Sugar*Sugar

More Show and Tell!!

I would like to thank each and every one of you who participated in the Button Challenge! Look HERE for all of the links!

WOW~ What a great turn out we had! I've seen just about all of the collections and I must say, y'all have some MAJOR collections!! I feel more inspired to find and collect after seeing all of those rhinestone buttons! So beautiful!

Wasn't it fun to see other collections and meet some new blog friends?

After such a fine turn out, I had a little chat with Cerri at Little Pink Studio and we decided to make this a regular event! We'll call it Show and Tell Sunday!

Fun, right?

So, here's the plan...

On Monday's, one of us will announce the "collection" that we would like you to share... similar to the buttons, we will ask you to take photos and post a blog sharing your collection on Sunday.

We will take turns hosting the Show and Tell Party, so be sure to let the hostess know you've posted a blog and to add you to the list.

Can you guess what this weeks show and tell will be?

That's right! Vintage Millinery Hats!

We want to see your collection... even if you only have one!

Show us your vintage hats, hat flowers, leaves, hat boxes and where you keep them.

Maybe even some ideas of how you've used them in your art... it's totally yours to be creative with!

Cerri will be your hostess this week. Please sign up HERE if you want to be included in the Show and Tell Sunday this week. Also, check back with her to get the list of gals participating on Sunday.

We've also created a flickr group HERE if you would like to see more photos and add to the pool! If you join the group, you can chat with others participating and see new and old assignments!

So, I hope you will all join in, I think we will all have lots of fun sharing!

Future collections may include vintage dolls, trims and ribbons, vintage jewelry, vintage wallpaper, pretty dishes... etc...

so please join us!

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In other news, tomorrow my shop Sugar*Sugar will RE-OPEN!

YEAH!

I have been working on lots of new things to share with you, I'm so excited to get the shop up and running again!!

A few sneak peeks...

Plus LOTS more!

:0)

Okie Dokie friends, lots of work to do... see you for SURE on Sunday, if not before!

xo
Analise 

more button fun

I've really been have fun with my buttons... after my last post, and some chats with some of my crafty friends, I decided to post some more photos of my buttons... but there's a catch!

I'll share mine if you share yours!

Here's the challenge: (it's easy peasy, promise!)

SHOW US YOUR BUTTONS!

Dig out your grungy, dirty and poor little buttons... clean them up, take their photos (remember to tell them to smile :0) ) then post a blog with your favorite button photos... See? Easy!

Sort of a "show off" of your collection and your favorite buttons... let them speak for themselves... so many of us LOVE our buttons, let's take a little time to appreciate them!

Leave me a comment with a link to your blog with your button pics when you are done, so we can all click away and see everyone's button collections.

I've created a flickr group HERE if you would like to add your photos to the pool.

I'll post a blog with everyone's blog links in a few days...

say Sunday afternoonish??

What do you say? Sound like fun?

Also, I wanted to share here a few of my photo tips... just to make a bit of a better picture, but it takes practice!

Don't give up and take your time!!

A few photo tips for taking good photos:

1. Use Natural Light!!! (indirect sunlight) Try *not* to use your flash...  it creates unnecessary shadows.

2. Turn on your "MACRO" setting for your up close shots... looks like a flower usually... or check your camera's user guide to find out how to turn it on. This will make your pictures sharper with more clarity.

3. When taking your photo, be sure (if your camera has this feature) that you lock the focus. Center the photo, press down the shutter button 1/2 way until your frames turn from red to green, re-center, if needed, while still holding the shutter button, then finish by pressing the shutter button all the way down.

4. Use your photo editing software to crop, brighten, rotate and enhance your photos... to make them easy to view with better detail.

I hope that is helpful to you... I've had several emails lately about how I take my photos...

Oh, and I'm NOT a professional, those are just my personal tips, from practice...

So, dig out those buttons!!

We wanna see!!

random button thoughts

So, I've had some time on my hands...

If you haven't heard... I'm taking a break.

Just a little va-ca from my shop and all the busy-ness.

During my time away, I have been mostly just puttering around, following through on some things, like going to the dentist (btw, I need to have all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled.... sigh) and not following though on other things, like exercising... eek! *double sigh*

One thing I have done that was more enjoyable, was drop in on a few fun shops! I found this great little antique/crafty place in my mom's town. They have just about everything there... but I picked out my favorite booths right away. I should have taken photos to share, but I did grab a few goodies!

One of the things I could not resist was this gigantic jar of vintage buttons... I will be sharing them with you in my shop when it re-opens.

So, I brought them home and immediately sorted them into my big divided taco dish...

note to self: we haven't had tacos in a while...

okay, so the I gave these little babies a long bath...

I used dish soap and an old toothbrush... and sometimes a little squirt of all purpose cleaner with bleach.

