New Offerings at Etsy from Snugglebug Blessings

 Meet Noel the snow doll. She is a delightful little snowgirl that I just created.  You can find her at www.snugglebugblessings.etsy.com



 This pic shows you all of her although I feel I need a doll stand so you can see her dress better. Will go pick one of those up and re-shoot her for you.  She is holding a velvet stocking with a vintage style tree with antique pearls attached to it.

 

 I had some extra beeswax/soy mix and poured into this "Old Santa" mold and then added a pinch of greenery and berries. Rubbed some spice blend on it and walla, a lovely prim ornie. Beeswax lasts for a very long time, so you can hold on to this ornie for years. (www.snugglebugblessings.blogspot.com)

 

 Can you catch the Gingerbread man? This is another darling primitive ornie I created to hang on your tree, or just be a shelf sitter, if you will. I added glass glitter to give him a sugary look.

I wanted to finish up some of my primitive dolls for the season. I am heading into a Vintage kind of design style soon, but wanted to give you all a chance to get a couple of my prims before I do.

 

 

This is my Old Snowman with a snowflake. He was created to hang but can sit anywhere you like too! He's a big snow guy approx. 18" and delightfully prim. Found at my etsy shop too!

www.snugglebugblessings.etsy.com

 

Well I hope you enjoyed some of my offerings. I have 2 other snowgirls I'm trying to finish.  Now if you would wave that magic wand and make time appear. LOL!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

if I don't see you, please have a

very, Merry Christmas. God bless.

 

Cathy

Let the Pattern Writing Begin

It has been a really long time since I have written patterns. So today it is one of my goals to get started writing them.  This old Snowguy is getting his pattern written.  I'm hoping to have it listed this week some time. He is a jolly old fellow.

 

 

This snowguy is a part of the above pattern so you will get two styles for the hats in one pattern.

I am finishing up writing this Primitive Santa Bust pattern and I'm hoping to get him done and ready for order this coming week also.  There are two styles for this one as well. 

 

 

So while I am writing up these patterns, I am also finishing up a couple of dollys for the season.

 Yes, I know it is late in the seaon, but wholesale had to get done first. Hoping you enjoy these patterns to come and my new dollys too!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

God bless,

 

Cathy



Buttons and Lace and Pretty Tea Cups Too

I thought I would share with you last weeks excursion to one of my favorite antique malls. One of the booths there has tons of milinary pieces and I really wish sometimes I were rich.  Oh well, its still lots of fun to visit and see what wonderful treasures I can find on a budget. 

 

While digging through each of the drawers from her displays, I found these darling, knitted gloves.  She had many gloves there but I just liked the softness of these pretty gloves. Ladies from not so long ago wore these to church or a special occasion.  I charish the danitiness of  of these gloves and wonder who wore them and what special occasion they wore them too! Was it a Christianing, church, wedding, it could have been any of the above or even all of the above.  Who really knows, but its still fun to think about.

Along with my finds was a small peanut butter jar jammed packed full of buttons, I mean jammed packed.  I didn't think you could get so many buttons in a jar, but I am loving it.  So many pretty little buttons, red, white (my favorite), black, blue and ecru. 

Now on this excursion I found some lovely lace pieces.  They are stunning and was quite a large amount in each package. I can't wait to use these with my dollys. Tucked under the gloves is a cherry napkin I purchased for only 50 cents and there was no damage at all. Very lovely indeed.



 

See my sweet little red and white transfer bowl.  This was from my last excursion and I'm using this one for the extra close pins.

 

Now I am sorry for this blurry pic of my darling little tea cups. This picture does NOT give them justice and I will try to get better pics the next time.  I bought these for only a $1.00 each and they are just lovely. 

 

Well I hope you enjoyed my lovely little goodies. You can go to antique malls and find all kinds of goodies on a budget. 

 

Happy creating and God bless.

 

Cathy



Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

Dreaming of a Laundry Room Make Over

 

Now I know what your thinking.  This is not my laundry room, but I do wish it was. This is Miss Gracies of the Beehive Cottage (missgracieshouse.blogspot.com) laundry room. Isn't it dreamy. Sigh!

 

 

Now this is my laundry room.

It kinda looks like hers well maybe just the layout. But I know in my heart and see it in my head, how this laundry room could look like hers, don't you!

 

 

 So your asking "why does anyone want to do a makeover in the laundry room"??? Well because I spend so much of my life in there and I think every girl deserves some pretty and feminine pleasure and the laundry room is a much needed place to pretty up. Come on girls are ya with me!!!

