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Author: Elizabeth Smillie

Hello there! I'm Elizabeth. Welcome to my website and blog space. All the products in my little shop are hand crafted and stem from my desire to provide creative and high quality products that make people feel lovely. I believe the little moments of life matter, every day should be celebrated, and that the beauty all around us is a gift from the Creator to be enjoyed. I'm married to a wonderful guy who happens to be my greatest cheerleader and best friend, mama to three little ones and currently reside in the heartland of America.
the hobnob summer market

the hobnob summer market

Do you remember this little preview that I gave you a few weeks ago?

Well, it’s happening! I have a booth booked at the Hobnob Summer Market!

the Path Less Traveled at the Hobnob Summer MarketThey’ve been doing a wonderful job promoting each of the vendors, both online and in print, and a few days ago I noticed that they had posted this little bio of me and my shop on their facebook page – I love how they put it together :) {and yes, if you’re looking for any of the items in this image, I’ll be bringing them with me!}

My sister-in-law, a friend and I are going to be sharing a booth, and I’m excited! I’ll be bring Olivia with me too, so any of you who have been dying to squeeze her sweet baby chub will have a chance to snuggle her sweetness in person {provided you, you know, you’re normal and not all stalker-ish and weird, because that would not be cool, mkay?}

Do you live in the Illinois/Indiana area? If so, I’d love to see you there! Stop by and say “hi” if you come, and you might even get a cupcake :)

Now, I’m off to make a few more dozen sets of cupcake toppers – eek! It’s getting to be crunch time!

 

<3

 

p.s. sharing here today:

how Tuesday – growing your own green onions

how Tuesday – growing your own green onions

for today’s how Tuesday – we have a tutorial on growing your own green onions! Yay, right?!

I’m not sure about you, but I usually only use part of the bunch that I bring home from the store, and the rest gets slimy in the fridge while it waits to be used – and then I feel bad that I let it go to waste {ah, such a vicious cycle!}.

Inspired by this pin on Pinterest last year, I gave growing my own a shot – and it worked! I harvested the amount I needed {fresh! soooo yummy} all summer, and then towards the end of the summer planted them in our garden. To my surprise, they overwintered on their own, and have come back this summer as lovely as ever.

So, want to give it a try yourself? :) If you can cut a veggie and put water in a glass, you can do this! {it’s almost beyond easy}

how to re-grow green onions

All you need to succeed are a bunch of green onions {actually, you only need the bulbs (the white ends)}, an upright container, and water

how to re-grow green onionsstep one: wash your green onions

how to re-grow green onionsStep two: chop up the green section, cutting off the “leaves” all the way down to the crotch of the onions

how to re-grow green onionsStep three: place the onion bulbs in a glass {other other upright container – a small vase would also be lovely} and add just enough water to cover the roots

how to re-grow green onionsStep four: wait. But you won’t need to wait too long – the growth in this photo is only 5 days old! I recommend rinsing the roots every few days, and make sure that there’s always just a bit of water in the glass.how to re-grow green onions the roots will eventually start to wind around the base of your glass – lovely!

And that’s it! I’d love to know if you try and how you like it – and have any of you ever tried to grow {or re-grow} other things this way?

<3

 

 

p.s. I’m sharing this here: Skip To My Lou and on C.R.A.F.T.

overnight at Brown County
Instagram bits

Instagram bits

the photos that I capture on Instagram are just little bits and pieces of our life, and it’s really interesting to see what moments I capture {and which ones I don’t} – of course, it seems as if {since I instagram from our iPad} I only capture the things that stand still. Which of course explains why Emma Grace, Ian and John don’t show up very often, but flowers, projects and Olivia do. :)

This week’s post is kind of a catch-up – so you get two weeks rolled into one. Enjoy!Mother's Day RosesMy Mother’s Day rose bush is looking so lovely <3 I’m a rose lover! Especially the soft colors – pink, white, even gray and soft purple – and the full, blowsy cottage types. :)
IMG_2416 I asked – and you answered! This storage dresser in the sewing room might be getting a do-over, and many of you chimed in with your color suggestions. Thank you!IMG_2421 A sweet color combo on the It’s A Girl! cupcake toppers – I normally stamp the girl version with pink ink onto either vintage or white paper, and this customer asked to add some pink on pink – they turned out super darling!IMG_2426 our darling baby being her sweet little self <3IMG_2431 It’s graduation season! These purple stars are the size I normally carry in the shop, and the large gold ones are coming soon!IMG_2433 a custom bouquet of “Congrats Grad!” and “Class of 2013” dessert toppersIMG_2441

John had a week of vacation, and we spent most of it at home {or with my in-laws}. We did get away for an overnight, though! Brown County is Indiana’s largest state park, and quite lovely {and quite!} this time of year. We took the kiddos to Story Inn for the night, and then for a bit of an explore in the park itself the next day. They loved being on an “adventure” so much.IMG_2443 A sweet color combo! These purple and pink butterfly toppers are on their way to a baby girl’s first birthday party :)IMG_2445 And my baby girl just keeps getting bigger! She’s a roller now, and loves to roll her way across the room. She started out on the blanket in the lower right, and made it all the  way to my stash of baker’s twine on the other side of the sewing room. :)IMG_2446

How about you – you Instagram? What do you find shows up as a recurring theme in your photos?

Also, don’t forget to use the shop’s free shipping coupon if you’re planning on stocking up on any summer party goods! It expires tomorrow night, so don’t dilly dally too long :)

<3

 

 

Memorial Day Sale! free shipping this weekend <3

Memorial Day Sale! free shipping this weekend <3

It’s a Memorial Day Sale! {and it’s coming just in time for you to stock up on summer party essentials :)}

Memorial Day Sale at the Path Less TraveledRed, White and Blue Star Garland

Yeppers, in honor of Memorial Day, I’m offering free shipping on orders placed here in the shop this weekend <3

REDWHITEBLUESTARSRed, White and Blue Star Cupcake Toppers

Use code “memorialday” when placing your order to receive free shipping – and this is good on any order from the shop!

