Notes from A Cottage Industry

Are you a Blogher?

     See those girls up there? They started it. Blogher I mean. Have you heard of Blogher? I've seen their logo on blog rolls and I was curious. I checked them out. Hmmm, cool idea. I love the way so many women take charge and come up with an idea and then run with it. Amazing.

Anyway.

It's a network spot for women bloggers to gather and grow. Share ideas and connect. So, I am wanting to know... are you a Blogher? What's your take on the group? Is more for just younger mommy blogger types, or for everyone? I'm thinking it's something I could learn from.

I'm impressed with their numbers of members, and the site in general. Oh, and it turns out that they have a conference coming up in San Francisco this July. The agenda sounds pretty interesting to me. (In fact, they are even having a contest for us to nominate our favorite Blogher's and the grand prize is an all expense paid trip to the big convention in San Francisico. Wow.)

I'm currently a memebr of ZNE and Women Take Wing. Now I'm wondering what other groups are out there that I have somehow missed....tell me what groups you're involved with, which ones you like, and maybe which ones you're not so crazy about. I really want to know.

Two second tap shoe foofifying

Lots and lots of little re-do's from Saturdays finds. Remember, when you're out thrifting, look closely at everything. It's the tiny stuff that is so easy miss, and also, so easy to reinvent, so pay attention. Here's one example. There were the adorable lil' tap shoes...

that were foofied with fabulous ribbon (left over from the last wedding!) in exactly two seconds. Really.

Can't you just picture these in a baby girl's vintage nursery, or place, just so, on a hutch, near old pictures of children and babies?

*sigh* Too, too cute.

Words to live by - week 67

"Motherhood: All love begins and ends there."
                               -- Robert Browning

Finding happiness (and gift shopping) on a Saturday morning

    Yes people, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Aah, yard sale season. When a young girl's heart turns to thoughts of turning trash to treasure, and  the highlight of the week comes very early on Saturday mornings, in a stranger's driveway. It's all about the hunt for the coolest junk at the cheapest price, and eating Krispy Kreme donuts while sealing a deal.
    On the yard sale success meter, I'd rate today an 8 out of 10. We managed to fill the navigator's car to the roof before 9:30 this morning. We did however, pass on the cat towers.(I'll share pictures of my haul a little later.)

Not only did we shop for items for ourselves (for the Tumbleweed Cotillion, in my case) but we also managed to find a present for a mutual friend of ours. You see, she's revamping her home and her patio, all in a tropics theme. Kind of "Tommy Bahama meets British colonial meets luau" and it's coming along nicely. We knew when we spotted this...

...that we had to get it for her. Big spenders that we are, we each threw in fifty cents and couldn't wait to stop by and surprise her with it. (nothing better than sharing a little yard sale love with kindred spirits)
   Sure, her grandkids might enjoy it, but we were thinking it would be fabulous fun at a Mai Tai party too. She loved it, and our party idea.

I mean, wow. Island bowling with coconut balls. (It just doesn't get any better than this for summer fun, does it?)

*sigh* Yes, I lead quite a wild life.

A very charming "Vintage Memories" Mother's Day table

  Here's my centerpiece for my vintage themed Mother's Day table.So charming. I typed "God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers" on a page from an old dictionary. (I simply tore the page out of the book and fed it in my printer.)

    Propped up on the top of the typewriter next to the dictionary page, I placed my printed menu, along with a photo I cut out  from the little postcards in the Vintage Memories kit. Some old thrifted treasures from around my cottage complete the centerpiece.
    For place mats I used more pages from old books, to add to the vintage feel.

    The postcard place card completes each place setting.

The mantel showcases old baby photos and the "Mother" banner, adorned with pearly white buttons.

    I'm so very happy with my table scape and the best part is that it took me only about 35 minutes, start to finish, from printing my papers from my kit to putting the final touches on my dining room.

Pure nostalgia. I love it.

I may require an intervention.

...oh my. I've discovered...

GAP KIDS.

