Gypsy Ridgley

Happy 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:44:00 +0000

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 23:00:00 +0000

I hope that your Christmas is filled with Prime Rib and Yorkshire puddings!

Weekend Project

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:20:00 +0000

I bought this cute little table at an estate sale Saturday for (gasp!) 3 dollars. Whoo hoo! I had some turquoise paint lying in wait, so I forced myself to see this project through from beginning to end.

I also picked up the orange outdoor table cloth to use as a drop cloth, for only 50c.

What do you think?

Shhh!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:51:00 +0000

.. Sarah Ridgley ..
Fall 2011 Collection coming soon

Happy Birthday to Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:50:00 +0000

September 2nd 1980 was the best day in the history of the world. at least IMHO

Baby Shower Brunch

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 02:59:00 +0000

I recently hosted one of the most fabulous baby showers for a dear friend. It's her first, a little girl named Lindy. Joslin, another one of our besties was in charge of the food and the cake. She is just absolutely amazing. I supplied the house, the decorating, and the flowers, but it was her stunning food that really set off the party.

Just look at all that yumminess!

She made the cake too, which everyone thought must have been from a bakery. Nope, just Joslin's mad skills!

Owls were the theme for the party, so she whipped up this adorable little owl family:

love it! I made some paper owls for everyone to use to write Lori an encouraging note or good advice about life with a newborn.

I also supplied these fabulous cookies from my local Asian grocer. They're guava flavored and TDF!

We wanted to have the shower early in the day, so we decided on a brunch theme. There were sausage balls, a breakfast burrito station, and some gorgeous quiches.

I found these super cute ribbon corsages at Michael's on clearance, yay for sales! Here is the baby mama with her plate.

Since this was a baby girl shower, and we were feeling all pink and frilly, we wanted some pretty sweets as well. Joslin whipped up these simple parfaits minutes before the party started.

The stuffed strawberries (my personal favorite) she made the day before. We were afraid they might get juicy from sitting in the fridge so long, but it worked out just fine.

For the flowers I ordered a box of pink carnations from Sam's. 100 flowers for only $36, and I am still enjoying them almost a week later.

My centerpiece was simple, a bunch of carnations surrounded by some caladiums from mom's yard, and some wisteria vine from my yard. I found the awesome California pottery bowl at an estate sale two days before the party.

I also had an arrangement on the drinks table:

and the coffee bar:

It was such a great party. I decided to be "environmental" and use all my lovely glasses and dishes that I spend so much time collecting, instead of buying paper plates and cups. The iced tea glasses were Fostoria American and a set of crystal with a star pattern, I'm not sure the maker. The cake plates and some of the coffee cups were from my (extensive) collection of Johnson Brother's Garden Bouquet. The Pottery Barn tea dispenser was an anniversary gift from my sweet husband, and the table cloth was a length of fabric from Hancocks I had cut to fit my table. (I didn't even bother to hem the edges, and I don't think anyone noticed!)

Here are some more pictures, a reward for those of you that are still reading this extremely long post.

(see my cute blue and white striped tea dispenser in the background?!)

These party favors were sooo cute.

Yum, I wish I could eat it all again!

Happy Memorial Day

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Finnegan loved his homemade ice cream cone!

Happy Thursday!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:22:00 +0000

We were so happy for the first rain-free day in awhile. Lots of lovely sunshine was enjoyed by all!

My two year old niece, Allison, enjoyed hanging out upside down.

Vintage Stamps

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:27:00 +0000

I decided to add something fun and different to my letterpress shop. Old postage stamps! I love the look of old stamps mixed with lovely letterpress cards.

Time for a trip

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:09:00 +0000

Kevin and I are going to Dallas this weekend to see his folks for Easter. I'm excited because we haven't done any traveling in awhile and I need to get my creative juices flowing. Are you traveling for Easter? Stay Safe!

Easter Decorating

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:21:00 +0000

I love decorating for different holidays. Things have gotten a little more challenging with a toddler around, but I still make an effort when I can. The other day I cut a huge bunch of azaleas and honeysuckle and made little arrangements all over my house. Fresh flowers are such a treat in the springtime.

