A Closer Look at Ottoman

Jewel Boxes

A small blog break as we visited family, but I'm back. I'm doing a bit of test by posting from my phone, we'll see how this works.

Anyway, these amazing eggs are ones that Boo and his cousins decorated together. I think they look like jewel boxes.

We had a bit of a thunderstorm today and more is planned for tomorrow. A bit of excitement and it means warmer rain!

The blooms have been incredible. The forsythia is waning, but the daffodils are still going strong as well as some of the ornamental fruit trees and grape hyacinth. The oregon grape is just starting to bloom its vibrant yellow. Boo blowed the first dandelion seed head of the season on Easter Sunday. And I'm glad to have the moss in my Western Oregon pores dry out soon!

I hope your spring is starting out lovely, or fall if you're a reader far South of here!

Happy New Year (sale)!

Happy New Year!

Just a quick note...from today through tomorrow (Dec 31 -Jan 1) use coupon code NEWYEAR2012 for 12% off in the shop! Yeah, it's cliche, but it'll be fun!

 

 

Black Friday Through Cyber Monday Sale!

A quick note to say that if you enter "HOLIDAY2011" from November 25-28, 2011 at checkout in the shop, you'll receive 10% off. In addition, if you spend $50 or more, you'll receive five "FOR YOU" gift tags for free (a $6.25 value)! Shop handmade!

AND...

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy some fantastic squash of some sort...hopefully local. The squash above is a Chirimen from a farm nearby....cut in half, roasted with Earth Balance and salt, and then topped off with a bit more Earth Balance, salt and pepper. It would also be amazing with brown sugar instead of pepper. Mmmmm.

 

 

Knight Vampire Skeleton with a Bat Mask

Knight Vampire Skeleton with a Bat Mask is the official title of what Boo was for Halloween. I think T. Rex would approve that it was scary enough.

In other news, I may do a large shop update soon. I usually list items when they are finished and photographed, but I've been sitting on several completed pieces and several almost completed pieces. So, I'll see where I'm at and let you know when I plan to update the shop...stay tuned!

I hope your week has been treating you well. We went from summer straight to winter...we had a dusting of snow the other night which usually only happens a few times a year. Brrrr.

Taking Down

Time to take down the Christmas decorations, including these glitter pine cones that Boo and I made a couple of years ago.

I sort of miss the holidays, maybe because we didn't get to spend it with the rest of the family. It just wasn't the same, but I am so grateful for my boys and we had a quiet, cozy day with just the three of us. I learned that keeping my expectations from going out of control really helps make the day enjoyable. The night before, we left out carrots for the reindeer, a cookie (from Starbucks...I was not about to brave the market and Boo and I got bit to drink too), milk, and celery for Santa (because Boo thought that Santa should have something healthy to eat with his cookie...yes, I do say that on a daily basis)...memories.

Oh, I've listed a couple of vintage items in the shop.... Graffco Map Tacks (red) and an Orange Plastic Creamer. I would keep that creamer if I already didn't have a couple of creamer/sugar sets...it's orange!

Also, I've been on the hunt for quick, inexpensive, healthy, vegetarian meals to make. I have some that I make quite a bit, but I don't want to get to the point of tiring of a particular recipe. I like to mix up the grains and legumes...black beans one night, then quinoa, then yellow lentils...that sort of thing. If you have a great recipe that fits the bill...please share the link!

Happy Saturday dear readers!

Fresh Flocking

We went over the hills and through the woods yesterday. The fir and pine (and spruce, if there were any) were freshly flocked. The road was ice most of the time, but it was a beautiful, sunny day.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Just a little note to wish you a Merry Christmas if you celebrate it!

I found these two recently. I have yet to decide if I'm going to keep them or not. I think I adore them, but I'm not sure. They may end up in the shop next year come holiday time or I may not be able to part with them. Either way, they make me smile.

I hope this holiday season is going well for you. We're going to have a quiet Christmas, but life has been hectic, so maybe that's okay.

Merry Christmas!

Blooming While Snowing

It's snowing as I write. The flakes are small and few and seem to be falling in slow motion. It is helping a bit in this weather that my Christmas Cactus is blooming.

I think I'd like to get a couple more of these in different colors, maybe a fuchsia and a white one.

I've never forced bulbs in the winter. Have you? Which one(s)? I think it's a wonderful reminder of growth when growth is halted outside...even in green Oregon.

On the topic of plants, I've listed a set of four plastic flower frogs in my shop. They aren't new, but I'm not sure if they are vintage...so I've listed them simply as a supply. I think they work nicely to hold name cards at the holiday table. Thanksgiving is in two days...I hope you have a lovely meal.

Here's the flower frogs...

Also, A big thank you to the rikrak studio for this feature. A post inspired by tatting.

Stay warm and cozy today...and if you're someplace warm...send me warm thoughts.

And More Gift Tags

I have to admit that I'm having a lot of fun making gift tags. Here's the latest....

Make Your 40 Gift Tags Double-sided

These are specifically for this listing. You can either have me print on the reverse of the TO/FROM gift tags (like in the image above) or have me fill-in-the-blank...like this:

Can you tell that I recently read Emma by Jane Austen? I've re-read all her books within the last few months with the exception of Sense and Sensibility...I need a new copy for my book shelf as my previous copy was damaged by water. I think that Persuasion is my favorite.

Up next...blank gift tags....

Blank Gift Tags (Set of 10)

Use your own handwriting for these, or make them into bunting!

And a larger amount....

Blank Gift Tags (Set of 20)

The blank gift tags are dyed with tea and are subtly iridescent just like the other tags...they're very sweet.

In other news...it's definitely fall here; the weather changes drastically from week to week. And, this week is the last week of the farmers' market until March which is sad. However, I'm sure the farmers are happy to have some time off.

Thanksgiving is next week already...where does the time go?

I hope your week is going swell. Thank you for reading my little blog.

 

 

Recent Thrifting/Rummage Sale-ing

Goodness! Boo's school schedule (getting up early...we're both night owls) and this time change has got me tired all the time lately. So, it's been a bit spotty on this here blog.

However, I did get to my church's rummage sale and have done some thrifting, so here's some highlights....

I've been looking for a sweet cake stand, and here it is! There is a hairline crack on the edge which is barely noticeable. I don't know whether to fix it or not (for structural reasons). If you have any wisdom on the subject, please share!

Here's the top:

Yes, it's pink milk glass (oh, these dark days!). I think it begs for a cake with whipped cream frosting and maraschino cherries!

These wee candle holders were made in West Germany. I think they would be very cute at Christmas with beeswax candles.

I got this little chipped-up deer for Christmas decorating. It's a happy little thing.

Jenny actually gave me these spreaders. They are handmade, from Sweden, and made of juniper. Mmmm...goat cheese...or jam!

I hope you are adjusting to the colder, darker weather...and if not, I hope you are in the Southern Hemisphere. Happy Thursday!