Thursday, March 31, 2011

Today I Put Away My Mop And My Broom...


Today I put away my mop and my broom... work time is over for today.. As I still dream of a work space of my own... We must remember we do not want the entire home to be a workspace... We really need to learn to say " I Am Off Duty Now"... Even if we would live in a small space like a efficiency apartment, we need to learn the meaning of shutting down... the TV, computer, and move to a candlelit area... Learning to accept and enjoy the well deserved rest.. In retirement life has changed.. I love my home to be a cozy bed and breakfast type experience... I have never stayed in a bed and breakfast.. I always wished to... I mentioned it to Tom one time and he had a faster than a bullet come back... " Yes, you have... everyday you go to bed and you woke up and make breakfast"... Do you think this is one of the different factors of men and women we often talk about? LOL.. I did keep that comeback in my book of great responses however...Unlike years of raising children and working long hard hours to survive.. life is different now... Oh sure, clothes are cleaned and folded, meals prepared, toilet and floors scrubbed, and carpets cleaned, and furniture dusted but it is just different.. It is done in my time... at my pace and all my choosing.. No more one day a week day off from work and do it all in one day at home... Hopefully the next several months as the temps warm... will be more a summer retreat... Many, many days spent where our primary activity { except for Tom.. his is golf and the lounging after} is lounging on the deck, popping hamburgers on the grill and drinking beverages for a treat... We really are on vacation here most of the time.. For many of you I know your circumstances are quite different as I lived and totally understand... Tom and I do not require travel as we have the wisdom that there is not a better place in the world to enjoy and take in vacation than right here at home...


" THE HOMELIEST TASKS GET BEAUTIFUL IF LOVING HANDS DO THEM"

Louisa May Alcott


For myself and Tom there seems to be none better than our outdoor life.... For you whom do not have the outdoor space, with the right frame of mind and desire to enjoy ... you can learn to sit on the front step and watch the world go by... Just add a little cush and sit yourself atop a lovely cushion or pillow... If you have a balcony.. use it... Spend a dreamy hour or so there. We all know that life isn't a picnic... but we can make it one by enjoying simple ways of expressing one's self.. Home is a place to create rich life's with texture... It is the warmth in our hearts that truly reflect our surrounding... Take time and put down you mop and broom and enjoy....



Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Easter Inspiration




Just one more day and April is upon us.... I thought I would share some thoughts and ideas today as we gather in inspiration for our spring decorating... Glittered, ribboned, or stenciled eggs are all lovely ways to embellish eggs... How about a vintage brooch, earring or buttons?


Dying brown eggs is a lovely option for myself as I enjoy more muted colors... The brown egg offers this option. I have read you can also achieve this with white eggs soaked in strong coffee... I have however used beet juice to achieve pink... as a neutral dye... I also use non toxic marker to write names... maybe this year it will be just French words... Another really clever budget ... no cost... if you wish little stands for your eggs... cut a toilet paper roll in about 2 inch or so parts... maybe cover with aged old book page... The eggs set quite well in the paper holder... This can be used for decorating or makes a lovely favor at the table... Let your imagination soar... It is always fun to think out of the box....


I have some great sites to share with you on eggs.... The above pics were taken form a couple of them....








Do you know? The egg hunt { always a favorite at our house} originated in Germany.. The legend states a white hare spends Easter Eve hiding eggs to be found the next day by good children....

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Your Personal Bliss


Another day of dreams of charming settings and simple adornments for encouraging personal living space and dreaming of warmer times and when living seems to become easier... basking in summer breezes and time outside. I am thinking of bringing out some linens to brighten and soften the look for summer. Remember Grandmothers linens? The lovely crochet edge hankies, and dresser scarfs and lovely table cloths and pillowcases... Maybe another creation of a picture frame encrusted with rhinestone jewelry.. Showing who I am completely becomes evident when you come for a visit... When you have something you love and you may have made a splurg.. it seems a bit more ok cause you are going to keep it for a long , long time... My dreams seem I am always true to myself. Being with me is not always so grandiose.. I am not a fancy dresser.. I adorn myself with jeans and bibs.. My home is my jewelry box, not myself.. I dress my home much better than myself... I never dress up when cleaning or doing outdoor work, most of the time appearing to have been through some diseaster, but this is the way I seem to be able to dig in... I wear my clothes till they rip beyong repair and grieve cause I lost a old friend when I have to discard them. BUT ... I am a romantic and believe in happy endings and creating bliss. Just in my own style... You'll see sparkles and vintage gems in my home and blue jeans on me... Pure Bliss.....

