Isn't that cute? I told Beth that I would love to be able to add text to pictures of ephemera and use it in my posts, but am way too computer illiterate. She whipped up this one and a few others for me. When she comes back on Tuesday for us to work on table clothes again, I hope to have her show me how this is done. It would look good to post my words on ledger paper, or maybe something rosy? At least sometimes, not all the time, I tend to have an awful lot going on anyway.
A lot going on, with busy elements in my blog design as well as in real life. Maybe that is why I was so drawn to this wintry, isolated porch yesterday. Its solitude was inviting.
The porch is on the back of the historical home, the Alexander Majors House, where we are planning our next Miss Frenchie's Brocante.
I met some of the Frenchie gals there yesterday for a planning session. My job in prepping for the show is to make the signs, here is a sample of the banner I will be painting for the outside of the building, so people can see it and find us more easily.
I'm also planning on painting some "murals to go" as backdrops for my booth.
Not exactly like this, but along these lines. A French farmers market scene with lots of flowers.
These photos are from my scrap book of murals. This is a dining room in a private home, but the French Market theme was a popular one and I used it in some restaurants and hotels too. I think for Miss Frenchie's I will tone down the colors and have even thought about doing the scene in just washes of brown with a hint of color like old photos that have been tinted.
I'm also planning on painting some natural canvas market umbrellas with a simple vine in sepia like I did on these hankies.
If you are a follower of Curious Sofa Diaries, you probably remember this post. (and if you are not, you should be!! Debbie Dousenberry is the queen of style)
Since I was meeting Debbie and Carol at the Miss Frenchie's site, I thought I'd take some thing to Deb as a thank you for all the hard work she is putting in for the show. She mentioned that she liked bandannas that were soft and aged, since I didn't have any like that on hand, I faked it.
Brand new, black and white bandannas from Target were what I had. So, I soaked them in hot water and a cup of bleach for most of the day.
If you are like me and have darker hair that you pay way too much to a beautician to kind of keep blond, then you know how dark colors when bleached, can turn orange. (I've had the brassy orange highlights more than once) And that is exactly what the black in the fabric did at first. The trick is to not take it out too soon. I left it soaking about 8 hours and toward the end, the color lightened up to what I wanted.
Then, it looked too new and clean. So I dunked the cloth into my leftover coffee, let it dry, ironed it and then drew on it with a brown fabric marker.
I had been baking yesterday, so I wrapped up home made granola and cookies and tucked them into the bandannas and then tied on some Eiffel Tower and crown stamped tags.
As a joke, I misspelled Carol Spinksi as far out as I could, because we've been dealing with Travelocity and Air Tran to try to fix a misspelling I did of her name when I booked flights for the two of us. On the reservation, I wrote "Spinsky" instead of "Spinksi". And the airlines have NOT been helpful or friendly or anything good about this. At first they tried to say she wouldn't be allowed to fly at all on that ticket and it was non-refundable!
Anyone else ever have this problem?
After measuring spaces at the Frenchie Barn, we decided we needed a treat. So, Carol, Julieand I went to visit our newest Miss Frenchie pals at Natasha's Mullberry & Mott.
This beautiful bakery is packing up goodies to bring to the sale on April 17th.
And I could be in trouble! Their spot will be right next to mine. All weekend, this is the kind of stuff that I will be staring at.
I just hope they don't bring any macaroons, all three of us decided that they were the best ever and I know I couldn't resist. The bunnies were pretty wonderful too. We got different varieties and shared a little of each. I immediately called Dibbs on the bunnie's ears. The ears are always the best part, of any Easter goody.
Lets see, I have about 5 weeks or so between now and Miss Frenchie's. Two banners to paint, two murals to paint, stuff to make yet, and lots to tag. During that time I need to do taxes (ugh) and take a trip to DC, plus of course, all those Sugarwing days I'll have.
Maybe I should go and get to work instead of hanging out on the computer?
I'll leave you with some more delectable goody pics from the bakery, and I am off to get some thing made.
That’s a nice, easy-to-read design. Simple, elegant and to the point.
I wish I could attend but I know you’ll post fab photos of the event. Good luck to all of you!
I can’t wait! I marked this event on my calendar quite a while ago!
oh goodness…air lines…my first time trying to use orbitz…i ordered a ticket for kevin to come home before he went to iraq…and i checked and double checked everything…and then clicked PAY…well when i got the confirmation..the flight was backwards…and the response i got…was well you can use the ticket to NEW ORLEANS (RIGHT AFTER KATRINA) any time for a year…all i could say was NORLEANS WOULD NOT BE MY PICK FOR A VACATION…PLACE at that time…so they said..well they could FIX my ticket of all of 5 min…for an additional 100.00…was not a high point in my language…but they did fix it…
…and today my computer crashed…BAM…just a black screen…hoping that i didn’t lose much…like digi scrapbook stuff pictures etc….i’m SCAREDDDDD….
