Treasures From The Old Green House

When I drive my daughter to school in the morn, I especially like this green house we pass along the way. It was built, maybe late 30's early 40's.



The house always has a light or two on, and it just feels "good". You can tell it is really loved. I always say, "Oh girls, I just love that house! Imagine what it was like when it was first built and none of these other places were around it".



A couple of weeks ago, my daughter said, "Mama, they left the door open". I said, "Oh, that is just the outside door honey. The front door is still closed". A couple of days later, she said it again, but this time I realized that the house was deserted. No lights, no one there, and that wonderful "feeling" was gone. Ends up, a new road is going to go right over that house, that will soon be flat. Just breaks my heart.



While driving home one day, I stopped at the house to see if there were any fliers, a for sale sign, anything at all, with no luck. I did some research and found that the owners have been the same since the 80's but live in MD and I can't find any other info about them. I know that the wife is over 100 years old and that is about it. I hope it isn't just bull dozed. There are so many beautiful architectural treasures inside. I saw them the day that I stopped as I peaked into the windows.



I also noticed that the back has an opening where people can get in, no doors or anything. There is another house on the same property that has been deserted for many years that is already a home for vandals. I noticed also that this home has now had paint thrown on a back wall and I fear what will happen if kids get inside and break all of the beautiful glass doors on the built in cabinets, etc. I just want to save it all!


I noticed in the backyard, a pile of trash that included some old smashed wood furniture. My husband got REALLY mad at me, because I took it upon myself to bring them home with me. I thought, I would rather take it and make it into something, use the parts, then let some bored kids smash it up some more.



One old headboard that I am sure I could create into something great. Just look at all of those lovely spindles...

Imagine the memories someone made while sitting in the chair....

One mans wood to smash, is another mans wood to create with...

This is just too awesome! The drawer works, I was able to get the old screws out of the top, and it will be very easy to find a piece of wood to put on top. This desk is now clean and shiny, has a wooden tray on top, and fits perfectly at the end of my kitchen island.

So, maybe I am bad, but I think I made the right call. I am keeping my eyes peeled for any people/workers. I would so love to be one to have the story of how, "Oh, I found this house they were tearing down and they let me take these columns, doors, etc". It does break my heart though that one can so easily tear down a beautiful old work of art, full of memories and once loved, only to be flattened to widen a road, that really does not need to be widened. Probably the future home of a convenient store or gas station, cause Lord knows we need another one of those....

Take care!

Rhonda...

How I Organize My Swaps & Projects

As I am sure you can tell, I am addicted to swaps and doing projects. Recently, I began my own swap and I fear I might be driving people crazy with my group messages. However, many have commented that they like the way I touch base, because they like having the reminders.

Over the holidays, I made personalized calendars for both my husband and my parents. They loved them. I then decided that I would make a calendar just for me to write my swaps and projects on.

Swap calendar on left, regular calendar on right. And yes Abbie, that is your picture on my desk top.



Are you surprised by my french theme?


Highlighted dates are due dates.

I mark the week before as a reminder.

I have always had a calender of events, due dates, mom stuff, etc. I have a separate calendar now that I keep all of my swap, give aways, events, etc. info on. That is all I use this calendar for and I keep this right in front of my computer, next to my other calender.

When I check my calender daily, I can now look to what appointments I have, as well as what swap/blog events, etc. are approaching. It really helps me a great deal to keep up, but also helps me to not over book myself.

I highlight the actual due date and put a reminder one week before. That way I stay ahead of the game, usually. Depends on if one of my children or my husband is home vomiting or if some other crazy event occurs. LOL!
Hope this idea helps some of you out there in blog/swap land! I know it has really helped me!

Have a great, creative week!

Rhonda...

Book Swap Participant Update & Other Info (as posted on flickr)

Hello to all! Hope you had a fabulous weekend. Just a little update on our group.

-one drop out, and a possible replacement
-one other possible drop out

I have sent out a participant email with my snail mail address. If you did not get this please email me Rlsecrist@aol.com. I had a couple of email addresses that did the ole "return".

Rememember, you still have over a month to do this project. I will send out reminders closer to the due date (3 week countdown, 2 week, 1 week) and will post info as I receive your pages. I know it is still early, but you can send them to me whenever you are ready. I have an area cleared and I have noticed that some of you are already completing them. Awesome!

