It's Beginning..........................

To look a lot like Autumn everywhere you go. 

Take a look at the grocery aisle 

 filled with yummy Candy Corn 

and Caramel apples galore. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Autumn 

Jack-o-lanterns in every store, 

but the prettiest things to see is the fall wreath 

and decorations that will be right in your own home.

Saturday, the first day of Autumn, I love this time of year so much .........the colors  of fall.... the smells of burning leaves, cider, baking apple pie.........the maple candy..... pumpkin butter.......

pork chops with apples......the scarecrows, ghosts, goblins, and witch's that appear this time of year......and all the decorating in warm earthy tones. sigh. 

A little table for one and serving hutch on the kitchen porch

When decorating in the Fall I even like to bring the inside out...er....outside in....er...I just think anywhere can show your style with a few pieces strategically placed.

Little Punkin with her Fraidy Cat. Aren't they cute

The Autumn throw on our glider also on the kitchen porch...ah...sweet dreams of my mountains

My designs begin to reflect the season too. Remember this pic last week?

Well, let me introduce you to Amber Autumn....................................................................

She is a 1940's World Doll. Now being over 70 she needed a little makeover, but today her red satin slip has been layered by a 1940-50's hankie I hand-embroidered and embellished with plastic flowers from a 1960's candle ring and small metallic Fall leaves. Her wings are made from the same plastic foliage and dried skeleton leaves used in scrapbooking. She is crowned by dried statice and more metallic fall leaves.

And, here's the other pic from that same post..............................................................................................

Surprize !!!

           It's a pillow. I took a 1960's crushed velvet sofa pillow and added a little bouquet of vintage plastic fall flowers and new pumpkins...voile'. This could be used to accent a chair or sofa, but it also looks neat as a table centerpiece with fall gourds and wooden candlesticks.  Both this pillow and Amber the Autumn Angel are available for $24.99 each. 
So, that's it for this post. Next time I'll show you my new case display for Fall with more new designs and some vintage Fall ideas from my magazine collection. See ya then!
Oh, and don't forget to go to my Weekly Blog Parties Page at the top of my blog to visit all those fun and inspirational people.

See I'm Trying.......

Oops..a little update...........I have gotten a couple e-mails asking the price of the placemats.  They are $34.95 a set of 4. Also, I do do custom orders so if there are special colors or motifs you like we can work together on a project. The other items aren't quite finished yet so no price yet. Ok sorry for the interruption if you've just stopped by...please continue with your reading 80)

Holy cow, I have another post! In the same week! I told you I was gonna try really hard to start keepin up.

In my last post I mentioned some new things I had completed..some I had to finish...and some vintage finds.

Well, first I don't know if you all, but i host some parties for my Blog Pals over at the Etsy Cottage Style Blogspot. They are weekly Blog Parties and all are different themes. This week is................

To pop over and join the party click the pic. These parties are open to all not just members of ECS.

One of my completed projects are these Autumn inspired placemats................................................

I took vintage inspired paper

like these and used them as a main frame and then used coordinating colored papers completing the frame with small rounds of color. The centers are created by using a 1950's table cloth with  

a lake and ducks motif.

Here's a close up of the hand-embroidery

They are all encased in vinyl for easy wipe-ups. I made a set for myself, but upon finishing them I realized while looking around that there were a lot of accent pieces at the antique mall with the same motif done in the same era like glass decanters with glasses, TV Lamps, and framed prints. That table cloth must've been a popular home accent.

I have a few more almost completed items, but I think I'll just give you a peak

a new Angelic Inspiration





and newest Pillowtalk  design
When they're both fully completed I'll give you the full view.

Now this vintage inspired apron is almost finished...............................................

I found this hand-crocheted beauty in a bag. She needed a little nip and tuck in places, but she mended nicely. Then I found a vintage dishtowel that coordinated very will.................

So I hand embroidered and beaded a patch of it for the soon to be pocket

I'm gonna call this the 'Sunday Supper Apron' cause it reminds me of Aunt Bea from Andy Griffith.

Below are couple of my vintage finds. First this perfectly Autumn quilt, which isn't really vintage, but looks like it, was found at Wal-Mart and will go just right on my porch.

