The Mice Will Play

This week I got the very exciting news that I was chosen as one of 5 participants (+1 guest) to be a part of Truly Nolen's Mouse Car Parade!

If you live in South Florida and you see the parade this Saturday (July 24th) wave to us (and if you're on Twitter follow the event at #MousecarParade.

In honor of this event, I am dedicating the rest of my week's posts to pests - creepy, crawly, scurrying and yet somehow kinda cute pests.  And since I get to ride around in a life size mouse this weekend - today is all about Mice.

See - mice can be cute...at least in "The Pest" Series Etchings by Achiozza. 

The chicest mouse I have ever seen.  The Cosmic Mouse Ring by RFXStudios on Etsy.

 

The House of Mouse makes absolutely irresistible felt mice. I am especially taken with Anakin Skywalker Mouse (above) and Hannibal Lecter Mouse (below). 

Getting married?

Straight from the U.K., you can even have mice as your wedding cake topper:

However, if we're talking edible mice (who would ever think I would be saying that...), I think this cupcake by Martha Stewart (tutorial on Bunny Cakes) is perfect. Though almost too adorable to eat. 

And finally...

Have Your Ever Seen Such A Sight In Your Life?

Three Blind Mice caught and mounted just for you by Craft Sleuth.

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An Art-Full Celebration This Fourth of July

I love throwing parties but I hate having to spend a lot of money on centerpieces that will just be tossed out or broken apart and stored in a closet. Also, who has the time these days to put together floral arrangements and extensive tablescapes? I know I don't! And so with the Fourth of July just a few days away, below are some quick and easy centerpiece options to make your decorating a breeze. Most of them can be done with items you either have at home or can easily find at a local grocery or dollar store. Enjoy!

Any tablecloth can be turned into a patriotic work of art with stars cut out of any random red, white and/or blue fabric.  These stars were glued on with spray adhesive but any glue (or a few quick stitches with a needle and thread) will adhere them for your event.  I also love the look and set-up of their ice cream bar!

(Photo Courtesy of Country Living)

It honestly can't get any simpler than this.  Snag a handful of American Flags at the Dollar Store or your local grocery store this weekend and some red, white and blue gumballs. Within seconds you have a vibrant and fun centerpiece for your picnic tables this weekend.

(Photo Courtesy of All You)

Break out of the American Flag theme and go for something summery and bright with this easy to make centerpiece. Simply hollow out a watermelon for the vase and fill with a store bought bouquet. 

(Photo Courtesy of Kitchen Mish Mash)

Combine strawberries (or watermelon), blueberries and marshmallows and pile them on platters.  When spread sporadically across the table these simple dishes make fresh and edible table decor. 

(Photo Courtesy of Make and Takes)

If you're feeling crafty or you have children coming to your Fourth of July Event - this is a fun centerpiece that doubles as a project to keep the little ones busy.  A Dollar Store bucket, some paper and a bit of ribbon or random baubles and buttons all combine to make this adorable table topper. Let each child make their own star or flag and pretty soon you will have a table full of art!

(Photo Courtesy of Design by Dani)

And finally.....

So much easier than it looks - these are centerpieces with a bang AND they double as favors.  Just take paper towel or toilet paper rolls and cover with crepe paper, tissue paper or ribbons. Americana images can be printed from your computer and attached with glue.  Fill the inside of the tube with candy or other treats, tie at the top with ribbon or pipe cleaners and you have a fun and fanciful addition to your event.

(Photo Courtesy of Country Living)

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

Follow Me on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/EmilyontheAve

Crazy for Crochet?

I have been going back and forth about doing a post on crochet because it reminds me of a grandma- not my grandma, she likes gossip and cards and wine and has never had the patience to handcraft anything - but someone's grandmother. 

Lately I have been seeing crochet everywhere though and a lot of it is beginning to appeal to me. I like the homespun look, the chic crafty feel and the fact that it can be formed into almost anything.  So with only a little trepidation, here we go:

Words cannot describe how gorgeous I think this necklace is. Every piece on Big Frozen Melon makes my heart melt. I have a birthday coming up in case anyone was interested.....lol...

