Recovery Period

I'm finally raising my head up again after the holiday....whew! 

We have 13 people here for 13 days and it's quite fun but quite tiring. 

We had our caroling party on the 22nd 

We had music (which went unused...THIS group was no Mormon Tabernacle Choir )

And bells (which were used PLENTY....I'm still hearing the ringing in my head)

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Seeing Red

Sometimes I write these posts and don't even realize what I'm doing I think! 

On a recent post I made the statement

 "I really don't use much red (referring to decorations at Christmas) 

and then proceeded to post pictures 

which had red in EVERY SINGLE ONE!! 

Too funny!

I had taken a lot of photos of my vintage things 

and red and green were very popular in the 50's for Christmas.....

at least for the folks I inherited them from. 

So, as Christmas is drawing near,

 I thought I'd share a bit of my "other" decorations.....

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12 Days Til Christmas....

OK, after you read the title....

you need to take a cleansing breath....

that's it....

now roll your neck around a few times....

shake those arms.....

And now...... jump up and get back to it!! 

LOL

This guy is hanging on the front porch.

That's why I go through the garage....

too much pressure.....

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Beautiful Tree

I usually decorate my own tree. As many of you do,

 I change up the tree each year and it never looks exactly the same. 

There are some constants, 

white lights, 

lots of silver and white ornaments,

 vintage looking ornaments (my favorite) 

and no tinsel. 

I do the decorating while the kids are in school 

not because I don't trust them with my things 

but because an organized tree decorating attempt the first year they were here 

ended in fighting.

 Not exactly what I had planned for the Christmas experience!

They are getting better and better at getting along with each other so there is progress. 

But

 I often choose the activities very carefully so they will be as pleasant as possible. 

In addition, one thing I am learning to do is to 

be considerate of MYSELF.

 The arguing upsets me and the feelings often persist for quite awhile. 

I can very easily become blue for days after these episodes of fighting

So, I did it myself the past two Christmases.

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King of Kings Ornament

The Christmas season is a favorite of mine. 

There are so many beautiful things about it.

lights

special foods

gift giving

beautiful music

decorations

family

When my children were younger and I became a Christian, I was determined that they would not just think of Christmas as a big gift getting day 

but remember the greatest gift that was ever given to humankind....

Jesus. 

So, I began the tradition of having a birthday cake on Christmas morning. We all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. 

It was something they could easily understand. 

We also talked about why we give gifts to each other on that day 

(as a symbolic remembrance of the gifts of the kings) 

and what gifts we should be giving to Jesus.....

 manifesting the fruits of the spirit.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, 
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

These days, on Christmas morning, 

when we go to my youngest daughter's home 

to watch our grandsons open their gifts,

 she has a birthday cake ready so we can sing Happy Birthday. 

So, the tradition continues.

This year I felt led to make a special Christmas ornament 

which would remind us of the reason we celebrate Christmas at all.

I was inspired by some small chipboard crowns I spotted one day. 

Almost immediately, I was able to visualize what I wanted to do.

Here is the end result:

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Same Time Next Year

Saturday was Cookie day in my house. 

I started a tradition many years ago of setting aside the first weekend in December....

no exceptions....

for cookie baking day. 

I wanted to be able to spend time with my daughters and all my grandchildren 

in the midst of all the busyness of the season. 

So, on the first Friday in December, the adults would get together to 

bake cookies, 

have lunch 

and visit. 

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Of Mice and Men

"The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry".....isn't that the truth?

I am constantly beset by appointments and events it seems!

Christmas decorating and finishing up projects end up on the

back burner often.

Yesterday morning I needed to attend the

DARE graduation for my youngest

This is the third DARE ceremony I've attended

two for my kids and one for my grandson.

Luckily I get a break now since the next grandson is only 2 1/2

Next time, I'll be using my walker

I rushed home and managed to do some decorating in the foyer

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Today's Work

Today I am busy filling a couple orders for customers and wanted to share them with you.

 First is a paper wreath for a child's room. 

The customer wanted Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as the music. 

 I found the music and then had to create aged paper to print it on.

 She also didn't want a glittered center like the display wreath 

so I changed that to complement the wreath.

