Display Idea

Hi and welcome! Hope you've been well. I'm slowly recovering from a nasty cold, and am worn out from coughing. Anyway, I wanted to share with you some things I've been working on. Oh and the couch is kinda messed up because my dogs were on it. :)
I love the style of Swedish decor, and noticed they have loads of hooks with knick knacks hanging on them. I thought some of my favorite pieces would look cool that way.
So I bought a coat rack and lightly sanded the edges to give it a worn feel. Then I added these pretties to it: a lovely cone from Rosemary, an ornament made from an image from the Graphics Fairy, a rosemary wreath compliments of the garden, and another ornament of Paris.
I like the fact that you can mix and match, and change things around according to the season. Believe it or not I've already started making some ornaments for Halloween. :)

I added a few rhinestones to the glass of the crown. I girl can't have too much bling! Well, hoping you have a wonderful rest of the week. I won't be at Palm Springs tonight, but plan on going next week.

Take care, and thanks for stopping by,

~Martha

Alice Winner, Chocolate, Cones

The winner of my last blog Alice in Wonderland Giveaway is Maria of Garden Path Beads. Congratulations Maria! Thanks to everyone who entered, and I'll be having more giveaways, so stay tuned. The ornament is also for sale over at my website.
Here is my mantel, and it's newly decorated with Rosemary's beautiful paper cones.
I think they're so pretty, thank you Rosemary!
This is a geranium that smells just like chocolate. It's growing like crazy now because of all the rain we've had in CA.
I hope you have a wonderful day, and great weekend!

Take care,

Martha

Ornaments & Crowns

Welcome! I've been a busy Betty filling orders, and I'm sure as the holidays approach you have been too. I was fortunate enough to take a class from Sally Jean last week. She finally offered one close to where I live, in San Diego. It was great fun, and we made Christmas ornaments. Some shaped as stockings, others beveled, and house shaped like the ones I made above. Over the years, I've made fewer and fewer large ornaments, and have made them teeny tiny, so it was fun to make some big ones. for a change.
I love this verse "do not forget to welcome strangers. By doing that some people have welcomed angels without knowing it." I dusted the bee, flower and bird with crystal clear glitter.
My friend Rosemary was kind enough to make this teeny weeny crown for my wooden sandpiper. I think she looks gorgeous in it!
The crown is only about an inch in diameter, and made with delicate seam binding, and a tiny rhinestone. I just love how it came out. Perfect color for a sandpiper, don't you think? Thank you Rosemary!
Thinking ahead to Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for all the fun I have creating, and the amazing and wonderful ladies I've been blessed to meet along the way!

Take care,

Martha

Featured Artist

Hi there, and thanks for stopping by. Can you believe it's already September? Well I wanted to thank Amber over at The Shabbee Chick Designs for featuring me on her website today. She has several artists featured, including my friend Rosemary. Go over and check out her site here. Let me know what you think. Well school starts for my kids tomorrow, including my youngest who's starting high school. Very exciting but scary times. Have a wonderful day. :)

Martha

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!  Thanks for all the kind comments on my birthday.  And speaking of that, Miss Molly you're the winner of my giveaway!  Let me know if you'd still like the letter "M" or would like to choose another.  Oh by the way the live production of The Grinch was so much fun.  Balboa Park was sparkling with lights, and we had a great time even though it was pouring rain.  And if you ever go, eat at the Prado and order the swordfish, it is yummy.
Here are some views of my Christmas tree.  Since we don't get snow here in sunny San Diego, I got one that came snowy-fied.  I just bought this cute ornament from Pam Garrison.
Here's a pretty paper ornament I bought at Garden Memories last year, to put on the top of my tiny feather tree.

This sweet little girl came from Pretty Petals.  I think she looks so cute.

Some vintage ornaments in a glass cloche I bought at Target.

Another purchase from Pretty Petals.

A beautiful cone made by my friend Rosemary.

A little angel I made one year out of an old quilt.

Another view of Rosemary's cone.

Thanks so very much to all the customers who so graciously purchased from me over the last year.  My business is growing quickly, and I'm very thankful!  Wishing you peace, health and joy in the coming year.  

Take care,

Martha

XOXO

Goodies I Bought & So Can You!

Hi and thanks for stopping by!  Looky what I have found lately.  Amazing goodies from some talented ladies.  Above is my living room mantel, and I've been decorating it with Halloween boxes, masks and witches hats from Roses Petite Maison.  Rosemary makes the prettiest glittery creations.   
I also just purchased this beautiful Halloween sign from Madai of Forget Me Nots from Wren Cottage.  She makes incredible glittery signs, including this Halloween sign.   Madai also has an Etsy shop to check out.Madai's glittery black Halloween sign is especially pretty under low light.  
Here is a closer view of Rosemary's mask.  
..and some of her boxes too.
My Halloween decorating is starting early, but it's so fun to enjoy it out a bit longer.
Here is a gorgeous dream sign I also purchased from Madai.
I wear these earrings almost every day!  Jeni from Eclectic J. Designs created them.  They are so unique and very light weight.  You can check out her website here.  Thank you to these talented ladies for their gorgeous creations.  I really appreciate them!

Take care,

Martha