Crafty Inspiration from blogland!

  We are truly living in a 24 hour bakery over here!! Batches and batches  of cupcakes drying on every surface!! Both Aaron and I have permanent hand cramps from all of the cutting! I imagine the Silver Bella gals can identify...putting together all of those fabulous kits!!

Just when you think I 'd had enough cutting....I sat down to do some personal cutting! Inspired by the fabulous handiwork of  Alicia, (Have a peek at her incredible vintage wallpapered patchwork closet door !!) I revamped this super sweet tiny table "thingy" that we have had floating around for years! I'm not sure what it was actually used for. It is from the 40's and has a pretty vintage glass knob...and opens up...with a mirror attached to the inside lid! ( I plan on painting the inside a sweet vintagey turquoise) It is only 16" high...and is a 12" square. Any ideas on what it was for?

I gathered up some of my favorite scraps of papers, new scrapbooking papers, as well as vintage sheet music, and vintage baking book pages! With no real plans...and a relaxed attitude toward the design (which is truly out of character) ..I just cut different shapes and sizes, and mod podged away! I am quite pleased with how it turned out...it is very happy and sweet, with it's chippy tan paint and all! Perfect for my vintage plastic tree and a few cardboard Christmas houses!

I am so thankful for Alicia's fab post!! What inspiration!! Thanks Alicia!!

 

ohhh...and celebrating a One year blogiversary is my sweet and talented friend Kari aka  ArtsyMama !! Stop over and join the celebration!!!

 

How fun it is to consider a year of blogging, crafting, and meeting new friends!! So so cool!! I look forward to lots of blogiversaries!! Mine and YOURS!!

 

Happy Creating!

Happy Blogging!!

xoxo Jenny

 

 

 

Swappy fun and Great mail!!!

 

 

My goodness...I have got to thank all of you sweethearts..including Aaron's mom (Barb) who read that I am searching high and low for a new white tree this year! I cannot believe how super helpful you all are!! My goodness!! So many emails, and links! Thank you all so much!! I will let you know what we settle on this weekend!

 

Well this past week I shipped out my latest swap goodies! It was a CHOCOLATE swap!! I cannot tell you how fun it was to browse and shop for special  chocolate treats! I was drooling over everything I picked up! This swap truly brought out the kid in me.....and in Aaron as well!! The selection is incredible, especially this time of year! I don't think that the gal I sent to visits my blog so I can tell you what is in the brown paper packages above!

1. Is an incredible looking bar: La Artesana extra fine chocolate with milk

2. The fabulous Harry and David's Truffles in dark chocolate

3. An amaaaazing looking 30 piece assortment of Monbana chocolates in, Lait, Lait-Cereales, cappuccino, Lait-Praline, and Tea squares!!

4. And a perfect collection of mixed Harry and David truffles!

 

I really had a great time putting it all together! I hope that she enjoys everything! I looked on swap-bot today to see if everyone has sent theirs.....there are still 7 people who haven't. I truly hope that we do not have any deadbeats. That would stink! I already told you about my first bittersweet swap experience . (club little house mini swap). Hopefully everything will be great for everyone!!

 

Ok...so now about the other photos!! I am just super duper excited about my "Crown of the Town" kit from  

Teresa Mcfayden!!..yes...Miss Silver Bella herself!! I know this photo in noway shows all of the incredible bits and bobs in this kit!! I promise more photos when I finally get a moment to sit down to work on it!! ...For now.....you have got to go check out my gal  Jennifer Sis Boom's crowns!! Her take on this kit is smashing!! In true Sis Boom fashion!!

 

Also pictured above is a fabulous vintage-style  holiday collage cone kit from Danielle over at The Vintage Dragonfly Studio Blog! As soon as I get a moment of free time, I will be crafting away!! I promise pics!!

 

We are still in full swing ornament mode over here!! Hope to ship TONS more tomorrow!

 

I see that many of you have gotten snow!! Lucky ducks!! 

Alicia and Andy are sipping homemade cocoa admiring their fabulous candy colored tree and Christmas village, and 

Vicki and family are living in a winter wonderlandright now!

