Notes from A Cottage Industry

A little sign tutorial.

Okay, so it isn't really a little sign, but the tutorial is little...er...short.

Kind of.

And easy.

I've had this sign for...gosh...more than ten years. I was originally from a storefront somewhere in Virginia City, Nevada. It was green when I got it, and I painted it yet another green, with wording on it for a Billard room in my home way back when I was married. Later, I painted it black, and have been planning on painting a verse on it ever since.

I came upon the perfect verse, (Happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life.)and decided exactly where I wanted to hang the sign around the first of the year. (This was in fact, one of the bajillion things on my Wanna-Get-Done list before the rush of Easter company, but...I ran out of time.)

I made time this past week, and I thought I'd walk you through the process. (I shared the process once before, a while back...here.)

Again, here's how I do it:

Decide what you want to paint on your sign.(A wooden headboard makes a perfect sign, as well as old doors from cupboards, or a plain ol' one by six...) Once you have done this, you are are ready to start creating.

1.I use my favorite cheap n' cheesy program, Printshop, from Broderbund. (It's an easy program that a non-techie gal like myself can learn easily, and it's affordable.) If you don't have  a Print Program, you can print your letters (words, quotes...) in WORD.

2. Tape the pages of paper together.

3. Rub chalk on the back side of the paper. If the sign is painted a light color, use colored chalk. 4. Place the verse, printed side up, on the sign, exactly where you want it.
5.Using an old fine tip felt pen, outline all the letters, pressing fairly firmly.

6. Remove the paper. (The chalk letters did not photograph well at all, but trust me, they're there...)
7. Paint each letter, coloring book style.

8. After the paint is dry, wipe the sign off with a damp sponge to remove all the excess chalk residue..
9. Step back and bask in the awesomeness of what you have created.
We hung our sign in the family room, above the shuttered sliding glass door.

(I must be honest here, and tell you that my Rock n' Roll Buddy didn't really "see" my vision at all on the idea of hanging the sign above the door, but he hung it for me anyway. )

(That's what I love about him.)

It's a straight shot to see it as you enter the house through the front door. You likey?

 

PS...I am linked to

Grandparents say the darndest things.

A dear friend sent me this video this morning, and I just had to share it with those of you who might not have seen it yet. I thought it was pretty darned cute....make sure to watch it through till the end.

Parents Send Awesome And Awkward Wedding Toasts - Watch More Funny Videos

Spa-aaaaah water.

I'm trying to drink more H2O these days, and it's not not easy habit to get myself into. For a while I tried bringing a gallon jug of distilled water in to work and adding a half a packet of Crystal Light lemonade to give it a little bit of flavor, but that didn't seem to help much.

Here is my latest attempt. I call it Spa Water, because it reminds me of the flavored waters you always are served at spas. (and it makes me feel like it's more of a luxury than just calling it fruit water) I add some fruits and herbs, then add my ice, and water. The result is a really refreshing, and aromatic (I'm all about scents...) glass of water.

I even found a website (complete with it's own Blog  with tips and recipes!) that hopefully will further inspire me to stay on the healthy hydration bandwagon.(Oh, and they sell amazing looking beverage servers!)

Today's water has a small lemon, three strawberries, some mint leaves, and about a teaspoon of shaved ginger root. The longer it sits, the more the tastes of the ingredients come alive, and I have to say it feels much more like a treat to drink this beverage than plain ol' water.

How about you? Do you have any tricks for making sure you are drinking enough water?

Strawberry short(cut)cake.

You know I love to bake. Cakes. Cookies. Any kind of treat. Love it all.

So, when I make strawberry short cake for dessert, that typically means that I bake the cake part of this treat, in an eight inch round cake pan. I slice it in half, horizontally and layer the cake, berries, whipped cream, and repeat it all. It looks pretty spectacular for company, if I do say so myself.

The past several days, spring weather has finally hit the Pacific Northwest (the entire west coast I believe!) and yesterday I just felt like it was a strawberry-shortcake-for-dessert kind of day. The only problem was that it was just going to be my Rock n' Roll Biddy and me for dinner.

I found a quick, Sandra Lee -like solution. I bought a  pre-cut pound cake from the bakery at the grocery store, and a can of extra creamy whipped cream to go with the strawberries.
I layered cubed bites of the pound cake, berries, and whipped cream in my large water glasses.
Perfect. Just the right amount of yumminess and so pretty too. NExt time you're doing dessert (or a fruit salad for that matter) for yourself, or two people, remember, it can still be a pretty spectacular presentation!

Paper vs. Pinterest.

I used to be a complete home decor magazine junkee. I subscribed to no less than 6 monthly magazines, and I picked up more whenever there was anything that looked inspirational at the grocery store.

I would tear out pages and put them, by category, in manila folders for inspiration at later dates. Some of them had been in these folders for years. They were always a great inspiration for me in the evenings, curled up in my bed, with a cuppa cocoa, and my basket of folders, laid out by room, or topic.

After moving so many times in such a short time span, I began to see that schlepping all this paper everywhere wasn't the easiest thing to move, nor to find storage spaces for. Also, I was spending a decent amount of my mad money on magazines. I wanted to be more efficient. More thrifty (thrifty-er?) frugal. More organized.

Then, along came Pinterest.

Let me tell you, it rocked my world.

I quickly migrated from in-your-hand magazines, to snagging pictures form anywhere and everywhere online. Inspiration  abounds, on all topics online, from how to make ice cream to cute outbuildings and log cabins, and to be able to save pictures (Along with links back to the origin to re-read up on things!!!) has become my replacement addiction to old school magazines.