1. Rhonda - RhondaMum
2. Kathy - Vintage Snaps & Scraps
3. Marilyn - Unshelved Words
4. Abbie - damseldesignsnh
5. Jo - 3littlemiracles
6. Carolyn - Miss Magpie-Pixie
7. Sherry/Cherie - Esprit * d'Art

8. (Possible replacement)

9. Priscilla - Flea Market Queen
10. Celeste - Stone Soup Art
11. Emily - remembermeemily
12. Nancy - Nancy Gail
13. Christine - chrisysArtnphoto
14. Elaine - Artful-Spirit

15. Denise - courturedepapier (unknown)

16. Tina - Embellishments by Tina
17. Maria - The Junkk Drawer
18. Shannon - Miss Fickle Media
19. Christine - mybellacolle
20. Natalea - kandeland
21. Beth - beth's bagz'a
22. Stephanie - mlouispink
23. Ginger - mural-artworx
24. Bridget - Bridieshome

Tangee - asparklymessylife (had to drop out) We'll Miss You!

Show & Tell Friday

This is my first week participating in Kelli's Show & Tell Friday. What a wonderful idea! I recently took some pictures of some of my favorite family treasures to do posts about. I hope you like this weeks "featured" item.

Grand-ma Betty's Beautiful Shoes

I grew up looking at these beautiful shoes when my Granda-Ma Betty would bring them out to show me and would share her wonderful stories, that I miss so much, with me. When she was a young she would always wear her beautiful, detailed dresses, loved her furs (sorry, I don't support the fur industry, it was just something from that time period) and always wore heels.



I recently inherited these beauties. I always dreamed of wearing them as a little girl. So much beautiful detail to these tiny works of art, that my size 9's could, unfortunately, never fit in. They are so velvety and the carved heel is just so, I can't think of a better word, sexy.




I couldn't believe it when my Mom passed these down to me. I would love to find a way to display them and welcome any suggestions you might have.



Imagine the stories these shoes could tell about their days walking around Niagara Falls.

And look at all of these beautiful fleur de leas all over the box. Those of you who know me KNOW I would love that. I wonder if this box from my childhood has anything to do with my love of fleur de leas? I have had that love longer then my Eiffel tower obsession.

So, here is to my Grand-Ma Betty who made me the woman I am today, that I love and miss so very much!

Rhonda...

Sandee Is Home!

Look what happened thanks to all of your prayers! My girl is home. Granted, we are not in the clear yet, and she is on "bed rest" for the next six weeks, but she is alive and home. She is eating and drinking well, but then again, what dog wouldn't be happy with fresh boiled chicken mixed with rice. We are still working on her bladder, and her poor little pelvis has to heal but she is anxious to walk and be with us. She is also doing a fab job of taking her ten pills per day. I never knew how strong this precious pup is and I just know this experience will bring us all even closer together. Thanks again for all of your comments and prayers and for helping me through this crazy little nightmare. I can rest now.....

Oh, and the other pup is me. I promised a goofy pic so there you go. Any pic of me is goofy, actually. My oldest took this of me today after my migraine medicine finally kicked in, so I am looking kind of rough. Is it odd to finally know the face that is Rhondamum?

See that piece of metal behind my left shoulder? That is the Eiffel tower my dad brought to me last week for an early Mother's Day gift. Isn't it awesome! It is just a little bit taller then me, and I am 5'10. I love it!

So, now I will start to catch up on life, read your blogs that I am behind on, and get started on packing up my partner Erin's "Paris in the Springtime" swap package.

Have a great night, day, and I will post some pictures of some cool finds within the next couple of days!

God Bless!

Rhonda...

Les émotions de la France Book Swap

Update Monday 4/21 9:37 PM

SWAP IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED



Update Monday 4/21 9:35 PM

ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS BOOK SWAP.

I am so excited, so many wonderful and amazing artists have signed up! Our book is going to be AMAZING! Thanks to all and be sure to watch for updates. The flickr group is officially up and running. Lots of people have joined, I guess to watch the "progression" (60 + members) but limit is 24 participants. Don't worry, you WILL NOT be making 60+ pages.

Keep watch here and on the flickr discussions (link above).

Rhonda...

Doggie Update

Thank you again to all of those who have left comments and have contacted me about my dog Sandee.

I will try to keep this short...

Sandee is still at the vet. Doing better and I have been able to visit her and love on her for a while. We are not in the clear yet, still need to make sure she can function her bladder on her own. If we get to that point, and she can come home, she will have a long road to recovery.

