Saturday, October 27, 2012

Autumn Leaves, Catching Dreams & A Winner

 Autumn was blazing beautifully here in Michigan the past couple weeks.



Because of the drought we had this summer, the colors were simply amazing this year.



 Rich reds, bright yellows, and "phajent"
(pronounced "fa-jent" in case you were wondering)~
a color that The Husband made up.

(Don't ask.  I haven't a clue where he came up with it.)

He insists that it's the brilliant, almost neon, orangey pink hue that you are lucky to see once in a while on sugar maples.




So, between plowing MONSTROUS piles
(I'm talking thigh deep at times, people)
of golden and phajent leaves...

[Yes, The Husband actually plowed them for me with our vintage tractor (a sweet 1947 International Harvester) because I was not making any headway by blowing them with my super duper Stihl backpack blower.  He hooked up the snowblade and pushed those ginormous piles into the woods surrounding the house. Saved me a ton of work. 
I married such a smart man.]

and putting my flower gardens to bed for the season,
dumping the pots of annuals,
putting away the wicker on the back porch,
and storing the multitude of pillows on the front porch,

I needed to do something creative.
I was feeling all brawn and no brain.
:)

I've been swooning over and coveting Tausha's gorgeous dream catchers ever since she first started making them.  "Romantic Homes" magazine even featured them when they did a spread on her beautiful Florida home.
When Sandy shared a wonderful tutorial on how she made one,
I knew what I wanted to try my hand at next.

There have been so many different crafts that I've had fun making ever since I started blogging.  You all inspire me so much!  Clay tags, Mod Podge transfers, stenciling, sewing vintage handkerchief buntings, painting furniture, making topiaries, stringing large wooden rosaries...
You've encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things, and I've loved every minute of it.

But making dream catchers has caught my heart and soul in a way that no other project has.

In the Native American Ojibwa culture, the hoop of the dream catcher signifies strength and unity. The circle of life.
Dream catchers were created to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams while letting the positive dreams through.
The positive dreams would slip through the hole in the center.
The negative dreams would get caught up in the web and disappear when the first rays of morning sunshine struck them.
A feather tucked into the dream catcher symbolized a breath of air that is essential for life.

I found the supplies I needed at NocBay Trading Company and at Michael's.  After scrounging around in my linen closet and baskets of fabric for some vintage floral sheets,




I assembled everything in my studioffice and began creating.

It was calming. 
Zen-like.

Wrapping the strips of soft, faded floral cotton around the hoop.
Weaving the waxy sinew into a delicate web.
Tying on rustic leather cording strung with sparkling glass beads.
Tucking a white feather into a small, wooden sphere,
and adding a final decidedly signature piece ~

a small cross made from either a genuine turquoise stone
or balsam wood. 
It's a way of adding a bit of my own heart and soul to the dream catchers.

A simple way of passing on God's love.


 
 A hoop of beachy turquoise.






A circle of vintage plum.







A quiet ring of soft pinks and blues.







I will spend my winter quietly making these intricate webs of romantic beauty.
They will be sold in my booth next spring.

I will weave each one with a calm breath,
a satisfied soul...




and a whispered prayer.





I want to thank ALL of you, near and far, so much for entering my THROUGH THE FRENCH DOOR book giveaway and leaving your sweet comments. I wish with all my heart that I could have given each and every one of you a copy of this beautiful book.


~ ♥ ~

The winner was picked the old fashioned way.
The Husband pulled a name out of a vase for me
(before I refilled it with some fresh pink roses).


 

The winner is.....

Dore from Burlap Luxe.

Congratulations, Dore!

I'll be contacting you.






~  Blessings ~




Linking to the linky parties on the lower right of my sidebar.

52 comments:

  1. Your pictures are stunning! The trees are so beautiful and your dream catchers are lovely. And congratulations to the winner :)

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

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  2. Congratulations to the lucky winner!!
    Laurie your dream catchers are beautiful! LOVE the colors you chose!
    xx
    Anne

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  3. These are beautiful Laurie! I'm so glad you're making them. I made a few myself and it was fun when all my materials were out. I realized I needed a proper working space to do this in the proper zen like state of mind. I won't be making any for a while, until I get this house in pristine white order LOL. I love yours and the blessings you are putting into them. :D

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  4. Congratulations to the winner. Your dream catchers are so romantic and pretty. I'm sure they will do well.

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  5. First of all, congratulations to Dore!!! I'm so happy she won!

    Your Dream Catcher's are gorgeous! I wish you had an Etsy shop! I'm lucky enough to own one of Tausha's gorgeous Dream Catches, in my favorite lavender colors and she is definitely always inspiring:)

    I'll have to check out Sandy's tutorial!

