The Eccentric Lady

Finally Crafting Again!

2012-01-28T12:40:00.006-06:00

Hello all! I can not believe it has been so long since I have updated.

I now have another new job. This one is full time with benefits! I am happier now and my schedule is settling down so I can be creative again.

I'm not sure where I saw a post about old Readers Digest books but seeing all those cool covers made me NEED to go find myself a collection!

Aren't these yummy?

I know the people in the 2nd hand store thought I was crazy. I kept taking off the dust covers and looking at the book and picking or putting back. I could care less what the books were about, I just wanted the beautiful covers to display or use for art.

I did find out that if you like these florally wall paper type you have to find books published before the early 60's. The later ones are more modern or (gasp) plain!

I got mine for .25 each.

Some of them have pretty illustrations you can use too but not to much.

I'm starting a mixed media project and am digging into the stash I bought last summer. Look at these beautiful women. I can not wait to use them. I'll be scanning them first because I want to be able to use the images again.

I also love the backs. Look at the cool type styles, post marks and stamps.

It's hard to believe the post office may become a thing of the past.

I know many of you are saying "Oh, they will save it". But I didn't think I would see the need for a Portrait Photographer and actual hard copy images become less wanted. Images on our phones and computers are more common which leaves photographers a hard time to make a living selling our images. People don't understand paying for our creativity.
Sorry I got on my soapbox but it is hard to see your livelihood dissolve with technology. I'm just glad I enjoyed reading historical stories and have seen this happen over and over and can change and move on. Which is why I am taking an on line art course to get back on track.

This one cracks me up. How short can we be?

I bought myself an online class with Jennifer Rizzo with my Christmas money.

http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/

It is called Creatively Made. I am slowly moving along. The following is my attempt to do the 1st project. A mixed media journal. I choose to pick my theme as "Trust Your Journey" because a friend gave me a bracelet with this on it to remind us of the crazy journey we have been on the last year and how we have persevered.

I put this pocket watch fob on to see how it would look and it got stuck. So...it became my clasp. I was lucky to find a cool cufflink to put on the back cover to attach the chain to.

As in everything I do, everything just seems to fall into place.

Inside pages I'll add thoughts and artwork to.

I got some of my grandmothers old school books. This is an illustrations from one of them. It reminds me of her. And we have come across several photos of the cows they had when my Mom was a child. They took a lot of photos of their animals. Cows, pigs, horses and chickens. They put the kids with them I guess to make it legit, LOL! On one, my Aunt is in front of a cow, the name Maggie is on the bottom. I asked my other Aunt who this child Maggie was? She laughed and said "That is the cow!" I guess they figured everyone (even 89 years later) would know who the child was.

Anyway, I had to add this since I am living in her home and this is part of my journey.

More awesome illustrations from books and music magizines I have from her. All of these are from the late 1800's. My heart just skips a beat when I think about the fact that my ephermia is personal stuff from my history.

Inside back cover

Back cover

The cufflink closure.

Well I think I made up for the 1 month lack of post in this one post.

I hope you stayed with me.

Have a great week and I will try to post next Sat. after my Etsy team meeting. I'll be jazzed up then.

Looking forward and a prayer

2011-12-30T12:08:00.003-06:00

Source: jameipangilinan.tumblr.com via Meghan on Pinterest

I have been thinking of my post for the New Year. I was going to review the word I had last year and pick a new one but after reading cityfarmers wonderful post I decided I wanted to stop thinking, talking, analyzing what is happening and just be. Wait on God. I am going to use some of her prayer because it is also the desire of my heart. I don't think she will mind.
http://www.savvycityfarmer.com/2011/12/new-year-old-prayer.html

Father God, sweep the dust out of my vessel. Clear out the cobwebs in my heart.

Help me to trust in your goodness.

Pour your Spirit into me.
Restore to me the joy of my salvation.

My eyes looks to YOU rather than the Future.
It is unknown and murky.

Renew my youth (Passion for life) like that of the eagle.
Help me to just live in the moment you have blessed me with.
Your love endures forever!

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

I wish you all a new year focused on God's faithfulness and our graditude for all He does for us.

Welcome To My Parlor

2011-12-21T17:54:00.007-06:00

I'll start off with wishes for a Merry Christmas to all of you.

I thought I'd share with you some Christmas decorations and views of my parlor.

In my Grandparents 1800's farm house there are 2 front rooms that have doors opening to a large front porch. I am not sure why there are two doors to 2 adjacent rooms but one has always been used as a formal living room and the other is used as the master bedroom.

Lucky for me, I can continue to use this living room to indulge my love of shabby cottage and vintage finds. The soft yellow walls work well with my blue and pink items. There is another room that has been used as a dinning room/family room so my husband uses it to watch TV and have his computer.

So, here is a holiday glimpse of my vintage feminine personal space, decorated just for me.

I gave up the family live tree the last few years due to finances and just decorate my pre-lit tree with the soft white, pink and gold decorations that make me happy. I plan on dividing up the family ornaments between the girls this year so they will have decorations for their own trees.

I love this angel. She isn't old but she matches the era I love so much.

This is the view I like to look at when I am reading on the couch. The fireplace is closed off but with the beautiful grate, I draw attention to it by lighting lots of different sized candles to replicate the fire. This is my favorite ritual each evening I can spend here reading.

(Hopefully soon I'll be surfing the net here too!)

Now you can envision me writing my blog and reading yours here in this room.

I wanted to decorate the mantel with live evergreens and candles but I could not purchase them and I was disappointed to find out we have no evergreens on the property. So I just left what I had just put on the mantle after moving in and added a few of my old favorites.

Do you see the awesome mirror and gilded frame? I got that this spring at an auction for $15.00! I had no idea what I was going to do with it. I just had to have it. I thought maybe I'd paint it white and sell it in my Etsy shop. Who knew it would be perfect in my new home just as it was.

Absolutely LOVE this grate!

My first stocking my Mom made me over 50 years ago.

I will leave you with this wonderful antique Santa that belonged to my Mom.

Isn't he wonderful? I'm sure he actually hung in this house at one time.

I think his face looks like the man in the moon but he is old and shabby and just awesome :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and make new memories with your loved ones where ever you find yourself this year.

Update and 5 things

2011-12-14T14:08:00.003-06:00

I have an up date on my kitty.

He seems to have turned the corner and is acting normal once again! Thank you for those who were praying for him.

I guess I'll let him live another day.

I am passing along a little something I found on my blogger friend Julia's blog

http://mizjuneytalks.blogspot.com/

She is a hoot and because of my lack of time these days I thought I'd pass this along. I hope some of you will participate too.

5 Things

You may not know that I:

1. NEED music. (My family has instructions, if I am ever in a coma to put my Ipod on shuffle and leave it on my head. Just in case I can hear.)

2. love to make people laugh.

3. would rather live in the mountains and have snow than in a warm climate with a beach.

4. crowds make me nervous. I really don't like holiday shopping.

5. I really like being alone.

I'm really pretty knowledgeable about...

1. Dogs

2. Art, Photography, color

3. Spiritual matters and the Bible

4. Reading people

5. Decorating

I know nothing about...

1. Math or science

2. How to read or play music

3. Apps for phones I'm still slower than a snail texting!

4. The current entertainment world

5. Working in the real world I'm learning LOL

And, I believe...

1.God is in charge!

2. in the good in all humans and everyone needs love

3. in living in the moment-it's all we are guaranteed.

4. controlling others is not your job and is extremely harmful

5. letting people express themselves. We are all different and we should be able to be who God made us to be.

Your turn!

Valium for a cat, seriously?

2011-12-01T19:06:00.003-06:00

he Let me start out by saying this is the best, most awesome loving cat I have ever known.

That is saying a lot since my husband and myself are not really cat people. We have had 4 cats, they all found us one way or another and they were all very good cats but Arah is a very gentle loving cat.

Lately he has developed a problem and he is now a cat on drugs.

Not just your typical animal medication

He is on Valium

He may have emotional problems from all our moving and changes in routine.

He may have seen his brother Toby killed while they were missing for 2 nights and was traumatized. He doesn't like to go outdoors anymore.

What ever happened he is different.

He developed a common urinary condition which can be caused by stress. We have changed his food and put him on anti-inflammatory and pain meds 8 weeks ago. I have been very patient since he is such a wonderful cat and my girls love him so much.

But

he can not stop having random accidents every couple of days.I am really tired of crawling around the floor sniffing out the exact spot or waiting till dark to walk around with the black light looking for the spot. I am going through tons of Natures Miracle.

BTW, this stuff is awesome!

Just when I think we have turned the corner he has another accident.

I went to the vet for one last ditch effort to find something to help and that is when he suggested Valium.

Ok, lets just have a stoned out cat.

I'm now worried he won't be able to find his litter box.

He has started eating like there is no tomorrow. I thought pot only caused that.

It's been 3 days and we are waiting. So far so good.

I don't want to put him down but if I have to watch him squat in his litter box for 15 min. peeing or just trying because he feels like he has to go and seeing his mopey face. I can not let him live like that. I have had multiple urinary tract infections and just wanted someone to shoot me.

I believe in quality of life and if this drug doesn't work then his day to day life will be pretty unhappy. Until then we have a cat on some pretty addictive drugs and he should be pretty happy.

Conversations

2011-11-28T13:01:00.005-06:00

Have you ever just listened to people around you in a public place?

Since I have to find free WiFi for the time being I have to keep visiting places to sit (hopefully quietly) and look at Pinterest, my Esty, Facebook and then here my blog friends.

Well in my little town there is no place peaceful. McDonalds just doesn't get it.

Today I am at Barnes and Noble. The people in the Cafe are talking quietly but I have heard so many interesting conversations.

Two men in front of me- In what I thought were military uniforms, speaking what sounds like French?

Maybe they are pilots.

We do have both an airport and a military base in Dayton.

Just odd to hear another language except Mexican here.

We won't go there will we.

An older couple beside me-She says to her husband after they finish their coffee, "So what do you want to do now?" They were so cute I had to speak to them. I said "The only thing to do on a rainy day is shop or nap." He said he wanted to nap. She wanted to shop. LOL. I told her she had 1 hour to buy something bright and fun then they had to go home for a nap!

I love talking to complete strangers.

A couple of women beside me- "Suzie turned out well, but...."

I stopped listening, don't want to hear gossip.