I didn't realize her pelvis is broken. She will need to be in a crate for four to six weeks while her pelvis heals. Taking care of her, however, will be no problem for me. She is usually by my side anyway, I always love on her, and if I need to help her to the back yard to "go" then so be it. I just want her better, but I will not let her suffer.

The vets are very hopeful, as am I. You see, on Friday, I received a phone call from a very upset girl who had seen one of our many signs. She was the one that hit Sandee, met me at the location (two miles away by car, but on Google map still a very long crawl with a broken pelvis). It was on a "blind" hill at about 9:00 PM. That means it took Sandee about 30 hours to get home, and the vet thinks my dirty clothes hanging up outside helped her home. (I read that on a vet's site about finding your lost pet).

The girl also told me that Sandee went under the car. She felt horrible for not going back, but in all honesty, she would have been crazy to go back and look in the dark on this blind curvy hill. Granted, I think I would have turned around, no, I would have because I wouldn't want an animal to lay there and suffer. But it wouldn't have really done any good if she had because I don't think she would have found Sandee. She also felt that she should pay the vet bill, but it really isn't her fault. My dog shouldn't have been out, let alone in the road.

This girl met me at the spot, a single mom of two little ones same age as mine, offering to pay when I know she couldn't afford to do so. In my eyes, she did the best thing she could. She called me, not knowing that Sandee had made it home, and from what she thought, my dog was dead. The hardest part for me, is not knowing. If my dog was dead, on the side of the road, at least I would be able to go and pick her up and "know". She did the best thing she could do in my opinion and wants me to keep her posted, is going to keep Sandee in her prayers (which is the most important thing she can do) and is still offering to help with the bill.

You really don't find people like that too much in the world today. It is nice to know there is a person out there with some good in their heart. I am not mad at her, and I don't blame her. It makes me feel more hopeful that Sandee was so determined and made it home.

Sorry, I just can't keep things short....

Please keep her in your prayers...

Rhonda...

Oh, and I didn't forget... once Sandee is home, if we are so lucky, I will post a picture of the two of us together because I promised I would! Thank you God for bringing her home, the rest is the icing on the cake!

I wouldn't normally share a forwarded email, but this is just too good....



THOSE BORN 1920-1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were OK.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have e Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer, no Internet or chat rooms.......

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:

'With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

My Ever Changing Studio

I love it when people post pictures of where they create! I am really looking forward to the new Somerset magazine based on the book. Not only do I love finding great new ideas on how to store items, but also to see how they have arranged things, the way their room "feels" and seeing other people's "stuff". It also helps you to get to know a person more personally, I think, by seeing the items they like and their "world".

I grew up with pack rats, and have become a very good one at that myself. My husband "had" the clear spaces, now he has spaces with items everywhere. It just makes me feel "comfy" to be around my stuff.

Now, in my home, when it is clean (I swear I am trying to get back on the Flylady wagon) things aren't too over crowded, most of the time. But in my studio, I like to be able to see everything that I have. That way I remember what I have to work with and I also find inspiration.

I know I have too much, I will be the first to admit it. I know the last thing I need is another rubber stamp or piece of paper. I can also admit that finding a deal, or using that 50 % off coupon is just a type of therapy. But, I do use it more now, sell items and do swaps. I know that does not excuse what you are about to see. Doing this post also helps me realize how dedicated I am to what I do. I am constantly on the search for that cool "something" to use in my work.

Hello, my name is Rhonda, and I am a craftaholic... shopoholic... eiffel toweraholic... buttonaholic... rubber stampaholic... magazineaholic...paperaholic... actually, ABBIE, I like the world "floozie" better. Not to offend, but I think I should just say craft ho, button ho, scissor ho, ephemera ho...... lol! (Hope that didn't offend anyone, but if it did, you know it is just because you are one too- sorry!)

Please Say A Prayer That My Sweet Dog Will Find Her Way Home

12:09 PM Update

Vet said her pelvis has several fractured spots and her bladder is VERY full. She was hit by a car and has a great deal of "road burns". Hoping that a fracture isn't pinching her nerve. Dr. has placed her on morpheme (spell?) for pain and to hopefully allow her to empty her bladder, if not, that would be bad news. All we can do is pray and hope for the best.

I am so thankful to God to at least "know". Everything else is the icing on the cake. I am blown away that she made it home. She is shy, big chicken and even vet is impressed that she got back. I am very hopeful because she has made it this far. She is just such a sweetie! Going to go sit with her for a bit this afternoon and tomorrow. Will just have to watch her over the weekend.