Good luck. You’ll do fine. Everything so far looks very lovely. Wow…you will have the best table position at the event…next to the goodies. You can’t beat that. 🙂
Love the bandana redo and your back drops for the show so wonderful….so wished that I lived closer.
c
Karla, that bakery is the most beautiful place…i would love to take a peek in person and stock up on some of those most adorable bunny cookies!!!
your murals are amazing!!! and i love your idea for the bandanna…very clever!!!
oh my goodness is that homemade marshmallows I see in their shop???? Marking my calendar and I will be there opening night 🙂
Looking all those sweets nearly killed me!!!!
Yuymmy!!
What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, creative chat, great treats and wonderful company! We had so much fun and I just adore my gift:)
Hugs from your friend Kerrill Spanskey
I love that Karkies Magic Fairy Dust banner. Well done Beth, please tell her, I was just at her blog and I want to go (have to go) to bed! Don’t put any more photos of food on your blog! The minute I saw them my stomache starts yelling; feed me…(did you see a little shop of horror?). You cracked me up with your funny story about Carol Spinski, thank god I have never had that, though my name was misspelled about a million times. I think your idea of a mural is terrific and yes maybe you should do one in the colors of your blog. Why not make a rose fence so that it reverts to your blog as well?
Can’t wait to see what you are cooking up for us at Miss Frenchies. See you there.
Your banner will be fantastic . The bakery is unbeleivable with such yummy goodies. Oh, how I need something sweet right now!!!!You will be ready in time for Miss Frenchies if anyone can. You can get more done in an hour than I get done all day. Have a wonderful restful evening.
Every time you post about local attractions or upcoming events I wish I still lived in St Louis! My kids graduated from their schools there, so no real excuse to visit. Wonderful photos, murals, treats and such!
~Marilee
OOH LA LA!!!
Ok, the blueberry mallows alone are enough to make me swoon! 🙂 Blessings… Polly
Be sure to take lots of pictures for those of us who can’t be there! Of course if you are too busy taking in money we will understand! Looks like is going to be a really great show. Love all your murals! The goodies are making me gain weight just looking at them!
sandyt
Wish I was close enough to visit Miss Frenchie’s in April. If you do make it to DC would love to see you. The DC big Flea this weekend and I had a lot of fun.
Oh, boy!!! I want to move….where do ya’ll live…That bakery has got me drooling…
There is NOThING I like better than bakery photos and these are splendid! Lucky you to have such a wonderful spot so near you!
Love the idea of the French murals. What a beautiful booth you’ll have! Wish Miss Frenchie’s was nearer!
What a loaded post. I love all the photos! It’s nice eye candy for Monday. Good luck with your projects and changes!
Oh, that bakery is heavenly. What amazing tarts and cakes. Will have to visit Miss Frenchie’s through you. Take lots of pics.
Thanks.
Oh, my, good gosh! I can’t believe those bakery goods. They’re amazing!
Those murals are wonderful. I like the idea of making some that look like old photos. I can’t wait to see your booth.
I love the subdued colors and the scrolls you painted on those bandannas! I hope you plan on making them to sell on your website or etsy.
~elaine~
KARLA!!!!!!!!!! This post was so good, I think I drooled on my keyboard, lol! You do such exciting things, your so lucky!! I LOVE what you did with those bandanas, that is so cool! I want to make some now! I LOVE all the bakery goodies, especially the bunny 🙂 And you are so right about the ears, lol! The butterflies are really pretty too! I would not be able to resist anything if I were there, lol!!
Love ya,
Amy
oh my gosh… look at those bakery boxes in the last post!!
I LOVE those hankies… you did a fabulous job on them! that is awful about the tickets for Carol. I can’t believe they cant FIX the spelling of her name!!!!
xo heather
Karla, Miss Frenchies sale is going to be fantastic. You must try and take some pictures. And…that bakery shop is to die for. I would find it very difficult if they were beside me with all those goodies.
Hugs Karen
Your bandanas turned out great. And that bakery looks so yummy! When is the Frenchie show. I’m in Nebraska and would love to try to go. Thanks!
This post is going to make me take a trip to the bakery! yum. One of these days I’m going to have to take a road trip up your way to one of these fabulous sounding shows.
Stacy