20 Questions--A new blog series where I ask people in the industry to distill what they know is true...

In my 15+ years of helping brides with their invitations and event inspirations, I've noticed that many brides are smart and creative women who love the ideas but just don't know where to start! This is a new series I’ve started to help brides and event planners narrow down the wealth of information available to them, and focus on what’s the simple truth about planning an event. I’ll be interviewing many people from all aspects of event planning (pros and people just like you!) and compiling the information into some lists that will grow as the year goes along. And because I’ve never been one to stop at “just business”, I ask some of my favorite personality questions at the end. You should know that these folks are extraordinary people, just like you!

I'll start things off by throwing myself into the ring and answering first:

1. WHAT IS YOUR STORY IN A NUTSHELL?
I was a graphic designer from birth, creating logos and exploring color combinations very early on. I entered the corporate world as a graphic designer straight after graduating from Miami University, and after a few years started my own custom invitation design business. Taking a leap of faith with my business partner at the time, we cornered Colin Cowie at a party and showed him our portfolio of designs and received our first job a week later. I owned and ran my retail stationery and custom design store in Cincinnati from 2002 until 2010 and am now thoroughly enjoying my blog and invitation designing from my home studio. I am married to another entrepreneur, Matt, who produces delicious gelato and am trying not to screw up the raising of my 3 children ages 10 (girl), 7 (girl) and 5 (boy).

2. WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR WEDDING?
My wedding was at my husband's family farm in Adams County, Ohio. It was outdoors in a field on a hot August day that thankfully was not rainy. My colors were chartreuse green and white and I think about 250 people were there.

3. IF YOU COULD DO IT AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
I sure would have hired someone to manage the day-of wedding events. I was hollering at family to get photos taken, panicking because we couldn't find the flowers, and I didn't eat one thing (which is very unlike me) because of worrying about who was doing what. It was not pretty and it made me exhausted!

4. WHAT'S ONE GREAT WAY TO ADD SOMETHING PERSONAL TO YOUR WEDDING?
Well, I started this blog because there are so many ways to do that! My wedding invitations had photos of my parent's wedding and my husband's parents wedding because we wanted to honor the wonderful role models they were to our relationship. This could be translated into photos at the host card table or centerpieces on each table. Everyone wants to feel the love at a wedding!

5. WHAT IS THE SIMPLEST DIY PROJECT YOU'D SUGGEST FOR AN EVENT?
Make favor tags by uploading your photo and message to an on-line business card printer like Vista Prints. Punch holes in them and tie them to your favors.

6. WHAT IS ONE GREAT WAY TO MAKE YOUR GUESTS FEEL WELCOME?
Give them directives: Where to sit, what they'll be eating, what will be the order of events etc. They are glad to be knowing what's going on so they won't miss anything and so they can make this day great for you!

7. WHAT'S YOUR BEST DIY TIP?
Don't plan to do any DIY projects the week before your event.

8. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT OUT RIGHT NOW?
Happy Tape.

9. WHAT'S A GREAT WEDDING SONG?
I have 2 (of course!) both by the same singer: Falling Slowly by The Swell Season, and Your Face, The Frames

10. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT COLOR COMBINATION?
Tough question Margot, there are so many beautiful colors! I'd have to say I'm a big fan of marigold yellow and warm gray.

11. WHAT DO YOU PREDICT THE NEXT HOT WEDDING COLORS WILL BE?
Anything with purple.

12. WHAT FOOD DID YOU SERVE AT YOUR LAST SOCIAL EVENT?
I had my family over for dinner and I served brisket, potatoes and carrots.

13. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BLOG AND WHY?
Cake Wrecks because it is a nice break from all the industry blogs I read (and love) and it is always side-splitting hilarious.

14. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE DESIGN TREND?
Hand drawn anything. I love that people are using their computers to complete their designs but not start them.

15. WHAT DOES YOUR SKETCHBOOK/IDEA BOOK LOOK LIKE?
You mean sketchbooks? I have a black Moleskein with lined pages for my work bag (so I can take copious notes), a turquoise small one for my purse when I have emergency sketching needs, and a hand-made journal with blank pages that I sketch on.

16. HOW DO YOU START A PROJECT?
I pull out the sketchbook and start researching visuals on the web. Then I make word lists related to my topic, and start roughly sketching basic layouts in my book.

