maple ridge vintage

2011-03-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

Some "JUNKIN" Goodies I found this week................

A vintage four drawer organizer...

covered in old fashioned wallpaper

(I paid $19 for this).

Along with some lace doilys (7 of them)

$2 for the bunch!

A photo of a very sweet baby~~~~~

A lone shaker~~~~~

Another little darling~~~~~

Photo of a young woman and a "peek" at

some jewelry I picked up too!!!!

Lovely bunches of lavender......

~~~Smiles~~~

Back to reality tomorrow I guess.....

Hugs,

~Chris~

2011-02-28T15:53:00.000-08:00

Hats and hair......

Here are some interesting old pictures......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This guy looks like he caught the wind sideways........

This lady looks like she took out her curlers and forgot to brush.......

I think that this is some sort of hair comb this poor lady is wearing...

but, it looks like an arrow coming straight out the top of her head.

"But, dear it's ALL the rage this year!"

I wonder how many cookie crumbs and coffee this gent

got in his moustache ???????

All I can say is WOW..........!

This hat looks like a real bad hairdo!

This poor young man must have had an awful hard time

trying to manage his hair, with no styling products or hairspray...

I think a good haircut is in order....

Hope you are having a good "hair" day....

hugs,

Chris

2011-02-20T15:09:00.000-08:00

Hid in my craft room and listened to Moody Blues all day.......

I just got tired of watching TV and listening to all the

"one sided" news about Governor Walker's new proposed bill......

The state workers don't know how good they have it....!

They think they are "entitled" to their benefits......

Be glad you have a job........

You may not have one tomorrow!

Quit your whining about giving up some of your paid vacation time

and wage increases so you can get that new car

or go to Cancun on your Spring break!

AND quit lying to your supervisors and get back in your classrooms...

Quit lying to your students and calling the Governor a "Bully"

The private sector has struggled for years.
we pay twice as much for health care....
and have had wage freezes
and many of our benefits cut.....

I, for one, support Governor Walker!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I got around to making a few things.......

Altered an old photo......

a piece of artwork called

"Once upon a time"

AND tried my hand at altering

an old bottle or two...............

The weather here in Wisconsin today (for lack of a better word)........"sucks"

ice today and snow for tonight....

sure looking forward to tomorrow morning....(NOT)

my windshield will probably be loaded with ice (arghhhhh!)

Take care everyone...

~~Chris~~

2011-02-09T13:55:00.000-08:00

I.....think.....I.......have..............

"Craft-hoard-itis"

Crafthoarditis:

to gather, purchase, store and stash all manner of items;

to stack, bag, box, jar, can, or closet these items;

to dream, touch, ponder, obsess,

and sometimes create with these items;

and.....to wonder "WHY do I have SO MANY items??????"

Ladies....does this sound like you?

Do your craft rooms, extra bedrooms, closets

and basements look like this???

are you running out of.....

OR already ran out of room?????

*****************

Some of the items we gather are beautiful...........

some...you wonder "why do I keep picking more up???"

then....there are the items you start...

but do not completely finish.....

you spend afternoons making more of these items.......

like Scented and crinkled seam binding

(sure smells yummy though)

you bid, watch, wager,

and then WIN

more items like these (below) on Ebay!!!!

(good deal though, all for around $20)

You spend whole afternoons at thrift shops

and buy MORE of these items

because they are so old and beautiful

(and the price is right hehe)

you gather more........

and more.....

your basket is FULL ALREADY Chris......

Then.......you go to flea markets

and get really super deals on things....

Oh, girls......

you spend hours looking....

and touching...

and arranging......

these things......

you see creations others have made

and think

"I can do that too"

But, I think blogging is an outlet for us with this "affliction"...

We can post pictures and tell others

about this "condition" that we have....

Because you know that someone will understand.....

And, you are not alone......

~~Hugs to all you beautiful, and creative ladies out there!!~~

Chris

2011-01-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

Just some goodies picked up at the local thrift lately.........

Dreamy cream colored fabric...........35 cents for all of this.....believe it or not.

of course more buttons............can never have too many......

old buckles picked up on E-bay awhile back.....and beautiful rhinestone brooches

and........can you believe all this fabric for 50 cents??????

Not sure what I will craft with all this.....but.......

I love shopping for vintage goodies....how about you???????

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next installment of

"Edith's Summer train trip"

Thursday, July 22, 1915

At 8:25 we arrived in Salt Lake City. We went through the depot and took a free bus to the Semalo Hotel where we got 2 rooms and a bath. We then ate our lunch and we were going to wait for our suit cases, but they did not come so we started for the temple square. Before we got there we saw a Brigham Young monument then we went to the gate and heard a man talk about the Mormon religion.

At 12:00 we went in the famous tabernacle where we saw the wonderful pipe organ and heard it.

The temple was filled, it was very beautiful. The pipe organ sounded very beautiful, in some parts of it, it sounded like someone singing. We went in the assembly hall. Then we went back home to the hotel where we found our suitcases.

We then took a streetcar and went sightseeing around the city in a street car with a guide. We saw the home of Brigham Young it was small and made of stone. We visited the great Salt Lake and saw a lot of people bathing of all ages some quite old

At the State Prison the car stopped and the people got out and the guide explained the different things. The prisoners who do great crimes have their heads shaved and wear prisoner's clothes, but the others do not. When a prisoner's time is almost up they let them go unguarded. They have their own cream house. They have enough to furnish all their milk and butter. They do not allow people to go through the prison. We also passed the sugar house district it does not have very beautiful homes.

Fort Douglas US Military reservation, it's houses are made of the material from the mountains. We got water from the mountain stream. The car stopped for people to look around

Liberty Park is very beautiful there is a road going as far as I could see.

We saw the Federal building it was the Post Office. Holy Cross hospital we saw. We saw a lot of Mormon homes. Homes of the early settlers are very small and old.

Douglas Park has very beautiful bungalows. Brigham street is beautiful. Saw his private school for his 55 children. Saw his last wife's house.

to be continued.....................

love to all my blogging friends,

~Chris~

2011-01-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

I thought some of you might be interested in this diary of a young girl named Edith Deischer from Monticello, Jones County, Iowa. I am not sure of her age at the time.

It was all written in pencil and some of the words are faded and hard to read.

I picked it up at a garage sale a couple years ago and just came across it again while I was cleaning and rearranging today. I hope you enjoy it.

Please join Edith on this Summer train excursion out west............

Note: Please keep in mind that this diary was written in 1915. There is some "terminology" used that we do not use today and it certainly is not meant to offend anyone.

"MY TRIP"

JULY 20, 1915

Tuesday 20: At 2:25 we started from Monticello for California. At Marion we stopped and mama got some things. At 6:00 we ate our supper. The porter, who was a negro, brought us a table where we could eat, but mama spilled vinegar on my silk dress. I washed my silk dress.

Near Woodward we saw a nice cottage that looked like a resort, it's children looked like specks we were so high. At Woodward there was a mammoth school building (just about sunset). In Perry there is a ball park (entered just at sunset). Very large city. We watched the porter make the births.

Wednesday 21: Aunt Anna came at 12:15. Merle and I slept together. I slept in the upper birth. When I got up, the porter helped me out. I saw the Buttes. We just passed Maxwell (not large). Saw the North Platte River, very wide (not very deep). Just stopped for 10 minutes at North Platte.

Near Sutherland we saw some sugar beet fields. Near Sutherland we saw a river with only a little water and all sand (very wide). The time has changed 1 hour since we left North Platte.

There are a lot of yellow butterflies in Paxton.

Julesburg, Colorado there is a large stone hotel and a pretty park. I saw some horse and cattle ranches. There are such little houses with only 1 or 2 houses as far as you can see (Nebraska).

At Julesburg, we saw an irrigated farm. Going through high altitude near the clouds. I saw an irrigation ditch. The pine bluffs are beautiful.

Sydney, 4102 feet above sea level.

At 2:00 we ate our dinner in the diner. It cost us $2.90. The negro porter showed us some prairie dogs. I saw 3. We saw some mountains in the distance. We are stopping at Cheyenne. There is a beautiful park and depot. There are flags all over the depot windows. We are 6210 feet high. They are having a big round up here today. We saw about half of the capitol.

We just passed through the highest elevation, 8010 ft. We went through a canyon. In the distance the mountains are seen. There are beautiful stones. One looked like a temple. Beautiful level country all for miles. Saw cattle near tracks and a cowboy. Horses running wild.

Stopped at Laramie we got off for 10 minutes. When people went to Calif. they got rest of supplies here. Got a little stove.

Near Rock River there was an irrigating ditch. I saw where they had irrigated it was about 50 feet apart. There is a great mammoth mountain that looms up in the distance.

to be continued......................

2011-01-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

"Happy New Year Everyone"

I have returned after a break for the holidays

and I hope I still have some followers left out there.....

I hope that your Christmas was a wonderful and joyous one

and that you were able to spend it with the ones you love.

I know I did......

I hope that 2011 will be a year of happiness and peace for you.....

with countless joy and happiness too.....

and may God send his angels to watch over you and strengthen you.....

Auld Lang Syne

Robert Burns 1788

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

2010-10-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

OLD VINTAGE PHOTOS

FOR YOU..............

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.............

2010-10-17T17:11:00.000-07:00

A VIEW FROM MY CRAFT ROOM......

I spent most of today organizing and cleaning. This morning I decided to clean out the closet in my mud room. Wow, was it ever a mess...I couldn't find a thing. Got rid of a couple big garbage bags full of stuff.

Then I went to my craft room. I must admit I have too many things. I started rearranging and organizing. I like boxes, but you eventually forget what is inside, even with the little label thingy on the outside.

a little treat for the eye....

Jars and jars of you name it.......

I love old books....can you tell????

I got a large bag of white buttons at our local antique store for $3........

I put them in a jar from the Goodwill.....They look pretty don't they???

Maybe now I can find my things.....

and maybe it's time for a little de-cluttering.

Take care and HUGS to all.

Chris

2010-10-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone...I am back from a short hiatus from my blog. Deliberating whether to keep it or not. Sometimes too much work trying to decide what to post. (Don't want to bore everyone).

Been doing the usual junkin....ready for the hoarding show I think.

Speaking of hoarding, I went to a garage sale yesterday....tons (literally) of tables in front of this small house. I had been by this house several times in the past. An old man lived there and he used to have junk piled on the front porch and also so much in his garage that he could not walk in it. Well, apparently this man passed away and his family was having a yard sale. One of the customers asked the lady having the sale "was your father a collector?" and she said "No, he was a hoarder, but he would never admit it." she also said that she still had about two thirds left in the house to get rid of yet........little did this poor old man know what his family was going to have to go through to clean everything up.

We are in the midst of "Indian Summer" now . Yesterday the temp. was 85 and according to the newspaper, it broke a 130 year old record. We have hundreds of bugs in our house.....beetles, hornets, flies, spiders......I am tired of trying to keep up with them, vacuuming and sweeping, spraying bug spray....I am going crazy....they swarm around you when you walk out in the yard. Shouldn't be too much longer and they will be gone (I hope) except for those darn Asian Lady Bug Beetles.....we have a soy bean field not to far up the road and when they harvest it those bugs come to our house!!! Those annoying things seem to stay around all Winter.

I downloaded and scanned the following photos for your viewing pleasure. Please enjoy!

Take care and lots of hugs to everyone.....

Chris

2010-08-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

How has everyone been? Things are fine in this neck of the woods.

The weather is supposed to cool down tonite with less humidity thank goodness!!! Labor day is fast approaching and there will be time for one last Summer Hurrah!! Hope everyone enjoys it.....

I have scanned some images for you from my ever growing collection....have fun with them.

~~Vintage Holy Cards
for your art work.~~

Here is a sweet picture of "Auntie Walker...Dear lady!"

A Lovely young lady,
such a pensive pose....

another beauty.....

These pretty sisters....
what shall their names be?

and Little Edna

Here is Mildred the school teacher

Lots of hugs and good thoughts your way.....

~Chris~

2010-08-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

Giveaway Winnings
&
Vintage Swap goodies

I recently had the opportunity to participate in the "2010 Summer Vintage Swap" hosted by Heather Fontenot of Shivaya Naturals and Vintage Swaps.

My partner was Chris W. from Growing Together. Just look at all the wonderful things she sent to me! It was lots of fun and I look forward to participating in another swap real soon....

Thanks Chris and Heather...Hugs to both of you!!

Look at what else came in the mail for me recently. Lots of giveaway lovelies from Kim C. at Im Girl. I am super excited to have won....Thanks sweet Kim.....

SO....keep visiting those blogs and comment, you will discover some really wonderful and creative women out there, and make new friends, as well as an occasional opportunity to win some really cool stuff!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I went on an antiquing expedition last weekend......look at the jewels I acquired....$1.00 each (because some are missing a clasp or stone, etc) What a deal!!!

These will work well for some cuff bracelets I am working on.

(The pretty pearl bracelet to the left was $5)

Summer is going fast my friends, although it has still been horribly hot and humid. School starts in a couple weeks and Autumn is coming (my favorite time of the year)

So, as I sit here sweating with the fan blowing on me (no air conditioner)......I leave you with good wishes and a smile!!!

