I am sharing the DIY project I will be demonstrating at the Randolph Street Market First Midwest DIY Blogger Roundup. DIY does not have to be with power tools. I do love my power tools and building. Huge Smile! I chose to show you how you can add the feeling home to any space without a huge expense all by yourself. 

We are focusing on things to make for Back To School. Now remember back to school affects everyone. The small ones starting school, middle school taking on more responsibility and high school graduates leaving for college. Each one of these events also affects parents, grandparents, and even a homes function.

I am going to use a pillow form, metallic fabric paint, and stencils. You will also need a piece of cardboard to place in between the pillow form to keep the paint from bleeding through to the other side.

Love Blends Four Generations

    This time of year we warm-up from love in our hearts. We spend time thinking of young love, romance, engagements, and weddings. It is almost Valentine's Day! This Summer I had the honor of connecting a family heirloom to four generations. This heirloom is Prince Charming's mothers wedding gown and veil worn the the day my husbands parents were married. The second treasure is his sister's veil from her wedding day to her husband.

  My niece was getting married to her beloved Beau. I asked her if she wanted me to make her ring bearer pillow (my great nephew) out of part of her grandmother's wedding attire and her mom's veil. She said yes! I was thrilled as Auntie Karen Marie loves to make things special for the, "Kids." In the planning process I had a brainstorm my twin Great nieces would need bows for their hair as flower girls. We decided that they would each wear a custom made hair bow from the dress and veils of there Great Grandma and Nana (Grandmother).

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  

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.

Sweet Baby Love Quilt

   It is time for another +Silhouette Challenge Fabric: I am going to learn right along with you as I cut fabric on my +Silhouette Cameo. I am making a baby quilt for my soon to be great niece or nephew. This decorator fabric was used at two of the baby showers for this new little one. I am the babies father's Godmother.
   The design of the nursery is gender neutral, since the parents are waiting for the birth to find out Pink or Blue? We are all excited while feeling Blessed. The room is Pottery Barn Baby inspired with the colors yellow, white, gray, along with Elephants and Giraffes.

Which pattern or color do you think I used?

Next I got to work on my silhouette starting to look for a good image.

 Found this but it needed some work to fit my plan?

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.