Hydrangeas - Vintage Pixie preserving secret revealed.....

The time is NOW !!

It has been a great year for Hydrangeas in Thunder Bay and it is perfect weather for preserving these fresh flowers before the big freeze.

Following a challenging garden season which started with numerous millimeters of rain drenching our city, 

a hot dry spell that parched the area,

as well as hungry varmints that ravaged the foliage

of many of our favourite flowers,

I think the beauty of these flowers may be overlooked!

So bring these beautiful and hardy big blooms inside to enjoy.

Green ones are all the rage in vintage decor magazines,

But check out these lovely pink hydrangeas....now that's Shabby Chic!

Simply snip the stems with sharp scissors or pruners.

After cutting the stems, gather all your flowers to bring inside.

 Bring out all of your beautiful vintage containers of any height or size....

And here is the secret to preserving.......

......Do nothing!

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Just cut the stems to the size you need for your container & arrange them the way you would like.

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Enjoy for the upcoming winter months.

The beauty is, when they get dusty, just toss them in the composter and cut more next fall.

Pixie Pickers ROAD TRIP!!!!!

Just back from our annual fall trip to pick the hidden, dustiest treasure spots for "new" old stuff!

As usual, it was extremely successful & exciting - we were vibrating with enthusiasm as we departed on a warm September morning.

First stop.....good thing we have a bigger truck with more enclosed space. 

Next.....another haul to the truck!

Then.....some creative re-packing always makes room for more..... 

Finally.....of course,

there is always room for..... one.....more.....thing.....! 

Inspired by trending vintage collectibles, we have begun to display some of our new "picks" in the shop.

I'm always amazed to see which finds are snapped up almost as soon as we carry them up to the studio!

Check out what inspired the Pixie Pickers this year!

Better yet, come by the studio to see for yourselves.



 PRINTING BLOCKS ~ MAKE YOUR OWN STATEMENT

VINTAGE BOTTLES ~ A BOTTLE CHANDELIER YOU CAN CHANGE FOR THE SEASON

VINTAGE FANS ~ SO COOL, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH

FARM & ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE ~ ADD SOME CHARM TO YOUR HOME

VINTAGE SUITCASES ~ STACK THEM UP FOR SOME NOSTALGIC SEASONAL STORAGE

Pumpkin, Pumpkins everywhere!

Try this sweet pumpkin treat!

Pumpkin Fudge

3 cups granulated sugar
¾ cup melted butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
½ cup canned pure pumpkin
2 Tbs corn syrup
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
12 oz package white chocolate morsels
7 oz jar marshmallow crème
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional, but I highly recommend))
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Line 9″ square pan with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick spray.
2. Stir together first 6 ingredients in a 3½ quart saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 234° (soft ball stage) or for about 12 minutes.
3. Once mixture reaches 234°, remove from heat and quickly stir in remaining ingredients until well blended.
4. Pour into prepared pan. Let stand 2 hours or until completely cool; cut fudge into squares.
Yield: About 3 pounds

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Evenings are getting darker and cooler, so come learn a new indoor creative hobby and meet some new friends.

No experience expected, you will be amazed at what you can do!

Beginner Sculpting Workshop

Mondays 6:30-9:30pm
September 24 to October 29

Fall Decor!

Yup, the time is now!

The Pixies have been bringing in the fall decor and the studio has a warm glow about it.

Start your autumn decorating now so everyone can enjoy it for Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en. What the heck, even through to the American Thanksgiving in November!

Just a visit to the shop will get your creative juices flowing. We find that a touch of oranges, golds, browns or rustic pieces added to any colour room, will add the warmth everyone craves during this season.

Our scented oils and candles are always a hit, gentle but homey.

And we can't forget host/hostess gifts for the hard-working people that put on the Thanksgiving feast.

It's been too long...

I've been a very bad blogger. Things have been very busy in the studio and we have been spending all our spare time enjoying the warm summer days before the fall and the crispness in the air arrives. Unfortunately the blogging has suffered so please forgive the tardiness and I will try to catch everyone up.
We enjoyed a busy week of workshops in August, with many tapping into their creative side.
There were colourful toadstools...

 

whimsical birdhouses...

 

 
and gorgeous windows...

...and now we begin to say goodbye to the garden weather and lazy summer nights.

There's a nip in the air, and the children are back to school. There is the crunch of leaves underfoot, as the days shorten. The scent of pumpkin pie and apple cider drift on the breeze. Now is the time we prepare our nest's for the approaching winter. Indoor activities begin to entice us from the outdoors.

 

Workshop dates and spaces are limited, so don't delay. Register now.
Remember you aren't considered registered until you have paid for your workshop.
All classes are non refundable.
All workshops are for ages 16 and up.
For more details on workshops stop into the studio to see class samples.

 

 

Peter Pumpkinhead

 Sunday September 23, 10am-4pm

 $65.00

In the spirit of Halloween you will sculpt this ghoulish pumpkin head using an air drying paperclay. It will be painted and embellished and set on a decorative base you paint. This workshop is for all skill levels. All materials are supplied including a light lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mosaic Window Workshop
   Sunday September 30, 10am-4pm

Tuesday October 2, 7pm-8:30pm
   $95.00

 

 There is nothing more stunning than sunlight streaming through stain glass. In this workshop you will learn to create and mosaic a basic design to hang in a window. We supply your frame, glass and adhesive. Students are required to bring glass nippers and safety glasses. ( we do sell wheeled glass nippers at the studio) Sunday will be spent designing and mosaicing your piece. A light lunch will be provided on the Sunday. You will return Tuesday evening to grout and polish your design.

 

 

Beginner Sculpting Workshop

Mondays 6:30-9:30pm
September 24 to October 29
$250.00

In this 6week workshop you will learn step by step techniques to sculpt a character in polymer clay.

We will sculpt the head, hands and feet. and apply them to a wire armiture. Polymer clay will be provided. Students are required to have a basic tool kit for sculpting. (kit is available for purchase)
This workshop is for all skill levels. A follow up workshop will be offered at a later date  which will cover painting, costuming and wings 

An Elf Hatchling Workshop
Sunday, October 7, 10am-4pm
$68.00

Create one of these adorable little elf hatchlings in polymer clay. All materials supplied. A light lunch is included. Students require to bring a stylus or metal knitting needle to sculpt with-any other tools needed will be on hand. No experience required

Fibre Canvas Workshop
Sunday, October 21, 10am-4pm
$68.00

In this workshop you will be working with fibres to create a gourgeous work of art. You will learn basic felting, simple free motion embroidery and beadwork. This is for all skill levels. We provide all supplies and a light lunch. Students are required to bring felting needles (available for sale at the studio) and a sewing machine that is able to drop feed dog. Please know how to operate your sewing machine-we don't teach sewing.