Deck The Halls Sunday-Christmas is Coming Soon!

Hello All!

Welcome to Deck The Halls Sunday
where we take a moment to share our holiday
decorating and gifting crafts.
I have been working on creating more Jane
ornaments and have been having so much fun.
I wish I had time to photograph each one and
show everything,
but I will just have to share what I can. 

I created this ornament by using two glass prisms.

You could use two glass slides as well.

I used this stamped image of Jane that I purchased in the gift shop

at Jane's home in Chawton, England. 

But you could also google, "cameo of Jane Austen" and 

there should be one or two to choose from.

The loop at the top has short tails secured between the two
pieces of glass, and the tail of the bead dangle
is also tucked between the images and glass.
The bow is added last.

The glass is held together around the edges with
silver stickles. Which is a glitter glue product.
I used just enough around the edge to seal it,
not enough to seep in onto the images.

I adhered the bow with a little Diamond Glaze.
(which I also used to adhere the snowy glitter).
You can try white glue, just water down about
15% and see if it doesn't show through too much.
 Maybe try a test spot first.

I chose a statement from Jane about the holidays
to put on the back.
Then I sugared the sides and it sparkles nicely!

Here is a miniature paper version of a townhome
that looks like the one Jane lived in
for a few years with her family.

You can still walk by the home they rented in Bath
It is down the street from the Jane Austen center
and is now a dental surgery.

I bought this paper kit for it from the
gift shop at Jane's house in Chawton.
I have searched the internet and
not found any recently.

 (this is how it looked, but no manufacturer's
name anywhere)

The kit house was much larger, so I
reduced the size and reprinted.
I sugared it up as well as put some stickles on the windows
and doors for wreath and boughs.

Next up was wrapping paper!
I decided to print out some of Jane's writings in the "Jane Austen" font
(which I downloaded from a free font site online)
and printed it out on paper to wrap gifts with.

I used the cameo stamp again from the gift shop to do the tags.
You can see beneath the gifts the ruffled tree skirt I made out of batten.
I do love the soft look of it.
If you can not find this stamp anymore,
you can use a cameo image of Jane from online images.
Search Jane Austen cameo images.

There is also a Jane Austen stamp set at Oxford Impressions
 http://www.austengallery.com/stamp-plates/jane-austen
There is a cameo stamp in this set.

I tucked a small white quill under the ribbon on this gift...since Jane wrote with a quill
(though  as fluffy as this one, lol)
I thought it might be a nice touch.

Here I am in Jane's dining room, and there in front of me is the table she wrote at and a quill.
I get goosebumps just seeing this image again! I am a silly goose!

Next Sunday....Christmas!...I will show off the entire tree!

Now below is my next giveaway prize in my 
Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza!
Yay!

A pair of French inspired earrings!

If you would like to enter to win, just be a follower and leave a comment saying you would like to enter, just so I know. Not everyone wears earrings or likes "French" styled items.

If you would like to enter to win my other prize...a Vintage Illustrations CD from Crafty Secrets, just click on here, and you will be taken to that post.

I love to host giveaways.... it is just a small way I can give back to you all for your kindness and encouragement in my creative life. I appreciate all your visits and comments. I also love to pop over and see what you are up to as well. Thank you so much for your friendship!

If you would like to join in Deck The Halls Sunday (this is our last one for this year) then just share something you have made or decorated for the holidays, and link up below with Linky Tools.

Hugs to you all!
Terri

Tea Cup Tuesday-Winter Blue

Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday Everyone!

Today I am sharing a new cup that truly delights me! I think I might have swooned when I saw it sitting on the shelf at the antique shop. It isn't the normal Christmas cup. But to me, it's coloring and design says "Winter"!

This blue is my all time favorite color.
And the photo does capture it true.
It is a wintry blue, and along with the white, it really suits the season.

The flowers inside and outside the cup speak of summer,
but the rest of the cup with it's golden swirls and dots look like winter winds and snow.

This cup has such an elegant handle, and it is very comfortable to hold.
I have some cups that I love the look of, but the handle is tricky.

I feel very fortunate to have found this cup, this color, this style and design.

Believe it or not, I found several more the same week,

and I am excited to share them with you soon.

The coloring in this photo is just a bit too blue,
but you can see the gorgeous pattern on the plate.
Have you already guessed the maker?

