watching him play as the flood lights washed the field with bright light. Curling my fingers through the fence and holding on with anxiety as my dad ran the bases is such a visceral memory... One that I cherish!

They asked me to capture Ryan working for his portfolio. I was more than happy to do it and captured some great moments.

I don't think I could have captured a more precious moment. This is Easton looking at his daddy working on home plate.

Precious!! Simply precious!

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 17 ~

2010-06-03T14:25:00.002-04:00

OH MY GOSH IT'S THURSDAY!!!!

That's what just went through my mind and I rushed over here to the computer.
*blush*
I think Memorial day totally messed me up and with my kids out for summer...my mind is all over the place.

I am showcasing photographic art again. This was a "Sweet 16"shoot I did for a sweet girl and her friends before they went out on the town for her birthday celebration. It was a hot, muggy day but the girls were troopers. I only stepped in cow patties a few times.

It was all worth it!!

Yeah- that's her mom!!!

Ahhh to be young again!!

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 16 ~

2010-05-27T11:18:00.004-04:00

This week I am featuring a project I did in the ART of organizing, and it is an art! One I am not very good at. Hey- I'm trying though, right?

I decided to quickly make a family calendar chalkboard in my garage and though I had plans on having one inside, this works perfectly for our family. We get in and out of the car in the garage multiple times a day. There is no way we can miss a very important date now.

This took me no more than a half an hour to complete.

You will need:

~painters tape
~chalkboard paint
~a sponge roller

Mark out the area you would like to paint in.
Press the edges firmly to prevent seeping through.

Roll on the paint evenly and then repeat again for a total of 2 coats for durability.

When it is dry then mark out your desired days, projects etc.

(yes- I had a court date for a speeding ticket *blush*)

I got carried away and wanted to do another area that the kids could use and where the chalk dust wouldn't blow around the inside of the house.

Right below the other chalkboard I repeated the process and voila!

I painted directly onto the dry wall and it has been working brilliantly. The neighborhood kids love to come and draw and use it now too.
Win-win for me and the kids!

I had a little shelf laying around that I used as the chalk holder and put the chalk in some old jars. I always save jars-to my husbands chagrin but I always have a use...eventually ;-)

Can't wait to see what you other creative minds have been up to this week.
My kids are done with school for the year today...EEEEEK!!!
Let the summer begin!!!!!

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 15 ~

2010-05-20T10:15:00.002-04:00

I am going to do something extraordinary- I am going to admit I couldn't quite do it all this week. I had family in town and I have a cold and kids with colds. Ughhhh- you guys know...

So because I couldn't get anything done this week I will re-post something from exactly one year ago. It seems like I posted this years and years ago, one year ago seems unreal.
For those of you who have seen these paintings before, sorry for the repetition, and for those of you who haven't, enjoy!

MAY 2009

I feel so happy!
A year ago I felt extremely happy as a mother raising my children, but the little niggling voice that kept saying that I needed more "me" time was now yelling loudly in my brain.

I listened and began to pursue my desires as an artist and I feel so fulfilled. Taking a blank white canvas and turning it into a picture, something of beauty, something that makes me and the recipient smile, feels out of this world.

Having a customer come back for another piece of my art was one of the best feelings I have had yet in this journey. A sweet lady in Mexico, New York has not one, but two of my pieces now. The beautiful poppies above, she bought from me last November.

She loved this painting that I did as a present for a friend, and she asked that I make her a bigger one, just like it.

So here it is. Birds of a feather... part deux.

I am so grateful for the abilities God blessed me with.
Did I mention I felt happy?

xoxo Emily xoxo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 14 ~

2010-05-13T11:52:00.004-04:00

Has everyone had a whirlwind week? The days fly by and I can't believe how quickly this week has come and nearly gone.

I had a rare privilege.

Let me explain. I moved to England when I was 13. It was the biggest blessing for so many reasons. One thing I never got to participate in was a prom.
I always regretted not having that experience but I guess traveling all over Europe and the United Kingdom makes up for that
;-)

My friend and I were asked to assist a girl from my church in her prom preparations. She was going for a vintage 1940's look. Her style is unique and brave.
I LOVE that.

She needed something for her hair that had that 40's feel and asked me to come up with something. I accepted the challenge with a little anxiety but came out victorious.

This is what I made for my art this week.

Obviously the flower is sitting on her shoe. I used silk organza fabric and kind of just went with it until I figured it looked good, then I used a vintage grey pearl in the center that I had gotten at an antique store. I looked for the netting to make a birdcage veil, but in the time frame I had, I could not find any. So instead, I used a regular netting to hang down in her eyes, as you will see in the pictures.

None of this would have been possible without my sweet friend TiNeill. She was amazing with the make up and hair.

Just in the nick of time it all came together. It was so lovely getting her ready and seeing the transformation.

I mean seriously, can she look any cuter?!?!?!

I feel like I got to experience a small taste of what a prom would have been like, but I wouldn't have traded my path for anything. Thank you Charme for trusting us to make you look like a movie star!!!

xo Emily xo

ANNIE GET YOUR...

2010-05-12T09:55:00.004-04:00

Horse.

Yeah- that's it.

This is the story of Annabelle or Annie as she is called round these parts.
She had a very important party to attend. She knew only the best outfit would do.

So she did what any self respecting toddler would do. She called Alison at "One stitch at a time".

Only Alison could deliver the cutest outfit ever made...and she did!
Annie was in Strawberry heaven with her matching skirt and shirt. She could have never imagined that the other kids would be so jealous of her cute outfit.

Alone she played... but she played looking a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e.
She didn't notice all the attention she got from the little boys either.

She was over it. One little exhausted party girl she was. It's tough looking that cute she said!!

So if you are in need of an outfit for your little prince, princess, cowgirl or cowpoke then scoot on over to

The End

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 13 ~

2010-05-06T10:04:00.002-04:00

Good morning everyone!

To those of you who are lurking and thinking about joining the challenge, come join us. It is so worthwhile to have this challenge each week and push yourself towards a goal.

I know I mentioned before that I gave the bride something special for her shower but let me explain first.

Her wedding theme is "The Perfect Pair" with pears being used in the invitations and decorations at the wedding. We did a lot of shots using the pears for that reason.

While I was shooting this shot above, the bride needed a break and lip gloss retouch. I saw the pears where they were perched and there was something so stunning about them on their own.

I snapped this picture below and couldn't have imagined it would turn out as well as it did. This is my art for this week
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I framed it and gave it to her at the shower. Without knowing why she started crying. It touched me and so I started crying. Blubbering fools we were! She told me that she had spent hours looking for a photo with two pears like this, to always remind her of her this precious time in her life. It was all very touching as you can imagine. The photo is one that I adore and plan to frame and put in my dining room.

I am also going to list some of my photograph prints for sale on my Etsy.
Check back later today if you are interested.

Now start linking up my darling friends who are joining me in this challenge.

YOU ROCK!!!

xo Emily xo

Easy gift wrapping idea and.........

2010-05-04T11:13:00.004-04:00

the most beautiful bridal shower.

Keep going down for an ingenious wrapping idea
(if I do say so myself)

I just need to say this was the most beautiful party I have ever attended.
Every little detail was spectacular, as you can see.

Dean & Deluca catered the shower.

My pictures of the bride were featured.

So this idea came to me and it's a winner. I gave the bride something I will show you guys on Thursday for LYAGY but I had a huge surface space that I wanted to adorn. The bride has my sense of style so I went with this idea.
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Tea towel rosettes.
Or kitchen towel rosettes as I have been told. I know in England they are called tea towels. Anyway- whatever you hang in your kitchen to dry dishes or hands with.
;-)

Everyone ooohed and awwwed over it and it was very simple.
Take the tea towel and fold it in half diagonally. Roll it up so you have a long "snake".
Then start wrapping it around tightly on itself into a round shape. Then pin it on the bottom with safety pins when you are done so it holds it shape. I only used 2 pins.

For the leaf I did the same thing but then just folded it in half and then back on itself.

So cute huh? Plus it's a useful wrapping idea too. The bride can use them once unwrapped.

Alright- get ready for Thursday!!

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 12 ~

2010-04-29T10:04:00.006-04:00

All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it. ~John Berger

I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing. After all, you are taking some of their soul. ~Mary Ellen Mark

12 weeks...amazing!

This is fantastic that we have stuck in there this long and accomplished so much already. I promised photos of the bridal shoot and so I don't disappoint, I will show them for my art today. Taking pictures and then editing, really is an art. More than I had ever realized, and one that I thoroughly enjoy.

