making a repurposed xmas garland!

gather your items that you want to GIVE A NEW LIFE TO!.. I try to think of ways to re-use or craft with my cereal boxes, netting of a fruit bag, glass jars, old cards, cupcake holders... ETC..

i drew a little HEART around the wonderful woodland creatures... then cut out

then i traced the heart shapes onto the cereal box ( this will be the back side of the garland)... i took some cupcake holders and beads... then started decorating the little hearts!

dont forget to use the netting! it gives the little hearts a whimsy yet recycled feel..

**happy crafting!!

**blithe and bliss

favorite xmas decoration

This outlandishly gaudy xmas decoration has actually become one of my favorites through out the years. Why?...Well, it was my Great Aunt Flo's and she kindly passed it along to us years and years ago. When we initially received this tremendous decoration we were flabbergasted with laughter and disbelief that anyone would ever own such a thing. But with family being as it is, and when you get something from a relative, the polite thing to do is to proudly display the item in plain view for them to believe you actually appreciate the gesture of giving.... But displaying it year after year, and having family come and go in our lives over the years, I truly cherish this decoration as if it's another piece of the holiday puzzle.To me it reminds me of my flamboyant Great Aunt with whom I now can see some similarities with throughout these past years of growth in my life... She was an amazing lady for her time and she truly lives on in the crafts i make and the decorations I still have from her! Without this gigantic decoration; with its bright colorful lights, velvet background, and one of a kind costume jewelry, the house just wouldn't be complete! Now, I truly appreciate and marvel at the artistic side of this crazy retro decoration. It now inspires me and I too want to gather all my bits and bobs and create one for my very own family one day!

oh christmas with your memories and fantastic decorations how i love you!

enjoy the close up pics!

** blithe and bliss

craft day happiness; xmas angels

**blithe and bliss

a lovely day at the farmer's market; old town camarillo

When I go to the farmer's market I am overwhelmed with the sense of community, abundance, and happiness! Its such a great way to either end your week, or start off your weekend! I suggest, if you are in need of a reminder of how wonderful southern California is with all its abundance and AMAZING weather,  I suggest heading to the local farmers market. I am always amazed at the brilliant selection no matter the month! I share with you today a bit of blithe and bliss through my trip to the farmer's market!

yep- its fall.. and we live in such a brilliant part of the world where one can still get locally grown strawberries!... oh southern california how i love you dearly!

there are my dad's lemons!!!

**blithe and bliss

patchwork 'beatles' tank top; handmade by blithe and bliss

I share with you today one of the tops I made for the little work fall craft show! I had an old 'beatles t-shirt' that i hadn't worn is years and years and half of a cool mens graphic tee... perfect marriage! I swiftly went to work draping on my very helpful dress form! I love my dress form- it was given to me in highschool, but I had stored it away in one of my parents many closets years and years ago.. I had forgotten about it until I stumbled upon it recently! It has been my new best friend while making my tops! It has helped me to be more creative and really push the limits to what a top can be like! I love draping on it! So- the next couple of tops that I will be posting are a result of my new found love... my dress form!

hope you like and will enjoy!:)

This top was ONE OF MY FAVORITES! I am so happy with how it turned out!

**blithe and bliss