Summer Container Gardening in the PNW~

Last year we moved into our Home right before planting Season.  As we bought the house during the Winter months, other than the Foliage and 4 Apple Trees I had no idea what the previous Owner had planted here.  So I took a guess and planted a small Garden of Tomatoes, Peppers, Peas, and Beans in a patch below my Kitchen Window, and put a Herb Garden in Pots.  Come to find out that area was just the Best!  This year I wanted to plant our usual Garden prior to this house, so I did it....in Containers.  I thought I would grab a few shots since we had to move all the Patio stuff to one area so that my Newly built Potter's Bench made by hubby could be moved from the Garage to it's Permanent Location.

Vine Sugar Snap Peas I put in this Hanging Planter......yes, that's Saran Wrap.  Our Feathered Friends thought the Lining was for their Homes....and yes they have tried to pull off the Saran Wrap!

More Vine Sugar Snaps and a Planter each of Baby Red & Baby Gold Potatoes.  To the left of the Fencing is a future project.

The Rectangle Planter up front contains Baby Beets, behind it in the Blue Handle Pot are Stringless Green Beans and since I took these photos last week the Bean Stalk is now to the top of the pole.  To the Right are Cherry Tomatoes.

Up Front a Pot of Basil, to the Left is one of the Apple Trees.

From the Left here I have Spaghetti Squash, a Pot of Yellow and Red Peppers, Zucchini and a Pot of Roma Tomatoes.  I picked up a Vintage Baby Crib as I needed some of the pieces for a project, but didn't need the Springs.  Thinking that these Squashes will climb I thought it would look kind of Cool here.  

Continuing down under the Kitchen Window I have one of my Lavenders, which brings in a few Pollinators, Honey Bear Squash, another Roma in the Blue Pot and to the Right of it my Cukes.  The outside of the House is also going to be painted this Summer or Next.  Our Wonderful HOA has decided on a Variety of PNW colors for our Homes, each Home Owners expense of course.

Last years Strawberry Plant, some Basil, Bush Sugar Peas and Cilantro in the Pink Container.  In the Back ground on the Little Chairs are Garlic Chives and Rosemary.

Baby Carrots~

My outdoor Play Station~  I still have to stain her and give her some Personal Touches, but I just Love it!!  Thank~You Nick ;)

I found this Charming Swing at a Re Sale Barn.  It's one of my favorite Spots to Shop, the Owner buys at Storage Auctions and does Estate Sales.  We brought our White Iron Set from Florida, however as you can see I am re doing the Seats.  Even out here in the wet North West we still have to set the Sprinkler System for 4 times a week per the County Schedule.  I like Lush Green Grass so I do fill in with a little Sprinkler now and then.  

My Little Cherubs even stop by to help, a little snack is always ready for their visits~

Thanks for stopping by to see this Summer Garden in it's early stages.  I hope to bring you a Prettier Version when it's all put back together~

I hope your enjoying a Beautiful Summer Day!!

Huggs, Nancy

www.coeurdalenegifts.com

rfnancy.etsy.com

sweettwinklestars.etsy.com

September Blog Hop!

I would Love to have you join me for this 3 Project Blog Hop!  
You have all Summer to Prepare 3 Projects. They can be any craft you desire! One must be done with Gingham(you can see on my sidebar were trying to save this wonderful Classic!)

Sign Ups are going on Now, HERE, so don't be late.  Or you will miss out on all the FUN!  I want to see what you did all Summer, and you'll be able to see what I did with a few Sneak Peaks along the way!!

Huggs, Nancy
www.coeurdalenegifts.com
rfnancy.etsy.com
sweettwinklestars.etsy.com

AccuQuilt Quilt Design Block Contest

Good Morning Sweet Friends,

Just a quick share here....I entered the Quilt Block here I made for Lauren and her hubby in the AccuQuilt Win the Dream Design your Quilt Contest.  I sure would Love to have your Vote!!  Every time you Vote and that can be Daily from Now until May 27th, you are also entered to Win some Beautiful Prizes!!  Prizes daily are Valued up to $700!!

