Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Still Finding Stash



Good Morning... Thought I would post a couple lines this morning as I sip my coffee and watch the birds in frolic this morning... Yesterday I found a couple items I decided to reclaim and use... I found the stem of lovely white silk lilacs in a bag in the closet and decided to do a hand tied in my hands and place them to a vase I had in the front picture window... rather than place a price on them for a dollar... Also had made these pillows a couple years ago and decided to place them on my little bench on my small front porch area... I would place a dollar on them and may as well use them and make the front area more charming and discard them as the end of the year as I know the weather will do a number on them....

I will be ending the sorting for this week today as I am beginning to feel the pressure of getting around for Easter guests..Tom's X never has cooked a meal for his kids so they always eat here... My X does have a meal for the my kids usually later in the afternoon and of course he is always welcome here also... We are not uncomfortable to come to each others homes and celebrate with the kids......and we do.... Plans for the grocery late afternoon or evening...Cleaning the house tomorrow and last minute chores... Friday morning Direct TV has made a appointment with us to update our equipment so I must make sure the are they will be working in doesn't have any little dust bunnies as it is the season...

I started cleaning off my table where I do my scrapping and creating as the grand kids play down in the rec room... Yikes... I am really messy when I scrap.... Then next week I will drag it all out again... Oh my dream of having a room of my own every come true where I can just place a private sign and not worry about it...
Have you ever visited http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com ??? I try very hard never to yearn or be envious of others but I have to be totally honest ... when I visit her blog and see her work space.... I am envious.... I just think this would be a dream come true... It is so awesome and lovely I can't imagine the lovely hours that could be spent there.... SIGH.....
Well back to my little world.... my morning break is over and I must get busy and make the best of what I am blessed to work with.... Will visit some of your blogs later this evening in my idle hours..... Have a blessed day and hope you are looking forward to seeing and enjoying time with family....


Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A Romantic

For myself the coming of the spring holds much promise of a lovely , relaxing time out-of-doors and adds more living space... I plan on the use of timeless, simple, and lovely objects to add to it's charm...
Last evening and over night we had a heavy frost... I had many little plants being fooled by the warmer temps than normal into believing it was time to show their faces... opps.... I noticed my hopps was out of the ground a couple inches.. I will check on it later... I love sitting out under hundreds of visible stars ... just peering at them and seeing the lights of planes in flight and wondering who is on them and where they are going... It is a relaxing relief for the mind and body after a busy day... As the heavy slimmer of frost is slowly disappearing with the suns arrival it brings a perfect blend of hope and desire for a lovely day... I haven't been on the computer as much the past week or so... but I have checked in on my breaks with some blogs... Keeping it simple I have left a few comments or a short note but not at all meaning I am not enjoying lovely post and pictures..... The need to take some time to make a grocery list has arrived also for this coming Sunday... and the trip to the grocery store will be necessary in a couple days.... I don't really enjoy grocery shopping and will give myself a small pep talk as I depart.... I would much rather dream of vintage pieces and decorating but I don't think the family would appreciate this when they come to graze Sunday... My favorite time is still spent on dreaming how to decorate our everyday lives with a touch of romance...so we can enjoy every idle hour... My idle hour is about to end as I type this post and I will be sticking my head in our cedar closet to create organization and search for un-used treasures.... Enjoy your day.....

Monday, March 29, 2010

Musings

Good Morning... I am on a small break from hiding my head in the closet.... We are headed into a week of 60's and 70's after our few days of rain and gloom... Each day I am becoming more and more organized... It has been a challenge however... I am wishing I had a few more vintage suitcases as I love the look stacked and great storage... I don't know whom doesn't need hide-a-ways for small items we change off that clutter our life... Boxes of all types and sizes are perfect for storage .....Storing seasonal heirlooms also requires space... I also am downsizing and not decorating for seasons quite as much....
Parting with objects I love that have fond memories of family and friends somewhere warm my spirit....As we enter another holiday week and we fill us with anticipation and excitement, let us not forget the true meaning and reason for the season... And for the best of the best, make it a family affair....

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Linens

Hope everyone has a pleasant weekend planned... Although very chilly the sun is shinning giving energy to ones body this morning and I am taking a short break from sorting and pricing... I am in a drawer in my back bedroom and just found a couple linens I purchased and tucked away and forgot to display... I have placed them on my pie safe and taken a picture... I see I am about to find a few more so I may layer them all in one spot to display.... They will not be getting a price tag this year.... I love linens and after this is over they will be in one area... I will be placing some lovely sheer table cloths I only use for Christmas in my little french marked luggage I posted yesterday... shortly.... I will quit sorting about 2 this afternoon as we have plans with friends this evening... I will take some pictures if I am allowed... We are going to the "Cabaret" at the college tonight for a evening of entertainment and desserts.... The little pair of birds are working very steady on the nest this morning that I featured last week... I am so going to enjoy every little moment of being on this earth this year... I have promised myself to stop and enjoy everything.... no matter how small... as it seems that is what I enjoy the most... After surviving the heart attack I know God has allowed me more time to smell the roses and that is exactly what I plan on doing... Enjoying every blessing of sharing no matter the size...I am yearning to dig in the soil and bring new life in plantings.... The beauty it creates is stunning... Have a lovley weekend all... Break time is over.....