Here are some of the 70 shots I took and edited for this beautiful bride.

The bride and groom's theme for their wedding is "The Perfect Pair".

I was spoiled with such a beautiful bride to photograph and it was a joy taking these photos.

Here is a sneak peak of the bridal shower I also photographed.

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 11 ~

2010-04-22T10:32:00.003-04:00

I have fallen head over heals in love...again...with Charleston SC.
I had the opportunity to visit this city again but this time

without kids

without a husband

just me and a girlfriend I've had for 21 years now!!

Who is that lucky to have a friendship last that long?

ME!

We met when we were big dorks that did dorky stuff and all weekend on our girly trip we spent holding our sides while laughing too hard about our silliness.

Everyone needs a girlfriend.

Someone to tell secrets to and confide in.

Most of all...just someone to laugh with.

This is Ginger jumping into my shot.

Love ya girl!

So...my art this week is of the photographic kind. I have taken so many pictures this week and last, and spent many an hour editing. I shot my very first bridal session and boy am I excited to share those...another time.

Here are my Charleston "Art Pics". Seeing graveyards like Charleston's, in Spring, was simply magical. Everything about that city is though.

This is one of the favorite pictures of mine. It was taken by Ginger.
(wish it was mine)

Link up with your beautiful creations ladies.

XO Emily XO

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 10 ~

2010-04-15T13:15:00.005-04:00

Sorry about the late start today.
Busy busy day.

I made a small little painting that I am really in love with. I love the shapes, the colors and the whole mood of it.

I wanted to use some of my old pages again in my artwork and I'm glad I did.
I need to make a mate for this little painting and sell them together. Hung in frames together would be quite nice I think.

I will list this later on today on Etsy if anyone is interested.
Start linking up-as always I am very excited to see what y'all have created.

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 9 ~

2010-04-08T10:25:00.006-04:00

weeks in!!!

How is everyone feeling?

Personally, I feel so glad that I have have been put under the pressure of knowing each week I need to create and stretch myself, even when at times I am so busy or so tired or I just don't have time.
I am astounded we are already in week 9. It's inspiring to see how many people come here on Thursday's to see our work ladies even if they don't comment.

This week I let go again and had no plan. I am finding this is when I feel the best about what I do. The canvas literally tells me what I need to paint it and where things should go.

So here she is...

P.S. For the record- this week I am very pleased with the outcome ;-)

xoxo Emily xoxo

~ UPCYCLING ~

2010-04-07T09:36:00.009-04:00

Who has a pile of things they will eventually get to "upcycling"? I have all sorts of projects and cute furniture pieces I will eventually turn into something fabulous. At times I sit and stare at them and wonder what in the world they should be.

I love getting inspiration from all sorts of places, but magazines are a treasure trove of ideas.
Being a very visual person Country Living magazine never disappoints. They have a full lineup of ideas here.

Here are a few of the ideas they came up with.

Vintage brooch magnets

Old ruler tabletop

Book vases

Ceramic bowl pendant lamps

Old crate shelf

Vintage tin candles

Are you feeling inspired?

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 8 ~

2010-04-01T09:50:00.002-04:00

What a busy week this has been. I turned 32 (eeeeeks) have had family in town and have attended every event or happening known to man it seems. Roll on Easter Sunday!

For the first time in this challenge I feel strange about my work. Usually I am very pleased with the result. Maybe I shouldn't say this but I am not this week. Should an artist admit that?
Well I just did!!
I want this journaling to be real and honest. So I will be, for some reason I am not liking the finished result this week. Could it have to do with the fact that I stayed up till 2am and got up early this morning to finish all the layers?
Yes.

Oh well, I made something that might really speak to some one else, and that is point of art right?

This piece has an Art Deco feel to me. It's growing on me ;-)

Happy Easter everyone!!

xo Emily xo

They make my "SEWL" happy...

2010-03-29T12:08:00.018-04:00

Family.
Is there anything better?

I took some Easter pictures of my children this weekend. To see them growing up is a happy and sad thing all at the same time.

How is this going so fast???

Here is a little video that is dear to my heart that I'd love to share with you all. My brother made it for all of our family. I was pregnant in most of the shots, so be nice :-)

Does anyone know how to slow down time?

Enjoy!

xo Emily xo

Stay Close from Ben Boyle on Vimeo.

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ Week 7 ~

2010-03-25T08:23:00.007-04:00

This week for our challenge I did a little painting and sculpting you could say. I found some goodies at Goodwill for pennies, spray painted a pair of ugly brass candlesticks white, and used them to display my handmade and FREE nests.

Oh how I love these nests.
(didn't the ugly brass candlesticks turn out cute?)

Here is the HOW TO:
You are going to need pine needles. I have never seen these pine needles used as landscaping aids until I moved to the South. Instead of bark or mulch to beautify your garden beds, you use these needles. They come in bales like below for $6-8.

Next up you need a glue gun. Get it nice and hot.

For the small nests, the process is a little different.

Start by twisting and balling up a small bunch of the needles, glue some of the pieces if they are not naturally staying together. Then get a few more needles and twist them into a circle and glue till it stays in the circle shape.

Then, all you need to do is glue the top circle on the bottom ball.
This is what you will end up with. I used 15mm wool balls as my eggs.

Now for the BIG nests that I put in my entry way in my urns.

Get a handle full of needles and make the edges pretty even. Lay them down and put a big blob of hot glue in the center.

Lay on another bunch in the opposite direction.

DO this 5-6 times until you feel like you have a good base for the sides of the nest and where your eggs will rest.

Now- randomly grab a bunch and let it be just as you grabbed it, but now fold it in half and create a U shape. Run some glue along 1/4 of your base in a shape like this ( and then lay down that bunch and DO NOT USE YOUR HANDS TO PUSH IT DOWN! You will burn the finger prints of your precious little fingers. I used an orange and a lemon. The glue would not stick to them and weighted it down to get them nicely stuck and secure.

Keep doing this, going round and around until you get the height and look you want.

Nestle some eggs in and enjoy all your hard, I mean easy work.

I have a timer on my lights from Christmas and I left them on and used the lights under my nests to light and beautify my entry.

As Martha would say...this is a GOOD THING!

I do a little giggle every time I walk around and see these. They were fun to make and free. At night the glow is warm and enchanting.

These little nests would be great presents and could be used anywhere.

Now- what have you all made? I am so excited!!

Start linking up.

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK ~ 6

2010-03-18T10:12:00.002-04:00

I love the arrival of new seasons. I welcome the change of temperature, sunlight, smells and daily routines.

This painting would represent winter with all it's gray tones and blahness...

but this one represents...
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Spring!

It's a 20x16 canvas with layers and layers of color.
It is called "Spring Rain".

This Sunday it is officially the first day of Spring.
Bring it on!!!!!

If you are so in love with this painting that you just can't stand it and you need to purchase it...click here.

xo Emily xo

To all those participating...remember to visit each participant and give your support.
(Who doesn't love comments? )

Kitchen Renovation

2010-03-15T10:34:00.011-04:00

I promised a while back to show the progress in my house. Well, I only finished this room before Christmas but hey, I'm finally showing y'all right?

Here was our breakfast nook before we moved in.

This is a shot of part of the kitchen.

Remember these chairs I found at Goodwill for $9.99?

These were fun to makeover. The shape and lines of them were just so beautiful and I wanted them to go with my table that has wrought iron legs. So they were spray painted black.

And here is part of the results....
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Ta-Da...

The curtains are canvas drop cloths that cost me all of 18 bucks for all of the curtains in the kitchen!! I replaced the old light that hung too low with one I found on clearance online for $30 bucks.

This swatch is the actual color of the wall. It is Silver Sage from Restoration Hardware.

This grate that I hung above the table is from Paris. It was on an old home in the early part of the 1900's.

A view into my living room.
The big black cupboard used to be in my craft room but it just "fit" in this room better.

MY theory on decorating is that is should all mean something to you and be very personal. Most of the decor or trinkets in my home have been collected over time or as I have traveled.

These gorgeous old stoneware bottles were made and used in the town my husband grew up in in Northern England. Bacup, Lancashire to be exact. Apparently, they were drank from and then you threw them in a recycling sort of bin at the time. They cleaned them, then refilled them with ginger beer and put a cork in it. My father in law found them in an old house and gave them to me.

I made that clock above the pantry.

The colors are not showing up "true" because it was a night shot but you get the idea.

