A Good Morning for a Cup of Tea

Burrrr!  I woke up this morning to a very cloudy day with the wind howling and the cold rain (is that snow mixed in?) falling.  I guess November is truly here.  The leaves are off the trees for the most part, and it is very dismal out.  It's definitely a good day to stay home and sip tea!

This box of teas was given to me as a gift.  I had never tried these teas before...and they are little packets of loose teas.

I'm a teabag girl--clean and neat tea for me!--so this was an awkward experience for me.  Thankfully I had one of my grandmother's old tea balls to use.  It really wasn't that hard after all to use the loose tea.  Anyway, I'm slowly going through the packets.  The flavors of these are *tangy* and strong. They may be better suited in a teapot so that they are weaker in flavor.   Perhaps today I will try another flavor--the apricot is a possibility.  It is fun to try new things, and it is such a kind thing for someone to think of me by giving me such a fun gift!

Thank you, Lee!

I received my altered Altoid tin full of buttons--all with a fall theme--as part of the 2012 Fall in Love with Buttons Swap hosted by Laurie at Button Floozies. 

Lee was my partner, and she sent a beautifully embellished tin full of pretty fall themed buttons. 

I just love the porcelain one on the top and the large shell one inside not to mention the many others she included.  I'm delighted that she was able to find so many with a fall theme. 

Needless to say, I'm delighted!  Thank you, Lee!

Fall Button Swap

Here are pictures of what I made and gave to my partner, Lee, in the Button Floozies fall button swap.  I am assuming Lee has received her package by now, so I decided it was time to post.  We were supposed to decorate a standard-sized Altoid tin and include at least 40 buttons--all with a fall theme of some sort.

It was fun finding the buttons...and it certainly helped discovering a huge bin of buttons at a flea market last month to paw through.  I bought the pretty paper and owl sticker (couldn't resist the sparkle!) at Hobby Lobby and otherwise used bits and pieces of things that I had around the house.

I ended up putting over 50 buttons in the tin and tied the tin together just to make sure it didn't open in transit.  Hope Lee liked it.  Thank you, Laurie, for hostessing this.  It was a great deal of fun.

Pretty Mums

Despite some very cool mornings we've had lately, these mums are still alive and flourishing.  These are my favorite colors of mums...I love the rich berry color and deep pink.  They go well with the grays and berry reds of our house.  Most of my blooms have died out, and I know the season of pretty colors will come to an end shortly.  So...I will enjoy these while they last!

Cranberries, ICE Resin, and a Hike

It has certainly been a busy weekend.  It started early with us having Friday off, and we got going at a good time to go to the Cranberry Festival located a little over an hour north of us in Warrens, Wisconsin.  It is full of crafters, flea market booths, food, and, of course, cranberries in every way imaginable from a huge cranberry whoopie pie to cranberry and apple pie to celebrate the cranberry harvest.  Unfortunately I didn't bring our camera, or I'd show you a picture or two.  It was a beautiful fall day, and this little town of less than 400 was bursting at the seams with thousands of people.  We had a great time, and I found a few things at the flea market booths. (The cranberry apple pie was delicious, too!)

On Saturday Mom and I took an ICE Resin class at the local bead shop.  I had always wanted to "play" with resin but also wanted to know what I was doing and what sort of techniques were available.  We learned a great deal and had fun. I tried to do different things (in the time allotted) regarding what the teacher discussed.  I wasn't impressed with what the resin did to my little feathers, but it was worth trying just to know.  It's pretty amazing stuff, and I'll probably do some more in the future. 

After church on Sunday we did some hiking.  Again...no camera.  There is a state park that has a nice trail that goes back into a gorge.  It has a rippling brook, deep sides to the gorge...and the trees were luminous!  It was gorgeous and was a wonderful hike.  This picture is from a news site (click here for the CREDIT), and, no, this is not us...but this gives you an idea of how pretty it is. 
It was a busy weekend.  I'm glad we took advantage of the nice weather and got out and did things...while we still can since winter is around the corner. 

Having to Think of Autumn

I REALLY didn't want to start thinking of fall yet.  However, I have had to lately.  All of our school curriculum has been chosen, ordered, and received--we're ready for school, though we will not start until the last week of August.  The kids will pick up and play their violins again this week, after taking two months off for R&R, to get "reacquainted" with them to prepare for lessons again in September.  Also, I've seen fall things pop up everywhere in stores (Christmas things too--c'mon do we really have to in July??).  Some such things are these beautiful doilies I found at the Dollar Store.  They are so pretty!  I'm not sure what I'll do with them or how I'll use them...I just know they "spoke" to me and thought I'd better get them before they were gone.  They have great detail and color and are just gorgeous.  Perhaps the kids and I will have an art class and make something of them.  Couldn't beat the price either. 

I'm also going to list some vintage trim in my Etsy shop.  This trim, though I love and appreciate nice trim, is just not my style.  I know there are very talented people out there who could turn this trim into a beautiful fall project.

Autumn Leaf Craft Swap Goodies from Victoria

Many thanks to Victoria of Things I Learn from Bear for the goodies she sent for GiddyStuff's Autumn Leaf Craft Swap. She sent some fun things to craft with--beautiful ribbon, beads (hooray...beads!), and some very pretty coppery charms. She sent some yummy goodies--a packet of hot cocoa mix and a caramel chocolate bar (mmmmmm). I love the dish cloths she sent--they are a gorgeous color! You know, I almost bought some cloths at a craft show and decided not to...then got these from Victoria in the mail. Thank you so much, Victoria.

Autumn Leaf Craft Swap Sent to Victoria

I participated in a swap hosted by GiddyStuff. It was the "Autumn Leaf Craft Swap", and the swap had to include three things: a handmade item inspired by autumn leaves, something in an autumnal color from my stash, and a sweet treat to enjoy after an afternoon of crafting. I thought this swap was right up my alley! I loved the theme and what all we were to include. My swap partner was Victoria of Things I Learn from BEAR. I tried to put a little package together to send off to the UK as a hostess gift...but unfortunately no matter how I asked, I never received an address. Can't sent a hostess gift without an address (I was going to make her a brooch!). Oh, well.


Anyway, I made a fall-colored brooch for Victoria with pretty glass beads. I gathered bits and pieces of beads and buttons and things and put them all into a little plastic organizer box, sent some red glitter, fall-colored feathers, and some deep green satin ribbon that has "tea" spelled in different languages with pictures of teacups on it. Guess I went overboard a little on the goodies from my stash. Then for the yummy part....a bag of Kisses with fall-colored foils (just love these...they are yummy AND pretty). It certainly was fun!

Glass Pumpkins and Fall Colors Outside

I do love the colors of fall and have pumpkins about outside, but they are getting a little sad looking right now since we've had some heavy frosts over the past week. However, the sun was coming in yesterday and hit the glass pumpkin I have sitting inside on our dining room windowsill.

The salmon colored begonia (I LOVE begonias) in the teacup plant pot is still blooming.

The perfect colored mums--a deep purplish burgundy--are still full and pretty. I have our fall/Thanksgiving garden flag out too.

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!

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).

Another Ornament and a Teeny Tiny Fall Box

I finally finished two more vintage jewelry pieces. The first is this teeny tiny raw brass box with an autumn-inspired decoration on the top full of the pretty colors of the season. I was especially pleased to find the little brushed brass and rhinestone acorn to put on the top. It is very tiny and complete with a bit of red velvet in the inside bottom.

I've been working on the pink ornament for quite awhile gathering and placing just the right pieces to complete a sparkling piece full of rhinestones and glittery pieces. Hopefully it will add a pretty touch to someone's "shabby chic" and/or cottage home that is full of pinks.

"Stained Glass" Leaves Project

I just love stained glass in any form or manner...and this is one of those "any forms or manners." This is not an original thought (thank you, Miriam, for your original craft idea that I could expand on and other tips) but quite lovely, I think. These "stained glass" leaves are made from watered down glue and tissue paper. I was looking for a unique, inexpensive way to send Thanksgiving wishes to relatives, and thought this would be a perfect idea to do with the kids. Here are the instructions:
1) Cut up tissue paper in the colors you wish.
2) Spread school glue around on tinfoil or a plastic base that glue won't stick to then mix in some water so that the tissue paper stays well saturated (squirt with extra water during the process if needed).
3) Place tissue paper on glue mixture at random or in pictures (ahhh, Notre Dame!) if you'd like. I layered mine down perhaps a little too much and very randomly. You could probably be more precise and lay just one or two layers of tissue down, overlapping to leave no holes once dry.
4) Let dry about two days.
5) Cut into leaf shapes (be careful, it rips easily).

You could really make some pretty "stained glass" projects like blue, white, purple and silver snowflakes for winter; pink and red hearts for Valentines' Day; multicolored flowers, etc. I used some gold tissue for extra sparkle. One could probably add some strips of metallic foil for even MORE sparkle (can a person really have ENOUGH sparkle??).

A Little Bite in the Air

It's not a big one...just a little bite! Today I've noticed for the first time a tiny--ever so tiny--bite of autumn in the air. The air was dry, the sky clear, and the temperature was quite comfortable. Winter is pretty; spring is invigorating; and summer is exciting;...but autumn...ah, autumn is warm and mellow and has to be my favorite time of year. The reds, golds, and oranges of the season are gorgeous. It is neither cold nor hot. Sweaters are just right to wear and having a cup of tea during the day somehow seems more refreshing and desirable with a little crispness in the air. Despite the ragweed floating around (sniffle, sniffle), the end of August and month of September, I am convinced, is the best time to be in Wisconsin. Wisconsin shows its true beauty in the fall. Okay, I won't hurry the inevitable arrival of fall just yet. I shall enjoy my rose bushes (now that those Japanese Beetles have finally exited them for the year) and pansies while I can, but rest assured more on autumn will be said in the next few weeks!