Happy 4th!
holiday decor
We're having a "sweet" weekend with our Sugarwings. Cupcakes, cook outs, boating and swimming. I hope yours is a fun one too.
holiday decor
Hoppy Easter!
celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings
Happy Easter! We've had a fun one so far, lots of egg hunting excitement, and we've decided that instead of Sugarwings, the fairy grand baby's new name is "Sugar Rush".
She might have had one too many jelly beans today! Although, her Daddy did buy organic ones and only hid one treat in each egg, she was insistant on opening them up and devouring the treat the moment she found it.
After all the eggscitement, she has been tucked in for a nap (well, we HOPE she'll take a nap- tucking in Miss Sugar Rush was like trying to convince a Tasmanian Devil to get some rest).
We are having a small dinner tonight, only about 9 of us, so we'll fit in the dining room. I didn't have to clean the studio after all!
My Handsome Husband is smoking a pork tenderloin, stuffed with apples and brown sugar plus a turkey breast, I am making baked mac and cheese, and Sugarwing's Daddy has whipped up vegetarian beans in the crock pot. My sister-in-law is bringing some other dishes. Aren't pitch ins the best meals ever?
Sugarwings did her part of preparing dinner by helping to decorate this cake. And it has taken over her mind, even with all the jelly beans she has consumed, all she can think about is this cake she created. Every other sentence she speaks includes something about Easter Bunny Birthday Cake.
And I don't blame her! This cake is a candy lover's dream! Sprinkles in the batter, as well as 3 kinds of sprinkles on top, 4 colors of sprinkled sugar, edible glitter, peeps, and little coconut nests filled with Cadbury eggs. I can't wait either!
Here is a tip for making coconut nests, I had never done it before, but figured out how to do it.
Mix one cup of sweetened, flaked coconut with a few drops of green food coloring
Add a splash of milk
Stir in a 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
The trick to make it work, was the powdered sugar, that and the milk make the coconut easy to form into nests. Kind of like play dough.
My home is now covered in pink Easter grass, but I think I kind of like it. I was going to clean it up before dinner, but its festive, so I'll probably leave it all over the floor. But I do need to go and put together my mac and cheese casserole and set the table. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday too!
Deep thoughts and chicks partying
antiques/junking, holiday decor
Its been NICE around here! 80s yesterday, 70s today. So, spring fever had me opening all the windows and setting out a springy table display.
Easter is about a month away, I might have jumped the gun a bit by setting out all of the bunnies and eggs.
But it was fun to do and Sugarwings seems to appreciate it all. I try to provide a little something she is allowed to touch and play with to apease her and keep her out of the rest of my stuff. A typical conversation around here starts with me saying, "Now, is that Grammy's stuff or your stuff?" and often there is a little bit of bickering over the fine points of just what she can touch and what she can't. But we hug it out and make it work. ( I really watch too much TV, those were Entourage and Runway catch phrases)
Our family says just pack up all the junk till the baby is older. Oh no, I just can't. I love my stuff, it is what makes my home, MY home. Plus, don't you think that toddlers need to learn? And really, none of it is exactly priceless. I decorate with garage sale goods and have pennies invested, not thousands of dollars.
If a kid can't learn to enjoy her home without messing it up and breaking things, how can you expect to take her out in public, anyway? And I do believe that a child's soul is nurtured by living in a home that is lovely and that people love living in.
Which might be a little bit of a self important sentence after showing you pictures of bunnies and of chicks in party hats!
Hip Hip Hooray!
celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, holiday decor, Miss Frenchie's
"I did it, I did it!! Yippee, Hip- Hip- Hooray!"
I am quoting Sugarwings there, that is what she says when she is proud of something she did. I was telling Beth today while we were working, that its too bad we don't cheer ourselves on more as adults the way a 2 year old does. You can learn a lot from a toddler. They take so much joy in small accomplishments. Sugarwings gives herself a good old, hop-hip-hooray quite a few times a day. I've adopted her habit and have taken on that chant, it really makes the day more exciting.
