Two New Patriotic Prints

I'm always on the lookout for unique vintage images that strike my fancy.  In particular I look for items that highlight our Canadian heritage.  That's why I snapped up these two recently and have added them to the website.

This image is undated, but the uniform is WW1, putting it in the 1914-18 period.  It was the flute that caught my eye!

This one dates from 1906-1907.  I love her outfit!

The Times They Are A-Changing (with apologies to Bob Dylan!)

Three years ago, when I got the (brilliant) idea to transform historic images into serving trays I never thought they would be so popular. 

Rather than bore you, reader, with the evolution of this idea, suffice it to say that I soon bought out the entire stock of blank trays from one wholesaler, and upon not finding anything else suitable out there began making my own trays from scratch.  I have had to learn woodworking and finishing skills along the way.  Maybe not my fort-ay!

Well, it's time to change again.  While I love the look of the hand-crafted trays with the glass handles the cost of the materials has reached the point where I can no longer make them at a reasonable price.

The new trays will be a gorgeous black colour which makes the ceramic tile images really pop.  Another piece of good news is the fact that turn-around time will now be considerably less.  I can abandon my work as a carpenter and focus on the artistic end!

I've updated the website and welcome you to browse the selection of beautiful old maps and images that can be made into a truly unique gift for yourself, or someone else.

Fire-King

According to Wikipedia,  Fire-King "was originally produced in the 1940s for everyday use, rather than display. It was often sold in bags of flour as a promotional item or was given away at gas stations. Fire-King could also be purchased at local grocery and hardware stores.

Today, Fire-King is an affordable collectible found in antique stores, garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores, as well as on the Internet."

I recently found a piece of Fire King at a thrift store and have made it into a Chalkboard Plate by painting the middle with several layers of chalkboard paint.  It's for sale on my website along with other vintage plates.

This oval platter is a piece of white milk glass in the common Shell pattern.  Based on the backstamp on the rear, I have estimated that it dates from 1970.

A New, Yummy, Healthy Recipe

I think I'm in love with these.  I pulled out an old magazine the other day that had a recipe in it which  I make about every five years.

Later as I flipped through it I came across a recipe I had never tried, but which actually sounded good.  On my next grocery shopping trip I picked up the ingredients and whipped it together.

Absolutely delicious!  Thought you may agree.

Orange Fruit Balls

3 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (one box, crushed)
1 cup finely chopped dried fruits
1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds
1/2 cup thawed frozen orange juice concentrate
1/4 cup corn syrup
Sifted icing sugar

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except icing sugar.  Mix well until all ingredients are moistened.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in icing sugar.  Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Makes about 50.

Nutritional info:  57 calories, 2 g fat, 1g protein, 11g carb, 1g fibre
From: Canadian Living Harvest-Time Cookbook Special, 1984

This Morning's Garden Harvest -- Yum!

What to make...what to make:  carrots, peas, cauliflower, raspberries....

Miss Piggy, I've Been Waiting So Long!

I love Oriental Poppies.  Gardening is a huge part of my life and  I lean to both the vegetable and flower sides.

For many years I have been collecting Oriental Poppies.  These are the large brightly coloured (usually orange) flowers we see in flower beds in the spring time.  And no, they are NOT the Opium Poppy (an annual plant which self-seeds but does not return from its root each year as the Orientals do).

While I have several of the orange variety ('Allegro' is a common species) I am always on the lookout for others.

About three years ago (or maybe it was four!) I bought by mail order a pink Oriental Poppy called 'Miss Piggy'.  Well, I thought I lost her the first year.  A few shoots came up and then disappeared.  The following year there was a bit of foliage but no blossoms.

It seems these flowers, native to Turkey and Iran, like the cool wet winter/spring we have this year because not only has Miss Piggy bloomed (three flowers!) for the first time but her cousins are also putting on a glorious display.

Here is a photo of 'Miss Piggy'.  The blooms are six inches across, and fully double in a very light pink colour.  Please pardon the brown spots which I am certain are due to all the rain we have had in the past week!