I decided to make a tattered linen rosette

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One Down, Two to Go

Thanksgiving is over...Christmas is coming and then a New Year's Day Open House.....it is definitely a busy season as usual! But, I love it all, especially Christmas.


What a wonderful Thanksgiving! We served 23 people and there was enough for leftovers (the best part!). My little 2yr old grandson showed off his karate skills which was too cute! He can't jump completely off the floor yet so it was funny to watch him try to do a kick while saying "hiya!".


Spent part of Friday at the big Christmas market we have her every year with my SIL at her booth..... Bittersweet Primitives. She makes a lovely room spray which you can buy from her online, along with her adorable primitive snowmen, Santas and angels....
Her link is here

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WIP : Work in Progress

That title comes from my hubby. In their business, custom architectural signage, they are always having WIP meetings. It really fits my life because I am a work in progress, ever changing, ever evolving in my personal, emotional and spiritual growth. And then there's the house....definitely a WIP if there ever was one!

Here is the living room, not styled yet but almost finished!

The first piece of old furniture I bought and painted, 12 yrs ago

Above is a gorgeous medallion I bought in a mall store around the same time.

 It has been over the fireplace since we moved in.

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Tortoise vs. Hare

I have this disorder that I haven't told you about. 

I am an impatient decorator. 

This has led to poor  decision making in the past and I am really 

(REALLY REALLY REALLY) 

trying to be more patient. 

I want to be like this:

Serene in the face of chaos. 

Guess that's why I'm not at angel status yet. 

God has placed me in the midst of this hectic life to teach me something I'm sure

 AGAIN....... 

(slow learner, that's me!)

Time is an interesting thing.....moving so fast at one point....moving so slowly at another....

maybe both in the same day.

I don't care who we are, we all get the same 24 hrs 

or 1440 minutes 

or 86,400 seconds 

every day...... 

there IS time.....it just needs to be used wisely. 

A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.  ~Dutch Proverb

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Granny and Grammy

I have just completed the next dress I will be putting on my Etsy site and as I was working, I was constantly reminded of my grandmothers. I wanted to share some of the legacy they have left me as I know many of you could tell some of the same stories of your grandmother(s).
I had a pretty sad childhood. I won't go into many details here but it was filled with turmoil, separation, anger, neglect, abuse and fear. All fueled by addiction and affecting not only myself but all my brothers and sisters. During my childhood, I was lucky enough to spend many happy days with my maternal grandmother, Granny. This relationship was a gift from God, who I'm sure, looked down with sadness at the unhappy little girl I was. Granny herself was the product of a neglected childhood (funny how that goes on, isn't it?) and was on her own at age 16. She was left by her father in the town of Asbury Park, NJ in a boarding house with a nickel. Her mother had died and all her brothers and sisters had been farmed out to relatives. She alone had stayed with her alcoholic father for several years, but had finally had enough. When he wanted to move on again, she said "no". So, with the nickel in her pocket and the boarding room paid up til the end of the week, she found a job waiting tables at a local cafe. One of her customers was my grandfather, a young policeman in town. One thing led to another and they married in 1928 when she was 18. My mother was the youngest of their two children. 
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And So It Begins.....

This is the beginning of a VERY, VERY, busy time for all of us! The holiday season is here with Thanksgiving looming only a couple weeks away! I can hardly believe it. It's a dangerous time for me because this season is my very favorite. It's dangerous because I can easily become overwhelmed as I try and create good experiences for everyone. I love all of it but it is very exhausting. On top of that is the huge mess we have here with this living room remodel and my lack of space to store the 'for sale' items I have accumulated. Children are now occupying my spare rooms and I worry about putting finished furniture in the potting shed. I am moving things around in here to make as much space as possible but it's overflowing with furniture. I wish I had a nice little shop space to take them to! Unfortunately, I don't really like those tiny 10 x 10 spaces they offer at 'antique' malls. I would like to find a house type setting which lends itself much more to display of furniture. I am looking, but (for some reason) there seems to be little of that here anymore. I remember in days past that there were several places like that but no more. 

In the meantime, here are some pics of ongoing work.....

I have the first coat of primer on the new living room wall unit. Now comes a thorough sanding....yuk! Then more primer...Yay! A little more sanding......Yuk! Then finish coats....two.