~~~Chris~~~

2010-07-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone...check these links out...
Holly and Diane are celebrating the opening
of their new Etsy Store
with this wonderful giveaway!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~

(This is what they said)

"We are giving away our handmade items pictured in the photo above - a sweet stuffed pear and heart that could be used as pincushions, hand embroidered and embellished with lace, made by Diane, and a matching salmon colored wristlet made by me, fully lined with zipper that can also be worn through belt loops."

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

http://fingerlakesart.blogspot.com/

http://dianeknottsmusings.blogspot.com

Good luck everyone!!!

2010-07-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

~Sweet Thursday Greetings~

Just wanted to share some thrifted goodies with you today....
I got these at the Salvation Army Thrift Store
(I wish it were closer to me...I would be there everyday)

What I paid for some of the items below:

Silver Brush~~~ $1.50
Sunday School Hymn Book~~~ $1.00
A box of 4 pairs of old baby shoes~~~$2.69

Old lace pieces~~ 50 cents each
Old Railroad tickets~~ $5.00
(at Pappy's Antiques)
Photo of girl ~~ $1.50

Baby dress ~~$5.50
(at Pappy's)

The thrill of the hunt AND find.......Priceless.........

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some scanned photos for you....have fun with them!

XOXOXOXO

Chris

2010-07-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone...check out this awesome blog!!
URBAN FARMGIRL is celebrating
her 100th post with
this wonderful giveaway!!

CLICK HERE for details on how to enter.

2010-07-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

AWESOME!!!!!

We went camping this weekend and on Friday night
I went outside and saw this....
I ran in and got my camera
hoping to capture some of God's spectacular beauty before it was gone.

It looked as though the sky was on fire:

Look at the unusual cloud formations:

sun slowly going down.........

