Another year ends...

It seems that as I get older, time just goes by faster.  This past year had it share of ups and downs.  Like the year before (2011) we lost another dear member of our family....my father in law.  During the holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas their absence if felt even more.  I know we all think of them often, even though we may not always tell each other.

Laura is currently 15 and learning how to drive.  That is a major change, I am simply not ready for that but it doesn't matter if I am ready or not, it will happen.  A few months ago, David returned to Austin, TX to visit his mom and drive his dad's car back to Colorado.  His mom does not drive and has no need for the car;  we now needed another car.  When I drive the car, I always think of my father in law.  I still think of it as his car and will tell David, "I am driving your dad's car today." 

This holiday season I have felt really, really tired.  This past year I worked extra hard preparing inventory for all my craft shows and my booth at Alamo Antiques, Boutique and Art Gallery.  Craft show season is over and Alamo Antiques closed it's door yesterday.  So why am I still so tired?  Perhaps I am just getting old.  Anyway, I am hoping to get that energy back....soon!

Our Christmas traditions continue to endure.  On Saturday, December 22nd we all, including Sophie, decorated sugar cookies.  On Christmas Eve, we decorated our annual gingerbread house.

Alex, age 8, decorating sugar cookies...he loves to work with M & Ms.

Cookies decorated by Alex and his dad, David.

Cookies decorated by Laura...every year her skills improve.  I thought she did a great job!

Cookies decorated by Sophie.  Sophie(age 16) is Laura's friend who we don't see nearly
as often as we did.  Sophie is a POMS at Columbine HS so she stays very busy but thankfully
 she was able to join us to decorate sugar cookies.
 This is Sophie's third year joining us...I have to say, I am very proud of
 her work.  Sophie always declared herself as craft challenged but she rolled out those
 cookies and decorated them like a pro!

Laura's snowman cookie

Alex's Pirate cookie

My snowgirl!

David's cookie ...like me, he likes to decorate houses!

 Our 15th annual family Gingerbread House:

Decorating a house on Christmas Eve is a family tradition we all  cherish.

Back of the house, decorated mostly by Laura.

Side of the house, a joint effort.  Trees done by me, snowman by Alex and side window by Laura.
 Our gingerbread house surrounded by several miniature
 trees (decorated with miniature Hallmark ornaments)

Font of the house decorated by me.  Side of the house is Alex's and David's work.  Alex
 created a ski school on the side.
 He said dad was the ski instructor and he is the student.
 Alex used candy canes to create skis for the gingerbread boys.

A  better view of Alex's ski school.  On the left is Alex (student) and
on the right is Dad (the teacher).

Laura

Alex on skis

 I also had to include some pictures of our kitchen table Christmas Decor, mostly handmade by me:

We had a great Christmas Day.  It was a white Christmas...the snow just makes it more beautiful and festive.  Alex was thrilled with his scooter and huge pile of new Lego's.  Laura was a very happy teenage girl with all her new makeup, clothes and a Vera Bradley handbag.  David was happy with his metal moose wall hanging & binoculars.  I was very happy with a new felting sewing machine (can't wait to try it out).  We are all very blessed!

I wish everyone who reads this a very Happy New Year!

Vintage Christmas 4 - Family Heirlooms

These Vintage Christmas items are special to my family.  They all belonged to David's family, they have been passed on several generations.  David and his brother split the "collection" this past summer after his dad passed away and his mom no longer wanted to keep them.  There is also a collection of very old trains, putz houses and more bottle brush trees but those have not been unpacked yet.

Vintage Christmas 3

I found this special vintage find at in estate sale in Brighton, CO.  It was a long drive north but it proved to be well worth my time.  I also found lots of other vintage treasures, but this was just extra special.  The kids love him!

Vintage Christmas 2

I found these little treasures at Amy's shop, The Pink Attic Cat in downtown Littleton:

Love them!

They will be part of a waterless snow-globe or cloche...

Vintage Christmas 1

I found this little treasure at Alamo Antiques, Boutique and Gallery last week:

I love it:

Catching Up...

It's been a while since I have blogged about my creative endeavors.  The last couple of months have been a blur.  Most weekends were spent at craft shows/bazaars.  Some were great and some were not so great (sales wise).  Thankfully, the last two craft shows (Sugar Plum Bazaar and A Paris Street Christmas Market) were a great success.  I worked extra long hours and managed to carry on most days with very little sleep in an effort to re-stock and be fully prepared for Sugar Plum and A Paris Street.  Thankfully my efforts were rewarded.

