Last day of school...

Elle Cosette ~ First Day of Kindergarten, September 2009

Sometimes life seems to move at warp speed ~ today is one of those days. I find it near impossible to believe that my oldest baby is no longer a kindergartner, that she flew through the year with a bit of trepidation and a ton of brave, I-can-do-it-GO-GIRL attitude. She has been an amazing friend and well liked student (she even got 2 hugs from her teacher today!) I'm proud of the real person my little Elle Cosette is becoming. I have to admit, I had tears picking her up and thanking her teacher for a job well done. Her life flashed in front of me... from the hospital when she entered our lives to the day she will graduate college to the day she gets married. Seriously - it all literally flashed in front of my teary eyes as I buckled her into her booster seat. Sigh. I'm honored to be Elle's mom - what a privilege. Thank you, Sweet Pea.


Elle Cosette ~ Last Day of Kindergarten, June 2010

On to summer! Let the games begin!

XOXO Molly

Summer Berry Pie

strawberry picnic shoe clips from flowers and butterflies on etsy

It's Summer! We are celebrating birthdays galore this month at our house. This Summer Berry Pie is a favorite for any celebration. Give it a try ~ everyone will love it! Easy to make and pretty as can be. And the shoe clips above are the perfect accessory for pie eating ~ agree? Enjoy ~

Summer Berry Pie

ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar

3 T cornstartch

1-1/2 cups water

1 pkg. (4-serving size) Jello-O Brand Cherry Flavor Geletin (any berry works!)

1 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries

1 cup sliced strawberries

1 ready-to-use graham cracker crumb crust (6 oz or 9 inch)

preparation:

MIX cornstarch and sugar in medium saucepan. Gradually stir in water until smooth. Stirring constantly, cook on medium heat until mixture comes to a boil; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in gelatin until completely dissolved. Cool to room temperature. Stir in berries. Pour into crust.

REFRIGERATE 3 hours or until firm. Garnish with whipped topping. Store leftovers in refrigerator. Makes 8 servings.

Bring on the berries! Happy Summer!

XOXO Molly

Free Shipping Weekend!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! In celebration, enjoy

FREE SHIPPING

at Whimsy House & The Vintage Flirt

now through Monday, May 31st at Midnight (CST). Simply mention "blog" at check out and I will refund the shipping charges.

Happy Shopping!

XOXO Molly

What happened to May?

I'm not certain what happened, but May is already drawing to a close and summer is fast on it's heels. We have 90 degree weather today ~ this is unheard of in Wisconsin!! On Mother's Day, just a few short weeks ago, it was in the 50's. Guess that's one of the joys of living in the Midwest. You never know what Mother nature has in store for us... keeps things exciting! May in review ~

Road trip: Gallery Night at daintydaisies in Oshkosh.

Happy Mother's Day! My mom, girls & me at Botham Winery.

My first baby turned 6!! Happy Birthday, Elle Cosette!

Spring Trunk Show in Stoughton at Jenny from The Painted Daisy's House.
Confectionique Market - twice!

And so it goes. May also brought a 10 day visit from my Mother-in-Law and success at potty training for my little one, Sophie ~ the best Mother's Day gift ever!! We're ending the month with a Memorial Day weekend visit with my very best friends from Minnesota and their girls. How blessed am I? I hope your May was packed with an equal amount of family, love and
good fortune. Now, on to SUMMER!

XOXO Molly

The Winner is...

Julie from the Perfect Paper Shop on Etsy won the generous Giveaway from Liesl Made. Yeah for Julie.... whatever will she cook in her lovely new apron?? I hope it's something good! Congratulations! Here's a peek at Julie's shop as well...




lovlies from the Perfect Paper Shop

Many thanks to Liesl for the great interview, discount code and fun giveaway! Keep an eye out for another featured artist interview soon... What fun!

