It's Glorious FALL Again!

I do l-o-v-e the fall time of year.  Although the weather is unpredictable, the few cold snaps we have are a relief.  I have a hard time creating in the hot summer months, as my crafting is mostly fall and spring related.  Had a great five weeks with my two grandsons in August-September (of course their mom came along too).  Dad was doing med school stuff in another city and he came on the weekends.  I have no time for work when they are here, and I don't think I need to.  That is one of the reasons I left the day to day grind, to be able to spend time with family whenever I could.  We had a ball.  Keeping up with two boys is a workout!  I'll see them again Christmas--yea!! See their candid shots below.

After they left, I had to get some serious work done in time for a show.  I seem to work better under pressure anyway.  Sample below of items shown and sold at a recent show.  I'm not sure if I will put these items on my Etsy store or not, depends on how much I sell at the next show coming up in November.

If you like the items you see and want to purchase them, or want a custom order,  please contact me via email at acornhillhome@gmail.com.

My little "Aubie".

Youngest stylin' in his hat.

 

 

Yes, time to break out the Christmas tree for his show and the next in Nov.

A sampling of some ornaments for sale. 

 

Pumpkins!

VACATION BLISS!!

Just returned from a family vacation.  So much fun!  I did not want anyone to go home, especially me. This was the first time in a long time we had our two daughters, their husbands, and children (plus an extra) together.   Being with family and combing the beach for new shells has to be my favorite thing to do.  Of course food is always involved---we take turns cooking the meals and also eat local seafood out.  After attending Easter Sunday at a nearby church, we had the first of many family meals.  Spent some quality time playing with my grandchildren. This year we had a visiting grandchild (8 mths old) and she was a happy baby.  Except when they were tired, the kids had a blast.  There is just something about the beach that relaxes me more than anything else.  Maybe the sun, saltwater and ocean waves?  Wish I could live there full time, then I could vacation to the mountains, which I also love.  Come to think of it, nature vacations are my all-time favorite by far.  The beach we go to is not very populated, therefore you feel you have the beach to yourself most of the time.  Personally, I think everyone needs a full month off from work to vacation in one spot and really re-connect with what really matters in the world, God and Family.  One day.

Speaking of work, I just reduced all items in my Etsy shop.  Check out the new prices. If you know of any upcoming shows in my area or state, let me know!  Currently working on fall and Christmas items too.

So very relaxing!

 

Three family members went to the top of a lighthouse.

 

Katie & Malachi dyed eggs before filling for Easter lunch!

 

Out for a stroll early one morning.  Dolphins were playing very close to shore.

SPRING!?! MISS YOU!!

Okay, okay, you can fuss at me.  I know it's been a long time since my last post.  Been hibernating and creating, getting ready for a local spring craft show. At least the weather cooperated that weekend, it was "warmer".   Just praying for spring to finally arrive temperature wise.  I mean, who knows how to dress for this kind of up and down weather?  If you are like me, it's been a long winter!  Love my fireplace and all but really, it's time to not have to use it.  This post will be brief word wise because I want you to see all the new things I've done.   Some will be on my Etsy store and some will not, as they already sold or I just don't want to ship them due to their being fragile.  But, if you see something you like, and it is not in my Etsy store, email me and we can figure out how to get it to you.  I really had fun creating this past couple of months.  If you hear of any craft shows please email me, acornhillhome@gmail.com.    On to the photos!!  They will tell the story of my hibernation.  Warning, this is a long blog--stay with me!

Had this tri-fold screen for years and finally decided to decoupage it for the grandkids room.  Bonus, on the other side is canvas so I can use it at my craft shows.  Not for sale.

For my Mom's birthday--Gluten Free cupcakes, Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Flourless Chocolate with Mint Frosting and Flourless Chocolate with Buttercream.  YUM!

Not for sale---ALL GONE!

 

This is Guardian Angel.  I spent almost 3 weeks just getting her right.  I love her.  This is a custom sculpture using my handmade paper pulp and take two weeks to make before I can ship.  You can order on Etsy or email me.

 One of my favorites, this wreath is made of Bible & Hymnal pages and has a paper pulp cross on the ribbon.

 

Love my Easter Egg Wreath.  The eggs are of my handmade paper pulp.  I left them the natural color and added the color with strips of fabric.

Salt Dough Easter Egg Ornaments.

Rabbits and a cross using my handmade paper pulp.  Have I told you how much I love working with that medium?  It's fun!  The possibilities are endless.

Peter Rabbit Molded Ornament.  He is 8" tall.

 

Another spring wreath using my fabric flowers and bird.

Paper Roses anyone?  Remember that song?  These roses are individually handmade from a Bible Commentary and made into a topiary on a glass base.  Keep out of direct sun.