So, here is a hip-hip-hooray to myself for hitting 500! And a thanks to all of you who take the time out of your day to visit. As a thank you, I drew a name from comments on post #499 to send out a pair of earrings to:
Gail Horowitz
I was looking through a list of things I'd been giving away over the last couple of years, and believe it or not, I've passed out more than 50 prizes. Which averages one every ten posts. Geez, I had no idea I was able to get rid of so much crap and clutter around the studio, I mean, gift things to so many of my friends.
Twinks took time to chase bunnies today, that was a good sign she is getting over her pups leaving. Its good to have hobbies.
Beth and I SEWED today. We decided we wanted our tables for Miss Frenchie's saleon April 17th to look professional, so we made table skirts. I had some ticking that I had dyed to look old and she had a tub of ivory table clothes. As soon as we saw each other's stuff, we traded! I made a "collaged" skirt, as she was calling it, from a hodge podge of whites and creams and lace and pillow cases, and doilies and curtains.
This picture is of the skirt, in progress. A far cry from the ticking stripe I started with, huh?
Yesterday, I spent about 12 hours in the studio all alone with my papers, glitter, and glue.
Do you ever have one of those days where you just slide into your zone? Well, today's sewing project sure wasn't one of them, but yesterday's glue fest was.
My favorite part of the day was sugaring the little lambs and bunnies and chicks. My fingers were all goobered up and stuck together with glitter and glue, but in a fun way. It had been too long since I'd had the glitter out. I'd been missing it, and didn't even realize.
I'm going to have to raise the glitter quotient in my life back up to a respectable level. Some sparkle and that self cheering I learned from my fairy grand baby are a couple of things that can take a blah day and turn it into something a little more special.
Or is it just weird that I sit for a dozen hours in my studio with my fingers all glommed together, yelling out "Hip- Hip- Hooray, I did it, I did it!!"?
PS- Beth is having a good Giveaway , you should check it out.
A Table Top Party (I’ve danced on a few tables, haven’t you?)
celebrations, Etsy Goodies, holiday decor, parties, swaps, vintage paper/collage artIts been a long time since I attended a blog party! Today, Cindy is hosting a Center Piece party.
Which is fitting for me, because my very first post was a picture of a Valentine brunch I was having that day for my friends, 2 years ago Feb. 14th.
Also, Cindy was one of the first, "WOW" blogs that I came across. And she just gets better and better all the time.
Join me in attending her centerpiece party, and go check out her blog for addresses of other table scapes to see. I'll bet there will be some romantic inspirations for this weekend's Valentine celebrations.
This first table I am showing you is in my studio, and I've gathered up pretty Valentine themed (or colored) gifts from my sweet swap friends.
To the gifts, I added a cherry covered old hat. Isn't it supposed to be bad luck to have a hat on the table? If so, I am in TROUBLE, I do this a lot, but then, I just love old hats. Sometimes, I think that old wives tales and superstitions started for a reason. Like, maybe it was unsanitary to have a greasy, dirty hat on a table where people eat. Or if you walk under a ladder you could knock over the person standing on it and hurt them. Or a broken mirror was sharp and dangerous and telling kids they were bad luck to break maybe kept them from play ing with them?
But maybe that subject is better for Friday the 13th coming up tomorrow?
In my studio, I have two dining tables. I use them for "clean" work, like sorting or sewing, or piling crap up. Not painting or gluing. I actually try to keep at least one set up nice for when company drops by to visit me in the studio. Since we've had puppies out here, I've had lots of visitors come by lately.
(I really should clear off the top of that buffet a bit, I end up piling pretties there and it gets to the point where it is just a jumble)
Table scapes need to look good from each side! I plan them out, so that each person sitting at the table has something interesting in front of them.
The tables in my studio are usually filled with things I happen to have around, supplies, millinery flowers, jewels, pulled together with a color theme onto a tray, mirror, or series of doilies. I like to have my supplies out where I can see and enjoy them. Out of sight, out of mind, is a true saying. If I put things away, I never use them.