Thousands of pins later, one day while getting groceries I landed on the magazine aisle. Whoa, baby. There were many new (to me at least) publications. (I was shocked for two reasons. First off, the economy, and second...Pinterest.)There were several on the topic of Flea Market Decor, including Flea Market Gardens. There are also many, many new ones popping up online, with the option of buying the magazines either electronically to read, or, for four times more you can get  hard copy mailed to you via snail mail...obviously a lot of us still enjoy hard cover magazines, whether the budget is tight or not.

Anyway.

Before I knew what hit me I had loaded several magazines into my cart and whisked them home. I was like a crack addict, I tell you.

That got me thinking later that night, while curled up in bed perusing the magazines, with my laptop sitting on the nightstand, (feeling oh-so guilty that I had paid nearly full price at the grocery, as opposed to a subscription.) about my old friends I'd been missing, (Romantic Homes, and a few other favorites) and so I ended up subscribing online right then aand there, to three magazines that I had said goodbye to more than a year ago.

Now, I am torn between feeling guilt ridden for having slipped back into my magazine addition, and wondering how many more weeks until I find fabulous new issues in my mailbox.

So.

My mind is now whirling and twirling with questions for you: Do you still buy, and read, hard cover magazines? Do you Pinterest for your decorating fix? Do you do both? (like me?!) If you do buy hard cover magazines,how many do you buy? Do you subscribe? What do you do with them when you are finished with them? Do you share them? Toss them? Dismantel them???

Do tell.

I'm dying to know!

A return to Weekly Words to Live by...

....it's baaaaack. Weekly Words to Live By. Because we can all use a litle inspiration, and food for thought, sometimes.

Because you can't wear it if you can't find it.

You might recall that my personal word for the year is Organize.

So.

I don't really have any fine jewelry. (It's all what my Mom calls "costume" jewelry.) And, until a couple of months ago, it was everywhere.

In my purse.

In my cup holder in my car.

In the kitchen on the counter.

On my night table.

In the bathroom.

Mmmmm hmmm, you get it.

You would think that after losing my watch a while back, I would have learned.

(If you thought that, then you do not know me as well as you might have thought you did.)

Oh, no, no, no.

After the watch incident, I proceeded to carelessly toss around misplace one of my very most favorite wear-em-several-times-a-week-coz-they-are-perfect-with-anything Silpada Hoop earings.

(OhyesIdid.)

At first, I didn't panic. It would show up, I thought.

(By who? A little earing fairy?)

Time went by. It didn't show up.

Now, I had two choices. To wear one earing, (a la' Jack Sparrow style) or...look for it.

I looked. And looked some more.

I slept on it, trying to somehow will it to find me.

Finally, I gave up pretty much all hope, deciding that since this was the 50th time I had lost one of these precisous hoops and surely all the praying in the world wasn't gonna bring it back to me, and clearly, this was going to be a lesson-learned kind of thing.

Again.

I decided two things. First, I needed a specific, organized place to house my jewelry. Counter space is at a premium in the bedroom, and master bath, so it occurred to me that if I could empty one drawer of my dreser, I could make a space to store things. The second thing I decided was that from now on I am only allowed to take off my jewelry while standing at my dresser.that it was time to organize my accessories, once and for all.

Feeling totally empowered at this point, I hit Bed, Bath and Beyond on a mission to find the perfect solution to my problem, on my lunch break, and emerged victorious forty-some dollars poorer, but much wiser, (and inspired at the possibility that I might become a member of the Organized People group in life)with a big bag or organizational trays made especially for holding jewelry.
After work I unwrapped them all, and set out arranging the trays in the drawer, and then began filling them.

Wow.

It was almost an out of body experience, as I marvelled at the neatly lined up bracelets, necklaces, complete pairs of earings.An organized  thing of beauty, for sure.

Oh! As for the missing earing? It showed up when I moved my dresser to get at a power outlet behind it. I promptly put the newly found hoop in it's proper place, next to it's mate.

Mothers Day e-kit encore.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post about Moose. I was truly touched to read the heartfelt comments. My heart overflowed to know that so many of you could identify and understand what a struggle the decision was, and took time to write to share such kind comments. I should have known you would understand.

For those of you that wrote to repremand me, I respect your feelings, and your views, and hope you feel the same of mine. (If I didn't think of you as friends and value your thoughts, I would have set the post to not accept comments, or I would have deleted them.)

Anyway.

Mother's Day will be here in just a few short weeks, and I thought I'd share a charming e-kit I created last year, so you'd have plenty of time to get yours and make as many sweet decorations as you please! (All that you will need to do is print your banner, cut it out, punch holes and thread some ribbon through..voila'!)


This kit comes right to your inbox, with complete printables in a pretty pink and chocolate brown color-way, and instructions for this adorable banner in the top photo...(click on the top photo for a nice enlarged picture) along with a printable menu card, and place cards...

It all looks so festive, and spring-like, and well....perfect for Mother's Day!
The banner is a great size for hanging (LIke I did) or for folding up and inserting it inside a Mother's Day card...Order your e-kit and it will arrive in your inbox as quickly as I can send it!

Price for this e-kit is $5.00

I have other e-kits for sale as well, in my etsy shop, here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACottageIndustry

I joined the Link party at....

Doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing.

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, and I do not believe in coincidences. I have had many, many "God things" happen to me personally, so I know first hand who is really in charge of my life, and I know (although I can be stubborn about my own will sometimes)everything will always be all right in the end, if I put my faith in Him.

