Blog Refresh and Etsy/Zazzle/CafePress Valentine Updates

(details from our latest Valentine Inspiration Kit on Etsy)

OK, the Christmas photos have GOT TO GO! My decorations are all put away and have been for a good while, so it's WAY past time to get a new post up for the New Year! (wow, are we really already 4 weeks into it??)

As usual, there is so much going on, which is why I've been away from the blog of late. I wanted to get you caught up on a few things and let you know of some things that are on the horizon...so here goes:

1) Just uploaded some fun, pretty new inspiration kits for Valentine's Day to our Etsy shop, plus there is a new Lace Destash Lot in the shop that is a treasure trove of really pretty laces including some awesome vintage crochet lace trims and SO much more! Lots of crafting inspiration to go around. (as of this writing one of our Valentine kits already sold within 10 minutes of posting!)

(details from the Deep Red Elegant Valentine Inspiration Kit)

(details from the Lace Destash Lot)

2) Did a little background refresh on the blog as you can see - the green stripes and flowers coordinate with the shop banners I have for the Etsy shop as well as my Zazzle shop. The next thing I am going to tackle is my portfolio site at http://beckyschultea.com - it is in dire need of a makeover. My goal is to have all my websites to look as much alike as possible so it is as seamless as possible to go from one to the other...

3) Speaking of my Zazzle shop (as well as my CafePress shop too) - I have been working to add more new content to all the shops, but it can be slow going at times. But if you haven't taken a look at any of the shops for a while, there are some nice new inspirational items there that are perfect for gift giving, especially with Valentine's Day fast approaching:

Valentine Notecard Set - $11.99

"She is clothed with strength & Dignity..." Mug - $16.95

4) Alas, I am closing down my Aimee Asher Digital Boutique as of the end of January. I have had such a wonderful time being a shopkeeper there, but I have not been able to keep the shop stocked with new digi kits because of the demands of my art licensing work as well as my job as a painting instructor. The good news is that every kit in my shop is 50% off through the end of the month, so if you've ever wanted to try one of the clip art kits, now is the time!!

(Valentine Variety Pack Clip Art Kit)

Thanks so much for hanging in there with me though all the ebbs and flows, and ups and downs of the life of a freelance artist (and part time home decorator). I love sharing with you and hearing about your life's journey too...  

Have a lovely, peaceful weekend!  Gotta go get ready for teaching a painting class this evening - wish you could all come - oh the fun we would have!!

Touches of Christmas at our Woodland Cottage

Although Christmas Day has past, the lights are still twinkling and the warmth of family togetherness still lingers in our Woodland Cottage. Here are a few of the touches of Christmas from our home...

From the entry...

Dresser in entry...

Our tree...

The fireplace...

From the dining room...

 Our dining room...

Our beloved Maddie...

The Reason for the Season...

I hope your Christmas was full of joyous celebration and peaceful reflection...

Looking forward to the New Year - thanks as always for sharing a bit of the journey with me!

Hugs & Blessings from our cottage to yours!!

A Christmas "Crafternoon" with Family!

We finally did it - the girls in my family that live here in the Houston area have been talking about doing a crafting afternoon (or "crafternoon" as we call it) at my house for a long time now, and this past Sunday afternoon we did just that!  I gathered a lot of my fabric and trim stash as well as a few goodies...

...and we got busy crafting...

We made cute Christmas tags using regular shipping tags, fabrics, trims, buttons, yo yos, pom poms, and assorted Christmas trinkets and baubles. Mom and I made these for inspiration...

...and here's what everyone made...

Super Cute!!  

My cousins, niece, Aunt, and 2 sisters-in-law and Mom and I had a blast - we're already looking forward to the next crafternoon...wonder what we'll make then??!!

I will try to put together a little easy tutorial on some of these tags I made - they were really easy...and fun!

Oh, and one additional nice benefit from having everyone over to my house - it lights a fire under me to finish certain decorating projects!  (is anyone else like that??)  Here are a few shots of my almost finished dining room...

Finally finished the repurposed desk hutch - sweet hubby added the "quilt rack" at the bottom of the orphaned hutch using a closet rod and holders from Home Depot and I trimmed the cutter quilt down to fit on the rack...

(oops, still need to paint over the screws on the back)

I LOVE the way the hutch turned out! One of the reasons I wanted a hutch/shelves like this instead of the traditional hutch I already have with a normal base is that this one allows so much more space for chairs on the back side if the table. When I had the full hutch there before, it was very hard to sit on that side of the table without knocking into to hutch...

It was also great to gather all my favorite china and pretties together to fill the shelves of the hutch as well as the newly painted corner shelves (salvaged from an old entertainment center I once had)...

I love it when it all starts to come together! It's turned into a happy room and a great gathering spot!

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Hope you guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I have so very much to be thankful for, and your friendship is very high on the list!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." 

Philippians 1:3