Thank you so much to those who have contacted me and have left comments. It is so nice to have your support and prayers. I love you guys!


4/18/08 4:00 AM Update

My husband found her at our backdoor this morn. I have never gotten down our stairs so fast in my life. She has some injury to her back leg, but can still barely walk and is eating and drinking like crazy. I know this is a good sign. We are taking her to the vet first thing and will hopefully get good news that she can recover and be happy.

I am just so relieved and thankful to God for bringing her home to us. I hated the "not knowing" and the questions that go through my head, "Is she dead, being mistreated, lost, stolen, etc. etc." Oh the power of prayer! Thank you so much Lord!

I will keep you posted.....


We have had Sandee for several years now. She is the sweetest dog ever and is very close to our girls, our four cats, one bunny, and our other dog.

I am a huge pet person, love them like they are my extra little babies.

Sandee rides with me in the car and sleeps on my bed every night. She always stays close to my side.

She got out last night and never came home. This has NEVER happened. I spent my entire day looking for her. Have contacted animal control, different shelters, walked on foot and checked every road around us with no luck. We put about a million posters up and my heart is just breaking. I don't want to leave my house and drive by those posters. Just too depressing. I don't want to go up to my bed and go to sleep tonight without her trying to hog the covers and lay by my side.

So, I am sure many of you animal lovers out there understand. True, I feel a bit silly putting this on my blog, but I have done everything I can and now all I can do is pray. I believe in the power of prayer...

So, my blogging friends, please say a prayer that my baby will come home, that we will at least "know". Thanks so much! I promise if she comes home I will post the biggest picture of my silly self giving her a big ole hug!

R...

Les émotions de la France Book Swap

Update Monday 4/21 9:35 PM

ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS BOOK SWAP.

I am so excited, so many wonderful and amazing artists have signed up! Our book is going to be AMAZING! Thanks to all and be sure to watch for updates. The flickr group is officially up and running. Lots of people have joined, I guess to watch the progression (60 + members) but limit is 24 participants. Don't worry, you WILL NOT be making 60+ pages.





Update, 4/17

Here is a shorter version of my swap info. If you would like additional information, please read longer post below or ask me. Thanks!

Many have commented on my long description. Sorry, I type very fast due to many college papers and my thesis.


1. Create one altered art page, emotion of your choice, written in french on the front of your page and English translation on back. You can go to this web site for help:

http://dictionary.reference.com/translate/index.html

Images need to be from a vintage period, any time BEFORE 1940ish.

2. Page must be 4 x 5 (portrait) with a 1/2 inch allowance on top so that I can bind page into our book.

3. Limit of 24 participants, must leave comment on this post to participate.

4. You will make, at most, 24 copies of your original page onto CARD STOCK, embellish if you choose to do so and "sign" the back giving what personal info you would like. Please remember that this is a book and both sides of your page will be viewed.

YOUR BACK PAGE WILL NEED TO BE UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE PAGE ALLOWANCE ON THE BOTTOM TO ACCOUNT FOR TOP PAGE BINDING.

5. Send your finished pages to me.

I will bind all participant's pages into a book and send one book back to each participant. There will be a small fee for postage. I will cover the cost of binding, and book covers, front and back.

Pages must be IN MY HANDS by May 31st.

6. You may add swap button to your blog and join flickr group to post pics if you would like.

7. Please email me your email address and snail mail address.

Rlsecrist@aol.com

There ya go, short and sweet. Again, longer description below. Merci!



Story of my idea comes before swap details. If you want to know just the details, skip down.

As you can see by my sidebar, I am addicted to swaps. I love trying to create something new, the challenge, and bringing a smile to someone else's face. When I learn that I have done so, it just brings me so much joy.

Last night, while trying to relax in the tub, my book in hand and my girls banging on the door screaming, "Mommy, can I come in" it occurred to me that I would love to host a swap. I pondered for a bit, I've created altered tins, clothes, boxes, etc. and have enjoyed them all. I really love to see lots of people's art work. I have been working on a "round robin" book with some friends of mine ( Marie, Val & Priscilla) and just love seeing the new work from each artist after it arrives at my door for a turn. I then thought about the swap I did with Mary Ann at Follow Your Bliss (oh my gosh Caz, I think I just did my first proper link).

