Bloomin' Tuesday

We had a mother of a snowstorm last week so all the little ground cover that was starting to sprout is now shivering underneath several inches of snow. So for my Bloomin' Tuesday post I'm relegated to cut flowers again -- which is not really a hardship, mind you. If I had my way I would have a vase of cut flowers in every room of my house. That's my idea of heaven. This week I bought a small bunch of tulips and a small bunch of snapdragons. Both of these varieties are favorites of mine and remind me of Spring! If I can't have Spring in my garden, I might just as well have it on my dining room table!

I took the first two photographs at nighttime and the next two in the early morning hours with full sun, which explains the difference in shading and color in the photos. They are lovely, aren't they?

To visit more Bloomin' Tuesday posts,
go to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's!

Around the corner...

Easter is just around the corner. It's one of my favorite holidays. I associate the words "joy", "hope", "renewal", and "love" with Easter. How could you not adore a holiday that you think of in those terms? I like to send my kids and grandkids little love packages on holidays. I wish our family could be together on all the holidays, but they are spread from one coast to the other, so getting together for every holiday is just not possible. Instead, I often send them little care packages to let them know we love them and are thinking of them. I thought I'd show you what I'm sending our granddaughters this year. Yup, each one will get a little "cupcake" with little trinkets and jelly beans inside the eggs. I've always enjoyed making the Easter basket part of the gift. I like it to be something they can use after, so this little cupcake tote fits the bill perfectly. I think I'll get the grandsons a little sand bucket this year and fill it with little boy things. Should be fun putting these together...

Flea Market Finds...

Today I needed to get out of the house. Yesterday we were practically snowed in. Colorado has had a relatively warm Winter with very little snow along the front range, but yesterday Mother Nature made up for lost time. We had a bit of a blizzard. I get cabin fever after a few short hours, so I needed to get out today. I traveled on over to the local Flea Market for a little excitement. (Yeah baby, that's how I roll.) I enjoy going to the Flea Market every now and then -- particularly when I need a little levity. I peruse the isles chuckling to myself over all the outlandish items on the shelves. Occasionally I find a little something that I like. Today I hit the gold mine! Permit me to share...

Since we are in "baby mode" in our family, when I came upon this little vintage romper my heart melted.

Let me just state at the onset that I am not an antique or vintage connoisseur. My dream is to be one of the experts on "Antique Roadshow", but I don't need a crystal ball to realize that's not in my future. When I saw this beautiful little romper I was thinking it might be an authentic 1950ish cast-away. Since I got home I remembered seeing rompers just like this one in Chinatown last year, so now I'm thinking it's probably just a replication. Frankly, that doesn't even matter because I love it and I paid what I consider a fair price for it -- $6. I do love the detail on the front.

The little baby blue felted shoes I snatched for $3.50. Not bad. I'm not sure about the little pink flowers. I think I have a better chance at these shoes being "vintage" because times have changed and I don't see a lot of florals adorning little boy clothes these days. They are sweet though, aren't they?

I'm a sucker for holiday decorations. So I picked up these little baubles...

I'm thinking they'll look kind of cute in the midst of the Easter eggs I use to adorn my mantel. They were a few dollars each. The fur feels surprisingly realistic. Hmmm. I'm hoping Peter Cottontail didn't get caught by Farmer John and this is the result... :o/ (That was tacky... I apologize.)

Last, but not least, I have a little collection of what I term "blue and white" in my kitchen. Here's a sample of a few of my pieces.

See that little Delft pitcher in the middle? It looks like it "belongs", doesn't it? Well, now it does. That's the last item I bought today. I paid a whooping $9 for it, but I do love it immensely.

All in all not a bad price tag for an afternoon of entertainment!

Thankful Thursday

What inspired me this week?

