every little thing

meet me at four o'clock

I may talk, think and dream about my garden in grand ways, but in reality....my little garden is, well, very little.   Things have a way of looking so much bigger in photographs than they are in real life.  These pictures are from last May...just as things were really starting to take off.   By August, the little arbor on the right was completely engulfed with vines!  Which was my intention, except I planted so many kinds of vines, assuming none of them would grow.  And they ALL grew, let me tell you.  It was such a jungle in there, we were scared to even sit under it!  (It didn't help that I found a two-foot snake skin curled up inside the vines!  This is a city garden, the only wildlife I expected were the neighborhood stray cats!) 

 

The middle part with six raised beds (4x6ft) are for the veg.  I was so incredibly surprised by how much produce we harvested from such a humble space.   The clear winners from last year were the bell peppers (Mike eats them whole right off the vine) and the spring spinach....soooo good.  The loser?  Squash.  I didn't get ONE squash.  I did, however get a bout 58 million squash vine borers that are really quite disgusting insects. * sigh*   The strip across from the ity-bitty pond is where I keep herbs.  (I heart herbs so much.)  My lemon grass plant was five feet tall by the end of the season!  And I started some lavender from seed (which I wouldn't recommend) but it survived the winter.   A long strip by the fence is just for cutting flowers.  That's Max on the right, swimming in zinnias. 

These little white pumpkins were called "baby boo".....awww, cute eh?  And they looked so nice on the fence.  Tomatoes a their peak are always just heaven (with just a touch of salt.) 

This is a moon flower vine (one of many on the arbor.)  The blooms are dinner-plate huge, and they open at night...at about 4 o'clock....so do the miribilis.  I loved the idea of a nocturnal garden.  And they smell heavenly....and attract giant moths (Ok...giant moths aren't romantic.....but they are cool.)  I could gush on and on about how much I adore gardening, but I'm sure you're bored already!  I'm actually shocked at the lack of photos I took last year....I'm sure I will bore you all with MILLIONS of garden-love pictures this year!  SO, I apologize in advance. 

So to make a long story short (ahem), I did a bit of seed saving last year, and I want to pass along some seeds to anyone out there who may be interested!  You don't have to garden yourself, you could give them to friends or family that would like them.  SO:  the first three people to email me *  abelstudio@gmail.com  *  will receive a cute handmade-by-me card filled with little seed samples from my garden to yours!  (Please include your address so I can mail em to ya!  And only US-people for this one....I think it may be un-cool to mail some seeds internationally, and I don't want to get in trouble! ( GAME OVER!  Winners to be notified shortly!  Thanks everyone!  Next give-away will be sometime in March.)  Seeds may or may not include: dill, miribilis, hibiscus, cleome, asclepias tuberosa, and cardinal climber...and whatever else I may find! 

I hope there are some people out there who will give these seeds a good home! 

(I read that parsley would attract these little guys.  I can't even tell you how delighted I was when they finally showed up.)

Flirting with time

I finally found a "style" or cards that I'm happy with.  The backgrounds are fabric scraps mod-podge-ed on with vintage illustrations, and a bit of the bakers twine just because.  There are also smaller, coordinating images on the back of the card too.   I hoped to have a few sets in the shop today....but I decided to make the envelopes that will go with them...so it's taking a bit longer.   I'd never made an envelope before, but I found it to be pretty easy...and really fun!  I just made a template from an old envelope that I liked.  I'm really happy with how they turned out (pics to follow later) and they don't really take that long to put together.   Plus, for some reason we already had dozens of rolls of double sided tape, and I think that works great for making the "seal" on the flap.  Easy, and no "licking."  Yay.

I'm really excited to make more of these, as I have LOTS and LOTS of vintage books to take images from.  I didn't realize how many I had!  I'd get one or two almost every time I went to a yard sale or a thrift store.....and I guess it just really started adding up.  (Or maybe I am going thrifting a little to much....hmm..) 

I'm going to try to keep popping in on the blog, but I am getting very close to a crazy round of spring craft shows I've committed to.  The first one is in three weeks and then there are 3 (possibly four) almost every weekend back to back!   I'm getting a little panicky, but I should be able to pull it all off.  (gulp)  So, I apologize if I'm missing in action for a while. 

I also see that the month is almost over, and I have NOT done a giveaway yet...and that is just shameful.  I will come up with some interesting freebies, and I will post the details sometime before February is over!  (I'm thinking it may be "gardening related",  so fellow green-thumbers may want to stay tuned.  I'm getting really excited to start my spring gardening planning this year, but I'm nervous that I'm just not going to have time to do all of things I love to do and all of the things I HAVE to do.  Lucky for me, VA has a long growing season. 

Monday Already?

