Gallery Wall - Vintage Windows

 Vintage windows are a favorite architectural design element of mine.  I have collected  a whole lot of them over the years.  

Mostly, I have had them tucked here and there in corners around our house and occasionally use them in different ways.

Lately, I have been on a "need to simplify my collections" kick.  

I love stuff, so this has been a challenge, to say the least - ha!

One way to get the clutter out of the corners of our living room, was to move the old windows.  I did not want to part with them, but wanted to display them more prominently.

 I decided to create a so called "gallery wall of vintage windows".

To achieve an eye pleasing layout, I made templates out of newspaper.  I gathered the whole family together and we taped up the templates in different arrays until we decided together what we felt looked best.

We love how it turned out!

I appreciate the design of each window so much more now that they are not hiding in the corners of our living room.

Girl Scout Thin Mints Mini Cheesecakes

There is good and bad this time of the year.  

Good that Girl Scout cookies become available for a short time and bad that Girl Scout cookies become available for a short time.  Ha!

I happen to be the troop "cookie mom" for one of my daughters.  

It's a busy time keeping everything organized with all the sales etc..

I don't know about you, but I get tired of the plain old cookies. 

So... I like to try to incorporate the cookies in to various treats.

I had some time to play today, so I made mini cheesecakes.

If you're a fan of the Thin Mints, I think you'll really enjoy these!

Thin Mints Mini Cheesecakes

makes 12

1 box of Girl Scout Thin Mints cookies

12 oz cream cheese

1/2 C sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/16 tsp peppermint extract 

1 egg

2 drops green food coloring

5-6 Thin Mints crushed

Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract, egg and food coloring together.  Line a cupcake pan with 12 paper liners.  Add a Thin Mint cookie to the bottom of each each paper liner.  Evenly distribute cream cheese mixture between the 12 cups.  Bake at 350 for 15-18 minute or until set.  Cool mini cheesecakes for a couple hours in the refrigerator.  To serve, top with fresh sweetened whipped cream, drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with 1/2 of a Thin Mint.

Enjoy!

Halloween 2013

To me, the best part about Halloween, is decorating.  Ya know,  I never was into seasonal decorating (well...except for Christmas), until I had kids.  
They get so excited and that makes it so fun!
Each year, I like to add something new and change things up a bit. 
One thing I added this year -  the 'BOO' sign I painted for our front porch entry that is bat infested.

 

Inside, I made a bare branch tree swarming with bats - scary!

The girls and I cut out bats from black construction paper and hot glued them randomly to the branches.

Kinda into bats this year, as you can see - ha! 

 

I'll be hosting a Halloween themed get-together next week, and wanted an easy craft for the group to do. 

 I thought fabric pumpkins would be fun and something that everyone could enjoy through Thanksgiving.

I used scraps of vintage chenille, driftwood for the stems, and felted wool sweaters for the leaves.

Having all the supplies on hand was a bonus!

Most people think it's crazy and creepy that I collect vintage baby doll heads.  How can something so cute be creepy?

For my tablescape, I added masquerade masks to the doll heads - OK... maybe a little creepy, but in a cute way - ha!

Well, there you have it.  A peek into Halloween 2013 at our house.

Now, if I only I could get into the dressing-up part of Halloween...

Tree Stump Table

 It's that time of year when outdoor project need to get done.

My hubby has been busy splitting rounds of firewood for us to burn this upcoming winter.

 

Meanwhile, I needed a little side table out on our patio, so I had him save me a round.

He was even so kind to sand the top smooth and brush on some polyurethane for protection.

It made the perfect table!

Now I can get back to the most important outdoor project of all.

Lounging!

Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Happy May Day! A Little Tutorial

 

May Day is one of my favorite days of the year.

When I was a little girl, I loved to "ding and dash" at my neighbors house, leaving a basket of flowers hanging on their doorknob.

My girls love this tradition too!

This year, I made a simple pocket for the flowers to hang on the doorknob.

