I just finished wrapping up my items for the Sweet and Sinister Black and White Swap. It was so much fun collecting little black and white items this month. She loves linens so I found her a darling Halloween towel set. My sweet item was a package of black and orange jelly beans and my sinister item was this scary little pumpkin guy. Or perhaps the little "You're Boo-tiful sign". I also picked up a package of black and white candles and made her a "Boo" banner.

Bippity Boppity Boo to you! I saw this "blank" sign at Michaels yesterday and it was just begging me to get out my package of "chalk ink markers" and doodle on one of my many chalkboards. I discovered these markers earlier this year and love playing with them. I didn't realize quite how many chalkboards I have until I decided to show you all a few of them. This red one is always in our kitchen. My daughter decorated it for our patriotic holidays. She also drew the pumpkin on my pumpkin chalkboard about four years ago. I'm never going to erase it. It's fun to find everyday objects painted with chalkboard paint. I bought this frame at Target a few years ago. I change this sign around to greet our visitors. This scalloped one usually sits in our breakfast room announcing some festive occasion. This time it is with my little crow collection including my latest Paper Bella kit. Last, this one greets us as we enter our home through the laundry room.

Frosty Paws is the name of the ice cream for dogs, yes dogs, that we buy for our Chloe every year on her birthday. I can't believe she's three all ready. Here she is in her glory chewing on one of her beloved bones that she received for her birthday. She's such a little doll. We all adore her.

BOO! I've been working on this "Boo" banner in my spare time this week. It's for the Sweet and Sinister Black and White Swap. It was fun coming up with all of my embellishment ideas. I used the silver glittered JoAnn's letters, watercolor paper as the base of the banner, scrapbook paper, vintage sheet music, German scrap, orange bling, a soldered domino, black and white wool yarn, Heidi Swap flourish clear stickers, eyelets, crepe paper, glittered stars, vintage crystal buttons and black tulle. I'm off to make a second one for us.

It was my turn to host Bunco this week. We play with a group of 12 women once a month and each player hosts the game at their house once a year. I promised a few friends that I would take photos, but I was too busy to take any. I was excited that my cake turned out with my new checkerboard cake pan. I served chocolate dipped strawberries, brie with crackers, caesar salad, chicken tetrazini, garlic bread and of course, my checkerboard cake.
It's always fun to entertain friends and to use all of your fun serving pieces. My Mom played Bunco while I was growing up. She only played with a group of four. I enjoy each and every one of these women and am so grateful for our girl's night out once a month.

It's coming. I can feel it in the air. Sometimes, that is. It's still reaching 100+ everyday, but the nights are cooling off just a tad. So to celebrate, I combined a few of my paper art skills to add a touch of fall to our home. Have you seen these letters in the dollar section at JoAnn's? I bought Boo and Fall. Now I'm thinking I need Joy.

I added harlequin and swirl rubons to this painted and glittered pumpkin and added some foofy letters to my vintage frog. It's too early for the real ones.

I adorned my fall wreath with my freshly glittered Harvest sign. Last but not least, I started adding some faux gourds, a pumpkin and a sunflower to my new little fountain. I need to buy more to fill it up. I love this fountain. It's small enough to move from the front yard to the back and I can change it seasonally.

I received my Vintage Kitchen Swap package a few days ago. Was I ever spoiled by sweet Susan. I adore the red/pink toile teapot cozy. Everything that she sent is so charming including the brown and ivory transferware sugar and creamer set, a pretty doily, a pink toile adorned butter knife, an inspiring gift book, a little note pad and last, but not least, a tea flower ball. Now I need to be on the lookout for a Marie Antoinette inspired teapot like this. Speaking of teapots, look at what was under the toile teapot. I love it. Thanks Susan!

This is so much fun. You can upload your photos and create a Rubik's Cube at Rubik's Cube Generator. Have Fun.

Can you see this little froggy swimming in our pool??? It's our first amphibian pool guest and I might add uninvited guest that we've had. I hope he doesn't take up residence. I swim at night, usually alone, doing my water aerobics and I don't want to run into him. Daddy caught him, but I'm guessing he'll be back.