This is a picture was taken about 10 minutes later
as the sun continued to set.....

almost gone......

Sweet Dreams

~~xoxoxo~~

Chris

2010-07-16T07:10:00.001-07:00

"RANTS AND RAVES"

My Daughter pointed out to me today that I was behind on my blog...you are right my dear and sweet Angie.

Summer if flying by fast. It's hard to believe it's mid-July already. We haven't had any picnics at our house yet and (as my daughter also pointed out) we have not attended any baseball games.

We are getting ready to go on another camping trip this weekend. Don't have to do so much this time because it's only for 2 days. Most everything is in the camper already except for refrigerated food and the dog. I like to leave town and get away for a while....it's a break from reality!

My excuse is that work is "draining" me. I leave there and come home and do nothing..... My house is a mess...I have no desire to clean OR decorate. I just eat, watch TV, spend a little time on the computer, then go to bed.

When I am at work, I feel like I am in the middle of "Romper Room" or third grade sometimes with certain employee(s) constantly (no joke) "tattling" on others and always trying to point in the other direction to make themselves "look good". Not to mention the extreme "brown nosing" and the innocent act ("what...me?? I am a good and perfect person") AND, to boot...the management actually believes them and plays favorites. We just had two employees quit for this very reason. Why do people do this and for what purpose.... other than to make others dislike them and to make the workplace "ugly AND edgy"?????

There is too much negativity in this world to have to put up with it everyday at work too! So my advice to this person (if you may happen to be reading this, which I doubt) is shut your mouth, mind your own business and leave others be, just do your job and go home at the end of the day...if you can't manage that, then maybe it's time for you to leave so we can all have some peace.

Sheeeeesh!!!!!

I'm getting too old for this nonsense and trying to figure people out exhausts me. Does anyone else know what I am saying?

Well........enough of that rant!!

I better get myself moving here...I have a few things to do yet and it is 10:00 already.

My apologies to all my loyal readers for not keeping up with my blog. Hugs to all of you.

XOXOXO
Chris

2010-06-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone......I'm back!
I bet you were wondering if I was ever going to post again....
Well, to be honest, I was getting a little bored with my blog..
and I wasn't sure what to post about.

I'm not sure what my readers come back for......
What are you interested in?

Free Images for your artwork?

Vintage photos?

Home Decorating tips, photos, and ideas?

Craft tutorials?

Or, More about me and my life ?
(which is very "normal" and sometimes boring)

Please comment and let me know.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Photos from our Camping trip to
Pike's Peak (in Marquette, Iowa) last weekend.
(By the way, we did get a new camper and it is beautiful!)
We took our grandaughters and had a good time.

There were lots of humming bird feeders hanging from a tree.
I tried to capture some of the little buggers with my camera, they are so fast,
I was surprised I got some pretty decent shots

Here is a few pictures taken at the look out point..
You can see for miles and miles and miles and miles......

Here is my granddaughter, Kaitlynn, pretending to be
Rose from the movie "Titanic"

Two weekends ago, we went on an excursion to
"Little Norway" in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.

They had beautiful gardens there.....
I was more interested in the flowers than anything else....
I wish I had gorgeous flowers like these in my yard.
I guess that may come true when
I hire my gardener/chef/housekeeper!

Soooooooooo, I guess I have been kind of busy...
camping, retirement and anniversary parties,
8th grade graduation (congratulations Kimmy!)
The usual thrifting excursions, working, etc.etc.etc.

Warm weather months don't last too long in Wisconsin.
We have to enjoy them when we can.

Take care, and many hugs to all of you!
Chris

2010-05-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hi all you sweet bloggers....

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

Here are some free images
to use in your artwork.

If you do use these images, I would appreciate
a link back to me to share
what you created.

~Thanks~

2010-05-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Sorry, I have been neglecting my blog lately. It's amazing how time flies...and we just get that much older too!!

Not much new and exciting for me. I have been able to go to some garage sales and of course my favorite thing to do.....thrifting!!!!!

Lately, I feel like I am wasting the majority of my life working. I am looking forward to the day I can retire. I will probably be 80 at this rate (with bills and needing health insurance) but, I am sure many of you know what I mean. (and in reality, who wants an 80 year old receptionist???)

It seems as though when I have some free time, and when the weather is nice, I want to be out enjoying myself, and to me, thrifting is a hobby as well as an "addiction" (I hope I don't end up like those pitiful people on that "Hoarding" show )

A few weeks ago, I went to a little store called "Whispers and Thyme" with my sister-in-law. They had some really nice plants you don't normally see at Menard's or Kmart and so we got a few. It was a nice store, but I was a little disappointed because I thought they would have more antiques and such. They had the porch set up really cute though....here are a few pictures.

Here are some pictures of things I picked up today at the Ben Franklin antique store.....this image is from a book called "Sketches of Bible Child Life" (.50 cents)

This is an old communion dress ($9.70)

an old baby coat ($4.50)

These are a few things from the thrift shop
(blue bowl was .50 cents and picture was .75 cents)

Thanks for stopping by......take care and many hugs.....Chris.

2010-04-25T10:48:00.001-07:00

Live, from doggie central......
it's the "Marbles Show"

I move around so much, my mommy had to put me in a chair...

She kept saying funny things to make me look at her (Marbees????)
and she says sometimes I look like Albert Einstein????

Mom's camera had to be in "sports mode" just to get a picture....

I move so fast, even in "sports mode" I blur!!!

after awhile, I just got tired!!!!

Bye,
Love, Marbles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I went to an auction yesterday, here are some of the things I picked up:

I picked this picture up at the Goodwill (no frame)

~~Sweet Birdie Memories~~

I finally organized myself enough to do some crafting. This is my version of similar pieces I have seen on other sites. Love the birds and nest! I made this piece out of an old drawer I found in the dumpster after an auction. I lined it with old sheet music and altered the image of an old photo album on Paint Shop Pro. I think it turned out pretty cute.

This piece is for sale if anyone is interested. The price is $25 plus $7 shipping.

I went to a garage sale on Thursday and found some goodies. I also saw a couple of cloche's but, did not get them that day (I'm not sure why). I thought about them for a couple days and decided to go back to this particular garage sale to see if they still had them (I thought they probably were gone for sure) I walked through the door and much to my surprise......there they were...... still on the shelf where they were a couple days earlier. I guess the customers were just not interested or they just didn't realize what they were. I had been looking for some on the internet, but they were just a little too costly for me.

$7 each was just the right price.....what do you think??

Take care and Happy Sunday!
Chris

2010-04-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

~REALLY COOL CRAFT STUFF~

I found this really neat craft supply website called Save on Crafts and of course had to order a couple things. Look at the neat "real" quail eggs for $10.49!

And...they have lots of bird nests and naturals.....

Pretty linen ribbon (cheap)

Cute birds too.....

And....pretty lavender bunches,
(must be a popular item because a lot of them were out of stock)

Check them out HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also got some new books recently......

and

You can check out the selection here at Amazon.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~METEOR MADNESS~

Did you all hear about the meteor that whizzed through the Midwest? Well, it went right over our heads and landed about 20 or so miles away in Livingston. I saw the flash from the fireball come through my curtains in my bedroom and a short time later a loud "BOOM" (and lots of rumbles) when it broke the sound barrier and exploded! Whew!!!!!

Have a blessed Sunday!

~Chris~

2010-04-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday!

What a nice Spring day....I should have been outside cleaning the yard,
but I spent the day indoors cleaning and trying
to get my craft room in order.
Took me all day, but I made a huge dent in it anyway!