I designed this Block for one of their Anniversaries when they were living in China.  Each little Star in the Upper Left hand corner is Hand Stitched.  Plus this was the very first Quilt Block I ever made!  You may have seen this here before as I entered it in a Quilting Blog Hop, Hosted by the Lovable Madame Samm of www.Sewwequilt.com

You can Vote Now and Daily here:  http://www.accuquilt.com/block-contest#!/entry/6696283

Any Questions?  just ask me.  Thank~you sew very much for taking the time to Vote!!  

Have A Great Week End my Sweet Friend!!

Huggs, Nancy

www.coeurdalenegifts.com

rfnancy.etsy.com

sweettwinklestars.etsy.com

Love Totes for my Cherubs

I wanted to write this about 3 weeks ago but I had a little incident and my Sciatic Nerve got in the way.  So sitting was out of the scope for awhile, but I am feeling so much better!!

I want to share these Valentine Totes I made for my Granddaughters, along with the Goodies I made and filled them with.  I had so much fun and it really brought back memories of days long ago.

I made them each a little different with the size and the Trim. I put Pockets on each side of the outside,

and one on each side of the inside.  These Girls love pockets in their Handbags and Totes.

For Johanna, I made Stacked Hairbows, Headbands, Pony Holders and sewed embellishments on fluffy footies.  I found some Heart decorated Band aids, and a Hello Kitty Pez Key Chain, and finished it off with some Conversation Hearts Candy, and a little Chocolate.

For Audra it was pretty much the same with the exception of the Footies(she won't wear them), and I found a Baby Hello Kitty Pez Key Chain.

I also made them a Crocheted Heart Necklace to pack in a Pocket.

After I packed them up, I felt they still needed a little something more so I embellished a couple of Wands, that I think I picked up at Michael's awhile back.  Now they looked complete, so off I went to deliver them.

Johanna on the left and Audra on the right, didn't take much time pulling out each goodie, and checking out what the other had.

Ooohs and Aaahs.....

and Foil wrapped Chocolate Coins...  I think they liked their Valentine Tote Bags that Mimmie made.....

Have a Great Day Friends!!

Huggs, Nancy

www.coeurdalenegifts.com

rfnancy.etsy.com

sweettwinklestars.etsy.com

ECS Sweet Heart Swap~

Good Morning Friends,
Did you do any Swaps for the Valentine's Day Holiday?  Over at Etsy Cottage Style Debbi started a "Sweet Heart Swap".  My partner Linda R. in Canada, she also has 2 cute Etsy Shops!  Cranberry Cottage and Wee Beginnings  I like doing Swaps when I have the time because I love doing all the detail that goes into the presentation and gifts.  At least that's my style.  I'll share what I sent to Linda, and when I receive her box I'll share it too.  I know it's late but Linda has quite a job that keeps her on the Road about 7 days out of 7 ;)

Here's the lot of loot, all of it fit into the Red and White Box except for the Heart Wall Hanging I made, and the Gorgeous Hand Painted White Plate I bought for Linda from Celestina of Celestina Marie Designs on Etsy.  Celestina does such gorgeous work, and to me has the perfect Blog!  Both of these pieces went into separate gift boxes.

I included of course Chocolates, Several types of Vintage Linens, Cards I printed off (bought from the Cameoshoppe on Etsy) and wrapped with Seam Binding, Ceramic Eyelet Candleholders, Ceramic Hug Bear, Swarovski Heart Key Ring, Novelty Pin and Earrings that I embellished, Valentines day Jelly Bellies in a jar I embellished, Rose Scented Candylight 5W Bulb.......

Here you can see a better shot of the Hand painted plate from Celeste(gotta love those Roses), a crocheted Basket in the background to fill with the crocheted Heart fillers by Moi, some Digital Cards and Tags, Lace bag of Dove Chocolates.  Linda's house is decorated in shades of Pink and Sage, so I tried to stay with those colors.

I made this painted Canvas Wall Hanging with assorted embellished Hearts.  On my Monitor the background on the Canvas looks Aqua, but it's not.  It's Sage.  This was fun and I have a few more in progress in different themes by request.