Most of you know that I spent the last couple of weeks in Tennessee. It rained consistently the first week of my stay, but toward the end of my visit the sun came out and Spring started to show her lovely face. Green grass. Budding trees. Blue skies. Flashy flowers. Robust robins. All signs that pointed the way to warmer, more sun-filled days. Simply put... Spring inspires me.

What surprised me this week?

A couple of days ago my sewing machine took on the sounds of a garbage disposal. I've never been mechanically oriented, but I figured that was not a good sign. I called up the fabric shop where I purchased the machine and they told me to bring it in. Less than an hour after I dropped it off they called to say the tune up was complete. Nothing major, just a cleaning was in order. When I picked up the machine I asked how much I owed them. Her reply, "Not a thing." Now mind you, I need no encouragement to want to peruse their store on a regular basis, but I really appreciate the way they chose to show my value as a customer in this very tangible way. Such a welcome surprise!

What moved me this week?

While I was in Nashville I was able to go with my daughter and son-in-law to an ultrasound where they found out the gender of their baby. Sitting in that room watching that once-in-a-lifetime occasion unfold was so sweet and special. That moment was blissfully surreal and it moved me.

Been baking...

I've been baking again. Making these cupcakes is lethal to a diet. Seriously. I'm not even kidding. Especially when I'm applying chocolate frosting. I'm packing on the pounds, but when I look at these goodies it makes me feel like it's worth it. They are delectable, aren't they? ;o) These baked goods currently reside in my Etsy shop.

Lil' Girl Cupcake Totes...

I had a little time yesterday to whip up a couple of cupcakes. I'll be posting these on Etsy later today, but thought I'd go ahead an give you a quick preview.

Bloomin' Tuesday

Yesterday we came home from our trip to Nashville to 77 degree weather in Colorado. (Never mind that we are under a storm watch today with three inches of snow expected.) I can always tell when Spring is around the corner. Dandelions are my first clue. They start popping up all over my yard. Fortunately for them by the time I see those weeds I'm so grateful to see anything green in my garden that I am tempted to water and fertilize them just to encourage them along.

This year I will be fortunate enough to see the first real signs of Spring in two states -- albeit a month apart. On Saturday, before we left Tennessee, we went to the replica of the Parthenon in Nashville. It was a warm, beautiful Spring day. Birds chirping. Squirrels flying from tree to tree. Chubby babies toddling around the park gleefully experiencing a warm day. Beautiful moments.

While there I took some photos of the blossoming trees...

Be still my heart.

To enjoy more Bloomin' Tuesday posts, go to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's!

Back home...

I feel like I've been gone from the blogging world for forever. We flew home yesterday from the Nashville area after a two week stay -- me two weeks, my husband a few days. It's a good thing I have something to look forward to (lots of cupcakes and totes to make) or I would be in a sad state today. Truth be told, I'm in a sad state anyway. It was heavenly to be able to be there to help my son's family when they brought home their little one from the hospital. He is so adorable and his brother and sister are so enthralled by him. I also was able to be in the room when my daughter had an ultra-sound that told her and her husband the gender of their baby due in July... another boy! Here's a mosaic of our time spent with all of them...

I'll get back to the regular routine in a few days, but for now I'm just trying to catch up on being away for a couple of weeks. Why is that so hard? Anywho, check back. I'm going to whip up a couple of batches of cupcakes in time for Easter! Whooopeeee!

I'll also have another give-away the first part of April. Double Whooopeeee!

Could he be any cuter?

The answer to the above question is ... No! Blake is adorable and so are his siblings, Zoey and Reed. I think you'll agree they are all pretty special.

This grandma is one lucky lady!

Here's the whole family. I think there's something illegal about looking that good after just giving birth. Seriously, my little daughter-in-law is one beautiful momma!

He's here...

Grandbaby #6 has arrived. Safe and sound -- both mother and baby. A little bundle of love. Photos will follow in a few days.

Just waiting...

