Peach Vintage In Parenting Magazine! ......and a give away:)

So, if your not on my facebook feed, you may not know that one of our Peach Vintage, Little Indian Headdresses is in the October issue of Parenting magazine! I had been keeping this little secret (mostly) to  my self  for the last few months since I knew there was a chance that they may not use my product in the finished magazine and I didn't want to get my hopes up to much just in case it didn't work out. I mean, I was just so honored that they asked me to use my headdresses in the first place. It was validation that I was doing something new and different that a magazine as big as Parenting had noticed me. 

Never in a million years did I expect the beautiful picture that greeted me when I opened the pages of issue 268! I mean seriously!?!?! It's the center of the whole article! and they did such a beautiful job on the make-up. It's just so ............awesome:) for lack of a better word. And right there next to the picture in lovely orange letters is Peachvintage.etsy.com :) in Parenting magazine! and ya'll know I like me some orange;)  

The funny thing was that it was pretty much what I did with Bear last year when I needed an emergency costume for a little festival around our town since his real costume was still on the sewing table. Though I have to admit I like their make-up much better, but getting my 18 month old to sit still for even the 2 meager slashes of color I gave him was nearly impossible. 

Anyway, in honor of my good fortune I thought I might share the wealth and give away a Little Indian Headdress! That pretty one in the picture above :)  What ya'll think about that! 

So, If you would like to enter to win this little lovely bit of fun all you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post. One entry per person please. Give away is now closed, thanks to those that entered  Submissions end at midnight Sept. 30,2012.  Winner will be picked at random and announced by Oct.3, 2012.  International entries are welcome. 

Good Luck Everyone!

Update: So only 2 people entered which makes me a little sad, because it means no one cares to read my little blog even when I'm giving away free stuff.  But it's good news for the entrants, since there was only two of you, I have a Little Indian Headdress for Both of you! Send me your mailing info and I'll send them out! Thanks for participating! 

Rainy Day Reprive

So, it's been pretty rainy down here since my last post. My plants should be good and happy now, I would hope. Good news it everything is finished and ready for my promised mini upload and I think we may have a break with some descent light for pictures today so maybe everything will be in the shop by tonight or tomorrow morning, hopefully. If you haven't seen the sneak peek pictures be sure to visit my facebook page and have a look.

Anyway, with all the rain and needing a "work" break, I decided to make something for my self last night. I was in desperate need of a new bag and I had just gotten the fall issue of Quilts and more (love this mag!), so I had a crack at Rashida Coleman-Hale's Sweet Pleat bag pattern, and only partly because I'm a fan girl ;) 

 It was super easy to put together and I used my new Serger to do most of it, just to get some practice on the scary thing. The charcoal grey fabric is this rad new linen Sara just got in the shop (she also has it in fuchsia!) and the print is a DS quilts fabric from Joanna's out of my stash that I've been hording for the past year.     

 Instead of the fabric covered buttons the pattern called for I opted to make some little wool felt bows instead and stitched them on with some bright blue pearl cotton for extra impact. My little bear told me it was cute and I have to say I'm pretty pleased with it my self.  So if you happen to see my smiling face around town with my pretty new bag. "Why yes, I made it my self. Oh! well thank you I love it too;)"   

 Well then, I better be off if I'm to take advantage of the weather break and get my product picture today, I'll need to go and do it now :)

I am a hot mess............

and I'm not afraid to admit it. Currently, I am obsessed with braiding my hair back before pinning it up to keep it out of my way, finding the perfect red lipstick, and my work as I build up my stocks for the holidays.

The stocking up is going well. I'll have a nice mini update some time early next week, with a few Little Indian Head Dresses, some new 18" throw pillow covers that I'm rather proud of, and one or two giant star fish. I'm going to try for a mini update every week or two this year instead for my normal  stock piling for one big update. I'm hoping that will keep things rolling for the season. My plans are heavy on the dress-up items till Halloween with head dresses, red riding hoods, and some pirate goods, then more toy's and dolls on to Christmas, and more home decor and some vintage items sprinkled threw out. Here's hoping it goes well for me and Peach Vintage this year, my fingers are crosses and I'm saying my prayers, since I just invested in that nice new Serger sitting on my table and I'd like to give my boy's a nice Christmas this year with out going into debt.
Oh! another point of note I'm working on a Peach Vintage Indian Summer event. I'll be hosting a tutorial or two and a give-a-way so please stay tune for that. I'm hoping to have the first tutorial up next week sometime also, hopefully at the same time as the mini update.     

