Lollishops.com Fall Design Team Creations

Hop on over to the Lollishops blog---HERE. Today is the day that some of my fellow Lollishops vendors who were chosen to be part of the Fall Design Team will reveal what they have created with their inspiration packet of fall goodies (and a packet of gorgeous goodies it was!). Though I am not a part of this design team, I'd just like to offer my support with this post. The links to each team member are on the above link's post for ease in visiting...oh, and some will be offering their creation as part of a giveaway.

I've Joined a Swap

Vikki of GiddyStuff has hosted an "Autumn Leaf Craft Swap". I tried to participate in another swap this fall--it sounded like great fun as well--but the hostess, though she received my information failed to include me and didn't after I told her she forgot me! Oh, well. I was so disappointed! So, I was on the look for another one to participate in, and thanks to Swapdex, I found Vikki's. I received my swap partner this past weekend--Victoria of Things I Learn From Bear. I really liked Vikki's theme--we have to send 1) a handmade item inspired by autumn leaves; 2) something in an autumnal color from my stash of stuff; and 3) a sweet treat. How fun! I like that it wasn't a Halloween swap but purely fall leaf color themed. I'll post about what I make and send, so stay tuned!

My Kids' Sailors' Valentines

I'm not overly wild about things made with shells, but sailors' valentines can certainly be compelling. Of course, I know what they are about--sailors gathering shells while on shore when away at sea. They think of their sweethearts back home and make elaborate valentines (or boxes or whatever) to give them upon their return. Well, in a lot of jewelry I purchased a bit ago, I found two necklaces of rather beautiful little shells and instantly thought of an art project for my kids. A quick Google search of sailors' valentines turned up some amazingly beautiful and elaborate examples--I was in awe of some of them. Well, the ones above are my kids' results! I was pleased and quite impressed actually what a 9 year old boy and a 7 year old girl could do. I think they turned out beautifully--and it gave them a unique, interesting, and inexpensive art lesson not to mention a pretty way to use up those shells.

Gram's Canisters

My grandmother has had glass canisters such as these ever since I can remember. Years ago my grandfather built a floor-to-ceiling set of shelves in their kitchen--shelves that could be accessed from either side. Then Gram had these canisters on every shelf. Some were sets and some weren't. She had reds, yellows, greens, blues, opalescent brown...and that is all that I can remember. Of course she kept all sorts of things in them. I remember when the sun came into the kitchen it looked like a small stained glass wall full of color and sparkle. I had never really wanted any for myself in the past. My mother has sets in yellow and green (with all sorts of sizes of the same style) in her home.
Gram had decided to weed these out of her home and gave them to me. She kept her cobalt blue set and light blue set (they are so pretty and are her favorites). As these have sat around my kitchen for a few weeks they have sort of grown on me. They DO go with the fruit theme I have for our kitchen. I'm going to try to trade the yellow one that is of a different design with my mother for perhaps one that matches the other two in style....or perhaps it could be yet another quest for me when I visit antique malls, flea markets, etc.

Teapot Trivets Wall

My teapot trivets wall has grown! I did a post quite awhile back showing four new teapot trivets that my grandmother had purchased for me. They were not in keeping with the colors I wanted for this wall (they were blue, yellow, red, and an off shade of green). I had intended to spray paint them all summer...well, it was one of those summers. You know how it goes. Anyway, I finally got a few coats of green spray paint on them last Saturday, and they are now up in their places. There is definitely room for more should I find others that appeal to me.

Melissa's Giveaway

Don't miss it!! Melissa at Melissa's Jewelry and Gems is having a beautiful giveaway. She is offering this pink tourmaline and white topaz ring in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are specific rules and you must enter by October 30...but why wouldn't you enter?? Pink is my favorite color and always has been....I love tourmaline (treated myself to a green tourmaline pendant after the birth of my daughter...the pink and green watermelon tourmaline is my all-time favorite)...AND breast cancer has touched everyone in one way or another. I have known several ladies who have had it--ladies from church, ladies who I've worked with, etc. This ring is a good reminder to us all to do our BSE's and get mammograms. Thanks Melissa for reminding us with this generous offer of yours.
Melissa also is a fellow Etsy seller and offers some fabulous things in her shop--Melissa's Jewelry and Gemstone Store. There are some very pretty and reasonably-priced gifts there for others or for yourself. DO check it out...you won't be disappointed.

Saturday Morning Waffles

My daughter just loves waffles and always asks for them. I never used to like them--and discovered years ago that I prefer them very soft instead of done until they are crispy like I was accustomed to having them. Once that was figured out, I enjoy them to this day. I use my mother's recipe since it makes waffles with a delicious, rich taste. No "out of the box" waffles in this house. They take awhile to make but are worth it. Well, my daughter asked for them this morning, and we had them. With a pat of butter...yum, yum, YUM! Here is the recipe (I usually make 1-1/2 batches--but this is for one batch that makes about four or so depending on your waffle iron):

1-1/4 cups flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. sugar

1-2 eggs (separated)

1 cup milk

2 Tbsp. melted butter

Combine top four dry ingredients. Beat egg yolks then add melted butter and milk. Stir liquid mixture into dry mixture. Beat egg whites and gently fold into batter. Let sit for a few minutes then put into waffle iron.

Enjoy! ; )

Avon Samples from a Nice Lady

Many thanks to Karen for sending me some fun Avon lipstick and perfume samples and, well, just for being so nice. Please visit her SHOP to check out what she has to offer from Avon. You know, I have such good memories of Avon all the way back to childhood. My grandmother bought me a beautiful flower ring with my birthstone in it. My great-grandmother bought me the little gingerbread man and the pink and white snowman pins with the solid perfume in it (the perfume never lasted very long). I remember the Avon lady coming, and my mom trying on new lipstick from those wee little tubes of lipsticks (like the ones above). I thought they were soooo neat, and the lipstick looked great on Mom. Sweet Honesty and Soft Musk were my favorite scents. Good memories! And, actually, they really do have good prices. I've tried some of the lipsticks above, and they are so creamy! Anyway, this is my recent reminder of some great memories as well as a great opportunity to have an Avon shop to go to for gifts for myself and others.

Been on a Stay-cation!

I've been sort of "out of commission" this past week. Hubby has had the past week off....so we took a week off from homeschooling (hey, we've been doing it since the middle of August--it was time for a break!). With very little money in the 'ol checking account, we have been on a "stay-cation". The Lord blessed us with a beautiful week--the weather could not have been more perfect for Wisconsin in October. It has been warm and clear and sunny all week long! We're so thankful. We took day jaunts to state parks to look at foliage...had picnics...went fishing (didn't catch anything so ended up at McDonald's for a Filet-O-Fish instead)...went canoeing...went hiking...did some things around the house...visited family...and yesterday went to a wedding.

It was a beautiful day for a wedding. My husband's cousin got married. She had fall colors for her theme, and it was held under a leaf-garland arbor. The long, formal dresses were burnt copper and burnt sienna in color, and the bride worn an off white color which went well with the scheme. I loved the red-tipped yellow roses for the flowers. Lovely! By the way...when did it become vogue for people to attend a wedding in jeans and/or shorts and/or flip flops??? I always thought we were to go to weddings in dress up clothes. We dressed in our Sunday fineries, and I'm glad we did. Enough of this casual stuff! Anyway, after the ceremony, which was outside, a little cloud came up in the blue sky from which came a bit of rain and a beautiful rainbow....this in an almost totally clear sky! It was amazing and beautiful!

I've done a little bit of creating--not much, though. I thought my mind and hands needed rest and rejuvenation. It felt strange to just sit while riding to our destinations this past week. I ALWAYS am working on something in the car. However, it think it was good for me to take a complete break. I feel more ready to work on things now and am eager to get going on some projects I have laid out. That will come once we're on a regular schedule again and when homeschool starts up again (the kids work...and I work).

Perfume Bottles

These two perfume bottles were found at a flea market last summer. One still had stickers on it. The other didn't. However, I believe they both are Italian glass. They are very heavy and are of great quality. They simply had to be decorated with fabulous jewelry pieces, and it took me awhile to figure out what to put on them. I felt the green one needed lots of clear rhinestones--so I put all clear, dazzling rhinestones on it. The pink and green one (reminds me of watermelon tourmaline) has pretty green leaf jewelry, clay roses, and aurora borealis rhinestones. I enjoyed making these and seeing them go together.

Some Last Roses of Summer

Perhaps it is because of all the rain we received in August and September, but my roses are still blooming beautifully. What a treat to have them to enjoy so late in the season! I thought I'd share them with you. Wish I could transport their scent as well, but you will just have to imagine that on your own. Enjoy!