Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Did you say coffee???

Hello friends,
I'm excited to join hundreds of other crafters/stampers from around the world today as we show our love of the almighty Coffee!  Today, we're sharing projects with you and hope to inspire you to grab a cuppa joe, some beans, some mojo and get crafting!


This Holiday Coffee Lover's hop will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 6 AM PST/9 AM EST.  The hop will end Sunday, Dec 14th.  This will allow you...and me...time to visit each and every blog and enjoy some fabulous projects (and leave a little love behind).  It is always appreciated when our crafty friends take the time to stop by and check out our blogs, and even more exciting when we get to read comments about our posts/projects.  To join the fun, please visit Amy's page HERE and link up your project. 


*****I'm offering a tasty coffee treat to one lucky visitor.  Just leave a comment for me about my projects...The winner will be announced no later than December 20 right here on my blog.  


Special thanks to Amy Tsuruta for organizing this hop.  Thanks also to all the other sponsors who are offering up prizes to the participants of this hop. We crafters sooo appreciate your generosity and your dedication to crafters worldwide.  


One evening, I set up the ironing board near the twinkling lights of the tree and proceded to glue coffee beans together one by one.  These beans would be used to create hanging ornaments for the tree. Burned my fingers a bit, but it was a labor of love. ;)



Now...On with my show and tell...

For some reason, I've had a bit of a Bah-Humbug feeling about decorating for Christmas this year.  I haven't felt the urge to head to my storage building down the street and get out the billions of boxes that hold my trees, decorations, garlands, knick-knacks and stockings...I knew I had to do something to whip myself into the spirit, so I decided to stop and pick up a tree...my first EVER live tree...It's a small tree about four feet tall, and I've placed it on an old trunk.  My plan was to spend the next few weeks before Christmas decorating it with homemade ornaments.  Yes, I knew it would take me several weeks to get the tree decorated as I would be making the ornaments one by one, and mostly on the weekends and in the evenings after work.
One weekend, I spent some time cutting some precious fabric I had saved from my dearly departed grandma's stash.  This fabric was recycled by my grandma before, so I knew it would make perfect ornaments for my tree.  I cut the fabric (and added some batting), then dipped the fabric in some coffee to give it an aged look.  I made four heart ornaments and each one would be decorated differently.
I decided to glue coffee beans to the outside edge of the front and back of this heart.  I included some ribbon, jingle bells and a little bit of a tree branch to finish it off.  
That same night, I glued some coffee beans into a cross shape and added a little plaid bow.  Some gold cording was added to the top beans so that it would hang nicely from the branches.  
The next evening, I sat down and ate some baby food...YES, I ate some baby food.  Not that I particularly like babyfood...I wanted the jar!  LOL.  Beechnut baby food jars make beautiful luminaries!!! So this is one of the luminaries I made (and included a little flickering faux candle on the inside).
The next ornament created was a little coffee bean wreath.  By this time, the whole living room was filled with the aroma of coffee beans, cinnamon (the pinecones on my tree) and pine...Such a heavenly combination!!!  My hands smelled like I had bathed in coffee for days!  AHHHH...sounds devine, huh?!
And this coffee loving hop wouldn't be complete with a little bit of stamping now would it?  I pulled out some of my OLD favorites...Yep, brought back the memories...justjohanna elf in a mug, a fun sentiment from bossyJoscie, and some Copics...WAHOO!!!  A little gift bag for the tree-filled with some yummy coffee samples...the perfect little tree stuffer!
 Filled to the brim with yummy goodness!!!
 I LOVE this stamp at Christmastime!!!
I can know say that Mr. Bah Humbug has been kicked to the curb.  HELLOOOOOOO Jingle Spirit!

I hope you have enjoyed my projects today.  Thank you for stopping by.  Please visit the other blogs on the hop and I hope you have a very, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Happy Holidays to all!!!

Thank you to all the sponsors of this hop who are so graciously offering prizes to lucky hop participants!!!

