Sweet Eye Candy Creations

Scrappy Jessi's Cookie Exchange

Hello sweet friends! Hope you are all enjoying your holiday so far. I've been a BUSY BEE decorating my home for our neighborhood Christmas Candlelight tour of homes. It's been ALOT of work getting ready, but I had to take a little break to join in on my Big Sissy's cookie exchange. I told Miss Jessi when I signed up that I DONT bake!!! Im REAL good at buying pre-made cookie dough and sticking it in the oven. LOL!!!

This time two years ago Grant and I made store bought cookies, and he was so excited! Look at this adorable expression on his face.

 

These cookies could not be any easier. Just lift off the paper and put on the baking tray. Easy peasy. 

   

This year since I decided to join in on the exchange I had a brillant idea while the children were at pre-school to go ahead and buy sugar cookie dough and use my cute Christmas cookie cutters and bake the cookies. Once the children got home they could have the fun part of adding the frosting and decorating the cookie.

Baking supplies...CHECK!

 

Christmas cookie cutters...CHECK!!!  

 

So I roll the dough out on the board and use the cutters to make my cookie shapes. Then...I bake them.

This is how they turned out....

 

Big giant blobs. What in the heck happened??? LOL!!!! Im really curious to know why they didnt keep their shape? What's the secret?

 

Well, regardless of the flat pancake looking cookies the kids were so excited to decorate them.

 

 Vivi wanted pink icing on her cookie. Of course! ;)

 

A dash of sprinkles! 

 

Ta-Da! Vivi's pretty pink and green cookie.

 

Mmmm...good!!!!

 

Now it's Grant's turn.  He needed a little help from big brother to squeeze out the icing.

 

Sprinkle time!!!!

 

Hee! Hee! It looks like Grant is putting so much thought into it.

 
 Ta-Da!!! Grant's cookie!!!

 

Ok, so I feel kinda bad that Im not sharing some FABULOUS cookie reciepe while being apart of Jessi's cookie exchange. My cookies for the children are store bought sugar cookies and turned into colorful giant blobs. So much for the idea of making cute snowman and gingerbread man.

(sorry...blurred photo, but cute!) 

However, my children didnt care one bit. They LOVED their cookies and all that mattered was that it tasted good and they had fun decorating them. So I guess there is no stress in me trying to make a perfect cookie. I'll leave that to the experts. ;)

Thanks sweet Jessi for hosting a fun cookie exchange!!! My kiddies are thankful too!

Lastly, if you want to take a sneak peek into my Christmas home take a lookie at this video promoting our Christmas Candlelight tour of homes that begins TONIGHT!!! Im towards the end of the video. :)

  http://videos.macon.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=7679405&item_index=1&all=1&sort=NULL

Christmas shoppe update on Wen Dec 9th!!!!!! Please stop by to see what Christmas Eye Candy goodies I am listing.

P.S. I hope enjoyed the cute cookie song and it didnt annoy you too much! I just thought it was TOO perfect for this post with the children. Now Im going to have this song playing over and over in my head for days!

Have a fabulous holiday gift shopping weekend!!!

XOXO,     

  

 

Treats & Treasures

***WARNING....this post is full of eye catching pretties and oodles of adorable kitsch and caboodles.****

Mr. Pink Elephant had me at Hello. Well.... that's if he could talk. tee! hee! This adorable fella was sitting high up on a dusty shelf located in Omaha, NE. I have such a weakness for old stuffed animals. I wonder who this guy originally belonged to. Did he sleep snuggled up in a childs bed at night? How did he end up at Second Chance antiques? Well, as fate plays out he has a new home and sits sweetly on the top shelf of my happy wall. More to come about the wall. ;)  

My suitcase was FULL of gifts & treasures when comming home from Silver Bella. My roomies and I all greeted each other with "roomie gifts". All so lovely and pretty that I wanted to share. 

I received the prettiest pale pink round satin bag and doll head from Lori. Hmmm...Im seeing a doll clock in the near future soon!

 

Tiffany gave us all lovely handmade embellished linen print of her photograph of roses.  

 

Gabrielle made these sweet & sparkly candy cane ornaments. (Yes...one of my Christmas tree's is already decorated. More on that also.)  

 

I adore Karla's charming cottage creations. This little floral Christmas tree is so sweet!

 After the vendor night Karla had Tiffany sneak this to put on my bed pillow. Karla said this little southern belle reminded her of me. She is one glam belle!

 

Andrea made us all one of her signature eggs. Soo pretty!

 

Sherry surprised me with TWO gifts, and we weren't even roomies!!!

