Happy Gasparilla!

Today is Gasparilla Day here in Tampa. Last week I posted a wreath I made to celebrate and wrote about the children's Gasparilla parade (it is always the Saturdy before Gasparilla).

On Gasparilla Day a friend of mine always hosts a super fun Gasparilla party and she lives just 2 blocks from the bay (where the invasion and parade take place) so it's very exciting and a perfect place for a pirate party. She decks her house out in pirate decor and it always looks so great. So I thought I would make her a little something to add to her collection of Gasparilla decor...

(click on image to enlarge)

If you're interested in making some vintage inspired pirate art, you can find some great images here.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend! ~Molly

Ahoy Matey!

It's that time of year again. Time for Jose' Gaspar to invade Tampa. It's Gasparilla time! Here in Tampa Gasparilla is a big deal. Sort of like our version of Mardi Gras. This weekend is the children's pirate parade and next weekend is the parade for grown-ups. All the houses near the bay adorn their doors with Gasparilla wreathes and Jolly Roger flags. A large pirate ship sails into the bay and fires cannons to start the invasion. Floats carrying pirates drive along Bayshore Boulevard, which lines the bay and beads are tossed to screaming children and adults alike. I can't wait! I'm excited too because the weather here is supposed to be perfect for the event, high in the mid 60's and blue skies. I love this time of year in Florida. Here is my Gasparilla wreath I made this year for our door...

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! ~Molly

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Better late than never I guess. I have missed blogging and I hope to fit it back into my life. I have been crazy busy but have managed to make a few things lately. I find that if I find time to make something there is no time left to blog about it :) I resolve to manage my time better in 2010.

This past weekend my friend Amy and her son Nolan came down to Tampa for Gasparilla. We had a blast. Every kid at the parade was dressed in their pirate garb. I made Lilly's skirt and shirt for the special event. She picked out the fabric herself. When she tried on the skirt she said, "It's perfect Mommy!" I was so relieved she loved it.

I actually whipped up the matching shirt the night before the parade because it had a stain on it. I just cut out a heart and pirate skull, gathered up some tulle and appliqued away.

Lilly and Nolan racked up 150 beads at the parade! We can't wait for Jose' Gaspar and his crew to invade Hillsborough Bay again next year.