Dear Colorado...

Dear Colorado,

When my husband introduced us over 10 years ago, I knew we would be instant friends. You are vast and open, your light inspires, you have lots of quilt and yarn shops, yummy food, cold weather, crisp air, great shopping, your winter light is magical, mountains as far as the eye can see and best of all you are home to some of my favorite people. Colorado, thank you for hosting Thanksgiving this year, once again you have been a wonderful place to visit.

Love,

Alisa

p.s. We will be back in March for snowboarding- please have good snow if possible.

Canvas Layers Holiday Wreath

I am so excited that the holidays have officially started and I cannot wait to share creative, easy and unique inspiration during the month of December on my blog and I will have LOTS to share so tune in everyday for tons of original ideas! To kick off the holidays I am starting with another wreath made from canvas, fabric and lots and lots of buttons! This is an easy project but packed full of color! Similar to the fall fiber wreath tutorial this project makes use of a styrofoam wreath and different fabric and canvas.

Start with a styrofoam wreath

Cut out strips of colorful fabric and wrap around the wreaths, gluing it down as you wrap.

Once the wreath is covered set aside.

The next step is to paint canvas or fabric in variety of your favorite colors or holiday colors.

Once again I am using Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky Back Canvas because it is one of my favorite types of canvas to use for projects like this! It is the perfect weight and is easy to use when layering with fabric.

You could also use raw canvas, your favorite printed fabric, scrap fabric, even paper!

When the surface is dry, cut out a variety of circles in different sizes.

Stack the circles together and sew down.

Variations- If you don't sew and you are using all sticky back canvas, you can simply stick the circles to each.

Or if you are using different materials and don't sew, use glue.

Create lots of layered circles- enough to cover the entire front surface of the wreath.

Sew colorful buttons to the surface of the circles

Once you are satisfied with all the circles, glue them to the surface of the wreath with hot glue

Cover the entire front of the wreath

And then add additional small circles and buttons to the outside of the wreath to add layers and additional width and thickness to the wreath.

The end result-

A burst of color and texture for your wall, door, holiday decorating or even displayed year round!!

Black Friday SALE!!

While I am out of town I am still working (just a little) and I have updated my shop with lots of holiday goodies, purses and more! And I have also decided to have a Black Friday SALE that I am extending through Monday!

See below for details!

Black Friday Weekend SALE!

Buy one item, get 10% off.

Buy two items, get 15% off.

Buy three or more items, get 20% off.

Please write "Black Friday Sale" in your notes to seller to receive a refund through PayPal. This sale does not apply to shipping, store credit, previous purchases or other offers.

This offer applies to all items in the store thru Midnight EST on Monday November 30, 2009.

Happy Thanksgiving!

wishing everyone an inspired, creative, peaceful and happy thanksgiving!

Last Minute Recycled Place Card Tutorial

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only two days away?! While I am not entertaining for the weekend this does mark the beginning a month full of cooking and entertaining for me! A simple set of handmade place cards is the perfect way to personalize your holidays table!

Here is a simple, quick, easy and recycled project for creating place cards for entertaining!

Start with a recycled cereal or food box.

Cover the surface with paint (two colors) blend lightly on the surface- I picked a fall palette.

Please note I am using Claudine Hellmuth's fabulous Studio Line acrylic paint- LOVE all the colors!!!!

Once you surface is dry, use stamps to add pattern (use a contrasting color that will pop!)

Use a permanent marker to quickly outline the stamped images for more contrast and dimension.

Add one more layer of stamps in another contrasting color.

Once your cardboard is dry, cut into desired shapes and sizes.

Add a piece of paper or fabric- I am using (once again) one of my most favorite supplies- Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Line Sticky Back Canvas.

Cut out strips to fit on the folded place card.

Attach the strips to the surface of the place card- I simple peeled off the back and stuck them to the surface!

Instead of using a pen, try using watered down black paint for pretty lettering on each of the cards.

The result is personal, colorful and handmade place cards for your holiday table!

Updates from the Studio

I got back to San Diego on Sunday night and I am here for just three days and then it is off to Colorado for Thanksgiving. SO excited for more family time, cold weather and snow!!

I have so much to fit into three days-

A HUGE order to start on

Etsy shop updates ( I will be having a weekend sale!)

Teaching proposals

Wholesale planning

Cleaning and packing

And lots and lots of holiday inspiration and tutorials!!

While I will be traveling- I wil be blogging from the road!

Another Trip Home

Another trip home came and went and while there was lots of activity- the second half of my trip actually felt quiet but in a really good way. There was lots of time spent thinking, watching the storms pass, listening to the rain on the roof, wind in the trees, appreciating the moments of blue sky, the calm before and after the storms, short walks when the clouds cleared, darkness at 4:30pm in the afternoon, sleeping in, talking about the future, hopes and dreams, limited computer access, unplugging my brain, appreciating my foundation, feeling grounded, paying tribute to memories and just being home.