pumpkin treats to go!

 

I whipped up some pumpkin cupcakes to take to a lovely dinner at some friends. What to do when you need a little dessert to go? Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting of course! Made with real pumpkin my mom harvested and we added to my freezer for such an occasion. I always make extra to share with friends, and they happen to be just the thing to bring to a lovely dinner last night!
(1)

the last harvest

I woke up yesterday morning and there was a frosty shimmer upon the rooftops so I knew I had harvest the last bits of my garden. I was so pleased to find this lovely bunch of carrots below the dirt! My best carrot harvest yet!

I was so pleased to find this lovely bunch of carrots growing away below the surface! My best carrot harvest yet! I planted them early this Spring and have been waiting for just the right moment to dig them up. I knew it was time when awoke yesterday to find shimmery frosted rooftops. I also harvested some dill and coriander. I’m sad that gardening season is coming to an end but I still have some brave broccoli that will carry on in the cold giving me little bits into the early winter. These tasty carrots are perfect for fall crock pot meals or maybe a delish little carrot cake! Mmmm!

(1)

Color of the Month! THINK PINK!

October happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month so it seemed more than appropriate to Think Pink!

October happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month so it seemed more than appropriate to Think Pink!

A pink table setting seems like a perfect excuse to invite one of your best gal pals over for tea and cupcakes! This tablecloth is from my own personal collection! And my artgoodies cupcake towel is right at home!
And a pink table setting seems like a perfect excuse to invite some of your best gal pals over for  tea and cupcakes! Pink melmac and glassware will be listed soon in my vintagegoodies shop, but sorry folks this fab tablecloth is from my own personal collection! You can however snag an artgoodies cupcake towel!
MMM... a fat free, sugar free, treat! This artgoodies block print stuffie mini pillow is fun for play, a gift basket, or hangin about the office! And this one happens to be on sale simply because I think you deserve a treat!
MMM… a fat free, sugar free, treat! This artgoodies block print stuffie mini pillow is fun for play, a gift basket, or hangin about the office! And this one happens to be on sale simply because I think you deserve a treat!
Sometimes you just want to have more than one cupcake! Satisfy your craving with my artgoodies block print mini cupcake tea towel!
Sometimes you just want to have more than one cupcake! Satisfy your craving with my artgoodies block print mini cupcake tea towel!
Heres a fantastic set of vintage melmac! The pink rose design is a stunner and would right fit into your vintage or shabby chic decor!
Here’s a fantastic set of vintage melmac! The pink rose design is a stunner and would right fit into your vintage or shabby chic decor!
(Commenting: OFF)

artgoodies midwest tour

A close up of some gorgeous gourds and pumpkins! It's harvest time!

A close up of some gorgeous gourds and pumpkins! It's harvest time!

Sorry it’s been awhile friends. I’m in a whirlwind of travel this month! I started with Montreal, then to Chicago, then Columbus, off to St. Louis next weekend and then finishing the month in Indianapolis. Midwest is Best!
,This past weekend I was exhibiting at the Country Living Fair in Columbus. It was a great time I had some super nice neighbors and the weather was gorgeous on Friday and Saturday. And I got a subscription to the magazine for 5 bucks! What a steal!
This past weekend I was exhibiting at the Country Living Fair in Columbus. It was a great time, I had some super nice neighbors and the weather was gorgeous on Friday and Saturday. And I got a subscription to the magazine for 5 bucks! What a steal!
This is the first time I have been able to merchandise artgoodies with vintagegoodies and I had a blast doing it! It's such a natural fit and I love merchandising by color!
This is the first time I have been able to merchandise artgoodies with vintagegoodies and I had a blast doing it! It’s such a natural fit and I love merchandising by color!
At first I planned to sell this cart, but it's a keeper! My pillows and giant stuffies fit so nicely!
At first I planned to sell this cart, but it’s a keeper! My pillows and giant stuffies fit so nicely!
Even this fly is fooled by my delicious ice cream cone towel! He just wants a little taste!
Even this fly is fooled by my delicious ice cream cone towel! He just wants a little taste!
A selection of my block print tea towels at Renegade. I like to keep them in nice little stacks so customers can see them all.
A selection of my block print tea towels at Renegade. I like to keep them in nice little stacks so customers can see them all. Decisions, decisions!
Oh, hello stuffies! Here's a suitcase full of my block print stuffies at Renegade Chicago. It's my grandma's suitcase, and I've added some vintage wallpaper squares in the back for extra pizazz. An easy way to transport and display product!
Oh, hello stuffies! Here’s a suitcase full of my block print stuffies at Renegade Chicago. It’s my grandma’s suitcase, and I’ve added some vintage wallpaper squares in the back for extra pizazz. An easy way to transport and display product!
A nice shot of the Chicago skyline from over by the Shedd Aquarium. Sweet home Chicago. I grew up about 45 minutes away in the burbs so it always feels comfy going back to the windy city.
A nice shot of the Chicago skyline from over by the Shedd Aquarium. Sweet home Chicago. I grew up about 45 minutes away in the burbs so it always feels comfy going back to the windy city.
(2)