 

Anyway, speaking of boy's and red lipstick, we like kisses at our house ;p can you tell. I find little baby chicks are the best way to test out lipstick colors and little baby chicks like having kisses from their poor mother hens so it all works out ::wink:wink:: .

And with that I think, I will say good night.  I still have piping to make for pillow cases, and then fabric to pick for Little Indian Head Dresses to get them finished up, plus the promised starfish our two, so I better get back to business if i want to make that update dead line for early next week. Le sigh....................................so much more to do.  

Getting ideas out...............................

Some times you just got to live it for the day....................................
 

p.s. pictures of small child dressed as a peachy little pirate to come. He's to grumpy this evening. And I have one or two more ideas to go with this little add-on pirate kit to complete the cuteness.

Shrub for the 4th

  So I was over at the talented Amy Karol's blog a while back when she posted about drinking vinegar or "shrub" and I put it in the back of my head to try one day. Fast forward to my Roo buying a butt ton of peaches and then never making the jam he had planned, plus company coming over. Perfect time to try it out right. Sooooooooooo right!
   The first one I made was a heated Blueberry Peach with a 1:1:1:1 ratio of fruit,sugar, water, and vinegar. This is the fastest way and you'll be able to use it the same day you make it.

• Water and sugar in a sauce pot till sugar is completely dissolved. 
• Add fruit and simmer till fruit is broken down and juices are fully released in to your sugar syrup. I like to smash the fruit a little while it's cooking too, to help release more of the juice. 
• Let cool and strain out fruit solids, help it out a little with a rubber spatula. you don't have to but I included the smooth fruit pulp that strained with the juice, just scrape it off the bottom side of your mesh strainer. This will give you little specks of fruit and make your shrub cloudier, so if you want something more clear for fancy cocktails I might leave it out. I don't really know the rule on this but I liked the taste of it so I put it in the "drink" so to speak.  
• Add vinegar, I used apple cider in all of my recipes, but I've seen a few recipes out there that use red or white wine and balsamic. I think the key is to use a flavorful vinegar so I wouldn't use white, but  I'm not the rule police here and there is a recipe or two out there that calls for it.
• cap your jar or bottle and shake to mix. 
• refrigerate and enjoy.

     Drank strait from a shot glass it's a sweet, tart, fruity explosion in your mouth that makes it water for more. But more than that it's the best for mixed drinks, alcoholic or non-alcoholic! I've already come to love it mixed with fizzy water for and afternoon refresher.  My current favorite is the honey,lavender and cracked pepper recipe I came up with this afternoon, mixed with the lime La Croix in my pantry, the sweet tart flavor with a spicy finish reminds me of some of the better ginger beers I've had.
  Typically, I've seen it  mixed with rum or vodka for cocktails.I did try making a mezcal and blueberry peach  cocktail that wasn't bad but I need to work on the ratio's before I share. My friend ,Jess who was lucky enough to get a jar of my blueberry peach shrub, said she was gonna try it out in champagne which sounds totally nummy. But here at our Peachy little coupe where it's all about Justin's home brew beer, we make a "peachy" fruit bomb, Justin thought of it first but I'm going to pretend it was my idea ;).

• One shot shrub of your choice
• Home brew wheat beer off the tap. ( or any wheat beer if your not so lucky as to have home brew on tap at your house ;p)

 Now I'm not a huge drinker, and beers not my first choice when I do, but this tastes just so AMAZING! In fact, I've had 2 pints tonight! which is major for me. It reminds me of a super fruity Lambic (which I love but they can be pricey so I'll only get one on special occasions ). This one is with the blueberry peach shrub, but I've also used the raspberry banana shrub(same recipe,different fruit) this way and it is equally as yummy.

I'm trying out the cold press recipe from here with the rest of my peaches. I started it today, so I have a few days before I get to NOM on that one. boo!  I'm excited though, since word is it gives the fruit a purer and brighter taste.  I also have some watermelon in the fridge that I might try to get my "Shrub" on with just to see if it will work with melon (and I think it will!) But what I really need now is some "drinking buddies" to come over and play Mixology with me at the coupe for the 4th. We can make My Roo do burger's since that is his specialty! But since in reality Roo will most likely be working since the restaurant will be open (yay for every burger lover around here,boo for me:( ) I'll be here not drinking since I have to be a good mother hen to my bear of a baby chick and not a slushy lush. So how 'bout a sale instead!  Head on over to the Peach Vintage shop this week and enjoy 20% your order with coupon code  APEACHY4TH all week! (sale ends 7/5/12 and midnight.) 

