Heart Swap!!

Can you all believe it is almost the New Year?? Time passes SO quickly!! I am sure you too are thinking about what you want to Do/Change in your life for the New Year!

I plan on getting rid of a lot of "Stuff" and embracing those things I truly Love!! Getting rid of "emotional baggage," negativity and THINGS in this old house that I don't love. What about YOU? What are you planning for the New Year?? I would love to hear,,,,because we learn from each other!!

But also,,I'm thinking Valentines Day......My Christmas decor is STILL up,,but I'm starting to work on a few things for Valentine's day........I SO loved making these hearts,,,,,,which were on the "Joyworks" Wedding Tree......but work anytime! And I've started working on some other Valentine Goodies,,,,,,,,,,So, How do you feel about a SWAP?

 Would you like to take part in a Valentine Swap??? I think it would be fun!! Just leave a Comment , I'll pair everyone up and we'll swap by the 31st of Jan! It can be a CARD, a TAG, a Heart, A "Sweet Treat", A romantic Book, etc.......let's just "Share the Love." Make up or assemble your creation/package with something YOU would like! (Men don't usually "Get it" right,,,,so FUN to swap with a Gal and get what you Love!)


I found some GREAT ideas on Pinterest from the Simple to the extreme ,,,,If you want to check them out, go to my "I heart you Board"...(Under Shelly Rollins).


Love  to you ALL and lets have a Creative, innovative, inspirational New YEAR!!

Hugs and a "Heartfelt" Bus!
Shell

(Just leave a Comment HERE or at my Email address below,  if you want to take part of the swap by January 15th to participate! If your blogger profile does not link to an email for you, please include that in your post,,,OR Email me at Shelly39WA@aol.com with the info,,,I will only share it with your Swap partner!) Take pics of your "Swaps" and we'll share when swaps are complete!!)

Happy "Boxing day! And a box from my friend Donna!!!

I hope you ALL had a lovely Christmas!! Mine was VERY low-key this year, but precious, because I got to spend quite a bit of it with my youngest, Andrew. We had Brunch here,,,,,,and then headed off to see Les Mis. Which was basically ALL I wanted for Christmas.......And we both loved it!!We shared my "Famous Potatoes" which I'll post below, if you want the recipe.

And today? I received a lovely "boxed" gift from my Dear Friend Donna, from Brynnwood Needleworks Blog fame! She and I decided to do a swap for the Holidays,,,,,,,I sent her a "Musically inspired Snowman" and a few other goodies and she send me this Gorgeous Pin Cushion and Bookmark!!

So Awesome and Donna knows me WELL!!! I LOVE to read,,,,,,,Read more than I should, Love to sew,,,,,the Pincushion in the Background is amazing!!! love the ruffled seam binding and the Vintage Button embellishement!!  And I love pink, creme and green!! My favorite colors!!! I've sewn on paper,,,,,but Donna combined paper and fabric on the bookmark!! Fun!

 And nothing like a cozy cup of cocoa while your pursing your other pleasures!!!

But wait,,,,there is MORE!!! These Photo/Card holders will be PERFECT for the Valentine Class I'm teaching next month! I can use them for Sample cards,,,,and later for my own Valentine vignette!

I added a Vintage Christmas Card so you could see how they work!! Lovely!!

Thank you SO much Donna! I love it all!!! I've been single for quite some time now,,,,,but even when I wasn't,,,,,,,always thought that our Female friends "Get it!." They know what we love,,,,,,,,,The gifts don't have to be expensive,,,,,,,and yet they are things that we LOVE to get!~! Thank you!!

Love you all!! I was hoping to send out more gifts to blog friends this year,,,just little things, but being sick this month,,,,,,,,,and trying to catch up, it didn't happend!! Some of you are going to get Surprise little gifts in the weeks and months to follow..............

Happy Boxing Day.......and a Belated Merry Christmas!!.......New Years wishes to follow!!


Oh shoot,,,,,,,,almost forgot my families Fave Potatoes!!! See Below!!

Hugs, love and a Thankful Bus!!
Shell

Shell's Family Potatoes

Servings appx 4 (YOU CAN DOUBLE)......HA! My family eats these like Crazy!!

