I'm Back with Some More Thoughts

I've been taking some time off to prioritize some things in my life, but I'm sure you've heard this before from other bloggers. Well, it is absolutely true. I've had other things pressing on my mind for a while and decided to just stay off blogging for several days to get things set straight in my mind. I suspect we all do it once in a while. All bloggers I mean. ;-)

I've been doing a lot of reading as that is probably my first passion. Then a friend of mine has been gently pressuring me to do more genealogy than I have done. I've also learned how to bake a loaf of edible bread; however, it's crumbly. Though not very pretty, it is still delicious. So I know now that I can bake it if necessary.

I've also decided to do an exercise routine and walk several times a week to get out of the house. I'm now understanding why older people want to stay in most of the time. I'm getting the same way. And that's mostly due to the fact that I rarely shop anymore except for food. I just don't need anything for this house and wish some of you lived close so I could give you things: pretty crafts I've made, ottomans, tables, desks, etc. I'm having separation issues and would love to know they were going to a loving house instead of Goodwill or Deseret Industries. ;-)

Also there was a break-in in our neighborhood. A young mother had returned from taking her child to school and walked in on a man in her home. That scared me so we immediately called an alarm company and had a burglar alarm installed within 2 days. We had one when we lived in California because we were robbed twice, but the 2nd time we walked in on the 2 men and they attacked us. I don't take chances anymore. Crime is coming even to smaller towns. I prefer a neighborhood because I can scream or phone and get help quicker than living out on acreage. If I'm in the house the system is armed. I'm taking no chances anymore. Plus after living through 2 burglaries I'm as security conscious as anyone can get. Times are changing dramatically and quickly in the world.

This is meant to be a scary post, just an alert to be aware. So now I'll show you some eye candy to make it worth your while visiting with me.

While I've posted these old shoes I couldn't throw out before, I thought some of you may have not seen them so here they are again. I redid them with Mod Podge and paper, lace, paper roses, pearls, feathers, birds and buttons. They now adorn my faux fireplace in our family room.

This lovely little pitcher sits on an old drawer I found and shabbied up with decoupage and decals. I love shabby chic romantic.

The garland of dyed coffee filters I have over the archway into our family room. I took them down and put up a bunting I made. Now I'm not sure where I'm going to hang them or whether I should just make some coffee filter roses and give them away. Hmmmmm......

~*~

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Cupcake Flops

Have you ever heard of cupcake flops? Well, you have now. This is a batch of faux cupcakes I made recently that I didn't get the icing recipe quite right and they sort of look like the icing was sliding down. Now, I'm going to sell these at a very low price— not ridiculously low—just a very low price for cupcakes. If you want them, let me know. All 5 of them, plus the little round red and white "plate" they are on will be $15.00 plus shipping. That's $3.00 a cupcake plus I'm throwing in the little stand with them. I've tried to show all sides and all my mistakes (Trust me, the others don't look like this but they won't be this cheap since I'm seeing one cupcake on ebay for $15.00 to $25.00!) I'm guessing shipping would be about $5.00 but I can't be sure as I don't know where they will be going. The designer cups I found and haven't seem them anywhere else so you have originals. Flops taste just as good as the regular ones anyway. ;-) (Noooo0, these are definitely not edible.) And you can tell all your friends you got this from a crazy blogger. Now, doesn't that sound enticing enough to want them? Hmmmmm?! And yummmmm!!

~*~

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Pink Saturday 8/14/2010

Welcome to Pink Saturday once again. Please visit all the participants at Beverly's How Sweet The Sound by clicking on the pink logo below:



With the request from Beverly to visit with new bloggers I've never visited with before, this past week I visited with Donna at Conghaile Cottage, Rebecca @ Shabby Pink World, Terry at My Antique Attic and Laura at Laura's Rose Garden. Go visit with them. I think you'll like their blogs.
~*~

Just browse what I've been doing lately. Making roses to sell.


My box of Sculpey and Fimo.

Aren't these cute?