My weekends are at their best when I can be around my little brother and sister.  They came down from Richmond for a visit, and it was just so nice to see them.  There was pink popcorn, America's Next Top Model Marathon, Anna's Pizza, Poquoson thrifting and even a bit of paper crafting.

These pictures are pretty blurry...but the point is....we are totally OUT of Mod Podge.  We were embellishing the little Target note pads I mentioned a while ago.  I need to go buy some more....hope they still have some. 

I also wanted to dress up my almost-free business cards I ordered from Office Depot.  I tea stained some of them, and dyed a few pink and green.  I was happy how they turned out, but I do like the tea ones the best.  I'm using them as tags for my products, and I also added some supplies that I got from Cerri's sweet little  etsy shop.  I just LOVE the vintage wallpapers and used them up almost immediately!  And of course, the ubiquitous red and white bakers twine.....I'm going to break down and just buy a giant cone of it.  BUT, maybe in blue and white instead...I can't decide.   I found it in brown and white, but only in small amounts that are very $$$.  If anyone sees the brown and white at wholesale prices PLEASE give me a holler!!!

I was really pleased with how those tags turned out.  Then I remembered that I should probably be MAKING things for the tags to go on first.  Oh well.

I also wanted to mention that I got my postcards I ordered from Vista Print.  Several of you guys were so nice to recommend them, and I tried one of their "free" deals for the promotional postcards.  I was definitely happy with how they turned out.

I only had to pay shipping, and that was just under $10 for 100 cards.   They are glossy and good quality for promotional stuff.  I don't think they'd be quite thick enough for actual postcard prints of artwork though.  But, I just LOVE a good deal!  I plan on giving Overnight Prints a try for this other postcard project I'm working on.  They offer the oh-so-lovely rounded corner postcards that I really like!  And, while I'm on the "supplies subject", I wanted to mention another great place for shipping boxes and bubble mailers called Packaging Price.  They have some of the cheapest prices I've seen.  I have not ordered from them yet, so I can't vouch for the quality...but I will keep ya posted...

Also, I had such a great time at the Crafty Potluck for the up-and-coming Seven Cities Craft Mafia  (a local chapter of the Craft Mafia that started in Texas.)  Such a great group of gals, and I'm really excited to be a part of this group and watch it grow!  I found out about it through Amber, another local crafty gal.  She did a lovely post about the pot luck with pictures and everything, if you 'd like to take a look.   I really look froward to getting to know these great artist more and collaborating for shows and projects and things!  I'm so excited! I also plan to post pictures of some other paper crafts I've been working on later today.  (Just a soon as the sun comes out, so I can get a decent picture!)  Hope everyone had a good weekend! 

Estate Sale, Part 2

These are some of the kitchen terry towels.  There are 10 of them all together, but these were my favorite.  I really want to make things out of these (I'm thinking baby bibs...) but I'm not sure if I will actually be able to cut them.  We'll see!  I love that some still have the old labels on them.  So cool.

I also picked up a few MORE vintage aprons:

My apron collection is out of control at this point.  Last summer at a yard sale, I was digging through a big box of aprons.  I asked the lady how much they were, and she said, "I don't know...how about $5 for the whole box?"  I think I blacked out for a minute.  When I came to I was the owner of about 25 gorgeous vintage aprons!  I made the other gals who were yard sale-ing with me pick one for themselves.  It was a good day.  But, I digress..... In an effort to whittle down my collection,  my plan is to make very cute little domestic hostess gifts with a vintage apron, and fill the pocket with cute things like vintage recipe cards, cute notions, some handmade stuff, etc.   I've been mulling this idea for some a while  now, I think it will be right on time for Easter/Mother's day. 

Marble magnets are ADDICTIVE!!!  I never made them before, but I had so much fun making these.  I only stopped because I ran out of magnets.  (A trip to the craft store later today will fix that...)  The ones on the left (my fav) are from a retro seventies kids book.  The ones on the right didn't come out as well as I'd hoped.  They are "bread and butterflies" from a vintage Alice in Wonderland book.   I plan to make these by the bucket-full.  Than you Amy for the great glue info! 

Last, but certainly not least......

Two things I think everyone should get!  How cute are these little mushroom lady bugs!?!?  I'd never seen these before, they are just like the mushroom birds, except they are tiny, like a 1/4".   I bought mine at A.C. Moore.  I want to put some on my flower brooches and hair clips...and I think everyone else should too!  How cute would that be?!  Crazy cute.  And the little note books....way cool and PLAIN (perfect for altering, eh?  Got these from target in two packs for like $2.50 (I think.)  Pretty cheap.  And I like the elastic tie that goes around.  I can't decide what kinds of pictures to mod podge on these babies!  I'm so stoked! 

Now go buy some lady bugs....you know you want 'em.

