Snowfest 2012

It's George's family tradition to go to Zehnder's Snowfest every year.  This is the third year that I have gone. The winter of 2009/2010 was my first winter living here... My first time to go to the Snowfest and it was absolutely FREEZING!  Being new to Michigan winters, I didn't quite know how to dress for these kinds of things, however I have definitely learned since then!  So, when we went last year I had LOTS of layers on!  It was an even colder and snowier winter, but I stayed warmer because I was better prepared.  It was cold yesterday also, there were flurries in the air, but the sun did come out for a little while, which was very welcome and warmed us up a bit.  We made sure to have some nice hot chocolate as we walked down the main street of Frankenmuth.  I love walking down the main street there, it's such a quaint and pretty street with many shops to visit.  Like every year, there were a lot of great snow and ice sculptures to see.  It hadn't snowed very much this winter leading up to the opening of the Snowfest, luckily the temperatures were low and the sculptures stayed nice throughout the weekend.  Before heading back, we warmed up... (And thawed out)... in a warming tent while eating lunch, it was a fun afternoon.  Here's the link to my post from last year, where there are some more fun snow and ice sculptures to see:  http://trinastrinketts.blogspot.com/2011/01/snowfest.html   ~ And below are some pictures that I took yesterday... 

 This one was my favorite ice sculpture :)

Such a pretty covered bridge

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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Thank you so much for visiting today!  Wishing you a great day!

~Trina

Etsy Finds Friday - Dollytime

It's *♥*Etsy Finds Friday*♥*

Today I am featuring the 

Knitting Patterns for Sweet Dolls

Created by: 

Dollytime

Toys and Trinkets to Knit

Dollytime on Etsy has created a wonderful selection of PDF email patterns which 

can be purchased so that you can knit the most darling dolls!

In the Artist's Own Words:

I have always been an enthusiastic crafter and over the years have had a number of my knitting patterns featured in magazines.

I started knitting little dolls when I was very young. Nothing complicated or sophisticated, just ordinary little dollies, the kind you might see in children's story books. You will find patterns for several little cuties in my shop. I hope they make you smile.

 POSY

                                    Knitted Toy Doll PDF email Knitting Pattern
Let me introduce you to a sweet little doll named POSY who stands 41cm (16in) tall when not wearing shoes. POSY loves flowers and enjoys being in her little garden. She has Mary Jane shoes for outdoor wear but, like all sensible little dollies, she changes into her cozy slippers when she comes indoors. Instructions for Mary Jane's and cozy slippers are included. POSY'S patchwork and striped sweater, hat and skirt will enable you to use small left-over balls of double knitting yarn (USA - light-worsted/Australia - 8 ply).  The pattern rows are numbered and instructions are very easy to follow. As always I’ve added lots of tips and illustrations to guide you along the way.  The POSY knitting pattern will come to you as a 13 page PDF email file.  All knitting is on two straight needles. Knitting skills required :- cast on, cast off, knit, purl, k2tog, kfb.

BELINDA JANE 

 Knitted Toy Doll PDF email Knitting Pattern

Meet BELINDA JANE a cute dolly with a happy smile and gorgeous auburn curls. She stands 45cm (18in) tall from head to toe.  BELINDA JANE wears a pretty cardigan over a sleeveless top and skirt. All items of clothing are removable.  Knitting is on two straight needles using DK yarn (USA - light-worsted/Australia - 8 ply). The pattern rows are numbered and instructions are very easy to follow. As always I’ve added lots of tips and illustrations to guide you along the way. The pattern is ideally suited to knitters who have mastered the basic skills (not recommended as a first time project for a new knitter). The BELINDA JANE knitting pattern will come to you as a PDF email file.

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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Click HERE to visit Dollytime on Etsy and see more of her adorable Doll PDF Patterns!  You can also visit her blog at:  http://flutterbypatch.blogspot.com/

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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Thank you for stopping by for my Etsy Finds Friday post!!  Please stay tuned for next Friday's Find... It could be YOU! :)   Happy Friday!!   

~Trina  

Two Poodles and the Eiffel Tower!

I created this cake topper for a customers who will be spending their first Anniversary in Paris.  These two adorable poodles are sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower, she's all dressed up with sparkles in her curls, wearing a pink bow in her hair, and he looks very proud to be by her side.  On the ground in front of them is a bone shaped pillow with a silver pair of wedding rings tied to it.  The Eiffel Tower stands approximately 3 1/2" tall on a 3" base.  This topper will be listed in my Etsy shop (Trina's Clay Creations) as an example of a figurine and/or cake topper that I can customize.

 

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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Thank you for visiting today!!  :)
~Trina

Two Little Mice and a Pumpkin Carriage!

This little cake topper was such fun to create!  I made a pumpkin carriage in orange and silver, adding vines, leaves and a darling oval door with a round window.  The two mice are sitting in the grass in front of the carriage, each holding a glass of wine and toasting each other.  She's dressed in red, he's in blue and both have great big eyes, making their faces so darling.  The topper is approximately 2" tall and sits on a 2 1/2" base.  Made as a custom order for an awesome customer of mine, I will be listing it in my Etsy shop (Trina's Clay Creations) as an example of a topper I can customize as a special gift and/or cake topper.   

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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Thank you for visiting today! I hope you'll stop by tomorrow for more 'show-and-tell' where you'll see another new cake topper that I created... It's two poodles and the Eiffel Tower! :)  Wishing you a great day!  ~Trina

Etsy Finds Friday - Gaea Handmade

It's *♥*Etsy Finds Friday*♥*

Today I am featuring the 

Beautiful Ceramic Jewelry

Created by: 

Gaea Handmade

Ceramic Pendants, Beads and Jewelry

In the Artist's Own Words:

Gaea is the greek goddess of "mother earth", so it is appropriate that I love to play with it (how did mom know?!) I've had a major love of ceramics and jewelry for much of my life.

I find inspiration in everyday things. The shell pendants were inspired by our first trip to the beach with our son. As a child I imagined fairies living among the plants and flowers thus the queens, flowers and leaves. I have designed and made each piece and have loved every minute of it!

 

 Early Birdy

Ceramic Bird and Bead Set

This individually picked bundle contains 9 spring and love tone ceramic beads! These beads are hand formed and hand glazed and are an original design. 

One Little Leaf One Little Bird

Open Heart Ceramic Dish

A little place to hold little things...  An original design, this earthy open heart dish is stamped with one of my handmade leaf/acorn stamps and measures about 3 1/4" tall by 3 1/2" wide. The red clay dish has been glazed in a cream color inside only.

 Lotus Dreams

Ceramic and Copper Art Bead Lotus Necklace

This handmade ceramic Lotus pendant was carefully set in a handmade copper bezel. Copper links and ceramic beads were all handmade with love. All copper pieces have taken a tumble to strengthen them. Chunky ametrine and fresh water pearls are part of this original design which is a bold piece of art for your neck. 

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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥  Click HERE to visit Gaea Handmade's Etsy Shop and see more of her beautiful ceramic jewelry and beads!  

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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ♥ Thank you for stopping by for my Etsy Finds Friday post!!  Please stay tuned for next Friday's Find... It could be YOU! :)   Happy Friday!!   

~Trina