Red, White and Blue Star Chair BackerRed, White and Blue Star Chair Backer

Did you notice that I’ve added a suite of Red, White and Blue Star items to the shop? Yes, I did! They’ve been in my Etsy shop for a while, and I’ve finally added them here, just in time for this sale and your summer party and BBQ season. :)

remember, the code to use for free shipping is “memorialday“! Enjoy! and have a lovely, relaxed and blessed weekend,

<3

 

{coupon expires midnight of May 27}

custom cake garland from the Path Less traveled
custom projects

custom projects

I think I’ve mentioned how much I enjoy making up custom projects for you a time or two before – it’s always so fun to see your ideas coming to life in my hands!DSC_0101This bride contacted me through my Etsy shop, inquiring about a custom version of my “forever” hand stamped heart cake garland {so darling, isn’t it?! I am looking forward to adding it to the site soon!}. She was hoping that I’d be able to personalize the cake topper for them, and the end result was perfect. *updated – you can find them on the site now!

DSC_0103

I’m sure that this will be the perfect touch for their big day. Imagine how sweet it will look atop the cake … darling, I’m sure!

One of the lovely things about this personalized version is that, if they choose, the couple can use it later in their home – draped across the corner of a framed wedding photo, perhaps?

How about you? Is there anything in the shop that you’d like to see a custom or personalized version of?

 

XO

We're on Country Living!
In other online news …

In other online news …

In other online news … our Atlas Cupcake Toppers have made it onto the Country Living website!

We're in Country Living!

Last week I was contacted by one of the editors of Country Living.

She was checking to see if I would mind submitting some photos and products to be considered for one of their web features – after a split second of thought I responded with “sure!” {of course!}

We emailed back and forth a bit, and this week the feature on hand-made wedding cake toppers went live {yay!}. Each one  of the cake toppers featured is sweet and lovely in it’s own way – I’d love to be able to use them all! I’m so thrilled and grateful to be included – God is so good and surprises me with the ways that He is growing our business on our behalf. :D

XO

Chair Garland Decor Ideas {a continuing series}

Chair Garland Decor Ideas {a continuing series}

Have you heard? The chair garlands in the shop aren’t just for decorating chairs!
When it comes to using these petite garlands, there are so many options that chairs are only the the start! This is the beginning of a continuing series where I’ll share some of my ideas with you {and, if you’d like to share some of yours, I’ll post them as well!}

Use a chair garland to decorate a frame – this has been such a fun way to add some quick, seasonally appropriate, decor to my photo wall!

For Valentine’s Day I had the Red and White Heart Garland here, and as the spring holidays approached I switched it to this sweet Doily Garland. I find that they add a perfect touch of softness and unexpected color and am in love with this idea <3

 

 

Mother's Day Roses
a recap of love

a recap of love

Did you have a lovely Mother’s Day yesterday? I know it’s a joy-full day for some of you and a bittersweet day for others, and for some of you a day full of sorrow – whatever your emotion, I hope you were able to enjoy the spring day and soak in the ones you love <3

Mother's Day RosesOur Mother’s Day was full of family – both our imediate little brood {who woke up at 7, crying of course … the dreamed-of breakfast in bed might need to wait a few more years!} and my husband’s family.

As far as gifts go, there are two that are making me smile: last weekend John sent me to Lowe’s to pick out some flowers, and I brought home this lovely light pink Knock Out Rose, and it’s already blooming! I LOVE flowers, especially roses, and seeing this out in the yard from the kitchen window has definitely made me feel loved <3

And then yesterday afternoon I went shopping with two of my sister-in-laws for some summer wardrobe refreshers , and I found the sweetest white sundress {and it was 50% cheaper in the store than online – score!}.

Some of the reviews online say that they think it’s a bit short, but being a bit short myself I found it to be the perfect skim-my-knees length :) Now that I’m almost back to my pre-baby weight {notice I didn’t say “shape?”}, I’m really looking forward to wearing pretty little things again! And maybe John and I can go out somewhere? {Sweetie, that was a hint …}

But the best gift? The kiddos coming up to me throughout the day, throwing their arms around me and declaring “happy birthday, Mommy!” or “happy Valentine’s Day, Mommy!” or “guess what? I love you Mommy!” and then near the end of the day {when they were starting to get the hang of it} “happy Mom’s Day, Mommy!”. {melts me every time!}

Love to you all,

XO

 

 

little Instagram pieces

little Instagram pieces

the photos that I capture on Instagram are just little pieces of our life, and it’s really interesting to see what moments I capture {and which ones I don’t} – of course, it seems as if {since I instagram from our iPad} I only capture the things that stand still. Which of course explains why Emma Grace, Ian and John don’t show up very often, but flowers, projects and Olivia do. :)

here are some of the little pieces of this last week: Monday morning loveliness on our kitchen windowsill <3

I make our black beans from scratch – both to save money and because I like knowing what is {and isn’t!} in our food. Usually I do the “quick soak” method {boil them for an hour and then rinse and cook} because  I’m usually making them when we actually need them and not ahead of time, but this week I thought ahead and let them sit overnight. I was so surprised to be greeted by these lovely purple gems when I rinsed them out the next morning! Is it just my beans that do this? Or have you experienced it, too?
A custom cake garland order – triple layered gold scallops! It will be so lovely on her cake, don’t you think?

Emma Grace asked me to make her a braid “all the way down” so that she could be like Rapunzel – the braid reached her shoulder blades, and she decided that might be good enough :)

<3
life rearranged