New for Dad

We don’t want Dad to be left out, so we’ve added two banner choices to our Etsy shop.  They feature retro inspired ties that are nice and WIDE for fun.

This banner is coloring pages.  The children can have fun decorating these with their dad’s favorite colors.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/100063053/fathers-day-coloring-pages-retro-ties

 

Laurel colored this version of the banner in blues, grays and dark red.  This banner is ready to print, cut out and hang.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/99980627/printable-fathers-day-retro-ties-pdf?ref=v1_other_2

 

New Peony Napkins on Etsy

Peonies are a favorite of mine.  We have some in our yard that are blooming right now!  I love this Amy Butler fabric with gorgeous pink peonies.  Today I added these napkins to one of our Etsy shops.   https://www.etsy.com/listing/99975970/dinner-cloth-napkins-pink-peony-floral?ref=pr_shop

Garden Party PDF

We’re kicking off the new addition of “do it yourself” printable party supplies to one of our Etsy shops with a “Garden Party” choice.  More to come!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/99879004/garden-party-pdf-printable-party-package?ref=pr_shop

What I really like about printables is you can print whatever you like–as many times as you like.  No worries about storing something you have purchased to use later–just print when you need it!

We’re including flowers, vines and leaves in pink, orange/peach and yellow.  The package includes large flowers for a banner, cupcake flags, little tags, bottle wrappers and cupcake wrappers.  The colors are soft and pretty.

We’re having a lot of fun with this.  I (Susan) do the drawing and Laurel (the computer whiz) adds gorgeous colors.  We’re working on something for Father’s Day and watermelons next

Honor Mom with a Banner

We now have two versions of our Mother’s Day banner / decorations in our Etsy shop.

This version is coloring pages.  This would be a fun activity for the kids to surprise Mom this weekend.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/96700431/mothers-day-printable-pdf-banner-bunting

 

 

This banner is full color and ready to cut out and display.  Use these as fun decorations for your Mother’s Day celebration.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/98162037/printable-mothers-day-pdf-banner-color

Coleus Pillow Slipcover

I have been having a lot of fun with the Martha Stewart multi-surfact acrylic craft paint I bought.  It really is washable.  I added this pillow slipcover with these bright coleus leaves to our Etsy shop today.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98939911/hand-painted-pillow-cover-slipcover

Free Printable Flower

This flower is similar to one from our two Mother’s Day banners on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98162037/printable-mothers-day-pdf-banner-color

http://www.etsy.com/listing/96700431/mothers-day-printable-pdf-banner-bunting

Here is the link to the PDF — Free Pink Flower

What Can You Do With a Yoyo?

We recently added yoyos to our 2nd Etsy shop.  I am fascinated with those little, puffy fabric circles!  I especially love the retro look of them.  I was thrilled and amazed at all of the creative ideas on the web to use yoyos.  I decided to write an article on Hub Pages with a collection of the best links for great items to make using those fun little yoyos.  If you like yoyos as much as I do, I hope you’ll visit my article…

http://susanm23b.hubpages.com/hub/Fun-Ideas-with-Fabric-Yoyos

A Salute to Mom

We’re excited to offer two options with our Mother’s Day banner in our Etsy shop.

The first is in the form of coloring pages–ready to color and hang for Mother’s Day.  Here is the one I colored with crayons.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/96700431/mothers-day-printable-pdf-banner-bunting

 

New to the shop is a printable banner featuring the same original drawings, but already colored.  All you need to do is print, cut out and hang.  We’re also happy to change the colors for you to include your mom’s favorites.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98162037/printable-mothers-day-pdf-banner-color

Homeschool History Ideas

Our homeschool is heavily influenced by Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy.  One of our favorite ideas is her “Book of the Centuries”.  She recommends this a teaching tool for teaching history.  I have made changes to her original idea to suit our homeschool.  This is such a wonderful idea; it’s easily adaptable.  Even if you are not a homeschool family, this a great project for any child.

 

I have written an article on Hub Pages about how we have adapted Charlotte Mason’s “Book of the Centuries” idea for our homeschool.  Please check out my article if you would like to learn more.

http://susanm23b.hubpages.com/hub/A-Better-History-NotebookCharlotte-Masons-Book-of-the-Centuries

Time to Pick Strawberries!

Spring is here and it’s time to pick strawberries.  We have two great “pick your own” strawberry farms near us.  We always make at least one or two visits to the strawberry patch every spring.  It is such a fun, family outing.  The “just-picked” fresh berries are so juicy and delicious–so much better than from the grocery store.  We make yummy strawberry shortcake and freeze lots of berries for later.

In honor of strawberry season, we’re featuring some delightful strawberry finds by four of our fellow Etsians.

• This charming felt strawberry banner by A Continual Feast would make a cute springtime party decoration.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/71743286/felt-red-strawberry-flag-banner?ref=pr_faveitems

 

• Reading may make you long for strawberries if you use Whispy Snow Angel’s sweet ribbon bookmark.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/94657237/strawberry-ribbon-bookmark-hand-painted?ref=pr_faveitems

 

• These cheerful, handmade cards by The Humble Shop feature strawberries–and cherries.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/96261646/handmade-thank-you-card-so-berry?ref=pr_faveitems

 

• Take your strawberries with you when you carry this bright and whimsical purse by Sweet Jeanette.   http://www.etsy.com/listing/80759957/strawberry-purse?ref=pr_faveitems