The cute bunny bunting is from PS it's in the Details. She really has some adorable stuff!

Vintage Goodies

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 01:20:00 +0000

We actually had several decent estate sales in the area this weekend. I had a great time scavenging while Kevin watched Finn. These monogram hankies were my favorite find. I love the cheerful colors and the fact that someone handmade them long ago.

My New Hiedelberg Windmill Press

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:57:00 +0000

I went to an auction this weekend and came home with a gorgeous new-to-me press. It's a Heidelberg Windmill and it is just fantastic. I was the only one that bid on it at the auction, so I got it for $100. That's a steal, folks. a STEAL.

It was a bit hard to move, seeing that it weighs about 3000 pounds, but thanks to my engineering father and husband the job got done. I ran a few test prints and made my mother some new stationery for her birthday. So far I love it!

Business Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:14:00 +0000

I also made some new business cards. They are now loaded in my lovely Tiffany card holder (thanks John and Gail!) and ready to be handed out.

New Packaging

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:26:00 +0000

I decided to up my game on Etsy with some fun new labels for my coasters. I printed them yesterday afternoon while Finnegan watched Sesame Street. I love being able to have him out in my studio, and he likes being with momma.

a Royal Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:11:00 +0000

And I'm featured in it! Show this treasury TONS of love.

Shamrocks

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:32:00 +0000

A mother's prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:58:00 +0000

I'm starting a campaign to convince Apple that they need to provide a way to lock the iphone screen while movies are playing. Finnegan loves to watch the Wiggles when we are out and about, but he turns the video off (or the sound) (or makes a phone call) (or lots of other bad things) with his little fingers. Surely there is a way to lock the iphone during video playback. I mean, come on!! Steve Jobs must not have kids or something. Because I can assure him that anyone with young kids has felt my pain at some point. If you agree (or if you know a trick to lock the screen) please leave a comment below.

Back in Business

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:25:00 +0000

Wow, it feels so good to have my Etsy Shop open again. Although I had forgotten how much work it is to get your photographs and descriptions ready.

Some of these items will be added soon, and some of them are already listed. If you like what you see, add me to your circle so you know when I get the rest of my items listed.

Beignet Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:13:00 +0000

It's almost Mardi Gras time, and you know what that means. Beignets! Kevin whipped up a batch the other morning and they were fantastic. We used the Café Du Monde Beignet Mix.

It was kind of hard to get an appetizing picture of them frying, I never knew food photography was so tricky.

They turned out delicious, especially once we sprinkled them with powdered sugar.

Even Finnegan approved!

My orchid is blooming!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:47:00 +0000

I bought this orchid a year ago from Aldi. I can't believe I managed to keep it alive and coax it to rebloom! Especially after all the moving we did this past year.

Sneak Peak...

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:02:00 +0000

I've been working on several projects trying to get my shop ready to re-open. Here is a sneak peek at one of my favorites! I love all the hype and excitement surrounding the royal wedding, and I thought it would be fun to make my own letterpress souvenir. This is a limited run of 50, and they will be available for sale soon, so check back if you are interested!

Sheriff Finnegan

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:19:00 +0000

Finn has decided he loves the outside, now that the snow is gone.

Valentine 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:40:00 +0000

Kevin really came through this year for Valentine's Day. Finnegan and I came home from running errands and found several buckets of flowers scattered all over my kitchen, just waiting to be arranged. I love playing with flowers so this was a fabulous gift! Thanks honey.

Hot Cider on a Cold Day

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Ridgley) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:49:00 +0000

We've been working hard to get my studio ready, and the day has finally arrived when I can fire up the press! Too bad it is so dang cold outside. My dad installed a wood stove for us to help keep the place warm, and I thought it might be fun to have some cider boiling on top.

Here's my recipe:
a dash of ground cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
one star anise
a big handful of red hots

Kevin also likes to add a shot of cinnamon schnapps for an extra kick.