Christmas is Coming.....

Good morning and happy weekend to you all!  I want to thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes regarding Cortney.  All of your prayers worked.  : )  We had good news from the doctor yesterday and now we just have to wait for her little body to get back to normal.  Last night she was singing to Christmas carols and was happy.  Something I haven't seen in over 2 weeks.  With all of this going on Christmas has taken a back seat here.  Some of our traditions of cookie baking and going downtown haven't happened yet.  Sometimes other, more important things get in the way. 

Fortunately, I have still been able to sneak into my craft room and regain a bit of my sanity.  ; ) So I've been creating my own holiday spirit in the craft room using Crafty Secret's stamps.

I used the Christmas Express stamp set to stamp the children in Versamark.  I embossed it with a verdigris embossing powder.  I stamped snowflakes with Tim Holtz Distressed Linen ink.  As a final touch I added a bit of glitter for the snow. 

I should have taken a picture of the frame "before," but forgot! (Shame on me!) It was just a typical silver frame.  Pretty, but not distressed enough for the look I was going for.  So I used paint from Ten Second Studio to create this beautiful Verdigris look.  I even applied it to my mini clothes pin. : D

I was taking pictures of my cards when the pup decided she wanted her picture taken.  She just plopped her little self down on my backdrop and this was what I captured.  Love.  She is almost fully grown, her curly hair is starting to come in, she is finally potty trained, and she has the sweetest disposition.  She and Skippers are best of friends, and it is warms my heart to see them play.  When I think of the life she would have had, I am so glad we saved her from it. 

Well, so far I've made good on my resolution.  I've visited everyone who has left a comment here.  I will continue to do that.  You all have been so good to me, and I want to reciprocate.  This blog, this hobby, has saved me in so many ways. 

I am thankful.

Have a great weekend my friends!

XOXO

A Little More Amazing....

....Paper Grace that is! ; )  I hope you enjoyed yesterday's projects using Becca's new kit!  Be sure to stop by the JustRite blog for today's line up of designers!  I have sort of a miscellaneous card to share with you that used a bunch of odds and ends from my desk.  Some left over Cricut cuts, a frame I had painted with the Ten Second Studio paint, and this wooden silverware set that I thought was adorable but didn't know what I was going to do with it.  Then it dawned on me......a thank you card for the hostess.   

I just started layering and decided the frame was perfect for a pop of color. 

I adore Becca's line of stamps.  I used the Just the Right Words    set which has such an elegant font! 

It has been a rough week here.  I know some weeks are just like that, but this one was tough.  My van once again had to go back in to the shop, for the umpteenth time......at the mere cost of $1200 bucks.  I know everyone has car trouble, but this van has gone above and beyond the "normal" repairs.  My dogs have been terrible this week.  (Yes, even the cute little pup!)  My older dog decided to mark his territory in my house! So not only did I have to watch the pup like a hawk, but now had to worry about Skippers. I think he is mad that she came back after her little surgery? Maybe I need a doggy psychologist! 

There was also some very sad news at our school this week.....heart breaking.

It was just a "pile up on your heart" kind of a week.....

But it's Friday.

And today the sun is out.

I am going on my "date" with the hubby tonight.

And I can't wait....

Have a fabulous weekend my friends! I love coming here to "visit" with you!

Hugs!

Incredible New Product!

Good morning! I hope you grabbed a cup of coffee.....because today's post is a bit lengthy! A blogger friend of mine turned me on to this new product from Ten Seconds Studio.  It is just the coolest paint ever!  It gives the most gorgeous Patina'd look to your projects and it is super easy to do.  Let me show you what I've made first. I had this drawer shadow box I had picked up awhile ago and decided to alter it for my bedroom.  (My colors being purple and green. ; ) I chose the pictures from Cortney's photo shoot a couple of weeks ago.  I wanted to use this paint but wasn't sure how it would work with different items, so I just played a bit.  I "Patina'd" the two clay pots.....a resin piece from Melissa Frances, and a metal corner piece.  They all turned out beautiful!   

I added Spanish Moss and some flowers cut using my Cricut and the Flower Shoppe cartridge. And of course this sweet photo of Cort with her BFF, Patty. 

I found these dangling charms and thought they'd be perfect to tie around my clay pot.

So here is the paint in all of its zippered glory!  Sorry for the poor photo....that's what happens when you take pictures at midnight! ; )  I bought the "starter" kit that comes with 4 different colors and the Patina solution.  I purchased the spray bottle separately. 

Here are what the pieces looked like before I painted them.  Want to see what each color of paint looks like? 

The first color and my most absolute favorite color is the brown.  This is the one I used for my clay pots above. I think it is the most gorgeous color!!

The next color is black.  When sprayed it actually gives the appearance of rust.  So super cool I can hardly stand it!!!! 

The next two are so very similar....but the first one uses this copper paint.  Love the hues of green......

...and the next one uses the gold paint.  See? pretty similar to the copper, but still so pretty!

Here are all of my finished pieces.  I will be using them soon on my future projects!!!

Whew! Still with me? I hope you enjoyed my lil' "informational" post! 

Thank you for stopping by!!! 

Have a great weekend my friends!!!