Firefly Friend...

Tuesday Hello!

I woke up to lots of good news today! Erika, from LANCERIKA is back, and you can view her absolutely incredible paintings...I love them! "Loket Castle" drew me in...then, "Ballerina" and "Hope" were irresistible to me, too. I am constantly in awe of the way Erika uses light, color, and texture....Here is my very own framed Loket Castle, in my hall:

Welcome back, Friend!

Also, shortly after waking today, I received a message from Rebecca of SoapDeli. She featured two of our PaperPumpkin goodies on her Handmade Shopping Blog. Please visit http://ShopByHand.Blogspot.com to see our "Magical Mushroom Magnets" and "Daisy Dot Fabric Push Pins"...and to wish her a Happier Tuesday!

PaperPumpkin's etsy-versary will be here tomorrow! Woo Hoo! A whole year of creating fun.

Hope you'll stop back and celebrate with us! Thanks, ~Kathy

Mr. Blue Sky

Hey, Mr. Blue Sky, ...please tell us why...you had to hide away for so long...

The lovely sunshine inspired me to make some sunny notebook mini's. Hope you find your place in the sun today, too!

~Kathy

Bluebird of Happiness For You Today!

The Bluebird is the State Bird For New York, but I rarely see them. NYS has been trying to encourage more Bluebirds to stay here, but I see far more scavenger Blue Jays. I was so excited when a Bluebird landed on a branch near my window today!

It made me think of Mia's new earrings that I adore:

And of PaperPumpkin's new "Blueberry Birdies" fabric magnets:

So...I felt very motivated to share my new bluebird fabric with you by making you these:

They will be added to our shop very soon! They can be made into magnets or pushpins!

~Kathy

House Renovations and Remodeling...

My house is "in progress" once again. It is most exciting when things are happening, and everyday when you look, something is new with the walls or windows. After many hours at work, I'd come home, in May and June, and be surprised at how much more had been done.

In July, however, it has been a bit frustrating. When a project has stalled, obviously my excitement stalls with it. I am the type of person who has to finish everything on my plate...in a timely fashion...no matter what.


On the bright side, here {above} is where the sliding doors will be, on each side of the gas fireplace. And {below} is where a big, beautiful front window will be...where we can sit at a cafe-type table and sip hot coffee...and admire a green view...or a white view depending on the amount of Lake Effect Snow come winter.

And, here's the exterior---of what you saw above:

It's a very old, original dairy farmhouse. On my to-do list is visiting the Town Historical Society to search for old-time photos. Imagine this place with horses and ladies in skirts, men in overalls, barrels, .... Though this place is over 150 years old, there have only been three families living in it. We even had one elderly couple walk up our driveway..to revisit this place...because they lived upstairs as newlyweds, in Mom and Pop's house.

Oh, the wonderfulness of history and lives past. I wished for finding old journals in these walls. I realize now, though, that the house is a living journal....with us still turning pages and writing new entries.

~Kathy

Our family Loves Art...

...even "Peaches",

our trusty turtle!

Very soon, we'll show you some of

our favorite art on etsy!

Have a fabulous Friday night!

~Kathy

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

A couple of days ago, the News reported here that it's the coldest July in 66 years. Now the new news is: "It's the coldest July, in history." Not like it is winter coat weather or anything, but let's just say that in WNY, swimming pools are not being used. And, it's pouring out...again. (I really can't believe I went sale shopping yesterday and bought two sleeveless tops!).

Today is a stay-home-create-and-read day, for sure! Hey, at least I'm not stuck in an office...I hope you enjoy your own weather and your own type of day today!

Treasures from Grandma's Toy Shelves

I used to go to my Grandma and grandpa's house a lot when I was a little girl. Most of the time, I would play down in their basement because I thought it was the best, coolest place EVER. Grandma had another kitchen downstairs! It had the old fashioned stove and a deep porcelain double sink that was fun to play with. In the scary corner was a hanging rack, for loads of linen towels and for drying grandpa's "drawers".

Grandpa had a workshop down in the basement, too. I remember the huge red metal tool chest, the enormous wood shelving with unknown heavy tools on them, all of the 'crystal' doorknobs, and the creaky floor.