I am thankful for my family, who  have been very supportive of my craft shows.  Although I have worked very hard these past months, I also have had great quality time with my family and friends.

Some of the highlights have been enjoying a fantastic night on Thursday, November 15th when Laura  (my daughter), Sophie, Lisa and Katie enjoyed the final installment of the Twilight movies-Breaking Dawn Part 2.  The movie did not disappoint!  Although there is a part of the movie (if you have seen this movie and have read the books you know exactly what I am talking about) that was just shocking.  I think the whole movie theater was full of people who just stopped breathing...for a second or two.  It was a great mother/daughter night out. 

And, of course there is Thanksgiving.  My sister Gaby and her two teenage sons, Tony and Santos traveled from El Paso to spend Thanksgiving with us.  My sister and I even got a chance to go estate sale shopping - it was a great afternoon.  I don't remember the last time my sister and I did something together--- just the two of us!  All the kids stayed home and they had a great time watching movies while we spent time together.  I love spending time with my sister and her kids.  I just wish we lived in the same city and we could just hang out more often.  A few days ago she and I had a good laugh over the phone about how great it would be if we lived in Harry Potter's world and we could just apparate (disappear then magically re-appear where-ever we wanted to go)  into one another's  home and have dinner together.   I miss her...

After the Paris Street Christmas Market on December 1st, I think I started to really feel overwhelmed.   That marked the last show of the season and you would think I would feel relieved but no, quit the opposite.  Why?  Christmas...

Creating always helps to keep me calm.  It really is a form of therapy for me.  I think I can cope with life better when I create.    Today, I created something and it really helped...

My first vintage cloche.   I feel better...

What also helped is I have slowly been catching up on so many things...still have lots to do but this is what I have accomplished:

• Sleep!
• Cleaning most of the house.
• Took Christmas Photo of the kids AND mailed all the Christmas Cards today!
• Shopped for many gift cards...mailed them today!
• Most of my Christmas Gifts have been mailed  today!  (except for two)
• Christmas Decorating...although David has done a lot more than me.  He loves Christmas and bringing out all those boxes full of Christmas stuff makes him happy (where it kinda stresses me out only because there is so much of it it takes a good week just to get it all done). 
• Updated by BLOG...just now!

However, I still have lots more to do:

• Get my Sales worksheets done and complete my Sales Tax Returns 
• Christmas gifts for my Colorado friends - wrap them.
• Decorate my Kitchen with Christmas and still need to decorate numerous Christmas trees
• So behind on pictures.  I still need to download pictures from Halloween, Thanksgiving .... The moms in Alex's classroom probably think I have totally forgotten to send them the links to the Halloween pictures....I haven't forgotten I'm just that far behind (Carla...I will get them ....sometime next 2 weeks)
• Shopping list for baking cookies (every time I go to the grocery store I tell myself, I can't think about that yet)
• Several wonderful on-line classes from my favorite artist, Christy Tomlinson and Margie Romney-Aslett that I have yet to see.   I usually enjoy my on-line classes at night but I have been too tired -- I have been sleeping.
• Update my Etsy shop.  I have a bin full of items I want to list but have not had time to take photos.  

Finally, news about my space at Alamo Antiques, Boutique and Gallery.  I have mixed feeling about this. I have enjoyed having a space in downtown Littleton.  I have been happy with my space and watching the traffic of customers  increase when I am working at Alamo Antiques on Wednesdays (10a.m. - 2 p.m. is my shift).  Sadly, the owner of Alamo Antiques has decided to not continue with Alamo Antiques, Boutique and Gallery.  At the end of December, it will close.   I am grateful for this opportunity and have learned from this experience.  I strongly believe that when one door closes, another opens.  I don't know what that will be but I am hopeful, perhaps another opportunity will present itself.

I have learned much about my little business, Isa Creations this year.

•  I have learned which shows I will continue to do next year and which ones I will not do again. 
• I have learned how important networking is and hope to continue to grow in that area.
• I have learned that creating vintage linen birds and pin cushions is become my signature.  It is great when customers come to my booth and remember me (actually remember my birds and pin cushions) from show to show.  
• I will continue to add new things, mostly because that is just part of my creative DNA.  I will continue to create my vintage linen birds and pin cushions but will continue to add new items as I grow creatively.

