Tent Sale Tuesday!

The response to my new tent sale page has been great. Thank you for your purchases. It's helping me to clear out some inventory and make room for some new things I am working on! I've just added these two items to the Tent Sale. Come and see what else is under the Tent!

Friday Feature - Fall Tablescapes

Welcome to my first Friday Feature! I am so excited about this and hope you will enjoy them. If there is something you would like to see me talk about here, please let me know. I'm sure I will be looking for some new ideas. Besides cooking when entertaining, I think my favorite part about getting ready for company is setting up my tablescape. There is just something about putting food out on different levels that makes it all look so much better and more appetizing. Plus it's so much fun too! For this table, start off with one tablecloth over the table and then start adding the lifts. Now here I used hatboxes that are disguised under a second tablecloth and cake stands that are place on top of the second tablecloth. Then I place my platters and serving bowls out next.

This tray holds a centerpiece, mini pumpkins and candles. Think about using those electric candles they have in the stores now. They look like a flickering flame yet your guest won't burn their sleeve when reaching over the table. The candles come in tea lights and pillars.
It's important to "label" the dishes being served so your guests will know what they are about to eat. These buffet markers do the trick and are a great little accent too!Flowers are a must whether fresh or real they will beautify your tablescape.
These little urns make great utensil holders and try to use plates that will set the color scheme of your tablescape.

Berry rings can be used around candles and make great napkin rings too!

Why not put your wine out in a pretty holder like this one which also doubles as a candle holder.

Don't these mini pumpkins look cute on these candle pedestals?

Finally, fill in any bare spots in your tablescape with some fresh or realistic berries, branches or twigs.

I think your guests will really appreciate the effort you put into entertaining. If you haven't done one before, try a tablescape. I would love to hear all about your ideas too!Some of the products I have used can be found under my Tent Sale.

I am also having a sale on the following categories.

15% OFF

Elegant Entertaining

Candlelight

Florals

Berry Rings

This offer is for regular priced merchandise only. The discount will be applied to merchandise total, not shipping charges. To use coupon, go through checkout process and enter code 15%11/9 in the notes. Please note, your discount will not be applied until I process your order. Thank you. This offer expires 11/15/07.

Don't forget to check back for next week's Friday Feature!

New Feature

Beginning tomorrow I will have a weekly Friday Feature. I will post about things like Tablescapes, Holiday decorating, How-to projects, and some gift suggestions too! And with that there will be weekly sales on products in those categories that I have used in my feature! Here is the schedule for November:

11/9 - Fall Tablescape - Great ideas for your Thanksgiving table!
11/16 - Christmas Decorating Ideas - Including new product introduction.
11/23 - Holiday Gift Ideas - Suggestions for every price range!
11/30 - Christmas Tablescape - Plus Centerpiece ideas for a sit down dinner.

Check back each friday for the Weekly Sale Announcement!

Tent Sale!

I have just added a new category to my website - Tent Sale - Here I will list new products at sale prices every Tuesday! Have fun shopping!

Holiday Sparkle!

Here is a sample of some new holiday decorations I just listed on my site. I can't wait to see these on my display tree!

Weekend Cooking

In case you didn't already know, ONE of my favorite hobbies is cooking. My favorite time for cooking is the fall and winter and I'm sure you know why. So this weekend I made some French Onion Soup with Gruyere Cheese Toasts and Acorn Squash halves stuffed with Brown Jasmine Rice with Raisins. I got both of these recipes out of Martha Stewart's Everyday Food cookbook.

I also made a delicious Apple Walnut Cake which I got from another one of those amazing cooking classes that I posted about here at the Farmhouse Kitchen in Southhold, NY. My family really enjoyed all of the food and the kids even helped out with some of the cooking, which we all enjoy! My idea of a perfect weekend! What do you like to cook? It's fun and interesting to see all of the different styles of cooking around the world!

Always Kiss Me Goodnight!

I just listed my finished painting. You can find it under Painted Pieces. Of course I only made one. I rarely make multiple items of the same design. I get bored of creating the same thing. So, I usually make one, then go on to the next thing and I might come back and make another of the same style. That's why I have so many unfinished products too. So many ideas, so little time!

Painting Roses

I am in such a good mood when I make time for painting. I don't know why I don't focus just on painting. I guess I have too many creative interests. Some days I arrange flowers, play with paper crafting or embellishing and some days I paint. But I do get the most satisfaction out of painting roses. I am always working on my roses to make them better and I am pretty happy with the way these turned out yesterday. It's a sign I am working on and will be listed in my shop as soon as I am finished. I had posted about this one I had made for my daughter a while back and have had some requests for more.