Paragon!
This is my favorite company!
I have shared about it many times in the past.
It opened in 1919 and it continued until 1960, when it went through ownership changes and now is a part of Royal Doulton. Wikipedia has a good article on this company, it is so convoluted!
It was originally part of the Star China Company, a well known organization begun by an Anysley (the same as the china company). It does seem like many china companies were bought up or merged with many of the same larger companies. So it gets quite confusing.

Thank you all so much for stopping by today!
I know we are all really busy preparing for the holiday.
If you would like to join in, just create a post about your tea cup, then come back here and link up your post below. Martha and I are really enjoying visiting all of you each week!


I have just begun a new Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza!
Go HERE to post a comment to enter.

You need only be a follower to enter. Make sure you leave a way to reach you.
And remember, I have some great free videos on my side bar for holiday banners, and how to bleach and dye bottle brush trees for your holiday decorations.

Deck The Halls Sunday-More Ornaments!

Hello All!

I have been enjoying creating my Jane Austen tree.
The ornaments are coming along.
Some are simple, and some are more work, but all fun!
This week I have made three more styles.
Here are two of them...

Jane's cup!
When I was visiting her home in Chawton, England,
I was lucky enough to get a picture of one of the tea cups from their family's dining room.

I used the image to create this cup ornament

 I created this page to cut out,
the dark edges helps to see
where to cut.
You can try to right click on it
and save.

By printing out a picture of it.
I used some Stickles to glitter it up.
It is lovely and glittery!

 I backed the paper cup with some
writing from a letter of Jane's.
Then just added a little ribbon.

This is the image I used to
print off some paper for the backing.

I did think of adorning it with some holly,
or a Christmas rose and some lace,
but I really did not want to obscure what the Austen's china looked like.

Here is an ornament showing Jane's childhood home at the Steventon Parsonage.

I really enjoyed making this one.

I used a rectangular piece of cardstock about 3x5
and glittered the outer 1'' of edge.
Then I printed out the image and
used pinking shears to edge sides.
Then glued it to the cardstock
Then I glued on some lace,
a paper snowflake,
paper boughs,
button....

Here are two sizes you can try to
right click and save image...

The top one is the tinted one,
I altered in Photoshop.
The one below is the larger file,
and it has not been altered.

And you can find another one in
an earlier post...HERE

There are many images on the internet
of Jane's homes.
(I confess I do not know if these
images are royalty free or not.
This is something I must figure out.)

Two hole punches to the outer corners
allows ribbon to be threade though
for a nice loop to hang by.

Many of you may be wondering why I would do a Jane tree...
It is because of the joy I have received reading her work,

looking at society and life through her eyes,
that motivated me to honor her with this tree.

She is/was such an amazing story teller!
As I am someone who loves to write stories,
I am so very impressed with her writings and
her bravery  for a woman of her time.

She is one of my mentors.

I am really enjoying coming and seeing your holiday craetions!
Thank you everyone who has joined in each week
 If you would like to share in Deck The Halls Sunday,
just link up below to your post about something
you have created either for decoration or gifting.

Don't forget to check out all the free videos on my right side bar.
Also, my Altered Domino Book class is going beautifully.
The books participants are making are awesome!
This class would be a fabulous gift to a family member,
friend or even yourself! 

And don't forget about my...

Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza! 

Click here to enter to win the first prize of the season. 

Keep watching as I am posting new prizes soon!

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Hugs,

Terri

New Shoes for Christmas and a Giveaway!

Hello All,

I have had a great day of crafting in my art room. I have a few more Jane Austen ornaments done and will show them tomorrow night at Deck The Halls Sunday blog hop hosted here at Artful Affirmations.

Today I wanted to share with you a Christmas gift idea. How about a Shoe and maybe a purse too,

for your artsy friend made by you? This pair is for a friend of mine.

Crafty Secrets has a new CD out called Creating With Vintage Illustrations. I has over 200 illustrations and all kinds of  high quality papers. I created this shoe and purse from a divine pattern you can print off from this CD! Wow! I am totally in love with this paper and would love to paper a room with it! The purse pattern is also on this CD.

I have a free video tutorial on my sidebar on how to create this shoe.

It is perfect for tucking in little goodies, like vintage laces, ribbons and fibers....or any small gift.

