Sure hope you are wanting to see/read more about my holiday decor....so here goes.....As is the rest of my home, the kitchen is rather small....but just right for one person! No, really, more than one person can get in the kitchen, but it does get "hairy" if we all are trying to cook/prepare at the same time. However, even though it is definitely a "working" kitchen, I still love to add lots of little vingnettes all around.....it just makes me smile. This one is on top of the fridge...battery operated lights... These burn for 7 hours and turn off for... Continue reading

I have been absent from my blog for waaaaay too long. Just got caught up in life, work and all the normal holiday stuff. But....I have been reading a lot of other blogs lately and just absolutley drooling over all the eye candy for the holidays. There are a heck of a lot of talented people out there...believe me! So, with that said, I decided to do a post of my holiday home (uh...condo, actually)....small, but so warm and inviting. Please join me as we take a short tour.... We will start at the front door where I show a... Continue reading

We have had MORE than our fair share of rain in Atlanta this year. It has rained almost every day whether it be a short shower or torential downpour. Just as I was getting rather grumpy about another wet day....the rain stopped......the sun appeared....and I had to look outside to see what was the matter. Much to my surprise.....a rainbow! Silly how such a simple thing can get me really giddy. But this did. I had to run for my camera. As I got ready to take the first photo, I realized it was a DOUBLE rainbow! What fun! I... Continue reading

I had the chance to spend time with my son and his family on their "farm" a few weekends ago, and just fell in love with the serenity, calmness and beauty of it all. We celebrated the youngest granddaughter's birthday....OMG....she is 7 years old now! Oh my how time flies! Anyway....we grilled out, the weather was just excellent. Not too hot or humid that particular day, but a little overcast which kept the temp down just a bit. We all relaxed, kicked back and enjoyed each other and the beautiful day. Other than the "grand" opening her gifts, the highlight... Continue reading

I have a very dear and close friend who I have had the pleasure of knowing for quite some time now....let's see..... since1988 I believe. We worked together and I left that job and went on many, many journeys, but we always seemed to get back in touch with each other. She is like me in that she is artistic and very crafty.....but in a good way! Her jewelry creations are breathtaking and heavenly! Some of the most gorgeous bead embroidery around. I finally got to purchase one of her newest items, an etched brass cuff, and I LOVE it!... Continue reading

I am again making a confession of another addiction…..yes, ANOTHER one…..I love fairy gardens! I just found it out while scanning my other addiction….Pinterest. I even found a fairy house on YouTube that a man made for his wife, and it was done to music. He used all natural materials…NO nails. Very interesting and so darned cute! I thought that this would be a great task for me and my granddaughters when they come over on a weekend soon. So….here I go…..scouring the internet for ideas….Oh my! There are thousands! Really! Anyway, I am leaning more toward a fairy garden... Continue reading

Today is my daughter's birthday and she is turning "40 something"....and is utterly amazing! She not only is beautiful on the outside, but has a beautiful soul and presence. Lovely. I feel like I did a halfway good job with her! The life of a Mom is always so rewarding, but especially so once their kids are adults and have kids of their own. I find so many wonderful things on Pinterest, and have many pins on boards of my own. I have one board called "Word"....and it is for all the cool, funny, loving and endearing phrases or sayings... Continue reading

Oh, my.....I have not blogged in so long...but wanted you to know that I am still here. I have a confession of sorts.....I am addicted....yes, I said it! Addicted.....to.....PINTEREST! Who knew? My daughter introduced me to it....and it was all over for me. I spend WAY too much time looking at all the billions of pins every day and should devote at least SOME of that time to my blog....so, here I am. But can hardly wait to get back to Pinterest to see all the gorgeous, soulful, funny, yummy and fun pins. Come visit me sometime and join in... Continue reading

Even though the holidays are now behind us, I had to share this photo that I took in my bedroom late one afternoon during the holidays. I walked in the room and was just absolutely taken aback with the scene in the photo. The sunlight coming in the window struck some cut crystal and bottle brush trees that I had on my dresser. Wonderful colors were all over the room from the facets of the crystal and it was breathtaking! I just HAD to run get my camera and hope that what I saw would come across just as well... Continue reading

OMG! Has it really been THAT long since I made a post? ARGH!!!!! So much has happened lately and I know you all have been holding your breath waiting for my next wonderful, informing, intellectual, fun and inspiring post....lol....so here goes. I decided to change the name of my Etsy shop from "Handiworks by Janice" to "J.Marie of Atlanta". The older name just sounded too much like a sort of "craft" shop and not the elegant and upscale feel of my creations. My son designed my logos and business cards. I feel he did a great job in getting the... Continue reading

I have been working with this creation for over a month now....sitting it aside as I delve into other projects. All the while I kept glancing at it, tweaking it, reworking it....almost giving up on it. Then, it all came together and I was ecstatic! Bling, girly girl stuff and pearls abound in this gorgeous steampunk inspired glam necklace. I had the red lampworked glass winged heart for a while, knowing that I wanted to use it in a very special way. Well, here it is in all it's glory reveling alongside cultured pearls, crystals, and vintage lace. I just... Continue reading

We had a great time at my youngest granddaughter's 6th birthday party about two weeks ago. It was a Barbie in the Spotlight theme and was pulled off in a spectacular way by her parents. Here are some photos from the party....it was really a cute idea! My daughter-in-law should be doing this professionally, as all the birthday parties are quite a production! Enjoy..... this was just the beginning. Set in the outdoor carport, this was adorable! A REAL LIVE Barbie came to visit! Photo ops were everywhere.... ......as we see here with one of my other granddaughters! She had... Continue reading

What do these two have in common, you ask? Well, this is the story..... I recently purchased three gorgeous Chinese lanterns at Pier 1 last week. My two neighbor girlfriends were at my house and I was showing the lanterns to them.....complaining all the while about the heat and when might be the best time to hang them. Well.......I came home from work one day to find that my friends had hung them (in 100+ degree heat!) from the tree over my patio while I was at work! How kewl is that???? Love those girls! The lanterns are lovely and... Continue reading

I was in a reorganization and revamp of my studio when Karen Valentine, of My Desert Cottage, submitted her invitation to "Where Bloggers Create 2012". I thought it was a great time for me to share my workspace with other bloggers. This first picture is one of the BEFORE pics, while the reorganizing was in process. I felt disorganized and unable to easily put my hands on my supplies. I did not move any furniture around, as it more or less has to stay where it is due to the size of the room and the placement of doors and... Continue reading