Tea time

Hi everyone!   We're off the trail after hiking through the woods with the Young Birders of the local Audubon Society.  It was hot but the company was fantastic.  The warblers are beginning to migrate through our area as they are returning to their winter homes in the south.  My son got a "Life Bird" today - Northern Waterthrush.  He's has over 200 birds on his life list and at 12 years old I look forward to seeing how large a list he'll have as an adult!  I love that he has such passion.

Although we spend hours in the woods and fields, thankfully I still find a bit of time to create.  I am not a lover of tea but I do so love everything about it.  The cups, tins, decorative tea bags ... it feels victorian, vintage and wonderful.  I put together some stamped images that I "fussy cut", added some glitter to a chipboard frame, and layered it on pattern papers with a kitchen theme.  A shabby bow, decorative pins,  a couple sweet flowers, and some pom-pom trim was the finishing touch.  I hope you like it too.

I'll be back soon with more to share ... for now Good Night!

Home again ...

It's good to be home.  An extended vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains was heavenly.  What a gorgeous area of our country.   I certainly can see us retiring there someday.  Our days were filled with hikes up the mountains and visits to the local waterfalls.  A trip to the Biltmore House (I made them go) and white-water rafting (they made me go) were both fabulous too.  But ... it's good to be home.

Here's a sweet bird inspired card in shades of green made just for you.  I layered some crocheted flowers and topped them with a felt flower ... all stitched together with embroidery floss.  Papers from my scrap drawer coordinated nicely with the felt, dyed seam binding and velvety leaves.

You may recognize the tag sentiment from an earlier post using Tea Shoppe.  My little bird image is from a set called Papaya Collage.  Thanks for stopping by and spending some time with me ...

Autumn?

Another weekend behind us.  Thursday and Friday rain showers were a blessing - it's been so dry here and the sprinklers just couldn't keep up.  Saturday a light drizzle ... the perfect day to curl up with a great book.  What are you reading?  Sunday was bright and sunny without the high temperatures.  Is Autumn just around the corner?  My favorite time of year featuring my favorite color combinations.  I'll have to pull out my Autumn stamps and papers for my next posting.

I finally tried to sew on a paper butterfly ... something that's been on my "list of things to try".  It's quite a long list with all the inspiration I see posted on your wonderful blogs.  I try to attempt something new with each project - it's exciting to see the results.  Scraps from the drawer in pretty shades of blue, a touch of warm brown (Four Frames), a sweet teacup (Tea Shoppe) and of course polka dots.  All layered on a crocheted doily - created while enjoying a quiet moment.  It's funny how I enjoy working with blues.  You won't find any blues in my house nor in my closet.  But when it comes to creating something special from the heart ...  I don't know of another color that provides such comfort and softness.

I hope this inspires you to try something new ... and thank you for stopping by!

Tea Time

My husband turned 50 and we wanted to do something special but stay local.  A trip to the Grand Hotel was perfect.  We were lucky enough to be there for the 125th year anniversary!  There were fireworks, events on the gorgeous front porch of the hotel, and dinner with Michigan governors both past and present!  Our room was wonderful and I adored the happy yellow and green decor.  It's amazing to realize that each room is decorated differently.  The food was incredible - especially the desserts ... I'm sure I gained 5 pounds.  And during some of our meals, the plates came with beautiful paper doilies!  Of course, I tried to be inconspicuous as I slipped them into my lap before they got soiled but the waiter saw me.  Curiosity got the better of him and he had to ask.  To make a long story short, I walked out with a small stack of these beauties and big smile on my face!  And the gardens ... oh, the gardens!  I've been to Mackinac Island a few times when I was a child and I loved visiting again with my family who had never been.  To see it with my children brought back all the lovely memories of walking those same streets with my mom and dad.  The charm of the horse drawn carriages and warm welcoming feel of the island everywhere you go.  What a wonderful place to share and I'd recommend a visit if you are ever in the northern part of Michigan.  I've included a couple photos at the end of this post.

Although we've been very busy this month (my dear daughter celebrated a birthday too and our son spent a week at Boy Scout camp), I did create a few projects for my ETSY and to share with you.

Donna requested a couple beauties for ladies celebrating upcoming birthdays.  I think they're sweet. Pink always needs a crown and I included one of my crocheted roses to compliment the blue bird.  Yep, there's one of my Mackinac Island doilies!

I have fallen in love recently with tea kettles and tea cups.  I just can't seem to get enough!  You'll see two new stamp sets featured on these next ETSY listings.  Here is the stamp set From My Heart.  See the adorable tea kettle?  Tea and papers from Polka Dot Parade make a perfect combination.

Next I pulled out another new favorite - a set called Tea Shoppe.  LOVE the sentiment, don't you?  I layered cut felt and one of my pink crocheted flowers to create a new embellishment.  A few stitches of embroidery floss and a button finished the look.  I think it's sweet.

I'm looking forward to my next trip here ....

I have some bits and bobs laid out on my craft table, sorted by color and various textures ... so I'll be back soon with more to share.  Thanks for stopping by today!