No- I do not still have my Christmas tree up. These are old photos ;-)
I have been tinkering still with placements of things and making it more cozy but I wanted to share with y'all.
Oh- and remember I said "personal decor"? The painting near the microwave was bought by me and my hubby in England at an antique store about 5 years ago and I never had the right place for it.
I do now!!

Hope you enjoyed the little tour of my kitchen.

xoxo Emily xoxo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ Week 5~

2010-03-11T09:01:00.005-05:00

"Failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for your next success.
Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."

It happened. I am defeated.

I had a week full of engagements and sick kids and though I tried... I was defeated by the challenge this week. I tried- I REALLY did. I have repainted a canvas 4 bloody times now and have gotten so frustrated and "blocked" artistically, that I am going to put up my white flag of surrender. Under pressure I fail. A good lesson to be learned, again.

So- with no picture that is new this week, I am going to post one of my first paintings and possibly one of my favorites just for some eye candy.

The Sweetheart Tree.

Start linking up because I know y'all have created some amazing things this week. I will continue to try and salvage the painting I started. If I have success, I will get it up on here.

xo Emily xo

Bands O' LOVE

2010-03-10T08:37:00.002-05:00

So-some ladies at my church (who took a sneaky peak look at my blog) loved the headbands my cousin Lara made and asked me if I could teach a class on how to make them?!?!? Lara lives in Salt Lake City and I live in South Carolina. OK- I said, even though I had no idea how to make them. LOL

I fiddled around and this is what I came up with. For those of you who have asked if you can buy them... some are listed in my Etsy shop now.

They are so fun to wear and a cool scrappy rose headband, with any outfit, is just too gorgeous for words.

I took it to the next level and made this little felted wool nest headband.
LOVE it.
I made 2- one for my little girl for Easter and one for someone to buy on Etsy.
HURRY!!!

This black and cream one is one of my favorites. I used a very old enamel and brass button to adorn the center. Pair this with a cute little black cardigan and BOOM you just took your look up 100 notches.

This one with jeans and a cute white shirt...ahhhhh they are all so adorable and give you the Anthropology look for a 1/4 of the price.

I LOVED this project. Can you tell?

xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 4 ~

2010-03-03T13:33:00.009-05:00

Week 4

I have found a groove and I like it. I feel comfortable here, so much so that I think I might be here for a little while.

This was the inspiration for my new piece.
(One of the best movies...EVER!)

Without further adieu I give you...

"Moon Dance"

Now go "Dance by the light of the moon" .

xo Emily xo

P.S. I had a thought. Let's do a project next week all together. Someone give a word, a song, a movie, etc. Then we all create something based on that. Good idea- yes, no?
How about the first person who links up get's to decide the inspiration.

Contradictions...

2010-03-01T13:14:00.010-05:00

It's March 1st and we are welcoming another snow storm tomorrow here in
SOUTH CAROLINA.
These are a few pictures I took from our last storm. It's so sad to see this little nest with eggs in it, a sure sign of spring, abandoned with icicles hanging all around it.

You may remember my graveyard. It sure was beautiful after a dusting of snow.

Though it was beautiful, the sunken graves still creep me out and the snow only highlighted them more.

Apparently, we have a fairy castle that overlooks and cares for the graveyard...so say the kids.

Children playing in an abandoned graveyard, seems strange and yet so right.

Looking forward to more of this.

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xo Emily xo

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 3

2010-02-25T00:28:00.003-05:00

Week 3

Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.
~ Wikipedia.

I did something revolutionary this week. I let go. I let go. I let go!!!! I didn't think about what I was going to paint or plan it out. I didn't think about colors that would work nicely together. I just created.
I took a 30X24, white canvas, void of any color or direction and made it speak. I love creating my pieces. Seeing the finished result and remembering the blank canvas staring back at me before I began giving it life, is always rewarding. This time was different. I physically felt something. I felt a rush of adrenaline, a thumping in my heart not normally there and honestly, a feeling I have not yet experienced whilst painting.

I have to say, in the beginning I was afraid. Afraid that without any forethought and plan, it would all end dismally and I would go back to the self loathing and skepticism about my abilities, but I tucked my negative feelings away and went for it.
Each paint stroke evoked another idea and more and more complex ideas of what this painting was supposed to mean. In the end I may be the only one who "gets it" but I think I triumphed over my fears and came out as the victor.

Art is subject to one's own interpretation and some of you may think I have lost my ever loving mind this week, while others may think that I have created something visually interesting and beautiful in it's own way. Whichever direction you go...I enjoyed the feeling of creating MY ART this week.

It is called "Circle of Life" and there is plenty of symbolism in this painting for me. Here are some of the words that come to my mind in describing or trying to explain it:

Eternal, colorful, life, death, cells, birth, never ending. The colors going from the bottom to the top of the painting are representative of earth (which is of course round). From the molten color of lava to the browns and blacks of rock and earth, to the color of green for the vegetation & plants, to the blue of the sky. I could go on and on, but find meaning for yourself.

It may look like chaos but as I got going it all meant something to me, and that is what ART is right? It's purpose is to appeal and connect with human emotion. Good or bad, I hope I did that this week.

I will say this again...thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and your participation in this project. What a great blessing it is becoming to me and I hope for you as well.

xo Emily xo

Here is the button. Even if you are not participating. I'd love your support!

LADIES AND GENTS...

2010-02-22T13:33:00.003-05:00

I had a very, very good day last week. You know when you find a little treasure and you feel on top of the world? Well, that was last week when I stumbled upon an unexpected "find".
I needed some time out of the house and so I went and did what any self respecting woman would do. I went antiquing! The treasure hunting Gods were smiling down on me. I found something so full of history and whimsy for my bathroom.
You know, this one.

Before I show you what I found...
here are a few of the newest updates to the bathroom. I managed to get the curtain hung up and made this pull back by simply hot gluing a starfish to the fabric tie back and nailed a hook in the wall.
Easy peasy!!

Hanging things are not fun (to me) but I finally faced my fears with this glass shelf and just went for it. I love how it looks as you walk in.

I forgot I owned this old sea bottle that I have had for years and it never had a place that highlighted it's beauty. (Finding it was fun ) My mom gave it to me back when we lived in England. She found it at an antique store there. I guess this antiquing thing runs in my blood.

These were also a fun "find" or should I say major SCORE.
HomeGoods I love you. Both of theses cuties were $3 on clearance!!

Now for the fun part. This was my find at the antique store last week.

LOOK AT THESE OLD SIGNS!!!!

To say I love these signs, with all their rusty, chippy charm would be an understatement. I saw them and seriously my heart started to beat a little faster.

I have one more thing to find and then my bathroom is officially done.
I need an old worn out oar. Like this one below.

I WILL find one!
(at the right price)

Happy Monday. Do something that makes you happy today.

xo Emily xo

Let your ART guide you ~ Week 2

2010-02-18T12:25:00.005-05:00

Week 2!

I am so happy for this challenge... and it was a challenge for me this week, time wise. I decided to do a project that has been calling out to me for months and because of this challenge, it's finally done! I am so grateful to those of you who are joining us and those who are watching and cheering us on with your sweet comments. Make sure you go and visit all the links and leave inspiring comments too!

So, I bought this bench at an antique store almost a year ago. It was worn out and a grey woody color with mold all over it. I painted it a limey green in my old house and that was not cutting it for the new one. I TOTALLY forgot to take a before pic but this is a background shot to give you an idea.

BEFORE

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AFTER

Much better don't you think? This is how I did it.

3 cans of black spray paint.

1/2 yard of cream and natural burlap.

2 Awesomely cute stencils.

1 sewing machine and stuffing.

4 words...I AM IN LOVE!!!

Now "Keep Calm and Carry On"adding your links and visiting them!
Here is the link to Week 1 in case you missed it.

xo Emily xo

Hygiene for Haiti

2010-02-17T10:55:00.012-05:00

I was asked by some ladies at my church to help teach a class doing a service project, in the way of a craft. It was for 12 -13 yr old girls and their moms. I was stumped as to what I could teach and then the horrifying earthquake struck in Haiti, and this is what I conjured up.

You may be like..."what the heck is that". Well, it is a wash bag that is AMAZING to use. It has a bar of soap inside. You suds it up, use it to wash your body, rinse it and hang it to dry until the next day. It was very simple to sew up and the drawstring is made out of ribbon that is simply tied until you need to replace the bar of soap.

They are made from washcloths, discounted ribbon, and obviously a bar of soap.

Once the bags were made and the ribbon was threaded through, we stuffed them with the soap and wound them up on themselves and added the instructions.