Friday, March 26, 2010

Little Touches











Sorry for the late post today but I took the late morning and early afternoon time off and and went with a friend to Touches in Ottawa Glandorf to a tea and a garden talk... I enjoyed the time off and the ride with the sun shinning.... I have featured a few little spring touches I created with objects I already owned... The little bunnies are on a lettuce leaf place mat with book page shred and a couple little sprigs of silks....with a tag reading Happy Easter in french.... I also as I am sorting have used my vintage luggage for storage.... One is table cloths...the others... linens... and vintage clothing... I also added a cinnamon grunge label to each piece of luggage stating what is stored in them in french... I go to" babel fish" and type in the words in English to translate to French and it's magical... I have the french spelling... How fun....
Hope you all are enjoying a lovely day... As I traveled south this morning I ran into snow... We did not have any in Defiance.....


Thursday, March 25, 2010

Oh No ... I'm Keeping Them

Hello... Rain and rather gloomy here today.... I am cleaning and sorting this morning... Taking a break while my kitchen floor is drying after mopping.. I was going to part with this vignette and price it but when I pulled it to clean and make ready for pricing I changed my mind... I love the vintage horsehair hat and the gloves .... hat box and the opera glasses and old tin so back it goes.... I did manage to take out objects stored in hat box and take down a vintage Whiting and Davis Purse to price from that area however..... I am managing to price many items..... Oh my... this is quite a task and I am really tired at night but it is a good tired as I am loving the nice clean organized areas as I am getting them done.... Now if I could just get Tom to organize and part with anything it would really be wonderful.....

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Just Keep Going

I may need to take a few moments today and relax and enjoy surroundings as I am still spending many hours cleaning spaces in our home... I believe it to be another 2 weeks or so to get totally finished with closets ect.... I haven't had the time I like to be on my favorite blogs but was on a couple that really features homes and gardens and things to do that was way beyond any means I possible have... I think everything is just beautiful but so much more enjoy seeing the lovely pictures and read inspiration that is much more in reality to me... I think I get much more excited when I read and see something someone has done or created that is in my life style.... steeped in nostalgia of things I love and can afford.. Having the desire for maybe so many things beyond our means is the reason so very many are struggling today... Connecting with others love of objects and following passions inspire me the most.. Not to see how expensive something is... This can be deflating.... Just bring on the tarnished silver and the mismatched china ... beautiful linens of the past... that the style and things that makes me excited and happy... Focusing on what you can obtain makes much more sense to me than viewing and the want for things out of our reach... This little ole blog of mine will continue to try to give inspiration to others and produce little pieces of magic on a very small budget...... through affordable thoughts and creations and the gift of a very pleasant and thankful everyday life ... steeped in small little blessings and objects that surround us... Again enforcing my thoughts, you do not have to have great wealth to enjoy lovely things, just the wisdom to know the difference.... As I am closing this post I peer out of doors and the sun is shining ... although somewhat chilly it seems to be a very lovely day and I will pull open the patio door and enjoy some fresh country air... and have a wonderful day as I sort through more places in my home..... Enjoy your gift of today everyone.....

Monday, March 22, 2010

Finding A Few Treasures





For several days now I have been starting to sort through my home... Combing and organizing and figure I have about a month of it to go... It does take quite a period of time... sorting and pricing....and boxing.... I am in a mood to let a large amount of item go and just get organized instead of when I open my cupboards and closets ... yell "timber"... I have found a few treasures that will remain with me but I am willing to let many go... I remember finding a year or so ago these old, old, embellishments and tucked them in my pie safe drawer and forgot about them until now... I know not what I will use them for but I have added them to my old stuff embellishment board for now... I actually love the look of the old embellishments in the very old picture frame... I believe these are from the Victorian era ... if not they are very old.... So I will hang on to these small treasures...Don't you just love that belt buckle???? I also have a picture of a bud vase arrangement I have added one of the enamel little numbers given to me by Tracey... It's sweet....