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  6. such a soulful craft. i bet they will be instant sellers.

    and those colorful leaves! just heavenly.

    smiles to you.

    michele

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  7. Hi Laurie,
    Your post is so serene. I love the colour The Husband said was the colour of the leaves. And your dream catchers are lovely. Congrats to the winner! Hope you are having a beautiful weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  8. Oh my gosh Laurie those dream catchers are so pretty!!
    Good for you! I too adore all of taushas creations....so inspiring.
    They look beautiful in your home.
    You've captured the fall colours here ...even the new colour name..haha
    Winter will be fun with new ideas and new projects to work on through the cold days.
    Blessings my friend xo

    Deborah xoxo

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  9. Thanks for sharing the brilliant fall trees. Snowplowing the leaves was also brilliant. :)

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  10. Great outdoor pics!
    The dream catchers are very pretty! I especially like the pink and blue one in your dining room. I'm sure they will sell well in your booth.
    xxoo

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  11. Laurie love the photo's of the Autumn Leaves!!! And your dream catchers are beautiful, what kind of flowers did you use did you purchase new or find old ones? Very very lovely I have a couple of Tausha's and adore them but would like to make a few for my booth as well did your center turn out beautiful the first time or did you have to try a few times? They are amazing!!
    Sherry

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  12. I enjoyed this post so much! Thanks for linking to my tutorial. I love your dreamcatchers--they are so pretty. I am happy to think I inspired you to try them and I agree they are very relaxing to make. I think I will make some for Christmas presents this year! Are the roses paper roses? They are pretty whatever they are. I love the paper roses I got from Etsy. I bought a bunch for my Christmas tree too.

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  13. Yay for Dore! I to love the Dream-catchers and your's are fabulous.Very well done.Did you use waxed thread or? I have several from Tausha myself though my girl's have been wanting to make them too~Cheers Kim

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  14. Thanks for stopping by my blog...would love for you to join my Welcome Home Wednesday Party!!!! Debbie www.vintageonadime.blogspot.com

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  15. Congrats to me, Laurie I am so excited to be your winner, I am going to treasure it dearly.
    Now as for your dream catchers you are creating soulful dreamy catchers. You need to open an etsy, Laurie they are going to do great for you at your spring event.

    I have seen these dream catchers all over the blog sphere ! You catching the dream catcher bug is what happened to me when I saw Katie's Union Jack sign, dresser, posted and I knew I had to make one of my own.

    Laurie, thank you for sharing your dream catchers your photos are beautiful, keep creating they are going to do well for you with a big sell out :)

    Lots of love
    Xoxo
    Dore

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  16. Hi dear friend!!!
    Your post is beautiful and your dreamcatcher is perfect-I LOVE ♥ My heart full of beauty from your post!!!!I love your style and thank you for your beautiful words on FB-I very much appreciate!!!
    Have a nice day and nice autumn!!!Hugs to you!!!
    xoxo...by Vicky

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  17. Congrats to the winner. I love you dream catchers. So romantic and sweet.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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  18. Hello Laurie
    just LOVE your photos :)
    and do not miss....

    S
    A
    T
    U
    R
    D
    A
    Y

    S
    H
    O
    W

    O
    F
    F

    it is FUN :)
    WELCOME
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

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  19. These are the prettiest dream catchers I've ever seen. I usually don't care for their leather and wood rustic ways, but you've made them into something wonderfully romantic. Gorgeous!

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  20. Laurie....i love them all !!...they look great !!...happy sunday...love Ria...xxx..

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  21. I just love your blog it's in my favorites! so pretty and romantic!
    Lots of love,
    Amanda
    www.notsoperfectmess.blogspot.co.uk
    xxxxxx

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  22. Hi Laurie,
    Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I have to tell you, I have loved your blog for so long! You have the most beautiful home, I just love your style! We are both from Michigan too :) Fall here is so beautiful, I love your pictures of the trees. And the dream catcher is just beautiful!!
    Big hugs,
    Amy

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  23. Hi Laurie- I am back to harass you! Back to blogging....back to visiting...back to commenting...well..just BACK! Ummm...dream catchers, huh? They are beautiful. I remember seeing them on SimplyMe, too. What fun and they will be a great winter project. Can I ask what you used for the "hoop" part? I think I need one to catch a few "dreams"....xo Diana

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  24. Congrats to Dore! She is such a sweetheart and I am glad she won!! Beautiful photos Laurie...loving your dream catchers!!
    Hugs~

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  25. Your dream catchers are beautiful and so romantic, they inspire me. Best Wishes Karen.

