A Marvelous Mess: Winter Walk!!!!

I am totally being crafty right now. But, I'm just not blogging about it. I haven't the foggiest idea why....I guess I just want it to myself right now. I *did* however just get a new Nikon camera and took some fun pictures in the woods today while we got some exercise. The light wasn't fantastic, but the stream we were near had some great ice formations..... and Buddy kept us laughing with his antics. He wanted to grab any stick (from twig size to tree size) and he wouldn't let up. At one point he saw a burl on a tree and was convinced he needed to GET IT..... without much success. :-) 

Chloe definitely didn't get why he needed that burl so very much. 

They are both snoozing right now. Chloe's in her kennel with some loud snoring, all snuggled in her blanket. Buddy is attempting to steal the couch from me, and will groan from time to time (we suspect because his paws might be too dry and getting a little cracked.....or I'm making too much noise, which is entirely possible). 

I hope you've had a lovely weekend!!!!

A Marvelous Mess: Dog Sledding!!!!!!!

We spent some time this afternoon dog sledding at the Arboretum in Augusta!!! It was a terrific event with inexpensive rides, a outdoor fire to warm yourself by, and lots of people passionate about one thing in particular: Sled Dogs. 

This is Lindy Howe, a Maine Guide and co-owner of Heywood Kennels in Augusta.

I introduced myself to her immediately (because I had been adoring her boots from afar.....Steger Mukluks .....I own a pair as well, but hers are just *gorgeous*). I got to learn a bit about her kennel and just get a sense for her. Now, there is a woman who really knows about, and is passionate about her dogs. 

Heywood Kennels offers Sled Dog adventures and they sound fantastic. You can find Heywood Kennel on Facebook HERE.

There were so many people, young and old, waiting for a ride or watching the talented dogs do what they do best. When waiting for people to be loaded into the sled, some teams would howl impatiently.....these dogs just love to pull. We all laughed as a new team lead dog was switched in to relieve a tired out pup, and the energy with which the new blood ran was phenomenal. The sled raced up the hill. 

This white team was particularly noisy; they just wanted to RUN. 

Lindy gave them treats while people who getting on and off the sled. 

Pups that were being rested watched jealously as the teams flew around the field. 

We had so much fun. I totally recommend going to for a Dog Sled ride!!! Find Heywood Kennels on facebook and get a hold of Lindy if you're in the central Maine area. I even saw, as I searched their facebook page, pictures from a birthday party held at the kennels.....now wouldn't that be something???!!!!! What a cool way to celebrate. 

Here's my party, link up your most recent projects:

Plant A Magical Fairy Garden

Image found at Miniature-Gardening.com

Plant a Magical Fairy Garden and Watch it Thrive

Having a fairy garden is not a new phenomenon anymore. After the latest trend of bonsai plants, this is another fun garden trend that’s here to stay. It is now within a person’s reach to create a magical fairy garden without any difficulty. In no time at all you can create a magical and lovely fairy garden at your home.

By now you must be wondering, what exactly is a fairy garden and how is it connected to bonsai plants? Also, do fairy gardens have any connection with the much talked about miniature gardens as well? The answer is very simple: fairy gardens are very similar to miniature gardens, except fairy gardens are more vivid in appearance. With bonsai plants around, they make for a very breathtaking tiny landscape or garden, which can also be conveniently moved, redeveloped, enhanced or even gifted to someone. These convenient gardens are easy to move and take care of. However, just like everything else, you need to learn how to properly take care of this garden and also find excellent quality products to incorporate. Then you’ll be on your way to making a magical fairy garden.

How Do You Create a Fairy Garden?

There are many factors that should be considered during the design process for your fairy garden, but when you begin to create your garden you may find it to be very simple. You will discover that a lot of imagination combined with good efforts goes a long way in designing and developing an attractive fairy garden. In fact, the very first thing to remember is to utilize your creative imagination while keeping in mind the following steps:

·     While planning the design of a fairy garden, you must decide whether you’d like it to stay on a small piece of land permanently or make it movable in a tray or cylinder. That way you will know whether it can be moved or not.

·     Once the location and container is chosen, the fairy garden’s home needs to be prepared for planting and ready to be decorated by first filling it with fertile soil. If the plant is going to be placed in a tray prior to putting the soil into it, it is important to place a few stones around the drainage hole, so that the soil won’t come out of the tray due to excess water.

·     To give a beautiful aesthetic look, after the soil is placed into the container, the plants need to planted properly. After they are planted, they then need to be watered enough so that the soil will settle and the plants will begin to grow. Now filling your garden with whimsical decorations should be fairly simple.

·     Extra care must be taken when applying decorative items to your garden site because they must not get too much dirt or water upon them if they are made of wood.

Keep in mind that changing the overall look of a fairy garden every once in a while will keep the charm alive. Imagination, creativity and nature go hand-in-hand when it’s about fairy gardens so continue to dream up new ideas that will make your garden look its best.

About the Author: Corrine loves planting new gardens and a fairy garden sounds magical. She can’t wait to incorporate fairy houses for the garden and enjoy a magical retreat for both her and her children.

A Marvelous Mess

Here is my latest art project:

It's a Hobbit Hole made out of wool roving. Perfect for a Hobbit who's about to set out on an adventure with a bunch of bearded Dwarves. The door even opens. It stands about 4 inches tall, 7 inches long, and 3 inches wide. It's hollow on the inside. You can see it at my shop here:
Marvelously Messy Etsy

Don't forget to join the party below if you've got a new project to share!!!!!!!!!!

Here's the party:

Shutterfly Photobook Giveaway

It's the time of year when everyone is thinking of their family and planning special occasions to spend time together. You know what's a real stinker?? When half of your family lives on the other side of the country. I grew up in a family of 4 kids, and currently two of my siblings live in California while the other half of us live in Maine. So, they are LITERALLY on the other side of the United States. 

So I've been trying to think of a special gift those nieces and nephews of mine.....

and I came up with it. 

Photobooks!!!

My nieces and nephews are still young enough to not remember family living in other states very well. The best way to fix that situation is to have a photobook of all of us who live in another state, so that we don't seem that far away in person. I think it's the perfect gift for young kids.....and I plan on making it fun. Lots of goofy pictures, funny subtitles, and pets included too. I think it will help make us all feel a little closer, even though we're thousands of miles away. 

Shutterfly has a video called Shutterfly Photo Books: The Best Gift Ever and it's about the reverse of what I've been talking about.....in their story, it's a child who gives a photobook to his Grandmother. This gift can work in so many ways. 

I'm hosting a giveaway for an 8x8 Hardcover photobook (20 Pages long) and I will be picking TWO WINNERS!!! Wooooohooooo!!!!!!!!

This Giveaway ends Friday, December 14th at 11:59 EST

Photobook codes will expire on December 31st

Here are the rules *leave a comment for each type of entry*:

1. Watch the video and tell me which scene reminds you of something from your own life (mandatory).

2. Go to Shutterfly here: http://bit.ly/TknolQ and pick your favorite photobook style (optional).

2. Tweet (once) about the giveaway using the hashtag #SFLYPhotobook (optional). 

A Marvelous Mess and Features!!!!!!!!

Sorry I missed you all last week.....I can honestly tell you that I've been so busy recently that I didn't even realize I hadn't posted a new party until halfway through the week!!! I was part of an Art Show on Friday night and it was my first Art Show and I wanted everything to be just right. 

But, enough about me.....what have you all been up to??? I can't wait to see what the Holidays have inspired in your creative lives!!!

Here is the post I'll be featuring on my sidebar for a week:

Wool Roses and Holly Wreath from Creative Passage!!! Gorgeous, right????

This button is for those that were featured:

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the par-tay!!!

It's Giving Tuesday!!!!

After all the rush and wildness of Black Friday and Cyber monday, we've made it to Giving Tuesday!!!

What are you going to do to Give Back to the world around you today?

I started out the day with donating some winter jackets to my Munchkins school.

A good day for it too... it was 21 degrees outside this morning.

I'll be hosting craft time at the library this morning (something that started out, years ago, as a volunteer job and then morphed into a real job). We're doing Salt Dough Ornaments. That would be a fun way to give me ( I can attest to it)... volunteer at your local library to host a craft time. It's so much fun and it can be really inspiring too!!!

How about donating some food/clothes/needed items to a shelter?

Make some food for an elderly neighbor?

Sign up at the animal shelter to volunteer?

Lets all try to make a difference today, in any small or big way that we can.

Happy Giving Tuesday!!!

A Marvelous Mess and Features!!!

Okay, after being hounded by family and friends for quite a while now...I've decided to open an etsy shop. Who knows how it's going to do. But, it's out there now!!! 

I'm offering these items for now:

Check it out!! I hope you enjoy them!!!

Here are my fave's from last weeks party...

Sparkly Pinecones from Creative Passage. Love the egg basket they are in too!!!

And, the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week is...

Cranberry Sauce from Crystelle Boutique. Yum!!!! (I'm also loving that old fashion scale the sauce is sitting on).

