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The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest ~ Sir Thomas Moore ~


hOMe is where the heART is …


Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas ♥

 
May the Glow of Christmas
the Spirit of Christmas
and the Magic of Christmas
fill your heart
all year long
~*~
 
Have a very Merry Christmas
xo
deb & archer
 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A Vintage Christmas ♥ Comfort & Joy # 5 ...

brown paper packages
tied up with string ...
my very favourite wrapping!
add a few sprigs of greenery
from your Christmas tree
or found on walks
a couple of pine cones
a handmade tag
attach a few little embellishments
like bells, ribbon, candy canes ...
for lovely Woodland themed wrapping paper
~♥~

A Vintage Christmas ♥ Comfort & Joy #4 ...

A little bit of felt
some embroidery floss
and a sweet little star covered box
& you have the perfect little, last minute, handmade gift.
 
Sandwich two pieces of felt together and embroider tiny little stars all over to create 2 blankets...
create a pillow just big enough for a mouse to rest his head and add a bit of embroidery.  Tuck mouse into the blankets ♥
~*~sweet dreams little one ~*~
*this is a great little "early Christmas gift" ... read Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring , not even a mouse ~ a little incentive to help your little ones settle into bed Christmas Eve* 
I absolutely love my Epson label maker ... it has come in handy for so many things!
I've made address labels, and card stickers, printed them out for gift jars and added them to handmade ornaments...
You can choose decorative frames, change the font, add symbols and images ... so I'm always experimenting.  For the top of the star box I printed out a sweet sentiment ♥ and for the inside, just above the pillow printed Sweet Dreams xo
 
I wish you a tea
and jammies
kind of day
~Jonathan Lockwood Huie~
 

Saturday, December 13, 2014

A Vintage Christmas ♥ Comfort & Joy #3 ...

 If I ever need a little inspiration, I need look no further than outside.
Woodland Walks with Archer are wonderful for clearing heads and filling pockets :-)
On one such walk, I came across lots of bark pieces.  Each one was unique.
A few pretty twigs and an idea was born!
These little wooden frames can be picked up at the Dollar store.
Lay bark strips across wooden frame to fit.
They cut easily with scissors, but I like the bark to overlap the edges of the frame slightly.
Adhere with hot glue.
Embellish the front with twigs and Acorn caps.
Find a small image to frame {3.7 " x 3.7"}
I painted a few little watercolour birds.
A sweet little gift for your Nature loving friends ♥
I am on Instagram now.
Follow me for photos celebrating  "the lovely~ness of daily~ness" ... Art, Home, Sparrow Studio & more ♥
 
 

Friday, December 12, 2014

A Vintage Christmas ♥ Comfort & Joy #2 ...

Lots and Lots and Lots
of Acorns were gathered this past Autumn from walks in the woods
and the squirrels in our garden had a lovely feast
as we put out handfuls on a daily basis from our stash.
I kept a bowl of acorns out through Thanksgiving and Halloween
as a seasonal decoration knowing that I would be using some for Christmas craft ideas.
Making Acorn ornaments was one idea ...a keepsake from all our fun walks ♥
~*~
To make an Acorn ball you will need:
 
~*~ Material ~*~
A good amount of Acorns
{don't worry if they are missing caps or if you have left over caps ... you will find a spot for all}
Styrofoam ball - 2.5"
Sprig of artificial berries
Wire clips to cut the berries
hot glue/ hot glue gun
twine for hanging
kraft tag
white ink pen
~*~ Technique ~*~
Start by making a small hole in the top of styrofoam ball.
Cut a length of twine to create a hanging loop and knot.
Place knot in hole and adhere with hot glue.
Now you can begin adding your Acorns.
Add a generous amount of hot glue to each acorn and press firmly.
Go around the entire ball adding acorns. Don't worry about gaps as you will go back and fill them all in later.
Set aside the "unique" Acorns to add in a visible spot on the ball.
We found a few with twigs attached to the cap that helped create the wonderful rustic look.
Once you have gone along the entire Styrofoam ball, look for spaces that need filling.  Add some additional "caps" and snip a few sprigs of berries and poke through the bare spaces.
Attach a little Acorn cap to a Kraft tag, and with a white ink pen, write a sweet Merry Christmas sentiment ♥
When the oak is felled
the whole forest echoes with its fall,
but a hundred acorns are sown in silence
by an unnoticed breeze
~Thomas Carlyle~

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

A Vintage Christmas ♥ Comfort & Joy ...

"Dress Up Your Hang-Ups"
{because I believe in dressing ~up}
There's nothing like looking in your closet and finding it not only neat and tidy, but esthetically pleasing as well.  For most of us however,  even if our closets are neatly organized, they  are compiled of mismatched hangers of various colours, sizes and materials.  Plastic hangers with clips for pants, while being practical, are not the prettiest things to look at!
During the holidays, our hall closet gets a good clear out so there is plenty of room for guests coats.  A few years ago, I got creative with some hangers and decided to put these in our hall closet just for the holidays.
A simple way to  "Dress Up Your Hang Ups" is to make a little coat hanger slip.  Embellish any way you like.   Not only pretty, but practical as well as the fabric helps keep your clothes from falling off the hanger.
To create your own coat hanger slips, you will need the following:
~*~Material~*~
fabric of your choice
felt for lining (optional)
ribbon
buttons/pearls/assortment of embellishments
tulle
lace
sewing machine
~*~Technique~*~
Using your coat hanger as your guide, trace around the shape allowing a 1/4" seam allowance all around.
Cut out and using a sewing machine, stitch along 2 sides leaving a space in the center for the hook to poke through.
Snip along the bends stopping just short of the stitching line.
Embellish any way you like adding ribbons, buttons, lace, rosettes and/or tulle.
 
~*~Tip~*~
You could make 5 hanger slips and stamp on a tag to attach to hanger ~ Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday ...organizing your week's wardrobe at a glance, or create hanger slips adding a tag for "special outfits" with the event they were worn at  Ex: New Year's Eve Dance.
*you will find all of last year's A Vintage Christmas ♥ Comfort & Joy ideas on my sidebar*
We are expecting a big snow fall this evening ... I am cozied up in Sparrow's Studio finishing off some Christmas presents.  My craft table is covered with acorns, pinecones, tree bark and twine ... time to make a fresh mug of tea and continue ♥
~have a wonderful evening~
d
xo

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Home for the Holidays ...

While getting the Christmas decorations out of storage
I had a look in a tub of my son's old toys. 
Brought a few upstairs  to hold a tree or two ... or more
My favourite Advent calendar
Woodland tree ornaments
a few stars here and there
lots of garlands
and of course ... out come all the Nutcrackers.
twinkle lights cover the window boxes and urns
the fence garland and arbour
wreaths and trees
and pergola
None light up the house like this sweetheart all dressed in red.
He sat in the tree just outside the kitchen window.
 
Lots of new Christmas items in my shop if you are still looking for
something different ...
I've made a few Christmas tag sets
~*~Hello Sparrow~*~
~*~ Winter Wishes~*~
~*~ Winter Waltz~*~
Each set consists of 5 tags approximately 5" x 3.5"
mini art prints of my originals
the backs are a lovely Christmas red cardstock
and the left hand corner has been set with a little eyelet
Each tag has a Sparrow brown and white twisted twine hanger.
 
From now until December 15th
as my gift for the Holidays
I am including a free print
with every PRINT order.
It will be a "Mystery" print I've chosen specially
sent with much gratitude for all the lovely support & emails received.