A Sunday Drive . . .

Well, hello Mama!

Her pretty baby that looks like she was born in the spring. 

"Can you move it along??  We're trying to eat here!!"  : )

Urban decay.

We have a sweet little nature center where kids can go to visit and learn all about, well, nature.  : )  This is the first time I noticed this sign.  I'll have to come back earlier in the summer next year.  It looked like most of the flowers had already come and gone for the season.

 

I had no idea that there were so many wild raspberries growing in our little town.  They were everywhere on this road.  They always remind me of childhood summers when we had several bushes in the backyard of the house I grew up in.

It was a gorgeous day with low humidity and temps in the high 70's.  Rare for this time of year in New York.  The temps are slowly creeping back up again but the humidity is still pretty low and that makes a world of difference.  For me, it's the difference between enjoying being outdoors and wanting to crawl out of my skin when I'm outdoors.  Lol!!  TRUTH!!

I visited Michael's Craft Store the other day and it was filled with fall items and they're even starting to sneak in Christmas stuff.  Like retail, crafters always have to be one or two seasons ahead so I understand the rush.  On the other hand, fall I can handle.  I can always handle fall.  Definitely not yet ready for the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  However, I'm now off to work in my Etsy shops and guess what I'm going to be working on today . . . 

Christmas Creativity Kits!!!  Yes, indeed!!!  : )


Happy Tuesday!!  ~ Wendy  xo

Outside and Inside . . .

Outside . . .

Tree buds that weren't there a couple of days ago.

Nests being renovated.

Lavender that smells oh-so-yummy.

Still some daylight after 5:00.

 Inside . . .

Blue and brown speckled eggs.

Vintage millinery.

Handmade Easter cards.

The windows are open again today after having to close them and turn the heat back on yesterday.  As much as I love the winter and all that comes with it (yes, even the cold and snow!!),  once I get a taste of those warmer days with the fresh air coming thru the house and better light for photo taking, I turn a corner and no longer long to be snowed in with the fireplace going.  Living in New York, this is not a very good thing.  For the last few years, March has been coming in like a lamb and going out like a lion more often than not.  In other words, we're not putting away the snow boots and firewood just yet.  In my studio though, I'm definitely thinking SPRING!!  I've been busy making some Easter cards and listing some other "springy" things in my Etsy shop.  It feels so good to be creating again!!  : )

Hoping you're having a beautiful day!!


~ Wendy

Buried Treasure . . .

My plan for today was to head to the nearest Old Navy and spend the $30.00 rewards cash or whatever it is that Old Navy calls the certificate they give you for spending money in their store.  Megan has been on a "dresses and tights" kick lately and all of her dresses are either princess dresses for when she plays dress-up or sleeveless summer dresses or are too small for her.  Upon further investigation, you had to spend $75.00 in order to use the $30.00 and it isn't valid until Thursday.  Oh well.  There went that road trip!!

So here I am, instead, going thru all of this deliciousness that I've dug up since I've been trying to organize my office in the new house.  I'll post photos when it's done but, to be honest, it might be a while.  There is just so much to do and so much to sort thru. 

And I'm taking my time.  I've been taking a lot of photos to share on Instagram.  It's my new addiction!!  Oh my goodness!!  I know I'm a late bloomer with this but better late than never!!!  If I don't watch myself I truly could spend hours on it.  If you'd like to follow me there, I'm crickleberry_cottage. (This is different from when I first posted this.  I figured out that I could change my Instagram name without losing any followers or photos.  : )

If you're on Instagram, please let me know what your account name is.  I'd love to visit/follow!!!

We're expecting rain a few days this week with above average temperatures.  I feel like I should be starting the Easter decorating instead of the Valentine's Day decorating!!  : )


Happy Monday ~ Wendy

Not Quite Ready . . .

I've been busy working in my Etsy shops.  One of my goals for this year is to build up my businesses.  While packing up for our move, I uncovered boxes and bins of things that had been packed away for years.  Things that I've collected with the hope of having a little shop someday.  I still would like to do that but I don't think this is the best economy for that at this point in time.  So, for now, I'm having lots of fun listing in my Etsy shops and oohing and aahing as I uncover more goodies. 