Now, I've got to go watch pooh with my boys. So I'm Going to say, have a great night and try some super easy to make Drinking Vinegar and let me know how you liked it :)

And the Rain, Rain, Rain Came Down, Down Down............

 So, it feels about like we're all going to float away lately. Beryl was just the tip of the iceberg for us down here in the south east. The rain just seems to keep coming. It's not to terrible though, here at my little coupe. Our home is off-grade, so I've had no real worries of flooding in the house. The yard is another story but, my plants seem to be happy at the moment. The mosquitoes are horrendous, lots of standing water for the buggers to breed.  My poor bear of a baby chick is all spotted red!  So, it's a given that we've been left to the nest and are finding things to occupy our time inside.  Bear has taken to his crayons and pooh videos when I'm working and puzzles and tinker toys when mom can give her full attention. He loves when I make him airplanes.............
 Our days are still filled with bursts of singing and dancing and the happy banter of mother and toddler, and despite the rain our easy rhythm continues. I will say that the lack of outside time has coincided with a lack of nap time though, and that can be a bit of a stick in the sprockets for life with a 2 year old. I'll happily admit my child is not perfect and evening fits have become regular with the rain. Grumpy bears are always a terror to deal with. Luckily my Roo is home by this time of day and helps this poor peach of a mother hen gain control of the little grizzly.  

 Amongst all the this and that Hen works on during her day for Peach Vintage, I convinced her we had to take a day for our self  after the bear of a baby chick got a terrible stain on my beloved orange velvet wing back chair. She agreed and we took a time out to make this peachy keen slip cover for the cushion in the hopes of protecting it from further damage by small child.     

 I used an Orla Kiely-ish print I had gotten from my girl Jess a while back and a Martha Stewart wood grain fabric I had from Sara's shop along with some homemade apple green pipping. Hen and I agree it is rather well done and the coupe is sunnier for the work.

 Speaking of Jess! She came for a visit earlier this week and brought us a nice little pile of busy work. She had put in a call for her friends to "help a sister out!" with a neat little list of what she needed help with. I picked Hem Curtains. She is one that despite her short comings ALWAYS helps her friends and neighbors, in fact she makes it her life's work to help new moms. She even started our local chapter of the La Leche League.  Anyway my point is despite all the work hen has piling up on us it was an easy decision to help our friend in her hour of need.  It was a nice excuse for a visit, too. Our baby chicks played all afternoon while we drank some wine and talked about life since last we saw each other. I'm excited to get them finished for her because that means a second visit is soon to come and it's always nice to have something to look forward to.  

On a side note:  If anyone's interested in my  method for hemming curtains let me know and I'll try to get a tutorial together while I finish this job up, I have about 10 left to hem. Jess's curtains are made from re-purposed painters cloth but this would work with any fabric. It would be an easy beginner level project.  Just leave a comment below and we'll see how much interest there is.  

New Friends, Old Friends.

 Lucky Kittie and Rabbit got some new friends from the thrift store the other day. Please say hello to donkey and ching-ching. They are now happy in there new forever home siting on the shelf helping with the sewing and mending Hen has on her plate.

 And this pretty girl is Fern. She came to Live at our little hen pen after taking a tree limb to the face one stormy night. We don't discriminate against the disfigured and disabled here at the coupe and we're so happy to have her.

top row: summerlove by pat bravo, art gallery fabric, bottom row: desert daydreams, anthology fabrics; garden party  by Jane Dixon, andover; pet park by Caleb Grey, Robert Kaufman.

 Oh!I have to tell you Hen was so fluffed to hear that her Merry Mermaids  had such a good reception at the Pickers Market Booth AND are now SOLD OUT!  She has been busy as a bee Planning out her next collection of mermaids and wanted to show off some of the new fabric she's picked out! Let the Summer of the Peach Begin! Work, Work, Work, it's good if it never ends : ) 

Maya by Leah Duncan, anthology fabrics.

Zoe by studio E and Grand bazaar by Patty Young for Micheal Miller

top row: Micheal Miller, Riley Blake, and Henry Glass. Bottom row: 100% cotton basics.

