Smells Like Fall

Sweet Annie - it always smells like Fall to me.

There are a lot of Artemesia's in the herbal world - Silver 

Queen, Silver King, are just a few. These are a pale gray

perennial and they have their own distinct, but mild scent. 

Sweet Annie is also in the Artemesia family - Artemesia Annua. It gets it's name from it's sweet scent, (it smells like Fall to me!), and, because this plant is an annual - (Annie). It is the only annual in this family - luckily for us, it reseeds itself.

Years ago, when I was doing some huge juried craft shows, I would drive to a pig farm over in West Virginia and literally harvest an entire pick-up truck load. I would make tons of everlasting - arrangements, wreaths and 'trees' out of it.

This plant - unlike many herbs - loves rich soil; and so - it loves my 'smallish' pasture out behind our house, where Sweet Pea, my pony, and Donkey, my donkey reside. It is much nicer to spend time out there with them - harvesting this herb, than having to drive all that way! 
And company they are.  Sweet Pea walks right up to me and wants to see what I'm doing.  Donkey does this little 'stealth' trick.  He sort of comes near me...and then s.l.o.w.l.y. backs in to me until his back end is up against my leg.  Of course they both LOVE to be petted and scratched.
Sweet Annie is an attractant for two FABULOUS garden insects - Lady Bugs and Praying Mantis. Lady bugs, in the early stages, are a tiny, long and narrow black and red critter. I tell everyone who purchases bundles of the herb, that the baby lady bugs are more likely to come along in your package - just shake them outside - your garden will love you! 
Because Praying Mantis are larger to start with - I usually spot them before they get packed up. 

Here I am weighing out 2 half pound pre-orders that I shipped off yesterday. Boy are those boxes fragrant when I take them up to the post office!

These little yellow buds are what is so fragrant. This plant makes beautiful bases for herb wreaths, smells good when you put a tiny bit in your vacuum cleaner, and looks pretty in fresh floral arrangements too!
Sorry there isn't a scratch and sniff component to the computer - it smells like Fall to me!

Until then... xo, Liz

The time is NOW!

Please VOTE for ME!!
http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/profiles/elizabeth-pickett-1008# 

Sometime in August I saw a post on Etsy's blog? about a contest called American Made sponsored by Martha Stewart.  And I entered...

This was the product I started with - my Patriotic Ribbon Wreath -  but I also included

My Colors of Nature Ribbon Wreath

Polka Dot Daisies Ribbon Wreath

White Chocolate Ribbon Wreath

Spring Green Nest Ribbon Wreath

Pleated Skirt Recycled Envelopes Card

Bow Tie Recycled Envelopes Card

FistiCuff Men's Tab Top Cuff

and my Tab Top Key Chains

The voting starts today - September 7th and ends September 24th.
Vote early and share 'viral' ly - thanks!!

http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/profiles/elizabeth-pickett-1008# 

Love ya, Liz

Make your own Rubber Stamp

Also could be sub-titled: Don't throw that away - I can use it!!

I am currently working on 4 different projects  - all a collection of items which will be sent off to the Cane Garden Bay Surf Shop in the British Virgin Islands.  I have a whole stack of surf magazines - where as you can see - it is all about the photo.  These magazines are all eye candy when it comes to waves, ads, etc...  Needless to say - that means these magazine pages make great envelopes and cards.  My first set of surf cards all had the same type of look - so I wanted to change it up a bit for this next order.
I have looked everywhere - for some time now - for a wave stamp.  A stamp that was big enough to cover an A2 sized card. Nothing. So what to do?? If you're me - you make your own!

A fellow paper enthusiast gave me a bunch of rubber pieces that had been trimmed from rubber stamps.  They knocked around here for a while - but it finally got to the point where I had to make the stamp. 
I took the pieces and just followed the edge with my scissors - the lines and curves that were already there.  I mixed up small batches of epoxy - and started to 'lay out' my wave. We are not exactly talking a 'pretty' stamp here - but it is certainly functional.

And as you can see - it almost has a linoleum or wood block print look to it. This will be my background to the next set of surf cards that I make.  They will be more 'collage like' with this inked under layer. 

So the next time you need something - and can't find it out there on the WWW - do what I would do - make it!  

Good Luck  :)  Liz

When you are self employed - there really is no such thing as a vacation Part 3

We had finally had enough sun, so on Friday - a gray day anyway - we did the staging for all of our goodies purchased at the 'Park and Flea' and other places.  I also had Ginna model all of the clothing.

Here she is in one of the cuddly vintage robes  :D.

First we started the day with a yummy breakfast - blueberry pancakes, bacon, and fruit salad.

Another soft robe - this one has an Asian motif - and is short, where as the pink one was longer.

A very cool 60s button down maxi skirt, all sort of 'business like', and a polyester, vertical striped shirt that reminded me of my Dad's referee shirts.

A wildly, wild synthetic jumpsuit - in neon paisley.

And an amazing dark gray with black trim day dress.  Fabulosity!  And I have to ask again - how does she manage to fit in all of these things???

Back to School - cool desk lamp, alarm clock, microscope, suede handbag, and some 'wise' owl jewelry.

Some wonderful housewares - a Bakelite meat fork and fondue fork, Ocean City salt and pepper shakers, some small pedestal bowls, a fab deer cross stitch.

Some bar paraphernalia - of course I had to buy the Jim Beam ceramic bottle - saluting the Elks!

We found some time to visit the Island Library and take a look at their new addition.

But did they know that all the spindle are upside down???  Oops!