I wonder when we will finally get some winter? Maybe I should wear my pjs inside out! That used to work in the 3rd grade!!

 

Hope you all are enjoying the season!!

Happy Decorating!

xoxo Jenny

A Fabulous holiday was had by all!

  Hello Everyone!! I hope your holiday was full of great food, family, friends, fun, and happiness!! I have been seeing lots of fabulous photos on your blogs!! Some gorgeous table settings I might add!!

Aaron and I had one of the best Thanksgivings in years! We spent the day with the most important people in our lives!

This year my sister and I decided to make a bunch of "new" sides to bring to my parents. My goodness.....we had Martha's homemade Macaroni and Cheese....Country Living's roasted sweet potato casserole with praline streusel, Paula Dean's Pineapple upside down biscuits, and so many other fabulous things! My pumpkin swirl cheesecake was a big big hit! It really was deeeelish!! I kicked it up a notch or two by adding a layer of a sweetened vanilla and cinnamon whipped cream, and topping it with bourbon maple pecans from Whole Foods! To die for!! I will be sure to make it again and again!!

We truly ate enough for a week! And we continue to eat all sorts of snacks and sweets that we took home!

 

Another highlight of the holiday was baby Adam....Aaron's brother's first child. He is amazing! Such a doll! He has gotten so so big! He is a little over 5 months now. I will be sure to post pics of him soon! He has the biggest blue eyes!! Walt came over to Aaron's parents too. He was shocked at how tiny Adam's fingernails were...and his two tiny bottom teeth! He had to whip out his camera phone for a few pics!

This was the first time in over 30 years that Barb (Aaron's mom) hosted Thanksgiving. Usually we all go down to Mom Mom's house in Barnegat. Which is about an hour or so away. So usually after our dinner at my parents we rush to get down there to Aaron's family for dessert. It is always seems so rushed. This year was much more relaxed and easy. I think Barb had a good time. She is always a great hostess! The torch is now passed! The year that Barb became a grandma...fitting huh?

Aaron, Walt and I drove Mom Mom home at the end of the evening. It was a great time! We love visiting with her! It is non stop conversation. She is so sharp and fun! It was a great day!

 

This weekend was spent filling orders! We are up to our ears in ornaments! Really!! Stacks and stacks of pink bakery boxes are piled high around the apt! We will be shipping a bunch tomorrow. and then it is back to ornament making! So glad that they were so well received! Thank you to anyone who has ordered some! We are honored to be a part of your holiday!

 

Up above are some of my Wish list items!! Are you drooling as much as I am?? My goodness!! How fabulous are these houses?? They are from the fabulous Room Service Home! The pink houses are actually currently sold out..boo hoo...I had to share the photo with you anyway! Such eye candy!! Maybe I will try my hand at creating my own version of them. Aaron and I made a few vintage inspired cardboard glitter houses last year...lots of fun! I will post pics as soon as we unpack all of our holiday items!

 

We are still searching for a new white tree....no luck yet..I will keep you posted!

 

Well, I have lots to do before bed!! I hope to post again tomorrow. My apologies to any of you dolls that I owe emails to! I promise tonight or tomorrow!! I haven't forgotten you!!

 

Have a  great week!

Happy Holiday decorating!

xoxo Jenny

 

Thanksgiving 2006

We arrived at Beverly Hills, Florida to meet up with old Friends Mike and Ornetta Mehl who have been fulltiming it in first a 5th Wheel and now a 36' Motorhome. They had invited us to join them for Thanksgiving with us having the impression that it would just be the four of us. To our chagrin, when we arrived to meet up them it turn out that we as well as the Maybrant family and a few others (14) were all invited to Betty's Maybrant's house. Betty is one fantastic hostess and we were welcomed like family. Marge, Ornetta and Betty spent a good part of Wednesday afternoon preparing pies and all kinds of wonderful food items for the next days feast. The picture below is of Marge, Betty and Ornetta during a pause in the cooking.
We had a grand time on Thursday and ate very well. Betty as I said was a wonderful hostess and we were welcomed by everyone. It was a very nice day. We had our picture taken with the Mehls and our hostess Betty after dinner - see below.
Marge and I both would like to wish everyone a warm Thanksgiving greeting.

