It's a Wrap!

I cannot believe that this year is coming to an end. 2010 has been quite the roller coaster ride. Wishing everyone a blessed New Year, I cannot wait to see what 2011 brings! Here are some images from Homelife to "wrap" up the year! Many Blessings xo

O Christmas Tree

Really are these not the cutest? My crafty friend, Bridget, sent me this link and I just had to share it...You can download all the instructions to make your own felted tree right here at Purl.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I have been trimming the tree, decorating the house and feeling like a little elf. I love this time of the year, it truly is magical. Thought I would share a few "vintage" inspired photos of my home. Merry Everything! 

A sneak peak- Wisma!

Wanted to give you a sneak peak of Wisma, a new gourmet grocery store. It opens on December 13th! Located in Lake Bluff this market promises to "change the way you eat at home," with all home-made, seasonal items, including rustic soups and salads, sandwiches, pasta, main courses and fresh local breads. The store was built using 100% reclaimed and recycled materials, from the seating areas to the fridges that house our amazing cuisine, all is re-used.  The utensils and bags are made from renewable or recycled contents. A cozy home setting makes this space fabulous! Kuddos to Bob an Jenny who worked on the design concept.

A classic twist

There is nothing like a warm cup of tea, a cozy spot and a Jane Austen book. I love that Mr. Darcy! I was so excited when I saw these classics with the beautiful updated covers by Coralie Bickford-Smith. Wouldn't they make such a lovely Christmas gift? hint hint! available here

The Dolphin Studio

 The Dolphin Studio is a family run business in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The make the most amazing silkscreened calendars. Creating a limited supply every year they truly are a treasured gift.  Cannot wait to get my 2011 Calendar!

Gift toppers

So cute! Found these little acorn toppers and the DIY instructions on the Free People blog. Love the idea of using them on gifts this holiday season. So excited to wrap my gifts this year and have some handmade treasures to add. 

Here are there simple instructions for making these:

1. collect a bunch of acorns and remove the caps.
2. get wool for felting in various colors at your local craft store
3. roll the wool into small balls, wet with hot water and add a little bit of soap. continue rolling the ball in your hands for about ten minutes, occasionally adding soap, until it is firm. mold into the shape of an acorn and glue into the cap using fabric glue or even krazy glue or guerilla glue.

Aqua Pop

I love this kitchen with the pops of aqua blue...Such a happy space!

These are few of my favorite things!

Such happy little treasures! I snapped a few pictures of these little things at a local Holiday Bazaar. They were all created by local artist, Jenny Sweeney. Don't you just want to put one of those picks on top of a cupcake? Speaking of favorite things and cupcakes, today is my dear friend Susie's birthday (a BIG birthday) so it seems appropriate that today's post should be about favorite things and people! Thank you for your love and friendship...Mw-ah!

It's being to look a lot like Christmas!

So happy to be decorating the house for Christmas. I love this time of year it really is the most wonderful. Found some fabulous inspirational photos from dottie angel and bugs and fishes. I really love the whole Swedish style Christmas decorations. Happy Decorating!

Tis the season

Starting the Christmas decorating yesterday. We got our tree which is always a huge ordeal but somehow this year it wasn't.  A beautiful 7' Fraiser Fir, it smells heavenly. I love bringing up all the boxes from the basement and saying "hi" to old ornament friends. My house will be in complete disaster mode for awhile. I will have to post the finished decorating pictures! Tis the season...

Cody Foster

Everything Cody Foster does turns to magic! Really it does! He has such an amazing talented eye for recreating those magical childhood moments from Christmas' past. I just love his mix of whimsy and glitter. I never met a guy who likes glitter more than I do..but he takes the cake and then some. I know that Halloween just ended and I am already pushing the tinsel season but I have good reason...Get to your favorite stores early and search out the Cody Foster goods. Trust me you will not be disappointed. 

Texture texture texture!

Loving the texture and colors from these fabulous photos of 101 woonideeën house. Have been talking with some people lately about how adding texture to a room adds another dimension. So fun!

October Artfest!

Stop by for a fun filled evening with some fabulous local artists! Hope to see you there!

Totally inspired!

I am so inspired by these recovered chairs. I love all the textures and colors!

I started working on my own little version...so fun!

Happy Kid Spaces

Love these happy kid spaces! 

Ikea!

Love these fabulously styled rooms for Ikea. Crazy!!! I think it is all about the architecture and a great stylist!

Little Shrines of Inspiration

 It was such a hilarious crafting night creating these little shrines of inspiration. We had too much fun laughing and making these one of a kind creations. With some friends in town from Arkansas it was sure to be a memorable evening. Images of our little shrines, the messy table, Jill Sweeney's artwork, and more little shrines.