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Housekeeping

It's one of those days I so enjoy...just doing general housekeeping. Now, lest you think I'm the gal who likes scrubbing toilets and cleaning the oven...let me reassure you. I am talking about other housekeeping....straightening the studio, washing linens that will be used to create new things, making the small parts that are needed for the next project.....THAT kind of housekeeping. I enjoy these puttering days, moving from one thing to the next with no sense of urgency. I need these days every now and again.....it's good for restoring my sense of peace and equilibrium. Right now, my favorite movie Sense and Sensibility, is on the TV and I just rewind it whenever I miss a part. I love the romantic and soft clothing in that movie and I am in awe when I think about how every gown, hat, glove, dish cloth, sheet, curtain, tablecloth, napkin, apron, etc was HAND STITCHED. A lady could spend her time doing needlepoint and embroidery, but other women spent hours making the daily, utilitarian items used every day....can you imagine? 
Here is what I've been up to so far....

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Happy Halloween Banner Tutorial!!

Halloween has never been a really big holiday to me, until about 10 yrs ago when we moved to this neighborhood. Each year, people drag out grills, tables and chairs and turn the street into one big party. It's a great way to get to know neighbors and it has made our street quite popular. One gal a few houses away used to set up a haunted yard with lights, smoke, creepy music and all. A couple of my grandaughters wouldn't even go near the place when they were smaller! Notice I said "used to set up a haunted yard" ? Well, as is not uncommon, poor Mom worked and slaved setting the thing up and then worked and slaved to put it all away with little help from kids or husband. They all wanted it set up but didn't want to do any work. When I asked her about it last year, she said "I've had it. I don't get help and it's too hard on my back." Alert for kids and hubbys out there.....if you want the special holiday stuff....maybe you need to offer some help. Is that a big "YES" I hear from the Moms? 
So, once we moved here I felt compelled to decorate a bit and have a porch party. I made this garland.....now let me preface it by saying it's getting a little worn and I need to spruce it up a bit...

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Covering a Lampshade

I don't know if you have seen the new Somerset Home mag but this issue is really nice! I love their pictures and am always inspired by one of their magazines. I have to keep a paper and pencil next to me while I look because my brain is just a whirlwind of ideas.
 I don't know how you create but my creativity happens all the time and usually when I can let my mind wander. So, when I'm driving (I know, I know...but at least I'm not on my cell phone) , lying in bed NOT SLEEPING, over my daughter's babysitting (like yesterday), sitting in one of the endless appointments for the horde, etc... My inspirations are magazines, television, movies, nature, objects (especially industrial), interesting people and just about anything. In addition to what I show here on the blog, I have also created sculpture from metal scraps    ( that one hangs in my old church), art pieces (like the sunflower I posted on this blog), architectural/furniture designs (I designed much of this house we live in), and other interests. I am always looking at objects in new ways....remember that roll of rusty wire stuff my hubby shook his head at? I've finally figured out the art piece I want to make and I hope to show you that soon. I am so happy I finally have an outlet for my more funky side with the shop Chartreuse, down near the oceanfront here. Otherwise, I would have to do what I've done for years....sketch it and set it aside. Many of my ideas are a little too 'out of the box' for most of the people I know.
But here, I enjoy showing my milder side and the side of me that loves soft colors, classical music, chippy white paint and classic furnishings. I don't know if this makes me weird or just really creative (I like the really creative idea, myself). I know in the blogging world the counsel is to stick to one thing so it can become your 'signature'. I'm in deep trouble if that is the only way this blogging thing will work. I do want to grow and I do want people to follow me ( after all, that's why we're all here isn't it?) but does it mean I shouldn't show you the funky stuff too? I don't know the answer but I'm just going to keep on doing what I've been doing and hopefully other weird, oops, I mean creative people will find me.


Back to the Somerset Home Issue....