I just looked over at the coffee counter an a woman has at least 12 books in her arms. I hope she puts them all back when she is done looking at them. I HATE it when people bring magazines into the cafe area and then just leave them for the workers.

"Isn't that what they are paid for?"

No! They are paid to make coffee not clean up after you!

Sorry, I just had to get on my soap box for a minute.

Well I am really going to make an effort to post 1 time a week throughout December. Things are getting into a rhythm now and I can make time to think a bit these days.

I am really hoping we can afford to get the Internet thing to plug into the laptop soon. I miss keeping up here daily.

Have a great week and pay attention to people around you, they can be lots of fun!

Finished Retro Farmhouse Kitchen

2011-11-07T12:37:00.003-06:00

Here are some images of my finished 30's kitchen!

It has taken me a bit to get this room done and (clean enough) to get a photo shoot done.

With my new job and still unpacking and decorating the other rooms in the house, I have not had time to finish making my cafe curtains and pulling all the little extras together.

Yesterday I decided it was the day for the shoot.

I just loved putting this look together to compliment my Grandmothers old sink and metal cabinets. You can go back a few blog entries to see what we started with.

Stacking table linens has been fun. I had a few red items that I had purchased to make stuff from for my Etsy shop. Who knew that I would need them myself. I did have a bit of trouble finding a green and red table cloth that I wanted for this room redo. Most 30's and 40's red linens were combined with either a turquoise green or blue. I wanted to match the green I had chosen for the walls that matched the vintage kitchen utensils I had. I finally found the cute little cloth with the plates and coffee pot at an antique show.

I love the white bead board. It really made the room brighter and tied in with the built in cupboard beside the stove.
See those glasses in the drainer? Those were my Grandma's! They were the perfect color.
I am a collector of bowls and I am happy they fit in with the decor.

The knife holder was in the old wash house. I could not believe it was in the colors I had picked.

The post holders were to go on pillows but they will remain mine now. Aren't they so cute. I have such an appreciation for the work these ladies put into making these cute potholders.

So, here is really where we put what we already had to good use. I needed a table of some sort to hold the microwave. I just missed purchasing a really great porcelain top white cabinet at the antique show I was at by 10 minutes. I didn't get it when I first saw it and when I went back a man was writing a check for it. We had this sofa table but it really didn't fit in either of the living rooms so here it is in the kitchen and really, it is perfect. Shelves to hold all the extra stuff.

The little wooden shelf was in the house.

The linens I had to craft with.

The cafe curtains started out as 1 single panel that came in a box lot that I was going to cut up for the pillows I make. When I came across it and it was the perfect size to be cut in half, it became my inspiration piece for this room. I cheated and only had to put the top rod pocket on one panel and hem the other.

I picked up the vegetable holder at a garage sale along with the paper towel holder in the bottom shot. The clock is from Target. Perfect retro style.

I really like having a smaller kitchen. I have a lot less walking and less counter top to clean. With just the 2 of us now it is perfect.

I'm working on my living room now so I hope to have regular images of it before I start decorating for Christmas.

Seize The Day!

2011-10-14T20:19:00.004-05:00

I am so glad I took the photos last week while driving home.

Last night we had a lot of wind and this morning, all the bright leaves were gone :(
It looks like fall hasn't begun in some areas which could mean we get a 2nd shot at fall but in others most of the trees had already turned color and so now almost everything is bare.
Here are a few of the images I played with from the other day.
I hope you enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Fall Beauty and my drive home

2011-10-10T16:24:00.007-05:00

The road I take to work!

Isn't this beautiful?

Fall has always been my favorite season but I have always been so busy and distracted I have never been able to truly enjoy it.

This year is a different story.

This is the view out my front door!

This is a corn field I pass on my way to work.

This is the corn field across the street for my house.

I have more photos to share but only a few minutes to stay on the Internet today. I am missing all my blogs so much. In a month my pay checks from the new job will be consistent and I hope to purchase some kind of card through our cellular co. so we can have Internet EVERYWHERE! WooHoo.
Last week my wonderful husband had supper waiting for me when I got home each evening. Being new empty Nester's, combined with moving into the new place make us feel like we are just starting out.

It's actually a lot of fun.

OK time is up here. I'm at our local grocery store with a Starbucks. Lots of screaming kids and babies. I'm ready to head to the country and take Cooper for a walk down that beautiful road.
I'll check in in a couple more days and share some artwork I created the other day.

A Little Complaint and more Good News

2011-10-03T13:44:00.002-05:00

I don't want to sound ungrateful here.

Life really is getting so much better.

But

We don't have Internet yet.

I love my house

I love living in the country

But

I miss my Internet!

I came into town to do laundryy and to put a very uplifting blog entry on here.

I started the laundry

I had 40 minutes

I already had it written out so this should work.

I went to Tim Hortons, ordered a sandwich and sat down to log on....

It wouldn't let me.

I rebooted, reloaded, turned my laptop on and off, on and off.

I messed around until I was out of time

I felt like this lady but I controlled myself.

so, back to the laundrymat, put clothes into dryer.

1 hour - this should be enough time.

drive across street to McDonalds

order a snack size McFlurry (got to support the people who provide the wifi)

Log on success!

Start to catch up on my friends and a girl behind me is applying for something on line and is reading all of it to someone on the phone. really?

Couple across from me talking softly then she gets real loud.

She is on her phone.

I put on head phones to drown out these ~~rude~~ people and I can still hear the kid to my left, the man (with the loud lady) has a ringger on his phone that goes off and sounds like a siren.

I start looking out the window for the emergency vehicle.

Another guy sits near me and starts talking on his phone, loudly.

Remember, I have music in my ears now.

Now a team meeting accross the dinningroom.

Forget it.

I'll write my uplifting entry when I am more in the mood.

Maybe when my $700.00 check comes from the colon test study I did comes in and I can pay for internet at our new place.

Yeah, that is another story.

2 colonoscopys for a study for a camera pill rather than the traditional scope.

I had to do both

to compare

I don't have to tell you I had never had one done before I signed up.

O well, I got paid $700.00 (not here yet) and 5 pollops removed.

I can't consentrate here so I'll just leave you with this entry and a bit of good news.

I got a new job!

The original reason for coming to town, to update you all and leave you uplifted. Like I felt.

I'll get back with you with that one. New job starts tomorrow so it maybe a few days before I can find a quiet place to blog. I'll shoot for Starbucks after work on Wed.

I Have Great News!

2011-09-13T20:49:00.002-05:00

For those of you that have been following my blog for awhile you will be excited to know we now have a place to live!

For the new visitor, We lost our house to foreclosure and had to move last February. We were lucky enough to have a friend offer her finished basement for us to move into until we could find a place and employment.

It has been a stressful time and unfortunately, at times I lost my hope and trust in God. I know better and He has proven himself so many times in my life but we grow through difficult times and I had a lot of growing to do. I thought I had learned the lesson of patience many years ago but with that I needed to learn perseverance and trust. We often say we trust God but when the rubber meets the road and we have nothing left and no positive thing insight you begin to wonder.

Every great man in the Bible had a desert season, even Jesus. I know this has been mine and I can truly say I am thankful for every bit of it!

I am stronger, more peaceful and my trust in God is now very strong.

I was willing to, and have, given up so much of what I thought was important.

I have learned to trust in the dark places.

I have learned that He is a God that loves us and really does want great things for us.

We just have to understand that we need to give up our ego and pride.

Stop trying to make our lives happen and learn to rest in Him.

Listen to Him.

He will guide you and then guess what?

He gives you the desires of your heart.

I am stunned as to what he has done for me right now. I just sit in amazement of His provision and goodness.The house we are moving into is my Grandparent's homestead. The house my mother grew up in. A vintage, shabby chic, farm house! My favorite style to decorate with and what I like to sell in my shop on Etsy. I am sharing with you some before pictures of a few rooms as they were when we started the clean up. I will be sharing as we decorate this awesome canvas. If you like cottage style, Farm House style and Shabby Chic then stay tuned I hope you will enjoy watching as we add some TLC to this 100 year old home!

Formal Living room

I LOVE the fireplace.

Our bedroom.

LOVE the built in closets and wood work.

It has looked like this all my life. Can't wait to decorate in here!

I already took out the carpet and waxed the floor!

The 40's retro kitchen!!!!!!!

OK, I already had the kitchen of some peoples dreams and people would die for.

I'm not a cook and I could care less.

I have always dreamed of having an old fashioned kitchen

so now I will.

We are renting so a kitchen remodel is not our job.

In this tight economy and situation, you make do with what ya got and I got this! Hahahaha, score!

I shared in a blog on June 26th about seeing

old homes on a Sunday drive. Go back and read it.

Who would have thought 2 1/2 months later I would find out I am moving into a house I have dreamed of.

Stay tuned to see how God does wonderful things and

continues to put this tapestry together.

Oh yeah and I just saw how my background matches the house!

Wow.

Our Collage Graduate

2011-08-17T17:09:00.004-05:00

After 3 full years of classes our oldest Daughter Liz graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology with a bachelors in Fashion Design!

She has had quite a lot of moves through the last year but she finally got her own studio apartment in North Chicago.

The ceremony was very nice.

Luckily it wasn't a huge school so they only had around 200 graduates. Everyone was extremely glad to receive their degrees.

The guest speaker reminded the students of the difficult times they are graduating in but encouraged them to press forward and not loose hope. I thought that was a good approach and he was very wise in his other advice.

It's a hard thing to have to do, speaking to college graduates when 9% of Americans are unemployed.

He should be commended for taking that job on!

He did say "if women shop for clothes like my wife the fashion students should be OK. No woman is going to go around out of style."

Family

Liz with her sister who leaves to start her freshman year at Johnson and Whales in 2 weeks in Miami Fl. and Mom and Dad who are looking forward to being alone again for the 1st time in 21 years!

My Awesome girls! I am so proud of both of them

Aunt, cousins and grandparents who all took the trip to Chicago to witness this great day.

Waiting

2011-07-27T08:12:00.003-05:00

This is how I feel

Do I just sit and wait on God? "Be STILL and KNOW that I am GOD.

Do I try to find a way out of this place?

Here We Go Again

2011-07-25T09:18:00.004-05:00

thomas-moran-oil-painting-on-canvas-the-angry-sea

I feel like this ship tossed on the angry sea.

