just this: I am thankful

I am thankful for so many things - more than I could list. I am thankful for my family, with all of it's imperfections. I am thankful for my faith, for without I would not be here. I am thankful for my home and the sunshine that lights it. I am thankful for my friends and all the laughter they bring to me. I am thankful for second chances and time outs. And I am thankful for you. I am just thankful. For all of it. For all of you.

the process: simple painted berry basket

I picked up these berry baskets at my local feed store this past spring and have been using them in the pantry every since. Thought I would dress a few of them up for fun!

 

It was a simple process. First I painted the base of the basket with craft paint. I used a lighter wash of the same color for the inside of the basket.

 Next I doodled on my basket. I used a variety of different sized paint pens.

I added a few little pops of color along the way, using craft paint, followed by more doodles.

 Super quick. Super easy. And a pretty way to display your favorite trinkets or present a holiday basket of goodies to your neighbor!

Blessings to you and yours at Holidays and always! Enjoy!

{Be Mine}

{Valentine's Day}, a day of romance, flowers, candy and love ... it is one of my favorite holidays. Not for the candy or the flowers, but for the air of mystery surrounding this special day. There are many different theories to just how this day got its' start, but only St. Valentine knows for sure. What I {love} is the anticipation and secrecy ... a day when we, as adults, can relive the giddiness of a child, waiting and hoping for a certain {note} or treat from a special someone ...

... to receive a special {Valentine} at this time of year is intoxicating. There are so many little delights to be had in these love notes ...

 ... so each year I make my {Valentine's} ... something that speaks of the past, a time when these notes were made with distinct care for their intended recipient ...

... this year I wanted to create a {Valentine} that was representative of a vintage {memory book} ...

... a miniature collection of mementos - vintage tinsel, cupcake paper flowers, stitching ...

 ... vintage book paper, ruffled and painted with a glittery coating and a petite silky flower ...

... itty-bitty letter beads and layers of pretty papers ...

 ... and lots and lots of sparkle ...

... a recycled fair ticket is cut into a stacked heart ... velvet and glittered ribbons are added as 

whimsical tabs ... a heart fashioned from vintage fabric is stitched to the card ...

 ... the pretty blue floral paper is another cupcake liner . The puffy fabric heart has been stitched across. My Sophie said it looks like {lips} ! ...

... the {Valentine} itself is an over sized tag shape with pretty pink & red stitching around the edges ...

... the top of this giant {tag} is embellished with either a shabby linen tie or a loop of hand dyed vintage seam binding,  and a glittered clothespin ...

... a hodge podge of {Valentine} mementos ...

... that will be a {sweet treat} for someone I {LOVE}.

 ...made with {L O V E} for all of my very special Valentine's!

{wild berry jam}

There is nothing like the sweet taste of homemade jam...

...{wild berry jam} is a homemade favorite of mine. Every year as I gather the goods to make this treat I remember my Granny canning in her kitchen. Everything from beans to jellies, preserves to sauces. It was a year long process for her. There was always something ready to be harvested and made ready for the cellar.

It is with her in mind that I recreate those moments in the kitchen and spread the feeling of homemade cheer.

To decorate the jars this year I collected these simple items found around the house:

{kitchen twine}

{brown coffee filters}

{muslin scraps}

{brown kraft cardstock tag}

 ...measure and cut a piece of {kitchen twine} and tie around the lid of your jar...

 ...punch a hole in your {tag} and feed twine through. Tie a bow.

Add a scrap of {muslin} and tie and trim ends...

 ...cut the scalloped top off of a {coffee filter} and twist into a flower.

 Glue flower to center of tag and bow...

 ..enjoy your treat!