Displays Around the Shop

This past weekend was the start of my open houses, where my local customers come to my home to shop! I serve coffee and cookies and have pretty music playing while we talk about decorating! I have always wanted a real brick and mortar shop, but until then, this gives me the opportunity to "play store" and I love it! My kids enjoy it too, they get to play with any little ones that come along. Here of some pics of a few displays. Most of these things are listed on my website. If it's not then it will be soon!

These glittered hydrangeas would be so pretty for the holidays. I'm thinking tucked into the Christmas tree!

Pretty purple hydrangea plates, I have them listed for sale under elegant entertaining.

Beautiful basket of lilac hydrangeas and roses.

Some pretty romantic accessories!

And some more!

These new silver and gold berry rings look like sparkly jewelry!

I am loving the pink and red color combo with a little lime thrown in on these berry rings.

Fall Fever

I have it, do you?

Look for these fall decorating accents being added to my boutique this week!

Pink October

In honor of Pink October, I will donate a portion of all sales during the month of October to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I believe every bit will help breast cancer research!

Jolies Poches!

I have been busy working on a new product. I would love to know what you think! I am calling them Jolies Poches, that's french for "Pretty Pockets". I will be creating these in all different designs including Birthday greetings, holiday greetings and personalized too. They will be embellished with dupioni silk ribbons, crystals and paper blossoms. There will also be a line of Mini Jolies Poches. I love making these! They will be listed in my boutique under One of a Kind.

What I Love About My Home!

I love Karla's idea about showing what we love about our homes. How much fun is it to get a look inside of other's homes and the different ways we all decorate! Well first I have to mention that I love my entry hall table at Christmas because it was just featured in Romantic Country's Winter 2007 issue. I am mentioned on pg. 71. A small pic but a big deal to me since it is my first! I am so excited, I think I will frame it! You can even see our family pic in the photo. My kids thought that was so cool!

I love this sign because it is so true!

This chandelier in my kitchen is another thing I love - it's a $10 church sale find! The bulbs cost more. And of course I added the shades, berry rings and crystals.

A couple of more favorites - my girls' rooms!

I have many more to share. I will try to add more later today!

Cooking School

This weekend I went to the most amazing cooking class with my mom. The class was held in an open barn on a beautiful vineyard in Southold,NY which is on the North Fork of LI. It's a beautiful part of LI known for it's wineries and very popular farmstands. The host and hostess were great! They make Rose' wine (which is sampled during the class) and their property is just gorgeous. The owner, Paula Croteau has a schedule of classes some on the weekend and some during the week. Each class has a different theme. This weekend's was Totally Tomato. Paula is very relaxing to listen to and has so many great cooking tips! We got to help prepare many new recipes and of course sample everything we made. My mom really enjoyed the day! I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for something different. I think gift certificates to her school make great gifts even for couples. What a great bridal shower gift! The contact info for the school is: Farmhouse Cooking and Baking School email: Paula@FarmhouseKitchen.US
Look at this beautiful display of tomatoes!

Mom enjoying the cooking!

New Florals and Vintage Jewels!

I just finished some new florals that I will be listing this weekend. A couple of new wreaths for your front door and a wall cone all dressed up with some dupioni silk ribbon from Midori and a pink sparkly vintage earring. I love adding vintage jewelry pieces to my florals. It's also a really nice way to display a special piece from a relative. I think many of us have an old pin or other jewelry in a box somewhere. Why not put it on display so it can be enjoyed everyday!

Tea Party Time!

Yay! The Make Mine Pink Tea Pary has begun. I can't wait to check out all of the great tea parties going on around the world. I was so excited about this. The first thing I did was run out and buy this beautiful teapot. I didn't own one and decided that I NEEDED to have one!

I had so much fun with my kids preparing for this tea party. They wanted to be a part of it so we did it on Saturday and I decided to just make lunch out of it. My oldest daughter made the scones from scratch by herself and they were so good. She told me today she wants to open a tea cafe when she gets older.

We made cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad with cranberries and celery on mini croissants, and quick and easy linzer tart cookies ( using store bought flower shaped sugar cookies and sandwiching them with raspberry preserves in the middle). I also served store bought mini bluberry muffins, shortbread cookies and chocolate dipped wafers. We had blueberry green tea with our lunch ( kid's pick). And it was so delicious. Of course we served everything on the dessert stands that I sell in my shop, but don't they make the table pretty?

I loved how my kids came downstairs all dressed up for tea! It was really fun for everyone. I might have to make this a regular thing in our house. BTW, my husband was also part of the event, but came to the table in work clothes ( he was doing yard work ), so I chose not to photograph him!

Please visit http://www.makeminepink.blogspot.com/ for more virtual tea parties this week!