17. WHAT MAKES YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOW?
Anything on etsy! I always wish I'd thought of the great and beautiful ideas on there!

18. WHAT'S YOUR ASTROLOGICAL SIGN?
Cancer with Cancer rising. I'm all about the moon, peeps!

19. ARE YOU AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT?
Usually an introvert but seem to be splitting the difference the older I get.

20. WHAT IS SOMETHIGN SURPRISING ABOUT YOU?
I am obsessed with The Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. Though this is not surprising to those who know me because I manage to squeeze it into nearly every conversation I have with people!

Announcing Snips & Scraps, supplying decorative elements for your crafting pleasure!

As you may know, I'm still doing a great deal of custom designing in the Margot Madison Creative home studio. This means that I'm still generating lots of supplies like extra cardstock, specialized envelopes, ribbons and decorative papers that I had to order in quantities but didn't use for my client work. Very soon I will be overcome by this wonderful stuff  because my storage space just isn't what it used to be!

I have now opened a new etsy store called Snips And Scraps where you can purchase all these goodies for a good retail price (and many times much lower!). Take a look at the decorative Japanese Chiyogami papers that I have listed at the moment...there is a beautiful crimson red paper with a silver damask design, another paper that is white with delicate gold filagree and many more! Ribbon packs and scrap paper packs will be up and coming, so stop by often (if I don't remind you first...)

Enjoy!

Happy Tape project #1-Meredith's 4th Birthday Party

Lucky for my niece Meredith (or me, I guess!) her birthday party came at a time when I was just dying to use my Happy Tape in a project. AND even better, the theme just happened to be purple cupcakes! So I magnanimously announced to my sister Alex that I was helping with the party favors and anything else I deemed important enough to use my Happy Tape. She graciously accepted whatever help I offered, and in return, I consulted with her during a million and one phone calls while she emptied out various party and craft stores with whatever purple stuff they offered. I have created my first collage with Picnik (an on-line photo editing site) and present these photos of the Happy Tape projects:

CUPCAKE FAVOR BAGS
I used the tape to create the cupcake "cups". Since it's translucent, there is a nice visual effect of the accordion folds where I overlapped the edges slightly. I taped a section roughly the size I needed for the "cups" and did this on plain white adhesive stock. This way, I could simply trim out the cupcake cup shape after the tape was down. I used pinking shears for the top of the cupcake cups, cutting away with standard scissors where the icing "overlaps". Then I peeled off the backing and placed it on the white favor bag. After many attempts, I finally achieved the desired frosting top shape and drew it with a light purple marker. We added sequins for sprinkles because Meredith always needs a little bling, and wrote the message with my purple LePen marker. I should note that my daughter and craft prodigy Julia assisted me in this project.

CUPCAKE FLAGS
And since one project was not enough, I also created cupcake flags with wooden cupcake sticks (purchased from Michaels). This was quite quick and simple,  I folded the tape over on itself and trimmed the "v" shape for the ends. The kids were decorating their own cupcakes as an activity and this way we could put the flag in their cupcake before the child took off to play more Barbie Airplane. The decorated cupcakes went into a single cupcake box and went home with the party bags.

OTHER CUTE PARTY STUFF
My sister found a special cupcake cake pan, which bakes the top and the bottom separately and you frost the two pieces together to make the complete and very large cupcake. The table was decorated with a purple plastic tablecloth (these guys are 4, remember!) and Alex made a white runner out of white butcher paper. She prettied it up by taping small doilies to the underside of the runner so that it had a lacey edge. The doilies were also used as the banners, hung in the window by the party buffet table. The letters were glittery purple stickers she found. The purple flower poms were made by hand and are always wonderfully colorful and festive party decorations. (Here is a link to a video on how to make them from Paper Scraps and Picture Passion blog) Alex also made oversized cupcakes on cardboard for the kids to use as props in the "photo studio" on the front porch. Those pictures will be in a later post.

Happy Tape project #2

It's project number 2 because I've been working on #1 but it's not at the photo-taking finish yet. You'll see that soon enough!

