Cutest Post of 2015 (Most Popular too) - A Kid's Cottage...

In case you missed it - I'm reposting my most popular post from this year.  And it's not at all about me or anything I've done.  Rather - it's all about these cute little owner-designed cottages for kids by an online friend of mine.  Take a peek...

Today I'm sharing a little small business love.  

I'd like to introduce you to this awesome kid's cottage

 that can be assembled by the kids themselves.  

Is that genius or what?

 

 What a great way to foster creativity and working together...

And what child doesn't love a great play house?

These are available in pine or cedar - just adorable.

 

Business owners Matthew and Jeremy would be

 happy to answer any questions I'm sure.

Check out their Kid Cottage Kits website.

 

 And one more parting shot of all that cuteness...

Photos used by permission.

Yay for the God-given ability to design and learn.

 What a fun 'toy' to keep at Gramma's! ~Joyce

Maybe I should make this a blog about highlighting others' great creativity!  :)  
For sure I'll have to do more sharing in 2016 - so keep checking back...

Herbal Tea on the Cheap...

Do you enjoy herbal teas?  Do you like peppermint and chamomile?  

Do you want to save up to $67 per year just on tea?

Or over $130 if you drink 2 cups per day?  Yes really!!

Did you know that you can get these flavors at Dollar Tree? 

 Did you know that they cost just $1 per box and that a box has 

30 tea bags inside (not just 18 or 20!)? 

 

And did you know that it tastes great?   Truly!!!

 

 Not at all a paid advertisement - just passing a long a frugal tip.

And people say saving a dollar or 2 here or there isn't that big a deal...

Think again my friends - think again.
 Happy Tea Drinking!  ~Joyce

Christmas Trimmings...

 As I was cleaning up from our family Christmas gift giving - 

I was struck by the beauty of the now 'used' trimmings...

The ribbons and papers were handled with love to adorn a gift

 given as a token of love.  How could I just quickly toss them in the trash?

This sweet wire flower adorned a gift for me from my daughter.

  She didn't even call my attention to it.  But you can be sure I noticed.  

She made it with 'some wire she had laying around'.   

And it doesn't seem she had any intention that I'd keep it.

But keep it I surely will!

And while I did my share of tossing - I also did my share of salvaging.   

I can never toss out pretty ribbon and this sheer red is a beauty.  

And gold snowflake tissue paper?  Gotta keep some of that too...

Sorry if this all makes me sound cheap.  But oh how I love trimmings.

Do you recycle gift wrap?  Gift bags?  Ribbons?  Bows?  

I have my very own trimmings stash-heaven!

Merry Christmas to me all over again...   ~Joyce

Winter Sale in the Shop....

Hi friends!  It's been a good year on Etsy.  

 I'd like to thank you by offering an end of year sale... 

15% off anything starting at $9.99.   

The shop is well stocked with almost 90 items!

Your coupon code to use....   15endofyear15

www.quiltednest.etsy.com

  Head on over to the shop now!!!  Sale ends January 1, 2016.

And thank you for an awesome 2015!!!

~Joyce

 

Christmasy Things - Decoratin' and Craftin'...

 This post is long overdue and with Christmas just 2 days away -

 it'll be food for thought for next year at this point.  But alas - 

 sharing some things  from around my home in the past weeks...

My family rooms show my 'country' side.  The terrarium is

 outfitted with trees and ornaments all nestled on a bed of red plaid.... 

Picked up these deer at a yard sale this fall for $1-$2 each...

The mini prim ornaments were just 50 cents for the whole bunch (4 of them)...

Across the room - I adorned the grapevine wreath with a faux tree branch.  

The bow, etc. help to hide some of its center hardware...

Due to time restraints - I decided to  'add' some seasonal decor to

 my old cupboard top rather than completely redoing what was there...

 I had a few baskets with nothing in them - couldn't have that -

So more faux tree branches and ornaments to the resuce...

(Notice the deer in there?  It came from the same yard sale as the ones mentioned earlier.)

 

My kitchen usually gets a spray of lighted garland across the counter.   

When I don't have time for much else - 

this says 'Christmas' while we enjoy our evening dinners...

 Also took time to do a very small craft.  

Christmas cards from last year became some sweet ornaments...

I glued popsicle sticks to the cards covering the section I thought was pretty.  

(why popsicle sticks?  cause I had them... )

Then cut around the edges and sanded edges to distress.  

I gave edges and backs a light coat of glaze that I wiped off.  

Last - glued on some waxed string with a looped knot in center...

...and I think they're kinda cute.  Would make great package

 adornments and I just may use them as such!

Merry Christmas my friends!  Stay calm and remember 

the manger that led to the cross and resurrection... 

Our opportunity for an eternity in heaven if we give our 

lives in response.   And it's my hope that you have!

~Joyce