Toby's Turn

Let's see if Toby can do any better!!

Vintage Valentine Postcards

Here are a pair of Vintage Valentine Postcards I'd Like to share.

Enjoy!

Purging

Well, I never thought I'd get rid of these. I had always planned to keep them.
 

Not sure why, I had thought I'd use them for reference, new ideas, etc., but seemed I only reread them when I was sick. They just seem comforting to me.

I'm talking about my 14+ years collection of Country Living Magazines.

Your probably saying "get a life!" LOL There are those of us that do collect magazines, believe it or not.

Oh, the furnishings in those pictures. The gardens, the stories, and the crafts!

They have a way of drawing me in. Dreaming about what it must be like to live in some of those homes, cities.

It was always fun & exciting to implement some of those ideas into my own home. Although, it seems over the years, I've developed my own style.

I go to bed at night & rearrange different areas of my home in my mind.

I love the idea of redecorating with things you already own. I guess that's the thrifty part of me showing ;)

While I am always anxious to receive next months edition & read it from cover to cover, I no longer feel the need to "hang on" to what had become my security blanket.

I am putting my collection up for auction on eBay.

They will be sold in lots by the year.

I only hope they find a good home that will treasure them as I did.

Vote For Cyndar!

Hey, why not? =)

Thank you!!!

Out With The Old, In With The New

No, I haven't gone off the deep end. LOL

It's just time to have a clearance sale....a BIG Clearance sale!!

Starting in the Spring I will be listing new items, so need to make room for the new Treasure.

All auction listings start at just 99 cents!

It will be the last time around for some of these items.

So if you find a spare minute, pop in & see my great deals.

Enjoy your day =)

Charm Swap

Well I have finally finished all my charms for the Charm Swap!! This is my first swap, let alone being my first attempt at charms themselves.

They've been sent, now to wait for the arrival of the swap =)

Yes, I am excited!!

Valentine Comfort Doll and Charm Swap

Esty Cottage Style Group has decided to have a Valentine Comfort Doll and Charm Swap this month. We each are making a Comfort Doll to send to Pat. We are also making charms to exchange with each other.

Here is my finished Doll. It is on it's way to Pat =)

Since I had finished others, I included them also.

The sweet little pink "dream" one was made by my daughter. Melissa. Isn't she sweet?

 

Well, Off to finish my charms!!

Keep warm =)

Happy Holidays!!

Just a quick post to wish all of you

the Best and Warmest Memory Making Holiday Season ever!

Should you or family be traveling, wishing a safe journey.

Take care and hope Santa is good to you =)

*hugs*

deb

No More Lawn a At Last!!!

For a while now, I've wanted to rid our front yard of lawn.
Let's face it, lawn takes a lot of maintenance and water.
We've haven't met our rainfall for the last few years, so my neighbors don't think I'm as crazy a they thought I was! 

I used the same method in the front as I did in the back.

Cover the existing lawn with a thick layer of newspaper.
On top on the newspaper add a thick layer of compost.
The newspaper kills the lawn and turns into compost too.
I consider it the lazy man's  lazy woman's way to garden.
I really don't consider myself lazy,
but I don't go looking for extra work if I can get away with an easier method =)
Neighbors didn't understand why I didn't dig up the lawn,
remove a layer of soil and replace it with "good" soil.
Heck no!

So here a few pics I took along the way.
I started the beginning of last summer.
Took my time (needed to save the money)
and finally finished last month.

The front lawn ~ before

The grass is gone!
Recycled brick edging.

Salvaged rock property line border.
Keep that lawn over there! ;)

The other half. I found this beautiful red slate at the quarry.
I made paths from the sidewalk and driveway to the main sidewalk. I love it! That pot you see is where the sewer cleanout is.
Haven't decided exactly what to do there yet to keep it "clear".

So far the spring bulbs are in, along with a few Iris.
White and purple Violets, Foam Flower then Lily of the Valley followed. Recently I purchased a Pomegranate and Beauty Berry. Anxious to see them all sprout out in the spring.

Considering a small rock/stone water? feature to include.

It will evolve over time.
No hurry to fully plant.
I like to see what calls out to me.

Right now I am just enjoying NO LAWN!!

You can find an update on my front garden here

Holiday Hang Tags

I belong to an eBay Group called Age Before Beauty (AB4B). It's filled with a group of ladies who are very Talented Artisans. Each month there is a group launch of items within a particular theme. This month is "Shopping Frenzy". =)

Well, was I surprised yesterday to pop into the group and see one of my launch items featured! I am still amazed I was invited to join this wonderful group & feel honored to be able to join in these launches.

These are the Holiday Tags that were chosen ro be featured!

Here are others that are listed currently.

Should you like to see more lovely handcrafted items by our group

 type AB4B into the search bar on eBay =) You won't be disappointed!

Toodles til next time

*hugs*

deb

Follow up to Yesterdays Post

Just a quick post to follow up on yesterday's post.

Here is Pat's Blog where she posts all the dolls she recieves.

http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com/

Way Cool Pat! She is such a super lady.

Have an enjoyable evening =)

Comfort Doll Project

I've been made aware of a wonderful lady that has been doing a generous loving project. Her name is Pat Winter. She started making small dolls to send to abused women's shelters.