Tomorrow my husband is going in for a heart cath to put stints in to relieve more blockage. He has been having trouble for months but we didn't have insurance so we were waiting until I could get a job with benefits. That hasn't happened and so we could not wait any longer. We go to meet with the surgeon today.
I am still looking for a job. We went to a trucking job fair Friday and are seriously considering driving a small sprint truck. We might as well see the country. Our girls are at college and we don't have a house so we could do this to get back on our feet.
(As long as my husband gets better.)
The lady we are living with is getting tired of us I think, so I am really feeling the pressure to find a new place. ( but I don't know where)

I know with all my heart God is in control
That these trials make us stronger
Most days I am at peace, trusting in Him and waiting. Knowing He has a plan.
The pastor yesterday had a great story about letting Jesus steer my bike.
It was a great illistration. I felt better.
But
Today I do not.
I'm scared
Getting scared gets me in trouble.
So it's back to FAITH and TRUST.
He has not let us down yet and we really are not in need of anything important.
He has truly blessed us so why do I get scared?
I'll be fine but I'm just really feeling that I don't have the strength He thinks I have.
If you are so inclined I'd appreciate your prayer support.
Thanks

Help Please

2011-07-19T08:14:00.004-05:00

A library in need...

I LOVE books. I LOVE to read. I want everyone to LOVE to read or at least have the opportunity to read. When I came across this post I knew I had to share. We have to many books to move again so I am just going to bite the bullet and let them go. I hope you have some to pass along or can buy some nice used books from your local 2nd hand book store and support local! Win, win for all involved.

The original post comes from Danielle ~ here http://www.frenzyofnoise.net

"The literature section of Ballou Senior High School's library in Washington, DC has 63 books, not enough to fill five small shelves. In the area marked "Pure Science," there are 77 volumes. The generally accepted standard for school libraries is 11 books for each of Ballou's 1,104 students."
Why we should care:

"It's a challenge for kids to take their literacy seriously when they don't even have books to read. Ballou is located in the most dangerous ward in our nation's capitol. Right now, the library serves as a physical safe space and a refuge for students in off school hours, but wouldn't it be great if they had something to read while they were there--even choices across genre?....This is not the only school in the country with needs, but when the flare went up we saw it and chose to respond."
What they need:
Everything. From Shakespeare to Octavia Butler to Richard Wright. Fantasy, sci-fi, YA, adult fiction, history books, poetry, classic literature, science. Basically anything and everything suitable for teens. She said they would take anything as long as it is in GOOD condition and has no writing in it.
I've asked if they would accept ARCs (new or old), and the director of the book drive, Lisa, said YES.

How to donate:
If you have books you want to give, please mail them directly to:
Perry School
c/o Margaret Pegram
128 M St. NW suite 318
Washington, DC 20001
Inside the box put a note that says "c/o Lisa P. Ballou Book Drive".

The school will be accepting books until August 22nd.

(Also, if you'd like to include some kind of quick note for the kids, words of encouragement, that would be awesome!!)

Spread the word!
Reblog this post on your blog. Tweet this post. (we're on twitter at #HSBookDrive) Tell everyone. Send books

Solitude and Silence

2011-07-10T20:56:00.003-05:00

I am currently studying Dallas Willard's book The Divine Conspiracy. Today he was teaching us how important times of solitude and silence is to our spiritual growth.

I usually feel the need to be busy. I feel guilty if I just do nothing.

I like solitude. Actually I LOVE it!

So reading that it is necessary gave me permission to just enjoy this day of rest the Lord tells us to observe.

Quietly observing nature

meditating

praying

reading some

napping

What a great day!

I named this file "Builder of Dreams"

Just thought I'd share some summer images and a prompt to stop and be silent sometime this week.

Happy 4th and some weekend estate finds!

2011-07-04T12:11:00.010-05:00

We started our celebrating Friday evening with friends in Columbus at their Red, White and Boom fireworks show.

As always we had a great time!

Sat. I went to some garage sales

Found these wonderful bottles. I will be altering these and putting them in my Etsy store with some of the items below and some will be Halloween poison bottles!

In this cool metal box was a treasure trove of ephemera.

I just about died! Look at all of this greatness.

some other random stuff that was in the box also. Just found this sale by a sign on the road!

Do you think a baby teethed on this during church?

Then on my way to my Dayton Etsy meeting I saw an Estate Clearance sale sign.

"Clearance" really?

Favorites of this group

Love how delicate!

Very cool wooden frame and portrait

I'm keeping the Meaken ironstone! Jewels for altering.

All of the above from Estate clearance...$9.00!

Then Sunday was an auction. I was really just there to get some paper ephemera items if I could find any.

Could not let these go. They are going in my Esty store. So awesome. Love all the different shapes and sizes.

More linens 2 ladies thought weren't good enough. They kept running the price up on all the hankies and doilies. Good thing I had gotten mine the day before. They were paying $20.00 a box lot. I paid $5.00 for these.

This group is my favorite of all I got for $5.00

Then I found these Photochrome Stereo View cards Great for mixed media folks. Going into Etsy.

Then the one thing I have been hoping to find are old cards and game pieces. I walked into the auction and what did I find right away?

This!

I waited 4 hours but it was worth it!

So much fun. Now I am off to spend the day with my husbands family eating good food and having relaxing conversation.

Oh yeah my friend we are living with, had the best fireworks show right here in our back yard.

Amazing.

Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend also.

Winners and a Sunday Drive

2011-06-26T10:07:00.004-05:00

I'm a day late announcing my winners because my husband wanted to take a drive down to the Ohio River yesterday.

He needed to get away for a day and it was beautiful here finally.

We left pretty quickly so I didn't take a camera. I wish I had. We passed so many fields

Beautiful farms and homes

I love the rural areas. I'm just a country girl at heart. I didn't grow up in the country but my house was on the edge of town and I had a farm across the street. I had the best of both worlds. Most of my cousins lived on farms so they called me "town girl". I spent a lot of time at my Grandparent farm so I still feel like a country girl.

Homes getting ready for the 4th of July. We saw lots of flags.

So you are saying, if she didn't take a camera what are these photos of? Well I'm cheating and using photos from the country roads where my Grandparents farm is and all the places I remember when I was growing up. The 1st red brick home is their house. The rest are places near by. This is the small country church I grew up in.

I miss those simpler times.

We did have a wonderful Saturday (actually) drive down around southern Ohio and over into Kentucky.

Country roads are best .

Did your family ever take Sunday drives?

Ok, now for the winners.

Relyn is the winner of "The Long Journey Home"

Karena is the winner if "The Randolph Legacy"

and

Amy is the winner of "Caleb's Crossing"

Ladies, send me your addresses at my email and I'll get them sent ASAP! Happy Reading.

smash585@earthlink.net

Current Books and a Giveaway!

2011-06-18T18:04:00.007-05:00

I am doing something I HATE to do!

I am reading 3 books at one time.

I started this book because it was on an all time favorite list

of an author I really enjoy reading.

All of the reviews are 5 stars.

They do warn that it is a bit long but so worth it.

I'm trying, but I may have to give up. It's a bit like Alice In Wonderland.

I really do not know what the point is or

where it is going and I am on page 120 of 538.

Has anyone else read this and should I keep going?

I have loved all of the books by Geraldine Brooks that I have read so far so I was sad when I read Marie's review of her latest book here http://www.bostonbibliophile.com I do like a lot of the same books that Marie likes, but we may disagree on this one. Well she had a giveaway of this book and I got it! I am currently reading it,

(Little,Big is on the shelf right now)

and I have to say it is keeping my interest.

Last Friday Marie asked on her Friday Finds, what books did we add to our shelf this week? Since I can not spend any money on books right now I have not been adding any new books but I had something exciting happen last Saturday so I have a list!

While I was sitting at my craft show last Saturday,

(which was a bust :{ ) looks like a mustache instead of a pout LOL,

Sorry I digress.

I planned to continue reading Caleb's Crossing but I left it in my car,

which my daughter needed so that left me at the show without my book.

Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrr

As luck would have it the local library had a free book booth there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So,

Here are the books I added to my shelf! FREE

The 1st one here on top, I read this week.

(Caleb's Crossing went on the shelf with Little, Big too)

The Randolph Legacy by Eileen Charbonneau

I really liked this book!

Is is historical fiction with lots of twist and turns to keep it a page turner. She gives you enough info to string you along so you can't put it down. I really have not read a book this interesting in awhile.

The next 3 I also picked up. BTW, I really support our public libraries so I asked if I could leave a donation and she was very pleased so I did.

I have no idea if I will like any of these but they all sounded like good reads and I could not pass up free books. I tried not to be greedy.

Now on to one of the books I found at a garage sale. My copy is Old, published in 1922 so it doesn't look like this.

I am trying to include a classing here and there through out the year so I hope to start this one soon. The fact that mine is vintage makes me like it more ;) plus it cost me .25!

OK, so now for the give always!

I reviewed The Long Journey Home here

http://theeccentriclady.blogspot.com/2011/06/long-journey-home-book-review.html#links

I received it as one of my Library Things early review books.

If you would like to receive it, I will pass it on.

Leave the title in your comment and I will draw a name to see who will receive this book.

I will also pass along Caleb's Crossing as soon as I finish it. (I started reading it again today) Leave this title in your comment and I will draw names to see who gets this book.

I might as well pass along The Randolph Legacy also! Do the same thing.

I will draw the names Saturday June 25th. Please only one book per comment.

It's always fun to get a free book so I hope some of you will leave a comment to be included in my giveaway. Hope you have a wonderful week.

Some New Items I'm Working On

2011-06-08T11:53:00.002-05:00

Living in the country with limited bandwidth is really cramping my style here on my blog!

I have to go into town and work on my blog somewhere I can find wifi.

So I apologize for the long brakes in between post.

I have lots going on right now also.his weekend. One is a long established sale in a cute town here in Ohio. It is the Yellow Springs street fair. I'm testing the water with this one to see if the people who go to this show like the things I create.

The 2nd show is in a well known town with over 50 antique stores. Waynesville, Ohio. This is a newer venue and I have committed to the 2nd Sat. through out the summer.

Sunday will be my daughters graduation party. Shes doing the cooking I'm doing the decorating!

I have lots of preparations to do and to day I will be going for a job interview! Actually in just 20 minutes!

I really need this job so I hope i make a good impression.

I'll leave you with some photos of the things that have been also keeping me from blogging.

I'll be here more often after the shows and party. Have a great weekend!

I have these items at 2 different craft shows t

"A Long Journey Home" book review

2011-06-02T08:59:00.004-05:00

I received an advanced copy of "A Long Journey Home" by Margaret Robinson from The Library Things early reviewers. This is my review of this memoir of the mother of Augusten Burroughs'.
Having read Augusten Burroughs memoir, I was curious to see his mothers story. Since I found “Running With Scissors” a rather disturbing book and one I have been cautious to whom I recommended it to, I knew Margaret’s story would be a difficult one. Many others have been critical of Margaret saying she is trying to justify her actions or that her description of life doesn’t really gel with her sons books. Everyone has their take on their life and even siblings raised in the same house will remember things differently.
I read her story with an open mind wanting to hear her side of the story and try to understand her feelings. It is helpful to read how she perceived her upbringing and how her parents treated her. I am sure her mother would feel she was misunderstood by Margaret also.
That being said, I do feel a respect for Margaret that she has been able to overcome so many obstacles and remain positive. Mental illness is after all a disease of the brain and maybe some of her memories or stories are eschewed but they are how she remembers them.
I did find the writing choppy and sometimes hard to follow. It took me several weeks to finish because it was a hard story to want to read about and sometimes the story seems to drag. I am glad I read it and felt much more positive at the end than I did with “Running With Scissors”.
Margaret’s story is one you should read if you want to understand mental illness especially if you have someone in your life that is affected with it. The lesson I think you can take from this book is that we must embrace who we are, be true to ourselves and respect others for who they are.

If you would like to read more of Margaret and her poetry please visit her web page here

http://www.margaretrobison.com/home.htm

My baby graduated!

2011-05-27T20:00:00.006-05:00

Wednesday evening was my youngest daughters graduation!

I'd like to say it was bitter sweet, I cried, had a hard time but...

I'd be lying

We are so excited to put this chapter behind us.

We are very proud of all she has accomplished but lets be honest, High School is so full of drama.

We are looking forward to her fulfilling her dreams of becoming a chef, enjoying her years at Johnson and Whales.

Proud Parents!

Aunt and cousins

Aunt, Uncle and Grandparents

What a poser

No her Mother wasn't a photographer or anything.

This is one of her best friends. They graduated preschool together and I did the portraits so we have been planning on recreating this image for several years.

Love it!

Jen, Emma and Miranda. BFF's since 5 years old!

Jen giving Valedictorian speech

Emma giving her valedictorian speach too.

Miranda keeps good company!

They had a graduation to remember.

Only Xenia students would experience this around here.

Wed. evening the same strong super cell storms that came through OK came through during the ceremony. The tornado sirens began to sound and the students were evacuated to a safer area.

Considering our little towns experience with the deadliest tornado on record in 74 and then 3 more over the past 25 years this was a little ironic.

Here are the students filing out of the arena. Everyone remained calm and after a 1/2 hour delay the ceremony went on. We did not have the rough weather there at the arena but many families arrived home to serious hail damage to homes, cars and landscaping.

We are thankful though we did not have another tornado.

Our kids are resilient and strong. They will face their futures with courage that many other kids do not possess. I am proud of Miranda and all of her friends. I wish them all the success they deserve!

I'm feeling Pressed

2011-05-20T09:08:00.002-05:00

This poem was in my devotional the other morning and I wanted to share it with you. I was waiting till I had time when I got home to add a pretty photo coz I hate post without photos.

But...

I am feeling Pressed!

I have NO time when I get home to do my blogging right now.

I am in a frenzy to get as much made for my up coming craft shows so I am putting way to much pressure on myself and I am not really enjoying the process as much as usual. I just want to help with the finances with my creativeness. I NEED to do this. It brings me satisfaction.

I haven't had time to read my books and we won't even address the house cleaning, except for the fact my craft stuff is all over the place so dust can't find a place to land!

My temporary job is ending with in the next month so I am trying to find something with insurance, but at this point a pay check will do.

My husband has been having chest pains almost daily, nitro pills help so we are biding our time.

Oh yeah and, my daughter is graduating from High School next Wednesday and we have a party to plan.

I am sorry I have not been here. I only like to share happy, uplifting post but right now I don't have a brain cell left to pass along. Then I feel like no one is reading these anyway so it really doesn't matter. Things will settle down soon and I will get back to posting regularly. Until then here is the poem from my Devotional Streams in the Desert.

Pressed beyond measure; yes, pressed to great length;

Pressed so intensely, beyond my own strength;

Pressed in my body and pressed in my soul,

Pressed in my mind till dark surges roll.

Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God;

Pressed into loving His staff and His rod.

Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;

Pressed into faith for impossible things.

Pressed into living my life for the Lord,

Pressed into living a Christ-life out poured.

This entry really comforted me. Trials and difficult times are needed to press us forward and to be able to be sympathetic to others in need. God has truly provided for our needs so far and I will trust that He has everything under control. We may not be able to see it right now but in His perfect timing and in His way, all will be well.

I Am A Bad Mom

2011-05-14T06:56:00.004-05:00

My daughters senior prom was 2 weeks ago and I am just now getting around to doing something with the photos.

To busy with making stuff and work I keep neglecting my personal life

( like this blog :{ )

Anyway, This year was not as easy to find the dress as last year. We couldn't top that dress so we just looked to see what was in the budget. I loved this dress. I knew it would go great with her hair and it was different. She seemed pleased.

Then we went for the alterations. The dress was 3 sizes to large and I had confidence in the lady but when we left Miranda was in tears. With the added alteration cost the dress was now the same price as another dress she had liked but rejected. If you are a Mom this is one of those times you are so torn.

She needed to just let it go. It's just a prom and 1 night, for heavens sake!

On the other hand

It's her senior prom and it seems like a BIG deal.

Well they wouldn't give her, her money back because they held the dress for her so we went ahead with the alterations.

2 weeks later...

We try on the dress. Well she tried on the dress.

Success! She loved it once it fit!

So here are some photos of her, her date and friends.

Patrick, whom she went to her 1st high school dance with in 9th grade!

Mom and Dad

Her besties

Masquerade was the theme. She and Patrick didn't buy mask.

We had to do this! His dad had the Harley and it was just to cool.

Check out those shoes and the tat!

A fun evening was had by all

After all!

Not In The Mood

2011-05-05T09:45:00.004-05:00

I have just not been in the mood to do anything.
All it does is rain, rain, rain.
I'm trying to get things made for my Etsy shop and the 2nd Saturday's event I am participating in this summer but I am putting to much pressure on myself and then not seeing sales in my shop is discouraging so then I just come home and nap. I hate being like this. I am creative one day and then just off for 2 or 3. I checked in to the blogs today for the first time in I think 2 weeks, :( and I found this post ( http://tammyvitale.com/deep-darks )which really made me feel so much better. It's just not me, Yeah! This too shall pass and the sun is out for the day today so I will take advantage of it and do something!
I hope to have some photography to share with you soon, just not feeling it right now.

Estate Sale Follow-Up

2011-04-21T19:01:00.005-05:00

I have been very busy!

Remember the 1st Estate Sale? Well I went to a 2nd one the next day and scored a ton of stuff. Went to Columbus, Ohio with my Etsy artist friends and found some more treasures and the actually braved a very chilly, rainy Saturday to attend my first auction in many years and got 3 nice cake stands for $2.00! I lost to an eager bidder for a box with a cutter quilt and blanket I wanted to re-purpose but that is OK there will be more.

So, the reason I have been gone for a few weeks is because I have been crafting in my spare time getting ready for my craft shows coming up.

Here are a few things I made with the quilt hanging out of the dresser in the Estate sale post.

Cute vintage tea towel made into a pillow. Front is in the last photo with the other pillows.

These are going to be quilted flowers with vintage buttons in the center.

That quilt had the coolest backing I have ever seen. I used it to back the pillows and naturally the bunting has both sides so you can change it with your moods!

I am having so much fun but I have been also putting to much pressure on myself to get tons made I don't have time to blog or facebook my friends. I will be working hard this weekend to get more made that I will be adding to my Etsy shop.

These all went to my local coffee shop.

I hope some lovely Mom's receive these for Mothers Day gifts!

I could use some encouragement. What do you think of the re-purposed quilted items? I have a love for quilts but I'm not sure so many others do. Should I keep making things from quilts? Just thought I'd check before I spend the next month cutting up all these quilts I keep buying!

1st Estate Sale of the Year!

2011-03-31T17:15:00.009-05:00

Look at what I got today!

I can not tell you how bad I have been needing to go to a sale. Watching American Pickers each week, reading all the bloggers who live in warm climates who have sales year around. It has been killing me.

Well all I can say is I hit the jack pot today.

I can't wait to make something from all these finds.

What do you think of the dresser? The details are very art decoish.

The color is almost perfect as is but I think it needs sprucing up. I was thinking of a color instead of the white look but since I will probably sell it I don't know what color to go with.

If I keep it it will need to be a bit more white than yellow.

What color would you go with?

Robins egg blue

Aqua

Rusty pink

Green?

Look at these handles.

LOVE THEM!

The beautiful patina.

Drool

They alone are worth what I paid for the chest.

I won't tell you how much I paid because you will have a heart attack.

Go ahead and guess if you would like and tell me what you would pay for it cleaned up.

I got more bottles to alter. I just added some to my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70940439/romantic-carnival-glass-vintage-steam

More books to use. I love books so much I hate tearing them up. But I'm getting over it when I see what I make with them.

Awesome sheet music that is already distressed to unbelievable coolness!

Do you see the edges?

I almost died right there in their driveway.

See those 2 knobs. They were marked $3.00. Nope, not paying that.

Asked what she could do.

She put all this, the bird print, tintype frame and both knobs together for

$1.00

yup a

$1.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These will be added to something soon.

I thought this silver bracelet was very interesting.

I really likes these small beads with the silver spacers. I don't like the larger sized beads at the base of the necklace so I think I'm going to remake it into a bracelet for myself.

I didn't take close ups of the cutter quilt or the dust ruffle but they are really nice. Already washed them and am ready to start sewing something with them.

So, I think I did real good for the first sale of the year. I got my fix and now I'm ready to get busy making stuff.

Do you want to know how much I spent total?

