BIG RED FLEW THE COOP

"Big Red" has been purchased from Gillyflower Cottage, and he is now headed to Palm Springs, California.  

What is it with California?  I have two pillows, a ring bearer's pillow, four table runners, and a painting, now residing in California.  They seem to be my best Etsy customers.

Anyway, I got him all wrapped up and taped shut and then realized I didn't take a photo of him before I sent him away.   But you can see a full shot of him here.

Being a Nebraska native, my husband gave him his name, which is very appropriate.

He had the best "eye" I've painted so far!

Seeing him go, makes me want to paint . . .

GRAIN SACK RUNNERS

 I have another custom order from Etsy/Gillyflower Cottage to feature today.  This was for four custom grain sack style runners that are going to be used to top some tables for an engagement party on the beach in California.  The runners have a stenciled design on either side of center, leaving plenty of room for a centerpiece on these 10 foot runners.  

They are made of natural 100% cotton Osnaburg and bear a stencil that advertises an actual bakery in the middle of Paris, France.  The stencil has beautiful, intricate details done in a black, permanent, color fast ink.

With mitered corners and the bride and groom's initials on the "drop" at either end of the runner they'll be a lasting reminder of their engagement celebration.

                             

Packaged up and on their way to sunny and warm San Diego, California.  It's fun knowing that my runners will be a part of this special occasion in such a beautiful location!

GRANDPARENT SUBWAY SIGN PILLOW

A few days ago I received a custom order for a Subway Sign Pillow.  

Normally, these pillows bear the name of a favorite city.  Subway Signs used for home decor are pretty popular right now, especially when they're personalized to fit your town or favorite spot.

But this was a request for a pillow with a different twist - a Subway Sign Pillow with a phrase that proclaims a very happy occasion - the birth of a new grandchild! 

  I've made 5 pillows with the striped linen strip, so that fabric is no longer available, but this one has a lovely turquoise/brown upholstery strip and I love the way it turned out.  The color and texture is a great contrast to the nubby, natural open weave of burlap.

 This was so fun to figure out and make, especially knowing the joy that is coming to this family any day now!

Custom orders can be taken at my Etsy shop:  Gillyflower Cottage.

MONCHES - EVERYTHING ELSE

And here is Monches Farm, Part Two!

That's it until Christmas for Monches!

OWLS AT MONCHES FARM

I went out to Monches Farm yesterday with a friend, and I took so many pictures that I'm going to split them into two posts.  

First, the owls.  

Not real owls, but plenty of owls for autumn and Halloween decorating!

Tomorrow . . . 

everything else!!!

If you live in SE Wisconsin, and you've never been to Monches Farm, it is well worth the trip.  They have many special events throughout the year.  You can see what they have to offer here.

CHOCOLATE ACORNS

This is a fun treat to make and delicious to eat.  I saw it on Pinterest and decided to give it a try.  They're easy to make, so if you have little ones, let them help!  I have a feeling that many of these little gems won't make it to the serving plate.  

They're made with Hershey Kisses, melted and non-melted chocolate chips, and Market Pantry Mini S'Mores Sandwich Crackers from Target.

Just melt about 1/4 cup of chocolate chips to use for your "glue", and start assembling

kiss + "glue" + sandwich cracker + "glue" + chocolate chip = candy acorn

It was the perfect one-bite sized treat that everyone enjoyed.

A SIMPLE LITTLE PICKLE JAR

Vases.

The expensive little shops and boutiques are full of them.

And they're very pretty.

But I prefer a simple little pickle jar for my garden bouquets. 

 Add a label that you can download from the Graphics Fairy and it becomes something special.  I like to print the label on heavy tan colored cardstock, cut it out, scrunch it up (even tear it a bit here and there), then iron it (yes, iron it), and put a little Mod-Podge on the back (not on the front), and adhere it to the side of the jar.  

Tie it all up with a piece of cooking twine (you can find it at the grocery store), and you have a unique, and inexpensive little jar that is perfect for those end of summer bouquets!  And . . .  maybe someone will even think you found this "antique-jar-with-the-original-label-still-attached" at a charming shop in a quaint little town in the countryside!

It's perfect for giving to all your flower-loving friends too!  You should surprise someone with a special little homemade "vase" and bouquet today. 

That's what I'm going to do.

THERE'S A NEW SHOP ON ETSY!

Today I'm excited to introduce you to a new shop on Etsy.    The shop, called "Emetsigns", is owned by Sarah who lives in Colorado Springs.

Sarah is the daughter of my friend Jan, from McKinney, Texas .  (If you've followed my blog for awhile you've seen several posts on Jan's historic home in McKinney.)  When Jan told me about Sarah's new business venture, I had to take a look at Emetsigns and learn more about it.

Wow, such beautiful work!  Sarah's signs feature inspiring Scripture she hand paints on hardwood.  Here's a sampling of what you'll find there:

The above sign holds very special meaning for Sarah and her family.  It was made in honor of a friend they lost recently in the war in Afghanistan and $10 from each sale of this sign will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Wouldn't this sign be beautiful in a child's bedroom?  You can pick from a wide array of colors that would work in either a boy's or girl's room - a perfect gift for a newborn or child's birthday.

This is a sign she designed for above the doorframe of your house.  As Sarah says, 

"I wanted this up in our house over the door that we leave the house from every day. I needed the reminder that God is bigger than WHATEVER I am walking out the door to. I don't think I am alone.... Don't most of us need the reminder that God is bigger than the hard stuff we face down here???? Praise God that He is!!!"

Sarah has spent a lot of time developing and perfecting her technique for these unique subway signs.  I hope you'll click over and visit her new Etsy shop, 

Emetsigns! 

Take a look at all of the beautiful and meaningful work she's doing.