Yes, I washed every single button! :0)

My hands are peeling now from getting so dried out from the soap... blech!

 

I just let them air dry in the sunshine...

As I was cleaning them, I was thinking to myself...

"You know, Buttons are important...if you lose one... it could ruin your whole day! Buttons are really important. Without them, clothes wouldn't work very well..."

Anyway, just a random thought...

maybe I've had too much time on my hands lately...

*laughing*

I haven't just sat still and "thunk" in a while... like Winnie the Pooh

think... think... think.... think....

Pretty buttons in jars

:0)

So, there you have it.

Oh, I'm working on my blog... do you like the new colors??

Be honest... can you read the words okay on my sidebar?? are they too light?

I would love your input!

xxoo

Analise

   

personal challenge

While I was chatting with Cheryl the other afternoon over iced tea, I briefly mentioned to her how I feel like sometimes I never get to really "craft" anymore. I sell supplies for everyone to be creative with, but lately, I've been feeling the need to release a little of my own creative energy.

So, Cheryl says, "You know, you should make something using supplies from your shop!"

Great idea Cheryl!

So, it was (and still is) my personal challenge, to make something out of supplies that I SELL.

I took a trip to the craft shop, and just walked around, thinking, "What can I make? Hmmm, no, a foam picture frame will NOT DO. How about a collage made with bird feathers, glitter glue and bright green pom pom balls? Naaah."

It took me, oh, about 17 minutes of wandering, until the idea came to me... okay, begin with a blank background. So I picked up these great little wooden egg shapes. As soon as I picked it up, I knew what I would make.

I really, REALLY want to make collages. I imagine the beautiful trims, flowers, ribbons and trinkets I sell, being used in altered art... I've just NEVER done it myself! I LOVE looking at my friends photos on flickr, with all of their beautiful creations.

So, I start small... something manageable.

I picked my favorite things: vintage millinery flowers, vintage wallpaper, glitter, seam binding ribbon, vintage sheet music, pink paint, annnnd rick rack. Oh, I just love rick rack, I want to use it on everything! I buy SOOOO much rick rack, it's not even funny. It's just so cute!

Alright, so here are the final products: exactly as I imagined them in my mind!

Aren't they so fun?

   

I used pretty images from vintage Springtime and Easter postcards and added a touch of glitter. I am just so happy with them! I emailed Cheryl with the news of my newest creations, and she was like, "You ARE selling these, right?"

Hmmmm, no.

Buuuut I will sell a little kit so everyone can make their own! :0)

So, I just added a few kits to my shop today, they come with all the supplies (except paint, glue and modge podge) and complete instructions. Promise, they are super simple to make and completely adorable!

So, drop by the shop if you want to pick one up for yourself!

I've also added some new pretty seam binding ribbons, trims and a sweet little Easter Basket filled with crafty goodies!

Another personal challenge this week.

Clean my house.

No, we all decided to rearrange the ENTIRE house, to make more room, and *give mama her own studio* so her stuff is not ALLLLLL over the house anymore! *wink*

So, my house is literally FILLED with stuff from everyone's bedrooms as we are all "trading spaces". I'll be sure to share photos when all is complete! ;0)

If I don't return, please come knocking on my door to rescue me!

~Analise~

P.S.

I wanted to share this collage I made from some of my flickr favorites!

click here for links to the original photos and artists

My Springtime Inspirations:

goodness

Busy as always, this week, I REALLY need to catch up on emails and thank yous and all SORTS of household chores.

You know what it's like when you leave for a few days in a rush, without picking up the house, and then you DREAD coming home?

UGH.

WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF????

Analise is my name and catch up is my game.

I seem to always be behind on everything! The days are not long enough for me anymore. Can't we just change the daylight hours? Like add a few in the evening or something... sunshine until 10pm would be nice...

Annnyway, I first want to share the sweetest gift from my new friend Laura at Whimsy Pink.

I won a giveaway at her blog, Whimsy Pink! Okay, it seems like I never win anything, so I was TOTALLY happy to hear from Laura that I won!!

Here's what she sent my way, and, it arrived on Valentine's Day! YEAH!

sweet little taggie

a little shabby scottie dog (adorable)

sweet little change purses made from a vintage tablecloth (LOVE THEM!)

Thank you sooo much Laura, I love everything!! YEAH FOR ME!

Visit Laura's SHOP! WHIMSY PINK!!

Also, I've been thrifting! I found some new shops lately and want to share photos... buuut, I haven't taken them yet! HA!

next time, promise.

OKAY, lastly, I need HELP!

I got my hands on the VERY BEST VINTAGE WALLPAPERS!

   

ahhhhh, I love it so much and I have some projects in mind annnnnd I MIGHT share some in my shop soon.

But, I need advice on how to get it to lay flat... iron??? It's been rolled for forever so it's naturally "rolly". ha!

