One down, two to go.

I've been away for a while, I know...but when you have kids and Halloween is around the corner, things get a bit hectic. Lily's Kindergarten class had a Halloween Party last Thursday and I volunteered to bring prizes for the Halloween games the kids played. I decided to forego the usual Made in China Dollar Store items for all handmade. I'll tell you, it's not easy thinking of quick and easy handmade items for 23 5-year olds and their younger siblings but eventually, I came up with some simple colorful pins, finger puppets, wrist bands, and little pumpkin wall hangings all made from new and recycled wool and ribbon. I also couldn't resist using up the 10 yards of orange tulle I had laying around and making simple tutus for the girls. I love giving kids the opportunity to see a different way of doing things. While there were lots of plastic spider rings and Frankenstein temporary tattoos, the kids were really intrigued by how different the game prizes were. Well, that's one holiday done, 2 to go.

Today, I've started making handmade holiday gifts. There was lots of leaf, stick, and pine cone collecting, as well as lots of huddling around the stove. Can you guess what I'm making?

Le weekend

A perfect weekend...Saturday spent in jammies doing art projects and Sunday at the stunning Detroit Institute of Art. There is nothing quite like seeing a Peter Rabbit show amidst the mural in the vast and colorful Diego Rivera Court. Then we were off to make mini mosaics and draw animals.

Getting ready for the holidays

It's not too difficult to start making wonderful holiday things when it's so cold. I've started working on some very primitive/rustic Christmas stockings. I've posted the first one in my shop and hope to keep my fingers warm and sewing this weekend to post more next week.

Bibs, bibs

I've been working on these bibs recently. The bright colors just make me smile. I think they would look just wonderful on smily, happy little babies! Look for them in my etsy shop AlliumDesign.

celebration flags

Reusable celebration flags are wonderful. Textile banners have such a softness about them that it conjures up coziness and happiness all in one. Here are some in the works which will be in my etsy shop AlliumDesign soon. The felt heart banner is so versatile and can double as a necklace or mini scarf.

Quiet Moments

Capturing quiet moments in the house is very rare. It's usually very loud and happy. But I've managed to capture some lovely memories of beach treasures from Lake Michigan nestled in a plated woven basket. The little folding chair will soon be available in my vintage shop soon.

More Handmade Halloween

Thanks so much to Emily from The Handmade Experiment for featuring the Yellow Flower Collar on her blog!!

Thanks, Toronto!

Last weekend, we made our annual fall pilgrimage to one of our favorite cities--Toronto. It's such an eclectic and vibrant (and easily navigable!) city and we love to soak it in before we have to hibernate up here sandwiched amongst the Great Lakes. This time, we stayed in a tiny apartment in the Garden District and each night we had a little fire in the fireplace and each morning made a wonderful, simple breakfast. I have lots of favorites in Toronto...but, for me, it just wouldn't be complete without a trip to The Prague Bistro and Food Emporium and Peach Berserk run by silkscreen goddess Kingi. While it rained ALL THE TIME when we were inside, we had perfect weather whenever we ventured out with just the right cloud cover. On the way home, we stopped at the McMichael Canadian Art Museum with an amazing collection from the Group of Seven set in a wonderfully massive cabin in the woods. Thanks, Toronto. Until next year!!

Halloween Preparations

Getting ready for Halloween is always a pleasure and a lot of work. I never celebrated Halloween as a child. It wasn't really known in Czech but I love the idea of the children playing make-believe and having lots of fun dressing up and running outside before the worst cold snap up here between the Great Lakes. I do love really detailed and ornate costumes but sometimes it's so much fun to have just one accessory that makes the outfit...so I've been working on these little flower collars. They're nice and small, easy to wear, and best of all, keep the throat nice and warm...They're available in my etsy shop AlliumDesign .

Vintage Reads

There's nothing better than sharing a beautifully illustrated vintage book. Vintage kids books usually provide just enough words and colors to spark little ones with big imaginations. Here is just a selection of some wonderful books available here to share with the tiny babes...and growing ones too.

Childhood memories

This bowl reminds me of childhood, gathering all the ripe vegetables from the cottage garden and having a wonderful tomato salad for lunch. So, it wasn't a big surprise when I flipped it over and found a Czechoslovakia maker's mark on the bottom. While I reminisce, you can get the bowl at my vintage shop.

Summer has come and gone but lots of my tomatoes are just now ripening. Here's a great recipe that just couldn't be any easier, healthier, or tastier to use up all those late bloomers:

At least 2 cups of coarsley chopped tomatoes

1/2 cup of vinegar (any kind will do-infused or regular)

2 teaspoons of sugar.

Mix the vinegar with sugar in a separate container then pour over the tomatoes. It's so easy and really good. You can also substitute cucumbers for tomatoes since these are so plentiful, as well. You can cut the cucumbers any way you like (I like mine shredded). If you feel like you want to add a bit more, you can add some basil or parsley too! Enjoy!

Buttons

My amassed button collection from the last part of the summer. Beautiful buttons of all shapes and sizes. All vintage goodies waiting to be sewn onto little jackets and dresses...

Memories of Summer and A Humble Harvest

A memory of summer along beautiful Lake Michigan...trying to catch the last summer waves.

And overgrown beans and ripe, juicy tomatoes...a sign of my little neglected vegetable garden. Always started out with the best of intentions in early spring...then left to fend on its own. How about you? How did your gardening turn out this year?

This is my life...crazy and wonderful.