We had 2 classes and only a half an hour for each class. We got an assembly line going and with 5 sewing machines and lots of happy, helping hands, we managed to whip out 89 bags, fully assembled and ready to be added to hygiene kits to send over to Haiti.

A very good man who attends our church here is a "biggie" at Coats & Clark and gave us the thread we needed. For teaching the class he gave me... all of this luscious colored thread.

Now that's what I call karma!!

I think these bags are so ingenious. They work great and would make such a cute gift if you embroidered a monogram or anything on them.
Adorable, if I do say so myself.

xo Emily xo

Giveaway Winner!!

2010-02-16T08:04:00.002-05:00

The giveaway for "One World One Heart" has ended and the winner of the custom monogram is Carol Hansen of A Scot in Tennessee

Congrats!!!!

To all those who didn't win...I have in my Etsy shop some for sale and ones you can custom order ;-)

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~WEEK 1

2010-02-11T09:41:00.004-05:00

Well, I did it!! I have learned an important lesson though. Do not wait until the night before to get started. Feeling pressure gave me a MAJOR artists block. I worked my way through it and though it is not what I thought it would turn out like, I am OK with it.
It's in honor of the Valentine's holiday and it's called
"Longing"

If you notice the trees are locking branched and trying to entwine into one another.

If you look closely you can find the word LOVE in the branches.

I wanted a vintage, really aged look to it, almost like an old photograph.

I'm pleased and happy for the kick in the butt to do it. I am very happy you other ladies have joined me. I hope others will be inspired too and join us.
Remember to visit the links and cheer each other on with positive comments.

Start putting your links up and sharing. I am so excited you guys are so enthusiastic and willing to join me on this journey!!

xo Em xo

And for those of you who want to link to this site, just copy the code below and paste it into your own blogs:

<a href="http://artnsewl.blogspot.com/2010/02/let-your-art-guide-you.html"><img alt="Join us for CREATIVE Thursday" id="Image8_img" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LF1everZ8aU/S3QYdhtA_6I/AAAAAAAAE5o/L8Cg2Vd-Vqw/S220/MPicture0001%282%29+button.jpg" width="176" height="220"></a>

Copying the code above and pasting it into a new post will look like this:

Easy as that!

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU

2010-02-04T15:00:00.008-05:00

I recently saw the movie "Julie And Julia". It was superb. It was not only entertaining, but spoke to me in many ways. I related to Julie and her search for something more than the day to day humdrum of her government job that was uninspiring and did not fulfill her real potential. Like her, I am just starting my 30's, trying to figure out in more depth who I am, and wanting to see more of my creative side.

I am sure I am not the only mother or artist who gets in a rut. Being both a mother and artist can be hard! As a mother you are very often last on the "totem pole" because of the desire to be the best mother you can be for your family. As an artist you can doubt yourself, sometimes get in a rut and need inspiration. Mix the two, and finding time to paint, craft, sew and generally create much of anything, can be a struggle. I often struggle to find time in the day to do things that make my heart pump a little faster and my creative voice start to sing. Like anything in life, if you don't outline a goal, it will never will be achieved.

So, just like Julie who put herself under immense pressure to cook through Julia Child's cookbook in 1 year, and blog about it, I am challenging myself. I am hoping that the pressure will turn my skills and my abilities that are untrained and potholed with doubt, into diamonds just like it did for her.

Here's the goal. I will create a painting each week that I am proud to share with you all. Or I should say that I will share with you, proud or not. It may not seem like much, but for me, this is an undertaking, one that I am gladly going to embark on. I need it. I need to push myself and find more of "Emily, the artist" and hone my skills.

~I WANT YOU~
to join me!

Each Thursday I will show you what I created that week. I want you to do the same. I will have a link that you can sign up with next Thursday and we can all see each others "ART" .

My hope is this will spur all of us on to finish projects, or start some we haven't had the courage to do. Like a group of friends going walking together, we are creating together and putting ourselves under the pressure to do it! To really do it! Through our comments, we can cheer each other on.

Anything goes, a sewing project, a drawing, a scrapbook page, a recipe. It is all art when it is created by our own hands in my opinion.

Are you pumped- are you excited?

I am.

This is my painting for this week.

I made it into a poster for you to use on your blog post. I will have a button next week for our sidebars. I hope you will not be scared, but will join me as we grow together.

Let your ART guide you!!

I promise- we will all grow in ways we could only dream of, if we let our "art" guide us.

xo Emily xo

One World One Heart Giveaway

2010-02-02T11:29:00.005-05:00

This is a fabulous blog event going on right now around the world and I have decided to take part.

I am going to be giving away a custom 8x10 monogram to one lucky winner.

All you have to do is leave a comment and the winner be randomly selected on Feb 15th.

Make sure to visit all of the other blogs participating.
Click here to see the full list.

Here is some views of the custom prize you could win.

I totally forgot to share the latest monograms I have made too. Before the holidays it was Monogram madness here. I had so many orders come in for Christmas.

Here are just a few of the newer ones...

More of an modern artsy one.

This style is one of my favorites. Finding the right pages from a very old encyclopedia is like a treasure hunt.

Another abstract kinda thing going on with this one.

And last but not least, a classical beauty.

I sure love making these for people.
BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE ENTERED IN THE GIVEAWAY

If you are interested I can make them to exactly your specs.
Decorate your shelves, your walls, your front door etc.
They really add a special touch to your home.

Click here to purchase one.

xox Emily xox

And...!!Exciting news for all of you artists!! Click here

Thoroughly Besotted...

2010-01-22T12:22:00.016-05:00

For those of you who are unaware, I moved to England from the US when I was 14. It was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. My love of the English people and traditions are deeply cemented in my heart. 17 years ago England was still a slower paced, simpler land. Each day we would go and get our fresh produce, cheese and milk to bring back to our tiny little fridge and home. A huge change from the overwhelmingly big fridges and big everything in the United States, but that was better. It was simple and smart. You took more of the world in on the walks to the High street and took time to think, instead of rush around. It was like that in many aspects of living there. There was so much family and social time as everything shut there at 5:30 pm-everything!! It has now changed and gotten a lot more Americanized with late night hours in shops and fast food chains popping up. Of course it still retains it's classic British nature but it has changed a bit since 1993.

I made such good friends and learned so much about the world outside of America. My outlooks and ideas were broadened. My life has been enriched forever by the 10 years I lived there and marrying an Englishman has only continued my love affair with all things British.

I am sure that any of my readers that have been with me for awhile, will have seen that I am thoroughly in love with an English designer named Cath Kidston. Her English, vintage, country style just really speaks to me, and evokes the beautiful feelings I had whilst I lived in England.

There is talk of a store opening here in the USA but until then, I can just dream of the day when I can buy these dishes. One by one I will collect them, and I know they will look beautiful in my green dining room. Don't you?

My beautiful mother and sister in-law gave me these books for Christmas. My heart jumped when I saw them.

*****LOVE*****

It even included the fabric and tag to make this bag.

Look at this adorable bag with classic scenes of London on it!! Adorable. And it is made out of oil cloth because she is so smart like that.

*Drool*

To all of my English friends and loved ones who read this...(Yes, I can see who visits my blog ;-)
I love you and the time we shared together. You have forever imprinted joy on my heart.
And to all of my other readers- you guys are the best. My readership grows every day and the places from across this earth that you come from daily, just blows me away.
Hello
India, Brazil, China, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, France, Portugal, Denmark and so on.

Muah and thanks for coming to hear my ramblings.

xo Emily xo

Dazzling, Divine, Dining Room Do-Over

2010-01-20T11:59:00.016-05:00

Don't freak out!!
This is not the finished product. I bought this baby at Goodwill in Maryland 9 yrs ago for $10. The top was ruined so I refinished the bottom and and marbled the top. It worked then- for the room I needed it in, not so much now.
3 moves later it is in need of some TLC and a face lift.
A coat of white paint would do the trick.

It was built in the 60's and made so well, with such beautiful lines. I wanted it in my entry at first but then I had a miracle take place. I found a brand new Broyhill buffet topper at a discount furniture place for $50- I crossed my fingers, prayed a little and hoped it would fit.

This is the dining room where it would reside before I went to work on it.
So cold, so blahhhhhhh.

And here it is after...

The topper fit like a GLOVE, a glove I tell ya. Like they were long lost lovers reunited!!

This light was on clearance at Lowe's for oh just $30 BUCKS!! I traded out some photography with a friend who wired it up for me. Some holly wrapped around just made it pop for the holidays.

My white tin ceiling tiles with mirrors glued in the middle, off set the other side of the room perfectly. Clearance wreath $ 9-used as a centerpiece with a candelabra I found at a consignment sale for $1.

No, my tree is not still up, that's just how behind on posts I am. ;-)

Inside the buffet I kept a green and white theme going. Most things I already had and just added a few bits and bobs.

This was a simple idea that was really stunning. Christmas bobbles set on some moss and placed under a cloche.

Most of the white dishes came from Goodwill for like .20 cents except for the crown ones.

Such a cheap and beautiful makeover if I do say so myself.
Work with what you have when designing.

Now I just need to find my curtains. I want to find ones exactly like the ones in
"The Sound Of Music".
Remember, the ones Maria cut up to make play clothes?
I'm not having much luck...

xo Emily xo

Denver L-O-V-E birds

2010-01-12T19:55:00.017-05:00

This is my sister Mary (and y'all know me) right after we arrived in Denver, Colorado for my brothers wedding. I was so excited to wear a winter coat again and feel the cool crisp air on my face and in my lungs.

I made the "lovebirds" a painting as their wedding gift.
What do you think?

I love the texture and colors of this painting. The sad thing was- in transit a huge hole was ripped in it.

Here are the actual love birds. That's my new sister-in-law Kara and my adorable brother Ben.

They were married here on a glorious sunny morning.

The snow set such a beautiful back drop for pictures.

Look at these wicked purple shoes Kara was rockin'.

And to see my brother wearing a wedding band...weird but so awesome!

At the reception we left messages for the bride and groom on this old typewriter. So cool huh?

My cousin Alison drove 4 hours with her little girl Ella just to see us for 2.
We could all be sisters I think.

This Art Deco hotel was were Ben and Kara honeymooned and it was too beautiful not to show.

Denver is an amazing city and now holds a special place in my heart.

To my sweet lovebirds...congrats and good luck in all that your new journey together will bring.

xo Emily xo

Ghosts of Christmas past...

2010-01-06T20:39:00.007-05:00

So Christmas was just 13 days ago and it seems like it was months ago. For me this holiday whizzed by and now is just a beautiful memory. My in-laws made it after going to hell and back with delays and lost luggage but they were here for Christmas and that was all that mattered.

Here are some of the deposits I made in my memory bank...

My little Annabelle forever primping herself or the trees.

Enjoying my house, the warmth and coziness after the crazy dash to get it "done"
(even though I still have curtains to put up).

The abundance and blessings of the many things we have, especially here in the US.

Shopping, shopping and more shopping.

Making our gingerbread house masterpiece that would fall apart minutes after finishing it.

Being with family and the joy it brings.

Enjoying my new dining room and the delicious food we ate there.

Being in the outdoors and cuddling this little lady on a cold walk.

Long walks and watching the bonding with Grandma.

My new boots....LOVE THEM!!!

Canoe rides until the sun went down.

Dress up dress up and more dress up.

Just being with my kids.
Realizing that as each year passes, they grow up a little more, and this time is precious.

For now they are still excited to listen as Grandad reads our traditional "The Night Before Christmas" before they are tucked into bed on Christmas Eve, but that won't always be the case.
(check out my red head trying to make us laugh LOL)

Hoping you and yours had the most amazing memories this year too.

xo Emily xo

Keep Christmas with you all through the year...

2009-12-16T10:53:00.004-05:00

This is Christmas to me...
Warm lights, bright colors and spicy smells.

The anticipation of family coming and knowing there will be bonds strengthened again.

Baking and excitement in the air.

Celebrating the birth of the Savior of the world.

Watching little children play, laugh and experience the magic of this season.

(This was Santa riding in on a fire truck a few nights ago with sirens blasting and candy being thrown)

I feel so thankful as this year nears it's end. Thank you for all your support and love here on Art-n-Sewl. Your comments build me up and give me courage to share and try new things.

This feeling of love and joy I hope we can keep with us all through the coming year.
I hope all of you will have a wonderful Christmas and focus on the true meaning of the season!

xo Emily xo

Cheap and Stunning!

2009-12-14T10:58:00.003-05:00

I bought these urns awhile back for my porch but I brought them inside to use in my foyer. They were 75% off. I think I paid $5 a piece. I have vacillated on what to do with them and BAM all the sudden it came to me.

Simply use some Christmas lights in the urn and then pile up the cinnamon scented pine cones on top. Sprinkle with snow and Voila...

STUNNING!

This year I am really digging pine cones and a snowy icy effect, not to mention how cheap it is to decorate with them.

Hopefully you are enjoying this Christmas season. I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off, but it is all going to be worth it.

xo Emilyxo

BEST DECORATION EVER!!!!

2009-12-11T07:48:00.005-05:00

Well, there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations this year

Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.

Kind of feel like I gave in to the man by taking him down but my neighbor did confirm to near miss accidents on the busy street next to my house. I think I made him too real this time

So it was fun while it lasted! Merry Christmas!

(I should clarify...I did not do this trick, though I wish I had. Someone very clever thought this up and I'm just sharing the fun)

I think this is so hilarious I can't stop laughing. It's a sick twisted joke to play on people and somehow that is hilarious. I don't know? ;-)

My hubby wants to do this next year!?!

Have an awesome weekend y'all and get that last minute Christmas shopping done!

Love Emily

Echo echo echo.....

2009-12-09T13:14:00.013-05:00

Is anyone still here ?

I'm so sorry. Things have been quite hectic here the last little while. As well as moving, I am busily preparing for my in-laws arrival in just over a week. Can you say pressure? I want everything beautiful and the house just right for Christmas. I have been unpacking, and decorating rooms on a TINY or should I say tiny budget, and actually it has been very rewarding.

I am going to share my downstairs bathroom with you guys today. I am so excited. I still need to do a few more things like put up a little glass shelf and hang the beautiful curtain but I couldn't wait to show y'all.

Here is my theme..."by the sea".
Original I know
;-)

I had to have stripes on my wall. I did this exact same thing 8 years ago when I lived in Maryland and I had missed it. It's a show stopper effect. The glass shelf and my big white coral piece is missing from below the painting, but you get the drift.

I'm in love with this wall. I could sit on the toilet all day and stare at it ;-)

The canvas was made by my sponsor Bags of Love and they are amazing. Please check them out!

This next idea I owe to my friend TiNeill. The first time I went to her house I used her bathroom and in her bathroom sink were all these jewels. I thought she had been doing a craft project and left them there. Well, they were supposed to be there and the water just flows on down the drain over something pretty. SMART!

So I picked sea glass and shells for my sink. I tell ya, I love to wash my hands and watch the colors change when the water hits it and it does make you feel all fancy. Who knew?

I really love how this room turned out. I still have some empty wall space to find some treasures to add to my "by the sea" bathroom but for now I am pleased with it.

Now, I said I did this for cheap... I did. I had almost everything already in my house but when it came together it was harmony, like ebony and ivory, OK someone stop me.

An easy project to do was the shell frames. I bought them at a yard sale for basically nothing.

Cute- but not for my room. So I tore the back off and took it apart. The glass went in the garbage and I got my hot glue gun heating.

I cut up some burlap and frayed the edges and glued it right on the picture.

Then I put a huge dollop of glue on the shell and placed it on.

So effective right?

I am very happy with the results considering the budget and the fact that this room was the only room the previous owners painted. I don't know what they were thinking, but we dubbed it the poop cave. The walls and ceiling were painted poopy brown.
Who would do that ????

I give you photographic evidence of the crime.

Well, I told you I had many things coming up to show all of you. I am so happy in my new home and you know there will be more to come. Can't wait!

xoxo Emily xoxo

Free Christmas gift!

2009-11-27T12:00:00.006-05:00

How's everyone doing today? Who braved the Black Friday crowds?
I couldn't do it but I sent my personal shopper to get some sweet deals, otherwise known as...
my husband, sugar bums or honey bear ;-)

To help your wallet this Christmas I thought I would share this with all of you.

This is for a free personalized photo book worth $39.95 AND the shipping is free.

AWESOME huh?

Click here to get yours.

Enjoy gorging on Thanksgiving leftovers today.
Well that's my plan anyway.

xo Emily xo

Winners and wonderful...

2009-11-23T09:55:00.006-05:00

Alrighty folks, the giveaway has ended and the winners have been picked.

Drum roll please.......

The winner of the headband is Terresa who said:

"Love the "picnic behind the waterfall" hair band. It is gorgeous. And the tshirt art is lovely, too! What creative genes run in your fam!"

