Fall and Holiday Tableware

Even though it's mid summer, I work on designs and plan events for all seasons and holidays. I just got the new Fall/Holiday At Home America catalog and it looks great! I ordered several serving pieces to add to my own collection. I find that I get more use out of specialty serving pieces if I think seasonal instead of holiday. For example; the Bayleaf Simplicity Servers would work all through the fall season, and yet, add a special touch to your Thanksgiving Buffet. Actually the green would work for tropical table too! I ordered the Jack Frost Bowl with plans to use it all through the winter season. It's kind of fun to hide the decoration on a piece like this with appetizers. As guests help themselves to the treats the snowman's face will be revealed! I keep all my snowmen out after Christmas until it's time to decorate for Valentines Day. This piece will be perfect for my annual dinner after we watch the Blue Island Light parade. The Inner Inspirations Collection is designed for Christmas, but would work year round! The trend to have words and inspirational phrases can be seen on everything from t-shirts to walls to tableware. I'm currently designing a Thanksgiving tablescape and plan to use words to express Family Blessings on my painted dinnerware and table accents.

Preparing for an Open House

I'm so excited! Saturday is my first At Home America show. My sister, Bev, is hosting and so far everyone is really loving the products in the catalog. My mentor, Sara, generously shared some of her samples with me so I get to set up a huge display that combines both Sara's and my pieces. The Green with Envy chip and dip set is a great color. It goes with most color schemes and fits right in with current decorating trends. For Summer parties, the Blooming Chip and Dip and the Primary Palette 7 Section Server are getting lots of attention. And the Versatile Vase is 21" tall! Wouldn't it look cool with a goldfish in it as part of an oriental themed tablescape? You can contact me to place an order to be included in the show or host a show of your own, earning free and half priced product.

Shopping for Surfaces to Paint On

The search was on for fabric surfaces to paint on. (I mentioned the FabricFun pastel dye sticks the other day. I had so much fun with them that I can't wait to do more! In fact, I'll be selling them soon.) I went shopping for the Christmas project surfaces yesterday. While there seems to be a revival of T Shirt painting at the craft stores, and you can buy plain t-shirts everywhere, it was difficult to find baby clothes that don't already have a pattern on them. I can find plenty of plain white but very few colors. In order to buy the red "bodysuit" that I wanted, I had to buy a package of assorted prints along with it. If you know of a source for plain baby clothes please let me know. I did find table runners and napkins that I wanted at Walmart, but again, I was limited in color choices at all the stores I shopped at. So. . . . while I was out shopping, I got a peek at the new Martha Stewart craft line at Michael's. Not bad, not bad at all! Her design team certainly did their research. She covers paper crafting, paper storage, and entertaining/celebrations. Everything is finished in classic Martha style with an updated look. I liked the cupcake and cookie boxes as well as the paper storage line. My eye immediately went to the "Celebrate" sign (the Art in Entertaining connection!) but that part of the display wasn't set up yet. I also liked the over-sized sheets of paper. They remind me of printed scrapbook papers but I think they are 18" square. I booked my At Home America show today. Thanks Bev! It will be May 12th. Getting the invitations ready now and looking forward to ordering that cupcake stand! Okay.....I'm off and running for the day. So much to do, and so happy to be doing it!

Breakfast with Mom and Buffet stands

Went to breakfast at IHOP this morning with Mom and had the new Cinnamon Pancakes. Here I have been trying to eat healthy and it took just one look at the menu to lose my willpower. Mmmm... We enjoyed getting out early and both love today's sunny weather! I'm happy to say that I found a new source for buffet stands. If you know me, you know I'm all about the "lifts and levels". These are reasonably priced and made well. I like the one that be used in several different ways. It's called "Imagine This Imagine That" . I'm ordering the Hampton cupcake stand for myself. Although, since I like white, I may spray paint it. We'll see.... The search will continuefor more of the three tier rack that folds together...... I'll let you know when I find it. The one that I have came from a small store, that has since closed, in Kansas several years ago and I haven't found anything quite as good since then. Look for future posts with tips for creating buffet tablescapes. Today's job is to design a Mother's Day card. The pattern will be posted on the Pentel Arts website if you want to create one yourself. Take a moment to tell someone you care today! Cindy