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.

Vintage Valentine Swap

I was soooo excited when I got home from work yesterday and saw that there was not one, but two packages addressed to me and Rachel from our Vintage Valentine Swap partners, Jayme and Chloe. We did a mother/daughter swap and it was such fun!!! Rachel and I had never done a swap before so we were worried about "getting it right". We had a great time. I don't have all the photo's now because the battery on my camera died (ugh!), so I'll share some now and the rest tomorrow.

Look at this tussy!!!

I love it!!! I've been seeing these around blogland and have been wanting to try this myself and I was just so thrilled to receive one of my own. Jayme filled it with a vintage handkerchief and little bags so lovingly filled with the cutest things, swarovski crystals, findings, beaded trim and other things packaged so nicely with handmade labels. I was very impressed with the time, effort, creativity and care that Jayme and Chloe packed into everything they gave us.

Look at this little box and the flower cart pin. This is so precious! I love pins and I wear them often. This is a wonderful addition!!

Here's a better picture of the heart box, without the pin.

There were so many more things, but my battery died in my camera. I must say the battery lasted a long time, because I only gave it the initial charge when I got it for Christmas and that charge held until February!!!

We have to photograph Rachel's goodies (and the rest of mine), but here is a picture of Rachel excited to open her treasures. She was thrilled!!

We were so impressed with all of the beautiful handmade items. I'll share more photo's tomorrow, but so many truly beautiful, thoughtful treasures - it brought tears to my eyes.

I will leave you with a cute little plaque I made for my friend, Karen's, surprise 50th birthday party today. I saw this on someone else's blog, and I should really keep track where I see things, because I would love to give credit, but I don't remember where I saw it. Came out cute, didn't it?

I have been having such a great time crafting lately. I have seen so many cute ideas on your blogs. It is such fun to try my own hand at some of these pretties. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I'm anxious to see the contenders in the Mind Wide Open challenge tomorrow.

Happy 50th Karen!!!

Delightful Dinner/To The Dogs

I'm not always thrilled about making dinner after working all day, so if I can find an easy way to make a good meal, I'm all for it. I found a great recipe for a London Broil Sauce. A variation was to slow-cook it. I love that idea!!

The sauce was superb. All you need is a 10.25 ounce can/jar of beef gravy, 8 ounces of bottled Italian salad dressing, 1/2 cup ketchup and a one ounce package of dry onion soup mix. All ingredients are mixed together and then poured over the London Broil which cooks on low in the crockpot for six hours. Remove, shred with a fork and return to the crockpot for an additional half hour. Yum!



Also made some broccoli and baked potatoes.

It was easy and very tasty. Try it sometime. You'll be pleased.

Had a little mishap with Bella this week. Remember her?



Bella turned six months old on February 1st. She is now 10lbs, 6 oz. and a wonderful addition to our family. Bella and Lacie love to run around the house like wild animals. Most likely, during one of their romps, Bella got a scratch on her eyeball. We got an antibiotic ointment from the vet and she's about as good as new. So the girls are back to their antics and loving every minute.

When I was a little girl, I never liked dogs. We always had them, but I never had much to do with them. My family is now utterly amazed at how I love my pooches. Just look at them! How could I resist those cute little faces?

Artful Books

Not only am I addicted to blogs, but I am addicted to books. I get on a roll with something and I just cannot seem to stop. I am now into "artful" books. I have been running with this creative streak inside of me now and I am having a blast. Inspiration abounds in blogland and I really think I have found a new creative outlet that excites me endlessly.

My most recent favorite books that I pour over at every opportunity, yet can always find something new and enlightening are . . .

I flipped through this one at Barnes and Noble and it is definitely one to add to my collection . . .

This will be in my next order from Overstock.com . . .

Or maybe this one will be next . . .

They are all great books and offer a wealth of info and ideas, peeks into the souls of some exceptional artists and a multitude of superb photo's. All of this reading has made me want to create. It's amazing what we have inside of us, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to leap out, grab hold of my heart and soar. What fun!!

Next I'll have to share some of my creations, but that is a bit more daunting! For now, I must go play . . .

Blogging

I could literally spend alllllll day looonnnggggg reading blogs. Does anyone else feel that way? I always love to look at fellow bloggers' favorite blogs. I have found some great new blogs to add to my list that way. Have you visited One World One Heart? My goodness! That blog alone could take up weeks! I can click here, click there, visit Idaho, Australia, Michigan, North Carolina and California in a matter of minutes.

I joined this world of blogging last April and I just cannot believe what I was missing. I have met some of the nicest people, smart people, creative people, inspiring people - all at the click of a button. I have gotten really great decorating tips, learned to make some pretty crafts, tried some great new recipes, feasted my eyes on some unique eye candy, have cyber-visited many wonderful places and have become so totally addicted to blogging!

The worst is if I don't go online until 10pm. My goodness - I can then be up until 1am easy!! And the greatest invention is the blog roll, where you can see who of your faves has posted and a little snippet to pique your curiosity. I could really never talk to a living soul again and spend all my time blogging, but then I do like to talk, if you haven't figured that one out yet, and I do have to go to work, cook, clean and do lots of other fun and mundane things.

Just want to say that this is fun and I thank you all for bringing me such pleasure each and every day!!!