Vintage Glitter Cloche

27 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by Julia Monroe in community, crafts, projects

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This glittery little scene was supposed to be the table centerpiece for Christmas Day but I didn’t have time to finish. It is one of the projects taught in Christy Tomlinson’s “The 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas” workshop collection by various artists.

After signing up and paying a small fee, I had access to a special site online where there were 12 different Christmas ornaments and decorations featured over the span of one week. The website will be available for six months so I can go back any time I want to view the classes again. Each decoration has videos, printables and instructions by teachers along with community connection. The video classes online were a great way to join other artists creating pretty decorations. I learned a bunch of new craft techniques and hope Christy repeats the workshop next year too. It was a lot of fun!

This Vintage Glitter Cloche was taught by Shea & Debbie of A Gilded Life. It was easy and fun following the class video to create this scene. I still have to finish it but even unfinished, it’s already brightening the table this rainy day.

Sugary Gingerbread Houses

17 Saturday Dec 2011

Posted by Julia Monroe in baking, Christmas, food, sparkling

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candies, Christmas baking, food, Gingerbread House, gingerbread houses, joann fabrics

There is nothing as sweet as decorating tiny gingerbread houses with my little granddaughter!

Chloe decorates a gingerbread house

My 18 year old son also decorated one, as did my daughter-in-law. Such fun!

We used Wilton’s Gingerbread Mini Village Kit, purchased from JoAnn Fabrics for less than $10. The kit includes detailed instructions, prebaked gingerbread to construct all five houses, cardboard for the bases, icing mix, candies, decorating bag and tips for piping icing. We did not use the enclosed decorating bags and tips because I already had those.

To make the kit with a child, I recommend at least two hours just for construction of the houses. It took a while to mix the icing, cut all the gingerbread pieces apart and “glue” the houses together. You can also construct the houses ahead of time so the child can start adding candy immediately.
We will definitely do this again next year!

Gingerbread Village

Firefly Lamp!

05 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by Julia Monroe in projects, sparkling

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Firefly Lamp, light, project

Months ago my nightstand touch lamp finally burned out so I’ve been using a flashlight. I had used that lamp on my nightstand for about 14 years and hated to part with it. It’s fairly annoying to use a flashlight as a lamp every night. Really!

Today I took a cheap candlestick, a string of white Christmas lights and the old glass lamp shade, and made a new lamp. Not shown here are two coat hangers to fashion a frame for the top of the candlestick – much thanks to my son Noah. Also not shown are two pieces of artificial vine with flowers.

Pieces used for the lamp: candlestick, Christmas lights, glass lamp shade

The coat hanger frame was secured to top of the candlestick using pliers. The string of lights was wrapped up the candlestick and around the coat hanger frame at the top. I used pink paint to cover the orange flowers on the lampshade so it would match the pink flower vine better. Also painted green on some of the leaves.

I call it my Firefly Lamp. The “fireflies” give the perfect amount of light.

Firefly Lamp

Birthday!

03 Saturday Dec 2011

Posted by Julia Monroe in birthday, party

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The day was splendid with brightness. First in the smiles of my family gathered around, then in the candles on the cake. I am grateful to have reached the beginning of my 54th year. I am joyful that one of my sons shares my birthday and is beginning his 30th year on the same day.

I’ve never understood why people hide their age. Every year is a gift from God and I’m glad for every one of them. Life is very, very good.