I'm on pins and needles. Grandbaby #6, a boy, is scheduled to come into the world on Monday. Tomorrow I'm headed to Tennessee so I can be stationed at "home" with the newborn's brother and sister while their mom and dad are at the hospital awaiting his arrival. It's an exciting time for our family and, like I said, I'm on pins and needles.

Because of all this excitement blogging is going to take second fiddle for a couple of weeks. I won't be around much, if at all. I am hoping to post a photo or two of these grandchildren and yet another that lives nearby. Yup, our best and most priceless creations are not made of fabric. That's for sure.

Thankful Thursday

What inspired me this week?

My mother-in-law inspired me this week. We had a long talk on the phone this morning. We don't talk nearly as often as we should. Life just gets in the way, but this morning neither of us was hurried and we were able to catch up on each others lives. My mother-in-law is one of the most nurturing individuals I've ever known. I've known two types of "nurturing" women in my life. I'll give this analogy. The first type is like a Summer thunderstorm. They roll into your life with enthusiasm and gusto filling you up with a downpour of good thoughts and encouragement. You feel a little overwhelmed when they depart, but you've been renewed all the same. The second type is like a shower in the Springtime. They replenish you with a steady drizzle of cool, quenching moisture and remain a regular source of nourishment throughout your life. My mother-in-law is like that shower in Spring. She has a kind, soft way about her that is rejuvenating. I got off the phone after talking with her today and felt revived. She inspires me by the things that she does, the person that she is, and the person that she believes me to be.

What surprised me this week?

My Lil' Girl Cupcake Totes are selling like hotcakes ... or should I say "cupcakes!" A nice surprise!

What moved me this week?

This week I've thought a lot about the many ways we are supported and comforted during trying times in our lives. A few individuals that I'm close to have been traveling rough roads recently. Although their experiences are very different in nature, in each case I have seen these individuals receive the help and encouragement that they needed. One time this aid came from a loving family member. Regularly the hand of a stranger made the difference. Several times relief arrived through a "coincidence" that cannot be explained. All are evidence to me that someone "up there" is watching out for us and aware of our needs and desires. I'm moved by that belief.

"First Love"

I went back to my First Love yesterday. No need to get worried. I'm not talking high school romances here. I'm talking totes. These last few weeks I've been baking lots of cupcakes and whipping up travel bags. It felt so good to get back to my first love -- Hang Ups (totes). I have amassed a roomful of Spring and Summer-like fabric for Hang Ups that I'll be making in the next couple of months. It's downright exhilarating to think of all the tantalizing fashions that will be created!

Speaking of creations... here's "First Love." I adore these vibrant, happy fabrics. So feminine and saucy! The three complimentary fabrics used in this tote were designed by Lila Tueller for Moda and are called "Woodland Bloom." Nothing like a little pink to put you in the mood for warm, sun-washed days and flower gardens...

Lil' Cherry Cupcake...

This has got to be one of my favorite fabric combinations so far. Love the bright pink stripe with the pink polka-dots! For your enjoyment pleasure...

The dimensions of this little tote are:11" tall (including handle) x 8" wide at frosting - 4" wide at bottom x 3" deep

Check it out...

Love this new shop, Messes and Mudpies. Among other things, isnt' that a great name for a shop that sells soap? Check out her products. They are unique and most of her soaps sound good enough to eat -- for example: Very Cherry Almond. Yum. After you look at her website, hop on over to her blog where she is having a $30 Give-Away to celebrate her 100th post and the opening of her shop. I did.

The contest will end March 16th.

Another batch...

My lil' cupcakes have been consumed. Every last one of them. It seems that I'm not the only one with a penchant for sweets. It's a good thing I whipped up a batch on Saturday! These will go in my Etsy shop later today. Yum. All fruity concoctions with sprinkles atop!

strawberry...


blueberry...


& lemon...

Wow...

Jen from Muddy Boot Dreams wrote a post today. Check it out! Let's just say my Hang Ups never looked so good. ;o) We have a mutual admiration society. Thanks, Jen.