Welcome Fall and the Holidays!

Can you believe that we are already at the end of September?  I can't!  Seriously, this has been one of the quickest years for me so far.  It seems that just last week we were getting ready for graduation, setting up the pool for the summer, staying out later and playing outside.  Holy Cow, SLOW DOWN TIME!  

With that being said, we are gearing up for the holidays.  We have been working around the clock getting things in, restocking, and getting ready for a great holiday season.  We wanted to feature our Halloween items this weekend.  Now, is the perfect time to get stocked up on all of your Halloween party items.

First up, how about a retro themed Halloween party for the kids...

Halloween Banner

Halloween Pot Holders

Child's Candy Corn Apron

These items would be a great start to a child's Halloween party.  What little girl wouldn't love that adorable apron to show off to her friends as she is playing little hostess?

Now for the Adult Party...

Bone Appetit Napkins

Bone Appetit Tablecloth

Bone Appetit Towel Pack

I think that these are perfect for after the kids have gone to bed and the adults and spooks want to come out and have a good time.  Head over to Home a la mode and check out our other Halloween items.  We are limited in stock on these items and we won't be getting them back.  So hurry before they are gone forever!  Also, use my DISCOUNT CODE to receive an additional percentage off your purchase when you check out.

Have a wonderful Friday.  I am off to deliver some items to Karen that we are going to show off at the International Quilt Festival in Houston at the end of October.  Yes, ladies we are going!  We will be talking more about the festival in the coming weeks.

Laundry Room Face Lift

Good Morning everyone!  I have had my laundry room on my mind lately.  It is ugly.  I hate going in there.  I think it needs a face lift.  I do have a window that has several plants in it.  That is the only pretty thing in there.  It is a rather large room for it being a laundry room.  I headed over to Home a la mode and started looking at all the things that we have to pretty it up. I actually never noticed how many super cute things we have that would work in there until I started looking.  I wanted you to see some of the things I am considering for the "face lift"...

Collapsible Laundry Basket

I love this.  Not only could you put your laundry in it...you could use it to organize shoes, put your cleaning supplies in it so they are handy, you could use it even as a decorative item.

Laundry Basket Liner

If you do want to use the Laundry Basket for your laundry, you really need one of these liners.  I hand make these to fit perfectly in the basket.  I think I will make one out of Salt Air Summer Border Fabric.  It would add a really cute splash of color.

Old Wire Laundry Baskets

I have started making my own cleaning items like, fabric softener sheets, cleaning rags, different cleaners.  I would love to have them organized in a central spot in these baskets.  I would also be able to carry them around the house easily.  I really like that.

Vintage Gas Station Signs

I know these aren't really laundry room perfect...but they are perfect for mine.  My hubs takes his work clothes off in the laundry room.  He works in the automotive field.  I think these would be cute hanging in there and also a way of acknowledging all of his hard work.

Feedsack Clothes Pin Bag

No laundry room would be complete without this!

These are just a few things that I am considering.  Karen is scheduled to come over to my house today...I am thinking that she might have to add some more things to the list of things that I need from her.  Well, I am off to make a phone call to Karen.  I want you all to have a GREAT day today!  Tell me what you think of my ideas for my laundry room.  What would you like to use in your's?

Our New Kitchen Shop

Check out HOME A LA MODE'S  latest

  "Kitchen Shop and Gifts" in Gunter, Texas

    Stomping Grounds Coffee House & Boutique

                     610 N 8th St, Gunter, TX 75058 

Home a la mode is proud to announce a new "Kitchen Shop and Gifts" open at Stomping Grounds Coffee House & Boutique in Gunter, Texas.  They are located on Hwy 289 on the East side of the highway. 

Best Coffee in Gunter USA!!

Stomping Grounds Coffee House & Boutique was opened in June 2012. They serve special/ premium roast coffees, Espressos, Lattes, Cappuccinos, Americanos, Breves, Cafe Au Laits...just about any flavor combination you can think of.  Breakfast is served starting at 5:30am...  our GINORMOUS cinnamon rolls, breakfast burritos, muffins, and cheese danish. Lunch served 11:00am-2:00pm...  (Monday thru Friday 5:30am to 2:00pm and Saturday 8am-11am.)  Hot panini sandwiches made to order (turkey, italian, veggie, ultimate grilled cheese served with our signature basil cream dressing dip (oh yeah baby!!), ham and cheese, fried bologna (it's Texas y'all:), and a classic chicken salad sandwich on wheat bread. They also offer a Chicken Bacon Club salad, chef salad and garden salad. They are proud to be the home of the Mary Gage Chocolate Chip Cookies  (the best cookie ever!!)
Stomping Grounds Coffee House & Boutique strives to be a place where everyone comes to enjoy great food and fellowship.  And great hospitality!