I loved creating these mix media houses.  It started with Halloween, then Christmas.  I plan to create more items next year with a House as a theme.  Year round mix-media houses using some of my favorite scrapbook papers/vintage ephemera.  I plan to do more creative things with felted wool and have new ideas with vintage embroidered linens.

But for now, my focus is back to my family and taking time off from Isa Creations.

A Paris Street Market Rue De Noel

I have lots of pictures to share but I have not had time to download any of them.  They are still in the camera!  Today and tomorrow I will be at A Paris Street Christmas Market.  After this weekend I plan on taking better care of my blog.

I am really looking forward to this show.  The vendors setup yesterday and I can tell you there is lots of great booths with a wide variety of items, especially lots of gift items and vintage Christmas which I love. 

Holiday Open House at Alamo Antiques, Boutique & Art Gallery

I am one of the vendors participating in the Holiday Open House at Alamo Antiques, Boutique & Art Gallery.  Several vendors, including me (Isa Creations Booth #11 in the basement) will be offering 20% discount during this Special Holiday Open House.  Here are more details:

Vintage Lace & Silver Garland Christmas Trees

I am pleasantly surprised at how my estate sale findings continue to inspire me to create new things.  This past year, I was lucky to find great estate sale finds.  Vintage lace and trimmings are among my favorite finds.  I previously created heart shaped lavender scented sachets using various vintage lace and trimmings.  Now that the holidays are upon us (how did that happen so fast?), I realized I could use the same vintage lace and trimmings to create Christmas Trees.

I found the Silver Garland at The Pink Attic Cat in downtown Littleton.  I love shopping at Amy's The Pink Attic Cat,  it's always full of vintage treasure.   I love how this tiny silver garland provides just the right amount of sparkle, it catches the light.

I covered the metal stars with Silver German glass glitter....love that glitter!

Here are my Vintage Christmas Lace Trees:

Upcoming Markets

I am working hard on finishing some new seasonal items just in time for two shows.  They will actually overlap for one day.  Thankfully my family will be helping me with Grandmothers House Gift Market while I remain at Sugar Plum Bazaar on Saturday, November 17th. 

The first one will Grandmother's House Boutique in Parker, Colorado:

As you see, Saturday November 17th is when both shows overlap.  Thankfully, I have enough inventory to fill my booth at Grandmother's House Gift Market, Sugar Plum Bazaar and of course my booth at Alamo Antiques, Boutique & Art Gallery in historic downtown Littleton.  Yes, I have been very busy but I also love creating all these handmade items.

Here is the info on Sugar Plum Bazaar:

4th Annual Art By Craft Exhibit at RedLine

The Art by Craft Exhibit at the Redline opens this Friday with a reception.  Although I will not be able to attend the reception, I was at the Redline yesterday to help out with the installation of the exhibit.  It was nice to meet and spend time with members of the Denver Handmade Alliance.  I got a photo of my piece on exhibit, A Vintage Wedding Dress Hankie on a black canvas.

 Here is the Art by Craft poster with all the details:

4th Annual Art by Craft Exhibit

I have been a member of Denver Handmade Alliance for several years.  It's a great organization that promotes the work of many local artisans and provides networking opportunities.   I always learn from other creative people who love what they do. 

This year I have volunteered with Denver Handmade Alliance.  I am a  part of their Art by Craft committee.  I will be involved this Saturday to check-in artist artwork at  Redline in downtown Denver.  Monday I will help setup the exhibit (just a few hours).  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the reception but my work will be on exhibit.  I submitted a vintage intricate lace hankie transformed into a Wedding Dress Vintage Hankie Dress.  I will take a photo next Monday and post it on my blog.  Here is the information from:

The Denver Handmade Alliance is proud to announce the 4th annual Art by Craft Exhibit at RedLine Denver. Art by Craft is an exhibition of craft based works within and fine arts setting and we are thrilled to have it again this year at RedLine Denver. This year will be displaying the work of the following 18 local artists:

Adrienne DeLoe
Andrea Thurber
Beth Wood

Carrie Rorvig
Christa Pisto
Heather Doyle-Maier
Hope Rayel Morgan
Isabel Wagner
Jennifer Ghormley
Katy Zimmerman
Lara Nickel
Mary Katz
Nancy Hilton-Briney
Nathan Hall
Pamela Webb
Rachael Boice
Rebecca Peebles
Robert Bell

The opening reception is scheduled for Friday November 9th from 6pm-9pm at RedLine Denver, 2350 Arapahoe Street Denver, CO 80205. Beverages will be on hand from our lovely sponsors Breckenridge Brewery and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Local musicians Land Lines will perform at 8pm and food truck Waffleganger will be on hand.