One Bag Cubed Hashbrowns Frozen (Not shredded/cubed)
One half onion diced
2-3 Tablespoons Parsley, Fresh please!
Fresh ground pepper
4ish peeled minced cloves Garlic
One and a half pints Sour Creme ( I know but it's Christmas!)
2-3 cups grated Cheddar Cheese


( I switched my recipe up this year,,,,,so you can Add Chopped Cooked ham or not)
But I added appx 1 1/2 cup Ham this year.

1
Mix Sour Creme, Garlic, Onion and Parsley and Pepper in a large bowl.
2
Fold in Potatoes (and Ham if you want. ) Mix well.
3
Press into a grease 13x9 baking dish or equivalent.

4
Cover with a  thick layer of Cheddar Cheese.
Cover.
5
Bake in a 350 oven for 45 minutes covered. Remove foil and allow cheese to lightly brown.......

Tada!! Hope you enjoy......this has been a family fave for about 18 years.......

A bit of Decor for Christmas

This Christmas season has been interesting to say the Least! Between having a new kitten and being sick for a couple of weeks,,,,I had to re-think things. And I didn't "do" my usual "Winter White" Christmas,although I love that too!! I always have such a hard time, picking and choosing colors....themes, etc. Because I love it all!!! If you've seen my previous posts/picks...I went less traditional this year,,,,,with lots of Aquas,,,pinks, lighter greens,,,,etc. So, although I am NOT doing a big tree this year,,,,,,these colors carried threw.........


My Garland,,,,,,in the big old arch I have in this old house........

I hung a lot of those old pastel/Vintage ornies on my Garland, in the archway or my living/dine room!
So far,,,,,Kitten free!!!

Some of you have seen this Huge French cupboard before,,,,,,,I filled some of its "Cubbies with Santas and deer.......


And? I have this Angel, we named her Emma several years back.......

I kept her simple this year....just a Vintage feathered crown from one of my Besties, Deb Bock,,,,,and a trio of Rosaries..........

I'm truly only putting out those things that I really love this year. Those things that evoke memories and spirit. Between being sick for several weeks and THIS,,,,,,,,

(only 4 months old and HUGE) addition,,,,,,,,,,,I've made some ahem.....adjustments!!





Not to mention, I'll only be spending Christmas with one son. We're going to have breakfast together and then go see "Les Mis."

That will be my Christmas. My family is small and scattered.  I just feel blessed that I get to do one of my favorite things,,,,,share one of my favorite things with my youngest. We both love music,,,,,of all sorts.

It's not about gifts. It's about spending time and creating memories with those you love. I'm blessed to have lots of friends that fill the gaps in my family. I'm sure I'll post  at least once more, before Christmas,,but KNOW that I love, appreciate,enjoy, cherish you all,,,,,,,and wish you the BEST for the Holidays and the New Year!!!


Hugs and a "Sparkly" Bus!
Shell

Cookie Time with my "Bestie!" Tomorrow

No,,,,these aren't MY Cookies,,,,,,they are from a pretty image/Link from L&V Sweets you can find on my "Christmas Treats" Board on Pinterest.......

But Tomorrow??? I get to make Christmas Cookies with my "Bestie!" I'm taking my Camera for sure. She's not from Blogland, she doesn't Craft/Junk, and she posts on FB about twice a year. She wears suits! She works in an office or out of her car most of the time. She's conservative/practical, business centered and FOCUSED!! What in the HECK is she doing with ME???

We both love Family, Animals, Community. Other than that, it's kind of like "Opposites attract." She grounds me,,,,,,,and I think I give her Wings!!!

Looking forward to our "Cookie Time!"

Hugs, Love and a "Sweet" Bus!
Shell

And the "Lion" lies down with the Lamb

I love this,,,,,because it's a perfect today.

We can all be so different, but we stick together when our World falls apart. 

Prayers to all the Families who lost loved ones this day. Prayers to all the Children and school staff that had to witness this. Prayers to the Emergency teams that pulled bodies out. Prayers to those that had to notify loved ones. Prayers to the extended family of the Shooter, and perhaps they are going to need it MOST dealing with the Rants and Rage of this disturbed young man.

