Miss Duffy’s Blog

Happy Fall and Swap Fun

September 28th, 2007 by missduff

 

The pace in our world here at Miss Duffy’s has stepped up a few notches as the holidays grow near.  We are packing, shipping, getting ready for our two fall shows, and trying to keep the store front from appearing as though a bomb has went off.  This means I’ve had to let a few things slide, and unfortunately my blog has been one.  However,  we are giving first priority to our timely shipping.

I wanted to share my SWAP goodies from the hophopjingleboo swap.  I was so excited to find that not only did Debra let me slip in a little late; she also took me on as HER partner!!  I have known Debra’s work for awhile now, and have always loved her designs.  For those of you who don’t know, she designs for Bethany Lowe.  She redesigned/glittered and signed one of her 2007 Candy Kat’s for me, and I could not have been more excited to get her in the mail.  The above photo is Candy Kat and below you will find my other swap goodies!  Love em Debra!!- I feel honored to have brushed packages with you!!! 

These other photos are peeks at some of the Fall displays at home here in the shop!!  Note that www.missduffys.com only carries the vintage inspired portion of our store. We are hoping to add more of our offerings online in the months ahead so stay tuned!

I just love old umbrellas!!  I was lucky to come across three black ones earlier this year, and my first thought was Halloween.   For a couple of bucks a piece, who could have passed them up?  Although doing things like buying old black umbrellas in the dog days of summer are not welcomed by my husband, and I have to put up with his unhappy and disapproving sighs, he is usually the first to compliment me on my displays.  My other two are being altered for a Halloween display- I can’t wait to show them off!! 

     

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Halloween Queen

September 10th, 2007 by missduff

I am so in love with these Halloween Crowns my friend Holly of Hollydoodle Designs has created. I just had to share them with all the Halloween Queens. She has just launched her new site, and most items are the get em’ while you can goods! Enjoy!

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A little to get you started………

September 7th, 2007 by missduff

 

 I was so excited to get the New Romantic Homes magazine this month, and even more thrilled to see they featured one of the Bethany Lowe Design’s paper mache pumpkin buckets- “Cat Mask Pumpkin Bucket.” It is one we carry here at Miss Duffy’s.  I have a feeling they won’t last long.  I love when we can scour the markets and find great vintage Halloween paper mache candy containers, buckets, and party decorations.  We love pieces reminiscent of their vintage ancestors in both style and design.  There are a lot of companies out there trying to create a vintage feel, but very few actually pull off truly vintage looking Halloween pieces.  This Bethany Lowe Halloween piece was actually my very favorite.  She has another Witch, but it doesn’t do it for me like this little paper mache pumpkin wearing his Halloween black cat mask.  Too Cute!  Go get one www.missduffys.com

 

    Free Halloween screen saver

Its time to start filling your candy jars and apothecary jars with candy corn.

 

 We always save a few virtual  Halloween games to our favorites during the season. 

 These games are from national companies, so we don’t have to worry about content for our kids. 

Virtual Color Book and Printables 

This is a fun site for ages 6-10  Mummy Maze, Smack Down,

Virtual Pumpkin Carving All Ages 

My daughter loves virtual puzzles.  This is a great Halloween Puzzle, Pumpkin Puzzle and Skeleton

 

 

 

 

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Halloween is in the Air!

August 31st, 2007 by missduff

I can feel it- Halloween is in the Air!!

   61 Days and counting………………………….  

 


    

I love decorating for the holidays.  Being in retail, Halloween has been on my brain for quite sometime, but I’m just now letting it spill over into my home.  It seems it’s such a long wait through the year, and it should be permissible to enjoy our collections for more than a month.   So, CHEERS- Let the HALLOWEEN PARTY begin- vintage style of course!!

 

 

 

  I found this wonderful branch covered with Lichen this morning.  A great inexpensive addition to your Fall/Halloween decorations.  Also works on into Christmas as well.  

 

     

 

Nicol Sayre from years past……………   

 

 Spooky Crows!   This is the large version.  Watch in the next photo for the small one clipped on the branches with the great Boo party flag!  

 

 

 You can find the Crows, flags, and many other vintage inspired holiday decor. on our site: www.missduffys.com.  The grasses and twigs can be found on your next morning walk.  Enjoy!  

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We Did It!!!

August 28th, 2007 by missduff

Wonderful News……………My camera is not broken- I’m just a knuckle head when it comes to technology.   Whew!!

This is a little project we have been working on- well, its not the only one, but it is the only one that’s done at this moment.  I will show pictures as projects are completed.