Monday, March 28, 2011

Fill Our Life's With Things That Make Us Excited


It's "Home Sweet Home" once again today.. Surrounded by trinkets of the past and treasures of quaint.. I still am feeling my desire for spring to really arrive.. Trying very hard to only count my blessings I need to take long breathes and continue to realize how very fortunate I am. Are all things perfect, of course not.... I have however the wisdom to know to take full advantage of living life in a cozy retreat I call home... During the next few days I will need to find little ways to pamper at home. Yesterday I managed to pamper my tummy with the making of old fashion oatmeal cookies and homemade caramel popcorn for watching movies in the evening on HBO. Pretty good stuff. Remember... Simple pleasures... Makes things easier for a hectic pace and a slowing economy. Comfort and simplicity and function seem to be key words in our life's. I find on a budget, reading and my blogging , always a sure way to please.. and make a day special... while realized I cannot rush eager to hunt through displays in antique shops filled with magical atmosphere, due to the shoe string thing, so blogging is always available and comforting. I stay and linger long periods of time some days.

Seems as warmer weather arrives my thoughts and desires drift to outdoor entertaining and living... I love having a tea party style event when a friend or guest come to make them feel like a very special... While visiting http://sentimentalcelebrations.com I found a sweet way for making a rosette napkin... Inspirations can be found there... Diane's site is worth a visit and spending some lovely moments.. She has been features in Romantic Homes and is also a author... As I think ... I do believe my advise to my children and other children would be to think more like their parents and grandparents... { I am not sure they will love hearing this but I believe it to be good advise...} considering more the importance of being very selective in purchasing and everyday decisions... and decide what you truly want to be there down the line and not want to replace it. It is truly more desirable to fill our life"s with things that make us excited, not things we are willing to throw away...

Saturday, March 26, 2011

A Chippy Welcome... - JUNKMARKET Style


A Chippy Welcome... - JUNKMARKET Style

As I sit in my little country acres space I peer from the window to view the sun shining brightly but sticking my toe from the front door I find that to be very deceiving as the temp is 25 degrees. Not having plans for the weekend I wonder what I will do to fill my time... This evening will most likely be attending mass and driving to Defiance for a bite to eat after....
I am anxiously awaiting signs of foliage's and planting to start to show signs of life... Due to little everyday and not so everyday events this past week, it seems I didn't accomplish very much.. Not completing and projects or creating I am hoping for next week to be more inspirational... Searches for objects that bring me joy is always on... Of course you all know by now this would be achieved with old items and thinking of past times.... The above site had a clever little completed project with a chippy wire basket..... Enjoy.... Blessings for a lovely weekend

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Easter Thoughts

The temps much cooler and not a hint of sunshine.. my thoughts still traveled toward planning Easter..as I was making plans to have my sweet little granddaughter, Olivia... When I am in the thought process it is best to make notes... I do not decorate extremely for Easter as I do not have too man decorations.. I will just tuck a couple objects in with everyday ... The picture above is found on http://www.hgtv.com I loved the use of brown transferware and the chocolate bunny and the brown egg... So lovely and yummy... Many of you will be making a Easter Egg Tree... History.com explains the Easter egg is symbolic of rebirth, which is an appropriate symbol for the rising of Christ... Decorating eggs , is a custom that dates back to the 13th century... A Easter Egg Hunt is always on the agenda in our home...
The picture of the cute blow out eggs decorated with napkins can be found on http://www.marthastewart.com Complete directions can be found on this site on paper napkin-decoupage-eggs...
Wishing you a very nice day as I am off to finish some chores as we are having guests in this evening.....

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Imagination



Waking up this morning to grey rainy day with even snow in the forecast for the next couple days takes my wishes for spring and places them on hold... After sipping my morning coffee ... I did tuck a few of my timeworn treasures into my largest glass cloche. I was able to tuck eye candy all the way around with a bit of squeezing... For the next couple days, I guess I will have to use my imagination of warm breezes flowing through open windows of my home.. Just find little ways to enjoy everyday life. I need to mix some chores in however as Tom invited two couple over for card playing... snacks and conversation... tomorrow evening.. hopefully creating happy memories. While Mother Nature continues not to be ready with the proper backdrop for spring I will find other ways to fill my day....

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Timeworn Love





























Yesterday the sun was shinning and the temps were desirable after a few months of winters fury and I gave into my minds urging my body to get out and enjoy a bit. I headed to Defiance to visit Deanna at Fort Defiance Antique Shoppe. I believe others may have been having the same urge as her and hubby seemed very busy taking care of their customers... I found some great small objects for my love of altered art and changing my glass cloches... Oh, I fell in love with the baby high top shoes in the best condition. .. and one big gust of wind and my budget went flying right out the window, I saw a few other treasures that I stopped, enjoyed, gave a big sigh... and moved on... Once I found the sweet shoes my thoughts moved on to more affordable little objects... The shoes made my thoughts travel to a Mother's Day display in my large glass cloche... I found a lace collar { I have several} some old millinery... a wonderful old ivory" Mother" brooch.. marked from Germany... instant adopted family old photos and a couple old books and keys.. Not staying within my resolutions to re-purpose what I have... I still found myself to be " Over the moon" with the little shoes.. I am thinking I am way to anxious to get them tucked in with other little treasures in the cloche to wait till Mother's Day and just may skip the spring display. I find I love using old images in almost all my vignettes. Small little treats of objects with personality bring me contentment along with my slower pace of life now.. without having constant deadlines in my life... I have ample time for my thoughts to simmer with little projects I would like to do... I have learned to relax, not bend to the stress of always wanting new and be ever so content with what I have.. The beauty you enjoy is a state of the heart and mind and no riches will make you happy if they aren't in the right place. Our homes are our sanctuary and if we can't afford them we certainly aren't going to be able to enjoy them... Leading a romantic, casual, lifestyle is my style.. Wisdom has taught me this very important life's lesson.. Wishing you all a lovely day.. Our temps are to get colder the next couple days.. but spring will come.. After I finish fussing with my cloche I will share.. Enjoy your blessings....







Friday, March 18, 2011

Once Again Counting My Blessings

As I was awaken this morning , the sun was there to greet me and we are about to enjoy our warmest day of the week, today. Days like this are meant to be enjoyed until the summer breezes and warm days finally settle in. I will be ever so glad to see winter come to a rest...
I am thinking I should take a few spring and Easter objects from storage and tuck in between my sentiments of a gentle era of time past existing in my home..After many thoughts of thinking we should be doing something different after retirement we found ourselves so much more happy just to have our little existing house in the country, very modest, but surrounded by little offerings we love... Many love the excitement and adventure of travel but I find myself captured with the feeling of warmth and simplicity that breathes here at .... "Home Sweet Home." We will have our back yard pretty well torn up for approximately a month sometime this summer... we are thinking about August...to remove our old in ground pool and have it replaced with a new one. It was a decision we made when we realized we were not as content any other place as we were right here.. The existing pool is 35 years old and we are starting to have problems... and since we both love it so much the decision was made to bury money once again.... We will most likely may not get to enjoy it too much this year but the mess needs to be to get it completed... My feet may leave home for a few hours but my heart is always at home...
The threat and already visual and reality of rising prices at food markets, beef, produce and the dreaded gas pumps and many other make me ever so glad I find contentment within our acres... Soon we will be able to plant our garden and reap it's harvest for a couple months as we enjoy the veggies and the special feeling of walking to the garden...
It has been a very troubling time and the saddening of the heart as we view the happenings across the ocean... what these people would not give for one of the luxuries we are enjoying right this very moment... This makes me once again so aware of what I have and I can't say "Thank You" enough and find so much comfort and contentment in my everyday life... Yes.... I am counting my blessings.....

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

For The Love Of Lace

Lovely pieces of lace is becoming a lost art.. When I frequent markets or shoppes I am always keeping a eye open for a lovely lace collar or a small bag of lace. I love using lovely pieces of the past on altered art projects. I still find much pleasure in the fine art of lace and the time from the past that was spent creating it with magical fingers. Taking time to appreciate the wonderful craftsmanship of old buttons and lace are still delightful means of displaying in our homes today. The little treasures I pictured above were found in a antique shop this morning... I saw a couple once in a lifetime objects that I enjoyed looking at but just brought the couple little pieces in the pic home... Arrays of linens... glassware.. and oh there was a lovely-lovely crystal chandelier for 16oo.oo.. So beautiful to the eye.... and many unpredictable finds.. Mainly my pleasure came from considering the attic finds and how I could use the treasures in some kind of salvaged way. It would have to be in a vignette or in my glass cloches. Being my home is nice sized but not large, I have limited space and choose to change off displays more often rather than having large collections... It is more appealing to me to have a charming little jewel box than a large mansion of which I would have no use for. It was wonderful to get out and enjoy a short ride and some eye candy as the sun made it's appearance today and has started to dry the rain soaked fields and fountains of water flows from the field tile into the ditches. It seems like a short burst of spring today. It is around the corner and I am ready for more of what will come... Winter soon will fade and sweet sentiments of spring will appear... Till the temps warm, I will stay sheltered from the cold and embrace myself with the touches of lace and bits of nostalgia and be ever so thankful for what is at hand... Blessings....

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pleasures and Embellishments




Due to many circumstances, I cannot be a avid shopper... attend shows and shops on a daily basis, therefore, I cannot show new objects purchased on a daily basis like many but I am quite ok with that.. It does make it somewhat more difficult to make posts of interest and beauty but my hopes are to be able to embellish your life in small ways. A little touch of beauty and a few words of inspiration can go along way if you open yourself to contentement and pleasures... Please don't take me wrong...I love things of beauty just as much as the next person but I seem much more content and happier since I have adjusted to having them in small doses.. My style may be somewhat quirky as I equally love elegance and chippy timeworn... they both whisper softly to me... The chippy timeworn, helps the elegant not to be too snobby... and the elegant helps the chippy timeworn to be more classy... I love to marry them together... They compliment each other to perfection. A bit like the old statement " opposites attract"....Just as we create... embellishments are finishing touches to our altered art journals and tags so in everyday life the little things we add makes simple everyday life extra special.. I can say quite honestly the little pleasures are the things we take for granted. Life accumulates moment by moment with the little events that surround us. There are many little pleasures when taking time to notice. Maybe a few kind words that someone says about you will make you feel warm and peaceful inside... Take time and pass kind words on about another person... That is a very rewarding experience also. As my thoughts travel across the waters to Japan .. my heart and thoughts full ... I find endless pleasures in my life today and intent to enjoy every one of them... Looking at the world events I find not a reason for contentment I am blessed with. Please take time and enjoy the satisfying effect of a little embellishment and pleasures in your life.. It is like taking the first sip of a beverage when you are thirsty....

Sunday, March 13, 2011

A Little Sass With A Lot Of Class


Yesterday my daughter and I attended a antique show for a short period of time... I saw many lovely items and many shoppers but in keeping with my budget only purchased a couple small treats... A fur clip... a card of lovely old buttons and some lace .... The card that the clip was on said it was a dress clip but reading up I found this clip to be a fur clip... The difference... fur clips have 2 sharp prongs attached to the spring[ mine does} and a dress clip have metal teeth to grasp the thin material of a dress... I have several different clips that I may use to clip on a old photo.... use as intented... or place in my glass cloches with other lovely objects... They were originally intended to be worn at the neckline... clipped onto a pocket or sleeve or even embellish hats.... Fur and dress clip were popular from 1910 -1940's.....


Friday, March 11, 2011

Let things Flow

Seems the last couple weeks , winter has started to affect me and my thinking somewhat.. Staying positive seems a bit more difficult and attitude needs some adjusting.... as our fields are once again dusted in white and the wind is blowing showing it's strength so must I sip my coffee and maintain to think in a positive manner.... The basketball season is over for our guys and gals in our high school so that means I am not leaving the house many times throughout the week... Thoughts of visiting a antique shop comes to mind until I think it will cost me 50.00 in gas money to get there and I banish those thoughts... I guess this thought process doesn't help the economy but we all must do what we must....to stay within budgets... I keep reminding myself that routing out negative thoughts creates more energy for positive thinking... In positive thinking we must learn to accept the things that we most likely cannot change... this does include people.. If you weren't born a model... or a athlete or in a millionaires family... we must learn to play the game with the cards we were dealt { darn those 9's and 10's anyway... but if we get enough of them we could still become a winner..} and play the game the best we can... I am not in anyway saying that to avoid the challenges of our circumstances we are presently in, but rather the grace to find ways to live our lives to the fullest with our means.. It is all different for us, and the acceptance allows us to make it to the highest level we can be. In the thought process one must not always wait for someone else to fix things that may be wrong in our life. We must be aware when we tend to deflate from being tires, angry, or just frustrated, as I feel somewhat this morning, and learn to identify what is going on and add some more pleasures and treats and connect back to a natural state.. Learning to enjoy and not push, just let things flow, and enjoy the process. Actually just writing this and sharing seems to have helped me ... in sharing thought with you... Hope you can find a little something to make your day special today...

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Old Door and Windows




Many are not allowing old doors and old windows to find there way to the landfills as they may have a few years ago.. There are so many really creative ways to breathe new life into these old items... The following sites have some very clever ideas... Wouldn't you just love that little old door and wood pallet idea in your studio? Seems the next couple months will be a great time to keep your eyes alerted to these curbside finds.....

