One year anniversary!

Wow! I can't believe that today is my one year anniversary of blogging...and my computer is still screwed up!!! UGH!!!! The computer is so screwed up that when you turn it on...it's just a big black screen! Thanks to an awesome computer repair place here in town, we're not going to have to purchase a new CPU, just a recovery disc. But...I have to find time to go by and pick it up. (They are only open during the hours that I have to work!) Hopefully, I'll be back up and running by the first of the year!

Thanks to all of you who have faithfully stayed with me on my first year's journey. I appreciate each and every one of you, whether you are a "follower," "subscriber," or just "happened" up on my little piece of the web-o-sphere.

I have some awesome blog posts planned for 2010. Including one about my awesome Christmas present from the hubby (a Canon 20D DSLR camera), some sweet crafts that I've made (more memory boards, iPod/iPhone carrier, coasters, etc...), the upcoming renovation of our main bathroom, renovation/decoration of my craft room, and planning our daughter's summer trip back to New York City for more modeling and acting auditions. (Speaking of which...she was put on "hold" for a  restaurant commercial on Christmas Eve. This means that she hasn't been cast yet, but that the casting director really liked her during her audition and is very interested in her. Keep your fingers crossed!) Plus many more interesting ideas and crafts.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas (or other Holiday that you celebrate) and that you have a Happy New Year!

Thanks again!
A.Rose

Computer still screwed up…

My home desktop computer is still screwed up. We thought the hubby had fixed it, but no siree! So…I have to use my laptop. The laptop would be great, BUT it runs really slow AND I have NO patience! Oh well…at least I have a computer! I have an awesome Christmas present from the hubby to blog about, plus some sweet gifts from my bff’s, but until we get the desktop up and running, I won’t be able to post pics. Please stick with me. The computer has to come back around soon! If not, I’m going to have to break down and buy a new one. Either way…I’ll have a new computer!!! If I don’t get a chance to get back on here before Christmas, please have a Merry one!!!

Hugs!

Annette

MIA

Good morning,

My computer has been "hijacked" by a virus or something. Hubby is working on it, but it may be a few days before we're back up and running.

Have a good day!

Bowdabra

The other night I did this post regarding my PB knockoff wreath and the fact I used my Bowdabra to make the bow. Less than an hour after posting it, I received a sweet email from Sandy Sandler (inventor of the Bowdabra!) thanking me for mentioning the Bowdabra. I thought it was the sweetest thing. This busy lady, took the time to write me an email. How sweet is that?

I thought I’d post a couple pics of bows I’ve made using my favorite little tool:

This one is on my PB knock off wreath:

Then there’s the one at the top of my Christmas tree:

And then there’s the one on my friend’s memory board. (which she LOVED!) This one was made with regular satin ribbon, no wire.


I have the regular size Bowdabra and the Mini Bowdabra. I used the Mini to make the bow on the memory board and the regular size to make the other two bows. (Hubby bought these for me for Christmas last year! I’ll tell you about this year’s gift in another post…it’s AWESOME!!!)


Of course, I’m made other bows using these two lovely inventions. I just haven’t taken pics of them. I’ll try to post a tute on using it sometime.
If you want to pick one up for yourself, check out http://www.bowdabra.com/. It’s definitely worth the mulah!

Have a great night!

My PB knock off wreath

I'm sure you've seen this wreath all over blogland

But I REALLY love it, so I had to make my own

I purchased a simple wreath at Wal-mart for $2.00 (no, it wasn't on clearance), red and silver balls for $2.50 a pack, and some pretty shimmery silver wired ribbon for $5.00. )I'm sure you could find the ribbon cheaper or use what you have already, but I went ahead and bought it.

I already had the "Sturdy Twists" at home. This is like the twisty ties you get on a loaf of bread, but it's for tomato plants. I bought quite a few packs at the end of the summer...these were on clearance. $1.00 a pack.

All I did was cut a piece of the twisty tie loop it through the ball and twist around a branch. Since I'm using this indoors and in a place that shouldn't be touched until I get ready to take it down, I didn't see the need to glue the balls to the silver thingy you hang them with. It might be a good idea to glue them if you will be using your wreath outside.

I use the silver ribbon to hang the wreath and to make a gorgeous bow. I made the bow with my Bowdabra. (love it!) I can make them by hand, but the Bowdabra makes it so much quicker. They're around $10.00 at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc...

I'm sure you're going to ask about my runner...right? It's burlap! I keep seeing these beautiful runners all over blogland and I have been dying for one of my own. Since I had company coming, I quickly cut a 16" by 6' piece to run the length of my table. I didn't hem it, glue it, or do anything else to it...at least not yet. I intend to stencil the ends and hem the sides, but that's for another post. :)

Then there's my beautiful apothecary jars! Found these at Ross while Christmas shopping for other people. Funny how that works. The balls are just a few leftover from the wreath and the pine cones are presents from my hubby. Every time he goes hunting, he brings a few back. I sure love my little presents! He thinks I'm crazy for wanting to decorate with them. Men?!?!?

I couldn't leave well enough alone...found a couple cinnamon candles at Wal-mart for $1.50 each. The white candles I already had.

Ahhh. I smile every time I walk in the kitchen/dining room.

That's what life is about...right???

Now...to get those other 3 chairs done...maybe sometime in 2010! LOL!

My version of a Pottery Barn Mirror

I love this mirror from Pottery Barn, but can't afford the $699.00 price tag, so I thought I'd make my own...

Starting with an old mirror frame a friend gave me

I primed it

and painted it. As much as I love the black version from Pottery Barn, it just wouldn't work in my home. So, I went with our favorite Antique White (aka Heirloom White)

Put an old mirror in the frame

Hubby duct taped it in to make sure it would stay in place

And hung this bad boy on the wall. Isn't she pretty behind my newly painted table and chairs????

The chairs aren't completely done, but I just couldn't wait to use them.

I've been pretty busy on a few other projects. I'll post those in the next few days. Stay tuned!