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Making Our Nest





By nature I think we have a natural desire to live in a lovely nest.... As I sit and type this post two little finches.... the male has a red head and chest... so pretty... are busy decorating their nest... I so enjoy watching them but can't get close to get a better picture... They have picked the home to be in a metal candle holder.. They are working so hard to make everything perfect... just as we do... It is delightful to take moments off and watch them... Another sign spring is on its way... Our days this week have been very pretty for this time of the year but a change is suppose to appear this afternoon for a few days.
Tom and I had a lovely time at a friends home last night.... She prepared a complete meal, dessert and loads of snacks for enjoying while playing cards....and the table setting was lovely... complete with 3 vases of fresh tulips in different areas... Just a lovely time....

Friday, March 19, 2010

Sorting

Making decisions about what you want to enjoy in life... we all know most of us do not have the time nor the means to have it all. I think I am ready to start thinking my pleasures I would like to flourish from my outdoor spaces for the next several months... Making these spaces somewhat special with architectural elements will become my goal.. I am slowing starting to sort through my home and I will be looking at objects with a somewhat different idea in mind.. Adding the unexpected to my outdoor space.. I know I have several pretty china items I will sell some and place some to use... I will be hunting for a few plate hangers to use on my deck rails... My goal is to create a relaxing retreat for all hours of the day... Places to chill out after a dip in the pool... listen to music and curl up with a good book or magazine in hand.. It is necessary for us to follow our passions to get the most out of life... We tend to dream about others on vacation... why not just make the vacation spot in our own surrounding???? Make your passions reasonable and within reach so not to be disappointed, all the time remembering we can try and make some pretty big plans... but God has his own plan... Well I am off to sort.. who knows what rare finds are waiting... I know I will find many little objects stashed in drawers that I will be excited to scrap with... The whole idea will be to get them to one locale... This is going to be an adventure... with a touch of chaos... It will be easy to part with some items as my taste has changed somewhat.. These little objects can tend become someone elses treasures... Have a wonderful day all....
ps... We have been invited out for a lunch and to play cards with a few other couples this evening...conversation with friends is always a welcome.....

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Clock Faces











Yesterday early afternoon I went outdoors and started cleaning in my front garden area. Tom came home from tromping the wet golf course and helped me and spread fertilizer on our lawn... to encourage many mowing's in spring... and early summer.... I pulled allot of my ground cover as it has gotten too thick and wanted a cleaner look.. I usually do 3 clean ups before actual planting time... Later afternoon I came indoors and started playing with my clock faces I received from Tracy in her give-a-way. I did scan them to save and possibly use them for creating or making some fun things for a party..... I just used some rusty craft wire and made little twisty hanger on the one I hung... I made a hanger with the wire and place the small one on my glass cloche.... added another under my vintage collection of beautiful buttons displayed in a lovely candy dish... and place the other one with the candy box girls on the mantle... There are so many old, but beautiful pieces of one's discards out there to give you just that right look to make you stand out and add a special mood to your home... add patina... The use of old books and old textiles lying adds extra charm and texture... I don't know when I acquired the love of aged silver and old silver aged tin looking objects but I am loving it now... I think the Jeanne d Ark Magazine has so much of it featured that I think it has enhanced my love for it also. Love the look of layers upon layers also... It is all about our personal style and many memories can be found at a antique store or flea market.....




Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Welcome To Spring

Oh welcome to another anniversary of spring.... We are suppose to be in the 60's today in my area... The sun is shinning removing frost from overnight temps.. I know we will have more cold weather.. possible snow but this is a taste of what is to come... A lack of sunlight can drain our good spirit so today will be a day to energize... and create positive attitude's which in turn makes situations that arrive easier to deal with ... The next two months I want to go through the house and weed out items for a garage sale... Yesterday I had myself convinced to even price some things in my home displayed but this morning I am re- thinking those thoughts. I know I have way too many objects and it would be easier if I would part with some of them but I also know I love to surround myself with them... I also love the mood of my home when visitors come and when I sit enjoying my surroundings. The thing that is slowing me down is I know I would not have the funds to replace many of these items... if I would decide I so miss the look... Guess I will just focus on objects stashed and use what I can on outdoor spaces and sell the rest... I do believe that means I must sort through my home... look forward to the brighter , warmer times... and enjoy my home with the presence of objects... This wouldn't be such a hard decision if funds were over-flowing but I will accept things as they are and go with it... and enjoy the wonderful things I have... Oh I should be doing nothing but positive thinking as I do have so much more than many... struggling without homes, jobs, loss of many things....This truly is a day to take a moment and reflect and take a few minutes to give thanks... I am off to do just that... Blessings to all of you.....

