Coconut? Strawberries? Peaches?

Have you ever come upon a store owner that has gone way beyond what you would ever expect with customer service? I had the extreme pleasure of stumbling upon "Mylingy's Purrfect Candles" http://www.Mylingy.etsy.com , owned by a fellow Etsian. I had been looking for some tarts for my wax burner and found that she had hearted MY store. I always try to check out the stores of people that "heart" me, and found her store full of yummy scrumptious scents meant to tease and tantalize.

All of her candles are homemade and hand-poured. They are half soy and half paraffin, the best of both worlds. They burn cleaner because of the soy and they smell fantastic due to the paraffin. She has over 700 fragrances. How can you possibly go wrong with scents like "Blueberry Cheesecake" and "Coconut Lime"? I opened my package, which arrived pretty quickly (mine was even a custom order), and inhaled deeply. She included many extras, all packed safely with care - one scent even more enticing than the last. Pure Heaven!

I can't wait until the seasons change because I will be back to purchase some pumpkin scented candles, and yummy christmas time scents.

I encourage you to make a visit to http://www.mylingy.etsy.com/ and just TRY to choose your favorite. As I sit here enjoying her "Bahama Coconut", I am being whisked away to the tropics with my mango banana smoothie in hand, cool blue waters lapping at my feet. Let her scents carry you away after a tough day. You'll be glad you did!

Bubblebums?

Ahhh.. the joys of toddlerhood. My baby is beautiful and smart, kind and compassionate, funny and intuitive. She is also fiercely independant, and even at two, thinks she knows it all. In the same breath I am frustrated by her and in awe of her. Since the beginning of this year, I have done all my photos with a black backdrop and a dressform. I feel they are sharp, colorful, and different from the masses. However, while designing my new bubble bloomers, I had an outside photo shoot in mind.

I wanted something cute and "foofie", something meant to be worn on it's own and also under dresses. The new "Bubblebum" line was created. Soon to be joined by "Rufflebums", baby bottoms will never be the same. It was only natural that my little one model these new bloomies.

They are currently available at http://www.halfpintboling.etsy.com/ in different prints and sizes. They are fun and functional, comfy yet funky! I am always happy to do custom orders, so if you have something in mind, please don't hesitate to ask. As a collector of fabrics , I have a special fabric for every Half-pint. Keep an eye out for "Rufflebums", coming soon!

Summer Celebration time!

Can you feel the warm summer sun on your face? Can you hear the cool waves splashing on the shore? Can you smell the freshly cut green grass? No matter where you are this summer, the new additions to my Half-Pint Creations Etsy Shop http://www.halfpintboling.etsy.com are meant to wrap your gorgeous little ones in summer whimsy. The fabrics are light and summery and will make folks smile at their down home, yet funky combinations.
This ruffled halter top is designed with summer past times in mind. The amazing fabric will bring back all of the wonderful memories that made summer so magical.

Beside the Seaside is a funky colorful combination of hot pink, lime polka dots, and an amazing Alexander Henry print. Full of dolphins, turtles, crabs, and lots more sea creatures, you'll be able to hear the seashore as your little one runs on by!

Super talented Jennifer Paganelli 's fabric is as bright as the summer sunshine. This print is very popular, not to mention vibrant! It just begged to be turned into a ruffled halter for a sweet lil' Half-Pint.

Lastly, I found this amazing fabric at an Amish quilting shop here in PA. I put it back several times before I decided that I liked it. The print is very retro New york. Scenes from 1940 New York make this a dress/top like no other for celebrating the 4th of July holiday.

There are many new hand sculpted buttons as well as new "Mama made It" Kits in the shop. So grab a cup of coffee (or herbal tea if that is your thing) and stop in for a browse:)

Have a blessed weekend and enjoy your little ones this summer and always.

My Mother's Day Gift

This Mother's day has quite possibly been the most emotional, eventful, and blessed Mother's Day I have ever had as a mother and a daughter. Monday of this week arrived uneventfully as just another Monday -until mid morning when Mom could'nt remember a simple recipe that she has made a million times. As a cook, that was very odd. She could'nt answer basic questions -the brain and mouth just could'nt work together. An emergency trip to the family doc and then immediate ambulance ride to the hospital confirmed that Mom had had a stroke.

We were blessed to find that her limbs had not been affected, just the part of the brain for organization and memory. After a long week in the hospital, I filled Mom and Dad's freezer with food, got the house cleaned and cozy, and awaited my father bringing her home. She is now home in her own bed, with more meds than I can count, and a hovering family that just wants to wrap her in bubble wrap.

I am incredibly lucky to still have my Mom after the things her body has been thru. I am also lucky enough to call my mother my best friend. I would move mountains for that wonderful woman. After many answered prayers and happy tears, THIS, my friends, is the best Mother's day I will ever have- my Mom is here to celebrate it with me.

You never know when a stroke will affect someone you love. Here are the signs to look for:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. tPA is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stroke within three hours of stroke symptom onset.

