Labor Day Festivities......fun & relaxing!

The Labor Day Festivities began the moment I sat down in the car to drive to Danville Illinois on Saturday evening. Saturday was a whirlwind of exhaustion. I participated in two fundraisers for Lincoln's activities.....and needless to say.....I felt like I had labored. So sitting in the car for two hours was a welcome diversion to my exhaustion. I was just too happy when Jeff said he would drive. When we arrived we were all so tired & basically just went to bed so we could wake up refreshed for the next day. The greatest part of the of the trip is being with friends...and boy have I got the best of both worlds. I love this picture....us all in our sweatshirts....the weather was just perfect...but here we are....me in the center....Chrissy, my best friend from high school and her sister-in-law Jill.....who happens to be my SISTER!!! Chrissy's brother married my sister....so when I say I have the best of both worlds what I mean is that I get to be with family & friends!



The little-est one always gets picked on right??? Well let's just say Hadley begged all weekend to be buried in the sand. Trouble is....when she got there she needed a hat and some 'over sized' sunglasses. I never could get a straight answer from all the cousins....but I literally think that she is standing in a big pit buried to her neck!!!




OK....photos aren't our thing. There aren't too many of Jeff & me....so Andy....my brother-in-law just has to ruin everything. But I guess that is how memories are made????? Don't really know how much he will remember though.....eh???





Hanging out on the deck. This is after a morning of the best donuts in town. Jeff & I got up early Sunday morning and went into town to Royal Donut and picked out....well about every variety of donut they carry. Jeff is the kind of guy that likes to try it all! The kids couldn't believe the variety....and let me tell you....they were all eaten....and Jeff had to get up and take Lincoln in for more on Monday morning. I don't know if he is a glutton for punishment.....or just a glutton.

Here is a beautiful Danville sunset. Actually.....everyone I speak to says Danville is the armpit of Illinois....but it is just serenely beautiful. Chrissy & Darin built their cabin on an old strip pit. They turned it into the most beautiful....peaceful lake. There are only about 12 houses on the lake and it is always so peaceful. We love to travel there....we always feel so renewed when we come home. I hope each of you had a wonderful Labor Day & made memories with family & friends to last a lifetime.

Craft Room Re-do

A few months ago I promised you I would give you photographs of my newly organized craft room. Well, for whatever reason I never did. Maybe I just got busy working in there because I was so excited. It seems I sure do love my stuff. Look at the cute type writer my mom got me to display my name. It is gifts like those that I cherish most.

This is one of my favorite areas to look at. I just adore all the vintage whimsy all around. Baby shoes are just one of the cutest things don't you think? I think I buy about every one that I see. See that cute crystal looking cross? Well it really isn't crystal....it is SALT and I bought it from the salt mines in Poland last year.

This is where I work most all of the time. The jars full of things just inspire me. I love old apothecary jars....especially the ones with the grounded lids. Oh, you don't know what grounded lids are? Well the next time you see an old apothecary jar....remove the lid....check around the bottom of the lid....if it looks frosted....it is a grounded lid. These are the older jars and they are my favorites. Look at jars the next time you are out junking and see if you spot one....and I am sure you will become a fan as well.

See....I told you I like apothecary jars. Here is another one, this time filled with old type writer keys. Isn't the tin just the bomb? Of course I don't know what came in this tin.....I just loved the color and of course the Marie Antionette-ish looking lady. I can't say that my craft room is always clean.....but ask anyone who has ever come to my humble creating place if they have ever really wanted for anything....or have I been remiss to find that perfect thing we were looking for???? It is organized & worked in.

I like to keep all my pieces for creating organized in these old printers trays. See the mermaid? That is a gift for my mother....to be used in a creation for her someday. I love to reciprocate.....even though it is never expected. Aren't those rings neat??? Don't know what I will use them for....but they came off an old ratty sweater. Just had to have it for the embellishments. The printers trays are really handy. When I am creating something that needs an embellishment, I just line them up on a big table and just start pulling things out....not only is it very handy....but it is eye candy & that fuels my creativity. I hope that you have enjoyed a little piece of my heaven on earth. Have an inspired filled day!!!!

A Couple of Little Vignettes

If I had the photographs to support blogging....I would probably be one of those bloggers that posts everyday. Unfortunately that isn't me. I seem to always be doing the mundane....creating....cleaning.....& cooking. But I have to say, I enjoy my time so much. I love white ironstone. I know a bunch of you do as well. I also love little white birds. They go so nicely with my collection of white ironstone. My theory is.....if I like it....it goes in my house. I am not one to just go that decorator route. Everything goes. That's the way I like it. The corner cupboard that my ironstone is displayed in was a gift from my husband. It took 16 years to finally get it into my house.....so we could have that perfect corner for it. It had been out in our barn for all that time and you know the beauty of it.....we washed it.....and linseed oiled it and it just brought up this beautiful patina. I love the way it looks and it is so fun just to pull a nice big platter or a little serving piece out to use.

This sweet little vignette is housed in my powder room. It is right off the kitchen and this little mish mash of wonder is dear to me. I love collecting old boxes....old jars....old white milk glass....apothecary jars. I like it to look like something out of an old mercantile. I know a lot of you would find this foolish....but I love the look. It is a great place to put that special treasure I find at a thrift store or estate sale. So I hope you like looking at my little vignette's as much as I do. I never tire of the wonder of 'eye spy'.