So, advice anyone? I want it to lay flat so I can cut it without tearing it and without uttering expletives under my breath.

It's so pretty, I just don't want to ruin it.

help?

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I hope you are all happy, healthy and enjoying this day of LOVE!! It's also a great day because EVERYONE LOVES PINK on VALENTINE'S DAY!!

It's has been a crazy rush this week, I have taken hundreds of photos of soooo many things that I want to share, I just haven't had the time!!

However, today I do get to share some AWESOMENESS that you can all appreciate!

Today is the BIG REVEAL for Jenn and Cheryl's Secret Admirer Swap!

All of the entrants were given a partner... you send your partner a package of lovelies for Valentine's Day (including a cherub, chocolate and a heart) without revealing who you are... today, we all post on our blogs revealing who we sent our packages to... does that make sense? That was the loooongest sentence ever!

So, a week or so ago, I got a package from my Secret Admirer... my kids we sooooo excited and could not fathom that I had a secret admirer who wasn't daddy!! :0)

I was all excited, I sit down, ready to enjoy every moment, you know how you do...

I open the package, totally clueless as to who my admirer is... then I read the note, it says, "after you open this you will know who I am.. "

hmmmm who could it be?

I'll see if you can guess by the end of these photos...

Sweet Chocolates...

Beautiful Cherub collage (love those sequins... hint hint)

oh, and check out that CUUUUTE little heart garland made from chenille stems! Love it!!

Now for the reveal...

YEAH! I got my very own Betsy from Sadie at Sadie Lou Who!!

Isn't she a doll??

I love her crown and her lashes and her sweet little heart shaped lips!!

I know Sadie put a lot of work into her and I really love it! Thank you for everything Sadie!

You can find Sadie's shop here, to get a Betsy for yourself! Tell her Analise sent you!

I also had a partner who I was really excited about! Her and I love a lot of the same things! We are only a few miles apart as well!! Cheryl from Rosey Posey Confections was my partner and yes, Cheryl... we REALLY need to get that coffee we keep talking about

This is Cheryl's shop, Rosey Posey Confections, so stop in and say hi!

I gave a few sneak peeks on my last post, but now I'll share what I sent her way.

Let's see, I added some pretty paper, roses and glitter to this old valentine box, I loved the way it came out...

I included a few sweet little goodies, some crafty bits for her to play with.

Oh, and I made my famous fudge...maybe sometime I'll share the recipe... it is SOOOOOOOOO EASY! I promise, and it is DANGEROUSLY GOOD! I ate like, well, *too much* of this fudge last week, I made Aly take home the last few pieces. UGH!

I also made this little plaque collage with a little cherub, so sweet!

annnd lastly I included this awesome PINK feathered heart. I ALLLLMOST stole it from Cheryl after I bought it! hee hee

So that's it! All the goodies!

I just want to thank Jenn and Cheryl, the swap hostesses for putting on such a FUN swap, it really was an excellent idea! As far I've read so far, everyone is getting such fine gifts!

Well, today is still filled with lots to do, I WISH I could stay and share lots more, but, hopefully I will have a few moments this weekend ( at 2am.... that seems to the normal bedtime for yours truly lately...)

Alright friends, may your Valentine's Day be filled with MUCHO AMOR mis amores!

XOXOXOXO

~Analise

Ann's Virtual Cookie Exchange!

I got an invitation from Ann at Keepin' Up With the Tatums to participate in her First Annual Virtual Cookie Exchange! SO fun!

So, I was deciding about what kind of cookies to bake... I LOVE to bake and decorate Christmas cookies every year with my girlfriends.

Sometimes, I must admit, we get a bit carried away with the decorations...

think Gingerbread...gone wild...

Okay, enough said.

*wink*

I'm sure I will decorate cookies again this year, but for now, I decided to share my VERY FAVORITE cookie recipe. So easy, so yummy.

and yes, I did take photos along the way!

So here we go...

ANALISE'S VERY FAVORITE OATMEAL COOKIES

3/4 cup Butter Flavor Crisco ( I use the sticks)

1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups quick oats, uncooked

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 375.  Set out foil strips for cooling.

2. Combine Crisco, brown sugar, egg, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with mixer until well blended.

3. Combine oats, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed until blended.

4. Stir in chopped pecans.

5. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto baking sheet.

6. Bake one sheet at a time at 375 for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet then move to foil to cool.

Makes about 2- 1/2 dozen!

For gift giving, I stacked 3 cookies and tied them with pretty Christmas ribbon...

Then placed the cookies and a pretty pine cone ornament into a small bakery box (made for cupcakes).

I finished the box with a candy cane ornament, a bow and a button! SOOO EASY!

Happy Holidays and Happy Baking Everyone!

To see more recipes and other gals in the cookie swap, go to Ann's Cookie Exchange!

Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap

My mom has the kiddos for the ENTIRE WEEKEND!

WOO HOO

So, Jeff and I are sleeping late, watching movies, eating junk food

and I'm NOT DOING ANY LAUNDRY!!!!

:0)

I just heard from Jenny, my swap partner, that she received my stocking for the Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap.

So now I can show you all the full photos of the stocking and goodies I sent her way!

Okay, so...

Did I mention how fun this was?? I think I did. Well, you get to hear again!

I know Jenny's favorite colors.... and I made this bag that she loved way back in May, using vintage linens and sheet fabric.

So, I thought, what the heck, I *love* this fabric SOOOOO much, maybe it will look cute for a stocking!

I thought about it for a long time.... 'cause I wasn't sure about it... maybe it was too Springy or too bright... but then I thought, "Who Cares? I REALLY LOVE THIS FABRIC!"

So I did it!

I made an elf boot with pink ruffles that remind me of candy! I added some white pom pom trim and Voila!

A Vintage Stocking!

I really like the end result! It's very whimsical and not traditional at all... much like myself!

Here are some of the goodies I put together for her....

I just *LOOOVE* this little glittered gift box!

I'm going to be putting some in my shop this week! So stop by!

These are all of the fun prizes I sent with Jenny's stocking... some vintage and some new, but all FUN! I also made a few taggies for Christmas gifts!

Okay, has anyone been to Target yet??

I got some of these SUPER CUTE Ornaments and Vintage looking goodies in the Christmas Section!! You gotta check it out, tell them I sent you!

I also hear Martha Stewart has some cute ornaments this year at Kmart... maybe I'll stop by and see later... I let you know...

Okay, we're off to the movies... candy, popcorn, yum!

Sneaky Peeky!

I remember one year when I was about 8... I got up really early on Christmas morning and snuck in to peek at all of the gifts Santa brought my brother, sister and I. Then I ran to my mom's bed where my little sis was sleeping and started telling ALLLLL of the secrets!

Okay, let's just say, Mom was NOT happy with little miss Analise!!

ha ha

I think I cried.

So, from then on, I did all of my sneaking and peeking secretly... shhhh, again, don't tell mom!!

:0)

So... for the Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap I am only posting a few sneak peeks for my super sweet partner Jenny! Yes, the super fab gal we all know and love, Jenny from Everyday is a Holiday!

A quick peek while were chatting...

Okay, I have had SO MUCH FUN putting this stocking together! It was such a great idea! Thanks to MaryAnn at Follow your Bliss for hosting such a fun swap!

I think next week I'll begin decorating the house for Christmas~ I just really won't have time if I wait any longer! Yippee! Christmas is my FAVORITE!

Alrighty, well on to the peeks...

FUUUUNNNN!!!

I'll post all the full size pics when Jenny gets her stocking~

I hope I can wait that long!!

*Analise*

SUCH an HONOR!

I have sort of been waiting to share this INCREDIBLE news, just because I want to be sure of things before I just spill the beans. But, I just can't wait any longer! Secrets are HARD to keep!

I was recently contacted by the editors of Somerset Life Magazine to be an artist on call! (I'm dying!) The official term they are giving us is "Bonnes Vivantes". It is a French term for people who live life with optimism and passion.

I am just SO SO HONORED to even be thought of! Y'all have no idea how bad I was dying when I got the invitation! When I saw the list of other artists, I nearly fell on the floor with sheer amazement!

This is the team of SUPER talented artists who are the Bonnes Vivantes:

Sara Duckett (sadieolive.typepad.com),

Sandra Evertson (sandraevertson.blogspot.com),

Pam Garrison (pamgarrison.typepad.com),

Lisa Guerin (lisaguerin-artblog.blogspot.com),

Amy Hanna (amyhanna.etsy.com),

Hanne Matthiessen (ihanne.wordpress.com),

Melissa McCobb Hubbell (gardenofpinkshadows.typepad.com),

Lori Oles (vintageflair.typepad.com),

Kristen Robinson (kristenrobinson.typepad.com),

Cynthia Shaffer,

Rebecca Sower (rebeccasower.typepad.com)

and ME!!

Oh MY GAWD!

So, my hair is literally up in a bun and lightly heavily dusted with 3 shades of glitter, I am peeling glue off of my fingers and arms, the laundry is a mountain in my living room and I am so, SO HAPPY!

Here is my dining room table! AGH! (sorry the pic is a bit dark!)

This really is just still an amazing thing for me and I feel humbled and honored! So, be looking for some of my goodies in the next issue of Somerset Life!! WOO HOO!!

I don't know how much I can even show here, but I want to give a sneak peek of some of my ideas! Keep in mind, these are for the April issue...

Okay, so now I am off to FINALLY finish up my stocking for the Vintage Stocking Swap!

I promise Jenny, it's on the way!! XXOO

~Analise~