It's going to help you with your guesses on the dresser but lets just say I had enough left from $30.00 to get a mocha!

Spring is here! I saw a robin.

2011-03-20T20:56:00.004-05:00

Spring is officially here but the temperatures aren't cooperating with us this next week, but I did see a robin and it was singing it's head off!

I have been very neglectful of my blog as of late because I have been unpacking, organizing and just being lazy.

The stress of the past months has caught up with me and I just couldn't sit down and come up with anything worth writing about. This isn't either but I thought my new image would be nice to look at. I can't wait until the trees are bursting with blooms again this year. Can you?

Since I don't have anything interesting right now

I'll pass on this give-away

but you really won't like it

and really don't need to stop over.

really you don't.

but if you must go here for a (boring) give-away

http://talesfromanoccottage.blogspot.com/2011/03/little-vintage-french-white-farm-house.html

Happy Spring!

Book Review

2011-03-05T14:18:00.004-06:00

Misplaced thoughts about age.

2011-02-20T08:21:00.004-06:00

As I enjoy a much needed quick trip to the beach in S.C. to visit my In-Laws. I am sitting on the balcony watching a young family walk along the sand. The small little girl is picking up shells and playing in the sand. The Mom is taking photos of her, capturing this childish play. They begin to walk again and I see an older gentleman, stooped and walking with a cane. He moves slowly along the beach. As their paths cross it makes me see how precious life is.

Each stage holds it's treasure.

When we are young it seems to hold newness,adventure and wonder. At life's end if we are lucky and observant, it will also hold newness, adventure and wonder.

At first I felt sorry for the older man, his halting steps and slow movement. Then I realized that maybe I am judging wrongly.

I began to see how wonderful it was that he was able to take a walk on the beach. His slow walk helped him have time to observe and wonder at what he was seeing. For him, this was his adventure on this beautiful morning.

I need to take note of this and remember not to always be in a hurry.

Walk slow and really see what is all about me with, anticipation of wonder and adventure!

Journal Give Away, chance to win.

2011-02-18T18:57:00.002-06:00

We are visiting my In-Laws in Myrtle Beach this weekend so I am just perusing blog land and ran across this give away. I just started playing with art journals to get through the difficult time we have been experiencing. I am hoping I win one of Virginia's journals!
You can enter to win too.
http://virginiawashere.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-new-journal-and-giveaway.html

Sharing our LOVE Story link party

2011-02-13T17:40:00.006-06:00

I know many people who say a high school romance can not survive the test of time

but our relationship has only grown stronger throughout the many trials and triumphs of our 29 year marriage.
Our story starts out with a friendship our senior year. I was holding out for another guy and really wasn't thinking much about Vallas during that year. I seemed to hit him a lot (because he was always picking on me). He made a bet with me that I could not go a day without hitting him. If I lost I had to go on a date with him. I really did not want to date him so I tried really hard not to hit him but I lost. I told him it was going to be a boring date. I wanted him to get the hint that I wasn't romantically interested. Well, after our dinner and a visit with some friends he proceeded to pull into a deserted parking lot.

I was not happy.

He asked me what I was doing sitting so far over to the door. (I was hanging on for dear life and dread, LOL)

Real quick in my mind I thought,

It is only a kiss, I like him as a person a lot, so just get it over with.

That one kiss was all it took.

I was hooked and our friendship turned into a romance.

We dated for 2 years, but he decided he wasn't ready for marriage and needed to date a few other people to make sure. He became engaged to one of the girls about 1 1/2 years later, but found out it was going to be a mistake. He called me, as his friend for advice. He decided to call off the engagement and we cautiously began to date again. After several months we decided we were meant to be together and were married 5 months later.

Our first 3 years were a lot of fun and we bought our 1st house and began remodeling and decorating. All the nesting made me want to start our family. God had other ideas. We waited 5 more long years and started fertility treatments before we were able to conceive our 1st daughter. 2 years later I was ready to try again. Having been told we would have the same problem we got our fertility meds but decided to wait to start them until the baby could be born after the 1st of the year. I thought it was so unfair to have a baby born at Christmas. A few months later we found out we were expecting all on our own! With a due date of Dec. 15th. God has such a sense of humor. Daughter #2 came late on Dec. 27th.
Life for us proceeded as most do, Satisfying jobs, new house, pets and lots of fun and love. We had our ups and downs but all the while kept a steady course even in times when we were less than thrilled with each other. The last 5 years have been extremely challenging but the worst came with my husbands open heart surgery 1 1/2 years ago and then the foreclosure of our home and loss of both of our businesses.
God has always been a guiding force in our lives but this last year He has proven His love for us exceedingly by providing for our every need.

We are truly blessed and our relationship is stronger than ever. I posted about our relationship after my husband surgery here!

http://theeccentriclady.blogspot.com/2010/09/thankful-and-blessed.html
It sums up my ideas on commitment and marriage.

My advice to couples this Valentines day is
to be patient with each other,
respect your differences and
wait out the tough times, they will pass.
Your marriage is worth it

Challenges

2011-02-04T09:20:00.002-06:00

Sorry no photos today. I am at my new job without my photos but I wanted to update you on what is happening.

We were suppose to have everything out of our house by Feb. 7th.

I had a sale scheduled for the 3-5th, but we had an ice storm.

That was very interesting and would make for a very long post but I will tell you we got stuck at our old house and had to sleep on the floor with no power.

I want to say I am strong enough to suffer for Christ in an circumstance like lots of martyrs but I'm sad to say I am way too weak.

I need soap, Kleenex's, Chapstick, and a shower!

Don't ask.

Just know we have our creature comforts we all can't live without and I am seeing I would really be unhappy as a homeless person.

I'm really trying to be humble and mold able but I have found I do have limits ;}

Still sorting out old keepsakes and photos and thinks of my girls.

Deciding what to keep and what to throw away.

It has been harder and more time consuming than I expected but It really feels good to unload so much of the unnecessary stuff in your life.

I hope to have high speed Internet in our new place next week and the work to all be done and I can be here more regularly.

Have a great weekend everyone!

I have learned to like the snow

2011-01-28T20:27:00.004-06:00

I used to dread the end of Fall. The bare trees seemed so ugly to me

after the beauty of all the glorious color.

As I look out my window

and see the frozen landscape, I now see the beauty there.

The over all color is a soft blue/grey.

The snow is white and the cloudy sky is white

but buildings and the trees have a soft grey tone.

To some it may be boring or ugly

but if you really look,

the monochromatic color scheme is actually lovely and peaceful.

Quiet

Maybe it is my age but I have come to appreciate

the slower pace of Winter.

The quietness and stillness.

I use this time to slow down and rest.

Breath

The animals hibernate, the fields sleep.

All is at ease.

We too need to listen to the seasons

take some time to recharge.

Stop the rush and relax in the slowness of Winter.

Soon Spring will be here and we will begin

to feel the surge of new energy.

Then, we can be full of action.

But now, just...

Rest

Up Date!

2011-01-12T19:41:00.004-06:00

Well, as usual God is in control and He can be trusted.

As of last night we have a place to live! A wonderful friend who lives alone in a large house, offered her finished basement for us for free. She has been passing a sign posted at a church that says,

"God blesses people so they can be a blessing to others."

She has been asking God who she could bless. When I called her last night she said she knew we were the ones. I went to see how much room we would have and was stunned by the beauty of her property. Even buried under 5 inches if snow I can see what a wonderful place this will be. Cooper will have a large country yard to run in and I will have beautiful nature scenes to look out upon each day.

This is not the way I imagined the blessing to be but I have learned that it is important for us to learn to be the receivers, with grace and thankfulness, as well as being the givers.

My husband still needs prayer to be encouraged and patient. I know God has a job out there for him and we will continue to trust. Thank you all for your prayer support. I will post photos as soon as we get moved in at the end of the month!

We Need a Miracle

2011-01-10T19:52:00.003-06:00

As most of you who follow me know I try really hard to be inspiring here on my blog but today I feel a desperate need to ask for prayer support. I have learned over the past 2 years how wonderful this blog world is and how much support you all give.

So, I am requesting prayer for a miracle.

We got the notice today we have to be out of our home Jan. 24th. I have a new part time job and could pay rent but nothing more. My husband has yet to find any kind of job. His confidence is very low which makes it hard to be optimistic when seeking employment.

So, I am asking prayer for:

1: We need up lifted. Strengthened. We trust that God is in control and has a plan. But we are running out of time. (Me beginning to worry and trying to hold on and not panic.)

2: I do not want to go on assistance so I pray he gets something, anything, anywhere so we can provide for ourselves. The miracle would be a job before Jan. 23rd.

3: A reasonable place to live that we can afford until we can turn things around.

This is a big world and I am going to just put this info out there. My husband is a self-employed sound and lighting technician. He designs and installs all kinds of sound and or lighting related systems. Lately his jobs have been large systems for airports. He is als one of the best sound mixers around. He has extensive concert and studio work experience. The other thing about my husband is that he can pick up any manual read it and then do it.

If anyone knows of any opportunities that he can apply for I would greatly appreciate it.

This is just so unlike me but nothing ventured nothing gained. I'm just putting my prayers out here in blogland and now I will leave it in Gods hands.

I really appreciate all of the prayers you have said for us already and the support I have received since I shared our problems earlier.

One more request, My brother-in-law is loosing his battle with cancer and will probably die this week. My sister and her girls could use some prayer support also. We are all ready but it is still hard.

Thanks,

Sherri

Adventure

2011-01-01T11:53:00.004-06:00

I just came across my written thoughts for my blog entry for my word for 2010. Having seen other bloggers choosing a word to represent their thoughts and hopes for the new year I figured I'd do the same.

A year has passed and it was very interesting to read what my thoughts were back then.

Did I remember my word?

No...I did not. LOL

Well, it was an interesting read. (smile)

Life is still up in the air for us and actually less settled in some areas than it was a year ago. The bank bought our house back so we will be moving in the next few months. We are still waiting for a job for my husband. (please, keep praying. I know God has something for him.)

I, on the other hand was able to get a part time job last week that I am enjoying. If we stay in the area I hope it will become full time.

As I revisited my thoughts and feelings I see that God has not forsaken us and has provided; food, clothing, and shelter but most of all a drawing closer as a family and stronger faith in God. We have seen what truly matters and that is our love for one another and those who God has put into our lives.

