All Us All the Time July Tip – Ice Cream Socials

We actually had our July Tip Page on Ice Cream Socials up and running before we discovered July was National Ice Cream Month and July 16th is National Ice Cream Day from our local paper. I have always thought my sister and I possess a touch of mystical power when it comes to this creamy sensual dessert. We are truly one with our ice cream.

Any hoo, before we found out July was National Ice Cream month, we just thought a fun party for those long hot summer days would be an ice cream social. Put away the grill and get out the ice-cream maker. On our July Tip Page for an Ice Cream Social, you will find decorating ideas and a recipe for homemade ice cream along with several flavors and topping suggestions. We also have on our site sundae fill-in invitations with coordinating disposable party coasters and matching place cards. My sister and I firmly believe the world would be a better place if we all would be one with the ice cream.


If you are looking for a Swedish Pancake or Fruit Pizza recipe along with other Summer Party ideas, be sure to visit our Tip Archives Page.

All Us All the Time Serves Up a Delicious New Design

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month and July 16th is National Ice Cream Day? I would like to say we did, but I must confess, we did not know about this exciting event until reading it in our local paper. It is just by total coincidence that we just added sundae theme fill-in invitations with coordinating coasters and matching place cards along with notecards, magnets, and stationery. Honestly, not a clue there even was a National Ice Cream Month; we just really LOVE ice cream!

Now, I know I am extremely prejudice, but I am sorry, I just think my sister’s Sundae designs are so CUTE!! Absolutely adorable! Four whimsical motifs of three big scoops of ice cream with a spoonful of topping and cherry on top. All this in a fanciful bowl featuring patterns of stripes, dots, lemons and limes. They are bright and colorful using a palette of cherry red, lemon yellow, lime green, blueberry blue with of course some purple thrown in.


We originally intended for our Sundaes to be for entertaining purposes only, fill-in invitations, disposable party coasters, and place cards. However, we loved them so much we extended the design to notecards, magnets, and stationery.











As the old saying goes...I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.

All Us All the Time Stationery Sachets

Introducing our newest Stationery Sachet - "The Parisian", featuring our two latest greeting cards, "The Vintage Flower Cone" and "French Pillows". The Vintage Flower Cone stationery and note sheets are reproduced from my sister's recent watercolor of a fabric cone with irises. The color palette is very French country, with golden yellows, deep pinks, rich blues, and sage greens. Then beautiful irises beam from the top with their delicate pedals overflowing down the sides. My sister is known for her intricate detail work that is shown through the elaborate fabric patterns of the cone and then the delicate draping flower pedals. Also reproduced from one of her fabulous watercolor paintings is the French Pillows stationery. This stationery is again filled with the rich and vibrant colors of French country. Three pillows with alluring patterns nestled on top of each other with la poire or pear perched on top, which gives it that certain je ne sais quoi.

The sachet itself is a patchwork of floral and striped fabric hand sewn together with a ribbon tie creating an elegant three-pocket sachet. These charming stationery sachets filled with the enchanting Parisian greeting cards and note sheets will abet the revival of the lost art of letter writing. They will bring back the romanticism of letter writing and the intimacy of receiving a personal handwritten note with this whimsical stationery. Display them on your writing desk, or they can be folded and tied with a ribbon bow to be tucked away in your dresser drawer until you need to send a note of gratitude or a well wish to a dear friend. These stationery sachets can also add instant charm with a touch of Victorian and French Country to your home's guest room delighting your guests. If you are searching for a special gift for a friend, sister, mother, wife, teacher, caregiver, or bride-to-be, these adorable sachets will sure to be cherished. With the rich floral patterns and coordinating ribbon tie, the sachets do not even require gift-wrapping. Each sachet comes with 8 blank greeting cards, 8 note sheets, 8 envelopes and 2 gel pens. Greetings Cards are 4.25" x 5.5", note sheets are 5" x 6.5". Quantities are limited.

Summer Solstice

How will you be celebrating Summer Solstice this year? Dancing and singing under a star lit sky around a bonfire? Celebrating with a summer concert in the park or going to an outdoor amphitheater for Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream? Whatever your plans are, I just hope you do have plans to celebrate. It seems in today's society, celebrations of our ancient ancestors, like summer solstice, get lost through the ages. We still recognize our major holidays, but with our busy schedules and standard paid vacations, we tend to forget about celebrating the smaller nuances of life, such as the longest day of the year.

