Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Perfect Holiday and the Top 10 Posts of 2013!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! When I said it would be a little quiet around here over the holidays, I wasn't kidding. I think most bloggers probably share a record number of posts in the month of December. For me, it was the perfect time to take a step back and be totally present in my own life. Sometimes we just need to be still and savor the simple moments of life. The arrival of baby Clare just before Thanksgiving was a reminder that life happens right before our eyes and if we aren't paying attention, we just might miss out on the very sweetest moments. And I for one, just didn't want to miss a thing! From spending time with family and friends to kissing tiny little baby fingers and toes ... we had one very magical Christmas!
 
Christmas Eve ...
 
 
The only present I needed on Christmas morning, my arms wrapped around this little one ...
 

Tiny little fingers ...


A happy new family...

 
Holding the future in your hands ...

 
Oh the wonder of it all!
 
 
From the first moment we met her, this little one simply melted our hearts and took our breath away!
 
So now before we kick off a new year here at Elizabeth & Co., here's a look back at the top 10 most popular posts of 2013!
 
 In June, I shared An Evening With My Book Club, complete with yummy recipes and suggestions for starting a book club of your own. Our little group has been together for twelve years now and I can tell you that our time together is about so much more than books!




In April I made some homemade pink chalk paint for this sweet little nightstand and matching chair.


Then I raided the recycling bin and painted some mason jars with the leftover paint!


Creamy white homemade chalk paint transformed these curbside finds!


This darling vintage dresser was painted with milk paint, waxed and buffed to perfection. I was so excited when a mom-to-be purchased it for her nursery. A few months later, she told me that she decided to go with an all white nursery and was having trouble getting the white paint to adhere to the dresser.  ... Yes, she took it home and put white latex paint right on top of that flawless finish - yikes!


This awesome charcoal gray buffet was another lucky curbside find.

 
It even came with a matching piece that sold so fast I never even posted about it!
 

I loved the color of this curvy French dresser and matching desk!

 
And this pretty aqua corner cabinet in homemade chalk paint was definitely one of my favorite furniture projects of the year!
 
 
In October, I shared Megan's Vintage Inspired Garden Baby Shower. I think this was my all-time favorite party ever!
 
 
 






These coconut sugar cookies are a favorite too and I get asked for the recipe all the time. They really do just melt-in-your-mouth!
 
 
And much to my surprise, the most popular post of the year was my ruffled sheet music wreath tutorial.  I make a few of these for each tag sale and they are always a big hit. They are pretty, fluffy and easy to make, just be careful with the hot glue - ouch!
 


Hope you all have a Happy New Year!
Can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for all of us!

Sharing with ...
Fireflies and Jellybeans
No Minimalist Here

27 comments:

Leslie Harris said...

Those tiny hands and feet say it all! What a wonderful year it was...here's wishing for more blessings in 2014. Happy New Year my friend!
xo
Leslie

Laurel Stephens said...

Oh, those tiny little hands! So exquisite and so touching! What a wonderful year, Sharon. My very best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014 for you all!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Happy New Year Sharon. How wonderful, a precious grandchild.
Joy

Lisa said...

Thank you so much for sharing the highlights of your year, Sharon! I don't know why, but this post makes me emotional. My heart is so full as I ponder the wonder of a tiny new life, sharing time with friends (and a good book), exploring creativity (such beautiful projects!), and living life to its fullest. You are an amazingly talented and kind hearted woman and I'm so glad i've gotten to know you a little better this past year. I wish you the best and most prosperous New Year!
Lisa

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

What an amazing year you had Sharon...wishing you all the best in 2014! Happy New year my friend!
XO Brbara

Anonymous said...

I loved looking back at the year. All except the woman who wanted to paint hat beautiful blue dresser. Haha. I would have left it as is and had it be a focal point in the room. Alas, a wonderful year.

HeARTworks said...

Adorable baby Clare! What a lovely party you had for her! And I'm impressed with what you did with the furniture! A blessed New Year! 🎉💥patsy

Twice Nice said...

Such a gorgeous little Clare! Happy New Year!

Our Pinteresting Family said...

Looks like you had the perfect Christmas with Clare and the rest of your family. :) I loved following your amazing projects this past year, and I look forward to seeing what you accomplish this year. Can't wait for the next tag sale!

Unknown said...

What a sweet angel! Congratulations on the new addition. Love the photos!

Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

What a wonderful year you had!!! Congrats on your little princess! LOVE your ideas for a shower. I'll have to tuck these ideas away for the future.
Happy New Year! Wishing you lots of time with little Clare!

My Repurposed Life said...

It's great to look back as we look forward, don't you think?
You certainly had many great projects/posts in 2013, but by far the BEST was the announcement of that sweet baby Clare!

I love the group picture of you all.

May 2014 be your best year ever!
gail

Kim said...

They always say that the best things come in small packages...seems like that describes your "gift" perfectly! I received a tiny gift this Christmas, too! My niece had a baby, making me a great aunt, a little girl, just like your bundle! Happy New Year, Sharon. All the best in 2014! Kim

Dee said...


What a blessed year you & your family had Sharon. Your grand daughter is so precious. Love your features. Happy New Year, Dee from My Painted Stuff.

Cassie Bustamante said...

what a great year you have had, but like you, my attention is directed to the adorable baby! she is beautiful! what a joyful way to end your year!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Babies are wonderful they just round out the whole family don't they? She is adorable and I love, love her name!

NanaDiana said...

Sharon-YOu really had some wonderful posts this past year...but they all pale in comparison to holding that precious new soul in your arms and hearts this year. Your life is now forever captured by that soft, sweet soul-from a heart of your heart....Blessings and Happy New Year- xo Diana

Danielle said...

Lovely post, Sharon! What a sweet little baby. x

Calypso In The Country said...

What a beautiful baby! Thanks for the lovely recap. I am visiting from the Common Ground party! Best wishes for 2014!
-Shelley

thepaintedapron.com said...

Your posts have radiated joy all through the year! We were blessed with a granddaughter in March and she is the light of my life! Your book club table is so cute! Have fun with your new blessing!
Jenna

Alison Agnew said...

how busy you've been
in 2013

you've finished
so many lovely pieces
and projects

and the most beautiful
is certainly that precious
little girl

congratulations!

i am re-launching
Fridays Unfolded for 2014
and would love for you stop by
and link up!

happy new year,

Alison
Nancherrow

little Mary said...

The pictures of the baby almost made me cry. Such a wonder ours thing. Those sweet little things. So happy for you.

Kelly said...

Lovely post - I especially like the baby shower ideas. Thanks so much for the feature! That was a pleasant surprise! Hope you have a wonderful new year.

Poppy said...

Happy New Year, Sharon!

May your family be blessed with health, love and happiness. All the very best!

Looking forward to more of your inspiring posts this year!

Poppy

Good Time Charlie said...

So fun to scroll through the year, but my favorite are of the baby!! Happy New Year!

Noble Vintage said...

wow, so fun to see all your furniture projects from this past year! you are so lucky to find curbside furniture. People rarely do that around here, and if they do it's gone in an instant. My jaw dropped when I saw your aqua corner cabinet- I have the same one right now!! I still need to paint it, but it is exactly the same. :) Thanks for the motivation!

Noble Vintage said...

And congrats, Grandma! ;)