Yesterday's Estate Sale

I can't decide what I love the most....these darling vintage wrap skirts, or these pictures that make me look so skinny!  (Well, skinny for ME anyway.)   Seriously, it must be some sort of strange camera trick, or my hand is just holding all the blubber in (he he!)  Anyway....these skirts are amazing, and handmade!  But, alas, I will not be keeping them.  They are in the shop.   Oh, and the owl skirt has a matching handbag:

Couldn't ya just DIE? 

This was a great sale, to be sure.   Lots of stellar finds.  Some too-cool vintage terry dish towels that were NEVER used (I think she collected them)  some crazy Christmas ornaments, and more.   I promise more pics soon!  Anyone else do any good thrifting/yard-sale-ing/side-of-the road-digging this weekend?

There ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe...

Just a little peek at the overall chaos at the old homestead...

About 65 random half-started projects.  And, some serious fooling around with the rivet gun....trying to get some idea  to work that probably never will.  Oh, and a Super Big Gulp.....which has replaced coffee for reasons I can't explain. 

My metal dress form, who is looking very pirate-like theses days.  After a photo shoot, dress half off, wool coat, two brooches....poor thing.  Oh, and please note the general hurdy-gurdy state of the rest of the studio.  Seriously.   Could I be any less organized?  This is shameful.  Please don't judge me. 

And here is Max this morning...  It's 10:30 am.  and he's sleeping in our bed.  He said he had a tummy ache and didn't want to go to preschool today.  I think he may have just wanted to sleep in, and I'm cool with that.  Does that make me a lazy mom?  (um...yeah.)  Oh well.

It looks like this weekend will be devoted to some serious re-organizing, scheduling, grocery shopping and planning.  I need to overhaul everything; work ("real" and of the crafty nature), home, bills, laundry...the whole kit and caboodle.  (Will I actually do all of this?  Uh, probably not. )  In an effort to redeem myself, I will now post some pretty, less chaotic pictures of things that make me happy:

Clockwise from the top left:  1. My African Violet is blooming to beat the band!  I have killed, and then resurrected this plant on and off over the last year...but it looks like it has forgiven me and is gracing me with the loveliest purple flowers!   2. This gorgeous vintage tablecloth I thrifted had a huge rip in the middle.  No way to fix it.  Time to make something beautiful out of it!  For some reason, I'm thinking wrist cuffs.  I've never made or worn one before, but I think they are quite snazzy, and I'd like to make my own sort of shabby-chic version of them.  3. & 4. Little silk rosebud brooches went on the shop yesterday.  These are custom made, and so far, come in red yellow or white.  They're tiny and I'm really quite fond of them.  I got the idea from an old book on how to decorate sachets, but they made them from variegated ribbon (which I had trouble finding.)  So I used strips of leftover dupioni silk.  I want to make some little calico ones too. 

So, that's all the news for today.  I'm making minuscule progress with the Mardi Gras scarves I spoke of a while back.  I washed and ironed the fabric, drew up the basic design...and that's about it.  But I really want to finish some because I think they'll be pretty.  Maybe. 

And NO NEWS on the miniatures.  I'm starting to lose my patience with these people.  It's like they just don't want my money. 

Here's to a productive weekend everyone!

Y'all stay warm out there!  It's freezing here and, well, I know most of you  have it much worse than we do.   I keep seeing scary things on the news...be safe, everyone! 

Love is All Around

Happy V-Day Everybody!!! 

Much Love,

Mike (and Amanda and Max!)

*Note:  This picture dates back to 2004 and does not reflect upon actual cookie baking I may or may not have completed for the current Valentine's Day holiday.

Strawberry Spring

Max asks me almost daily now if it is time to go pick strawberries again.  (I guess he REALLY enjoyed it last year, he's been excited to go again ever since!)  So, he was almost as excited as I was to receive this adorable brooch!  Isn't it the cutest?  This little creation is from Amy of Pepto Girl, thank you so much! (And be sure to check out her website featuring her fantastic hanmade goods!)  The pretty magnet went directly to my fridge, and Max insisted on wearing all of the little buttons (especially the cupcake one!)  The Little Lovelies Brooch Swap  hosted by Claire was just too fun, I really enjoyed it!  Thanks so much for organizing everything...I think it was a great success! 

I also sent my Valentine's Day Postcard swaps out too.  I sort of went out on a limb with these, and I hope everyone likes them!

I used pictures from a vintage school book about space.  They just seemed romantic too me, I'm not sure why.  Then, for no particular reason,  I added a red silk heart with lightly burnt edges.  I guess I was trying to be a bit too artsy-fartsy....I could say they were like little love-comets, orbiting the stars in the cosmos..(ugh...gag!)  Anyway, I'm happy with how they turned out, and it's good for me to step out of the box from time to time.

