Wrap It up!! {2012 highlights}

I know I can’t be alone in wondering…
“Where did an entire year go?”

The time goes faster and faster these days. 
I just know it does!

Like many of you, I am looking back and enjoying the satisfaction of re visiting some of the projects that were completed over the course of the last year.

While it’s fun for me to look back at them all, 
I only included a few. I don’t want to be “that person” with the baby or vacation pictures! 

If you want to see more then what I’m highlighting, you can find all of my past posts
by looking in the archives in the right hand
side bar or by browsing in my Before & After Gallery as well as Projects & Tutorials Section.

I’d like to kick-off this trip down memory lane with the post that has been viewed the most at 
Fox Hollow Cottage in 2012.

Let me start by saying Pinterest is an amazing source 
of inspiration. Case in point…


RedEggBoutique on Etsy

These beautiful bottles caught my eye one day and I knew I wanted to try to make some of my very own. Not to sell.. but just for me.

I’m thrilled to be able to honor the person who inspired me and I have a link to her etsy shop if you ever want to purchase these beauties pre-made.

I never dreamed my little knock-off 
would be my most viewed post. 
Ever. 

But there ya go, I’m now the “tequila bottle” girl.


Tin Can & Tequila Bottle DIY Painted Craft.

I also fell in love in 2012.
With paint.
Not just any old paint.
But some ultra, premo stuff!
I started working with the 
Maison Blanche Paint Company as a
retailer here in Oregon.
(though I ship globally)
Best decision ever.
Not only do I get to use this gorgeous product, it’s been so fun getting to introduce new people to the magic of La Craie paint and all the new products that have premiered in the last couple of weeks!

Learning how to do new things and stepping out of my comfort zone was something I tried to do more of in 2012. I did that with a table makeover I tackled by painting it with a harlequin pattern. I had no idea what I was doing.. but with a little thought, I figured it out! 
(.. and it was a lot easier then I ever imagined)

Simple Harlequin Tutorial – Before & After Table Makeover

Another new thing I tried was wreath making.
The first wreath I ever made was a coffee filter wreath. 
I added some burlap roses and went on my merry way. 

How to make a coffee filter wreath {with burlap roses}.

I’ll tell ya, you never know what waits ahead for you though, because fast forward a bit and the editor of FOLK magazine wanted to include it the Christmas issue. Yep. 
I was surprised too!!
(still am)

We also had… the Pool Noodle wreath(s)
If I had only know… hahaha

It started with a Fourth of July wreath.


Dollar Tree Pool Noodle DIY Patriotic Wreath {and tutorial}.

Which I gifted to Debbie of Refresh Restyle.
She really liked it 🙂

I made a few more pool noodle wreaths. 
I was having a blast.

I even co-hosted a Pool Noodle Party!

We were noodle crazy.

The second one, the “Flip-Flop” version, caught my sister in laws eye and it happily went home to live with her. 

The third wreath, well, that wreath went on 
to become the start of something I think 
was very special. 

I’m sure you remember.. how could we forget?
There was horrible shooting in Aurora Colorado at a movie theater in 2012. In wanting to help I thought I would offer my wreath in a impromptu auction on my facebook page. I thought maybe I could raise a few dollars to send… you know, I just needed to be doing something.

Well, I was not the only one. 
Many, many, gracious, giving people wanted to help too.
After several frantic, exciting, heartwarming days… 
we ended up with 
$910.00 to directly aid the victims
thanks to our Aurora charity auction! 


 In that moment, I became so proud to be even just a little part of the amazing blogging community. It was by far, with the help of all those who joined in, the most meaningful blogging accomplishment I’ve experienced.

I would like to close-out 2012 on that note.
With the memory of generosity, community
… and with the hope that no more fund raisers of that sort are needed in 2013.

May we all have an extraordinary year of firsts. 
Of happiness. Excitement.
Love, joy, family, health & prosperity.

I am so ready to see what 

Happy New Year!!!!


with love and friendship,

 

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