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Check Out This Giveaway

One of the most beautiful sites I follow is French Country Cottage....beautiful pictures of what you wish your house looked like....as opposed to mine right now! Courtney is doing a great giveaway with a book from one of the most celebrated designers of our time....Carolyn Rohem. Next to John Saladino, and Mark Hampton.....she is one of my faves. Elegant interiors that are still inviting. So, allez over there and check it out! Here's the link....


http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/10/passion-for-interiors-giveaway.html


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Starting Out Badly...Ending Well

I hate days that start on an off note, don't you? Because my experience has been that they tend to go downhill from there. Well, this one didn't and I am so glad!


Last night, I was very excited to find that I had made my first sales on both of my Etsy sites. I sold some French Script Paper Ribbon.....

And then, I sold a Shabby Bag....

So I went to bed feeling happy that someone liked what I had done.....

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Glittered Christmas Ball Tutorial

I hope you had a nice weekend. I did. My hubby knows we won't go out much unless we have a reason because I always worry about whether the house will still be standing if we leave the Mongolian Horde home alone...so, he bought us season tickets to the symphony! I love the symphony...there is no comparison to hearing gorgeous music played live. Saturday night was our night for that and we had a delicious dinner at Carraba's before we went. For some reason (it's not a holiday or anything) the event was a patriotic concert. It was wonderful and at one time they played one of my favorite pieces (Bach's Air for strings) in honor of fallen servicepeople. it was so beautiful I cried through most of it. That night we had to miss an Oktoberfest party given by our neighbors so on Sunday night, they invited us over for brats and beer! We had a wonderful time both nights, my house was intact when we returned on Saturday and the horde was on good behavior in general over the weekend. All in all.....a good few days......


I wanted to share a pic I took last week when I couldn't sleep and was up for the sunrise. This is looking down the creek behind our house....how beautiful....

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Burlap Table Tutorial

The all time favorite piece from my recent Porch Sale had to be this burlap topped table....

I realize there is a glare but when I took the pic it seemed OK and the table sold a few hours later so I didn't have another chance. 

Sorry! 

But, this was the most popular piece of the day and I wanted to share with you how easy it is to do. 

Let's get started.......

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Whew!

In case you missed what I said....whew!! Boy am I tuckered! The Porch Sale was a huge success...I hope you didn't miss it. Sold off almost all the furniture and people are emailing me about pieces I have left. The good news is NOW I GET TO FIND MORE FURNITURE! Yay! I Love, Love, Love helping people fill their homes with beautiful things. And I especially love taking the things others have discarded and giving them a new purposeful life. It's such an amazing paradox that we are doing the same thing with these children we have been given. {if you don't know the story of this blog....go to the beginning} They were discarded and we are hoping to give them a new and beautiful life. We may or may not be successful in that venture, but we were only called to be faithful and follow God's leading. In that, we are successful. The rest remains to be seen.

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Porch Sale Day One

Je suis tres fatigue mais tres heureux.......( I am very tired but very happy). Happy day one is over! But also so happy with the wonderful support I received. Thanks to everyone who came, even if only to browse. This is only the second Porch Sale of my new adventure and it has been so much fun! I have so enjoyed repurposing old furniture into new and usable pieces. I hate to see a tired old dresser, chair, table, etc sitting lonely because no one can see the beauty there. I do and I always love to see people stroking the finish, opening and closing drawers and tilting mirrors. It is such fun to watch the transformation taking place before my eyes and to feel the appreciation from others for the work and love that has gone into a piece.  I especially enjoy watching someone stand very still before a piece....you can see their minds working....I don't even want to interrupt them! Here are a few pics from today....hope to see you tomorrow!

Shabby dresser with fantastic chippy baluster candlesticks and a bowl of hand glittered glass ornaments .....

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Day 2 Countdown to Fall Porch Sale

Goodness....it's 8:30 pm and I am just posting! I put in a 13 hour day today...painting a china cabinet and a tall five drawer chest, making another paper cone wreath, making 40 paper flowers for a wall hanging, glazing the spool bed and glazing the china cabinet. One run to Home Depot, one child pick-up, one dinner made, one blog post and one FB update. Golly gee whiz!! I'm about done in.....I still have about four things I'd like to do tonight but I think I'll just have to work harder tomorrow!! Here are a couple pics of what I've worked on....be nice, they're not quite finished....

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Day 3 Countdown to Fall Porch Sale: Paper Cone Wreath Tutorial

I promised to finish the paper cone wreath tutorial....and you thought I forgot!

