WOW, IT'S BEEN A WHILE, BUT I'M BACK!

OMG, it has been a while.  I remember always being told to not start a blog if you don't plan on posting regularly, but hey, life happens sometimes.

I am so happy to have recently opened my own alteration shop in Toronto!  Avenue Rd. and Wilson.
called Styles by Samuele.

Let me take you in, and have a look.
       
This is my spring display.

My Change Room.  This is a floating change room made by none other than moi....
Fabric on the outside and the walls inside are also fabric.  Constructed of small one
inch posts.

This is from the inside of the shop before I opened.  I have an old sewing machine, that
still works in the front window.

My little sitting area.

VALENTINE DECORATING WITH VINTAGE FAKE ROSES

Wow, I really need to get this post out or else Valentine will come and go.

My mom had these very old  fake roses from a very long time ago.  Fifty years ago to be exact.

Well, let me tell you, fake flowers have really come a long way baby.  They are made from the hardest plastic that you can imagine.  Very colourful, mind you, but really hard.

I thought that I would do something really simple, and just stick them into my topiaries in my front entrance.

What do you think?

Linking up to:


http://anightowlblog.com/

MY BEST OF 2012 REVIEW

So happy to still be blogging after only six months.

I have had a great year blogging.  I started back in July, and have been enjoying every minute of it.

I have learned so much and enjoyed meeting so many talented people in the blogosphere.
  

Thank you to all the wonderful people and their tremendous  support and  helpful comments. 

I still have so much to learn.

Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope the year brings health, happiness, and lots of DIY projects.

Here are some of the highlights of the past 6 months.  

My favourite hightlight was when DAVID TUTERA, yes the one and only David mentioned my dispay with my ugly vase redo with pearl accents.  Loved it.

                                                        MY BEDROOM MAKEOVER

                          MY SQUARE CHRISTMAS WREATH

                                                             

                                                                   SUBWAY ART

MY DOOR MAT TURNED WALL ART

NAPKIN RINGS

                                                              BLINGED CENTERPIECES

                                      TIFFANY INSPIRED BRIDAL SHOWER CARD BOX

                                                             MY SEXY LACE PUMPKIN

Hope you enjoyed.  Have a great New Year!


This post has been linked to:

http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2012/12/best-diy-projects-of-december-linky-party-2/

http://www.foxhollowcottage.com/

http://www.serenitynowblog.com/2013/01/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up.html





http://networkedblogs.com/GIXws

MAKING GIFT TAGS FROM OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS

Well, have I been lazy these days.  I am recovering from the hustle and bustle of Christmas.
I have been missing y'all.  What has everyone been up to?

This has got to be the quickest project that I have done in a long time!  Sooooo fast.  I love it.

What does everyone do with their Christmas cards?

 I have cut mine up for next year to use as gift tags!
Yes, I am thinking ahead.  They make great tags.  You can cut them into any size you like.

I think they look great!  What do you think?
Take a look.


This year, I hung my cards on dog wood branches that were placed in a white vase.
Used scotch tape to adhere them to the branches from the back of the cards.

Lots of pretty cards!

Don't forget to keep the precious cards with pictures of the little ones.  No cutting up here.

I used a cutting mat.   You can also stack a number of newspapers.

You will need a nice sharp exacto knife, and a strong ruler or some sort of straight edge.

I got two gift tags out of this card!

And here they all are ready for next year.  Cost me nothing, and are originals too!

This is my silly daughter with her face under  the glass table.....lol

I would love to hear what y'all do with your Christmas cards?

This post has been linked to:


http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.ca

I just can't post tonight

I want to do a post tonight but I just can't do it.

I am so saddened of the tragic loss to our friends south of the border.  I cannot even imagine the pain that the families are going through right now.  The loss of such innocent little children is breaking heart around the world.

I have been thinking about this all day.  Talking with my daughters and asking the question "why".

Our thought are with you all in the U.S.
Canada hugs you.

I hug you.

TWO CHRISTMAS MANTLES DECORATED

Hello and how is everyone doing?  Well, time is sure flying by.  Before you know it, it will be Christmas.  It has not snowed here in my neck of the woods yet.  A little of the white stuff would be nice right about now.
But, hey, we shouldn't complain.

Today we picked up our tree.  A fraser fir.  We find that it is the best type of tree as the needles are soft, and it holds up pretty well.  Not too many needles to clean up.

Just before putting that beast into the house......yes, it looks like a beast to me right now.  It is 9 feet tall, and awaiting my touch.  Tomorrow I will start.

Today I just finished decorating my mantles for my living room, and my family room/great room.

Take a look.  How is everyone's decorating going?

Linking this post to:

THE OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS DECORATING

I have stepped outdoors to start the Christmas decorating!

I love looking in the neighbourhood and seeing all the lights, and all the great decorating during this time of year.  Looks so beautiful.

I thought I would put the focus this year on the front door and entrance.  I have two columns on my front entrance and wanted to do something other than wrapping greenery around them.

During heavy winds from Hurricane Sandy this year, my whole forsythia bush was knocked down behind the garage.  Not happy about that, but as  they say when given lemons make lemonade.....lol
I turned these branches into Christmas decor.

Take a look:


I gathered some branches that measured about 12 feet tall.  Secured  them together near the bottom with plastic ties.  You can use anything to secure them.   You can even spray paint them if you like.  I chose to keep them as they were.

I added some lights around them, and positioned them in front of my pillars.

Got my urns ready.  The ivy was there during the summer, and it keeps rather well during the winter, so I thought I would leave it in this year.  I love when something can do double duty....lol
Added some pine branches, which by the way, were free, as a neighbour at my moms place had just cut a tree down,  added a  huge white mesh bow, which also were used for decorating for a wedding,  and some silk poinsettias, and voila,  done.

Night view