     Last Sunday I made a 2 hour brief stop at the Kids Gap at Reno's newest Mall. Actually, until the big announcement I was unaware we had such a store. I headed in there to pick up a little somethin' somethin' for the Mother-to-be for Mother's day.
     Oh.
     My life will never be the same. For Gramma'sand Nonnies and Meme's-to-be, GAP KIDS is the Disneyland of baby and maternity clothes. I could have stayed there all day, drooling on the sweet baby clothes and stuffed animals. Little shoes, shirts and bonnets. Little sweaters and coveralls. And the outfits for the Mama's-to-be! So stylish. (And not a single "Baby on Board" shirt in sight, thankyouverymuch.)
     In the end I found somethin' alright. Several somethin's to be a bit more precise. All too adorable. They're gonna be darling on her.

I still can't believe she's pregnant.

*sigh* As if she wasn't already cute enough.

Press kits with a little vintage French market flair

    Ooh, la la! The Press kits are coming along quite nicely, thankyouverymuch.

  I had an appointment yesterday with the host of a local Style television show here in the biggest little city, and I took her the latest and greatest press kit along with a sweet little treat ( a cupcake  in the clear box with a chocolate fleur di lis on top  and black and white m&m's surrounding it in the bottom. It didn't photograph well, but it was cute in person! Click on the photo to see it larger)
     We'll be guests on her show in June right before the Vintage French Market! (talk about free advertising!)

This is going to be one great faire.

Vintage Memories Kit available on the newly opened website

       Whew! A few late, long nights, and, although I am not really happy with the way it looks, the website is up. (Aaaurgh! It looks quite home made, and there may be some hiccups, so bear with me for the next few days.) More kits and products will be added as quickly as I can get them up there, so do check back often!

    My newest kit, "Vintage Memories", is now available, and it is my newest favorite! Just in time for a nostalgic Mother's Day affair, this kit lends it self to any romantic, vintage event you are hosting. (I will be sharing my tablescape that I created using this kit later this week!)

I've made darling two sided vintage postcard style place cards, with antique photos on the backs, and two choices of Menu cards or invitations to be used along with the theme.
Mini banner templates that read "Family" or Mother" round out this wonderful kit.
     Check it out on the website, and please let me know what you think.

What's in a name?

Um....just everything.

    I've really thought this through, people. I mean, now that we've got a baby on the way, (People!!!! We've got a baby on the way!!!) I've been obsessed contemplating different names, and spellings. Oh, I know what you're thinking. It's not really for me to choose. Well, if we want it right, I think it is.
     A name kind of shapes a person's identity, wouldn't you agree?  You know, someone once said, "Your clothes speak before you do" and I believe it's true. After a first glance at someone's overall appearance, our name gives the first glimpse at who we are, really. Take the name...oh.. Poindexter. Let's take a moment and just ponder the visual that comes to mind, shall we?

     It conjures up a definite type of person, right? Alrighty then, so you see what I mean. We grow with our name, so to speak.
     Now, before you think I am referring to what they'll name the baby, I'm not. No, no, no. I implicitly trust the parents-to-be to make that decision. (although I've already let the mama-to-be know that Henry and Zoey are at my tip top of my boy/girl name list, and of course it goes with out saying that the names Robert and Roberta would be out for sure, since their last name is Roberts...you've just got to question the kind of parents that would do that to a child...)

Where was I?

Oh yes. I wasn't talking about the baby's name.

     What I was talking about was my name. Yes people, I'm talkin' 'bout what the precious lil' sweet smelling baby will call me.
      Do I look like a "Grandma?" Or am I more of a "Mimi?" (or is it "Meme"?) Maybe I'm a "Gramma"or  "Gram". Yes, maybe I am.
     I do know for sure I am not a "Nana",not because I don't like it, but because at my grown up girl job we always call each other "Nana" when one of us can't find their glasses, or complains about something like a work event lasting too late and it's only 6:27 in the evening. Then, there's Nonnie. And Nonna. Those are both respectable contenders in my book.
     I know I am not a "Grandmother" because it's so formal, and I am anything but. Oh, and I am absolutely not a Me-maw. Or a Maw-Maw. (Oh, lordy.For personal reasons, I hate that for myself, so let's not even go there.)
     Am I a "Grams"?  Or, how about a Grammie? (Grammy?!) Gosh, that sounds too much like an award. OK, that spelling is out.
     I know that I can't be Grand ma ma, because that is what my one son-in-law calls my Mom, and it sounds so charming and endearing when he calls her that. I do believe that is who she will be, unless she decides that she's "GiGi" for Great Grandma..?