Now, on to the party:

A Marvelous Mess and Features!!!

I have been busy peoples. I'm going to be part of an Art Walk on December 7th...and on top of that, a friend asked me to make some crafts to sell at her business. So, I'm a little behind on party this week! What do you think of my latest ornament? It's a vintage tin (maybe a tart tin?) with a fake pearl bead and some vintage silver thread on top. Now, I'm just wondering how to price it. Maybe I'll go on Etsy and wander around, get a sense for similar items prices. What would you pay for this? The antique tin kinda changes the game a bit. 

Now, here are my faves from last week:

Thanksgiving Banner from Pinkie For Pink

And, the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week is...

Apple Eggnog Trifles from Aunt B on a Budget. Gawd, that looks good!!!

Congrats!!!

If I featured you in this post, this button is for you!!

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, it is party time!!!

What Beauty Products to Look for if You Have Sensitive Eyes

If you wear contacts or have sensitive eyes it’s no easy feat finding the right makeup that won’t irritate your eyes. It’s really frustrating if you’re out and about and all of a sudden your contacts start bugging you due to eye shadow that isn’t staying in place or running mascara due to an emotional scene from a movie. Gentle and long-lasting makeup is what you’re after, and not to mention budget friendly makeup is important too. That’s why you can get promotional codes here at Sidepon.com for a fabulous outfit, find affordable makeup that won’t irritate your eyes and enjoy mascara and other great products that will also stay put! Whew, feel better now?

Waterproof Mascara and Eyeliner –

It’s understandable if you’re wary about trying waterproof mascara and eyeliner because it’s hard to get off, but it will be even more annoying if you’re out running errands or picking up the kids and all of a sudden have eyeliner or mascara stuck in your eyes. This will irritate your contacts which could affect your vision and of course you don’t want any of this to happen! Needless to say, waterproof mascara and eyeliner is the way to go. They won’t flake, smudge, and will also dry quickly, which will keep your eyes makeup free and your contacts in without a problem all day! Oh, and back to your concern about taking your waterproof makeup off – find a gentle eye makeup remover that won’t irritate your eyes or skin. Of course you should take your contacts out first, but after successfully removing your contacts, use a lightweight makeup remover that will soothe your eyes and help your face feel refreshed.

Gentle Eye Shadow and an Eye Shadow Primer –

Yes, there is such a thing as gentle eye shadow. In fact, you’ll know if eye shadow is gentle by whether it makes your eyes itch or feels just right. If you’re not sure where to start, look for organic lines that are made for sensitive skin. Also, consider investing in an eye shadow primer. This will keep your shadow in place all day and will also prevent eye shadow flaking, which could land in your eyes and irritate them, which could lead to contact issues. Some primers also have other ingredients that soothe your eyes, which will protect your lids from irritants throughout the day. Protect your contacts and eyes from irritating makeup and you’ll feel fresh and beautiful all day long.

Sierra is a freelance writer and owner of Paige One. She wears contacts and likes to wear makeup that won’t irritate her eyes or skin!

Tiny Prints Holiday Cards

Can I just tell you something?

I worked as a blogger with Tiny Prints last year for their holiday campaign and in return, they gave me my holiday cards for free...

And those holiday cards are STILL being talked about this year!!! I've had friends tell me they used it for a decoration in their home! I had family go on and on about how beautiful the cards were... and yes, I'll toot my own horn here, I *did* take some nice pictures... but it wasn't just the photos that made it work. It was the whole setup. The card was a trifold like this:

(That's not me, I'm just using it to demonstrate.)

The quality of the photo's, the quality of the paper,.....the QUALITY PERIOD.

1. They were the best Holiday Cards I've ever sent out. This year, they've got this premium double thick matte paper. Here is video about it.

So, you can imagine I'm pretty excited to work with them again this year!!!
I really hope you'll check them out. They are an awesome company!!!

.....Don't forget to look at their Special Offers.....

Giving Tuesday

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." 

~Winston Churchill

There is a fantastic new idea coming around this holiday season...

Giving Tuesday. 

Have you ever felt like there is more that you could or *should* be doing for others around you? We can easily get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget about the needs of the people around us. Giving Tuesday hopes to change that. 

Giving Tuesday

When?: November 27th, 2012

What is it???: A day to give back. Businesses, Non-profits, Families, Individuals...this day is for all of us!!!!! We can all find some way to give back to our community. Any way, small or big, can make a difference. Giving Tuesday is a day of caring.  Retailers have made so much money off from special "days" like Black Friday or Cyber Monday... it is time to put GIVING back into the holidays. Lets make giving an integral part of our holiday season, not just loads of toys under the tree... we should give to our neighbors, our friends, and the needy. 