The Mantel

Drum Roll Please………….Oh, I want to Thank Holly and Brian. for all the painting and flip tips!!  I also wanted to say thanks to Dawn G., and Joyce G. for their advice on the paint techniqe

 

 

 The photos are not as nice and I had wished.  The reflection hides some of the details in the wood.  It is basically a distressed finish on white high gloss paint.  We sanded, primed, and painted the mantel.  Then we went back in and hand distressed various places with sandpaper.  After sanding, we took a two-in-one maple stain/polyurethane and further distressed it.  Using a wet rag and a dry rag, we added and removed layers of stain until it suited us.  It really sounds more difficult than it actually is, and well worth the time investment!  Enjoy!  Kasse

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Fumbling and Journaling

August 23rd, 2007 by missduff

 

I have been fumbling around for the past week trying to figure out what has gone wrong with my NEW camera- yes, NEW!  I apologize for missing Fridays post.  For some strange reason, my camera is only letting me download select pictures from it, and IT selects them.  I have been trying to get pictures of some wonderful vintage wallpapers my friend Holly brought me when she visited, and photograph some wonderful new items for my website.  I’ve had little luck with either.  To my relief, Holly has just posted many of her papers on her site.  Her pictures are always delicious, so it may be more fun to just go see her pictures.  

I also wanted to show progress on some of our home projects, but hang in here with me.  Most of you know how far I am from a City, so if I need a new camera, it will have to come from an online source, or it will be awhile. 

For as long as I can remember, I have been a Journaler – I’m pretty sure that’s not a word, but we all know what I’m talking about.  I have books dating back to my preteens and a current one beside my bed.  I think journaling along with collecting is somehow embedded in my DNA.  I know that my grandfather practiced it, and I began before I knew that he too recorded bits of his days in a day planner.  In my early twenties, he told me that His journals someday will belong to me.  I’m sure my children, when they are grown and I am senile, will find mine more than entertaining.  Even now, I get a good laugh at some of my earlier musings.  When I was younger, I added much more than words to mine.  I glued things, drew things, and depending on my age at the time, you might find anything from concert tickets to magazine clippings.  My more recent journals include:  recipes, lists, goals, ideas, books to read, and things my kids have said, done, or given me.  It is also where I keep my ongoing To Do lists.  It’s nice to look back, when I’m wondering what in the world I did last week, and read that I really did actually get a lot done.  Now, I’m as busy as the next person, and I know how we all like to think we are busier than the next person, but really, it takes less time than brushing your teeth, and its a wonderful ending to a good or bad day.

The reason I’m hanging this all out, I am giving you background to the origin of some of the tid-bits of information I’m about to share.  I’m not sure where some of  it originally came from- some of it I do.  Some of it I wrote, and some of it is borrowed.  When I do know which is which, I will give credit where credit is due.  The following I found in my Journal that dates back to my first year of marriage- that’s ten years ladies. I’m not indulging anything personal, so don’t worry- just pieces. Enjoy!

The Primary imagination is a living power-

Refuse to Be a Slave to Your Assumptions- it’s never becoming!

Don’t Be Afraid To Take Yourself Seriously

-go gently and slowly

-mistakes are necessary; stumbles are normal

-don’t judge yourself harshly

-it’s impossible to get better and look good at the same time

-I have good ideas

-It will not upset anyone

-It’s not too late

The Very Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World

2/3 C. Crisco

2/3 C. Butter

1 C. Sugar

1 C. Brown Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla

2 eggs

1 tsp salt

1 tsp soda

31/2 C. Flour

375 degrees for 12 minutes

I challenge myself not to criticize unless I am willing to help.

I challenge myself to think before speaking.

I challenge myself to be myself, know myself, and laugh at myself.

I challenge myself to stand up for what I believe, and question that which I know to be wrong.

I challenge myself to look to the future with a feeling of confidence.

I challenge myself to be dissatisfied, to constantly seek improvement in my world.

I challenge myself to keep my priorities and promises.

Easy Bread

2 pkgs dry yeast

2 c. water 110 degrees

1/3 C. Sugar

5-6 C. Flour

Salt

Or

3 C. warm water

2 ½ TBSP yeast

½ C. sugar

Mix let stand till bubbles.

Then add ½ C. melted shortening

And 1 ½ tsp salt

Then add enough flour to make workable, but not sticky- knead 10 min.

“Vain attempts to imitate others will I no longer make.  I will display my uniqueness.”

“I will not weep and complain, for their disease is contagious.  Let them join the sheep.  The slaughter house of failure is not my destiny.” 

Both quotes are from The Greatest Salesman in the World.  Apparently, I read this book that summer, because I had numerous quotes from it.  I’ve read it more than once.  If you have not read this book- you must!

“When I make a cake I also prepare a few homemade cakes mixes.”