Here is an excerpt from her site:

"Everyone at some time or another needs a positive gesture,even if from a stranger. The maker of the doll would enjoy the creating from her heart and hands, and the recipient will enjoy the gesture that someone thought of her......

It offers a woman in need, a gentle hug and the feeling that other women who may have been in her shoes at one time knows what she endures and shows there is hope for a brighter future.....

I am extending an open invitation worldwide to anyone who wants to make a small (6" or less) doll of any type."

To read her entire story, here is a link to her Comfort Doll Site:

http://www.patwintergatherings.com/Comfort_Doll_Project.html

Pat sends out a dozen at a time to shelters all over the US.

She has shipped 32 dozen so far!!

What a wonderful way to make this Holiday Season a Giving Season =)

I have made 2 so far and plan to make many more as time allows.

A definate reminder for the recipient that someone cares all year round.

Should you find a bit of spare time on your hands, while sitting in front of the TV, whip a few up. They will be greatly appreciated.

*hugs*

deb

Treasure Hunting

Well, I've been digging through my Treasure Pile again!

I have pulled out these two antiques to list on eBay today.

This old Glow Heater Blue Line by Montgomery Ward & Co.

Neat cast iron base. Not sure if it works, but displays beautifully.

Ceramic cone core.

This antique Baby Doll Bed is over 60 years old. All original pale pink paint, chippy & peely. My sister is the original owner. Wooden.

Have a beautiful Autumn Weekend!!

*hugs*

deb

More Holiday Items Listed!

Ornament Hooks and Holiday Hang Tags

have been added to my eBay Store.

Here's a few samples:

"Country Holiday" Hang Tags

"Snowmen" Holiday Hang Tags   This is a very busy time of year for everyone.
Keep warm Stay safe
*hugs* deb

Holiday Door Greeters

Wishing everyone a Memory Making Holiday Season!

I finally found time to get started on a few Holiday projects....

*~*Holiday Door Greeters*~*

Several styles & sizes to accommodate everyone

Here are a few currently listed on eBay. I had fun making them, I hope you have fun looking at them =)

 

 

Sweet Shabby Cottage Mitten

Door Greeter

 

Gingerbread Man Door Greeter
 

 

Mini Lavender Door Greeter

 

 

 

Holiday Door Greeter

Thanks for taking a peek~

Wishing you a happy day!

*hugs*

deb

Unusual Painted Semi's

Here are 7 pictures of (European) semi-trucks whose trailers are decorated to look like the sides are missing and the products they are hauling are painted on the sides and back.

=)

The first one is of a bookshelf with books lined up in it

and a post-it-note with an advertisement on it,

probably for the company that sells the books

The second is of canvas tote bag.

This one is of a bottle of beer and looks so real,
like it is coming out the side of the trailer.

 

The fourth is of another truck with the windshield facing the back

and there has been a driver painted in the driver's seat looking back over his shoulder to appear like he is driving backwards.

Pepsi cases and they are all stacked on the ceiling,

and the bottom of the trailer is empty.

An aquarium with fish swimming in it.

The last one is for Pringles-Hot & Spicy. The 'inside' of the trailer has the appearance of having been through a fire.

Neat!!

*hugs*

deb

Featured Member for 8/21/08

I'm so excited!

I belong to an EBay group called

Age Before Beauty.

All the members are such creative & talented artists

that I'm still have a hard time, after 2 years, believing I was invited to join.

Each day a member is chosen to be the Featured Member

based on one of their listings

I was chosen for today!

The Fall Door Hanger above was the item chosen.

Believe it or not that holster was mine groing up!!

I had such fun making this piece

and love the way it turned out =)

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday!

*hugs*

deb

Still Finding Treasure!

Well, I'm still digging through my mountains

of goodies that were brought from the farm!

Not sure if I will ever get to the bottom.

Seems I keep adding to them by going to local Estate Sales =)

Thought I'd share some with you!

Vintage fruit jars I added pipe straps to the lids for handles

Gorgeous Olde Florist Basket...

I think these old bottles were unearthed in Columbia, California

Adorable vintage little girls slip....

more mason jars with different painted lids.....

Love these old cookie cutters...

Especially the old tin ones!!

I think I'll probably miss my mountains,

Some neat old hardware....

should I ever actually get through them ;)

*hugs*

deb

GRANDMA'S HANDS

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.

She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the Longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her At the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and Looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she Said in a clear voice strong.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here Staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I Explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really Looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them Over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at My hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have Served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled Shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to Reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the Floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my Mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled On my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off To war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen, and bent. They were Uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated With my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone Special

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I Buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and Shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the Rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried And raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works Real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to Fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out And take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God Reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my Children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and Caressed and held by the hands of God.

Julie Andrews on Getting Older

To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:

(Sing It!) - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,

Bundles of magazines tied up in string,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts ,and hearing aids and glasses,

Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,

Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,

These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad,

I simply remember my favorite things, And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,

Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',

Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',

And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,

When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break, When the eyes grow dim,

Then I remember the great life I've had, And then I don't feel so bad.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes.