Cupcake Aprons

Cupcakes are popular now for parties, weddings, office gatherings, etc.  I've found that aprons made from cupcake themed fabrics are also in style.  I've made up some in different styles for women and little girls.  The first ones is the little girl's apron:  Child's 5/6 cupcake apron

 This second one is the "Diana" style named after my oldest daughter.  It has a large pocket that runs the entire width of the skirt and is perfect for cooking, baking, gardening, etc. as the pocket can hold all kinds of gadgets.  This is a retro apron style.  Diana Cupcake Apron



The "Laura" apron below is named after my middle daughter.  This is the more modern, "sassy", apron and is made in the halter style.  This is more of a hostess apron and is perfect for the younger set and for bridal shower.  Laura Cupcake Apron







And this black and yellow cupcake apron
is called the "Sonia" style for my third and
youngest daughter.  It has a full skirt and long ties.  Some Sonia aprons come with these cute gathered pockets and others have more traditional pockets.  This is a perfect style for the kitchen and for a hostess apron.  Sonia cupcake apron




                                                                                               

Norway: Midnight Sun, Fjords and Art

In the mid 1800's my ancestors arrived at Ellis Island and from there they migrated to Iowa, Wisconsin and Canada where they mostly farmed.  My daughters, husband, son in law, soon to be son in law and I are planning a trip to Norway next summer and I've started some of my research as to where we want to go.  One of the most famous natural sights that are a most see are the fjords.

The fjords were carved from the hard rock mountains along the coastline by slow moving glaciers.  What is left are steep cliffs, lush green slopes and snow capped mountains.  You navigate the fjords by boat and you can choose a trip of several days or a one day journey. For the more adventurous, you can hike, go kayaking, skiing or cycling.






Besides its natural beauty, Norway has a rich cultural history that includes popular folklore.  Everyone has heard of the infamous Vikings who some say were the first to reach North American by ship.  But did you know that Norway did not gain its independence until 1905?  For centuries it was ruled by Denmark and then Sweden for a briefer time.

Norway is well known for its beautifully knitted sweaters.  They are knit from wool and besides being gorgeous, they will keep you warm during the coldest of the cold winters.  Check this one out on Etsy.  Amarinalevin



Rosemaling is another treasure that comes mainly from Norway.  It involves painting motifs on wooden or tin furniture, chests, plates, figurines, jewelry, etc. This piece can be found at HobNobArtisan on Etsy.

 There is so much more to say and show about Norway.  Another day!

Happy 4th of July from Mexico!

I have to say that it is poignant to be spending the July 4th in Mexico, far away from my daughters and my county.  But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder and as I sit here today, I know with all certainty how lucky we are to call the United States of America our country.

It is so easy to take for granted what we have and to complain about politicians and laws we don't like. But today, and every day, we should take a step back and reflect on all that we have - such as freedom from the fear of expressing ourselves.  We can vote without fearing for our lives and we can speak out against our leaders without fearing reprisals.  Of course we are not the only country that is so fortunate, but I do think that we are amongst, if not the most, patriotic people in the world.  In just 236 short years, our country has built a legacy that will endure forever - a legacy of opening our doors to people from all over as well as a legacy of finding ways to work together to create opportunities for anyone who wants to take advantage of what our country offers.  

In the words of John F. Kennedy "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

May we all find ways to work together to keep our country the great!

Lavender Fields, Facts and Your Home

I think pictures like this always take our breath away and make us wish we were owners of a lavender farm.  (Or maybe I'm just talking about myself).

Pat Wilson displayed this on Facebook from Debbie Reynold's page

Although grown widely in the United States and Australia, lavender originates in the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean where it grows in sunny, stony habitats.  It was used in baths to help purify the body and spirit, and folklore has it that for hundreds, if not thousands of years, it was also put in pillows to help restless people sleep.  And in fact, scientific research bears out the calming and soothing effects of lavender when its scent is inhaled.  

