Happy 2011

image from the graphics fairy

Here's wishing all of you a wonderful new year! 

party on!
Connie

Two of our Trees

I know, I know. I swore that I was going to cut back on the decorating this year. And I really did try.
But the trees made me do it! They were begging me. I couldn't take it! So I caved.......and here are two of them....in the same room.  Even though the room itself is being rehabbed. Please ignore the wires from the surround sound as you view. And here we go!

Tree number one I copied, and now I can't remember where from. I was sure that I had book marked it. So if you can recall seeing it, let me know so that I can give this fine lady the proper credit. This tree is definitely for the men in the house.  They seem to think that the other tree is just to frou frou.

my dad's old fishing creel

New feather ornament

Pheasant feathers and antlers

More hunting and fishing ornaments

Cute new deer all over the tree

Tree number two!

The next tree is just across the room from the first. Sorry about the window, I can't get the curtains closed right now. This year I decided to use my Grandma's vintage ornaments!! The bead garlands I've had for years, but the ornaments I inherited just last year.  My mom decided to let them come live at my house. And am I ever grateful!

there are blue and silver glass beads with the bells attached.

love this one!

The Santa and elves are copies of the set that Grandma made for my mom and the aunties.  My sisters and I made our own after Grandma passed away. (I have the box with the patterns and all of the fixin's) I usually hang them above the window, but this year they just need to be with the other things on the tree. I think that I like them there.

Isn't he the cutest!

Cute Mrs. Claus

One of the elves

I need to get the pics from the upstairs tree posted tomorrow. Right now I have to get some of the last minute cleaning and baking done. Merry Christmas to all of you!

Party on!
Connie

Oh My Goodness!!

I am seriously crushing over this giveaway! Flamingo toes is having a swoonworthy chance to win some of her fantabular items!  Link up here  for your chance to win! 

Aren't they Gorg?!

While you are there, do a little blog stalking of your own! There are some wonderful tutorials on her great Anthto knockoffs! I know, I've even made some for my self. Hurry!! get your self entered!

Party on!
Connie

Spectacular cupcakes

Wow, where did November go?  I know that ours was spent getting an Eagle project finished and spending lots of time with family.  

I also planned a little Thank you party for my clients at the Salon.  I love and appreciate all of them!!

YUMMY!

These are the fabulous little cupcakes that were on the treat table.

And here is the recipe:

Better Than Pumpkin Pie Cake

1 Yellow cake mix                                        ½ tsp. cloves

2 eggs                                                          ½ tsp. nutmeg

¾ cup water                                                 ¼ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. cinnamon                                          1 sm. Can pumpkin

Mix cake mix, eggs, water, spices and soda in a medium mixing bowl.  Add pumpkin and mix well.  Grease and flour a 9x13-inch cake pan.  Bake at 350* for 30-35 min.  Check to make sure cake is done in the middle.  Cool in pan.

Frosting:

 ½ pt. whipping cream                                  6 oz. Cool Whip

½  cup brown sugar

Whip cream and brown sugar until stiff.  Gently add cool whip.  Frost cake when completely cooled.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving, longer if possible.

Treat and gift table

Obviously I made them into cupcakes instead.  I used cream cheese frosting and topped them with mini chocolate chips.  I also offered them cranberry juice with ginger ale, or bottled water.  

Cute little tree at the salon

Now I can get on to the Christmas projects and house cleaning that have been so patiently waiting.

get your party on!

Connie

Fabulous parties that I'm linking to, please check them out! 


  

Can you stand one more?

Can you possibly stand one more give away?  I'm so pumped about this one!  Rhoda at Southern Hospitality  is giving away a $250 gift card to Best Buy!  So all you techno geeks, yes my friends I mean you, hop over there and leave her a comment for a chance to win. There are also some other ways for you to enter.

CHECK THIS OUT!!
There will be FOUR (4) laptop giveaways going on at BlogHer, so don’t miss that too. You will have plenty of time to sign up for all during the sweepstakes period.  

Go here to enter ALL the giveaways and for more information, check out the Blogher.com round-up page blogher.com/intel-helping-bloggers-do-more-faster.  

So what are you waiting for??

party on!

Connie

Sparkly Thanksgiving Giveaway

Can you stand one more giveaway? I'm swooning over the sparkly little treasure that Terrell is giving away!