Now I bought that dern clothes separator not taking any measurements and it is way to big for that spot. I can't get to my cleaning stuff or any other needed items there.  So I gotta go to plan "B" and find something smaller to fit that spot.  Also, I am in much needed storage above my washer and dryer so I am hoping to get shelving up soon.  What a blessing that would be.

 



 This black shelf is nice but I am going to paint it white and gussy it up a bit.  Below, is a pic of some fantastic organization in Ophelia's laundry room (opheliasgarden.tumblr.com).  I love the pretty glass jars in it and the sweet lace above the baskets is such a nice touch.  The key here is to keep everything one to two colors, not overdoing it I think.  White is a clean, fresh look but can be steril looking, thats where the lace,  glass jars and linen curtains can come in and pretty things up.

 

 

Last but not least is the great homemade laundry detergent (below) I discovered on Pintrest and have left you a link to get the recipe from. I can't wait to try that.  They say that this laundry detergent last for months and cleans better than any store bought and is better for your skin.

 

 

(find the recipe here: beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com) Now I can't wait to get started on my laundry room makeover.  I will post pictures as it is coming along and then have the grand reveal soon.  Hey, if you would like to share your pics of your Laundry redo, please email me at: cottagebug@yahoo.com

 

Thanks for visiting here at Snugglebug Blessings!



Vintage Finds

Nothing is more exciting for me than going antiquing on a Saturday. Yeah I did the laundry, worked on wholesaling, cleaned the kitchen, dusted and changed the beds.  So you can see I got my chores out of the way first!  LOL! Below, is the mother load of vintage red and white bowls.  I was able to attain 7 all together.  I'm already using them all over the house.  Aren't they pretty!

I also picked up this pretty Valentine hanky and had wished I took a pic of it open. All 4 sides have the heart on it. Gorgeous! You can see the pretty depression glass to the left of it. Its in my bedroom for now. I love it!

These linens piled on my dryer are a score from my mom's house. Oh yeah! She no longer uses these beautiful linens and I was blessed enough to get them. Thanks mom, your the best.

Now one of the battenburg tiers has mildew on it. Boo hoo as I love these so very much. Susan, sister in law tried her hardest to remove it. If you have any tips, please let me know. I think I'm going to try to dye it again and see what happens.  (thanks for all your hard work washing my linens Susan)

 This is a close up of the matelasse bedding I was lucky enough to receive. I am sooooo in love with it all. Can't wait to show you where its going.

Here's another pic of my linens. There were sheets, curtains, pillow cases, shams and bedding. Oooh la la.  

 

I just love everything and have another Saturday excursion to share with you as I went shopping again today and found some very lovely prettys.

 

Thanks for stopping by. Be creative and blessed!

 

Cathy



The Feminine Side

As some of you know I have been going through changes with my business. My dreams for it have finally surfaced and can no longer be held back.  There is a feminine side to me that is dying to get out and for years I have not let her come out to play.

 jenneliserose.blogspot.fr  

I let her out a little bit several years ago, then put her back only to try to create items that I thought  would please people and make sales for me. It wasn't where my heart was.  Although sometimes we have moments of confusion.  LOL!  As my wholesale business comes to a close, my plans for my new business and future are coming to the surface. I have done lots of research, Pintrest has been a weath of information and inspiration for me.

 

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/twinkleshabbystar/4563845151/

For years I have longed to create simple but elegant pieces of jewelry and pretty objects.

 

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/96036013/burlap-and-lace-table-runner-bless-our

Pretty things for the home...

 

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/96712354/tattered-antique-lace-galvenized-pail?utm_campaign=Share&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_source=Pinterest

I have crazy dreams of repurposing furniture and all kinds of  items...

 

laurakirste.com

And eventually owning my own shop.  It is my dream, and I am not going to give up. I'm hoping to open a booth soon, but need to finish the wholesale work.  So as this dream gets closer, my anxiety increases, (oh but in a good way), the urgency to finish my wholesale is even greater and a bit of fear of the unknown dangles infront of me.  But whats a dreamer to do? Get busy and do it!

 

Till next time, God bless.

 

Cathy

 



Free Images for you!

I found these images some time ago and wanted to share them with you. I love to use music sheets for doll wings, crowns, as well as Christmas ornaments and more. So here they are for you to do with what you wish. Enjoy!