And, then there is this souvenir Great Smoky Mtn.Salt and Pepper set

I'm guessing it is from the 50's. It's cast metal done to look hammered aluminum with red Bakelite handles and pot lid tops. For $3 I could not pass these by.

So, Blog Pals, it's time for me to close and try to visit some of the Blog Parties later..... you'll find them all on my 'Weekly Blog Party' page at the top of my Blog. I hope you follow with me, there are so many really fun, creative, and inspirational Bloggers at these parties

What I did this Summer

Wait a minute......what's goin on........it's what day?! OMG  Labor Day Weekend has come and gone ?! Sigh. Where did Summer go?

My 'To Do List' hasn't even seen a dent made in it. With the way the weather's been around here most flowers and plants have had to fend for themselves............................................................................

My Summer Phlox at the Old Water Pump fountain has continued blooming since July, but I think it has come to an end. As has the Black-eyed Susans. The Clematis at my bike still hasn't bloomed, but it is full and green. Luckily I love Natural Gardens or Wild-flower Gardens. OK Ok some call the plants I have 'Roadsidea'...others weeds, but it is lush, green, blooming, and basically takes care of itself folks. LOL, people ask what is that striking leaf back there...that ground cover....oh what a pretty little flower...I say with a straight face , 'Red-clover mixed with Mint, Sedum, Hosta, Chemeleon Plant, Fountain Grass, Cedar, Butterfly Bush, Dandelion Greens, Woodsorrel, Ground Ivy, Sun Spurge, Thistle, Purslane, assorted Asters, Joe Pye Weed, to name a few.' You can imagine the horrified looks I get from 'true' gardeners, but hey, we are surrounded by woods, it looks so natural why fight it..incorporate it! ;)

Between running errands and appointments this Summer I have gotten some embroidery finished, but projects are still awaiting to be completed...yes...some fall inspired and...yikes...Christmasy and made some great finds at the mall.  I have yet to take pics of the progress or finds..my bad.

Now, I do have a very special...What I Did On My Summer Vacation...to tell you about.

During the past 3 months I have been working with the Ohio Valley Antique Mall to acquire a space in 

their Mall. This is my FAV antique mall in Cincy. It is a 65,000 sq. ft. vintage and antique wonderland sprinkled with OOAK crafts...old and new. Talk about inspiration!

This pic was taken at the front desk

and there are still more vendors to the front left and right of this desk I didn't get in the shot!

Not only are there aisle and aisles with booths and booths to browse 

and over 200 cases to check out

they have a couple of small areas for themed displays using various items from assorted vendors.

These are from the Summer..they change almost weekly it seems.

Of course while shopping you do work up a hunger and they have a lovely little Cafe

with yummy sandwiches, hearty soups, scrumptious bakery goods, and refreshing beverages. Beleive it or not they have 2 eating areas filled with even more themed displays with items for sale!!! You can give your feet a break and browse vintage and antique offerings from the comfort of a chair while eating! Okay, I don't know about you, but those are two of my favorite things to do...hehe

Well, since I've showed you around the place a little, it's time to introduce you to

                                                

Brown Gingham on the Avenue

My case..#224... is located on the back wall at the end of Phoenix Avenue. I have added other creations since this pic was taken. 

UPDATE !!!

I am now located on Arizona Avenue in booth #253 

If you're in the Greater Cincinnati area this mall is centrally located to the I-75 Corridor and the 275 Loop

I hope if you visit let me know..maybe we can meet there!

Oh, don't forget to stop by my Weekley Blog Parties page at the top of my blogspot and follow along for all the fun!

Wait........

.........a minute......what's goin on........it's what day?! OMG  Labor Day Weekend has gone by?! Sigh. Where did Summer go?

My 'To Do List' hasn't even seen a dent made in it. With the way the weather's been around here most flowers and plants have had to fend for themselves............................................................................