Alabama to Beverly Hills, Florida

We have been moving...after leaving our friends Marvin and JoAnn in Alabama and their wonderful hospitality....although not before they gave us a quick visit to Gulf Shores and and their neat cottage on Mobile Bay - see below.



The beaches are pretty phenomenal with beautiful white sand everywhere. The area where our friends are is generally all beach houses and as we traveled east, the developments became more numerous even with the offshore oil and gas rigs.

We then proceeded along the coast and on to what we hoped would be warmer climates with our first stop at Henderson Beach State Park near Destin, Florida. Again a fantastic state park nestled in the dunes along the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of beach and trails to explore but at 31 Degrees outside we decided to stay warm inside. The following morning we left again heading east hoping to find some warmth. We traveled the coast going through some beautiful old cities...Apalachicola, Mexico Beach, Port Saint Joe, and Carabelle. All are being developed to some degree, but they are a far cry from Panama City or Fort Walton Beach at this point. We stopped for lunch at a roadside park near Carabelle where they trained for the landing at Normandy during World War II. The beach is beautiful as is the whole area.




We received an invite from old friends for Thanksgiving...were off to Beverly Hills, Florida for a Thanksgiving Dinner with them.

Just a tiny hello!

I have about 2 minutes to post a tiny little bit of eye candy for you!! Today is super duper busy over here!! Shipping about a gazillion things....filling a bunch of ornaments orders...and I am about to begin baking Sour Cream apple pie, (Yes,.... Alicia's famous recipe!..yumm) and 2 Pumpkin swirl cheesecakes with gingersnap crusts! Cannot wait! The pie is to die for...and the pumpkin swirl cheesecake is bound to be incredible!

 

The above photo is of my first purchase from a new blogging friend

Cari (the fabulous snowflake ornament). She just opened up an  

Etsy shop last night! Be sure to check in with her...she'll surely have some more pretty things coming soon! Such as the lovely glitter word garlands also above! Can't wait!

 

I wish I had more time to hang out with you all today...maybe I'll pop back in later tonight, after all my baked goods are cooling!

 

if not...

I hope Everyone has a Super Fun and Happy Thanksgiving!! I am so thankful for all of my new friends!!

Enjoy your day!

xoxo Jenny

Our newest family member!

 

Well...it is officially that time of year again! The Christmas Tree lots are now set up! No trees...just the fencing, lighting and signage. Trees soon to come! Amazing how fast this all happens!

We decided about 3 years ago to go with a fake tree...see I could use the word faux here...but we go with a pre-lit WHITE tree..so you do not get more FAKE than that! We love it! It is just over the top glitter and sweets, vintage tinsel and ornaments galore!

When we finally own our own home, we will most likely have a real tree each year! I would hope to get a tree with the root ball still attached, that way we could plant them year after year! We did that when I was little. It is so fun to look back and see the row of trees, remembering each holiday.

 

We are on the look out for a new fake white tree....since our top section of lights burned out 2 days after Christmas last year! We have been having no luck. I am not really a fan of the iridescent look, nor the wispy hairy look, which is what Martha decided to go with this year. I hope I do not have to cave and go with hers. It seems everyone is offering the same thing. Fingers are crossed. I have a little while longer!

 

I have been receiving so many fabulous things in the mail! Today my mailman had to leave us with a plastic bin due to all the packages!! you would think we had one already, with all the packages we ship out on a daily basis! Nope..it took Jenny going wild on eBay! : )

 

I am still receiving some of my birthday purchases. I hope to take pics of them all to show you!

For today I have a photo of the newest member of my vintage bunny rabbit family! He is from the 1940s, and stuffed with sawdust. Quite well loved I must say! That is what I love about him. His once bright pink fur is now a broken-in dusty mauve. His ears are the color of sepia book pages.

The super sweet and oh so vintage looking tag around his neck is another purchase, that looks as if it has been a part of his life forever! I was so so delighted when I opened a package of four of these primitive style candy colored patchwork tags today! I found the sweetest gal named Rosemarie selling them on ebay ! I figured they would add a vintagey touch to a new Christmas stocking or look super sweet tied to a brown paper package. You can only imagine how excited I was when I thought of Mr. Bunny here! Perfect combination! Don't you think? Love them together! I think he agrees!

 

I will be sure to take some pics of my entire vintage bunny family one day soon. They all live in our bedroom, with our family of vintage paper mache bunnies as well! I am addicted! Really!

 

Well...we are swamped with work right now...so I must go to help poor Aaron! He is cutting hundreds of ornaments!! Really! This place is officially Santa's workshop! time to get that new Christmas cd I saw at target! maybe tomorrow!

 

I hope everyone has a great next few days! If traveling, have a safe trip and lots of fun! I will be posting again tomorrow, but for anyone leaving early for the holiday...Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thank you so much for visiting me! It means so much!!!

xoxo Jenny

Brrrrr - Winter in Alabama

Were in the Florida Panhandle due to a change in weather and plans...last night it went down to 34 degrees tonights supposed to be a little cooler in Destin Florida where we are for the moment. Will be heading further South tomorrow.

Holiday glitter and glitz!

Hey there everyone! Finally a moment to visit! I have been catching up on my favorite bloggeroos!! My my my...I am still drooling over all of the incredible eye candy posted by all of the 

Silver Bella gals! My gosh you lucky lucky ducks! Aaron and I vow to be there next year!! Along with our mega sweet and talented friend 

JenniferPaganelli..of Sis Boom fame! (more on her in a bit)

The amount of eye candy is almost overwhelming! you must have a peek at what we missed! The dazzling Goddess that is 

Pam Garrison has a few kits from her "Two Turtle Doves" swag class for sale in her Etsy store!!! Amazing!!

Another great place to visit is my new sweet and super creative friend Kari's blog! She was lucky enough to take some of Pam's classes...and has posted photos of her incredible creations!! Loving everything!!

 

Now for SIS BOOM!! Where do I begin? Well, Aaron and I met Jennifer through Country Living magazine! We had been in the same issues with back toback spreads..as well as used in the same shoots on many occasions. We adored her creations, and style beyond belief! We soon found out that every holiday season...She transforms her home into the most magical glittery wonderland you have ever seen!! Open to the public I might add!! Every room on the first floor of her gorgeous home is filled to the brim with the most dazzling over the top handmade holiday treasures you could ever imagine! She is famous for her wreaths...covered in clusters and clusters of vintage ornaments, glass balls, reindeer, baubles and bits! Amazing!! One of her wreaths actually hung in the

American Folk Art Museum

  in NYC!

This year's Sis boom event will be happening from December 8th -9th!! If you are anywhere near Conn....you must take the trip!! We will be there with bells on!!

Jennifer is hard at work putting the finishing touches on her "to die for" offerings!! Everything is looking AMAZING I might add!

She was just introduced to the work and style of Pam Garrison, and I think she would make Pam incredibly proud!...have a peek at Jennifer's take on the Famous flag banners that Pam showed us on HGTV!! Jennifer incorporated her Sis Boom

fabrics!! Aren't they soo fun!? They are bound to sell FAST! If you are lucky..you may be able to shop on her site!!

 

Above are some incredible photos from last year's event!! Can you even stand it?? I cannot wait for this year!! I will be sure to post tons of pics!!

I love her world!

 

I will be back again later today with another post...more pics too!!

Hope you are all having agreat Sunday!

xoxo Jenny

Biloxi - Pass Christian

Friday was our last work day and today we decided to explore a little over towards Pass Christian. In all the driving around we have done where there is the obvious destruction one thing we have both noted is the fact that the beautiful old live oak trees have survived when man made structures of some consequence have not. Another thing we noticed is that while Biloxi had major loss back one or two blocks at Pass Christian it was more like five or six blocks back from the beach and there were substantially less trees that had survived. We leave tomorrow without a specific destination but will keep you posted. I have also posted a few more pictures mostly of the area between Pass Christian and Biloxi.

Biloxi II

Thought I would post some pictures just to give you and idea of the devastation that everyone talks about, although you really have to see it to understand the completeness of the damage to the area. Bear in mind, these pictures were taken yesterday 15 months after Katrina.





One thing I wanted to show but wasn't able to, was the neighborhoods. Many have been totally destroyed, but now with the time that has passed, the green has come back in between the paved streets and there is the occassional FEMA trailer seemingly sitting in the middle of nowhere, but there is no neighborhood now! I could not find a picture to take that would show that.

Amazing Grace photos!

Amazing Grace!!!

                                                                                                                                                       

Oh my goodness!!! Oh the mailman was so good to me this week!! I will tell you all about my packages in a bit...but first...I must must show you these incredible little treasures that just arrived!!

 

These perfect little creations are by the one and only "Amazing Grace" over at Turkey Feathers!! Vicki's super duper sweet and talented TEEN daughter!!..Yes...I said TEEN!! I cannot believe my eyes!! Just when I think I have seen it all...Grace knocks my socks off again!! Ok first of all...if you have not seen the incredible mini patisserie that they have created.

turkey feathers: DOLLHOUSE BAKERY

..get over there!!...

 

Words cannot describe how magical it is!! You will flip for it! Trust me! And be sure to follow the link to the their Etsy shop!! I know that the grand opening sales were non stop....but Grace is always working on her fabulous goodies...so be sure to check back!

 

I was lucky enough to purchase an incredible buttery/cream cake, a box of the tiniest cinnamon rolls, a white cupcake to complete my trio, an oh so beautiful layer cake complete with the most perfect chocolate roses, and piping, as well as an adorable coconut layer cake..complete with flakes of coconut and a cherry on top!!

And I cannot tell you how surprised and delighted I was to find a unexpected special little gift tucked into this sweet package......tiny hand sculpted pink cupcake earrings!!! I truly am just so blown away by Grace's kindness, creativity, and generosity! She is an amazing girl! Thank you SO SO much Grace!! I beyond adore everything! I cannot wait to wear my earrings!! I had ice cream cones, and donuts, and cake slices, ...I have been wanting cupcakes forever...these are PERFECT!! Yipeee!!

 

I cannot wait for Aaron to get home to show him these sweet lil bits!!

....well...that, and to hold some lights for me so I can take decent photos!! It is soo dark today!!

 

I'll be back with some more eye candy later today!!

xoxo Jenny

 

Swappy fun!!

      

                                                                               

                         

My Goodness!...Why can't there be more hours in the day?? We have been running around like crazy over here! And if all goes well..things will get even crazier closer to the holiday!! : )

 

As promised I have lots of photos for you....I think I may have to post a few times today. Above is a shot of the goodies I gathered up and made for my Vintage Christmas swap recipient. I hope she likes everything. I wasn't as lucky as I thought I'd be while out antiquing and junking. But I did find some sweet treasures...such as the vintage 1950's paper bell, the classic 50's bottle brush tree, the plastic reindeer....60s wrapping paper and the spool of paper ribbon (love the turquoisey print on it). The antique dealers didn't seem to have their heads on the holiday yet.

I went ahead and crafted one of my favorite things....vintage inspired crepe paper nut cups! I cannot get enough of these!! I am lucky enough to own a few vintage gems of my own....scored on eBay. I have seen some incredible versions over the years. Some went as high as 200.00!! (pink, cream, green, flower girls!) They were amazing!

I went with a classic/retro palette of red and green..and kept it fun and kitschy. On the front of each nutcup is a vintage holiday label from the late 40s early 50s.

Also pictured ...are two little holiday plaques that I made,  using vintage Christmas cards....my favorite is the houses! I glittered the snow covered roof on both! I hope my gal "gets is". What I may drool over, could be truly silly to another. Well, fingers are crossed!!

I really did have a great time putting it all together. I think I may have to do all of this in my own color palette now! Little pink, cream and turquoise nut cups!! ooohh!! And a little more sepia/age to it all...yes!!

 

Ohh almost forgot....I did in fact include something brand new....the adorable glittery house ornament! It is from Target! (have you seen some of their incredible goodies this year?....more on that later today!) I just had to get it! It was so sweet...and had enough of a vintage feel to it!