A last stop at the beach on Saturday - it started raining at 5 pm - and continued so hard through the night that we couldn't go out to get our last ice cream treat.

Yards turned into duck ponds!  Before we knew it - we had to leave.  A brief week and it was all over except the memories.  We stopped by the 'Park and Flea' on our way home - because of the rain it was less well attended than last week - and sadly we could not say goodbye to Ethel - because she was unable to make it.  Goodbye for another year - maybe more...

xo, Liz

When you are self employed - there really is no such thing as a vacation Part 2

Yes - I really am flat on my back here.  I may not be able to sleep through the night - but put me on a beach in public - and I can be fast asleep in a heartbeat - and I mean ASLEEP!  I don't think there is anything better than the warmth of the sand and sun, a breeze, and the sound of the ocean. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - oh! what? - excuse me...  :)

Bob and Cali joined us during the week - Cali has such issues with being abandoned as a puppy - that she was not too sure about a vacation - she was a little more clingy than usual.

On our way back from the beach the first day, we stopped by the Opportunity Shop and picked up some stuffies for her as a surprise.  Here she is having a great time.

Breakfast on Tuesday morning was a 'compromise' of Bob's fav - french toast.  I had brought all of our 'heels' of bread with me and made bread pudding.  I served it with fresh, sliced peaches and bacon.  YUM!

More beach time - yep those are my toes (Make Mine Mango - by Revlon) - and I am asleep once more...

Woody's Eatery on Maddox for dinner - Barbeque - pulled pork for Bob and I, and a chicken/grilled pineapple sandwich for Gin.  

A GORGEOUS sunset over the bay and mainland that evening.

More goods from the 'Park and Flea' and Op shop. Undecided as to whether I need to keep the handyman's encyclopedia intact - or make cards and envelopes out of the pages...

And stuff that I really needed - from a couple of places on the island - the most important - Shark's Teeth.  I had to look everywhere for them - and finally found the best selection at Payne's Treasure Chest (on Ridge Road north of Beebe) - along with some really cool skull beads from Tibet.  I also got the vintage show ribbon there.  The vintage wallet came from the 'Park and Flea'. The playing cards and map postcard came from Pony Penning Enterprises - really known for their Breyer Models.

Now I need to get down to business and make those fun, nautical necklaces for the Cane Garden Bay Surf Shop!

See you soon, xo, Liz

When you are self employed - there really is no such thing as a vacation Part 1

Although the first day we managed to squeeze in a whole bunch of both!  
First the "Park and Flea" - that was work - but fun work.  You can read more about that here: http://bittersweetdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2012/08/take-time-to-listen-take-time-to.html

This is just a preview of some of the goodies we found at the Park and Flea.
Then ------- off to the beach!!  My daughter and I spent the afternoon on the sand and in the water. 

Afterwards we stopped and picked up our key - off to the grocery store for a few provisions - then down to the house to 'move in'.  It was a cute little Chincoteague's Fisherman's Cottage - this is another story...
After moving in - we had dinner - leftovers that we brought with us (home made pesto and pasta). 

Then back up town to the Roxy Island Theatre - to see 'The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel'.  It had been on our list to see - and there it was!!

We both agreed that we could see it a second time around.  This theatre is the same place where the 'Misty of Chincoteague' movie premiered.
We topped the night off with double scoop waffle cones at the Island Creamery.  Marsh Mud, Iced Nirvana, Salted Caramel, and Cake Batter.  Oh my!  Pretty good 'work' for the first day :)

Modeling day - all of the clothes needed to be washed - and then modeled.  Before they are listed, there also have to be repairs made, then they are measured and described.

 A pretty light blue gown

 A sequined (felt like chain maille) 'Audrey' Breakfast at Tiffany's dress

A gorgeous brocade gown - how is it that all of these clothes fit her???!!! Ginna was very patient with her modeling assignment and did a fantastic job as usual.

That's all for now - part 2 coming soon!  xo, Liz

Take the time to listen Take the time to recharge

We haven't gone on a vacation in three years.  I wasn't sure it was going to happen this year either due to my Mother's health problems.  We had however, committed to a house at the beach - I sure would have hated to waste that money...

This is Ethel (names have been changed...).  Where was I?  My favorite place to stop on the way to the beach - The "Park and Flea" in downtown Salisbury, MD.  You meet some of the nicest and most genuine people at this place.  I had the nicest time talking to Ethel - all the while my daughter was at another space looking at DVDs.  She called me 3x on the phone - to get my attention - but I wasn't leaving - because Ethel wanted to talk - and by gum! I was going to listen.  

These are some of Ethel's treasures found and given to her over the years - aren't they wonderful?! 
I had a neighbor, now long deceased - Edith Bushrod - and Ethel reminded me so much of her.  Sweet - but tough - ready to take on life and all that it asked of her - and it had asked a lot. Ethel married at 14 years old!  She was now 71 - and was selling at the flea market on her own. My mind went a little numb when she told me how many grandchildren and great grand children she had - the grands were in the 60+! By the time we finished talking - we agreed to see each other next Sunday - and Ethel was going to meet me with one of her home baked sweet potato pies. 

It looks a little barren from this shot - but I bet there were 50+ vendors. We got to the market around 9:30 and we were done by 12 noon. Time for lunch! 

We had never eaten at a Checkers before - but got a great deal - 2 spicy chicken sandwiches and drinks for $6.00! It really hit the spot. 

I'll show you pics of all the goodies we found - later...
for now it's Beach Time!!

remember - take time to listen - you may hear something amazing!
xo, Liz