The Pink Gate

My Summer....

2011-09-13T09:02:00.002-04:00

I have been busy, I said I wouldn't do this again...but I did...His name is Kodiak aka as Kodi or the Code Man....

Photo Cube Generator

Living in a Foreign film .....

2011-06-20T08:11:00.007-04:00

"The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life." William Morris

Have you ever watched a foreign film and see a house or room or village and say “I could live there”?

Have you ever wished for the key to the door?

room by Restoration Hardware

dot to dot party.......

2011-06-18T14:31:00.002-04:00

Dot to dot party inspiration…..

Happy Weekend!

Links to get:

bogo-lots-o-dots-pen

candles

Polka-Dots-Bubble-Balloon

snazaroo-face-paints

kaleidoscope-keychain

shimmery watercolors

More fun ideas:

thumbprint-garden-t-shirt

Putting together a doodle bag...

2011-06-15T13:30:00.000-04:00

Have you seen these wonderful fun new items from K&Company

called SMASH*

I would put all of this in this too cute bag from Paper-Source

add a pencil case to match and ta-da you have your

very own doodle bag....

Summer Projects....

2011-06-06T07:20:00.008-04:00

I have been doing a lot of internet surfing and going through catalogs looking for ideas and shopping for our summer projects.

on the list:

the main bathroom

our bedroom

and my computer room/studio …

The hardest thing for me is picking out paint color because what you see is not what you get. I take forever to choose a color. The last time we painted I took so long that dear Benjamin Moore changed the formula on me and the color on the wall did not match the original sample at all… My mellow ivory tuned out not soft and soothing like the sample but instead has an undertone of green, almost lime when the sun bounces off the snow and lights up the room. I am still looking for just the right white, the right grey and the right whatever..

I decided to push the paint aside and work on the fun part, the what else that goes into the room. I enjoy putting together inspiration boards; it is just so much easier today than when I had my first place many, many years ago. With a click of the mouse you can pull it all together, no more folders of pages ripped out catalogs….

I love so many types of style but I must say that William Morris has influenced me the most; it is old English country side that makes my heart go pitter patter with a touch of vintage French.

"Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful." William Morris

Was this Anthropologie bedding inspired by William Morris ?

Georgia O'Keeffe The White Calico Flower 1931

It could be a marriage of Morris and O’Keeffe.

A little something for the kitchen....

for the studio.....

Now back to paint......

Drapes, sham and photo carousel Pottery Barn

Journal Papaya Art

Table and coat rack Urban Outfitters

Weathered Wall Organizer

Underwood Summit Avenue

Advice from the Blue Fairy….

2011-05-24T18:42:00.000-04:00

This week’s theme over at the Three Muses is BLUE

and my cute little fairy from Paper Whimsy has some advice for you…

Stripes with the Three Muses…

2011-05-03T18:30:00.001-04:00

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

- Marcel Proust

More stripes at the Three Muses

On april 16, 1971 I said forever….

2011-04-15T08:05:00.004-04:00

“We came together underneath the stars above. What started out as liking soon developed into love. I sense a certain something that, in my heart, felt so true that I knew I waited all my life to fall in love with you.” unknow

Back in the seventies it was garden hats and flowered dresses, an off white Victorian lace bridal gown and an orange car to drive us off,

my taste has changed over the years however my love for him and for pink roses remains Steadfast ...

Now on to the next 40....

“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.” Pooh

a touch of Gatsby ...click to enlarge

Deco bracelet                                                               Gypsy Road Studio
pink rose bouquet design & photo by            Sakura Photo
Deco Wedding Cake                                             Martha Stewart Weddings
Photo booth                                                    312photobooth.com
Swan bar                                                     a-artfurniture

Keys....with The 3 muses....

2011-04-12T19:37:00.000-04:00

To more keys....with the three muses

at last...........

2011-04-12T12:54:00.003-04:00

Japanese Art Party….

2011-04-07T22:19:00.004-04:00

The Formula

Tween + color + Japanese paper doll = Japanese Art Party

add to that

A touch of traditional + a touch of todays Japanese style

A blank wall becomes party ready with a collage of colorful paper fans.

Paper poppies …Martha Stewart
card set by papaya art
Paper Japanese doll from …. Dust of Enchantment (She was the inspriation for this party.)
Ice cream dishes and blue vase from………All U Can Handle
Izze soda

How to fold a star napkin …Roter Ochs paper fans…..Asian Ideas

Origami paper…. Blick's

Mini marshmallow Japanese Candy recipe from {the decorated cookie} (the candy is one of the art activities)

Art Activities:

A medley of fun from origami, candy making, painting, scratch art and cut and spin tops.

1. Scratch art is a fun and simple art that can be done at any time during the party. For the tween set I would suggest cutting some of the sheets down into fourths and ATC size (2½" × 3½") and make available a few stencils to get the girls started.

• mix scratch art and tape from activity 2 and decorate cards and envelopes ...
               ATC size cards and scratch paper from Blicks
   • buy inexpensive bamboo frame from the dollar store to frame art

2. What could be trendier than to make your own Japanese color tape. Find out how to from Julie K in Taiwan.
Use to decorate:
   • treasure boxes
   • tags
   • cards

3. Next we have a little traditional origami, you can either buy a kit from Yasutomo or learn how to fold Kusudama style from the Folding Tree.

4. Candy who doesn’t love candy! This Japanese art candy will be a big hit with any age group. Candy making from {the decorated cookie}.

Meagan ever has a recipe for marshmallow fondant that can be prepared before the party. Fondant recipe here...

5. Starburst candy + tween = tiny paper cranes
I found this SoCraftastic! youtube and fell in love with these tiny paper cranes.
Perfect for a tween party I must say.

6. Paper tops are pretty and fun, printable from Creative Park .....

                                   *********************************

Happy Spring..............

2011-03-21T08:24:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it, I woke up to a dusting of snow!

I would love a bit of sunshine please and snowdrops instead...

TIME...............

2011-02-22T19:33:00.000-05:00

with The Three Muses..... this week's theme is time, we all have time we just use it differently.

I question the time that is slipping by, I celebrate the time I have….

"There are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you, and there are times to go out into the world and find such a thing for yourself."

— Lemony Snicket (Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid)

2010 To be continued project almost done....

2010-09-21T07:37:00.004-04:00

I have not posted in a very long while; this summer has been an odd one and flew by fast….

However, I did take the end of the summer to finish up a project that I started awhile ago.

Please Meet Trinket Amelia ....

She is a reproduction Simon and Halbig Mignonnette done

by Doll Artist Carl Armstrong and she stands five and a half inchs tall.

Her Victorian naturalist Presentation box was inspired by this book….

It is funny how inspiration works; I have had this project in the planning stage for years…. It was going to be done in pinks and silks and all outfits were going to be made by me.

Here is the mignonette-in-waiting project.

A flair up of some hand problems changed all of that and I realized that I was going to have to buy more for this project than planned so I put it on the back burner for a later date….

While working on another project I took my copy of the Beatrix Potter Journal off of the shelf to see how something in the book was done. This Beatrix Potter book is an interactive journal with envelopes with letters to read, flaps to flip up and see and hidden in the back a reprinted copy of Potter’s first Peter Rabbit book. I spent about a half of an hour flipping through this fun little book when the idea for this presentation box hit me. A few hours later and a little shopping online, I had my inspiration board done and I was ready to get started.... I just had to wait for the mail carrier to bring me my

paper from the Botanicabella collection by Graphic 45

And this Wool felted Miniature Squirrel made by the

Little Elf’s Toyshop

His name is Hickory in case you were wondering.

Still need to get the butterfly net from Swan House Miniatures….

I spent hours at this site…..

Some of the miniatures are thousands of dollars ….click here……

The rest I had on hand…..

I covered a matchbox with an envelope tag to hold specimen bottles…

And arranged tiny nature domes

and made tiny copies of pictures that I found on The Graphics Fairy….

I added a tiny fairy notebook for Trinket Amelia to keep notes in and a walking stick and hat that I had left over from another project.

****

I cut and glued and coverd the box.

Underneath there is a drawer that pulls out, this is where I will put her wardrobe. On the bottom of that drawer is a ledger page with all the information that includes artist names and dates.
This page will also include her story which I have not written yet.
***

I am not sure if I am going to leave the outside of the box as is or add lace or some other decorations…

Now that this doll project is almost done I am inspired to start

another one for my

French fashion doll whose story starts like this…..

Luna and Thomasina Wellington are sisters who live on Pearl Street, a street of lovely old homes and well kept lawns. A Street that anyone who walks down with its light breeze of sea air wishes that they too could be part. However Pearl Street does not have newcomers, a fact that as long as anyone can remember and as far back as records state each and every house on Pearl Street has been owned generation after generation by the same families. The houses all were built in the same year by settlers who arrived in the same season to the struggling sea coast town. And within a year of the arrival of the newcomers the town began to flourish. The lumber mills, stores and those that resided benefited from this stream of incomers that appeared in the spring of the same year. So no one questioned and no one asked but there were those that were curious. But as time went on things became even better and the inquiring minds became less and life was as life is in this small seaside town.

To be continued in 2011……

this is Thomasina

in the mail......

2010-09-04T07:20:00.001-04:00

" Letters are expectation packaged in an envelope."

Shana Alexander

Steampunk Maybe.......

2010-06-29T21:38:00.000-04:00

The Three Muses.....

theme this week is steampunk....

Without the oceans there would be no life on Earth.

Peter Benchley

EYES with the 3 muses.....

2010-06-22T20:31:00.016-04:00

"I have looked into your eyes with my eyes.

I have put my heart near your heart”

Pope John XXIII

It has been awhile since I have blogged; it has been awhile since I have done a piece for

The Three Muses.....

The theme is EYES and I do believe that the eyes can tell all....