Thanks, Cindy for hosting this get together! I look forward to getting around to the blogs she has links to and seeing all the inspiring tables.
Of course, it is hard to beat a center piece that is all crafting goodies! My friend, Angie, invited me over last night for a Valentine making party.
She supplied wine, cupcakes, chocolate and all the Valentine's supplies you could ever need!
There was some gorgeous rose printed fabric to cut into, so I tried something different and clipped around the roses, then glued the fabric to sheet music that I had covered this mini journal in.
Then, I outlined the fabric's edge in soft tan marker to make a shadow, inked the edges of the book and tied it all up in a ribbon with a small tag and a flower. This was my Valentine to Angie for hosting the party.
Then I made a couple blank note cards. (these are listed on Etsy, $8 for a pair)
This tag is going to my pal, Heather, for some help she gave me on my website. I could not have set it up without her. Or without Beth. I really OWE her a big one too, she deciphered the web speak of the site and explained it all to me.
The little tags tied to this project and the mini journal came from Beth too. She'd made up a bagful for me to use, and I tied quite a few to the Puppy Love Swap tag books.
This darling little Sugarwings pen was a gift from a swapper too! How cute is that? I hear that the books are arriving, and everyone sounds pleased so far. As soon as I get a list of blogs that are showing the books, I'll post links here.
Saturday the 14th is my 2 year blog anniversary and I will be having a drawing for one of these Millefiori glass heart charms. This one is listed in my Boutique, along with 3 others. I have one more for the February giveaway too.
Now that the swap is over, I actually had time to list some stuff to sell in the Boutiqueand on Etsy!
Mostly, I added lots of millinery. I noticed that I was low on wallpaper too, and hope to make some up for next week. Thanks so much to all of you who shop there!
Now, go check out Cindy's Romantic Home and her beautiful table tops!
Am I losing it?
Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, Food and Drink, holiday decor, paintings, parties, yorkies
Even puppies agree- there is nothing more cuddly than a puppy! These guys are hugging each other.
And they aren't the only ones who feel this way. We had a "Puppy Party" yesterday, and my friends brought their kids over for cookies and milk after school, to hug puppies. I'd say these pups will grow up to be well socialized and kid friendly. A lot of small dogs don't like small people and can be afraid of kids. But these little ones have been handled by kids since the day they were born and should grow up to be outgoing, friendly dogs.
Typically, I don't post recipes, because I make stuff up as I go along when cooking. But I was soooo happy with these cookies that I paid attention to how I made them, so I could tell you- here it goes:
Kansas Style Oatmeal Scotchies
MELT one cup (organic) butter
mix with a beater, the butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar, one cup natural sugar
add 2 (organic) eggs, a teaspoon of real vanilla, and continue mixing with the beater
In a separate bowl, fluff together:
1 cup whole wheat (organic) flour
1/2 cup flax seed
3 cups instant oats
dash of sea salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
Stir the dry ingredients with the liquid mixture and then add 1 cup butterscotch chips and a cup of sunflower seeds (the Kansas State Flower, of course!)
Roll in balls and bake for 11 minutes on a non stick cookie sheet at 350
I made half on one of those air-bake pans and half on just a plain cookie sheet and honestly, the air bake pan was much better. I don't use it often because it is too big to fit into my dishwasher, but I will re-think that one, it does make a difference. The cookies on it were more evenly cooked and crisper.
What I liked about these cookies, was that I could lie to myself and pretend they were good for me. Sunflower seeds, flax seed, and organic ingredients made me totally overlook the butter, sugar and chips! I only used about half the amount of chips usually called for too, so that made me think I could eat twice as many.
While the kids were here, we started the Puppy naming contest. I took down their ideas and began a list. Are you ready to play? Here is Puppy #1, the first born and the tiniest. I'll get some photos of the other 5 girls and in my next post, you can start sending in the names. Details upcoming.
I've added my hand painted fairy box to my Etsy Shop.
The inside was in amazing shape for an old box. The exterior showed the wear you'd expect, but I wonder if anything was ever stored in it? The interior was about perfect. Of course, I had to foof anyway, I used flocked wallpaper, millinery flowers, crystals, all my faves on this little "royal emblem".
