The Color of Winter

The colors of Spring are so vibrant.  Do you think we would appreciate them as much without the greys and taupes of winter?  The cold sky is crimson and the soil is at rest. 

Our guest bedroom was recently revamped on a cold Winter's eve inspired by the colors of these quiet, dark months.  (For other guest room posts, click  here and there.)

The color palette is very subdued with touches of white and just a nod to Valentine's Day. 

Our winter wedding color was evergreen.  The flower arrangements held ivy mixed with roses that were champagne and white.  My groom wore a black tuxedo.  Interpreting our wedding into throw pillows made my heart smile.  ;-)    Click HERE for the pillow talk!  ;-)

This will be the twenty-seventh time I've celebrated Valentine's Day with Handsome Husband.  I so hope we will have at least twenty-seven more!

Sleds have been pulled from their dusty hiding places.  Perhaps they will be tugged along with the laughter of children this winter.

 

 Wedding photos and love birds have snuggled into a shelf with a bouquet of white roses.

 



An evergreen shimmers with frost and reflects the sunrise.

What color is winter to you?  Does it make you think of ivy, wedding bells and white roses?

;-)  -Marci

Tuesday Tunes Blog Hop

 

'Hangin' with Holli today at Holli's Hoots and Hollers !  It is such a fun blog hop she is hosting!  You get to link your favorite songs!  How cool is that?!

Here's one of my favorite love songs.  It's by Chris Rice. 

 

Go visit Holli for Tuesday Tunes Blog Hop and link YOUR favorite song! 

;-)  -Marci

Near Hazel Valley

On a cold and dreary Ozark morning, we went for a walk in the woods near Hazel Valley.

The camera was with us. 

It was a little too dark to take photos in the woods, but this pasture was just below us.

We are blessed to live in this area.  Even on gloomy days, beauty surrounds us.

;-)  -Marci

Something Old, Something New...

This time of year always finds me a little sentimental.  Handsome Husband and I will celebrate our 27th Anniversary soon!  Twenty - Seven Years!  Our winter wedding color was evergreen.  I carried white and champagne roses mixed with dark ivy.  The Groom wore a black tuxedo. 

As our guest bedroom was re - vamped for winter, the wedding was on my mind.  So a couple of toss pillows were created!  His and Hers!

 

 Let me tell you about the fabric...  Have you noticed the fleece blankets that are EVERYWHERE just before Christmas?  I found a dark green one on sale for * get this *  $2.00.  That's the fabric I used!  Everything else was already on hand. 

 

Using this pattern from Noodlehead, a couple of envelope pillow covers were sewn for 16 inch forms. 

His pillow is very simple.  Four pieces of tulle were cut 7 inches long.  A black ribbon was cut slightly shorter.  Using the longest stitch on my sewing machine, the ribbon and tulle were stacked on top of each other and sewn down the center.  The seam was gathered just a bit and all the layers were fluffed.  I tacked a black ribbon all the way around the cover and added the "bow tie" just a smidge off center. 

Her pillow is a series of rose accessories in different sizes tacked together to form a bouquet.

The two made with eyelet and soft yellow lace were sewn following  Chubby Fasionista's Rose Accessory tutorial.  The larger rose follows the same tutorial, but I used two fabrics.  The outer fabric is white, while the inner fabric is white with yellow and blue flowers scattered here and there. 

The large ruffle to the left is actually some kind of vintage crocheted lace.  I found it when we were shopping Yards N Yards of Yard Sales .  It was in a sandwich bag with other lace.  I think someone must have had a lovely pillow case with it on the end.  It looks like the pillow case was cut to keep the lace.  Anyhoooo, I was afraid to cut the gorgeous lace, so using my longest stitch on the machice, a seam was sewn AWAY from the vintage lace!  The seam was gathered as tightly as possible without harming anything. 

I love the end result!  His and Hers.  Twenty-seven years.  My goodness, how time flies! 

I'd love to hear what you think about my project!  How would you interpret your wedding into pillows?  I'd love to hear all about that, too! 

Happy sewing, Sweet Friends!  ;-)  -Marci

2013 Word for the Year

 This was the first project I made and hung in my Craft Room.  These funky, loopy letters make me smile.  Each is covered in a different way.  

 

Vibrant fabric.

