New Blog Design

I know this looks like a bit of a mess at the moment, so bear with me. I'm in the process of getting a whole new look, thanks to Michelle at Shabby Creations. She is custom designing my new blog. It should be up and lookin' purty real soon!

Special Wedding Gift

I have a very special niece getting married next month. I won't be able to attend the wedding, but wanted to do something special for the bride and groom. I bought this mat for a frame and decided to try my hand at "doodling." I think I stayed up until about 1am, which isn't unusal for me, as I wanted to finish it. I'm happy with the way it turned out, being it my first attempt at doodling. I think she'll like it and I KNOW she'll appreciate the work that went into it.

Now, I've got the "doodle" itch and want to do more. I must stay focused and finish some of the "other" unfinished projects first. We'll see how that goes....wink, wink!

My First Peony

First let me say...I'm suffering what I believe to be a sinus infection and have one of those headaches that feels like it's squeezing the life out of your brain, so I hope this post sounds better than I feel....

My wonderful mother-in-law, Sybil, passed away from lung cancer in 1995. The same year my son was diagnosed with leukemia. He was 7 years old and she passed 6 weeks after his initial week in the hospital. My father-in-law, her husband, passed this last October at the age of 94. Before we moved him out of their home, at the age of 93, I dug up mom's prized peonies and transplanted them into my garden. Now, I'm transplanted here from AZ, where I lived my entire life until 2 years ago and we did not grow peonies back there, so I knew nothing about what I was doing. Imagine my surprise when I noticed I had a bud on one of the plants last week! I'm sure the neighbors heard me "screech" with delight! Then, we had a hard freeze predicted, so I carefully covered my plants and prayed they would be alright.

They were and here's the proof in the pictures....now, if I could only smell the sweetness of that bloom! Darn sinuses, anyway! Of course, the pics don't do it justice, but I'm so happy and wish that bloom could last forever. As I know, nothing does. I feel mom and dad are smiling down on me and there will be many more blooms where that one came from. Oh, in case your wondering...my son won his battle and is now 21 and moving into his first apartment at the end of the week!

Another apron

I am having too much fun with these aprons. I don't use a pattern, so I'm designing it as I go along. I start with a fat 1/4 and build it from there. I've had this GORGEOUS old Madeira hankie with an "R" monogram done in shadow embroidery. The pics don't do it justice. Once again, the fabric is from the Moda line, "Aviary" and is sooooooo "deeeeeeeLISH!" I adore the soft shades of lime and pink and the delicate florals. I just get all giggly goo!!!

I've been visiting the quilt shop about every other day and I completely lose my mind as soon as I step inside. I forget why I'm there and it's so hard for me to make a decision...I want it all!

Shabby Chic Inspiration

I found this YUMMY piece of vintage lace and wondered what I was going to do with it. I also had this GLORIOUS Moda fabric and then it hit me...ya know...one of those "AhA!" moments! An apron! I got out my rotary cutter and mat and ruler and went at it. No pattern here, just basic instinct, so to speak. It's the kind of apron you just want to dance around in. I think it would look cute with a pair of crop leggings for summer, don't you? Any hostess would be the envy of her guest while wearing this. Anyhoo, I have it listed at my new Lollishop...A Wink and A Smile! I already have an idea for the next one. I've just been a bit under the weather with a head cold/sinus infection. This is just what I need to bounce back...creativity! I hope it inspires all of you to find your creative niche and have fun with it!

Awesome Easter Basket!

As I was out de-weeding my flower beds yesterday, I got a wonderful surprise...Bobbie showed up with this giant Easter basket of goodies for me. It was my "prize" for winning the "Easter Bonnet Parade" contest with my Easter Crown. Bobbie is the sweetest gal you'll ever meet and oh so talented! My basket even had a trophy in it! My very own trophy! And a PRETTY trophy at that! A big bottlebrush tree and tiny eggs to decorate it with were included along with pastel tinsel, a gorgeous glass garland, a cute little bunny that walks when you wind it up, and wonderful ruffled crepe paper from "Birds of a Feather." Wonderful eye candy and I just got all googly over it........thank you so much, Bobbie! OH, I forgot to mention the giant easter egg Bobbie created! Pictures don't do it justice! It's backed with vintage wallpaper to boot!

Yes, I put my crown on, grabbed my trophy and danced around the room...in case you were wondering!

Lace and Quilts

I still have to pinch myself when I look at this AMAZING underskirt I found at the flea market this weekend. I look at it and dream I'm in another era and skinny in this slip with the lace peaking out from the bottom of my skirt. That was probably a no-no to have your slip show, but imagine picking up your skirt to climb some steps and having that beautiful lace show......ooooooolaaaaaaaala!

I was having a hard time figuring out how to display it and tried several approaches before I decided on this. I gathered these lovely vintage velvety pansies around the waist and tacked up lace to one side and hung it on the wall next to my mother-in-laws old buffet.