 

I received an email from the gal that will  be sending to me. She is from Vancouver! I will be sure to take pics as soon as it arrives!

 

Aaron is in the city today...so I have a large to-do list. Hopefully I will get at least 3/4 of it done....ok 1/2..lol!!

 

Thank you so so much for all of the super sweet emails, and comments!! It means the world to me!!

Hope you all have a great day!

Happy Blogging!!

xoxo Jenny

 

 

 

Biloxi, Mississippi - WOW!

We arrived in Biloxi to spend some time with an organization known as "Hands On" for which our niece Sara Hamilton works as a coordinator helping to organize and direct a steady stream of volunteers. There are quite a few volunteers helping out this city after the destruction from Hurricane Katrina, and its needed judging from initial appearances. We arrived Sunday afternoon to find that at least two of the major routes into town were still out (bridges blown away) and the devastation along the shoreline unbelievable. I will post some more pictures as we see more this week, but below are the first pictures we took on the way in. It surprised me that after 14 or 15 months that the devastation was so totally apparent.

One of the many piers that are now longer usable

View from foundations of resturant no longer around

Signs still standing of long gone businesses

One of the areas that Hands On is working

Organizations such as HANDS ON are trying to make a difference like renovating parks, feeding homeless, mold removal, new construction and, even taking care of the animals at the Humane Society. They do anything and everything and work out of a rented church building that now houses up to 300 volunteers. It appears that 90% of the volunteers are between 18 and 25 with a few of us old folks thrown in. Were going to be here through the week to help as we can and frankly feel good about it. Our first job was to work a soup kitchen for the day on Monday...it was fun and rewarding at the same time. More to come.

gone global! :)

 

Oh boyy....Everyday is a Holiday has gone global once again! Korea this time!! Fun Fun Fun!! We just received a sweet email from a client of ours named Sang here in NJ. Sang has some friends that happen to own one of the largest bakery franchises in Korea...Patisserie HANS!! Our Cake Art was presented to them as a grand opening gift last spring!! We couldn't be more honored! We just received  some photos of their fabulous bakery case, and our art work on display!! So fun!! Turns out they loved the two pieces so much...they just ordered a bunch more! We couldn't be more excited!!  It is actually funny...considering I have glittered so many of these pieces while in my pjs..here in our studio in NJ!! What a riot!

 

We are hoping to have our brand spankin new website up and running very very very soon! We plan on having a photo gallery of collector's homes, and bakeries featuring our Cake Art!! We will be putting out the call for photos very soon!! So if you would like to join in the fun...start snapping away...and if you do not own any Cake Art yet....What are you waiting for!! Come visit our 

eBay store!!

 

I have so many new things to share....tomorrow will be full of photos!! I promise!!

xoxo Jenny

 

 

 

Mammoth Cave National Park

Main Cave Entrance

After leaving the factory and repairs behind we finally got on the road Thursday morning. When we stopped later in the day we suddenly realized that our time was our own and that we just happened to be near Mammoth Cave National Park. Not having to be anywhere clinched our decision to become adventurous and check out the national park with our "Golden Age Passports" which offer most things free or half price at all the National Parks. I know Emily (our daughter in law) will be disappointed that she was not with us as this sort of thing is right up her alley. I do have to say I was a bit apprehensive and claustrophobic when we first entered the cave. The larger chambers were ok but some of the cracks we had to squeeze through surprised me.







Thought I would attach a couple of pictures from inside the cave which even with a new camera do not do justice to the beauty of all the natural formations we saw. The chambers sometimes were huge with the ranger that was giving us the tour describing what we saw and explaining about the underground waterways that had carved out some 367 miles of cave found so far. They estimate that that is only about half of what they believe to be in the area.

One of two other kind of unique things we saw was the last cable/paddlewheel ferry still in use across the Green River in the national park. See below
On the way in to where the visitors center was I noticed a small strange little engine and railcar that was used in the early years to transport people to the cave opening and the nearby hotels. The trip was only 9 miles but beautiful country side and as I said somewhat special and unique.


Saturday we left for Biloxi with an overnight at a small park near Montgomery Alabama... Northern Alabama is absolutely beautiful with the trees just finishing up their color show.