This year Summer Solstice falls on June 21st, the day summer officially begins. It is a time to reflect upon the passing of the first half of the year and to renew yourself for the second half to come. In earlier times, summer was viewed as a joyous time of the year. The snow had melted, temperatures warmed, and the earth was blooming. Food was easier to find, crops had already been planted, and some herbs were ready to be harvested for medicine and other uses. Even in ancient times they were able to determine that days began to shorten and this was the longest day or shortest night of the year.

Summer Solstice has been celebrated by many societies in the northern hemisphere. The ancient Celts, or Druids, celebrated Alban Heruin or "Light of the Shore". In ancient China, the summer solstice ceremony celebrated the earth, the feminine, and the yin forces. This complemented the winter solstice that celebrated the heavens, masculinity and yang forces. Ancient Gaul's midsummer celebration was called Feast of Epona, a mare goddess who embodied fertility, sovereignty and agriculture. Ancient Rome held the festival of Vestalia, to honor the Roman Goddess of the hearth, Vesta. A midsummer tree was set up and decorated in each village in ancient Sweden and villagers would dance around it. They also had a magical ritual where the women and girls would bathe in the local river to bring rain for the crops. Ancient Pagans celebrated with bonfires or fire festivals. Pairs of lovers would jump through flames, and it was believed that the crops would grow as high as the couples could jump. The fires were also thought to bring more energy to the sun so that it would remain potent throughout the growing season to yield a plentiful harvest. This was also the traditional month for weddings, between planting and harvesting of the crops. The Pagans believed the month of May was for the union of the Goddess and God, at Beltaine. It was believed to be unlucky to compete with the deities and many couples delayed their unions until June. After the conversion to Christianity in Europe, the feast day of St. John the Baptist was set on June 24th. The Native Americans also celebrated this time with ceremonies and created countless stone structures linked to the equinoxes and solstices.

If you don't have any plans to build a bonfire or there are no concerts or outdoor plays to be found, you could still plan a picnic in the park, dinner in your backyard, or a leisurely evening stroll around the neighborhood. Perhaps even just a glass of wine or cup of tea on your porch step, staring aimlessly into the horizon, reflecting on what has been and dreaming of what is to come. Happy Summer Solstice!

For more information on Summer Solstice and its history, here are some great links to check out:

http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/midsummer.html
http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/summer/summer_solstice_celebration.shtml
http://www.equinox-and-solstice.com/html/summer_solstice.html
http://www.religioustolerance.org/summer_solstice.htm
http://www.serve.com/shea/germusa/midsumm.htm
http://www.americanspiritnews.com/JJ95/Html/SummerSolstice.html
http://www.americanspiritnews.com/MJ96/SummerSolstice.html
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/summersolstice.htm

WORLD'S GREATEST DAD

How lucky are we to be able to boast the blog with THE WORLD’S GREATEST DAD!!!


We love you!
Pam & Staci

Tee Up with Golf Gift Tags at All Us All the Time

Our father has always been a very avid golfer and for my sister and me, there has never been life before golf. Really, was there ever a time before golf? Well if so, how sad. Any hoo, now that summer is almost here, we decided it would be fun to put one of our favorite leisure time activities to felt. Yes, that’s right, to felt. The newest addition to our Wool Felt Gift Tag family is our Golf Gift Tags. These sporting wool felt golf gift tags come in a smashing color palette of greens, maroons, blues, and browns, and are embellished with hand-sewn details and a ribbon for hanging. You can insert tees, small ball markers, or a small note of golfing good luck. Another cute idea is to put small coupons in them for mulligans, gimmies, or even fold up a gift certificate for a free round of golf. Perfect for Father’s Day gifts. The golf gift tags also make great door prizes for any golfing group, especially if you include the golf coupons or certificates. FORE!!

To My Sister with Love

To My Sister with Love – An illustrated tribute to a very sweet and talented girl on her very special day.


To my sister who encouraged me to create without giving criticism or passing judgment.


To my sister who taught me never to be afraid to experiment.


To my sister who says those who say there is too much excess in the world, obviously don’t shop at the right Art Supply Store.


To my sister who has exposed me to the finer literary arts our culture has to offer.


To my sister who has shown me time and time again, I will always have a best friend.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!! LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!

June Tip Page - Summer Parties and Fruit Pizza

We are now in the third month of our tip page. If this is the first entry you have read on our blog, here is a little history behind the infamous Tip Page. If you have already been through all that, please skip down to the third paragraph.