There was also a pantry down in that wonderful basement, where I loved to explore and play store. Grandma had the best canned goods and cookies on those contact paper-lined shelves (white with red cherries, I believe).

There was also a very, very long table for all of our family get-togethers. A red and white checked tablecloth was on the table, except for when Grandma did her craft work...which was a lot of the time, actually. Grandma made everything a handy person could ever think of making. She quilted, sewed my dresses, did embroidery and needlepoint (she taught me for my 10th birthday), made silver and turquoise jewelry, knitted and crocheted, did clay pottery bowls from leaves before it was popular, made wooden bowls, crafted jewelry boxes,...and the list goes on and on. She would have loved etsy, were she alive today.

Anyway, I used to play down in her basement whenever my parents drove to her house. Grandma and grandpa had the same toy box and toy shelves with the same toys on them for years and years and years...but back then one didn't get bored so quickly. I cherished these old wooden toys and blocks and tiles...and these tiny little books:

I would read them over and over, every single time I went to their house. I have them now, and I pull them out every now and then. I treasure them. I love the pictures and remember each one, but still get surprised...and never bored with them.

Maybe someday I'll even let you read them...!

Do you have treasures from your childhood? Wanna share?

I Heart Mornings

I told you that I absolutely love mornings...I come downstairs, click to start etsy, get my mug of hot coffee...and get happy at the thought of a new day, I really do.

Many times, I have trouble sleeping past the wee hours of the morning because anticipation races through my head:

I have so many good books and journals and magazines to look at today!

I get the next 16 hours to check etsy for favorite shops {like MiaBeads} also known as the creatively savvy half of PaperPumpkin.

I can play in my workspace!

I can stay home and read in my favorite chair by the window, or even outdoors!

I may take walks {with my camera} and breathe summer fresh air!

I can even go barefoot indoors for the summer {cold feet, warm heart?} and wear fave flip-flops outdoors to the mailbox....where hopefully etsy presents await!"

Have you ever noticed how nicely etsy sellers wrap their wares? Gotta love Kraft Paper and ribbons, artsy business & moo cards, and the personal thank you notes! xo

A second peek at my PaperPumpkin "Playroom"...please come in!

Now that I am on summer vacation, I am able to spend my favorite part of the day {morning}

in my PaperPumpkin Room. Sometimes I am feverishly cutting and arranging-- and scrunching up my face. Sometimes I am just gazing in awe at the beautiful piles of papers, and tools...

I love the nooks & crannies for tiny tidbits and the teacups for buttons. My papercutter always seems to have the most immediate jobs-to-do stacked on top of it. My next shelf up has to have my smaller packs of papers and card stocks that are 6"x6" or 8"x8"...and then my easy-to-reach journals that are filling up with ideas and memories, project details, and favorite clippings, book notes, and photos.

Oooh, the NEXT shelf up has more journals (I told you I was obsessed) and pretties...and a messy basket of receipts.

On the very top: favorite inspirational books (yes, the Twilight series is here, too) and even some snow globes at the tippy top.

Did I mention that I LOVE my room?? I hope you have a happy room or desk, too.

First Look at PaperPumpkin's Work Space:

It's so incredibly wonderful to have one's own space, own room, own corner of the world to BE in, to create, to think, to write, to jot, or just to stare at in wide-eyed wonder! I have a space! I'll show you more...and I do try to keep the creative clutter cleaned up...a bit.

Matryoshka Love

Here's a sneak preview of something else I'm making for you, and for me! I collect Russian Nesting Dolls...have for years...and I am thrilled to be able to create other Matryoshka goodies! Enjoy! These will be added to our shop very soon...!

Hello Blogger!

Hello! I am beginning to Blog, so be patient with me as I go on this route of discovery!

Mid July and my tropical hibiscus is blooming despite the cool weather we have had most of this month. Isn't it lovely? It's what I'll think about in the winter!

I have so many ideas for you and for PaperPumpkin.etsy! Stay tuned for the fun!

Thanks! ~Kathy