17Turtles Veronica Zalis Chris Franco
Add a Little Dazzle  Butterfly Reflections Ink Color Cast Designs
Create a Smile Hero Arts Kraftin' Kimmie
Kreative Kymona Latina Crafter Neat & Tangled
Newton's Nook Pickled Potpourri Designs Poppystamps
Reverse Confetti Stamp Academy Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
STAMPlorations SugarPea Designs Sweet 'n Sassy
The Alley Way Stamps Two Paper Divas Verve Stamps
Whole Wild World Your Next Stamp Paper Smooches

17 Turtles:  $15 Store Gift Card
A Muse Studio/Chris Franco:  Cup of Good Cheer stamp set
Add a Little Dazzle:  $25 Store Gift Card
Butterfly Reflections Ink:  Prima Coffee Break
Color Cast Designs:  Coffee Lovers kit
Create a Smile:  Monster Party stamp set
Hero Arts:  A Little & Today's Special stamps/Cup 'O Joe Shadow ink
Kraftin' Kimmie:  $25 Store Gift Card
Kreative Kymona:  Fancy Mug Giveaway
Latina Crafter:  Cafe Wood Veneers + $25 Store Gift Card
Neat & Tangled:  Warm Wishes stamp set
Newton's Nook:  $15 Store Gift Card
Paper Smooches:  $25  Store Gift Card
Pickled Potpourri:  $7 Store Gift Card
Poppystamps:  Tea Cup Stack Die
Reverse Confetti:  $15 Store Gift Card
Stamp Academy:  2 classes
Stampin' Up/Veronica Zalis:  $20 Store Gift Card
STAMPlorations:  $10 Store Gift Card
Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:  Coffee Cup Prize Pack
SugarPea Designs:  $20 Store Gift Card
Sweet 'n Sassy:  Pick Me Up Clear stamp & die set
The Alley Way Stamps:  Tea Par-tea stamp set
Two Paper Divas:  Your Warm My Heart stamp set
Verve Stamps:  $25
Whole Wild World:  Coffee before Talkee mug

●●Sponsorship prizes are eligible via random draw from linked hop participants only●●


119 comments:

  1. beautiful ornaments...so happy you found the Christmas spirit

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    1. Thanks for the sweet comment. I'm happy too. More homemade ornaments to go! It should take me until Jan 1 to finish. :)

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  2. oh my gosh soooo clever to make ornaments!!! Super cute!!!

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  3. Coffee ornaments - Brilliant Kerry! Thanks for the invite to the hop too :) Hugs Deb

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    1. So glad you accepted the invite. LOVE your work, you know! Miss you!

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  4. That was a LOT of work - no wonder you smell coffee~! :) Love it and the gnome in the cup is adorable!

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    1. Oh yeah, LOTS of work but it keeps me focused on cherished memories and that's what it's all about. :) Thank you!

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  5. Wow!!!!
    Beautiful ornaments! I really enjoyed your post! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. Oh my goodness, great projects and I love the candle in the baby food jar the best, what a great idea!

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    1. I so love the new version of the baby food jar. So much better than the old standard. Beechnut must have a woman designer. LOL

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  7. What beautiful ornaments! So glad you hopped along! Merry Christmas!

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  8. Amazing coffee bean ornaments! I love them all, but that heart made from your Grandma's stash is just so sweet! That goody bag is so cute with the little gnome.

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    1. I've got some stockings in the works too...Just have to get some burlap for the tops. :)

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  9. When you decide to get into the holiday spirit, you don't mess around, Kerry! Your projects - all made with love - are absolutely divine!! Excellent in every way!! It's a pleasure to meet you today and become your newest follower! Thank you for the visit to me! I'd love to have you pop back over to my place and join me, too, if you like! Enjoy the hop!! Happy Holiday Hugs! Darnell

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    1. Awww...how sweet. Thank you. I really needed a kick in the pants and anyone that knows me knows that I tend to re-invent the wheel or add embellishments to make it fancier! LOL.