The idea of adding a tip page to our website actually popped up last summer when my sister and I were driving in the car. Not sure how the topic or idea came up and with the "Bright and Shiny Object" syndrome that plagues both my sister and I, tracing back those origins would be next to impossible. Of course the other ailment my sister and I are afflicted with is that no concept of reality thing and there really isn't 36 hours in the day or 8 days to the week. When we first talked about adding a tip page to our site, we originally envisioned our tip page having three sections. The first part would entail deeply thought provoking journal prompts with profoundly enlightening written examples that may or may not solve the ancient mysteries of mankind. These poetic prose would then be accompanied by elaborate intricate illustrated layouts of the likes of the Sistine Chapel. The second part would include unique and captivating recipes, decorating and gift basket ideas. Ideas to rival those of Martha Stewart, eloquently presented with each ingredient illustrated in fine detail. Finally, part three would entail a crafting section with awe-inspiring paper craft ideas and never-thought-of-before color scheme suggestions with of course an extremely ornate detailed illustrated layout of each and every step of the process including color wheels, charts, and Photoshop screen shots. There would be animated graphics throughout as our own composed music plays in the background. This will be followed by a feature film and soon-to-be released soundtrack.

Well no movie producer has contacted us yet, but we do feel we have a fun topic for our June Tip Page - Summer Parties! Tis the season to...grill! Yes, summer is one of the best times to entertain, especially since you can do it in your own backyard. Our summer party page gives a few tips and party theme ideas to help make your summer soirees sensational. Our party themes stem from Flower Power Party, Nautical Party, Potluck Party, to Garden Party. We list out a few decorating and menu ideas to get your creative party juices flowing. We hope these ideas help you with planning your summer soirée. Also be sure to visit our entertaining page to see our selection of fill-in invitations, place cards, and disposable party coasters and drink charms. Oh! One more thing, also on our tip page we have the recipe for one of my favorite summer time desserts, fruit pizza, which is perfect for all parties this summer. So check out our June Tip page for summer party tips and a sweet summer time treat, Fruit Pizza. Enjoy!

All Us All the Time is Inviting up Some Summer Fun

Ships Ahoy! Or should that be sailboats? Either way we just added to our site the cutest set of sailboat fill-in invitations with coordinating disposable party coasters and drink charms. Perfect timing for that summer party you have been planning for the backyard, by the pool, at the lake, or for those so lucky, on their boat. Adorable little boats bobbing over whimsical waves sporting a stunning starfish sail. The color palette is done in classic sea green and blue combined with the summer hues of purple and yellow. To carry on the theme, we have disposable party coasters also sporting stunning starfish and matching disposable drink charms in the same color palette. If you were not planning a party this summer, you may want to now.












All Us All the Time Entertaining

Flower Gift Tags Spring up at All Us All the Time

More felted goodness has arrived in the form of whimsical flower gift tags. In vibrant colors of gold, purple, fuchsia and blue, these wool felt flower tags are embellished with hand-sewn details and a ribbon for hanging. Flower gift tags come with matching note inserts where you can write your own message or you can insert flower buds or any other small treat or trinket. These playful wool felt gift tags are perfect for shower and wedding gifts or you can hang them on bottles of gourmet vinegar and bottles of wine for hostess or house warming gifts. The gift tags can also be given on their own with a note or treat inside, left on a co-worker's or teacher’s desk or at the breakfast table for a loved one. The wool felt gift tags would even fit in a greeting card for a little extra surprise. If you need to send a graduation card this year, you could insert a folded check, gift certificate, money, or a note of wisdom and inspiration for their next step in life (I have a feeling they will probably appreciate the former insert ideas more than the latter). The gift tags are sold in sets of four with matching note inserts; one wool felt flower gift tag in every color. The gift tags are 1.5 x 3” and the coordinating note inserts are .75 x 3”.

I am anticipating more felt goodness will be coming soon....

Happy Mother's Day

Thank you for letting us make our messes, allowing us to color outside the lines, to realize that no dream is too big or unattainable and that it is always okay to wear pink elephant watches.

We Love You!

