My favorite posts from 2014 are probably different then yours but that is because they are my projects and I know the why,what, when and how of each one. I am learning how to express myself to share those portions of the story with out becoming *boring! Of course I want to write a great tutorial, take awesome pictures, and keep you interested in coming back. Telling all the back stories might become a Blah, ba, ba type of post. +Michele Alger owner of Shelstringblog asked a group of us to round up our favorite post of the year.

 At first I though this is a piece of cake but, then it was like choosing a favorite child. They all are special to me, although it was hard to choose here are my 5 favorite posts no particular order.

The Best of 2014 a Year Review!

  This is my first year in review since I started blogging. I am excited to bring you the top ten posts of the year. Together we have accomplished more then I ever dreamed of when I started Dragonfly & Lily Pads in October 2013. I want to thank each of you for support.  As this year ends I have a sense of relief, excitement, and a positive outlook for the coming year.
Why relief you ask? Because we all have times that our life takes us in a totally different direction. I believe in helping when there a need from some one you love. Family has taken on a whole new meaning to us this year.
Excitement now your wondering? Making that day in Oct. 2013 count as Something New each day by writing DNLP blog. This blog is a bit of a gift to myself, as I express my creativity, share my love by inspiring others, and transforming all of us into the people and lifestyles we strive for in everyday life.
   OK! A little deep I  know but, it is truly how I feel.
Positive outlook is pretty easy because, this year has been a difficult year outside of these pages. 2015 is going to be different. I have learned a few valuable lessons about who I am and where I want to be this coming year. I will be sharing more about these goals during the coming year.
Today is about the closing the past year 2014 and opening a new door to 2015. Choosing what I want to carry with me as hard taught lessons, and what to Let Go! Yeah I went there...LOL
  Today I am sharing the top ten posts of the year chosen by you .

1. Sweet Baby Love Quilt  

Elf Gift Exchange Bonds Bloggers

Today you have hit the mother load of blog posts I Have joined in with Bloglovin to expand my blog Follow me on BlogLovin , included is a tutorial, a gift exchange and a round up coordinated by my sweet friend +Michele Alger
  Now on to the elf gift exchange which, gave bloggers an chance to learn more about each other, and share holiday spirit. I was lucky to become +Ali Williams  Elf. Thank you Ali for coordinating a bunch of creative bloggers to assemble gifts before Christmas. No easy task I can assure you. We Creative creatures tend to drift here or there especially at this time of year.
  Ali Williams is the creator of Skinny gf  Chef please visit her to grab a few healthy recipes.
  I chose to make her a card as well as a gift card. Shhhh she hasn't received it yet.
I started with doing a bit of stalking on her blog, FB, IG to find out what she liked. Creepy I know but it was for a good cause.

Personalized Christmas Ornament

     One of my favorite times of year is Christmas.  In the Gift giving spirit The Silhouette Challenge Facebook Group December Challenge is here along with a Holiday Giveaway. We have 35 Group members and +Silhouette America  helping us gather this Giveaway for this special time of year.

A DIY Stenciled Inspiration Board

    We look for inspiration everyday, in many places. I have read about achieving your goals, by placing them on a board, and looking at it daily. A place to organize your thoughts, where, what & how will you get to your next goal. The far off future goals too. Now you can see where the idea for the DIY stenciled inspiration board came for this post. In my Fall Mod Podge Pumpkin post I mentioned buying two carts of goodies at +Michaels Stores. I bought several framed cork boards that were on a great clearance sale.
To be honest I struggled with what would be the best approach to make this board inspiring. Then in a series of unrelated life circumstances, I was in Pompano Beach, FL. looking for document boxes with Prince Charming.The Office Depot was having a clearance sale because, they were moving. I found what I needed at the store 30% off and Gelio Gel pens for 50% off. Hmm. This would work on the cork board but, now what should I stencil?

I chose the inspirational phrase by Kolette Hall and +Silhouette America Flourish design.

Fall Mod Podge Pumpkins

   A recent Fall trip to our lake home was not providing the desirable effect. Cold, wind, and rain were dampening my mood. Do you remember my Mod Podge Miracle post?
 My Prince Charming had to drive to the store. Normally I would skip the grocery store to stay lakeside but, not today. He offered to go to our local +Michaels Stores with me, then I could find a creative outlet to brighten my gloomy day. Now a trip to a craft store with my guy, may not be every girls cup of tea but, I was happy to get to spend time with my busy man.

  I spotted an affordable, easy Fall craft project, on sale in the first aisle. This display of sale items led to Fall Mod Podge Pumpkins. We bought two items on our shopping trip paper pumpkins, and cocktail napkins for this craft. We all know I could never walk out of a craft store with two items. Two carts were full! Those items are for future posts. Hey! It was a Clearance Sale.  I already had the paint brush, and Mod Podge from previous projects. 

