Sweet Muffin Suite

country living fair antiques

sweetmuf — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:43:42 +0000

I recently took a visit to Austin, Texas for the Country Living Fair with my Mother-in-Law, Leslie. We had the best time. We spent two whole days rummaging through every nook and cranny in these giant barns trying to find the best in vintage. I found some of the most amazing things. I was most inspired by the vintage pull toys. I’m working on a fabric collection based off of those right now. I love all the inspiration that vintage provides. My husband loved the lion illustration on one of the playing cards I brought home.

Here are some of the things I brought home. My favorite being this airplant from India. It may not be vintage but it’s pretty sweet!

Oh and check out these thumb-tacks! They look like vintage typewriter keys. LOVE!!!

Have you found any great vintage lately? I’d love to hear about it!

FREE mother’s day card printable

sweetmuf — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:19:14 +0000

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, I knew it was high time for all of you procrastinators (including myself) out there for a FREE card printable for Mother’s Day. Let Mom know you’re thinking about her with this fresh feminine floral card.

I was inspired by these flowers. Aren’t they beautiful!

Or, if your Mom’s not into florals, use this watercolor stripe card. It’s still feminine.

Both of these cards could be used for pretty much any occasion, not just for Mother’s Day.

Download the cards below.

Flower Card

Stripe Card

easy garden markers for mother’s day

sweetmuf — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:01:23 +0000

With Mother’s Day being just around the corner, I thought it would be good to make a simple gift that didn’t cost much money. Over the past several years I’ve seen some amazing garden markers and have been wanting to make my own. They are super easy to make and only take a few things to make them. Mine don’t look anything near as nice as some of the ones I’ve seen, but they look rustic. That’s not a bad thing.

Step One: Purchase some oven-baked clay. I got mine at Michaels for about $8.

Step Two: Cut out and mold the clay to make the markers. Mine are about 6 inches long.

Step Three: Using a stamping alphabet letter set, spell out your letters. I just lightly pressed into the clay. I actually used a metal stamping alphabet set. It can be purchased here.

Step Four: Using a bone folder or your finger, smooth out the top and edges.

Step Five: Bake according to package directions. I used a 325 degree oven for 15 minutes.

Step Six: Using black acrylic paint, paint the letters. Don’t be afraid to get it all over, but make sure to get it in the grooves. Then, using a wet cloth, wipe off all the excess paint.

Step Seven: After paint is dry, spray with a waterproof paint to make sure the black doesn’t come off. Whaaaa laaa! You’re done!

Wizard of Oz

sweetmuf — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:57:08 +0000

My daughter is going to be in this performance of the Wizard of Oz. My super talented husband illustrated and designed the poster. Isn’t it great! I think Char is going to have a lot of fun!

If you live in Utah County you should come to the performance. It’s May 25th & 26th at 6:30pm. Miss Amber, Char’s teacher, has put a lot of thought and effort into this and is so talented. She just loves those little kids and does such a great job with them. I’m hoping that each of the Grandmas can come out for it as well. Here’s to hoping!

sneak peek of a new collection

sweetmuf — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:03:44 +0000

About 5 weeks ago I started an online textile design class from Michelle Fifis of Pattern Observer. I’m loving every minute of it and have already learned so much! I can hardly wait to go to SURTEX 2013. That’s a very soft goal I have right now. Wow, I said it! I can’t wait! Now, if only I can make it to SURTEX in NYC this year, so I might actually know what to do when I show in 2013.

I really like where this collection is going. I imagine this being used for little girls dress, or an apon. I love Spring!

one kings lane blank canvas challenge

sweetmuf — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:54:35 +0000

I submitted this design for the One Kings Lane blank canvas challenge. I really wish the pink polkadot could be added to the inside, but I seriously doubt it. Cute huh? I was inspired by some cactus blossoms from an old vintage lithograph.

Giveaway Winner

sweetmuf — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:24:44 +0000

#3, Sharon, is the winner of this Giveaway! I had my daughter pick one of the three pieces of papers. Thanks to all who participated!

Hope you all had a good Easter. I know I did. We visited the farm in Idaho. I got to see my 83 year old Grandma ride a horse for the first time in 10 years. She said it was on her “bucket list” of things to do before she dies. Isn’t that amazing! Charlotte also got to go to THREE Easter egg/candy hunts. Lucky girl. I ate way too much this weekend and have started Jillian Michaels “Ripped in 30!” Here’s to hoping I can stick to it!

free easter card download

sweetmuf — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:50:40 +0000

Another freebie! This one’s for Easter! I just love Spring and Easter. It makes me so happy and reminds me that all can be new again and that we have opportunities to change and become better. Get the free download below.

This card is for personal use only and not for resale. Enjoy!

Lit by Design Sponsor Post & a Giveaway!!!!

sweetmuf — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:05:43 +0000

CLOSED! Thanks everyone for participating! The winner is #3, Sharon.

Hello Everyone!

Are you all gearing up for Easter. I know I am. To celebrate Easter, I’m gearing up with my only Sponsor, Becki, of Lit by Design to give away a beautiful bracelet. She is kind enough to give away this multi-stranded hemp cord bracelet made with aqua-colored hemp cord and textured silver discs to one of my lucky readers. Isn’t it beautiful!

Here’s what you need to do to enter. The first one is required, the others are extra entries. In each comment please leave an email address so I can get in touch with you if you win.

1. Visit her Etsy store and leave a comment telling me which piece of jewelry is your favorite.

2. Like Lit by Design on Facebook

3. Follow Lit by Design on Twitter

4. Subscribe to her blog

The giveaway will close on Monday, April 9th at Midnight and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 10th. Good luck!

painted easter cookie craft

sweetmuf — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:51:56 +0000

This is a super easy Easter craft to do with the kiddos. All you need is food coloring, egg yolks and sugar cookie dough to make these bright and playful cookies.

Start by making a simple sugar cookie recipe. This is the recipe I grew up with. I’m not sure where my mom got it.

GRANNY’S SUGAR COOKIES

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. vanilla

1 3/4 to 2 cups of flour

Cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and beat well. Add the other ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Add only enough flour to make a soft dough. Don’t overbeat because this will cause the dough to become stiff and dry.

Roll onto a floured surface and cut out shapes.

PAINT

Add 3-4 drops of food coloring to one egg yolk. Using a paintbrush, paint the design onto the cookies.

BAKE

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 8 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!