Pam and Staci

May Tip – Swedish Pancakes for Mother’s Day

We are still working on the grand vision of our tip page. To recap from our earlier blog, the original vision of our tip page was three part. The first part would entail deeply thought provoking journal prompts with profoundly enlightening written examples that may or may not solve the ancient mysteries of mankind. These poetic prose would then be accompanied by elaborate intricate illustrated layouts of the likes of the Sistine Chapel. The second part would include unique and captivating recipe, decorating and gift basket ideas. Ideas to rival those of Martha Stewart, eloquently presented with each ingredient illustrated in fine detail. Finally, part three of our tip page would entail a crafting section with awe-inspiring paper craft ideas and never-thought-of-before color scheme suggestions with of course an extremely ornate detailed illustrated layout of each and every step of the process including color wheels, charts, and Photoshop screen shots. There will be animated graphics throughout as our own composed music plays in the background. This will be followed by a feature film and soon-to-be released soundtrack.


Yeah, we are still working on that. Meanwhile, we have a delicious recipe for Swedish pancakes to share with you for Mother’s Day breakfast or brunch. These Swedish pancakes are very thin and have a slight sweet taste. They are an excellent accompaniment to any Mother’s Day breakfast or brunch menu. You can serve them with traditional maple syrup, a spoonful of jelly, or sprinkle powder sugar over the top. A lovely breakfast for Mother’s Day would be Swedish pancakes, freshly squeezed orange juice, and espresso with cream and sugar. Spruce up the table with a spring bouquet of flowers purchased from your local market or freshly picked flowers from the garden. Visit our tip page at allusallthetime.com for the Swedish Pancake recipe. Bonappetit and Happy Mother’s Day.

Magnificent Magnets

I just love our new magnet page. I know I am prejudice, but to me the page just seems so fun bursting with vibrant colors. It is such a happy little web page. Can web pages be happy? Any hoo, we replaced our 1.5” square sets for new bright and colorful rectangle 2 x 3” sets. Reproduced from my sister’s original watercolors, the details on our teacup magnet set are amazing. From the intricate lace doilies, the whimsical wallpaper, to the detail design of the actual cups and saucers themselves, something new jumps out at you every time you see them. I keep trying to decide which is my favorite, the clocks, the hats, the butterfly, or the flowers, but I would just have to have one of each. The color palette is bright and bold with purples, greens, and pinks giving them a bit of a French flair.


Maybe it was that French flair that certain je ne sais quoi that inspired our 3 French magnet sets. These sets feature the graphic design work of my sister, and are tres irresistible. First there is the sophisticated and classic French Kitty, sporting a beret and lovely scarf, of course in superbly coordinating colors of purple, pink, peach and sage. Then there is our stately fleur de li set for the more refined of refrigerators and bulletin boards. Finally our French melody set of magnets includes the romantic Paris café scene and then the French wine bottles featuring our own label Chat Boudant (pouting cat). Oolala!


From fabulously French to fad and funky, our mod and flower power magnet sets are absolutely groovy. They come in flowers, dots, and pinwheels. In bright fun colors, trendy designs, these magnets surpass hip and enter in to a dimension of their own.



Now it is time to go from fun and fad to....uh, organizational? Excuse me? Yes, that is right, organizational word magnet sets. For those that feel their magnets need an exact purpose, this set spells it right out on the magnet: coupons, grocery list, take out, appointments, now, later, work and leisure. Our hope with these sets is to give back the time spent looking for a scrap piece of paper to write down your grocery list, shuffling through that kitchen drawer for your favorite Chinese take-out menu, or frantically searching for that 2 for 1 pizza coupon. No more looking, it is just right there under these handy dandy magnets.

Speaking of lists, most of the magnet sets also have coordinating notecards...won’t your refrigerator look so chic.

Look What’s Blooming at All Us All the Time

The felted goodness continues with enchanting wool felt cone gift tags. In a regal color palette of blues, browns, purples and turquoises, these wool felt cones are embellished with hand-sewn details and a ribbon for hanging. Each wool felt gift tag has a small pouch where you can insert flower buds, a sweet note or any other small treat or trinket. You can attach them with a bow to your wrapped packages, hang them on bottles of perfume, wine, gourmet vinegars or oils. They can also be given on their own with a note or treat inside, left on a co-worker’s desk or at the breakfast table for a child. The wool tags would even fit in a greeting card for a little extra surprise. They are sold in sets of four; one wool felt cone gift tag in every color.


We have also added a new spring greeting card to our seasonal greetings. The greeting card is reproduced from my sister's recent watercolor of a fabric cone with irises. The color palette is very French country, with golden yellows, deep pinks, rich blues, and sage greens. Then beautiful irises beam from the top with their delicate pedals overflowing down the sides. My sister is known for her intricate detail work that is shown through the elaborate fabric patterns of the cone and then the delicate draping flower pedals. A welcome addition to our spring greeting card collection.