39 years............

2010-04-16T21:55:00.002-04:00

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.

~Emily Brontë

The Country Empress

2010-03-26T14:42:00.002-04:00

========================

My country empress art kit has been published in Somerset Life magazine
spring 2010 and I am as happy as can be....

It sat on their to be considered shelf for 20 months ..

but at last made it in...

If you would like to see more pictures and read the story
of the Country Empress travel box
please go

Through The Pink Gate

::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Spring Ice princess

2010-03-15T08:16:00.001-04:00

Of Penguins

(Invitation that I am working on)

Yes I know we have had enough of ice and snow but for whatever reason my granddaughter who will be six in May wants a penguin party.

We talked about a Fancy Nancy party and she loved that idea and then she saw a pink poodle cake in the Family Fun magazine and thought for a moment about that idea as well. But as we talked more there was a word I kept hearing and that word was PENGUINS….I finally looked at her and said “Sage, do you want a Penguin party?” Her little eyes lit up like stars in the sky….

So I spent a day looking online and for the life of me could not find any penguin party supplies.

Jan Brett has this cute penguin holding the ice cube packages on her site and from that I came up with this inspiration board….

I sent an email to my granddaughter with this Inspiration board attached and added that her job as Ice Princess is to teach all the new penguins how to waddle…. I got a big thumbs up….

The party plates have a silver hologram design that will give the table an icy feel and a white table cloth will work for a snowy look.

A parade of tissue paper penguins will march in the center of the table with a few silver shiny packages scattered in their path. White paper pom pom flowers like the one from Martha Stewart's seen above and silver snowflakes will hang overhead. Snowflake balloons will round out the look. And if time allows I will make a window snowflakes curtain like seen on Bugs and Fishes by Lupin, take a look HERE...

or maybe a snowstorm from HERE...

And just because I need to feel like it is spring and warm I added penguin beach balls to the mix ...

gift giving....

2010-03-03T18:54:00.001-05:00

I have a fascination for Pierrots and mimes….

So when planning my gift giving packaging for this year, this

little guy looked me right in the eye and said it is about time.

I find it a challenge to come up with ideas to hold monetary gifts, sticking green in a card is just not my style.

A nest of curled shredded music sheets is in the bottom of the box.

In the lid I put some polka dotted paper, a die cut letter x and bubblegum pink ribbon.

A small gold Dresden paper cone topped with vintage English lace beading and black silk ribbon hangs from the pink ribbon. The money is rolled very tight and placed in the middle of the black silk ribbon and lace. A tiny paper crown around the money tops off the gift.

Next week when I can get better pictures I will post my Pierrot cone gift box.

think spring.....

I am back..........

2010-02-19T21:18:00.023-05:00

I was not planning on going into hibernation and away from blogging, it just kind of happened.

Constance of Rochambeau sent me a wonderful surprise that lured me

out of my winter time cave.

Who would not emerge from hibernation for such wonderful sweet treats?

Thank you Constance for this thoughtful gift and yes it was a Happy Day!

Winter is getting ever so tiresome here with the cold and snow.

But as I look at the calendar I see that we are more than half way through the month.

I am delighted that February has only 28 days and not 30 or 31.

I look forward to March and a few wonderful things….

Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland opens on March 5th; our tickets have been purchased for the 6th at an IMAX theater that is about an hour and half away from us. Not only am I excited to see yet another Wonderland story I am also a fan of…… Mia Wasikowska………who plays the part of Alice.

Jenny Doh’s Crescendoh will make its appearance in March; I am intrigued and can’t wait to see what this is all about.

I am also thinking about Easter, my very favorite of all the holidays. I am not sure what my theme will be this year but if you have a few seconds hop on over to the Fairy's Gate to see a few ideas ...

I am also busy working on a large presentation box for dear little Esme,

I just love her sweet little face.

(Color that I will be using for this project….)

Think Spring....

Laugh ….

2010-01-07T10:42:00.002-05:00

“A laugh is a smile that bursts.”
Mary H. Waldrip
***

My New Year's resolution this year is to LAUGH more.
I did not make this resolution because I didn’t laugh before but because I
find that if I am aware of laughter I laugh more.
Laughter is good for both the body and the soul.
I plan to seek out things to make me laugh just like I seek out beauty and inspiration.
I want to take more time for silly things, silly movies, I wish I was clever enough to say
things to make others laugh.

I have found that some of the strongest people I know are those that face life’s ups and downs with a smile on their face.
I don’t think it is because their heart hurts less, I think it is because their
choose a different path to get through the bumpy parts.

( My daughter Allie (on the right) and her friend Amanda enjoying

life in Boston.)

"A smile starts on the lips, A grin spreads to the eyes, A chuckle comes

from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows,

and bubbles all around" Carolyn Birmingham

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. "

Victor Hugo

***

Years of Christmas

2009-12-18T18:12:00.000-05:00

Christmas is about
Family and friends and the time
We spend together…..

It is about childhood years

Good years

and just because it is cute years…

Christmas is about celebrating

New homes

New life

And friends like you…

Christmas is about

a few surprises

traditions…

And trying to be wise in the upcoming year…

Christmas is the keeper of memories

Of a tiny sister

And moms and dads that are no longer here….

Christmas is about

Love

Hope

And a wee bit of magic…

May you all have the Merriest of holidays
And find peace and happiness in the New Year…

Dance of the Fairy Slippers....

2009-12-15T15:39:00.000-05:00

(slipper from Laura)

Gale of paperwhimsy hosted a swap...
a wonderful swap that I wished didn't have to end...

One by one they came to my house.

(slipper from Theresa of t martin journal )

each one as beautiful as the one before....

(slipper in the middle by Gale....)

(slipper from Marti)

each carrying a tiny gift

When the last slipper arrived
I put some greenery up and added some tiny stars. One by one the fairy slippers danced to its place.

Merry Christmas

******

The Christmas doll........

2009-12-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

It is beginning to feel like Christmas....

It is amazing what a little snow can do this time of year.

This is my Christmas doll list this year…I will not be getting any of these but like
a child I enjoy the fantasy dream…

Antoinette

by Hildegard Gunzel

Fairy Mother with Baby
by Judith and Lucia Friedericy

Summer Rose with Teddy

by Lynne and Michael Roche

Mignonette in waiting …

2009-11-17T15:05:00.002-05:00

A project that has been in the planning stage will at last begin, that is right after Christmas.
This sweet little mignonette has waited for years for her presentation box and a place to call home.

First things first, she needs a new wig; the Donald Trump look just doesn’t work.
Should I get braids or long waves?

A cardboard stationery box found at a tag sale is perfect

for this this little one.

Well almost the fit is a little tight.

That’s better, the book style is just right.

What I really love about this box is that a drawer is underneath, which is suitable for tiny treasures. The outside will be covered with pretty paper and the inside with silk.

Inspiration and patterns have been gathered. As well as
a pile of fabric to be considered. Mostly in pinks, however her shoes and sock bands are gold and green. I will have to give this more thought.

Stay tuned this is going to fun…

To be continued in the Year 2010....

Fairy Slippers

2009-11-10T17:36:00.009-05:00

My five Fairy Slippers.....

I have been busy making paper Fairy slippers for a swap I joined in on
at PaperWhimsy …..
I signed up for the antique slipper group in colors sepia, creams, and gold’s.
There was also a mermaid group, a grunge group, a dirty pink group and two winter wonderland groups.
A paperwhimsy image and two trinkets or elements from the Paperwhimsy shop were required on or in the slipper.
We also had to make a small gift to tuck under the vamp of the shoe.

a close up of the gift...

Each shoe came to my cobbler’s bench and was designed one at time.
I decided to use the image as my slipper’s sole and used antique and vintage laces for the top part as well as vintage candy lace paper, vintage buttons and gold Dresden paper.
For the gift I make flower lace pins that have a gold leaf or star on them, I also added a holiday wish in a
gold fairy cone.
The slippers also have a slot to string a ribbon through so that a garland can be made.
I keep one shipper and send off the other four to my swap
partners. I cannot wait to get my four and put my garland together….

the slippers before I added the gifts and gold fairy cones.....

I loved doing these slippers and often would think of Nancy of fete et fleur the famous cobbler to the queens. I remember one post she did about editing her design. I kept this in mind as I worked away and would ask myself do I need more, do I need less…

I hope I have time to make a few more of these for Christmas ...I think they would be nice on a gold wrapped gift....

It is time to begin

2009-11-01T13:09:00.004-05:00

Making tags.....

I have pretty pink metallic Christmas paper that I will use with this double
gift tag. The dyed tags are from
magic moonlight studio and the matchbox template is from here …

The top matchbox will hold a tiny token, the second matchbox with hold a Christmas wish.
Each double tag is made using 4 dyed tags. I glued two tags together for strength for the top tag and used a second tag to cover the raw edges of the lace on the back of the bottom tag. I also removed the inside paper reinforcements around the holes so that the tags will glue together flatter...

I have spent my days stringing

and unstringing my instrument

while the song I came to sing

remains unsung.

-R. Tagore

I found this quote over a year ago and it really made me stop to think….
Have I sung my song, what song do I need to sing?
I took this quote to heart
for there was one song I still needed to sing.…and now I am happily singing.

Until another song comes along......

a few projects that I am working on....

Haunted House

2009-10-27T22:20:00.001-04:00

There's a house upon the hilltop

We will not go inside

For that is where the witches live,

Where ghosts and goblins hide.

***

Tonight they have their party,

All the lights are burning bright,

But oh we will not go inside

The haunted house tonight.

***

The demons there are whirling

And the spirits swirl about.
They sing their songs to Halloween.
"Come join the fun," they shout.

***

But we do not want to go there

So we run with all our might

And oh we will not go inside

The haunted house tonight.

