spring tins and whimsical egg candlesticks

We met again last Friday night to craft our hearts away.  I am so proud of my girls they have become the best crafters and such good friends.

I decided it would be fun to present each of the ladies with a cute little Easter basket filled with jelly beans, malted eggs and milk chocolate.  I figured it must have been a very long time since these givers of baskets actually got one themselves.

I tucked the paper nests in a cute little box and made them each a pretty He is Risen tag as well.

I love how each of their spring tins and whimsical egg candle sticks came out.  They were so much cuter than my samples.  I am going to selfishly say that it must be my exceptional teaching skills that has their creativity surpassing the teacher.  Ha, ha!

I've promised them a Mother's Day inspired memory journal for April's workshop which means I have some creating to do this week.

Thank you so much for your kind words to my post yesterday, you are all such an encouragement to me.  Hope this Monday is starting off with plenty of sunshine and the promise of a beautiful spring week for each of you.

xo, Patty

paper nests

I have been busy this week getting ready for my March Makerie party guests.  We meet tonight for a bit of crafting, some fun conversation and plenty of food.

One of my favorite things in preparing for the workshops is coming up with the tablescape and little appreciation gifts for each of the ladies.  Sometimes the ideas I start out with kind of evolve organically and turn out even cuter than I imagined.

These paper nests definitely fit into that category.  I knew I wanted to make the little flower pins but wasn't sure what I wanted to put in the center and then it hit me...make them into little nests.

Aren't they cute?  And they were so simple to put together.  I just made miniature paper blooms out of old dressmaking pattern paper (you know, the kind you fold like a fan and then separate into flowers), added a bit of moss to the center and hot glued a speckled egg.  Then I added a pin fastener to the back and voila...an adorable paper nest pin.

I promise to take pictures after I've set the table for the party to share with you soon.  Have a great weekend!

xo, Patty

March Workshop Info

I finally finished the class samples for the March Easter Makerie Workshop and I am tickled pink with how they turned out.  A little bit of spring sweetness is always a good thing.

A couple of hand painted wooden eggs turned into an adorable candlestick is the perfect addition to a fun Easter centerpiece.

And this little metal bucket decked out with a few colored eggs and a vintage chicken pick will be perfect to display all spring long.  Add to that the mini vintage sheet bunting and it is definitely cuteness overload.

If you are local to Southern California and would like to join me, the date is March 27, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.  The fee is $25.00.  Just send me an email at lemonlanecottage@yahoo.com and I will send you an invoice.  I am taking the first twelve emailers.

If you're interested don't wait too long as the workshop will fill up fast.  This is such a fun time out with friends.  I hope to see you there.

xo, Patty

hello March

I am busy packing for a mini planning retreat with a few women from my church.  This has been on the books for a couple of months and I am really looking forward to it.  It comes on the tail end of a busy but fun couple of weeks.  It will be nice to slow down and recharge with friends.

This is the kind of thing that my husband scratches his head over.  He can imagine nothing more uncomfortable than to spend a couple of days with people that are not family in such close quarters.  The thought of sharing a room and worse yet a bathroom, is the farthest thing from relaxing to him as you can get.

I tried to explain to him that it's more about the conversation, food and the fact that I have no one to take care of but myself that I find so appealing but he still wasn't having it.  I thought this was just a man thing but some of my girlfriends feel the same way.

I wanted to take a minute and share a few pictures of February's workshop from last Friday before I bombard you with photos for March's Easter Makerie.

I loved this mixed media project and banner and so did the ladies who attended.  They did a beautiful job especially since the canvas project was so far out of their comfort zone.  I was a bit afraid they wouldn't like the messy unstructured work of mixed media but I was wrong.  I will definitely be including more projects like this in the future.

I better get back to my packing now.  I like to leave the house clean and at least one meal ready for my hubby plus our dog gets all moody when I go away so I need to give him a little extra loving as well.

I hope the beginning of March is good to you and that the hope of Spring shows up in your weather, or at least in your memories, soon.

xo, Patty

craft party preparation

Back at the beginning of January I took a pretty pen and lined through the entire last week of the month so that I would have plenty of time to do the preparation work and cleaning before my first craft workshop of the year tonight.

I spent December perusing pinterest looking for all things Valentine, narrowed it down to a few doable favorites and used the entire month of January cutting and gluing and making cute things whenever I had a little free time.  That left this last week of the month to get the house ready and bring it all together.

I can't tell you what a difference this made.  I am usually frantic the two days prior to an event or party with never enough time to get it all done.  This time I set myself little time marks and adjusted my plans and expectation based on real time...not Patty's imaginative head time.

I've learned the hard way that if I leave it until the last minute (although I am good under pressure) I don't get to do all the fun things I have planned.

So many fun cute things...

I can't wait to show it all to you next week and give you a few easy tips and ideas on hosting your own craft party.  It is the best way to make new friends or spend a fun night with old ones.

Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.

xo, Patty

Valentines Day Makerie Workshop

Hello my friends.  I feel like I've been a way for so long but it's not been quite a week yet.  Our whole household got hit with that awful nasty flu bug.  I held out the longest but finally got bit on Saturday.  I am feeling almost back to my old self so hopefully now I can officially celebrate the New Year!

Like most of you, I have so many plans and a few changes that I would like to see happen in 2015.  One of those is more workshops with fewer people in them in.

I have learned in the last couple of years that I need to know my limits and stick with them.  I love having women in my home and I love to teach.  The best number for me to feel connected to is right around 8-10.  Any more than that and I start to lose that one on one aspect and I don't like that feeling.

You see, if you come to my home for a workshop I don't want it to just be about learning a craft (anyone can log onto pinterest and do that) I want it to be about feeling like you are sitting with friends and enjoying an evening together.