Lindsay and I had a great time having Thai food and wine...eh, and crafting too, of course. It was a little dark since we were crafting at night (L has a Real Job) so many of the "in progress" shots were a bit blurry. Here is a decent one that shows some craftin' action. Lindsay used a 3-picture matte frame and added the tape in a diagonal stripe pattern, using all of the tapes at least once but in a random fashion. Very 80's methinks... She promises to take another photo of the final product so that will come later.

Lindsay crafting the Washi Tape with a matte frame.

I worked on a quintet of candles from Ikea. I used only the browns and beiges and placed the tape around the candles, sometimes overlapping. L wasn't a fan of the overlapping, but I liked the effect! I think it turned out nicely. Today they are on a wooden plate on a side table in my living room and I'm enjoying the new dash of fall in my summer-tired décor...

Here's the final result. And remember I've got Happy Tape project #1 coming after this weekend! Happy Friday!

Candle decorations with Japanese Washi Tape

Sharing my first food photo

One of my creative goals this year is to be a better photographer. I've always been really disappointed in my photographs and get so jealous when I see beautifully captured pieces of time from professional and non-professional photographers! My overall theme for this year is "Intentional" and I realized that I was just hoping a good photograph would just magically happen, because I'm an artist and that should be enough! But of course it's not enough, silly Margot!

Anyway, I've been checking out some good information for and from photography hacks and added that to my arsenal (check out this link and this link for some good food photog. info). I bought a new camera, a Cannon Powershot SX20IS and already I can tell a difference (so the camera actually does count!). I'm taking this blogging e-course from Holly at decor8, and Leslie from A Creative Mint and our homework includes staging sets and taking our own photos. This is my first attempt:

Brioche and Sorbet, my first food shot!

There are many things that please me about this photo, and so much more I could improve upon! This is a dessert that my husband created for a charity event last weekend. It is a little brioche with some blackberry sorbet. Since this is a common breakfast for Italians (I'm not mentioning this to my kids), I thought I would style the shot as if it was breakfast time and the warm sun was coming through the window in a cafe. So I started with the gold mini tray, a wonderful "inheritance" from my super mod grandmother when she downsized her house. I think it may actually be a sushi dish from restaurant take-out but I love it! I thought it would enhance the golden brioche and I think that was successful. I kept the paper wrapper/cupcake thing white as well as the espresso cup, and added a hint of a napkin in the background (also bringing back a touch of purple from the sorbet).

Now, I have wondering and reading ALOT about the whole "how do you get the photo to be partly blurred and partly in focus" and I know it has to do with the f-stops. But I can't get those effing f-stops to make any difference in my photo!! So for the time being, I'm cheating and doing the blurring in Photoshop. I select with a feathered edge the part I want focused, select inverse, and add the "lens blur" filter. I'm not proud, but that's how I did it. I'm not going to cheat forever but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...

So I'm offering the photo up to you for more comments and suggested improvements. I'm a big girl and can take it because I really want to improve. Share! Share!

Mike's A-Mazing Mazes--Theme Inspiration

So I was at a dinner gathering a few weeks ago and found myself in the most fascinating conversation with my friend Kim. It turns out that the farm where she grew up makes the most amazing corn mazes in Massachusetts (and that's not just my opinion, they're on a register of top places to go in MA). I must admit that because I am completely dysfunctional with directions, corn mazes are more like a nightmare for me than a fun autumn outing. But after talking to Kim, I REALLY feel like I need to take a road trip!

The corn mazes at Mike's Mazes are a Big Deal. Kim told me that they plant the corn with engineered precision on a grid so that the designs created by the artist can be created, one stalk at a time. Each year there is a theme, and there are stations within the maze, so that when you've found each station it's checked off and you get a pumpkin upon completion. To make it even more interesting, each station has an activity related to the theme.

This year's theme at Mike's Mazes in Massachusetts.

This year's theme is pop art, specifically Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Can. Isn't the arial photo of it a-mazing?? (I promise to quite with the puns now) And even cooler, you take your card to each station where the attendant stamps an image that once finished, is an actual Warhol-inspired print.  Themes from past years include, Julia Childs (where local chefs did food demos at each station), Satchmo (where stations had music played and you had to "name that tune"), and  their Mona Lisa maze that was featured in "Ripley's Believe It Or Not". What a wonderful creative spirit and I want to go!!

