Show & Tell Friday

It's been a while, but I am back again. This is another pair of shoes for my show and tell. These belonged to my father. It is amazing to think that the feet I used to stand on to dance as a little girl, once fit into these tiny shoes. I also have his baptismal gown which I had my youngest photographed in when she was a baby. I will post pictures of that one of these days.




This was my dad's Dumbo when he was a little boy. It has a little squeaker in it, but I don't really use it. In fact, I keep this Dumbo under lock and key. My father had his 70th birthday last year so this Dumbo has had many years. It is a dear treasure to me.

I am so glad that Kelli hosts this wonderful event every week. It reminds me of some of the wonderful treasures that I have and that I need to bring them out to enjoy. Thanks Kelli! Be sure to visit the other wonderful blogs where people share the things they love and have a great weekend!

Rhonda...

Venting

First of all, hello to all of my blogging friends. Sorry for the lack of posts. Have been very busy with swaps and shipping items from my shop, both of which I love. I am addicted to swaps, and I love it when people buy from my shop. It is part of that "thing for me" which is very valuable to my life. Having my shop and this blog and all of you has just made my life even better. Thanks!

So, sorry to use my blog for complaining, I just really need to vent about this...

I LOVE doing swaps. Putting together a package for a new person and trying to make it extra fab to put a smile on their face, and then hearing from them and know how much they loved what I did for them just gives me SO much satisfaction. Naturally, I love getting goodies as well. But when they love what I have done for them it just really makes me feel good.

So, I did this awesome swap. I was so excited because it was SO me. It wasn't hard for me to put my swap buddies package together at all and I was thrilled to send it to her. She did a sneak peak for me and that made me even more excited.

I know is sounds lame, but I love it when the mail comes every day. I look forward to what surprises I might be getting. I sent my swap buddies package out and know that it made it to her home because I had a tracking number on it. I never received a package though, which is really weird seeing how she did a post about it.

I have emailed her several times at all available spots (shop, blog, etc.) but have not heard back. The last message was just to "please let me know you are okay". I am really, honestly, sincerely concerned that something has happened to her. She has not done any post for a long time.

Then I think, well, what if she didn't like what I sent her. I like getting that message that they received my gift and that it put a smile on their face. And I think that is what bums me the most. Not that I didn't receive mine, but that I didn't hear from her.

I finally sent the "host" an email about the situation, but never heard back.

When I get up in the morn, I get my cup of coffee, check my email, and go right to her sites to see if she has posted. I know it sounds psycho, I just pray that she is okay. Please say a prayer for this anonymous person, that they are well.

I feel so silly leaving this post, I just hope that it gives me a little relief. Once I push, "publish post" I really just want to be done with it and think about it no more. I do have that little thought in the back of my mind though, "What if I join this swap and never hear from my swap buddy?" And I am sure one of you have experienced this before. It just sucks. And if she is okay then I can just say to others that if you join a swap, please don't screw over your swap buddy. I understand now why some who host a swap are adamant about not doing so. I am really disapointed.

I really do hope she is okay.

Thanks for letting me vent.

R...

Les émotions de la France Book Swap The Book Building Process Has Begun!

I am SO excited! My wonderful husband just helped me to begin the book building process. There are six pages down, 18 to go plus a front and back cover as well as an index of participants. This book is already so beautiful.


I decided to just place the pages in separate baggies as they are received and will just keep adding them as they come in. That way I am not doing it all at once. I am glad I started the process because it did take some time. But my husband, Chuck, and I have our system down now. He passes me the pages and I place them in. He is so careful with them too. I said, "Honey, you have to gently pick each page up and hand it to me facing up".

He has a heads up as well that we will be binding these beauties next week at this time. Actually, hopefully I will be most of the way done on Sunday. I know a curve ball might be thrown my way though, so I am partially ready for my challenge. My fear is that someone will not send in their page and I will be freaking out to make another one to replace it. I want this book to be perfect for all of you!

I also have small gift bags made up for you all. I included some french pages and french flashcards for your next altered adventures. I hope that you like them and I could never thank you all enough for entering into this journey with me!

Again, thanks to all for participating, for the lovely goodies and for all of your hard work. It will be SO worth it. I will keep you posted!

Rhonda...

A New Friend & Two Wonderful Awards

One day, while participating in Kelli's Show & Tell Friday, I noticed that another gal by the name of Rhonda had joined her wonderful weekly event. Well, I just had to click on the other Rhonda and see what she was all about. I was pleasantly surprised. Her blog is called Scooterblu's Whimsy.

She had done a post about a wagon that someone had thrown away. Chances are, if you are reading my blog, you are like Rhonda and myself and you would want to swing your car around and get that precious gem. Problem was, the wagon was right across from her son's school and to top it all of, his classroom was looking right at that pile of beauty. What to do, what to do???




We have been chatting ever since. I just know that if you check out her blog, you will enjoy what you see. It is a warm, loving place that feels like home and I love her outlook on life.