 

Cross from wood disks and other natural materials.  Has thorns.  Sold out but I can make one for you.

Giant Easter Egg from a Bible Literature book with pulp bird. A library which shall remain nameless for now donated a lot of books to me because they have seen my work. I will be making things for them to use in the future also.

Egg wreath, without fabric colors and a flower wreath from hymnal pages.

The paper crosses from Bible pages and Hymnal pages were my biggest seller for a recent craft show.  I have orders for more.

More wreaths and a tree from donated book.

Spring Fabric Flowers!! 

 

Below, new aprons just listed on Etsy today.

Mother/Daughter aprons.

 

Homemade Easter Tree, i.e., colored tomato cages. Katie made the tissue flowers for the top and there were pastel lights in the middle.  Worked well for the ornaments.

 

Last photo--my recent craft show display.  Katie and I had fun!

 

I will not be so long in writing in my blog. There are so many unfinished projects going on right now it's hard to know what to do first.  All this bending of my neck to sew and work on paper has sent me to the chiropractor.  Pray for me and I'll pray for all you folks!

 

 

 

Beautiful Sunday!

What an absolutely gorgeous day.  Got in some outside time today hauling wood for the fireplace from the woodpile to the front porch.  Hubby had to work this weekend so it was up to me before the next snow fall this week (yes I said snow, again).   Boy, have we used a lot of wood this winter!  I'm not complaining though, I like the fire going in my home office on those cold days and relaxing by it at night.  Also took advantage of the warm weather to cut some wood disks to use later in my work.  I had so much sawdust on me I practically had to undress on the deck before heading to the shower. Ok, I did not completely undress, just the outside layer.  What would the neighbors think?!?

Another outside job for this beautiful day was taking pictures of my three latest aprons for Etsy.  I have shown the gathering apron below, but you will have to go to the Etsy shop to see them all in detailed photos and to see what makes this a gathering apron,  www.etsy.com/shop/acornhillhome.   I have wanted a gathering apron for years and finally made one.  If this does not sell, I will definitely keep it for myself!  Especially in the fall I am always gathering things and I hate to carry a bag and most often use my shirt tail.  This apron will definitely be handy.  Farm  anyone?

You can also follow me on Pinterest and FaceBook.

 Wood disks ready for action when needed.

Gathering Apron

Reading - Is It Laziness?

Never laziness!!  I started reading fiction books again.  The year of 2013 was spent mostly reading DIY, decorating, inspirational and spiritual books.  It must be my age, but I found a couple of Ann B. Ross books at a used book store the other day about Miss Julia and her many quests and read one in short time.  Now I want to read more of her delightful books as well as some by Debbie Macomber.  Should I add fiction books, certainly!  Problem for me is, when I start a book I find it hard to put it down to do anything else.  Therefore, I shall limit myself to one per week as I don't need that constant distraction from working at home. I will always keep reading my other aforementioned books as well, as they give me ideas for work and spiritual inspiration.  As Holbrook Jackson has said and I quote, "The time to read is any time: no apparatus, no appointment of time and place is necessary.  It is the only art which can be practiced at any hour of the day or night, whenever the time and inclination comes, that is your time for reading; in joy or sorrow, health or illness."    Reading is certainly not laziness if put in the proper prospective and it does not hinder you from your appointed tasks.  Personally, I do not understand those that hate reading, really, what do you do with your time?

But, after reading that one book, I was ready to get back to work again recycling.  I have listed some new aprons on my Etsy store, www.etsy.com/shop.acornhillhome .  Give them a look see.  They are just some half aprons made from recycled men's casual shirts, but I like how they look.  Next I will work on some sturdy garden aprons for spring.  I welcome ideas for anything you would like to see me try!  Only in trying anything new can I fail, and only in failing can I succeed.

Shabby Chic Pictures for Valentines Day

Just listed today on Etsy the below pictures.  I know, I know, you have seen these ornaments in a different view but I am always trying new things and new ways to display what I have.  Hope you enjoy them.  Everything is recycled!  For a complete description, visit www.etsy.com/shop/acornhillhome.

Guestroom Decor

Yes, I finally got around to posting these pictures of my "bookroom" guestroom that some of you asked to see.  This is actually the play room for my grandsons when they visit.  I have an abundance of Reader's Digest books, mostly from earlier years as I do not like the covers on those from the 90's and 2000's that I used here.   I wish they still did the wonderful covers from the 50's, 60's and 70's - see last photo below---they are beautiful.  I did not want to use those beautiful covers for a headboard project that might not turn out and then I have to recycle later.  Saving my vintage books for unique projects and just for display.  For your own vintage books, visit local thrift stores, antique stores (although they usually charge more) and yard sales.  Have fun with your books, I do!