Etsy Mail - Handbag for my Mama

I gave this purse, well not this exact one, but one like it with different fabrics to my mother last year as a gift. It was designed by Kim at A Touch of Star Dust; she helped me choose the fabric combo that I thought would be fitting for my mom. It was beautifully sewn and the fabrics looked wonderful together. The interior was just as lovely with a soft creme diamond quilted fabric. You can check out more of her vibrant bag designs at A Touch of Star Dust.

Catching my Mother's Day Eye

This print caught my eye, does it catch yours? It made me think about being a kid, being a mom, loving the earth we live on and enjoying each day. Happy thoughts.

For more happy thoughts visit Tummy Mountain.

Things to Make and Do

I have decided to write a picture letter in my mom's Mother's Day card this year, you can write one too, if you want. I think all moms would like one. In case you were wondering Mother's Day is May 10th, coming up fast.

According to Things to Make and Do(the book I snagged from the toy closet) you will need:

Paper

Pencil
Paste

Scissors

Old Magazine

Writing a picture letter is one of the most interesting things to do(cracked me up). You write some words and then, every so often, instead of writing a word you put a picture of the word in its place. You can either draw these pictures or you can cut them out of old magazines and paste them in place. (Things to Make and Do P. 23)

I plan to draw a picture in place of the word rather than cut them out of old magazines, although as a kid, making a magazine collage was one of my faves.

***

Some Rockin' Mother's Day Cards

(for your Picture Letter)

Visit Made by Michelle Brusegaard

Visit smock paper.Visit Fig. 22.

Visit Orange Twist.

Rufflelicious

~polka dot punch~

As a sucker for ruffles, I find these necklaces to be absolutely adorable, don't you agree? I spotted the above polka dot ruffle necklace on the front page of Etsy's treasury and didn't hesitate to click...much to my delight there were more. They are handmade by Rebekah and can be found in her charming shop, Orangepoppy.

~snow white ruffle necklace~

~blush ruffle necklace~

Vintage Sisters

You don't have to take a boat to get to this little shop, but you could if you wanted to...located just a hop, skip and a jump from the Mississippi river(singing song in my head to spell) in the Village of East Davenport, IA.

You could perhaps ride your bike, but you might want to trade your old bike in for this one once you get there...a basket for your goods.

No matter how you get there, you are sure to feel warmth as you enter from the lovely chandelier hanging in the small entry of the quaint 1920's house, not to mention the grand architectural iron gate.

Each time I get to visit Vintage Sisters, it is always a visual treat, come along and see just a few of the treasures.

Raise you hand if...these are actually old rubber glove molds, up close you can see the indentions that make up the grippy part of the glove. Just as they stand, they create a modern visual impact, but could also play double-duty as jewelry holders-draping necklaces or sliding rings.



That is pretty much what my hubby's six-pack looks like, but even better *wink*. I love the old-world masculine feeling created here with the typewriter, globe and books.


A more feminine side.

"tweet, tweet"

Old shutters can be used on the interior of your home flanking the sides of that perfect window in that perfect room.

Around every corner, you are sure to find a lovely mirror reflecting other lovelies...actually the wall hanging reflected in this mirror is made from hair, which I find a bit creepy, but I do admire the talent and patience of the creator.

The jar is filled with old print block letters. My spring purchase.

girly girl twins.

Much of the furnishings found at Vintage Sisters are given a new look by the owner, Linda Morgan-Brooke, hand painted and distressed with her own talented hands.

You are sure to feel ever so beautiful while sitting at this stunning black vanity or maybe in this pink velvet chair.

I hope you felt visually inspired by our visit to Vintage Sisters, next time you're floating down the great Mississip. do stop in.

Vintage Sisters
Linda Morgan-Brooke

Village of East Davenport

2215 E. 12th Street

Davenport, IA 52803

(563) 322-2451

good ol' fashion fun...

An evening of decorating Easter eggs with Baby 'L' and the hubby turned out to me more fun and less disastrous(toddler+dye+water+eggs that break) than anticipated. I did have three dyed fingers for awhile, but they just reminded me of how much fun 'L' had plopping his eggs in colored water.

We just used your classic Easter egg decorating kit, but if you are up to amping your Easter egg decorating skills check out this tutorial for silk dyed eggs. They are pretty awesome.

Tutorial - Cookie Envelopes

~EASTER COOKIE ENVELOPES~

Supplies:
1. Paper cut to 8" x 8" square
2. Pencil
3. Cookies

4. Double stick tape

5. Optional: Embellishments (stickers, ribbons)

*Feel free to get creative in the type of paper you use: scrapbook paper, vellum, textured paper, pages of old books, sheet music, magazine pages.

Position your 8" x 8" paper like a diamond, as shown above. Measure and mark with a pencil, 3 inches from the top point on each side; do the same to the bottom point. Indicated as here.

Next, using the marks you made above, fold the two side corner in along those marks. You can now erase those pencil marks.


Once your two side corners are folded in, fold down the top corner, placing the point approx. where the two sides form a triangle, in this case a white triangle.

Do the same to the bottom corner, but first raise the top fold up so you will know where to place your point and make your fold.

Four folds later, you will have something that will look like this. Place a cookie or two inside, if you haven't already eaten them. Fold side corners, bottom corner, than top and fasten with double stick tape or a sticker.

Add ribbon and a sweet message.

These cookie envelopes could be used as handouts for birthdays, showers, or any other special occasion.

Etsy Mail - Betty Blues Earrings

aluminum bead caps atop sky blue vintage glass beads with

tiny stamens of red Swarovski crystals

These Betty Blues earrings were my first jewelry purchase on Etsy. They were lovingly handmade by lilybird designs. I think it was partly the color combo and the tiny red crystals that enticed me...find more enticing jewels at lilybird designs.

Things to Make and Do

During my last visit home, I snagged this book from the toy closet, but don't worry, I did ask my mother for permission. I remember looking through it as a young girl. It is called Things to Make and Do and is part of The Book Shelf for Boys and Girls. As I began thumbing through the book, each page made me smile. Did any of you have this same book as a youngster? The topics and pictures are really old school and thought would be fun to share, so I will. I don't really know the publishing date because that page is missing, but it has that nice old smell to it.

How to Make Good Lemonade

For 4 people you wil need:

*

*

These Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

3 lemons

4 maraschino cherries

8 cubes of ice

4 cups of water

*

*

These Utensils:

Fruit juicer

Measuring cup

Saucepan with handle

*

*

1. Put the sugar in a saucepan

2. Add 1 cup of water. Place over the fire.

3. Bring to a boil. Then boil for 5 minutes.

4. Remove from fire.

5. Add 3 cups of cold water

6. Squeeze enough lemons to make 1/2 cup of lemon juice.

7. Add the lemon juice and stir.

8. Place 2 ice cubes and a red cherry in each glass.

9. Fill glasses with lemonade.

Now, I haven't tried the recipe yet, but I will-because I really love lemonade. In the meantime, let me know how it taste, but don't get mad at me if it doesn't taste good.