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  10. After all those amazing projects, I don't know how you couldn't be in the Christmas spirit! It was one coffee themed creation of goodness after the other. I can't imagine making an entire garland out of coffee beans, though... labor of love is right! bexcruger at gmail dot com

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    1. Hmmm...Now that's a thought. Maybe after I string the popcorn and the cranberries...I can make a coffee bean garland. I hope my fingers will be able to recover from all this melted hot glue!

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  11. Super cute bean crafts, ESPECIALLY the wreath -YAY!! ........I have some blog candy on my blog !!

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    1. Thanks so much! Visited all 216 blogs so far and left some love! This is such a fun hop!

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  12. Kerry, you have some wonderful coffee lovers projects here...I love all the beans! Thanks for stopping by my blog...happy holidays. I forgot about blog candy, mine will be up late Thursday. You don't have to come back to win.

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    1. Thanks to you too. It's been so fun seeing what everyone has created! I'm in coffee heaven!

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  13. Wow I really enjoyed visiting your blog to watch all these lovely coffee themed projects, awesome. TFS.

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    1. Thanks for the sweet comment! I loved all your projects too!!! :)

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  14. yay for your Jingle Spirit...Love the projects using the beans...so creative and you even ate baby food for us! Your gift bag with the coffee elf...love that...I love elves and gnomes :)
    Thanks for linking up to the Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop♡

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    1. Thanks so much Amy! You are amazing to have put together such a fabulous hop. THANK YOU THANK YOU for the fun and awe inspiring project sojourn. WOW!

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  15. Loved all your projects! Now I want to see that tree of yours in the trunk! I'm a primitive gal and I think we may have some things in common. I was feeling the same way about decorating as you but finally put on some Christmas music, did the haul (mine came from my basement) and decorated. My lovely daughter and her hubby are coming on Saturday to help me with the tree. Enjoyed your post immensely! Blessings~ Birgit

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting and for your sweet comments. Well, it's not so much IN the trunk as ON the trunk. I love prim stuff- and need to age some fabric a bit more- add some more homemade ornaments and take a few more pictures. Stay tuned, more pics will come.

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  16. Love your projects especially the baby food jar! Like your blog, too. Merry Christmas…..

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    1. Thanks so much. I think that is my favorite too. My coworkers got a chuckle out of my "eating the baby food for the jar" story. HA HA. What I would do to make my vision come to life!

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  17. Oh, my! How cute and fun are these?!!...Love them!

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  18. Oh wow, you have inspired me to try this with some of my dad's shirts I have saved…they would make cute Valentine heart ornaments!! TFS! rbkhandcoatgmaildotcom Thanks for the blog candy offer!

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    1. So glad my treasures brought you inspiration. I've got more special treasures from my family that will go on my tree too. I'd love to see your dad's Valentines. :)

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  19. Oh my gosh LOVE all your coffee ornaments and especially the luminary!! That is definitely a smell I'd love to have on my hands and in the house too :)

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    1. Thanks so much. Yes, the smell still lingers...so deelish!

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  20. I love your ornaments what a great creative collection. My aunt had a tree with all handmade ornaments and as kids we were mezmorized. We had to look at all the ornaments and pick out our favorites. Your heart ornament is my favorite!

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    1. Thank you. I too had an aunt that would make me an ornament a year until she passed away. I still have every one of them. I carried on that tradition with my nieces and nephews...I hope they find them to be treasures someday.

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  21. Wow such unique use of coffee beans :) stunning and so very creative !

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  22. aww cute projects.. thanks for sharing

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  23. I love the coffee bean decorations! Great great idea!

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  24. You rock! Love how you used the beans in the decorations..bet they smell good! Thanks for sharing.

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  25. Ornaments made with coffee bean?! How clever it that!!

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  26. Absolutely fabulous!!!! I am in awe. I love them all, but esp the cross one. I love finding ways of keep Christ in Christmas.
    Thanks for your kind words on my project, too! Merry Christmas!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    GIVEAWAY at www.HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Janice! That cross was definitely a labor of love. I burned my fingertips on the hot glue! Merry Christmas to you too!

