2017 April
The Bridal Shower...
4/26/2017
What a great week in Florida! But oh, so short. I was able to do a little yard work and flower potting when I first got there and then spent some time making a few new pillows for the swinging porch bed. So comfortable and inviting!
But the main reason I went this time was to attend a bridal shower for my new to be daughter-in-law, Natalie.
It was so fun to meet her extended family. She looked so pretty and I think it finally sunk in to her that she is really getting married... and soon!!
Her sister and cousin put on the shower and it was done so creatively with great attention to detail. The theme was "BRUNCH AND BUBBLY" with Mimosa's and some great breakfast burritos, cake pops and cake. The flowers that were frozen in the ice cubes just set off the tub of champagne. The cake pops were delicious and oh so pretty. I'm just saying... the one time I tried to make them (store bought cookies of course) mine NEVER looked like that! And, of course, there were some fun games for all to enjoy...
Meet my new extended family.
Though it's not yet official, I feel like they have been part of our family for years.
My son, Brent; Natalies mom,Sameeha; Natalie, me; and Natasha, Natalie's sister
Poor Murphy and Brent were banned from the house for the shower. Brent was finally let back in but Murphy had to wait until all the guests left. Doesn't he look pathetic?
We have a location for the rehearsal dinner -even though we are not having a rehearsal. It will be hosted on THE LADY DELRAY with Delray yacht cruises and will be an intracoastal dinner cruise.
Now to start making the centerpieces and sewing table toppers/runners. It'll be all around the theme of telling their story and writing the next chapter of their lives together.
I've started getting ready for ARW(Arts Recreation and Worship Conference at Montreat, NC) and have been working on baskets for the blue light specials at the auction.
This morning was spent hauling the pieces and parts from the 3rd floor to the basement so I figured that the gym wasn't necessary today.
I'll put about 25 baskets together and ARW staff will sell raffle tickets to benefit the scholarship fund.
Do any of you have any good ideas for baskets that you've put together? I could definitely use some fresh ideas. If you all have a chance, check out the conference. It is such a rewarding and relaxing week in the mountains.
Plans for chairs are also in the works this week. I want to get a new ottoman or two done for Crescent Hill Trading Company and some more items down to Consider Boutique.
I think a small wingback and coordinating ottoman in the turquoise and deep pink velvet zebra fabric will be very sophisticated while adding a touch of whimsy. The sunflower fabric has french knots in the center.... oh, so fun!
I also love this little imported neoclassical swirl arm frame that I haven't figured out what to do with.
Whatever I end up upholstering it with has to be something extra special.
Fabric Exploration With A Purpose will be a week long class that I'm teaching in Montreat during the Fall Craft Week the first week of October. We will immerse ourselves in fabric creation and exploration with various techniques, both new and old ones reinvented. There will be plenty of time to play and experiment with fabric design, and go away with lots of finished fabric. You can either create an ottoman or pillows with your fabric, or just continue fabricating with different techniques and take even more fabrics home with you! So excited to have 24 hours of class time! Join me this Fall in the mountains!
One more picture of the beauty that is life on the farm. I don't know why I have so many purple flowers since purple isn't my color of choice, but they sure look beautiful!! Have a wonderful week.
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When I was growing up, Christmas gifts for me consisted of footballs, Erector sets, hammers, saws and nails. I was the tomboy in my family. My dad was outnumbered with all girls and I always wanted to keep him company so I would just as soon stay outside than be doing all the girly pretty stuff that teenage girls did at that age.
Shopping consisted of quick trips to the Pannell Swim Shop or in the men's department of whatever store was quick and easy to get in and out of, because the boys hated to shop.
Fast forward to the upcoming wedding...
And Shoes...
Blessing Pillows for AWAKE Ministries Work Day will be in my basement studio....
Love this wisteria that grows at the back of my yard. I'm so enjoying having time to take pictures and appreciate my surroundings.
What a way to live! I found this sign on a shopping trip with Jeff and decided that these would be great rules to live by. The first three are easy for me but the last one I have trouble accomplishing.
