shall we try this again

Hello there friends! Silly of me to manage my blog post with my iPhone earlier, he he. Poof, my post was gone before I knew it! So, I won't rewrite it all, but I will share that things in my little home are moving along. I thank you for your emails and comments, and for checking on me when I'm not around....you are my kindred spirits dear friends. Hubby is improving, though some things in our daily routine and life, for that matter, have changed quite a bit. I'm still apprehensive on sharing details....ugh I am so guarded with this part of my life, please forgive me. I can tell you that most days he is my guy...the one I know, but there are some days that are consumed with fears and detours. These days are the hardest..trying to be supportive and understanding when inside I am screaming. I'm learning to work through this...talking, listening...and most of all offering empathy.

My blog and visiting all of you is now a luxury and admittedly the last thing on my mind. There is something about blogging that suddenly seems foreign....and I can't seem to find my way back to what I had here before this all happened. Perhaps it's in finding the balance of sharing life and art with the world....harder than I thought! I'm certain things will fall into place with time....but meanwhile I hope you'll hang in there with me. 

The one constant through this (besides my faith) has been creating. I am discovering new paths in my own creative journey....where simplicity and elegance continue to guide my creative compass. Where it will take me...I don't know, but I am looking forward to the journey. 

A picture before I go....one of my favorite creations to date...

until next time,

Abby 

P.S. Welcome to all new readers of my little blog...I thank you for wanting to join in my journey, even while I'm in the midst of life's trials.

technically challenged

Want to know what happens when a technically challenged blogger uses her iPhone to try updating her blog....she deletes an entire post! Yes, that would be me, ha. I'll work on rewriting yesterday's post soon. Forgive this non-techy girl for her errors:)

I'll leave you with a picture of a sweet little pair of topiary gift card holders I'm finishing up. You know I can't resist adding a little shabby chic flair to the mix. 

Have a good one!

xo, abby

lost and found

Hello friends, I hope all is wonderful with you. Again I thank you all for your amazing support during my latest happenings. For those who have commented or emailed and haven't heard from me, please forgive me...my time is literally all about tending to my family, working, and when ever time allows trying to keep my etsy shop afloat to help with lost income. Please know, I treasure every single comment and email more than you know. 

As the new month begins, I continue to take each minute, each day as it comes...some moments have been promising while others causing some worry...and I'm finding myself feeling a bit lost in some ways. Is it possible to feel "lost and found" all at once, I wonder? Right now I feel lost in my "role" as a wife and partner while my husband continues to slowly recover....as if there's a disconnect between us. I read somewhere it is normal...but difficult to live through while it's happening.

There's another part of me that feels a new woman emerging...one who's learning more about what she is capable of accomplishing and especially how deep ones love can truly be when tested with lifes biggest trials. And I'm finding that even during these most trying times there are lessons to be learned and even to appreciate....and there are plenty of those happening along the way. 

I've also discovered that seeking help from others has opened new doors...like the discovery of this book which is helping me tremendously....and finding the organization NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) where the kindest souls are always there to offer support, information, and programs. 

Through it all, I've also found unexpected smidges of time to nurture my creative side.....a welcomed therapy for me. And as you can see from the photos in this post....I have a little obsession for bird nests right now...perhaps a way for me to hold onto to the closeness of a little family. 

And most importantly, I'm still turning to my faith and praying HARD for my husband's recovery. 

So friends, lost and found would describe how I'm feeling right now....let's hope the next time we visit I will have more to share on finding our way back and less about feeling lost. I thank you for lending an ear dear ones....I'll be back soon. In the meantime, kiss the ones you love. 

xo, 

abby

roses in bloom

Hi friends, just a quick hello on a Sunday morning. I mentioned earlier I was slowly working on custom orders that thankfully have helped keep my mind occupied a bit. Well there are a few roses in bloom in my studio...here's a glimpse at a large ring bearer box for a new bride....how exciting to know one of my creations will be included in someone's most special day! 

She requested baby pink and cream roses with burlap and lace leaves. Each rose is hand formed with beautiful ribbon and the leaves are finished with vintage pearls.

The box is covered in beautiful vintage lace and the hardware is painted with a cottage feel

and here's peek at the inside....it is a tufted bed of satin with a ribbon to hold the wedding rings

There are still some things to finish but so far I love how it's turning out....hoping the bride will love it too:)

I hope all is well with all of you dear friends. Be sure to kiss your loved ones and tell them you love them...often.

Have a great Sunday,

xo, abby

P.S. My email account was recently hacked so if you received an email from me with a link don't open it. Sorry about that.

morning walk

~Friends are an indispensable part of a meaningful life. They are the ones who share our burdens and multiply our blessings~ Beverly LaHaye

There are no words to describe my gratitude for your comments on my last post so I offer you instead a handful of itty bitty flowers from my morning walk....

xo,

abby

P.S. I thank you for staying with me even though I haven't shared any new creations in a little while. Thankfully, I have been able to slowly work on some custom orders and will share pictures as they come along.

a beautiful mind

Hello dear friends, hope all is well with you. Thank you so very much for your emails, comments, and especially for your prayers on my last post. I am truly blessed to have an extended family through this little blog. I tried to personally respond to every comment or email I received but if I missed any please forgive me.