 She has also made a trip to her local fabric shop to pick out some stash stuffers after she used a good bit making Pirate Hats. she always says "A happy stash makes for fresh new ideas!" and Hen cannot wait to show off some new creations. Now to just find some time to fit that in................................

I heart by Rashida Coleman-Hale for timeless treasures. I'm a new, old fan of hers and i was super excited when Sara scored most of the collection for the shop.

rainbow colored vintage stash found at the thrift store. all for $1(as in the whole pile for $1!) I think the first thing Hen shall do with this pretty pile is make new curtains for the coupe.

Fresh Local Produce and Hen Gets A New Stove.........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

picture borrowed from www.facebook.com/pages/The-Blueberry-Ranch

 

 

 

 So, my Roo, Justin(that's him up there looking handsome and happy), checked out The Blueberry Ranch on Highway 17  and came home in a state of cook's euphoria. 5 bags full of fresh picked produce, and i do mean fresh picked, for all of $21!
    They Are a family owned blueberry and vegetable farm specializing in organic practices,such as being pesticide free, chemical free, and using mostly all natural fertilizers. So, if you live anywhere on the Florida/ Georgia state line along highway 17 or are traveling that way this summer, stop by and check them out. You can also check them out on Facebook  for updates and to see whats in harvest.  

Texas sweet onions

egg squash and zucchini

pickles we made from the bag of pickling cucumbers Justin picked up

egg squash and onions cooking up for dinner.

Fresh picked Green beans with bacon rind. One of my Roo's favorite Dishes!

the after math of a cooking frenzy!

   We used this beautiful produce to take our old stove on her final voyage. She was very old with LOTS of quarks and ailments, but she was our first stove in our first house, so she will always have a special place in our hearts. 

  Which brings us to the story of  how hen got her new stove. So, almost 3 years ago poor peach of a hen was not yet a mother and she and her Roo were deep in thought about which oven to buy with their saved up chicken scratch, when low and behold hen laid an egg. Realizing that they would soon be parents, Roo and Hen would then have to spend all that hard saved chicken scratch on the care of their precious new egg and no new stove would be had........................................

 Until, one day when Poor peach of a mother hen was out with her bear of a chick in toe and stopped by her neighborhood thrift store and spied a lovely little gem of a stove in the corner and happened to ask the price. To her gleeful delight in just happened to be with in the range of the chicken scratch available in her coin purse! So hen paid the lady and set to work figuring out the logistics of switching her coupe from electric to propane. This turned out to be very easy since her daddy Roo happens to work on restaurant gas lines for a living.  Hen is still fluffing her feathers over her good luck and the roses have yet to leave her cheeks! 
 

So, while Hen is as happy as can be, Heather will be slightly nervous in her excitement until 1 of two things happens. My dad comes back to ground the gas line and check the lines and we see that it works correctly or the Gas company comes to put in my tank and does all the for mentioned things and we know it works. Until one of those things happen I have a very pretty new kitchen sculpture to look at and have been obsessively cleaning every nook and cranny of it. We'll let you know how it works out ; ) 

Little Indian Head Dress Update is Finally Up!

I am so happy to say that I FINALLY have a new stock of Head dresses up in the Etsy shop. It was a long and laborious road but they are now done and available to you, the adoring public ::wink:wink:: Anyway, to celebrate I do believe I'll be holding a "Pirates and Indians" Give-a-way, so stay tuned for those details to come soon.  

Well, Friends this poor peach of a mother hen has been on the computer all day doing this little update of hers and now she must attend to her bear of a chick before he brings the whole coupe down on top of them. Have a great evening and we'll see you when we see you :)

Currently

 

Currently this little bear is taking up all my time. But hey I am the mother hen in this story! See his chipped tooth this has caused me no small measure of grief. He's just turned two! That tooth is gonna be there for a while. He's wild I tell you! Daring and independent and smarter than I could ever imagine. When it starts to come over him and he's trying to figure something out (or how to get around what I've told him to do) he gets the same wrinkled brow concentrated look as Justin, tongue out between his lips. When his plans are defeated by mom,dad, papas, or grandmas he hangs his chin to his chest and walks away with duck lips. he's been giving us temper tantrums lately. Enter chipped tooth here, he threw him self face down onto our wood floors and caught his tooth. He's done it on his back ever since, this is how I know he's a drama king faker making everyone miserable so he can try to get his way. He also likes to say ouch all day long for kisses on various body parts, his feet are a favorite for some reason.         