I recently uncovered these gorgeous vintage paper hydrangeas.  There is nothing like vintage millinery.  Can you still call it millinery if it's made of paper?  Not sure about that one. 

I also found these absolutely gorgeous vintage paper roses.  I'm so tempted to keep these!!

Without really thinking about it, I've been taking a lot of photos of flowers lately.  The photo above is actually a print that I saw in Target the other day.  I think it would have to be handmade.  I was trying to think of a place to put it in our new house but couldn't come up with one.  Maybe when we give Meggie's room a makeover.  Not sure if it would go with a purple "Frozen" themed room though!!  : )

I also fell in love with these mini-bouquets in our local farmer's market recently.  You get the prettiest little bunch of flowers for $15.00.  The perfect hint of spring!! 

The weather here has been pretty mild, especially for January in New York.  It's a little chilly today.  The snow in our yard has mostly melted.  I told my husband yesterday that it felt more like late March then late January.  I know spring is just around the corner once we make it thru February.  I'm not quite ready for it yet though and, honestly, I'm hoping for some more snow.  I love hibernating, sitting in front of our fireplace, making soup in my new extra large soup pot that my honey gifted me for Christmas (practical gifts this year!!) and spending time with my family when I'm lucky enough to have them all home at once.  Don't get me wrong.  I LOVE my alone time.  Always have and always will.  But as time marches on, I truly see just how precious these times are and I'm so very thankful to have them and not quite ready to give them up just yet.


Many blessings ~ Wendy

A Few of my Favorite Etsy Things for the Holidays . . .

One of my favorite ways to spend a few minutes alone with the computer is to visit all of the wonderful shops on Etsy.  If you've never visited this highly addictive on-line market place (can't say I didn't warn you!!) you are in for a real treat.  Just like my other favorite place to visit, Pinterest , Etsy allows you to get lost in visual loveliness.  One of my favorite places to be lost in!!  : )

These adorable handmade polka-dotted ornies are available at HandyHappyHearts.

The stocking and adorable letter to Santa were found in my newest favorite Etsy shop, Elm Tree Studio .  I also found the little banner below there and couldn't resist purchasing it for my daughter's room.  I've been looking for something small to hang in her room and this was perfect!!

These absolutely wonderful linen trees were found at Adatine .  This shop is from Lithuania and has so many adorable things in it and not just for Christmas either.

For quite a while now, I've been in love with Julie Collings shop .  She always has the sweetest little things in her shop and also sells kits for you to create your own goodies with.  Definite eye candy!!  : )

One of the kits in Julie's shop.

How sweet is this vintage cotton ribbon that I found in theStationeryRoom ??  There are also red and white striped paper straws for sale that would be wonderful for a Christmas dinner table. 

Okay, so I had to include this hunky little elf!!  : )  He can be found at the merriweather council .  She has lots of other great things for sale but, seriously, what more could you ask for than this?? 

Except for maybe this!!!!  LOL!!  Okay, I'm finished now!!  : )

These pretty little snowflake earrings are for sale at picturing , a wonderful shop from Germany.  She has lots of other beautiful items for sale and they're all handmade.

This needle-felted snowball tree can be found at Fairyfolk .  So sweet for a table top or mantle.

I fell in love with this adorable tea towel.  It can be found in Apple White's absolutely wonderful little shop.  In fact, I loved this towel so much, I just purchased it.  : )  Couldn't resist and I have the perfect spot for it!!

I've been in love with vintage Santa mugs since the first time I ever saw them!!  These two are from A Needle in the Hay.

How sweet are these vintage 1950's ornaments??  They can be found at The Heirloom Shoppe along with lots of other vintage goodies for both the holidays and every day, too.

 I could keep going on for hours but guess it's time for me to start my day.  It's a beautiful day here in New York.  The wind is blowing and the sky is bright blue!!  Brrrrrrr!!  I think our surprise 60 degree days are officially over!!  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful day ~ Wendy