Oh my... where has the time gone? Since I last posted, I started working in the classroom again, teaching English to my lovely students here in Michigan! My sweet twin boys are now EIGHT years old, and getting bigger by the minute.

In between grading papers and attending conferences, playing pirate and stacking dominoes, I still manage to find time to do some crafting and sewing. I have also discovered Pinterest, which has become an obsession. A good obsession :)

In addition to aprons, I am now making lovely little ruffled tote bags and message centers... canvas signs and painted mason jars.... a little bit of everything :)

Here are a few pictures of my most recent work; you can find me at the Grand Blanc Farmers Market every Sunday from 10am-3pm.

These are two message boards I made. The one on the left is magnetic on the top, with a fabric covered corkboard bottom. There are also two little hooks drilled into the bottom to hang keys and other must-not-lose items :) The bulletin board on the right is simply a shabby chic frame that I painted and distressed, and it holds a lovely fabric covered corkboard to pin up your pretties!

 Canvas signs are my new favorite decor!  I love the movie "Practical Magic" and this quote is one of my favorites :) Next to it is a large chalkboard that I created. I love chalkboards...

 This is a glimpse of my booth at the Market. I call this apron "Pink Lemonade" and the combination of yellow and pinks remains one of my favorites!

Aprons fluttering in the breeze... I love summer!

 

A sneak peek at my latest obsession... canvas market bags! Come see me on Sunday to see more :)

Queen's Guide to the Fabulous Tea Party...

"I'm late, I'm late! I'm very, very late!"

Poor Rabbit. It is his first time hosting a party. He was invited to create his own soiree by the lovely Vanessa at a Fanciful Twist, and now he is worried if he can pull off a fabulous tea party. I decided to create a "How To" list for this handsome hare, and he was so delighted, he asked me to share :) Obviously delicious treats and tasty tea are a must (and perhaps some Flamingo Croquet) but some other things to consider...


The Invitation List

Since conversation is just as important as to what tea to brew, it is crucial to invite interesting people who not only are witty, but can wear party hats with panache...
These gals know how not only how to rock their powdered wigs, but how to sip their tea without mussing their ruffles...



The Ambiance
Please note I did not say "decorations." One must create an ambiance, an atmosphere, a magical place that transports the party goers to a realm of wonder. Indoor or outdoor, you must find the perfect nooks to tuck in unexpected lovelies, and they should include flowers, fancy china, and linens...




Party Favors
Without pretty little gifties, your party may feel more like a simple snack time. Homemade favors are best, the more unusual and eclectic the better...
This is a paper teapot I created a few years ago - perfect for place settings!


Couture

One must throw themselves into her attire with reckless abandon. Large hats, layers of lace, and of course, as hostess, a fabulous apron...



And there you have it! Some simple guidelines to help you created a lovely tea party that will keep the party goers talking for months! So get your tea cozy ready, cut some flowers, and tie on that apron - and go visit the other party hostesses today!




Credits
All vintage photographs are from my collection of adopted ancestors. The Alice in Wonderland illustrations are from the Library of Congress. The watermarked images are of my creations and other pretties (such as the apron and stack of linens), and the fabulous photos of flowers and such are from http://www.countryliving.com/.

A Halloween Party... Pumpkin Style.

Three little pumpkins were sitting on a gate...

And as it so often happens with pumpkins, they were arguing. Because today, of course, is the Halloween Party, hosted by A Fanciful Twist, and none of them could find their invitation. Or the directions.

"I'm telling you, I remember distinctly that the party is in the old house next to the pumpkin patch!" insisted the oldest, and with a naughty smile added, "You know. The haunted pumpkin patch."

The littlest pumpkin tried not to be afraid, but this was his first party, after all...
So the three little pumpkins began their journey. Soon they came to a lovely little forest, and met a little cat. Perhaps he might know the way?

"Excuse me. Hello? Hellllloooo...?" The oldest pumpkin gave the kitty a little tap on the head. "Most unresponsive, this one. Let's move on." And so they rolled further on, hoping to find someone who could tell them where this magical party was being held.

"Hark! Here looks like someone who could help us! He looks familiar... Uncle Jasper?"

But upon closer inspection, it was not Uncle Jasper, and he most definitely did not know the way to the party.

The littlest pumpkin shivered as he passed this tall and silent spectre,,,,

"Aha!" cried the eldest. "See? I knew we were on the right track!

They all breathed a sigh of relief, and soon saw the house. But it was unlike any house any of them had ever seen before...

"Um, brothers?" asked the littlest pumpkin. "Perhaps we should just head home..."
"You aren't afraid, are you?" teased the oldest pumpkin.
"Maybe just a little."
"It will be fine. We'll have a great time! Besides, I am the bravest pumpkin of all time, and nothing scares me. I will make sure that nothing scary gets you, no matter how big and scary it is."
Somehow that didn't reassure the littlest pumpkin.

They went to the front door, and a voice called from inside, "Come on in! You can put your hats on the shelf there. We're in the kitchen!"

Hats?

And sure enough, there was stack of hats in the foyer. Witch hats.

"Um, brothers?"
"Not now, littlest pumpkin. Let's go!"

As they headed towards the kitchen, the littlest pumpkin widened his eyes as he took in every detail of this strange and fascinating house. He took a closer look at the portraits on the walls.

There seemed to be a trend here.
"Um, brothers?"
"Not now, little pumpkin!"

And so they made their way to the kitchen, where it looked like the party preparations were still taking place... Bowls of flowers...

And piles of pumpkins...

And jars of poisons...

What?