***

~Jack Prelutsky

***

HAPPY HALLOWEEN
***

A Fashion Patisserie Party

2009-10-18T19:42:00.009-04:00

The Invitation...

The Party...

Last Saturday we celebrated my granddaughter turning ten with a funfabulous fashion patisserie party.
Sixteen of Emmalyn’s friends and classmates came to an evening of music, food and crafts. The party theme was Fashion Patisserie inspired by these digikit-fashion-patisserie-labels, party colors were lime green, orange, pink, and turquoise blue.

The party table was set in lime green, Emmalyn’s favorite color. Instead of name cards, paper Hermes Kelly purses were placed at each seat; I found them on the Hermes website during the summer. Inside the purses, I tucked beaded bracelets and flip-flop rings.

Green paper lanterns hung over the table as well as large green and blue flower fans.

(The purses are no longer on the site but if you would like one I can email a PDF to you...)

The crafts...

(colors of paris cowgirl bags)
After pizza and the opening of birthday gifts, we made fashion crafts.
We had two tables with different accessories to make.
Table 1 had Paris Cowgirl bags, I was so busy I did not have time to snap a picture of these, they came out so cute.
The bags were made from orange, hot pink, turquoise blue and lime green bandanas.
We used two colors of bandanas for each bag.
Directions here ...

Tags I made for the bags…

I printed out tags with the girls names on them so that the bags wouldn't get mixed up...
The dyed in coffee and vanilla tags came from magic moonlight studio. The girls had fun smelling these tags... they were a big hit..... guessing what the tags were dyed in became a game ......
***
On Table 2, we had Feather Head Piece, the girls loved doing this craft, we showed them this you tube video first.
All the guests looked so cute with these feathered barrettes in their hair. They decided to wear them to school on Monday. Every girl in the fifth grade of this school looked like they spent the weekend in Paris.

The Patisserie...

My daughter Willow, Emmalyn’s mom made all of the bake goods,flower cookers, brownies, cake pops and birthday cake. Look at that cake it was just beautiful and tasted so good …
Willow spent many late nights baking, because
she returned to teaching this year after being a stay at home mom. In fact, half of the party guests are in her class. I was told I could not spy and asked her students questions about her as a teacher. I had to laugh because I did have a plan and I did try but got caught… teachers do have an extra pair of ears and eyes in back of their heads…even when it comes to their moms....

At the end of the party, each girl was giving a pink bakery box to fill up with all the yummy goodies from the patisserie table …Bakery boxes are from the Country Kitchen and the Blue Raspberry rock candy I found at oh! nuts.

This party took months to plan and put together…
The pictures do not do this party justice, the presentation looked so much better…
A lot of hand work making tags, bakery box labels, paper purses, cookie bag toppers , party favors and precutting
bandanas for the bags …Add to that the baking and set-up…
In addition, the shopping on the internet as well as local party stores….
My daughter and I make a good team. She was especially sweet doing this party because she knew I had a version and she worked hard to help me achieve my party dream.

The big hug and thank you

that the grandmother got....

In the end, what it equaled to was a priceless smile on my granddaughter's face…

Happy Ten Emmalyn,
Wishing you a magical year….

P.S.... one of the girls asked if she could adopt me as her grandmother....she said it was the best party ever...

A little bit of luck.....

2009-10-12T14:33:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago
Chrisy of artdecadence hosted a photo give-away for Tim Irving.

and I won ...
above are the three I picked....
I can wait to go out and get frames for them....

The p0lka dotted dress is called The Dancing Dress and is

so wonderful, the image you see does not do it justice...

To see more of his fantastic work go to Tim’s Etsy Store.

Thank you Chrisy and Tim I love my photos...

Do any of you watch Project Runway?

I do all of the time; one of my favorite outfits from this season is this wonderful paper dress.

Some how I missed the fact that these dresses are
auctioned off after the show.....I would loved to have had this one displayed somewhere in my house .....projectrunway.auction.

I had a few paper dresses in the sixties. I wore one to school once I was so worried that it would tear that I never wore one again.

I would have worn this one when I was younger, it is not paper and look at those wonderful boots...

the cowgirl dress.

Saturday was my granddaughter’s tenth birthday party,
it also had to do with fashion…
This party was so much work, but worth it in the end.
It was a great party.
As soon as I get the pictures from my son-in-law, I will post them…

a touch of New England

2009-10-09T08:56:00.007-04:00

Wishing you a magical weekend…..

Picture of little girl from Pringle Hill Studio

OnE, tWo, tHree

2009-10-06T21:01:00.000-04:00

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. Albert Einstein

more Mimes and NUMEROLOGY with the Three Muses.

“ZLIGHTLY ZETTI"

2009-09-29T19:23:00.004-04:00

"Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart." Nash from A Beautiful Mind

To Zetti or not to Zetti…..
I am so glad the word zlightly was added to this week’s
Three Muses challenge, it gave me an artistic license to veer.

Is this zetti? Not quite but almost.
Although I am happy with my Beautiful mind Mimes…

Can you say that 3 times fast....

A little time as Pooh

2009-09-25T11:45:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite videos that I used to watch with my kids was Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.

This morning while tending to my outside livestock I felt a wee bit like dear old Pooh.
This beautiful autumn morning greeted me with sun and swift moving air.
As the air moved faster, the leaves fell from the trees twirling and dancing like snow in a January blizzard… My tiny brown donkeys ran as fast as they could to taste the treats that fall to the ground only one time a year. As I was finishing up my work I heard a sound like falling hail and turned my head in time to be plummeted by a large amount of hickory nuts that the wind had picked from the near by tree.

Ouch, I said as I move out of the way. I then stopped to look and listen to the sights and sounds that only autumn can bring.
My little Eeyore friends were busy with their fresh fallen leaves. Nuts were plopping on the ground for the squirrel
to gather later today. The air became thick with the tinted autumn leaves, the sound was dry and rustling, it was a true New England song. A moment of content filled my heart; how lucky am I.

As I walked down my hilly lawn, the air was filled with maple leaves that were just set free from huge antique trees.
I couldn’t help but smile and just as my lips turned up to the biggest smile of all
I began to shed some tears. I wish my little Piglets were home so we could share that story once more.

Windows

2009-09-22T17:06:00.012-04:00

This week theme at ....Three Muses ...is windows.

I have posted this one before for the mad-tea-party.

Glitter was done on photobucket.

Do you know who the guest is with the tall black hat?

a give-away

2009-09-21T11:26:00.006-04:00

I am in awe by these beautiful photos by Tim Irving.

Artdecadence is hosting a wonderful give-away...

you could win three art photographs

click here to see how to enter

Happy Weekend!

2009-09-18T10:54:00.003-04:00

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

Pockets

2009-09-15T19:42:00.007-04:00

(Please click on picture to enlarge)

The magic started the first time I saw the librarian stamp a date and slip the white lined card into the paper pocket that was glued into the book.
I remember her closing the four books and handing them to me, it felt like Christmas and I couldn’t wait to go home and enjoy my gifts.

When I read the Three Muses theme this week ...pockets ...the first thing that came to mind was the library card pockets.
Today they just scan across a bar code, it just doesn't feel the same.

Credits:
pocket template
my photos and postcards
picture of girl from Dover
fairy brown book from artfreebies

Names ..............

2009-09-13T15:18:00.002-04:00

Meet Emma Mae, No she is not mine, I wish….
She is the wonderful little sweetie who belongs to Betzie from the blog Time enough.
Betzie raises cavalier king Charles spaniels
and this little one is from one of her last litter of pups.
Emma was a keeper and that is just what Betzie did…..

A while back Betzie asked for help in naming this little ruby cutie, she wanted a French name.

Now if you know me you know that I have a list of names that I keep on hand, I am one that
loves names and naming things.

I left a comment with a few names that I thought would fit and Betzie loved one that I shared,
ZAZA meaning little princess. She tried the name out on this little pup, but it just did not fit. So Betzie
is saving that name for another puppy. As a Thank you she sent me some beautiful pink
soaps that she made. I wish I could share a picture but my camera is in Boston with my daughter.
So here I sit camera-less with very pretty pink shoe soap and fairy soap …
You will just have to take my word for it, they are beautiful.
Thank you Betzie for these wonderful gifts!

Last year Gale at Paperwhimsy was looking for names to help her name the little faces on her collage sheets . Gale had a monthly naming contest.

Some of the names that I shared with Gale were names that I had already giving to my dolls. Here are a few
"name that collage sheet" that I won and pictures of the

dolls that the names were from......

This is Waverly
she is on the left, both dolls are made by Helen Kish…
Waverly was redressed with an outfit I found on eBay.
To meet Waverly Weathers
The Paperwhimsy collage sheet #074 click here.....

Olivia Gingham a 1969 Sasha doll …
You can find the Olivia Gingham collage sheet #034 here.....

Briar Elisabeth Witherspoon… aka as Bookworm a Wendy Lawton doll seen here playing the part of
Little Red Riding Hood.
Collage sheet #043 Briar and Zoey Witherspoon here.....

Lilliana an antique wood hand craved doll ….
She is one of the first dolls I bought when I started to collect dolls.
Lacy is what my daughter named her American girl doll. Sorry I do not have a picture.
Lilliana and Lacy Fortune collage sheet #040 click here.......
So if you ever need a name just give me a call, I am sure I can find a few to share.

A little weekend Fun......

2009-09-12T09:03:00.002-04:00

Natasha this is a
marvelous idea.

natashaburns.blogspot

****

Carol Anne's Boutique gives away

wonderful clip art for you to use...

Now this sweet person is having

a wonderful GIVE-AWAY...

click here to join the fun

I love these...

***

a Witch's cat give-away here at
Thimbleprims Studio

***

A 100 post give-away at miss molly cottage

***

Happy Weekend!

