Saturday Night on the Town

Tonight me and Rachel went out with Lisa and Kyle, my sister and nephew. I could probably count on one hand, with three fingers left over, how many times we've gone out since they moved here last June. We really need to do something about that.

Late this afternoon we went to Dubois Park in Jupiter. I haven't been there in years. We only walked around for a little while because we were freezing. It was 72 and very windy by the water. It was cold to us. Just wanted to share a couple of pictures so you could enjoy also.

Here's a shot of the Jupiter lighthouse in the distance.

We then went to a little place in Hobe Sound called Harry and the Natives. They had a benefit there for Juvenile Diabetes. There was a band and a huge raffle of donated items. A mom got up to give a little speech with her seven year old daughter, Bella. What a cutie! The mom told about her daughter dealing with diabetes and what they have to do each day for Bella to be okay. This totally tugged at Rachel's heartstrings. She couldn't leave without talking to the mom and giving a donation from her own money. I was very proud of Rachel. And Rachel felt real good when Bella came running out after us to thank Rachel for her donation.

A Mouse in the House

Ewwwwwww! I'm sitting here at my dining room table trying to catch up on blogs, trying to think of a creative, inspiring something I could post about tonight since I haven't had a creative thought that I wanted to share since Tuesday, when out of the corner of my eye I see something. Mmmm. Those puppies of mine were awful quiet about creeping over here to get cozy by my feet. But as I gaze into the living room, what do I see but two sweet puppies sleeping so peacefully. I look to my left again and sure enough, peeking it's rotten little head out from under the closet door is a MOUSE!!!!!!! Yuck!!!!! There is a mouse in my house!!!!!

I am not a country girl, though I was born and bred in the country. I am in my glory in the burbs, suburbs that is. I want a mall ten minutes from my door and Barnes and Noble even closer. I am not into critters, though my darling children snuck a pet "fancy mouse" into the house a few months ago. Well, it's the mouse ( and I don't mean the fancy mouse, Rachel) or me because there ain't no way in creation I'm sharing my house with a mouse. So now I will not be able to relax, heaven forbid I sleep a wink, until this mouse is out of my house. Ugh!!!

Vermont

My brother lives in Vermont. I have not been able to visit him yet, but hope to before this year is out. He loves the mountains. He loves solitude. He loves cold weather and snow. He sent me this picture today. He took this of his house at 9am this morning.

How peaceful and serene. I miss cozy winter days when you were stuck inside because you couldn't get to work. It was such fun to make yummy things to eat and you always felt so safe and sound. My brother told me that he doesn't mind the snow one bit. He probably has at least 15 inches of snow, if not more. He said he loves to sit by the fire and watch the snow fall. My brother always wanted to live in no mans land. I am happy that he is living his dream.

As for me, I'll have to find a way to manage here.

Craft Corner

I set up a new space for my crafting supplies today. It's really not a corner, though I like the sound of that. I have this bookcase at the top of my stairs. It's readily accessible and it inspires me each time I see everything so organized. It's great to have the little things all in one place. Have you seen the new issue of Where Women Create? This is a far cry from the gorgeous studios that grace the pages of the Spring issue. Truly inspirational.


Spent some time last night working on eggs for the Easter Egg Swap I joined. Here are two of them.

Here's a close up of each of them.



Each participant in the Swap needs to make six eggs. I have a lavender one started, then three more to go. They are a lot of fun to make. It will be such fun to receive a garland of totally different eggs!! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!

Collaged

As I travel on my journey, I become aware of new and exciting things that I am eager to try. My most recent exploration is in artistry. I have found so many interesting artistic blogs and have read numerous books about collage, altered art and mixed media. I've never really considered myself an artistic person, though I've always had a remarkable interest in crafts. Are crafts different than art? I'm sure not. I have always thought of myself as a writer. I am often sought out to word things for others, write a letter for this one, a speech for that one. I guess it could go hand-in-hand, writing and art, writing as an art.

I've opened a new door. Below is my first attempt at collage. I kinda like it. I know I truly loved making it and I'm enjoying looking at it. And now I'm sharing it with you.

The image on the left was for the February Mind Wide Open challenge, but I was too chicken to submit it. The collage on the right I made last night standing at my kitchen counter. It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to doing more. It is so liberating to find another thing that I love to do. My list gets longer and longer.

Red Roses

I'm feeling cozy about roses. I love roses. Red ones, especially. Particularly on items like fabrics and dishes. For fresh roses, yellow is my favorite. I found a beautiful piece of fabric on the clearance rack at Walmart today. It's three quarters of a yard for $1.20. I was thrilled. They wrap up the remnants so tightly that you really cannot get a good idea of what you're getting, but I could glimpse a red rose and the price tag convinced me I had a good deal. Isn't this fabric beautiful?

Now I just need to decide what to do with it. I'm thinking a pillow would be nice, maybe even two with coordinating fabrics on the back. I'm not a great seamstress, though, but could a pillow be that hard to make? I think it might be fun. I could really go all out like Magnolia Pearlish. I'm open to suggestions.

A couple of years ago, Rachel and I took a road trip to visit dear friends of ours that moved to Gastonia, North Carolina. While there, my friend, Margaret, took us to Hobby Lobby. Good thing there is not one of those stores by me, as I could do some serious damage there. I bought this accent lamp and small plate. I don't remember the prices, but I do know they were bargains. The larger rose plate I got at my local Kirklands.

This silk flower arrangement is also from Kirklands. Do you have Kirklands near you? It kind of reminds me of Bombay, but with better prices. This arrangement is small, probably only about 10"high and cost $6.00.

Rachel gave me these chocolate red roses. They're too pretty to eat.

My sister, Carol, gave me the rose below for my 50th birthday. I hope its petals never whither.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. It's always such fun on Monday's to read about everyone's weekend adventures of creating, arranging, treasure hunting and enjoying. I'm off to make mine a memorable one! Hope you do too!!

What's Your Bag?

I visited Peggy today from Musings By Meggie. She has such a fun post today and I just had to take her challenge. You have to post your purse. I am an addict of many admirable things, one of which is purses. I love purses! I am not a one-purse-for-years kind of person. I look at them wherever I go and desperately try to convince myself that I do not need that cute one sitting there waiting for me - to no avail!!!

So, here are the rules for your purse:

1.Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you can't go into your closet and pull out your favorite purse. We want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house.

2.List how much it cost. And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it,we'd love to hear it!
3. Tag some friends and link back to this site so people know why you're showing your stuff!

Here it is!! My purse for today, tomorrow and yesterday!!

I bought this purse just about two weeks ago at TJ Maxx for $30. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. After I bought it and took it home, I took a second look and thought maybe it was too youthful for me because of it saying "peace". But then I thought, who cares! I love it and I'm going to use it!! It's made by The Sak and is very comfy to hold.

And now for the contents . . . I'm a bit neurotic about many things (just ask my kids), but especially my purse . . . and my dresser drawers. There are certain things that have to look tidy just in case anyone peeks inside. God forbid someone thought I had a messy purse or dresser drawers!!! Besides, life is easier with everything in its place.

There is the current book I'm reading, "My Stroke of Insight", a notepad to jot down anything and everything I don't want to forget, my pen, my red wallet (a new purchase cause it just has to coordinate with the purse), my car keys, hairbrush, Brighton eyeglass case, red Brighton business card holder, Victoria's Secret spray, Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer and my camera case. Oh, and peeking out from underneath it all is a faux-Coach cosmetic bag with a nail file, lip gloss and perfume. All the vital components to be carried with me at all times.

So, how about you? Wanna share your purse?

Time Waits For No One

Can't believe it's almost been a week since I last posted! Geeze! I have been busy. Rachel's party was Friday night. It was great! Turned out to be 18 people - manageable, but exhausting for these old bones.

Relaxed on Saturday by going to two movies - The Wrestler and Milk. Both interesting and good. Not really typical movies for me to see, but trying to see those up for Oscars.

I found this cute little sign at Home Goods at their "Before Valentine's Day" sale. I just love it! I'm going to hang it over the door in my red bathroom. A good buy at $3.00.