 I have been working all day on the upcoming sale 

but one of the things I needed to make was a paper cone wreath 

so I took pictures along the way for you.

 I did you a disservice yesterday with a raggedy quasi-tutorial so we'll do it right today. 

These wreaths take about 2 hrs (not including getting all the copies made) 

so there are a LOT of pictures. 

So you won't get discouraged we'll do the reveal up front. Here is the wreath hanging in my dining room....

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4 Day Countdown to the Porch Sale....YIKES

The title says it all....I am working hard here finishing furniture and creating other goodies for the Fall Porch Sale. I felt the need for Christmasy things so I am making a few paper cone wreaths with both French Christmas and English Christmas music. They are not hard to do and you should make one (or buy it from me!) By the way, you are free to email and ask about any of the postings I do.....much of what I make is for sale at my Porch Sales. if you are far away and are interested in something you see....just email me at missflibbertigibbet@gmail.com

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15 Minute Fall Decorating

I (used to) love spending hours decorating my house for different seasons. I have a pile of stuff that I have accumulated over the years to draw from. Unfortunately the changes we have had to make here have sent all my stuff out of my nice walk in attic (SO easy to grab a few things quickly) to another attic only accessible by a drop down staircase in my closet. As a result, I am behind ALL the time with seasonal decorating. Consequently, I have developed a rapid decorating method which just scatters a few seasonal things areound and makes me feel better. Who knows, maybe this is God's plan to make me simplify...but I do really miss how pretty my house was before. Anyway...that's what we're up to today. Fifteen minutes of changes......

I have a buffet in my back hallway which is usually a repository for shopping bags and other stuff. But today, with a white metal tray, an ironstone bowl, a plant, some chunky potpourri and fake fruit...we have TAH-DAH:

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Vintage Spool Bed Bench

A recent find at a thrift store was a twin sized, vintage spool headboard and footboard.

Because there were no side rails it was really cheap.

I've had it in the garage for about a month....

(found it the same day as the wonderful dress form)

 but wasn't able to get to it until this weekend.

I have two weeks until the next Porch Sale and it's time to finish up these things!

So, I asked my husband for help in small bits....

you see, he is in the middle of building this gorgeous entertainment hutch for our living room:

Here is a partial view....I'll add some more pics later on so you can see the progress.

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Wireless Purgatory

Have I mentioned that I have a love/hate relationship with computers? I love what they can do and how much information I can find whenever I want to....night or day. But I hate when they are acting up. I do not know enough to fix problems I encounter and no one living in this house does either. Oh now, I have a couple over confident young people here who hover over me and say...."let me try something". I may be wacky but I'm not certifiable yet and I'm not letting these folks mess around on my computer! They never even had a computer at their disposal until three years ago so there is NO WAY. I have to resort to getting in outside help when I have problems....my ever patient brother-in-law shows up here regularly. So, I have just escaped from Wireless Purgatory this past week. A new modem is installed, a new broadband wireless and (she says with her fingers firmly crossed) things are working OK so far.
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15 Minute Presto Change-O

Before I share my next 15 minute redo with you I thought I'd mention how lucky we all are that Irene wasn't all she was supposed to be......thank goodness! We had wind and rain which was on the moderate side, but not much else. Power was out for about 6-8 hrs but thanks to my resourceful hubby, we were all ready with a generator and lots of gas. I have gas for cooking and hot water so I was able to make dinner easily and take a shower! The temperature had gone down so we could crack the windows open, run the fans and sleep well. My daughter and her family came over and spent the night and then we had a nice big breakfast in the morning. Lots of branches down in the yard but nothing large, thank goodness. There were a few trees down in the neighborhood but no real damage. The saddest thing that happened was in a nearby city where an 11 yr old boy lost his life when a tree took off the corner of the apartment building he lived in. It was such a sad story and happened early on before Irene was even over us completely. My heart broke for his mother, who was there with him but survived the destruction. Life is so fragile.....we need to remember that daily.
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Day Three: Lucketts!