I LOVE when themes are used for such creativity and really make the event whole and complete. And how sophisticated! When planning your event, a theme can keep things organized and more enjoyable for your guests. It can inspire creative ideas because you've got some boundaries which keep your creative brain from a idea melt-down. What is important to you or your event?

Marie Claire Idées Magazine, part deux

Lest you thought I forgot to show you the OTHER many dog-eared pages of my favorite french lifestyle magazine Marie Claire Idées, I have returned to show you a great party idea I saw in the most recent (to me, since I can't get these until 2 months after their European release) issue.

So, "cartes" is french for maps. When I traveled in Europe as a college student studying in Luxembourg, this word was an important one since every time I hoisted my 2-ton backpack off the train I went straight to the little kiosk that sold maps of the city so I could find the various cathedrals and bakeries within walking distance.  "Avez vous un carte du cité?" I would ask, and Charlotte, please don't be offended by my grammar/spelling. btw, Charlotte is my french sister-in-law who will correct me, if her father Alain doesn't do it first). But I digress...

I love the styling ideas for this little vignette and think they would make a great bridal shower theme for a bride and groom with a little world travelling in their history. Or if they are going somewhere cool in the world for their honeymoon. Or if you are throwing a Bon Voyage party for any lucky soul.

Check it out:

Do you see the tablecloth?? And the little pins? And the little journals as maybe favors?

Adorable little flag garland on the left there.

See the wrapped boxes? Those could be used as risers on the food table. Or use the map to decoupage a little plant favor.

So who can think of a fun game to play with the maps? I'm thinking that you could blindfold someone and make them pin somewhere in the map and connect to the bride or groom? Or team up and come up with a fact regarding that country (of course, with my geographic brilliance my fact would always be: It's a country that I've never heard of!) Ha ha.

OKAY BUT DON'T LET ME LOSE YOU YET! Here are some cool links to envelopes that have maps about them so you can make an adorable invitation. This is amazing, Map Envelope uses a google map position and makes an envelope out of that (so the image is inside the envelope like a liner--dang, that's cute!) And Jam Paper has some envelopes made from maps, but I must warn you, they are mostly topographical maps of places I've never heard of (see above commentary). However, they do get the right feeling going. Here are some fancy ones from the Cavallini stationery company.

A new invitation with yellow and gray

Yellow and Gray invitation designed by Margot Madison

Of course yellow and gray are such hot colors right now and I must admit that I do love them together. I nearly painted my house dark gray with a bright yellow door! This is an invitation for an autumn party and I think the colors are a wonderful change-up from the typical burnt orange and brown combo we usually see around this time of year (not that there's anything wrong with those colors!). This invitation custom designed by me, Margot Madison, is printed in 2 color letterpress. If you are interested in this for your event, please contact me for pricing.

Happy Friday! My Happy Tape arrived yesterday

So, my sweet father was over yesterday doing a little work on my business Quickbooks when my sister arrived at the door, holding my Happy Tape package. I NEARLY screamed like a little girl, but managed to keep myself in-tact with only a few repressed squeals. Of course, my father wanted to know what was so darn exciting! I presented the box of colorful rolls with flourish and of course his first question was, "What do you do with it?" and I was like, "Geez, Dad! I don't know yet!! It's just pretty right now!" (I think it's interesting that I always present myself as a teenager when I regale my stories. I must look deeper into that...)

I've been trolling the web looking for ideas and apparently, I'm not the only freak obsessed with this delightful stuff, which is comforting.

I let my 10 year old Julia (and crazy crafter) play around with some. She kept things simple with bookmarks. Today, I found this great idea for twist ties from zakka life blog via the Jack and Izzy blog. (There is a how-to at zakka life.)

Uh, and I DID think of this one--note the little flags on the oranges. I was thinking more cupcake flags, but same difference. But now I'm going to have to come up with something even CUTER. (I have a weird craft competitive problem, I'll admit)

And this idea for clothespin magnets from Whisker Graphics. I've always wanted to do something with clothespins since they are so darn useful.

And of course on a gift bag. This one is from A Spoonful of Sugar.

That's enough inspiration for the moment. I have a few more ideas brewing in my head and Lindsay and I are going to have a crafty meeting on Wednesday to discuss the possibilities. Stay tuned! And have a great weekend!

