Making Patriotic Wreaths at Art Group!

Well, its officially summer, and for me that means patriotic décor.  How about you?  It also means that our June art group were making red, white and blue wreaths.  Kimi set up this space, and gifted us goodies too.

That's me getting on my patriotic Jam!!  I used this old round wire Christmas card stand to build my double sided wreath. You may see my patriotic campaign buttons scattered over the wreath on both sides.

Shirley is soooo talented.  She brought patriotic goodness to share as well.  Her work is always stunning, you'll see her finished wreath below.

We were glad when Connie, Kimi's good friend, dropped by, because we only had 3 of our 10 members at this group meeting … I like to think of the three of us as the hard core crafters.  We are the ones who dream about crafting at night.

Here's our Shirley getting in her patriotic artist garb, she's almost done.

Here's Kimi peeking through her finished wreath. Be sure to note her adorable patriotic ballerina!

Here's the other side of my wreath … please note the pipe cleaner Uncle Sams that Shirley made for us.

Here's Shirley's completed project.

Yep, there's all the girls, in their Charlie's Angels Pose.

We had a great time, and got to immerse our selves in creating art, which makes art group a high light of the month for me.  Thanks for sharing your vintage goodness girls.

Bee-you-tiful Festival of Trees for PCMC

So back from Finland for 9 months, we had missed doing a tree for The Festival of Trees, a fundraiser for our local Children's Hospital, for two years.  It was good to get back in the saddle. 

 Here is the entire set up.  The skirt of the tree was made from half a dozen dollar store tutus.

We decided on a Bee tree theme in June.  We registered the name, Bee You Tiful with the Festival then.  Two months later my son died in an gun accident while camping, and our We Can group chair, Carolyn, kindly agreed to dedicate the tree to him.  At that time we added the 'B' s for 'Ben' to the design.

These are the ornaments our group made in monthly meetings for three months. There were 8 to 12 ladies at the meetings.  I finished up the ornaments the weekend before Festival set up, which is always the Monday after Thanksgiving.

The ornament to the right is my favorite of the group.  Ladies spent a lot of time making these hives out of sculpy clay.

 A larger B, and a large Bee top the tree ...

 Along with the tree, we added a small pie safe, rocking chair and table.  The contents of the pie safe were donated by various people, some items were donated by members of We Can, some came from a customer at the antique mall where I work, some came out of my stock at the antique mall, still others came from friend of mine,  my daughter Becca, a successful realtor in the area, purchased and donated the rug and the Bee Skep in the lower left corner was made by me with my craft group. So much goodness came together to stock the cupboard.  

The hand embroidered dish towel set, and a sampler were hand stitched by Carolyn, our group leader.

 Here are the We Can ladies who were able to come to the set up day.

 I loved the fun the bee wings, I got at the dollar store at Halloween time, added to the tree.  Best bang for our buck.

This is our dedication to Ben.  We miss him so much, but the focus on this tree, where I worked, and sometimes cried over my crafting, really was a healing experience.  We have done 18 trees over the years, this is the third one to be dedicated to someone.  My first was dedicated to my mother in 1999, then in 2013 we dedicated our tree to a member of We Can, who passed away.

Thank  you for joining us in our journey.

Kim's Witches' World of Delights and Tea too.

 Welcome says Skinny Jack, as I arrive at Kim's Witch's tea ... I see that 'the witch is in'.

More porch fun!

I was a bit early, and had the opportunity to take pictures of the decor before it was all covered with eager witches.

 Isn't this the best, a black and white display themed, Opera!  Ooo ...  I wonder if the phantom is here?

 If you sit here, you get to sit by a ballerina witch, who may or may not have overdone it on her diet ...

 Kim's been collecting Halloween for more than 30 years, and weeds her collection continually, 

which means, her decor is THE best. This is her dining room.

Spooky lace over the blinds with a banner, also in the dining room.

 Here's another friendly witch seat mate.

I could spend hours checking out every detail of this amazing display.

 ... and this one too ...

 Kim has the most amazing collection of mushrooms, a favorite of mine as well.  They stay out year round, but mix perfectly with every season, here we see a talented witch out gathering magic mushrooms for her brew.

 This full size ballerina witch is Jennine.  She used to be a vendor when I used to do fleaology.  Such a talented girl!!  I hear that she and Denise from Vintage Pelican are going to be sharing a booth at the Provo Vintage Market on Friday Nov 16, 6-9 and Nov 17 9-3  220 W Center Street in Provo. 

 More fabulous collectibles.

Boo!

 And if you're a 'Village Girl' you came to the right place ...

 Here's Kim's holiday tree dressed up to scare you!

 My favorite witch sits high on the stair landing overlooking the festivities. 

 Her 'higher up' overlooks the fun from the upstairs landing.

I'm such a fan of 50's graphics, though I AM older than Kim and experienced them as a child.

 More witches arrive, and they must be very wise, because they come bearing gifts, while wearing splendid costumes.

 Whoooo wants to play Halloween tic-tac-toe with me .... Whoooo, Whoooo

 "I would", said the Halloween Cat, "if I weren't in another room."

We are both fans of Mary Engelbreit's work.

 I love these. I always tell Kim I don't come to her parties for the goodies, I come for the eye candy, I think you can tell why...

 though there is certainly nothing to complain about when it come to the other kind of goodies, here is her delightful spread, including my witch finger bread sticks.

 There are also select treats 'tastefully' displayed, throughout the house.

I love the inclusion of the star in this fun bit.

... and isn't this tablecloth to die for?

 Witches checking out the brew!!

 Here's is Kim with her nieces and her red headed daughter.

 This is me with Kim and Jane, another wonderful vendor of vintage delights. (She's xoxohellogirlie on instagram)

Since all good things must come to an end, I pass this pair on my way back to the real world.  Thanks for a wonderful evening Kim.  You really are the best.