I guess I am going to take a leap this year and choose as my word for 2011 as...

Adventure!

This coming year, I feel, will be full of adventures.

We will have to move

I am closing my business after 26 years

I am starting a totally different job

I am pursuing new avenues to express myself artistically

Our youngest just turned 18, will graduate high school and leave for Miami Florida in the fall for College.

(That alone would be enough for some people.)

Our oldest will turn 21 in the summer and graduate from college.

(Praying she will be able to find a job that will allow her to live independently)

Instead of looking at all these changes in a negative, fearful light. I will continue last years outlook in hopeful anticipation, waiting to see what God has in store for us!

Adventure

Sounds like a lot of fun!

Now to leave you with a bit of humor.

This is a startled tree on the golf course I walk Cooper on. I guess he just figured out he was the only naked tree there!

Is this not natures way. Giving us humor as well as beauty.

My challenge to you is to keep your eyes and heart open every moment of every day to see what God has for you. He has a since of humor too :)

Book Review

2010-12-30T18:37:00.010-06:00

I got my 4th book to review through Library Thing!

If you love to read you should sign up to be a reviewer. I have their button on the side of my page so go ahead, click it and see what all is happening in the book world. Even if you don't want to sign up to receive FREE books, it is a good source for keeping track of your books and see what others say about books you are interested in and if you want discuss them.

Cocaine's Son

by David Itzkoff

Planned release date Feb. 2011

This review is coming from a daughter of an alcoholic, who also blamed him for the anxiety disorder and abandonment issues she has. I could relate with much of what David was trying to say here in his book "Cocaines's Son".

As a young person, I found it very painful that my father chose bars and buddies over attending dance recitals and school functions. The dread of wondering if the funny, easy going Dad or the angry, foul mouthed drunk Dad was going to come home each night. And on some nights I lay awake waiting to see if he would make it home safely if at all.

David's Dad is a hard man to like and live with high or sober. The beginning of the book starts out from a child's perspective, where as most kids, we want our parents to be our heroes. David's Dad falls sorely short. David has to endure many let downs and embarrassing moments by his father. Growing into a healthy, let alone loving, respectful relationship is more than likely not going to happen but nonetheless they try.

David does not have a lot of harrowing tales for us to wade through and his book does not leave you with dark depressed feelings. As you move through the book you mostly feel the disappointment and desire for a better relationship for them or for David to just give up already!

I am very pleased with which he chose to close out his memoir. It is very emotional and heart warming.

After going through a very difficult emotional time myself, at one time I felt that I'd rather be dead. Then realizing my children were not enough to keep me here was a startling revelation that helped me reconcile my feelings toward my father. I was able to understand the emotional pain he lived with and I was then able to forgive. Unfortunately, he had already died but I found peace and a different perspective in how to view my childhood.

This book is not a heavy downer. If you have experienced disappointments from a parent and not reconciled, you may benefit from this book.

Gratitude

2010-12-25T15:31:00.003-06:00

I received this as my daily devotional and thought it was well worth passing along.

After a long pregnancy that generated more questions than

congratulations; that nearly led to a marriage ending before it started; that included a painful and arduous journey; that culminated in her son being born in conditions fit for animals but not for humans, how did Mary respond? Luke tells us that she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (2:19).

In Bethlehem, among the animals, she found joy. She could have complained that God was doing nothing good for her, but instead she declared the "great things" God had done (Luke 1:49).

This is central to the Christmas story - and the joys and challenges of our modern holiday - remind us that gratitude changes everything. Whether there are gifts stacked to the ceiling with your name on them or your aren't sure anyone is going to give you anything, stop and give thanks to God, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts.

You'll receive a special blessing in your spirit and discover you have everything you need.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

My girls and Cooper this morning.

How NOT to test your dogs shock collar

2010-12-12T16:20:00.008-06:00

So, Today I was planning on doing some over due cleaning.

Cooper had other ideas.

As I kept on doing my work, Cooper kept on whining. His whine is more like a whistle through his nose.

It's a dogs equivalent to your child saying Mom, mom, mom, mommy, hey mom, mom.

It can become really annoying. Like this morning.

Now, last night it snowed, the temperatures dropped and going outside wasn't high on my list, at least not until after I got my work done since a long walk in the cold makes me sleepy.

I kept working and he kept... whistling.

(sigh)

Who wants to clean house anyway

so, I called my walking friend and she was ready for the trek to the quarry.

The quarry in summer

Today it did not look like this.

Anyway, back to the walk prep. I had to put layers and layers on, find my headband to cover my ears and put on my cool orange boots that are great in water. We had lots of rain yesterday before the snow started so I knew we would have to walk through a lot of water.

During all of this, Cooper's excitement escalated! He knows my walking clothes. He proceeds to jump and bark and get all excited.

I hate this and just want to hurry up and get on the road so he will stop.

I have to explain here that we use the "Pet Safe" electronic pet containment system, which is a very nice system by the way. But early on, the actual shock freaked Cooper out to where he wouldn't leave the porch, so I turned off the shock part because just hearing the tone sent him running back with in the boundary. Well, over the past year he has figured out that the shock wasn't coming and has been wandering the neighborhood stealing other dogs bones. (Another story for another blog). I had to change the settings last week to put on the shock. I didn't want him getting hit by a car or going to dogie jail for theft.

I wanted to get the point across so I didn't start with whimpey 1 or 2

I went up to the next to last level #5!

I don't believe in wasting time teaching a lesson.

Well, in my hurry to stop the excitement my dog was experiencing I forgot to take off his shock collar....Woopsie!

As I began to back out of the driveway Cooper began to yelp very loudly and persistently. Over and over and over.

OMG!! I forgot the collar, I had on thick gloves so I couldn't get it undone.

He kept yelping, I started to panic.

I drove forward back into the boundary but it wouldn't stop!

Finally I got it off and out of the car, because even though it wasn't on his neck anymore the sound was freaking him out.

I got back in the car and he was trembling. I felt so bad. Did I traumatize my poor baby? Was he going to have a stroke?

Nah. After we pulled out on the road he began his excited whistle, whine of excitement about going to the quarry, which he loves.

Please don't turn me in to the dogie police. I love my dog and hate that this happened but I have to tell you I was laughing quite a lot as I retold the story to my husband when we got home and now I am sure the shock part is working.

Don't worry, we had a nice long relaxing nap on the couch when we got home.

He is a very pampered dog.

Simple, quiet Christmas

2010-12-06T21:39:00.004-06:00

I'm really glad I read a post today. She shared how she has had difficult Christmas's and this year was another one. I have not really had a season like we are having right now and I really don't want to decorate for Christmas this year. I don't want to participate in the partying. We foreclosed on our house of 15 years and will have to be moving out. I am closing my photography business after 24 years and looking for a new job. My brother-in-law is dying of cancer and we just lost a friend of many years suddenly this past week. I do not have a bad attitude. I am grateful and hopeful but I just want to celebrate the fact that Christ was born and because of that I have hope. Gifts, decorating and parties just don't fit in this year. She helped me feel better that some years it is ok for it to be different, quiet.

I think we will just have a simple Christmas remembering what we are most grateful for which right now for me is the fact that our family has become stronger and closer through this and the 4 of us will be together. I am thankful my husband is still here after the scare we had last year,(Our friend was not so lucky, he leaves 3 children, 2 grown but his youngest is just a senior this year.) I am thankful that my girls are awesome young women I am so proud of and that we have a faith in a big God and that He has something good in store for us just around the corner!

Blessed

2010-11-25T07:54:00.003-06:00

I have so much to be thankful for but right now I am thankful that I have learned what is truly necessary in life. I am truly blessed and hope all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Library Thing Book Review

2010-11-23T10:38:00.002-06:00

I was able to snag another book from Library Thing! I am loving this site. This is the 3rd book I have received and it was one I would not have normally picked but the message has stuck with me and I feel it is worth a look.

I was plesantly surprised by this book. It drew me in right from the start. The author dangles information in pieces to keep you reading. It was not predictable as many of the inspirational books tend to be.

The subject matter many seem difficult but is presented in a way that helps you see that these things are survivable.

I did have trouble with one character through out the book. Sherriff Huff’s character is likeable enough and at some points I wondered if he was going to be crooked because of the whineing he kept doing. One inner dialoge about his desire to be with his grandkids would have been enough for the reader to get the point he did not want to remain sheriff. I found him tireing.

The author did a good job with the sadness and pain of all the characters and how we all find someone to blame for our difficulties.

The message of forgiveness and acceptance is strong and the end is inspiring. The message of the love of God is presented well without being preachy.

Many people who have not suffered may not believe some of the situations that happen but pain and hurt lead us to behave in ways we would not normally react. Even as Christians.

By putting many people who are scared, hurt and lost together, a mob mentality is likely to happen.

All in all I would reccommend this book, espically if you are going through tough times and want to be encouraged.

2010-11-20T20:01:00.003-06:00

Isn't nature cool? Have you ever seen a prettier "S"?

Oh by the way My first name is Sherri.

So I have not been able to update because I have been very busy making items for 2 Holiday Craft shows being held this weekend. Todays was fantastic! I finally found people who love my vintage look!!!! I am really looking forward to tomorrows.

The second reason is because my attitude has been a bit eradic lately.Is that a word? I can't find the correct spelling here and am to tired to look it up. Sorry. Anyway, my husband has not heard about any of the jobs he has applied for. The good news is they are still posted so not filled yet. Hopefully they are planning on actually hiring the 1st of the year. So anyway that leaves us at the end of the foreclosure journey. The bank bought back our house this past Thursday. We are unsure of how long they will give us to leave so we are beginning the packing and throwing away stuff. I have made the decision to close my portrait studio after 26 years. I have a real peace and freedom in this since I have actually spoken it out loud to my client this past week. The last month has been very hard and I just couldn't talk about any of it but now I am really doing well and looking forward to what God has in store for my husband and myself.

Do you think it could just be shock? LOL

On a really brighter side. My youngest, the one in the homecoming photos, got accepted to Johnson and Wales for culinary arts this fall. She also received a very generous scholarship from them for academic achievement for all 4 years. We had not applied for any help yet. God is SO GOOD! She is excited and knows God is supplying all her needs and He will ours to.

I can't wait to tell you what he has done for us when it happens. For now I am living in excited anticipation.

P.S. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I will try not to be so silent as the time passes and we wait.

