Strawberries

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I've never met a strawberry that I didn't like.
I like them plain.
I like them in sugar.
I like them in fruit salads.
I like them on my cereal.

I like them covered in chocolate.

I like them on cheesecake and in pies.
Last but not least, when I'm really splurging -
I like them them a top a shortcake -
with ice cream and whipped cream, of course!
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And yes, just in case you were wondering

I even had a Strawberry Shortcake doll back in the 80's.
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So, it's no surprise that when a client asked me to make Strawberry Shortcake
themed party supplies, I was like - of course I will!
(In case you didn't know - she's back in style - with a new and fresher look!)
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Above is the result of our collaboration.
My client requested a wide variety of papers, designs, and colors.
She even went through the painstaking effort of selecting and coordinating
papers from all of our existing paper designs.
And I think they turned out just about as cute as Miss Shortcake herself.

I especially love the strawberry center spinners.
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After completing her order I still had strawberries on my mind.
So, I decided to design an entire Strawberry themed paper line.
To view all of our strawberry themed scrapbook papers click here.
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Although these papers were specifically designed for a Strawberry Shortcake themed party, I also think they would lake way too festive at any upcoming spring or summer party. Our mini strawberry themed cupcake toppers can be inserted into not only cupcakes, but shortcakes as well. I can also imagine our handheld pinwheels propped into cute red, green, and pink tin pails and buckets.
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For more information on pricing, sizes, etc. just visit our Etsy shop.
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Gosh, after this entry, I'm sure ready for summer.
I'm also craving Strawberry Shortcakes!

Introducing and Giveaway!

Introducing

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two new party products

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our Pointy Party Hats

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And

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our Party Cones!

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In order to celebrate our newest creations we are having a Giveaway on our Pinwhirl Parties Blog

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For more information on these products and to enter to win a set of 16 of our newest Pointy Party Hats, just click here.

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Hurry ... Giveaway ends January 24!

Now Available ...

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NOW AVAILABLE
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Do it Yourself Pinwheel Peony Kits for both our newly released pinwheels
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and our Traditional Pinwheels
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These complete kits include instructions, all items needed to assemble pinwheels, and yes even the pre-cut pinwheel heads
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All papers from this link are available so these DIY Pinwheels are totally customizable.
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Anyone with the time and love for crafting can now create our Pinwhirls on a shoe string budget!
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Or, if you are not a crafty crafter, we still offer pre-assembled pinwheels.
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To browse all of our Pinwheel Peonies and traditional Pinwheel offerings just click here.
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And remember
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since custom orders are our specialty, if you don't see pinwheels you like in our shops (pinwhirls. com and Etsy) just email me at shana@crossroadscottage.biz and we'll create a custom order for you!

A New Year is Unfolding ...

A New Year is Unfolding
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like a blossom with petals curled tightly
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concealing the beauty within.
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Wishing you and yours much beauty in 2010!

Introducing ...

INTRODUCING
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our Pinwhirl Peonies!
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The newest design in our pinwheel collection.
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For more information please visit our Pinwhirl Parties blog here.

Announcing ...

Announcing ... our new Pinwhirl Parties blog. It's been a long time coming; I think I mentioned something about a new blog and design earlier this summer. Sorry to keep you waiting. Although it was actually designed this summer (didn't MyDreamWeb design do a great job?!), unfortunately the time got away from me and until now I just wasn't able to publish my first official blog at the site. I wanted to wait until I could post a really great blog about a really great amazing product/idea and I believe the post is perfect. (You'll have to visit the post yourself to see! The above pinwheel invite is highlighted.) It is my hope that with this new blog I'll be able to showcase some great pinwheel products - not just my own, but integrate others as well. I also hope to highlight how other's have used my pinwheels in the past. So, if you are a previous client and you've forwarded photos in the past and haven't seen them posted yet, don't worry - I hope to get around to this soon.
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I do plan to keep this current site active; however, in the future most of my updates will occur on the new site. So be sure to 'favorite' me there as well. :)

The reason for my absence ...

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The above is the reason for my absence in the blogging world. This is what my house looks like on a typical Sunday night. My kitchen and living room are taken over with boxes. Boxes and boxes of custom pinwheels, party hats, and banners. Think tomorrow's shipments will require both Roger's and my cars.
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Other than the above, not much new here. The summer is slipping away without much time for enjoyment because of this craziness although our Indiana summer has been very Seattle -esq so I haven't been missing much. Looking forward to vacation next week, but kind of wondering if I can really escape from all of this. Guess we will see. :)
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Maybe one day I can return to regular blogging and officially open my new blog site. Until then ...