OK, back to me people.

     Could I be a "Glam-Mom"? I heard that's what Goldie Hawn is called.(Yes, I do watch Inside Edition and the Insider on rare occasions) It's kind of cute, but it's also kind of hard to pronounce, with the two "m's" so close together.GlammmmMmmom. Hey, this might be something to consider.

...Or not. It's actually a little hard for me to pronounce smoothly, and I'm over half a century old.
     There's Marmee...too Little Women"-ish? Very possibly, ...moving right along...While I like it, I'm not sure about "Nanny" because it does kind of remind me of either a goat or a babysitter, although not necessarily in a bad way.   
     There are foreign language versions of Grandma, like Bubbie, Vovo,Oma and Yaya....Um,Ya, no.
     This is tricky stuff, people. I don't want to get it all wrong and be shackled with some weird nickname that sounds like a type of pasta the rest of my days. (I plan on having oodles and toodles of grandbabies you know...)
     I think it's safe to say that while I don't know exactly what I want to be called, I do know that I want to pick a name. Otherwise, the name will just somehow "evolve" and that can be..well...dicey at best. Do you know what I'm saying?
     I mean, c'mon now. We all know people who's grandbabies call them some strange name, that they say somehow just "happened". I'm just not sure I want one of those. The odds of the name being cute are just too iffy.
      Many of my friends have now taken to calling me "Gramma Cupcake" and actually, I kind of like it. It's cute. The mama-to-be is positive that it is too long of a name for the baby to ever get out legibly, and then, most certainly, some strange concoction of the name will evolve. After thinking about it, I realize she is absolutely right.

The last thing I want to end up being is Gramma-Ca-ca.

A Cottage Industry website to relaunch this week.

...and I wanted you to be the first to know.
I will be relaunching my website later this week. I'm going to be showcasing my "Make if Special!" Kits, including a new one just in time for Mother's Day...keep watching!

Words to live by - week - 66

That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.          Henry David Thoreau

It's amazing to me just how much pleasure I can get out of baking a simple batch of cupcakes to share with friends.

To slightly alter a line from Winnie the Pooh: No one can be uncheered by a cupcake.

 

A little more cupcake love...this time for a baby shower.

    I'm off to a baby shower this morning. I made the party favors, (cupcakes, of course!)and I wanted to share them with all of you.

They look so sweet, and they were oh, so easy to make.

I melted 1 part light blue candy melts and 6 parts cream colored candy melts, along with 1 teaspoon of Crisco in the microwave, 20 seconds at a time to soften it up until creamy. I then poured the melted candy melts on to a piece of freezer paper and let it sit until firm. I then used a butter curler to cut the curls. After frosting the cupcakes, I sprinkled the shavings on top of the frosting.

     My friend that is hosting the shower ordered the acetate 4"x4" boxes and double sided satin ribbon online. I lined the bottom with baby blue tissue and set the sweet little cupcakes in. Once I added the bow and tag with a verse, they were all set.

    As you surely have guessed, she's having a sweet baby boy.

When is an early Mother's day gift the best Christmas present you'll ever get?

...Give up?