 

 More ideas:  You could print them on paper, fabric or cardstock.  They make great ACTs, tags etc.  I hope to have some of those made up in the near future for you in my tutorials section.  So hold on tight. Things are about to change here soon. Crossing my fingers, can you cross yours too!?!

Ok, needing to speak French here, but don't know how. So can you say "ooh la la".  There, you spoke French.  LOL!  Enjoy these free images.  Just right click and save. Thats all there is to it.

 

Have a wonderful, creative day!

God bless,

Cathy



Laundry Day

Laundry Day

 

 

 

Don't you find hanging up laundry outside and organic experience?  I do. There is something relaxing to me as I  hang up each laundered piece on the clothes line, the fresh scent that it has, the breeze blowing lightly and the quiet time I have with the Lord.  Ya, I do like it alot.

Before my precious Rottie pasted away, she loved to come out with me and help me hang laundry.   Well, supervise mostly. She was always checking out the yard to make sure no bad guys would get in. I don't think they would be interested in my yard do you?

 

My dogs loved to come a just hang with me when I went out to do laundry. It is so simplistic, natural, organic.  It is from a simpler time, I think we all miss.  So how about go hang some laundry outside today. Feel the freshness of the air, before it gets to cold to enjoy.  Your pets will follow or maybe even your kids too.  Get them involved, they can hand you the clothes pins.  See you outside at the clothes line.  By for now. God bless.



Wholesale Dolls Sneak Peak

What I Been Working On

 

 Its no surprise that I have been working on Christmas dolls for wholesale. Many of you know that.  So I have decided to share some pics of them.  These are a few pics of my Santa Stump Dolls. (Hidden in the Attic pattern)

 Here is a Santa in cream color.  I love Santa in the cream color, oooh la la!

 

Below are my snowmen ornies all are aged with coffee and a spice mix. They are my pattern and design.  These are pretty big for an ornie.

 

This guy below is another one of my patterns, (soon to be made into a pattern).  I like his sleepy eyes. I have decided he speaks with a British accent, kinda like this "well, pip pip and all that sort of thing" .  Maybe I should get out more, LOL!

I also made him with a cap hat from flannel, but didn't slip a pic of that in here. I am almost finished with my wholesale orders.  I will do some wholesale but want to scale back so I can venture back into paperclay dolls again in the vintage style with laces, printed fabrics, antique trims and more.

 

I hope you enjoyed peeking at my wholesale dollies.  We wholesalers have to finish up the holiday dolls way in advance. I need to play more Christmas music.  Okay, just kidding.

 

Hope you can stop by for a visit again.

Till next time, God bless!

 

Cathy



It Autumn Time Again

Autumn, My Favorite Time of Year!

 These are pics of West Virginia (pics complements of our Tourist Guide) where I live. Aren't they amazing. I love it here and  especially like Autumn. There is no other season like it. Deep, rich reds, blackened greens, sun kissed  yellows, multi-colored blues, and weathered browns all create an eye popping display of God's handywork.  When the wind blows the trees sway to the symphony of the leaves rustling and swirling around and birds singing of Autumn's arrival.

 

I love the smell of the cherry wood burning from a cabin, the hint of freshly fallen leaves on the ground and the weather getting colder. Are you ready for hot chocolate, warm comfort foods, and marshmallows? I have to say I am.  Take a walk outside in the woods, ride your bike down a path covered by a canopy of multi-colored leaves or by a river drenched in Autumn's magnificent glory.

 

Hope to see you on the path this Fall.

 

God bless you. Cathy

One of the hardest things to do...

One of the Hardest Things to do...

 

 

 

Ya, change is one of the hardest things to do. You know it is the right thing for you, but sometimes FEAR trys to override your dreams.  So what is it that I should do, stay in something that I am so bored in because it does bring me cold, hard, cash? Or do I step out in FAITH  and take the plunge? 

 

 I have wanted to move out of wholesaling for quite sometime now.  My creative side has beckoned me over and over and I can no longer turn away from its call. So I have made the changes in my blog to start the process. I have handed over most of my wholesale orders to another gal to fill. "What now"? you ask, "and where am I headed"??? Well I hope I don't disappoint you in the next month or so with new vintage dolls adorned in antique and vintage lace, snowladies snuggled in warm, winter whites, beautiful buttons and more , vintage paper offerings scattered with glitter, and hopefully tutorials to inspire the most hesitant of creative folk.

 

So you see my creative side is already at work, at least in my mind, ready to offer you many wonders and delights for this holiday season. Can you wait just a little longer, can you?  I hope so, change is good, but just a little scary.  See you soon with new offerings.