Montreal

I’m lucky enough to be in Montreal this week, and I’ve even had a chance to use a little French here and there.  My favorite place, and my top pick for must sees, is the Botanical Garden of Montreal. I spent over 4 hours walking around this place and still didn’t get to see everything! I can only decscribe it as magnificent! I give it a zillion stars! It was inspiring and mind blowing with it’s size and specimens. You can walk for miles through it’s arboretums and gardens. There are greenhouses, ponds, a Chinese garden, a Japanese garden, and so on and so forth. And then, there are exhibits within those! This is the most spectacular garden I have ever seen. You have to see it if you are in Montreal and you have to dedicate an entire day to it! Don’t worry there are lots of benches so you can have a rest, a nap, or just hang out and draw or read a book. Plus while you are there you can also visit the Insectarium filled with the most specimens I have ever seen! And you can weigh yourself in ants! How crazy is that!
 
A shot from the Insectarium. A seperate building in the Botanical Gardens it houses walls and walls of specimens like these, plus some live creatures. I have never seen an entemology collection like this and it was truly incredible!
A shot from the Insectarium. A seperate building in the Botanical Gardens it houses walls and walls of specimens like these, plus some live creatures. I have never seen an entemology collection like this and it was truly incredible!
This stunning lotus was just one of the insanely beautiful plants in the water garden.
This stunning lotus was just one of the insanely beautiful plants in the water garden. And there were loads of lotuses in the Chinese garden as well. I’ve never seen so many at once!
One of my favorite gardens was the Chinese garden. It was amazing to say the least. I mean look at it!
One of my favorite gardens was the Chinese garden. It was amazing to say the least. I mean look at it! There were stunning views abound!
A gorgeous building in Old Montreal, look at that architecture!
A gorgeous building in Old Montreal, look at that architecture! There’s also a great story about Mary turning toward some sailors guiding them in. This part of the city truly feels like you’ve stepped back in time. It feels very European and it’s beautiful!
This lovely little hotel tucked away of a main street really caught my eye! Who wouldn't want to stay here!
This lovely little hotel tucked away of a main street really caught my eye! Who wouldn’t want to stay here!
(1)

Color of the Month! Summer Fall-Out!

The color of the month in my every changing display is red orange. It reminds me of the summer heat but gets me ready for the fall color to come. I know, you don't want to think about fall, but it's coming! The weather is getting a bit cooler, schools starting up again, and it's time to harvest and enjoy fantastic fall colors such as these! And it'll add a serious boost of color!

I can't believe it's time again for color of the month! This time it's ode to red orange. It reminds me of the summer heat but gets me ready for the fall color to come. I know, you don't want to think about fall, me neither, but it's coming, and beloved summer is slowly slipping away! The weather is beginning to get a bit cooler, schools starting up again, and it's time to harvest goodies and soon enjoy fantastic fall colors such as these! And any way you stack it, red orange will give you a great boost of color year round!