On day two, while we were at the Big Flea Miss Bittersweet and I engaged in the same activity which occurs whenever we are in the midst of junk, antiques, fabric, ephemera, etc.......creative thinking!! Recharging my batteries is an absolute necessity for me because I climb up and down the "blue ladder" so easily. Being completely immersed in creative thinking and discussion did wonders for my spirit and outlook. Miss Bittersweet is a great encourager and during this trip she inspired me to step out and take some of my refinished furniture and created items to a new shop opening here in Virginia Beach....Chartreuse. We also saw one small rack with some interesting re-purposed clothing and in response to my wondering...."would anyone actually wear this? I love this kind of thing and wish I could make some clothing..." Miss Bittersweet excitedly said a big "YES". She informed me that many of her creative friends who do shows love to wear funky vintage and romantic styled clothing but they can't afford some of the designers out there. Another little light started flickering and I decided to also step out and try this new venture when I returned home. So, I will be letting you know a bit more about all these new developments in a few days......

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Day Two: DC Big Flea

On day one, the Misses Flibbertigibbet & Bittersweet settled into their hotel and then went and bought some nice snacks for the evening and did a bit of shopping at Tuesday Morning (just to prime the pump). We spent the evening being inspired by the pile of magazines we had brought as well as surfing the net.
Up bright and early, downstairs for some breakfast and off to the Flea!

Walked in and.....oh my oh my....what can I say? Not a crocheted toilet paper cover in sight.....just rows and rows of vintage, antique and beautifully handcrafted items. I took pics of some of the more interesting booths. I always asked ahead of time and told them I would put a link to their site. Except for the ONE French booth (very very pretty things) everyone I asked said 'yes". So, enjoy.........
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Day One.....Occoquan Va

As promised, I'm giving an update on the traveling flibbertigibbet. I actually managed to get out of the house only 6 minutes past nine......that's because only one of the kids was up and he was half asleep anyway and was unable to verbalize yet. Picked up Miss Bittersweet and off we went toward DC!
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Road Trip!!!

To quote my grandson's favorite show (Mickey's Clubhouse)....Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggety Dog!! I'm getting away from home for TWO WHOLE NIGHTS! My SIL (Bittersweet Folkart Primitives..check it out) and I are going up to the DC Flea and also taking a side trip to Lucketts (heaven on earth)! I heard that the Design House is closed......boo hoo.....but everything else is open.....yah hoo....I don't know if that means I won't get to see Miss Mustard Seed Designs or Primitive & Proper designs or not. I have only been there once (I know, don't tell me) more than a year ago when my hubby and I went away for a TWO NIGHT "vacation". That time I could hardly stand it and bought a set of enameled french hotel numbers for myself as well as a wire test tube holder....very cool. I didn't have much money to spend so I had to just fill up with "virtual purchases". I have a (sort of) photographic memory and can still visually walk through the different areas (and have.....repeatedly, believe me!). I've saved a bit of my furniture money so I can buy a few special things for myself this time maybe......CAN'T WAIT!!
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I Love my Porch! (Shutter Candleholder Tutorial too!)

Don't let the title fool you ....I didn't get a new porch, nor did I do a porch redo.....BUT, I love my porch and wanted to tell you why. I sit out there most evenings for about 2 hrs (if I'm home) and just swing in total silence with my shutter candleholder glowing as the only light......

Isn't it pretty? I'll tell you how to make it in a bit....

The BIG DEAL about this is that none of the kids or my hubby can take the heat out there so THEY DON'T FOLLOW ME!!!! I can sit quietly and listen to the katydids and (like last night) the rain.....lovely.
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Another Man's Junk.......

I thought I'd clarify a bit more about my taste in design. It's definitely 'eclectic' and moves from French to English to Vintage to Primitive/Country. I don't have a problem with it but some folks really need to pigeonhole you in order to understand and I refuse to be so contained. 

