Preparations

It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas here.

Little touches around the house.

 This little moth eaten sweater has waited all year to be hung.

I love the way the house looks at night, all lit up.

My tiny patio all trimmed out & glowing.

I guess my theme this year is low color nature.

Nothing really over the top.

Just some wintery additions,

and sentimental favorites!

Remember I told you something exciting happened?

The style editor from the Dallas Morning News contacted me & guess what....

my house is going to be featured for a special Christmas section!

It's been a flurry of activity around here preparing for it.

The photographer is coming Monday...eek!

Next post I'll take you on the holiday tour.

 I'm linking up with

 Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Before I go just wanted to share these versions of my

Altered Holiday Slippers.

Karla made this pair as ornaments for her tree. I love the glitter!

And these are from my sweet friend Suzanne.

I love the color she used. It's called 'Cloud' from Martha Stewart.

It's amazing how everyone tweaked this idea to suit their style.

Tricks & Kits

Tonight's Halloween, so let's get the tricks out of the way.

Trick 1
 Create a 'bone-man' costume from a thrifted unitard.

 Kevin painted the bones on Philip's costume freehand.

Did I ever tell you he was an art major?

Then he sewed gloves for Owen out of craft foam.

It was a trick getting the tension straight on my sewing machine after that!

Yeah, he was feeling pretty good about himself.

Owen decided he was making his own costume this year.

 With a little help from Grand-dad & my glue gun he turned himself into

'Greymatter'

(unless you are a 6 year old boy you will have no idea who that is)

 Another trick......

Getting these kids to clean out a pumpkin.

I had to brake out the sandwich bags.

Sad.

Now for the kits.

I taught an Altered Holiday Slipper class last week, so there were kits to be made.

It was a smaller class so I was able to spend more time on each one.

A unique bag to suit the personality of each girl.

A sassy bag for a sassy girl.

My friend Nicki, see the resemblance?

We had a great day.

A little shopping,

a little creating,

& a lot of laughing.

That makes for one fine day!

While I was working on my kits, the kids had their own to make.

17 each.

That's a whole lotta goodie bags!

They also made each one special.

I think they worked way harder then I did!

I can't believe I posted a picture of my filthy floor.

Boy I wish I knew photoshop!

Earlier today I posted a new online tutorial.

They are for sale in my etsy shop.

I also listed some kits, but I think there is only 1 left.

I'm working on more tomorrow.

Since it's Halloween I have a treat for you.....I promise, this is the last post about ballet slippers!

Happy Halloween!

Shoes

There's something irresistible about tiny old shoes.

 (photos by my friend, Miss Jodie LeJeune )

I like to line them up,

I like them under glass.

I love to use them in my art.

I love them handmade.

These were 'cobbled' by my precious friend Dawn.

Ever since she sent them to me I've wanted to try my hand at shoe making.

First attempt.

I used a pattern from one of my Japanese Zakka books.

Although they're written in Japanese, the step by step illustrations are easy to follow.

I used an old felted sweater & vintage buckle on  this one.

This little elf shoe is inspired by a vintage pair I own.

I know it's only September but I can't help but look ahead to Christmas.
 It'll be here before you know it!

 Remember my altered ballet slippers?
Well I've restyled them for Christmas.

If you'd like to make a pair, I'll be teaching this class on

 October 28 for Paper Cowgirl.

(information will be on the Paper Cowgirl blog)

If you don't have time to make them, you can buy these
 in my esty shop.

I plan on making more, I'm trying very hard to get my etsy going.

I made the little stars by hand with German glass glitter.

They should age beautifully.

Lily & I got an unexpected package from Denmark last week.

A few weeks ago I saw Dorthe had made this amazing heart for her sweet Mathilde. 

Well I loved it of course, so look at what she sent to us!

These are awesome!

 Dorthe used 2 of my favorite pictures for these hearts.

Lily feels very special when she receives gifts from my friends. Someday when she's older she'll realize how truly blessed she is to have wonderful art made just for her!

Lily chose the pink heart for her room, & the sepia heart now hangs on the memory cabinet in my bedroom.

Dorthe you are such a gifted artist & a true friend.

Thank you!

Believe it or not I am alone in the house today!

Lily & Daddy are on an Indian Princess camp-out & the boys are with their Grandparents.

It's too quiet, I can't concentrate.

Hope you have a great, loud weekend!