 

For the R, I used the cover of  Seed Savers Exchange seed catalog.  Can you see all the purple and yellow vegetables?  If someone says they don't like to eat "green stuff", give them some "purple stuff".  ;-) 

 

 

Just some paint.  If you like the polka dots, click HERE for a how to.

 

 

The W is covered in a collage of photos from the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog.

 

Side note...  My two favorite places to purchase seeds are Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds  and  Seed Savers Exchange .

 

I'm hoping 2013 is a great year to

 

;-)  -Marci

Brandon Mountain

This abandoned home is on Brandon Mountain in Arkansas. 

If these walls could talk, what do you think they would say?

 

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

 

;-)  -Marci

Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 36

Welcome to Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 36.  Nichi from The Mandatory Mooch and  ME,  Marci from Stone Cottage Adventures will be co-hosting this weeks party, and I think you are going to love both of their blogs.    So head over and take a look at at what fun things they have been doing.

Adorned From Above - Hostess 

The Mandatory Mooch - Co-Hostess
Stone Cottage Adventures - Co-Hostess

This is a blog hop, so when you share your posts on Adorned From Above, they will also be seen on The Mandatory Mooch and Stone Cottage Adventures

It's so exciting to co host with Debi again!  I'd like to offer another give away! 

Two Bars of Handmade Soap! 

All you have to do is leave a comment!  One lucky winner will be drawn from the comments on this post at 

Adorned from Above 
 

a one lucky winner will be drawn from the comments on this post at

Stone Cottage Adventures !

and one lucky winner will be drawn from the comments on this post at

The Mandatory Mooch !

If you'd like to triple your chances to win, comment on all three blogs! 

So on to this weeks party.  The rules are easy.

1.  Follow all hosts in some way (GFC, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, or Linky Followers )

2.  Anything goes with posts. ( recipes, parties, etsy shops, crafts, inspirational writing, absolutely anything.  Just make it family friendly )

3.  Comment on other posts.  It is a party.  Get to know your fellow bloggers.  I have met some of the nicest people at the parties, including my co-hosts.

4.  All featured posts will be pinned on Pinterest, so by linking with this party you are giving me permission to pin your projects.

5.  Also the party now runs from 9:00PM on Tuesdays through 11:59PM on Sundays.

Let's get to it then.  First, here are the featured bloggers from the last weeks party.  Featured bloggers on Adorned From Above are picked by most page views.  So all of you pick these great posts.

Featured Bloggers from Party 35

The ' Bridesmaids ' Picture from Annie at Annie One Can Cook

Judge Not from Sara at 365 Days With Sara Style

Have Fun Together! MM # 18 from Kendra at A Proverbs 31 Wife

Congratulations to all of our featured bloggers.  Grab the featured button from my sidebar. 

We hope you have fun at this week's party.  We love hearing from you.  We love your comments.

Now let's party

Have a great week.

Debi, Charly, Nichi, and Marci

Coming Soon...

I apologize for technical difficulties...  The Adorned from Above Link Party will be available soon. 

 

You are welcome to leave a comment on this post for the Giveaway!

 

;-)  -Marci

Radishes

Guess what gift came from  Our Greenhouse  last week!   

 

 

Radishes add a nice zing to our winter salads.  Lettuce continues to do well. 

 

 

  

We are almost out of carrtots though.  When that pot is empty, I will sow snow peas...  in the greenhouse and in the garden, hopefully both crops will do well!

 

Dill will be ready to harvest soon.  A LOT!  Please help me with suggestions and recipes for fresh dill!

 

;-)  -Marci

 

 

 



Succulent Sisters Feature

It absolutely makes my day when one of my projects gets featured somewhere.  This time it's a T Shirt Makeover for Lil Fashionista .  I love sewing, especially for her!  Thank you, Linda and Carol, for featuring her outfit!

 

 

I'd like to tell you about Linda and Carol at

 

Succulent Sisters 

 

They are hosting a link party on Fridays called

 

What to do Weekends

 

The party is taking links right now.  Why don't you zip over and add a link?  It's always fun to party on the weekend! 

 

;-)  -Marci

Production Team

My production team is quite remarkable.

  

 

Intelligent and loyal.

 

 

True friends.

 

 

 Sometimes in their enthusistic support, they sneak into photos and steal the post.