Here's the Box all packed up!  I picked up the Box minus the Fairy from Michael's.  I can't remember where I found the Fairy Graphic but my hubby carefully cut off all the background she was on and I embellished her with various Martha Stewart Glittters(hers are the very best, in my humble opinion).  I used Mod Podge to adhere her to the top of the box and added a Vintage Dangling Rhinestone Earring to the end of her wand for a little bling.

I hope you all had a Wonderful Valentine's Day!!

Huggs, Nancy
www.coeurdalenegifts.com
rfnancy.etsy.com
sweettwinklestars.etsy.com

A Little Valentine Love~

I have seen so many Unique Creations out here in the Blog World and on Pinterest.  Here are just a few things from the Studio for Valentines Day.  In a few days I'll be able to show you what I sent my Sweetheart Swap Partner through Etsy Cottage Style.  The Vintage Etsy Shop has some Valentine Hankies,   the following are listed in my Handmade Etsy Shop, "Sweet Twinkle Stars & Sugar Plum Creations"~

Sold

There are several New Listings in the Coeur d'Alene Boutique for Spring, and browse through our Winter Clearance when you get a chance.  It's pretty full of 2013 final markdowns starting at 40% off and up!

Have a Great Day Friends!!
Huggs, Nancy
www.coeurdalenegifts.com
rfnancy.etsy.com
sweettwinklestars.etsy.com

Linking up to:  Wednesday~Free Pretty Things for You
                                                 City Farmhouse

                          Friday~Fabulously Creative Friday
                                       The Shabby Nest Frugal Friday

Big, BIG Game Day!

Back in late August I was just having one of those days and just needed a break from unpacking.  I needed a big diversion and recently Mr. CDA and I had wondered over to our closest Casino, 9 miles away.  

So I was on my way for an afternoon at the Slots!  I went directly to the Players club to have my card swiped to get in on the Big drawings of the day and wandered over to my favorite slot machine.  Bummer someone else was there, so I headed to the back of the Casino to look for something else that caught my eye.  

In a instant I heard my name being called over the Casino Speaker to return to the Players Club, "you have 2 minutes" was her second sentence.  Oh crap in the huge maze of games I had to figure a way back up to the front in 2 minutes.  Just as I was approaching I heard my name again, and waved my arm, "I'm coming, I'm right here" I shouted.  There was a crowd around the lady with the microphone, my mind was just rushing 'what is this all about'!

I had WON!  A Suite Box to the Seahawks at Century Link Field!  OMG, my husband was going to flip!  Plus, now I had to tell him where I spent the afternoon!  After signing all the necessary paperwork, taxes and all I was on my way.  Then I had to fight the crowd of folks who wanted to buy the Suite from me, No Way!  This was our Introduction to Washington Football, in a especially 'suite' way~

So here we are, Seahawks playing the SF 49's.  We didn't know what to expect never having been in a Suite Box before so I was loaded down with warm clothes.  But it was all glass enclosed and toasty warm.  Our box was right in the middle of the field, perfect!

As we waited for our beloved Seahawks to take the field we lavished upon hot & cold Appetizers, Beverages, and Drinks.

Smoke flows from the towers as the Seahawks take the field~

It was amazing how fast this flag was rolled out to full form, and it was rolled up just as fast, pure precision~

And it's Kick~Off!  Remember the Game for the Loudest Team?  This was it hitting 137.9 on the scale.  Prior to half time we were brought in Dinner, various hot meats, poultry, Shrimp and fish.  Salads, Rolls, etc.  Then the most decadent 3 tiered Dessert Cart arrived, I was so excited about this cart I forgot to take a picture.  Heck this whole day was exciting!  and our Seahawks Won!

After this event we were addicted to our beloved Seahawks, and we saw them work hard every game to get to where they are today!   Our Blessings to them for a Safe & Successful Super Bowl Game!

Our everlasting Thanks to the Nisqually Red Wind Casino in Olympia, WA for offering an awesome opportunity to their Customers, and Carla from Red Wind, she is a Marketing Queen!

GO HAWKS!

Huggs, Nancy
www.coeurdalenegifts.com
rfnancy.etsy.com
sweettwinklestars.etsy.com