Moonstruck

2009-09-08T20:54:00.017-04:00

with the Three Muses .

"Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star."

W. Clement Stone

A Little Etsy ...A little cute...

2009-09-03T08:31:00.010-04:00

A few weeks ago, I came across this blog The Polka Dot Parliament and a swap that was hosted this summer…
The Mermaid's Trousseau, so romantic, I wish I found this one in time.
I began to think of what I would include in such a swap and what I would make.
I went to etsy to find sea salt soap. I became enthralled with so many stores.
I have gone to search etsy many times before, I would need something, find it, buy it and was done.
This time however I could not help but be enchanted by all the descriptions of these wonderful homemade things…

Who would not want to spend their bath time with a bar of Destination- Elafonissi, Crete-Greek Islands?
With a floral blend of jasmine, ginger root, coconut milk and lilac. Or maybe a bar of Pina Colada Shea butter cocktail soap.

The more time I spent looking, the more esty things became like sugarplum dancing in my head.
Now I do this fun little
activity each day with my morning coffee.
I pick a theme or title, go to etsy for no more than 15 minutes, the time it take me to drink my first cup of coffee and find items to fit in that theme.

I am amazed by the beautiful art I have found and artistic expression.

I also found that you can add favorites from etsy to your sidebar. My theme of the day and my picks are now on my sidebar
for my amusement.

So far, my themes have been titled Milady, End of Summer Mermaid and The Gypsies dance…
Today I did one called Shimmer that was inspired by a print from of Du buh du designs and her four-elements wind doll…

I also came across this cute little kitten Waldorf toy that I had to bring home…
She was found here at The Fairies Nest etsy store …
I am going to make a matchbox purse for her to be tucked into and add other tiny delights. She is going to make a wonderful gift for someone special in my life…

Note: an empty nest is much harder to have than I imagined.

I have so many things that I need to do, but the silence echoes with each step

I take...

One of those movies.....

2009-09-02T07:29:00.000-04:00

Every once in a while a movie comes along that you just can’t let go of, it occupies your head like a burrowing worm in a hickory nut.
This is one of them …

My hubby and I watched this last week and these two women have been a part of our daily discussions since…
Like everyone else, we have questioned the whys and wherefores, like everyone else we philosophize.

It was this movie that sparked my last post because it was high society that doomed these women.
My elderly employer that I mentioned in my last post told me of her coming out party at the Ritz,
boating on the Hudson and formal dances at West Point during her college years. She was just a few years older than Little Eddie.
Like the Beales,
my employer sold her Tiffany jewelry to continuer her life style after her divorce.
However, unlike the Beales she did receive a large inheritance from her grandmother that was not in a trust making her story and her outcome very different from that of the two women from Grey Gardens.

I have not seen the original documentary but plan to soon.
And if you have not seen the HBO movie I can highly recommend it, both Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange were outstanding in this film.
When I first saw the trailer for the documentary Grey Gardens, I decided I was not going to see either film because it made me
feel very uncomfortable. I am glad I got past that ….

Hands............

2009-08-25T08:27:00.000-04:00

When I read the challenge for this week’s theme at Three Muses the first thing I thought about was something that an elderly woman who I worked for said to me when talking about her first marriage.
She came from wealth, had a princess childhood, went to one of the best colleges and traveled the world.
I remember when I first met her I was impressed by her life and a bit envies of this person who was
more than 40 years my senior. However, as I spent more time with her I realized that there was an emptiness inside of her that left a bitterness that she would take to her grave.
She told me how her first marriage was expected of her and not one of love.
How within the first week of her new life she went from hope and joy to the lowest point in her life.
She said, "It all was in his hands " she also told me how she would watch the hands on the clock
as they approached six PM. If the hands on the clock got pass that point she would be relieved because she knew her husband would not be home that night and opt to stay in the city.

I remember going home that day very thankful for I went home to loving hands….

credits:

wedding picture from

Carolanne's boutique

a few things to note......

2009-08-21T10:23:00.005-04:00

A Fanciful Twist

***

Story Book Woods

***

a wonderful give-away

patita dolls

***

Have a wonderful weekend....

Spread your wings and let the fairy in you fly!

2009-08-18T22:53:00.001-04:00

This weeks Three Muses Challenge is wings on things...

And as the seasons come and go, here's something you might like to know. There are fairies everywhere: under bushes, in the air, playing games just like you play, singing through their busy day. So listen, touch, and look around - in the air and on the ground. And if you watch all nature's things, you might just see a fairy's wing. ~Author Unknown

credits:

My picture of my fairy doll/

Other elements used are from

Cottage Arts

What's your Style Quiz

2009-08-10T18:58:00.002-04:00

personal-style-quiz

***

When it comes to style ...
I like so many things, trust me it goes beyond
Eclectic…
I like beach, shabby, French, old world, arts and crafts, deco and ……….!!!
I wish I had the energy and funds to move every two years I could decorate, and move on to the next project.
Fulfill my hearts desire...
That is really a joke because I have been in my home over 20 years now.
I love my New England saltbox house that
my dear hubby built for me when my heart was broken more than any heart should be.
Nevertheless, we are now talking about down sizing in the next few years because we will be part of
the empty nest crowd…
We just have a few years left with kids in college and then some of that $$$$$ that we spend on our kids can stay right here in my pocket.

Take note as of yesterday we have been parenting 38 years.
Our oldest and first child Willow Heather was 38 yesterday.
her name means freedom flower…
She was named by me, her hippy mom.
She was an only child for 15 years, in her sophomore year of high school we adopted
our Allie aka Alexandria Hee Jung, named by us, her almost yuppie parents and her name means helper of humanity /shining pure. … Two years later when Willow was a senior a miracle took place and
her brother Nathan Colin was born. His name means gift child.
I have never mentioned this on my blog before; I know I have talked about college age kids and grandchildren's birthday partys.
But never told the story of my family and the large gap between my kids.

Well anyway, back to moving on…..

My hubby wants to move south, he hates the cold…
I want to move to Nova Scotia…the Bay of Fundy sounds so romantic to me…plus Nova Scotia has tons of old cottage type houses.

Our discussions goes something like this:
HIM…..what am I going to do in Nova Scotia…?
ME…. What am I going to do in air condition…?

However, we both agree it needs to be smaller with a smaller yard…

HIM ….I enjoy cooking and would love a gourmet kitchen.
ME…. I want a house that takes no more then 20 minute to vacuum and a kitchen is not required….

HIM…. I will do the cooking….
ME…..no deal because when I cook I clean up and when you cook I still clean up…

Actually, he does do a lot of the cooking lately….
He is a BBQ man and follows recipes…
I don’t think I looked at a recipe in years, if I cannot remember how to make it,

it is not cooked ….

One of things I have been doing is putting together a cottage/bungalow file of colors and styles that I would like for my empty nest home…
It helps me to be exited about the next step in our life.

picture from Better Homes and Gardens

picture from BH&G

Bedroom inspired by my collection of vintage jewelry and
art board from the book French-inspired Jewelry by Kaari Meng.

william morris/wallpapers

Don't Miss this

2009-08-07T10:51:00.005-04:00

Give Away

Remember these pretty felt flowers I told you about...

well you could win one of Princess Lasertron felt

wedding bouquet kits....

here

Circle with the Muses....

2009-08-04T20:20:00.000-04:00

I want to thank everyone for the comments on my last post.
It really means a lot to me to have such wonderful blog friends who are so encouraging.
*****
This weeks Three Muses Challenge is Art In the Round....

Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can't buy more hours. Scientists can't invent new minutes. And you can't save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow. ~Denis Waitely

****

credits: Carolanne's boutique

Cottage Arts ScrapWords Life
Cottage Arts LoveLetters Brushes/Stamps

CottageArts Rich Reflectives
Curious Adventures - The Elements
ldavi_flyingdreams_

Busy working …

2009-07-27T17:53:00.006-04:00

I have been busy working on yet another art kit however; this one is a little bit different.

My last kit that was in the summer Somerset Life Magazine “Time for Paris” has filled my email box with “can I buy it” …?
I am flattered that so many wanted this kit but I am sorry to say that it is not for sale.
My daughter has written her name on this one. Because of the family trinkets or tiny heirlooms
that were placed in this kit I will wrap it with love, put it under the Christmas tree and yes I will put her name on the tag.

I also got an email that took me back a little at first….
Questioning me why that is art…
And also stating anyone could do that ….
I do not think of the kits I put together as art but as design…
Second, yes, anyone can do it and I hope that one of my kits will inspire someone to put one together.
I know many online friends from my doll groups love this idea because their have pieces of lace and ribbon that they cannot bring themselves to use. Displaying them in a presentation box is a way of using and saving treasured bits and pieces. A kind of bake your cake and eat it too…

Some of the kits I put together can come together in an afternoon or in an hour.
However, on others I have logged many hours. Somerset still has one of my kits (a little peek below) that
I put together last summer and it took a very long time for the final product, a hundred plus hours.

I wish I took more pictures of the process. Pictures I take along the way I use to help me remember what I like together and what I do not like, I am bad at taking pictures during the process. I have a new appreciation for those that record their work for us to see
as well for those who post tutorials.
My latest kit has also taken many hours. The time has not been spent with what goes in the kit but how the items are displayed and decorating the box. After the first few hours, I discovered something about this
particular kit…, which I will share with you at a later date.

I also am using my kits as tiny steps to show my artwork…I sometimes feel like I am on a ten-step program.

“Like a morning dream, life becomes more and more bright the longer we live, and the reason of everything appears more clear. What has puzzled us before seems less mysterious, and the crooked paths look straighter."~Jean Paul Richter, German Novelist, 1763-1825

Have a wonderful Week........

2009-07-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

Watch more AOL Movies videos on AOL Video

Journey with Three Muses

2009-07-21T21:18:00.002-04:00

"Don't listen to what they say. Go see."

