turkey feathers

Happy Hearts

Hello dear friends . . . a basket of "love" awaits you at PatternBee Buzz.  Enjoy!

Cake Walk

Hello Cupcake!

My goodness, this week just flew by.  I know, I always say that.  But it's true!  Proving once again that, "time flies when you're having fun."  And I must say, it has been a fun week.  Not in monumental ways, but in small significant moments.  A little here, a little there.  Gathering wisdom along the path of life.  Stepping lightly.   Yes, I am leading up to something red and sparkly here.   The new Kitchen Krafts catalog arrived last week and I did a double-take.  Have you ever seen anything so adorably cute in the form of a cupcake?   Impossble!  The girls are busy in the kitchen baking a traditional (round) birthday cake for their older brother, but I know they'd love to try making these.  Maybe for another occasion.      

The photo (above) is actually credited to CUPCAKES COOKIES & PIE, OH MY! by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson.  But if you are looking for a really good food crafting resource I think Kitchen Krafts has it covered.  This is the same place I got my red gingham jam jar toppers.  And they also have these beautiful cupcake wrappers and darling boxes to put them in.

I've gotta run!  Have a great weekend friends.

Magical Places

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Five years ago, I discovered an enchanting woodland hideaway called, The Vintage Roost.  (I first blogged about it here, and again, in 2009 here.  It's changed a little over the years.)  But, needless to day, we still experience a thrill when the gate opens and the handwritten welcome sign appears.  Such times are much anticipated seasonal events around here, because it's only held several times a year; hosted by the ever-gracious Debbie Williams (and friends), who adorn the "shop" with amazing handmade items, vintage finds, and scrumptious pies and treats.  The offerings and adorable vignettes change with the seasons, so there is always something new and inspiring to see.  The main building is basically a small, converted shed that is filled to the rafters with glee, glitter and goodness.  These photos were taken outside around the back of the building, where, as you can see, a wonderful surprise awaited around every corner.  That adorable pair of vintage pillows caught my eye.  Fishing anyone?  That reminds me, and you'll understand why, when you see the new August bonus transfers.  (Occasionally, I'll get requests for BOY themed designs--so, there ya go.)

Summer Sisters

 

HOWDY!

As I mentioned, things are about to get really busy around here!  Our darling granddaughters (3 and 7) will be spending the summer days with us starting today.  We are really excited to have them and they are 'over the moon' about it too.  My older girls have lots of activities planned for them so it should be a fun experience for everybody.   

 

 
I'll be back soon with another quilt block to share as soon as things settle down a bit.

Window Shopping

 Can you stand how cute this little hedgehog is?  I think my heart just skipped a beat.  I think he's holding a mushroom.  It's been awhile since I went hunting for Japanese "zakka" websites; it's not always easy finding them again so I'm making a list.  It's kind of like finding buried treasure; you never know what you'll find.  Here's some cute stuff...from  HIRONDELLE  (where I found my little friend here.)

 
From  ACORN STYLE  . . . . adorable diaper stackers under the "Big Top".

 
 
MICO SABON is full of amazing clothing that appeals to my free-style sensibilities.

 
ZAKKA CANDY  Hurray for tall totes!   

 
Bloomers are back as an accesssory, and don't ya just love 'em?  These and others from NATURAL SENSE

 
Picture frame from DAYS FREE.  Ahhh . . .

 
LA CHOUETTE for handmade zakka.

 

USAMOMO DOLL  Wouldn't this be a great addition to our pink playhouse?

 
SUNNY DAYS  At first glance, I thought these were potholders!  

 
PLAN DE PARIS  showcases some amazing work from Appolline.

That's the extent of my list so far.  I hope you liked it and are now as inspired as I am. 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

Sweets for the Sweet

 
And speaking of candy canes dancing . . . I was pretty thrilled to find these all natural organic ones, and the fact that they are PINK makes me want to dance! I hung them all over the Christmas tree, but they're disappearing fast.  Can't blame it all on the kids either.  Or elves.  I've discovered they make pretty good peppermint cocoa.  We found them at our local co-op market; more about them HERE.  The December/January issue of MaryJanes Farm is full of sweet things too and nifty  ideas for "upcycled" holiday crafting.  I was happy to see over a dozen recipes for soup included.  Because we are big on soup around here, especially this time of year.  

I always make mine in an extra-large crockpot, starting first thing in the morning.  That way I get the added benefit of smelling it simmering all day long and knowing that dinner is cooking itself while I am busy bouncing from one activity to another.  Any left-overs get ladled into 16 oz.  mason jars and stored in the fridge.  It keeps well--for up to a week, even longer if you use freezer jars and freeze it.  (Good idea to label with the date.)  After a day or so, the flavors "marry" and the soup is even better the second time around.   It is so nice to have the convenience of canned soup at hand, that is nutritiously homemade (and economical).  Shown are a few jars of vegetable soup I made last week.  Let soup cool a bit before screwing on the lid. 

 

Like everyone else, I have been super busy these last few weeks, but I made time to slip away and visit my favorite thrift shops.  I've got more pictures to show you of some of the neat things I came across.  Here's an old chair covered in patchwork that I thought was brilliant.   And get a load of that red aluminum tree!

 

*Merry & Bright*

 
Ahhh...and more sweetness from Fantastic Toys:  Christmas Collection and check out the Cute Tutes.     

 

Don't ya just love these adorable mushroom pincushions?   The girls and I are winding up another dollhouse project (soon to be revealed), and then we are going to be all over these. 

 

*SPARKLES*

I just created a new category called, *SPARKLES* where I plan to park the things I run across that bring humor, happiness, inspiration, excitment or wonder to my day.  Basically, this is a link-list for all the things I want to file away for a rainy day.  Maybe you'll like some of them too.  Here's my list so far this month:

 

Deb's personal 'Blanket Statement Copy Cat Challenge' wrap-up.  She made every project in my book (with her own spin), using one thrifted green wool blanket and her new granddaughter Ellie, as her inspiration.  You can see the whole kit and kaboodle here.  Prepare to be amazed!

  Amy's new 'Inspired Ideas' online magazine.  It's all so beautiful--I don't know where to look first!   

 

 

Mimi's Argyle Kitty. . . . . 


Swoon! 

Turkey Love: It's the Gobble-fest 2010 Hand-Turkey Contest!  "Possibly the first annual" hosted by Dharma Trading Co. If you are so inclined, there's a Hand-Turkey Tutorial HERE. 

 

The Sketchbook Project sounds amazing.  While I can't take on any other projects right now I am looking forward to seeing the concert of entries next spring.  Sign-up deadline is October 31st!

What little treasures have you found today?