Busyness

2010-10-19T04:35:00.007-05:00

I feel like my blog is this truck.

When life gets crazy for me, that is when I neglect my journaling most.

I have missed recording many very life changing moments because I am just to over come to write.

Life gets to busy and we get to distracted and then before you know it we have left something precious to us behind.

I'm going to try to do better ;)

My husband had an interview yesterday!

I'm afraid to hope but I am going to anyway.

I'll keep you posted!

Hope you are taking time to enjoy the Fall colors while they last!

Homecoming Dance tonight

2010-10-02T22:02:00.004-05:00

The Tickets
The Shoes

The Lips

The Hair

The Dress

The Date

Friends!

My youngest daughters last Homecoming.

Thankful and Blessed

2010-09-26T10:16:00.006-05:00

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!

2010-09-19T11:57:00.008-05:00

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,

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?

2010-09-12T15:15:00.007-05:00

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

2010-09-02T21:10:00.013-05:00

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!

Art show in my favorite town, Yellow Springs, Ohio

2010-08-19T21:09:00.008-05:00

Knit Knot Tree, down town Yellow Springs. www.jafagirls.wordpress.com This last Saturday was Art in the Park in Yellow Springs, Ohio. I wanted to have a space this year but I missed the registration deadline. So I decided I would go and see what I could find to share with all of you. So I will warn you, there are a lot of images. Hopefully you will enjoy them!

I only allowed myself to make one purchase. I had decided I would like to look for another, large mug for my iced mocha's. There were several very nice pottery mugs that were larger than the normal mug but this one stole my heart.

I just loved the retro look, and the fact it was a rougher outside and glazed inside. aren't the circles cute?

My 1st stop was here at 4 cat studio. I just loved her mixed media items. I wish I could have the vision these mixed media artist have.

Look at the photo top left. I Loved it! You can fine Simone at http://www.4catsstudio.com/

My next stop was here at Janelle's shop. I loved these cup cozies made of upcycled ties!

This was what my daughter decided to purchase today. The brown one is now hers! You can look for new items soon in her Etsy shop at http://www.jnell101.etsy.com/

I had to photograph her bag to rub my vegetarian friends the wrong way. LOL

LOVE, LOVE,LOVE This shop. These are two very talented ladies! I wish I could join them in their shop in Columbus. Actually Powell, Ohio.

I LOVE how they displayed all their items! So much eye candy!

The bags are great but look at what they did with that bike! My old rusted bike in the garden may have to get a redo to fit with my chandelier and table under the tree.

Too cute! See the pattern flowers? The fabric banners? the fabric birds are so adorable!

You can check out Karla at http://www.mybellastudio.blogspot.com/ These very talented ladies will be opening their new location soon at Bloomsbury Loft in Downtown Powell Ohio.

http://www.bloomsbutyloft.com/

OK, so I have a thing for ties! Isn't this cute?

I also love these colors!

We have a lot of barns with quilt squares on them. I liked this piece very much.

One more. Pam has a very wide range of styles that makes her very versatile. She can be found at http://www.forquiltssake.com/ I like the added 3d items on this small wall hanging.

This tea pot set really caught my eye! My image just doesn't do it justice.

I really liked her color pallet. I was very tempted to purchase one of her mugs.

I really liked this one. But alas, the retro won out. I was in a mood that day and I already have 2 in this style. If I could have made more than 1 purchase this weekend I would have had both!

You can find Carole at http://www.foxpots.etsy.com/

I really want to help other artist to succeed. I enjoyed talking to all of these great artist and wish them well. If I had all the money I needed right now I would have made a purchase at all these shops. Please stop by and visit them.

A Very Close Call!

2010-08-14T08:57:00.006-05:00

This is my Best Bud Cooper.

He is a 6 year old Redbone Coonhound. He is my shadow. He knows where I am at all times if I am around the house. A lot of the nature photography I share is because of the walks Cooper and I take everyday.

Thursday he woke up and started throwing up lots of fluid. After the 3rd time I was very concerned. He was acting strange and breathing a bit harder than normal. I decided to take him to the vet.

Now anyone who has been following me here knows we are having a bit of a financial crisis at this moment so it was (I'm sorry to say) a big decision to go to the vet. Then I had to decide if we should do an x ray since the Doc. thought it might be a blockage.

I had to do that so I knew I was up to $100.00 at this point. After 3 hours waiting for the barium to work and the x ray to be read we found out it was an obstruction and he would need surgery.

Wow, what an emotional decision. I don't have extra cash on hand right now and I'm not sure if they will take payments.

I LOVE my dog and really do not want to loose him. I had to leave him over night and tell them I had a financial cap so they couldn't do all they could if necessary. If it involved the intestines they would just have to put him to sleep right there on the operating table and I would never see him again.

I prayed, along with many other people and they did surgery the next morning.

They were able to do a less invasive procedure to get the corn cob piece (eyes rolling) down to where he will be able to pass it on his own. He did have to be opened up so they could get to his stomach. Here are a few photos of him coming home and at home after I picked him up.

Stoned Cooper! The drive home was interesting. He would not lay down and just sat there staring and every once in awhile he would snap to it and look up like "Whoa, dude what is happening? Where am I?"

Here he is laying on his bed in the living room. Still a bit spacey.

Hello! Is anybody home in there?
It was weird, like an Alzheimer's patient. Poor guy.
I'm happy to say that today he is much better. Still moving slow. Lots of staples and stitches on his belly but he ate, and took a walk around the yard and is sleeping beside me up on the couch like old times :).
Even though he has eaten corn off the cob a bunch of times, this time he decided to eat the cob also. Needless to say this summer treat will not happen EVER again. That was a $600.00 mistake we will not repeat no mater how much he begs. I am so happy to have him home and despite the expense, I had to purchase a new collar on Etsy to celebrate!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AddisonLogan

Very Manley and cute huh? What's another $10.00's. It was on sale ;).

We girls know, it makes you feel better to buy something new!

I'll post pic's when he gets his new adornment!

I Have Been Busy!

2010-08-09T19:46:00.009-05:00

Remember the Etsy craft show I was in a few weeks ago? Well I spent more than I made. Surprise!

Look at these goodies I plan on using on some future projects.

Isn't this blue ear ring beautiful?

and I love the vintage 40's style of this button.

Keys.
Not sure what I'll do with them yet but I love the scroll work on the newer key and
doesn't the other one look like an alien?

LOVE!

I had to have these watch faces! I love fonts and these were my 2 favorites faces.
I could only get two.
It was hard to pick.

At one ladies booth, she had a box full of vintage linens. I spotted the cute teal tablecloth and then digging down deeper I found the teal and yellow doilies. Hum. I think I can do something with these!

Then I remembered this pillow I had in my booth when I ran across this cutie.

See how the patterns match?
I will make a companion pillow to go with the quilted one.
I just love coming up with all kinds of creative ways to reuse and repurpose.

So this last weekend I began to put some stuff together.

Here is the 1st finished pillow.
I used the items I found in the box and then I found a vintage napkin I had so the doily would have a white background to separate it from the tablecloth.

This is the back. I couldn't leave it blank.

Can you see the cup ring stain?
I love that it was on the tablecloth, so I positioned it on the back so I could use it as an embellishment.

All of the buttons were in my Mom's collection.
I could not believe how well this one matched!
I also love it when things come together unexpectedly.
It's like it was suppose to happen.

Here is what I have so far.
Need to finish some and I have a bit more tablecloth fabric to make 1 more pillow.

This beauty was in a booth that I looked across the isle at ALL weekend.

Since I wasn't making any sales I knew I shouldn't buy any more supplies.

Plus I had already bought the small goodies.

They wanted $50.00.

On the last day I decided if it was still there I'd offer $35.00. I needed a different color pallet to offer my potential clients. Not everyone is into pink, green, teal and yellow.

Right?

Well they said $40.00.

I said

I just had to have it.

I'm not sure when I'll get the inspiration to make things out of it but I am thinking on it.

So, for the time being I am going to start a personal inspirational photo, poem, thoughts journal. I have been seeing them on other blogs and with all the difficult things we have been facing I thought it might help me get my thoughts down and a crafty fun way seemed best.

I am going to try to put the pillows in a local coffee shop and some of the others in my Etsy store. If you would love to own these cuties or know someone who would, leave me a message here before I list them. Prices range from $10.00 to $15.00 for the pillows. You can see the others are on my older blog here

http://theeccentriclady.blogspot.com/2010/07/hello-is-anybody-home.html

I'm off to bed for now and looking forward to starting my journal after work tomorrow!

Some Favorites

2010-08-01T09:42:00.008-05:00

Last night while finishing my book by Geraldine Brooks we were watching Palladia and I found a new favorite blues artist. Joe Bonamassa.
http://www.jbonamassa.com/
If you like Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughn then you need to check this young man out. I had an ITunes card I had not used yet from my Speedy Rewards so I immediately went and down loaded his cd from the Royal Albert Hall. I will be jamming for a few days!

Now back to Geraldine. She is now one of my favorite authors.

I chose People of the Book for my Book Club last year. I knew it would give us lots to discuss. I enjoyed her style of writing so when I found March in my local used book store I decided to give it a try. Well, I was not disappointed.

Back to the used book store to see what else she might have of Geraldine's and I got The Year of Wonders. I just love the style with which she gives her characters a voice. Her style is easy to read and she includes facts that gives you the desire to find out more. I do enjoy historical fiction so these 3 books satisfy my desire to learn about things in the past while enjoying a story to go along with it.

Another artist I have just found in the folksy type genre is Peter Bradley Adams. I found him on facebook on a pop up! Take a listen to I Can Not Settle Down.
http://www.peterbradleyadams.com/

I really like Patty Griffen her lyrics give me lots to think about as I listen to her beautiful songs.

http://www.pattygriffin.com/
I suggest you listen to Heavenly Day, Up to the Mountain.

One more artist is Dar Williams. Again awesome lyrics. If you have a child leaving the nest I definitely love The One Who Knows. I put these lyrics on my daughters graduation announcement. Tear jerker!
http://www.darwilliams.com/

I hope I have given you some things to look into this week and I hope you enjoy! I am just about healed up. Feeling much better so I will be spending a lot of time editing my portraits from the last week now that I can sit at the computer again. I did a couple of really fun sessions last week. I may have to force you to look at some of my images!

