True Love is in the Air!

True love really is all around...as is evidenced by all the weddings scheduled for 2010! I've been busy finishing up custom cake toppers and figured while I was at it I'd make a brand new one...one that I would want for my own wedding (which is still a couple of years away I think). I've always had a soft spot in my heart for deer...they were always around in the woods and fields surrounding the house I grew up in and also because my middle name is Fawn. So I thought a buck and doe cake topper would be just darling! It's for sale now in my Etsy shop.

The rest of these toppers are destined for cakes around the country, and even one in England!

Who would have guessed that a bear and a hen could wed? Well...in the world of whimsy, anything is possible!

Some people think rats are icky...but this is the second custom rat topper I've done! This cute couple will soon be having tea and crumpets with the wedding party!

The "birds in a tree topper" is a favorite and they're so fun to make! Red blossoms and pearls were added to match a sweet gal's wedding theme.

Same here...citrus colored leaves and navy pin stripe wings are in order for this topper.

I just finished this one today for a nice young couple down south. It doubles as a keepsake box too!

Lastly, this topper is for a very special friend. Happy wedding day!

On another note...I wanted to thank everyone who bid on the Hope for Haiti ebay auction. The ending bid was more than I had anticipated and I am overjoyed to be able to donate such a generous amount to the Red Cross for Haiti relief. They are still in our hearts as are our Haitian friends and neighbors who have family in the rubble. Thank you again. :)

Cabin Fever Show!

I'll be there tonight and tomorrow! I hope to see you there!

What - Handmade Valentine's Day Gift Show
Where - 460C Harrison Ave, Boston MA
Dates - Friday & Saturday, February 5 & 6, 2010
Time - Friday: 6pm - 9pm, Saturday: 11am - 7pm
Admission - $2
Free Parking at 385 Albany Street & 500 Harrison Ave
Website - http://www.cabinfevershow.com
Email - info@cabinfevershow.com
Phone - (800) 403-8305

Oh yeah...and all of these guys will be there too! Plus many more! :)

Swap goodies from Theresa!

I got these cuties in the mail a little while ago and have been loving them ever since! Theresa of Hatu and I did a Valentine's Day swap and she sent me this adorable pom pom panda (he's much bigger than I thought!). He's got the cutest face and it looks like he's holding a foiled chocolate heart candy staff.

Soooooo cute!! The girl's got talent!

And she also sent this sweet "snowman" gal.

She fits right into my Valentine's Day decor!

And to my surprise she also send a slew of extra goodies!! Some Victorian scraps that I'll be using in some very special projects...a little chenille Santa...a mesh stocking with an awesome glittery Santa! And of course she sent a yummy lollipop and adorable card that reminds me of when we had Valentine's Day mailboxes in elementary school.

I LOVE everything!! Thank you so much Theresa!

All in a day...

Yesterday was a totally free for me. Quite a rarity! I didn't have anything super pressing to do and hadn't made plans to go anywhere. Soooo...I decided to take the time to complete some miscellaneous projects on my to do list. First off was my squirrel pillow. I embroidered Mr. Squirrel and his oak leaf and acorn wreath last summer while vacationing at Moosewood. I knew I wanted to make it into a pillow, however, I was undecided on how to edge it. Then I got too busy to even think about it. Well...yesterday it was time! I decided to make a scalloped edge and construct it like a sham so I could unstuff it and wash it if needed (which it needs now, since the pencil of my rough draft squirrel is still showing!). I'm loving how it turned out!

And the stuffing was a piece of cake. I just used an old giraffe pillow that I love but didn't go with my current decor. A great way to reuse!

I also quickly constructed a GPS cover (something Ben has been begging me for since Christmas), and some fingerless mittens. For this project I reused....

...Ben's old socks! lol I know what you're thinking...they were indeed washed! (I think.) Anyway, they aren't the most glamorous of finished products, but they serve a good purpose!

I also sucked out the innards of 18 quail eggs. I'll be using these in my needle felted nests this Easter. Phew! Glad that's done! I'm actually going to try to make an omlette or something out of the "byproduct". It's such a shame to waste! Hopefully it won't taste too funny.

And I also repotted some little cacti I bought a few weeks ago. I've been dreading this project for obvious reasons, which was easily resolved with....

Salad tongs! I jabbed myself so many times while picking out the cacti at the store that I didn't know how I was ever going to repot them. This did the trick and I got it done almost unscathed. :)

And lastly...I made soup! Yummy vegetable kale soup. And Ben made Matzo balls too...delish! I stuck most of it in the freezer for future enjoyment.

What a productive day!


I also wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who has placed a bid for the Hope for Haiti auction on ebay. There is still more than two days left. 100% of the final bid will go to the Red Cross Haiti relief effort.

Hope for Haiti Ebay Auction

There are so many unfair events and situations that happen in this world, some on larger scales than others. I count my blessings every day that I have the things in life that make me happy. So many of the people in Haiti are currently struggling to count their own blessings after the horrific earthquake that destroyed so much of their world. It's important to help our neighbors in this time of need and so I'm auctioning off this large once of a kind figure along with the two children she's holding. The children together hold up a sign that says "hope".

100% of the winning bid will go to the Red Cross Haiti relief effort. If you haven't made a donation or would like to make another donation, think of these cuties as a thank you gift. The people of Haiti would certainly thank you if they could. If you prefer to make a straight donation, please visit the Red Cross website or text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 (most of you already know that...but just in case some of you haven't heard). Thank you so much!

Click here for the Ebay auction

Magpie Ethel Awesomeness!

I am just loving Laurie from Magpie Ethel's fabulous Valentine's Day characters! I bought a couple from her Etsy shop and we also did a swap. I was so excited when I got her package in the mail (she uses the prettiest packing tape) and am continuing to enjoy these cuties now.

This pretty lady has the key to my heart!

Laurie had a bunch of these sweet ornaments, all with different faces. It was hard to choose! But I think I made the right choice. This long locked blondie has an adorable face.

I have her hanging in my Valentine's Day tree.

This pretty lady looks like she staking her claim to the perfect spot for a romantic picnic.

Love the flakey pink ornament.

And Laurie spares no detail! Most of these pretty extras are already hanging on my inspiration board. And those awesome honey comb balls are going to be used in some special project. Thanks Laurie! :)

And I'll leave you with a sneak peek at the piece I'll be auctioning off on Ebay starting tomorrow with all proceeds going to help the people of Haiti. Check back in! :)

Last Batch of Valentine's Day People (and animals!)

I can't believe how fast time flies! That's why I have to reluctantly put away my red and pink ribbons and trim and take out my green and pastel colored ones. Every year I find that all the holidays approach so much more quickly than I expected and I find myself behind and on everything I want to make. So this year I'm staying on top of it!

Soooo...without further adieu, here are the last big batch of Valentine's Day goodies! You'll find most of them in my Etsy shop! :)

Love bears, not love birds.

A trio of sassy gals all after that coveted "Queen of Hearts" title.

Balloons and heart staffs are "in" this season. ;)

Why get a dog when you can have an adorable red lamb to follow you to school one day?

And this sweetie is a true one of kind, swinging happily on a vintage thread ball. Now I'm off to emerge myself in all things Irish and Springy! :)

And check back in next week. I'm making a special one of a kind piece that I'd like to sell with all proceeds going to help the people of Haiti in this incredibly difficult time.