Hello friends!
It seems my blog just went from spring to fall just like that.
How did THAT happen?
Well, I guess I took a break from the old blogging routine--a little respite, although I didn't intend to stop blogging so abruptly. Not really. It just sort of happened that way as I got involved with other things. You could say that we have all embarked on new adventures that are keeping us hopping. Such is life!
As busy as we've been though, we still love making things, and earlier this year we went through a phase of paper-flower crafting after reading this book. Lots and lots of flowers got made; Grace made this darling hair-wreath for her niece's birthday. She used the specialty Italian crepe papers that come in all sorts of gorgeous colors, imported directly from the manufacturer. This is the best paper for crafting realistic flowers and not readily available in craft stores. They only ship in large rolls though--which proved to be more than we needed. Much more actually.
So . . . we decided to sell some of the overstock and put together some paper sets, kind of like starter packs to experiment with, and included a tutorial with templates for making a few basic flowers. The flowers can be used to embellish wreaths, hair clips, garlands, or make bouquets. If you (or the kids) are interested in learing a fun new craft and/or need paper-flower making supplies, please visit our Winky Handmade shop. These pretty crepe papers are priced so low, you could almost call it a "give-away". Check them out here.
And speaking of Give-Aways . . .
I have an extra issue of Mollie Makes (Issue 44) over here that needs a new home. Leave a comment, let us know what you've been up to--we've missed hearing from you! I'll be back to announce the winner soon.
Ooooh - I love Mollie Makes. Always a lot of great projects.
Posted by: Nancy | November 12, 2014 at 03:27 PM
Golly I have missed you - am so glad to see you are back. I have seen just one issue of Mollie Makes and loved it - seems like they are hard to find around here or maybe they just sell fast. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Anne Marie | November 12, 2014 at 04:26 PM
Oh how nice of you! I would be so happy to have this magazine! I've been sewing animals and dollies. I even made a rag garland yesterday. I like to do all kinds of crafts. It's so nice to see you post again! You're in my favs blog list and I've missed you! Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | November 12, 2014 at 04:38 PM
So good to hear from you! The dolls on your header are precious! Angela
Posted by: angela | November 12, 2014 at 04:50 PM
Very good to find you home! The flowers are so realistic and delicate. Your daughter is creating such lovelies.
Posted by: Vee | November 12, 2014 at 05:56 PM
So nice to see a post pop up from you again. Blogging breaks can be good for the creativity. Lovely paper for flowers. Molly Makes is such a sweet magazine.
Posted by: Lorrie | November 12, 2014 at 07:34 PM
Glad to read a new post from you. Love your little pilgrims.
Posted by: Jane | November 13, 2014 at 05:00 PM
Nice to hear from you again..so many bloggers seem to have stopped & they are missed but understandably other priorities & life gets busy for everyone..I miss doing my own crafting & definitely need some inspiration..thanks for the chance to get the inspiring MollieMakes magazine.
Posted by: tammyCA | November 13, 2014 at 05:57 PM
I'm so happy that you're back, Vicki! I missed your creativity, but I know that priorities shift from time to time. At any rate, I look forward to seeing your new projects!
Posted by: Debra Wortman | November 13, 2014 at 07:21 PM
Yay Mollie makes! And welcome back! No worries, we all know that sometimes life just happens, but I'm still real glad to hear what you've been up to, and looking forward to more updates. that hair wreath is just precious!
Posted by: Jessica jm | November 14, 2014 at 01:15 AM
Vicki, I'm so glad (and relieved) that you're back. I truly was worried about you. The paper flowers are gorgeous. I've dabbled in paper flower making but never anything this nice. I can't start another hobby now. No no no. ;) My quilting and embroidery are keeping me busy. :)
Posted by: Susan | November 14, 2014 at 08:54 AM
I am glad to see you back. Missed reading your crafty posts. I have returned to quilting after abandoning it for the yarn arts. thanks for all the inspiration you bring.
Posted by: bethany | November 14, 2014 at 12:39 PM
Glad to see you are back. Strip quilting of small projects for holiday gifts is what I am up to right now. Have never seen a copy of Mollie Makes to be able to look through it. Missed you.
Posted by: Marie | November 14, 2014 at 07:11 PM
You may stay away, but you return with a boon!
What a sweet giveaway. And those papers look so tempting.
How nice of you to make them available.
Posted by: Natalie, the Chickenblogger | November 15, 2014 at 09:41 AM
I'm glad you posted on your blog! Your post appeared just as I was preparing the projects for a cold and long winter! Time to go shopping for some new embroidery transfers!!! Thanks and have a wonderful day!
Posted by: Michele McLaughlin | November 16, 2014 at 07:20 AM
Oh how nice it is to have you back!
I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Your Friend,
Velma
Posted by: Velma | November 16, 2014 at 09:37 AM
Yay! So glad to see you back! Don't you just love Mollie Makes? I have a couple of older issues that I treasure. They get to be hard to find. I've been trying my hand at quilting now that the weather has gotten colder--so cozy! :-)
Posted by: Jackie | November 16, 2014 at 05:21 PM
So glad you're back! I really miss your posts. Was worried you wouldn't be blogging anymore. That so often happens. I've bowed out a few times myself!
I'm working on your state flower quilt squares. Old news, I know. You're long past that. But I love every square. And I'm painting my grandmother's old maple hutch red.
So nice to see you posting again!
Posted by: Kimberly | November 18, 2014 at 05:50 AM
Oh my goodness, I was a bit worried about you! Silly to worry about someone you don't really know :) Glad you're back!
Posted by: bridgette | November 20, 2014 at 05:49 PM
WOW, I'm very happy that you're back. Missed your blog. Sometimes it is hard to get a copy of MM in my part of the country. Would love to win that issue.
Happy Thanksgiving and it feels like a good friend just came home.
Posted by: Marcia | November 20, 2014 at 06:10 PM
Filled with joy to see a new post on your blog! It's like a happy reunion with a far away friend! Your warm words, observations on life, and crafty creativity have been missed. How nice to see your return, and just in time for the holidays!
Posted by: Cindy Williams | November 21, 2014 at 09:16 AM
Nice Post.... I like your Blog..... Thanks for sharing this with us.......
Posted by: Turkey Holidays | November 23, 2014 at 09:30 PM