I've put off writing this post for a good long while. For a few reasons. First off, it's about something so close to my heart that, every time I think about it, (let alone speak of it aloud) the waterworks come. A literal flood of tears that I cannot seem to stop. Second, whether I share this or not doesn't really matter, because it is no ones business but my own, anyway. Lastly, some people may not understand why I did what I did.  (I am a people-pleaser by nature, and it weighs heavier than it should on me when I feel I have disappointed anyone, for any reason.)

So.

Moose.

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I have moved multiple times in a rather short time period. Each move took me to yet a smaller home, with less windows, and none of them have had yards. (Often how it is when living in a townhouse, duplex, or tri-plex) Working a 40 hour week, then running home for a fifteen minute visit before running back out for several more hours, to run errands, or go out with friends doesn't make for any sort of life for a big yellow dog. Moose was living a life of solitary confinement of sorts.

This weighed heavily on my mind and heart for months. Thirty minutes of quality time a day cannot make up for 23 and a half hours of night-time-sleeping, and sit-around-the-teeny-tiny-living-room-and-watch-the-front-door-for-Tracey-to-finally-come-home.

I confided in friends and family about what to do.Repeatedly. What was best for Moose? This all went on for months. Then, at the end of last summer, after much angst and guilty feelings and endless prayers for guidance, someone told me I should try listing sweet Mr. Moose on Craigslist.

I know.

Unthinkable.

My selfish heart broke at the very thought.

I couldn't do it.

I looked at Moose, laying on the floor at my feet, hoping for a little attention.

I cried.

Hard.

I decided to just look on craigslist to see how many others were out there, trying to re-house their large pups. I typed "Yellow Lab" into the search box on craigslist under Pets.

Here is where God stepped in.

Again.

The second ad down on the page said "Wanted- Mature Yellow Lab". My heart stopped for a second. I felt an oddly peaceful wave come over me, and my stomach knotted up instantly with fear to find out what it said, all at the very same moment.

I took a breath, and opened the ad. I read. A family of three (a couple and their young adult daughter) decided to put an ad on craigslist because they love labs and  found re-homing an older lab really suited them. About eight years ago, after being dog-less for close to a year, they were looking at a pool table at someones house who was moving. They ended up with a pool table and two gorgeous labs. The owner was downsizing and was moving to a house without much room. These labs were about seven years old and were amazing dogs.

They had lost the last of the pair almost a year and half ago to old age. Their family loved them and it took them awhile to be able to think about getting another lab. They weren't really wanting a puppy and would love to give another mature lab a great home for the rest of his life.

The ad had been on craigs for nearly a week, and today was the last day the ad would have been listed. They were not planning to re-post the ad, but rather just see if "it was meant to be".

I wrote to them, asking if they were still looking for a dog. Yes, they were. In fact, they had gotten no responses at all, except mine. (Keep in mind that there were apox. five ads on Craigslist with folks trying to give away or sell their lab.) I asked why they took the route of placing their own ad and not looking at the ads listed for giveaways, and I was surprised to hear that it hadn't ever occurred to them. They just put the ad out there in good faith that the right dog would come their way.

I knew this was meant to be. When I asked how big their yard was, they sent me a picture along with a wonderful detailed email....
Seven acres which (including a Christmas Tree Farm) for Moose to run around and chase birds and squirrels and balls. A Dad that works from home, with a rug by his desk for a dog. I got goosebumps reading about the possible new home for Moose.

(I almost asked if I could move there too.)

We talked on the phone several times, and a week later, we took Moose out to test the waters, and see if he might be happy there. I did a lot of praying about all this that week, asking God for more confirmations that this was what would be best for my sweet Moose.

Any tiny doubt I had about sharing Moose with this wonderful family disappeared the moment we got out of the car and his new Dad showed him where the water bowl was on the front porch.

Thank you, God.

We stayed about an hour and a half, all of us visiting on the back deck, while Moose checked things out and fetched the ball. These caring people said we were welcome to come back to visit Moose. Anytime. Even to take him home for a weekend. Or whatever. They understood just how hard this all was for me.

I knew it was what was best for Moose.

I held it together really well, knowing God had once again worked things out for the good, in his right and perfect time, but when we went to leave, Moose thought he was supposed to get in the car, and he came bounding after us to the car. His new family held him, and told him that, no, he was staying. I disintegrated into a puddle of uncontrolable tears right then, and couldn't look back as we drove off down the road.

That picture up at the top there was taken a few weeks after Moose's move, by the daughter in his new family, (see his unmistakable smile?) and here is a little more recent shot of him doing what he does best...
She later shared with me that Moose seems to like exploring the property. (Although he apparently doesn't like to walk inbetween the christmas trees, he walks around them, which is so typical of fraidy-cat-Moose!)

Not a day goes by that I do not think of Moose, nor a night go by that he is not on my prayer list. My heart trembles ever so slightly, and my eyes always well up a little bit every time I see a big yellow dog. But I am confident, and at peace knowing without a single doubt that it was God's hand that brought the perfect family to me to give Moose what he needed, and deserved, that I could no longer give to him.

I'm not sharing this post to get sympathy, nor do I want to read comments that I am a terrible person and an uncaring pet owner to give up my oh-so-beloved pup. I'm sharing this post with you because I think of you all as friends, and I've never been anything but honest here on this little spot here in  blog-land. I don't plan on changing that.

Startin' to feel the love outside.

You know, when I was talking last week about giving my self way to long of a do-list before entertaining, one of the things on that list was to buy pansises and get them all potted up.

Well, I got that done, the day before the first round of company arrived.

(Yay, me!)

Pansies and graniums in the front yard, by the thrifted (way back a few years ago, in the Biggest Little City) Adirondack chairs, and on the porch. Pansies in pots on the back deck. Fabulous lil' splashes of color!

(So proud of myself.)

Then, I meant to take some photos.

But I forgot.

(You're shocked, I know.)

Then, this past weekend, the sun came out again (we've been having winter-spring here in the Pacific Northwest in case you don't live here and are outta the loop.) and we got the lawn mowed again and things are looking so spring-time-y-cheery, and I remembered to snap some pictures.

Well, a picture.

Actually, I got two decent shots. So pretty, and full of color, and life. I'm ready to be outside each day after work to enjoy spring.

And the sun.

And pansies in pots.

How about you? Has sprintime weather arrived in your neck of the woods? Have you started foofy-fying things up outside where you live?

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Meant to be...

...mine.

I was online one day, about...oh,  four months ago? Five? Maybe even longer than that.

(It doesn't matter exactly when this happened, just that it was a good while back.)

Anyway.

I came upon this picture on someones Pinterest Board, and I thought to myself, "That's just exactly what I need to hang in the house somewhere! It's a Beatles lyric, and it's rustic and vintage and perfect. Too bad I can't find one like it around here."

I then realized the picture had been pinned by a friend up here in the Pacific Northwest. I commented on the pin when I pinned it, and low and behold, she wrote a comment back, saying that it was at a recent faire, and was made by yet  another junker friend.

While I was tickled to know who created the piece, I was a bit disapointed at the same time, as I could only surmize the cute sign had sold at the fair, especially the way she had it propped up so cute in the back of that truck-bed!

Time passed.

I kinda forgot about the sign. I even toyed with the idea of making my own, but...well, I like that one.

I went to Monticello one day with my daughters, on a lil' inspirational home decor trip, and as I was browsing through the Salvage Garden area, there it was. A sign that looked oh-so-much like the one I had been lusting for.

No.

Wait.

Not oh-so-much like. It was the sign. Right there.

Waiting for me, I think.

Wow.

Meant to be.

I love it when stuff like this happens, don't you?

Spreading the love...in April...reminder!

We're at the halfway mark for the April Giveaway......

In case you haven't already signed up for my March giveaway, there is still plenty of time! Check out all the details here and make sure to use you have an email address connected to your comment so I can get a hold of you if you are the winner!

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Way-too-cute Save the Date cards.

I'm Co-chairing the plans for our Annual Company Picnic this year. Our picnic will be held at the end of July, and we wanted to make some memorable Save the Date cards for the staff, along with sending them all a calendar appointment.

I just had to share the steal-of-a-deal I found for us on the Oriental Trading site! We got the cutest lil' pinwheels, for about thrity five cents each.

Oh! And they had larger, striped coordinating pinwheels available too!) They come in boxes of 36, with nine of each color-way.

We got colored paper in coordinating colors and printed our Save the Date info on them. We then punched holes to hold the pinwheeels, and added a coordinating lil' tag that read "You're TOTALLY invited." to each card for fun.
We made 140 of these babies, and took them around on a big cart, hand delivering them to everyone at the company.

Neeedless to say,they were a big hit with everyone. Like I said, we used our pinwheels for our Save-the Date cards, but these sweet lil' pinwheels would be perfect for a baby shower, or a child's party as well...even attached to a summer BBQ invite. Oh, the possibilities are endless! Anyway, I figured that if I liked these, you would too, so I just had to share!

A lil' Birthday scavenger hunt.

My Rock n' Roll Buddy is not one to make a big deal about birthdays, and Christmas and such. (so not-at-all like me, who likes to put a bow and party hat on every little thing.) Today is his birthday, and I decided the most low-key-not-too-over-the-top thing to do would be to have him wake up extra early ('coz I leave the house for work before he rolls outta bed typically.) and have him go on a lil' all-over-the-house scavenger hunt. (Too much hoopla? I didn't think so.)

I decided to go with a Beatles theme for my hunt ('coz every good scavenger hunt needs to have a theme, don'tcha think?) and I used Beatles song lyrics. (of course.)

You see, the birthday present I got him this year is a fabulous Beatles Poster by Max Dalton, titled Ten Great Years, since he is a huge Beatles fan. (He first discovered his love of music,right there in front of the TV watching Ed Sullivan when the Beatles first hit the US, way back in the day.)The great thing about the framed poster is that, besides bringing back such good music memories for both of us, it has the perfect "look" with our decor...kinda vintage-feeling, with the right colors, and so much personality.

He already has Max Dalton's other way-too-cool-for-school poster, Guitar Lessons, which I stmbled upon last fall, and wrote Max himself to find out if and when he might be doing a re-release of the poster. He answered right away, (I was Gobsmacked!!) and we snagged a copy of the print last December. That's when we discovered the Ten Great Years Poster as well, but sadly,they were all sold out.

After the holidays, I ended up scoring the Max Dalton Beatles Print on good ol' ebay and put it away until now. I am a bit surprised at myself, that I was able to keep a secret for this long (I got the poster way back in late January...!)

Anyway.

(Okay, I'm not sure how ((or why)) I got all side tracked there, but I did.)

As I was saying, a scavenger hunt is what I created.

I looked up lyrics to different Beatles songs to use as clues for the next clue's location, and then googled up some photos to coordinate with them.
For instance, the lyrics for strawberry Fields and the photo of Ringo eating an apple were meant to get him to look in the fridge (where we keep strawberries, and strawberry lemonade..) and the picture of Paul with the lyrics to "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" would lead him to his Guitar storage Room. Honestly I could have gone on and on since there are so many great song lyrics and some pretty amazing pictures from so many years with each of the Beatles...)
This same idea could work the same with a favorite movie, or actor.

Fun, right?

Yeah, I thought so. And so low key. (okay, maybe not for him, but for me, you've gotta admit it wasn't too ridiculous-in-your-face-party-like-you-mean-it-and-make-a-real-big-deal-about-it, right?)

Well, maybe.

Just a little bit.

What can I say? I can't help myself.

It was a lot of fun, and he was thrilled with his present and the scavenger hunt!

God bless Craig, and his list.

I haven't been to a single garage sale in...wow. I can't even tell you. For a girl that lived for Saturday morning yard sales, I have managed to somehow let saling slip my mind. It rains here, in the Pacific Northwest, you know. A lot of the fall. And winter. And spring. That is probably one reason I haven't missed it.

The other reason would be this guy named Craig. Now, I was a friend of Craig's way back when I still lived in the biggest Little City, and I still am awfully fond of him.

My Rock n' Roll Buddy and I are comeplete and total Craigslist Junkies. We both check in with Craig pretty much daily, for different reasons. I mainly scour the furniture page for cool vintage finds, and he looks at all sorts of other things, from appliances, to decking, to cars.

Seriously, what did we all do before Craigslist? (If you haven't discovered Craigslist yet...well, you need to, especially if you have any upcoming home projects.It's right up there with the invention of the microwave oven and the iPhone.)

Oh, the money we have saved. And the stuff we have unloaded. Craig and his list have truly been a Godsend around here.

Let me share with you some of our best of the best Craigslist deals-Had it not been for Craig and his list, we would not currently have this (complete with French doors and Deli drawer, thankyouverymuch)...
Only eight months old, and when my Rocker Buddy called Sears about a small broken sensor, they transferred the warranty to us...for free!
Or, this dishwasher and range...not to mention our favorite find to date, our flooring! (I am fairly certain some of you are sick to death of hearing about the hand scraped Chilean Hardwood, but...as for me, I will never tire of talking about it. And looking at it.)
We would not have this nickel finish ceiling fan, complete with remote control.(new in the box, no less)....
....Nor would we have found all of the construction guys that worked and helped us along with our big-fat-entire-house-two-week-marathon-remodel.

Oh! Have I told you about the dining room table we scored?
For a hundred bucks we got eight chairs and a table with two leaves for big family gatherings.

Oh, yes-we-did.

(I had leftover fabric from a slipcover project, and so recovering the cushions was a snap...And then, my guy listed and sold his five old dining chairs and one table separately, making himself a cool $60 profit....courtesy of...you got it. Our friend Craig.)

Yeah baby, that's what I'm talkin' about.

We're gearing up to tackle some outside projects next, and I'm sure we'll be working closely with Craig again on every single job.

Playing with my food.

I love having little surprises for my guests to see (and eat!) and I also love chocolate dipped strawberries. (who doesn't?) One of the fun desserts I did for Easter this year was an idea I found on Pinterest. So easy, and so stinkin' cute. Start with freshly washed starwberries, and leave the leafy tops on them.
Melt orange colored Wilton candy melts (they taste like white chocolate) in the microwave and dip your berries, being sure to cover them entirely except the tops....
Use a butter knife to add some details of lines on the "carrots" as you set the covered berry on wax paper to cool.
The entire process takes less than 20 minutes and they're ready to go on a tray in the fridge until you are ready to serve them.

Obviously I did them for Easter, but I think the faux carrot look could work at any spring or summer time BBQ or garden party!

 

Easter decor details...and an egg-citing surprise!

I wanted to share a bit of my my Easter decor, even if it is after the fact. (You know I meant to share all of this before the holiday, but time wasn't my friend.)

(I am guessing by now you are used to this, coming from me.)

So...Easter was our first real foray into semi-formal entertaining in our home for my Rock n' Roll Buddy and I. We jumped in with both feet, hosting not one, but two different meals this past weekend. Both events were relaxed, and a lot of fun.

We had his family over for an early supper on Saturday, and my family arrived for brunch Sunday morning.

So much fun!

I was in June Cleaver heaven.

(Seriously.)

Ralph had a pretty great time as well.

(I have to say it again. So much fun!)

I started off with a darling lil' idea I found through a friend, who shared a link of a party one of her friends did that made it to the fabulous Amy Atlas blog. (Thank you so much Sarah, for sharing that!! It was my most favorite part of the decorating!) Simple little pom-poms tied to the backs of each dining chair to create bunny tails. (I tied them to the stools at the kitchen counter as well, and I will have to add those pictures tonight!)....a word of advice: I used a furry-ish white yarn (Sorry, I don't knit or crochet, so I can't tell you exatly what it is called, but I got it at WalMart, and I thought it would look the most like a real bunny tail. Anyway, the yarn looks great, but...man, oh man. It sheds! I had little yarn hairs every where...on the table, on the floor...so consider this when selecting your yarn if you decide to try this idea yourself.
The table was done up pretty simply, with a square table topper I have had for a few years (made for me by the Sewing Queen, of course, complete with coordinating cloth napkins.) and a thrifted basket filled with silk ferns and a faux chocolate bunny and plastic Easter eggs. Our Easter dinner was pretty much traditional, with a honey glazed ham, roasted asperagus, potatoe salad, ambrosia salad, dinner rolls and sme yummy deviled eggs. Desssert was carrot cake and some dipped strawberries.

Easter Brunch the following morning was hearty, with eggs, ham, bacon, hashbrowns, fruit and creme' brulee French toast.....mmmmmmm. so good!

We did have one extra-fun surprise here during our Easter brunch! Carter gave everyone a plastic Easter egg and we all opened then up to find little yellow "Peeps" in them....
...except one of us. GiGi (The Sewing Queen) had a little blue Peep in her egg....looks like Carter and Coen are having a new baby brother at the end of summer!Check out some of the reactions here!)

 

I'm sharing this on the following Blog Parties...

Metamorphasis Monday

Easter, Twenty-Twelve.

Wishing you a happy Easter!

Menus and tablescapes and errands, oh my!

Easter weekend will be here in less than 48 hours and I am still trying to fine tune my menus, clean house, pick up groceries, and wrap-up-finish-get-started-whatever about thrity-two twenty-six twelve projects around the house.

Anyone who knows me is not surprised.

I work best under pressure, apparently. Do you do that? Think of oodles of lil' things you are going to do around the house, and think of grand ideas that will absolutely make the room, or tablescape, or party (you fiill in the bank...)....think on 'em some more, and then, suddenly, you're having company and you want them all done..yesterday.

For instance, I tackled the new piece for the livingroom, and then, I spent a pretty good portion of one evening this week framing family pictures that I finally got around to having printed at Walgreens. (I've still got tot dust the hutch adn figure out exactly where all of these newly framed photos will fit...)

Actually, when I consider that it has only been since the Superbowl that we got things rolling with decorating around here, that doesn't sound so starnge to have so many projects still on the to-do list.

(I seem to use major events or holidays as my motivation I am noticing.)

(I guess I should start thinking about Mother's Day now.)

(And remember to be thankful that we will be out of town for Memorial Day weekend.)

*sigh*

Do you think I have time to pick up some pansies and get them potted after I grocery shop and hit the Post Office after work today?

Because, when you have a cold you aren't thinking clearly.

...that's what I am claiming anyway.

I am crazy busy getting ready to entertain this weekend, and I decided to take on a re-invention project last night. You see, we have a pretty substantial collection of DVD's and VHS tapes.

(By we, I mean that I have the litle boxed set of Season One of the Gilmore Girls, and my Rock n' Roll Buddy has pretty much every movie or concert available for purchase after 1192.)

(And, before you ask, yes, we have a VHS player to play those tapes.)

Anyway.

I wanted a storage piece to hold them, so they would be handy, but hidden. Well, I found one this past weekend on a lil' trip to Camas Antiques. The only trouble was that the piece needed a bit of TLC. (a dab of paint, some new bun feet, and the knobs replaced at some point hopefully.)

I got four little bun feet at Home Depot, and after work I painted them. Ralph then installed them for me and I got busy filling the cupboard. In the end, it held all of the DVD's and about a third of the VHS tapes, so...mission accomplished, pretty much. (Plus, it added a bit of interest to the wall in the living room and gave me another surface to add some photos and such.)I'll add a picture of the piece after work tonight....forgot to take a picture last night...sheesh.)

While I was at Camas Antiques, (when I should have been home dust mopping the floors, and cleaning the bathroom...but I have a cold you know, so I wasn't quite up to all of that.) I saw plenty of eye candy and wanted to share some of the fabulous vignettes with you....(I have been meaning to do this for a while, but always seem to forget my camera when I head down there...)

OH! Look what you can do with old pallets....(This was a new idea to me...love it!) Some fantastic pieces of furniture, for any room in the house...
...and I LOVE how Joann puts touches of new in with the old...I was lusting after these cool free standing signs, or photo holders (how great would they be on a dessert buffet set up, with great quotes and vintage photos???)
...and I am wondering if one of the newest grand babes might be a girl..? (These lil' shoes/booties will be a must-have!) I spotted this vintage laundry cart, perfect for my eldest daughter, with her big farmhouse laundry room, and the touches of red all around her home.....
...my friend Gwen's booth is always inspiration overload....I love her style!
Whenever I am wanting home decor inspiration, this place is where I go. It's less than two miles from my home and I always come home with a million and three ideas (and a few shopping bags...)

Spreading the love...in April.

Before I share the details of the April Giveaway, I am happy to announce the winner of the March Giveaway is...

Gen!

It's a new month, and I have a fantastic new Giveaway!Included in this month's stash you will find..A B L O O M Banner, ready to hang for spring...
A darling Susan Branch Book...

a charming Chintz printed picture frame(So sweet!).
...and a set of teapot and heart cookie cutters!
Here's how it will work..... Simply leave a comment below.(Make SURE you have your valid email address somehow connected to your comment, or put it at the end of your comment. You can't win if I can't reach you!!!)

For up to five additional entries: 

1.Follow my blog (at the bottom of my blog, with the new Mr. Linky "Follow Me" box!) and leave an additional comment.

2."Like" A Cottage Industry on FaceBook and leave another comment here.

3.Share this giveaway on your own FB page (including the link) and leave an additional comment here.

4.Follow me on Pinterest and leave an additional comment here.

5.Share a link back to the Giveaway in your own blog, and leave an additional comment.

Again, please, please make sure there is a way for me to have your email address from your comment so I can contact you when you win!

A random winner will be drawn on April 30th. Good luck, and thank you so much for reading my blog!

Easter touches that are egg-stra special. (and some FREE printables for you!)

Yeah, yeah, it's a pun.

(I couldn't help myself. Eggs..extra...eggstra....well, you get it.)

(heh heh. I crack me up sometimes.)

(Crack....more egg..er...eggshell...humor.)

Aaaaaah. Anyway.

I found this adorable (and so easy!) idea on Pinterest, and it got me thinking that it would make for fabulous invites to our families for Easter. (Did I tell you that we are hosting Easter? We are. In fact, we are hosting two Easter parties. Supper on Saturday for one crowd, and Easter Brunch for another. Sooooo fun!)

I'll be sharing all sorts of Easter decor, and menu ideas this week, and I'd love to read what all of you are doing!

