Thursday, April 21, 2011

Silvie's Three!


It's Sylvie's birthday today.
Sylvie, pictured here, next to her "Speeder" {her new set of wheels that all the Lampe boys learned to ride on}.   You can hardly see her face with her long bangs.  We're trying to grow them out, but she won't keep a hair tie in!!  She's a fun little thing.  Loves pink, but is tougher than a box a rocks with her determination.  Just last night, Sylvie rode her bike all by herself for a good thirty feet and laughed the whole time she was doing it.

I ordered Syl some little Salt Water sandals and am hoping these little "sylvie-colored" ones arrive before Easter.  Loved these dresses that I found on a blog fave of my sisters, bliss. They look like really good twirlers, don't you think?  They are from kicokids.

We were going to have a little bash for Sylvie this weekend, but as always, it rains on her party day.  So, we're waiting for sunshine.   Hope we can all find some soon!

Happy Day to you all!

xo
sharon

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Spring Table-Tops

My uncle just sent me this little picture and verse that my great, great grandmother Pauline Frances Camp made over 100 years ago.  She would make these as favors for their many party guests that they would entertain-for in their big, beautiful Victorian home on Walnut Street.  Pauline's husband, Walter, commented to his mother that Pauline would make things like this "so quickly, that the expense and passing of time was of no consequence."

Poems and sketches.  So sweet.

I thought that this would make a sweet addition to a table I just put together here, at the store.  The spirea flower is one of my favorites.  Reminds me of mom, because mom battled hard with my dad over these bushes in our own yard, growing up.  Dad loved hedge trimming with his long-corded electric hedge-trimmers and took pride in making a tight-bowled shape bush, while mom loved the free flowing branched bushes.  I have to agree with mom.  Free flowing is much dreamier.  What would you say?

These spirea branches are from a bush from my childhood home, which my brother Philip lives in now.  We live next door and share this one bush that I love.  I loved picking them today.  What's popping up in your yard?  No other bouquet like one from your own yard, is there?

This Friday, on the KY3 News early morning show with Maria Neider, I will be sharing some entertaining ideas for Easter Tables and Baskets. I'll try to share a link then.

Have a good rest of your week!

xo
sharon

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Spring's First Farm to Table Event

The Missouri Chapter of Slow Foods will be kicking off the season's first Farm to Table Dinner at Pickwick House.  I couldn't be more excited to be collaborating on this event that celebrates the efforts of Local Farmers, Locally Grown Foods, Local Vendors, and an intimate gathering of Local folks from the Ozarks who will come to support and celebrate these good things!

I'm going to try to incorporate beautiful florals, rustic woods, and a creamy scheme to accentuate the menu that Guest Chef Vito Palmietto will be preparing.  We're clearing out the entire store to bring in Long Harvest Tables and Candlelight.  Hoping to be able to squeeze 65 people in...with extras to spill over onto tables outside along the storefront's sidewalk.

Vito brought a unique serving piece by the store yesterday to show me a glimpse of what's in store with the menu.  It's unexpected.  And that's exactly what the night will bring.  Unexpected Surprises!  Can't wait!!

*Friday April 22nd, 7pm
*Tickets will not be sold at the door.
*Can be purchased at Home Grown Foods and Pickwick House
*Limited Seating Available
*$40 per

Have a beautiful day!!

xo
sharon

Monday, April 11, 2011

Easter Workshop at Pickwick House

{All images by Adie Gately of twintownstudios.com/.  Place Settings for Workshop}

 

Designed and Created by Anna Bolt-Ezell

Fresh, Homegrown Carrots on the Chandelier

Mint-Lemon Iced Tea

Galvanized Pail for an alternative Easter Basket: Chalkboard Paint Strip + Personalized Name


