Passionate Details

Waking up in ...........

Vermont.....

Meleen

 

Just had to bring it home..............

.........it calls your name and sometimes you just have to listen! (sigh)

Meleen

Some Valentine Hearts

Wow.....February already.......

As I mentioned in my last post,

I had been working on some

hearts for Danielle's Victorian Valentine fabric heart swap.....

lots of sewing.....

lots of vintage buttons,vintage earrings and some

vintage seam binding for these

stuffed heart pillows...

Lots and lots of layered buttons...

and I still have a million more!

Can't wait to see what beautiful hearts

 everyone else has made!!

 

Meleen

 

Hurry Up and Slow Down.......

It's Saturday morning and it's snowing.......finally! I love a little snow and we haven't had ANY this winter.
It's still coming down, we may end up with 4 or 5 inches, not a lot but enough to make it look pretty. Everyone here has headed out early to shovel, clear and plow, so I'm here by myself with about a hundred things I want to accomplish today. It's a family tradition to bake what we've affectionately called "Cara's Snow Cake" on days when it snows. It started when my daughter Caroline was little, she would bake a cake and have it all decorated and waiting for her Dad and brothers when they came back from shoveling and plowing. Now, a bit older, she doesn't want to miss out on all the fun they have, so I'll bake the cake today. And because we're getting together with all the cousins, aunts and uncles for a family game night tonight (teams, very competitive...lots of laughs!!), I'll be making a double batch of Toll House cookies! Yum!

 Not to mention getting into my craft room!! I'll be working on some hearts for Danielle's Victorian Valentine fabric heart swap.....and working along on Jeanne Oliver's Creatively Made ecourse! This online class has been fantastic...four very creative weeks!! It seems I've noticed quite a bit more creative energy this new year then in the past few years, everyone seems really ready to embrace the new year more creatively.

I was also delighted to pass along some vintage bird seed boxes to my friend Karla for her Birdsong Two event. Pop over to her blog and check out this event!

Well, if I'm going to make the most of this day.......better get my apron on and find my Ipod!

Here's to a creative 2012!

Meleen

Fast Forward.........

I wasn't exactly lost, but boy, I'm found! Friends and family have been checking in...."you're still waiting for turkey!!!!" I'm sorry, days ticked by, then weeks and months. I'm fine, I was just enjoying life and my family, but after a recent trip to France I promised to post about it.

And now, I don't know where to begin. I can't imagine that anything I could say would even come close to capturing this incredible trip. Kaari Meng of The French General put together the BEST trip ever. Every detail was thought of.....it was a feast for all senses.....the Chateau where we stayed, the location in the south of France, our meals, the workshops, our outings, friendship, trips to markets and brocantes.......I will leave you with this for now...............................

 
.......the view from my window every morning!

Meleen

Waiting For Pie............

 
......waiting for family.....

waiting for turkey....

and always giving thanks!

 
Counting our blessings!!

Enjoy your day,

Meleen

Silver Bella Swaps

One of the many great things about Silver Bella are the swaps. To say people put their hearts and souls into these beautiful creations would be an understatement.....truly...every creation is unique and beautiful!! Take a peak at this souvenir journal swap that I was so lucky to participate in, hosted by Michelle Geller!! This beauty is to die for!!!.......

 
Fourteen participatants each made 15 four-sided pages which Michelle bound into a book for each of us and a bonus book to give to Teresa......check out the beautiful pages by these creative women.......Kim Caldwell, Suzanne Duda,  Michelle Geller, Lynn Lebsack, Molly McCabe, Karla Nathan, Kathi Pilar, Karla Steele, Cheryl Stoneham, Lisa Thompson, Rachel Velder, Susie Vergenz, and CherieWilson!!!!! I am honored to be in this book with all this talent.....(get a napkin...you're going to drool!!!)................

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

So, was I right? Did you drool?
Really....how cool is this book?? pages that flip open, pockets everywhere, wallpaper, ribbons, lace, buttons, cards, maps, jewels, pins, flowers, keys....it's endless!!! Michelle, a great big thank you once again!!! This is a keepsake that I will treasure forever!! And to all the ladies in this swap a great big hug and thanks to all of you!!!

Next, a peak at the Millinery Swap!!

Meleen

 

Back From Silver Bella!!!

Just when you think something can't get any better, it does!!! This was my fourth trip out to OMAHA for Silver Bella.....a three day art event that is soooooo much more! A fantastic way to connect with friends from all over the country and to meet so many wonderful new people.

First stop......Second Chance Antiques.......

and a walk around the streets of the Old Market District....... 
 

 
 
shopping and quick bite for lunch with Danielle and Amy and we ready for and awesome weekend..... 
Stay tuned for soooo many details!!! This was an unbelievable weekend!!!  We even had SNOW!!!                                              

Meleen

I Need All Four Seasons

I think I've mentioned before how much I love autumn........don't get me wrong, there is something I love about spring, summer and winter too, but I LOVE fall!!!

 

A friend once mentioned that she finds this time of year so depressing, that she sees "autumn" as everything dying. I couldn't understand her perspective at all, I mean I understand my vegetable garden has died off, but I see autumn's harvest.....I see beautiful colors.....I see a harvest moon.....I see Thanksgiving......I see jeans, sweaters and crackling fires.

And while I've been enjoying all this color, I've been getting ready for Silver Bella! A wonderful art event that takes place in Omaha.(next week....eeeekkk!!) This will be my fourth year attending and I can't wait to reconnect with so many wonderful friends from all over the country. It's so much more than just an art event......check back for all the wonderful details!!!

 
 
Happy Fall!!!,

Meleen

Spud Love.......

 
Okay, you have to agree....right?

 Lovein' autumn....

making soup, but had to stop and take a photo.....

now back to making soup....

 

                        Meleen