I had the wonderful opportunity to jumpstart my holiday Christmas season by attending the crafting art Queen Karen Hillman’s Cozy Cottage Christmas workshop event.

The event was held in Mt. Dora Florida at her charming beautiful cottage home.

The Cozy Cottage home even had the picture perfect white picket fence!

Every corner was filled with Christmas decorations and pretty frills!

Everywhere you turned there were sweet vintage treasures!

I have an addiction to baby planters. I fell in LOVE with this particular cutie!

I gave my girlfriend Sherry Williams this beautiful doll that I found at Rennigers Flea Market.

The weekend was all about  “creating art” as Elaine Marcell Smith states it. 🙂

Both Elaine and Karen France taught a pin cushion doll class. Elaine and Karen both are the creme de le creme of knowledge and “how to” in the art of doll making.

I LOVED this project!

Not only were the dolls beautiful but the class was so informative and both Elaine and Karen were amazing instructors!!!

Look at these beauties!

We also enjoyed participating in the Christmas swaps.

I haven’t joined a swap in ages so it was really fun to create this beautiful Sugar Plum ballerina inspired jewelry box for my sweet friend Molly Knox.

Love how it turned out!

The Christmas jewelry box Molly made for me is SO PRETTY!!!

Im going to take plenty of photos to share during my upcoming Christmas home photos.

The weekend also included a huge shopping spree at Rennigers Flea Market. AMAZING!!! Like no other Flea Market I have EVER been to. Canton, TX is a close 2nd.

Karen,Elaine,and Jennifer

I was overwhelmed with all the vintage collectables.

I hit the Christmas jackpot. Tons of Japan planters and figurines.

I found this darling Pajama doll bag. She is officially my third one now!

My favorite finds were these TDF beautiful vintage prom dresses!

My last vintage treasure made my heart pitter patter. I gasped upon first look at it!

Never…ever..have I seen one of these before!

It now has a new home in my studio!

The highlight of the weekend as always is spending quality fun filled time with my dear close friends and making new friends.

The Cozy Queen Karen along side adorable Molly Knox and pretty girl Shelley.

Molly, Sherry, and Shelly

Karen hosted a tea luncheon at the gorgeous Secret Garden Tea Room. The room was winter white with branches of twinkling lights! Breathtaking!!

Karen gifted each of the girls the beautiful faux fur wraps. Very glamourous!

Mamma Sherry looking beautiful as ever!

Love these girls!

This last photo is so corny and fun!! Thanks to Shelley and her hysterical sense of humor we’ve made it tradition to pose like the “old school” homecoming/prom photos. Meaning “tilt your head dramatically, and place your hands in front”.

It’s hokey and fun!!

Cozy Cottage Homecoming Court 2012

Karen went above and beyond hosting this lovely magical Christmas workshop event. She spoiled and pampered us all while filling our hearts with Christmas spirit!

I  realize more and more how much I enjoy smaller more intimate event workshops. They give you a feeling of comradery and provide you the opportunity to make new friends and truly get to know someone better.

Im actually feeling a bit inspired now to host another smaller event myself.

Hmmmm…perhaps next year. 😉

If you would like to see more beautiful photos of the event please visit Cassandra VanCuren’s photography website to see more!

Thanks for visiting friends!!