 

Check out our latest in Canisters... and tins with the back to Grandma's and ages past look.  These tins and canisters just take you back and give you a great organization of your pantry or kitchen.  

Also check out all the tablecloths... 

We have Retro-Vintage Style Western, Birthday, Christmas, Halloween, Fall, Fishing, many States are available, floral, fruits and lots reproduced from the past... If you don't see it at Stomping Grounds, make a request and we'll make sure they have what you want.  Make sure you check out the towels, potholders, coasters and more....  Home a la mode is getting in new items every week, so make your Christmas list and shop local!

Not a recipe but how about some totes...

So I know today's blog is supposed to be a recipe.  Guess what!  It didn't happen.  The problem I have is that I live in a cave...not your typical cave mind you.  But the kind where there is one window in my kitchen...my walls are all redwood...my counter tops are brown...and we had a cloudy day yesterday.  With all these factors it just isn't an ideal situation to take pictures of food.  So, I decided to take a minute and show you some totes I have been working on.

I have gotten on a vinyl kick lately.  I am really not sure why.  Maybe it is the shininess of it..maybe it is because I can buy a huge amount of it for a very small amount of money...or maybe it is because I have just always been drawn to it.  Anyway, I also have a huge amount of quilt scraps.  When I say huge amount I mean HUGE amount.  The kind of amount that wakes me in the middle of the night because I feel like they are taking over my house...ever have those kinds of scraps?  So, I put the two together and came up with these totes.

Well, there they are.  I would love for you to tell me what you think of them.  Have I told you how much I love your comments.  They make me smile.  I really do value your opinions.  Oh, if you would like to have one of these for your own...they will be available soon at Home a la mode.

Have a BEAUTIFUL day today!

How about some new tins...

Good Morning!!!  Did everyone have a great weekend?  We celebrated daughter #2 coming home from college yesterday.  Her "special" request of chicken went over great!  We had one of those meals that you wind up snacking on all day...I was one stuffed Mama when I went to bed last night.  The kind of stuffed where you know you shouldn't have eaten all you did...but there was no way you were going to be able to stop yourself.  Ever have one of those?

We had several of our family members come over yesterday.  My mother and mother-in-law included.  The women stayed inside talking while the men went outside to "discuss" things.  What do men talk about when they are all alone?  I have wondered...but have been too afraid to ask...hehe.  Well, we women started discussing decorating.  I was telling them how I wanted to do something new with my kitchen.  Then I started showing them all of the new canisters we have just gotten in at Home a la mode.  There was some oooing and aaaahing, some "Oh, my!...I have to have those", even maybe a certain someone begging their mom to "gift" her a set....lol.  I thought I would show you some of them...

 Vintage Seafood Tins

Living near the lake...I love nautical themed rooms.  I think that these would be really cute in a bathroom.  They would also make some great storage for bathroom items.

Old Advertising Food Tins

I really like these.  The big plus size to these, is they are food SAFE!  I would love to have these set up in the baking area of my kitchen.

Vintage Advertising Canister

These have a very classy look to me.  I love decorating with black.  

We have many more at Home a la mode.  Head over and check them out.  I would love for you to leave a comment and tell me which ones are your favorites.  I love hearing all of your opinions on our things.  

I would like to wish you all a GREAT day!  I am going to be back on Wednesday with my first recipe post.   Check back then and let me know what you think about it.

It's Monkey Time!

Babe

Well, it is Friday...and we are being invaded by our first cold front of the season. Let me tell you, waking up to 50 degree weather compared to last week's 100 degrees is VERY nice.  This is the perfect weather to cuddle up with the cutie above.  

We are putting all of our Sock Monkeys and Friends on sale for 15% off.  These guys are sooooo cute.  Every time we head over to Karen's office, my daughter can't resist getting her hands on these.  I wanted to show you a few of the ones we have...

Casey

Gaylord

Reggie

Rocky

I think Rocky is my favorite.  He reminds me of how I wind up looking during holiday time.  All plump and full...hehe.  Head over to Home a la mode and check out our entire line of Sock monkeys and Friends.  You need to hurry...I have heard from a very reliable source, that once these guys find new homes, that we won't be getting anymore in.  I actually think that we are going to have a whole new set of friends coming to stay with us.

****Remember, if you use my DISCOUNT CODE you can get an additional 5% off your purchase when you checkout.  That means you can get them for 20% off.  What a great price to stock up on Christmas presents!

I am off to sew now.  My little one is sitting at her desk in our new "office" right now playing with her play doh.  It is funny, now, when she wakes up in the mornings she asks me to hurry and get her dressed so we can go upstairs and work together...I think that is the cutest thing ever!  

Have a fantastic day today!

Thanks for our NEW LOOK!

