Tea time (and Happy Benito Juarez Day Observed!)

On Friday, Brie and I both took off work to enjoy an afternoon tea (at Sweet Simplici-Tea in Sykesville) and some shopping. Well, actually we had been meaning to do this since March. There's a story to go with it...

Several years ago (probably 2006?) when Brie and I used to work together, we were supposed to go to one of those multi-day offsite regional work meetings that make you want to stab yourself in the eye. We were seriously dreading it and trying to think of reasons to say we couldn't go, so we looked up the date of the meeting on the calendar with the idea that we'd find some obscure holiday we just HAD to be away to celebrate. The only thing on March 21 was Benito Juarez Day. Neither of us had ever heard of Benito Juarez (turns out he is a former Mexican president) but it sounded good!

We ended up still going to the dang meeting, but every year Brie reminds me when Benito Juarez Day comes around in March...so this year we wanted to actually take the day off and amuse ourselves. And then I was in Europe for most of March so we rescheduled it for May 3. Now I just googled Benito Juarez Day and was stunned to see that someone else must have had the SAME IDEA!

In any case, tea was lovely. The most awkward part this time (usually something really awkward happens) was just me stupidly burning the crap out of my tongue drinking the tea as soon as it was poured.

  

 

The scones and quiche were friggin awesome! After tea, we enjoyed some shopping on Main Street in Sykesville at Alexandra's Attic and A La Mode Boutique...and later we somehow ended up buying shoes at DSW (because you always need more shoes). All in all, a fun day!

 

 

Happy Benito Juarez Day to you too!

Shopping and inspiration: New Orleans, LA

A few weeks ago I was in New Orleans for a dance competition and got to spend a few lovely afternoons browsing shops in the French Quarter. Ok, maybe I did more than browse...but look at how pretty everything is!

Birds painting by Kelly Magee: Dutch Alley Artist's Co-op.

Red Victorian boot by 67: Shoe Be Do. (This store is soooo fabulous! They stock really unique European shoes.)
Brown Victorian "Tapenade" boot, tan "Caricature" Mary Jane, brown "Aristocrat" oxford, Aerosoles.
Lace doilies, placemat, table runner, napkins, coasters: Rendezvous Linens and Lace.
Vintage earrings, cuff bracelet, and bird necklace: Rendezvous Linens and Lace.

Also in this picture is my first-place medal for Ladies 8-Hand Ceili from the 2012 Southern Region Oireachtas! Yay!

If I'd had more time in New Orleans I probably would have done even more damage. I'm sure I spent at least an hour in the linens and lace store--they had all kinds of awesome jewelry and treasures!

 

Just a few pics below from our meanderings around town. I did find time to eat a delicious Po' boy, check out the flea market, see street performers by Jackson Square, and stroll along the river watching the steamboats. I also discovered that food options are a little limited in New Orleans if you don't eat seafood! One night I had grilled cheese at a restaurant...and I will admit I ate Popeyes (or "Pope Yes" as my brother calls it) for lunch in a pinch.

 

 

 

 

 

Great times with my dance friends (not to mention our win!), good food, and awesome shopping--all in all, a great weekend in NOLA!

Still sick...

But I'm being productive! Last night I was up super-late working on (finally!) finishing the edges of the ribbon placemats and table runners I started several months ago. Once I got a technique down, I was able to breeze through and finish 4 placemats and 2 big table runners.

After much inner debate (and some earlier failed experimentation with stitching the edges), I decided to go with Stitch Witchery fusible web hem tape. It's not perfect, but it gives the stitch-free look I wanted and is not difficult to use.

It's kind of dark in here this afternoon (snow is coming!!!) so my pics are not great but here's a preview of what I finished so far.

I like the way the green placemat and the blue table runners came out best. I definitely prefer the edges with the thin ribbon, which means I usually have to cut the fusible web in half to fit underneath.

On some of the corners I used Liquid Stitch (a clear adhesive for fabrics) as well to give it some extra hold. The corners were not easy! I even thought about doing a mitered corner but that was too complicated.

More to come tomorrow...with better pics, of course. :)