Also picked up this Valentine's Day runner for $6.00.

And placemats at $1.50 each. I'm pleased with my Valentine finds!!

Feeling very artistic lately, I've joined an Easter Egg Garland Swap hosted by Jennifer of Artrageous Afternoon. These are some of the papers I've selected to start with.

Here is a shot of the egg. If I remember correctly, it's 3.75" by 5.5". I can't wait to start working on these. I have to make six and send them off by April 1st. This will be such fun!

Here is an egg "covered" - just needs to be dressed up.

Jennifer also recently hosted a party dress garland swap. I read about that swap after the fact, but have started working on dresses for my own use as I just love them. Here's one that I need to embellish.

I am having such a wonderful time with these crafty projects. I don't know what is more fun - making things or shopping for supplies to make things!! I do try to use things I have around, but there are some really cool products all over the place just waiting to be bought and lovingly utilized.

And I'm also trying to finish my book club book, "My Stroke of Insight". An excellent book. You should check it out if you like to read.

As you can see, I've been busy. I just cringe when I hear someone say they are bored. There are so many things to do, just not enough time to do them, in my opinion.

It's amazing how much one misses when time is spent away from the computer for a couple of days. I have lots of catching up to do!! See you soon . . .

Happy Birthday Rachel!!!

My little girl is 15 years old today!!! How can that be? Where has the time gone? Oh, we've been enjoying the time. We've been moving and shaking and shopping and laughing and having ourselves a jolly good time. Wanted to share a picture of the real Rachel that I know and love!!

Isn't she just adorable???!!!

Seriously, Rachel is beautiful both inside and out and I am so thankful that my life was so blessed the day Rachel was born. She is my best friend and the light of my life and she's a lot of fun to be with too!

Rachel does crazy things . . .

She does artistic things . . .


And sometimes she does goofy things . . .


All in all, she is a pleasure and I am so very proud of my little girl who is growing up, whether I'm ready or not!

She talked me into a little party with 25 of her dearest friends. How could I resist that face?!What fun that will be!!

Happy Birthday to my Rachel Lynn!!

A Little of This and a Little of That

Isn't this pretty? This is my favorite treasure from the Vintage Valentine Swap that Dolly hosted. Jayme made so many beautiful things for me. She blew me away with her awesome crafting skills. I have to give Jayme credit for this photo. Her picture turned out so much better than mine. I kept getting a glare, but this photo really shows the beauty and hard work that went in to making this. Isn't this gorgeous?

Here is a better picture of the tussies, courtesy of Jayme. Jayme and her daughter, Chloe, made these tussies for me and Rachel. We loved them as they were filled with interesting little treats. This having been our first swap, was such fun and we were truly blessed with outstanding swap partners. I'll show more of our goodies each day this week. It was such fun!! Aren't these tussies the best?!!

I bought new cookware at Christmastime and it's been sitting on my kitchen counter because I refused to put new cookware in a yucky cabinet. So, on Sunday I painted the interior. I chose red, raspberry actually. It's the same as the color in my powder room. I love it!!! I also put this cute contact paper down. Logan thinks it looks tacky, but I go into that cabinet more often than he does, and I like the cheery look. Here it is empty . . .

And try as I might to weed out, it still looks too full to me, but I use and need it all. And this is only half the cabinet. I love the way it turned out.

Just wanted to share a couple of pictures. Here is the birdhouse I recently decorated. It was fun!

I love the glitter on the roof. It's hard to see in this photo, but the sparkle is pretty.

Here is a box that I picked up last week at TJ Maxx. They had all different sizes and since space is an issue at my house, I chose the smallest one.

I keep it in the living room with some craft supplies so they are handy when the mood strikes.

And lastly, here is a clock I purchased for my dining room recently. I love the flowers but I think I'm going to have to embellish the hands, as it is very difficult to see the time unless you get right on top of this clock.

I found another great artsy blog today that had the cutest idea of a party dress garland. I'm off to make some. Visit Artrageous Afternoon for a good dose of crafty inspiration.