Okay, let's get back to the cutie patootie invites, or Easter greetings if you prefer...(*note* I changed my mind about 16 times on the colors of ribbon and such, so the photos may not seem like they are from the same process, even though they are. I just didn't want to re-take pictures that many times!)

Here's how I did it:
I colored RAW eggs. Using a sewing needle, I then poked a little hole in one end, and a slightly larger hole in the other end.

I blew the egg out, into a bowl and use the eggs for baking later.

I assembled my boxes and filled them with shred. (I ordered my acrylic boxes online, which I usually use for boxing my cupcakes, but craft stores sell all sorts of cute boxes as well.)
You can print a message, an invitation, or whatever, on your computer (or write it by hand.)

I cut the message out, (An invitation, in my case)and rolled it up (I used a toothpick to get it started so it is a nice tight curl.)I inserted the message into the hollow egg.

I printed the two tags and cut them out. I used a tiny hole punch for the smaller tag, and a regular hole punch for the larger tag.
I tied a bow around the eggs with instructions to crack the egg open. Then closed the box and I tied a pretty bow around it with the other tag.
I packaged up the invitations that I needed to mail out of town, and hand delivered the local ones.

Feeling inspired, I made one more sample egg up to share another version of this idea with you. It's more vintage feeling, with a few lil' feathers and mocha shred. (This look is actually more my style, but I saw that bright apple-y green shred one day at WalMart and just decided to go for a more chipper-cheerful-springtime-y look...
I thought I'd share some tags with you here, so you can make some of these sweet lil' eggs up for yourself if you like. Click here to Download Open me and crack me open tags. Click here to Download HAPPY EASTER TAGS to roll up and slide inside your eggs, or to use as gift tags....

(gluing a white pom-pom over the bunny's tail makes a nice addition to this tag!)
I can't wait to share the tablescape for our Easter meals with you, along with the menus later this week!

A new E-Kit! Sweet vintage style banners...just in time for Easter!

I was looking for a lil' vintage feel for some banners I created for the upcoming Easter holiday, and I realized that what I was looking for was right under my nose the entire time!

Mmmm hmmm.

I ended up using simple manilla folders as my paper choice! The lettering is done in a verigated green-to-Robin's-egg-blue tone from top to bottom, and this adds to the vintage feel. I finished it up with some vintage bunny and nest art. Perfection!

They came out so cute, that I decided to share them with you as my newest e-kits!

I designed my Happy Easter Banners in two sizes...the smaller, triangular shaped banner pieces meansure about five and a half feet across when strung. (I hung mine accross the kitchen window...so cute!) The size of each triangle is perfect to fit inside of a large Easter card, if you want to send a surprise banner to a friend in a card....how sweet would that be?!
The large Happy Easter Banner has the more rectangular shape to each banner piece.
It makes  a fabulous statement swagged across a big window, or hung in two rows, with "Happy" swagged above the sweet lil' storybook bunnies on either side of the word "Easter".
I added a bit of extra adorment with some  scrunched vintage pink seam binding between the letters. If you'd like to have your own vintage style banner arrive in your computer's in-box, I'm offering these darling banners as e-kits for the low price of $5 each, or both for $7 since we are so close to Easter. You can print and assemble them in no time at all!

All you have to do is open your PDF's, print, cut and string your ribbon through!

sizes

small banner $5.00 USD large banner $5.00 USD Both banners $7.00 USD

Meet my Dad.

I had every intention to get this post up early.

This morning.

It's 8:35 p.m. now.

Time got away from me and I hadn't gotten to edit and crop my photos....well, better late than never!
That's my Dad, there in the picture above. Today is a special day. It's his big eight-oh....all day. 

(He looks pretty danged great, doesn't he?)

(In his new Ray Ban glasses, looking all GQ.)

(80 is clearly the new 65.)

I have not a clue why, but I didn't get a single picture of us together. Actually, I didn't get any posed shots of anyone at the party.

(Next visit, Dad.)

(Here. In Portland.)

(Soon.)

Anyway...I got to fly to California this past weekend and surprise my Dad for a family dinner in his honor. (and you know how I love surprises!)
While it has been a stretch of time since we were together in person, my Dad and I talk, very nearly every Sunday morning, by telephone, at pretty much exactly 8:30 a.m, (like clock-work, as they say) but....It had been a while...far too long a while, since we had the opportunity to sit in the same room to visit. Schedules, distance..life gets busy, and before you know it, it has been three years.

I cannot tell you just how special my visit was with my Dad, because I cannot find big enough words.

The words that tell precisely how it feels when you see complete,total astonishment, and surprise, and joy, and love, on the face of someone you have loved your whole entire 55 years of life...and to realize that you alone made that look appear upon their face, just by you being there. There was not a dry eye in the house.

Happy, happy, happy, Birthday, Dad. I love you.

 

One, two, three, four..five and six!

Grandbabies, that is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've had a lil' secret brewing...er...maybe I should say growing... not one, but two more Grand babes are on their way! Both of my daughter's are expecting!They both announced it on their own blogs yesterday, so it's finally safe for me to share our happy news at last as well! (It's been killing me to not be able to share this happiest news item for all these past weeks!!!)

Grandbaby number five (Carter and Coen's new baby brother or sister!) will be arriving some time around Labor Day, and the sixth lil' peanut should make a grand entrance at Mr. and Mrs. big Dog's home in mid October.

Now, how's that for exciting news?!

And on another note...out of the mouths of babes....I must share a teeny-tiny-oh-so-precious story about Carter, and the pure and perfect thought process children have....my girls were discussing the new babies in front of Carter, and he informed his Auntie that he knew where babies came from.

"Really? Where do they come from?" his Auntie asked.

"From Ghana!" he replied matter of fact-ly.