- Chinese proverb

This weeks Three Muses Challenge is INCREDIBLE JOURNEY..

Have we all not wished at one time or another that we too could
be as free as the run away balloon...
Have you ever noticed that as the balloon drifts the crowd will stop to watch it float away.

credits: little girl from Carolanne's boutique

balloon from Cottage Arts...
other elements from Lorie Davison "Flying Dreams"

Colors of Summer

2009-07-19T10:36:00.008-04:00

"Hot July brings cooling showers, Apricots and gillyflowers."

- Sara Coleridge, Pretty Lessons in Verse
*****

Pink and orange felt flowers by Princess Lasertron.
You will find some of the prettiest wedding bouquets on this blog…

Ice pops are on Martha Stewart web site.

Heart rings are ones I bought for party favors for my
granddaughter’s party in September.

The colors for Emma's birthday party are orange, lime green , blue and bright pink...

She is going to be TEN....and we all know how special ten is......

Three Muses Challenge

2009-07-14T21:04:00.001-04:00

The Three Muses Challenge theme this week
is word salad...
My word is Traveling.
This little one is traveling in style....

3-D collage using image from Paper Whimsy...

Painted White Summer Give-away

2009-07-13T12:28:00.008-04:00

Don’t miss this beautiful summer give-away….
with glorious things to be had…

go to

thoughts_from_alice_w

to find out how you can have a
chance to win...

Summertime give-away….

2009-07-13T11:31:00.003-04:00

A wonderful summertime give-away can be found at Punk Rose Journal...

don't be late you still have time.....

"surreal" with Three Muses

2009-07-08T06:53:00.001-04:00

The bringer of dreams

The Three Muses Challenge theme this week is "surreal".
This is my first time participating with the talented artists that show their work every Wednesday. I did a digital collage using one of my doll's pictures. My kids are always saying my dolls are surreal..... they are not fans.

To see more go to Three Muses Challenge…

scrapbook elements by LorieDavison of scrapbookgraphics.com

Success in Boston

2009-07-06T07:38:00.021-04:00

Take heart Paul she is on her way. My daughter Allie is transferring to a new college in Boston. We spent Sunday signing her lease to her new apartment and walking her new neighborhood.

Lucky girl, will be spending the next year in Beacon Hill where

in the past, one would find the likes of
Louisa May Alcott and Julia Ward Howe ….

The history of this place is felt with each step one takes...

Beacon Hill sidewalks although charming are not easy to walk on….

Love this delightful pair in an antique shop window..

I wonder what stories these buildings have to tell...

Just a few blocks away is the Public Garden....

Allie refers to this magical place as her front yard.

I am not surprise this is where she wants to live.

Make way for Ducklings was her favorite book when she was two.
She would ask me to read this book to her repeatedly....
I could not help but wonder as I looked upon the swan boats if she was preprogrammed....

A newly married couple using the Public Garden as the back drop for

their wedding picture...

The groom was grinning from ear to ear...

From here, we walked to Little Italy for a late lunch…
Aug. will be the move…..and a visit to Cheers....

The Mad Tea Party

2009-06-27T05:41:00.006-04:00

`What a funny watch!' she remarked. `It tells the day of the month, and doesn't tell what o'clock it is!' alice

A Fanciful Twist

is hosting a Mad Tea Party today ...
I am so happy you have decided to come along....
grab your hat and follow the party path stars.....

* *** `But everything's curious today' ***

The little Miss Poppys have set the table with cupcakes and herbal tea.

* * * "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" * * *

Please help yourself and enjoy a little tea conversation ...

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book
long enough to suit me. ~C.S. Lewis

Here, put on some dancing bells and swirl and twirl
and look for the secret along the way...

a message is hidden amongst the decor just highlight
here between the stars.***``That's very curious!'' *** The rabbit and Poppys have one as well and don't forget to look near the end....
by

a golden key that will tell it all...
and if you have time the fairy's gate is all about Alice today....

***a secret party favor can be won
just leave a comment and your name will be put into
the mad hatter's hat. a winner will be picked at the end of the mad tea party***

Please take a carousel donkey to ride,
for I know that there are many Mad Teas going on this day...

Godspeed

Thanks for stopping by,

Somerset Life

2009-06-22T00:43:00.004-04:00

I just received my copy of Somerset Life
and another one of my art kits
is in this wonderful summer issue of 2009.
Shameless plug here but I am delighted how this came out…
To see pictures of "Time for Paris" please go to Through The Pink Gate...

I love the cover of this issue the picture was done by Heather Bullard.
I was surprised to read how see made this pretty little arrangement.
I know I will be making them throughout the summer as the new blooms arrive in my garden.

Corey Amaro story and photos enchants us
with her Invitation To Dream...
I enjoy this article so much but Dear Corey I must confess I do lesson number four a wee bit too much.
I quite never outgrew this childhood habit....

Fairy Day + a give away....

2009-06-16T15:06:00.021-04:00

Did you know that June 24th is Fairy day and to help celebrate I updated
the Fairy's Gate blog with a post all about fairies.

Plus there is a give- away over at that gate....
See how you can win a tiny gold lace crown made by
BB
and a set of fairy dancing bells...

at the

fairy's gate

Spread your wings and let the fairy in you fly! ~

Author Unknown

End of may...

2009-05-31T22:52:00.000-04:00

May, the busy month is at an end…
Now I will have more time to breathe…
Last Friday I had some time to make a few
gifts for summer giving..
Here is a journal that I covered with the lovely paper
from the Madeline collection by Brenda Walton

Using the template from my last post, I made a matchbox to
hold tiny colored pencils that I purchased in January at Borders…
I attached the matchbox to the journal using removable two-sided scotch tape.

Inside the journal I placed a few surprises; an envelope filled with die cut tags.

A library card filled with Paperwhimsy collage images..

I added a few page tabs ....

I am really happy how this turned out, I think I will make a few

more....

I am also working on a doll size
perfumery. I started this project last fall, packed it away for a rainy day...
Last Friday was such a day; my goal is to finish it this summer. It is taking a lot more time than I anticipated. Here are a few pictures that I took last Oct. of the tiny bottles with vintage button tops..

The buttons that look orange are really a pink....

one of the reasons that this is taken so long to complete is because I keep

changing my mind on style and color...

oh well, we will see....

Matchbox

2009-05-27T16:59:00.005-04:00

Last week Becky from Wonders Never Cease did a WONDER POST on matchboxes.
She listed several wonderful examples of matchbox art.
I so enjoyed hopping to all the links she gave, but was completely taken in by the link to the International Championship League of Matchbox Stuffers on flickr…now we are not talking about the kitchen size here, we are talking about the small ones….a little more than two inches long, one and a half inches wide and not very high.
My head began to whirl with ideas, a theme would be fun, color I like working with color…

This matchbox stuffing was fun to watch on
flickr……
It reminded me of when I was a kid and had a collection of these tiny boxes tucked in the corner of my
desk filled with miniature treasures…

I searched the house for a small matchbox. Not one was to be found, disappointed but not defeated, I started to gather
items so I would be ready to stuff a matchbox when one was found…..
Theme…fairy
Color ….pink , blue and shiny items and things from nature….
Goal ….. 30 items or more

I have about eighteen items so far…
I never did find a matchbox but found this template and made a box from some birthday invitations ( recycling ) that didn’t print out bright enough.
This template makes a matchbox that is a little smaller than the ones you buy , so keep this mind if you decide to give it a try.

Other fun themes for matchboxes that I came up with…
A vacation matchbox ….start with one small item from home and add along the way….
A shine matchbox for or about someone….
A matchbox birthday gift …number of items corresponds with age of person.
Paper doll matchbox….
An inspirational matchbox… this is not my idea but Constance Muller's idea from rochambeau….
I was so touched by the pink box she assembled for a give away I thought I would give it a try in matchbox size…

After I finish this little gem I will post pictures of all things inside …..
We lose power a lot in the summer, almost during ever storm. I think this is going to be
the perfect activity to keep me amused while I grumbling about out lights being out..

May......

2009-05-04T10:37:00.012-04:00

May marches on, this weekend we went to see my granddaughter Emmalyn dance in

“Mary Poppins -in motion-”.
The studio’s owner danced many years with
the Pilobolus Dance Theater. This influence could be seen throughout the production.
My granddaughters’ dance opened with the class sitting on a bench in the dark, the only things visible were the glow in the dark shoes, hats and gloves. The glow in the dark
movement was wonderful to watch….lights came on and the girls finished their dance.

A video of the Pilobolus Dance Theater..

The weekend before we went to see Emmalyn sing with her Junior Chorus...

In "Broadway and Beyond".
I could not believe the sound that came from these six girls ranging in age from 8 to 12.

Emmalyn had a solo part in the song "Shenandoah" (grandmother's brag moment)

she was wonderful...a piece was written for her by Phil Hall http://www.drjekyllandmrhyde.com/staff.html.

An 1832 cello accompanied Emmalyn’s voice.

My granddaughter is only nine; her performance brought me to tears....

My daughter Allie had a wonderful birthday weekend.

She went to NYC to spend time with friends.

Bryant Park riding the carousel, Allie is on the right.

I love this frog.....

An after dinner sundae at serendipity.

It took ten to finish this....

she got home Sunday in time for a birthday family dinner of

Halibut with Balsamic Glaze

and a birthday Strawberry shortcake.

My Allie loves her birthday, when she turned 21 she celebrated for a month.. and I am not kidding...

.....Happy Birthday Allie.....

May is party month...

2009-04-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

A few paper cones I made to tuck money gifts in for the month of May.
Cones are a great way to use those small pieces of ribbon that are just to small for anything else.
The paper is from the Madeline collection from Brenda Walton.