Well...before I tell you, let me begin at the beginning.(I actually was trying to wait to do this post until the day before Mother's day, but I just can't wait a single. minute. longer. I fear I will burst)

The newest newlywed is a planner by nature. Always has been. Born on her due date, not crazy about surprises, makes lists. Doesn't lose them.
      She thinks things completely through, every move is a purposeful decision, big or small. By her own definition, she's a "planner". Definitely not one to simply "wing it" or fly by the seat of her pants, like her older sister, and younger brother.
     Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying she isn't adventuresome; quite the contrary. She's my cutie patootie that's a world traveler, (even going to Morocco while living in Spain, shortly after 9/11 when I told her not to go) and the one who invited her baby brother to get tattooed together. (much to my horror) What I am saying is that those things were well thought out, and carefully planned, even if they were not Mom approved.
      She's the middle child, so she's used to sharing, and compromising, and not necessarily getting to be the center of attention all that often. Seldom does she get the opportunity to be the "first", and she's fine with that.
      I think that's what makes this all the more special. It's her time, their time, to bask in the thrill of being first, on both sides of the family, and share their joy and excitement with the entire family.

     So, I'll pose the question again.

"When is an early Mother's day gift the best Christmas present you'll ever get?"

That's easy. It's when they give you one of these.

After all the squealing and jumping and hugging I did in Chili's restaurant when they gave me this fabulous little present, I did some quick math. (With my birthday in December, and my son's birthday in December, it wasn't all that hard.)
    They laughingly admitted that with all of the planning, the due date was the one thing that they never even thought about. They just knew they wanted to start their family right away, so the planning began.

*Sigh* I can't think of a better Christmas present in the whole. wide. world.

It's a small, friendly, puddle-jumper-wearing world out there in Blogland

** a second short post for today that I just had to share!**

Aaah, for the love of galoshes.

Remember this post? Well read this post , and you'll see what transpired between my sweet friend Ms. Crafty, and sweet Dolly over at From my cherry heart!

The people out in blogland are the best.

A big thank you, a little bit of this and that...and an award!

Happy May Day, internets!

I've been busy the past week, but I am finally getting caught up. So, a little bit of this and that... first of all, a huge thank you to everyone that bought my flags, placecards and invitation/menu cards kit!!!! I was completely and totally blown away at the response. Thank you all so. very. much.

Next,  I want to thank Jen for this wonderful "Arte Y Pico" award! It's an award for creativity and I am supposed to recommend 5 more creative blogs...but there are so, so many more than 5 that I can't bear to even try doing this. I thank you all the same, Jen!!! I am honored, truly!

Finally, I was tagged for a meme by Tracey. The meme is to share 6 unimportant things about me...OK, well, hmmm... here we go, then!

1. I can't find a hairstyle that I like on myself. I've been trying for a few years now. Actually since I was 22. I've been blonder, darker, shorter, longer...still struggling.

2. I have kind of ugly pinky toes. My little toe nails are very tiny.

3. I don't care at all for artichokes,(and I just don't get the point of eating them like that) but I love artichoke dip. I am sure it has to do with adding mayo or cheese or whatever to it.

4.I'm a morning person and a night owl, apparently. Since becoming suddenly single, I only sleep about 6 hours a night usually.

5. I think I've shared this before (Oh, my gawd! I seem to share a lot of useless stuff here I am suddenly realizing)...I sing when I'm alone at home with my dogs.
A lot.
Mostly the Mary Tyler Moore theme song. They seem to love it. (If they don't, they haven't let me know about it)

and finally...

6.I have a pretty substantial crush on Donny Deutsch. I think he's wildly cute in a kind of older-preppy-dorky-ish-offbeat way. (but he needs to stop that thing he does with the reading glasses half way down his nose)

There, that's 6. I'm tagging all of you to share now. (C'mon, people! I want to know.)

Last day for April showers...

...and I found these just in the nick of time. (I told you, Ms. Crafty got me hooked on looking for these to decorate for April...)
    Aah, the thrift store, on half off day, no less.A whole whopping dollar twenty five. Yippee skippy! These little darlin's are just too adorable, don'tcha think? Perfect little puddle jumpin' centpiece for my table, even if it is the last day in April.

Coming to an inbox near you....