I'm one of the most guarded people you will ever meet and sharing about my personal life is a HUGE struggle for me....needless to say I've probably typed and retyped this post one hundred times....what should I say? how much do I share? who will judge me and who will turn away? Finding the right balance is a tricky thing in the world of blogging or anywhere really....but I guess with age comes a sense of bravery and realization that we all have our own battles, our own stories.....and here's mine....

My husband has a beautiful mind...but one that plays tricks on him...much like the movie you've probably seen. He is a great father, a caring and loving husband, a man with a heart of gold...and a man who also happens to battle mental illness. And as I type these words tears roll down my face because for the first time I've said it out loud...and now the world knows. I am both terrified and relieved in sharing this with you. I believe that the time has come (at least for me) to be more open about a legitimate and serious illness....and especially to help remove the negative stigma attached to mental illness.

For now I'll share some good news....hubby is home and improving each day...but please keep those prayers coming!

big grateful hugs to all of you,

Abby

everyone has a story

Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle ~ Plato

I don't often share about my personal life here on my blog. I guess it's my way of making certain it remains a place to find inspiration and light-heartedness. But today I am selfishly writing to ask for you, my dear blog family, to send your prayers my way. My husband is in the hospital and though I am not ready to go into details I know that the power of prayer is undeniable and today more than ever I need him in your prayers. I will be back as soon as time allows. I humbly thank you for your prayers. 

love and hugs,

abby

before my day begins...

Hello dear ones...happy Wednesday to you! Well, I'm back to my regular routine and my full-time job...and jeez am I tired:) So, before my day begins I thought I'd come back to share a few more pictures of my latest creations. I started most of them before Valentine's Day but everything stopped for the tonsillectomy. We're still in the month of LOVE so I think I'm allowed to still share, right:) Here are few snippets of my latest crafty dreams.....

gift boxes made with vintage lace and baubles

there's the cameo above and others with handmade roses and leaves...

a couple of larger ones too...

and inside they are finished with a bit of satin...

I've also been experimenting with mixing vintage lace and my collection of old leathers and suede. Combining the two offers a lovely juxtaposition of hard and soft. These are faith-based cross bookmarks in honor of the Lenten season. Some will be in soft muted colors... 

others with dark, distressed leathers too....

and some made of satin and lace and suede and lace

 I also shared a sneak peak of this earlier.....

Some of you may remember a long while back I started creating special stationary but life sort of detoured that plan. I've been feeling a pull to get back on that path and I'm trying to answer its call. These little somethings I've named scrolled coverlets are part of a collection inspired by the Victorian era...a time when all things exuded grace, elegance, and romance. 

They are meant to keep your treasured letters safe and private. Each scroll is made to resemble the look of a keepsake that has been around for ages with layers of vintage lace, satin, and gorgeous mulberry paper all gently tattered and torn along the edges for that perfectly imperfect look we all love. Adorned with found baubles and yummy crinkled seam binding as a closures...

inside is finished with a lovely strand of lace to keep your letters secured

I love the idea of cherishing age old letters in something so pretty! Alright, it's time for me to be off to work. Thanks so much for allowing me a little time to share my crafty ventures with you. 

Have an awesome day, xo

Abby

P.S. Look for these in my Etsy shop

P.P.S. Thanks for your feedback on the photo from my last post. I'm still figuring it all out so any additional feedback on the photos above is welcomed. 

in sickness and in health

Hi friends, I'm finally feeling better after my Tonsillectomy. Thank you so much for your comments and emails, it meant the world to me. As some of you know it fell right in the middle of Valentine's Day and my birthday. Needless to say, I was in no condition to celebrate with the usual dose of chocolates and such. Yet somehow on both occasions I never felt more loved or content than this year. I am blessed to have a husband who took on the role of my nurse, caretaker, and comforter. In sickness and in health...he's my guy. I think I'll keep him:)

I'll be back tomorrow to share my latest inspirations..most of which I started creating before the unexpected surgery. Here's a sneak peak....

Oh, while I'm here I need your input. Our laptop died just two days ago and I'm using a new one. I'm not sure if my photos are too light or dark. Please share your thoughts and I'll adjust them accordingly. Thanks so much for that favor!

Have a great day/night where ever you are!

xo,

abby

life interrupted

Hello there friends! Well, this past week I've been preparing for an unexpected Tonsillectomy that is scheduled for this Wednesday....and from what I have learned it is VERY painful to have this done as an adult. I am expected to be in pain for up to two weeks, and yes I'm scared! This happens to fall smack in the middle of my birthday and Valentine's Day....ugh. Please send your prayers my way that all goes well dear friends.