May is a busy month for our family, birthdays, birthday parties, graduations, recitals, end of year school activities...I always feel like I need an energy pill just to get through the month.

I spent yesterday making party invitations and a banner for my granddaughter's birthday...The party theme is dogs and polka dots..

I will be making paper purses today for my youngest daughter's 23th birthday on Sunday. I can't believe Allie will be 23......oh my where has the time gone....

and after that I will need to start thinking about a Star Wars party for my grandson's seventh birthday...

I really love working on kids parties....

Paper Purse

2009-04-21T00:55:00.010-04:00

I want to thank everyone for the comments and emails about Fairy's Gate.

It really came about because I needed to organize my bookmarks of free and wonderful things. I needed to find an easier and faster way of locating items.
I tried organizing my bookmarks into folders but found I just had too many and sometimes I would place things into odd folders....

My camera is out getting fixed but I wanted to share this with you so I popped it into the scanner....This is a sample of what I do with free and wonderful things.

Not a great image and it really doesn't do this cute little purse justice..

This is what I made by combining these paper dolls

and this little ...purse from here...
Inside the purse is a set of the paper dolls that I printed on one sheet of photo paper, making the dolls just under 2 inches high..

click on see details

I will be using these for a Girl's Day Tea....

I also printed out six paper dolls three blond and three
brunette as well as six outfits full scale. I placed them around a glass cylinder for a centerpiece. Sorry this won't fit in the scanner, I will take pictures when I get my camera back.

At the tea will be food or items that represent the countries around the centerpiece.
England......English (herb) tea

French.....................petit four and Kelly bag (paper purse)

http://www.wilton.com/idea/Petaled-Petit-Fours
Netherlands.....Tulips (centerpiece)

Japan....origami balloons

Italy ........Still thinking, do you have any ideas?

Spain ........still thinking

Fairy's Gate

2009-04-15T09:04:00.005-04:00

It is amazing what you can find out there online.
I have a large list of bookmarks of free and wonderful things.
I have been organizing them so that I would have them on hand for scrapbooking, birthday party and everyday fun.
I started another blog so that I could share some of these delightful freebees with you.
With spring, Easter and "taxes" I did not get as far as I hoped.
Nevertheless, it is a start,
and there is a lot more to come…..

http://fairysgate.blogspot.com/

an Easter Basket treat.....

2009-04-06T07:11:00.001-04:00

Recycled candy box becomes a delightful art kit for my daughter’s
Easter basket …

Last Easter this pretty papered box was filled with yummy chocolate candy. This
year it becomes a house for my latest kit….
Tiny bottles of gold glass glitter, English white lace, and beautiful vintage French trim
each finds a place in this pinkadelicious kit…

Happy Easter

George Jetson wasn’t rude….

2009-03-27T15:47:00.022-04:00

OK, I don't have a cell phone so maybe I don't understand....
But if I was to start my life all over again, I would become a cell phone police.
The other day while traveling on a back country road. ( You may remember the one I talked about last fall.) A car came right at me, turning away just in time. The young girl that was driving was laughing and talking on her cell and she didn't miss a beat. However, she almost gave me a heart attack and bruised my dear little car. I was just about to veer into the bushes so not to take her head on, I wonder how many people she does this to in any giving day. I could tell by her reaction that this was routine.

Then there was the time this woman with two little ones in tow was doing her grocery shopping and chatting away on that cell. She hit my heels with her cart, more then once I might add. Not a sorry or acknowledgement was to be had....

If it wasn't for her tots I might have *&%#$#*&*..

Last fall while I was doing errands down town, a young man stopped to ask me for directions. I did not have five words out of my month when I heard some music blare....he held up his finger for me to wait while he took his call. I stood there for about a minute and listen to him talk about some trivial matters before I walked away.... only to hear him say "boy that women is rude".

I think the saddest of all was when I was at Wal-mart and met a friend and neighbor whom I have not seen in a while. During our five-minute conversation, her cell rang a few times. Her husband couldn't find his way, mind you, they were both in the same store and this particular Wal-mart really is not that big. As I walked away, I laughed and wondered what did that man do before he got his cell . And secretly hoped that my donkey would hee-haw a few time around midnight, just enough to be disruptive. You see my donkey is a closer neighbor to them, than I.

I began to think I was the only one and maybe out of step with time. But then I saw a post on polkadotmoon and realized that there still are some people like me who believe in manners and courteous.

And remembers that George Jetson wasn't rude....

Happy Spring.....

2009-03-20T08:00:00.067-04:00

after a long dank winter I have been working on

some party things...

Above is just one of the party invitations that I have done.

Just imagine a candy colored sleepover with a midnight buffet candy table…
A colorful polka dotted sheet would work as a tablecloth….
A cupcake tower, boxed chocolates with the guest names on them and a tray of beautiful vegetables.
Yes, I said vegetables, or bunny candy as we call it in our house…
When my kids had sleepovers, the bowl that I would always find empty was the one holding
the cherry tomatoes….

Or how about a fairy's garden party....

would it not be fun to have these little flowers growing in your back yard???
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6037124&show_panel=true

below are a few links of some things I found during my unplanned blog break.
The ideas out there are just amazing, oh how I wish I had this resource when my kids were little....
I am one of those people that always has kids party ideas dancing in their heads like sugarplums....
fairies, butterflies, candy, poodles and more...

When my daughter was small I would always start the party planning in January,

her birthday is in May...

I guess old habits are hard to break..

right now I am working on parties that are months away...

the start of a fairy party...

Paper roses

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/crepe-paper-roses
toad house
http://www.windandweather.com/product.asp?section_id=0&department=0&search_type=normal&search_value=toad%20house&cur_index=&pcode=764
butterfly cake

http://www.howdini.com/howdini-video-7073684.html

A cute hankie idea...I would use this as a party craft for the quest and add a few cut flowers from the garden...http://www.lalalaurie.com/2009/02/handkerchief-hanging-vases.html

a tiny book for the fairies to read

Happy Spring....

OWOH winner

2009-02-12T23:51:00.001-05:00

The winner of the

Gift Certificate for $70.00
to PaperWhimsy is

Christine

Change of Heart

http://changeofheart56.blogspot.com/

Congratulations !!!!!
I want to thank Gail for matching my offer.

I also want to thank all

of you who stopped by to say HI.

I was surprised and delighted by the

4oo plus comments that I received..

Art cards....

2009-02-02T09:05:00.000-05:00

“Winter Geisha”

Original ACEO

By Jane K. Lee 2006

***

A few years ago, I stumbled upon this beautiful art card pictured above on ebay.

I found art cards to be like potato chips you can't have just one.

I became hooked ....

The plan was to collect, frame and display a small grouping of
Geishas..
But to date I only have two geisha ACEO..
I fell in love with a few more but so did other bidders
with bigger pockets then mine.
My cards still are not framed. However, they are not hidden
away.
I enjoy looking upon their faces to much to tuck them in a drawer.

"koyuki"

Leslie Lossige 2006

One World-One Heart

2009-01-20T13:26:00.025-05:00

Update…..
We are counting down; you have until Feb. 12, twelve noon eastern time to comment on this post ...I will pick a winnner tomorrow night....

I have had so much fun visiting so many participants in this world wide give-away that I decided

to join.

To read more about this event click on the blue sphere above.

My offer is for:

a Gift Certificate for $70.00

to PaperWhimsy.

One of my favorite places to shop for art supplies…
My original offer was going to be for a $35.00 GC, but Gale from PaperWhimsy matched my offer and added another $35 to the pot for a grand total of $70.00.…thanks Gale!!!!

http://www.paperwhimsy.com/store/home.php

***

The how to:

Leave a comment on this post!
Make sure I have a contact email if you don't have a blog.

Name will be picked on

***February 12th***

Good Luck!!!

2009 and movies....

2009-01-12T14:22:00.011-05:00

It is 12 days into the New Year and I have spent more than half of them in pain…
Slipped on ice and hurt my back. I think I did more damage
by getting my footing and wrenching my back then if I just fell…
On the bright side, I am feeling a lot better and trying to catch up on everything.
One of the things I have been doing a lot this year is movie watching…
Went to a few movies around the holidays and lately we have been watching a lot of videos.
Got a netflix gift card.
I love movies; I always have, one of my fondest memories as a child was watching the 4:00 afternoon movie
with my grandmother.

***

a list of the ones I enjoyed:

The curious case of Benjamin Buttons
I think the reviews said it all….

***

A wonderful surprise

was

The Duchess

I loved this movie about

Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire.
Among the descendants of her family are the present Duke of Devonshire (via her granddaughter), Diana, Princess of Wales (born Lady Diana Spencer), Jonathan Dearness and Sarah, Duchess of York (via her illegitimate child Eliza Courtney).

Boy did history repeat itself….

Mamma Mia!

Wonderful and fun….a happy movie…
Don’t miss it….

Older Videos…..

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (2005)

Charming with a message …

On my list to see at theaters..

Inkheart…….I loved the book

The Reader

Defiance

And after winning 4 Golden Globes

Slumdog Millionaire

Do you have any recommendations?
Old or new…
It is going to be a long winter and I would love to hear
about your favorite movie or one that you think is a must see….

A little something in Somerset Life….

2009-01-02T11:27:00.011-05:00

Another one of my art kits is pictured in the Winter 2009 Somerset Life Magazine.
you can see it on my new blog ....

http://throughthepinkgate.blogspot.com/

scroll down to see "Tiny Boxes" October 18, 2008.

2008-12-19T06:33:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas

and a

very Happy New Year

Pretty Little Christmas Party

2008-12-15T06:48:00.006-05:00

Pretty petals is having a party, a pretty little Christmas party.

I would like to take you to a Christmas tradition. It's not far, just down the road then take a right and before to long you will see a marvelous site.
A life size Neapolitan Crèche that I get to visit each year…

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do....

