Traveling Friendship Bag

(Photo courtsey Cindy Brewer)

My friend Cindy over at Rick-Rack and Gingham is such a sweet lady.  Sadly, one of Cindy's friends tragically lost her husband and home during the terrible tornados in Alabama.  Ever one to lend a helping hand, Cindy put a call out on her blog to help put a smile on her friend's face...

Enter the Traveling Friendship Bag!  Cindy's named the bag Sadie Mae.  Several of us signed up to take Sadie Mae for a few days, snap a few pictures and send her on to her next destination.  We've been encouraged to tuck a recipe card, a post card from our town, and a message of hope or prayer for Cindy's friend into one of Sadie Mae's pockets.  After traveling throughout the States for a couple of months, Sadie Mae will end up back in Texas at Cindy's home so she can organize all of the messages, pictures and recipes and present them to her friend.  Here's a quick recap of my adventures with Sadie Mae:

Since we live in a teeny, tiny town with nothing but a post office, we traveled to the nearby town of Clermont which has several Americana-at-its-best sites!  I happen to LOVE retro Americana and immediately thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share with you some classic kitsch near our home.

Our first stop was a produce stand that has a couple of tourist-y props perfect for posing with Sadie Mae!

Sadie Mae was not harmed in this photo:

Headed in search of more kitsch, we found the House of Presidents, a little museum chock full of American presidential trivia and reproduction artifacts:

(That's Captain Project's reflection in the glass door.  Oops, I had my hands behind my back so you can barely see Sadie Mae!)

In the parking lot of the House of Presidents sits Mount Rushmore ~ ha!

And finally, we made our way to Clermont's most famous landmark, the Citrus Tower:

One of Florida’s first “attractions,” and long before Disney World, the Citrus Tower was built in 1956 on one of the highest hills in Florida’s ridge section.  Up until about 10 years ago, visitors would ride the elevator to the top of the tower to look out and marvel at the miles and miles of orange groves that once surrounded it.  Now, and sadly, most of the orange groves have been plowed under to make way for shopping and housing.

Welp, that's my travel odyssey with Sadie Mae.  I hope in some small way I'll have helped put a smile on Cindy's friend's face.  Thank you for this opportunity, Cindy!  Here's a link list of Sadie Mae's other "travel guides," so that you can continue following her adventures on their blogs:

Kelly at Chick n' Charge

Monica at the Chicken Wrangler

Renee at My Vintage Mending

Michaele at Sproutin Wings Farm

Elaine at Honeysuckle Hollow

Debby at Cozy Blanket

Elizabeth at Creative Breathing

Janelle at Sweet Bee Cottage

Terra at Terra Garden

Becky at Sweet Cottage Dreams

Connie at Shady Creek Lane 

Amber at Plowman

and Ali at the Wandering Workentins

Hope you'll take a moment to visit these blogs ~ make their day and become followers too!

And don't forget to enter this month's giveaway!

Click HERE to read the rules and enter.  Drawing is 6/30.  Good luck!

 

Craft Show Results

Well, after seven wildly succesful shows, I experienced a bummer.  Hardly sold a thing.  Kept thinking things would pick up and at the same time wishing I was at home sewing.

The show was part of a high school production of Twefth Night.  Learned throughout the day from the students, the few attendees and the teachers that Shakespeare doesn't draw in big crowds.  To my chagrin, I also found out that not one penny had been spent on advertising!

Lesson learned!  Since I had been a part of three previous productions at this school, I just took for granted that this one would be well attended too.  Next time, I'll be sure to find out how many tickets have sold!

So Dianna and I made the most of the day by meeting the other vendors (sadly, they did not do well either), networking about future show opportunities, and taking lots of pictures.

My vintage tub's been looking a bit shabby lately so Dianna repainted it.  It's all shiny and lovely now, especially since she painted on the name!

Near the end of the day, we got a little punchy.  And by now, you all know how much I love a cheesy picture ~ hahaha!

(Inhaling the sweet scent of my handmade, lavender-infused bath salts)

With so few customers ~ seriously, there were maybe a total of 50 attendees ~ I considered hanging myself on the maypole, but instead...

Hope you're all having a not so bummer start to your summer!

Don't forget this month's blog giveaway ~ these wonderful products from Paula Parrish's Natural Garden Soaps...

