A Perfect Weekend

I just had a perfect weekend.... Molly came home Friday morning so I finished up my work at the office and came home and hung out with her.  We talked about plans for her summer wedding and then cooked and got ready for company for dinner.  Very soon my blog will turn into a wedding blog as Molly's wedding will be here before I know it and there is lots to do....

Saturday we were up early and off to Williamsport to TJ Max, Olive Garden for lunch and then Macy's.  We ended up at the Susquehanna Valley Mall.    I bought a new suitcase for my trip in 18 days and some clothes for Molly among a few other things.  She bought a pair of boots that she loves. 

Saturday evening she went out to visit friends and this morning we went out for breakfast before she had to leave to fly back.  The weekend went by much to fast and I forgot to take photos!!! 

Now I need to get into the Thanksgiving mode and start planning the meal, etc.

Productive Weekend

This weekend I was determined to do some painting and get some projects finished for the shop.  Here is a photo of the stuff that I was able to finish or just about finish.  I need to make a cushion for the bed I am calling a dog bed.  I think that will be really cute when finished.   I love the little stool that I repainted and reupholstered.  I don't think that will stay at the shop very long. 

I also painted a cute little message board that I found at a yard sale on Saturday.  I have been selling a lot of those but none as cute as this one with the tulips on it.  The doll bed I'll be using to display pillows this weekend at a friend's open house.  A small white box will be perfect to put potpourri in at the shop and the other finished project is a kid's chair.  It is really sturdy and very nice, I'm keeping it for now. 

I've got a couple more projects that aren't ready to show yet.....  I love that Annie Sloan paint!!!!

Beaver Fair

I've been so busy that I haven't taken time to blog....  last week was the Beaver Fair and I entered a couple pillows that I've recently made.  I got first prize for each of these as well as "hobby, 5 or more specimens" which also was crazy quilting, I just didn't photograph them. 

Anyhow, the large pillow along with another one I finished earlier this week are both over at Street of Shops in my booth for sale.  I'm working on another one that will soon join them.

Just finished this one this afternoon.....     

Savoring Summer

I'm sitting on my front porch tonight savoring what is left of the summer.  I have seen a lot of "back-to-school" sales and at the shop where I rent vendor space I noticed many are decorated for fall already.  Fall is definately in the air....as I sit and hold on to the last of summer I can watch the middle school kids practicing for football in the fields across the street from our house.  I also hear crickets chirping which also reminds me of the nights getting shorter. 

I love the summer and the hot sun beating on my face,  I like the smell of a chlorinated pool and not wearing a coat or sweater, I like sitting around a campfire and making s'mores with the kids, I like pulling weeds and the flowers in the gardens.   I'm holding on to summer until mid-September when the calendar actually shows that fall has arrived.    What will you miss about summer?

Linens

I spent the afternoon today ironing linens. I have acquired some new pieces that I want to take to my shop this week so yesterday they spent the day soaking and today I starched and ironed everything. I find it very relaxing and enjoyable to look at all the pieces and enjoy the stitching on each one as I iron them.

I also have a lovely old wedding dress from the early 1900s that got ironed as well.

She said Yes to the Dress!

Friday was a day I was looking forward to for a long time.....we went wedding dress shopping.   I knew from our prom dress experiences that wedding dress shopping would be as much, if not more fun.  Since prom dress shopping was always fun at Brides Bouquet in Selinsgove, PA, we choose there to look first.  And as I expected we didn't have to look any further.  With over 200 dress in stock, I knew something was sure to please.    Also as I predicted, Molly had photos of about 15 dresses she really liked to show to the woman in charge and we left with something quite different from any of the dresses.  Everything looked good on petite little Molly so it was hard to find something that really "wowed" us all (and by all I mean her best friend Amy, Molly and me). 

After she tried a few dresses on I saw one that I really liked and told the gal I wanted to see her in that one.    I picked the winner!   It was what I imagined she would look like on her wedding day....  Right now it's a big secret, but be sure to tune in next August for the posts on the big day.

Photoshop

I'm taking an online Photoshop class.  About 6 years ago I made an effort to learn photo shop. I failed....just could not get the hang of it. Of course back in those days my option was photoshop elements 3 and now the latest version is elements 9. I think there have been quite a few improvements in the various versions. Did I mention that I also have a copy of Elements 5 and tried again about 4 years ago.

I’m working from a free 30 day trial download of photoshop elements 9 and finally found the perfect teacher who is very thorough I’m trying to practice daily and I’ll be purchasing the real copy shortly! My class is for 10 days and she is teaching stuff that I will actually be able to use. 

Anyhow, perhaps ya can teach an old dog new tricks afterall!

Not the way to start the weekend!!!

Just as I was ready to leave to run errands this afternoon a big storm blew in and blew a  big  branch off our silver maple tree, not the way I wanted to start the weekend.   It also blew shingles off our garden shed.  I'm guessing Mr. Kay will not be happy to see that job either.

Luckily the branch missed the lamppost and it is still standing.  I would bet that the flowers I have planted around it were not as lucky.

Oh well, the storm is over and I'm off to pick up a few things before our women's ministry meets tonight.. 

I hope the rest of you have a great weekend with no glitches..... 

The Big Reveal!

Here are the photos from my little corner of Street of Shops.  Mr. Kay helped me move in on Friday and today we were back to add some more stuff and do some tweaking.  A few pieces have sold already and so I had to do some rearranging.  I came home and made another banner like the one that sold already.   Not sure that I have as much time to work on this stuff as  had originally planned, but we'll see how it goes.

Tonight we are staying home.  We usually take in fireworks on the 4th but this year we are staying home and I'm enjoying that I don't have to be anywhere and I'm going to watch the Washington DC fireworks and party.    Happy 4th of July everyone!

4th of July Weekend

Goodness, How can it be that it is already 4th of July weekend here in Central Pennsylvania!   I have been so busy this summer that I haven't even taken time to blog.  I hope to change all that since I have lots to blog about!

Last week I havested some lavender.  I've got feverfew, peonies and larkspur drying in the attic already.  In an effort to keep busy and downsize a bit around here I have decided to become a vendor at Street of Shops in nearby Lewisburg, so I'll have a few dried flowers among my collectibles and miscellaneous items.  I want to make soap again but so far just haven't had a free weekend to get out the soap pots and get started on that.  And to be perfectly honest the soap kitchen needs some reorganization and cleaning!

Among other things Molly is coming home at the end of the month.  She will be getting married the first weekend in August of next summer and so I wanted her to come home about that time this year to look around and decide if we can pull off an August wedding or not.   We are seriously considering doing it here at the house with a tent and all, which could be a lot of fun.  So this summer I have been busy working outside to see if it will be possible next year to get all the gardening finished by the first weekend in August.  So far, I'm doing pretty well.  

We are planning on a productive weekend and hopefully by Monday we will be ready to relax and do something fun....I'll keep you posted!   Enjoy your holiday!