XOXO Molly

Meet Liesl from Liesl Made

wildflowers in rust butcher's apron by liesl made

Ohh, the goodness that Liesl Made! I just adore Liesl's shop on Etsy. This gal from New Jersey is a talented seamstress who creates lovely designs for her shop on Etsy. You can find anything from butcher's aprons in darling fabrics, make up bags, purses, fabric coaster sets, jammies... you name it. Lisel's designs are executed with utmost perfection and her prices are crazy reasonable. Just about everyone on my Christmas list this year received something from Liesl - I just couldn't resist! Top-notch customer service and darling packaging round things off.

Enjoy learning more about lovely Liesl and her charming shop and be sure to enter the GIVE AWAY below for the opportunity to win a darling handmade treat! Also, mention "whimsy house" in the notes to seller box at check out to receive 20% off your purchase today!! Yippee!

What is your craft and what led to you to take it up?

Sewing. I’ve always been a creative person so technically ‘what led me’ was that instinctual urge to create. One day when I was young, I had the desire to make my doll some clothes and my mother showed me how to thread the sewing machine. It opened a door on a whole world of possible creations with a needle and thread.

What part of your work do you enjoy the most?

I love cutting fabric and starting up new projects. There is such a joy in knowing you are actually going to materialize a creative thought.

What part of your work is the hardest?

Sticking to one project! Like I said, I love starting new projects, so I always have a dozen things going at once.

A top ten list of your favorites...

...handmade possession...
A painting of the Virgin Mary my brother surprised me with.

...item in your shop...
Maybe it’s just because it’s new, but I really love the Eva Skirt. It’s refashioned from a vintage skirt and the lace doily detail is so sweet!

...item you’ve sold...
Pear Diamonds Butcher’s Apron

...item in your favorites list...
Tear Drop Camper – who wouldn’t love to camp out in that?

...Etsy purchase...
Probably the Mini Fabric Journal cover I got from Anodyne Design.

...Etsy shop...

Smock Paper

...blog or website...
I really like Flickr. It's so easy to get lost in all the amazing photos there.

...source of inspiration...
That’s hard because it is constantly changing. Mainly, I get a lot of creative juice from the fabric itself—I love natural fibers and vintage prints.

...piece of advice...
It might seem cliché, but be true to yourself.

...rule to break...
*It has to be perfect.*



Now you SERIOUSLY need something special from Liesl, right?? The lucky winner of Liesl's generous giveaway will receive this fabulous Butcher's Apron...

Too cute! Leave a comment here to be entered to win this special prize from
Liesl Made.

For additional entries...

* Become a FAN of Liesl Made on Facebook
* Share this GIVEAWAY using a Facebook link or on Twitter
* Blog about this GIVEAWAY

Be sure an leave a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be announced on Friday, May 14th! Good luck!

And don't forget... if you'd like to save 20% and shop Liesl Made today, simply note"whimsy house" at check out ~ your discount will be promptly refunded. Enjoy!

XOXO Molly

Healing Maggie Grace

Everyone enjoys a good raffle with amazing prizes, right? How about a raffle with amazing prizes AND amazing benefits???

My angel-of-a-friend Mary Ann and her friend Jen have organized an incredible raffle to help out their blogging pal who recently received some heart wrenching news:

"Last week I found out one of my dear blogging friends and fellow artist Teresa of Maggie Graces Creates has kidney cancer... and has to have her kidney removed... and has a $5000 insurance deductible. She went from thinking she had a kidney stone, making the best of it and joking about it on her Facebook page to this. My heart sank when she told me the news. I felt so helpless clear across the country, with no resources to help. Or so I thought. Then I chatted with my dear friend Mary Ann who knows and loves Teresa like I do, and we came up with a plan." ~ from the healing maggie grace blog

And a raffle to help Teresa was born! Reports have it that she is doing well post-surgery which is a blessing indeed. You can help bless this special lady again by entering to win one of the crazy wild awesome raffle packages or you can donate direct or simply send your good wishes her way. It all helps. The power of friendship truly heals. **HUGS**

XOXO Molly

P.S. Whimsy House earrings are included in today's raffle package... head over to check it out - a TRULY fabulous lot of goodness if up for grabs! Healing Maggie Grace Spread the word!