Pop over to Frou Frou Decor and check out her fun blog! 

twinkle, twinkle little star looking thingy

Become a follower for a chance to win this little lovely! I love, love, love the Fleur de lis!  How fun would this be to wear? So what are you waiting for??

Party on!
Connie 

Cottage Instincts giveaway

Ok my friends.....Cindy over at Cottage Instincts is having a fab little giveaway!! Hop on over and check it out here, leave her a comment and wait to see if I win, er, if you win. She has a bag full of fun stuff and is including some of her hand-made soap. Hurry before all of the good spots are taken!

 Party on!
Connie

Post-Halloween

So, I did get some fun costume ideas. And before I move on to the Thanksgiving goodies, I though that I share just a few pics.

I did some major blog-stalking and came up with this cute, and might I add, quick idea!

We used Candy Corn as the 'suit'

The back of the 'cards'

I had enough time to put them together at work. Yep, I had a slow day. And I totally cheated. It was all done with a glue gun. Hey, it's not like they're going to get worn a lot! Any way, I'm pleased with how they turned out.

With our friends, Jake and Ana

We are all still talking about how much fun we had. Hope you are all recovered and ready for......PIE SEASON!  Better known as Thanksgiving.

Party on!
Connie

Giveaway, My Creative Classrom Scholarships

Want to be entered for a super fab giveaway?  Head on over to House of Hepworth's and enter to win one of two scholarships for My Creative Classroom! Allison has all of the details here. Check out the awesome classes that are available and let Allison know which you are interested in. Good luck!!

 Party on!
Connie

Costume

As you probably can guess, Halloween is my favorite holiday!  We always attend a couple's party and I'm looking forward to it this year.  (My girls know how to party!) 

   The party is next week and I'm clearly running out of time and ideas.
  
                                                                                            

only a small portion of the group

 All of my mad money has been thrown at the elk and deer hunts, spent on someone else's pursuit of happiness.  So I'm looking for something quick and cheap!

Wow, your sleeves are real big!

Competition for the best costume is fierce at times.

Not even planned!

my favorite!!

While you enjoy a couple of the pictures from past parties, please think of something I can pull together.  Any and all suggestions will be entertained. 

Loved this last year!

Thanks in advance for all of your fab ideas.


Party on,
Connie

Jumping in on these parties:


 

Feather Wreath

O.K. so I had one last project that I wanted to finish for Halloween.  I have seen theses fabulous black feather wreaths every where, but not one to purchase.  That is until Saturday.....Joann's opened their doors this weekend.  And guess what? Yep, I found one!  And then I saw the price tag.......

Gulp! I'm way to cheap frugal to pay that price, even on sale.  So we went to plan B!  I had a Styrofoam  wreath at home that I found for .99 while out thrifting.  (Sorry, I forgot to take pics whilst crafting. So use your fabulous imagination K?) And I knew that I had black spray paint on hand.  So, I bought a feather boa,

                                                 some little sparkly skulls,

                                              and a cute little sign. 

                      Some floral pins and a little hot glue later and we have this:

 I am so excited with the way that it turned out! I need to prop the skulls up a little better, but other than that I am in LOVE!  I have to keep opening the front door just so I can look at it.  I would venture to say that other than the candy, we are ready for HALLOWEEN! 

Check out these wonderlovely blogs that I'm liking to this week: 



        
    





























Party On!
Connie

Little Painted Buddies

I have been wanting to link up to the The CSI Project for a while now. I've been very intimidated by the other projects that have been shown. But this time, it's going to be different! I will be brave!! I have loved these little darlings ever since I finished them. 

I helped a friend teach classes in her ceramics shop a few years ago, BHS (before hair school). I really enjoyed the time that I spent with the people that came.  Everyone worked on their own projects from the greenware stage to the finished product.  

Cute lil' punkin boy

Too cute to spook! 

Lil' Witchy Poo and her kitty too.

I don't know if this is what they meant by 'Painted Halloween', but I did paint them and they are for my favorite holiday.

with the flash on..... 

I kind of miss having the class, but I don't know when I'd fit it in now. Any way, I hope you enjoyed my painted buddies! I know I do! What have you painted for Halloween?


Connie

More fabulous places I'm linking to: