Thursday, December 30, 2010

Happy Birthday Lily!

We recently celebrated my daughter Lily's 3rd Birthday.  She wanted her birthday to be all about "puppies".  That is her latest obsession, puppies, puppies, puppies, and the color blue.  Everything has to be "blue".  So, for her birthday, I spent a small fortune at Party City, and bought her the whole Party Pups collection.  That wasn't enough, though, she needed one of Anne's adorable crowns.  Anne made her the cutest blue crown, with what else, puppies.  I just wanted to share a picture of the birthday girl in her crown. 


Lilys 3rd bday 116 (559x800) 
 



Friday, December 24, 2010

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Card Memory Book

We recently did a show at a scrapbooking store called "Defining Moments."   I've never been a scrapbooker, but I was so inspired by all the fun crafty scrapbooks that the store had on display.  I decided I would try one.  Well, every Christmas, I send out a christmas card photo of my three boys.  I love the cards, but after Christmas, what to do with them????    I just figured out the perfect place for them!


IMG_9799
 
Here is my new Christmas Card book!


 


IMG_9811
Each page, including the inside cover, is covered with scrapbook paper.  This is a picture of the front inside cover and my Christmas card from 2005.


 


IMG_9832
The album and pages are made of chipboard. I chose a binder album, so the pages are removable.  These are years 2006, 2008, and 2009.  I'm going to add a gift tag to each page with the year on it.


 


IMG_9817
 
This is what it looks like opened.  This is years 2006 and 2007.


 


IMG_9803
This is the back cover. 


I think it turned so cute! I'm so excited that I have a way to display my Christmas cards every year and see how much the kids have grown.  I'm thinking I may do the same thing with my kids birthday invitations.


Thanks to Jocelyn and Sammy at Defining Moments in Wilmette for the inspiration. I'm SO happy I have found a new hobby!


 


 



Monday, December 20, 2010

Bottles and Books

We have already started thinking about getting ready for the flea markets.  During the winter when we are at home, we really don't participate in shows that often, but are usually busy at home getting ready for the spring and summer shows to come.  Mom has already started playing with some old books and sheet music.  She has used these two materials before and always turns out amazing things, this was her latest.  I think it turned out great!  


Vegas 149 


We also love working with old and new bottles.  Mom recreated a wintery bottle she had seen done. In my opinion, anything with a bottle brush tree on it is adorable!  Anne and I have given her some ideas for Valentine's Day and Easter to use with these two crafts.  Can't wait to see what she comes up with. 



Friday, December 17, 2010

Wonderland Express

IMG_9731 


If you live in the Chicagoland area, a winter visit to the Chicago Botanical Gardens is a must.  From November 26th to January 2nd, the Wonderland Express is open.  This magical experience features "a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winding over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls, and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago's favorite landmarks. All buildings are handcrafted from natural materials like leaves, bark, and moss."  Not just for children, this is truly something everyone should see. I cannot recommend this enough.


IMG_9640
Augie walks under one of the 4 trestle bridges.


IMG_9669
The Shedd Aquarium


 


IMG_9661
The Chicago Theater


IMG_9653
They have a mini-Chicago skyline featuring Navy Pier, the Sears Tower, and Marina City.  It even snows over the skyline!


IMG_9650
Buckingham Fountain


IMG_9649
Picasso on Daley Plaza


IMG_9658


Obama Family House in Chicago


IMG_9644
They even have the Crate and Barrel store on Michigan.  


IMG_9623
The Stanley cup (made from baby coconut husk, eucalyptus pod, sea grass rope, burr oak, acorn caps, turkey tail mushroom, sponge mushroom, and cork bark) is new this year!  Duh-di-duh, Duh-di-duh, Duh-di-duh-di-duh-di-duh!!!!


IMG_9684
The gallery just outside the Wonderland Express Exhibit is transformed into an English country train platform with another miniture train garden running the length of the gallery.  


IMG_9689
The faux train platform is decorated adorably. There are packages, suitcases, and a ticket booth!


IMG_9724
On your way out, check out the outdoor grounds as well.  Their Christmas lights are beautifully done.


IMG_9736
 Every inch of their trees are covered in lights. It is amazing!!


Check out the Botanical Gardens website for more info- http://www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland/about.php


This is a must see!


 



Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Defining Moments

A couple weekends ago, we had the honor of selling our wares at a wonderful Holiday Bazaar.  We would like to thank Jocelyn Tobias and her daughter Sammy for hosting the Bazaar at their adorable scrapbooking shop "Defining Moments" in Wilmette at 1111 Central Street.  Anne and I pretty much shopped the entire time we were there! 


At the Bazaar were beautiful tiles, and really cute purses.  We also met Mary Felish from Premier Designs Jewerly who sells a beautiful line of jewelry.  Mary was a riot, and had such an enthusiastic spirit.   Making her debut was Sara from Chicago Sweets and Treats.  She makes delicious baked goods, which of course we had to sample some of each.   Sara has started her own blog which you have to check out.  http://chicagosweetsandtreats.wordpress.com  Follow her along on her baking journey.


We forgot our camera, so we had to use our phones for pictures. They aren't the greatest, but our display looked great, so I wanted to show you a few pics. 


IMG_4229


Julie found this vintage bird cage and Mom added the season greens and the copy cat tag.  It looked SO cheery!


IMG_4241
This FABULOUS vintage aluminum tree is part of Julie's own collection.  We decorated it with our Christmas tags and ornaments that were for sale.


IMG_4224
Speaking of tags...she made these out of old music sheet cards.


IMG_4217
Coco(yes, we name our dress forms) held our Merry Christmas crown. At her feet was this great wreath mom made with felt and reindeer ornaments.  


