From our House to Yours...

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and a very blessed 2009!

What a year it's been...the negativity of the economy has been in the forefront of most of the media's coverage, along with an election year that has made history in so many ways...I, as I'm sure you are, are only going to focus on the positive, as having a glass half empty is not living as we should...I thank the Lord for all of the many wonderful people I have met this year...

...in my real estate career (yes, we will all survive this mess the industry is in!) and in my new endeavor into the art world...I have painted for a couple of years prior to this one, with no confidence or outlet to share it...between Etsy, the blogging world and hundreds of friends, that all has changed...I truly thank all of you who have expressed such kind and encouraging words regarding something that I love doing...it has made my world truly an extraordinary one and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! My hubby Rick does too...gotta keep the wife happy, lol! I hope 2009 will be the year you do something you've always wanted...life as short as alot of us have realized this year after losing people we love...until next time...thank you all...again and again...

Introducing...SnappyBibs...fellow AREtsian...

and the maker of my fabulous secret santa gift! Check out her Etsy shop - she does great embroidery! Thanks!

The Finished Ornaments...

from our family get together the other night...mom will pass out that I have actually posted 4 times in one day - BUT, I wanted to share everything before I forgot!

I finished these up last night - I wanted to show you what the others painted, but sent them home with the kids for their tree without taking a photo!

Grab some clear glass ornaments, brushes, air bake enamel paint and some glitter glue and create away!

Remember, handmade is always better...

A Family Get-Together...

for a great pot of Rick's Santa Fe Soup (Aunt Betsy originally gave us the fantastic recipe!) and to paint Christmas ornaments! It was quite fun and definitely entertaining!

Mom's are, of course, perfect - like the work she does in her birdnestontheground studio!

Lindsay (Ty's girlfriend) was so cute, just putting paint and glitter on the ornaments ninety to nothing, not worrying about a thing!

Then there was Ty - I'm not sure if he thought he was too cool to paint one, but he did - only one but at least he contributed and actually enjoyed - I think!

And last but not least, Dad - impatient as all get out and paint going everywhere except where he wanted it! It was absolutely hysterical! I don't think he'll take up painting on a regular basis any time soon, but he's sure to appease me from time to time!

Get together with your family for a night of food and a craft or game...we don't do this nearly enough...we made more memories and hope you will too...

My AREtsy Secret Santa Recipient...

is Briana from nest!!!

AREtsy is a group of artists who all live in the state of Arkansas and sell our handmade, handcrafted items on Etsy. We work together to get the word out on the street about the best site on the web...ETSY!

Erin at idyllhands, our fearless, tireless and motivational leader, put together a secret santa gift exchange in our group and she drew nest for me...I wanted to share with you the painting I did for her...keep in mind, we've never met in person, I only know her through our common thread on the internet, so it was a challenge to come up with something she would love...

I looked through her flickr and blog sites to get some ideas and saw pictures of a beautiful family, with a fabulous remodeled home that appeared to be simply modern, divine and truly a nest made of love! She picked the perfect name for her Etsy shop! The nest is a family run business, making wonderful handmade soaps from natural products and also original artwork.

I am blessed to be a part of this fabulous team and I hope you will take time to look through their wonderful work through our team page or blog!

Special Thanks to My Fellow Etsian, ShopRedLeaf!

As some of you have read in previous posts, I've had so much fun posting my favorite picks that are available from Etsy...

I did a travel section featuring shopredleaf's fabulous bath and body products, and in the mail, I received this great sample size of the beeswax lotion in a beach scent! I couldn't wait to try it!

The lotion is wonderful and the beach scent is very clean and refreshing...my hubby thought it was very nice as well and I just wanted to say thanks - shopredleaf has great products, beautiful packaging and excellent customer service...they offer alot of samples, so try them today...there is still time to get some for a gift or stocking stuffers!!!

New to Gift Guides! Modern Design...

my absolute favorite design style of course! Etsy added this gift guide after I completed my picks from the others and I know we're cutting it close to the holidays, but I just HAD to show you these fabulous Etsy sellers! If the items are not available for you on time, remember, most of the shops offer gift certificates! I came across stepanka and fell in love with her porcelain sculpture "day like no other" - very modern and unique and absolutely sweet...