If you haven't entered yet, click HERE for chances and to read the rules.  I'll draw the winner on June 30th ~ good luck!

Flag Day

Today is Flag Day in America.  When I was a kid Flag Day was a big deal.  We celebrated it in school, our family and all of our neighbors hosited their flags on their porches and our town actually had a parade!

Today, not so much {heavy sigh...}.

We've been flying an American flag at our home, well forever.

This is our new flag.  The old one was a bit too crudy for Captain Project's taste, even though I did my best to wash out the green mildew growing on it.  Eewwhh!  Can't help it here in hot, humid Florida!  I actually kind of liked the look, a bit worn and tattered by the elements.  But CP (retired military man, remember) has expalined to me on numerous occassions that it's disrespectful to allow our flag to get all crudy (click here for flag etiquette).  Yeah, OK, but I like the patina-ed look!

Ah, well.  Since there are no public celebrations in our town today or this week to celebrate Flag Day, I'll share a few American flag facts and my own trivia with you...

Flag Day was made a permanent observance in America in 1949 by Congress who resolved "That the 14th day of June of each year is hereby designated as Flag Day."

Betsy Ross:  Perhaps America's most famous seamstress (did you know she ran an upholstery business?), stitched our first flag at the request of George Washington.

The "Betsy" apron, Retro Revival's patrioritc take on Old Glory:

The proper way to retire a flag is to burn it ~ don't toss it in the trash!

Francis Scott Key composed "Star Spangled Banner," which officially became our national anthem in 1931. 

People who study flags are called Vexillologists.

The tip of a Beagle's tail is called a flag.  Twyla proudly waves hers all the time:

In the 1920's flagpole-sitting was all the rage.  Pre-reality TV, it entertained and amused millions of Americans.  The most famous sitter was Paul "Shipwreck" Kelly, who set the world's record for flagpole sitting by staying aloft for 23 days!  He eventually broke his own record by sitting on a flagpole for 49 days!

(Shipwreck Kelly claimed to have survived the sinking of the Titanic)

Happy Flag Day all!

Please remember this month's giveaway:

...All of these wonderful, handmade, organic bath and beauty products from Natural Garden Soaps!  Details on how to enter are on my June 9th post (just scroll down a bit).  Drawing is June 30th ~ good luck!

Retro Rita Interview: Handmade Success with Paula Parrish of Natural Garden Soaps

I am so excited to share this post with you today!  I've been working really hard to better market my business, which is challenging for me because my sewing machine's always calling my name!  Anyway, in an effort to further market my brand, I've decided to begin using my Retro Rita to help me promote some new ideas.

Though I've not properly introduced Retro Rita before, you have seen her.  She's been posing on my marketing materials, including my tent banner...

On my business cards and product labels...

...and here on my blog.

Beginning today, Retro Rita is going to help me share periodic interviews with creative people who inspire me.  Yay!

Retro Rita:  I'm delighted that Paula Parrish is here today for my first Retro Rita Interview and giveaway!  As a quick introduction, Paula is the owner and creator of Natural Garden Soaps, the most wonderful handmade skin products I’ve ever used.  Her line of soaps just makes me want to spend my day luxuriating in the tub!

{I'm gifting several of Paula's products as this month's giveaway.  Details on how to enter the giveaway are near the end of this post.}

Retro Rita:  Tell us about your products, Paula.
Paula:  I make handmade bath and beauty products from botainical-based ingredients found in nature, without synthetic chemicals or commercial preservatives.  Some of the natural ingredients I use include olive oil, sunflower oil, honey, mango butter, Shea Butter, beeswax, organic garden botanicals, witch hazel and Aloe Vera.  My products include Natural Soaps, 3-step Facial Kit (facial soap, refreshing toner and pure healing Shea Butter facial lotion), nourishing Shea Butter lotions, Sheat Butter whipped body cremes, aromatherapy room & linen sprays, 100% essential oil natural balms, and creative bath accessories.

(Photo courtsey Paula Parrish)

Retro Rita: How did you get started in soap making?
Paula:  I wanted to make something with my organic garden herbs, veggies and flowers.  I also wanted to make a better soap for our youngest daughter to use; she has suffered from psoriasis.  After a few months of soap making, I created a soap recipe that I wanted to use and share with others.  I thought, 'Wow, this is an amazing soap and I love the way it feels on my skin!' Well, the feedback from friends and family was wonderful.  They loved it and wanted more.  That's how my business began.  My mission is to continue making great, handmade soap.