A new Marie Claire Idées magazine to share

My favorite French craft and lifestyle magazine, Marie Claire Idées just arrived (2 months late, but I'm not counting) at Joseph Beth last week. I was introduced to this by my french sister-in-law Charlotte and visit the bookstore frequently to see when the next one comes in. It's a wonderful peek at a more European styling and has some really great ideas. And no, I don't understand what it actually says especially since my French has been sorely neglected but in the end, it's all about the pictures--right?? Yes, that's right. And if you need a translation, there is always google. Anyway, some pretty pictures:

Love this for the pure simplicity of the 2 colors and because Turquoise is the new color of the year...

These tomato, herb and cheese savories would be so elegant at an outside dinner or at a sophisticated picnic (I keep dreaming of having one of those kinds of picnics). I think that herb is rosemary.

And do you see what I see?? Yes readers, that's Happy Tape and Chiyogami paper, which I am now selling on another etsy store of mine called Snips & Scraps. I'm not actually selling these styles, but some like it.

Happy Tape (the name says it all!)

Okay, I may be a little out of it here in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have seen little glimpses of this but until today I did not have a grip on this wonderful new crafty possibility: decorative masking tape from Japan

The online company I'm making my first purchase through is called Happy Tape, which is so aptly named that just writing it makes me laugh. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it, but it has turned into one of those "must haves" for the Things That Bedazzle drawer. I'm getting a few of the multi packs since there is no way I could decide on my own. Look at the fun color! Look at the patterns! Ug! I'm getting a crafting stomach-ache again just thinking about what I could do with this magical stuff of happiness.

Here is what I'm thinking:
I will seal my boxes of custom invitations with it in coordinating Margot Madison Creative colors of lavender, raspberry, chocolate.

I also think this would be a great way to package up a little favor for a shower or birthday party. A simple bag (paper, plastic, or glassine), sealed shut with a little decorative tape? Nothin' to it and it is so adorable in my minds eye!

Or how about striped around a candle so that the glow of the candle enhances the colors! Mix and match color schemes or keep it to different tones of the same color scheme. Cute! Cute!

Wrap it around a pencil for fun favors!

Dang! I love these so much I might just seal my kids lunch bags with it. But only if they are being very good. ;o)

In another treasury

Margot Madison U*Pick clipboard featured in this treasury

The Margot Madison U*Pick personalized multi-stripe clipboard was featured in this cute treasury on etsy!

Inspiration collage

Inspiration for the Margot Madison Creative blog

I've been loving creative inspiration boards and this is a non-computerized, 20th century, cut paper version I spent hours on last night. It is a suggested assignment I had for my new "Blogging Your Way" on-line course I'm taking through the Decor8 blog. First I have to say that collages in general freak me out. I have a difficult time creating order from the chaos of my mind. Having it as an official assignment forced me through all the anxiety and it's-not-happening-quickly-enough trash-talk in my brain, though, and I pushed for a few hours until I was satisfied with the results. Of course I'm looking at it and wanting to tweak again but was advised not to overthink it.  By the way, it is supposed to represent what I want to share through my blog: design, color, texture, pattern, great party inspiration and a little bit of me and my product line.

Yarn Wrapped Wreath for autumn

Since one of my goals this year was to do more crafts, I was excited to find some time to do this one over Labor Day Weekend. I've seen similar wreaths on etsy and have been intrigued for some time. Before I show you my "mah-stuhpiece", here are some really charming ones from etsy stores KnockKnocking, CraftyJennyLynne, and ItzFitz. I am very lucky to have a mother who finishes needlepointed pillows from Ehrman Someone on a bi-yearly basis. This means (after what, 20 years plus of needlepointing?) that she has lots of beautifully dyed yarn just sitting in a large clear bin in her attic.

An unexpected fall combination of caramel and rose colors paired with some sweet birds, from KnockKnocking

Love the retro fawn and the lightbulbs! from CraftyJennyLynne

A fun halloween themed wreath from ItzFitz

Once inspired, I paid that bin a little visit and came home with some beautiful earthy colors for my wreath. I just painted my house a beautiful earthy stone gray with terra cotta trim and a beautiful twig green door so I was going for colors that would stand out and enhance what we already had going on. Really, I was thinking lichens in the forest and fall leaves. I don't know the "proper" procedure for this craft but my method was to take a styrofoam wreath shape, wrap some scraps of quilt batting around the form to make the shape softer and rounder. Then I picked my yarn and started wrapping. It took about 2 hours or, one episode of PBS Mystery! I added some felt flower shapes and vintage sequins that I had taking up space in the "Things That Bedazzle" drawer in my studio. Et voila! My fall wreath was finished. I quite like how it turned out! (sorry about the street reflections--couldn't be helped!)

