Roses in The Snow 2013, An Artistic Holiday Event

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Once again it was time to open the doors to my Cozy Cottage for a candy colored Christmas event.  

The Cozy Cottage is my home away from home in the quaint town of Mount Dora, Florida.  It is truly a "girly girl" place, built in 1945,  and I have made it into a shabby chic heaven of sorts! 

 I love opening the doors for special planned artist events, and this is the second year I hosted A Cozy Cottage Christmas..... 

Beautiful ladies traveled from near and far to partake in this weekend of artful projects, antique shopping, tea room pleasures and a dessert soiree!   It all began on a Friday evening....


Across the street from the Cozy Cottage is a wonderful shop called Annabelle's Vintage Land.  Anne,  the owner opened the door for us for the evening and hosted a divine dessert soiree'.

 Lisa Lavalle and Julie Treadwell brought my dessert wishes to life and made home made cookies, a delectable red velvet cake, chocolate trifle and more!

      
 Friends gathered and happiness filled the air !

After some shopping time, we settled in as beautiful Tampa artist Molly Knox presented the Blushing Rose Bangle Project.  

All enjoyed learning a simple hand stitched rose technique and the finished bangle bracelets were divine!

Saturday Morning the Cozy Cottage awaited attendees with snow covered roses and happy gifts.

      Creative gatherings here make me such a happy girl!

After enjoying coffee, I presented my project, The Frozen Charlotte Altered Book Shrine.  This was an intense project with many elements.

 I loved sharing the story of the origination of the frozen charlotte, and from there, the magic took off!  The ladies were hard at work all day....

                              This was my sample book....

The kits all included a vintage book and all of the trimmings....

As an instructor,  the greatest joy is seeing the end results...they are all so individual.  Each and every one of the finished books were just BREATHTAKING!  Here are a few...

Lunch on Saturday was at the gorgeous Garden Gate Tearoom.  There were snow covered mason jars of roses, gifts, delectable food, and of course...MORE LAUGHTER!

Saturday night was "Cozy PJ night" as the artist swaps were exchanged.  There was an embellished stocking swap, a Christmas in the Kitchen swap, and a Christmas house swap!

On Sunday morning, rose inspired fabrics awaited for all to claim  on the vintage clothesline...

Our final project was The Roses in the Snow Pocket Watch Necklace which was taught by the fabulous Judy Stafford.  Each one was a wearable work of art!

Little did we know we would get a last minute surprise at The Cozy Cottage.  Sunday morning we found some sweet abandoned kittens in the woods.  I found out a day later the mom cat was hit by a car.

 A few of the ladies took home a Christmas Kitty and I bottle fed the others for a few days until all were safely placed in new homes.  It was such a joyful fun filled weekend....

We left footprints in the snow, laughter in the air, and left with love in our hearts......

I treasure being able to walk in the light of what I adore most... ART... it is truly a gift from above and I give God the glory for allowing me to bring my visions to life through weekends such as Roses in the Snow....

My greatest appreciation to the INCREDIBLE Heather Butler Coronel, my personal assistant, right hand girl,  and dear fabulous friend for photographing Roses in the Snow.  Your images will keep this event alive in my heart for always.

Until we may meet again,
I wish you all a Christmas song in your heart each and every day. Merry Christmas and God Bless...