a good thing....

...as Martha would say! This is now my very favorite magazine, which I first discovered at the annual Waldorf school sale before Christmas last year. It is chock full of beautiful projects, either knitted, crocheted, sewn, you name it, not only for us to do, but also our children. Like the project below, there's a lot they can do from this magazine, how sweet is this hand woven landscape picture with a sheep? Think how proud they'll be to have made one and hang in their bedroom! It's so cute I want to make one myself too.

It's also full of great articles, ideas and links to other loveliness! So go and check it out, here. Because, with magazines closing their doors right, left and center, this is one we must keep alive! It's a really good thing! I know I can't wait for the new Summer issue to come out, and I must warn you, that once you buy a subscription, you'll then have to go and buy all the back issues you missed too! I know, because I did it! Enjoy!

red & white polka dots -

Polka dots are fantastic in any color, but I do seem particularly drawn to those of red and white. Here are some of those lovelies from my Etsy favorites -

Polka Dot Birdie Dangle earrings by Sprout Studio

Juicy Details - handmade enamel pendant by Verre Encore

Spotted Ruby Red Flower Earrings by Simply Betty

Medium Frame Pouch by Oktak

Small Vintage Spun Cotton Red Mushrooms by Caramelos

Re-Ment Red Polka Dot Dress, picture courtesy of Angyboo via Flickr.

flowers, flowers, everywhere!

Since, it's still early in the growing season in this neck of the woods, we are lacking a little in the flower department. So, to supplement those pretty daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocuses and pansies, I've made some handmade felt flowers to keep us in bloom! These lovelies can be found in my Etsy shop, here! To supplement my garden beds, I'm now off to buy some pansies, such amazing little plants! They come in a rainbow of colors, and don't mind the cold nights that we're still going to get here in the northeast, and they last all summer long! Happy Tuesday!

Today I won something lovely!

Last week I took part in a polka dot scavenger hunt, via flickr, and I won! I can't hardly believe it, I'm usually the person that wins nothing, even at school tombolas and raffles I never won anything. So I'm so excied not only to win, but to win something so beautiful, the lovely doll you see above. She's handmade by the uber-talented Jeska Hearne from the Lobster and Swan. She has a lovely Etsy shop here, and a wonderful blog here. Thanks Jeska, I can't wait to hold her, and get a good up close look at her. Now I must think of a name for her, mmmmm......

Happy Weekendness! :D

This weekend in New England is promising to be hot and sunny, which is very welcome after the long, long winter hibernation. I simply can't wait for all the flowery goodness to start, right now we have the good old nodding daffodils brightening our patch, but soon.....

....these are pictures from my garden last summer. Some bright colors and nature inspiration to take you into the weekend. Enjoy!

Happy Etsy Day!

Today has been declared Etsy Day by the world of wonderful sellers who have shops on Etsy, it's not an official Etsy thing, though they sure are excited about it! It was organized mainly by one wonderful seller, SchuGirl.

As a celebration of all the Etsy loveliness my shop is offering free shipping all day!

If there's a possibilty that you haven't shopped Etsy before, today is the day to do it! It's the best of online shopping, the shops are all run by small business', and stay-at-home mom's like me, specializing in handmade and vintage items. There are so many wonderful things to be found, from art, clothing, accessories, bags, vintage goodies, scrapbooks, paper ephemera, children's toys, games, furniture, food, beauty products, soap, yarn, and on, and on........

So go check it out NOW!

I ♥ polka dots, and they're yummy too!

Today, in honor of this month being all about polka dots on the "A Year of Color" blog, I made cupcakes - in Spring green with all kinds of crazy polka dots! There's smarties; chocolate chips; trix; and fruit loops no less, obviously they are a big hit with the kids!!!!!!!

Happy Earth Day!

my dream garden -

I'm going to show you a little of what my dream garden would be like, by showcasing some of the wonderful art found on Etsy:My dream garden would be made with love, and respect of the natural world;

It would have so many flowers, that to cut some every day to brighten the inside of my home, wouldn't make any difference to the beauty outside! ;

It would have not only the order, but the peaceful, zen quality of a beautiful Japanese garden;

And, maybe most importantly, it would have a bountiful, vegetable garden that would feed and nurture us for many months to come.

This is the basis of my dream garden, now all I need is the unlimited time, and many resources, to make it a reality! I can only try, one step at a time, and how enjoyable it will be!

Two Zany Zebras...

...is this months featured Etsyblogger! Congrats Zany!
Her lovely Etsy shop specializes in all things zany! As she puts it in her shop intro :
It is home of the Zarkles. Wondering what in the world is a Zarkle? They are whimsical creatures that are part of the Zarkle family. Each Zarkle has their own unique name, personality, and Zany Pocket Blankie to sleep in. They can also be a comfort at night and help keep all the scary things at bay. Two Zany Zebras also specialize in the Zany Cuddle Blankie, Super Zany Blankie, and Zany Pocket Blankie.

