Won't you stop by......................

For some cake and coffee on your way?

I know you have a lot of other stops to make what with Thursday being filled with parties. There's Vintage Thingy Thursday, Time Travel Thursday,and Tablescape Thursday, I'm just so glad you could come. Your the first to arrive....we can have a nice visit while I finish putting things out. Hope the weather hasn't been too horrendous in you neck of the woods. As you can see we've been water logged here in Ohio. The  most water in 150 years!
I'll just put out these placemats............................................................................

You like these? Thanks. This is the first in my line of table placemats I've created. This pattern  is called,
'Tea Party'

I took denim fabric and embroidered a 1940's transfer from my collection.....Oh when you have more time I'll show my whole box full! Jim's the one who finds them..he loves to look thru old paper stuff....anyway,
then  I take coordinating papers, hand-cut them, and create the border. Then They're laminated and ready to use as placemats. I'm hoping to create a whole line..even do custom orders if some likes.
Here can you  help me? You carry these cake plates and I'll get the other. Let's sit these two on top of each other and I'll put the 'SandwichGlass' up here and use them as risors. That way I put extra slices of cake on the other tiers. See.........................................................................

that's it..what? Oh..hehe...that cake plate doesn't look like sandwich glass you collect? Well, that's cause I design'ed this 'SandwichGlass' I took a glass cakeplate and hand-painted it......................

to match the celery green of the 1940's hand-tatted rose doily leaves............................................

I bonded them together and topped with a clear glass serving plate, so the doily won't get soiled it's sandwiched between the peices of glass............

Brown Gingham 'SandwichGlass'....get it....welllllll. Yes I have other designs...cakeplates, platters.... and again I love to do custom orders...couldn't you see your Grandma's dresser scarf  you've got in that box upstairs added to a serving peice? Uh-hu I thought so.
We'd better hurry....takes these plates.....................................................................

and I'll get the cups and saucers.......

Where did these come from? You were with me when I found plates! Mom had a tumbler forever from an Aunt and has been adding to the collection. Yea, I know no mark on the bottom..They are a glass tho...white on the bottom color on the top..maybe someone who comes by may know more about them and will let me know. There.............................................................................................

Just in time....here come the others!

Happy Halloween !

HI Everyone!

We've been getting ready for All Hallows Eve. We love to decorate for this 'spook'tacular holiday.
The walk to our house is a long way...especially through the woods..... our long drive goes by. We use torches along the drive to light the way for those who dare the trek. Once at the 'haunted' House we have seating set up all around. Today I'll focus on our Kitchen Porch.

The table will be set more buffet style and the fare pretty simple.
I still haven't decided on the edible delights yet...............................


Blood Soup (tomato soup)
Hannibal's Delectable Stew (Beef Stew)
Freddy's Skewers (metal skewers with meat and veggies)
Lady Finger Sandwiches (hotdogs)
Ghostwiches  (white bread with PB & Jelly cut out with cookiecutter shape of a ghost)
Whodovoodoo Chili (chicken chili)
Zombies Brain Food (spaghetti and sauce)
Werewolf  Bites ( hamburgers)
Froglegs
Moldy Veggies ( celery, carrots, radishes, cauliflower, etc for dipping in a Blue Cheese dip)
Eyes of Newt (olives)
Fungus Soup (Cream of Mushroom soup with mushroom bits added)
Deviled Eggs
Fried Demon Skin (saratoga chips or pork rinds if you dare)
Dirt Pie (oreo and chocolate pudding concoction that when done does look like dirt)
Worms and Bugs (Gummi candy)
I'm really not sure what to serve the ghouls, goblins, and monsters that come. They always eat whatever is served..... I hope you don't find my suggestions in bad taste...hehehe.
Drinks vary..depends on the crowd. They can bring thier own 'poison', but I always have
Witches Brew (punch)
Vampire Juice (Creme Soda)
Swamp Water (Mountain Dew)
Dark Water (Cola)
We usually set up the tailgate of the pickup as the 'Bar'. We have games too.........................................
Pumpkin Seed Spitting
Apple Bobbing
Vampire and Werewolf (played like Duck Duck Goose)
Pin the Wing on the Bat
OMG What  Is It (you fill plastic bags with items. Place the bag in a brown paper sack so it can't be seen.
                             They reach in and try to guess what it is.  I've used ham, eggs, cotton balls, bolts,
                             cooked rice, jello, press on nails, even pickled pigs feet...it's so much fun and the
                             faces are priceless.)
Batmitton
Volleyhead (volley ball is decorated as a head)

Well, you get the idea.....we are monster mash central :)
Here is a close up of our table...............................................................................................................