&

The winner of the custom shirt is Jenna who said:

"I LOVE the headbands! I would definitely wear them. And the shirts are adorable! My girls would look too cute in some of the creations.

The family talent runs DEEP! Dang! LOL"

Congrats girls!! Email me your info and I will forward it to my cousins.

I just wanted to share some images from a photo shoot I did this weekend because they turned out sooooo wonderful!
(In my humble opinion)

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving week everyone.

xoxo Emily xoxo

All in the Family... GIVEAWAY !!!

2009-11-17T09:49:00.014-05:00

I have some pretty amazing family members. I think there is a creative gene that runs through our families blood and I want to show you why I think this. I have these 2 amazingly talented cousins that are just beginning to show the world what they can do.

First we have Lara. She makes these flipping GORGEOUS headbands and she wants to give y'all a chance to win one.

Aren't they so romantic and vintage.

I bought this one above. LOVE IT! Isn't she so beautiful?

This grey beauty is the one some lucky person will win.
LUCKY!
How cute would this be with some jeans and a white tee and a pretty sweater. Or you could dress it up with your best dress for a night on the town . Oh the possibilities!
Visit her new shop here

Next we have Alison. This girl's sewing puts me to shame. She is brilliant at it and she has decided to start selling her cute things.
She is going to give away a custom monogram shirt to one lucky reader!!

Check out some of her darling shirt designs...

You can see more of her awesome designs here

To enter this giveaway simply leave a comment after visiting their Etsy shop and telling us how cute their merchandise is by Sat Nov 21st.
That's it!

There will be 2 winners announced on Sun, Nov 22nd.

Happy almost Thanksgiving ;-)

xoxo Emily xoxo

I know it's late but...

2009-11-10T12:11:00.003-05:00

I had to show you guys my little witch. This picture was taken by a talented photographer named Mindy Edwards at Forever Making Memories Photography. Her button is over on my sidebar now, so go check her out and book a Christmas session with her.

I promise I will be back to full blogging soon. We are still in boxes, eating way too much fast food, but gloriously happy to be in our new house. I have loads of projects and revamps to share as I get this new house decorated. Can't wait for y'all to see.
*insert giddy laugh here*

In other news Alyson at New England Living highlighted a banner I made for her for the Thanksgiving holiday. There is also a beautiful portrait shown by the artist "Audrey Eclectic" of one of Alyson's ancestors who was tried as a witch in Salem, MA.
Interesting stuff, check it out here.

In the famous words of Arnie...I'll be back ;-)

xoxo Emily xoxo

Twists and turns...

2009-10-30T11:45:00.004-04:00

I will make a very long story short. In one of my previous posts I described how I felt as though a tornado was nipping at my heels, well, I feel like it is moving on. Finally!! Stick with me till the end because it gets interesting ;-)

We moved to the Charlotte area 3 years ago and decided to rent until we knew that where we were starting out, was where we wanted to put down our roots. We moved into a lovely rental and fell in love with the house and area. We asked our landlord if he would sell the house to us, he agreed and so we began to think of the house as "ours". We did a few improvements and generally felt like this was "home".

6 weeks ago a man came to our door to serve our landlord with papers. We told him we were just the renters and he proceeded to tell us that our house was in foreclosure and that the landlord hadn't paid his mortgage for 11 months!!! We paid him on time, each and every month, only to have him put our money in his greedy little pocket. This sent us in to panic mode and then immediately into action mode. We found a beautiful house that was in our same neighborhood and decided that needed to be home.

Well~ it was a short sale, so we needed approval from the bank which we were told could take up to 6 months. It didn't. They got back to us quickly and last week we closed on our new home!!

I'm in complete love. We were very blessed each step of the way and it has felt like this was all part of our "plan". Like it was meant to be. I won't go into the specifics because we would be here all day long but suffice it to say, the list is long and we were blessed.

Right before we closed we made a very interesting discovery. Hold on to your hats....

I have a graveyard in the woods behind my house!!!! No kidding!!!

I was a little taken back at first but now I find it amazing and strangely comforting. There is a huge old tree that looks over all the graves. The graveyard is abandoned and grown over. Time has forgotten it and the people who were buried there so long ago.

Many of the graves are just these rocks, stuck into the ground, with no markings or any way to identify the person who was laid to rest there. It pangs my heart. Who was this?

Others have names and were buried in the 1920's and 1930's.

This headstone is the first one you see as you walk into the woods.

There are about 40 of these unmarked rock headstones. The neighbors have been told that they could be slave graves or a poor mans burial ground. *sniff sniff*

Some of the graves are knocked down and sunken in.
Ahhhhh...this is a bit creepy.

I plan to take care of this sweet discovery with my kids and not let it be lost in time and grown over. Hopefully there is no lingering ghosties that want to say hello :-)

Have a very
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

xoxo Emily xoxo

Ghost Stories & Haunting Love...

2009-10-16T12:04:00.019-04:00

Today is the Halloween blog party at A Fanciful Twist. For the party on my blog, I want you to stop a while and let me tell you some ghost stories and a haunted love story.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Charleston S.C. The city is intriguing and enchanting. You feel as though you are traveling back in time. I also had the pleasure of going on a "Haunted Graveyards" tour at 10pm with my husband. It was exciting and scary. Your blood got pumping as you walked through the cemeteries that have been there since the 17oo's.

We heard scary stories about ghosts who are often seen there. A story that has stuck with me was about a young girl who had influenza, was thought to have died, and was laid to rest in the family crypt but wasn't actually dead. She tried in vain to claw her way out of the crypt even using her relatives bones to boar out of the door. Only 10 years later when her brother died in the civil war did the family know the horror of what had happened. Here is the top of the family crypt...

and as the story was being told I moved away from the group to take some shots of the cemetery and side of the crypt. A strange shadowy figure seems to lurk in my photos. To me it looks like it's wearing an old pirate looking hat but then again it could be nothing. Right behind where I took this picture was the "hanging tree" for the pirates who were caught around the port town. Strange eh...

The night was eery and exciting. The Spanish moss that hung down from the trees, added a spooky feeling to the night. Not to mention when I looked back through my photos and saw what looks like an old scraggly man's profile and cloaked figure in the very right hand corner. Click on it to look closer. Maybe my eyes are just playing tricks on me. Or are they....

This headstone was from 1755. The rest were so beautiful in a creepy way.

Now this haunting love story leaves me with chills and a heavy heart. Having known the feeling of true, burning love, I can't help feel such sorrow and sadness for these two lovers.
When we had our little girl Annabelle, my grandmother who is in her 80's, read me a poem that I had not heard. It was called Annabelle Lee by Edgar Allen Poe.
Here it is in Poe's very own handwriting.
Please read it...

I thought it was beautiful but didn't quite understand it until I went on our cemetery tour. Here is our tour guide outside the cemetery where Annabelle Lee was buried, telling us this tale..

Edgar Allen Poe was a young man serving at Fort Moultrie in Charleston. He met his love Annabelle Lee and carried on a relationship in secret with her because her father disapproved of the relationship. She was "high society" in Charleston ( the kingdom by the sea) and her father didn't like her being in love with a lowly soldier. He secretly proposed to her and they planned their life together. She became ill and her father would not let Poe into the home even when it was apparent she was soon going to pass away. She did pass and Poe was banned from the wake and the funeral. The father was so hateful that he would not even erect a real headstone up for his daughter because he didn't want Poe to know exactly where she was actually buried.

Edgar Allen Poe was obviously destroyed by losing his true love and would go to the cemetery at night and would talk and cry over each and every grave, not knowing which contained his love, so that his tears would fall on her.

He was never the same and many say he became an alcoholic and so "dark" because of what happened to him and his Annabelle Lee by the "kingdom near the sea".

It is said that he roams this cemetery still in search of his Annabelle Lee. I think I may have caught him looking for her. If you look closely you can see my shadow taking this picture.
I was the last of the group trailing behind snapping pictures, so I know that no one was standing by me casting this shadow in the distance.

Maybe it is him, in search of his love...

To enter the giveaway for a special Halloween treat from me...

become a follower of this blog and leave a comment.

Have a Haunting Halloween!!!

xoxo Emily xoxo

Tornadoes and Tombstones

2009-10-08T11:47:00.002-04:00

Imagine this is me right now. Except I have blond hair, and I'm not rockin some eighties looking outfit, or risking my life for a crazy good picture, but this is how I feel. There's a tornado of chaos and CHANGE nipping at my heels right now, so please forgive me for not blogging as often as I should.

