Happy New Year!

Hello, 2017!  Glad to meet you!  I'm hoping that this year brings more good health, wealth, and happiness!  So far, it has been busy here at the 3 Peas homestead.  Little Sugar, above, loved all the glitz of the holidays.  It was all so special having all the family here.  This little munchkin,

Addyson Jo, named for my late daughter Brandi Jo, is five years old.  She climbed on my lap and gave me a hug and said enthusiastically, "I love you, my Squishy Grandma!)  The room was instantly silent until I burst out laughing.  Now, thanks to Addyson, I have joined Weight Watchers to see what I can do about that squishiness.......lol.  So if I seem a bit cranky......

After New Years, hubs and I were both hit with a horrible sickness, his going in to pneumonia.  We are both feeling much better now.  I did manage to hit some after Christmas sales though, finding some great buys on some craft merchandise.  I purchased a bunch of these angel ornament blanks.

 I used to shy away from these kind of ornies, but with the great price I got ($.40 for 6), I wanted to give it a shot.  You do not have to be a talented decorative painter to do this!  First I painted the head and feet with a flesh tone acrylic paint.  All of the rest I painted white.  You may need to do a couple of coats of the white to cover up the black lettering stamped on the back.

You will want to paint both the front and the back.  Then put mod podge on the wing section and add glitter.  When dry, add another coat of mod podge.  Dot on eyes and put two circles on the front for hands.  I took the gold hanger off and exchanged  it for some white organza ribbon.  I used some tinsel trim for the halo, adding just a spot of hot glue to hold in place.  I clipped the shanks off of some snowflake buttons and glued over the "hands."

 They turned out so cute!  Angels are a great seller at my shows and I am sure that these will fly off the shelves.  And so simple!!

 I bought this snowman box at a thrift store and repainted it and added lights and foliage.  Cute, huh?

 These were blanks that I picked up at one of the craft stores.  I painted each slat a different shade of green and then used an antiquing wax to finish them.  I love these!  I may have to keep one for myself!

 I am working on my next pattern and an ebook.  I am also trying to get ready for a couple of spring shows.  Even though spring is not the most profitable of times for me, I like connecting with other crafters and seeing what is new for the year.  Love to get your feedback!  Comment or write me an email!  Have a great week!

Hello December!

Thanks, Carolyn, for commenting on my last post....you know the one I posted way back on November 4!  It woke me up.....where have I been????

Well let me tell you, after the Conifer show, I did a five day show for Grandmother's House at Tagawa Gardens.  I drove to Cheyenne to pick up my unsold merchandise from the Christmas in the Country show.  Then I drove to Loveland and did a two day show at the Budweiser event center for Applewood Arts!  Whew!  I was so exhausted.  That was the weekend before Thanksgiving.  My 5 year old granddaughter, Addyson, spent Sunday through Friday with me.  I sure wish that I had that kind of energy!  We did shopping, saw the Trolls movie and cooked for twelve people on Thanksgiving.

 My daughter and I did a bit of black Friday shopping and then we drove to Fairplay for a tree permit.  We took our two dogs and Heidi and her husband Patrick and three kids and dog joined us.  It is a tradition to go into the forest and find the perfect tree.  This year our tree is a bit sparse, but the fun of taking the kids is something we all will remember.  I spent the next week putting up the tree and other decorations, taking the dogs to the vet for their checkups, and doing some shopping.

I love decorating my Hoosier each year.  It is my favorite piece of furniture.  Since I collect Santas, I fill it to the brim.  Our house is small so I try not to go overboard, but it is difficult.  

I have been holed up in the house all week so tomorrow, I am off to do some more shopping and run some errands.  On Saturday, we are driving to Cheyenne for my granddaughter Brooklynne's 11th birthday.  Next week is another busy one.  The cat is scheduled for his checkup on Monday, I am meeting a friend for lunch on Tuesday, I am taking my grandson shopping on Wednesday.  My brother and his wife will be here next week, but will be staying with my sister.  I am sure I will see them at some point.

Saturday marks the seventh anniversary of the day my daughter Brandi passed to Heaven.  I miss her every day.  We were in a sense soul mates.  I try not to write sad things here, but I just want to remind all of you to hold your loved ones close and give thanks for the precious time you have with them.  Brandi was a bright light, a loving, caring soul, and I feel her presence around me at all times.  I am so thankful for the time we had together and that I was able to let her know how special she is.  Tell those you love how you feel and how special they are.  

So I will try to post again in the next couple of weeks but if I slack off, I want to wish each one of my followers, those who subscribe through emails, and those of you who just happen to stop by, a very Merry Christmas!