Mimi Sue's Cottage

A home is much more than a house built of lumber, brick, or stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. We are responsible for the homes we build. We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage. There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows, joy and sorrow. But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth. Thomas S Monson







Sunday, December 29, 2013

Sunday Sayings


 
 
 
"When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate.  And when life is bitter say thank you and grow."  Shauna Niequist

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Sunday Sayings







"At this time of Christmas, this time when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life."   Gordon B Hinckley

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Gilded Christmas Box

 
When we were in California last month visiting our daughter #2 and her family, the visit happened to coincide with a class
that the talented Paula Cheney was teaching. So daughter #2 and I signed up for her Gilded Christmas Box class.  Paula is a designer with the fabulous Tim Holtz!   It was held in the
adorable little shop, Paper Tales, in San Diego. 
 
It was so much fun visiting with Paula and her niece Courtney!
We've known them both for a zillion years.
 
And it was so much fun having a craft day with daughter #2!
 
The visiting with our friends was fun but this was the end product of this fabulous class. 
 
 

 
It started out as a plain brown chipboard box.  I'm pretty sure you can find them at any craft store that carries Tim Holtz products.
 
 

 
Look at all the details.
 
 


We embellished the heck out of every single adorable piece.
 

 
 

It even has a little lantern that lights up!
 
 





We learned some new techniques like how to use alcohol inks and we met some nice
ladies who also took this fun class.
 

 
 
Super fun day!
 
Super cute project!
 
If you ever have a chance to take a class from Paula do it!
 
She travels all over the world teaching different projects featuring
Tim Holtz products.   So maybe she'll come to a paper store near you!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Sunday Sayings

 
 
"At this joyous season, may personal discords be forgotten and animosities healed.  May enjoyment of the season include remembrance of the needy and afflicted.  May our forgiveness reach out to those that have wronged us, even as we hope to be forgiven.  May goodness abound in our hearts and may love prevail  in our homes."  Thomas S Monson

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Scrap Wood Trees and Stars Projects

 
 
 
I saw some little scrap wood trees at our local
garden center a couple of months ago and thought
they were pretty cute.  They had a pretty hefty price tag on them
so I thought I'd try to make some on my own.
 
And this is the result.
 
 
 


Made from old flooring, 2 X 4's, quarter round, sashing, and mdf.
 
All things found in the garage stash.
 

 



Embellished by
glittering, stamping, mod podgeing, and painting.



 
 
I saw these stars on Pinterest made from all kinds of materials.
 
 
The mister sliced up a 2 X 4 in 1/8 inch pieces and then
glued and stapled them in a star shape.
 


 
I painted them a nice Christmasy red and stuck one in each of the
window boxes.





Both projects were almost free.
 
And that's kind of nice at this time of year.
 


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Sunday Sayings

 
 
"God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much love we do it."    Mother Teresa

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Painted White Frames and Christmas Procrastinating



This is the extent of my Christmas decorating so far this year.
 
A few garlands tossed on the floor.




And a few other treasures sitting around on tables waiting to find their perfect place.
 


 
So instead of Christmas decorating I thought I'd show you my
white empty frame wall that I put together a couple of weeks ago.
 
 
I can't stand seeing an empty wall and this seemed like the perfect solution.
 
Please note the empty shelf that will get filled up with Christmas
very soon now.  I hope.



I've been gathering frames for a while, painted up a few, and
 
hung them on the wall with a plate and an ampersand.
 


 
 
Love the carved frames.  I think you can really see their details
when you give them a coat of paint.
 


Paperwhite update:
 
They're blooming!
 
A little early.



They turned out to be Thanksgiving Paperwhites!
 


 
 


Sunday, December 1, 2013

Sunday Sayings

 
 
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest."
 
                                                                             Thomas Moore 

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thanksgiving Cornucopia

 
We're having Thanksgiving at our house this year.
 
So I thought I'd share with you what I made for our dinner table.
 
A waffle cone cornucopia!
 
I found the idea last year on the House of Whimsy blog.
 
 

Put the cone in a steamer pan for about 30 seconds.
 
When it gets soft and flattens, quickly pick it up with tongs
 
and mold it in the shape you want with your fingers.






Hold it for a few seconds and it hardens up again pretty quickly
 
leaving a cornucopia shape.  If you squint.
 


 
I had to go to three stores looking for waffle cones.  Apparently it
is a seasonal item here in northern Utah.



These cones are from Keebler and there were a few broken ones in the box that we couldn't use.  And I broke a couple when I was
trying to shape them.
 



But we have enough since there will only be nine of us for dinner.
 



I'm pretty sure the grandkids will love them.