Today there are so many products that use lavender such as soaps, shampoos, sachets, pillows, artwork, and it is even used in the kitchen for cooking.  (Although some studies suggest that pregnant women should not eat lavender).  How have our creative friends on Etsy used lavender?

In soaps:

Vegan Lavender soap http://www.etsy.com/listing/91842280/organic-vegan-soap-the-lavender-soap-bar

In beautiful wreaths to welcome people to your home:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89442331/organic-french-lavender-wreath

And in beautiful bouquets for all our brides:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93543633/french-lavender-blue-cosmos-and-pearls

Add some lavender to your home today to uplift and at the same time, sooth your spirits.  How do you use lavender?

Soccer Apron and Smock

I was going to write about something entirely different today, but then I started thinking about yesterday's European Cup 2012 championship game between Italy and Spain and I changed course.  We watched the game from a restaurant in Mexico City while it was pouring buckets of rain, and as we didn't have an umbrella, we weren't going anywhere until it let up.  It's always fun watching soccer games because the fans are so into the game - as was almost everyone in the restaurant.  I know it is the most popular sport in the world and it certainly seems the most active one to me - all that running and kicking for 90 minutes must be exhausting.  Anyway, here are two contributions from my shop to the wonderful sport of soccer!!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100402724/childs-soccer-balls-smock-trimmed-with?ref=v1_other_1  This smock makes a cute cover up for your little one.
And this one is for mom!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100401995/soccer-mom-hostess-apron-with-full-skirt

To celebrate the 4th of July, during the week I am give you a coupon for 10% off anything in my etsy store if you decide to follow my blog.

Shabby Chic Farm Items

My mom grew up on a dairy farm in southwestern Wisconsin near LaCrosse in a beautiful valley.  Even though I was born in a small town in Minnesota and have lived in large cities most of my life, my heart and soul belong to the countryside.  It is there that I feel at peace and can listen to the sounds of nature without the constant background noises of the cities.  Only outside of a city, that is always full of its constant bright lights, can you look up into the sky at night and see the stars and constellations and listen to the insects chirping. And in the mornings, go outside and walk in the grass damp with dew and feel the freshness of a new day.

As dairy farmers, my grandfather's farm had tons of these milk cans.  He would take them to the local creamery where the contents would be turned into delicious butter and the top cream would be skimmed off.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80938673/old-vintage-creamery-cans-a-fine
-art

My grandmother, and later my mother, spent countless hours every summer raising the vegetables and picking the fruit that they would then can in the mason jars - ensuring that the family had homegrown vegetables and fruit all winter long.  I'm so happy to see a revival in canning!  Here the mason jars are put to another good use.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95427757/eco-friendly-mason-jar-soap-dispenser

And finally, a barn of their own for all the birds that brighten our days.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/102442272/barn-birdhouse-painted-grey-and-white

Have a happy weekend!

Treasury Books

We are remodeling our home and one of my "must haves" is a large bookcase in the living room.  Now, my preference is to have my own library with a cozy fireplace, wing back vintage chairs, a large desk and a huge window looking out to the garden, but alas my husband is not going along with my vision.  So in the meantime I will be content with our new living room with its bookcase (that is yet to be built) and its large windows.  As Horace Mann said, "A house without books is like a room without windows."

Which brings me to treasury lists on Etsy.  Creative people tend to have many outlets and don't focus on just one art or craft form.  This holds true for many, if not most, of those who have stores on Etsy.com.  Here are some examples of  treasury lists that focus on books and all things literary that were created by Etsians.  Enjoy!  (Having technical difficulties in posting the treasury lists so have to use the links).

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjAwMjE2NnwyNzIwNDE0NDgz/shhhhh-im-reading?index=2

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzI1OTM5MHwzMDEwNjIyMDQ/go-away-im-reading?index=0

(Anyone who can tell me how to copy and past a treasury list?)