Brrrrrrbrrrrbrrrrr

Spring thou are a heartless tease!

It's snowing here. After such beautiful weather, most of which I spent looking dreamily out the glass doors of the library, winter so vehemently reminds me that it's still February.

Snow is still a new wonder to my kids. Last March when we got such a huge snowfall was the first time they had ever seen snow. So even though it had just started and the ground was entirely too warm for it to collect, they donned their puffy coats to go out and play. A futile hunt for gloves resulted in the use of socks to cover and protect little hands.

And what does one require when you finally return from the almost-maybe-possibly -if-it-keeps-up-till-Monday-we-might-get-a-day-off-winter-wonderland outside....... hot chocolate of course.

Today I had a mix, but about a month ago I didn't and made it from scratch and the pictures you see here are from that time. I had always meant to share them with you but it turned warm and not such hot cocoa weather.

Hope you are all warm and cozy :)

Spring is in the air

At least it is at the Shoppes on Woodlawn.

Thursday morning I took in some of my newest handmade aprons. All of my new aprons are made from vintage linens. They embody two of my favorite things. Aprons and old sheets. :)

I would have loved to have kept them for myself but alas that defeats the purpose. :)

So....... "How Does Your Garden Grow"?

I have been dreaming of this aprons since I got the pillowcases it was made from. And I have had then for so long I can't begin to to tell you where they came from.

The skirt is very full and would make a lovely Easter dinner hostess apron or even donned over a flowy petticoat style skirt for you Easter outfit.

"In Full Bloom" for spring. Made from vintage napkins and rows of layered eyelet lace, this apron is pleated on the side which gives it a slight a-line appearance.

This "Delicate Flower" is perfect for your Easter brunch. made from gauze-like handkerchiefs that give the apron a petal effect.

"Springtime Memories" makes use of the only salvageable corner of a delicate vintage handkerchief. The apron's body was formerly an eyelet edged pillowcase.

I organized my wall very well to show off my aprons more. When I knew I was going to have to more from the parlor of the Shoppes, I had hoped to have enough floor space for a rolling clothes rack. If I couldn't have three dress forms then I figured hangers would be great for showing off my aprons.

Even though the rack wasn't feasible I think the hangers work very nicely.

Everything looks nicer to me. Did i just spring clean my area at the Shoppes? :) Maybe that can carry over to the house.

I am really ready for the cold weather to just move on out. It was already 80 degrees the other day in San Antonio.

But here in Arkansas winter is psyching us out again. A chilly rain has fallen tonight to remind me that its still February.

New Apron on Etsy

I know I said it was new even though it may look familiar to you. Well at least its new to Etsy.

This was one of the aprons I sent off to Stampington for the new Apron-ology publication. I found out last month that neither of the aprons ( scroll down for pics)I sent had been accepted. :(

I ordered a copy anyway.

It came on Saturday and is very good. I recommend picking up or ordering a copy if you get the chance.

Today I received a package from Stampington. I was a bit sad to open it. But surprised that only one apron was in the envelope. There was a very nice note thanking me for my submissions of course and saying that my other entry was being considered for a sister publication. That really cheered me up :)

So maybe I'll get in there anyway.

Everything's coming up cupcakes

My Etsy shop is resembling something more like a bake shoppe these days. I just wanted to show you some of the recent confections.

These first two were custom orders.

One a personalised birthday cupcake, with pearly sprinkles no less!

The other is a remake of a cupcake I made earlier called "Tiny Dancer". Everytime I think of this one I always have the Elton John song running through my head.

"Hold me closer tiny dancer..."

These other two I have had in my head for some time. Just like the Little House on the Cupcake's, even birds want to live in the sweetest spot. Both of these "Feather Your Nest" 's are listed on Etsy.

One in pink and one in blue. Both have a twig and leaf design on the bottom of the cupcake and pearls for eggs.

And speaking of sweet confections, I would like to mention a series of books I have become hooked one.

Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen Murder Mysteries.

Hannah owns a cookie shoppe and has an unfortunate knack of stumbling upon murder victims. And the added bonus of each book is that they are chocked full of recipes. I've been dying to get down to trying some of them but that requires time and a clean kitchen to start with. So for now I am just dreaming of them and sticking with my own easiest peanut butter cookie recipe.

In fact, I think I will take some of the dough out of the freezer and bake up a batch right now.

Good Night all!

Shoppe Love

Or do you just love to shop?

The weather started to turn a few degrees warmer for First Thursday this week. So hopefully it was some great shopping inducing weather too.

Penelope in her Valentine Day finest.

"Home Is Where The Heart Is"

Layered ruffled apron in red and white with red satin waist band and ties."Love Birds"

"Queen Of Hearts"

Gathered half apron.

"Sweatheart"

Flat front apron with rounded edge and wide eyelet lace.