These great thermal cups will take you from summer to fall! I love the little star design! And you can serve up hot or iced tea and these cups will be perfect for both!
These great thermal cups will take you from summer to fall! I love the little star design! And you can serve up hot or iced tea and these cups will be perfect for both!
Dont worry, theres still plenty of time left for lobster boils at the beach! This fantastic artgoodies lobster block print towel is perfect for a beachy place and will remind you of great summertime fun year round!
Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time left for lobster boils at the beach! This fantastic artgoodies lobster block print towel is perfect for a beachy place and will remind you of great summertime fun year round!
These large scale glass salt and ps will hold plenty of seasoning for family get togethers!
These large scale glass salt and p’s will hold plenty of seasoning for family get togethers!
Its starting to cool off a bit and its hard to believe that fall is just on the horizon! This set of red orange melmac cups and saucers are the perfect thing for all your entertaining needs! Sip some hot cider in these!

This set of red orange melmac cups and saucers are the perfect thing for all your entertaining needs! Perfect for some cider!

(Commenting: OFF)

Whole Foods Chicago

Here's a close up of artgoodies at the Kingsbury Square Whole Foods Mega Store in Chicago! It's the largest one in the US and let me tell you it's giant. If they had showers and bunks you'd really never have to leave! There's even a bar, a wine and cheese bar, a diner, and a whole bunch of other food places in the food court. They invited me down to talk to customers on their local vendor demo day!

Here's a close up of artgoodies at the Kingsbury Square Whole Foods Mega Store in Chicago! It's the largest one in the US and let me tell you it's GIANT. I was told it's 90,000 square feet. If they had showers and bunks you'd really never have to leave! There's even a bar, a wine and cheese bar, a diner, and a whole bunch of other fab food places besides the amazing groceries! They invited me down to talk to customers on their local vendor demo day!

Here's what the set looks like! And there's a little buy Midwest sign too with a pic of yours truly!
Here’s what the set looks like! Right around the corner from the produce, and there’s a little buy Midwest sign too with a pic of yours truly!  Snazzy!
Here's my demo cart. I brought along some different designs than they ordered last to give customers a bigger selection. I also brought one of my blocks to assist customers in understanding my process.
Here’s my demo cart. I brought along some different designs than they ordered last to give customers a bigger selection. I also brought one of my blocks to assist customers in understanding my process.
Me at the end of the day with my cart of artgoodies to go!
Me at the end of the day with my cart of artgoodies! I had a good time talking to customers and also watching people’s produce buying habits, particularly melons, fascinating! I could have a whole post on just that!
(2)

Cottage Style

On the way to our family cottage there's a sweet little apple orchard which I will be posting about this fall. I stopped by to pick some apples up at the adorable road side stand a talked to the guy who runs the joint. He has planted 900,000 sunflowers this year around his field of alphalpha. It sure makes for a pretty drive down the road to the lake!

On the way to our family cottage there's a sweet little apple orchard which I will be posting about this fall. My mom and I stopped by to pick up some apples at the adorable roadside stand. In talking with the guy who runs the joint he told us he had planted 900,000 sunflowers this year around his field of alfalfa. Wowee! It sure makes for a pretty drive down the road to the lake! I stopped to nab a pic and he was gracious enough to let me nab a few stems!

You can't get much cuter cottage style than this! I bought my mom this repro glider for our family cottage a few years back. Every year she plants pink impatients in these vintage swan containers. I whipped up these adorable shabby chic pillows from a gorgeous hand sewn quilt, they'll be available soon in my vintage shop! And what's summer without a bouquet of sunflowers!
Although it’s a little cool and the clouds are about to burst into rain at any moment here’s a spot on the porch that suits me just fine! You can’t get much cuter cottage style than this! I bought my mom this repro glider for Mother’s Day a few years back. Every year she plants pink impatients in vintage swan containers and the cute shabby chic cottage style pillows will be available on my vintage shope shortly! I just whipped them up from a very small gorgeous hand sewn quilt. And what’s summer without a bouquet of sunflowers, especially when they are from your local friendly farmer!
(Commenting: OFF)

Saturday Salsa!

One of my favorite places Saturday morning is the Farmers Market! Growing up it was a weekly trip in the summer gathering all kinds of freshy fresh fruits and veggies to can and to freeze. Today I picked up all these ingredients for some super fresh salsa! I'm allergic to tomatoes so instead I'm using tomatillos which are related but in a different genus so no hives for me! I'm also using annaheim peppers, serrano peppers, hot and sweet hungarian banana peppers, cilantro, onion, garlic, salt, lime, and a teeny jalapeno from my own garden.