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  26. Hi Laurie... and thanks for visiting tonight... your photos are all just beautiful... so happy you have been having a nice Autumn... congratulations to Dore!... how are you doing on your running?... still at it?... wishing you a blissful week, much love, xoxo Julie Marie

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  27. Laurie, I always love your crafts! Beautiful dream catchers! And those are gorgeous autumn colors there in Michigan...hope you are doing well :)

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  28. My goodness, what a gorgeous blog you have!! I thank you so much for your very kind words on Beautiful Life...I am honored...
    The leaves here in Minnesota have been spectacular as well...I can't stop taking pictures!
    Your dream catchers are very beautiful...and I am following!
    Blessings,
    - Irina

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  29. Yikes! For some reason Google is not allowing me to follow...but I am adding you to my blog roll...
    :)))

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  30. What a beautiful post Laurie ( as always ) coming here is like visiting a candy store - the words, the photos, the inspiration - I enter with anticipation always - and leave with a smile..............
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  31. i agree.... there are so many great ideas out there that people have freely shared! My problem is that I can get so caught up in going from post to post that I forget where something is that I wanted to try. That's me thinking "of course, I will remember that!" Not so fast, sister..... you're no spring chicken anymore!! LOL

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  32. Laurie,
    How gorgeous are your Fallleaves this year, dear friend? Ours on the Prairie are not as vibrant! Your dream catches are serene...I adore the one with purple hues, there are going to be "eye candy" in your booth! Congratulations to Dore...enJOY your new read! Have a productive, blessed week!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  33. Your photos are spectacular Laurie!
    All our leaves are getting blown around and way today so it was a joy to look at your trees!
    Your dream catchers are so pretty and will sell out very quickly!

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  34. Laurie~ I loved that word your husband invented , how cute! Your leaves looked so beautiful too, the colors were stunning!!! I am soooooo very proud of you chicky!!! Look at your GORRRRRRGEOUS dreamcatcher's..... You are so talented!!! I didn't know you sold wares in a booth??? What is the name of your place where you sell? I'll have to tell my sister in law Kimberley Bradley. She's my sister in law who lives in Michigan, and she's one of my fb friends. Anyhow, this was such a beautiful post, looked like you had so much fun doing it!! Thanks again for taking time to make me the rosaries, I'm chomping at the bit right now....
    have a great week and God bless,
    ~ Steph

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  35. I think your husband's word is wonderful. It does completely describe that color on the sugar maples, that just glows and takes your breath away. I think it should be a real word in the dictionary! in fact i hereby and officially declare it a real word, and i'm going to use it!
    And... i love your beautiful dream catchers, and even more the intent and magic you weave into each one of them with your energy and thoughts... so freakin cool

    Cindy

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  36. Great dream catcher, Laurie. Congrats to Dore. She's a perfect recipient.

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  37. You're so creative Laurie! Anything you decide to make comes out breathtaking. I love how soft and peaceful your dreamcatchers are. Nicely done my friend!

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  38. O your dream catchers are beautiful as are your Fall photos. Truly beautiful here! Shari

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  39. Beautiful dream catchers Laurie and the trees are amazing.

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  40. Amazing Fall foliage! And.... Amazingly dreamy dream catchers. Wow! I love your take on them with the soft linens and little "jewels".

    Thank you for partying with the Wildly Original Crowd.
    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!

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  41. Hi Sweet Laurie!
    Your dream catchers are so beautiful! I love all the soft colors...you sure have a way of creating beauty! Thanks so much for sharing on Blissful Whites Wednesday!!
    Hugs,
    Becky

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  42. I love your dream catchers! My mum bought me one on a necklace when I was little! I'd forgotten until I saw yours, which are exceptionally pretty!

    Sarahx

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  43. beautiful autumn colours ! and love the dream catchers ..I'm sure you will have a peaceful winter making a good supply of those beauties ! congratulations to the winner too !
    have a nice autumn weekend...Gail x

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  44. Love your autumn color photos! Just beautiful and glad you caught them before the wind blew the leaves away! All of our color is officially gone and our trees are bare here. And with it sleeting/snowing on and off all day today, it was so nice to come see your beautiful autumn post!
    Maria
    PS. Thanks so much for always leaving such nice and uplifting comments on my blog! You always bring a smile to my face when I read them! :)

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  45. Your dream catchers are not only pretty they are very elegant looking..AMAZING! Thanks so much for sharing at Thanksgiving Treats and Fall Fun!

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  46. Hi Laurie, oh what beautiful foliage! Just gorgeous and I love your husbands new adjective "phagent"! The dream catchers are gorgeous and I am featuring you this evening on Transformed Tuesday. Thanks so much for linking up. Hugs, Peggy

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  47. lovely post and congrats to the winner. Thank you for joining in the fun at the Thursday Favorite Things hop. Happy Tuesday wishes xo P.S. sorry I'm so late visiting :-)

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  48. Very pretty! Thank you for joining HSH!
    Sherry

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  49. Your dream catcher is beautiful, Laurie. Love Tausha's shabby chic home & style too. I think the light blue/aqua fabric with the raspberry roses that you used in the dreamcatcher is absolutely gorgeous. Is it Rachel Ashwell's? Reminds me of her bespoke collection, which is my latest obsession. Never thought I'd love florals but I do love that collection! Thank you for sharing at my place.

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  50. Your dream catchers are truly dreamy Laurie! Love them. And your husband's phajent color cracked me up. I'm thinking that part of it must be from the color magenta, but like you can't figure out the rest! lol! xoxo

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Bless you and thank you for visiting! I read each of your comments and treasure them all. So, please make sure your settings will accept emails, or leave your email address so that I can reply! ♥ Laurie