Merry Christmas from my house to yours....

To visit more wonderful Christmas fun

stop in on Heather at http://prettypetals.typepad.com/

A give-away by Susan Tuttle

2008-12-11T11:27:00.018-05:00

Susan Tuttle's new book is now available, I have been waiting

for this because it is on my list...

you can take a peek

HERE

Take a break from all of your hustle and bustle and go visit this very talented artist.

Become enchanted

and add your name to this wonderful give-away.

http://ilkasattic.blogspot.com/2008/12/book-give-away-contest.html

Good Luck!

December a time for wishing….

2008-12-01T17:13:00.017-05:00

a time for dreaming....

http://www.dollery.com/html/artists/williamson/williamson-mm.htm

Above a fairy doll by Jamie Williamson ....one of a kind....just beautiful!!!

adrienne from the The Story Board asked about our Holiday wish list today. Well this got me thinking , for as long as I can remember I have had a doll on my Christmas list.

From Tiny Tears and Barbie as a child to the wonderful art dolls that can

be had today.

And as long as I was going to Wish I decided I am going to wish big this year..... I will not be getting any of these beauties but wishing is half the fun....

http://www.catherinematherdolls.com/

Caherine Mather dolls, I just love the faces...

and below are the new Roche dolls for 2009

http://www.roche-dolls.co.uk/NewFiles/olc_0.html

Maribelle in Paris in 1885..

this one is on top of my wish list...

...

That is my
fantasy wish list ...

My real wish is for all children to have their heart desires..

and their dreams come true..

2008-11-25T12:26:00.004-05:00

"He who thanks but with the lipsThanks but in part;The full, the true ThanksgivingComes from the heart."
-J.A. Shedd

***

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

If you give a grandmother a cupcake ... she will need...

2008-11-20T23:07:00.012-05:00

(picture by Bakerella)
IF you have not seen these than you're in for a sweet treat...

Bakerella has a wonderful baking... blog ...that should not be missed.
However, I must warn you drooling could be a side effect of visiting... here...

When I saw these little cupcakes on a lollipop stick, I just knew that

they would make a perfect birthday party addition..

Easy and fun to make...

here is the how to video from the MarthaStewart show...

****

Have any of you ever read, "When you give a mouse a cookie"?

It's a cute little story that my kids and I enjoyed when their were little..

The story is about a little mouse that is giving a cookie but than needs a glass of milk to wash it down, the story goes on with the little mouse asking for one more thing that is needed to go with the thing he just received ...

Well that is kind of what happened with the cupcakes pops. I kept finding one more little something that would go along perfectly with them and before you knew it I had a file filled with wonderful

ideas for a

Sweet Treat Birthday Party.

*****

(picture by Jenn from Eye Candy Creations)

When Penny of.. lavenderhillstudio... went to Savannah to meet some blog friends

She led me to Jenn of ..sweeteyecandycreations.. and these Little bears filled with sweet candy confections and the sweetest cupcake invitations. Can you picture the face of the dear little
one that is giving a bear that is sweeter than honey .

(picture by MaraMay)

What would a party be without a special hat for the birthday child...

I found this enchanting design made By MaraMay. I adore the added vintage child's playing card.

You can see more of her work ..here ..

0 ......

0> O

O ..............0

>>>>>o

o O
o....... o ..OO

and then you need some bubbles, a party is not complete with out bubbles...

and then you must have an ice cream cone piñata

for some old fashion birthday giggles.

And to all of this I would add a little polka dot fun.....

pretty pink plates , dotty balloons and the sweetest colored

ice cream sundae dishes...

****

The Graphics Fairy

Now all I need are a few five year olds and I would have

the perfect sugary topping of a most delightful

sweet treat day...
Do you think I can talk my granddaughter into this for her 5th birthday?

I have a few months to try...

***

Sugar Plum

Oh and just one more thing, I would make a crepe paper centerpiece using a new Nancy Ann Storybook doll by Dianna Effner..

If you have any more ideas I would love to hear...
After all, if you give a grandmother a cupcake she will need........

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-11-20T10:48:00.001-05:00

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

Happy Birthday Nate!

2008-11-18T00:01:00.005-05:00

Happy 20th Birthday Nate..

I love you..

I wished on many stars for you...

11/18/88

8:08 pm

8lbs. 3 oz.

a Birthday celebration for you

This is the first birthday that my husband and I will not be with him...

take note of photo in my banner, this picture is from 1900 and a distant cousin of my husband's... I think there is a little bit of a family
resemblance..

Thinking Christmas....

2008-11-08T12:06:00.007-05:00

Picture from last year…

What I have doing on my blog vacation…..

Catching up on all of my yahoo groups emails..
Had about 1000 to read…

Getting ready for Christmas…
Needed to do some things to get the house ready for the holidays.
My hubby fell 18 ft. off a ladder last Monday; our wood stove pipe broke his fall.
He is very bruised, has a good deal of swelling, and hobbles around…
However, we our both very thankful because we know the outcome could have been a lot worse.

Made this little ballerina when I was the leader

of my daughter’s Girl Scout troop in 1982.

I found some left over kits that I put together back than...

it was a fun find...

***

I also spent the Sunday before Halloween in a very old cemetery with my son.
He came home for the weekend to work on an archaeology class project.Each of his team members had to find and list the information from 25 headstones dated before 1880.
I went along to help measure and take the pictures of the stones. Together we read epitaphs and talked about the families, the soldiers (from both the revolutionary war and civil war). It was a sunny warm day and it took us over 3 hours to complete the task.
I told my son that this ghost in the picture enjoyed our visit…

****

I also spent some time visiting new blogs...

Here is one that I found inspiring

http://www.collagediva.com/Site/Kathryns_Blog/Kathryns_Blog.html

2008-10-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

still out looking for fairies....

Happy Halloween!!!!!!

2008-10-18T13:20:00.013-04:00

Happy Halloween!

I am taking a blog break...

HOWever, I will stop in on you here and there..

see you in November..

Roads I travel.....

2008-10-14T16:50:00.005-04:00

There are a set of roads that I travel habitually, my family refer to these roads as “over the hill”. I travel these roads to the town where my oldest daughter lives, on holidays to visit family, to the high school that my kids picked. Living in a small town with no high school my children had a choice of high schools from surrounding towns.

This back way is peppered with lovely homes, stone churches, white steeples, the home of the late Bill Blass and the gates that lead to Joan Rivers’s new country home..
No matter how many times I travel this way I never tire of the backdrop of my path..
Bloggers often share drive bys, so with camera in hand I would like to share with you my “over the hill.”

***

(click on any picture to make larger)

this is the back of the house....

the barns are also pink...

lace curtain windows

New England at its best

this church is across the road from the

house below...

this is a true country church ....

a road that was once a cow path...

A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air.-- Eric Sloane

Oct. 1, where did the time go....Jessi don't look

2008-10-01T00:01:00.003-04:00

my sweet and sinister swap is all wrapped and ready to go..

A basket filled with black, white and some orange

sweet and sinister fun..

no more butterflies left in the yard..

the dark comes by the end of dinner...

cool evenings and chilly nights...

where did the time go..

I love October ....the colors and smell of the air.

the scent of hickory nuts

fresh cut wood that soon will be stacked ..

we will need to order heating oil soon..

this will cost us as much as we paid for our first car ...

the chimney will be cleaned and wood stove all set ..
cocoa in the pantry ...
I need some new fluffy warm socks.

@@@

witch shoe tags that I made to add to the sweet and sisister swap loot...

(click for a better look)

a vintage canning jar of pumpkin spice candles ..

a sinister witch picture was an ebay win...

a black iron witch’s candle holder and a few of her candles to
decorate the table for the night of the witches jamboree ..…

A few Fall things...

2008-09-25T16:45:00.010-04:00

A tiny peek at the Sweet and Sinister swap I am working on, almost done...

Do not miss reading this post by Sandra Evertson.
This corset is just too beautiful to miss...

http://sandraevertson.blogspot.com/

Beautiful new banner and a warm fall welcome at...http://feteetfleur.blogspot.com/

Saw this on Janet's blog...http://jkbees.blogspot.com/

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a playful, spirited person. You have a limitless imagination and amazing creative talents.

When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy.

You tend to be afraid of change. You are never ready for things to be different.

You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones.

Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine.

You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

that is almost me....lets say 90%...

Tag your it......

2008-09-22T12:26:00.023-04:00

I have been tagged by The Story Board http://a-saldivar.blogspot.com/

1. What are your nicknames?
Lulu, it was giving to me in junior high and it stuck…
My husband never calls me Louise it is always Lulu…

2. What game show and/or reality show would you like to be on? America's next top Model……just kidding…..

3. What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?
Oh my that was many years ago, I am embarrassed to say……… I don’t remember!

4. What is your favorite scent? fresh picked mint....

5. If you had a million dollars that you could only spend on yourself, what would you do with it?
Travel….travel …..travel….

6. What one place have you visited that you can't forget and want to go back to?
My family's farm, it is all houses now…..I know that is not what this question is about, but that was the first thing that came to my mind when I read the question….

7. Do you trust easily? I use to, but now take warning from my mistakes…

8. Do you think before you act, or act before you think? As I get older I think to much,
And act to late…..

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days? A friend just lost her husband, two cousins that are very ill…
I have shed tears for each…..

10. Do you have a good body image? …..LOL…..

11. What is your favorite fruit? watermelon…..strawberries…..

12. What websites do you visit daily? ……Ebay…..

13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately? art work and crafts , it funny I stopped doing anything for a long time , blogging has helped me to get back to it, in fact I cleaned out tons of supplies and dumped some and put the rest in a tag sale... then a few months later I found some art blogs …..I kick myself all the time because I had great stuff.