Great music by the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys and the wonderful smells from the food vendors made this a great place to be on a Saturday afternoon.
4/26/2017
What a great week in Florida! But oh, so short. I was able to do a little yard work and flower potting when I first got there and then spent some time making a few new pillows for the swinging porch bed. So comfortable and inviting!
But the main reason I went this time was to attend a bridal shower for my new to be daughter-in-law, Natalie.
It was so fun to meet her extended family. She looked so pretty and I think it finally sunk in to her that she is really getting married... and soon!!
Her sister and cousin put on the shower and it was done so creatively with great attention to detail. The theme was "BRUNCH AND BUBBLY" with Mimosa's and some great breakfast burritos, cake pops and cake. The flowers that were frozen in the ice cubes just set off the tub of champagne. The cake pops were delicious and oh so pretty. I'm just saying... the one time I tried to make them (store bought cookies of course) mine NEVER looked like that! And, of course, there were some fun games for all to enjoy...
Meet my new extended family.
Though it's not yet official, I feel like they have been part of our family for years.
My son, Brent; Natalies mom,Sameeha; Natalie, me; and Natasha, Natalie's sister
Poor Murphy and Brent were banned from the house for the shower. Brent was finally let back in but Murphy had to wait until all the guests left. Doesn't he look pathetic?
We have a location for the rehearsal dinner -even though we are not having a rehearsal. It will be hosted on THE LADY DELRAY with Delray yacht cruises and will be an intracoastal dinner cruise.
Now to start making the centerpieces and sewing table toppers/runners. It'll be all around the theme of telling their story and writing the next chapter of their lives together.
This morning was spent hauling the pieces and parts from the 3rd floor to the basement so I figured that the gym wasn't necessary today.
I'll put about 25 baskets together and ARW staff will sell raffle tickets to benefit the scholarship fund.
Do any of you have any good ideas for baskets that you've put together? I could definitely use some fresh ideas. If you all have a chance, check out the conference. It is such a rewarding and relaxing week in the mountains.
I think a small wingback and coordinating ottoman in the turquoise and deep pink velvet zebra fabric will be very sophisticated while adding a touch of whimsy. The sunflower fabric has french knots in the center.... oh, so fun!
I also love this little imported neoclassical swirl arm frame that I haven't figured out what to do with.
Whatever I end up upholstering it with has to be something extra special.
Fabric Exploration With A Purpose will be a week long class that I'm teaching in Montreat during the Fall Craft Week the first week of October. We will immerse ourselves in fabric creation and exploration with various techniques, both new and old ones reinvented. There will be plenty of time to play and experiment with fabric design, and go away with lots of finished fabric. You can either create an ottoman or pillows with your fabric, or just continue fabricating with different techniques and take even more fabrics home with you! So excited to have 24 hours of class time! Join me this Fall in the mountains!
One more picture of the beauty that is life on the farm. I don't know why I have so many purple flowers since purple isn't my color of choice, but they sure look beautiful!! Have a wonderful week.
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Jo Price - Basket ideas, Game basket with decks of cards UNO, Standard Deck, Old Maid, Skip Bo, LRC - dice game. Add some festive napkins a 2Liter of Pop & couple cans of Pringles, Picnic Basket Paper plates napkins, Plate holders, utensils, cups, 2 liter, $ Store table cloth, Chick-A- Fil-A Gift card, Beach bag- beach ball, flops, beach towels, sunscreen, wipes, lip balm, Hats, sand castle tools Movie Night basket, Sewing or craft basket. Baby basket blankets wipes, lotion, diapers, teething rings, thermometer, First Aid Kit Hope that helps
Spanx & High Heels...
4/19/2017
And then I raised two very athletic boys. The next 20 years were spent sitting on swimming pool bleachers and cheering them on at ball games.
During this period of my life I lived in jeans, shorts , tee shirts and flip flops. There wasn't time for girl shopping, and makeup, shoes and dresses were not in the wardrobe.
Getting ready for the kid's wedding is introducing me to all the things I missed out on over the past several years. Spanx, or as I see it, the modern day girdle that my mother used to wear, is about as uncomfortable as it looked 40 years ago!
I have never owned a dress that needed you to be sucked in and tucked in all the right places until now. Do you think it may be possible for me to starve the week before the wedding so all those pieces and parts of this old body will stay where they're supposed to be?
I'm going to try!
When your feet are too narrow to just go in and pick up a cute pair of shoes to wear, it takes the fun out of shopping for something special. I don't believe I've had on a pair of high heels (which were borrowed) since I was trying to look "fashionable" at a formal event in my college days. They hurt my feet so bad that I had them off after the first 10 minutes and two drinks into the night.
I lost the shoes, ruined the dress and, I think, I permanently damaged my feet. LOL
The shoes for the wedding have 2 1/2 inch heels and have lots of inserts and padding in them to keep my feet from sliding around. I'm going to see if I can set a record of 15 minutes in high heels... and no drinks!!
I do have to admit that I am looking forward to having my makeup done before the wedding. I wonder what it will be like not to just slap it on in 5 minutes and be out the door?? LOL
Mom and Walt have been here for the past week. For the past two years they've traveled the South and always bring home big huge bags of shrimp when they visit, and the shrimp boil has become a fun new tradition for our family. I don't care for seafood, since I'm allergic to a lot of it, but the family says that this recipe is wonderful. They're even sharing the family recipe so you can try it for yourself!
SHRIMP BOIL
Ingredients:
- 3# small Red Potatoes (whole) - 2# Kielbasa Sausage (cut inot 2" pieces) - 4 ears Sweet Corn (broken in small pieces) |  - 3# raw in shell shrimp - 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning |
Directions:
Large pot - 5 quarts water - bring Potatoes and Kielbasa to a boil - Cook 5 min. Add 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning. Add Sweet Corn. Let cook 10 minutes. Add Shrimp and cook 5 minutes. Serve on a big platter or cookie sheet and let everyone peel their own shrimp.
Large pot - 5 quarts water - bring Potatoes and Kielbasa to a boil - Cook 5 min. Add 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning. Add Sweet Corn. Let cook 10 minutes. Add Shrimp and cook 5 minutes. Serve on a big platter or cookie sheet and let everyone peel their own shrimp.
Look at this great dog bed Brent created and designed for Murphy. He is able to run in and out during the day and stay out of the hot Florida sun. It also doubles as a table for entertaining in the evening. I love the way Brent stained and finished just inexpensive lumber!! So creative!
It's obvious that Murphy hasn't had any trouble sleeping on his old dog bed, but I went to a local fabric store and bought fabric to create a new padded bed for him anyway. I think he likes it! And it's not even finished!! LOL
While at the fabric store I found this pretty Ogee patterned outdoor fabric and coordinating pieces for my front porch. I just need to get my chairs back from Cherry Blossom Powder Coating. I wonder who owns that business!! Those shoemakers children...LOL
We will play with making pillows for the ladies that will be at the New Women's Shelter on May 2.
I know we had one group take on 20 pillows from start to finish. I can't wait to see them. Let's make more to add to this gift!!
ENJOYMENT
... the word for the year is sure fitting for me!!
4 Comments
Mary - Can't wait to see you in that beautiful dress! Congratulations to Brent on his upcoming wedding. He was so kind to a young Cody.
Laura Dennison - Looks like your creativity has rubbed off on Brent. Love the table/dogbed combo.
Jayn Lando - I have about the same experiences with dressing up! We went to a "cocktail attire" anniversary party in Jan and I was lost with what to wear. Found a silky top (at a thrift shop) with dressy pants so was able to wear flats. As it turns out I've worn the outfit two more times this spring to weddings! Our church has a Low Country Shrimp Boil as an annual event ... one of my very favorite meals!
Jayn Lando - I got the inserts for the Awake Ministries pillows but can't find the specifics of what to do with them ... size, etc.
Antiques & Good Music!
4/12/2017
There's just so much in life that I want to do and experience. I grab every opportunity when I get the chance, which often leads to hurrying around. But... if it is fun, it's okay, at least for the time being!
Jeff and I visited the Highfalutin Vintage & Antique Market that was at the Shelbyville Fairgrounds this past weekend. I thought it sounded like fun and had it in the back of my mind that we would go stroll around - a little less hurried - but then forgot all about it when I got busy on a few other projects.
I was reminded that I wanted to go at the last minute after a million posts and shares on Facebook by a friend (thanks Lynn). So Jeff and I headed up to check it out.
There were lots of local vendors and some fun true antiques - that were my age HMMMM... does that mean I'm old? Never!!
Doesn't the Cowgirl just make you smile! I tried to figure out where to put her but my basement walls are full!
You don't want to miss the next time they're in town!
When you walk out the front door of the TRADING COMPANY, you're looking at Consider Boutique
And last, but not least, you MUST head into Bourbon Barrel Foods where the slogan is EAT YOUR BURBON™. Their famous Bluegrass Soy Sauce is made from GMO free soy beans and is a favorite of chefs near and far. They even have Bourbon flavored salt!
I was able to start Easter baskets for my kids with several of their products. You are never too old for Easter baskets, they just take on a little different form as the kids get older!!
Warm weather is coming. Spend a day on Frankfort Avenue and just play!
Awake Ministries is in the process of getting new draperies and window treatments hung. Thanks, Kevin for the help!
Judy and I headed up to Crescent Hill TRADING COMPANY with these 'just out of the studio' Blue Cheetah Decorative Pillows and to help ship theHoot Owl Checkerboard Ottoman to a customer in Oregon.
I love knowing there are pieces of my furniture in so many different States now. I think I'll start a list with a goal to to see pieces in all 50 States..... hmmm... I have a ways to go!!
I'll be concentrating on more one-of-a-kind items as soon as I'm done with wedding planning.
Speaking of wedding planning. I took advantage of one of the pretty days last week to do some spray painting so I can get these pots shipped to Florida.
The undercloths for the linen table cloths are almost finished and ready to ship and the floral supplies are packed ready to go. Now to hem the bridesmaids dress...
I'm headed down to Florida again next week for a bridal shower and last minute prep work. It'll be here before we know it!! So exciting!!
We had another sunny day and I was able to strip and paint some new "old" chairs that I'm working on for Crescent Hill TRADING COMPANY. I use a product called LIQUID SANDER to tacky up the wood on the chair before I paint them. It makes the paint stick better and stops a lot of the sanding that usually happens. I used a matelassé coverlet as the base cloth for the chairs and then went to town with my own designs with colorful batiks. I thought about sharing the progress along the way but I think I'll keep you in suspense until they're done.
They're a beautiful and vibrant coral color, and I love the way they're turning out.
They've been delivered to Bob Allen's Upholstery for completing the design, and I might even make a variation of this same design for a single chair in my dining room.
Is the suspense killing you yet?? LOL
Another picture of springtime for you to enjoy. This is off the patio, just outside the studio door. Enjoy this spring weather!! Happy Easter!!
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A Day on Frankfort Avenue
4/4/2017
What a fun two days I had down on Frankfort Ave at the Crescent Hill Trading Company. I went in Friday to see if I could be of assistance to Mark as he was getting ready for the "soft" opening Friday night and, when I walked in, I couldn't believe how much he had accomplished after we had dropped furniture off in Patty's living room the day before. What a transformation he, his friends, and staff have made!. It is well worth the trip to in to Louisville to visit.
ABOVE: Love the entrance to Mark's new store. The curtain panels set off the doorway and catch your attention as you're walking down Frankfort Avenue. And there's nothing like a bright colored door to say "Welcome."
ABOVE: What fun it was to be greeted by the smiling faces of Joyce and Jack that were at the right of the door as you walked in. In the lower left corner of the same photo there's just a peek of my Art Quilt Symphony Ottoman. I think my new Esquire Decorative Pillows (right photo) look great with the antique chests and the hand painted picture frame by local artist, Brenda Wessling.
ABOVE: Check out this fun recycled table, mirror and candlestick that Brenda has also painted. I'm trying to figure out where to put this candlestick in my house. It's SO pretty!... She does a beautiful job and has many more great looking furniture pieces and accessories. A lot of the time you'll find her in the back corner of the shop painting.
One of the things that I hope to continue creating for the TRADING COMPANY are my pillows.... you know I love pillows!.... just ask Jeff when he has to throw a thousand off when he wants to sit or lay down!! Above in the rocking chair are my Aristocrat Fleur de Lis Decorative Pillows. They're made out of nubby silk, canvas, bamboo, and metal accessories, and are filled with feather/down pillow forms.
Of course my favorite look is the black & whiteMs. Jazzy Occasional Chair being paired with my new Happy Day Decorative Pillows from the My Garden Collection, and the Shabby Chic Checkerboard Ottoman. The pops of red just set it off! Wouldn't this look be perfect in a personal studio or dressing room?
I think what appeals to me the most is the unexpected in this little shop. I love the surprise and creativity of finding a little bit of quirky mixed in with the beautiful antiques. Check them out.
If you are interest in any of the Funky Fibers products shown above, contact Mark at (502)896-6110 for availability.
directly across the street. It's a wonderful shop that functions as an art gallery as well as offering artisan's jewelry, potter, accessories, and so much more!
I have a few of my things consigned with Casey and hope to get some more ready to go. Of course, while I was there visiting with her I had to buy a cute pair of earrings!
You can actually spend a fun full day within two blocks of these two shops. I went on a traveling trip up and down the street and found some wonderful shops you might be interested in.
The Blue Dog Bakery & Café is a must to visit. I had a delicious salad and, of course, some of their home baked bread to go with it. YUMMM...!!! And I don't even care for bread most of the time.
And I don't even care for bread most of the time.
On down the street you'll find Louisville's oldest independent and charming bookstore,Carmichael's Bookstore.
You can actually spend a fun full day within two blocks of these two shops. I went on a traveling trip up and down the street and found some wonderful shops you might be interested in.
The Blue Dog Bakery & Café is a must to visit. I had a delicious salad and, of course, some of their home baked bread to go with it. YUMMM...!!! And I don't even care for bread most of the time.
And I don't even care for bread most of the time.
In here you'll find lots of unique reading material, and it's where I was introduced to the Garden and Gun magazine. Strange title but fun magazine that beautifully covers everything from food to gardening, arts to travel, sporting to music, and more!
Just Creations - Crafts That Make a World of Difference is located on the corner with all their fair trade merchandise.
If you need a unique gift for someone, this is the place to shop! The store is filled with rugs, woven pieces, carved pieces, clay figures, beaded art and jewelry, and things you would never have thought of from all over the world.
My favorite are their colorful baskets and I think they could easily complement any room.
And last, but not least, you MUST head into Bourbon Barrel Foods where the slogan is EAT YOUR BURBON™. Their famous Bluegrass Soy Sauce is made from GMO free soy beans and is a favorite of chefs near and far. They even have Bourbon flavored salt!
Awake Ministries is in the process of getting new draperies and window treatments hung. Thanks, Kevin for the help!
They really do look better than this picture. My picture taking skills are not the best, even though they have improved greatly, and I know that ironing the drapes would help a little too! LOL!!
Just a little more sewing to do on upstairs valances and this project will be complete. I don't think that when I owned the building that the windows were ever all covered at the same time. Oh, the Shoemaker's poor children!
I hope you find a little time to take a day to play this Spring. The sun just makes me smile!
Just a little more sewing to do on upstairs valances and this project will be complete. I don't think that when I owned the building that the windows were ever all covered at the same time. Oh, the Shoemaker's poor children!
I hope you find a little time to take a day to play this Spring. The sun just makes me smile!
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