My Summer Phlox at the Old Water Pump fountain has continued blooming since July, but I think it has come to an end. As has the Black-eyed Susans. The Clematis at my bike still hasn't bloomed, but it is full and green. Luckily I love Natural Gardens or Wild-flower Gardens. OK Ok some call the plants I have 'Roadsidea'...others weeds, but it is lush, green, blooming, and basically takes care of itself folks. LOL, people ask what is that striking leaf back there...that ground cover....oh what a pretty little flower...I say with a straight face , 'Red-clover mixed with Mint, Sedum, Hosta, Chemeleon Plant, Fountain Grass, Cedar, Butterfly Bush, Dandelion Greens, Woodsorrel, Ground Ivy, Sun Spurge, Thistle, Purslane, assorted Asters, Joe Pye Weed, to name a few.' You can imagine the horrified looks I get from 'true' gardeners, but hey, we are surrounded by woods, it looks so natural why fight it..incorporate it! ;)

Between running errands and appointments this Summer I have gotten some embroidery finished, but projects are still awaiting to be completed...yes...some fall inspired and...yikes...Christmasy and made some great finds at the mall.  I have yet to take pics of the progress or finds..my bad.

Now, I do have a very special...What I Did On My Summer Vacation...to tell you about.

During the past 3 months I have been working with the Ohio Valley Antique Mall to acquire a space in their

Mall. 

This is my FAV antique mall in Cincy. It is a 65,000 sq. ft. vintage and antique wonderland sprinkled

with OOAK crafts...old and new.

This pic was taken at the front desk

and there are still more vendors to the front left and right of this desk I didn't get in the shot!

Not only are there aisle and aisles with booths and booths to browse 

and over 200 cases to check out

they have a couple of small areas for themed displays using various items from assorted vendors.

These are from the Summer..they change almost weekly it seems.

Of course while shopping you do work up a hunger and they have a lovely little Cafe

with yummy sandwiches, hearty soups, scrumptious bakery goods, and refreshing beverages. Beleive it or not they have 2 eating areas filled with even more themed displays with items for sale!!! You can give your feet a break and browse vintage and antique offerings from the comfort of a chair while eating! Okay, I don't know about you, but those are two of my favorite things to do...hehe

Well, since I've showed you around the place a little, it's time to introduce you to

                                                

Brown Gingham on the Avenue

My case..#224... is located on the back wall at the end of Phoenix Avenue. I have added other creations since this pic was taken. 

I like to invite you to my little Grand Opening this weekend and kick things off with an end of Summer sale. All items are 15% OFF Fri Sept 7th-Sun Sept 9th.  Actually the whole mall is having the sale. So, if you're in the Greater Cincinnati area this coming weekend come on over. Plan a whole day or the weekend. For more info go to www.ohiovalleyantiques.com  Hey, let me know if you are coming by...maybe we can meet there?

It has been a while..................

.........almost 2 months since I last posted?! I missed seein ya all and hearin from you.,but, Phew, sometimes  ya just can't help life gettin in the way. The biggest scare happened 3 weeks ago with our Shadow. He woke up on a Tuesday at 4 crying.....that in itself is unsettling, it's like a baby not being able to tell what's wrong.

By 8a we were waiting at the the Vet's. Shadow doesn't do 'sick' well. he wants to be left alone. He gets a little cranky and snappish..like most of us, but with those teeth and catlike claws his 'NO' is meant. So a little shot of Valium and he was in his happy place not noticing or caring about the poking and prodding. We knew he had 2 sebaceous cysts, one behind his ear and one in his back. The one on his back had decided to remove itself by creating a 2" tear, so emergency surgery was a necessity. Within an hour both cysts were removed and stitched up. With a sigh of relief he awoke with a look of 'What happened?' and seemed to ask to return to his happy place. Within the next week Shadow returned to his old self, running and jumping, which he hadn't done for a long while. Seems the cyst was applying pressure to his back. We have to watch cause he's 7 and arthritis starts about now, but hopefully we've taken care of his back ache completely. he just got his stitches out without any shots needed. Guess he knew Tim was gonna make it feel much better.

Like I said Life causes hitches in Bloglandia...hate when that happens, but as long as everything ends well, I keep on keepin on. I've also, been working on an idea I've had for while with expanding Brown Gingham Creations. Nothing final, still in the works, but I hope to post some great news soon.
Sorry to be so short, but Life is still gettin me.