 If you're interested in making your own, this is how I made mine.

a. gather saved paper towel or toilet paper cardboard tubes

b. squish tube at the bottom to flatten slightly

c.  hot glue bottom edge closed

d.  gather fabric, paper etc... of your own choosing, cut, fit, and glue around tube

e.  fold and glue bottom edge fabric and tuck top fabric inside and glue around top 

f.  punch holes on two sides

g.  thread string through holes and tie knots to secure handle

h.  embellish however you like

add a tag, some fresh flowers from your yard 

 and now you're ready to "ding and dash!"

Happy May Day!

Coconut Bar Cookies

Treats are something I make a lot of.  

The reason; I have a hubby that enjoys having a homemade treat in his lunch everyday. 

There is one problem.  I get tired of making the same favorites over and over!

No one here would complain if I only ever made chocolate chip cookies.  Well... except for me.
How boring can you get?

I like coming up with something new, that's yummy and that can be added into the "treats rotation" so I don't get bored with baking!

Last night I made these tasty coconut bars.
Kinda my take on the traditional Magic Cookie Bar.
If you ask me, they're even better than a candy bar!
Nuts were omitted since some that live in my house, aren't fans of any type of nuts being in a cookie.
I aim to please - ha!
  

Here's how I made 'em.

Coconut Bars

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 cube (1/2 cup) butter, melted

2 Tablespoons sugar

14 oz package sweetened, flaked, coconut

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 package semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup white chocolate chips

3/4 teaspoon shortening

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar in a small bowl.

Press into a buttered 9x13 baking dish.

Mix the coconut and sweetened condensed together, and evenly drop/spread onto graham cracker crust.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until coconut is lightly browned.

Let cool completely.

Melt chocolate chips with 1/2 tsp shortening in the microwave and stir until nice and smooth. 

Drizzle over coconut.

Melt white chocolate chips and 1/4 tsp shortening in the microwave.  Stir until smooth. 

Drizzle over the dark chocolate.

Let chocolates firm up then cut into bars

Enjoy!

 

Pink Roses

How could I not bring these pink pretties home with me from the grocery store?

Today I'm enjoying their beauty reflected in this perfectly aged antique plateau mirror.

 Just lovely.

 

Show & Tell - Vintage Valentines

Collecting vintage valentines is something I've be doing for many years.

If I come across one at an estate sale, it'll always come home with me!
Most I have collected are from the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's.
Some were made in Germany, but the majority were made in the USA.

My favorites are those that are "mechanical" in some way.

I love how the sweethearts eyes and drink change by tugging on the pull tag - precious.

A favorite, just 'cause the little cutie reminds me of my own baby.

Old valentines with honeycomb details are so beautiful to me.
This one from Germany is especially nice, since it hasn't faded over the years.
The red is still so vibrant!

Flocking (on the heart) is another detail that can make vintage valentines extra special.

Googly eyes get me every time! With a swing of her arm, this cuties eyes move with such expression!

Cards of the past are so adorable and full of charm.
Oh, how I love those rosy cheeks!

My mommy and daddy have always given me something extra special for Valentine's Day. 

For the past several years they have been adding to my collection of valentines.

This year, they found two, they knew I would love!

Isn't he the cutest bellhop ever?

I was shocked when I opened this sweet card.

It is by far, my most favorite now!
"Hawaiian themed" valentines are not easy to find.
I love how her hips sway and her little admirer comes peeking out behind the bush. 

The saying, "they don't make 'em like they used to" is so fitting, in regards to today's valentines.

It kinda makes me sad...
But... I'll happily keep collecting and preserving the old beauties I find from the past.
How could I not!?

Valentine Vignettes

When Christmas is packed up and put away for another year, I start counting the days 'til I get out my decorations for Valentine's Day.

Some of my favorite romantic themed collectibles are: vintage valentines,

old chocolate candy tins,

heart shaped candy boxes,

and vintage wedding cake toppers.

Do you enjoying collecting something special for Valentine's Day?

2012 Year In Review

WOW!  It's hard to believe another year has passed.

At the end of each year, I enjoy looking back through my blog posts and pictures reminiscing about the fun projects and events that took place throughout the year.

