Strawberries and a Gold Picture Frame

Seems that since we got done with school we have been "running" nonstop!  Yesterday we went to some of the yard sales that were in town for this weekend's "city wide" yard sale event.  Do you remember when most yard sales were just on Saturdays?  Then there were those who started up on Fridays.  You really had to go to those on Friday, because by Saturday those good ones would be well picked over.  Now...Thursday is the day to go.  I honestly can't imagine having a yard sale for three whole days.  I couldn't believe how many there were yesterday.  Anyway...at the last yard sale we went to I was able to snag this gorgeous wood picture frame.  I love the gold on it, and the heart design around the edge is beautiful.  It is roughly 22" x 26".  It was only $1.  Hooray! 

Then...when it was the hottest time of the day it seemed...we went off to the strawberry farm to pick strawberries.  It sure was hot!  But with the help of the kids we did it in good time then came home for a big dish of yummy berries--our reward for all our hard work. 

I've made two batches of strawberry jam and a two-crust pie so far.  The pie turned out well.  Would you like the recipe?  Here it is:

 2-9" unbaked pie crusts

3/4 cups white sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 TBSP corn starch
4+ cups sliced fresh strawberries

Cook in 425 degree oven for about 35-40 minutes. 

Tag Book and Box Swap

Jean at Lilac Lane Livery hostessed a tag book swap.  We had to make a pretty box and place inside a tag book.  My partner was the very talented ValeryAnn of It's an Alien Life.  ValeryAnn cracked her wrist during a fall, and I was amazed and pleased that she still held up her end of the deal and came through with creating a book and box despite this.  Many thanks and kudos to you, dear swap partner! She did a wonderful job creating a box and book in pinks and roses and with plenty of tea prints.  I just love it.

Didn't she do a fabulous job?  She included everything I like and enjoy.  Thank you SO much, ValeryAnn!  Below are pictures of what I sent to her.  Jean was very sweet to help me out in showing me what a tag book was.  I sort of guessed on putting it together.  I had bits and pieces of vintage things that I included to give the box and tags interest and texture including buttons, labels, feathers, stamps, lace, etc.  Enjoy!

Thank you also, Jean, for hostessing this fun swap!



Lollishops Bits and Pieces Collage Group Challenge

Well, I couldn't resist this challenge (see post about it here) because of several reasons. First is because it is for Valentines' Day. Another is because I love little itty bits and pieces of things--anything in miniature appeals to me. Next, I couldn't resist a challenge and wanted to participate. Also, embellishing is just SO fun. Finally, I wanted to try my hand at doing some "paper art"--something I have little experience with and know little about. Now, scrapbooking and paper art is something that I don't do and haven't done much of in the past. I don't know all of the details of what type of paper to use, what kind of glue to use, whether to seal over your work or not, or how the details should be put together. Regardless of my lack of knowledge, I decided to do this and had a ball doing it. I really do respect people who make tags and scrapbook goodies all the time, since I had glue and scraps of paper all over me and my kitchen. I know this doesn't look as professional as many you may see, but this is my version!
I decided to do a tag. We're supposed to put these in our Lollishop/on Etsy...but, do people really buy things like this? I have no clue what to charge. These certainly aren't my area of expertise. I worry about the embellishments and bits falling off. Anyway, the size of the tag is 4" x just short of 2-1/2" . I divided the main part of the tag into 8 main sections and glued different coordinating papers into each section. I trimmed out each section with glued sections of "pearl" trim....then embellished away. You know me, I LOVE to embellish.
Since I love tea and roses and sparkles, these had to be a part of the collage.
Then I finished off the tag with a bright pink organdy ribbon with a little lace flower and my signature and date on the back just to make it extra special.