I had such great plans and posts ready, but this "tornado" is engulfing everything right now. I won't be so cryptic soon I promise.

I promised the tutorial on the headstones and they are such fun to make, plus year after year you can get something out that you created with your own two hands. Very satisfying!

So~ here are the ones I have made and I really wanted to make more this year but that pesky tornado won't back off. I can't even decorate for Halloween!!!!
!!!!!ME!!!!!

What you will need is some foam insulation board available at home improvement stores for like $4. I think you can get 3 regular stones cut out of one board or a big one like my Celtic cross above out of one sheet.

Cut out the foam with a good serrated knife or a little power saw if you have one in whatever shape or style you want.
Then I cut out some cracks and nicks to make it look more weathered. Look at the previous photos to see what I mean.
I found these tutorial pics at Martha Stewart. Here is a more detailed tutorial if you like.

Paint the foam a slate grey color. Then start dripping and mottling some watered down black paint onto the stone with an old rag to get the aged feel. This may tale several coats till you get the depth you want.
Add the names and sayings with paint or a big sharpie. It's a lot easier with a big permanent marker.

Here is a site that has some funny sayings to put on them.

Now this where I differ from Martha~the crafting Goddess. I think the moss color should be more green and less pukey colored. The green really pops and looks better in my opinion. Again- scroll up and see the green on my tombstones. Just make sure the paint is very watered down and that way it trickles and runs over the surface more organically.

Take some doweling and hammer it into the ground gently leaving about 5-6 inches out of the ground, then carefully stick the headstones down on it and you are good to go. Those babies are not going anywhere unless of course people steal them from your front yard like they did to me.
I guess they were some pretty good looking tombstones for someone to steal them. ;-)

Have fun and if you make these, I want pics people!!

xo Emily xo

It's here!!! It's here!!!!

2009-10-01T10:23:00.003-04:00

~OCTOBER~
is officially here! The best month of the year (in my humble opinion).
Everything is warm and inviting. The smells are spicy and calm, the sun falls on the earth in a softer way. The crisp air in the mornings feels amazing after such a long hot summer here in the Carolina's. I LOVE it.

Exciting news...I was featured here on this cute blog

by Kim at

who was making a guest post. She loved this tiny graveyard I made last year.
Awesome huh?

I will give a short and quick tutorial on how to make it.

I bought the tiny headstones at Micheal's. They are for the mini spooky town's and haunted houses. I can't remember the exact name of the company that makes them but they have a whole aisle for all the things you can buy to decorate them.

I took some green moss, piled it in and make some mounds a little bigger than others. Just go for it. You want it to look organic, not perfect.

I placed them where I thought they would look best, then simply hot glued them onto the moss.
Voila~ a mini graveyard.

Everyone who came to my house had to go close to it and inspect it. It is enchanting.
I called it my fairy graveyard ;-)

Here is the link when I blogged a little about it last year. The post was for a Halloween blog party and all of the pictures are mine, and all of the decor was mine, and I will be explaining how to make a lot of the projects in the next few weeks.
The headstones in my yard are a blast to make and last forever. So come on back y'all.

It's October!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

xo Emily xo

Fall in the country and LOVE in my heart...

2009-09-28T09:31:00.010-04:00

The US Country Living has a great issue this month. Here are a few of my favorite pics.

I just want to move to wherever this enchanting place is.

OH SO DIVINE!

I would be a happy woman if I could sit here and read. Isn't this just beautiful?

Awww Fall... I love thee, but not as much as my darling husband. (Close though ;-)

We had our 12th wedding anniversary yesterday.
How has the time gone so fast and who knew you could love someone more than the day you got married? Meeting him in England all those years ago is one of the greatest gifts that God has given me.

I LOVE this man and he does complete me!

xo Emily xo

Autumn Wreath Ideas

2009-09-23T10:46:00.003-04:00

Another easy project for you all. An easy Autumn wreath.

I had this old one laying around and it used to have 12 pumpkins or gourds on it. They have been plucked out by my little ones and used as balls or whatever they have decided to do with them *rolling eyes*

Micheal's has these little baby crows on sale. I think it was $1.25
I originally bought a few to put on my "tree" but one needed to perch out on the wreath.

The fake feathers were bought for $2.99 for about 50. I have plans for the others but a few popping out looked great to me.

I made a small monogram to hang in the middle of the wreath. I think it looks fab and I can still make some custom ones if any of you want.

Quick, easy and cheap!

Recycle, re-use and make do I say.

xo Emily xo

Get creative with autumn leaves

2009-09-21T10:40:00.004-04:00

Celebrate autumn with creative ideas for leaves

September 22 is officially the first day of autumn, so celebrate the changing of the seasons with creative ideas for fallen leaves.

spray painted leaves

Spray-paint a leaf with metallic paint and use as a gift tag, or simply as a decoration, for a special present.

All in place

Lay contrasting colors for leaves as place settings on the dinner table. Use stamps with metallic ink to add your guests' names. Alternatively, write names with metallic ink.

In the window

Enjoy the ephemeral beauty of the turning leaves' color change by clipping them where you can see them: using your curtain holder to position them at the edge of the curtain.

Golden greetings

If you like to make your own cards, glue an autumn leaf to textured paper or contrasting card on the front of your card template for a natural touch.

Neat wreath

Attach brightly colored leaves of the same size and shape to a twig wreath base. Alternate colors for a bright finish.

Gilded ring

Spray-paint leaves with metallic paint and attach to a hoop of wire. Add a flower if you wish.

Framed foliage

For a quick and easy autumn decoration idea, simply arrange leaves in wooden frames.

Skeleton leaves

The delicate tracery of veins and ribs is really attractive.

Large, sturdy leaves work best for this. Clean the leaves, then press them between heavy books, such as phone books or catalogues. Leave for several weeks.

Wearing rubber gloves, mix water and washing soda in a bowl. Add the leaves, and leave until the flesh of the leaves turns loose and pulpy. Remove the leaves, and rinse carefully in cold water.

Use a toothbrush or paintbrush to gently brush away the pulp, until only the veins remain. Blot dry with a paper towel.

You can use the delicate skeleton leaves in all kinds of ways, such as on a lampshade or the ideas above...

This comes from Country living in England I thought I would share. Such great ideas!!
I am so happy my favorite season is upon us. I have lots of Halloween crafts and ideas coming up soon.

Have a wonderful start of your week!

xo Emily xo

Charleston South Carolina

2009-09-16T09:24:00.010-04:00

I have wanted to go to Charleston since I was a small girl. No lie! I remember learning about the history and seeing pictures of the Spanish moss hanging from the trees & the "old world" kind of beauty that the city possesses. Then after I saw The Notebook I was done for. I just had to get there. A lot of the movie was filmed in Charleston and surrounding area.

Well, I finally got to go this last weekend!! It was fabulous and though we only spent one night, we packed a lot in. My husband and I took a "Ghosts in the Graveyard" tour at 10pm through the old city streets and cemeteries. For me it was absolutely thrilling and I have a lot of spooky graveyard shots with some strange stuff going on in the pics, but I will save those for a later post closer to Halloween.

We went to Folly Beach right before pulling out of town and it was just a wonderful getaway.
I HIGHLY recommend going if you get the chance.
Enjoy the pics.

Click here to start your day off right.
No need to thank me
;-)

xoxo Emily xoxo

LAST OFTHE SUMMER HARVEST

2009-09-14T18:45:00.007-04:00

Those of you who have read this blog for awhile know I found great joy in planting and harvesting my very first garden this year.

We had a few more straggler tomatoes and the time came to pull my carrots up. I guess I make mutant carrots because they were all weird. This one actually freaks me out. It looks like fat legs trying to run away.

I made a delicious soup out of the carrots and little red onions. The inspiration came from a soup I used to have in England all the time...carrot and coriander or cilantro for you Americans.
Not only was it so easy but extremely delicious and don't forget healthy.

First off I washed and cut up the carrots and onions and sprinkled olive oil, salt and pepper over them.

I roasted them on 400* for about an hour and look how they turn out.
Yummy!

Rip off a large bunch of cilantro and rough chop it.
Put the carrots and half of the cilantro in a blender or food processor and add a can of evaporated milk, a cup or so of chicken stock and regular milk until you get the consistency you want. More salt and pepper to taste and let it run till smooth.
Add the remaining cilantro after heating the soup to serve.

I made some quick biscuits to go with it and added green onions from my garden and some Parmesan and dried herbs to the mix.
This was just using the Bisquick mix.

Yummo to my tummo!

It was such and easy and family friendly dinner.