Friday was Max's preschool field trip to the bowling alley.   I think if he was any more excited he would have spontaneously combusted.  It was so adorable.

There was a V-Day party planned for Saturday at my grandparents house, but it was canceled due to seasonal colds wrecking havoc with my other cousins, aunts and uncles.  I was to bring the rolls....and I made them anyway...  I just LOVE carbs!!!  And these rolls are my absolute favorite thing to make!

This is my Grandmother's recipe for refrigerator rolls, and they are meant to have a big old slice of country ham in the middle.  yuuummm....Just about the best thing on earth.  My Grandma was the owner of  a catering company, Personal Touch Catering,  that specialized in simple, southern foods for weddings and parties.  I helped her cater a few times when I was younger, and always enjoyed it.  She is a huge inspiration in my life, and I will endlessly aspire to live up to her level of amazing baking, crafting, gardening, crocheting-ness!  We did end up getting together for a min-party, just us.  I took the rolls, and she brought out the chocolate fondue fountain (and you can imagine how Max felt about that!)  he must have said about twenty times, "This is the best party ever!!!".   I know just how he feels.  We always used the word "party" pretty loosely.  A party could be a big catered shindig outside with tiki torches, pineapple boats and the whole nine yards......it could also be popcorn, lemonade and a Martha Stewart video.  (Usually the latter.)  But my feelings are always the same...."THIS is the best party ever." 

Oh,  how I love my family.

Craft-Girl Gone Wild

I've got out my bright, gaudy fabric and trim, I'm dusting off the old sewing machine, and I'm feelin' Mardi Gras, baby!  Oh yeah.  Time for some flashy, Naw-leans scarves.  (Or something like that, haven't figured it out yet.  My creative process is scattered, at best.)  I'll be sure too keep y'all updated. 

Speaking of updates...I am in the process of securing a large number of the  plastic miniatures that seem to be so popular these days.  It's proving to be much more difficult to get my hands on a large number of them, but I think I may have figured it all out!  (I really want to be able to offer them in sets of twelve for cupcakes, the way the good Lord intended for them to be.)   Still, they sell out terribly fast, so I was going to start a little mailing list for anyone who may want to be notified right away when the little darlings arrive.  If you would like to be in the know, please email me here:

abelstudio@gmail.com

And just put "mini club" in the subject.  I will be sure to send an email out to you as soon as more minis will be available.  I'm currently lobbying for:  fawns, snow white and the gnomes, bunny families, mini turntables and records, silver and gold ballerinas and more!

Awww...they're so darn cute.  I guess they are worth all the trouble.

Teaching a chick how to scratch

(Impromptu photo shoot of puffy chick spinning on the turntable brought to you by Max, who else?)

It's cold here today.  I feel very wimpy for whining about 38 degree weather when there are so many others out there talking about 20 below wind chills and such.  But still....my feet are cold..

I did venture out to dress up my booth at the Crafter's Market.  I just signed a lease there for a little spot to keep some of my homemade goods, and I'm pretty excited about it!  I managed to snap a few crappy shots before my camera battery died.  It's coming along.

The Crafter's Market is a small, cute store with many different crafters that peddle their wares.  I'm just renting a shelf space...not too big.  I had to get creative with the display space, and I'm so glad I took the time to spray paint those close pins pink last October!   I don't have very much up there right now, so I need to get busy this week if I want to have some decent Valentine's Day items by the weekend.  I've also committed to quite a few craft shows this spring, and it's time to get the ball rolling in that department too!    My etsy site may take a back seat for a while, but I'll try to juggle what I can.  I'm toying with focusing the etsy shop on more "supply and vintage " type things.  They sell quite well and I could still feature some handmade things from time to time.  I don't know.  Sometimes I just wish someone would tell me what to do.  Making your own decisions is overrated (and stressful sometimes.) 

And as if I didn't have ENOUGH going on........

Kathrynne can you see the sign in the window?!!??  There is the cutest little space available!  Remember when we were "photographed" and "interviewed" there for the newspaper?  (I never did see that article by the way.)  For some reason I've always wanted a space at this little, tiny antique shop.  I got the info and everything today, but there is no way I can do it right now.  A girl's gotta know her limits.  But, I had this fabulous daydream that I somehow got my friend Kat to move back here to VA and share this spot with me.  We would estate sale on the weekends to fill the space with amazing things, decorate it super cutely, have hot tea and talk "shop."  Sigh..... It was a good pipe dream.  And you never know, I may be able to pull it off one day.  Using my Jedi-mind trick powers, I have managed to move her from way out west, back to the East cost.  Just a little too far north.   Only a few more states to go....

(Did I mention that all of my friends move away?  It's quite sad, really.)