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  27. I see your santa card its soo cuutee love the happy color there and great decoration you made with your food..I love that heart...so creative and you answer each comment oooh wooowww...do you know how to klick in Blogger to get to know that you answer me..I never answered comment LOL..thanks for your lovely comment on my Coffee card and oh woooww your family live not far from me in Munich..do you visiting them?if yes I would like to meet you one day if you visiting your family..may I?
    Hugs, Monika in Germany

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    1. Thank you Monika. I'm not sure what you mean about "klick in blogger", but with hops that are FULL of new people and new friends, I like to comment and show my appreciation. I know it takes a lot of time to read and comment on hundreds of posts, so I am so grateful. My parents just came back from Germany a few weeks ago. They went for a wedding. If you are familiar with Arbeiterkind, my relative owns that company in Berlin. I hope to visit next summer. I live near Washington, DC so if you ever come to USA, let me know. I can show you around!

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  28. Awesome projects! I love that you shared something other than card making because I am sure that most all of us are crafty in many other ways besides card making. I am especially fond of the coffee beans in the jar with the candle. So pretty!

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    1. Thank you Beth! I love being crafty and have about a billion projects in the works at one time. My mind is always swirling with new ideas I have to try out.

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  29. these are awesome... you are a true coffee lover! :) thanks for joining the hop and for offering a prize <3

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    1. Yes...I LOVE coffee!!! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a little comment!!!

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  30. LOVE that bright pop of green color! Very pretty cards!

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    1. Thank you. I thought the green would pop with the busy paper in the background. :)

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  31. Way to take the coffee challenge literally - super fun coffee projects!

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    1. Thanks Vicki...The challenge is figuring out how NOT to use those beans...:)

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  32. Well, YUM! You really got into the coffee theme! I love all the little coffee-bean ornaments you made but especially the cute wreath! And the little baby-food jar is awesome! Would love to win your giveaway! Thank you! fitkitty1@gmail.com

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    1. Hee hee, snort. Yep, I love coffee. Making more decorations for my homespun tree this weekend. Thanks for stopping by and leaving some love. :)

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  33. Wow, LOVE your decorations! So much Fun! TFS, thanks for the opportunity to win such wonderful blog candy...nance459 at yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you! Keep your eyes peeled...The prize will be announced tomorrow!

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  34. I don't need to be entered for the blog candy since I'm a tea drinker :), but I wanted to say how cool these ornaments are! love each of them...probably the heart is my favorite...or is it the wreath? Or the candle? Nicely done!

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    1. Tea is fine to....and you just may be pleasantly surprised! I like tea too. :)

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  35. WOW! These are all really awesome! Way to go!

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  36. What fun! I bet your tree has a beautiful cozy feel to it!
    Happy Holidays, Debbie!

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    1. Thank you. That's what I was working for- homespun-cozy...:)

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  37. Oh, how fun! I love the ornaments! The cross is my favorite! XX

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    1. Thanks Claire...That's a special one for me. It's tradition...I've got to have a cross AND a pickle hiding in my tree.

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  38. Such cute ornaments. I especially love the baby jar one.

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    1. Thanks MariLynn. I LOVE how the baby food jar one turned out. I've made a few more since the first one. :)

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  39. What amazing projects! Great way to use precious fabric!

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    1. Thanks Anita, I'm working on a trio of REALLY long stockings for my mantle with this same fabric. Can't wait to hang them. :)

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  40. What clevers ways to get yourself into the holiday spirit!

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    1. Yep Toni, it definitely worked...I'm a busy little elf now. :)

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  41. Love your coffee lovers treat bag project. That gnome is a scream. So fun!

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    1. Thank you! Even though the company is on hiatus, I still can't bear to get rid of their stamps...I have about a thousand or more justjohanna stamps and I treasure EVERY.SINGLE.ONE!!!