How can I help?:  

Here are some ideas..... go HERE for more

*Families and individuals could start simply: donate food to a local food bank, clothes to a shelter, cook meals for elderly neighbors, bring old boots and jackets (along with mittens, gloves, and hats) to a nearby elementary school. Talk to your children about *why* you are doing it and make an annual event. Here are some other ideas for families and individuals.

*Businesses, Non-Profits, and Communities could donate certain portions of their proceeds for the day, offer free services, advertise about the day on their webpages and social media outlets, or do fund matching for a cause. They could try hosting walks/runs for a cause, gather a group of volunteers to do special projects, have bake sales,  and inspire others to join the cause. Business, check out Do Something.org for a cool idea involving teens. 

*Bloggers can become affiliates here. Spread the word through all your social media and blogging venues!!! There is so much you can do to share information about this wonderful event!!!

I hope you will all join me in celebrating Giving Tuesday this November 27th!!!

A Marvelous Mess and Features!!!

Here's what I have been up to this past week:

Needle Felted Gnomes! Inspired by these gnomes at Laura Lee Burch.

We had some great posts this last week! Thanks so much much to all of you for linking up. Here are my fave's:

Votes for Women from Crystelle Boutique. I hope you all did your duty and made your voice heard by voting!!! So many sacrificed so much so that we all have that right. 

And, the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar is...

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting from Sweet Southern Blue. Um, Yum?!!

If I featured you in this post, this button is yours:

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the par-tay!

<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank">
<img src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" alt="" />

A Marvelous Mess and Features!!!!

We spent the day with family today. Traveled an hour and a half by car to get to a remote camp in northern Maine and it was well worth the trip. Gorgeous views and the cutest little camp!!!!

My family has done a great job in renovating and redecorating this new camp. Here is one of my favorite little additions:

A simple lamp shade painted by my mother with india ink to show animals tracks you might see around. Something else my mother painted in the camp:

She's a fantastic artist!!! 

Here's the most important piece of equipment for a northern camp:

A wood stove. No doubt about it, this lady gets put to good use. Love the little rack above on the wall for drying mittens. There's a moose antler on a shelf above it as well. If you're lucky you can find those, and deer antlers in the woods. 

On our walk in the woods we were shown a recent (possible)bear markings on a tree:

After a morning and afternoon at the camp, including a long walk through the woods with a *very* happy Buddy and Chloe, we drove back in the direction of home....but instead of stopping there we went straight to the other side of the family for some nice warm dinner and dessert. Grilled salmon, a Lebanese cracked wheat dish, fresh from the garden potatoes, and green beans. Dessert was a spiced pear cake with vanilla ice cream. Yum!!!!

What did you all do this weekend????

Here are my fave's from last week:

American Teacher by Todd and Lindsay. This is a great (and very important) read. Please take the time to read about her job and consider watching the movie by Matt Damon!! Teachers are constantly overworked and underpaid in my mind. 

Pet Costumes from Creative Lady of the House. Love the ideas!!!!

Frankenstorm Frankenpatties from My Sisters Pantry.

And, the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week is....

Poop Factory by Turtles and Tails. This one totally cracked me up!!!!!!!

If I featured you in this post, this button is yours:

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the party!!!!!!!

Paper Bag Haunted House

Here is a super quick craft that young kiddos will love. A paper bag that's been turned into a 3d haunted house!!

You'll need:

brown paper bags

brown paper

black no-slip material (found mine at the Dollar Store)

black paper (trimmed to rectangles, large triangles)

yellow paper (trimmed into rectangles, ovals, circles, etc)

black crayons

Halloween stickers

stuffing (newspaper, tissue paper, etc)

scissors

stapler

gluesticks

~Take your paper bag and lay it flat in front of you. Start glueing yellow triangles for windows, black shapes for a door. use your imagination!!

~Take the black crayon and make lines across the windows.

~Flip it over and do the same thing to the other side.

~Put some stuffing inside the paper bag and fill it near the top.

~Take same brown paper and make the shape of a roof for it. Trim out some of the no-slip material to be the same size.

~Pinch the paper bag together (like you would to fold it for a lunch bag)...instead, lay the brown paper roof over, then the black material, and staple it on.

~Add black paper shapes to be taller chimneys and roofs if you would like.

~Put some halloween stickers on that house!!

Have fun and Happy Halloween!!!!