Here's to 2011..and some artistic resolutions!

Caleb's hand ornament.

I am itching to get a clean slate. To make some lists and start over new! This time of year it is like a fever hits and I want to get organized. I want my home to look like a picture out of that catalog. Oh wait! I have a one year old, two dogs, a new cat and a husband ( not in order of importance I might add!) And of course a ZILLION ideas to get started on. To make, to create! I am excited what the year will bring. And since I am lagging WAY behind, I thought I would post this super easy and fun piece to make with a family. And yes, that ETSY store will be coming soon. I just pulled out all my originals because I am going to have to part with some things. I can not hang art on every square inch of space of the wall as much as I would like to.

Hand print ornaments:

Supplies:

4 pack of clear glass balls ( Michaels)

1 spool of ribbon any color

White paint pen fine tip

Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint

Foam paintbrush 1 inch

Directions:

Since Caleb was 11 months old and he would rather put his hand covered in the green paint anywhere but the ornament, I enlisted Nathan's help. Do not sweat it if it does not come out perfect. That is the beauty of it. Use a heavy coat of paint on the hand and stick it on. Any mistakes come off with nail polish remover. After it dries use the white paint pen to design some snowflakes around the hand. I also put the date on the front and the person's name on the back. For example, To: Grandpa and Grandma From: Caleb. It dries quick.

ETSY store will open in 2011

Due to the large amount of orders I have received this fall and winter, I have decided to delay opening an online venture until 2011! If you have something specific you need made, please contact me at jvonderf@comcast.net. Thanks!

Just in time for Christmas! My favorite artist from Nebraska...Cody Foster.

Image from Cody Foster and Company

Image from Cody Foster and Company

Image from Cody Foster and Company

Image from Cody Foster and Company

Our mantel.

More mantel.

Since I just recently spent a week doing the family tour in Nebraska, I thought I would write about Cody Foster. He is a native of a Valentine, Nebraska, a small town in a very pretty part of Nebraska. Valentine is immediately north of the Niobrara River, on the northern edge of the Sandhills physiographic region. We actually canoed the Niobrara a couple years ago and loved it.

The store, Backporch Company and Friends is still there on main street Valentine and is absolutely adorable. His grandmother runs it! Cody Foster still keeps his entire company based out Valentine as well, which is wonderful for the economy. He started designing in high school with his grandmother, Isa Foster making Christmas ornaments. When we stopped in his sweet little store, it gave me shivers. The houses are incredible he designs and my mantle is my display for them. For more information on Cody Foster, click here. To buy Cody Foster in Knoxville, check out Michael Peters Home in Bearden.

Here are a few pictures of his designs that might inspire you for the holidays! What's your favorite holiday decoration?

Country Living Fair 2010 Stone Mountain, Georgia and Southern Living Idea House Senoia, Georiga

Southern Living Idea House 2010 Senoia, Georgia

Note the Christmas subway art.

Room at idea house. I like how they used the ceiling.

Earth Angels Art display

Some cool upholstery.

Close up junk market style places setting by Gorilla Glue.

Salvaged door knob used as a vase!

Table setting junk market style by Gorilla Glue.

Note the candleholder- all made from piping at Lowes.

Great idea by Rustoleum paint- Funkin pumpkin with chalkboard paint.

Good use for clearance pumpkins.

Gorgeous display of pumpkins at entrance. So festive.

The Country Living Fair was everything I thought it would be and more! There were so many cool vendors and sponsors at this event. Next year I think I will be a little more prepared with some definite things I have in mind for my house because it can get a little overwhelming with all the fabulous choices there are. I think my favorite purchase was a linen pillow for my antique library chair that has a ruler screen printed on it. It worked out perfect! I also got to shop from Jenni Bowlin's tent, a favorite scrapbook supplier and stocked up on some bingo cards. I got some great ideas at the Gorilla Glue tent on junk market style and some super paint ideas from Rustoleum. I was super excited about how to refinish some antique knobs with Rustoleum and came away with a great freebie from them as well that makes spray painting easier.

We also toured two great homes while we were in the area, The Southern Living Idea House in Senoia, Georgia and one of the new green houses designed by Country Living manufactured by New World Home. Now I will not claim I am interior designer or decorator, but it made me get excited about interiors when I saw the Idea House! I am also amazed at the Country Living house that is complete in 60 days and custom built. Beautiful and eco friendly. Senoia is so quaint and cute. We browsed a couple antique stores there and then ate lunch at the Redneck Gourmet down a couple feet from a scene from "Fried Green Tomatoes".

I could write a book about our wonderful trip and post a bunch of pictures of the fun we had!

Cool links:

Country Living Eco house 2010

Southern Living Idea House 2010

Rustoleum Paint Cabinet Hardware

Dresden Paper and Tinsel Trading Company

Wendy Addison Emporium Christmas Card Kit

Vintage Scrap

Rosemary Warren Collection Crown

Dresden Paper

Tinsel Trading Co. Store Window

I have been so busy finishing up the last touches on my Halloween projects, making some cards and working on current orders I have gotten behind on some posting! I have to share a new love of mine, Dresden paper and a great source for finding some wonderful little things for anything you are up to crafting these days.

First, Dresden Paper. Dresden trims are embossed, die-cut paper embellishments which are stamped from foil-backed paper or cardboard that were originally produced in Germany since the early 19th century. Most people would be familiar with a Dresden star. They are a great addition to scrapbooks and mixed media projects. And a cool source for Dresden paper is Tinsel Trading Company of New York City.

Tinsel Trading Company is located in the garment district in NYC. A neat little place, full of ribbons, trims, buttons, flowers, etc. They were selling Cody Foster at the time I was there a couple years ago. Customer service is not their speciality, but they do have some pretty things! And now they have a website...full of pretty things. Now I can shop in my pajamas without going to NYC! To check out Tinsel Trading Company, click here.

All photos Tinsel Trading Co.

Country Living Festival 2010 Video

Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain, Georgia

Jennifer Murphy Pom pom chicks. I want them all!

This is a beautiful piece of jewelery!

"She is the Party Starter" mixed media by Bonnie Taylor Talbot

The Country Living Fair is coming South for the first time! And I am so lucky to be able to go! I can't wait to see all the artists and go to the workshops. The Country Living festival is ..."a fun, folksy and fabulous Show & Sale of Folk Art, Antiques, "Made in America" Crafts, Art, Furniture, Home Decor & More. Meet the editors of Country Living Magazine. Plus Seminars & How-to's, Artisan Demonstrations, Harvest & Gourmet Market, Childrens' Activities & Fall Festivities. " Earth Angels will be there with several of their featured artists. I hope to do a lot of my Christmas shopping and find a few things for me too. Check out the link and the video. I am sure you will want to make this a must on your fall festivals to see! For information, click here!