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Creative, I love her drawings….. the Story Board ..

15. What's the last song that got stuck in your head?
I Love a Flower Girl….by the Cowsills ( the singers of “Hair“ the 60‘s was all about the hair) …. Penny of lavenderhillstudio had it playing one day on her blog and I sang it for days after…. my husband use to sing this to me when we were dating....

16. What's your favorite item of clothing? My jean jacket…..

17. Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy? Yes, that is why I have a LOL body image…

18. What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground?
I would try to find the person who dropped it….I remember years ago my husband found a check book that had a bit of money in it, he called the women that it belonged to, she was so happy, that was all the money she had for the month….
She was on the way to the bank to make a deposit when she lost it…

19. What items could you not go without during the day? Coffee, coffee, COFFEE, did I say

Coffee..

20. What should you be doing right now? cleaning the kitchen and doing laundry….

How to play: If you've been tagged, post your own answers to the questions on your blog. Tag eight other people, and add links to the blogs of the person who tagged you and the people you tagged.

THis is the hard part because so many have been tagged it hard to find someone who has not, been ,,,,, so if I tag you and you have been tagged before I am sorry...

Janet just had a birthday...http://jkbees.blogspot.com/

Lili M. a sweet blog friend......http://lilimsadventures.blogspot.com/

Becky I wonder what wonderful answers she will have......http://rebeccasramsey.blogspot.com/

Penny the lady that I sing along with everyday......http://lavenderhillstudio.blogspot.com/

Kristina I always look forward to what she has to say........ http://shabbilyeverafter.blogspot.com/

Lynn has a delightful blog to visit..........http://www.amothersjournal.com/

Happy Fall!!!

New fall banner & Somerset LIfe

2008-09-15T14:38:00.012-04:00

I love my new fall banner…
I was the lucky winner of Deena's …Can I be pretty in pink's give-away.
She had a give-away In celebration of her chemotherapy & radiation treatments being completed.
I am delighted to have won this BANNER and celebrate this wonderful news…!!!
At the end of Deena‘s post she always list her joys…
So to celebrate with her I thought I would end my post the same…
The banner IS by Mary of isabellascloset.blogspot.com

Thank you Deena I love it…..

http://deenasstory.blogspot.com/

Click here for update on Deena and please pray for her…

This came in the mail today ….
… I am so excited , I am in it....

I have to thank Karla of karlascottage for this …“THANK YOU KARLA” she was published in the spring issue of Somerset Life and showed her art kits on her blog.
I picked up the spring issue to read about her kits and fell in love with the Somerset Life magazine. I ordered the two
back issues. read more about the art kits and said to myself “I do this all the time”. Looked around my workroom and had a few almost done, just needed to find a box and add a few more things.

Here are a few of my pictures that I took before sending out the box kit
entitled ...

Emma's Dream

I was a little disappointed because the kit must have gotten
jostled during shipping..

ballerina from http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

Sent them off and really was not sure what to expect…

I was so surprise to get an Email saying we are publishing your kit…
I was so delighted that I giggled out loud…
And what is even more exciting is that a few of my very favorite blog friends are in this

issue as well...

Nancy from Fete et Fleur with her wonderful shoes….http://feteetfleur.blogspot.com/

Clarice from Story Book Woods talks about her home and blog.... http://storybookwoods.typepad.com/storybook_woods/

Here are my Joys. What are yours???

Deena is feeling better and her hair is growing back..
My new banner
Being published in Somerset life.
The colors of fall

Enchanting

2008-09-13T12:28:00.005-04:00

Last September my granddaughter Emma and I set up this fairy door for the fall fairies to come and play.

This is what I found this morning at the same spot …

"Many people don't believe in faeries,

but if you look real close they're always there."

Torlila

Time.....

2008-09-10T09:53:00.013-04:00

I have been cleaning out some old magazines and came across this Better Homes and Garden, 100's of Needlework & Craft Ideas spring 1980..

I loved this apron and planned on making it but somehow 28 years flew by.....

and it never got done..

Victoria magazine Oct. 1990

had this wonderful article on bookplates..

Decided I would spend more time in old bookstores to try to find some..

18 years go by .....

I had trouble finding the time to go to Borders then, what was I thinking my kids were little...

I did take the time this morning to read the article again and it inspired me today as much as it did back then....

so bookplates go back on the list....

I enjoy going through my old magazines…
Have not made much progress as to throwing any out ..
I find them to be like a journal, a keeper of things I love….

pillow from the 1980 magazine

Wonders of the World Wednesday

2008-09-03T12:28:00.000-04:00

Becky of Wonders Never Cease is having a wonder day and invited all to play along..
She is the wonder queen by far but I decided to give it a try..

my daughter Allie (on the right) and her friend Angela …

My wonder for today is Bubbles. I can honestly say that I have not been without a jar
of bubbles since my teenage years.
The why will be for another day.

There is Magic in these soapy air filled rainbow things…

Picture by Nicole Pearce

We all have tried to make the big bubble
For this we need a

bubble recipe…
1 part ultra-Joy brand

8 parts pure water (I use distilled)

1/4 part glycerin

picture by Miss Shari

And then there is the bubble wand,
all shapes and sizes….

picture by Ephemeron

We must not forget bubble gum

picture by McBomb

and bubble gum pink.

picture by ( Krikit )

'Who doesn’t love a
Bubble bath
and Shakespeare’s "Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble."
what about Grandmother’s bubbling stew.

picture by Velo Steve
Champagne bubbles to toast the bride and groom.

picture by snoonan_711

And bubble wrap, this is taking being green a little too far.

and take a look at this

a little bubble play...

(turn off my music on the side bar)

Dolphin Play Bubble Rings -

One last thing

A bubble carries your wishes to the fairies….and when it pops the fairies hear your heart’s desires…

0OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O
O

0 OOOOOOOOOOOOOO0
O OOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 0 OOOOOOO OOO OOOOOOOOOOOOO 0

0 OOO0 OOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOO O O OOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
O O

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O OOOOOOOOOOOOOO0
Have a wonder---full day!

Inspired by Tasha Tudor..

2008-08-28T07:12:00.004-04:00

As I was thinking about my post for this day, I looked back at Tasha Tudor books and life and realized that this women has inspired me
from the first book that I read of hers as a child The Dolls’ Christmas, to the book that I offered as a give away Tasha Tudor's Dollhouse.

(click on picture to make bigger)

I started this collection after reading the book TT dollhouse;

I like the idea of a larger scale dollhouse.

A Time to Keep beautiful illustrations was a reminder to keep celebrations joyful and not stressful ….and inspired this salt dough goose I made about 25 years ago… My Christmas tree had many of these on it that year and when guest came to the house their would pick a goose to take home…
Years later my daughter, after reading a few books by Tasha Tudor wanted a tree with all
handmade decoration…. We did it, strung popcorn and cranberries, made wool felt elves. Tiny acorn baskets and clothespin ballerinas danced from the branches…

And living in Connecticut there was the year of the bumpkin patch for the children to come and choose from and the reading of
Pumpkin Moonshine..
I could never be completely like Tasha Tudor because a simple life is a hard physical working life… however it is wonderful
to step back in time and enjoy the splendor of life and celebrate a woman who was adored and will always be remembered..

*****

and the winner of the book Tasha Tudor's Dollhouse is.....

http://www.variousandsunday.blogspot.com/

Please go to storybookwoods to find more blogs to visit today in remembrance of

Tasha Tudor's life..

Remember Tasha Tudor and a give-away

2008-08-19T11:02:00.005-04:00

story book woods

Is having a

a day to remember !

To celebrate the life of Tasha Tudor..

I am having a give-away...

On August 28th I will pick a name from a hat and the winner will
Get a copy of "Tasha Tudor's Dollhouse"

Just leave a comment on this post....

and a link to your blog or an email address....

For Leroy

2008-07-31T09:28:00.004-04:00

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Dear Leroy, Yes butterflies do give kisses.
Here is a monarch butterfly kissing this cute little wooden Hitty doll on her
rosy cheek...

******

Natasha Burns sweet little boy asked a very sweet question http://natashaburns.blogspot.com/

end of JULY already

2008-07-27T12:25:00.011-04:00

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted and I am way behind on keeping up with other bloggers that I enjoy visiting.. I have only stopped by one or two in the last two weeks and hope to catch up soon.
I have not been spending a lot less time on the computer this summer. I have been busy most days with things that just keep popping up.
Some fun and some very sad…one of the saddest was the funeral of a young man I use to baby-sit for, the thought breaks my heart.

****

(Picture from the web)
This morning we had a bobcat in our backfield and our silly dog and Spooky our miniature donkey decided to chase after it….
The bobcat took off, the silly dog went after him, the smart donkey stopped, and my husband had to run after the dog to make her stop the chase…thank god Don got our dog under control after a few yells to stop. I hate to think of what could have happened.
We have never had a bobcat come on our property before; I am surprised because they are quite a few houses around us…

I also have been working on a few projects. One are these party favors that I am putting together for a
friends lunching. She found a few of these Pierrot pewter figurines cheap at a flea market. I think he looks so cute with the paper rose topped jars..
To add more pink color I added a cupcake paper to the inside of the nut cup…
The paper rose’s jars will have pink mints…

I cannot believe that everyone is thinking about Halloween already. When I saw artsy mama's sign up for her Sweet and Sinister swap my first thought was “so soon” and then I saw she was going to take
sign ups until September first and I said I have time … But after thinking about it for a few minutes, I said I better sign up now in case I forget to sign up later… Good thing I did because she had 100 sign up and the swap closed a day or so later. I have been thinking a lot about what I am going to make for this swap and I remember something I did many years ago…I know it will be perfect …I will not be able to show it until Oct….in case my swap partner stops by , I don't want to spoil the surprise…