I went to Hobby Lobby and Michael's yesterday and found some goodies
(to add to the many, many things I already have!!)

I scanned some of the beautiful double sided paper I found for you.....

I also scanned some other images for you...
please take and use them in your artwork.

Weekends go too fast, especially when you have to work
on Saturday (part of it anyway).
Monday comes again and then you have to go back to work.
I feel like I spend most of my life there sometimes.

I am looking forward to vacation and camping this year.
We are looking at different campers again.
The one we have has had "issues"
Our problems have been something usually involving water!!
(windows leaking, broken pipes, etc.)

This year we have to have some work done on the body of the camper.
We have a motor home and the main bunk is over the cab and it is
coming apart in the corner
(probably because of the WATER.......)
I sometimes feel like we will be stuck with it for a while.

We'll see.

Take care and Happy Hugs to you!!

Chris

2010-04-03T11:40:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter to all you sweet bloggers out there.

I thought I would take a break from cleaning out my hall closet .
I got rid of 2 large black garbage bags full of stuff!!
I am kind of in a Spring cleaning mood.....
Take a look at the result....(you should have seen it before...YIKES!!)

This closet houses all my sheets, all my vintage linens, and fabric
so now maybe I can find something...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am having a bit of a problem though when it comes to my craft/office.
Take a look at this mess......

Does anyone else's craft space look like this?

HELP!

Fortunately I have a pretty large desk,
but it is covered with books and lots of other stuff...........

Any suggestions for organization???
(besides getting rid of half of everything)
Keep in mind it is a very SMALL room and I
already have 2 bookcases and a full closet in here....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I did manage to scan some old photos for you.
Aren't these children adorable??

Here are some old postcards for you too.....

These images are from some "Ideals" books...
don't you just love that old publication?

I hope everyone has a joyous Easter weekend and spends it with the ones you love.
Also, lets not forget the true meaning of this holiday...
all the bunnies and chicks and candy are nice,
but remember that Jesus died on the cross for our sins,
rose again, and promices to return again someday.

Take care and many sweet hugs,

Chris

2010-03-27T16:12:00.000-07:00

Thrifting Treasures

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a gravy boat with a cute little birdie,
the handle was cracked,
but I just loved the bird and flowers .....

an egg and nest picture, I picked up at an antique shop for $3

a couple of postcards $1 each........

a baby dress, postcards, victorian gloves ($5),
and crocheted lace,
The "Adventures in Science " book was 25 cents...

I was also trying my hand at some artwork.
Very simple, but kind of cute.
The little glass dish was 25 cents

2010-03-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

FABULOUS GIVEAWAYS FOR YOU

Sweet as a Candy is giving this away~~~click here

Dreamy Whites is offering this giveaway~~~~click here.

Bella Inspirations has this fab runner for you~~click here.

DustyLu Interiors has this giveaway~~click here.

Ticking and Toile has this generous giveaway....click here

Designing DNA has this for you.....click here

Marly&Lockyer has this for you~~~click here.

2010-03-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

~I AM Soooooo EXCITED!!

What a nice surprise.....
I came home today from a VERY hectic week at work to
find out I had won Carla's (CosmoGirls Emporium) giveaway!!!!

Take a look at what I won.....

Thanks again Carla...I am looking forward to receiving all my new goodies!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, I didn't want to forget to tell everyone that
I was also the winner of another giveaway recently...
(and I apologize for being delinquent in posting about it)

This was a very nice gift from patmcintosh.blogspot.com
that I won from the "One World One Heart" event....
Look at these wonderful hand made cards and envelopes......
Thanks Pat, and I am truly sorry I didn't post about it sooner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I went thrifting/antiquing recently....(watch out girls!)
and wanted to share some of the goodies I found with you..........

A week ago I saw this dress at our local thrift...it was for sale through the "Silent Auction" or could be purchased for $10. Not a bad price I thought, but decided not to get it that day. A few days later I went back to the thrift shop...and one of the employees suddenly took the dress and went to the back of the store with it. I watched her as she whisked it back to the tables where they sort and priced things. As I was getting my check ok'd, I asked another employee what they were doing with the dress and did someone buy it? (sad face) She said "no, they are putting it out on the floor for sale"...I asked "how much?" and she said $5.
I said "I will take it."
Love it..... don't you?.....reminds me of Prom 1959

Here are a few more goodies....(just a small sampling of what I got)
the little shoes were $2
the little doll dress $1.50
the picture $2
and bowl from the GW, $1.99

eggs and filler were a little more........
but, I love them anyway!

I will share more with you later.....

As the little tag says...... "Spring Blessings"

Hugs, Chris

2010-03-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

~Giveaway (Oh, my!) Goodness~

Sissie's Shabby Cottage is having a beautiful giveaway....
CLICK HERE for all the details!!

CosmoGirl's Emporium is celebrating 100 posts!!
CLICK HERE for a chance to win these goodies!!

Happy Hugs...Chris

2010-03-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

The Brocantess 100th post giveaway!
{CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS}

2010-03-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Some pretty pictures for you from Country Living

2010-03-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

Free images for you.................

May you have:
A world of wishes at your command
God and his angels close at hand
Friends and family their love impart,
And Irish blessings in you heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A sweet giveaway from Michelle Palmer
CLICK HERE to enter.........

Hugs.....Chris

2010-03-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

Robin's Egg Blues is having a celebration...
and a giveaway....
to learn more CLICK HERE!!!

2010-03-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

Spun by Me is having a giveaway...Click here for details!

2010-03-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

Itsura's first giveaway...click here for the sweet details!

Pearls and Poodles giveaway...click here!

Maitai jewelry sweet giveaway...click HERE!!

Jacque's sweet blog candy...click HERE...

French Larkspur is having a giveaway...
click HERE for details!

Gypsy Brocante is having a giveaway...
click HERE for details!

Common Ground is having a giveaway...
click HERE for details!!!

2010-02-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

NOTE: I am having some problems posting comments to other blogs today.

My answers in response to some of your questions......Yes, I would be willing to loan out my Uncle Harold (if he lived near here, but he is a "snow bird") he really is fun to take treasure hunting, he gets right in there (even with his arthritis). The best thing I ever found on the curb was an antique maple bed with a carved headboard, and a few enamel top tables among other treasures. We also found some brand new, still in the box, ceiling tile once and we used it in our living room at our old house in town.

Another note that may cheer you is Spring is just around the corner. Today was sunny and in the 30's....time to get out the shorts!

Thanks for all your lovely comments!

2010-02-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be nice to go back in time to a much simpler place.... where the sun was shining all the time... the flowers bloomed.... and you could just play all day with your friends?

Let these drawings take you there........

Scanned from my collection just for you........

XOXOXO~~~~~Chris

2010-02-27T17:20:00.000-08:00

My life has always been full of "thrifting adventures" As a child my mother and I would go the the church rummage sale and I would make a "bee line" to the jewelry table....Wow! lots of glittering jewels, rhinestones (which I thought were diamonds!) and pearls (wish I had some of those items now...) old hats, gloves, shoes, and dolls. I loved it all. Of course, we didn't have a lot of money, so I usually got 50 cents to a dollar to spend if I was lucky.

Now zoom 40+ years into the future...Mike and I (and sometimes my uncle Harold...he's a hoot!) would go garage sailing and "curb shopping, or dumpster diving" (whatever you want to call it and which I still like to do occasionally) This was usually after someone moved out, or in Spring or Fall when our town has "unlimited" pickup (we cannot put large items out every week like in larger cities). This sometimes was a hilarious experience, because we had to "scan the curb... deploy.. and snatch" whatever treasure we may have spied before the neighbors saw us. I can tell you... there were lots of laughs and many times I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard!!!

