Kitties Having Tea

I'll tell you, children can be sooo sweet in how they do things.  My husband had saved this round, wooden spool that wire came on (it's been around down in the basement for years--he saved it from the dumpster when the house was wired years ago).  We were cleaning out the basement a few weeks ago, and it was decided that our daughter could have the spool to play with.  Well, she painted it--red at first.  Yikes!  Too bright!  With a suggested wash of ivory paint, she obtained this pretty pink color (she did a good job for an 8 year old).  A small table cover that my grandmother made and a doily were the perfect table toppers.  I was later invited to her room to see that she had her little kitties all set up around her best tea service.  An on-going tea party has been the norm ever since!  

Thank You, Lord!

Psalm 68: 19  Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

I am blessed beyond measure.  Nothing is of myself.  It is God who has given me everything that I have.  It is His mercy and grace that keeps me.  I am thankful mostly for His gift of eternal life given richly and freely through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is through this and repentance and acceptance only on my part that I have the assurance and peace that I will always be with Him.  To God be all glory and praise...today on Thanksgiving and every day.

II Corinthians 9:11 "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."

A Tag Book Swap

Yes, these items show the humble beginnings of what I'm going to attempt to alter in the Lilac Lane Livery tag book swap (plus something pretty for the book to go in).  It is a non-seasonal swap and will have a chic/cottage/shabby theme to it.  I've been looking for a fun swap to do that isn't Christmas themed, and this sounded like a great deal of fun.  It would be great to work on a project that is different from the usual creations for my shop. How about signing up?  The more the merrier.  You have until November 28!

I had these gorgeous rich, deep pink pieces that I knew belonged on a romantic, heart-shaped ornament.  Actually, I think this would be nice hung on a corner of one of the mirrors in our bedroom , but it has been listed in my Etsy shop instead.  

Craft Show Hopping

Mom and I were out craft show hopping last Saturday. There was one we really wanted to go to.  It was good although all I bought were some jars of honey.  After that we looked around town to see what else was going on. There were bazaars and shows and sales going on all over, so we did our rounds. One place had an inside garage sale. We were there around 12:00--way past the time when most of the "good things" would be gone (or so we thought). Well, on the toy table was a basket full of these sugared goodies nestled among plastic action figures, stuffed animals, and broken games.

I was delighted!  From research they are from around the 1930's. I think they would make sweet baby shower favors or decorations, but I believe they are ornaments. They all have a sugary coating of tiny, round, clear glitter beads--to make them look even more sweet if it were possible! I've listed them in my Etsy shop, and hopefully someone will be able to use them.

Hoping...hoping...

...okay, I've even prayed that this tree will live and flourish. By the looks of it, it could use all the prayer it can get. Mom and I ordered some trees from the Arbor Day people, and they only just arrived. We were a little concerned when they didn't come and didn't come...I mean it IS November in Wisconsin. We've already had snow. However, they said it is the right time and here is a picture of one of them. I purchased two redbud flowering trees (those really pink flowering ones you see in the spring) and two azaleas. I LOVE azaleas and their vibrant colors. I got a pink one and planted it right out front and a peachy orange one which has been planted out back (because, well, orange doesn't really go with my house color). Anyway, my redbuds are basically sticks with bare roots. We've planted them and watered them. Now we just have to hope...and pray that they survive into those beautiful trees I'm hoping for. Stay tuned--I'll tell you how they do next spring.

Warm Tropical Pinks Treasury

Well, this is the first winter snow for us here.  Burrr!!  Winter has arrived.  Sooo, I decided to do a "Warm, Tropical Sunrise Pinks" treasury.  I just discovered that we can get the snapshot of Etsy treasuries from Craftcult, so you'll be seeing more treasuries on here (Thank you, Craftcult!).  Anyway, I was greatly inspired by the pretty dress in the very first picture.  I think it is absolutely gorgeous!  Hope you will enjoy the that dress as well as the other warm pink items seen here.  

Thank You, Veterans!

I know it is this coming Friday, but I'm going to "jump the gun" on Veteran's Day this year.  We went to the largest Veteran's Day parade in Milwaukee this past Saturday.  It was a beautiful, sunny, warm (for November in Wisconsin) day, and it was a great parade!  There were marching bands, many divisions of veterans, vans full of disabled veterans, many veterans on roaring Harley-Davidsons, lady veterans groups, African-American veterans groups, Hispanic veterans groups, the entire student body of St. Johns Military Academy, planes flying in formation overhead, etc., etc.  It was wonderful!  It was the perfect opportunity to shake a hand and thank veterans we saw along the street as well as those marching by for their service and for their part in giving us our freedoms we enjoy today.  It was also a perfect opportunity to teach our children--to show them first hand--to support and be thankful for our military personnel and why.  The only disappointments?...a few "occupy" guys who tried to turn our attention away from these dear veterans onto their agenda and how few people actually showed up to watch and support the parade.  One of my favorite floats had guys that were "bronzed" from head to toe and were in the same position as in the picture above.  Of course we could not get our camera out fast enough to take a good picture (it took us that long to realize they were REAL men--the flag was stiffened--and not a statute on that float).  It was great!  Anyway, thank you....thank you...thank you...dear veterans past and present and military families for your sacrifices.  We SO appreciate you all and the freedoms you have fought for that we may enjoy today!

Please Vote for My Wreath

I entered my wreath into the Better Homes and Gardens wreath photo contest, and it has been chosen to be voted on.  Yippee!  I'd so appreciate your votes at the link HERE.  Thank you very, very much!

Paper Sugars

In some of my creations, I use very small amounts of different colors of extra fine glitter.  This type of glitter can be so expensive, so when I saw strips of sample fine glitters in many colors at a craft store for a song, I purchased two strips right away.  They were in little plastic baggies and needed a more permanent home, so with a discount coupon, I purchased these little screw-top containers and organized the glitters into the containers.  While I was doing this, I was reminded of colored sugars that we sprinkle on sugar cookies--these were only paper sugars! 

I needed one more jar to put the excess and/or spilled glitter into, and this pretty vintage ink jar was just perfect for this.  In the sun these "sugared sprinkles" reminded me of a little stained glass window. 

New Perfume Bottle

I love green and pink together.  When I found this bottle, I knew it had to be embellished with some special pieces of jewelry to enhance both the jewelry and the bottle.  This was fun to create.  I listed it this morning in my Etsy shop.  Hope you like it!