Welcome 2010!

I unfortunately had a rough 2009-a lot of stress, illness (including H1N1)-but I'm up and running again.

I'm looking forward to focusing on my craft this year. There will be new postings shortly including many mini-scrapbooks with my own personal twist, hand-made wood letters decorated for a wide variety of occasions, and new card designs.

Hope to see you back here soon!

The holidays are upon us, and I for one love all the tiny white lights. I'm always looking for new places to use them. Last year, I took an old glass water bottle (quite large, actually) and filled it with lights. I tied a ribbon around the top and set it on my front porch. It looked so pretty. This year, I've been focused on glass blocks. They are all 6x6x3" and have a hand-drilled hole to accommodate the lights. After filling the block with lights, then I start decorating. I tie each one with a beautiful ribbon just as if I'm wrapping a present. On the top, I add a hand-tied bow with streamers and other embellishments such as berries, pine, pine cones, glittered eucalyptus, ornaments and a myriad of other accents. After careful examination, I double check the lights and make sure that the block looks just as beautiful with the lights turned off as it does with the lights on. There are so many different color combinations available, too. Four of them are shown here: the top left block is decorated in blue and silver. The next block has red, green, and gold plaid ribbon and is accented with pine, bits of red, and gold berries. The middle one on the bottom is decorated with a beautiful burgundy ribbon with small dots of gold and is trimmed in gold. It is accented with burgundy embellishments and gold pine cones. The bottom right example is tied with a sheer ivory ribbon decorated with an ivy pattern and gold. Small bits of pine, red embellishments, and red berries complete the design. This by no means covers the gamut of color combinations, designs, and decorations. I'd be happy to make a block just for you in whatever colors you choose. Last year I made them for my daughters-one with hot pink accents and one with turquoise. I also make them to use year round. They are beautiful sitting on a table, kitchen counter, or in the bathroom as a night light. Feel free to let me know what you'd like! I'm all ready to be creative on your behalf!