This picture was taken outside the wine museum. I couldn't tell you the name of the town. We went on a tour of a vineyard and them came to this little town. Italy is such a beautiful country, I hope I get to go back someday. We were with someone who spoke Italian, which helps alot, but most people understand English.

This is a picture outside the villa that we stayed at outside of Assisi. It was out in the country and very beautiful. This is the outdoor sink that the caretakers used to water the flowers in the mornings. It iwas over 100 degrees everyday and the flowers in Italy were doing better than my flowers at home. I really don't have a green thumb. I hope you have a great vacation this summer.We are staying home, so I wanted to share these photos.

Enjoy the summer, Lauren

Thanks DZFantasy

Donna at DZFantasy was nice enough to do any article about me on her blog. I was given a list of questions to answer, and she put a photo up too. Thanks Donna! Donna's link is on top, and her blog link is always listed on the side.

I am getting ready for our annual family reunion picnic. This is the third year , and once again it is in my back yard. We are scurrying around trying to get the yard ready. My husband is painting the back of the house, and we have the usual cleaning and pruning to do, not to mention cooking, shopping and getting organized. I always look forward to it, but really need it not to rain. Our group gets larger every year, and my house does not. Here are a couple of pictures from past years.

Thanks for stopping by, check Donna out.

Lauren

Amy Butler Apron

These are some photos of my new Amy Butler apron. I styled it after the 40's and 50's aprons. It is an average size, but like all my aprons, you can get it in plus size or childrens too.

I bought this fabric but hadn't gotten a chance to use it until now. I know that Amy Butler is very popular on etsy, but is hard to find around this area. Michael Miller and Alexander Henry are more prevelant in the fabric stores here.

Another beautiful July day. I just got back from a walk, and it is a little hot, but really nice out.

I am having trouble getting any work done today.

Get some sun and enjoy the summer day.

Lauren

These are 3 new cuff bracelets I listed on etsy. I am getting better at jewelry photos, so I will be listing more jewelry.

I would like some advise. I wonder if I should open a second etsy shop for jewelry. I don't want my shop to become too much of a hodgepedge.

If any of you have an opinion about this, or is you have more than one etsy shop, I would really like to hear from you.

We are back to beautiful July weather, and I hope you are too. Enjoy the day.

Lauren

It's Raining Cats and Dogs

Well, the weatherman was way off on the forcast today! It was supposed to be 92 and humid. Instead it is 72 and pouring rain. So much for outdoor activities.

This is a great day for sewwing, though. I got alot done, but I still have alot to do. I think I will bake something delicious instead. I love to bake, and since I found out how high my cholesterol is 2 years ago, I can't do it as often as I would like to. Oh well, what can you do? Applesause and splenda do not make cookies taste the same as butter and sugar do.

Days like today always remind me of getting off the school bus ,and the lights being on in the kitchen, and my mother baking cookies. It is one of my best memories from childhood. I do not think that my mother really baked everytime it rained ( I am the eldest of 6 children, she didn't have enough time), but in my memory she did.

I hope you have great chilhood memories that you can enjoy on rainy days too. Lauren

Working on New Photos

I read a thread in an etsy forum about manual settings on my canon powershot, tried it, and I got photos of jewelry that are not blurry! I have jewelry I have not listed because I could not get good photos. Now I am going to try and come up with backgrounds for them .

These is are some of several pendants I have in this style. Each one is unique. They are made with textured copper and turquoise. ( the yellow turquoise is really jasper). No too are the same size or the same design.

Now that I can photograph them, look for more jewelry on my etsy sight.

Lauren