Gorgeous pewter Santa moon necklace. 

 

EEEEK!!!! A darling sugary ice cream train planter. I looove!

Lookie at this adorable kitty kat fella! Kari aka Artsy Mama surprised me at Silver Bella with him. She found him at an Estate sale and thought of me. He too sits on my "Happy Wall".  I adore him Kari!!!

About a week after being home and getting settled I received two unexpected packages at my doorstep. Dont you just love to receive "just because" packages. So fun!!!

The first package is a gift from my dear good friend Holly. I am a BIG fan of Holly's work, and everything she creates is sooo dreamy. This is one of Holly's signature dove creations titled "These Are The Beautiful Days" 

 

Soooo sweet and romantic!

 

The millinery is sooo gorgeous!!! Loving the floral pearl picks! Thank you Holly! I love love love it!!!!

 

My second package was a REAL big surprise being she has already sent me oodles of "thought of you" gifts. Just so you all know... I am SOOOO extremely appreciative!!! Never in a million years did I ever think that I would meet the most amazing women thru blogging. The mind boggling thing is many I've yet to meet in person. However, they are so kind and thoughtful to go out of there way to think of me and send  "just because" gifts. 

This fabulous lady I so graciously speak of is Suze Persechino. She sent a little note saying that she found this at her favorite antique store and it screamed VIVIAN. If you saw my Halloween post you will know what I mean. :) 

 Teee! Heee! She's a braided brown haired little girl planter. Sooooo DARLING! Thank you Suze!!!  I will find a perfect spot for her in Vivi's room. 

Now it's time for me to share some of my shopping spree treasures.  

I stumbled upon this Etsy shop Bean and the Sprout this past summer. Christine is a graduate of SCAD and this is her shop. I fell in love with her handmade fabric rosettes.  I comissioned her to make me this gorgeous ivory roses bib necklace.

 

 
 
 Stunning! Truly stunning work!

I've worn this necklace a few times and have received so many compliments on it. So, I would love to send more biz Christine's way. Please check out her shop and tell her I sent ya!

Another thing that I love to buy and collect are vintage candy tins, as well as birthday confections.

 

 
  
 
Vintage birthday candle holder.

 
 Super cute birthday cutouts. Eeek!!!! Look at the pink Ele!!!

 

Looove the invites & greeting card.

 

 

A little June Cleaver Cupcake topper. So fun!

 

Finally onto the kitsch and caboodle that warms my heart and makes me smile.

While in Omaha Jessi's bus tour shopped at the Brass Armadillio. You should have seen all of us ladies act like we were on a scavenger hunt. All on a mad dash to find the things we love and intrest us most.  There were cases and cases full of cutesy figurines. I had a growing collection sitting on a wall at the check out counter.

 

These super cutesy figurines now belong to my inspirational happy wall.

 
 

 

This is a corner "nook" of my small studio workspace. I CANT show the rest of my workspace because it looks like a bomb exploded. However, I did take the time to clean and re-organize my wall and supplies so I could make space for my new treasures.

  

Looking at these shelves full of pastel candy colored figurines, vintage childrens books, baby planters, toys, and endless amount of glitter, vintage papers, and bling is my inspiration and motivation to create. 

Mr Pinky just joined and is a proud new member.

 

  

A row of planters and cute squeeker toys. The blue ele is a gift from my Sis Jessi. 

 

A precious baby planter and vintage millinery I purchased in Omaha.

 

Looooooving my kitschy spaghetti figurines.

 

 

 Are ya feeling happy yet? 

 

Im super tickled over my fun Omaha purchases, and Im thankful to the ladies that yelled "Jenn, come quick! Come quick! I found something that looks like you!" :)

Thanksgiving is almost upon us and Im looking forward to spending time with my family and reflecting on the things that Im most thankful for. One of the things Im very grateful for is YOU.....my readers. :)

The day after Thanksgiving is when the mad rush begins!!!!! I will be making some Christmas creations for my shop update, AND I will be decorating my home for the upcomming Christmas Candlelight tour of homes that is almot ONE week away!!! Oh did I fail to mention that's in between taking care of my busy children, cleaning, and running errands? tee! hee!

 My Sugar Plum dining room is almost finished! 

My Bundle up Biridie project from Jennifer Murphy's class looks darling displayed in the room.

 

This is the promo for the tour. If you live nearby or want to make a fun day trip to Macon to attend please do! Our neighborhood has gone to alot of work to make this a beautiful, enjoyable, and successful event.