Dear Lord, Amy Butler is doing wallpaper and I must have some. Amen

This is seriously going to be a problem and my stomach actually hurts with unrequited love and anticipation. Amy Butler has teamed up with Graham and Brown to create beautiful and eco-friendly wallpaper and I don't mean computer wallpaper, folks. I look at it and it feels like a modern William Morris style. So many rich colors and patterns that I love so much. I love it and must have it somewhere in my life. After I save up a lot of extra money and sell my first born child (sorry Julia, Mama has to get this somehow...) Well, one roll is $80, which maybe I could do in a small special space or on one wall. Thanks for the posting on blog This Home Sweet Home!

*sigh* I do love that woman. She is my design heroine. Enjoy the eye candy, friends.

A different kind of bouquet

This is such an amazing new concept for a bouquet from LionsgateDesigns! I love these pictured, but each one is truly as beautiful as the next. These bouquets created with designer brooches never fade and you'll sparkle all the way down the aisle. What about this idea: Do you have some brooches of your own to add to the bouquet? How wonderful would it be to carry, rather than wear, your family's jewelry as you walk down the aisle? I don't know if this artist does special orders but her motto is: "I firmly believe that each wedding should be unique to each bride and groom and everything to incorporate into your day should fit your personality and style." So it's worth asking, eh?

Cypress Fine Albums

Cypress Fine Albums, photographed by Kisa Koenig

All you brides who have a "thing" for photographs, this will stop you in your tracks. They are beautiful albums created by Cypress Fine Albums that use printed photos (not like the iPhotobook printed pages) in handsome linen covered albums, which then fit into boxes with your personalization foil-stamped on the cover. Truly exquisite, and the recommendation came from fabulous wedding photographer Kisa Koenig, who also took these beautiful photographs of the album.

Check it out for yourself and you'll be mighty glad you did.

Beautiful vases from the Netherlands

I'm going to tell you now, I don't see myself doing many craft "how-to"s for you, my lovely blog readers. I'm a really frustrating teacher because so much of what I do that's crafty is in an "I'll figure it out as I go" kind of style. I come by this flaw genetically.

Here is a classic conversation between my mother and me regarding how to cook a beef roast, screenplay style:
Margot: Okay mom, I'm going to try cooking a roast and I have a roast on the counter. What do I do with it now?
Mom: It's easy! Just stick it in the oven!
Margot: Well, at what temperature? What do I stick it in? Something with big sides or little sides?
Mom, audibly distracted by "What Not To Wear" on HGtv: Oh, the usual temperature.
Margot, hanging on to my patience with white knuckles: What temperature is that?? 350?? 400???"
Mom: Sure, that's good. Just put it in a roast pan.
Margot: Okay, then. How long do I cook it?
Mom: Until it's done!
Margot, with loud teenage sigh of frustration: How long is THAT? 1/2 an hour? 2 hours?
Mom: Heaven's no! Somewhere between that.
Margot, with defeat: Okay...when do I put the potatoes and carrots and stuff in it?
Mom: Whenever you want.
Margot exits to call sister and rant.

While I am not THAT BAD (and let me add that I love my mother dearly), I still have a little of that in me. If it wiggles wrong, I tape it. If it looks weird, I cover that part up with something else. You get the idea. It's just better that I let other crafty teachers do their thing. And there are so many amazing crafters around the world! I went to a blog today called kickcanconkers, recommended by my french/living-in-Munich sister-in-law Charlotte and saw this amazing thing:

Decoupage vases! And these aren't your usual tea-stained masking tape wonders of the 1970's folks. Look how beautifully she uses colors and collage on the white background. Ug! I love it so much! The blog where the tutorial resides is called All The Luck In The World and the artist is from the Netherlands with an etsy shop link here.