 

We are also working hard with the potty training at the moment, and I managed to get him weened right after his birthday. He was pretty easy this last try, he asked a few times but didn't ever go into complete melt down when I told him no, which had been our problem in the past when i would try to ween and why he was still nursing up until 2. Anyway, for me 2  was old enough to get of the tit. I know I have friends who nurse well past two and this really is awesome, but for me it has always been painful and I was never able to produce enough milk alone but, I knew it was the best thing I could do for my son, so I supplemented and continued to nurse until he was two in spite of that. Now, he's 2, I'm Done and that's all.

As to Potty Training, According to bear you must be naked at all time's if you are gonna be a big boy and use the potty consistently, so if you happen to be in my little corner of the world and happen to see a small naked chick streak past, because he's a runner when you try to dress him. Well he probably belongs to this poor peach of a mother hen. So, Forgive me, he's wild. 

My Favorite Bear Words Right Now     

Yewhow: yellow ; he talks about "yewhow" all day and thinks everything should be yellow. he's about 50% or less with recognition on his other colors, but yellow he can pick out any day of the week so i think we have a winner on favorite color :)

Caarrs: this means several things but he points and shows you which one he means. 

Cars or any motorized vehicle in general, indicated by cars driving by, vehicles on the televison, or toy cars in hand. 

Colors, he tells me "caarrs peas!" meaning "mother i would like to color my coloring book please" and i promptly give a yea or nae with the delivery of said coloring book.

Tigers, lions and other big cats. I don't know how he decided tigers and lions should be called caarrs, i just know he does every time he see's them, and then growls. 

I did it! : this is a phrase not a word but he does say it a lot. anytime he accomplishes something he finds important, like going in the potty, or building high block towers, or coloring a picture, anyway you get the point. I here it a lot. 

POo and Waur: this would be pool and water. we bought him a $10.00 big boy pool he loves it and we're the most awesome parents ever. 

Tumon!:  Come on! i hear this mostly whilst my kid pulls me along where ever it is he wishes to travel.

I comng!: he learned this one from me, because he calls for me right in the middle of something and it takes a minute to get over to see what he wants, i say " i'm coming, just a sec." So now I call him and he continues doing what ever and says "i comng"

nunch: lunch

nack: snack

eww yucky: poopy diapers, boogers, sticky hands..........................

tickens: chickens

Babit: bunny and rabbit but together

ca papa: "call papa!" heard anytime there is a phone near by.

i could sit here all day cause he's got a million of them, but i'll end it here. on to the next!

 casual shoes I've decide to rock with all my awesomeness. they are rocket dog.

now for a small intermission of prettiness from this little hens chicken run.

 Currently I'm still working on Little Indian Head Dresses, I've got 2 left for embroidery for this batch and my goal for tonight is to have at least 4 sewn up and ready for site pictures in the morning. On top of that I have  orders for potholders and pet mats to fill, arms full of vintage pretties to prep for the online shop, and a craft show in September to get ready for.  I did a little something for shrimp fest this past weekend and it sucked big hairy one but it taught me a lot about my target market and what not to do. I just about broke even and had interest but bad timing in my placement at the festival, plus I was not prepared but then i really didn't know how to prepare correctly. Don't worry I've got my big girl panties on and I'm not giving up, more like stepping up and working on my game plan. Defiantly need to work on stock, so if any of you crafty friends and family want to help me out here and there work on stock and get some of my crafty knowledge laid on you between now and September, let me know i have plenty of work, more than i have hands. And keep in mind those that visit our coupe never leave empty handed. The bounty is always good at Casa De Peach.  

 The super cute ,Peachy Pirate Hat, I designed for the shrimp fest, modeled by none other than my little bear. My favorites are the smoke and navy, because I'm just that kind of girl, but the fuchsia ones are pretty darn cute, too.

I redid my listing pictures for "The Super Awesome Friends". I think they came out way cute! I love my white board I made twice as much now. I've got a super cute idea for Little Indian head dresses, and it's making me extra anxious to get them ready. Which reminds me that I need to get back to work while the boy is napping. 

 So, thats my little run down on the current happenings of this peach of a mother hen and her brooding and nesting habits.What do you guys think? I'd love to hear your comments!