A thankful heart and a few handmade treasures ~

There's something beautiful about waking up to thankfulness.

Yes, some mornings I wake up I'm grouchy...worried...sleepy, etc.

But this morning the absolute wonderful feeling of thankfulness washed over me.

What a true blessing it is!

I'm realizing that THESE are the good ol' days.

That I've been blessed with the most precious family ever.

A dear husband that I'll celebrate our 35th anniversary with

in just a few weeks.

Five sweet sons that make me realize that they are my true gift in this life.

And how blessed are we that they have met

such beautiful people that love them so.

Plus our two precious grandbabies, Clara and Murray ~

growing like little weeds and filling our hearts with love.

Healthy parents and in-laws that I treasure so very much....

How very thankful I am this morning!

Well, really...I am thankful every morning but I just love it when

it's first and foremost in my mind and makes my heart swell.

Speaking of these two angels, they came for a little visit this week ~

Look at Clara's smile!!! She's already lost two bottom teeth but

it seems like such a bigger deal now that she's lost a top tooth!!

Also...can you believe our youngest son Noah

is now a senior in high school?!!

A friend recently took this wonderful photo of him

and I simply can't believe our baby is 18 years old!

He's still my baby in my eyes though ~

And from the studio....

I finally decided that it was time to make a few needle books!!

It's been quite a while since I've made any of these sweeties.

I guess I'd forgotten how much I really enjoy making them!

They are quite simple but embellished with snippets of old lace

and of course, a bit of seam binding.

I've added these to my shop if you'd like to take a peek!

~ Visit my Etsy store HERE ~

Plus I've added a few more other goodies too!!!

~ Visit my Etsy Shop HERE ~

I hope you are doing so, so good...

and that you too have a thankful heart today!!

Thank you always for stopping by to visit me ~

hugs and love,

Dawn

A little tweaking and some goodies!

I ran across this pretty image a few days ago and thought of you ~

maybe you can use it on one of your Valentines!

I share it most every year.

I can't remember where I found it though...

Remember when I planted the fresh ivy plants about a week ago in these two planters?

Well, they started dying one. by. one. So guess what?

I took them straight back to the store. I had my receipt so back they went.

So after I left Lowe's, I headed to Hobby Lobby hoping they had some

realistic looking greenery on sale.

And guess what, they did!!!

This is actually a garland with wonderful, long tendrils hanging down.
It's pretty long too but it was kind of pricey at 39.99 but
at 50% off, 20 bucks is much better!

I love the color and the textural look of it plus

look how great it looks in my planters!!!

I simply used a pair of wire cutters and cut the garland in half then

just swirled it around the base of my twigs, so easy.

It's a teeny little dining room but I love it.

My place mats are too big for my table but I'll trim them down soon.

They're just vinyl but I love that they have a woven basket look.

I've been busy on the computer today too!

I added a few vintage treasures to my Etsy store.

These pretty dessert plates used to hang in our bedroom.

I think they are beautiful as wall art.

Love these. I call them "giving hands".

A crusty vintage padlock...

A sweet pair of child's shoe forms!

Just a few little pretties!!!

I need to dig around here to find more treasures to let go of ~

Click HERE to visit my shop!

Thank you so much for stopping to see me ~

Hugs and love,

Dawn

Altered inspiration!

I ran across this photo today on Facebook ~

You know how it will share your old posts and memories with you?

This was from a year ago today and I love it!

The morning light was streaming in across a door in my studio

where I've hung pretty little treasures that inspire me ~

I love seeing and displaying wonderful things that make me smile!

Surround yourself with what you love

and you truly WILL be inspired!

I finally finished my altered treasure box!

Yes, I used a favorite graphic of mine and I know you've seen it before

but I can't help myself...

I love it!

The box was primed, painted and lightly antiqued.

Then I added the graphic to the top and began embellishing.

Trying to decide what lace or trim to use is always the fun part.

It has to work perfectly with the color, size and scale of my project.

Finally I had to finish up with a pretty seam binding bundle and rhinestone bauble.

It sold quickly right from my Facebook page as I tend to share

my artwork in progress there.

I lined the inside the most beautiful antiqued gold paper

and then added a lace band in the lid

so old photographs or other ephemera could be tucked in and held safely.

By the way, here is a little "before" shot.

It was pretty to begin with but I knew I could elevate it just a bit!

I actually got out the other day and went antiquing too!!!

It was 65 degrees and sunny here in Georgia so it was perfect.

As I pulled into the parking lot of a local antique mall,

look at what I saw!!!!

Isn't it wonderful???

It even has fun little curtains hanging inside.

It's a 1977 Volkswagen Van in gorgeous condition!

This one's a little blurry but I loved this gorgeous piece.

I'm not sure what it is but it was beautiful.

Yes, one of those tails came home with me. I love the weirdest things!

My little pile of treasures! Not much but carefully chosen.

Now to start a new project ~

What to do, what to do...

Thank you always for stopping by to see what I'm up to!

hugs and love,

Dawn