Mary Ann is an amazing artists, as is her sister Jo, and she CRACKS ME UP! I love her sense of humor. She did a swap entitled "Itty Bitty Robin's Egg Blue Book Swap" and it was just an amazing experience. She gave us fantastic how to directions, has been binding our books and even did a group on flickr to post our pics. It was a huge learning experience for me, and a great joy to see all of the work from some very talented artists, and to know I will hold their work in my hands forever is just phenomenal.

So, then I thought about how I am obsessed with all things french. And the ball just started rolling form there.

Here is my swap idea......

Les émotions de l'échange de livre de cru de la France

In other words, the emotions of France vintage book swap. And don't worry about how well you speak or understand french. I had many classes in college, and I really paid no attention. I was young and stupid, especially since I went to France years later and really had no clue. I use the Dictionary.com Translator to translate my words for my art and you can too. Now here is how the swap will work.

1. Each participant will create one original altered page to copy for this book. The page should involve any emotion that you desire, love, hate, fear, anger, and the list goes on and on. I don't know your thoughts, but an emotion from France just seems to have so much more intensity to it. Therefore, your altered work must have a french vintage theme to it and most importantly, be written in french. But remember, that part is easy because you can just use the above link if you need help. On the back, you need to put the English translation. That is what I did on my page for Mary Ann's book swap, which you can also see on my sidebar.

2. Your page must have the following dimensions, 4 inches wide x 5 inches long, (portrait). This will allow you to fit four copies onto one 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper when you make your copies. IMPORTANT, you MUST leave a 1/2 inch allowance at the top of your page to allow me to bind it. I haven't decided exactly how I will bind it yet, either by tying ribbons (which is what I am leaning towards because it will look more "vinatge") or by actual binding with a book adhesive machine, but I do know I will be binding it ON THE TOP and my wonderful husband has thankfully offered to help me. That means you can add whatever materials you may want to the bottom or sides, but that is by your choice only.

3. I will limit the number of participants to 24 (if I am so lucky to get that many participants) and will then close the swap. Those of you who left a comment on my previous post about this swap and do want to participate can consider themseves "in" but will still need to email me their info and comment "yes" on this post. Thanks!

4. After we know the exact number, you can take your original copy and have it photo copied onto card stock, cut your page out, and embellish it however you choose, if you choose to do so. Again, your English translation should be on the back of the page, as well as your "signature" so that your artistic accomplishment will forever be engraved for others to see. You can also give whatever personal info you would like, email, blog address, shop, etc. if you choose to do so. Just remember that this is a book, and both sides of your work will be seen. YOUR BACK PAGE WILL NEED TO BE UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE PAGE ALLOWANCE ON THE BOTTOM TO ACCOUNT FOR TOP PAGE BINDING.

5. After you are done, you can send me your finished pages and I will bind them all together and ship the finished book back to each participant. I only ask that you include a small postage fee by mail, or through a paypal account that I will set up for us once I figure out what the postage fee will be. As far as the binding, cover page, and back page is concerned, I will cover the cost for that myself and create the pages. It will be worth it to have people contribute to my dream with their artistic abilities.

6. I will also start a group on Flickr so that everyone can post pics of their work on their own, if you so desire, for a "sneak peak".

7. PAGES MUST BE IN MY HANDS NO LATER THEN SATURDAY MAY 31ST, or sooner if you so desire. This gives you over one month to think about and create your page.

8. If you would like to participate, please leave a comment on this post. Once you have joined you can add the above picture if you like as a button to your own blog to show you will be participating in the swap.

9. Please be sure to send me your email address, snail mail address and any questions you might have to:

Rlsecrist@aol.com

Merci tellement mes amis merveilleux !

I Will Be Hosting My First Swap

I am happy to announce that I will be hosting my very first swap. I am so excited and can't wait to give you all of the wonderful details. Check back soon!

What Are These Mysetery Items?

Whenever I am out looking for treasures, I often have no clue what an items original use was. Below are two items I recently came across that, if you are a treasure hunter like me, you will understand that these items "spoke to me".

The tag on this one said it was a sugar scoop. Seems kind of heavy to me for a sugar scoop. A gentleman at the shop, one of my local favs, said it was for hot coals. I don't know, but it does hold pens and tubs of glitter nicely.

Do you know the answer to my question?

Next item, again I have no clue. Attached by a small chain, if you move the small piece down the "clasp" opens as shown, but why? Do you know?

If you have any knowledge, ideas, or even a creative suggestion for a use, even if it just as silly as can be, let me know!

Have a great creative day!