I still do this with most things.  Just yesterday morning, I made Egg-In-Toast. (you know where you cookie-cut a circle in your toast and scramble and egg inside?) I am always trying to make the most of one mess, so I used all the eggs and all the bread and made Egg-in-toast till I had to have my kids at school.  When I came home to get ready for work myself, I separated them with parchment paper inside freezer bags and tossed them in the freezer.  Today I didn’t have to make Egg-In-Toast nor will I for awhile; we just pop them in the toaster.  No additives or preservatives! 

Well, that’s enough for today!  I know, it all makes me wonder about myelf. 

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Nice Matters

August 18th, 2007 by missduff

 

 My sweet friend Dolly nominated me for the “Nice Matters” award!
 

Thank you Dolly!
I am not sure I deserve it but reinforcement is always welcome!
Genevieve started this award with the intent that…..
” This award will be given to those that are just nice people , good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration!
Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world!”
 

Now I am supposed to nominate a few bloggers who I feel deserve this award too!
  Here are my nominees…….
 #1 Holly from My Sweet Blessed Life
Just an all around great gal, gal friend, and gal support. She’s got a big heart, filled with all the right stuff!
#2  The other half of Holly and Her Sweet Blessed Life
I’d not even be out here if it weren’t for them!
#3 Jenny from Everyday is a Holiday
It all started with Jenny.  She tossed the little blog idea my way, and had it not been for this gal, I’d think a blog was something sticky!  Thanks Jenny
#4 Natasha Burns for the little pieces of sweet advice here and there, and for being my first international customer!

#5 and right back to Dolly for checking in on me and just being an all around sweetie! 

There are many more- Such a great bunch of gals!

Thanks Dolly
 

 

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Back To School

August 6th, 2007 by missduff

“A happy childhood is one of the best gifts that parents have in their power to bestow” – Mary Cholmondeley

I’ve been thinking a lot about my children lately- reflecting on the slow days of their beginning.   I love those memories.   The speed of this summer has made me reflect on past summers, and today as I write, I am realizing how quickly my children will grow-up.  It makes my heart ache.  I am noticing that I am needed much less.  Although as mothers we are teaching our children daily how to grow and mature- it is what we do, it is no less difficult to watch our babies venture away from the nest.  It all comes to me with a strange mixture of longing and relief.   My little ones are only 7 and 10, so it’s not like Back to School means off to college, but times are slowly changing for our little family.  Our margins are filling, and I am trying to adjust and balance.  As we slowly get pulled back into full swing by school, I want to remain mindful of how fleeting our time is.  I want to keep my priorities in line, so these years too will be something to look back upon for comfort. 

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Growing Pains

July 28th, 2007 by missduff

 

 

For those of you that visit our store, you have probably noticed that Miss Duffy’s is going through some changes.  We are experiencing a few growing pains.  Most all of our new site is functioning, but there are things that need tweaking- larger pictures etc.  Bear with us.  New items are arriving daily, but will likely be added without me blogging about them.  If you are a vintage holiday collector, you will want to check back frequently. We have a wonderful new line of vintage inspired jewelry arriving soon, and many more relics and vintage inspired offerings.  Don’t miss them.  I don’t want my blog to become all about what is new in my store.  I will blog about some things, but most will go unrecognized.  The above pictures are a sneak peek into my Christmas line!

 

Now, isn’t this beautiful?  This is the crown that I received in my friend Holly’s Tiara swap.  My partner was Lori at Vintage Flair.  It was so much fun, and I just love the beautiful Marie Antoinette crown that she made me.  I don’t know how she did it, but she really made it perfect for my taste.  She has just blogged about the one I sent her. She has it beautifully displayed on the corner of a vintage frame.

 

This next picture is a close up of the glittered Acanthus spray that I used as the base for Lori’s crown.  This was my favorite Christmas offering last year, so I brought it back this year in my Glitterville Line.  I just love the velvety glittered leaves, they appear so vintage in their style and design.  I think thats why I love them so much.  For the crown, I just clipped a couple of leaves.  The shape against the crown makes me think of wings.  At Christmas we used these to fill our tree, and apothecary jars around the house. I have plans to spruce up an old wreath this year by tucking clippings of them here and there.  I’ll be sure to blog about it when and if it happens.   Kasse   

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Visiting Blogs

July 20th, 2007 by missduff

I can’t believe its Friday. It seems they keep rolling over on top of eachother. I want to share with all of you a fun place I found in blogland at 4am this morning- yes, 4am- This Blog is the trials of a woman fixing up her old farm house. I have been skirting around the edges of beginning to do work on our “new to us” home, so I enjoyed the visit.  I’ve been so afraid to start.  The decisions on where to start, and with our limited budget, where to spend and where to skimp.  Decisions.  Decisions. Anyway, I’m not any closer, but I did enjoy the visit. Enjoy!  Kasse

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