~ Handmade Shabby Tags ~ holiday gifts

... just dropping in quickly to say that for those of you who have ordered these tag sets (inside or outside etsy) they're finished, packed, and ready to go :)


large tags covered with yummy little things stashed into a special paperbag with pretty doilies tucked in between. The whole package will be carefully enclosed in a padded envelope for it's journey to you ... Wish you joy using them for your holiday gifts!


And... before I go, I decided to give away a set of these tags ... leave a comment letting me know what type of tags or creating-sets you would like to see next time ... and I will share the winner sometime next week.

see you soon!
~ Viola

~ Embellished Candles ~

I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I so wish I could have lit the candles for the photos, but wisdom prevented me from doing it. I don't think the final recipient of these lights would have appreciated it anyway, haha. 

a little lace, fussy-cut flowers, pearls, buttons, twine, and ribbon made a simple pillar candle really shine. Can't wait to see what it'll look like when it's a-light! :)

Let me live blessed Lord in the light of Thy Word, let my life be a light on a hill
Leading souls astray to the straight narrow way, help me do some good deed while I live
Let my life be a light shining out through the night, may I help struggling ones to the fold
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and alone, let my life be a light to some soul...

Give me wisdom and power every day every hour, let me drink from the fountain above
Guide my footsteps aright through the dark stormy night, give me peace, give me joy, give me love
Let my life be a light shining out through the night, may I help struggling ones to the fold
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and alone, let my life be a light to some soul...



Give me souls for my hire let my life be on fire, shining out to the world as a guide
Help me rescue someone seeking out with no hope, that in heaven we shall ever abide
Let my life be a light shining out through the night, may I help struggling ones to the fold
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and alone, let my life be a light to some soul.

- J R Varner

 More ribbon, lace trim, buttons, twine, a mini-tag, chipboard butterfly all glittered up, and little vintage flowers. I love these warm, happy colors ... the red cherry buttons are so adorable. I had the most fun in the world doing these candles. And something makes me want to share them, so they may appear in the etsy store before long. 



Thank you ... as always, for letting me ramble about my projects.

Good night, friends!
~ Viola

~ Picnics, Holidays, and Friends ~ random

Home from the park where my family had a happy little picnic together. I spent the afternoon mixing up meatloaf, mashed potatoes, toast, and vegetable medley with my sister. Our little spot in the outdoors was so much fun. I even sat on the swings with my "little" brother! :) Crazy us.

Before I head to bed, I have some little things to share with you ...


 Paper. Scissors. Glue... twine, felt, trim, stamps, ink, flowers, crystals, and so much more!

I'm so loving a new die I got: a film-strip! check it out ...


 ... each section is individually cut, and then pieced together in a row! Love it :)
and, it's a short post tonight as it's WAY late.
but before I go, I want to share a little tag I made for a gift-bag holding some goodies for my friend.




Quick and simple ... the flowers were trimmed from some scraps of patterned paper, and a tag, pearls, ink, and a sweet little stamp finishes the job.


Good night!
~ Viola

~ Snowing in Singapore ~ some winter cards

No, wait, that's not true! But I wish wish wish it were ...... the heavy tropical rains the last few days aren't enough for me! let it snow!


If only I could make a wish, I'd wish for snow! And if only wishing wishes did come true!!


I've been messing around today with some BasicGrey and FancyPants patterned papers ... since I found some sparkly snowflakes, I've been so absorbed at my craft table. add to them some wide grosgrain ribbon, twine, a vintage mother-of-pearl button, trim, mini-tags, and PTI stamps, and you've got some really fun things going on!


More ..................


I'm not quite sure where those vintage mother-of-pearl buttons came from, but of this I'm certain: they're FABULOUS! I love them.


More PTI, more BasicGrey ... crystals, ribbon, and other yummy little things.

I made a grand discovery. With my new, baby Big Shot, I decided to run some felt (some really, really polyester-y a.k.a LOUSY felt!) through with my scallop die. It cut!!! Perfectly. Can you see it?


 Here's to some warm, cozy wishes this winter season where ever you are. Take time to sit back, enjoy your families, embrace happiness, and make a wish ... for snow :) ...

If you'd like to share my craziness for the big and beautiful snowflakes, check out the etsy store. I've got a few to share with you.

~ Viola

~ Timeless Card Set ~ colors for men

A few little note-cards to share today ....


Cozy little note-cards - three of them - that fit into a set. something about a little set of handmade cards really, really makes me happy!


The BasicGrey Marjolaine collection is so gentle and softly colored, yet simple enough for guys.



And I found these little die-cut clocks somewhere amid the rubble I cleared from my drawers.
I used the PaperTrey Ink notebook page die, a little torn at the top.

And now for a few pictures of some fun things I picked up this week.

Fun little crystal jars for colorful buttons ...



a cute tray for cards and a rusty basket for twine ...



and not forgetting the old-fashioned bamboo mat below them :)

Before I go, just thought to let you know a quick update on the etsy store ... what's coming soon.

tiny, tiny clothespins for your rustic, handmade projects.



... and lightweight parcel tags in three sizes.

Thank you for visiting today.
~ Viola