Thankful and Blessed

It's been a year this past week since my husband had his open heart surgery. He is doing good. Diabetes is not better so I assume the heart is not improving but he is still here and has had some work but still hasn’t been able to find a job. My business is holding it’s own but I can’t support us. We are still in our house (that is really crazy) but I am thankful.
It has definitely been a long year. One filled with hopes, then disappointment, fear, and anxious moments but God is always there to remind us:
He has everything under control.
His ways are not our ways
He is ALWAYS faithful
He will never leave us
He is our provider
He is our comforter

Several months ago when I was in one of my desperate moods He reminded me that
He Loves ME
He is never in a hurry
His timing is perfect
I need to trust Him and let go

This has been a year of growth for our family. We are strong and I am thankful. He has provided for all my daughters needs and they are growing into faithful women I am so proud of.

As for my marriage.
We will be married 29 years this March.
Our vows have truly been tested in the last several years and I know the true meaning behind the commitment we made all those years ago.
To love each other for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.
Has it been easy?
Hah! No but it is rewarding to know you can count on each other and know that we have each other no matter what we are facing. It feels good to look back and see how we have honored that committment we made so many years ago when we were young and hopeful.
Looking back through the times when we weren't so happy with each other or just to distracted with life we neglected each other. I am so thankful we remembered our commitment to each other and God and stuck it out.
It's rewarding to look back and see (as my Mom used to say) it all comes out in the wash!
Sometimes life gets real tough but we have a big God who loves us and has our back. I'm still trusting that He has a wonderful plan for the rest of our lives and "This too shall pass".

Remember:
to love those around you even when they are not being lovable
stick with it.
you are not in control and you are nothing without God.
We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!

Have a wonderful week!

I Hit The Mother Load!

Warning!!! Lots of images of vintage linens, jewelry and odds and ends for crafting.

Do not look if you are prone to jealousy,

hate vintage stuff,

or

can't stand to know that these items will be repurposed.

Otherwise ENJOY!

Aren't these quilts beautiful? I may keep the pink one intact in my living room for awhile.
Look at this edging! It gives me goose bumps!
I can not wait to start something with this great quilt.

This stash is going to be fun to work with.

I always drool over the booths with gobs of vintage lace.

Now I have my very own stash!

Found two vendors that I could wheel and deal with for most of all the lace and linens!

LOVE!

Jewelry to repurpose.

I have lots more too. I was just so tired and hungry I wanted to get these shots done before dark so I could share with you today. I missed a bag.

LOVE~LOVE~LOVE

Can you just see the projects going around in my head? I think it's going to explode!

Now for a few items to fix up for Christmas.

Aren't these ornaments great! I may just sell them on my Etsy store.

Check out this group of very cool paper items!

Dracula! very Art Deco cover

See this ledger? It is from 1884!

A list of people who owed and paid him and different towns in Ohio listed.

The hand writing is very cool.

And this little treasure is an autograph book from 1881!

It is full of wonderful sayings. I will be scanning and using these in so many ways.

This has got to be one of my favorite purchases!

My heart is racing just typing this looking at the book.

You will see some of these individual pages in the future, Oh My, the gorgeous hand writing.

Well I hope this wasn't to much eye candy at one time but I had to share what I got with you right away.

Have a great week!

If the comment box is way at the bottom again, and you know how I can fix this let me know. It happens everytime I upload lots of images.

Aren't These The Cutest Pumpkins?

I just Love these if I say so myself!
I was blog hopping last night an came up on this tutorial and had to give it a try.
http://hummadeedledee.blogspot.com/2008/09/pumpkin-inspiration-tutorial.html
Had some old sweaters in the basement waiting for me to loose weight. They have been waiting a lllooonnnggg time so I decided to give them a new life!

I also had 1 ball of twine so I made the 1st two then ran to the dollar store and all they had was butchers string but I think it looks cute too.

I have several more sweaters in fall colors so I will be working on those this week and adding to my /etsy store.

I have a craft show this Tuesday at one of our local colleges. I have been making things for the students for their dorms.

School colors are green and yellow. How about this banner and swag?


My Mom was a professional seamstress and had a lot of buttons. I really don't do anything with all of them so I decided to make hair clips the girls might like.

I have also been using up my scrapbook papers making small things the students can put on a bulletin board in their dorms or use as book marks.

A series of cards I'm adding to Esty of Savannah, GA and Tybe Island





And then another venture is fabric assemblage. I'm new at this so I'm just going with the flow here. The 1st one isn't done yet.

Used my images to iron on vintage cotton nightgown fabric I have and used other odds and ends I have laying around.




Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle

I Love it!


I never thought I'd say I liked the sewing machine but my daughters machine is easy to use and has lots of fun stitches. For now, I'll keep playing while the creative juices are flowing!

Why I Haven't Been Blogging

I have been very busy with my day job. Tis the season for High School senior portraits.
I thought I'd share some of my favorites! I hope you don't mind looking at some of my portraits.
The Big Springfield Antique Extravaganza is coming up in a couple of weeks and I plan to post some fun stuff from the show, I am also busy making items for a craft show at our local college in 2 weeks. What doesn't sell will be going into my Etsy shop.
Just been creative every moment of each day doing different things. Having lots of fun while the inspiration last!

Well, keep looking if you enjoy portraiture, otherwise just check back later for more crafty stuff.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!