The plastic Pumpkinman is vintage 1960's. the other ceramic and metal
decor is from Home Goods and the Dollar Store.

For serving I'll use my vintage Mochaware mugs and plates, bean pots, and serving bowls. The white-glazed terracotta pumpkin will serve stew or soup.

I'll also use these hand-painted plates.

 When Trick or Treaters come, Jim'll be all ready..................................................................................

 See, I got Jim to dress up..lol

and his partners, Punkinhead..our garden help...and

Peter the Greeter.

We'll be sure to have plenty of candy. These plastic and ceramic containers will be filled with more candy. They sit on an old oaken barrel I topped with a pre-cut round from Lowe's and covered it with a plastic tablecloth I found at Wal-mart. I change the covering seasonally.

The pine hutch, which I stained to match the cedar siding of the house, has vintage Amber bottles usually sitting on the top shelf year round. Inside the open cupboard are seasonal what-nots. For this occasion I've added votive pumpkin heads and houses with candles that we'll light at night for the great glow. The drawers will be filled with goodies too..maybe toadstools (meringue) or other creepy candy.

I love this vintage inspired woodcut Pumpkin Miss. Her hat and the cat are flocked and the little bucket can hold candycorn.

This  1950's glider was great find. The elderly couple that was having the yard sale was just about to pack it in the for the day when Jim and I turned in. I fell in love with a vintage oil lamp the Missus had and bought it and while Jim was talking to the Mister he asked Jim if he'd like the glider cause he didn't want to drag it back in the garage. Jim said we probably couldn't afford it, but he'd help him put it back in....well, he picked up his end and started to drag it to our truck. Jim asked what he was doing and the Mister said it was free.

Sooo, with a little sanding and black spray paint we have a glider :) It didn't have cushions, so I bought 2 of those big body pillows they sell at Wal-mart in a green flannel. With sun they have lightened to a pale green, but I sometimes use a throw, like the one shown, with some fall colors to cover them. I do bring them in when it rains or for the winter...they are not waterproof.

Well, I'm gllad you all could stop by. I have some little Halloween Treats for you before you go...............

You can click on these vintage images and then copy them to use in your own spooky decor! 

Now today I'm joining 

and

Now why don't you join me for a little fly by on our brooms to all the other Goblins, Ghouls, and Witches

for a spell and see thier bewitching tablescapes and magical tranformations of decor.............. 

A whimsical garden party

A little lengthy and I might be going out on a limb, but it was  Hoot to do Pics to follow. Please read on.............

The Songbird Gazette

All the News to Tweet About

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Hello my fine feathered friends. Polly Parrot here with all the latest news to squawk about in Birdlandia.

Maple Grove:  Doc Stork visited the nest of  Mr. and Mrs. B. Lue Jay last night and delivered 4 perfectly adorable eggs. Doc says it's only a matter of days before the Hatchlings make an appearance. 

/--------------------------------/

Olde Oak Tree Condos: Construction note, the Woodpeckers will be doing necessary renovations. They request all residents land at the rear of the tree.           

/---------------------------------/

Songbird Exclusive:  Mrs. 'Red' Robin Hosts Garden Party Luncheon                                                                      

 Mrs. 'Red' Robin hosted a grand garden party luncheon for Ms. Carolina Wren. Ms. Wren is relocating to our neck of the woods from North Carolina. She was chaperoned by Chief Red Hawk of the Cherokee, North Carolina Hawks. In the fall Ms. Wren will be attending our prestigious Bird U. Dean Bal T. Mor'Oriole and his wife Raven were on hand to welcome Ms. Wren. Other notibles who attended were, Woody Woodpecker of stage and screen fame, the Starlings of Cornfield, Prof. Hoot Owl, and Col. Nutt Hatch a long time family friend of both Mrs. Robin and Ms. Wren's family. The Cardinal of Birdlandia also flew in to welcome Ms. Wren and give her his heartfelt blessings. Entertinment was provided by the Warblers, The Loon's, and special appearance by Jiminey Cricket accompanied by  the Songbird Quartet.