Modica makes the coolest wood and resin necklaces, circular in shape and unlike any other you will find. There is a great selection with different designs and colors! Cristina is currently away visiting family and restocking her inventory, but you can sign up for a return email is soon as she is available!
If you are looking for a beautiful artist that will add a wonderful edition to your room, go visit gretchenmist...she does beautiful drawings, paintings and collages like "snowed in" shown here...
Cosedolci is a new seller I came across looking through the gift guides! I adore how she combines felt with every day objects and makes them simply divine! Her circles embellished plate is great and a bargain at $20! If you are looking for a handmade, one of a kind and originally designed coffee table, check out michealarras's work...I am eyeing one of these tables now!!!
If you love the atomic era and need something to add a punch of color in a corner, or over a table, check out debmobiles! Her mobiles are available in lots of colors and are made of polymer and stainless steel wire. Lindasolovic offers prints from her original collages at a great price! I love the blooming buddies - wildflowers print, very organic modern and the color will inspire any nature lover...

Another newbie seller to me is baldmanmod - this mod mid century style table is beautifully handcrafted and has a walnut veneered finish...extremely swank!!!! Emmajo is an accomplished tapestry weaver and painter...the memory landscape features breathtaking colors as does her other works...
I have loved Tracy Melton of focuslineart since I discovered Etsy! Of course the tree rings series is just perfect...wonderfully intricate circles, again, my favorite, and are available in different sizes and colors. Great for groupings too! The ones shown here have apparently sold, but take a look at her others...
Pilotdesign features these mod wall clocks, like the red one shown here, made from a bamboo laminate - a great accent piece for any room!And finally, I love the tweed berry pillow from mogwaii! Made from pure wool and expertly sewn, it makes a great addition to spruce up your home accessories...Thank you to all the Etsy sellers who allowed me to share their work with you - please support them and the thousands of others who work hard to share their craft with us!

Etsy Gift Giving Guides...Travel Picks...

These are the last of my pics for the holiday season...just remember, these are all handmade, so if you see any that are a must have for you gift list, act quick! It's only weeks away!

Etsy has curated a great guide with the travel section! Here are my faves...

Babbittdesigns offer these beautiful votive candle holders adorned with paper and handstamped...take them with you to have your favorite scent in your hotel room!

Looking for a cool checkbook cover? Take a look at this design from tinymeat - the orange blaze against the blue background is awesome...

Moop is the best bag maker on Etsy...check out The Porter bag in provincial blue corded canvas is durable and fashionable! There are other fantastic selections available as well...

The emotional 5x7 print from couragemylove entitled "baby i'm home" would make a wonderful gift for that recipient on your list who loves photography and travel...

For that long haul in the car, molebabybuttons has a unique tic tac toe travel game that would be perfect to kill some time and have some fun!

Do you have a guy on your list and don't have a clue what to get? Visit shopredleaf's store and pick up a shampoo bar and tin set...great for throwing in a bag and taking off...

I love New York, so of course the 10x10 NY print from the "on the globe" series from buckscountyframes had to be on my list!

And last, but certainly not least, rosiegoa's travel bag in a pink stripe is a great carry on size and the perfect gift for the traveler on your list...

While you are looking, pop in my Etsy shop and let me know what you think!

Shop Handmade...Shop Etsy Today!

Etsy Gift Giving Guides...Picks From Nostalgic Whimsy!

The Nostalgic Whimsy guide, curated by Etsy, features such sweet, beautiful, handmade items...here are a few of my faves for you to see...



I love the precious tree folk felted sculptures from reyaveltman! The simple modern design in the shape of pine trees is adorable and a great holiday gift...



Sarahseven is a very talented designer as you can see in the mocha ruffle dress shown here...very feminine and sexy! Wear it for that upcoming holiday party and you will definitely stand out! Available in sizes 4 - 10, but you can contact her for other sizes...



Another of my favorite Etsy photographers is aliciabock...she is very inspiring to me being a beginner in that department since getting a new camera back in April...her photos really move me and I know you will agree. I really like the queen...



The cowl major blouse from replicca is gorgeous! The deep teal color and fitted sleeves make this a great addition to your holiday wardrobe or pair it with jeans and be ultra-comfortable!



The 8x10 photograph daisies from eyeful is very breathtaking and colorful! Taken in the garden, it's part of her flourish series...a wonderful gift for the nature lover on your list...daisies are my favorite!



And finally...check out redrubyrose...she has some fabulous handmade clutches like the poppy central silk lined bag shown here...


Whatever you need...find it on Etsy...happy hunting for the perfect gift!