Life is too precious to take for granted. If you are lucky enough to still have your Mom, give her an extra hug tomorrow. Make that weekly phone call an extra long phone call. If your Mom has passed on, close your eyes and remember all of the wonderful things she's done for you and the timeless love that you will always carry for her.

I wish all Mothers a happy, fulfilled, and healthy Mother's day! Enjoy your day!

The Village Tinner

Spring is here! Many of us are doing our spring cleaning and if you are anything like myself, I also tend to redecorate. I add a few new pieces on the fireplace mantel; maybe a new set of candleholders on the dining room table, something new and different.

My mantel is full of beautiful tinware handmade by "The Village Tinner"


http://www.thevillagetinner.etsy.com/ . He is by far one of the most talented tinsmiths I have ever seen. Ok, so maybe I'm a little partial- he's also my Dad!

For more than 25 years, and as long as I can remember, tin, copper and brass have been his passion. Having a home based business for nearly that long, I remember waking up to the sounds of the hammer striking the awe and pounding our beautiful tin punch panels. My mother was usually lovingly wrapping the finished pieces at the dining room table and carefully packing them up to be dropped off at the store that would find them a new home. I was probably one of the only ten year olds that knew the difference between a brake and a shear- and could tell you all about hot dipped tinplate. Cool huh! As a teenager I took metal shop with confidence- not just to meet boys.

This particular piece will always have a special place in my heart. It is a cheesemold that can actually be used. It includes a recipe for a German Egg Cheese that resembles Cottage cheese. The cheesemold is made with lead free solder. I made one for a history project that "WOWed" the teacher. I may have had a "little" help from Dad. To this day, that teacher still has that cheesemold!




All of these pieces shown are available in three finishes, which will match anyone's decor.

-The Antique finish simulates aged tinware. It is hand rubbed to highlight the patina and coated with a metal paste wax to give the metal a soft sheen. An occasional dusting with a soft cloth is all that is needed.

-The Rust finish is actually a painting technique. Each piece is primed and painted to give the feel of real rust. It has the appearance of rust without the devastating effects. Please clean with a soft dry cloth.

-The Natural tin finish is the look of shiny tinware when new. Each item is washed and hand polished. Over the years, the tinware will develop a rich patina. Clean with a soft dry cloth.


This particular item- the perfect gift for the history buff- is a Tinder Box. Before matches were introduced in 1830, a fire would have been started with flint and steel. This unit would have contained flint, steel, charcloth, tinder(strips of cloth), a candle stub and a dome shaped extinguisher.The flint, steel, cloth, and candle stub are not included. This is a great item for living history reenactors! I encourage you to check out this brand new etsy shop at http://www.thevillagetinner.etsy.com/ for excellent craftsmanship, wonderful customer service, and a great shopping experience. Custom orders are always welcome, as are antique restorations. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Have a wonderful day!

The "Spring Sugar" Collection

Color can inspire, calm, energize, and soothe. Jennifer Paganelli has an amazing eye for such design and color. It has been such a pleasure to work with her "Sis Boom" collection of fabrics. The vibrant colors jumped off the fabric store shelves and wanted to be made into little girl's dresses and skirts. My own daughters will be getting their Easter dresses from the same fabrics.This ruffled peasant dress is made solely from the fushia and lilac combination damask. Add tights and maryjanes or a little pair of sandals and it is complete!







My own personal favorite, this damask is a combo of pretty pinks.
It is warm and girlie- perfect the little princess who loves to bathe herself in pink!

Lastly, this peasant dress reminds me of hyacinths and lilacs. With it's crisp white hem and sleeves, the belt doubles as a hair tie. It's a month of color, so stop in to www.halfpintboling.etsy.com for some "Spring Sugar!" Have a wonderful colorful day!

Spring - Bold and Beautiful!

The daffodils are slowly making an appearance as the early signs of spring arrive. The bright and beautiful colors of nature invoke feelings of renewal, freshness and newness. Living in a cabin in the woods, we can hear the birds constantly chirping their sweet songs. The layer of ice has melted off of our pond and the bright orange goldfish have shown their little fishy faces to soak in the warmer water that lies at the top. My little girl is fascinated at the hundreds of baby orange swimmers - having just learned the color orange. It is these simple pleasures that make one rejoice at the sight of spring.

Along with spring's arrival are the bold and beautiful hues of the flowers. The sunshiny yellows, bold hyacinth purples, and sweet deep pinks can lift your mood and wow your senses. Inspired by these deep and richly colored flowers, I have decided to make April a month of color- bold, saturated, "make your soul smile" color.

Living in Amish Country in PA, I am lucky enough to have access to amazing fabric and quilting shops full of the boldest richest colors that just beg to be made into little girl's dresses. All of this month, additions to my store will be made with color in mind. Tomorrow I will be adding my "Raspberry Sorbet" , "Strawberry Sweet" and "Lilac Dreams" outfits. Stay tuned and have a wonderful colorful day!