Pain is not for whimps!

2010-07-24T13:16:00.004-05:00

Oh to be able to sit like this and relax.

Instead, I have to lay flat or stand.

I now understand why a beloved pet can snap at us when in pain. I have a very bad disposition at this moment and I just want to gnaw my legs off!

I have had a painful week and have not felt like updating. Plus, it is difficult to type in a horizontal position. I am on the mend and hope for a better week after a rest in bed today and Sunday.

So for today I'll just wish Alphonse Mucha a Happy Birthday and share some of his wonderful art work he graced us with.

Hello! Is Anybody Home?

2010-07-10T20:28:00.006-05:00

Where has she been? You are all wondering.

Well, at least I hope someone out there has been wondering about me.

No, I did not get stuck in Wonderland but I got lost in craft land.

Look at this mess! My dinning room exploded. Well, it didn't explode but my craft supplies did.

I had a big show to participate in with my local Etsy, Handmade Dayton team.

We participated in the Springfield Antique Extravaganza, in Ohio.

I have been spending every waking minute when not working in my portrait studio, making things. Here are a few of those items.

I really hated this book so I decided to give it a useful life. No one else would want to read it. Great for holding notes, bills, photos.

New selection of my Bitty Sentiments.

Some pendants I decided to venture into. They were fun to make!

Then there are my lovelies!

I spent the entire 4th weekend sewing these pillows and bags made from a cutter quilt I have been hanging on to for 2 years. I went to JoAnn Fabrics to find fabric for the backs and ruffles expecting to choose old fashioned prints, but these retro prints just kept calling to me. Don't you think they look great?

Then I made the decision to use my Mom's vintage buttons. Why should I horde her buttons. She is not in the buttons. I decided to let other people enjoy them and give them a new life just like the old quilt.

I had so much fun playing with supplies I have been collecting for years.

Here are all the pillows I could get done before the show.

I decided I wanted to make a messenger bag. I just made this whole thing up. Used an old tablecloth to back it.

I made 2 different bags.

Cute little paper roses made from old books.

And here is the display at the show.

I wish I could say it was a smashing success but, we have not had as profitable a weekend as we all had hoped. We still have tomorrow but Sunday is traditionally slow at this show. I will be posting some of this in my Etsy shop and trying some in a local shop. I guess I better not quit my day job.

The Eccentric Tea Party. It's finally here!

2010-06-25T19:59:00.008-05:00

What a beautiful evening for a tea party!

When I read about A Fanciful Twist's Mad Hatter Tea Party 2010 http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/

I knew I just had to join in the fun with all the other bloggers.

I have a little wonderland in my backyard where I have a little bristo table with a chandelier along with my wonderful swing. I spend many hours escaping life's stresses here in my wonderland.

We all need a bit of fantasy in our lives, don't you think?

Oh! I am so excited to bring you along. Well, come on lets go through here...

Oh My! here is the doorknob...

And the key! OH, look at the cobwebs, I haven't been here for a while.

Look! look over there. Here we are!

Oh, what a lovely setting. Everything is waiting for us. And it is so pretty.

Look at the table cloth. and the chandelier!
Oh the cups are so cute, and the napkins. Ummm, look at the truffles!

Oh Dear, Here I go again, forgetting my manners. Just rambling on and on. Oh, Well, ah, my, here, have a seat won't you.

Look at the lovely cupcakes baked by http://theunseasonedchef.blogspot.com/

they look so delicious! She is so talented. ;)

Oh Dear! What time is it?

Is anyone else coming?

I wonder?

I hope they are not late!

OK Mr. Rabbit, we will have a cupcake and cookies.

Why must you always be in such a hurry?

Well..... there is that Cheshire Cat. He is such a nuisance. Does he look funny to you?

That cookie did have a different flavor. Oh My...

Here, lets have a spot of tea. Tea always makes everything better!

Have another cup cake too. UMMM

The Mad Hatter is hiding but I see his bike.

Oh, there he is. He is sulking because he couldn't find his good top hat, but I like this one with his skin tone. Don't you agree?

"Sigh" I am getting rather tired. I think I will lie down on the swing and take a nap, then I will finish my book about Mr. Lewis Carroll. He is such an interesting man with such silly stories. I just don't know where he gets them.

Good night all, I hope you enjoyed yourselves. Remember to visit all the other parties. Maybe I'll see you there!

Happy Fathers Day!

2010-06-20T13:16:00.003-05:00

My Dad has been gone for many years now so this is not a day that has a lot of meaning for me. It's more about my girls and their Dad. My oldest daughter, who is away at college posted this for her Dad. I thought it was wonderful so I'm posting the link so you can see it too! She nailed her Dad and as he was reading it this afternoon, he go choked up! Hope you like it. This is way better than Hallmark! Just saying :)

http://lizzziekate.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-daddy.html

A Few of My Favorite Things (today)

2010-06-16T20:43:00.004-05:00

Yum!

The black raspberries are ripening faster than I can pick them. I had a wonderful bowl with some ice cream and a scone my daughter baked for me. What a refreshing treat on a warm night.
To make it even more special, I used one of my antique spoons.

Ummm, Doesn't it look wonderful?

It was late by the time I could photograph them so there wasn't much window light and the flash washed the color out so the images could have been better but I didn't want to wait till the next day. Actually I should have because my Chef is baking a cobbler as I post this so I will probably post another shot later but maybe not.

My next favorite thing is a very cute pair or MaryJanes I found yesterday.

I have always loved this style. Very cute with certain outfits. These are quite comfortable.

Sorry about the brightness of my legs. I should have warned you to put your sunglasses on!

And my 3rd favorite thing today is...

This book. I have owned it for awhile and decided it was time to read it. I was sucked in the first 2 pages! I'm only on chapter 3 so I may be speaking to early but I'm liking it, today!

Hope you have a great rest of your week and find at least 3 things you love each day.

Summers Pleasures

2010-06-06T08:33:00.004-05:00

While standing in line to get my ice cream, my friend spied this little guy sitting on a dairy crate eating a very large ice cream cone.

It was so precious.

He did not notice anything going on around him. Not even the 3 of us staring at him. And then the best thing ever happened and I captured it!

Is this just not the greatest shot?

"I doubt whether the world holds for anyone a more soul-stirring surprise than the first adventure with ice cream."
Heywood Campbell Brown (1888-1939)

Look at the band-aid

Look at his tongue

Total concentration

What a cutie

I Love this little guy!

Summers Coming!

And The Winner Is.....

2010-05-30T19:06:00.002-05:00

Wow, what a fun time I have had visiting so many new friends! I found so many fun new blogs!This was my 1st give away and I was overwhelmed by the response. I did it the old fashioned way. Filling out the names on a square of paper for each chance. Look at all the names!

I stirred them up outside of the basket then stirred them again in the basket. I am glad I did it this way. It added to the fun for me. I was so nervious. I was the only one here so I had to pick the name. And The Winner Is Karena from http://artbykarena.blogspot.com Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who became a follower I hope you stop by often and leave me a comment! Have a great Memorial Day.

Give Away Update

2010-05-28T21:23:00.002-05:00

I will be very busy Saturday and Sunday photographing a very large soccer tournamen, so...
I won't get to draw my name until I get home Sunday evening after 9:00pm. I would love to tell you that I am so dedicated to all of my blog fans that I will come right home and make my announcement.

But

I will be photographing from 7 am to 7 pm and the temps will be near 90 degrees. I just have a feeling I will be exhausted.
I shoot Monday again at 7:00 am so my plan is to announce my winner Monday as soon as I get done with my teams.

Don't you just love suspence and drama?

Until then have a great holiday weekend!

Fetching Fannies

2010-05-21T20:51:00.003-05:00

Warning!!!

I don't want to offend anyone

Please don't be mad if you don't appreciate the image to follow. (Nakedness in art)

While enjoying a beautiful day browsing the Springfield Antique Extravaganza with my BFF, I came upon this fantastic print!I began to laugh, then I stopped to appreciate it and laughed some more.

It made me feel so good about myself. I wanted so much to purchase it and put it in my bath room.

Ladies, someone, somewhere, someplace in time a man appreciated a more full figure! Being 50 isn't bad. I love how I feel about where I am in life now and I am having lots of fun so what if my body looks just like this naked. Someone, somewhere, some place in time thought I was beautiful and painted me!

Antique Extravaganza!

2010-05-16T14:29:00.006-05:00

This Weekend is the spring Antique Extravaganza in Springfield, Ohio. My friend and I have been going to this antique show for the last 10 years at least. We also go to the one they hold in September. This has been the best spring one weather wise in a long time. Warm temps and lots of sunshine! Usually it's cold and wet. Do you need a rooster in your front yard?

How about this cute metal chair planter?

Personally I like this skinny church.
We did pass some cozy looking chenille bed jackets that I thought I might pick up for chilly evenings when I sit in bed perusing my favorite blogs. But then we passed this lovely jacket and thought it might be a bit more stylish!

It had a cape like styling and it fix perfectly! It would surly keep my shoulders warm. The vendor had me try it on and my friend Becky had me put on her sunglasses for effect.

What do you think?

Um, I'm thinking not.

This next booth was my favorite! I loved all of her items.
Her shop is Romantique Boutique

she is located in Waterford, PA.

Love, love, love it!

Beautiful. I imaging love letters here.

She has scrumpcious laces!

Cute embellishments on a vintage photograph.

Lovely, Linens.

If you see something you like you can call Mickey at 814-590-7010

I really liked this next booth to. They are called

2 chicks & a truck

you can find them at trosel1@fuse.net
I only took 2 photos because I talked to long

but I purchased a cute little chair I'm sharing in a bit.

They did a great job styling their booth space.

Here is the stuff I brought home. 2 linen tablecloths to cover the sofa cushions. Cooper would ruin my sofa because he messes these up often enough. 3 doilies. ( forgot to put one in this photo. It's on my mantle already) My cute little chair and a pin cushion.

The little blue and white doily fit perfect under my Meakin salt cellar.

Here is everything added to my mantle vignette.

I love my little chair. It has all the colors of everything I have displayed here!

I get to be in the July extravaganza with my handmade Etsy group. I will be busy making new stuff to sell until then. I'm very excited. Don't forget to check out the Cottage Charm Give away!

http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/05/4th-annual-cottage-charm-giveaway-event.html
Check out all the other blogs participating here.