One of my favorite places Saturday morning is the Farmers Market! Today I picked up all these ingredients for some super freshy fresh green salsa! I'm allergic to tomatoes so instead I'm using tomatillos. They are related, but in a different genus so no hives for me! I'm also using annaheim peppers, serrano peppers, hot and sweet hungarian banana peppers, cilantro, onion, garlic, salt, lime, and a teeny jalapeno from my own garden.

I make the salsa up into small batches combining them into a large bowl. I never super precise when I cook so every batch is a little different until all the ingredients are gone. I stirred it all together in the end added another splash of lime and a pink of salt and volia! A super fresh snack!
I made the salsa up into small batches combining them into a large bowl. I’m never super precise when I cook so every batch is a little different. I stirred it all together and added another splash of lime and a pinch of salt and voila! A super fresh snack!
Finished! 3 pints and one quart later I've got plenty of salsa for a quick snack, or to add to chili or other recipes. I stick the jars in the fridge for a couple days and then divide them up into smaller batches for the freezer, that way all the delicious flavors have a little time to mesh! YUM!
Finished! 3 pints and 1 quart later I’ve got plenty of salsa for a quick snack, or to add to chili or other recipes. I stick the jars in the fridge for a couple days and then divide them up into smaller batches for the freezer, that way all the delicious flavors have a little time to combine! YUM! and look at that color!
(3)

Make way for Trays!

I LOVE trays! I accidentally started a collection. I know, accidentally? Yes, it just happened. The colors and graphics really grab my attention. Trays are useful for serving up guests, catching odds and ends, organizing projects, and my favorite home decor! They are lots of ways trays can add a splash of color. Prop them up against a wall behind some plants, hang one on a wall in your kitchen, display some favorite pieces on them on a side table, or create a little dispay like I have in my bedroom! I love this corner! It really makes the room feel complete and it's oh so cute! These are some of my faves!
I LOVE trays! I accidentally started a collection. I know, accidentally? Honestly, it just happened, and I continue to be a magnet for them.  The colors and graphics really grab my attention. Trays are useful for serving up guests, catching odds and ends, organizing projects, and my favorite home decor! There are lots of ways trays can add a splash of color. Prop them up against a wall behind some plants, hang one on a wall in your kitchen, display some favorite pieces on a side table, or create a little dispay like I have in my bedroom! I love this corner! It really makes the room feel complete and adds a lot of charm, not to mention it’s oh SO cute! These are some of my fave trays. Below are a few available in my shop. I actually have an entire section in my shop called trays and tins and I’ve got a pile of beauties just waiting to be added! Afterall, I can’t keep them all for myself! P.S. this is the shot I took for this adorable flower duvet cover, I’ve got 2 of them in my shop!
This is a gorgeous large molded fiberglass tray! And Ive got several available! Gorgeous color and pattern, this one even looks great mixed in with other items at the holidays!
This is a gorgeous large molded fiberglass tray! And I’ve got several available! Gorgeous color and pattern! Believe it or not  this one even looks great mixed in with other items at the holidays!
Souvenir trays like this one with cupholders are super handy not only for drinks but also for organizing supplies like beads and buttons! Check out the other state trays  in my shop!
Souvenir trays like this one with cupholders are super handy not only for drinks but also for organizing supplies like beads and buttons! Check out the other state trays in my shop!
A totally rare piece from the Jewel Tea Collection made by Hall. This is a gem for a collection and a gorgeous addition if you collect the dishes!
A totally rare piece from the Jewel Tea Collection made by Hall. This is a gem for a collection and a gorgeous addition if you collect the dishes!
I love this! Above my closet I put up some shelves with little ledges meant for holding pictures. I've added some of my tray collection in black and greens and mixed it with one of my prints and a great little swan chalkware piece. I love this easy and cute idea for displaying them!
I love this! Above my closet I put up some shelves with little ledges meant for holding pictures. I’ve added some of my tray collection in black and greens and mixed in some artwork and a great little swan chalkware piece. I love this easy and cute idea for displaying them! What a great way to add interest to a room while displaying a collection!
(4)