Scenes from Indiana

These aren't the best quality photos, but they were all taken using my phone during our visit to Indiana the last several weeks.  I thought they gave a good snippet of what our time spent there was like.  

 The kids got to meet "Honey" - the newest addition to the household at my parent's place...... we all fell in love with her.  She is a rescue animal - which makes the story so much better.  My parents had been looking for a pony for the grandkids, and while standing in a checkout line at the local nursery, my mother was overheard mentioning that she was looking for a pony.  The lady behind her happened to work for the local Humane Society and mentioned that they had just acquired a pony that needed a new home.  We are all just so pleased with her - she a little sweetheart.  Wish I could have put her in my pocket and brought her back to Texas!

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie - do I need to say more???  (Rhubarb recipes to follow in later posts.....)

This is the front of the Log Cabin at the LaPorte County Pioneer Land.  We spent A LOT of time here during Fair Week.  That's my son in the front (all blurry) playing a game of washers.  Both of my parents, (and this year myself included) volunteer their time to support this project.  My kids absolutely love hanging out on the front porch, playing with all of the wooden toys and playing the part of "pioneer kids"

This is me...... "Pioneer Woman" ;)  

Chillin' on the front porch of my parent's house.  Cool night air.... AH!

We ate fresh raspberries straight off the bush literally every morning.  

LOTS of time spent in the swimming pool - again, AH!

Little "Pioneer Girl" - she played the part well :)

My son doing his chores - he sure loved helping take care of the horses.  I think he's a natural cowboy :)

New Logos

I wanted to share with you all my new logos!  I'm so excited - my friend Stacy - from Vampire Craftin came up with these awesome images and colors. 

I've sort of just stumbled along with my graphics/banners/business cards since starting my business in 2005.  However, I could have never created anything like this on my own - totally worth the money!  

Stacy's blog is full of lots of useful information for those projects you want to tackle on your own too - she's just a fountain of knowledge, that girl!

Here is what she has to say about her shop:

I specialize in ONE OF A KIND Business branding packages for the handmade business. The pricing on my one of a kind etsy shops can be reduced if you are not interested in all of the elements, or you can add elements to any of the shop sets. You can find my portfolio on my facebook fan Page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vampire-Craftin/168806933169687. I am also a Etsy 817 team member. 
Check out my blog. It is a HOW to blog about graphic design for the handmade business. http://vcgraphicdesigns.blogspot.com/

This is my new business card:

Stacy even created a Facebook logo and Twitter logo for me:

and of course my Whoopsie Daisies etsy shop!

So there you have it!  Now, I just have to get going on my sewing machine and restock my shop.  It's a little crazy around here, (as usual it seems!) with the kiddies home for the summer.... constant messes, playdates, camps, and chatter.  I'm a blessed mom.  

Must run... breakfast dishes still on the table and they are asking for a snack.  Floors need vacuumed and playdates to schedule.  Refereeing and dishes to wash.  Sewing - AH!  - always, sewing to do.... never enough time to do it.

Ready for a Road Trip?

Are you planning a road trip this summer?  Or just want to cruise in style?  Well.... how about a Rearview Mirror "cozy"?  Rearview Mirror "wrap"?  Rearview Mirror "cover"?  Rearview Mirror "Snuggy"?  (bet that one wouldn't fly... thinking that name has been taken already and goodness knows I'd hate to snag someone else's name!)  Not sure what to call them yet....  But thinking they look pretty stinkin cute with these awesome Steering Wheel "covers, cozies, wraps, thing-a-ma-blips".
Anywho - you can find them HERE for your purchasing pleasure.

That's it for now - can't believe it's been a month since my last post.  Summer is upon us and with that comes Theatre Camp, Soccer Camp, Vacation Bible School, Swim Lessons, and Tennis Camp - all in the month of June.  Maybe I've over scheduled - but let me tell you - it's not a piece of cake keeping two kiddies entertained (or contained) during 103 degree Texas heat.  I'm about ready to take a spoon from the kitchen and dig myself a swimming pool out back but the hubs is against that idea for some reason?


Next month it's off to Indiana to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, a new pony and the county fair which is always a huge hit with my kids.


Til' we chat again.......

French Lavender Sachets

Like many of you, I can't stand throwing away any "usable" (pretty loose, negotiable term in my sewing room!) piece of fabric.  Particularly those that are most vintage-y and retro-y.  I can't remember why, but for some reason, I decided to go on a hunt for dried lavender so that I could make sachets from my little teensie tiny pieces.   I also decided to quilt pieces together using 3x3" squares - I like the looks of them quilted, but also - I can use up pieces of fabric that are 3x3"!  (pretty small) - you would think that I could then throw away those bits that are smaller, right?  Hmmm.... well - we'll see.  (that's what I say to my kids when what I really mean is "No").
I wound up purchasing from an Etsy seller - PopKo - and I love this stuff!  I've made several sets of sachets and plan to list them in my Whoopsie Daisies shop as well as give them as gifts.  I've also realized that they are great in the dryer, leaving clothes with a soft lavender scent (not the chemically scents from regular dryer sheets).

So, now my radar is on anything "lavender" scented.  My Yoga instructor uses the most calming combination of lavender and mint oil that I'd love to have in my nostrils all day long.  Still looking for a good lavender candle, but haven't found one yet.

Stamped Vintage Spoons Teacher's Gifts

I'm so excited - in my procrastination I think I've actually come up with a cute, original year end Teacher's Gift.  
I had purchased these spoons back in December at an antique mall, thinking that I would attempt to stamp sayings, or names on them for Christmas gifts, but soon realized that my time had run out.  And - I was chicken to start whacking on these pretty little spoons.  
For some reason I got the courage today to just jump in and try it.  I think they turned out pretty good, for my first ever attempt.  The key, I discovered, is to really whack them hard!  and... to do it with a towel on the drive way instead of the wooden workbench (which is way to soft).
So - 
here we have the finished product:  A gift card to the local ice cream parlor, 2 ice cream dishes, a thing of sprinkles and one silver plate spoon with the words "Ice Cream".  Ta Da!

Can't wait to get back to the thrift store and snag some more cheap (this time!) metal silverware in order to make garden herb markers.  It's fun to WHACK stuff!
I read this blog post at Window Ledge Arts before attempting the whacking process - you might want to check it out too!

Oh, the Places You'll Go

Reclaimed Vintage by Whoopsie Daisies on Etsy

Vintage Hippie Steering Wheel Covers - opinions please?????

So, I'm curious about a reaction!  I've noticed steering wheel covers for sale in different places none of them had that funky vintage vibe - so I decided to try some myself.  What do you think??
I realize that the "Infiniti Sedan" doesn't make for the best photo, but it's not like I have a lot of cars at my disposal for picture taking.
So, list in the Etsy shop?  Or.... no?
You can even head over to the Whoopsie Daisies facebook page and Vote - thanks!!