While I'm at it, here are a couple of others from this year's crop:

This one is 'Picottee'.

 Two varieties:  'Brooklyn' and 'Staten Island'

Sadly, some of my old favourites have taken this year off.  Missing in action are:  Patty's Plum, Pink Ruffles and Harlem.  There's always next spring!

What a Great Idea!

So often I have people tell me that something among my products is a "fantastic idea".  I am usually gracious but I admit to being a bit sheepish with the praise since most of my "fantastic ideas" are often derivatives of other peoples' "fantastic ideas".

I believe my strength lies in knowing when an idea is suitable for the greater giftware market, and my customers in particular.

Once I had decided that a birdfeeder made from an old teacup was, indeed, a "fantastic idea" I had to do some research as to whether the "raw materials" were readily available. 

I began by browsing through several local thrift stores and checking prices, since I had to come up with an acceptable price point. 

Upon determining that there seemed to be plenty of old teacups available -- although not always matching sets, I then set out to determine how to construct the birdfeeders.

I researched on-line the means of drilling holes in the saucers.  Then I had to find the required tools. With that accomplished I gave the drilling a try.  I was thrilled to discover I had a new skill.

Next, I had to find the chain for hanging.  That proved slightly more difficult as the cost of chain and other hardware would really add to the cost of the finished product.

As luck would have it, I stumbled upon a basket hanging assembly in the catalog of an existing supplier.  I was able to order a few samples and assemble a proto-type.

Packaging was the next hurdle.  Going again to the catalog of an existing supplier I found some nice pink boxes.  The first size I ordered proved to be too big and clumsy, but my second pick was perfect!

 Almost finished!  Next came a label for the box.  I had an idea of something calico-ish (I made that word up) and browsed a number of my favourite graphic sources until I found something I liked and then re-coloured it on Photoshop several times until I was satisfied.

The package was complete. I added up all of the input costs -- everything from the teacup to the bubble wrap to keep it safe and was able to settle on a final price.

It is a similar path that I follow for all of my creations.  It does take time, effort, creativity and sometimes just a lot of dumb luck to bring a product to market.  And I am extremely grateful that this one has been so warmly received.  Here is where you can order one: 

Buffalo 1855

I just finished this custom project for Premier Gourmet in Kenmore NY.  They chose a map of Buffalo from 1855 for reproduction on coasters, trivets, trays and cutting boards.

I think they turned out rather well!

Almost Choked on my Coffee

Reading the newspaper yesterday over my morning coffee, I turned -- as usual -- to the lifestyle and cooking pages.  What popped out at me?  A photo of mushrooms on a MUM'S CREATIONS' SHISH KEBAB SKEWER!

Looks like Postmedia News (a newswire service) has posted the photo using my skewers.

I am so excited!  I can tell from the photo that these are the earliest version of this product, but what the heck, they are beautiful to my eyes.  Only a mother would recognize them! 

Here's the link to our website page:  http://www.mumscreations.com/skbshish-kebab-skewers.html

And, here's the photo:

Oh Grandma! They Were Just Gathering Dust!

I'm sure some folks will be horrified to see Grandma's old teacups transformed into bird feeders.  I saw these somewhere and thought they would be a great addition to our products.

The bird feeders are fashioned from mismatched (usually), orphaned and discarded teacups from thrift stores. 

Where I live, we sadly cannot use bird feeders because they attract unwanted wildlife such as bears.  One of those critters would not be coming for tea when they smell this!

To buy one, go to:  http://www.mumscreations.com/tebife.html

By the way, if you have any old teacups lying around, I'd like to talk to you.

All in a Day's Work

I've found a new way to display some of the vintage images I've been collecting.  I particularly like the old paintings of women from the early 1900s doing somewhat untraditional activities.

I have created three different notecard collections:  Summer Women, Winter Women and Sad Puppies.

Each set of 20 cards and envelopes is packaged in a keepsake metal tin and sell for $25 a set.

See more here .