Re-purposed Antique Silver Trays***Chalkboards!

I absolutely love the various shades of rich aged patina on a silver tray, bowl or plate.  Recently I scored some gorgeous old plates/chargers at an antique store and decided to cover the center with chalkboard paper to put the plate to it's new use.  Perfect to hang in an office, on the family fridg, or any place that you need a special way to remind yourself of dates and details.  It makes remembering so much more fun!!

*~*~ It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas~*~*

Some of my indoor decorations this year.  A few keep repeating them selves year after year... because I like them so much.  Other's fall by the wayside to make room for new inspirations.    Now if it would only snow a little so our outdoor decorations would look more festive!!

~~Winter White Christmas Stockings~~

It seems white stockings for Christmas are the thing this year.....I've sold several already, and plan on making up some more this weekend.  I especially love the ones with nature themes on them, and those seem to sell the best, too.  Making them gives me an excuse to dig into my drawer of old white buttons, my yards (or miles) of antique lace and to sort through old rhinestone pins and fancy things.  The added plus is it gives me an excuse to buy even more of those things I absolutely love creating with!  What have you been busily creating for the holidays?

Natural Stone Coasters~~Great Hostess Gift Idea!~~

I've been frantically stamping up coasters for my Etsy shop, getting ready for the Christmas season.  Coasters have always been a good seller for me, and I fell in love with these stamps, thinking what great hostess gifts they would make.  Vintage style lace,  paisley and Damask just to name a few.  More on the way!

One Talented Artist!

This woman/artist/friend has been a part of my life for over 20 years.  Through thick and thin of life's up's and down's our friendship has endured.  We have an endless amount of things in common;  Our oldest daughters, now 27 years old, grew up together and they both shared a great love of their horses and showing them competitively.  Our son's, both 24 now, started preschool together at the age of 3 and  found that a mutual love of John Wayne movies was enough to build a friendship on at any age.  We both are obsessed about animals and nature.  Antiques are a huge love for the both of us.  Interior decorating is a large part of our lives.  And creating is a passion that we spend a multitude of hours talking about and comparing notes on. This friend's name is Amy Amthor, and recently she opened up her own Etsy shop called AKA Decorative Art.  This shop showcases her talent for painting and creating one of a kind pieces that reflect her respect of nature. She sells both original works and prints from her originals and will have more to share in the upcoming weeks. I am thrilled about her endeavor, and wish her many years of success and enjoyment in getting to know other online artists as I have, and also wish her many sales from customers who are  in awe of her talent as much as I am!  Here are a few of my favorite things in her shop.  Please visit to find your own favorites~!~

~*~Ghosts and Goblins~*~

Halloween is my favorite time to decorate.  It's never too early in my opinion.  And in our household, traditionally the night we carve pumpkins, is the fist time we listen  to Chrismtas music.  How crazy is that!?! But that won't be for a few weeks. For now I am just enjoying some of my new and vintage Halloween pieces.

~Everything Halloween~

Lots and lots of listing going on my my shop these days~! As usual I am always looking ahead (sometimes by months) to the next holiday!  Halloween creations are my favorite to make and here is just a sampling of what's "in store" for this year.