Now, I'm making a flag banner and cut out an extra part from a vintage Wilendur tablecloth. So the first one who says they want it, gets it. Free. Just post here and the very first one who says they want it, gets it. My email comes in by day and time (as everyone's does) so the earlier the better. You can make a banner for your own home with this starter piece. ;-)

~*~

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My 2nd Marie Antoinette Doll

Chicks, I have to tell you: you do NOT want to miss tomorrow's Pink Saturday post. It's darling! Would this face lie to you?!?! Hmmmm?????
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My 2nd Marie Antoinette doll was just as much fun as the first, but the final outcome was different from my vision. (Could it be that I'm a frustrated "gown designer"?!) I can't say exactly why but it just is. I'm not displeased with it. But when first I started I wanted it elegant so ended up using this "out-of-print" ribbon embroidered fabric hence I just used a small amount on the bottom. It doesn't seem to "drape" as I had thought it would. I also wanted BOLD colors and decided on red.

Originally, I had this bit of faux pearl trim around the waist but it added girth to the dress form so I took it off as you'll see in other photos.

See what I mean about the waistline? It's much wider than Marie would have actually had although it looks very pretty on the form. But I wanted a tiny waist effect.

I also used ribbon for the underskirt.

See how much better it looks with the trim removed. Just a vintage seam binding ribbon and a rose.

The bottom skirt also has a feathered stitch for interest. My understanding of Marie is that she was very extravagant in her wardrobe. She would have like this.

This red fabric is one I've been waiting to use on an apron I make but decided to snip off a piece and use for the bodice. I'll be making a pretty apron out of it and other fabrics very soon.

Here she is finished. She is now displayed on my family room coffee table. Probably soon to be put on my mantel if I can find some room there. ;-)

I already have a vision for my 3rd Marie gown.
~*~

I'm also joining in with the 30 days of blessings over at this blog. Each time I post I'll state that for which I am thankful.

I'm grateful for each of my children and grandchildren. They all bring joy to me and hubby each time we visit them. They are all very good to us also. I can remember when each one of them was born and the joy we felt at being able to welcome them into our family. "Children are an heritage unto the Lord."
~*~

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Family Room Refurbishing Part 3

A few closeups of the items in the family room. This is the ladder with the finials tucked in nicely and the pink sparkly glittered starfish. I bought these little cupcakes from Shannon and just love them. I have several from different people as well as do my own, but I'd rather buy them than make them. It's much more fun to see other chick's delights! So go visit with her.

I also need faux plants as I love greenery around the house but everyone knows I can NOT grow a thing...well, maybe, mold, but plants? Nope, nada, zip. Then you'll spy a little darling bottle I got from Cathy. I don't have a passion for little decorated bottles; I have a passion for anything beautiful! Hence, the bottles. :-)
As I've said before: be adventuresome, or in come circles creative, in making pictures work for you if you're on a budget and the highly expensive picture framing industry drives you nuts like me. I use calendars, print pretty images off the internet (as long as I don't sell them, it's fine) and then hang them on my walls in old frames or use the mats to "frame" them.

This spot in the family room is not done. It's not visible from the dining area but that's no excuse for not finishing it off except I'm not sure what else I want to do with it. I have dozens of books I no longer use and am giving them to the thrift stores. Mostly decorating books. I'm keeping all my old favorites though and have put them back in the shelves but I'm thinking of pictures or knick knacks in there also. If you enlarge the photo and look on the 3rd shelf down from the top in the middle, you'll see my crayon box. Yes, I color in my books!

I have no other place for that pink chair I refinished years ago but I love it and am not selling it. I'll probably end up putting it somewhere in the living room eventually and stack books on it. It's an additional chair for holidays anyway. The baby shoes of mine on that little shelf will be changed out as soon as I figure out what will go on those tiny shelves. The bookcase houses most of Love Bunny's books and church books. The other one is for my froufrou and decorating books.

This little thermometer isn't my style but it is so cute I hate to get rid of it. Come to think of it, it really is a shabby chic style, isn't it? Anything goes with shabby and romantic!

~*~

Random Thought:

Peppercorn steak is one of my favorite meals and I make it for us a lot. But I got to thinking—again—about it being in heaven. If it's not in heaven, then I'm taking all my "Take Out" menus with me and ordering in!

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Happy Birthday to ME on Pink Saturday!

Join all the participants on Beverly's Pink Saturday. Happy Pink Saturday to each and everyone one of you.
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Today is my birthday and I've received special things to share with you. Vickie sent me these adorable cards, ephemera and a glittered pink "C" to hang in my other "C" over my bedroom dresser. She is an absolute doll who travels continuously! I swear Texas weeps when that woman leaves the state.

