Easter Napkin Rings- Printable

Easter is just around the corner so I thought I would share what I used for last years table decor. 

I try to create a craft for the little ones to do, giving them some ownership of the preparations. 

You may need to help with the cut out if you want your bunnies to keep their ears. Otherwise they just look like really creepy cats.  However, there are two different designs that are fully within the borders of the napkin ring for any child to cut out successfully. 

Click HERE for a link to a printable sheet of 5 napkin rings

Holiday Decor Tour

It's Christmas time here and though it took me days and days I finally filled the place with cheer and lots of sappy holiday music. Ready for a mini tour? Great, walk this way.

As you have noticed from our sign Mark and I put quite a bit of time into the planing and production of it. Doesn't it look lovely in the snow? 

The story behind my title is a bit silly. Yes I am and artist and designer but visionary you ask. Well, while watching that video on the book "The Secret" there was one man in particular that had the title of "visionary" under his name when he came on screen to speak. We thought it was hilarious that someone could just randomly put that as their job title. I mean, how do you get your degree in such a thing?  So we felt it fitting with my creative ability, and because there was room left to carve on my board, that I be the visionary of the family. 

As you enter the front door you are greeted by a tiny little gold reindeer offering you peppermint M&M's and a giant basket full of cushy, fluffy socks. We want all of our guests to feel cozy in the winter and they are also excellent to slide around in on the wood floors.

In the living room I made a garland inspired by the ones I saw in Disnyland's Critter Country. It is made with a chicken wire form with garlands wrapped around it. During the day it is very country looking but at night it is very warm and fun. And boy is it light! Not sure about storage yet but I'll think of something.

Another favorite thing of mine to do is to fill glass vases with ornaments and other curiosities. This year I used tiny LED lights on a timer to wrap around the ornaments and some wicker balls I found at Ross. The lights I get at Fine Consign in Coburg. It's a 9' strand and they are water resistant so you can put them on your front door wreath too.

 

And here are a few ornaments hanging on my tree this year. The bigger the better I think. But then again, the tree did fall over in the night so it's best you tie it to something if you plan on only decorating the front. Note to self.

It is probably the last year we will be abel to cut a tree from our own land sadly. I stopped at a tree farm to see how much it would cost and I almost had a heart attack! We are in the Pacific Northwest for goodness sakes! $50-100 for a tree?!?!! It's not like they are exotics to this area!

I digress.

And back to the tour....

And these are just a few of the amazing amarilis I grow each year. 

OK, I'm a liar. 

I used to but I am not the best at watering my indoor plants. This has been a hard fact to embrace about myself but I have. 75% of the plants in my home are fake. There. I said it.

Alson notice the GIANT bowls of M&M's. In my excitement for the holiday season I bought something like 5 bags but after the first ten pieces you sort of have your fill. Whatever happened to the cinnamon flavored ones they had the last 2 years? I was riffling through the shelves at Target like a crack addict looking for them. 

And back to the tour....

Above the piano that no one plays is more garland and candles in front of the vintage window frame that Mark put mirror in for me. It is a lovely and heavy thing. I should know, it fell on me while decorating it the other day. 

 I kinda went silly with the garlands this year.

On the book shelves I love to fill with little sparkelies and misc. This year I have my Merry and Bright design on Chalkboard. Don't worry; it's colored pencil so it won't rub off. Thinking of doing a few more larger and elaborate ones for Easter and fall

And you guessed it; More fake amaryllis! But this time on our kitchen breakfast table with our advent candles around it. 

Mark's mom introduced me to the idea of collecting all of my children's Christmas books into a basket each year and having them out for the kids to read. She gives us a new one each year. It's a wonderful tradition. 

Sorry for the dim picture but this is all I could get with my camera.

Our tree this year with Henry the deer keeping watch over the room.

Thank you for joining me on this brief tour. There will be more to come next week.

As soon as this ice and snow melts away I'll be able to get into town for the oasis I need to finish my dining room center piece. In my head it looks fantastic....not sure how to make it a reality just yet but don't worry, I do this all the time. I'm a visionary. 

A Wintery Wonderland Sort of Weekend

So when they predict snow in the valley it's not only the kids who get excited. I LOVE the snow. The sheep not so much.
Mark woke me up around 5 am and I couldn't help waking El. It's the one time of year that waking a teenager at the crack of dawn is allowed.

Since school was already out and Mark couldn't really go into work, we took the opportunity to deliver the wreaths we made to our neighbors.

Rocco came too. Ate some snow. Had a good time.

So I have spent the last two days cleaning and decorating. I'm the kind of person that has to do a deep cleaning before putting anything new out. That is why it has taken almost two full days.

The reason I say almost is because Mark and I take breaks to read a chapter here and there from Mockingjay. We read the series years ago but it's always good to brush up don't you think. Paired with a warm cup of tea and the bright snow filling the house with light, it was the perfect day.

So stay tuned for fun pick of the house filled with season cheer. And oooh and awh  over it because it has taken a lot of time and energy. 

Thanksgiving Place Cards- Free Printable

If you are like me  you are already planning on how your Thanksgiving table will be set.

Click HERE for the link to print this sheet of 8 place cards.

You can type your guests names right on the card or write them out like I have. Not the best I could do but it is just a run through. These may be a bit too whimsical for the adults table but great for the kids!