In defference to Mrs. Robin's wishes photographic and vocal recordings of this party were not allowed.......

but, I Polly Parrot was allowed prior entry into the Garden during set up and allowed to snap a few shots of what the tables looked like.

tables were provided by the Woodpecker Woodworks

And placed in various groupings in the garden.

Lovely linens in bright colors graced the tables

The custom teapots and cups, designed by Pigeon Potters, were placed on each table


and,

locally grown Clover, Crown Vetch, Summer Phlox, Geranium, Butterfly Bush, and Clematis from Mrs. Robin's garden completed the tables.

The menu included Mint Tea, Leaf Salad with assorted Seeds, Corn Cake and Her secret recipe

Caraway Cookies.
Here are a few more pictures of the pretty little tables.

A fun time was had by all.
I must mention Mrs. Robin was, as always, the most gracious hostess in her trademark vintage apron.

And, as we all flew off she made sure each of her guests received a tote, like this, filled with her signature Caraway Cookies.

I have a scoop......Mrs. Robin wanted me to let you know that her vintage aprons and todays guests totes are  provided by Melody at Brown Gingham Creation, "a wonderful old Crow" As Mrs. Robin puts it. "A whiz with a needle and embroidery thread".

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Hi Everybody! I hope you enjoyed my little bit of whimsy. Thought I'd do something different for a post to show off one of my cutest little Tea Sets and include a view of a couple of my creations available. The apron is a 1950's cotton that I finished  the embroidery on, added Swprovski Crystals, and vintage buttons. The Tote has a pocket I created by hand-embriodering a portion of 1940's tablecloth and then embellished with buttons and silver studs.. 

You'd never guess I found this 'tweet' little set in a Publisher's Clearinghouse mailer. I use it outside to accent my porch, which hopefully since the heat has broken I will be able to finish decorating. for the Summer. The cedar stump used for the table was 1 of a few I kept when they cut down an old cedar tree in Grandma's yard. I know odd thing to keep, but I loved that old tree as a kid and the peices have come in handy around the garden. The "tablecloth" is actually A hankie from my collection. If you'd like to see more of my vintage inspired aprons, visit my Etsy site, Apronation. For my other creations visit http://www.brownginghamcreations.com/ or http://www.brownginghamcreation.etsy.com/

Now that I've visited my feathered friends...I can't wait to pop in at Susan's Very Cherry World for Rednesday on Wednesday, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, and my friends at Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday to see what party-goers are doing there.

Rain Rain Go Away........

Well, as I sit here in front of my laptop it's another beautiful Summer day in Cincinnati. Did I mention I was inside. It's 10AM and 90* with humidity and dewpoint it feels like 102! Here in Cincy there is a saying 'if you don't like the weather wait a few minutes...it'll change'.

For last few days we've been having weather like all the Midwest states. The day starts out sunny and blue skies,(of course while I'm at work) but after a while ( around 5p) clouds move in and BOOM storms.  Last night was the worst around our house.

I got this pic off our local televison station that someone sent in from Mason, Ohio, which is about 10 miles north of us. That is lightening. Sorry, but I will not go outside my house to get a pic for the blog. Suffice to say this is a typical pic of what it was like in our 10 mile radius. 60 mile an hour wind, torrencial rain, lightening show, and  tornado warning. Made for an exciting hour. We will get a repeat performance again tonight, according to forecaster. Hoopee.

Why the weather report? I have been trying for days to get out on my porches and get them 'decked' out, but with the wind and rain abnormally strong I'm afraid it'll just blow away. We usually get this type of stormy weather in April, before I decorate my outside rooms, but it's held off.

Goody, April Showers with August heat.

That said I think I'll show pics from last year of my relaxing porch that weren't posted.