The exhibition will run through Thursday, November 29th.

CreativiTea

This truly has been a week of highs and lows.  Highs because I am happy to have found a place to sell my handcrafted items in Historic Downtown Littleton at Alamo Antiques, Boutique & Art Gallery.  I am excited about this new venture.

Lows because this has been an exhausting few weeks.  I have spent a lot of time sorting, tagging, packing my inventory for my booth at Alamo Antiques, Boutique & Art Gallery and for the CreativiTea Craft show.  Every single item had to be tagged!   CreativiTea craft show has a central checkout so this requires every item be tagged with my vendor number and price.  The same for Alamo Antiques, Boutique & Art Gallery.

Yesterday, I setup my booth for CreativiTea.  This space is smaller that most of the shows I have done....only 6 x 8!  It was a challenge that required time and patience, but I am happy with the results.  I managed to display everything I took with me.

I look forward to reading a book from my Nook (birthday gift from my husband and kids) during the CreativiTea craft show.  I like interacting and talking to customers and other vendors, but I can also relax and enjoy a book during the slow times.  This show is more relaxing because I can socialize but I don't have to worry about handling cash or the square (credit card sales) -- it will all be handled by the ladies of CreativiTea.

I also want to thank my friend Amy who has helped me so much this week.  I would not of  succeeded in this weeks endeavors without her help.  She has picked up Alex from school on Tuesday so I could continue to setup by booth at Alamo Antiques, Boutique & Art Gallery and Thursday so I could setup by booth at CreativiTea....and she will pick him up today while I am at CreativiTea.  My daughter Laura has also helped me this week by taking care of her brother Alex.  

Here is more information on the 2 day show:

Pictures of my booth at CreativiTea:

Front Side of my booth

Side of by Booth - I love my new door screen display boards.

I forgot my vintage linen bird tree which will go on the metal base with the snowmen clips.  I will add that, along with the vintage embroidered linen birds this morning before the show opens.

Alamo Antiques, Boutique and Art Gallery in Historic Downtown Littleton

I have been waiting over a week to share some exciting news.  I now have a booth at Alamo Antiques, Boutique and Art Gallery in Historic Downtown Littleton.   After finally deciding to rent a space, my husband David and I worked on the space last Saturday.  David added shelves and clothes rack so I can display my handcrafted items in a small room in the basement.  It's just the right size...not too big, not too small.  I also prepared a little color postcard, double-sided to help promote my new space.  I want to thank Amy, owner of  the Pink Attic Cat whose shop is across the street for her advise on my new space.  My postcards are now at the Pink Attic Cat and Amy will make them available to her customers.   (Update 10/25/12 --  my postcards are also now at Vintage Vendors).  I also want to thank Carolyn of  Vintage Vendors for letting me know about space being available at Alamo Antiques. You can say Carolyn got me on this new path.   Vintage Vendors also have a space at Alamo Antiques with great vintage finds.  Carolyn and Amy have been very supportive of my new venture and that support means so much to me....thank you ladies.   Vintage Vendors at 5776 S. Rapp St. and the Pink Attic Cat  at 2555 W. Alamo Ave are my two favorite places to shop in Historic Downtown Littleton.  I love shopping at their shops.

Here is my little postcard:

Front of the postcard

Back of the postcard - A collage of items available at Alamo Antiques, Boutique & Art Gallery

Taking pictures of my new space was a bit of a photographic challenge.  There are several lights near the ceiling which made photos a challenge.  I created a banner with my business name which is at the door frame as you enter the room:

Here are some highlights of my space at Alamo Antiques, Boutique and Art Gallery:

I will also be working one shift a week.

Top shelf has a collection of my Vintage embroidered linen Dress-forms.  The light basically washed them out of the photo....but this is your first view as you enter the room. 

I think my favorite part of this space is the shelves.  I love how this showcases my handcrafted items.  A big thanks to my husband David.