First Year Anniversary of Blogging {Blogiversary}

    I am celebrating the First Year Anniversary of Blogging! I prefer to call it my  Blogiversary. I have good news for you too.
 What is a celebration without a party? Boring! Several friends and I are holding a Spook-Tacular Silhouette Giveaway. The value is over $275.00 of  products to inspire you to be creative and transform your house into a  home.
 Be sure to enter before the deadline on Monday October 27th, 2014. I'd love to  cap off this year with one of you winning this great prize.

4th of July Round-Up

 I am honored to be a part of this 4th of July Round-Up 

with so many other talented artists.

 I designed and crafted my banner to decorate my fireplace on 4th of July.

My father served in the Army, Air Force and National Guard.

  I have family members who have served, or are serving the USA as of right now. Service  is a part of my family heritage. I am a proud American girl, who is grateful to each person and their families that has served our country, for our freedom.

  I dedicate my , "Made in America Banner"  as a tribute

 to all who have stood strong, beside the Good Old USA!

Celebrate the Birth of our Country Proud and Free!

Thank you for inviting me to your 4th of July Round-up.

I'm excited to have joined up, with some wonderful bloggers to present to you the perfect patriotic projects. Get those creative juices flowing just in time to celebrate our day of Independence!

50 % to 80% Off now that is a DEAL!

     Holidays Sales may be winding down but this sale rocked the scales with some huge savings. I am currently creating my First Creative Space!!!!! Can you tell I am excited? I bought a rug about 2 years ago on sale, to start the space, but some little bumps in the road, and challenges changed my path. Well I am back on track, saving,creating and filled with the joy of anticipation, to see how I develop My Space. Luckily since I broke my Elbow, my trusty Prince Charming is helping me assemble, lift, arrange my space too. All the while he is looking more handsome than ever, holding down the fort, and helping take care of me. He is truly the one who can bring home the bacon, and fry it up in a pan, never letting me me forget he is my Man. Tee-Hee. OH Lord I am dating myself!
   On a -13 degree day my son needed to go back to College. The short version of this story is on the way home he insisted he wanted to get +WeatherTech liners for my new car. I thought we should go home but, went along because he was right. Yes Ladies I said he was right! This post is turning out to make him look AWESOME! His timing could not have been better, we were already near the Outlet, and it happened to be two miles from the school we dropped our son off at to work, and ride home with the Basketball Teams of his College. We walked in and were the only costumers in the store. That took about twenty minutes for us to decide how the product they have would work best for us, he want outside to put them in the car. I was not going out in that frigid weather, nor did I want to hurt my elbow. We waited a few minutes for Prince Charming to warm up at the complimentary food and beverage counter. Yummy!
   Now we are on the road again, and as we are driving, I am in awe of the beauty of the snow painting each limb, snapping pictures with my cellphone. Why did I not bring my good camera? Well to be honest I forgot but, the extreme cold would not be good for it anyway. My cellphone fits in my pocket and was warm.

 Next Stop home one
 would think, but wait +Michaels Crafts is already right next us us on the corner, and they are having a Huge Sale. Well my Prince, said let's go and I have to admit I hesitated. Yes I have my head held down in Craft Shame.
  About an hour later after filling two carts I am in Craft Heaven.
1/2 price frames + an extra 15% off .........Check
1/2 Storage from +Recollections...............Check
80% off Christmas.................Singing Fa La La  Stock up for next year.................Check
1/2 Bulk Paper......Score for the Auction I am running in a couple weeks................Check

   Alright I know you want to see what I bought but one more thing happened.Our son working at another store calls my husband. My car won't start I need a jump. So when we arrived home he picked up the jumper cables. Left my car loaded and went to store to help our son. Our son arrived home safely my husband went to a wake picked up dinner and then unloaded the car. I think I am going to nominate him for Sainthood. I have to go take pictures now.
So here are the pictures of my Sale Loot!!!!!

Here is a little Sneak Peek!  You did not think I would show you it ALL?

 Yes he even already put them all together for me. Pinch me I am feeling Tingles.

    

I have so much to share with you in the coming weeks. I have been working on some new projects,  while stretching my blogging wings toward some new adventures.              

                Until Next time Stay warm and share your Creativity!

Something New

               Something New

                            

   The title of this blog today is Something New. Which seems like another day to most, but to me it is about the turn of a page, white with no words, directions, or calender.

 So what I am going to do about this blank page staring back at me? I am starting something new please join me on my blog.

 Dragonfly and Lily Pads is going to share ways to make your house, apartment, condo or dwelling into a home. I will show you how to fill your home with comfort, love and your story. Blending the new fresh trends, with trinkets along with pictures creating memories, and space to honor the past, with family treasures mixed in to create a place called home.
 This will not have recipe, unless it involves how to age a piece of new lumber. I have the tools, knowledge and skill to refinish, rebuild, remodel, reuse, or build furnishings. While knowing when to splurge purchasing key long lasting basics, keeping budget in mind at all times.
 I would be honored if you take the time to start something new with me. I can only imagine the possibilities.