Vivian + County Fair

Our little girl turned 2 last week. We are smitten with her sweet voice and love to hear her chatter!
She is busy and loves her brothers. She declares "where's the boys"? if they are not in her sight.

Her official party is this coming weekend & I did "whip" up a tiny 3 layer cake to celebrate her day!
{love this set of 3 petite cake pans!}

***The dress above was found in my grandmother's cedar chest. My mom didn't know the dress was ever saved, Grandma Irene never mentioned it. It was my Mother's dress and my dear Great Aunt Eva made it. Aunt Eva passed away when I was 7 or 8.  Sadly, she passed away at a fairly early age. I remember bits & pieces of the short time that I knew her.

She was the forerunner of "chalk art", her penmanship was incredible. She would sharpen her chalk and write bible verses & thoughts on a little chalkboard hanging on the side of her kitchen cupboard. She also was an avid flea marketer and had a booth to sell her vintage finds. I affectionately declared my style some years ago "Aunt Eva Style". 

 The County Fair was one of the two last hurrahs before school starts!......We went early as in hardly- no- one- there- early! Easier to take pictures and no lines for the rides. Much more pleasant during this time.....
The boys loved the vintage tractors, animals & exhibits. Of course, we liked the 1/2 off tickets to ride the rides ;)

 I had fun picking out fun things to photograph.......

Here's to a cotton candy summer ending.....we are truly blessed by our little family. Yes, it's hectic at times {to say the least :) } but, it's the little things that make our world go around.
{p.s. the candy comes in bags, not on cute paper cones, oh dear--}

Are you ready for fall, warm soup and stacks of firewood? It's coming.......

Country Living Fair 2012

It's official! We are doing the Country Living Fair fair--it's our 4th year out of the 6 years held in O-{HI}-O! Making lists......

I woke up bright & early on Wednesday. Sure, I could've slept in, the littles were at a campfire/sleepover event! I wanted to head out and see what the day would bring instead. {I could sleep in another day!} I rang my mom to see if she wanted to go along.  {she thought something was amiss since she got an early call from me!}

What an amazing morning......I told Matt I need to wake up earlier, I'm missing a lot! {he laughed, he knows I like to sleep in to-the-very-last-minute!}

A favorite scene that I travel by often, it's on my way to both our parent's....I never tire of it!

We headed to new places and what a treat! A little church, the oldest in Indiana, complete with rifle holes. Early settler life in the Midwest! A self guided tour of history and only took a bit--worth stopping at these places.

Vintage Navajo rugs, they were pricey, but I'm sure worth that. I did find lots of fun things to add into our mix for the fair.

A favorite stop and love the shopkeeper. We exchanged encouraging words and was happy we stopped in,  almost didn't!

Shopkeeping display of forks-----

My favorite; vintage NCR cash registers as they are from Ohio, so they get my applause.

{they are so pretty--}

Corn & more corn! We are surrounded this year--because of the rotation of crops. {on all four sides of our house!}

Drying down for harvest-- Did you know the leaves were created like boats, the rainwater rolls down the center of the leaves down to the roots where it's needed the most?!

 {via Pinterest}

I have tried to check different things this summer and have found inspiration in the oddest places! What a treat!
 

Do I detect.....

 fall in the air? These past cool days........ cicadas chirping their tribute to summer's end & a spontaneous campfire are beckoning the next season. Oh, sure we have Indian summer ahead, brisk mornings and then the heat of day filled with combines peeling away the crops. {love harvest time}

 It was a busy weekend with some relaxing. We were late to church on Sunday and we were doing so good, don't know what happened at the tail end of the rush! {hmmmm}

I was glad we went, even though late, what an amazing uplifting way to start the week. We heard about belief, but do we trust as well? It's so easy for me to say I can do all this by myself, but if I hand over every little piddly thing to Him? It's amazing to see His hand in the big things + the wee things. Also, humble compassion was a topic......so perfect for my week ahead.

 My cup & plate are full {running over} at the moment. Taking deep breaths and tackling them one by one. I finished shooting an editorial piece last week, however need to retake some pics and then prep & write story to send off. I would love to post some tips I've learned. I'm no expert, but have some thoughts on this.

Also, a new lens is going to help me out a lot. I finally figured out what I need without breaking the bank!

I have a video to do of me, talking about thoughts of all things "home". The Creatively Made Home Ecourse is by the wildly talented Jeanne-- among others sharing advice & loads of creative ideas. {Along with tips, how-to's and of course videos of their homes!} Sign up here.