She even knew what kind of Wallies roses I have used in my office. Squeeeeeeeal...


I am so thankful I know this woman.


Isn't this adorable with the glitter "C"?


Then my sweet friend, Katie, sent me one of her spectacular paintings on a box on which she attached a handle because she knows I love to hang things around the house.



Then my friend, Bertie, sent me this little ceramic pot with vintage seam binding. Squeeeeealing with delight! You will want to go see her blog because she is featuring her 180+ years old farmhouse this week. It is truly spectacular to see what Bertie has done with that place. Just exquisite.
It is truly my pleasure to have known these women in my ebay group for 4 years now and some even longer. They lift me up and delight me each day with their caring and humor and stories of grandchildren and life. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I truly adore each and every one of you!
*

I've been sort of lazy the last several weeks and haven't done all I'd like to have gotten done but here is one thing I did do. I simply stuck a little print into a dollar frame I had painted and put a matte that I had painted from a hideous brown to a glorious blue and then Fun-Tac-ed it to the wall. Easy and fast. Just the way I like it!

Noooo, I have still not finished putting stuff back where it belongs because I just can't find places for it. You would NOT believe how many trips we've made to thrift stores giving things away. And there is still MORE! Anyway, some gals have emailed me asking how it was coming along so I photographed a few pictures to show you. Still haven't gotten the desired wall photo of the mantel and faux fireplace board but I'm getting there.

And lastly, this old stencilled towel I've had for about 20 years. I've used it for a painting rag but it hasn't even gotten thinner through all the years I've "cleaned" with it. Just goes to show you how long stenciling will last on a fabric. Plus the strength of that old fabric!

~*~

Random Thought:

You never want to stand between a woman who has just eaten a quarter of a watermelon and the toilet. Personal experience with Love Bunny..........

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New Faux Fireplace Screen

Hubby made this screen for me some weeks ago and since I have a "faux mantle/fireplace" I needed a faux fireplace screen, but I just now found time to decorate it. He keeps taking me to California, Seattle, the wilds of Idaho to camp (more on that soon!) and letting the relatives visit so I've been so tired and busy taking care of those things I've been neglecting the house.

So I ordered some decals on ebay, waited a week for them to arrive and put them on after our return from Seattle. Neither one of us like the decals on the faux fireplace screen so I took them off. I thought they'd be bigger than they actually were and they simply didn't work well on it. I think you'll agree it looks like a shotgun sprayed it.

Since I do much better with fabric I decided to cover it with some shabby roses barkcloth and any other pretty fabric that I had enough of without having to purchase more. (Hubby's kinda weird about all the fabric I have.) I left 2 small decals on the sides but the front I covered with fabric that I wet with liquid starch and "glued" it on with that so it can be taken off easily when I tire of it. (This has been known to happen frequently.) :-) I added some netting to the top and it looks much better than in the photo but I'm going take it off. I don't like it on there much. The fabric and roses and lace can really stand on its own merit. But I thought I'd show you what it looked like at first.

And this is how it finally looks. The picture above was taken at night and these two were taken in full daylight so I wanted to capture them accurately.

I like the final look of it. As is always the case, it looks much prettier in person.
~*~

On our trip to Washington state we saw a bunch of cows lying in pastures—all of them. I asked Love Bunny why they were all lying down and he said they must have been "party hardy animals" who were too pooped to pop. He's such a kidder.
~*~

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Faux Plants

I don't know about you chicks and certainly don't speak for most people but I love faux plants. They don't die, rarely fade out now and are easy to maintain and provide an attractive punch to a front garage. Trust me, we've tried several little color spots in these pots but to no avail. They just sat there with dirt in them trying to look unashamed but hopeful. I felt pity for them and tried to find some 3-ball elegant topiaries, even tried to steal some from Stacy (friend), but that wouldn't work as I'm too honest, and trying to find them at a reasonable price was not working either. SHE got 4 of them at WM at a closeout price of $3.00 each!!! Am I frosted or what? So I had to spend $10.00 a piece on these three "hosta" type plants for the front of the garage. But they definitely do punch up the garage/front of my home.

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