    Instant gratification, that's what it is. No waiting at the mailbox days or weeks for a little box to arrive. For those of you that have been asking about my various crafty templates, I have created a kit full of patterns and templates that can be printed on any color paper, and used as many times as you like. The new kit is now available and it will arrive in your email inbox, so no waiting by the mailbox!

Make it special! Flags, menu and placecards, vol.1

Included in this kit are instructions and templates three different themed projects, complete with 10 pattern pages and 2 instruction sheets:
Celebration Flags, Foofy-la-rue brocade chandelier place cards/ gift tags and menu/invitation cards, and Nest of Happy thoughts place cards/ gift tags and menu/invitation cards

If you'd like to purchase a "Make it special! Flags, menu and place cards" to arrive in your in box, simply click here for all of the details, and then order the kit with the button at the bottom of the details page. You'll receive your kit in your email in-box within 24 hours. Cost: $20 (Which is just $2 per template sheet)

reTreat joins the Tumbleweed Cotillion Vintage French Market

     Oh, people, people, people. Cancel any vacation plans you had for June 27th and 28th. You just don't want to miss this. Really.
    All the way from the pacific northwest, Seattle's own reTreat has been added to the vendor list at the June Cotillion. They'll become"Rue de Retreat" for the two glorious days of the vintage French Market here in the biggest little city.

Deb and her dream of a husband, Bob, are the visionaries of reTreat. She's an incredibly amazing and talented designer, he's an equally amazing and talented contractor/builder, and they both love to thrift, scavenge, and rescue forgotten items. (Now, that's my idea of a dream man!) 
     I've known Deb for many years now, first online, at the iVillage message boards, then with the "Bliss Boards" from the original Victoria magazine. Then, later again, with the Women Take Wing community...becoming good friends without actually meeting in person...until last June at the life changing Willows Nest event (very near the spot where I first discovered the real Stars Hollow Camas, Washington!)The following October, we got to meet in person again at  the Victoria magazine launch event.

*sigh* They are incredible people.

Anyway.

Deb has been trying to see if they actually had the time and the inventory to make the Cotillion. You see, they are already doing the Farm Chicks show in Spokane in early June. Last night, they made the decision to just go for it, and do both shows.

To give you an idea of Deb's creative vision, here's a quote from one of her emails to me last night..."And wouldn't you just know it, as I go along, I am also finding a BUNCH of stuff that I could create an absolutely FABulous booth at the Tumbleweed Cotillion French Market. White, ivory, tan, rusty foofy and frenchy stuff. Filigreed frames and candelabra and wire urns and white scallop-edged dishes. I have furniture & mirrors & lamps that could go with it, too. I can picture it, all arranged, in my head - like a soft-focus tintype photo in sepia tones. Madeline Peyroux murmuring French songs in the background. Welcome to the 'Rue de Retreat Flea Market'......"

See what I mean? Mark your calenders, people.

*sigh* Such inspired people.

One flirty little apron

...made by the Sewing Queen, of course. Isn't it just about the cutest apron ever?!
     I love it! The toile, the stripes...the ruffles!(not to mention the bits of my favorite Robin's egg blue!)

Email me if you'd like to purchase, and I'll send you a PayPal invoice and get it shipped right out...$34 includes shipping and packaging.

SOLD! Thank you!

Words to llive by - week 65

Once you choose hope, anything is possible.
                                                                                Christopher Reeves

A fabulous workshop, but no pictures to prove it.

     I am so ticked at myself. I meant to take pictures all through the workshop this morning, but...too much talking, teaching, and cupcake eating, and I somehow  forgot to get pictures from about midway on.(I even forgot to take a shot of the completed paint can full of supplies and work books!!! Augh!

In the end,everyone left with a completed chalkboard in an antiqued frame, and a cute paint can full of everything they'll need to make more.

Yes, I'd say a very good time was had by one and all.

All set.

    It's Friday. Aah, one of my favorite parts of the week these days. I've been busy painting pieces for the Tumbleweed Cotillion, and I'll be sharing the paint finishes this Saturday at my workshop. I have them all arranged in a sort of mock booth set up.  I think I already have more than enough for my Cotillion booth space, and that makes me very happy. Now, I'll be able to spend time working on some papercrafts I've been wanting to add to my inventory.
Speaking of papercrafts....I will have some new "Make it Special" kits, along with something else I am working on, coming out within the next few weeks, so keep watching!