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Vintage Candy Boxes







The large vintage candy box found in the hunt on Saturday has a home for a few weeks on my fireplace mantle.. I changed it out this morning.. I introduced my other vintage candy boxes with it... These sweet little vintage treasures of the past are becoming more difficult to come by and seems the value is growing... If you noticed I added a sweet little embellishment of antique lace and a vintage gem to the box.. My sweet little coin purse was added to the glass cloche to pick up a hint of the other silver featured on the mantle also... It does seem I am drawn to the graceful beauty of vintage ladies as a little girl is drawn to her dolls. I am not at all fancy in my dress. It's jeans for all occasions... but I do enjoy the female touch in my home and achieve it by embellishment and adornment.. It just enhances my personal space.


Monday, March 15, 2010

Budget Shopping and Ramblings








For myself, surrounding myself with the past creates a calm and serene feel of a slower and softer period of time and adds eye candy as I have stated many times before in previous posts...

Saturday I attended a antique show in Defiance and I vowed to myself only to spend 25.00... Just attend look around and enjoy.... I am so glad I went as I saw many old friends... a celebrity... kinda ... sorta.... and wasn't there long when a voice came up behind me and said " Hello Lady"... To my surprise it was my daughter Starla and her hubby and one of my sons... While looking I brushed arms with Sam Hornish Jr... somewhat unexpected.... There wasn't any Nascar Races this weekend so he was home and shopping with his mom... Ask him if he really needed that and he said " Nope" and see girls .... he can afford it and doesn't need it... I came home with a couple goodies and had change like McDonald's so... it was a nice day... Came home in time to watch the Big Ten Tournament and Ohio State... Later my daughter and her hubby stopped by and spent a couple hours before she headed home and watched the game with me... After a couple squeaky tight games Ohio State won the championship game yesterday afternoon... Go Bucks... Ps.. Tom has been in Indy for the last 4 days attending the big Ten Tournament games with his son and grandchildren... He will be home in a few hours in time for supper... Opps back to the post... I have shown a couple pics of my budget shopping... The only thing that was big was the candy box lid 14" x 8"... That must have been presented by a well to do person of the time as I do not remember a candy box of that size ever being in our home as a child... Our candy was usually home-made fudge or divinity... Oh yum... Other objects were for scrapping... Check out that belt buckle with rhinestones.. it is quite large and showy... and then the sweet little change purse... I love small items for changing out my glass cloches... Yesterday afternoon I did get some scrapping done and my son came over and stayed for supper... ate a N.Y. Strip steak and salad and potato and watched a movie...

Tom just called and is a couple hours away from home ... he will be in time for supper as thought and bring his 4 days of laundry... Hum something not right about this picture... Well I am off to do some chores and bake some carrot cake cupcakes with butter cream cheese frosting... Now isn't that just a great way to coat your day... Blessings.....


Saturday, March 13, 2010

Stash







With the arrival of my garden book from Tracey http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com and the charming pages I have started to dream once again of my outdoor spaces... In all warm areas year long... you are fortunate you can create many more intimate spaces... Living in the country in wide open area almost everything has to be secured down somehow.... I may have told this story before but it is worthy of noting again... Example of being tied down...I think it was about 3 1/2 or 4 years ago I was driving home from work and as I got closer to my home... my eyes kept looking at the top of my house... on the peak of my roof.... I kept looking and wondering what was on the top roof of my house.... as I pulled in my driveway I couldn't believe my eyes and broke out instantly in laughter... It was my 8 foot dining umbrella off my table on my one deck... Did ya all know umbrellas can really fly? My son, Chad came over and climbed to the tip of the roof where it rested and brought it down to safety. I was hoping to acquire a few items of someones trash to place in my yard this year but.... oh my gosh..... I happened to think of a mirror I created and loved and wondered what I had done with it as I packed it away when fall came.... The mirror was inspiration from a book and is a antique stand up I placed a glass etched frame onto with vintage rhinestone earrings as embellishment... When hunting for where I had stashed it I found several boxes filled with objects... many filled with pink rose china.... I have shown a photo of a couple items stashed in this one box of which there are about 25 more objects just in this one box... I really get upset with myself when I have so many objects that I paid my hard earned money for and I have them in a box... I have so many places just shoved full of stuff... I have to get through this house and part with what I don't want to use.... but need to take some of my items to my outdoor space instead of purchasing anything else... A garage sale or something has to happen here... I am going to go into Defiance today for a treat of the hunt and just to look at a special antique show they are holding at the UAW. Hall... Right this very moment I am thinking to myself" what are you thinking?" but I really could use some time doing what I love... just using good judgement.... I am going to put that " Thinking Cap" on for sure and figure out how to use some of this stash.... Why do the ones of us that love to collect do this?????I have been so conscious of what I purchase and still have a house full of stash....I will share some of my stash and if it stays or goes as I sort through.... I need to organize.......