Raw Silk Bow + Materials for Pysanky Egg Creation

Pysanky Dye in Beautiful Colors created by Katie Kring

Katie's Amazing Pysanky Eggs  {These Eggs are Museum Worthy}

Our Basket-Filling Station

My raw silk hand-made bows + cute brooches 

Easter Basket Goodies

Millie Dolls {Selling Out FAST!}

Me, Guest Artist Katie Kring, and Kendra

Harvest Table w/Potted Lavender set inside Vintage Punch Bowls {SOLD out}
We also hung fresh, homegrown carrots on the chiavari chairs






Hi All! This past workshop was so much fun!  Can't wait to share what the next one will be.   Meanwhile, we're busy preparing for the SLOW Foods dinner that I will be hosting/designing at Pickwick House.  I couldn't be happier to be helping them kick off their season of taking fresh, local food from Farm to Table this year!   We are clearing out the entire store for this special event to make way for something very authentic.  Guest chef is Vito Palmietto...




In April's workshop, I demonstrated how to create pretty embellishments for an "urban-cottage" Easter basket, and guest artist, Katie Kring, showed the inspiring history behind pysanky artistry for eggs.  Katie also demonstrated a how-to on making a simple pysanky egg {a long-held custom from the Ukraine}.  Then, each guest chose a basket to purchase and filled their baskets with unique, one-of-a-kind items that were exclusively selected and made by local artists for this event.  Hors' d'oeuvres were cucumber sandwiches, coconut cupcakes, and iced mint-lemon tea served in vintage punch bowl cups.

Each class participant's place setting included:  
*one of my taylor-made overside bows made with strips of raw silk and antique brooches {the pre-waxed and dyed tutorial pysanky egg was placed on top of bow for a strikingly sweet effect on their favors}.  These bows were later used to adorn the baskets each guest went home with.  The bows were multi-purpose as well...they could be worn as lapel pins.
*One duck egg that Katie collected from her ducks that she raises on her farm.  She prepared these ahead of time{blew out the yokes and sketched each one with her unique designs}
* stylus {known as a kistka)
* beeswax
* candle
* pencil and paper for note-taking
* cupcake {hors' d'oeuvre} 
* Each chiavari chair was embellished with a homegrown carrot {so simple and sweet}
* Chandelier was also embellished with the carrots
* Small side table was covered in white craft paper and used for dying the eggs.  Mason jars held the beautiful dyes.

Easter Basket Table Included Choices of:
*Three different colored grass stuffings displayed in an antique hardware box
*baskets and galvanized pails {painted a strip of chalkboard paint on the side to add a customized touch for personalizing with a child's name}in all shapes and sizes
*personalized Easter cards
*Urn filled with extra-large raw-silk bows


Specialty Items for Easter Basket-Filling:
Lavender Potted Centerpieces placed in Vintage Punch Bowls with 12 cups {sold out}
Yarn-knit wreaths designed and created by local artist Anna Bolt-Ezell
Millie Dolls {sold-out...These are my sisters dolls and can be ordered}
Oversized ribbons made of strips of raw silk and antique brooches {these were demonstrated by me} 
Naturally-flavored jellybeans w/customized wrappings and flowers
Truffles & Chocolate Bunnies made locally by Elle's Patisserie 
Vintage Labeled Candies
Wooden Toys/yo-yos for
Hand-made Headbands by Hillary Fisk {proceeds go to relay for life}
Metal and Wooden Children's Gardening Tools
Madeline and Curious George Books & Puzzles
Colored Pencils wrapped in cute papers


Special Thanks to Adie of twintownstudios.com/, the AMAZING Katie Kring, Kendra of loniemae.blogspot.com/, Anna Bolt-Ezell, Millie Johnson, Eleanor Taylor {my daughter} for her sugar cookies that she makes and sells @Tea Bar and Bites.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Frolicking Equestrian Fest