A little post with a big thank you.

      Better late than never when it comes to blogposts, right? (I hope so, anyway)

     Just a quick little late evening post.....for the many sweet souls that emailed, (or called and left messages)wondering where I was, with no post this moring.... thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I certainly didn't mean to alarm so many folks! I am fine. 
      Honestly, I simply didn't get time to post this morning, and I was sure I'd find time a bit later. Today, later never happened.
     You see, I thought I'd get time in the early morning, but after heading out the door at 6:30 for Toastmasters, our event manager at my grown up girl job had some last minute emergencies (today we had our largest event of the year) and needed help picking up some signs...the next thing I knew, it was 5:10 p.m. and I was finally heading home to finish the set ups for the workshop at my cottage this Saturday, which actually means I came home to change clothes and head out the door to run errands till after 9:00. Whew!
   I did find time to give myself a treat though...Last weekend I got a super deal (Are you ready for this? $29.)on a close out of this fabulous little stereo that would usually sell for nearly $100 (complete with ipod docking station, no less!) at the JC Penney Catalog outlet store here in Reno. Tonight, I took it out of the box and got myself all dialed in, people. Well, it's all dialed in, in the kitchen at least, for tonight. Tomorrow night I'll move it to the living room armoire.
     Since becoming suddenly single, I have been using my daughter's old stereo that we gave her in middle school. Not to sound ungrateful, but let's just say this bad boy has seen better days. After it plays for a while , it skips...er..sticks...you know, like I'll be listening to Jack Johnson and suddenly, it's like Jack has the hiccups or something. It drives me nuts, especially on Saturdays when I am home and want to listen to my housecleaning music way up loud. The old stereo is well over a decade old. What did I expect? It was time for it to go to stereo heaven, or Savers.

Anyway.

Thanks for all that bloggy concern and love. I'm gonna go take my bubble bath and listen to some good music (way up loud) and think about just how blessed I am to have so many people care about me.

*sigh* Really. You people are rock stars.

Full house of painting ladies....

     This Saturday is my "Make it Special" Furniture Painting Workshop, and I'm thrilled to tell you that it's all sold out. Yes, all my seats are full! This workshop is going to be so much fun.
     Last night I began assembling the goodie supply kits for the attendees. Oh! They are coming along nicely and I think everyone will like them.
     I'm using gallon paint cans that I bought and added bright colored paint drips to, along with coordinating color drenched paint brushes (which are part of each attendees place cards; they will have each person's name attached!)
     Drop cloths with brightly splattered paint will cover the work table and each attendee will have their very own take away little containers of primer, paint and antiquing glaze.
     I completed the take-away booklets last night, complete with a perfect quote from Edgar Degas. (Click the picture to see it enlarged so you can read it)

Tonight I'm prepping some of the items I'll be demonstrating techniques on while our paint dries between steps. Then, all that will be left to do is bake my treats for our little break and I think I'll be all set.

Ooh!I can't wait!

Happy Earthday, 2008: A completed vintage dresser re-do

      In honor of Earthday, I thought I'd share one of my most recently completed recycled pieces. Remember the old dresser before?

Well, it's all painted and antiqued now, ready for my booth at the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion's Vintage French Market. It's so sweet that I kind of am tempted to keep it, but I really have no place to put it in my cottage.
     Not only would it be darling in a bedroom, but I can picture it in a living room with a fat candelabra up top, or in a dining room with a silver tea service gracing it, or even at the end of a hallway, with vintage family photos tucked in the corners of the mirror. Oh! How about in a large bathroom, with some hand towels and a vase of flowers up on top? Done up plain or fancy, there are just so many spots it could go.

*Sigh* So much nicer than in a landfill, don'tcha think?