IMG_4250


We even had stuff oozing out from under the table.  Mom's Christmas pillows under a vintage "Merry Christmas" banner.


 


IMG_4216


This vintage pie safe held our Christmas houses and ball jars.  The Christmas houses were a big hit this season.


IMG_4214


The bags of snowballs are such a hit.  They look so whimsical when placed in a bowl.  Check out the "Regent" Christmas card pack.  It is filled with the original unused Christmas cards. It is so great.  Mom makes the little snowgirls using old glass bottles. They are like snowflakes, each one is a little different!  And don't forget about the old rulers, shape them into a star for a festive look!


IMG_4213
Here's a full table shot.


Thanks again "Defining Moments!"  We had a blast!


Also- you can find most of our Christmas items at Mary's Greenhouse at 555 S. O'Plaine Road in Gurnee. Mary had a holiday show on the 4th, but will have most of our items till after Christmas. 


 


 


 



Friday, December 10, 2010

Winter Crafts

I thought I'd share some of the crafts we have been making for the last two shows we were in. 


Moms camera 631 
These houses were a big hit at both shows.  I think they look like little row houses in this picture.


Moms camera 635 
These snowballs look so cute gathered together in a bowl.


Moms camera 644 
Mom made adorable felt Santa and Reindeer pillows. 


Moms camera 643 
Muslin ribbon is always a big hit.  I made some for Christmas, which is cute used as garland on trees. 


Moms camera 640 
The glittered gift tags turned out really cute!  We sold them in packs of 5.  GiGi, my alter ego, just had to do some French themed Christmas tags.  "Joyeux Noel".   Whatever is left, I will hang on my French themed Christmas tree in my bed room. 


Iphone 1277 
This picture is actually from the last event we were at, at Defining Moments, in Wilmette.  Look how great these personalized bookmarks are that Anne made.  You can send her a picture and she will make a bookmark that peeks out the top of your book.  They are a huge hit!  Great for an inexpensive Christmas or Birthday gift.  I love the chicken one of her chicken Missy. I think Missy and I are kindred spirits, all we think about is food.  She is a total food monger of a chicken!


Anne also made her ever popular chicken wire cloches, and her fabulous crowns.  She made a Chirstmas crown, which was adorable, and not surprisingly, sold. 


Christmas crown 
Sorry about the quality of the picture, it was taken with my phone.  But you can still see how cute the crown turned out.


 We will post some pictures of the last event we were at next.  Until then, have a great "wintery" weekend!


 


 



Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Tattered Terrier

IMG_4021
We recently lost our adorable mascot Thatcher.  She was not only a beloved pet, but also the inspiration for our company name and image.  You see, Thatcher was a very "tattered" terrier.  She was a Wire Haired Fox Terrier who probably started life in a horrible puppy mill.  She was never the best representation of her breed as far as looks go, but she was irresistibly cute.  Little did she know, she would grow up to be a company mascot.  I'll never forget the day I met her.  I had come home and had just gotten out of the car and this tiny little thing came running around the corner of the house.  I could'nt believe how cute she was.  We had never had a small dog, so this was such a different kind of puppy.  I instantly fell in love with her.  She had all our hearts from that day on! We miss you Thatcher!


Sc019f867101





 



Thursday, December 2, 2010

Holiday Bazaar and Open House this weekend!

We are so happy to of been asked to be in two special shows for December.   We have all been crafting away in preparation for this weekend. 


The first show is on Saturday, Dec 4th at Mary's Greenhouse in Gurnee.  The green house is located at 555 O'Plaine Road in Gurnee, IL.  60031.  Their telephone number is 847-336-5910.   It is a Holiday Open House.  


Please join us on Sunday, December 5th in Wilmette, at Defining Moments by Jocelyn Tobias.  Please bring a donation of either a cosmetic item for the NCJW women's shelter, or a non perishable food item for The Northfield Township Food Pantry.  There will be different vendors at the store for this event.  We hope you can make it, and please, bring a friend.  See information below.   Also, check out the store's website  http://definingmomentsbyjocelyntobias.com/


 


Evite3 00000 
 



Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Pictures of the Artfest

OK- So I know this is totally late, but I wanted to post some pictures of our booth at the Artfest we participated in a couple weeks ago.  We had such a great time at this event. It was definitely different than what we are used to, but we loved it.  Met such great people and made such great connections.


PA140199 


We dressed Coco(that's what we call our mannequin) in crowns.  She looked so great.  Below her we had the usual muslin ribbons.  People love them!


PA140208
The chicken wire cloches look so cute with pumpkins and fall arrangements under them.


                                    PA140230


These satin pumpkins were a hit!  Mom had to search high and low for the real pumpkin stems...it paid off mom!


PA140234


The Halloween tags were adorable!


PA140224


Chanel(our other mannequin) was dressed for Halloween!


PA140233


Here's a full shot of our Halloween table.


PA140220
Everyone loved the colorful birthday crowns.  They looked great next to the colorful luggage tags.


                     PA140222


I LOVE using an old thermos to hold Sunflowers.  So Fall!


 


This was such a great event.  We were truly honored to be included.  It was put on by Jenny Sweeny of Jenny Sweeny Designs and our good friend Jenny Cornell of Vintage Bleu.  These girls were so sweet to invite us.  They may be putting on a holiday event, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, check out their sites.  Jenny Sweeny Designs has a local store in Libertyville, but you can find her designs in TONS of stores all over.  Jennie Cornell makes fabulous jewelry and writes her fun blog Vintage Bleu.  Thanks for having us, girls!


 



Sunday, October 17, 2010

Old Oil Can

PA150335


I sold my old thermos that I usually use for a Fall vase, so I had to come up with something else to use. Doesn't this old oil can look so great with sunflowers in it?  Here's to repurposing!