Happy Early Thanksgiving Everyone!

For a blank download of this noble bird click HERE and you can use it to send out an invite, write your menu or send a thank you to those who slaved so tirelessly to make the meal.
Enjoy!

Fall Wreath Wish List

As soon as the season changes I am ready with new door decor! This fall I really didn't put a lot of thought into it but did my fare share of browsing on the internet for what I want next year.

Because I believe in purchasing handmade whenever possible, and because I myself am an Etsy seller, here are a few I drooled over from my fellow Etsyins:

This wreath is made by roseflower48
I LOVE the little pumpkins (which are actually seed pods) along with the acorns on the green moss.

The yard on The Violette Bloom's wreath makes me think of birch trees and I feel like this one could be used from September through November. I linked to her shop and not just this one item because ALL of her wreaths are so stinkin cute and affordable.

Then there is this very unassuming yet attractive wreath by Wild Ridge Design. IT SMELLS!!! You can actually choose a smell. This one is orange scented but they have everything from Cinnamon to Clean Cotton to Vanilla Mint! This one is a bit more pricy at $59 but it will last you for years.

But if you want to get away from the man made materials then there is this really wild but beautiful corn husk wreath I found. It is hand tied onto a crimp wreath form and is only $16 for a 15-17" diameter size. This is a steal of a deal.

Happy Fall Ya'll!
-Elizabeth

A Lesson from the Shepherd

A very Happy Easter weekend to you all. Here at Bramblefield Easter means a lot to us. It's the fabulous news that HE IS RISEN!

Mark and a very zen looking sheep. Don't be fooled.

Throughout the New Testament Jesus is referred to as the Good Shepherd. As new farmers we have been given the opportunity to experience what being a shepherd is all about. It's not pretty. We are always aware of danger, heading it off before they can get into trouble. Sometimes we have to be a bit rough for their own good; corralling them, trimming hooves and wool, giving shots and yes, wrestling them to the ground to hand milk them for their new lamb's sake. That was not one of my most glamorous moments. 

Still they continue to distrust and make the wrong decision, no, the stupid decisions! But we are always there, anticipating their next move and forgiving them with a hand full of grain and alfalfa. 

Little Ruth

Then there are the bummers. Completely dependent on us. Completely loving and trusting. They can't  understand a word I am saying but when I call they still run and jump with excitement to me. 

Let's take a lesson from the bummers and lay our trust in Him who suffered on the cross so we could live this crazy, colorful, wonderful life with the promise of eternity. 

Eve and her Mom just this morning. Boy she is getting big!

Happy Easter everyone and may you have a blessed weekend with family and friends!

Prints and Procrastination

I have applied myself to working diligently through the day on my artwork.
And then the dryer beeps.
And back to work I go, scanning and sizing.
It's so sunny outside. I want to go to there.
Focus! learn how to write html, create buttons and banners.
Let's just check my google reader for a second.
Famous last words.

 But alas, I have listed a print! My goal for the month was to have affordable prints available and so they are! Well, one.

 No, two! Just in time for Easter I have a little bunny love print. I am so pleased with the paper too. It has the exact texture and thickness of my watercolor paper and the archival ink will last well over 200 years.

Happy Monday everyone! Stay focused!

Christmas Card 2012

I really wanted to show you all my little project but didn't want to give it away to those receiving it in the mail. Better late then never though.

In order to keep my sanity I decided years ago that I would create a holiday card every other year. By holiday I do not mean only Christmas. 2010 was Groundhog's Day where I created a lino-cut image of the noble creature and hand stamped and tinted each postcard. I titled it "Groundhog in Repose". This year I was feeling a bit sentimental and had recently created a reindeer tangled in christmas lights that so decided to kick it into gear and make Christmas cards. 

All of my materials came from Michaels and sponsored by those amazing coupons they send out over email and through app. Here are the materials I used:

1. I found a wood type paper on clearance (.69 ea) 

2. Brown Craft Paper cards and envelopes

3. Two stamps; The merry Christmas message and the snowflake(from the $ bins)

4. The black paper was something I had but I splurged and got the Fiskars Ultra ShapeXpress and the Brackets and Journal template. With the coupons it was super affordable and since I can't afford a Circut at the moment these $5 templates will have to do. The Shaper itself is a bit tricky to use and takes a bit more time because you need to be slow and steady about it. 

 You can imagine the HOURS spent cutting each of these out but it was totally worth it. I hope to have these cute little deer available in my shop next fall.

In addition to my biannual card giving resolution I began a journal to track each years card giving and receiving. (I'm patting myself on the back right now) I am going to add a page this year to track all of the holiday events and locations as well as the gifting rules.
As our kids get older and our families expand the gift giving rules are changing. For instance, on Mark's mother's side of the family we do a friendly version of white elephant with only good gifts. This year I received/stole a fabulous basket filled with Bert's Bee's products. Yay me! I swear the anti wrinkle cream is working. For the kids we spend only $5 each because there are so many. As they become teens it is a bit harder to find suitable gifts though. Any ideas?
At the end of the month we will have our final celebration in Portland with my side of the family. It is a smaller group but the kids are still tiny and so much fun to play with.
After that is lambing season and I enter an entirely new world of early morning feedings and lanolin smelling...everything. Can't wait to share it with you all.

Happy late winter crafting to you all,
Elizabeth