2012...

We are starting out the new year by getting the studio layout completed! Hubby is taking the smallest bedroom and converting it for me. I will have tons of workspace as well as storage. I can't wait to get creating in it!!

2011 Holiday Homes Tour

 

I LOVE the above tree in the dining room. There is a closer photo of it towards the top of this post. It is covered in blue and white lights to go with the Blue Willow Tablescape and it has family photographs all over it. I scanned and printed out copies of my pics and cut them to fit on the tree. It is absolutely gorgeous and pays tribute to those family members who are here with us in memory only. I will definitely be doing a version of this tree every year! 

The pink and white trees were decorated by my son's best friend, Abby. She did a fabulous job! They are spectacular! I love the whimsical feel they gave the back sunroom!

A few of our trees this year

Here are some more photos from our home. We had 200 guests come through for the Homes Tour this year, which is crazy for such a small town. (We have a population of right around 2,000.) Normally, we put up just two large trees, but went all out for the tour this year with at least 18 trees that were 3 foot tall or more. Luckily, we have lots of good friends that contributed to the cause, donating lots of trees and garlands and ornaments. We couldn't have done it without them! And my good friend, Leslie, worked her tail off right along with us to get everything done. She is awesome! :)

Holiday Homes Tour 2011 2

Here are a few pics from the interior of our home, decorated for the tour. Enjoy!

Putz Houses

 

I had to share some of the cool putz houses we built this year. I had seen some somewhere and thought they would be fun to make. Lo and behold, there is an awesome website, here , where I was able to pick up some really neat patterns and was off and running! We made about 30 houses, to fill up both sides of my mantle, and they look wonderful! They are a bit tedious, but I think they were well worth it!

Blue Willow Tablescape

I did a Blue Willow Tablescape as well. This is my favorite china pattern of all times. I love the story behind it! Our plan was to utilize things we already had, as much as we possibly could. This turned out to be an excellent challenge and we got really creative and had a lot of fun putting everything together. The entire house turned out beautifully!

Inspiration for my tablescape came from Luncheon At The Junction . This is an absolutely wonderful blog, just filled with inspirations!

Crystal Tree

My version of a crystal tree. It took me about 2 hours to make. I cut 10 6-foot pieces of wire I use to make my doll armatures, twisted them together about 1/2 way up, bent the bottoms out to resemble a root system and to give the tree the ability to stand on it's own. I spread out the remaining wires, curled the ends and hung acrylic beads I had purchased at Hobby Lobby. Add 1 battery-operated mini LED set and voila! I will definitely be making more of them!

New Art

It's been crazy busy around here the last few months. Between Halloween and Christmas, things have been going non-stop. My husband and I  headed up the spook house for the Historical Society and then agreed to do the Holiday Homes Tour as well. CRAZY!!!!!  The Homes Tour gave me a real creative outlet, tho, and I got to do some things I had not tried before, like putz houses and crystal trees. And I. LOVE. THEM!  I am posting a few pics to go along with this. I will definitely be making more of both!

Things Kansas makes - KansasCity.com

Things Kansas makes - KansasCity.com

I was reading through the news this morning, and this headline caught my eye. I was amazed by the type and amounts of things that are made by Kansans that are known and sold worldwide! Yay, Kansas! :)

Traditional Santa Closeup