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Presentation

Presentation is the most important in our everyday living... whether it be in presenting ourself, our business, our home or gift giving... Just as a extra sweet gesture toward another, so does the smallest of gifts seem extra special with a sweet wrapping....though we may have to be thrifty in fixing up and re-purpose our homes also can offer "over the moon" charm. Homes and friendships are meant to be warm and enjoyed, with the end result of the promise of lasting memories. Living beautifully does not necessarily mean the wealth of finances.. It comes from the wisdom of knowing and realizing what the most precious things in life REALLY are and enjoying them when offered to us...

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Inspiration With Totes


The sun is trying to give us some rays today... Outside of laundry and meals I am not planning on completing too many chores today... I will heading to the rec room as soon as I post to create a birthday card for one of Tom's granddaughters birthday coming soon...
One of the bloggers on my favorites list posted on cheap totes several weeks ago and I cannot find that post... so if you read this please let me know so I can give you the credit... http://cheaptotes.com/
The two totes I have in the pic have had a couple treatments and will be taken to the rec room for further embellishments of crinkle ribbons and junk jewelry or tags.... The two in the pic are 9"x12" with a long handle... These were a 89 cents and I purchased a couple mini ones for 59 cents { not pictured} that would be really sweet for favors or as a gift..or a sweet door knob hanger... I used a black fabric marker to free hand some French lettering and dabbed them with my left over coffee filter to stain this morning... They will make sweet little gifts... Really charming filled with Easter goodies and old book page shred... I also have in mind to try a couple for pillows by turning them the other direction for free handing and cutting the handles in half and a tie shut closure with a pillow insert.... I will make the inserts by hand and use poly...you could just stitch the cover shut and fill with poly and tie also for a several minute project... This cover will be a no sew project.... Adding embellishing can be your inspirations by free hand or stamping and use of stash you already have... A sweet presentation for pennies... A simple way of adding a touch of French without going to France...
The little totes were achieved by the drawing of inspiration from a fellow blogger as I many time do... and just add my style and personal touches....


Sunday, March 6, 2011

Collecting Antique Hatpins
















The snow went away and it returned last evening as we attended mass. Once again the foliage's and fields are bright white... the temps are suppose to rise to make melting a possibility once again..
I am hoping to find some energy and inspiration and be creative this afternoon... You can bet however I won't be taking that little bottle of 5 hour energy they are offering us on every other TV commercial... Gosh, that stuff scares me... While sorting through my junk jewelry I found a couple old pieces I thought could be made into lovely hat pins for display... With the appeal of collecting Victorian and vintage comes the desire of collecting hat pins.. I have several of which I have shared with you before.. Hatpins have been used as hat fasteners since the middle ages... but the most recognized are the Victorian embellishments.. By the mid 1800's women were giving up the bonnet ribbons to keep their hats on when encountering a windy or stormy day... Opting instead for the hatpins to do the job...... A FACT...... I found to be very interesting was the Victorian period wore very large hats... keeping them on required very large hatpins... With the suffragette movement in the early 1900's came fear of radical women that had 12" long hatpins were using them as weapons... A LAW..... was passed stating hatpins could only be 9" long.. this law was introduced in 1909.... With the shorter hat pins came the use of smaller hats... The flapper era of the 1920's wore cloches that were very close to the head and required not using the hat pin...
When collecting hat pins, of you are collecting for value you should be careful... Many are tricks of the language... like saying Victorian instead of Victorian style.... Many copies are made such as I may do with these today for my own display... I will make a couple using antique gems but cannot consider them old or antique... or original.... although I find them very pretty for display... I have several lovely beauties however ... along with lovely holders.... If you choose to have a display however at a budget friendly amount... old shakers that have lost their mates through the years make a lovely holder... making sure the holes are large enough to hold the pins... without having to make them larger of which can be done however...
A little clue... a die hard collector knows when a hatpin is a marriage of a old brooch and a pin stem...as I will be doing... Glued stems are a give-a-way...in knowing a restored pin... When having original pins... handpainted or lovely gems and rhinestones... they can be somewhere between 50.00 to 1500.00... My best ones are value of about 95.00 each and I have about 4 in that value range and several others 50.oo or below... I find the hatpin holder to be the best way of display as they show the lovely toppers.....
PS....... I HAVE SHOWN ONE HATPIN THAT IS NOT A OLD PIN... CAN YOU IDENTIFY IT ?