Urban fowl

While visiting Shelburne Farms, in Vermont, we fell in love (again) with the idea of keeping chickens. We live in a city and this presents a challenge. But if you know me, then you know I love a good challenge. Our urban fowl and organic eggs are getting closer and closer to becoming a reality. I found these pictures from Shelburne today and it reminded me what we are heading towards.

I've read the book Keep Chickens! Tending small flocks in cities, suburbs, and other small spaces in preparation for our new additions to the family. It is a great book!

Aunt Shirley is ready for her new home. Doesn't she look stunning against a pink background. I will miss her - saying goodbye is never easy.

Happily, I created a twin sister.

I was inspired by these paper moon pics on Flickr.

These are some of my faves:

Aunt Shirley's life as a paper doll

Aunt Shirley, as lovely as she is as a blushing bride, needed a change in life, a makeover if you will. However, when you are a just a photograph your choices are somewhat limited. So what's a girl to do? How about becoming a paper doll?

When you're a paper doll you can travel to all sorts of places. Italy anyone?

You become the envy of all other paper people, those poor souls who are eternally stuck within the pages of a child's book.

Aunt Shirley got a bit carried away. She wanted to travel to Paris. Then she wanted to explore the world. I had to put a stop to her madness.

Now I have stuck her in a box. Sorry, Aunt Shirley, you'll have to stay here for awhile.

After all, the world can be a dangerous place for a paper doll!

Collections: vintage jewelry

Collections: Vintage Jewelry
What makes you start collecting something? Is it by mistake or by intent? Is it because its pretty or functional? expensive? cheap? easy or hard to find?
My friend, A. has oodles and oodles of vintage jewelry. It's the type of collection that I salivate all over, because I, too, am drawn to vintage pieces. We have spent 2 days together now and we have poured over her jewelry trying it on and talking about the stories behind each one. She was so gracious to let me photograph her and some of her pieces.
I have to share the story of the charm in the first photo. It was given to A. when she turned 16 by her grandmother with a hand-written note. Her grandmother was given this charm by her A.'s grandfather and as a token of her love she passed it on. I love jewelry with stories.
A. buys her jewelry from ebay, antique malls, a local artsy area near the beach and quite a lot of it has actually been handed down to her or given to her as a gift. I took a lot more pictures but I may have to save some for another post.

Decorating with the seasons

My cowgirl enjoys decorating her room.  We talk about what kinds of things she wants to put up in her room that remind her of the seasons.  For spring, she choose eggs, birds, bird houses and bunnies.  We found cute paper birdhouses made with scrap book paper and buttons from etsy.  Decoupaged eggs from etsy.  Tin eggs with vintage prints and a spring time tea set from Cracker Barrel.  Through the year I'll post pictures of my cowgirl's room as it goes through the different seasons.  I'm so happy to have a little girl to decorate with in this house full of boys.

My neighbor gave me this sewing machine. I am really excited about using it, unfortunately, I have never used a sewing machine in my entire life. I haven't the foggiest idea how to operate one. I am going to learn now, though.

I don't know what all these stiches are used for, and they look a bit intimidating. To tell the truth, I don't even know how to turn this thing on. I should probably start by ordering the manual.

I am excited about all the things I could make: clothes for my daughter and me, stuffed animals, things for the house. I can make some really creative things.

I think I should start out slowly and make my first projects something simple. Maybe something like .....

It's Bathing Suit Season!

It's that time of year again. TIme to choose your summer bathing suit. Are you ready? Try as I might, I can never find the right suit to de-emphasize my thighs. Oh well. Here are some cute little numbers that would look great on anyone!





Do you prefer patterns?




















Or maybe you like the simplicity of a solid.

Maybe, like me, you can't decide
and you have to just get them all!













This will soon be available in my ETSY shop, so come back soon to check it out!

"Betsy and Tacy soon had places which belonged to them. The bench on the hill was the first one. The second one, and the dearest for several years, was the piano box. This was their headquarters, their playhouse, the center of all their games."