Christmas at the Cabin

Good Friday Friends! I thought I would share with you today a few pictures from my in-laws cabin. We were down there this week - just adding a touch of Christmas Cheer so their Sunday School class could come enjoy some wassail and fellowship around the fire. They have put their heart and soul into this lil' place and they are always so willing to share it - wanting people to enjoy it the way they do. In the pictures you will see an old white house that use to surround the cabin that they tore down to expose the logs. There is also an upstairs that I failed to take pictures of - oops. It's beautiful in the spring and summer, surrounded by trees and a great cave. In front of that cave is an old picnic table where a lot of corn is shucked and a lot of "breaking beans" goes on.

The Christmas tree is decorated with strung popcorn and handmade cedar ornaments. Some fresh greens are tucked in here and there and it just makes for a simple, country, cabin Christmas. Like the sign says - "A day at the cabin with Poppa - Priceless."

Have a great weekend everybody,
Merry Christmas
Cathy Cobblestone

A Cabin Christmas

Pretty Polka Dot Pots for Poinsettias

O.K., Now say that post title three times fast!! Just sharing with you a couple of flower pots that one of my friends requested. Sometimes we think of flower pots being simply for spring and summer but they are great year round!



Instead of having your beautiful poinsettias wrapped in paper - make 'em special and place in a "wintery" painted flower pot. It just makes them a lil' more fun that way!

Pretty lil' pots are also great used as gift containers - fill with gardening goodies, wrap it clear wrap and tied with a garden tool - and viola! Perfect for the gardener on you list.



Now, this is a really simple snowman and my friends - I tell you - anyone can paint a snowman. Just try it!

And like I always say - Happy Plantin' - YEAR ROUND!!!

Cathy Cobblestone

Paintin' Polka Dots

Happy Monday Friends!!!! Hope everybody had a wonderful weekend!

Well, like I've told ya - I've been painting up a storm(a snow storm, I hope) - trying to get all of Santa's presents ready for delivery - and oh my - I still have much to do!!! But I just thought I'd share something really simple with you today. I know so very many of you have wonderful ideas about wrapping presents beautifully. All you paper artists out there - I so admire your talents. But a few years ago when I started painting keepsake ornaments - I wanted the boxes to give a hint as to what was inside -hence, the polka dots. So I simply painted on dots that matched the ones on the ornament and tied the boxes with a grosgrain ribbon. Many times, I paint a persons monogram on the box - but the ones you see here are plain.



It's simple, fun, and no two boxes are ever alike. I couldn't paint to circles to match if I tried - hehe. So if you don't make your own wrapping paper - maybe you could simply try painting directly on the box - or use stamps or decoupage - oh, the list is endless.

Share with me your favorite wrapping idea. Now, the important part - I still have to go buy presents to wrap - I haven't even started! But right now - I'm back to painting - Happy Monday everybody. Merry, Merry Christmas.

Cathy Cobblestone

Need A Gift???

A week or so ago I shared with you a Christmas slide show and told ya I'd be tellin' you a lil' bit 'bout some of the artists. Well, today I'm gonna share two with you. One is a sweet local friend who makes the most incredible candles and tarts and another is "another Cathy" who makes OH-SO-CUTE pincushions. I've been blessed over the years to come into contact with many talented people and since I've been bloggin' - well, everyday is blessed with a new acquaintance. There is sooooooo much talent out there. And I get great joy "tootin' the horn" of my talented friends!!!

First Up.... Sweet Ms. Linda of Kindlelight Blessings Candles. Candle making is in her blood - she thinks about it constantly - always trying to come up with new ideas and it shows. Best thing about her - she's as beautiful as her candles.



Now, are these not the cutest tarts you have ever seen? Sugar plums, blueberry muffins, strawberries in the snow - and there are so many more. Hazelnut Delight is my personal favorite - but then again it is hard to choose - fudgy coconut, candy cane, pumpkin praline - oh my - I could go on and on.



This is one of her beautiful cake candles - each piece hand made - every lil' pineapple chunk, pretty red strawberries all with yummy drizzle over them. Well this candle deserves to go on a cake stand for everybody to admire.



This is a picture of her loaf candles - and she also has jars and soooo much more. If you are a "picky" candle buyer - I promise these will meet your expectations!!! I know that she would appreciate your visit - it would simply tickle her to death.

Now for my new friend that I met over at Maryjane's Farm - the "other Cathy" - Cathy Jean to be exact. Do you have a special friend or maybe a mom or grandmother that simply loves to sew? Well, these are jus' the cutest lil' pincushions ever. I love them!! They have such a nice weight to them - they are made of crushed walnut shells I believe. Cathy puts fabrics together so well and tops them with pretty lil' buttons. The craftsmanship is perfect. I gifted my sweet Mamaw one of these and she adores it. You'll have to browse her selection - it's so hard to choose which one.
Drop by Aunt Daisy's Cottage and tell her Cathy sent you.



Now you know these are my favorites - 'cause they are red and POLKA DOTTED!!!
Wouldn't one be so cute tied on a Christmas package or tucked in a stocking!



I hope you enjoyed learning about my friends. And thank you for visiting them - they don't know I'm doing this - so I hope they are prepared - hehe.

I'm grateful for their talent and for allowing me to have their lil' creations in my shop.

Many blessings to you all for a splendid weekend!!
Happy Shopping!
Cathy Cobblestone

Cherished Keepsakes...

We all have those things that we hold dear to our heart - something someone made, maybe an item we purchased on a special trip, or a craft project made by the sweet lil' hands of our children. Things that bring back wonderful memories each year when we pull them out of the box. These pretty lil' carolers were crafted by my grandmother. She made each of their outfits and all the lil' things they are holding. Unfortunately over the years, I have lost some of their books - but that's o.k. - they are still perfect to me. I'm so fortunate to still have all of my precious grandparents - what a gift. But as their health begins to decline, every moment becomes more precious. I will treasure this Christmas- another wonderful blessing to be able to share it with them.

Would you share with me an extra special Christmas decoration in your house? I know we've all got them.

Blessings for a great Wednesday!
Cathy Cobblestone

Happy Monday!

Well my friends the countdown has officially begun!!! It's December 1st and Santa will be here in just 24 short days. Are you ready????? I'm not by any stretch of the imagination. Still tinkering with decorating the house a bit and painting, painting, painting trying to get all those special lil' orders ready for delivery. Now is when I need my OWN team of elves - don't we all?

Well, just wishing you all a great start to the week and most importantly - Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays,
Cathy Cobblestone