You might recognize this picture on the sidebar of my Blog. This is my porch swing decked out in a patriotic Old Glory throw I found at Kohl's years ago. The pillow was brought home from the Lawrenceburg Flea and Antique Market about the same time. Alas, as I said in my last post, that throw has seen better days, so it'll be replaced. I may be able to salvege parts of it tho for an idea I had. If it works you'll see it. If you look close up those apples look real in the wicker basket. It's lined with muslin edged with tatted edging. Those vintage aqua glass mason jars make the best citronella candle holders. Jim loves vintage trains, so that new train lantern usually held citronelle oil to burn, but last Sept. a freak windstorm blew up hitting the swing causing the table to  topple with everything on it. The poor lantern's glass didn't make it, but that mason jar didn't even crack! The coffee table in front of the swing is actually a modern tubular ocassional table. It made the best form to cover with some vintage red stiped ticking and new navy cotton material.

I love empty walls. They are a blank canvas just waiting to fill. The first peice I found was the Smiling Sun metal plant holder. I knew it was made for small red geraniums. That wreath at the end was next. it's wire and resin in a bird and flower motif. Next came Big Mouth Billy Bass.....yes I know, (my one tacky moment)but when we saw it at Cracker barrel years ago he just made us laugh...he still does. The Rusted Metal Star was a must have. That large wrought iron and amber glass candle lamp came from my MIL. It too is vintage from the late 40's early 50's..it was a wedding present back then...I love the rusty patina it has acquired. Those bird plaques are 1960-70 CopperCraft pieces. When I was little my Mom like all housewives had Home Shopping Parties. Mom didn't do the usual Tupperware tho, she did the CopperCraft and Sarah Coventry...remember those parties?.....I loved that stuff. I still try to pick it up at fleas and antique malls when I see it. 

 Believe it or not I found this metal tea cart thru Publisher's Clearinghouse, of all places in 95'. It fits perfectly betwen the 40's style chair and front door. I love wind chimes so the little watercan has the tinies clear chimes when a breeze blows thru. The plate was a cracked $1 find at an antique place. It's a brown transferware commerative plate of Lincoln's Birthplace. As you can see the crack was hidden quite nicely with faux red geraniums and other flowers and foliages. Last year I found the matching cup and saucer for $3 in great condition. I filled with with some Thyme. It sits atop a stack of old Reader Digest books. Faux violet fill a 1940's ceramic log with squirrel planter that has a metal gold-tone bottom still attached...usually those are missing. The blue oil lamp is another vintage gift from my MIL. I love the blue glass bottom, but the lamp top was alos blown off, so a new one will replace it. Oh I almost forgot the vintage floral print from the 30-40's that hang on the wall too. I love the watercolors of reds, yellows, and pinks. I found some others and they will join this one. Yes...I use them outside...I figure this is an 'outdoor' room and every 'room' needs a little artwork.

This seating area of the same vintage style chairs sit across form the front door. I found the 1940's coffee perculator with black handle on the Longest Yard Sale in Ky.  Farther down in Tn. I found matching creamer and sugar....all together the set was $7 and yes that is another peice of my hand-wrought aluminum, but this one was in such poor shape I don't worry about keeping outside. I was surprized when I found a 1960's metal and redwood table that matches the look of the chairs. Most of you recognize the iconic black pottery bears of the Pigeon Forge Pottery Co. from Tennessee. my porch wouldn't be complete without them.

 

This last shot is at the steps coming up onto the porch. Again you see one of the red  train lanterns, but this one is old and heavy and small. We bring this one in in stormy weather. It was from Jim's Uncle Gus. I found the wicker and aluminum basket at HomeGoods and new it had to come home with me. I filled with my favorite flowers....violets. Next to it sits another Pigeon Forge find, a hand-painted jug. Sorry the sun glares, but I love the colors of the reds, gold, browns, blues,and greens of the Water Mill scene. Under the red, white, and blue calico table cover is a very vintage 1940's metal table. You know the kind that only the rust is holding together, but it's still sturdy.  I hope you enjoyed my porch. As soon as the weather lets up I'll show you what I did this year. And, I'll take you around to the side at my kitchen garden porch so you can see how I decorate that 'outdoor' room. Lol, even Jim is trying to create a little porch down by the garage with some of his garage 'collection' shall we call it.....inspired by the Ohio Valley Ant. Mall display which you can see Here

Don't forget Wednesday Is Rednesday over at Susan's It's a very Cherry World so I'll be linking my post with her and with Liz  at brambelberry Cottage on Thirsday for it's Time Travel Thursday This is a new meme so I hope you do a little time travelling and check it out....Oh go ahead show off your retro redo when you get there! She'd love for you to join in.