Have I got some exciting posts coming up for y'all. I just got back from Charleston S.C. and wow is that city amazing!! Great photos to share, plus I have some other fun projects to share too.

I'm hungry now.

xo Emily xo

Oh... and one little random tip. While I cook lately, I love to light a candle and keep it near where I am working. It makes me feel special and fancy.
Go figure ;-)

CHALK IT UP TO THE PAINT

2009-09-11T15:24:00.000-04:00

Chalkboard paint. $10

A notice board with ugly painted chefs that I always hated but never changed for some reason.
$0

Lots of my jars $0

An old sheet of garage sale stickers to use as a stencil
$0

Chalk $1.00

A fun, easy, cheap project...

PRICELESS!

OK- so it wasn't priceless it cost me about $11 but I have gobs of paint left over and an insatiable desire to make everything a chalkboard.
( I may need some help. )

It is actually a lot of fun to transform something so easily and make things more useful. I have more projects that involve the chalkboard paint but I'll try to not go overboard.

**TRY**

being the key word.

Have a great weekend y'all!

xo Emily xo

LETTER LOVE ~ LOVE LETTERS

2009-09-08T11:08:00.004-04:00

First of all, thank you ever so much for all the well wishes and prayers on my family's behalf.
I am happy to say we are all well again and...

Mama's BACK!!

I felt my creative mind click back on and I have been doing so many things here there and everywhere. So many things to do, to refurbish, it is like I can't catch my breath.
I have so many things to share with you this week.

First of all, I love these monograms I make, if I do say so myself.
It has been so fun to see what requests people have made and their design choices.

This one is going out to a little girl named McKenna in Texas.

The gorgeous and talented Alyson at New England Living ordered one for her and her hubby to hang in her dining room on either side of a mirror.
Love that!!

I also did a few little ones for wreaths. The L is for yours truly for my front door.
It will look so good in my Autumn wreath.

The sweet lady who asked me do this one was very specific about what she wanted and I love that. It helps me create something people will absolutely love.

The request was for:
a cream background, a brown H and a splash of red in the background, with a red ribbon.

Looks good huh?

I still have time for a few more commissions and if you are interested just email me and I can whip one up for ya.

If you didn't see the other post about other monograms I have done, click here or some are still available on my Etsy shop in the right hand bar.

Have a lovely day everyone!

xo Emily xo

Inevitable...

2009-08-30T11:22:00.009-04:00

Isn't this little piggy adorable?

Swine flu...not so much!

Especially when my children now have it!!

This has become my best friend.

I do this about 50 times a day and I'm not kidding.

My kids came down with it the same day a letter was sent home from school saying there had been a confirmed case.
Nice!
Things have been pretty scary around here and this is a flu unlike any I have ever seen.
I have not gotten it yet and fingers crossed I won't.
Keep my little ones in your prayers if you wouldn't mind.
I think we have gotten through the worst.

I'll be back with good creative posts real soon. I promise!
And I have 4 commissions to get done too. I promise they will be on their way shortly!!

xo Emily xo

Tulips and Cheese

2009-08-24T11:47:00.003-04:00

Is there anything better?

I was looking through my pictures and found these photos that I hadn't shared with y'all.
My sweet father came to visit months ago from England. He had touched down from a business trip to Holland and then directly boarded a plane to see us here in America.

He managed to have the most delicious cheese vacuum packed in Holland and brought to us here in the Carolina's in all it's stinky, delicious glory.

The gift wasn't complete without picking up some beautiful tulips upon his arrival.

I guess there is something better than tulips and the most delicious cheese you've ever tasted...and that is good fathers.
Thanks pops!!

Close your eyes and imagine you are here with me. Can you almost smell these beautiful flowers?

What a beautiful sight. One day I hope to see these fields in person.

Go treat yourself to some fresh flowers.

xo Emily xo

Feature Friday

2009-08-21T01:10:00.003-04:00

Hey Everyone! I recently found the cutest lady with an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G blog!! I want you to meet Becca from Blue Cricket Design.
Give her a warm welcome and go check out her wicked awesome blog. You will get lost looking through all her amazing posts. She featured me on her blog and I am featuring her. I love this blog swap idea so much that I am going to do it here on Art-n-Sewl too.
Email me if you want to be featured at: leylands@gmail.com.

Now let's meet the lady of the hour...well day ;-)

Hey soon to be new friends!!! I'm Becca! The sassy pants creator behind Blue Cricket Design!

Thanks for rolling out the red carpet and allowing me to invade this totally adorable blog!!!! Emily is sooo my kind of girl!!! She had me at"LETTERS! LETTERS!!"

(my fav project of her's that yes I am going to have to do myself!!!)

So here's the run down on Me, Myself and I....

I most often answer to "Mom!" Three little girls will do that to ya! I also answer to "Babe" and "Hey You!" They seem to do the trick as well! My family is a pretty cool group of endless inspiration! I'm living the dream!

I'm a lucky stay at home cook, maid, decorator, therapist, ref and mom! To keep from going crazy I CREATE!!! I'm forever knee deep in a project! You should see my to do list!! Anything that reminds me that I am more then just a mom with spit up on my shirt

brings a smile to my face!

I'd love for you to come and see what my mind comes up with as I lay awake each night! My blog is where my projects come to life! It's my collection of sewing how to's , kids projects, recipes, photoshop tutorials, Holiday fun, decorating and more!

Here are a few of my favorite resent projects...

Revampt Adult skirt

I turned an Adult skirt into this adorable dress!

Junk food sushi !!

and my latest creation:

Shopping Car Caddy!!

(Be sure to enter to win my latest GIVEAWAY!!! I am giving away TWO of my Shopping Cart Caddy's!!! You know you want one!!! )

So consider yourself invited!!!!! Jump on over and come join in on the fun over at Blue Cricket Design!!! Trust me!!! It's more fun then giving yourself a home perm and the results are way more socially acceptable!!!!!!! See ya soon!!!!

See- isn't she inspiring, sassy, and darn right creative? Thanks for the bloggy swappy fun Becca!

Now hurry and go enter her giveaway.

xo Emily xo

A project that is SEW easy!

2009-08-18T09:07:00.008-04:00

I made this shirt for my little girl Chloe. I found this plain white shirt on sale last year for $2.50!
I then simply made 7 yo-yo's and hand stitched them on, in the shape of a C.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!!

I am making a head band that has a few yo-yo's in a bunch to wear with it.
If you are like "what are yo-yo's" then let me show you.

I learned how to make yo-yo's from the fabulous Heather Bailey here
They were extremely popular in the 1940's, especially for making yo-yo quilts like this one.

Yo-Yo's take no time at all to make and you can use them on so many things.

Look at these cute necklaces I found made out of yo-yo's on Etsy.

LOVE them!!

PEACHES AND CREAM

2009-08-11T18:52:00.005-04:00

August...how I love thee.
You bring about the most delicious peaches.

Cream... you are the perfect match for the mighty peach.

To top off this match made in heaven, I made a shortbread crisp.
Oh my...

So delicious!!

Now to the Cream...I mean off white part. I have been looking for off white plates and saucers to make a collage on my wall. I have had some awesome finds at Goodwill this week.

All this cost me $7.50!!

The little shelf was $3.99 and will be painted and distressed shortly.
The handmade plate was 49 cents.
The bottle was a buck.
The little container was $1.99.
It was all bought on a tax free weekend too.
Cha-ching!!

Stay tuned for some awesome transformations of some of my other finds next week.

It's the last week of summer for us here in the Carolina's and I am off to visit my nieces and I can't wait.

Toot-a- loo folks.

Have a fab week!!

xo Emily xo

Design Star Sundays!!

2009-08-09T12:13:00.007-04:00

If you have not tuned in Sunday nights on HGTV at 10 9c then...
DO IT!!

I am addicted to watching the fun and interesting challenges. Seeing what supposedly "the top designers in the USA" are creating, can be somewhat of a let down at times though.

That's what makes it fun. You sit and scratch your head and go "are you serious, I could do a better job than that". It makes me feel awesome for a minute, but then I am sooo glad that I am not competing in such a stressful competition, and I can sit and watch the chaos from the comfort of my couch.

This is David Bromstad.
He was the season 2 winner of Design Star and is one of my favorite designers on HGTV.
His show "Color Splash" has been a huge hit.

Here is a sneak peek of tonight's episode:

http://www.hgtv.com/videos/ep.-4-sneak-peek/41726.html

Tune in every Sunday with me & tell me what you think of the designs.

*****I'll bring the popcorn *****

x Em x