One day, after a large auction, I saw some boxes in front of the house and of course (me being nosy) I started to paw through them. I started pulling out pieces and pieces of what I though was just paper. To my surprise, it was stacks of old magazine clippings from the 1920's. Even back then I loved "old paper"

I have scanned some of the images for you...and there are many more to come at a later date. I hope you enjoy them.............

Recently on one of my trips to the "Thrift Shop", I picked up some old sheet music...these were 15 cents apiece....I love the graphics don't you?

Thanks for listening to me ramble on. And as always... in case I don't see ya.... "good morning, good afternoon and good night!" xoxoxoxox Chris

2010-02-26T18:36:00.000-08:00

Yaya Chique is having a fabulous giveaway...
CLICK HERE to comment and enter to win lots of goodies!!!
Only a few days left.......

2010-02-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

Sweet Giveaway winnings from OWOH!!!

Look at all the goodies I received from Kristin at Twinkle Twinkle recently. When she notified me that I had won, you can imagine I was VERY pleasantly surprised....I had been lucky enough to be picked from over 500 entries!!!!!

Just look at all the lovelies! Fabric, glitter, a rubber stamp, pages from a French book, scrapbooking items, antiqued tags, Swarovski crystals, beads, a little bird and butterfly!!!

She even included a French postcard from her own collection....
isn't she beautiful???

Thanks again Kristin.....everything is beautiful...now I will just have to sit down and create something with all these goodies!!

Yesterday I was playing with my camera, a Canon Powershot SX20IS digital (which was an awesome birthday present to myself I must say..."happy birthday to me") , and decided to take some random shots of things around my house....I really have to sit down and read the manual because I am sure I can do some really cool things with this camera.

This was a closeup of one of the pictures I have hanging in my living room.

This is one that hangs in my dining room...I changed it a bit in Paint Shop Pro.

These are just a few random shots of my vast dish collection....
many of which I picked up at the GW or local Thrift.
(PS: the little blue bird was from another giveaway I won a few months back)

I am a self confessed "dish-a-holic"....I can't pass up these old beauties...

Well, time to go, I have to babysit the grandkids. Take care and lots of hugs! Chris

2010-02-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

The "One World One Heart" event is over for 2010....

it certainly was a whirlwind of blog hopping and comment leaving for me...I hardly had enough time to do anything else....
I wasn't able to visit everyone, but enjoyed all the blogs I was able to visit.
I also want to thank everyone who came to visit me and left
such wonderful comments and who also became new followers.....
I hope we can stay in touch......

So without further a-do........

THE WINNER OF MY GIVEAWAY IS.........

"CRAFTY MOOSE CRAFTS"

(YAY!!!!!!........cheers, whistles, and claps!!!!)

I have already sent you an email and will be sending your
goodies out within the next couple days.

Thanks again everyone!!!!!!

2010-02-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

I am a hopeless romantic and I love Valentine's Day....
My husband surprises me sometimes....
this year he got me red roses and candy,
and we also went out for a nice dinner last night..
I was not expecting that at all....
but it was very nice indeed...

"One World One Heart" is also swiftly coming to an end for this year.
Make sure to get your final comments in...
I will be choosing a winner in a few hours and will post who that winner is tomorrow....

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!!

I am also leaving you with some
Valentine's Day Candy (for the eye)

please enjoy................

**********************************

Sing Me A Song of Love

by Viola Jacobson Berg

Sing me a song of a golden sky,
Of stars and comets blazing by,
Sing me a song with a dream and a sigh;
Sing me a song of love.

Sing me a song of daffodils,
Of nesting birds and peaceful hills,
Of waking spring when nature thrills;
Sing me a song of love.

Sing me a song of joys and tears,
Where happy notes drown out the fears
And the melody lasts a million years;
Sing me a song of love.

"There are Dreams we must gather"

The beauty of our youth has long since gone,
Though our love remains forever strong.
We've had our trials down through the years,
We've had our fun and shed our tears.
We may have slowed a step or two,
But just give up we'll never do.
With gnarled and twisted fingers clasped,
We'll savor our friendship to the last.

(Eugene Mendini, Waukesha, WI)

My Valentine I pray
That thou wilt be,
Not for a day,
But for eternity.

I love thee to the level
of every day's most quiet need,
by sun and candlelight.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Time flies, suns rise,
and the shadows fall.
Let time go by.
Love is forever over all.......

Me and my Valentine........

Endless Love

Harold F. Mohn

I cannot stop the hands of time Much as I'd like to do,
But neither can I stop the love Within my heart for you...

I cannot stop the rolling waves As they beat upon the shore,
But neither can I stop the love That lives forever more...

I cannot change what lies ahead, Though good or bad it be,
But neither can I change my love Thant lives eternally....

I would not change a single thing Since the day I met you,
Because the love within my heart Grows more each day anew....

***************************
Lots of Valentine Hugs for you....Chris

2010-01-31T15:05:00.000-08:00

After a week long deliberation, I have finally decided to participate in
One World One Heart this year (better late than never right???).
Please join me on this wonderful, fabulous, AND fun Magic Carpet Ride!!!!!

Please click the picture below for all the details and how you can participate.

As I was trying to decide what I would give away, The answer was easy, I have tons of scrapbooking items just laying around, most are new and still in the package.

The rules are easy:

1. You must leave a comment on THIS post to win.

2. I will be choosing a winner by Random Number Generator on
February 14th after 12:00 A.M. CST
(comments posted after this time will not be included, sorry)

3. You must have a blog to participate, since this is a blog event.

4. Please be sure to leave an email address or a link back to your blog so I can contact you if you win.

5. INTERNATIONAL COMMENTS ARE WELCOME. I WILL SHIP TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

Bonus: if you are a follower
or become
a new follower
and your name is drawn,
I will include an extra surprise.

Also, If I reach 200 comments, I will be giving away another item to a Second Winner.
(I will be posting this item when and if I reach 200 comments)
Most likely this item will be Vintage!!!

The winner will receive the following:

"StoryTeller Photo Book Creator"
This comes with everything you need to create a digital hardbound photo book,
including the software.
Note: This is new and unused. (packaging has been opened)

AND.............

You will also receive the following
scrapbooking items:

A brand new, still in the package scrapbook album (12x12)
HUNDREDS of die cuts, many new and still in unopened packages.
stickers
"Scrapbooking Made Easy" idea book
I will also include lots of "extras" that are not in photo.

Good luck to everyone. And happy blogging........Chris

2010-01-24T15:47:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Candy Giveaway
at
Bailiwick Studio

Winner will be drawn February 1st!!!

Goodluck everyone....

I LoVe GiVeAwAys!!!!!!!!

2010-01-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone....I'm back again after a short absence.....I have the afternoon off, so I thought I would update my blog. The weather has been "unwelcoming and unwanted" so to speak....3 days of fog and overcast with clouds, damp and chilly, and ice and sleet today.....brrrrr.

The only good thing was the trees and landscape were frosted and sparkly. It looked like God had taken some powdered sugar and sprinkled it all over everything. The frost was unusual and looked like long little spikes. Here are some pictures I managed to take:

These were all taken in my yard:

My poor little angel that sits on my birdbath, still holding her bunny.......
(see the unusual frost????)

Close up of the frost

beautiful frosted pine

This was taken at the back edge of our property

More pine.........