One last thing....My big Sis Jessi is hosting her 3rd annual cookies exchange which takes place on Dec 3rd. Same day the tour of homes start, but that's ok...I love Jessi and I love cookies so I must squeeze in time to join in on the fun. hee! hee!  There is still time to sign up!!!

 

Thanks for hanging in there on the SUPER long post! hee! hee!

Wishing you ALL a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

XOXO,

 

A Bella Glitterfest Weekend!

This past weekend SEVERAL ladies and I joined in and became glitter bellas for a  weekend long event of crafing, friendship and renewed inspiration. It was wonderful seeing old faces again, and connecting with new.

The weekend "kicked-off" with Jessi's Bella Bus Tour.

We had a fun 3 hours of shopping the Brass Armadillo Antique mall. WOW! I scored on lots of cute cute treasures! 

Here I am with goodies in hand!

 

At checkout I managed to snag a cute photo of Lori, Tiffany, and the Queen herself....Jessi. 

 
After shopping and lunch. Karla, Tiffany, Suzanne, Lori, Robin, and I made a little detour and went to visit Hannah's wallpaper.  

This was our expression when walking in.

Wall to wall vintage wallpaper!!!!

  Karla looking happy with her wallpaper find.

 

Suzanne looking happy with her MANY rolls.

 
 I got super lucky and SCORED on the first roll I picked up in the vintage childrens wallpaper section.

BUNNIES!!!!!

 

After an excellent fun day of shopping it was time to get ready for the Welcome Night. First stop before the Welcome reception was the highly anticipated Glitter Lounge party hosted by Karla, Carol, and Carol's super sweet niece Shelly. 

Pink Champagne & cupcakes. YUMMM!!!

A toast!

 

Friend and roomie Lori.

My other fabulous friend and roomie Tiffany.

Texas sweetheart friend Joanna.

 

   
 Lorraine Rose who I MOST adore!

 

My other wonderful friends and adjoining roomies Andrea,Gabrielle, and Lori.

 Amy and Lorraine.

 

Hope & Lori looking cute & silly.

 

The classes this year was AMAZING!!!!! Loved the projects!

The uber talented Pam Garrison.

Jessi, Me, and Jennifer Murphy. Ooooh I am such a HUGE fan of her adorable mohair and pom pom creations!!!

 

The class we took was "Bundle up Birdie". My little birdie turned out a bit sugary. Photos to come soon!

  

One of the biggest hightlights of attending Silver Bella is the Vendor Fair. Tables among tables of the most fabulous vendors. It's a shoppers dream!!! 

Karla had her vendor table filled to the brim with vintage and handmade fancies.

 

Lookie at her basket of dollies.

 

Karla's little Sugarwings attended the big event. She is a little doll herself!

 

The lovely Tricia of Vintage Bliss.

 One of the highlights of my trip was seeing this gorgeous girl Miss Christine Rose Elle. She looked like a pretty pink confection all dolled up.

 

The theme of this years event was 100 Aprons. All the ladies wore their best handcrafted apron.

 

Lorraine in my opinion won best kitsch apron. She had little bitty frying pans all over her apron. She looked adorable!

  
  Me and my big sis Jessi striking a pose.

Fabulous & talented Lisa Kettell.

 

This year they had a photo booth where the girls could cram inside and take fun and silly pics. 

Poor Lori! You can only see half her face in the pics. LOL!

 

Me & Gabrielle

Me & Christine 

  

 I bought lots of sweet treats all of which I will show in my next post. :)

The next day we had the wonderful and amazing opportunity to hear Jo Packham of Where Women Create speak. I dont think there was a dry eye in the room. She moved us all with her soulful words and wisdom. I could have listen to Jo talk all day long. She is extremly humbled and connects so well with us creative women. Meeting Jo was another major highlight of my trip.

 

You can never seem to get enough photos of your friends.  

Swaps are an important part of Silver Bella. My big sister Jessi hosted a pre Bella book swap for the ladies that attended my En Le Jardin event.  We each made a page and Jessi made the cover and put the book together.

Jessi ALWAYS goes ALL out on the details. The wrapping paper was fab!!!

The stunning book cover!!!! The beautiful pages inside will be shown on my next post.

Group shot of all the lovely ladies.

  

It was another great year at Silver Bella. Im so blessed and grateful for opportunity to be able to participate in this amazing event. Im even more grateful for the friendships and memories in which I have made.  

Please stop by for another visit for I will be sharing lots of "eye candy" photos of gifts, purchases, and projects in my next post. 

Have a Happy & Creative week!!!

Hugs & Kisses XOXO,