I'm attempting to finish up some "unfinished" projects, like this quilt I pieced last year. I pieced it from a jelly roll of strips by Moda. I LOVE Moda fabric! I'm machine quilting it, which is a first for me. I've always been a stickler for hand quilting, but since I have a quilt stashed away somewhere that I handquilted and never finished..........well, you get the drift, eh? This is a lap size and the machine quilting isn't as easy as it sounds, but it's working for me, since I'm keeping it or giving it to a family member. I love the colors of this one. Since I have a bad neck...too many whiplash injuries over the years....I can only do so much at a time, darn it!

The apron is something I whipped up the other day from various old linens. I used 2 old embroidered pillow cases, a dresser scarf and a napkin from April Cornell...another one of my favs. I just kind of threw it together. The next one I'll do a little differently. This one I used part of the pillow case as the backing and it's just not quite wide enough, so next time I'll go wider. Still cute, though, don't ya think? Great way to use up those wonderful linens that are less than perfect.

That's all I got for now. I'm dealing with a nagging headache I've had for 24 hours now. It's a beautiful day out and I've been de-weeding my flower beds. What a chore that is! I hope y'all are enjoying your day and the blessings it brings...Happy Spring!

Blustery Day

Yesterday was such a gorgeous, warm, sunny day and today is ugly, cold and windy. After we got home from the flea market yesterday, I worked in my flower beds for awhile. I had planted some seeds indoors in those little peat boxes. I don't why I even bother because they never turn out like the pictures. So, I just jammed 'em in the bed and watered them. I had sprinkled seeds a couple of weeks ago and they are starting to sprout their tiny little heads. Weather around here is so crazy, though, you never know what to wear on a daily basis.

I moved on to another flower bed that I've been turning over and digging all sorts of junk out of. I came upon an old knotted root from one of many trees. It looked easy enough to remove...not so much! I get so focused on what I'm doing that I ignore that inner voice screaming, "STOP STOP...before you hurt yourself!" Too late! My back was GONE! Hey...but, I got that nasty stump out! Does that count for something?

So, today I'm laying low and not liking it much. There are just too many things I want to do, but instead have "Cheaper By The Dozen" on the tube as I listen to the wind howl outside.

Fun at the Flea Market

While hubbie and son were taking in the car show at the fair grounds today, I was inside playing at the flea market. I think we were there for a couple of hours. I could have done much more damage, but I refrained. I did pass up a Madame Alexander Pussycat doll very much like the one I had as a young girl. It was in pristine condition and the cryer box still worked. I may kick myself latter for passing it up, but I got the awesome underskirt you'll see below.


The is a bonnet I picked up for $5! The millinery is GORGEOUS on this hat. I may remove it at some point and re-purpose it in something else, but for now I love it on display.

There are no words to describe this luscious millinery! It had been removed from a hat. There are 6 flowers and 8 leaves.

This is antique lace and the piece on top is actually a cuff with the teeny tiny snaps still in place. The faux pearls just add to the charm along with the millinery leaves in that yummy ocean blue!

Picked up these vintage hankies for a buck a piece, as I LOVE old hankies!

How about this old gallon jar filled to the brim with buttons!

This is the lining of the underskirt. Love the details.

This lace just takes my breath away!

There is entredeux here and at the elastic waistband

Oooolaalaa! I almost flipped when I found this antique underskirt. Another woman was eyeing it and I was chanting under my breath..."just walk away...." As soon as she did, I snagged it!

Today's finds.......ooh...lala

Today was "thrifting" Friday and this is what I found.......The "Stork" game for baby showers which is darling beyond words! I can't find a date on it, but it was manufactured by The Special Game Company of Little Rock, AK. It's similar to bingo. Just too cute to pass up! How about my new Easter bonnet? I just about flipped when I saw those beautiful millinery roses with velvet petals...had to have it!

I found those neat old print blocks...dirt cheap. Just thought they were cool and could be used in some sort of collage piece. The roll of wallpaper is waverly with little lavender rose buds. It was still unopened in it's package, so it's a full double roll. Last, but not least, is this AMAZING home dec fabric with yummy blues and greens. There's about 4 yards. I'm seeing some new pillows for the couch maybe.

Tomorrow is the flea market....YIPPEE!

Pretty Pedestals

OMG! The infamous Holly has done it again.........how I love that girl! She was kind enough to share a tutorial on how to make these pedestals, so I whipped a couple of last night and this morning. I am thrilled with the way they came out. There are so many ways to display them. I was so excited when I finished them and my mind was going crazy with ideas...I hopped in the shower and was washing my hair thinking, "hmm....this shampoo sure smells good!" That's when I realized I was washing my hair with body wash! Good grief, Charlie Brown!