A vacant bird's nest that whispers the promise of Spring

and lastly, more pine................

~~~~~~~~~~

A few weeks ago when I was on vacation, I went to an antique shop in a neighboring small town. I found a few treasures that day including a 100 year old scrapbook.

It looked as though it had seen better times. The pages were stained and water damaged, but I saw the beauty and the history through it all....I know call me silly..... but I think many of you know exactly what I mean........

The photos are haunting.... faded and precious memories of times past..... items that were important and beautiful to a twelve year old girl who's name remains unknown............

Read the following...............

I managed to scan some of the images in this scrapbook for you...it was very difficult trying to get some of them off the pages as they were glued down with some sort of "cement". I finally gave up trying to pry them off the paper because I did not want to damage them any further than what they already were............

There were lots of colorful German scrap pieces........this one I cleaned up a bit in Paint Shop Pro.

The following is just a small assortment of the vast array of images in the old scrapbook.........

I hope you enjoyed all these images. Feel free to use them however you want
since they are over 100 years old......

~~~~~~~~~~

Lastly, I will leave you with an image of some "Destiny Cards" I picked up at the thrift shop. The box said they were made in Australia. You are supposed to picture a problem or ask a question then pick a card for the answer......

hmmm...how wonderful life would be if it were just that easy.

I think my advise to you would be not to rely on
"Destiny Cards" for the answer....
just look to our Heavenly Father for that....take care and God Bless.......

~Chris~

2010-01-11T18:18:00.000-08:00

~~~~~~More fabulous giveaways~~~~~

Den Lille Lade is giving away this beautiful angel doll...
be sure to visit her blog to comment and win............

Visit Thrifted Treasure to comment and win a copy of Flea Market Style. This is in celebration of the blog being one year old.....congratulations!!!!!

and last, but certainly NOT least visit Molly B's to comment and win
one of these beautiful pillows.......

so many creative women....WOW!!!

2010-01-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to Everyone!

My wish for you is that this new year brings you joy,
peace, and good health for you and your loved ones.
Remember to take time for the little things in life.....
do a "good deed" for someone....
For you may be entertaining angels unaware......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A New Years Gift for you........
please enjoy these free Victorian images.

Here's hoping for a Bright and Shiny tomorrow............
Lots of sweet bloggy hugs~~~~Chris

2009-12-30T16:32:00.000-08:00

Pink Gem Giveaway:

Be sure to visit Janet before January 18th......
she will be giving away some great items.
Great to use for all your creations!!

**********Click here to enter**********

2009-12-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

Hello all you sweet bloggers! I hope your Christmas was wonderful. We had some icy weather here which changed some plans. Some of my family were not able to make it to the festivities due to the nasty weather. I am hoping the weather holds out and that they will be able to visit over New Years.

I found it hard to get into the "spirit" of things this year for some reason. Maybe it is all the "commercialism" Everyone seems to have lost the feeling of the true meaning of "CHRISTmas"

I didn't put up a big tree this year, only a couple small ones... I didn't get all the things done that I wanted to..... I had started on some ornaments and just didn't get around to finishing them.....maybe I will finish them for next year. I put off shopping and wrapping until the last minute......That's how my Christmas went this year. Bad weather even prevented us from going to Christmas Eve services at our church.

Well, one good thing is that I am on vacation all next week. I am hoping to get a few things organized in my office/craft room. Even if I wanted to create something, it would take me all afternoon to find everything I need. My room is very small and I do not have storage space, so everything gets jammed into a small closet with shelves that my husband built for me. Maybe that means that I should start weeding out. (that would be difficult for me to do)....maybe Mike is right, and I am a Pack Rat and a hoarder (but, so is he for that matter).

How do you like my new background and header? I felt it was time for a change again and I cleaned it up a bit. (kind of like rearranging furniture).........

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some recent photography by my son
Brandon Dusseau

Brandon lives in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area and is now available to take pictures for your wedding, engagement, your new baby, graduation, and all other occasions (that is after he gets back from Costa Rica in a couple weeks).........check him out and see more of his photography on Malechite.com..........

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some free images for you..............

I hope your week goes well.......Take care and sweet dreams~~~~Chris

2009-12-19T14:29:00.000-08:00

Another giveaway just in time for Christmas

"Sassafras Stuff" is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post!!
Congratulations Polly........
She will draw for a winner December 22nd.........
Click here for a chance to comment and win

2009-12-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

Yay!!! I won...........

I want to thank Carol at The Prairie Pathway for the goodies she sent to me recently....I was lucky enough to be the winner in her recent giveaway!!!!

Carol, you are very sweet and wished you lived closer so I could
give you a big HUG!!!
Thanks again!!!

Check out this giveaway at "Spun By Me"....just look at the adorable bear and cute baby picture!
Click HERE to comment and a chance to win!!!
Marie will be drawing for a winner on Sunday, December 19th.
Good luck everyone!

I just got back from an after work get together and gift exchange. We went for a drink and pizza. It is very busy this time of year. So much to do....not enough time....I'm not finished with Christmas shopping yet, I will probably have to finish this weekend on top of trying to clean, bake, and finish a little more decorating (I know, I know.... you're saying "you mean she's not done decorating yet?") We are having house guests again next week. I always look forward to those weekends!! I love spending time with my family. Being lazy, sitting around in our pajamas, drinking coffee and talking and laughing. Then I'm on vacation for 11 days.....Whoo Hooo!!! I hope your holidays are lovely...stop, relax and have some fun...those days will fly by before you know it. Until next time, Hugs~Chris.

2009-12-13T10:22:00.000-08:00

Be still my heart....yet another giveaway for Christmas!!!!!
Rose Petals and Rust is giving away some beautiful pinks....She will draw for a winner on Wednesday, December 16th...
hurry..... hurry..... hurry!!!

CLICK HERE TO COMMENT AND WIN!!!!!

This Giveaway is closed...congratulations to the winner!!

Happy Bloggy-days!!!

J. Nichelle Holiday is giving away these two beautiful shabby ornaments just in time for Christmas..Hurry though, you only have a couple more days to enter.
Deadline for entries is Tuesday December 15th...
she will draw for a winner Wednesday, December 16th

CLICK HERE TO VISIT AND COMMENT TO WIN!!!!!

This giveaway is closed....Congratulations to the winner!!

Bloggy Blog Designz is having ANOTHER Holiday Giveaway!!! Last week every entrant won something, so they decided to do it all over again! They are giving away blog designs and all kinds of goodies. Plus ALL entrants will receive 20%off their purchase through the end of the year! Be sure to check out their website for more information, or to enter yourself. Take a look at their portfolio and packages to see what you want for Christmas ;) With 6 giveaways this week, who knows whats in store for next week?

The first 5 entrants will receive a $10 giftcard. The giveaway will close on Dec. 13th, so be sure to have your posts done and comments left by midnight! Good Luck to everyone! We are so excited. Merry (early) Christmas!

(Our Design List is open after January 1. Discounts from this giveaway do not apply to designz in progress)

***********************************************************

Be sure to also check out the following blogs. They are have wonderful giveaways too..... Links to these Blogs are posted on my sidebar...Good luck to everyone!!!!!

French Lique

This giveaway is over....Congratulations to the winner!!!!!!

Theresa's Treasures

This giveaway is closed...congratulations to the winner!!

2009-12-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

HELLO..ALL YOU HAPPY LITTLE BLOGGERS!

Shame on me!!! I have been away for a few weeks, I think that sometimes you have to just take a little break, and re-group your thoughts, and I was beginning to wonder if my blog was peaking interest or not.

I hope that everyone's Thanksgiving was wonderful and that you all got to spend some time with your loved ones. Christmas time is almost here again... Is anyone ready yet???? I went shopping yesterday and barely made a dent in my shopping list. I have 9 grandkids to buy for ranging in age from 5-16 and second guess my gift choices. (I know that doesn't happen to anyone does it?)

We are expecting a large snow storm tomorrow and into Wednesday, maybe blizzzard warnings tomorrow night, 4 foot drifts are expected, 40MPH winds.....Thank God I don't have to work on Wednesday. I am going to try and get a few things done around this old house. I haven't even gotten my Christmas tree out yet. I have to go to the attic to do that....and I HATE my attic. There have been little critters living up there....yeeeeek!! I also have to go up pretty steep steps, so getting anything down OR putting anything up there is a two man operation and then my back HURTS from all the lifting. Maybe I'll get my grandsons here to help.

As I was looking around and checking out my fave blogs, I discovered that Dawn at the Feathered Nest was having a giveaway to celebrate her 1200th post.... how awesome is that??? Just check out what she is giving away.....visit her blog for all the details.

A French themed journal......

and..................

A sweet nest baby in a jar............

JOY**LOVE**SNOWFLAKES**FROSTY**MISTLETOE**NOEL

Here is a couple little craft ideas from Country Living magazine....I love that magazine!!!!

Look at this cute bell wreath........

You'll need about 100 mini jingle bells to make this wreath. Cut the hook off of a wire clothes hanger and use pliers to shape remaining wire into a circular base for the wreath. Tape ends together with duct tape. Wind one end of a 6-foot-long piece of craft wire around the base a few times to secure it. Thread a bell onto the wire, and wind wire around base once to secure bell. Repeat until base is covered in bells. Wind the excess length of wire around base to conceal it.

Add embellishments such as evergreen and ornaments, and a piece of ribbon for hanging.

Snowflake Ornament.............

1. Starting from the center of a wire snowflake form (available at craft stores and sites such as fusionbeads.com), slip a long, short, and long bead onto each leg.
2. Next, twist a piece of craft wire around each leg, at the top of the long bead. Thread either end of the wire with a long and a short bead. With a glue gun, affix with a dab of hot glue.
3. Thread another short bead and long bead on each leg; repeat step 2.
4. Finish each leg with a long bead topped with a short one. Affix ends with hot glue.
5. To make a hanging ornament, twist a small loop on one of the points with craft wire and thread loop with a ribbon.
6. Then hand-stitch or use a glue gun to attach the snowflake to a basic craft store stocking.

*****************************************************

Some more beautiful images for you........

Sleep well all my bloggy friends...I promise not to be gone so long next time...
hugs~~~~~Chris

2009-11-19T14:21:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is almost here and than a very fast approach of Christmas. I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year and am having family stay for the weekend, so I will be cleaning and arranging and food shopping all weekend. I need to stay away from the computer to do that. My next post will be next week sometime, probably Monday or Tuesday since the rest of the week is pretty much shot with work and lots of holiday preparation.

I will leave you with a few images of angels and fairies courtesy of "Memories of a Lifetime" craft books. I ordered about 7 different ones from Amazon.com. Please use the link under my header to visit them sometime, they have super deals on new and used publications.

HURRY.....NOT MUCH TIME LEFT!!!!

SHARON AT MY VINTAGE STUDIO IS HAVING A FABULOUS GIVEAWAY. HURRY AND VISIT HER BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE....SHE WILL BE DRAWING FOR A WINNER TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 20TH!!! HERE IS WHAT SHE WILL BE GIVING AWAY.....YAY!!

Happy Holidays my bloggy friends~~~~~Chris

2009-11-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

ANOTHER GORGEOUS GIVEAWAY!!

The Brocantess is having a Gorgeous Giveaway.....She will be giving away THREE fabulous French items that she will be purchasing in France the first week of December....The lucky winners can also have some input on how they want their prize to look too!!

CLICK HERE FOR A CHANCE TO COMMENT AND WIN.....YAY!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can also visit Robin's Egg Blues for a chance to comment and win some of the goodies she is giving away too!!! WOW.......with so much excitement going on around here, I don't know how anyone can rest!!!

CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A FEW IMAGES FOR YOU................................

HUGS TO ALL MY SWEET BLOGGY FRIENDS~~CHRIS

2009-11-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