Before little pumpkin could say a word, he heard a clunk and a clatter from the counter.
"Murder! Mischief! Mayhem!" the oldest pumpkin was shouting...

And without another word, the brave oldest pumpkin rolled out the door, hollering as loud as he could.


A cackle of laughter filled the kitchen, and the two remaining brother pumpkins looked up in fear...

"Fear not, my little pretties! We are making apple pies today. Not pumpkin. If your silly brother had stayed, he too could have a nice warm slice of pie. Do you want a scoop of icecream on your pie?"

They did.

And so the rest of the afternoon, the two little pumpkins ate pie, danced to merry tunes, and played parlor games with some very charming, and very kind, witches.


Thanks for stopping by! I hope you had a hauntingly good time :) Please leave a comment! I will be doing a random draw Monday morning (October 18) from the comments for a delightful prize!


Credits: In addition to my original artwork, photographs of house and empty rooms are from Amas Veritas and have been modified, spookized, and hauntified :) The black portrait frames originated from ShabbyBlogs,, and the delightful pie image is from Yesmeals.

Treasuries Galore!

It's no secret I love treasuries on Etsy. I love looking at them, making them, and feel super fancy when I get featured in one! So imagine how fancy and honored I felt when I found out I was in not one, but two treasuries! I just revamped my Etsy store, so I am so glad that other Etsians are finding me again :) Thanks so much to Gaia's Gatherings for featuring my little witch hat in her spooktacular witchy treasury...

And thanks to Bubbletime for putting my newest creation, flour sack towels, in her pretty autumnal collection...

I love this time of year - witchy goodness and warm autumn colors... The boys and I decorated for Halloween this weekend, and then we carved pumpkins :) I made a delicious batch of pumpkin seeds (and ate waaaay too many) and plan on getting more pumpkins at the Farmer's Market tomorrow.  I think the food and the decorating are my favorite things about this time of year... and of course the Halloween holiday specials! I love Linus and his quest for the most sincere pumpkin patch...

What do you love about this time of year? I'd love to hear :)

Halloween, Some Pretties, and some aprons of course...

I know, I know- I keep changing my look.  But the weather out there is telling me that Halloween is fast approaching, so I may as well may my blog match the witching hour. Speaking of the witching hour...

This year, the fabulous Vanessa Valencia is hosting her enchanting Halloween Party again this year, and I had such fun last year, I am joining in again. This year's festivities commence on October 16, so be sure to hop on your broom and head over to my witchy little cottage, as I have some fun and treats planned for all my spooktacular friends...

Speaking of treats...

I meet the nicest people at the Farmer's Market, and I come home with the lovliest flowers and tastiest produce! One of the sweetest people I have met lately is Jacqui, of jenandjacdesigns...

 A fellow Etsian, Jacqui makes the cutest little hair clips, and she creates amazing altered couture for kiddos... and she is as sweet as can be. Jacqui makes Market days pass quickly as we talk kids and sewing all day :)

Last Sunday was chilly, but it still was a fine day to head to Market. I even took Johnny with me :) My little helper begs me each Sunday morning, "Please let me go to market with you?" So this week I relented. He helped me pack some toys, a big blanket, and some snacks, and we were off! 

He helped set up the tent and he made my display of hats...

and little fabric veggies!

And he found my camera and took a picture of these lovely ladies who stopped by and found some paper shoes they just had to have :)

Finally, here is a peek at one of my aprons. I think of this one as "chocolate raspberry". Decadent and sweet, with heavy and supple fabrics...

 

I love the brown and white polka dots, and the fabric ties make the most beautiful bow:) This one has some darling shabby chic rolled fabric roses on the bodice -

perfect for the domestic goddess!

a clean, well-lighted place...

I don't know about you, but I never fail to be amazed at how helpless I feel when the power goes out. I tend to swear more and get obsessed with odors. It's true. Stumbling around in the dark, trying to find the candles and matches, I stub my toes and swear like a sailor, and suddenly notice every smell. Obviously because I am deprived of visual stimulation, my other senses compensate. And not in a good way.

The cat litter box suddenly is unbearable (even though I just scooped the damn thing) and the odor of last night's rotisserie chicken dinner haunts my kitchen (even though I did the damn dishes last night).

See what a potty mouth I become when deprived of electricity?

But you, you clever thing, are wondering how on earth am I blogging about my blind and smelly ordeal if I am electrically challenged?

I am at McDonald's, basking in their lights and sounds. Coffee never tasted so good :)

I needed to indulge. Try getting two five-year-olds ready for school in complete darkness. Mikey kept sneaking around behind me, then shouting "HappyBirthday! MakeAWish!" and then blowing out the previously glowing candles. Thankfully I had laid out clothes the night before (which I rarely do so I am shocked at my ESP) so I didn't have to dig for clothes in the dark.

Now that the sun is up, I should go home and clean my perpetually messy craft room. I had planned a day of ironing new fabric and sewing new aprons (I will be at Porter's Orchard this weekend for a little festival) but since I apparently need electricity to iron and sew, I guess I will clean and organize. Maybe Mother Nature is trying to tell me something...

Oooh, but before I do that, I will do a little more playing. I went to the Country Living website this morning after being inspired by the pictures at Moxie Fab, and found the most fun thing ever! It is called, "Be the Appraiser" where you have to try to guess what antiques are worth, and once you do you get to read about the antique in question, and learn its origin... so I am a total nerd, okay? I'm cool with that... Antiques Roadshow is one of my all-time favorite shows, so I get to play I'm on that show. I'm not very good at it, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun :)

Hope you have a bright, light-filled day!