Art-A-Whirl This Weekend

Well, I was hoping to make it to a few studios this weekend to check out some local art. However, due to a terrible cold that won't release it's iron grip, it looks like my head is the only whirling I will be experiencing.

Easy Tart

Let's talk about easy little tarts. This one can be a little saucy, too ;)

I'm talking about pastries, not those mean girls in high school. Here is one I made from some frozen puff pastry, sweetened cream cheese, and apples carmelized in a skillet with a little butter and brown sugar. Delicious! But, if you like your desserts really sweet then why not top it off with a little caramel sauce? Or maybe some maple syrup, if you are fond of mapley things.....

This and That

Some felt flowers I've been making this week. I haven't figured out exactly what I'm going to use them for yet. I'm thinking of embellishing some bags with them or maybe making a wall hanging.

Here is the tin I keep my buttons in. I received it from a woman I met years ago at a stress-reduction workshop. I only recently noticed the somewhat innappropriate wording on the tin - which just makes me laugh and treasure it more.

Last weekend I nabbed some great bargains at a yard sale. An artist was cleaning out her studio and I got all of the art books and the vintage cookbooks below - all for $5! I also scored a huge box of acrylic paints and a really cool portfolio.

Here is my favorite souvenir from Cape Cod. I find it increasingly difficult to find souvenirs that are cool and will serve as a little momento of a trip. I wonder if thrift stores wouldn't be the best place to find cool souvenirs? You get something somewhat unique, you aren't adding to the mounds of plastic crap in the universe, and you aren't spending a fortune. This thrift store was especially cool because the profits go to a no-kill Animal Shelter.

Finally, here is a shot of the birthday cake I made for Melanie's birthday. I love starfruit! Even if they tasted gross, I would probably love them for their aesthetic value alone. Luckily, they are tasty, too :)

Edward Gorey House Museum

I have been meaning to post about our trip to the Edward Gorey House Museum in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts. The museum is a labor of love, created and run by Gorey's friends and fans. They have lots more information about the museum here: http://www.edwardgoreyhouse.org/ It was really cool to see some of Gorey's sketches and such a large collection of his work displayed in one place. I was also excited to see that he was a huge collector of Stuff - just like me :)

Back from Vacation

I just got back from a trip to the land of my youth - Cape Cod. My sister Melanie(in the middle shown with birthday cake and confetti, since it was her 30th birthday) and our friend Laura and I all drove from Minnesota to the Cape. Laura is shown with a camera and cheeseburgers and I have my Bag O' Wicked Awesome Stuff (yes, I did quite a bit of shopping) and an ice cream cone from Friendly's (my favorite ice cream chain back east).

We spent lots of time at the beach.......

....collected a lot of shells.....

....and visited our old childhood street (from which this blog got its name).

Necklace Holder

Here is a simple and inexpensive project and a cool way to keep your necklaces from getting tangeled. If you are like me, you usually take them off and plop them down wherever - or, if you are especially tidy, you keep them tumbled together in a jewelry box.

Anyway, I came across this idea on a blog the other day (I would give credit but have no idea which blog). All you need is a cheap picture frame (I got mine at Walgreens for five bucks), some suction hooks, and some decorative paper or fabric. Cut the fabric/paper to size, slip it behind the glass, put the glass back on, and arrange the suction cups however you'd like.

The other nice thing about this project is that there isn't anything permanent about it. If you get tired of the background, just change the fabric/paper. You can also change the hooks around however you want.

My Book Bag

I've seen some of these bags made from books on various websites and etsy shops. I've wanted to make one for a while and have been on the look out for the perfect book.The Friends bookstore at the Central Library had a 50% off sale last week, and I scored some great finds - a whole big stack of books for only $7.50! Amongst the treasures was this gardening book from 1968 - and it was only a dollar. It was in a binder format so was the perfect size for a purse.

I bought some handles (about five bucks) and ribbon (two bucks) at Michael's. I also bought some Modge Podge to varnish the outside and protect it a little from scuffs and water.

For the interior, I used the retro flowered fabric from my recent thrift store splurge. A little hot glue, sewing, embroidery thread and more ribbon, and now I have my very own book bag. I'm looking forward to making a few more and am keeping my eye out for some cool, vintagey books.