Snow Sculpture.

We've had 19+ inches of snow this week along with lots of wind. During one of the many times I shoveled my driveway, I looked up to discover this awesome snow drift coming off my roof!

First snow.

I don't think I'm ready for this yet. We've had snow flurries in the morning a couple of times, but this is the first time the snow has accumulated and stuck. 

Winter Wonderland

It looks a lot like this snow globe where I live lately. Snow, snow and MORE snow is coming this weekend. Windy and below zero temperatures. It's pretty to look at from the inside, but not so pleasant to be outside in this kind if weather. 

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas!

White Christmas?

Well, the big blizzard that was predicted for the midwest, fortunately didn't make it to the Chicagoland area. We did get snow and lots of howling high winds (still going on as I write this) but a blizzard was a bit of an exaggeration, at least in my neck of the woods.

The temperature is supposed to stay below freezing, so the snow that is already on the ground may stick around until Christmas. I'm just hoping the sun will melt the snow off my driveway so I don't have to go out and shovel!

Snowballs Anyone?

I got this cute bucket and scoop at HomeGoods a few weeks ago. I was planning on filling it with ice melting salt to sprinkle on my front stoop.

But I decided to make some snowballs the other day and thought they would look cute in the bucket. They're easy to make...start with styrofoam balls in various sizes, then "frost" them with drywall compound or spackle and sprinkle with glitter.

Eventually I'll put the bucket outside the front door, but first I want to spray them with some clear sealer. In the meantime I have them sitting in this vignette.

Friday Fill-Ins {on Saturday}

Here's some more photos of the big snowfall we had here on Thursday night/Friday morning.
The snow was really quite pretty, but oh was it difficult to shovel! The snow was so wet and heavy that the snow plow kept dying. I finally had to just shovel the snow in layers a little at a time.
On yesterday's post I mentioned that the snowflakes were huge. I never seem to be able to get a good shot of falling snow, but I think you can get the idea with this photo.

Okay, now it is time for Friday Fill-Ins, a little late....here we go!

1. I'm feeling lazy.
2. I want to have a Turtle Latte @ Caribou.
3. I need to shovel the rest of the driveway.
4. I was thinking about starting a new art piece.
5. I wish it was Springtime.
6. I'm reading "Worth Fighting For" by Lisa Swayze.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching "Who Do You Think You Are," tomorrow my plans include cleaning the house (woo-hoo!) and Sunday, I want to bake some cookies - Yum!

Finding the Lovely

We had a bit of a snow storm overnight with gigantic snowflakes....bigger than I have ever seen before! I snapped a couple of photos of the snow outside my door. So much for the mild winter we've been having here in the midwest. I kind of knew it was too good to be true.

You can link up to the other Finding the Lovelies here.

Big Snow

Yesterday we had a snowfall which lasted for about 5 whole minutes. There wasn't much snow and none of it stuck to the ground, but the snowflakes were HUGE! I wish my camera could have captured the way it looked better than it did.

Here is what it looked like collecting on my deck.

It looked as though cotton balls were falling from the sky - that's about the size the flakes were!

And while all that BIG snow was falling, I decided to whip up a batch of nut breads to give away for Christmas!

Where I've Been

I went on a little trip to Atlanta last week, thanks to a friend of mine.

It felt good to get away.

A change of scenery is always good medicine for the mind.

I saw beautiful things like this.

And I came home to the likes of this!!!

Quite a difference, huh?

I'll have more photos of the colorful type to share soon.

More Blizzard Photos

Blizzard 2011

We are smack dab in the middle of a record-breaking blizzard here. These photos were taken near daybreak so the quality isn't all that great. I can't get out of my back door since the snow is drifted in front of it. So far we have about 16-18" of snow on the ground with no end in sight. The 50 mph winds haven't help the situation as the snow drifts have made a bad situation worse. I'll post more pics later, once I can clear the snow away from the door!

Sneak Peek!

Just a little teaser for you ~ Today is Kit Preview Day #1 at Joli Paquet. Holiday Kits go on sale here Thursday, December 2nd. If you want to see more of my 2010 Winter Wonderland Kit, hop on over to the Joli Paquet blog by clicking here.

Holiday Announcements

I've updated my Etsy shop with a Winter Wonderland of goodies! Be sure to check it out by clicking here!

~ Photo Courtesy of Sheila Rumney ~

And our Guest Artist, Sheila Rumney has a wonderful tutorial to make these vintage inspired star ornaments over on the Joli Paquet blog.

Monday, Monday

Wow, I just realized it's been a week since my last post! Where does the time go? I've been busy following along with the gals in Teresa McFayden's Freestyle Embroidery class making this spring sampler and I really, really am enjoying it. Hand stitching is one of the most restful, peaceful, types of crafts to do. You can do it anywhere; take it with you anywhere. So portable and so satisfying. I was re-introduced to it last summer in Charlotte's class at ArtFiberFest where I made this. We had a bit of a distraction in the class (those of you who took that class with me know what I am talking about) but it didn't even matter because we were all so busy concentrating on our hand-stitching.
Have you seen this magazine yet? It is officially due out tomorrow, but copies have been popping up little by little all over the place. Flea Market Style is a collaboration between the amazingly talented Matthew Mead and Ki Nassauer (formerly of Junk Market fame). Like me, many of you have been following along with Matthew and Ki during the entire inception of this magazine, which I liken somewhat to waiting for the birth of a new baby. Well let me tell you -you MUST get yourself a copy when you see it, because it is definitely worth the long wait.

And yes, Mr. ground hog was correct about the 6 weeks of more winter. And here's the proof - more snow! I was up early and snapped this photo. Everything looked so pretty with a fresh dusting of the white stuff. But regardless of it's lovely look I am still wishing for spring.

Longing for Spring

It's still January and I am already longing for springtime. I think January is the l-o-n-g-e-s-t month of the year! The weather here is cold and gloomy and gray. YUK! That's pretty typical for winter in the midwest, but please Mr. Sunshine ~ could you show your face every once in a while?
In an attempt to keep myself from completely going bonkers with cabin fever, I signed up for Teresa McFayden's Paper Romance E-Zine. Here is one of my completed projects ~ a shabby-glam notepad. Now I can't help but smile whenever I make out my grocery and To-Do lists. And the best part about this project is I didn't have to buy a thing to make it. I only used supplies I had on hand.

A Beautiful Sight

More Snow!!! We awoke yesterday to another snow storm. I think we got about 10-inches (maybe more) of snow. The flakes were so big and light and fluffy as they floated down fro the sky. They almost looked like tiny white marabou feathers! It is quite a beautiful scene. We only ventured out once to go to the post office to mail a card because I didn't get out to our mailbox before the mailman came. No after Christmas sales, no shopping, no fighting the crowds. We had thought of going to a movie, but decided to just stay home and catch up on all our old Christmas movies instead. It was a fun day.

Today we are venturing out to the country to my brother-in-law's house. I hope the roads will be clear and ice free. Enjoy your Sunday!