(Photo courtsey Paula Parrish)

Retro Rita:  Where do you find your ingredients?
Paula:  Whenever possible I find my ingredients directly in nautre.  For example, the seaweed I use in my Mucky Seaweed Soap is from my local Gulf Shore (Florida) beach.  When I add food products such as oatmeal, I purchase it in bulk from my local health food store.  All of the natural oils and exotic butters I use are purchased from wholesale soap suppliers.

(Photo by Paula Parrish.  Echinacea growing in Paula's backyard garden.)

Retro Rita:  Do some of your ingredients come from your garden?
Paula:  Yes.  All of the herbs, flowers and seasonal vegetables are from my own backyard, organic garden.

Retro Rita:  What is your best selling product and what makes it such a great seller?
Paula:  My handmade super-enriched soaps.  My customers tell me they love my soap because it is super moistening, smells yummy and is good for your skin.

(Paula Parrish photo)

Retro Rita:  You have such a beautiful set-up at your arts and crafts fairs.  Please tell us about the design of your space and what you do to draw in customers.
Paula:  When I designed my display I carefully selected second-hand or vintage items to create an eco-friendly display with its own unique style.  I believe that my soap booth gives my customers a warm, at-home feeling because they often tell me they don't want to leave my booth.

Retro Rita:  Apart from creating your soaps and bath products, what do you do?

Paula:  I love to stay busy; I work as a graphic designer when I am not making soap.  I feel so lucky to be doing things that I love and getting paid for it to boot.  In my free time I love to create all kinds of things from sewing and scrapbooking to cooking.

Retro Rita:  Running a business can certainly challenge a person’s time management skills.  How do you manage your time to get it all accomplished?

Paula:  When I first start a project I give myself a time limit to complete the job.  This habit seems to work very well for me.  I also work from "To Do" lists, set goals and stay focused on the current task at hand.

Retro Rita:  What does handmade mean to you?

Paula:  Handmade to me is something that is made by an individual, with their ideas, their passion and their time.  It is not mass-produced but created with carefully-selected materials or ingredients.  It has those small imperfections which add a personal touch.  I believe each handmade item has a little part of the artist in it when completed.  That is why I list, as the very last ingredient in my handmade soap, TLC or lots of love.

(Paula wearing her Retro Revival apron at her local scrapbooking store.  She said of her apron, "I believe that wearing this charming apron makes me so much more creative.  The family mini book that I created came out amazing!)

Retro Rita:  What are your hopes and aspirations for your business and where do you see yourself in the future?

Paula:  I hope to share my handmade skincare products with as many people as possible and educate people along the way about natural skincare.  I see myself being happy and enjoying the experiences that running a successful handmade business brings.

Retro Rita:  What handmade possession do you cherish most?  Why?

Paula:  I most cherish the poems, drawings and paintings that my children have created for me over the years.  I love them because they truly express the feelings and individual talent of each of my four children.

Retro Rita:  What would you do if you won a ba-zillion dollars?

Paula:  Wow, a ba-zillion dollars?!  I would first go on a long cruise with my family and friends and, of course, foot the bill.  After I returned home I would donate money to a few of my favorite charities and make sound investments.  I would not forget my supportive hubby Chad; I would buy him a big fishing boat and send him fishing!  Woo hoo, with him out of the way for a few weeks I could do a lot of creating!

Retro Rita:  Well, you're quite the creative lady, Paula!  Thank you for your time and insight.  Now, about our giveaway...

Retro Revival's June 2011 giveaway includes these Natural Garden Soap treasures:

There are a few ways to win and each way counts as a point!

1. Share a comment here on this post, letting me know what you think about Retro Rita and/or suggest other ways she can help me grow my business.

2. Go to Retro Revival's FB page and click "like" (mention you've done this in your comment here).

3. Go to Paula's website, check out her products, come back here and share with me your favorite.

4. Go to Paula's blog and become a follower (make sure you tell me about it in a comment so I know to count your entry).

5. Go to Paula's FB page and click "like" (be sure to mention you've done so in a comment here).

I'll draw the winner on June 30th.  Good luck!