Happy Haunting!

Winter White Wonderland ATC

It has been awhile since I posted. We had a critical family medical issue. To those who have been asking, my husband is slowly but surely healing and on the mend. My heartfelt thanks to everyone whose has sent healing thoughts and prayers his way.

After dusting the cobwebs in my craft room, I was happy to work on making my ATCs for Red Lead's Winter White Wonderland ATC swap. The blue in the photo was a bit darker than I wanted, but I could not resist using it.

Tin Swapping!

A Swap for All Seasons had an altered tin swap. Above is the beautiful green tin made for me by my partner, Maudina. The purple crackled tin is the one I sent to her. What a fun swap.

BCS One Year and Counting!

Once you choose hope, anything's possible... Christopher Reeve

Guarding Angels

My sister and I shopped our way back from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. We stopped at Nell Hill's in Kansas City. They had room after room of decor eye candy. Linda discovered this print on canvas of a cemetary angel hanging in a staircase. I had to have it.

Cemetary sculptures are beautiful works of art, altered by mother nature.

Birthday Treasures!

A couple of my favorite things..... doilies and glassware, both from my sister for my birthday. Don't you just love the color of the green thread used in these doilies? Green is probably my favorite color. These doiles might just have to find a home on the wall in my craft room.

The Fenton hobnail salt and pepper shakers are beauties. I have been admiring this very set of shakers in area antique malls but always set them back down not wanting to slurge.

Last but not least is the fabulous tchotchki pin Linda made. I love the little picture of my smiley kids she used from an old photo. Hiding under the ribbon is a little sewing machine charm & under the photo charm is my lucky number 3. I had to wear this to work today just to show it off. Thank you Linda! You're the best.

ATCs for the Red Lead Holiday ATC Swap.

You've Got a Friend.

In the mail this week arrived a wonderful chunky book full of love, good wishes and friendship from my favorite fabulous sister, the Sunshine Club at Follow Your Bliss, and other art friends. Thank you for such a beautiful special gift.

Some of the best lessons in life are often acquired during our most challenging times. In the past year I have come to realize the greatness and importance of family and the many friends I am blessed with. I treasure and value all of you.

Tchotchke Shmotchke

This was a first for me. I made a tchotchke pin for a swap Red Lead is doing. Looking for the origin of this word, I learned that a tchotchke is Yiddish slang for an inexpensive souvenir, trinket, or ornament. Fun!

More Antique Ancestors

Antique Ancestors ATCs

It has been awhile since I made ATCs. These are my first four in a Red Lead ATC swap challenge. Four more to go. Running out of time so I better hurry!

Butterfly Wishes Itty Bitty Book

No Genie in this Lamp!

Even though it needed some TLC this lamp caught my eye at one of my favorite thrift stores for the total of $3.01. My heart pounded! When I got my lamp home I cleaned it up, played with the wiring a bit, and threw on a harp and the too small of a shade I had around the house. Not only does the top light up but a tiny bulb in the bottom lights up too! This little gem will be going into my new/old sitting room. I may not have any funiture to sit on, but at least I won't be standing in the dark.

Swap for All Seasons Vintage Swimwear Tag

The Gift of Friends

I have been blessed with many wonderful friends. Waiting for me when I arrived home from work Wednesday was a small package and a card from one of them... MaryLou. She was wearing 'Flower' parfum the night before at bunco and I kept sniffing her out to enjoy the scent. In my package was a brand new bottle of 'Flower' in one of the most adorable bottles ever! But even sweeter then the parfum was the wonderful card offering these words of cheer and encourgement "a new month, a new day and a new parfum". So I am taking her advice. "Put a smile on, enjoy." You rock MaryLou!

4x4 Birthday Chunky Page

A New Treasure

Today I dropped by an estate sale in the neighborhood and acquired a new serving fork. I am finding myself drawn to random old silverware lately. Many of the old vintage patterns are so full of style and glamour. It will eventually get polished, but first I will just admire its charm for awhile.

Spring Is in the Air

Take a sniff of the lilacs from my yard. When I open the window on that side of the house, the fragrance of lilacs drifts in with the breeze.

Happy Easter!

RAKs

When life gets a bit topsy-turvy, trying to jumpstart creative mojo is not easy. Thought I could give it a kick by reorganizing my little 'craftcave' and then making a couple RAKs. (I also discovered all those scraps and little tidbits too good to throw away have a worthwhile purpose.)