We'll start with the French part. I love anything with French writing on it.....books, journals, labels, tags, fabric, walls.....you name it. I took four years of French in high school and one year in college. My dream (as a girl) was to become a flight attendant and fly to Europe. I had researched Continental Airlines and decided that was for me.....hence the French. Unfortunately (or fortunately maybe) it didn't happen and I married, had children and stayed in the good old USA. But the love of French things never died.....someday I will go.....
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Gardening with Children

Doesn't that title sound sweet? I don't know about you but visions of Tasha Tudor's and Joan Walsh Anglund's little drawings pop up. Little girls in soft smocked dresses, brimmed hats and little wellies are carrying baskets, wielding rakes and digging in pretty, deep flower borders. Boys that look like Christopher Robin in little shorts and blond hair falling over their eyes are pulling a wagon with potted plants ready to be planted. I also am IN LOVE with all the cute gardening stuff I see at Target for children! The cutest little boots, gloves, hats, spades, etc. Ladybugs, frogs, butterflies.........OMG....hold that dream!! Have you noticed they don't come larger than a size 2 or maybe 4? Suspicious? That's because once your child passes 5 gardening becomes something ugly and dark. Here's how it happens here......you may want to sit down.....and get a drink.......
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A Mended Heart

Wow...what a weekend I had last week! Busy, highly emotional, and rewarding all in one. I don't have a furniture or home project to share today but I do have a 'heart' project.


Last week I received news that the son of some old friends who was also the grandson of another set of old friends had ended his life. He was a gifted and much loved young man. He is now free of all suffering and I know that all who loved him are happy about that. However, the pain of their loss is going to last quite awhile. Although I had not known him since he was a little boy, I have known his family members and friends of the family for years. When I heard the news my heart sank and my prayers went out to them immediately. What to do? I wanted so much to touch them somehow with an encouraging word but it seemed pointless at that moment. I was led to write something about my belief regarding the healing power of God. So, that's what I did. I forwarded it to a few people who were involved as well as to a few other people whom I knew had lost someone they loved. Here it is......
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Bless his heart......

Good Morning!! If you had been awake at 3 am, you could have called because my eyes were WIDE OPEN!! Honestly, this season of a woman's life is NOT meant to include children who need to get up at 6 am for school! God knew what he was about when he said...."woman, thou shalt not have any more children after (a certain age)". I made that up, so don't go running for the old family bible and try to find it..... I worked as a night nurse for years and have always been someone who could function with 4-6 hrs sleep........note all the PAST TENSE used in that sentence. Thank the good Lord that I can still cat nap with the best of them or I'd have killed someone LONG ago (like yesterday).
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The Weekend is here..........I Love Monday

Ahhhh....the weekend. 72 hours of people around me constantly.....hmmm......good,bad,good,bad.....how to tell? It has it's moments though. Last night my hubby and I were able to go out to dinner to a local, out of the way place. It's an old house and you sit on the porch and eat. It's down a country road and as it got darker, we couldn't even see the yard. It had rained a bit earlier so the heat was gone and there was a nice, soft breeze. A glass of wine and shrimp jambalaya....yummy. It sharted to sprinkle during dinner and the sound of the rain on the porch roof was heavenly. One of the most favorite memories I have is sitting with my Granny on the front porch during a summer rainstorm. The minute it started to rain she would get her cup of tea and maybe some knitting or mending and out we would go. I still follow that habit and you'll find me on the porch when it's raining.....

This morning I sold a very pretty little cabinet I had leftover from the porch sale......I really liked it and had to make myself let it go. Ah well....can't keep everything!

I generally had a quiet, unproductive day. I hate that but it happens now and then. I don't know about you, but for some reason, I can't seem to 'get the groove going' when I have all these people around......

 I did get a 6yd length of a nice heavyweight linen washed, dried and ironed. I have been looking for a fabric that resembles those grain sacks everyone is using on things and finally found something at Hancock Fabrics on Thursday. I don't know about you but I can't afford to buy a $100 grain sack with French writing just to make a pillow! So, I like to faux whenever possible. I'm going to figure out how to get some French writing and images on this fabric and then use it for projects. I'll let you know how things turn out.

So, at loose ends and right between dropping a kid off and picking a kid up, I pulled out a vintage piece of fabric with a pretty pulled thread border on two sides........think I'll make a pillow....now, what to put on it? Embroidery, applique, iron on........? Then I remembered the adorable piece of yo-yo 'fabric' I found at the Art &Soul conference that was here a few months ago.......where is it? What do you think?

I'll post a pic when I'm done. I think a backing of a cute vintage fabric would be good......