I don't like guns. But I grew up with them, as my family members were all Hunters. I wish they didn't exist, but I don't blame this on the guns.

This young man was Sick. And I'm sure it'll be a long time before we know WHY. I'm more upset that there isn't more help for the mentally ill. Healthcare is a MESS and the mentally ill are greatly affected by this. I am sad for him. Everyone says he was "Evil." Maybe he was, but more than anything,  I think he was just Sick. And maybe IF he had had the right resources, this would NOT have happened.

I hurt for everyone involved. And we are ALL involved!! We need to find out WHY this happened and what we can DO to prevent this in the Future!!!

Hugs to you all,,,,,,and I'm sure today you are hugging those you love just a bit tighter!!

Shell

Fabulous "Bling" from my Jana Girl, Joy and Thanks!

You know how when you've been sick for awhile,,,,,,okay a LONG while, and you start to feel better,,,,,,and All you want to do is the Simple Things!! Like Tidy the house,  Shave your legs, Put on your face,,,perhaps Even go OUT in Public??? Well, Thankfully that was me yesterday! Although I didn't get to Tidy the house,,,,I went back to work FINALLY at Joyworks!! And as I posted this morning (Yep, two posts today) I got through a day of work and then even rallied to go to the Joyworks Christmas Party!!!

If you missed this morning's post,,,,I'd really recommend that you scroll down to see our "Fantabulous Party!! It was a lovely nite!!!


And although I took pics at the Party,,,,I didn't get to take pictures of the fun handmade Items I kept "Stealing" in our Annual Dice game,,,,,,that Jana made!!!

Eeek!! Love the little charm/pendant, "She loves Joyworks." And the Vintage jewel "Tree" framed on a canvas!!! Their is also a fun Garland that I'll post in a couple of days.....Hey!! I'm waaaaaay behind on the decorating after the Plague!!

Hope to share with you a few more Holiday Vignettes this week! But the basics come/came first!!

I have a lot of Thanks and Joy in my heart today! Nothing else seems to matter when you are sick. But I'm thankful I have such awesome co-workers that covered for me when I was off, and a newfound "JOY" just to feel better!!!

I hope your week is starting well! I have a newfound appreciation for the simple things. Stay healthy!!

Hugs, Love and a Thankful, Joyful "Bus!"
Shell

(If you missed the post this morning,,,,,make sure you scroll down,,,,,we had Such a lovely Evening!!)

Joyworks Christmas Party 2012

Shew!! No one on the Naughty list this year!! 

What a fun evening we Joyworks Gals had last nite at our annual Christmas Party!! 

We all headed out to the Johnson Family Beach house....Too Cute!

Lots of Lovely Decor in Red and Aqua.....

The Mantle all aglow

I know, Magazine Worthy, Right??

Everything but the Kitchen Sink!

Things are Cookin' in the Kitchen!! (Sandi and Amy)

Oooooh, nice presentation Amy!

Yummy Beverages!

Let the Games Begin!! Whatcha Got Penny Girl???

"JOY" Book letters,,,,,,But don't get too attached,,,,,,someone might steal these!!

Rita's turn!!

Jill gets the grand Prize!

Fun Gift Bags full of lots of Joy from Clarice!

And Finally our Gift for the best Boss Ever!

Clarice gets a new IPad!

Always a fun Eve with the greatest group of Ladies!! I felt extra grateful this year that I was healthy enough to make it!!

Tonight or tomorrow I'll post the goodies I got in our Gift swap/game from Jana!!


Hugs, Love and a "Joyful" Bus!!
Shell

Fun Class Today!

I had a great time teaching a Class today with a group of lovely and eager ladies!! It was fun to see what they came up with, although some gals rushed out to pick up kids before I got  All their photos!
I think they learned a new thing or two! 

Cute Ronda, who organized the class! She's a Joyworks Shopper too!

I pre-made the Paper clay snowman since they take a couple of days to dry. Some gals did "Heads" and others embellished full bodies....

All sorts of color combos! 

I remembered all the supplies but the oh so tiny yet significant orange paint for the noses!! Fortunately, our Hostess Susie had an Orange sharpie which we toned down a bit with some Tim Holz distress pad.

