Lunch and Crafting with Friends~Shaker Dolls!

I have the sweetest friends in Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo! Angie and Clarice are always willing to open their homes and cook for me and whoever I might invite to come along! This trip, LaVonne was my guest and these lovely ladies once again were there to spoil us. We met at Angie's lovely home. I love the peacefulness of her place and never want to leave. So pretty and warm.

Clarice always brings something to add to the feast! Here's Angie in her kitchen sharing all the goodies and telling us what we will be dining on. Thanks so much to both of you for being so kind to share another yummy meal with us.

So after lunch, it was time to start making our SHAKER DOLLS. So what is a SHAKER DOLL?
LaVonne found the idea a few years ago and had me looking for salt and pepper shakers. The shakers become the body of the doll. You need doll heads or half dolls for the top of the shakers. If everyone plans ahead, each guest can bring a charm that symbolizes her in some way to be swapped. You can fill the shakers with beads and charms or tie them onto the ribbons that are attached to the metal salt or pepper top.  The shaker is actually upside down so it forms the doll. It was such a great project and everyone just jumped in and created their doll. Each one is different and each one is a masterpiece!

Serious crafters having so much fun. Isn't it wonderful to have a group of friends who enjoy doing what you love to do?

This is the very beginning of my SHAKER DOLL. You have to used a special epoxy putty to attach the doll to the glass shaker.

You just have to have lots of beads, ribbons, lace, charms, shakers, doll heads and of course, some cookies and some more tea! Do you think we had enough supplies?

We all went outside for a little photo shoot. Looks like a happy bunch of crafters!

This is LaVonne's dolly. She added the arms and in the next picture, you will see that she also added little legs. I think it was really a great addition.

Her finished dolly who now lives in Montana. Thanks for sending me your picture LaVonne. It isn't easy to photo these gals.

Thanks Clarice for letting me use your picture! I love her little crown with the tiny seashells. Your salt shaker is really cool. I think it looks great without the ribbons. All so individual.

Thanks also for letting me use Auberne's doll. I like all the color she added to her's and the fan. Very sweet!

Here is Angie's little dolly. Here's was smaller and just so sweet. Notice how she used pearls and ribbons on the botton. I really liked the way she looped her ribbon.

This is my lady. She was quite a good sized half doll. I had a ball making her and hope to make another one this spring with another group of crafter friends.

Here she is all finished. I used little tea pot charms in pastel colors on the bottom of my ribbons. She lives in my tea room.

Thank you LaVonne for finding this great project and encouraging us to make it really happen.

Churchmouse Yarns and Teas~Tea Time Thursday #32

When LaVonne and I went up to Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island WA to see our friends, Angie took us to two charming shoppes in Bainbridge Island. All my friends are knitters and I tagged along to see the teas that this great shoppe, The CHURCHMOUSE, had to offer. The shoppe is tucked into a little alley and is bright, fresh and full of yummy yarns and teas. Since I am trying to back on schedule for my Tea Time Tuesdays, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to this lovely shoppe.

Our friends have told us that the owner decorates this window to welcome you and tempt you to enter! I guess it's quite the event at Christmas. This is from their website, so I have no idea what time of the year this was taken.

Angie is an amazing knitter. I just wonder what was going through her mind as she was looking over the goods. She made me a pari of mittens that I featured on my blog that are really a work of art!

LaVonne and Angie were looking at some LOCAL yarn. It's sad that most yarn shoppes do not carry local yarn. LaVonne and I had quite the discussion on the topic when we were driving home.

While these two were discussing the yarn, I wandered over to the tea area. A whole wall was filled with packaged teas and bulk teas. So many choices! A lovely clerk helped me and of course we had to chat about all kinds of things.

They also carry some housewares and tea related items. I liked the pottery by Emma Bridgewater. I love her work. The chicken line was very cute. Don't you love the egg cups?

This is a kit you can purchase for a tea cozy. I love the use of wool and embroidery work. They carry all the supplies and I found some great needles from England for handwork.

