On the Cover of the January 2015 Issue of The Stampers' Sampler!

Just a couple of days before Christmas, packages started arriving -- gifts we had ordered, supplies, and then something wrapped in gray plastic. It felt like a magazine. And not an ordinary magazine! It had the matte textured cover and the heaviness of The Stampers' Sampler!  I immediately knew this meant I had a lot of art in the magazine, or that they had put my work on the cover, as that's how it goes. I quickly tore open the plastic and squealed with delight to find my card on the cover of the Winter 2015 issue:

I'm so happy that they liked my work. I used art stamps from Character Constructions and Oxford Impressions, of which I am a design team member, and from Mad Rat Rubber. 

This issue is on the newstand at Barnes and Noble, Michael's, JoAnn.

It's time to get busy to work on my Halloween submissions!

I'm linking this post with these great blogs:

What's It Wednesdays at Ivy and Elephants

Laura

Decorating for Christmas

Oh, I'm so thoroughly enjoying this Christmas season! After six years of too many difficulties to share, we are having a wonderful, wonderful holiday season. Last week we attended the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra's Bach Brandenburg Concerto Marathon. The music was divine. And last night we went to see the "Nutcracker Suite." It was a feast for the eyes and ears. We loved just loved it, and my husband can't wait to see Prokofiev's "Cinderella" in the spring. I never knew he would like ballet -- he didn't either. Now he wants to compose a ballet... Well, after the money-making work is done, I told him! lol!

I'm taking off from work for a few weeks, and I'm just loving all the decorating. I haven't really decked the halls in many years. What a joy it is for me now!  This 1800s pine hutch is a thrift shop find from six weeks ago. This corner of my kitchen has waited years for this piece!

It's filled with santas that my dear mother and I collected through 

the years. I celebrated her with each piece I unboxed and placed. 

These great vintage lights and boxes were a surprising find from 

weekend thrifting with my friends Christel and Heidi. 

The centerpiece for my kitchen table with vintage  ornaments and 

beaded garland and  Tom and Jerry cups.

A display of my cards and decorations I put together with thrift shop finds:

 A few years ago I discovered Tom and Jerry punch bowls, and 
it has been a love thing ever since:

You might say that I'm quite addicted. Christel found this chocolate brown

 set for me at the the thrift shop last weekend.  I LOVE it, especially against 
the light oak of my mother's favorite piece of furniture. (I have 
more Tom and Jerry pieces, but that will have to be for another day, lol!)

Here's a creche that I created from a TJ Maxx find and an image from an 

angel calendar. The figures are hand-carved from Austria--a gift throughout 

many years from my dear sister-in-law:

 I did my Christmas tree in red and gold with a few House of Hatten ornaments:

 House of Hatten was around 15 or more years ago. My mom and I 

collected these together--another reminder of the fun we used to 

have with our after Christmas shopping.

Not House of Hatten, but I just love these snowballs!

Another view of the tree:

 Christmas in the City. What haven't I collected? Lol!

One of the sideboards in my family room. I have a lot of these! lol! 

The decorations are minimal as the hand carving and stained 
glass stand on their own as a testament to the artistry and 
craftsmenship of the past. My paternal grandmother's clock is a focal point:

I guess I should have started with the entry first,but I spend 
most of my time in the kitchen!

The chalkboard door hides a closet that used to house our furnace, 
which now resides in the attic.  This little closet makes a nice pantry. 
I really do have to improve my chalkboard lettering!

These vintage silverplate pieces are thrift shop finds that I painted with 
chalkboard paint. I am still getting up my nerve or the patience to 
trace lettering and go over it with a chalk pen.

 The tree in my craft/tutoring room full of vintage ornaments and 
some of my handmade things. 

What a great way to celebrate a good and busy year! 
Wishing you peace and joy throughout the holidays and all through the new year!

Laura

Holiday Chalkboard Wish Frame

Chocolate, wine, or Pinterest???

If I could only choose one, I think it would be Pinterest!

Really!

Where else can one go to experience exotic places, drool over thousands of gorgeous recipes, or draw from the endless inspiration of the creatistas of the world all from a comfy sofa?

This "wish" board is a take off from something I saw on Pinterest, and

it's perfect for Christmas.

I cut the letters on a Cricut from book paper and chipboard. The stars and moon are a Tim Holz die that I cut with a BigShot. I carefully glued wire between the layers, which was a little bit of a pain in the neck!  Once the main piece was complete, I mounted it with foam tape on a piece of matte board that I had spray painted with chalkboard paint. I rubbed on a little chalk for interest.

To frame it, I  painted an odd-sized, black frame from Goodwill with ivory chalk paint. Home Depot carries small containers in loads of colors, and it's hugely cheaper than Annie Sloan. Here is my finished project:

Wishing you joy as you prepare for the holiday season and lots of Pinspiration!

Laura