Puppies have to rest sometime ~

So exhausted and relaxing on Chase's tummy . . .

I definitely AM the mother of boys!

This is my youngest son's first Halloween that he wanted to be something "scary" so this is our zombie outfit that we came up with! You think I'll have a granddaughter one day that's a princess?? And Ellie is running around like a crazy girl enjoying the yard! Happy Halloween!!!

Don't you just love giveaways??

Head on over to Sam I Am Creations to enter her giveaway contest for a gorgeous piece of her artwork . . . I just love the new necklaces she's making!!

Speaking of giveaways ~ I still have not heard from my grand prize winner so my purse will be awarded to the next draw out which was Louise of Beachy's Cape Cod Cupboard!! I hope you like it, Louise!!!

Love this ~

I have to show you such a beautiful blog, Dove Grey Art Studio ~ I love the color palette that Kelly has in her home and she creates such sweet artwork. Don't you love it when you find a blog that you just love the look of? Truly a kindred spirit . . .

My Mom's birthday ~

Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday ~ Halloween! She's always had to share it with trick or treaters and us getting ready to go out . . . or as we got older and married, us taking our own children out on Halloween. I made her a little card today & I'm heading to the post office hoping it will arrive in her mailbox tomorrow. She lives in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia and I won't be able to see her until Thanksgiving.

I love you Mom! xxoo, Dawn

Don't you love the colors of vintage Christmas ornaments?? Faded hues of their former selves but more gorgeous than ever! The picture below is from a box going to The Plum Tree to be sold . . . Feel free to right click and save the image on your computer ~ Christmas is just around the corner!!

Drumroll please . . .

We have a winner!!
The winner of my handmade purse is:

And the winner of my lavender sachet is:

Thank you all so much for your sweet words about my blog. I hope to have many more entries as I do just love this blogging world, because of you! I wish I could send each one of you a goodie! Sweet winners, please email me with your mailing addresses and I will ship your gift right out ~ xxoo, Dawn

Rag balls I finished yesterday ~ not very many, but still handmade!

A mitten ornament tutorial ~

I thought that I'd share with you how I make these sweet little mitten ornaments. I love the look that they have, a little aged with a dusting of "snow".

First, I cut the mitten shape from a double layer of cotton batting - it has a beautiful creamy color to it. And then I sew around the outer edge with a 1/4" seam allowance leaving the end open. (You can even hand sew this!)

Clip the area between the thumb and the mitten close to the stitching. Then turn it right side out. I used pinking shears on the edge of the mitten, too.

For the next step, I threaded my needle and gathered across where the wrist would be and pulled slightly. Then I tied a knot to hold the gathering.





Next, I cut a small length of ribbon and wrapped it around the gathered wrist area and looped it through itself and took a small stitch through it to hold it.




Then I added a snippet of lace on top of the ribbon and took one stitch through it as well.



I added about three vintage buttons, stitching each one on . . .



And tied it off inside the mitten.





You may not choose to do this step, but as you know I love old things so I sprayed some instant coffee onto the mittens to give them an aged look. Don't worry, if you spray too much you can blot with a paper towel to absorb some of the coffee.




Next, I paint little wisps of glue here and there (Elmer's is just fine) and sprinkle clear glitter to give the look of snow.

And last but not least, I will sew on a little loop on the outer top edge of the mitten with button & carpet thread to hang on the Christmas tree!
(This step isn't pictured)


Here is the pattern...simply click on it to enlarge it.
Open it up in your photo editing program on your computer
and there you can size it whatever size you desire!

Well, I hope this was easy enough to understand
and please let me know if you make any,
I'd love to see them!

xxoo, Dawn

I invite you to visit my pay-it-forward volunteers!!

How sweet is it to pay kindness forward to the next giving soul. I wanted to highlight the first three women who commented on my Pay it Forward post and are going to do so. I'm not sure if they all have their three that they will send one little handmade item to, but you can join in if you visit their blogs and check!!

First: Karin of Meandering Travels and Mindless Thoughts

Second: Sandy of Quill Cottage (who also is hosting a giveaway here)

and Third: Lori of Faerie Window

Thank you so much and each of you will be receiving one special something from me!!

If you'd like to get in on the fun, just go to these blogs and comment on their blog or visit their first three commentors! See? It's neverending!! One of the blogs to visit is Weber's World . . .

Some wonderful finds ~

I have to show you this stack of goodies that I found yesterday while out treasure hunting. I went to another antique mall in McDonough and found these amazing ballet shoes . . . I plan on making them so sweet . . . a sparkly handbag . . . gorgeous lace . . . and this great package of ephemera from my own store, The Plum Tree!! All for around 20.00 ~ it doesn't get much better than that!!











Plus, we received our Romantic Homes at the store. We sell it in the store and have a listing in the back, too.

I have to tell you, I just love the look the magazine has developed over the last year. I always loved it but it seems to have a vintage romantic feel that I love. Don't forget to click my photos to enlarge!!






Tara Frey has a blogging column in Romantic Homes and sweet Sara of Sadie Olive is featured as well as Cathy Louise of Simple Things Small Joys, Heather Bullard of Past Present Collection and Kim of Olive Juice & Co. Journal!!! Be sure to look for it in a week or so on the newstands, you will love this Christmas issue!!

Pay it forward ~

This is a wonderful little giving thing that I signed up for at The Inspired Room blog. I have agreed to make three little crafted items for three people who would like to do the same on their blogs, to pay it forward. The FIRST THREE COMMENTS left on this post who voluteer to do this, will continue the goodness . . .

1. You comment on this post.

2. You receive a handmade gift from ME.

3. You post this message on YOUR blog and offer THREE more handmade gifts to the first three commenters.

4. Thus, the cycle continues and everyone has fun and beautiful crafts to display in their home.

I will contact you for your addresses. Let's spread the handmade love ~

Tags & Ornaments ~

I've been working on several different things all at the same time. Do you do that too? I wander through the house and in the dining room I was working on Christmas gift tags, then as I go down the hall to my "art" room, I stop to stitch together mitten ornaments. (That little stocking is painted batting! I'm trying a project that I found in this WONDERFUL book, it's just in the beginning stage) I just have so many things I want to do! Next up, rag balls for the little trees at the store!

We have our annual Christmas Open House in our little town of McDonough a week from this Sunday. So, needless to say, I'm trying to make some unique things to offer our customers ~ handmade items that you can't find just anywhere. Here are a couple of photos (sorry about the lighting, it was late) of some things I'm making . . . I'll be sure to show you "afters" of the mittens and stocking! xxoo, Dawn

I've been creating a little bit!

From this . . . .

To this . . .