All images by Amy Pennington Photography
Back in January, 417 Magazine asked me to put together a birthday shoot showcasing unique party planning ideas. It was a crazy time as I was trying to get the store open, and I was also newly pregnant among other things going on, but I never turn down exposure and press...and, I/you could say that party design/planning is in my blood.  Looking back, I can't believe I pulled it off or that I even made it thru that crazy time.  {Second trimester is ten million times better!}

After weeks of giving the "unique party concept" some thought, and many hours spent with Kendra's husband on the invitation design, sourcing items, scouting shoot locations, negotiating with owners, sourcing costuming & props, pretzel & treat design, favor creations, and finally loading and unloading everything...it all came together, as it somehow always does. We have one big photograph feature in the magazine, and we think it represents uniqueness, adventure and simplicity. Hope you enjoy~

Need some design/party planning help?  You know what I'm gonna say??  Call today!

I was happy to see the work in the magazine, but would like to thank the following people and companies for donating time, and talent.

Justin Skinner {graphic design}, Kendra's {of Lonie Mae's blog} husband
ATC Theatrical {authentic costuming...vintage hats, ties, over-coats, suspenders}
Auntie Annes Pretzels:  Custom-made horseshoe pretzels
Eleanor's macaroons and cupcakes
Creative Direction: Kendra of Lonie Mae
Furniture Props and Favors:  Pickwick House {my store}
Brave Models: Sophie, Graham, Mabel, Ralph, Goldie, Albert, Harper, and Wilson

Shoot Day:

Of course, it was a freezing cold, grey, windy, sleeting day.  I wasn't prepared for the muddy, horse-manured ground either.  Before we placed the long harvest table for the backdrop, Kendra and I {bare handedly} grabbed handfuls of frozen hay clumps to spread on the nasty ground to prepare a set-up worthy of a shoot.  

The invites were made for "Sylvia Nell's third birthday party".  Sylvie actually ended up being sick the day of the her fake birthday shoot....which was a good thing, as I wouldn't have been able to keep a watchful eye on her while doing the set-up.  Will kept care of big girl and for consolation for big girl ...he's planning her real birthday party for next month...which I can't wait for you to see what he's been up to on that end!


Sylvia Nell's Third Birthday Party Invite

The backdrop was a quaint, chippy-white stable in the midst of a big corral of roaming horses at the equestrian center.  Not knowing anything at all about horses, I mistakingly set up all the cupcakes and candy on the table before everything else was unloaded.  So....while I continued going back and forth to unload the truck, I heard a loud glass-sounding breakage/crash.  When I heard it, all I could do was imagine the set-up of precious goods in total ruin.  Slight panic and deep-breathing, I rounded the corner to see that what had happened was that the horses must've instantly smelled the sugared orange slices and cupcakes and roamed directly to the set-up while I was out of sight.  Thankfully only a few vintage punch cups broke and a glass cylinder full of orange slices.  Running short on time, we barely pulled everything together before the photographer arrived.

The kids were great.  Shoot went fast, and we loaded everything back in a flurry as it began to snow.  I think I left everything in the truck and van for a solid week after that out of exhaustion.

Taylor-made pinata and hand-made equestrian ribbons

Horseshoe Shaped Pretzel, {Menu, and Placecard with Chevron Stripes}
Sweet-Cheeked Harper {our neighbor and grandson to owners of ATC Theatrical}
My neice Goldie 
My daughter's cupcakes {she bakes for Tea Bar and Bites}

Sophie and Goldie and the ring favor made with the logo of the invite {a horse}
Hungry Horse
Ring Favors w/horse logo
Ring Around The Rosies
Pin the Tail on the Pony 
Goldie's Place Card and Cupcake
Eleanor's beautiful Macaroons
More punch and Confections Alongside the Horses
Hope all is well with everyone!  Can't wait for spring and happy sunshine!!

xo
sharon

Friday, March 25, 2011

Pickwick House Pick-Me-Ups

{Imagery and Graphic Design by Nicholas Cloyd}

It's our first annual Easter Basket making workshop at Pickwick House.  We will be creating pretty little embellishments to make a unique urban-cottage basket for your little chick-a-dees. Guest artist, Katie Kring will share a inspiring history and how-to tutorial with pysanky eggs artistry.  We'll show how to incorporate home-made decorations, carefully selected hand-made goods + chocolates + candies, and vintage treasures that will create traditions for years to come.  AND...we'll also enjoy hors d'oeuvres from Tea Bar and Bites.  