I'm Back

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I'm back. It's been forever. Don't even want to count the weeks or is it months? I appreciate those who have checked in with me over this time period expressing concern over my whereabouts. (And no, I did not die after running the mini marathon.) I'm perfectly fine, so no worries. I should have posted much sooner, and have had every intention. On several different occasions I've even taken photos of my yard and various projects with the sole purpose of posting an update. As you all know, that never happened. Why because I've been swamped. Yeah, yeah, I know - I've said this before. But this time around I've been really swamped. Like from the time I get up in the morning until the time I got to sleep at night - literally, even on weekends. No exageration. Mix in several family visits and the added house and yard work necessary for visitors and I've doubly had no time - or life. Excuses. Excuses.

~*~

In the midst of the craziness I've also come up with a brilliant idea to start another blog. I know all of you just have to be thinking - What? You don't even keep the blog you have updated! So true. Anyhoo, I plan on eventually transitioning out this more personal blog and moving more towards a blog that centers around my Pinwhirls and Party Planning. Some days Pinwhirls. Some days Party Planning. Some days Pinwhirls and Party Planning. (Actually who am I kidding - my goal right now is a weekly update and even that may be pushing things.)

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My new blog is currently being prettified (by someone other than myself - thank goodness, huh. If I took on yet another project this new site wouldn't launch until 2011.) but, I'll be sure to forward you the new blog whenever it's born. Yay! To tide you over, in the meantime, please feel free to visit my Etsy shop as I've recently added some new products and plan on adding tons more in the upcoming days and weeks. (A special thanks to my older sister who is now officilly whirling more pinwhirl pinwheels daily than me!)

~*~

Thanks to all who are still 'following' me despite my disappearance!

I hope to be stopping by and visiting many of my blog friends soon. :)

Tablescape Thursday

So, I've heard about Tablescape Thursdays, hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, for quite some time. Not quite sure why I haven't participated in these posts in the past, but I just haven't. But, there is a first time for everything and today I'm leaping right in.

Anyhoo - a big apology to to my regular followers - as I'm only posting a link to the tablescape I featured on my site a couple of weeks ago. You will be bored so my feeling won't be hurt if you dodge from this post now. Or, better yet, stop by Susan's blog to browse all of the other wonderful tablescape - I'm sure you'll find lots of great ideas - just in time for Easter. :)

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To all my new visitors, who follow Susan's blog, welcome to mine. You are cordially invited to visit this link for more photos of my Easter tablescape. You can also view an entire slideshow here. Enjoy!

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Shana

Easter Tablescape

So, my Easter tablescape is complete. Yay! To view photos, etc. click here. To be totally honest I had no idea what I was going to do with the wheatgrass as it's height peaked a bit before I was ready. I spent most of the weekend printing papers and assembling the pinwheels. Spent most of Sunday creating the tablescape and taking pictures of the pinwheels - both as part of the tablescape and also separately for use in selling the pinwheels. Then spent the past two evenings importing these items into Etsy. Now, I'm finally finding time to post the pictures.
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Funny story about the tablescape, I created it while Roger was working outside in the yard. By the time he came back inside for a break, I'd taken all of the photos and disassembled the tablescape. I guess I should have had him come look, but I was so rushed it didn't even occur to me. Just knew that I wouldn't have time to deal with rotting wheat grass this week so I trashed it at the height of it's prettiness. Kind of sad, I know. Although, I just volunteered to host Easter this year so I really wish that wheat grass would last weeks instead of days. As I'm a gluten for punishment, it looks like I'll be growing another round of wheat grass for my actual Easter centerpieces. :)
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Wow - I can't believe it's Wednesday already! We leave for vacation on Saturday morning - I've not done a thing. Haven't gotten out my summer clothes (I hope they still fit!), done any laundry (have an overflowing Laundry basket!), or started to gather items (since we are camping I have a 2 page list!). Plus the house is a mess - like total chaos as I've been working too much lately. It'll need to be cleaned before we go. I'm strange about that - in my neighborhood I always worry that someone will break in, and if that happened it would be totally embarrassing if the cops arrived to a dirty house! (That's why I tell Roger we have to make the bed each morning!) I'm weird, I realize this.
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On that note, I should get some actual vacation work done. Yay!