Sara Duckett, Jeanne Oliver, Kimberly Taylor, Tracey, Jennifer Rizzo are the main gals opening their homes to you!!

 This summer I went to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's. My first time ever. Even thought they don't sell my favorite tents. I loved seeing some of the camping items. I'm not a camper, however a weekend here & there won't kill me. I do believe I prefer Bass Pro Shops over Cabela's. 

 I have this crazy dream to learn fly fishing . Yes, you heard me right & owning a horse. Matt told me promptly that I don't have the gumption nor the patience for taking care of a horse. He's right, but they are so pretty. I have ridden one once.....& it was, I'm sure of it, the shortest time anyone has been on a horse. :)

 This photography class I went to was so fun & relaxing. It was hosted by Jill & Belle and the location was at Barb's property waaaaaaay down by the river.  It was lovely indeed. Goodness, I have so much to learn! The class gave me a new interest in my camera again. The iphone has been my quick, go to camera as of late!

Enjoy your Monday--I have some more news.......to share with you!

Tents {historically accurate}

On Saturday we headed to Greenville, Ohio and was smitten by these tents. They were celebrating the War of 1812. {Gathering at the Garst Museum} I have had my eye on purchasing a historical accurate tent. One summer {2001} Matt & I explored Valley Forge and in the museum there sat George Washington's amazing tent he used.

Come to find out--you can have similar period & marquee tents made here & here. I am smitten with old trades, i.e. tent makers among other trades.  {I'm certain some of the tents there this past weekend were made by one of these companies.}

There was open fire cooking, folks dressed in costume. Vendors were selling historically accurate patterns + cloth & other things of interest for the time period. Oh my, I picked out a "pin-cloth" pattern for Vivian. I mentally sketched how & what I would do with it!

I have more photos and am so excited to know there is another historical fair celebrating the War of 1812 coming up. I was informed it's a juried show, the vendors/living history storytellers must be approved, so it's not "hokey"--- it's a festival with period accuracy.{and a much larger fair of this sort}I'm intrigued I think I found another place to gather inspiration. Labor day weekend you'll find our family at this event at the George Rogers Clark Park September 1st & 2nd. {1812 Fair New Boston}

I had a customer who would come in to buy our trims & vintage items when we had our brick & mortar, as she was a period costume seamstress.  I loved her stories & her taste. {Beverly I hope to see you!}

Do you love history?

Hello! Sew a Fine Seam {Q&A}

 {via pinterest}

Hi Jill! Happy to have you over here!


////Here is a Q&A with the gal behind Sew a Fine Seam////



1. Tell us a little about yourself.......
Hello!  I am Jill Flory of Sew a Fine Seam - 'the one who sews'.  And
designs and dreams and decorates.  I have known Kara IRL(in real life) for
years.  Our husbands are related so that makes the friend bond even
stronger!  I have been sewing almost all my life, which has given me the
practice and knowledge it takes to do a really 'fine' job.  I delight in
designing the items I create.  I love to get to know a client by digging
through their blog and asking them questions about what they like or don't
like and then designing something just for them.  When it involves wonderful
fabrics like fine linen and cotton and especially vintage fabrics I am truly
in my element!  Drop cloths are another medium that is a favorite.

Custom shades by Sew a Fine Seam.

I choose 100% linen with a heavy lining for durability.

2. How long have you been sewing for clients? What is your favorite sewing
tip?

I began sewing for someone besides myself when I was about 15 - the items
were for my younger sister!  My first paying client was when The Teenager
was around 2 so that would be 11 years ago.  My favorite sewing tip is that
your iron is your best friend and your most important tool.  Buy a good one.

3. What inspires you?

Vintage fabrics + fine fabrics like linen and high end cotton, ribbons,
vintage lace, looking at beautiful magazines and blogs, scouring the flea
for fun vintage finds, and my friends!  Oh and some good music never hurts!

4. Tell us a little about your Etsy shop, Sew a Fine Seam.

I just recently filled the shop up with a
variety of handmade items plus a few vintage finds just for fun.  I have a
couple promotional things in the works. I'm excited to see the fabric "unfold" in my new business venture! {pun intended}

{My farmhouse window with timeless linen shades}

I have ultra narrow farmhouse windows so even with Google searches, I could not locate the size 

I needed so......Jill made these custom blinds. I cannot wait to get all of them up!


