summertime

some say spring is here, but here in arizona, we just go straight to summer - and it's here!

 I snapped this beautiful flower with my new camera and what a burst of color!  at least they seem to love the sunshine!

high today of 110 degrees! a good day to stay inside or if outside, stay in the pool.

summer really is here - between my sons' dive team practice, baseball games and basketball camp, there is so much to do! I have so many projects in the works, just need to get back to posting about all of them - or at least some of them!

time to walk the dog! - it's still nice and cool at 7 am, and she {and me!} could really use the excercise!
hmmmmm those look really tasty. . . .

sweet find

I was out the other day, poking around my favorite GW thrift store, looking for some specific types of frames, {as usual}. But then, I saw this little lovely, and knew I had to take it home and breath some new life into it {all for the cost of $4!}.
This is what I first saw, but at the same time, saw potential there!
Mini chandelier candle holders!

So,I took everything apart, cleaned it up, and set out to spray-painting everything a creamy white.

Of course the weather was perfect, so I took everything outside and got to work.

Looking pretty good!! Now to put back all of those hanging crystals and find some tiny tea-light candles!

Looking sort of "naked" to me {of course}, so I added this letter M I had made a while back.

Here's a view of the whole table {most of it, anyway}. I was so inspired, that I redid  all of my picture frames in my chippy, creamy-white style, so now they all match!

etsy glitter inspired treasury

I just recieved a note that an item from my etsy shop is being featured in a Treasury! That's always so exciting! It's one of my first glittery chalkboards!

The etsy artist is rather new, so stop by and check out her fabulous and elegant jewelry in her new shop!  jmcrowther.etsy.com

The Treasury is all about glitter, which I have been going a little crazy for lately. Buying it as well as experimenting with using it on everything! Surprisingly, there are many different types of glitter. From sort of chunky stuff to extremely fine and almost powdery. And they all have a different effect. So much fun!
Does anyone have a favorite glitter? I am still searching. . .

picture frames at the GW!

There is a great sale I frequent, every other Saturday at my local GW {better know as the Goodwill}. Every item in the store is 50% off!

As I'm always on the hunt for all styles, types and sizes of picture frames, I cannot stay away from this awesome sale. And trust me, there is plenty of other stuff there, just waiting to be reconditioned and given a new life!

If you visit my website @ sweetiepiesuite.etsy.com, you can view some of these frames turned into chalkboards - that's what I use them for - chalkboards.  Once in a while, I will get a request to make various color picture frames, yes, for pictures. But mostly, I make chalkboards.

I am rather picky about which frames I choose, but they have tons to choose from! So, needless to say, every nook and free cranny in my house is pretty much layered with leaning picture frames. {something my husband has graciously overlooked, for the most part}.

These frames are awaiting some paint, etc.

This is the primer stage.

These have been painted some pretty pastel shades.

And these, are ready for either pictures or chalkboards!

I have some other projects in the works, and will share those soon!

a day for scones!

Spur of the moment this morning - scones! These are so easy to make and so pretty {as well as a tiny bit chic, I think}. Makes me feel like I really went all out and made something truly extraordinary and amazing - {straight out of a Charlotte Bronte novel}.  
Here is my recipe, actually my mom's recipe, called Scotch Scones. So yummy with butter or jam and a hot cocoa. So, why not get a little floury and create something scrumptious!

Scotch Scones

2 cups flour     
2 T. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 tea. salt
1/4 tea. baking soda
1/2 cup raisins {optional}
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup sour cream
3 T. milk
1 egg

Mix dry ingrediants with the raisins, then add oil and sour cream just till mixture clings together. {I didn't have any raisins today - but just as good!}

Toss on floured board, knead and flatten into a round shape, about 10 inches across. {you don't really have to use a rolling pin, your hands work just fine}

Cut into pie shapes, then brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake till lightly golden. {about 7 minutes in my oven}

Remove from cookie sheet to cool on wire rack.

                   

            Enjoy!

this new year of 2010

Well, it finally feels like this new year has truly begun. Yesterday was my birthday, which {as a teacher} is always a mark of time: time to go back to work! {not until tomorrow, actually}.  My son went off to school this morning, and he was actually excited to go! My goal today is to take some pictures and post them to my esty sites, as well as creating a new banner for this blog!

I have the new years cleaning bug, and so far have cleaned our giant closet, the entire kitchen and now must tackle putting away all the christmas stuff.
Busy day ahead and school is out at 2:45 - better get to it!

new space finished!

Hoping everyone had a wonderful and relaxing holiday so far. We have been busy, busy, busy here!

As promised, here is my booth/space as it looks finished. {better late than never, I hope. . . }

Things have since changed around a bit of course, as they do in a retail environment. But this is the jist of what I have to offer.

We will see how things go, but with the holdiays coming to a close, I may be going back to etsy full steam ahead! We'll see. . . .