2012 was a fun and eventful year.

Lots of hours were spent in my studio, creating.

Two successful local shows and more online sales than ever, 

make me one very thankful and blessed girl.

14 fun-filled sunny days in Maui with my family, was a huge highlight too!

Here's to 2013!

Looking forward to what's in store and wishing you all the best.

Happy New Year!!! 

 

"Hot Chocolate Is On"

Growing up, my Great Aunt Gerta, who had a cabin next door to ours, 

would occasionally fly a flag decorated with a coffee kettle.

When that flag was flying, people knew

the coffee was on and all were welcome to stop in for a visit.

   

Well, if I had a "hot chocolate is on" flag, I'd be flying in now,

'cause the milk is hot and y'all are welcome to stop by!

 

Our hot chocolate station is a new family favorite.

One that will forever remain a tradition during the holidays.

So, what's it gonna be?

Milk, mint, or dark chocolate?

I chose dark chocolate and it's mighty good!

Something Grandma Always Made With Vintage Shiny Bright Christmas Balls

My Grandma started putting these cute ornaments trees together in the 40's.

They're something she always had on her dining room table, at Christmas time.

They're quite simple to make.

All you need is a 14" knitting needle, 28 various sized Christmas balls, and a vintage tree topper.

Start by stringing 4 of the largest ornaments on to the knitting needle.

Next, string on 4 more slightly smaller balls.

Continue to layer on more Christmas balls working your way up the needle.

Depending on the size of the ornaments you use, you may use less than 28.

*Note - I stacked a couple layers together with the same sized Christmas balls 

since I only had 4 varying sizes to work with.

To finish: top with a vintage tree topper or a unique ornament turned upside down.

Super easy, huh?

Well, I'm slowly getting all my Christmas decorations up.   

Usually, I'm done by now!

I've fallen behind, since the lights on two of my trees decided to not light up this year. Ugh!

If only there were Christmas light fairies to do the job and string on the lights for me - *sigh*. 

Non-lighting Christmas lights are the worst.

Wishing you all a blessed beginning to the Advent season!

Scarf Season Is In Full Swing

 Wow!  I can't believe it's been way over a month since I last posted.

October kept me busy with a local show, and lots of Etsy sales.

Currently, I'm right in the midst of my busy selling time.  My 4th season of flower scarves!  

Hoping I can continue to keep up with the demand,

which I'm forever grateful, exists!

 My girls love wearing their own cashmere flower scarf. 

Theirs are scaled down from my adult size so they fit proportionately to their size structure.  

Since I receive so many requests, I'll be offering child size scarves in my Etsy shop soon. 

Such a cute accessory for any age, don't you think?     

Thanks for stopping by today!

Joy

It's not to early to be thinking about Christmas, is it?

My dad replaced a section their fence recently, so I had him save me some of the old boards.

Last week I made a few blank canvases with the wood, so I could paint a few signs.

Here is one I just hand painted.

I saw something similar on Pinterest a few weeks ago.

If you're interested, and want instructions to make your own, you can find info here.

Treats For Their Lunchbox

Yesterday was Back to School for us.

Although the girls were excited to go, I was a little sad to send them back.

We had such a fantastic summer together!

I already miss 'em hanging out with me...

Now, as I try to get back in the swing of things, besides making my hubby's lunch, 

I have theirs to make again too.

Since everyone in my family is big on homemade treats, I try to keep them satisfied.

My mom has used this Peanut Butter Bar recipe FOREVER - one of my family's favorite.

They're pretty much a homemade version of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

 Try 'em, I know you'll love 'em

and I bet you can't, just eat one...

Peanut Butter Bars

2 cubes (1 Cup) butter (melted)

1 1/2 C peanut butter

2 packages graham crackers (crushed)

1 pound powdered sugar

1 package chocolate chips (melted)

Mix melted butter, peanut butter, graham crackers, and powdered sugar.  Flatten mixture in buttered

 9 x 13 pan.

Spread melted chocolate chips over top.  Refrigerate for 20 min.  Cut into bars.  

 

Summer At Our Beach In Pictures