We'll also have two new table scapes and stockpile of new goods to hatch into the store that day... including fresh-ious handmade table cloths from Lonie Mae and Becky Treadway.

When:  Sunday April 3rd, 2pm
Where:  Pickwick House, 611 S Pickwick
Cost:  $20 + the cost of materials {Feel free to bring your own basket to fill or you may purchase a basket}

************************

Image by Sesha Shannon of conveystudios.com/
Other News:  My little Sylvia Nell is about to turn three, while my oldest is preparing for her senior year in high school.  My, how time flies.  

And, we've just had two new projects with magazine features.  Earnshaws and 417 Home.The on-line links are listed below.

www.earnshaws.com/articles/whats-selling/2011/03/storybook-sensibility {Photography by nathaliebearden.com/}

www.417homemag.com/417-Home/Spring-2011/The-Best-Birthday-Party-Ever/ {Photography by www.amypenningtonphotography.com/}

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Spring Fling Workshop at Pickwick House



All Images by Adie, of Twin Town Studios

The Spring Fling Workshop was held this past weekend in the brand new showroom at Pickwick House.  I have been so excited and looking forward to doing this for many months now...but when it came down to the thought of speaking, I got struck with some shake-nerves.  I am not a natural-born when it comes to speaking, but I figure I'll only get better with practice and I like that challenge, so I plan to keep doing these workshops.  Normally, I need a glass of wine to calm my nerves before presenting..., but with being pregnant, that wasn't an option.  By the time guests started arriving, oddly, my nerves disappeared. Everyone was so nice and just seemed happy to be here.  Patty Wingo, the amazingly talented culinary guest {star} of the workshop also lightened the mood with her spirit and "spirits"too...  her special spring fling cocktails.  She owns Simply Delicious and I had the wonderful opportunity to work with her last summer when she catered the wedding that is being featured in REAL SIMPLE Weddings {on news stands now}.  Not only has her food always been simply delicious, I am so impressed by her gusto and beyond personalized attention to every detail and carefully scheduled timing of events for serving fine cuisine.  She is exactly what every wedding planner dreams of for a caterer. 

While Patty shared refreshing drinks + recipes and how-to tutorials, I then shared a few table top inspirations and inexpensive DIY decorating tips.  Kendra of Lonie Mae {you need to follow her blog...by the way!} shared a place mat stencil how-to and then, lucky for us, we got to hear some inspiring feedback and ideas from the whole group.  The group was made up of artists, chocolatiers, and architects! Quite an impressive group!!


 Sweet-Sweet Adie of Twin Town Studios photographed {with her amazing-ness} all of the photos in this post. 

It was a good day.  We sold out of the workshop and even enjoyed our own little party! 





Green Thumb Hostess Take-outs 



Inspirer, Kendra Skinner of Lonie Mae
Honey-Dew Melon atop our Honey-Do List-Making Chalkboards
Pencils for note-takers...in a biodegradable coconut fiber pot
Our showroom 
Every guest took home a small chalkboard
Kendra's finished place-mats on yellow burlap
Patty Wingo's Virgin Champagne Recipe
A little sparkly/bubbly with Peach and Pear Juices

Spring Fling {hard lemonade infused with vodka, mint, and cucumber}
Patty has never shared this recipe, but she was so generous to share it with us!

You can't see it very well, but I wrote "Welcome to Spring" on the floor with Chalk

Looking forward to our Easter Basket making workshop on Sunday, April 3rd.

xo
sharon