This box is listed in my Boutique. I plan on using both stores and going back and forth. Here is my criteria to decide which store to list what in (besides wanting a variety in each)- if the item looks better in a non-square shape, the photo will go in the boutique. If it needs more than the 3 photos allowed on the website, it will go in Etsy.
Okay, now if this post isn't already random enough, here is more. Am I going crazy? Lately my computer screen has been speaking to me through comment word verifications. Does this mean I am schizo? I don't actually hear it talk, if that makes a difference. Sometimes the words are very clear, like this one, "BLESS". Other times, they take some deciphering.
Like this one. To me, it says "mothering".
I might just be losing it. First, an actual, written recipe, not guesses and abouts, actual measurements. And now my computer trying to get messages to me?
An Elf Celebration
celebrations, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, parties, Sugarwings
Today we had an Elf Celebration. Sugarwings was so excited, and talked about it all day yesterday, she just couldn't wait. She thought it was the elf's birthday and sang Happy Birthday all morning.
She and I drew an elf, then painted and cut it to copy onto this little rhyme that I wrote about the party's theme, then we made up gift bags for the kids who were coming over.
Each small guest got some treats, a black and white copy of the elf picture to color, and an elf of their own.
I have had a fondness for these cuties since I was a kid and have a big collection of them, that I was happy to share with my friends today.
We started with edible snowflakes, cut from soft flour tortillas. The idea was to saute the cut tortillas in butter and add powdered sugar and color sugar sprinkles, but my little fairy grand baby enjoyed snacking on the corners she cut out of her creation. She also really got into dumping colored sugars onto the finished product.
There were lots of other goodies to eat, along with sparkling fruit juice in glasses you could toast with.
At Michael's after Christmas sale, I bought lots of supplies to make elf hats for 75% off, and rolls of snowman wrapping paper to use as table clothes.
The work could be pretty serious at times.
But at others, jumping up and down was called for. Sugarwings was a blur most of the day. My friends are a bit shocked at how much energy that little one has coiled up inside of her. She is always on the go!
But, with her buddy, Julia's help, she slowed down enough to get a elf hat completed.
Shawn's daughter, Bethany made a really cute hat. She is an accomplished crafter and when Shawn comes out for a craft day, I always know that Bethany will create something sweet.
Max made a snow guy hat. And asked me to paint a matching snowman on his face.
When it was Sugarwing's turn for some face painting, she turned the tables and painted me instead.
We both ended up painted, although, most of my paint is on my saggy, baggy, old lady neck and when I look down, like in this photo, it is hidden.
I just can't imagine a more fun way to spend a morning. Time to sit and talk with best friends while drinking coffees and eating quiche, hot Cinnamon rolls and crunchy snowflakes, then crafting elf hats with some of my other, smaller pals. This is a good start to the new year, I can't wait to see what other fun is waiting for me in 2009!
edit- Shawn has a great camera and just sent me photos from today, so I am adding them on-
Family Bliss
holiday decor 
What a wonderful holiday! I had such a relaxing, family day. How nice to have such a fun, easy going houseful of people. Dinner was tasty and simple to fix, and the dessert thatBeth brought was over the top, wonderful! (frozen tiramisu)
Beth also made this wallpaper encrusted box for me and filled it with tidbits and ephemeral treats.
Who else knows me well enough to give me a box loaded with with pretty little things like this?
And this? Not to mention, she also gifted me with a Magnolia Pearl book! This was my year for gifts, I raked them in, a pink cashmere scarf from Ryan and a GPS from my husband, as well as a drawing on pink paper from Sugarwings! She knows what colors I like, just like Ry did. And with the GPS, I will never miss out on finding a garage sale again.
Sugarwings was entranced by the treat cabinet.
She made a few trips back to it.
There was some singing and dancing.
Handsome sons opening gifts.
New friends getting acquainted.
And promises kept. Yes, Santa brought the Mermaid that Sugarwings was waiting for. I can't imagine a better holiday.