Here are beautiful pictures of the vases in their natural habitat. ;o)

A real treat from Queen City Cookies

Beautiful and tasty cookies from Queen City Cookies!

Well, I'm in love again! I was at the I-Do Boutique in O'Bryonville where I was finishing an appointment and I saw some cookies dropped off there from a company called Queen City Cookies. One look, and I was hooked! It was a beautifully detailed bas relief of an old fashioned scene, played out not in alabaster but white chocolate. Then that was fused to a shortbread cookie with icing edges. It looked like a cameo sculpture edged in lace and I COULD EAT IT!

So I immediately emailed Peggy, the owner of Queen City Cookies and got the details lickety-split. Believe it or not, this company is only about 1 year old. Peggy uses her antique German springerle cookie presses (she has over 400 different ones) to create her confections in 3 icing flavors: Luster, which is white with a subtle white luster powder, white chocolate is more of an ivory color, and dark chocolate. You can visit her website to view the many different designs, and know that you can email her directly if you have a particular subject matter in mind. She'll likely have it and if she doesn't, then custom designs are not a problem. It is nearly impossible not to love the floral and bird themed cookies, but there are also some charming couples holding hands in a garden that are so sweet.

So are you having a vintage, victorian or eclectic theme for your wedding? A touch of lace? Lovebirds? Flowers? Do you want to nod to your german heritage with this modern take on an old german traditional treat? Wrap them up for your bridal or baby shower for hostess gifts, give them as favors at your wedding. Wait a minute...how amazing would these look on a cake?? My goodness,  I could go on and on!

As an added bonus, Queen City Cookies make great gifts since they are deliver in a clean light blue box with a dark blue satin ribbon. The cookies inside are safely placed in a nest of light blue shredding paper. QCC is committed to a small carbon footprint, charitable organizations and many more good energy deeds that are also detailed here.

Thanks Peggy for the inspiration and the cookies! They were delicious and even my kids didn't want to eat them without taking a photo first. Great luck to you and your beautiful contribution to the cookie lovers of the world.

After over 12 years, I have found....

The front desk at High Five Salon in O'Bryonville

a new hairdresser! I'm ashamed to say that I have been hopping from one hairdresser to the next every 6 months or so (that's the ashamed part) for the last 12 years. I had a great hairdresser, *sigh* Dianne so long ago, but I had to give her up when I moved to the countryside. Then when I came back the salon had closed and since I only knew her as "Dianne" there was no hope for me. Thus started my long journey.

Recently, a little place called "High Five Studio" opened up on my old retail haunting grounds (Madison Road in O'Bryonville for those of you local readers) and in my classic spur-of-the-moment style I popped in to see if they could cut my hair. Sam, the owner, had a waiting list too long but he recommended Christine who "does amazing things with texture". Sounded good enough to me.

First and most importantly to me was that the place had good vibes. Talk about a friendly welcome! Sam said he'd been so excited to meet me and showed me about the place that he and a few others designed and built to spec. The walls are covered with old farm fence posting, lining the wall horizontally and covered with polyurethane to keep things safe. There is a wall with fabulous soft butter colored wall paper with a black and cream damask pattern to mimic old vintage wall paper, and a stunning peacock blue wall. I didn't get a picture of the hairwashing section downstairs but it has an amazing tiled surface and a pile of round gray field stones artfully placed in a corner. A beautiful blend of old and new, textures and colors. This designer girl was pleased!

Then Christine and I chatted and she got down to work. A gaping scissor gouge and many snips later, I had a great haircut. And it looked cute today even when I did it (which as you know is the final test of a good haircut!) Yeah Christine! Please don't move away now that I've found you!

And since many of my posts are geared toward brides, this place does "up-dos" and on-site wedding styling.

Here are the pictures I took today after telling Christine how happy I was with my cut. I didn't get good ones of the chairs because there were customers getting coloring done and nobody needs to see that. Here she is doing her thing and you can see a reflection of the peacock walls, plus a good shot of the wall treatments. The huge mirrors are made with railroad ties (tyes?). Awesome!

That's Christine doing her thing at High Five Salon in O'Bryonville.

Great Gift for Bridesmaids--Personalized Purse holders

I think these are super cute purse holders from Yaya DIY Club and would make perfect gifts for your shower hosts or bridesmaids!