After 5 years of the same look... We went to our designers and they came up with this logo and design.  I just wanted to THANK THEM for their hard work.  Thank you!!!!!

It is truly a work of art!    I love it!!!!  Just wanted to let everyone know we are working on our new catalog and it takes a lot of time and looking into the future for how long products will be available.  Lots of hours of work. So... soon... the meeting of the minds will gather the "right stuff" to make our 2nd and newest catalog and when it is done, printed and ready to go... we will notify you by email, blog and main page of our website... www.homealamode.com  

Again... this is merely a THANK YOU to all the girls who work so hard on our website, bookkeeping, making products for you...  Working in the shipping dept, booths and customer service for you.  Long days and long nights...   But you are worth it!  :)  We appreciate our husbands that support us. 

Most Sincerely, Karen

It's all about the "General"

Good Monday Morning!  How has everyone been?  We have been crazy around here.  People visiting...  Getting ready for all of the Fall Markets... I spent the weekend sewing on potato baker bags, 50 of those to be exact... You'll have to check them out.  You can bake potatoes in the microwave in just minutes that are soft and fluffy... Ummm ummm...  Also corn, tortillas and other things.  (They take a special warm tator batting that works in the microwave.)  Jill is getting ready to put them on the web this week.  You can get them finished ready to use... or we also made lots of kits... You can do them yourself... Different fabrics for everyone.  "Potato Bakers"...

 

Speaking of sewing, our fearless leader, Karen came over on Friday and helped me move into my new "home".  I have taken over Daughter #2's bedroom as my "Sewing Studio".  You don't think she will mind do you?  She is gone to college.  She is enjoying being an "adult" for the first time.  She is coming home for the first time this coming weekend.  I woke up this morning with a text on my phone from her requesting a certain meal for our Sunday lunch...and it ended by saying...oh, can you make enough so I can take some back to college with me...hehe...gotta love kids.

The real reason I am supposed to be blogging today is to talk to you about our French General Line.  We have gotten in a Limited quantity of some of your favorite items....

French General Pin Cushion

French General Sewing Book

French General Trim

French General Zippy Bags

We have many, many more French General items at Home a la mode.  Maybe even a couple of cuties you haven't seen before.  Head over and check them all out.  We will not be able to keep them in stock for very long.  I absolutely adore this whole line of items.  

Don't forget...use my Discount Code...KRISTIN5 when you check out and get an additional 5% off of your purchase when you check out.

I am off to take the little one to see Grandparents today.  I hope you all have a wonderful Monday.

How to Turn Kitchen Towels into Curtains

We had a lovely customer write us the other day and asked if we could make her a valance using our Retro Stamped Towels.  Karen came up with this super cute, super simple way to make them...

We started with the Stamped Towel Pack...

And a package of Medium Rick Rack--Delft

Trim the towel to the length you need.  She wanted hers to be finished 12" with a 2" pocket to slide a curtain rod in.  We trimmed the towel to 15" to allow for a hem and room on the top to add a seam.

Next, we took a heavy twine and ran it up each of the long sides of the towels.  Karen said that she wanted to give our customer another option on how to hang her curtains.  I have a pic at the end of the tutorial to show you what it does. Secure knots on either end of the twine.

On the top edge...fold down the end half an inch and press. Then fold the towel down until you reach the desired length...again, we made ours 12" long.  Stitch your folded edge down.  You should not have any unfinished edges now.

On the very top of the towel mark a line about a quarter inch below the edge.  This will create a pocket for the curtain rod to fit into.

Sew on rick rack.  I just followed the 2 lines of stitching and attached them right on top of those rows.

You are finished.  Pull the strings on the sides of the towels and it gives you a completely different look.  Almost a balloon valance look.
Literally...this is one of the easiest things ever.  If i had not had a little one running around asking me to sing Jake and Never Land Pirates...and check her nose for boogies...I seriously could have finished this project in 30 mins.  With the added "Mommy" time...it took me about an hour and a half.

Remember use my discount code KRISTIN5 to get an extra 5% off, if you order these towels or anything else on our website.  We have over 2000 products for you now... check it out!  We do retro, vintage, fabrics and a whole lot more.

Happy Labor Day!

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day!!!

I hope this finds that everyone had a wonderful weekend.  I took the day off from sewing and working my other job.  I spent the day searching around pinterest for some new ideas.  SHHHH!...don't tell my boss.  We were hoping that everyone was getting to spend the day at the lake this past weekend.  If you didn't, here are some pictures of some items we have at Home a la mode to inspire you to go to the lake soon...

Lakeside Resort Fat Quarter Bundle

Lake House Towel Pack

These would be really cute made into pillows like these...

Click here for the pillow tutorial

Again...Hope you had a Happy Labor Day Weekend...enjoy the coming week with friends and family.