Susie, our sweet Hostess  on the left .

Next Class with be on Sat January 26 at  the wonderful Bountiful Home and Nursery in Edmonds. We'll be making Vintage Inspired Valentine Boxes,  sewn paper Valentines and Tussie Mussies.  Classes will be $20 per person, classes held at 10:00am and 2:00 with a noon slot if classes are full. Email me if you are interested at Shelly39WA@aol.com.


Came home exhausted and slept for 2 hours! Don't get this bug!!

Hugs, Love and a "Classy" Bus!!
Shell

A Winner! Class Bags for tomorrow!

Congrats to Dee Dee,,,,,,I will be making a Custom Snowman box just for YOU tomorrow! I could not find your email, but left you a message on your blog, So If you read this or That msg, let me know what colors you would like!!!

 Thank you all for your comments and entering! I wish I had time to make one for Everyone. Some of you may get a little "Somethin' Somethin" from me for the Holidays Anyway,,,,,,Just sayin'!

Putting together Class kits/ Bags today! I'm really looking forward to teaching this Class tomorrow! Hopefully, we'll have some fun pics of their projects!!

Hope your week is going well, I'm still congested but little by little getting my energy back! What a long haul! From what I saw on the news, I think it was the FLU,,with the body aches/fever and major congestion! I'll be heading to the Pharmacy as soon as I feel better for a Flu shot anyway,,,JUST in case! Stay healthy!

Thank you all for Entering. I'm still thinking a Holiday Tag Swap might be fun next week! If you're game, leave a msg. I am NOT a Tag specialist,,,,,,but I think it would be a fun inexpensive thing to make and share......Leave a comment if you are interested.....I'm thinkin' 5 tags/ 5 swaps. Would cost no more than a card to send.......Let me know!

Hugs, Love and a "Busy" Bus!!
Shell

Last day to Enter!

Last day to Enter, if you haven't already!! I'll draw a name tomorrow morning!

Thursday, I'm teaching a class and in the process, I'll make a piece to Give away! I favor Pastels and Neutrals, but if you leave a comment and let me know what colors you would like,,,,,I'll create a OOAK piece for you!! Traditional Christmas is fine too!

Just leave a comment today, if you haven't already, for a chance to win!

Hope your week is going well. I'm still stuffed up a bit,,,but the coughing and aches have gotten better! Get your Flu Shot,,,,,because it appears that is what I've had!

Stronger again day by day,,,,want to get Back to all the things I love!

Hugs love and a "Frosty Bus!!"
Shell

Today is the LAST day to Enter, as tomorrow morning, I hope to touch base with whoever "wins" so I'll know what to work on, on Thursday!!!

Snowman Giveaway,,,,,Enter by Wed!

Just a reminder, if you haven't entered yet, I'll be drawing one name for a Custom Snowman box of your choice, on Wednesday. I posted a couple examples yesterday,,,here is one more. Just leave a comment by Wednesday to Enter!

Hope your week is starting off right!!

Hugs, Love and a "Snowy" Bus!
Shell

Custom Snowman Box Giveaway

This Thursday, I am giving a paperclay Snowman class. I'll be demonstrating different things,,,,,and in the process creating a Snowman box myself. So,,,,I thought it would be Fun to give the box I work on away,,,to one of YOU!

It doesn't have to be neutrals or pastels,,,,,you can pick your own color/glitter.......Top hat or Cone....

Just leave me a comment  here on my blog,,By Wednesday, December 5th,  and I'll send it out to you by Friday!


You can review some of my older posts and if you see a snowman there that "Floats your boat," let me know! There are "Full body snowmen, some with flags/banners in other colors. So Just let me know what you'd like!!



Happy Sunday! Hope you are having fun gearing up for the Holidays. I'm feeling a bit better, but still have the crud. Didn't work today,,,although I really, really wanted to!!

Today is the Anniversary of my Mother's passing. 5 years today. It just makes me want to hold those I love and care for a bit tighter!!  Just leave a comment before Thursday and your entered .....

Hugs, Love and a "Snowy" Bus!
Shell