Festival of Cakes...............

Yesterday, Sunday Laura and I went to the Festival of Cakes at the Park Place in Traverse City. Cousin Laura (to avoid confusion) was one of the organizers. They did a terrific job. So Laura and I went to support her efforts and as I have an interest in cake decorating I thought it might be interesting and it was. I took some pictures for inspiration. I will share a few of those here.
We did not stay to see the winners but in my book they were all winners and I don't envy the judges. My personal favourite I will show in detail as the several layers of the cake were extraordinary.

Each layer (cushion) was unique in its own way and every detail was just about perfect. The top cushion had a little candelabra sort of thing with beads hanging from it.



The next layer had flowers and the lavender frosting was decorated in gold.



The next layer was tight rosebuds in burgundy. Sort of difficult to capture in its detail.



The bottom cushion, ( because thats what it was, a pile of cushions)was yellow with flowers and intricate details.



The whole was on a stand and that on top of a beautiful burgundy cloth. The whole presentation was spectacular.
More details below










Here are a few others, the categories were several ranging from professional to children and so I will just show a selection and you can guess whats what.












Here are a few details from some of the cakes shown above.



They had got 4 of our local "celebrities" to decorate their cakes there on the spot. Given a period of time to do it, they were then judged and the cakes auctioned off after. It was fun watching them try so hard to decorate with no past experience. They were real troopers.

Organizing.....................

I am in the throws of organizing my craft supplies. I had foolishly boxed and stored most things in the basement. First off I hate basements. Mine is nice enough. We have 2 nice bedrooms down there that are often used by grandkids or who ever wants to stay the night. I hate it down there. I don't know why, I just do. Its not the mice maybe its the spiders. Not that there are a lot, I keep them vacuumed up whenever I see any signs but still I know they are around lurking somewhere. So then there is the furnace area and a rather large storage area. I have the plastic bins with lids and they are somewhat organized. I also have 3 sets of book shelves with containers as well as old kids books on them. I had my yarn and ribbons and other things stored there. Well............I never have what I need upstairs and end up buying something again and again. So with that in mind I brought up my yarn, the boxes of ribbon. I found all my crochet threads and embroidery floss. A box of teddy bears, some china dolls and this and that. I still have a bunch of other stuff to organize. There is a lot of wooden things, that can stay there once I have gone through it. A box of stones (dont ask) and goodness knows what else I will find. Things for making wreaths, silk flowers and so on. A lot of that can come up into my new storage area. I had a coat closet long ago. It became a toy closet. Now I have moved that all up into Tristen's bedroom closet leaving me with a large closet woo hoo. I can hang the wreath stuff on the hooks. Oh I have so many ideas, still a lot of sorting to do but well...........its a start.

Hats.............

Well here is my first effort at making a hat. Well not exactly my first but first in a very very long time. This went quite quickly concidering my limited time.


Here is the finished product on the victim.




....and wearing it proudly as he helps Granddad (Dah as he calls him) rake leaves. He is using a less dangerous weapon, a broom.




I am making a scarf with the left over yarn and will post that when completed.
This hat was so simple it is 60 stitches on size 7mm needles. I just knitted plain until it reached the right length for Tristen.
I have started one on a loom to see what is easier and quicker but I think I already know that the knitting is quicker for me so far.



I finally got Tristens scarf done to match his hat. Now to start on Raylene's hat. Why is it I always take his picture when his face is dirty? This was right after lunch of spaggetti and meatballs and I see he is wearing some on his cute little nose.

Tablescape..............

I got the rooster for outside today for the front porch but put him down here. He looks at home and so I think he can stay for now. I got him at Michael's on sale. The apples and gourds are real and I have them on a double layer cake stand with some Indian Corn. I found some pretty Maple leaves to complete the look.



Today as well as Mr Rooster I bought some fake gourds to put outside with him. So I found a basket from my garden stash and put the spindly wreath thing I found around the outside. I was not sure what I was going to do with it when I got it. Now with all the gourds inside I didnt want to put that outside either so I replaced the ivy on the dining table. I like the look, I think I must rearrange the gourds to show more variety but am sort of happy with the new Fall look.

White Wednesday..........

White Wednesday, the first time for me. I have no idea what I am doing but I thought I would like to try. Thank you for looking at my "stuff"
I went for a walk today around the neighbourhood and found these lovely white grasses and the lavender seeds. I had to borrow the roses.

These are all mine though. I love to collect linens and if you look around this blog you will see some of what I have collected over time. I am just getting started and find that this blogging business is a great way to keep a record of the things around the house.



This is very difficult coming up with all white. The poodle is Bijou, I had to have her help. The daisies were in my summer garden. The two little horses, well actually there are 3 of them and I have had them since I was a child. The little dresses were left from a collection of vintage baby dresses.

So please enjoy my first effort and take a look around while you are here. I know there will be many other blogs to visit and so I will link you to Faded Charm Cottage. I sure hope this works.

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Dried Roses..........

I have these lovely dried roses. What can I do with them. They are somewhat delicate. Does anyone know of a spray or method to preserve them further. They dried out naturally. It seems such a shame to waste them. They are quite large so not for use on a card or anything like that. I suppose maybe a wreath? Tell me what you think?



I am thinking a little bit of tasteful glitter somewhere and maybe some pearls that will go well with the delicate pink or parchment colour of the roses.

Fairies............

Some people have such imagination, such dreams. If I could wish a thing into being I would wish that fairies were real.




I have many lovely fairy and fantasy pictures that I enjoy and will include a few here now and then.

Decorative painting..............

this is a piece I did in an art class.



This is a detail of the above

Two more books...........

I could not resist these two books. I am really interested in getting into cake decorating. I have put together a few supplies and a few books too. These are my more recent purchase and they are just so pretty I had to share. I must say though that if I put that much work into a cup cake no one would actually be eating it. I mean.......it must take ages to do some of these creations.

Vintage Jewelry........

Another fun thing to collect when the price is right is vintage jewelry. The things I have found have come in handy from time to time. My Granddaughters have worn some of the necklaces on different occasions, usually proms. The pins I used to wear on jackets when I was working. I need to clean it all and take better pictures but for now I will show some of what I have.



It will be nice when its all cleaned up. I have not yet gone through to see if I have anything that has names on. I know that sometimes these old things can have some value.
I love these two pins.



These are mainly necklaces..........again I need to take better pictures but you can sort of see that there are some quite nice ones among them.




This red rose necklace I remember my dad buying it for my mum. She wore it to a dinner dance. Mum was never happy with what he bought her but he at least made an effort. Looking back she had little to complain about. Dad would often bring her gifts and sometimes flowers. I have never been that fortunate. The only things I get I buy myself. Mum bought enough things herself too but at least my dad thought enough to try to please. He bought me a necklace too on the same day. I don't now know if there was an occasion but I do know he thought of me and bought me a grown up necklace. I recently gave it to my granddaughter. I still have mums red rose necklace.
The one under it was my grandmothers. I keep things I guess...............