It really is a lovely, cheerful and colorful shop to visit, and a sure hit with the children in your life! She also has a wonderful blog, of course, that you can find here. Enjoy!

Sleepy Monday -

We all have a yucky family cold, and it's the first day back to school after Spring break, so today is a day of naps. Saw these lovelies on Etsy, and they fit the mood perfectly, to find out more, click the picture!

have a happy spring weekend -

Just a few pictures of the lovely things growing in my yard at this time of year! I love moss, in all it's different varieties, and I also adore ferns. What's growing in your yard at the moment?

Enjoy looking and have a great weekend!

I bought something lovely -

...and, it arrived today! It's the most adorable Forest Acorn Pin from the very lovely MarmeeCraft at Etsy.

It came in a sweet hand-stamped envelope, and came with lovely surprise as well - a beautiful bookmark with my favorite creature on it, a hedgehog! Even, MarmeeCraft's business card is a thing of beauty! The pin already has pride of place on my bag, I love pretty forest things to brighten up my day!

You have to check out MarmeeCrafts shop here and her lovely blog here.

This wee pin is just a piece of extra loveliness from her shop, but it is her artwork that is the main attraction, and truly beautiful it is indeed!

what I found in the mail today!

So, as you may know from previous posts, I recently took part in a garland swap. I showed you what I sent to the lovely Eileen, and today I'll show you what she sent to me. We had spoken briefly about the swap, and Eileen knew I loved things with a nature theme, so here are pictures of my beautiful nature themed garland, Eileen is very talented indeed, and I am very lucky to be on the receiving end!

Each card was a different design, which makes it really lovely, and all in a truly beautiful color scheme. I have hung it under the railing of the split level, and it looks fantastic! It's going to be there for quite a while I can tell you! This was the first swap I've taken part in, and I highly recommend them, they are truly a win-win! For a start you get a creative idea to think about; then, you have the satisfaction of being creative and making something for someone else; then you send it off expectantly; also, you get to wait for a wonderful surprise in the mail, amongst the bills and junk mail; you then receive a wonderful work of art from someone; but also, you've gained a new creative friend and a new blog to read. Check out Eileens lovely blog here! Lucky, lucky, lucky!

wordless wednesday

meet the new girl in our house -

Isn't she lovely? She was one of my daughter's birthday presents, and has already had a change of outfit. She is a Rozen Maiden doll called Souseiseki, and came looking like her manga/anime character, as you can see below, looking very dapper. My children love the Rozen Maiden anime series, and my daughter would dearly love to own all the dolls from the series (it's about dolls that come to life!) but since there are eight dolls, that is probably unlikely!

Oh well, that's okay we're still going to have fun dressing our new little doll family, as you may have read in previous posts, I have a Pullip doll of my own, who've I've named Fern. I can see being asked to take part in many doll tea parties to come! lol! All we need now are some lovely Re-ment miniature cakes, etc.... on to the wish list!

how cute are these?

I've seen, and eaten, my share of Easter bunnies, eggs and candy, but these two lovelies have to take the prize so far! They are not only beautifully crafted, put together by hand, but just as cute as buttons. My children were the very happy recipients of these duo yeasterday, from their lovely cousin's grandparents, thank you! I'm sure they're going to be as tasty as they are good to look at, but we'll have to wait a bit longer to find that out, as candy still overflows from every tin in the house! Here's hoping you all had as lovely an Easter as we did!

Happy Easter!

ostern6
Originally uploaded by sew-mad

I ♥ polka dots

This months inspiration for the "A Year of Color" class are polka dots, yay! They are also a huge favorite of mine, I love polka dots on everything! So, I thought I'd share a couple of pages from my inspiration journal, enjoy!

my beautiful new hankie -

Guess what came in the mail today? - my parcel from the Swap-Choo hankie swap from the lovely Iris, the Crafting Mama Librarian whose blog you can read here. And you should, it's a good one! That is perhaps the best part of taking part in a swap, you get to discover wonderful new blogs, and make new blogland friends, I know I have and I'll be reading her blog daily!
But, back to the task in hand, my lovely parcel -


It came in these super cute envelope, with lots of goodies.




The poem it came with, for April is National Poetry Month, is a wonderful Billy Collins poem called Litany, written in Iris' fair hand, I love hand written letters and snail mail so much, I wish more of us made time for it, it really cheers my day to get something so lovely in the mail, in between the loathsome bills and junk mail!


Also, tucked inside was a pretty postcard with a lovely note, and a limited edition ATC, I love these little art cards, i think i'll have to try making some of my own - looks like fun! Maybe I'll have take part in an ATC swap next! Mmmmm...

So, that was my second lovely surprise found in my mail box rcently, I'll have to keep peeking in there, maybe I'll get lucky again another day! :D

Happy Good Friday!