Who knew a weapon could be so pretty? I want to buy them just to keep them on an end table. 

Photo courtesy of Ingar Carina.

Just the fact that this crocheted crab exists makes me happy.  Thank you Joana Vasconcelos!

This tank by Covet as seen on Living gwg is unbelievably sexy. Perfect for a sultry summer night out.

For the dork...I mean man in your life...the Mega Man Crochet Helmet by Jenny Dork.

Such a lovely hat for a lovely little girl by Sadie Bear Accessories. The color combo and style is spot-on.

Low-carb dieters can now have their bread and cuddle it too. And he is even Whole Wheat!

Mr. Toastee from Yummy Pancakes on Etsy.

And finally, if nothing else had tickeled my fancy, I could always turn to one of my new favorite reads - the awesome blog, "What Not To Crochet"

 

 

The End of the Affair

This weekend was the Delray Affair in downtown Delray Beach, Florida.  We walked over from the house and spent the day out hoping it wouldn't rain. Despite the overcast sky, we had an absolute blast and picked up some great stuff too.

Here are some of my personal favorite things at the Delray Affair and a peek at the brand new sweet shop, Cupcake Couture.

Gainesville, FL artist Christine Green is also a hypnotherapist. She used her work as inspiration for this painting whose beautiful colors are not done justice in this photograph.

The piece is calming and the paint technique is lovely. http://www.studio214laneroad.com/

Lizard Key Designs from Ft. Pierce, FL create the coolest stained glass art pieces. We bought a fan pull to match our bedroom's 1950's kitchy nautical  theme but I LOVE the 70's Peace pieces.

http://www.lizardkey.com/

Stopped in for a drink at Johnnie Brown's. The place was jam packed but we

snagged a table out front and did some people watching.

The booth name caught my eye - The Batiki Hut (cute!) and their merchandise did not disappoint. I am obsessed with the octopus lately and I was excited to see it featured on pillows, t-shirts & more. They don't have a web site but look for them at your next local art fest!

I am a collector of words - quotes, poetry, books, crumbling pages of foreign text, old diaries, postcards and letters...you name it, I love it so it was natural that I fell for the Alphabet Photography seen above by Art of Letters.  Artist Brian Smith is updating the web site but you can normally find him at http://www.artofletters.net/. 

As we headed around the corner by Swinton Ave. we saw the mini-carnival.  Pretty certain it was only for kids, my husband wasn't thrilled about going on the rides, but I convinced him to join me on Barrel of Monkeys.

Since he was such a good sport I promised him something sweet so we headed over to the brand new

Cupcake Couture.

Since my husband's color is lime green, and mine has always been pink, the decor actually looks like most of the rooms in our house, lol, but the interior looks like it was done by Willy Wonka's House of Couture. It is funky and fashionable and delicious. 

Limey Pulitzer is my favorite cupcake so far but my husband loved the Guiness. Totally digging the countertops - real gumballs in resin - too cool!

Did you head out to the Affair this weekend? Tell us your thoughts, faves and best buys!

Thursday Treasury

I love Etsy. Since the day I started my store has been on http://www.etsy.com/ and I have met some of the nicest people in the world through the site. Therefore, every week I plan on paying homage by featuring all Etsy stores and artists in Treasury Thursday.

Last night I dreamt that I had a four headed dog and I toured with a circus after training him to jump through a fiery hoop.  No clue what that means, but it gave me the perfect theme for this week's treasury:

WELCOME TO THE FREAK SHOW

Jen's A Freak Show - Bearded Lady

Original Painting By See Jens Creations

 

1 1/2" Button By The Angry Robot

Amazing Tripod Girl - Freak Show Diva By Artsy

Victorian Grotesque Medical Curiousity Garland

By Flapper Girl

Two Heads Are Better Than One - The Brothers

By Pam Wishbow

Freak Show Ticket Stub Wooden Pendant

by Buster and Boo

SAMSON MERMAN Underwater Circus Strongman

By Cart Before The Horse

OWLCTOPUS Necklace Pendant By Cosmic Firefly