As summer comes to a close, there is one Maryland tradition that allows for one last hurrah. The Maryland State Fair wraps up this weekend at the Timonium Fairgrounds. Funnel cakes and ferris wheel rides.....oh, my! A perfect excuse to run footloose and fancy free, one last time. For more information, click here. 
Pretty in Pink, Collection of 5 at Sugar Paperie
1/2 cup walnut
This coptic bound journal by renovatedbooks would be so cute for taking notes in History class.
Of course you need something to write with. Let's try this stylish wood pen by DorianCreations
I wonder what Mom packed us for lunch in this eco-friendly bag by glowgirl16?
Organized your pens, erasers and pencil sharpener in this Pencil Pouch by simbiosisbyjulia 
I love artisan bread. The kind that has that dense, crusty outside and chewy interior. When I'm feeling like a 70's housewife (and perhaps a bit thrifty), I'll pop on some Joni Mitchell and open up my cookbook, Artisan Bread In Five Minutes A Day. I'm no expert, but it's pretty good bread, I must say.
Photo by Another Pint Please, click here for more info.
Here's a nice bookmark with a quote from Louisa May Alcott, from Nostalgia at High Tea.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) Author, poet, tax resister, philosopher. Best known for his book Walden, his account of living on Walden Pond for 2 years, 2 months and 2 days. and his essay Civil Disobedience. Here's one of his many quotes seen round the world - on a cute baby tee from Happy Family.
And speaking of Walden Pond, I am one of the very few people that can also say they lived on the Pond. I lived there from 1959 - 1963. There were 5 houses built there, that actually had the pond in our back yards! The homes were bought by the state in 1963 to build a parking lot...which they never did. I also grew up taking swimming lessons here, and frolicking all around the pond in my teens. Whenever I'm in Concord I still walk around it. Wonderful memories. 
I'll be toasty warm next to the campfire with this Swanky Flower Boxes Quilt by QuiltPetaler. 
Dance the blues away this weekend at the Hot August Blues festival. Held at Oregon Ridge in Cockysville, this annual event showcases some of the nation's top blues musicians, including LYLE LOVETT and his Large Band, Keb' Mo', and Jackie Scott and the Housewreckers. Click here for more information.
For this fall, I have 3 new oil-free exfoliating body cleansers to be released. They're body sugar scrubs with whipped soap, so you get your skin exfoliated and clean at the same time.
The scents are: Caramel Apple, Spiced Orange & Clove, and Cinnamon Sugar. These scents scream FALL to me.
Now all I need to work on is designing the labels, and they will be ready for their debut.
Hand Printed Fabric Necklace in Pink White and Black
Tigerlillyshop's Red Cherry Blossom ring has been singled out, along with 47 other Etsy finds, to be in a contest for the best Floral Jewelry. To win, my ring must receive the most hearts by Kaboodle’s community of savvy shoppers. If I win, I get some great free promotion on the Kaboodle site!
*I will be prominently featured in a Winning Designer’s Circle within Kaboodle’s new Indie Channel
*I will receive winner badge that announces that my ring product won the Kaboodle contest
* My ring and I will be promoted throughout the Kaboodle site.
With your vote, YOU are entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a $100 PayPal gift certificate offered by Kaboodle!
1. Stitch settings: If you look at the options on my machine you can either do this with number two - the hem stitch or number 5 - the v-shaped hem stitch.
3. Mark the finished length - in the picture I hadn't picked out the old seam with my seam ripper yet. The ruler is lined up with the seam of the original inseam so that the marked line for my new end will be perpendicular to the manufacturers seam. 
5. Place a safety pin on the inside of the leg tube, on the line that marks what will be the bottom edge of your pants leg when finished.
6. Fold the excess fabric up so that the raw edge is even with the hem-line mark and press. 
7. Fold the rest of the excess up so that the marked edge (with the safety pin) forms the hem and press. Then carefully pin the top folded edge (this is the bit you'll sew) to the outer fabric, but not through both layers.
8. Carefully fold the cuff material inwards so that the fabric's right sides are together - this will leave an edge that includes the folded inner edge and the body fabric folded over on itself. What? I sew, I'm not a writer, but if you try it, it makes sense. Anyway, that's the edge you will very carefully sew. Set your stitch length and width to the largest available setting and carefully stitch so that the needle only goes through the fabric on the left stitch, on the right it should go into empty space.
Take Daisy Mae Basset for instance, she is thinking that after she is done sitting for this portrait, painted by Poor Dog Farm, that she will be paintin' the town red and howlin' at the moon!
"First bring me a cocktail, then off with her head!" is coming through loud and clear as long as she is wearing the Queen of Hearts Crown by Janine Basil 
Okay, so now that I have shown you how it is done, I'll let the readers tell me what the wearer of this hat by Boring Sidney is saying.
This retro blouse from Jitterbuggin will set the mood right away.
There can be no more perfect accessory than a flower in your hair – and this sweet anemone from Blooming Vintage is not only beautiful, but tested for durability on swing dancers!
These simple, lovely earrings from BEST’s own Jill Popowich are the perfect finishing touch – organic and unique, and sitting snugly in the ears for those active dance moves! 
Congratulations to BEST's, Kolleen of Design by Night and Juliet of The Broken Plate Company! These talented ladies have each written a tutorial that is featured in the August issue of Green Craft Magazine.
You absolutely can’t go wrong with a baby hat, and this adorable pixie number from BEST’s own Sweet Pepita is a sure-fire hit. Insider tip: keep an eye out for the occasional collaboration with The Littlest Bean , when these great hats are embellished with darling felt flowers that up the cute factor by at least ten.
The trick to giving a useful gift at a baby shower is to be thoughtful without being presumptuous. Beautiful burp cloths like these from TrulyBella are a can’t-miss idea – everybody needs them, you can’t have too many, and handmade with style? They’re perfect.
Sure, baby showers are generally about the baby gifts – but don’t forget about Mama! Pamper her with a thoughtful gift like this luxury spa set for those sore pregnant footsies from BEST’s own Spa Therapy Works. And if you’re at a co-ed shower, with both parents present, why not give them a gift certificate to a nice restaurant, to help them take time out together for themselves in their remaining time before baby?
Once we pack our 
