The Gift.....

My laptop crashed.  I new it was struggling and then came that moment.... the dreaded blue screen...and all systems down. That was almost 3 weeks ago now! It seems I got it back in time to celebrate.... 'The Gift' of this season.

(taken from swallowfood.com)  

 The beauty of spring, off newness...of perhaps 'new beginning's' ...

(taken from bigpileofdogshirts.com)

A time for babies..all sorts of babies, and don't we all love babies!!! is there anything better...?

(taken from Indology.com)  Sweet, innocent babies... people in the making!

(taken from Indology.com)

a time for love............. and a time to remember the greatest love of all....

Yes the greatest love... "for god so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son, that who so ever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life....."

 

Is there anything more beautiful?  Thank you Lord! Thank you!

 

some lil things

In viewing all the beautiful blogs out there. I realize mine is a bit unique, as I cannot show you a gorgeous home, or before and after shots..and yet that makes this more challenging for me....

 I can however share with you, a picture..of a lil tiny milk jug with 2 lil flowers that I was able to find at the 5th wheal park we are now located in.....

 

I can show you the little vintage cart I found, that made life easier for me in this 5th wheal and gave me some much needed counter space....

 

And the vintage wire basket I found that was a perfect basket to store our potatoes and onions....

 

 

I can show you the little sewing corner I created....in the country cottage style...I love...

and a pic in the back...of all 5 kids when they were little....... sigh!

 I cant show you  many things...but I can let you sit awhile and enjoy the simple things...the warm 70 degree sunshine,  the birds singing...and the soft warm breeze. wont you grab a ice-tea or lemonade and sit awhile with me????.... :) Have a wonderful Tuesday!   

My Latest Estate 'Finds'

I am Blogging from the passenger front seat, of our truck! From Sacramento we made a quick trip back to Seattle to pick up our 5th wheal. (Now anyone who has done I-5 thru this area...its beautiful but far from quick). Once we have the 5th wheal in tow... well lets just say, we are slugging right along... :)

Last weekend we went to an estate sale and I found some wonderful things, I thought I would share. Not only did I fall in love with this Old trunk, but my husband did as well! 

 here is a picture of the trunk in the back of our truck. Its gives you a idea of size. Our truck is like the 'boss hog' of trucks. It has to be, because it pulls our home and things all over the US.

 I also fell, for this pretty parasol. Dated approx 1920's-30's

I love the Handel...it is like the urban look. taking something rustic and adding pretty with it.

The trunk made for a wonderful backdrop for my other 'finds'

 This Vintage mother's day angel was covered with dirt! I took a soft toothbrush and cleaned her up! she has a broken wing...but I don't mind..in fact, the more I see this imperfection..the more I love her for what she is....

 As I start aging and see the imperfections in the mirror... I struggle with it.. perhaps because I feel young inside. this Angel has become more valuable as time has gone by...she has stood the test of time, and remains beautiful...even if one wing is missing...and I find her beautiful. Maybe she is therapeutic to just me???! for it makes me rise above the aging reflection starring back at me...and smile at the beauty the years has given me.  

I also found this beautiful 'homer' china dish. Yes there is a lil crack in it...but it was to gorgeous to leave behind. Both the angel and this dish I got for $1 each.

    The back of this serving dish......

Isn't it gorgeous? I love good china, and I collect my pieces slowly because I am picky and I have a big family, so the price needs to be right :)

I also found this china pitcher. I think it would be wonderful for gravy...or flowers. this gem was only $3 and I was thrilled.

The bottom of the pitcher.

Such pretty things...such girly things. Yes even the trunk! I believe we are going to keep the trunk much like it it..accept clean up and new handles... that reveal will be another post.

 And one more picture..because I couldn't resist. These things...are timeless beauties, these treasures make me feel peaceful and add sunshine to every day. Have a wonderful Sunday. Thanks for visiting.
(p.s Most the pic's would not allow me to enlarge them, I think my laptop needs to be taken to the laptop doc! It has a bug)

A DIY spring tray, Vintage project

As I travel all over with my husband... And at times live out of a suitcase. I need to keep my creative side going. I don't have a yard at the moment that I can enjoy and piddle around in. Or a home that I can decorate. Doing these lil projects keeps me in that decor mode.

I found on ebay, a woman who sells wonderful vintage reproduction prints on fabric.  And I fell in love with this print.

 The optomist! Doesn't this pic just make you smile! I love the detail, and the utter concentration on the 'lil man's' face. I love the detail and the look on the puppies face. I love the amused, kind smile on the old man's face..and above all I love all the colors in this print.