And you know I can't leave you without a pretty picture....I happen to take this photo for a customer who requested a picture of some ribbon colors that may work for her. I love that even a simple stack of ribbon can exude loveliness. 

until next time,

abby

P.S. I had plans to share pictures of some of my latest LOVE inspired creations but they'll have to wait until after V-Day.....a bit late by then....hope you don't mind:)

Where Women Create Business

Hello Beautifuls, how are you today? So I was recently contacted by Stampington to help spread the word about their newest publication, Where Women Create BUSINESS and I couldn't say YES fast enough! And can I just tell you it is MORE than I ever hoped for. Imagine a magazine filled with pages and pages of successful women offering advice, tips, support, and guidance on how to grow our business, and in essence our dreams. Though my business is but a tiny speck on Etsy I find it incredibly insightful and inspiring. 

In the issue you'll get to know Amy and David Butler a couple whose motto is to design your business around your life, not your life around your business. I love that they not only share their story but also tips on how to maintain a joyful marriage while running a business. Then there's an awesome article written by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls on learning how to grow one's business the "soulful" way....love, love, love this concept! You'll also find an article titled "Tips for Blogging Your Best" by Holly Becker from Decor8.....we could all use a little help in that department right:) Oh, and how about lessons on how to create a website that gets noticed...that's in there too! There are more great articles in the issue but you must, dear friends, treat yourself to this beautiful publication to find out. I promise you will not be disappointed and you will reach for it over and over again!

Alright friends, I know your time is precious and I've taken up tons of it already. I wish you a beautiful week!

xo,

abby

P.S. I'll be back to share some of my latest inspirations as soon as I can. Oh...so many ideas, so little time!

love and romance

Happy Monday friends! Hope all is well with you. I've discovered that in keeping thoughts of spring and all its beauty tucked inside my heart I've been able to get through the cold, gray winters. This of course means more inspirations and creating.....many inspired by love and romance. And as promised here are few of the shabby chic inspired creations......

My flower petal Love tags which were published in this year's Somerset Holidays and Celebrations

a bird cage cloche with a sweet nest tucked inside

butterfly confetti to sprinkle about 

framed sweetheart dress

and mini Love cards too

I am so grateful to be feeling this inspired in January. How is your January so far? Hope it's great so far! Alright, now time for reality...off to work now. 

Wishing you a fabulous week!

xo,

abby

finishing each day

{Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. Ralph Waldo Emerson}

Don't you just love this quote! A very good friend sent our daily quote exchange and I just had to share it with you my, blog family. So how's your new year going so far? I'm back to my regular life's schedule, work, work, and more work but I am also making sure to follow through on my quest to nurture my creative side....and it seems that in welcoming this word completely into my daily life it has opened up a new and exciting vision where I can now see my path more clearly than ever before. I normally would be feeling "blue" this time of year but the new year has arrived with a wave of inspirations.....so of course this means I must oblige and create whenever my creative spirit speaks to me. So shall I share a peek at some of my latest white inspirations in honor of Blissful Whites Wednesday.....

winged hearts

simple Celtic crosses

framed wings

a banner of lace hearts

and glass glitter crowns

I enjoyed creating a few simple whites but you know I can't go too long without creating some shabby chic inspired pretties so I'll be back to share a few glimpses of them soon. Well, that's all for tonight dear friends...thanks so much for visiting and have a great rest of the week! 

xo, 

abby

P.S. Some of these creations are either already in my shop or soon to be so if you see anything you like just let me know.

Linking up with:

Blissful Whites Wednesday

twenty-thirteen + my one word

{Nurture: to care for and encourage the growth or development of} 

I've been thinking often about twenty-thirteen and what it will bring with it....I guess this happens as we grow older and wiser. I don't plan on creating a list of resolutions...too much pressure. I was however inspired to select my "one word" for the year after reading my dear friend Monica's article in the Somerset Life winter issue which encourages us to focus on selecting one inspiring word to guide us throughout the year. I love this idea and after much thought it was the word Nurture that came to me one night while sleeping. It is a word that I've felt quietly present this past year but haven't truly embraced its power and especially its great rewards. It is my hope that in twenty-thirteen I will weave this word into my daily life and begin to truly and completely nurture my relationship with God, my husband, my daughter, my family, friends, and yes myself. Admittedly placing myself higher on the priority list will be a difficult task as I tend to put my needs last...but what I've come to realize is that in nurturing my creative spirit it will in turn spread its positive effects into the rest of my day to day. Of course my reality will still be working long hours and creating only when time allows but I plan to make every effort to fuel my spirit every chance I have...even if for just a few minutes here and there. I've already begun this quest and find my mind flooded with ideas....love it when that happens!

So will you be choosing your inspirational word for the year? I'd love to know!

(petite topiary trees soon to be in the shop)

While I'm here I'd love to thank you for visiting today and all year long dear friends.....it truly means the world to me. I wish you all a new year filled with every thing that makes you happy!

xo, 

abby

Linking up with:

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas dear friends!

xo, 

abby

(P.S. sorry I've been MIA lately....I've been sick again and am just starting to feel better)