5. Sew a Fine Seam just recently branded into a business, where do you want
to end up with this endeavor?

I have been pretty overwhelmed with the way my business has unfolded over
the past 6 months.  In January I began the move from blogger to WordPress.
Also earlier this year I began to use the social media outlets more.  I
created a FB page for Sew a Fine Seam.  I changed my twitter account to Sew
a Fine Seam.  I applied for a vendors license, and began setting everything
up as a real business.  The icing on the cake was winning a giveaway for
free business card design and printing!  My designer, Reni from Bliss and
Tell, used images I was already using in my blog design to create a stunning
business card and an Etsy banner.  It all blends together very well and I am
over-the-moon about it.  As to where I want to end up - I would love to have
opportunities to make over a whole room or rooms for clients.  Slipcovers,
décor, curtains, pillows, styling - I love it all.  I would also love to do
more bridal sewing - I dream of making the dresses for the whole bridal
party - not sure that is possible but hey I can dream!!  I am leaving it in
the hands of my GOD.  He has brought me this far and I have no doubt He will
not leave me now, no matter what the future might look like for me and my
business.

6. What advice would you give to other gals thinking of starting a business?
If it is something you love - go for it!  Pray about it and when you feel
peace over decisions - move forward!  You may not always have a clear
picture of exactly where you are going but I have found that through prayer
and trusting in Him, I am given peace about which direction to take.  That
is not to say I have not made mistakes in the past or that I won't again but
just keep going back to the Source of truth and peace! Ask questions, get
out there and make new friends, and most of all, don't be afraid to do some
self-promoting - it is essential in this technological world we live in!

Thank you, Kara, for featuring my work and for allowing me to tell a little
bit about myself here on your blog!  You are the one who introduced me to
blogging and your blog was the first one I ever read!  Thanks bunches:)

French Flea {Horton's Tipton IN}

I spy a cute couch, vintage nonetheless--grey & gold.  {Hot House Market}

D. Reyne's booth--I wish I had more photos of her clever walls.

Damask Designs & Co.! They had pretty grey ribbon streamers draped up in the top of their tent. I purchased a swell wood container that I must share. They had a darling display......

Do you go to the flea for food & treats? {& of course the thrill of the hunt, no?!}

Ok, a lot of pics of the sewing machine display. I loved how Rebecca presented her style. What is it about the loveliness of old sewing machines? I so wish the new ones could have a more vintage look with the technology, of course. I hide my Viking machine under it's cover. It's just not cute! lol

Creating is a part of a lot of us.......

I could eat this display! This is unique and tells such a story.

Another one! {I know, but look at the ribbon, look, look!}

More simple thread on spools in this hanging lantern.

Chalk paint--by the way did you know there is this cool gilding wax to go over this paint? I'm totally into it & just discovered it here.

Barb of Joyful Living....texted me the night before. "I have the fixins' for turkey/pesto on focaccia if that suits let me know"! Ummm, my larder was empty and a picnic sounded peachy!

So, she packed up this basket with a grande picnic. Or is it pic-nique?

I texted Matt and said I need some iced coffee drinks & Izze to bring along! He replied "you mean high calorie drinks?" Haha, I said, of course shopping is work.

Pasta salad in the best jam ever jars! Save em'---Barb even claims her parents drink out of them when visiting.

We dined alfresco in the Tipton park and it was a beautiful Midwest park......in the shade did we partake of our yum & cute to boot meal.

Do you like to picnic? I think having your basket at the ready is a good idea......keep linens and silverware, etc all ready to go. Please do enjoy these summer months.....before fall breezes in with chilly air.

Thanks to Jill, she got us together to go......{we had a wee one along too, Barb's daughter Ilsa!}

Have a lovely weekend ahead!

Summer Fete 2012

Here is our summer evening dinner that was held on June 29th 2012. {Amazingly, after the worst storm that Ohio has seen in a long time} Our electricity flickered, but never went out. So here it is in magazine form! Thanks to the duo at Molly Dues Photography, we plugged away for a crazy amount of hours yesterday. I just gave advice and tried to take it all in, definitely a learning curve. Eventually, I hope I can master this format! It takes a team to do some of these projects! The more the merrier, right? Enjoy---

Open publication - Free publishing - More farm-to-table

On another note: Anne- Marie of Na Da Farm will be planning a dinner in Illinois.... We will be sharing her evening with you as well! Cheers! Kara