The purse was designed by Cindy, and is easy and fun to create.

You could use it as a gift card holder, or for small photographs, or a letter, poem, or $$$!

Crafty Secrets asked if they could put my Elegant Shoe template on this CD and I said yes. They kindly sent me the CD and more to give away! Yay for you! So today I am beginning my

Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza starting off with this fabulous CD!!!

 

Creating with Vintage Illustrations CD #2

Click on the link in the image above to go directly to the shoppe.

I love creating these little shoes! It is so fun to choose a colorways and to add little touches.

I love receiving hand made gifts from my friends and family. They are so special to me.

Creative Secrets added this gorgeous heel! Didn't they do a fabulous design job on it?

Just an idea. I am working on several Christmas gifts right now too.

How is your Holiday gift crafting coming along?

If you would like to win this fantastic CD just leave a comment and how to reach you. 

I will be posting more giveaway items for my Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza!

Hugs,

Terri

Tea Cup Tuesday-It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Hello All!

I am home now from my travels.

Visiting my family was wonderful, and seeing and holding my grandson was the best! 

Now, it is time for Tea Cup Tuesday once again!

When I first saw this cup, I wasn't sure if I liked it....It has very unusual coloring and design, at least to me.

The coloring is actually a little more yellow green than this, a really gorgeous color.

Footed, and simply adorned with one thin gold line just the they have defined the waist.

The elegant handle is highlighted with gold.

I would call this handles shape a modified Kidney shape, with a prominent thumb spur.

There is one single pink rose in the bottom of the cup.

The plate and cup edges sweetly scalloped and trimmed with gold.

The design is very interesting to me. Have any of you seen this type of style before?

This backstamp was difficult to read, but I think it says "Royal Bayreuth".

Bavaria, Germany US Zone. This cup was manufactured during World War 2. 

This company began in 1794 and was highly prized for it's designs by the Victorians. It's backstamp includes the Royal Coat of arms of Bavaria.

Christmas is fast approaching, and I am back in my art room working like an elf : )

I enjoy so much creating little gifts and cards.

My Jane Austen tree is coming along and I will share it again for Deck The Halls Sunday.

Thank you so much for coming by to visit today. I love having you over!

If you would like to join in and share one of your Tea Cups, just sign in with Linky Tools below.

Hugs,

Terri

Deck The Halls Sunday!

Hello All!

Welcome to my festive blog hop to share out holiday

decorations and gifts made by hand and heart.

I have been away over a week to visit my family,

and new grandson.I was lucky enough to also have time to create

this little stocking for my Jane Austen tree.

At the moment it is filled with vintage sheet music and text

with text from some of Jane's own stories.

I used felt for the main stocking, some vintage lace,
ribbon and trim as well as a vintage rhinestone to make it.
I used embroidery floss to sew a blanket stitch around the stocking.
Then I sugared it up with some Martha Stewart's glitters. Oh how I love glitter!

I do so love creating gifts and decorations myself. As I am doing this post, my sister is working on a gorgeous necklace. It is like the North Pole here with us crafting away!

What are you creating for the holidays?

If you would like to join in Deck The Halls Sunday and share what you are creating for the holiday, just join in with Linky tools below and I will come and visit you. 

Hugs,

Terri

Sharing the News

 *Hello!*

Introducing my sweet little grandson......

He is the sweetest little guy, and such a thinker! 

He is tired from all of Grandma's kisses!

I have loved every minute with him, and look forward to more tomorrow!

I also met a new friend, well not really. We met in blogland a couple years ago, and just met in person this week. I have admired Nancy Maxwell James ever since I first saw her art. She is an amazing creator and a sweet, kind and loving friend. I had a really wonderful time visiting at her beautiful home.

She shared with me the vintage style ornaments she is creating for the 12 Days Of Whimsy she is hosting at her gorgeous blog Sugar Lump Studios.   

Each day starting today, she is sharing a Christmas ornament that you can follow her instructions and create yourself. By the time you finish the 12 Days you will have a tree full of gorgeous handmade decorations. She has really inspired me with some more ideas for my Jane Austen tree. Nancy is sharing this for free!

When I return home from this trip I am continuing my Christmas tree decorations and working on homemade gifts for the holidays. What are you up to this week?

Hugs,

Terri