This morning we had a craft get together in the craft cottage.

 A friend asked me to direct her in creating her own wedding invitations. She contacted me a few months ago asking for my help. She sent me an example of some invitations she loved on Etsy...

 I was able to make some samples in different sizes, so she could see how inexpensive we could recreate them for. She was able to purchase the paper, create the wording for the invitations, then take everything to a print shop to print on her paper and cut to size. All we had to do today was some hole punching, perforating, folding and ribbon tying!

 They turned out beautiful!

 You can't have a party without munchies,

 or beverages!

I've missed hanging out in the craft cottage... but I have a few projects in the works I will be posting soon!

Fall crafting 2011

 My friend Jessica and I enjoy doing lots of different crafts. So we decided to see if some of our other friends would like to join us once a month to craft. We had an open house in the craft cottage with a few free make and takes.

 We had a blast eating, chatting and crafting!

 We did a fall card, using bleach and chalk,

 and a Halloween matchbox party favor,

 with covered Hershey nuggets inside. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the projects and the ideas we shared with them. We scheduled 2 more classes, one in October to do fall wreaths, homemade vanilla, and pom poms. And one in November to do Christmas tags in a handy tin and a  Christmas ornament. Soo excited! Should be really fun! We will be scheduling classes to do some knitting, sewing, Christmas cards, jewelry making, Christmas presents, lotions, sugar scrubs, candles, canvas projects, and many other ideas everyone shared of crafts they wanted to try.

 This morning Jessica and I started with Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks, followed by a little pampering at the nail salon (notice the gorgeous new set of nails on my friend Jessica modeled above with the before shot of our pumpkins).

 Then hit JoAnn for a little creative therapy. We found Glitter Blast!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this amazing product! You must run out and try it! Really, go now, I can wait...

 Made these pumpkins glittery and gorgeous!

 This one got a few bubbles, but it still turned out amazing!

 While we were waiting for our Glitter Blast pumpkins to dry we tore fabric for some fall garlands.

 We strung torn fabric, felt, ribbon, and burlap onto rope.  I will show you my completed one in another post ;)

Inspired from here.

 After Jessica had to go back to the border {hehe!} I didn't want to stop, so I created this fall decor using a leaf punch, patterned paper scraps, a Walmart $3.00 frame, some leftover drop cloth from Lowes, and scrabble tiles I ordered off Ebay. I rubbed a little distress ink around the edges of the tiles and some of the leaves, and tied some ribbon and twine around the edge of the frame.

 I am working on a fall mantle in the craft cottage... heres a few sneak peeks!

Come back tomorrow and I will reveal the whole mantle! I love fall!

Andrea send off party!

Our first dinner party at the cottage was a blast! I rented a couple tables, a few chairs, plates and enough silver for all to enjoy eating with real place settings!

We set up the extra tables in the entry way (no one ever uses the front door anyway LOL!) and the other in the room the old owners used as a second dining room.

I did a simple centerpiece on each table. I tried to use things I already had.

Set up a bar area in the closet space.

We had place settings for 30, only about 20 showed. Everyone fit great and flowed nicely!

We set up all the food in the kitchen. I used every inch of counter space.

Each table had bottles of sparkling water in ice, and a bottle of red wine.

This counter had the plates, salad, meat lasagna, vegie lasagna and bread.

I tried to get everything ready and serving dishes ready early in the day.

This counter would be for coffee, cheesecake and tiramisu.

I think the tiramisu turned out pretty well! Yay! I hadn't ever made one before! The cheesecake was yummy too!

Dinner time!

Plenty of room to sit and chat!

Andrea's mom and step dad =)

Andrea getting her dinner =)

Andrea's friends from high school and even kindergarten!

Plenty of room for everyone to eat and chat! PERFECT!

My friends Lisa and Jessica listening to my hubby talk! haha! Love you sooo much babe!

We had a great time with EVERYONE! Thank you Jessica and Lisa for letting me help host this wonderful dinner! Andrea, I will miss you my sweet friend, Koko will too! We will be waiting anxiously for your return!

First gathering at the cottage and some pics

 I held my first gathering at the new house. So nice to have lots of room to entertain and for parking =) Jessica, Lisa and Andrea came over for treats and coffee. We exchanged Christmas presents too.

 Jessica showing one of her wrapped gifts =)

 Andrea admiring the beautiful wrapping by Lisa.

 Lisa passing out her gifts.

 Pretty wrapping by Lisa.

 Jessica showing her wrapped package from Lisa.

 Lisa showing her gifts.

 Jessica received this sign from Andrea! hehe!

 The sign I received from Andrea! LOVE it!

 The frame I received from Lisa! Totally can. not. wait. to get a picture in there!

 Jessica showing her gift from Lisa. Thanks for coming over girls! It was fun and hopefully the first of many gatherings! 

 Since the camera was out I took some pics of the house decorated for Christmas and with our furniture in it.

 This fireplace is huge! My christmas tree is 6 1/2 feet tall. I am going to look for a 12 foot one at the after Christmas sales.

 See how tiny the tree looks! haha!

 I put Scott's tree on the sewing cabinet this year, his tree has all his airplane ornaments on it. 

Lastly our dining room. The hubby did try to put up the new chandelier this weekend, but the ladder wasn't tall enough. So we will try again next weekend. Have a great week!