A few appetizers, maybe a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and you get to take home a couple of cute things that you made for yourself.  What could be better than that?

So with all that said, I have officially launched my first workshop of the year, a Valentines Day Makerie.

We will be making these adorable Valentine Trees, which could easily be adapted to any holiday, and painted ball jars.  (I mean who doesn't need yet another reason to collect ball jars, right?)  Neither of these ideas are original to me and you can find my sources here on my "My Valentine" pinterest board.

I just love a good craft night, don't you?

xo, Patty

This is normally the place where I would invite you to join me but I leaked the event on my FB page last night and it is already sold out.  Eeeeek!  Didn't expect that to happen.

spending time in my studio

I have been spending plenty of time in my studio creating up a storm.  I love it when the creative juices are flowing and you actually have time to turn your thoughts and ideas into handmade lovelies.

If you follow me on instagram you have seen pictures of the cuff bracelets I've been making.  I haven't had a chance to take pictures with my big girl camera to share with you here but they will be coming soon, I promise.

In the meantime, I wanted to share the second project we worked on at the Valentines Day Makerie last week.

Isn't this little banner adorable?

This project has my name written all over it.

All the little doo dads and embellishments...

pearls and lace and flowers and glitter...

love it all.

I wanted to take a minute and thank you for your words of encouragement.  My intention is always to get back to everyone who leaves a note but that "dropping the ball" syndrome kicks in and I get distracted.  After reading all the comments, I know you know exactly what I mean.  I realize there are so many other blogs to visit and the fact that you stop by here to read my thoughts and look at my pictures is so appreciated.

I am heading back into my studio to do a little more playing work.  I am planning on re-opening my etsy shop on February 1st and I have lots of shelves to stock up. 

I hope you have a beautiful Thursday!

xo, Patty

hello saturday

Hello Saturday.  It looks like we will be continuing on with our dry summer like conditions this weekend and unfortunately into the coming weeks.  The hills beyond our house were ablaze this week, as we watched the high fire dangers come to life.  What a tremendous job the firefighters on the ground and in the air did in making such quick work of what could have been an even more devastating wild fire.

Last night was my Valentine Makerie.  I cannot tell you how much I enjoy my time teaching and crafting with friends. 

This heart plaque is one of the projects we worked on.  It is always so much fun seeing the ladies add their own special spin to one of my creations.  There were plenty of pearls, lace, flowers and ribbons to play with and of course lots and lots of glitter.

Last week was a flurry of fun and visiting and celebrating with family and friends.  Needless to say my house, which was totally neglected, is in complete disarray and in need of good cleaning.  Fortunately, I have absolutely nothing planned for this week and can stay home and get things back in order. 

Even though my beef drip recipe didn't pan out, I am not discouraged and will be trying out a new marinara recipe for Spaghetti night.  I will let you know how it goes and share the recipe later in the week.

I hope you have some time this weekend to spend at home just puttering, straightening and feathering.  It is one of the most grounding things I know to do when chaos closes in. 

Happy Saturday.

xo, Patty

Valentine Makerie

Edited - This event is now full.  If you'd like to be put on the waiting list just let me know. Patty 1/3/14

Last year I started hosting Makerie craft parties in my home for friends both old and new.  When I discovered myself overbooked and overloaded and overstressed late last year and decided to start cutting back on commitments, I knew these gatherings would not be one of them. 

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They just flat out bring me joy...

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My plan is to host one every other month, holding the attendees to twelve ladies and two easy projects. 

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Ready or not the first one is on the calendar for January 17th, at 7:00 p.m.  The theme will be Valentines Day, the fee will be the same, $20.00 and as always the spots are on a first come first serve basis.  I always ask that each lady bring either a sweet dessert or savory appetizer and 12 copies of the recipe to share.

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Last year I found it hard to turn people away and often overbooked by one or two (okay, maybe four) but this year I am holding firm to twelve.  I have found that's a number I can comfortably fit in my home and still have the time and space to interact with.

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These are the pictures and pins from other talented artisans that I have drawn my inspiration from.  Their websites are lovely and I encourage you to go have a look at their work.  If you still need more inspiration take a look at My Valentine Pinterest board.  Oh my...such loveliness!

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I won't show you the actual projects we'll be making until the party because I like for there to be a little surprise element for my guests.

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If you are local to Southern California and would like to join me, there is a PayPal button on my sidebar to reserve your spot with.  If you really want to come, don't wait too long as the spots fill up fast.

Happy creating!

xo, Patty

hello Saturday

Little Christmas Scenes in a Jello Mold

Yes, I know it's already 1:00 o'clock but in my defense, I was up at 6:00 a.m. putting my house back in order after last nights Christmas Makerie.  These little Christmas forest tins are one of the crafts we made.

It was such a lovely, dreary morning that I crawled back into bed and fell asleep for a couple more hours and am debating whether or not I will get out of my pajamas today.

I can't remember the last time I had a lazy Saturday morning like this and it feels pretty darn good.

I still have to put away the beverage dispensers and wash out the large coffee pot but for the most part the house shows no evidence of our little soiree. 

Of course, that doesn't include my craft studio which still resembles a war zone to some extent but there is door that can be closed until I feel like tackling the sorting of beads and buttons and lace and ribbon.  I think I will pull a little Scarlett O'Hara and say, "Tomorrow is another day", on that one. (Or maybe even the day after that.)

I finished my gallery wall and will be taking some pictures of the living room to share with you this week.  I am completely happy with that room (okay 99%, because when is a woman every perfectly happy with a room) and ready to move onto the dining room.  I made a few changes in the kitchen that I can't wait to share, as well.

So, hello Saturday...I think I'll start a fire in the fireplace, brew myself a cup of tea and just coast on through to Sunday.

xo, Patty