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  42. How wonderful to have your grandmother's treasures! Wonderful ideas for ornaments! Hugs, Jenny

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    1. Thanks Jenny, I'm so lucky to have been given several treasures from my grandma when she passed away. They bring back so many memories. :)

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  43. Your coffee projects are so cute! Great creativity and they'll add so much to your tree! And that adorable grumpy gnome in a cup is awesome. Great treat bag! And, aren't Grandma's fabric stashes great?!

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    1. Thanks Seleise! I'm loving my tree this year...all homemade items that I made THIS year... Each and every project brought back loving memories. The cross- at the end of every Christmas Day celebration at church, we were allowed to take home one ornament from the tree...My favorites were the beaded cross, crown and a straw bell. PS..>GO CYCLONES! :) <3

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    2. The wreath- Many years ago, I hauled a spindly tree through the snowy woods with one of my friends and we tore it apart and she taught me how to make a wreath. We made wreaths for the community and I made one for myself and my parents. I didn't realize the pretty "berries" I picked on the hill at my parent's were poisonous- and got the worst rash of my life! LOL It was truly a labor of love. :)

      The fabric ornaments: My great aunt handcrafted an ornament for every child in the family each year until she could no longer do so- I treasure them still today.

      The popcorn garland- Every Sunday night was Popcorn and Peanut Butter Toast/Hot Chocolate dinner night at Grandma and Grandpa's. Grandma would sit and watch Wheel of Fortune with her burned toast and Peanut Butter/Hot Chocolate and Grandpa would sit with his legs up on the couch and drop popcorn into his glass of milk so he could eat mushy popcorn because that's the way his grandpa taught him to eat popcorn.

      The luminary- lighting a candle for all those who are no longer here on earth to give hugs to, to visit with and to share laughs with...I miss them all.

      Coming soon- LONG stockings from that same fabric- memories will overflow there too...

      Ahhh...such treasured memories...

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  44. OMGOSH love those homemade ornaments with the coffee beans! I might just have to try this one day! Thanks!

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    1. Thank you and yes, give it a try. It's soooo fun and smells delish!

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  45. What a lovely post. And I would sure love to see (and smell) your tree IRL!

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  46. OMGosh these are wonderful. The jar one is my fav. Thanks for sharing.
    Crafty hugs,
    D~
    DesignsByDragonfly.blogspot
    dmcardmaker{at}{AOL}{dot}{COM}

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    1. Thanks so much! I love the jar too. It's hard to remember to turn it off. LOL

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  47. I bet your tree smells so good. TFS

    resatwo at sbcglobal dot net

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    1. Yes, it makes the whole lower level of my house smell like I'm brewing coffee...all...day...long!

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  48. Fantastic projects!!! I found love and creativity in your blog!! Congrats for your art!!!

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    1. Thank you. I am a sentimental kind of gal...Memories are connected to everything I own. I love taking walks down memory lane.

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  49. FABULOUS Christmas coffee projects Kerry - your grandma would be proud! Thank you for sharing :)
    Love you to stop by my blog for a chance at my blog candy if you haven't already http://lyndalhiggins.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Thank you Lyndal. She always loved Christmas and I miss her so. I am a *Rock Star Commenter* so I've visited everyone's blog. HE HE HE

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  50. oh my goodness! I LOVE your ornaments!! what a great idea!!! and they are made with coffee beans!! I love it!!

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    1. Thank you Samantha, it was so fun and I always like to think of something to inspire that is different than most other things that will appear-especially on a hop soooooo big. :)

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  51. OOOOH I thoroughly enjoyed your post...what a lovely aromatic idea to use coffee beans to make ornaments...I love them all - your home must s,ell delicious.Love the bag of goodies Cheers Robyn

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    1. Thank you! It DOES smell like coffee- and cinnamon-and pine. YUMMO!

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  52. Hi, Kerry! You were the winner of my blog candy! Congrats! I have it ready to mail but need you to send me your snail mail address. My email: cullenwr@yahoo.com

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    1. WOWEEE!!! Thank you so much! I LOVED your watercolor card and the colors were just so vibrant. I'll send you an email. Thanks again!!! YAHOO!!!

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