 

 

When it comes to sweet wags and exuberant kisses, this is the best production team a blogger could have!

 

;-)  -Marci

Make New Friends

May I introduce you to Linda of  

 

Tumbleweed Contessa

 

This West Texas gal has a charming blog filled with recipes and crafts.  Each Friday she publishes a series titled

 

Make New Friends

 

It's so nice to meet new bloggers each week! 

 

This last Friday, the featured blogger was lil ol' me !  I love how each friendship post begins with that song...

 

"Make new friends, but keep the old. 

One is silver and the other's gold.

A circle's round.  It has no end. 

That's how long I want to be your friend." 

 

;-)  -Marci

Feature at Rhinestone Beagle

Do you love dogs?  Me, too!!  If you haven't already been there, you must see the puppy pix on

 

Dog Howlidays

 

over at

 

Rhinestone Beagle

 

Not only are there darling dog photos, this blog also hosts

 

Doggone Dirty Linky Party

 

each Thursday.  I am honored that my   Quick Zebra Pouch is one of the featured posts this week!  Thank you, Kelly and Anita! 

 

;-)  -Marci

Wordless Gift Bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

;-)  -Marci

Liebster Award Nominations ;-)

It's so exciting to be nominated for The Liebster Award!  I am over-the-moon happy about being honored twice in one week with the same award! 

Thank you to:

 

Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty

 

Tracyann @ Crochet Happy

Curious about The Liebster, I did a little research and found multiple buttons along with multiple sets of rules.  Here is what they all seem to have in common.

 

"Liebster" means "favorite".

 

 



This award is meant to highlight small blogs.  "Small" appears to be less than 200 followers.  The blogger receiving the award links back to the blogger who awarded him/her, and then recognizes his/her favorite small blogs. For those I am about to award, I should also point out there is no obligation to continue this award. If this is not your cup of tea, don’t worry.

 

The value behind this award is for us to get to know other bloggers who have a lot to share.  So, this could also be called

Favorite Small Blog Award

My Liebster Nominees:

 

Karen @ Bargainista

  Karen has inspired me to join her in a couple of challenges.  The first is to choose a cookbook and make every single recipe.  The second is to choose a craft book and complete every single pattern!

 

Vikki @  Wallis Farm's Daily Walk 

Being from a hunting family and marrying into a hunting family, I really appreciate Vikki's venison recipes!  There are also functional DIY projects to be found on this blog.  You've got to see her pantry!

 

Melissa @ The Real McCoys

Because Melissa keeps it REAL!  The post about "Ugly Pictures" made me laugh so loud, I startled my dog!  This is definitely a tradition I would like to begin with our family.

Will you please visit these Liebster Award Winners?  They just might become some of your favorites, too!
 

;-)  -Marci

 

 



 

 

 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Welcome to the first annual Winter Fun Blog Walk
 

We are so excited to share our frosty fun posts with you!

Linda from Two Succulent Sisters is sharing her Feather Paper Crafts

Debi from Adorned From Above has 5 Fun Hot Chocolate Recipes for you

Myrna and Joye from The Busy Bees are sharing 8 Warm You Up Meals in Bowls

 

Kathy from Life On Lakeshore Drive is sharing her beautiful Winter Wonderland Wreath
 

And finally, we have ME, Marci from Stone Cottage Adventures sharing her Winter Sewing

Our newest addition is Helen fromBlue Eyed Beauty Blog - My Winter Bucket List 2012
 

The Winter Fun Blog Walk will be in the sidebar of each blog for the month of January,

We hope you take a walk on through each post and see what fun things are happening out there.

If you would like to participate in our next Blog Walk

send one of us an email and we will add you to the list.
 

Linda, Debi, Myrna, Joye, Kathy, Helen and

;-)  -Marci

'Time to sew something snuggly!  Here are six of my favorite projects for winter!  They are all simple and quick to make.  Each of these can be completed in a day.

I love capes and hats for the wee ones! It's a cute way to keep them warm without tugging on their little arms.  There are also a couple of ideas for you, too!  I'm including a tutorial for a peasant top and another tute for a shrug.



Fleece Cape  and  Matching Hat 



Sweater Re Fashion to Cape  and  Matching Hat



Men's T to Peasant Top



Quick Shrug

Happy Sewing!  ;-)  -Marci