Pretty little post-it note holders

      Aren't these the prettiest little covers for Post-it notes? I'd say this falls into the category of "living a beautiful life", wouldn't you? Making the ordinary extraordinary. Little everyday details that make us smile. My sweet friend that was over for breakfast last weekend (the card designer) made these covers. Yeah, that's right. She made them. In "my" colors. She found the cute post-it's and then, made the cover to coordinate. (sooo classy) Notice the wording on the adorable label? (It reads, "Live your Bliss") Perfect for me, wouldn't you say?
*sigh* I just love 'em.

Words to live by - week 64

*sigh* I need to remember that.

WWJD?

    I don't mean to sound sacrilegious with my title,  I'm just wondering.
     There weren't many yard sales today that were in our "area" (three to be exact) so it didn't take long, but, oh baby, were they worth the trip. The first stop was right around the block from my cottage and I snagged a silver plate gravy boat and a picture of Jesus. Not just any picture of Jesus, mind you. It's the exact picture that I had hanging in my room when I was a little girl, except mine was a little bit smaller and was in a gold plastic frame. Uh huh.
    I think it was from one of those "Home Interiors" parties in the early sixties, or maybe it was a church fund raiser. At any rate my Mom apparently bought it. I remember that it hung on the left side of the bedroom window with the made-by-Mom pink with giant white polka dot curtains. The curtains matched my coverlet on my twin sized bed. As I recall, I really loved that whole ensemble. Girly, but hip at the same time, you know?

*sigh* It's funny how things like that can remind you of all kinds of trivial, but oh, so warm and fuzzy memories from way back when, isn't it?

Anyway.

     When I went to pay I told the woman having the sale my little story about how it brought back memories of my childhood and such and she said she actually felt "weird" putting a Jesus picture in the yard sale. She thought it might be considered offensive to re-sell Jesus like that. (The truth be told, I think I made her feel better about selling him by sharing my little story)
     What I didn't tell her, because I thought it, might in turn, offend her, was that I bought the Jesus picture for the fabulous frame. Really. It's going to be incredible when I get it all painted and antiqued. Then, I will add a chalkboard to the center of it and it will be all set for the Tumbleweed Cotillion.

*sigh* Now, if I can just figure out what to do with the picture of Jesus inside the frame. Somehow, it just feels kind of "weird" to give it away.

Press Kit pretties

      Aah, Friday. my favorite day of the week, currently. And, a busy week it has been. (sheesh, do I say that every week, or what?!)
      I spent last night  painting furniture and working on foofy details for the Tumbleweed Cotillion Press Kits. (oh! That's one of my favorite parts of all of this!)
    Since this faire is called the "Vintage French Market" I am going a bit more French with the marketing pieces.
     See the darling little Annie Oakley looking girl? I just love her, with her serious face, and her lasso, six shooter and big floppy French hat.

    Tonight I'll finish assembling the kits. (and just wait till next week, when you see the little chocolate fleur di lis I am putting on top of the cupcakes we'll be delivering along with the Press Kits!)

One grand bakery.

    I came upon this picture yesterday when I was googling bakery stuff  researching something terribly important to economic development at my grown up girl job. It's an old oil painting of a French bakery at the Champs Elysees back in the day.(sorry, I saved the name of it and now I can't find it...) My, oh my. Isn't it grand? Going to that bakery must have been quite an affair.
Look at how high the ceilings are. And the chandeliers. And all of the pastries on the counters. It's all so terribly chic.
I'm not sure why I am sharing this with you, except...I was so busy last night, and I'm rushing off to Toastmasters this morning. I thought I wouldn't even have time to post today ...and for some strange reason, I can't quit thinking about this painting...about that bakery, and the grandness of it all.