(Apparently since his little brother Coen arrived via airplane, he thinks we all pick up our babies at the airport!)

 

What it takes to find REAL happiness and contentment.

I think sometimes we make finding happiness and contentment too difficult. It's easy to get caught up in thinking we need nicer things, or higher paying jobs, or...well, you fill in the blank...whatever...to be complete and happy. I call it the "If only" syndrome. You know, if only I had this, or if only we could do that, or even worse, if only I hadn't...

Anyway.

I found this quote one day on Pinterest and it made me smile. With all of the many stresses in life these days, this is a good thought to ponder. (and to personalize with our own words)

Mine would read, "like, I just wanna bake cupcakes, sit by the fire, and have someone who likes to kiss my face." The bottom line is, it really doesn't take all that much to be happy. Seriously, we all need to remember that.

What would your version of this quote say?

Show me the bunny.

Easter's just around the corner, (April 8th...just two and a half weeks away!) so I'm bringing out the calorie free chocolate bunnies again. I got them all a few years back, some from HomeGoods, and a few from Marshalls. I think they're just so sweet. Not literally, but....oh, you know what I mean. Anyway, I think I will never tire of them, and each year I seem to find something new to do with them. This year I think I am going to try mixing in a few real chocolate bunnies with my collection, as I haven't seen the faux ones anywhere this year. (Have you seen them around anywhere this year????)

The bunnies, along with an Easter Banner are pretty much the extent of my Easter home decore repetiore. How about you? Do you go all out, or just add a few Easter touches?

 

The Livingroom.

This room is really still a work in progress; a labor of love. It's evolving with every new little touch we add. Previously there were cut outs within the wall between the living and dining rooms, which we opted to wall in for a more separate room effect for the living room and the dining room. Here is the room at the beginning of the whirlwind rennovation... ...and a little way into the project.... ...and now...
The shutters added a nice rich look with the wood tone. (I am still dying to add some sort of drapery panels on either side with a brushed nickel curtain rod at some point to add more texture and interest....and I think I just found the perfect panels! More to come...) We're still searching for the perfect piece to house (and hide) all of our DVD's (over to the right of the window...) Also,I didn't get a good picture of it, but I think the brushed nickel ceiling fan really makes the room, and really pushes the heat down when we have our nightly fires in the wood burning stove...

You remember my hutch don't you? It's been re-purposed so many times! Purchased at a yard sale one summer long, long ago, it was a bright blue when I dragged it home for the first time, and I immediately painted it black and weathered it with sandpaper.

I originally had this fabulous hutch in the dining room at the big house, then, on to the living room on Norman Drive, to the dining room at my first place in Camas, to the living room at my last eensy-weensy place in Vancouver, and now, in the living room here. I'd have to say it is my all time personal best for purchases made at yard sales over the past 15 years.

I am pretty perplexed as to exactly what I can do with the huge wall flanking the wood burning stove...any ideas????
I'd love to hear your ideas for us!!!

 

A peek at the Laundry Room, and those oh-SO-beautiful wood floors.

I know, I have already bragged shamelessly about the amazing hardwood flooring we put in the house, but in all seriousness, they truly are the biggest "wow" factor in our whirlwind-remodel. (It is Chilean Cherry Engineered Hardwood. Talk about instant gratification!)

We put the gorgeous hardwood in the entry...here is a photo of one side of the double front doors, from inside the entry...
...and a shot from the living room looking down the entry hall to the elbow in the hallway....
...and we carried it throughout the long "L" shaped hallway. (Please forgive the lighting in these photos. The walls are a creamy soft off white, not yellow. I think the problem was the overhead lights...)
..oh, and here is a shot looking back down the entry hall toward the front doors and living room...
I'm not sure how I missed taking "Before" pictures of the Laundry Room, other than the fact that all we really changed in here was a fresh coat of creamy off white paint (The room has no window, and we wanted to keep it light) and the flooring. The old flooring was the original 80's vinyl, which was pretty neutral, but it had done it's time, and since we had the left over wood, we decided to go ahead and do this room. (And I am so glad we did! It warmed things up, added character, and flows so prettily from the hallway.) I am still adding my lil' accesories to the Laundry Room. (I collect washboards, and I have a couple of other ideas up my sleeve, which I will be sure to share with you!)
Anyway,I think the results are pretty spectacular. And, I think that when you want to make a really strong statement in a room, starting with the floor is a great way to go, don't you?

Spreading the Love reminder....

Where does the time go? It's the middle of March already!

I've been busy finishing up some things around the house (as soon as I finish up some small details on the living room I will be sharing it with you all!) and gearing up for spring (and Easter!)

In case you haven't already signed up for my March giveaway, there is still time! Check out all the details here and make sure to use you have an email address connected to your comment so I can get a hold of you if you are the winner!

Goodie two shoes.

"Since all great journeys start with a single step, you should probably have a cute pair of shoes."       Curly Girl Cards

I heart me some new shoes and I just had to share.('coz they are that stinkin' cute.) I think they are gonna be just fabulous with my white pencil skirt suit for work this spring.(Can't you just picture that?)

You could say that I'm putting my best foot forward, fashion wise.(har,har,har.) 

For me, happiness often comes in a size 8, (sometimes a 7.5 depending on the brand) thankyouverymuch, and I know I am not alone when I say I've never met a pair of peep-toe pumps I didn't like.

(Or closed toe pumps.)

(Or sling back pumps.)

Right?

I said..right?

In all seriousness, I'm afraid that I may be one step away from needing a twelve step program....and I am blaming it all on Pinterest.

How about you? Do you have a thing for shoes? (Or handbags? Or watches? Or something else?) Tell me about it!