~~~~~~Christmas Beauty~~~~~~

....Let us all remember and reflect on what makes life truly worth living...... dance with the snowflakes..... bask in the glow of a beautiful Winter's day all dressed in white..... savor each and every moment we have with our loved ones ....Simple yet beautiful.......The following images are courtesy of Country Living.

Hugs~Chris

2009-11-12T16:24:00.000-08:00

Merci...Tracey

What a Beautiful Giveaway at French Larkspur......enter and comment for a chance to win THREE beautiful items. This is in celebration of her receiving her merchandise for her shop!! Wow, I think I may have to start shopping there....this stuff is gorgeous!!! The contest ends Sunday, November 15th at Midnight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaways..... Giveaways...Giveaways....

This is an excerpt from KC Willis' blog re: her fabulous giveaway!!!

"The Women-The Flag." 50 women for the 50 stars. Big piece too...32"x50". I (KC) will hold a drawing for this 2 weeks from tonight. November 23. Make for a nice Thanksgiving present to yourself wouldn't it?

Just help spread the word about a workshop that will change more than a few artistic lives. I guarantee it. Blog about it and link to www.marketingmindset.ning.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yay! I love giveaways!

And last, but certainly not least, be sure to visit Down Abbie's Road (The Vintage Moth) to enter and win this beautiful apron....I love the color combination. Just leave a comment and tell her what you are thankful for. She will be drawing for a winner on Sunday November 15th!!!!!

To all my blogging friends across America~~~~~~Hugs and sweet dreams~~~~Chris

2009-11-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

I am always on the lookout for vintage ephemera when I am on my weekly thrift outing. I love tattered old books, sheet music, kids books, pictures, cards, etc....etc....etc.... Here are some cute vintage cards I picked up at the thrift shop the other day...I think they were about 10 cents a piece. Please feel free to use them in your art work or card making. I think these look like they are maybe from the 40's.

On Saturday, Mike wanted to go to Shullsburg (in Wisconsin) to pick up a trailer he bought for $50 on Craigs List., and asked if I wanted to go along.
(You see..... I am a antique/collectible/thrift shop nut and he is a "Craigs List" nut!!) While I was there I had to visit a couple antique shops (of course!) and I picked up a few old photographs. They were a little bit more expensive than I would have liked, but I loved the pictures anyway....so I brought them home with me....

A beautiful young lady.....

cute little girl......

I love this picture that was made into a postcard. Look at this sweet little boy in the garden...looks like he might be waving goodbye, maybe to grandma.....

This photograph is from 1901, the back of it reads "From Elinor Hill to Carrie Apr 1901" Not sure if it is a boy or girl, as both wore dresses as small children back then....

Just look at this sweetie...she definitely had to come home with me.....

Here is a lovely group picture...late 1800's maybe. I imagine they might have been on a picnic on a warm Summer's day.......

Also. while I was in Shullsburg...I saw these two adorable Amish girls walk by. They walked over to a small park in the middle of town. There, under the gazebo, they were selling delicious home baked goodies along with their older sister. I imagined them up at the crack of dawn, heating their wood stoves, and getting the flour, eggs, milk and vanilla out of their pantry.....There were wonderful jars of homemade apple butter, creamy buttery honey, homemade breads, pies, and cookies, pumpkin rolls and apple dumplings....yum...my mouth was watering. I was just looking at all these wonderful creations, when Mike pulled up....Oh well, all I bought was the apple dumplings ($3.75 for four of them!!!!) and the pumpkin roll, still fresh and steaming up the plastic wrap.

