DIY Valentines Day shirts. Wa-La!

XOXO, 

Kate 

holiday 2011{our mantel}

I kept the mantel pretty simple this year.
I love the mixture of green hydrangeas, white lunch bag flowers {tutorial found here}, white milk glass vases & the pop of green, red, and aqua colors.
Rather than making a fabric banner, I opted to use clothespins and hang pinecones and dangle these cute little grey bearded Santas from Ikea.


Trust me, having that silly tv hanging up as per my husband's 'one of a few requests,' I could do wonders with this area.  Ahh, I visualize old windows, shutters, & even big tall clear vases filled with pretties.
thanks for letting me share :)

XOXO, 

Kate 

As always, there is a chance of partying at the following rad places...

{non-traditional}holiday wreath & Christmas parade.

I have learned SO much staying home with the kids.
& I was just telling my husband the other night that when I do go back to work,
{I think I will continue being extremely frugal}.
However, the great thing about being frugal & thrifty is that it allows you to re-use & be creative.

Remember this?
well, fall is over and why let this perfect lil antique frame sit alone for a year?

I feel like this year is the 'who can make the coolest Christmas wreath year.'
So, I opted out.
{& made us a little non-traditional Christmas wreath}.
With EVERYTHING we already had.

{& I am SO excited to finally use this adorable Christmas fabric that has been sitting in my studio {ha, sis} for years.

I forgot to note, after it was all tide together with a thicker strip of fabric, I added about another 3 fabric strips. 

Honestly, some make think this is just a hot-mess, but I love it. 

{It is so me}. 

Did you notice those cute little window decorations? 

{courtesy of Miss Ave O Liv herself.  & a few by me}. 

I know it isn't Martha'd out, but i.heart.

& while we are on the holiday topic, here are some pics from my first experience at the WIVK Christmas parade in downtown Knoxville. 

{great parade, interesting people, & a lot of work very fun}. 

Have a great Saturday folks! 

its a beautiful one in Tennessee! 

XOXO, 

Kate 

partying at the following rad places...

free.pretty.things.for.you{spotlight}.

In the year 2011, I am pretty sure you could spend
every waking moment on the world.wide.web.
{ahhh, if I only had the time}.

Then, there are those amazing bloggers who create, find or promote free art.
{meet free.pretty.things.for.you}. 


...just go visit & be amazed at all the free printables.
{vintage, & oh so lovely}.

a few things I played around with...

& i just adore this: 

head on over & count your blessings for free.art. 

XOXO, 

Kate

DIY gift-giving {vintage lace doily monograms}

I just love handmade gifts.
{most of my friends & family know that b/c thats normally what they get}.
there is something about a handmade gift that more shows thought, love, & a 'lil elbow grease.

for under $10, these make great gifts.
{under $5 if all you need to purchase is the letter}.
i was lucky enough to receive a HUGE bag of vintage lace doilies from my mom.
Enjoy!

XOXO, 

Kate 

partying at the following rad places...

Thanksgiving Tutorial {super simple fabric garland}.

Do you just love a particular fabric?
{something that you think would tie in your Holiday decor}?

Try this out...super easy & beginner sewing level.
{forgot to add a very important point, DO NOT BACKSTITCH YOUR GATHERING STITCH}.

I 

I won't be getting rid of her anytime soon! 

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving friends! 

XOXO, 

Kate

upcycle upload week!

WOW, I am so thankful for the response I have had on Facebook during my 1st ever upcycle upload week.  I decided to do this in celebration of the holiday season & the because its the biggest shopping week of the year.  {I think}? ha!

Despite several requests, I have decided to not do any customs at this time.
{this takes the fun out of it for me & I just get burnt out}.
Apologies, but sincere thanks to those who have sought interest.

However, its only mid-week and there will be lots more pretties!
{Some of which are a little more edgy and not your "typical" Holiday colors}.
My kinda thing...

XOXO, 

Kate

aVERY Thankful Giveaway!

So much to be thankful for...
& to my followers {and hopefully new ones}, I just wanted to say thanks! I am teaming up with Millie Morgan Media and giving away one of my velvet pillow covers & a custom made bow headband from MMM.  
In addition, Millie Morgan Media has her own additional giveaway going on so make sure to check her out.

This pillow cover just happens to make sense with all that is going on in both mine & so many people's little worlds.
We cannot forge to be there for one another.
& {hold hands}.

here are the rules:

1. follow my blog

2. leave a comment

extra entry-Follow Millie Morgan Media 

giveaway ends 11/27 

{winner will be announced after thanksgiving weekend, monday 11/28}

XOXO, 

Kate 

get out the map {get out the map}

& lay your finger anywhere down
{We'll leave the figuring to those we pass on our way out of town}
Don't drink the water there seems to be something ailing everyone 
I'm gonna clear my head
{I'm gonna drink that sun}
I'm gonna love you good and strong
while our love is good and young. 
-Indigo Girls 


I cannot look at a map & not think of that song.  I wanted to sing it out loud when I saw it at Goodwill on 50% off Saturday. 
{that made it $1}. 


I came home, unrolled it and said, "Look Aves, we are going to learn some Geography!" 
{as I glanced at my walls wondering where I was going to put this HUGE map}. 
Eghhh, wasn't gonna work like I planned. 
{never does, only works out better} 

Can you believe I still use this $4 hot glue gun from like the year after college? 
{this one is for you, sis; a new & improved GLUE PLATE}! 

& thats all it took--some cutting, folding, and hot gluing. 

Ironically, every time I hear the song "Get Out the Map," I think of my BFF, Meghan.  

{who also happens to have the cutest tattoo of Tennessee with a heart on the city of Nashville}. 

This totally inspired my next step. 

I had to remove the map from the window, then re-glue.

{why do I always think of things after the fact}?

I grabbed me some scissors, black felt, & the hot glue again. 

A little heart where all our family loves are. <3 & PS Tattoo BFF girl also took those prints that I framed...

& I always loved this photo I took & felt it had a new home now.  

So...go find you an old window, a map, felt & some hot glue! 

XOXO, 

Kate 

Partying at the following ridiculously cute places...