Back in business with free shipping!

My bedroom is painted.

New shelving is installed.

My craft supplies are in order.

My Etsy shop is open again!
(It was on vacation, remember? ) And it's back with new fabulous folders and, in honor of 4th of July, everything in the shop has free shipping until midnight Tuesday, July 7 (EST)!

Have a fun-filled, wonderful (and safe!) 4th of July!

Today is...

... my first blogaversary! *throws confetti* In honor of the occasion, a new post. {haha}

And yesterday was my first Etsyversary! Keeping shop has been a great experience and lots of fun! Right now my Etsy shop is on vacation. That's right. The shop is on vacation, not me. I had my "vacation" last week while being laid up with a cold. Not very fun, huh.
Last week my Mom and I painted my bedroom, which also doubles as my craft room, so beloved papers, embellishments, and folders are packed. BUT, I'm planning for a grand re-opening with fabulous new folders and greeting cards!

To celebrate these "versaries" I'll be giving away something as soon as the craft room is back in swing. So be watching for it! ;-)

It's almost time for me to enjoy the strawberry shortcake I made earlier. A favorite summer dessert at my house! :-)

Have a happy week!

Kristy

Rosetta Stone Contest!

Hey everyone! It's been pretty quiet around here but I will pick up the blogging pace in the near future. :-) However I just had to drop in and tell you about a fabulous giveaway taking place!

The Rosetta Stone is the leading language-learning software in the world and is used by millions of individuals worldwide. I myself am using their Spanish program as a part of my homeschool studies. I am learning fast and enjoying the process immensely!

This week you can enter to win Rosetta Stone's newest version of Latin levels 1, 2 and 3!

Here is the contest information from the Jeneralities blog.

*****
Rosetta Stone is the fastest way to learn a language and has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while — and you can WIN the *all new* version 3 Rosetta Stone Homeschool LATIN program… FOR FREE! This is the first year you can get Latin in the brand new Version III update.

This is a $259 program (and believe me it’s worth every penny!)
This is a computer based curriculum and Rosetta Stone will also include a headset with microphone, and a supplementary “Audio Companion” CD so you can practice lessons in the car, on the go, or where-ever! Students participate in life-like conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone incorporates listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary and writing along with speaking and pronunciation lessons. For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program to allow parents to easily enroll up to ten students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, grade completed work (the program grades the work automatically as the students progress- I love that!), and you can view and print reports for transcripts. Homeschooling a lot of kids at your house? This program is designed to enroll and track up to ten students (five users on two computers) and will work for nearly all ages — from beginning readers up to college students.

To win this most excellent Latin program copy these paragraphs [between the ****] and post them in (or as) your next blog post, and/OR link to the contest from your facebook page and/OR email the information to your homeschool support group – Then go to the original page http://Jeneralities.com and leave a comment saying that you’ve posted about, or have linked to, the contest. Please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post. And good luck!

*****

I recommend reading the following article Why Study Classical Languages? which explains the benefits of learning Latin.

And by the way, pretty decorated file folders are great for holding all types of paperwork, including school work! ;-)

Sugar and Spice

While flipping through one of my favorite cookbooks, a nice big picture of "Buttermilk Doughnuts" caught my eye. Homemade doughnuts... perfect for Saturday morning! But first, I had to consult my twitter friends to see if anyone had a favorite recipe to share. Tiffany from Lattes and Life shared a most delicious sounding recipe for Pumpkin Donuts with Spiced Sugar. Just the thing! Last night after the kitchen was cleaned up from making homemade pizza, I prepared the dough, letting it refrigerate overnight. I couldn't wait for the floury, sugary fun in the morning!

Anyone else love playing with dough? :-)


One minute each side...


Coated with spiced sugar and ready to be enjoyed!


Donut holes are so. much. fun.


They turned out so nice! ;-) Thanks for sharing the recipe, Tiffany!
It's a keeper!

The Finishing Touch

My Civil War dress needed one last touch: a brooch for the neckline. While shopping at Joanns Fabrics I found a package of two beautiful buttons that along with a pin would make a lovely, inexpensive handmade brooch! The process is fairly easy -

1. Using a sharp craft knife (be careful!) cut the button loop off a decorative button.

{Before} ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ {After}


2. Sand any remaining plastic stubs smooth. I used a Dremel tool.

3. Using tacky craft glue, attach pin (available at craft stores such as Joanns). Let dry completely.




A handmade brooch!


Have a lovely weekend!

Southern Belle

Ever since I was very young {smiles} I've loved old-fashioned clothes, especially Civil War style dresses. While living in Georgia, my family went to several reenactments and I always loved seeing the full-skirted costumes! So what could be better than making my very own? And a new sewing machine was a perfect reason in and of itself, don't you think? :-) So last November I embarked on this new adventure! Many hours later plus an important lesson learned (more on that later).....

Viola! Please pardon the photo-edit job. The original background wasn't too pretty so I kindly removed it. :-) Unfortunately I had to return the dress form due to a part breaking so I can't retake the photo.

And now for specifications....

The dress was made using the Simplicity Pattern 7212. I ordered the lovely fabric from Gehmans Country Fabrics.

The sash was made from online instructions {scroll to the end of the page} from Sense and Sensibility Patterns.

The hoop skirt I left to the skill of others and purchased it from Angel's Bridal on eBay. This model, in particular.

The brooch {not pictured} was made by me, and I will show you how in the next post!

P.s. Oh yes, the lesson. These scissors are great cutting button holes, clipping threads, etc. but mine can also jump off the ironing board, landing on the peaceful seamstress sitting next to it. I made friends with many butterfly bandages.... and learned to always, always keep the plastic cap on when not in use!

Bella Celeste Photography

Fine art  photography speaks to me.... take me to places I dream of visiting.... makes me feel peaceful, alive, joyous.  I am delighted to share a few of my favorite fine art photos taken by a dear friend (hi Lindsey!) of mine who started Bella Celeste Photography.

Awaken


Soft Rose


Handful of Sweetness (Isn't it darling?)

For a limited time only, all fine art photos in the Bella Celeste Photography shop are on sale for 20% off!  Please visit - I'm sure you'll find a photo you can't live without!  Also visit  www.BellaCeleste.com to see more of Lindsey's beautiful work.