PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ

Classic Grace & Elegance

And yet another bead-knitted purse. This is my version of Classic Grace & Elegance from Bead Knitted Handbags 2. Size 11/0 seed beads, size 8 crochet cotton thread and size 0000 knitting needles. Lined in a satiny black fabric with some teardrop beads added to the bottom. Perfect for a night on the town!

S.W.A.K.

SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER

Tomorrow is the last day of Frannie's second grade school year. This is what we made to say thank you for her teacher. The idea for the cupcake flowerpot came from I Heart Cuppycakes. I decided to paint my terracotta pot a nice green with a black band and, of course, some giant polka dots. This way the teacher will know it is from us. I also used my own recipe for deep, dark chocolate cupcakes and real buttercream frosting. The icing is actually a darker pink than in the photo, but that's what happens when you're in a hurry to take a picture. Frannie made a recipe booklet to go along with it. Like the title says, it contains a lot of Frannie's favorite recipes. We made the booklet on the computer and Frannie did all the decorating herself. Her teacher is going to love it! Now, if I can only figure out how I'm going to get the cupcake flowerpot to school...

S.W.A.K.

YES SIR, THAT'S MY BABY

Here's daddy with his baby.

My mother, son, Frannie and myself took Frank (my husband) here to celebrate Father's Day - Stamford, CT. We ate dinner Al Fresco. Then we had a down pour, but it was okay, there was a roof overhead.

After dinner, it was decided that we needed cupcakes for dessert.

So we went here - A new Crumbs Bakeshop in Westport, CT.

Frannie and daddy picked out the cupcakes - they were big enough to share.

And if you give a man a cupcake, he's going to want a cup of coffee to go with it.

Rubber Ducky, you're the one!

Rubber Ducky, I'm so awfully fond of you!
Boop-Boop-A-Doop

Hostess

Creamy filling - very Crisco-ish with some sugar mixed in.
Hey, if that's what you like.

This little guy's coming home with us.

Earlier in the day Frannie and I stopped at Knitting Central - Westport, CT. Frannie helped by winding up a ball of sock yarn. Hand-dyed and very soft.

Friday evening, Tom Jones was in town, but we didn't have tickets. So we took a ride near the outdoor concert just to have a listen. He sounded GREAT! After, Frannie could be seen at Crumbs Bakeshop (twice in one weekend!) - but her pick this time had been her very favorite - Red Velvet!

Hmmm... Not Bad!

S.W.A.K.

I DIG A PONY

First Sighting

We're Getting Warmer...

We made it!

Frannie and General Sis Boom

Frannie and Annie

Frannie and I had the pleasure of visiting Jennifer Paganelli at her Sis Boom show this weekend. Frannie is a huge Sis Boom fan and was so excited to finally meet Jennifer. The Sis Boom show was as grand as it always is, but this time there were pony rides. What more could an eight year old girl ask for? Frannie is riding Annie, who is all decked out for the occasion. Her toes are glittered (yes, I said glittered) and she has pink pom-poms all over. Isn't that saddle blanket exquisite? It was created by Nancy Deweir Geaney of Dark Horse Farm Designs, who also attended the show. And that's Marilyn Miller who owns Annie. If you're interested in riding lessons, she's the one to go to. They're available on Kennsitt Rd. in Wilton, CT. So, who do you think has the longer pony tail - Frannie or Annie?

S.W.A.K.

WE'RE HAVIN' A PARTY

If you're havin' a party,
you've got to get a great hairdo, right?

You also need a beautiful headpiece to top it all off.

This...

Turned into this

And you've got to have some party favors, right?
Well, this turned into...

This...

And this...

And, finally, this...

Don't forget the flowers.
And when you put it altogether,
This is what you get...

We're Havin' A Party
Everybody's swinging

Dancing to the music
On the radio

So listen, Mr. DJ

Keep those records playing

'Cause I'm having such a good time
Dancing with my baby...

S.W.A.K.

TINY BUBBLES

Look Closely

And yet, still more photos to come.

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 9th) is Sharon's birthday at Red Geranium Cottage. Happy Birthday Sharon!

WHITE WEDDING

It Was A Nice Day For A White Wedding!

Last weekend was Jenny's wedding and Frannie was one of the flower girls. (Jenny from birtyboutique0i0 is my niece and Frannie is her youngest cousin). Here's the purse I made for Jenny's special day.

I made this bead knitting pattern up myself, although there is a purse that looks similar to it in the Somerset Wedding publication. I tried to find that pattern, but it was never available, so I just did my own (the very first bead-knitting pattern I've written - the first of many to come). Very proud of it and the beaded fringe that I strung by hand. It also has a nice satin lining with little rhinestones all around the interior frame edge to hide the stitching. I even attached a tiny diamond ring charm to the top of the purse. Hmmm, I wonder if Jenny ever noticed it. I completed this purse about 3:00 AM the morning of the wedding - nothing like waiting until the last minute. :) Hey, I work best under pressure!

I've got lots of pictures to show you, including the wedding favors and Frannie's flower girl headpiece that I made. Stay tuned.

S.W.A.K.