I wondered how could i make this into a display piece! The print is only a 5x7. If your anything like me. When I love a print or painting or picture, I think the bigger the better. So that it's seen and makes a statement.

I decided to put it on a tray. 

 Miachaels has these Trays.  I wanted this print to pop in a place it would be seen. I decided putting it on a tray would make it something that could be seen in the Kitchen, the dinning room, on a shelf or china cabinet, and wonderful dishes and things could go with it.

These are the supplies I used. (minus the vintage style lace :)
I love Acrylic paint.
Raw umber and I wanted that wonderful Robbins eggs blue color. This tub of paint did not give me a name but for those that want to know its brand is Grumbacher~ permanent blue light C257 all came from Michaels. I choose card stock to do this project, but one could also use fabric. and then of course the wonderful Mod podge!

I gave the tray two coats of raw umber. There was no need to do the middle because that is were the print was going to go.

Then I gave the tray two coats of this wonderful blue! The pic was taking with only one coat on it.

I let all this dry over night. then I sanded it...to give the tray that wonderful old look. next I put Mod podge on the tray as well as the back of the fabric. Since I was using card stock I had on hand. I pieced the card stock to frame the print. Like the fabric I put the mod podge on the tray as well as on the back of the card stock. When everything was in place and dry. I added two more coats of Mod podge to the inside of the tray. not just the bottom but the sides as well. This seals the tray and even tho I plan to use this for decorative purposes, the tray then can function as a 'real tray' for serving tea for two...or bringing out cookies etc...any spills will not damage the fabric or paper :)

 Ta daa...the finished Tray!

The card stock I used, had a wonderful aging feel to it, as well as a floral vintage like print. The blue brought out the blue in the print and the floral card stock brought out the floral in the background of the print.

 I love the aged look :)

 I love how it brings out the flaws in the wood.

 And I love how it  makes this piece look like it's been around awhile.

Due to being in a hotel room, I cant show this propped up in my kitchen or on a shelf or china cabinet. But I know...it will pop and be noticed. And anything that will bring someone a smile....shouldn't go unnoticed.......

Sunshine and A love quilt

After much traveling we made it to the Sacramento area of California. As we came into California from southern Oregon...the sun was shinning. things were green and my soul that had missed the sun...started smiling.

For this mountain girl, having green and seeing blossoms on the tree's and feeling the sunshine and spring like weather, this time of year. Is a delightful change from the grey sky's and rains of Port Angeles, Washington and Sitka, Alaska.

 My Hubby and I, soaking up the sunshine and green, at a rest area. Sunshine makes the soul sing :)

This was taken from our truck..as the sun was setting in the California sky :) It was saying, "Welcome..I hope you enjoy your stay". I believe I will. 


While I was home, my mom handed me a quilt she had made for me! Made with reproduction vintage fabrics.......

My mom has made many wonderful quilts over the years... I watched them go to brothers, sister in-laws, my children, my nieces and nephews, and friends. Last spring it occurred to my sister and I..that we did not have a quilt that our mother had made. This amused us both. And I mentioned this to my mom, as I watched the latest quilt go to a sister in-law.

  My Happy quilt, has happy flowers that are blanket stitched. Aren't the fabric's pretty? My mom's response wasn't amusement like I expected, but more like the shock of..."oh my"! My sister is a wonderful seamstress, and we all do homemade crafty things. It was due to this, that it just hadn't occurred to my mom that her two daughters didn't have one of her quilts. My mom has a bucket list of sorts. When your diagnosed with a terminal cancer, after being healthy you whole life. The shock, the reality is something that is hard to digest. We are all praying for a miracle, But so far, they have only been able to stop the growth in her pancreas and liver. This then gives us the precious gift of time.......
And I still pray for that miracle.... But a Miracle is not something that happens on a regular basis. A miracle is something that happens when we least expect it to. If we all received miracles...they just wouldn't be miracles anymore.

This then makes this quilt....PRICELESS! look at all the hand stitching. Each stitch I know is my mothers love for me...forever shown in this wonderful quilt. And I realize how lucky I am, how blessed to have my Mothers love!

Mom, this song..is for you. I love you! I am blessed to call you my mother. And I am grateful for each day the lord gives us. I will always cherish this love quilt...always. And its perfect and so me...a happy happy quilt. From my heart and soul and forever.... thank you!


 "Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do

For the morning sun in all it's glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
You fill my life with laughter
And somehow you make it better
Ease my troubles that's what you do
There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine like the sun
And at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray
To the one, to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do"

(Rod Stewart)