Vintage Bling Charms for Silver Bella

When the swaps for Silver Bella were posted in June I was just giddy with excitement. Swaps for me are way more than just the creative out let that they are for some. Especially Silver Bella Swaps. They are a way to connect with new and old friends. Kind of like a reunion. I jumped at the chance to be in Cheryl Stoneham's Vintage Bling Charm Bracelet Swap. These are my charms.

We were instructed to make 20 vintage bling charms to be no bigger than 2 inches. Mine fit right in the 1 inch square on my measuring mat. I really like their size. I got the burled wooden vintage circles from Stampington and pardon me, but the photo just doesn't do the wood justice. It is gorgeous. Don't you just love the star?

They are each a little different. And I like that. Here is what I did. First, I silver soldered around them. You certainly wouldn't have had to do this, because you could have easily added an eye hook for charm bracelet attachment....but silver soldering is what I do....and I really like the way the jump ring is attached.

Then I went to town on all my vintage necklaces.....dissecting them if you will. The neat part about them is that they are all just a little different. Some have round rhinestones.....some have emerald cut rhinestones.....some have princess cut. I especially love the ones with the round and the emerald cut rhinestones. Part of the directions for the swap were to include a charm bracelet of your choice and Cheryl will add each of the charms. I can't wait to receive my one of a kind bracelet at Silver Bella in November.

An RV Trip

Ok...I am not thrilled with the idea my family has come up with. No.....not in the least. At least we get to be together so that is the most important thing right???

Today.....Jeff came in with huge arms full of 'dirty' laundry from the RV. 'You need to wash these things.' Nicely folded from the last jaunt....I said 'They are clean.' He said there are spiders and things out there in the RV.....Hmmmm....now that really makes me excited about spending a week in there.

All in all it will be a fun trip. Relaxing and crafting because I never leave home with out my crafts. Lindsey & Lincoln are excited because we can 'tether' all of their computers, phones, and the Wii. Hmmmmm.....now that means I can read all of my favorite blogs. Ok....this RV thing is sounding better all the time. I won't have all the mundane household doldrums lurking around because hey.....this RV thing is Jeff's baby. He gets to do all the work....cause I'm on VACATION!!!

I will let you know if this will become a family tradition when I get home....but until then....wish me luck in my little home away from home.

Alana George's Easter Swap

Shortly after Easter, Alana George contacted some of us Silver Bella Sister's to see if we wanted to participate in a pre-Silver Bella Swap. I.....JUMPED at the chance. I love a great swap....and what a special way to connect with artists all over. Alana explained that she was unable to attend Silver Bella this year (BOO) but wanted to stay connected with the Bella's. Here is the ornament I created. I started with a linen yoyo and added some vintage lace with some vintage book paper. It was simple and fun. I can't wait to get started on my Halloween ornament for Alanna's next swap!



This cutie was made by the lovely Heather Rowley of Speckled Egg. I just love the little rossette made from fabric. I am seeing these pop up in all kinds of creations lately. I just think they are special....I need to learn the technique. Thanks Heather for a wonderful ornament.

Now this is a treasure for sure. Lindsey, Lincoln & I squealed with delight when we opened this one. I really love that they get excited about my swapping too. As each layer of tissue is unveiled they are just as happy as me. Valita Baxley created this felted bunny! It really is a special creation. She is taking felting to new levels and I just love how she did this one three dimensional. Thanks Valita for a treat for years to come.

I think this one created by my dear friend Stephanie Oyler over at Crowns & Pearls is totally sweet!!! I love the ledger paper and the pink velvet ric rack! It is so sweet that she used a match box for her creation. The little chick tags are sweet as well! Thanks Stephanie for a special ornament I will enjoy for years to come.

Now....since my blogging skills aren't quite up to par....enjoy my next two posts with the rest of the the awesome ornaments. Some day I will get this whole blogging experience....but until then....bare with me pretty please. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Alana George's Easter Swap

Shortly after Easter, Alana George contacted several Silver Bella Sister's to see if we wanted to participate in a pre-Sivler Bella Swap...as she couldn't attend Silver Bella this year (BOO). Here is what Jessi Nagy created....isn't it too cute. Stephanie Oyler's (Crowns & Pearls) daughter Meg especially loved this one. She wanted it for her very own to display in her room. Thanks Jessi for a cute ornament!



This is a cutie made by Rachel Velder of rach-ology. Yoyo's sure seem to be the rage in projects lately. What a fun....old time.....craft.




This cutie with buttons was created by Angela Carignan....Alana's sister. If I am correct.....this was her first swap. I hope she joins more....they are so fun!




Oh I just squealed with delight when I saw this one from the oh so talented Julie Baxley. Isn't the dotted swiss skirt just too cute. Thanks Julie....I just love this so much.

I thought this was an interesting take on a Spring ornament. Made into a little banner.....what a darling idea. I can't wait to pin this to the branches of my Spring tree next Easter. This lovely was created by the ever so talented Melissa Danner.