Homecoming Weekend and Creative Juices

I spent last Friday evening helping Little Miss and her "posse" cook a spaghetti supper before they set out to sit at a cold, cold Homecoming football game.

I give her much grief about her and her friends eating us out of house and home but I do love having her friends surround us at the supper table. It makes me feel like a "real" mom and I'm thankful that these kids feel comfortable in our house-not to mention the "grab before its gone" way of eating reminds me of home. I'm going to miss the girls when they go off to college. (Which isn't that far away..)


Little Mister will just have to bring a "posse" of girls when he and his friends get to this stage.

Since the shop was only one weekend this month, I feel like I have a ton of time on my hands. (This will change once I start to receive some of my November goodies-I'm soooooooo excited to share them with you-a peek later.)



This "excess" of time (I only think I have) was used to experiment with various projects I've been collecting.



I would like to challenge you this year to either a.) Make all of your Christmas presents or B.) shop only local to purchase them.



Here's a start on some ideas:


Two years ago, Little Miss begged for these mittens for Christmas. Expensive,but so cute. Made from recycled sweaters and non-matching. (Horrors for the practical people of the world-non-matching-yikes!) I loved them too.

A favorite cashmere sweater was showing signs of wear, so guess what?

It has been repurposed into these mittens. I have enough sweater left for another set. I dragged Big Mister to "Goodwill" on Saturday to hunt for other abandoned sweaters to transform. Lots of orphaned knits to turn into mittens to be found. Click here for a pattern and directions..

(Repurposed mittens at the shop this month--not my creations because I have a problem with doing things in bulk but they are just as cute.)

On my junk trip to Goodwill I was also on a mission to make these..I'm obsessed with cake plates and these you won't find at Target. They are great display at the shop not to mention they make me want to have a party. What about for your Thanksgiving dessert buffet??

No tutorial but it's really just some repurposed china and glasses and some really strong glue.

These (or something like them) for sale at the shop in November, too.

The yo-yo obsession is still with me, and so are those dang bib necklaces. You know, the ones like this.

I just had to figure out how to roll those damn roses. So here's a video that helps. And my roses below made from silk (in fall colors) that I found at my super secret fabric store.

Right now they are being held together with corsage pins because I still have to figure out how to secure them to something. I ripped the silk and am pleased with the organic way the fabric frays. (I did this one-handed and mastered it after alot of swearing--it can be done.)

Last, but never least..

I have been given the opportunity to be a part of fabulous network of entreprenuers who share my same hopes and fears, who own occassional sale boutiques, who like me, love what they do. This shop is literally around the corner from the Urban Market. When I look at my purchases from there, I instantly smile.


The first month, I bought this little pillow (grandma's brooch was included)--the Michael Miller fabric I fell in love with and of course, if something "blings, I'm done.

Last month, the poison bottles. That witchy thing again.

If you are in the hood, the Shop Around the Corner (yes, that's the store's name) is a must see. Click here for hours and directions.

More again soon....

October Tour Around the Shop

I wanted to take pictures of the shop open this weekend but I didn't. I snuck in on Sunday and snapped a few so I thought I'd give you a behind the scenes tour. (Behind the scenes=not open in this case.)

Welcome to the Urban Market.

This month's theme was Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered. There are white lights running across the ceiling so it really does look Bewitching. (Provided they are on.)

On a side note, remember VH1's "pop-up" videos?? They played videos but inserted little known tidbits on the screen about the scenes. Just wanted to get you in the mindset.)

-the tree branch used in the display was not easy to get. Big Mr. literally fell on his tush when helping me gather my twigs. Apparently, fallen tree branches are rather brittle. He shakes his head and whispers, "Another deposit." Yes, I'll never be able to pay him back. Thankfully, he gets me and doesn't ask too many questions.

-the Halloween candles smell divine. A little vintage Halloween image and scents of cinnamon, apples, and something that in her words, makes Mrs. Possibility want to eat.

To the right of "Oak Hollow" (or ridiculously hard to get tree branch) is one of my favorite displays.

Inside this display lives the most divine smelling soaps. A laundry fragrance (a must for guest sheets) and a dish soap that honestly, makes people want to do dishes. The scent lasts long after the water has drained from the sink.

May I recommend Fresh Grass??

-the refrigerator is circa 1950. It was in a cabin purchased in 1958 and recently found it's way to me. I love the shape and the aqua color. I was thrilled when Mrs. Tootsie suggested the possibility of this lovely living at the shop.

North of Mrs. Tootsie's fridge lies the corner of sparkle. The corner of all things handmade. All pieces here have not been touched by any factory. I think I speak for these ladies, too, when I say the sign above speaks the truth. Their pretties add the cherry on top.

-People always want to buy the vintage seltzer bottles. See it in the middle of the photo? If you have any, they are wanted.

On the opposite corner of Oak Hollow and Confidence, lies Inspiration Corner. Blank journals, stationery, cards, just waiting for some ink. Jot yourself an affirmation note on a vinyl chalkboard---"This, too, shall pass."

Last stop on this tour, the Make Center. No explanation necessary, just supplies to create your own art. Melissa Frances, oh how I love the pink Mica flakes. Yes, we have them. Click here to see a project using them. Ooh, sparkly..I'm a sucker for the bling.

-Can you find one of the "goth-ed" girls in the Make Center?"

Thanks for taking the tour. We're open again in November, restocked and ready for you. More later. (I'm supposed to be watching the Vikings like a good Minnesotan. Failing miserably.)

The Girls Have Gone Goth or Bling for your Baby

The Girls (get them here) have gone goth-yes, they have witched themselves up.

Much to my chagrin, they have mouths. Little Miss always comments, "Mom, where is her mouth?" I like them better without but for a limited time, I'll comply with her request.

Good spells or bad, they're ready.

Elphaba Mini, Miss Popular, wishing you a "Haunting Day." (I love the Wicked soundtrack.)

Since I was on a roll this Saturday, I tried a few things. One of which I'll share.

Inspired by a fellow blogger who made "bling for your baby" onesies, I, too, had to give it a shot.

(Just for the record friends and family, there are NO babies or plans for any at this house. I just thought they were cute.)

Her tutorial consists of "stencils" and paint which for me are more than nightmarish to work with. I end up with paint everywhere but where it is supposed to be so I improvised.

I have a jar full of rhinestone goodies and junk jewelry pieces that I have a hard time using and/or giving away.

But wait, I could use them and still keep them.

I grabbed a handful and arranged them on my scanner bed. Pushed "scan" and now I have an exact photo of my necklace. A little phtoshop magic, and this bling was ready for an iron-on transfer paper.

I'm sharing with you, (the blue one). If you have photo-editing software, you can create any color you'd like.

(Make sure you click on the photo to get it big enough to use.)

Heat up that iron, an voila! Bling for your baby. (Yucky photo, but they really are cute.)

More photos of the Market's October window coming soon...