Made ~ Holiday Apron Swap

When my friend Cheryl of Nouveaux Portmanteau asked if I wanted to participate in her holiday apron swap, I was a little hesitant.  I am NOT a seamstress.  I nearly failed home ec in middle school because of my lackluster sewing skills.  However, Cheryl's positivity and encouragement calmed my fears and I began creating a holiday apron in red and lime green.  I enjoyed hand sewing bits and bobs to a plain apron I found at Kirkland's.


The fun part of this swap was that all participants had to send their creations to Cheryl and she carefully handpicked an apron for each of us from the lot.  No one  knew what apron they would be getting in return.  Ooh, the suspense!


I was delighted to receive Kelly Gibbs Lamb's apron.  This is not the first creation that I have received from Kelly.  Back in October, when we both attended Jenn Hayslip's Once Upon A Dream event, I received not one but two of Kelly's creations in the swap exchange.  One being a fairy lapel pin and the other being a fairy house. A naughty fairy house to be exact!  Tee hee!


Kelly's apron was divine and in my favorite colors of aqua and pink.  I immediately displayed it in my dining room alongside all my other vintage inspired Christmas decorations that are in that color palette.  I am so glad that her apron made it's way to my home. 

**Photo by Cheryl of Nouveaux Portmanteau**

Cheryl included a gorgeous tote bag that she made with each of our aprons.  The holiday tote is the perfect accessory to take to all the holiday parties.  I love the image on the front of the brother with the two sisters.  It reminds me of my son, daughter and stepdaughter.  Very cute!


Unfortunately, in all the rush of trying to get my apron in the mail to Cheryl, I forgot to photograph it.  However, Cheryl did a fabulous job of photographing each of the aprons.  Here is an image I grabbed from Cheryl's blog.

**Photo by Cheryl of Nouveaux Portmanteau**

Thanks, Cheryl!  I had so much fun with the apron swap, count me in to participate in your tussie mussie swap.

 

I'm Gonna "Shine": 2012 Word of the Year

Boy, has the new year started off bumpy!  My husband's grandfather passed on December 29 but due to funeral arrangements was not buried until January 3.  Then my 9-month-old daughter contracted RSV and had to spend the night in the hospital.  Needless to say, the last week and a half has felt like a decade and a half and I am already off of my blogging schedule for the new year. I pinky promise to do better. 

For the last couple of years, I have chosen a word of the year instead of the same old resolutions.  In 2010, the word was "more" and in 2011 it was "faith."  This year I have chosen the word "shine."

Shine. 

Arise and shine. 

She took a shine to him. 

I am going to work hard to shine in all the areas of my life...at home, at work, in the lives of my kids, etc.  And as far as my artwork, I am going to shine by using more glitter.  Tee hee! 

To keep me inspired and to remind  me to shine, I purchased a Shine necklace from Ashley.  One dollar from the purchase of each Shine necklace goes to The Shine Project Scholarship Fund to help inner city kids go to college.  I liked my necklace so much that I ended up buying two more for Christmas gifts. The initial necklace came with the shine charm, rose charm and a pearl.  I personalized my with a charm I made.  It's a piece of vintage lace pressed between two pieces of glass.  I love it!

Here are some quotes using my 2012 word of the year.

• As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others. ~ Marianne Williamson

• Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish. ~ John Jakes

• Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas. ~ Henry Ford

• I see heaven's glories shine and faith shines equal. ~ Emily Bronte

• Let God's promises shine on your problems. ~ Corrie Ten Boom

• The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Shine on!