Sugarwings and I are going to go hang out and play with her new friends, and maybe see a movie. So, I'll leave you with a few photos of the Christmas Dinner dining table. I tend to fill the center of the table with odds and ends of pretty things, so that each person sitting down to eat, has something interesting to look at.
OK little girl, let’s give someone else a turn!
celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, paintings, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art
We took Sugarwings to see Santa today and she wouldn't leave him alone. She sat there on his lap and waited for the Mermaid doll she asked for. Finally, she got down for the bribe of a candy cane, but then went back and got another candy cane to give to Santa. Then went back for another sit on his lap. Then for another hug. It looked like St. Nick was enjoying her visit, I think it might be nice for him to have someone with no fear come to hang out a while.
I think this little one loves Christmas as much as her Grammy does.
She stopped to speak to every single Santa she saw at the mall.
And she didn't think it would hurt to put in a word with the giant cow for that doll she wanted.
When I got back from my trip, there was a stack of packages waiting for me! One was from a sweet reader pal, Jean, who lives in Virginia.
Not only were there surprises for Sugarwings, she sent me some treats too, including a box of these white doves.
I've added the glass doves to the dining room chandelier along with other birdies and some snowflakes I have received this year. They might just all stay there a while after the holidays as more "winter decor" than Christmas decorations.
One of the snowflakes was from Tiffany, a Silver Bella pal. I'd ordered this cute little bottle of Christmas wishes from her shop, and she sent along lots of pretties, including this card. It brings back memories of a class we took together in Omaha, where she was helping me with using hot wax over parts of my project. I really like the way she has applied wax over the scene in the center of the card.
Previously, I had shown you some of my little paintings that I was making into cards. Here are a few (of the dozens) that I made while in the hotel room.
And in case you were feeling sorry for the poor dorkies, at home alone while I was out on a fabulous vacation, they had some fun while I was gone. Twinks was invited over to stay at the farm where her true love, Teddy lives. And the other two dogs were so happy to have Twinkle away and not bothering them, they felt like a queen and king with the whole house to themselves. (Twinks can be a little bossy)
I'm off to go work on my Christmas shopping. Typically, I am not a last minute shopper. When my kids were little, we used to love to go to the mall on Christmas Eve and eat lunch at the food court while we watched all the crazed last minute buying, and I'd bask in a warm glow from the knoweldge that my packages were wrapped and under the tree. Not this year!
I hope all of you are having a lovely holiday week. Merry Christmas to all of you from Sugarwings and I.
Itsy Bitsty Christmas Card paintings and a giveaway reminder
give away, holiday decor, Moving to DC, paintings, vintage paper/collage art
This may be a vacation, but it doesn't mean I can't get some work done!
My husband and I are in Virginia at our cozy little apartment, and while he is at work today, I've been doing some tiny paintings to make Christmas cards from. I guess our vacation hasn't officially started yet, it just kind of feels like it to me, since I am away from home and have been able to sit around in my jammies all day and do what ever I wanted to.
And what is it that I always want to do, when I have my choice of doing any thing at all? Create things, of course!
So, I have been painting away. I packed up enough supplies to make up holiday cards, as well as envelopes and even remembered the printed labels, to get them all into the mail. Today was spent making a couple dozen itsy bitsy pictures (the largest is about 4" tall), and tomorrow, from our hotel room in Richmond, I will make the cards. Hopefully, I will get them all finished by Saturday morning. That is when we leave for our romantic getaway.
And I have a feeling my husband wouldn't appreciate me ruining his surprise get away by cutting and gluing and glittering all weekend. (well, it sounds like fun to me, but I know it wouldn't to him!)
Don't forget that I have a surprise for you guys too. The December Giveaway Secret Gift!! I will be out of town for a few days,and maybe not near a computer after this- but you can still leave a comment to enter the drawing and have a chance to win.
Here is a hint of what the surprise is. Surprises are such a fun part of the season,aren't they?
If I don't "see" you again while I am out of town, I hope that you are all having a good time with your holiday preparations and are getting all glittery too!