Angie also took us into a little coffee shoppe and bakery right next to the Churchmouse....the BLACKBIRD BAKERY! We each had to have a little treat.

My happy friends!

Here's my loot! I bought four different bulk teas...one will be given as a gift. I really enjoy Rooibos
tea. The clerk suggested the Evening Rooibos. It has a wonderful flavor AND it's such a beautiful blend.

I hope you enjoyed my little view of our trip north! I try to blog about these adventures so I can revisit them myself.

It has been snowing all day. We all thought winter had skipped us this year so we were all surprised. The East wind returned with a real arctic blast and when the moisture come by, we FINALLY got some snow! It's supposed to snow off and on for a few days. Time for a warm cup of tea?

Our Trip to Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island

When Jimmy asked me what I wanted for my birthday earlier in December, I quickly answered....a trip to Poulsbo and Bainsbridge Island to see our friends and to do some Christmas shopping. We usually go up several times a year, but with the baby this year, we hadn't made it up at all! Before the year slips by, I wanted to post pictures of our trip as it was so wonderful. The first night, we did go to visit Linda Fox and her lovely home. She had tea and cookies and it was just such a sweet evening. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures.

This is my dear friend Angie...in front of her most wonderful and welcoming home on Bainbridge Island. The farm house is a family home with lots of history. It's one of those places that you never want to leave...a combination of the setting and the lovely family that lives there!

Angie has a large garden in the summer and here are her sheep! She has chickens too and fruit trees. It''s so fun to sit on her patio in the summer.

Her advent wreath...in true Tasha Tudor style. Yes, she makes her own beeswax candles and I received a pair as a gift! I love beeswax candles.

This is a very cool old radio that works. Angie is tuning it so I could hear it. Just so fun.

Angie is a marvelous cook and she always spoils us with a fine dinner. Her kids are delightful. John has become quite the fisherman this year, so Jimmy and him had fun chatting about that. Elizabeth is just a sweetie and so helpful to her mother in the kitchen.

Ralph and Jimmy always have fun talking about vintage stuff. Ralph is one lucky man to have such a nice family. Thanks to the whole family for making our visit perfect. You are a great family.

When we travel north in December, we have to visit the CHRISTMAS HOUSE. Lots of fun vintage items and Christmas goodies. Bob, your fudge is the best!

I really liked this twiggy wreath with fresh greens. A bit different and charming.

Jimmy was checking out a little out building for more treasures.

We scooted out to Port Gamble for shopping, the tree lighting and we had tickets for the play! Lots of afternoon activities.

They have a darling little tea shop and we actually had dinner after the tree lighting. It's a fun place to visit and yes....yummy tuffles.

It was starting to get dark....

This is the theater building and you can see the tree after the lighting. So pretty and a good turn out.
We had dinner and then it was time for the play. Local theater, well done and very Christmasy. We sure had a fun filled and very full day!

After a good night's sleep, here Jimmy is sitting outside in Poulsbo. He just loves the town and being by the water.

Love the boats, even when it's overcast.

After finishing up our shopping, it was time to head home. My good friend Clarice and her family were so kind to have us over for dinner before we traveled south. Clarice has been redoing her kitchen with the help of her sweet hubby. She is soooo happy in her kitchen and it is really neat.

This is her new stove and her husband did all the tile work. It is beautiful.

The expert is giving Jimmy instructions on buying good knives and keeping them sharp. She is the pro!

David and Auberne' sharing some hunting stories with Jimmy. He is quite the hunter! He sure loves his girls. It's a treat to watch the four of them all together. Another great family. Thanks for dinner and for opening your home to us once again. Dinner was great and the company was even better!

Every year, Clarice and her daughters pick a different Christmas theme and decorate a small tree.
It was a Russian theme this year.

Every year, they set up their Christmas village. They have the most perfect place for it. I just love looking at it.

It was a magical trip. I had so much fun with my friends! Thanks for the memories my Tasha friends!
I hope to see you soon.