 

Until next time, God bless,

 

Cathy



Change is Good

Red, White and Tan

 Lots of things have been running through my mind lately and one of them is "it is time for change". I have been wholesaling for a year now.  I'm very thankful for the blessings and financial benefits it has brought me. However, not being able to create freely, has taken its toll on my artistic side.  Recently, I received my first check for being published. Hooray!  I was overwhelmed and shocked to say the least.  I will get pics and info on that the next post hopefully. So you are asking yourself why the pretty pics of the red, white and tan table setting and room with a chair. Let me help clear that up. These are the new colors coming to my blog. They will also be apart of my selling blog as well. I am planning on moving my website into my selling blog and be very matchy, matchy. LOL!

So you see, change is coming for me. I want to get back to my art. I'm being published over and over and it is time to get serious about the gift God has given me. I hope you don't mind my rambling.  But I am so excited to see how this blog will look, the changes that Karen Valentine will make and the dolls that will dance across the pages.  I no longer wish to do extreme prim dolls anymore. Sorry you prim lovers, but my heart belongs to whimsy and vintage! So more lace, frillys, roses, glitter and more will captivate these pages one day soon.

Thank you for bearing with my need to come back to my creative side, it is crying to be let out again.  Thank you wholesale customers for your business, I will always be greatful.  And as always, thank you my readers and retail customers for being patient with me, waiting to see if this artist will come back.  As my wholesale orders come to a close (mid-Oct.), new dolls, mix media and patterns will come to life.

So isn't red, white and tan and great combination?  I think so. Till next time. Hugs and blessings to you,

Cathy

Pics are from the following links

thank you

From la-belle-vie.tumblr.com

36ohk6dgmcd1n.yom.mail.yahoo.net



Pinterest Recipes

Pinterest Recipes

Yep, I have been going onto Pinterest for about 1 month now. I have not really been interested in the food. Well, up till now. This is my first two recipes I tried off of Pinterest.com.  They tasted so fantastic and I was amazed at the outcome.  You see, I'm not much of a cook. I use alot of boxed foods, easy to prepare, very bad for your body.  One day after my husband brought in his garden bounty of zucchini, tomotoes, onions and more,  I thought "hey, I better find a way to use this stuff or it will go bad".   So off to Pinterest.com I went...

 I am a chicken in the kitchen so my recipes that I use have to be simple or forget it and these were very simple. On the left is a zucchini recipe that included: zucchini, tomatoes, onions, parmesan cheese, home made croutons (yeah I made it. LOL!) salt/pepper, garlic and walla! Yummy! Here's the link for the recipe: http://prouditaliancook.blogspot.com/2010/08/zucchini-tomato-gratin.html .  If you love Italian food your gonna love this chef's recipes. Yum! (oh see how I love red/white, just had to remind you of that, tee, hee)

 This chicken recipe is simply brown mustard, honey, garlic, salt/pepper,  then grilled. Here let the chef tell you how to prepare it.  Here's her link:http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/02/grilled-honey-mustard-chicken-recipe.html  Go check her out, great recipes!

This pic above is the left over chicken from the other night.  It was so tasty in my salad. This salad is a mix of left over grilled chicken, tomatoes, red onion, lettus and cucumber.  Plus I grated parmesan cheese in it too! If you can, shred your cheese, it is so much fresher tasting and usually better quality than pre-shredded cheeses. 

Well that is it for now. Hope you can check out Pinterest.com and be inspired.

I know it has inspired me. 

Till next time.  Happy dinning!

God bless, Cathy

Good Monday to You!

I hope you all are having a great Monday today.  It is pretty hot here in West Virginia, up in the 90s, but we are hanging in there dispite the hot temps.  I just wanted to show you a couple of things I have been working on.

As you can see I have been working on Wynter dolls.   I sell my dolls wholesale and we have to be working on items months in advance so the prim stores can be ready for you prim shoppers come holiday time.

 This is my latest snowman ornie creation.  You can buy him in my Etsy shop here: www.snugglebugblessings.etsy.com

So that's just a few of my favorite things.  Well just a few of my dolls. I know you may think, "I'm just not ready to think of  Wynter yet" as hot as it is here in good ole West Virginia, that seems to be all I think about.

 Hey, thanks for stopping by. 

Till next time...may His blessings be with you, God's guidence go before you, and His love surround you.

God bless, Cathy.