I am fascinated with the Amish. They lead such a quiet, simple and pure life. "Many hands make light work" They sure have the right idea. We have quite a few Amish communities around here....and Mike just told me that the farm down the road from us was just sold to an Amish family.

Life in the slow lane......

Beautiful and peaceful.....

Good night and beautiful dreams....
Lots of friendly hugs~~~~~Chris

2009-11-09T18:47:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my blogging friends...It's Monday again..where does the week go? I had to work extra hours today because a co-worker went home sick...Hope I don't get what she has, she was about 2 feet away from me all morning....

I found a great blog The Zany Mayd. Please visit Cheryl and tell her what YOU are thankful for this season (and all year long for that matter). She is having a super giveaway for Thanksgiving....so be sure and post a comment for a chance to WIN!!!!

Here are some of the goodies she is giving away!!!!

Good Night...more posts tomorrow when I have some extra time (Time??? what is that??) Take care...lots of friendly hugs to all of you~~~~~Chris

2009-11-03T18:11:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday I went to an auction and picked up quite a few goodies. Lots of things were going for $1!!! That's what gets me excited (don't take much anymore...ha ha).
I wish I would have known about the auction earlier as
I would have gone there right after work.....
I probably missed out on a lot of really cool things.
Furniture was going for $1.
and I got a full set of china for $7.50!!
The following is just a small portion of what I hauled home.....

Old valentines and other cards....$1 !!!!!!!

I bought a button box and
I found some of the goodies below in it.
(Look at the tiny little shoes)

Cute...Cute....Cute!!!

I got these 1906 calendar bookmarks, old silver pieces
and a really cute little nest with green stone eggs!
and look at the yellow and green necklaces......

I also got a box of vintage watches...here is just one of them...I thought this one was kind of neat. (see the old "Win with Taft" pin????)

The following pictures were in a little folder.
They were available (at no extra charge) on your "new 1948 calendar"
Aren't these babies sweet?
There are some staple holes on the side, but still quite cute anyway...

feel free to use these images however you like.

I also was lucky to get these "Birds of America" cards....I was watching for these like a hawk...since they were in a very small, teensy tiny little envelope, and, well.....YAY!!!!!
I got them and some other cool stuff for $5!!!!

enjoy these images as well

Cute little card and bookmark.....

Boy with dog picture....

Well that's all for tonight...Have to go to bed now...work comes early in the morning.
I will try not to go a whole week again without posting... sorry :-(
I will be posting more pictures this week from the auction....(really cool stuff!!!!!!)
And I have more scanned images for you too!

Take care all my blogging friends!

Hugs~Chris

2009-10-27T17:04:00.000-07:00

VINTAGE GOODNESS.......

I thought I would share some pictures of goodies I found at thrift shops lately with you. Some of these items will be for sale as soon as I can post them. Here are some beautiful vintage slips I found on Sunday.....

I LOVE and am addicted to Jewelry, ANY jewelry, whether it be store bought (on clearance of course), vintage or handmade.....Here is just a very small sampling of some vintage items I picked up recently....

I have also been trying to organize my craft/office/storage space with some success. I need a clear slate for a clear mind so I can try and create something with all my vintage lovelies....

This is a really cute crocheted baby dress I found at the Goodwill yesterday. I practically snatched it out from under another woman's nose (ha ha!!)

Here is a basket of some goodies I found at the Goodwill in the last couple days. The bolt of fabric was only 99 cents!! I am not sure what I'm going to make with that yet. The silver tray was 75 cents and the floral hat was 50 cents!!! I love bargains like that!!

Here's hoping your tomorrow is a grand one....Hugs~Chris

2009-10-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

I have been spending a lot of my free time lately creating my new web-store that I will be sharing with you soon. I also hope to get my Etsy store started in the near future as well. It's not a quick thing.....you know.....posing items.....take the pictures....upload the pictures....resize the pictures....download the pictures.....yada yada yada!!!! Be sure to check back often, because when both stores are active, I will be sharing a special surprize with you. I hope you will take this trip with me...I think it will be fun!!

I want to share a few new photos with you tonight. This beautiful picture was taken by my son, Brandon.

Here are some new photos of my grandkids....This one is from this past weekend. They had "Trick or Treat on Main"....I don't know who can be"Goofier" Goofy or the kids.

Here is a group picture of my grandkids! Now these are the kids I know.

Last but not least...here is our baby, Marbles.......

Take care and hoping that your tomorrow is a good one.......Hugs~Chris

2009-10-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

MORE GREAT GIVEAWAYS!!!

Stop by and visit Anne at Fiona and Twig. She
is giving away a $25 gift certificate to Anthropologie.............

and.......... a wonderful book "The Find" by Stan Williams

And....Cindy from Sweet Bead Studio is having a sweet giveaway too...
just look at all these goodies:

In celebration of her anniversary, Jill at
Garden Antqs Vintage
is having a giveaway of her choice. Be sure to stop by and comment.

2009-10-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone..... make sure to stop by Lynns Lovelies she has a really cool giveaway celebrating her 100th post. Just look at all these beautiful handcrafted lovelies.....

2009-10-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Some Beautiful illustrations for you
by Kate Greenaway

2009-10-22T17:19:00.001-07:00

Some Autumn memories on a very rainy day in Wisconsin.....

More scenes from my backyard

Last September we took Kimmy and Katie (our granddaughters)
camping with us.
We had lots of fun celebrating Halloween that weekend.
We intended on going again this year, put Papa got sick and we couldn't go.
We had some very disappointed kids.

Here is a picture of all the kids at the campground on a hay ride.

This is a picture of our grand kids from a few years ago....They all have very different personalities, as you can see by their costumes.

YouTube - Forever Autumn - Justin Hayward

2009-10-20T18:45:00.000-07:00

I have always loved the Moody Blues...check out this video:

YouTube - Forever Autumn - Justin Hayward

2009-10-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my wonderful new friends!

I was excited to come home today from work and find that
I had made lots of new friends in blogland!!!
I told my husband how excited I was, but, he just kind of looked at me like "Huh, what??"
Oh well, that's men for you, but all you girls know exactly what I mean.

I also want to send a special thanks to Dawn, at the Feathered Nest for posting a link to my blog! I am hoping this is just the jumpstart I needed.
Thank you again sweetie...you are a special inspiration to me!

I thought Tuesday would be a good day to share some more fabulous vintage images with you. I haven't had much time to do anything else....
so, please enjoy!!!

These are from "The Farmers' Manual" dated 1897

aren't these neat?

Here are some adorable vintage photographs of children....
Aren't they just too cute???

These images are from a late 1800's children's book called Chatterbox.

And one in black and white.....

Looking forward to seeing you all again! Take care and rest well my friends!

Hugs~Chris

2009-10-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday to all of you!
The weekends always go way too fast~and Monday goes way too slow!
I did get a chance to do a little shopping this past weekend.
I went to Borders to find a few new books.
I did buy "Blogging for Dummies" I'm hoping it will give me some much needed information on getting my blog moving!! I also got the latest edition of Somerset Studio and am looking forward to leafing through all the wonderful creative pages!

I also bought the Holidays and Celebrations issue~

And one more.......Somerset Life

I truly think I am now addicted to these wonderful magazines. They seem more like books with all the beautiful illustrations..... they are definitely worth the money!

Here's hoping that your tomorrow will be a good day!

Love, Chris

2009-10-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

2009-10-18T16:46:00.000-07:00