Here is a signature question..... if you leave a "signature" on your blog, is it possible to have it automatically be on your post? I have to copy and paste mine every time and it is very inconvenient, wa, wa, wa.... Thanks!

How many stories can one button hold?

I really want to be one of those awesome bloggers that post a new message every day or so. Thus far, I'm not doing a very good job. Before I was feeling under the weather, (and by the way, I haven't had a migraine in days) I had gone into my blog "kitchen" and saved titles for some posts that I wanted to do. At the time, I had just had an awesome "me" day with lots of cool finds. One of which were the several jars of buttons below.

I look at a button and I think to myself, "Imagine what this button has seen", figuratively speaking of course. Yesterday, my oldest and I went looking for goodies for my Vintage Party swap buddie, and we found the most beautiful buttons. Sorry, that will be another post, because I am an official "button floozie" and must add pics for all of my button buddies to see. I told her, "Let's say you have a favorite sweater that you wear often. This sweater has several buttons down the front and the one right here (point to location of a top button) gets to see all that you do. Imagine all of the stories it could tell". She liked this thought and luckily the store owner has a passion for buttons as well. Imagine....

While out thrifting one day, I came across not only these wonderful jars which vendors often like to charge an arm and a leg for, but they came as you see them here.... FULL OF BUTTONS! Now, I don't know what jars go for around your area, but the bigger one there on the right will often cost you at the least, $12 IF you are lucky. All three of these jars, same vendor, full of buttons, I think I paid around $18. Now, that would be a great buy for the jars alone in my book, but full of buttons as well. You just can't beat that. Let's explore and see what's inside...

Drum roll please! (My girls LOVED this part) Pooooouuuuuurrrrrr....

This little jar had many buttons......

This medium jar had more.......

And this large jar had soooo maaaany buttons, what do you think they were used for????

There are several buttons that have perked my curiosity. I am going to post many more pics of these buttons at Abbie's Button Floozie spot so take a looksie over there. You can also click on the above pictures to get a closer look. Gems or junk, I LOVE buttons.

"Wouldn't you love to be a floozie too!"

Vintage Indie's Spring Swap

I was a lucky participant in Vintage Indie's I Dream of Spring Vintage Swap and it really was an amazing experience! I had the best swap partner and I can only hope she likes the goodies I found for her. It was a lot of fun finding them and also a great excuse to go shopping. Oh, by the way, my partner was Robin from http://belladio.blogspot.com/. Robin is such an amazing artist. I could never be as talented as she is. She makes this amazing jewelry from broken china and I just love the beautiful piece she sent my way. Check this out.....




I loved every single item that she sent to me. I have always loved the stationary from Punch Studio and just love all of these note cards.

But this is the REAL treasure. This beautiful piece just really took my breath away. It is so beautiful and Robin does such a phenomenal job with every little detail.

I have the perfect chain to wear it on and will do so with great joy.

It feels so french to me and I just adore it. I had checked out Robin's etsy shop and drooled as I checked out her work. To open up this beauty and know it was all mine made me feel like I had won the lottery.

The top card is my favorite. I have a feeling I will be using this cute little girls in some altered art.

I even got some french tea! Oo La La!

I love this vintage doily. It now sits under one of my new apocotherapy jars full of vintage button cards, cause I'm a button floozy, don't cha know!

Thank you so much Robin for all of my wonderful treats. It came at a perfect time (while I was feeling so sick) and just really made my day.

Thanks also to Gabreial at Vintage Indie http://vintageindie.typepad.com/ for hosting this creative and fun swap. I look forward to doing more with you in the future, if I am so lucky.

Be sure to check out Robin's shop where you can get your own piece and her blog http://belladio.blogspot.com/ is very inspirational as well!

Have a great creative day!

My First Altered Tin

GOSH I love swaps! I am SO addicted! I was a bit intimidated before I decided to join Unshelved Words Altered Tin Swap, but I am so glad that I did. I am really proud of the results of my first altered tin and I hope that whoever receives it loves it as much as I do. Gee, are you surprised that it has a French theme? Well, if you know me, of course you aren't!

Inside Lid

One of my favorite pewter ET charms...


Back of fold out pages...


Karla & Beth have me addicted to bling now!

Page covers



Tins had to have a spring theme & quote.

I really loved this project! Thanks to Marilyn at http://unshelvedwords08.blogspot.com/ who hosted this fab event. If you would like to see the other tins from the swap, just check out her website where she has a slide show posted of them all. They are all beautiful and I will be happy with whichever one I receive.

Have a great creative day!