I promised you some pictures of my studio....here are the best that don't show all the mess!

Here's my shelf above the desk. Glass isn't my first choice but my father-in-law scored this long piece of glass in the trash across the street so it became a shelf......who can beat free? This is full of my favorite things, including a picture of my Granny and her house in Asbury Park NJ

My sewing machine is right under these angels. I can look out into the back yard and see the creek while I sew. I admit, when I'm not in "the zone", it can be pretty distracting.....watching the birds and bunnies....

I've had this drawer cabinet for 20 years or so. I found it in a junk shop for $150 which was CRAZY at the time. I couldn't afford it and my husband looked at me like I had that third eye thing (OMG....that's when it started!!). I still love it and every drawer has a label so I can find things. The small drawer cabinet on top of it is the insert out of our old roll top desk whcih is now the base for my worktable in the  middle of the room. We didn't know what to do with the desk and didn't want to get rid of it since it was a family piece.......so some clever re-working and voila! Worktable and storage unit. I keep all my glitter in that little vintage train case on top of the cabinet.

Last but not least....my husband's little old baby shoe next to a roll of shell buttons that I have not even used yet......can't decide what to do with them....

Well, that's my Saturday........

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Burning The Candle at Both Ends

Wow! I can't believe tomorrow will be a whole week since I posted! You can see the title and realize I have been doing just that! Kids have been doing activities, family responsibilities, doctor appointments and working on the National Junior Honor Society reception have done me in! The reception was last night and went very well.....hordes of middle schoolers, parents, grandparents, and siblings descended on the tables and "POOF" the food disappeared! Amazing! Our daughter won the award for "most inspiring student" and we were very proud of her!
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Semper Fi

              Had to write something today to remember all those who sacrificed for my freedom.

 I can move freely around my country when I choose, 

spend my money how I choose, 

drive the car of my choice,

 live in the house of my choice, 

worship God how I choose,

marry whom I choose,

have as many children as I choose,

shop where I choose,

leave a job if I choose,

and many other "choice" freedoms

 thanks to those who have been wounded and died ever since the Revolutionary War. 

The fight for freedon NEVER ENDS. 

There always have been and there always will be enemies of freedom.

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A Third Eye

            I am sure I am experiencing a medical marvel. There must be a third eye in the middle of my forehead. I can't see it.....nor can other adults. But it is apparently perfectly visible to anyone over 12 and under 21. I know it's there because of the way the children look at me when I say stupid things like" don't put your index finger into your mouth and suck it clean at the dinner table" or "don't pick up a huge chunk of meat on your fork and gnaw around the edges at the dinner table". The other four will glance at the offender but then they all swing their heads around and look at the third eye in shock and amazement. The offender is usually frozen for a moment in a tableau straight out of Oliver....the piece of meat poised ready to be gnawed or the finger still in the mouth with the others straight up in the air awaiting their turn to be cleaned.
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Back to work

The house is quiet....just the way I like it! Kids at school, two big mugs of coffee consumed and a little of the tiredness is going away....I didn't get much done yesterday....that is by my standards......due to the invasion of the body snatchers...also known as carpal tunnel syndrome. I injured myself and started this problem about five years ago remodeling a house. I installed wood flooring, applied venetian plaster, painted, sanded, moved furniture and sewed for a couple weeks straight and it resulted in the worst week of sleepless nights I have ever had. The pain in my hands and arms was excruciating. I thought I had a temporary injury from the work but it has continued to flare up when I overdo it. Lo and behold, I read yesterday that using the vibrating sander is a big no no. My number one tool! Guess it's back to old fashioned hand sanding for me. My hubby will have to take off the worst bits I guess and then I can take over......he always says he's happy to help :)
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New Beginnings

I think I have read this opening line in almost every blog I've viewed....

"I've never written a blog before...."

.....sorry, you're reading it again! Oh well....

I guess I should let you know why this blog has been started. 

It is simply to save my sanity and the physical lives of those around me. 

Now THAT is certainly a much more interesting opening line....don't you think?

I won't keep you in too much suspense here.

 I wouldn't want you to think I'm a raving lunatic running after my family with a huge knife or something.....although.....

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