A is for adorable...(that's what these are to me)

    Do you buy cards right when it's an occasion for card giving, or do you keep a stash of great cards on hand? Me, I'm a card stasher. But only amazing cards. Special cards for special people, you know. And, me being ever so slightly Type A, I have them organized by occasion, in a little basket, with cute labeled cardboard dividers for each occasion. (What? Doesn't everyone do that?)
Anyway.
     Cupcakes are pretty much my favorite thing these days, (but, you know that) and not just those I bake. Last Saturday when I had my friend over for breakfast, she brought me the most adorable bunch of cupcake cards. You see, she's a card designer.(Oh, she's too modest to call herself that, but that is what she is) She's been making cards for years. Look at them closely. The embossing, the color coordination, the perfect rubber stamps she used. (Seriously, can you even believe the cute cupcake stamps there are out there these days?) These cards are so adorable, I almost drooled on them. Really. 
   I tell you, I hate to give them away. See what I mean?  A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E.

   

     OK, so as long as I am bragging on her handmade one-of-a-kind cupcake cards, let me also show you her puppers cards too. Mmm hmmm, adorable, I know. I have two friends with wiener dogs, but... I afraid I can't give this wiener dog card away, 'coz I like looking at it so much. (Actually, it almost makes me want a wiener dog. No. Two dogs are plenty for me. For now.)

     It might seem funny, but as many things as I make, cards are not one of them. (Oh, once in a great while I might do one with a photo of the person I am giving the card to, but outside of that, nope.) I like having this nice little basket full of perfectly adorable cards, right at my fingertips, anytime I need a special card for a special someone.

*sigh* And, just knowing that someone handmade some of them (especially for me!) to share with others, makes them even more adorable.

The grand-daddy of all cupcakes

      A few weeks back, Ms. Crafty told me about Target having the Wilton giant cupcake pans. We decided I needed one. (I did need one, right?)
     Once I got it, I needed to find the right occasion to break it in. Well, Sunday night was that occasion.One of my favorite people had a birthday yesterday.
     She's a third grade teacher, and I thought I'd surprise her and her little students with something special. (Can you think of anything more special to a class of third graders than a giant cupcake?)

     This pan is really odd, and I am very disappointed in Wilton and I will tell you why. (They are supposed to be the experts in cake pans you know...) See the pan down there, laying on it's side? Well, as any experienced cake baker will tell you, when baking two cakes at a time (like 2 round 8 inch cakes for example) they bake at the same rate...why? Because they have the exact same amount of batter in them. Not so with this set up. Look close. The cupcake top pan (on the right) is much more shallow than the cupcake bottom pan.

Hmmm. I was concerned as I poured in the batter. Yup, sure enough, the top of the cupcake was done and ready to be pulled out of the oven a good 5-7 minutes before the bottom part of the cupcake...but I couldn't do that, because the pans are connected. Consequently, the top part of the cupcake was slightly over cooked (this is the worst thing to me as a baker...it makes for a dry, dry cake, and yes, I am a perfectionist, I know.)
     Anyway, live and learn. Next time I will bake one cake (one side of the cupcake) at a time so I can cook them until they are just right...not under done, not over done...
It did come out awfully cute anyway. Oh, and my friend and the kids loved it (one little girl shrieked, "I don't know who you are, but I love you!" Is that just the cutest?)

Marché antique français

...roughly translated, (Thanks Natalie!) that's French for "the Vintage French Market Fair". And the Lavender Ridge is where we will be having our faire. Mmm hmmm. Isn't it a perfect venue for the June Tumbleweed Cotillion?
    Here is a photo I took of la petite étable. (the little barn..) where we'll be holding the faire.

They are still working on getting the barn all set. They've ordered two sets of commercial French doors to go where you see the wood sliding doors.
    Next to the barn is the lavender field, (the lavender will be in full bloom at the end of June!) and a delightful pergola area...

...where our "traiteur extraordinaires et chef de cuisine" (extraordinary caterer and chef) will be located.

We'll all be able to dine under the pergola and meander around the property to shop all of the booths, some inside the barn, and others outside. It's going to be a vintage wonderland of sorts!
     If you've been contemplating applying for a booth space for the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion, please do soon. The deadline is nearly here!

Mark your calenders, you won't want to miss this one. Friday, June 27th from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, June 28th  from 8:00 a.m until 3:00 p.m.

Ooh, la la!