Rhonda gifted me two wonderful awards, that I am so honored to receive. It is nice that we can put a smile on another person's face with the magic of our blog and that we can learn from one another and find support and inspiration. Thank you so much Rhonda and I look forward to knowing you even more. And of course, I pass these awards right back to you my friend.





Like many of you, I love blogging. I have met so many wonderful people that have really helped me to grow into a better and happier person. There is no way I could name all of the people who have done this for me but some that come to mind that I would love to pass these awards on to are...




My best blog friend Carolyn at Magpie-Pixie who I know I will meet in person one day, Kathy at Vintage Snaps & Scraps who shares so much with me, Sherry at Esprit * d'Art who has helped me to enjoy every day I am blessed with, Abbie at Whimsy of a Staggering Woman who I love and miss dearly, Val at Wanderlust N Pixiedust who just seems like a long lost sister to me, Marilyn at Unshelved Words who has inspired me to "go for it" with new types of art, Priscilla (Flea Market Queen) & Maria (The Junk Drawer) who have touched my life more then they know, Jennifer at Jenns Three Graces who helped me to finally consider myself an artist and Shanan at All My Kids 123, whose post on The Invisible Mom really touched my life.




I know there are others, so please don't be sad if you don't see your name. I am so blessed to have you all and I thank you for sharing your lives with me.



Rhonda...

Makes A Mommy Proud

My daughters never cease to amaze me. And the things that they pick up on, just incredible. When you think they don't have a clue what you are doing because they are so focused on what they are doing, but then, you find out that they see and hear every little thing you do.

My youngest ran up to me one day and she and her sister had been "creating" at the kitchen table. She was so excited and proud of the little book she had made. They have loads of paper, glue, scissors, rubber stamps, ink, etc. to do with as they please. I do ask that they take care of it all and put things away, but you know how that goes. They really are creative. Look at what my three year old brought to me.



So for all of you "aged paper" freaks like me, she actually took her ink and "aged" the edges of her pages. This really just warmed my heart and made me SO PROUD! I couldn't believe my little three year old did this all by herself, and that she was so observant.

And as a three year old, I must say that she really did an excellent job!

Just look at that technique!

Funny thing is that since she did this, I realize even more how much I actually do this. I can't have torn edges, or any edges, without rubbing my brown ink pad all about. It is rare that I leave something without just that. I am an "aged paper" FREAK and the nice thing is that not only do I know that so many of you out there ride on that same ink pad with me, but my little girls have an artistic talent all their own.

Gee, maybe I can feel a little less guilty about my crafting hobbies now. Just a tad.....

Have a great day!

Rhonda...

I Won A Fabulous Give Away from Jen at Sanctuary Arts at Home

If you haven't already seen Jen's blog, Sanctuary Arts at Home, then you really are missing out if you don't go and check her out. Especially if you love trompe l'oeil. She has a talent that I wish I had. I am so nervous to paint furniture and scared all of the paint would just peel off. Jen could take the ugliest piece of anything and turn it into a beautiful work of art. I have an old pie table that I have already destroyed, but hope that with the inspiration that Jen has given me, I will be able to make it into a thing of envied beauty.

So, Jen had a Spring Fling Giveaway, and guess who won??? Yippee! I did you silly goose. Jen was so, so generous and I just jumped for joy when I had a package waiting from her when I returned home from the beach. Check out the goods......




Look at all of these wonderful items. So many great things to not only use in collage work, but so much more.

I will be using this awesome book that she gave me. I really want to do something great with my old pie table and make her proud. Don't worry, you can bet I will be posting pics of that adventure.

My amazing husband tolerates all of my computer/blog/etsy/swap time. He always shares in my excitement. But this issue of Women's Household was a really joy for him. He was born in December of 1967, so he really enjoyed thumbing through this magazine at all of the articles and advertisements.

This music is awesome. It is so old and beautiful and aged all at the same time. Very generous, Jen was!

I know, every bit she gave to me. Beautiful old wall papers, cards, tags, fabric, just so generous!

I adore this old postcard from 1915. It is just so sweet!

These fabrics are beautiful. I seem to be using the striped one for my background in all of my photos now. Trust me, you will see this one again. I love the blue floral and know it will come in handy for a great project. The embroidered piece is one of my favs and it reminds me of my Grandma Betty, which is always a wonderful thing. It looks like some of the things that she had while I was growing up.

I adore toile. In fact, Jen has this amazing table that she refinished and it has black and creamy toile and when I visit her blog and see it, I begin to drool and can't stop for hours. You REALLY need to visit her and see her work. It is just phenomenal what this gal can do.

I hope you enjoyed my goodies. I am still enjoying them and I thank you Jen for your generosity. I just love everything and will make something that will make you so proud. I guarantee that if you visit her blog you WILL add her to your favorites. She is so inspiring and her work will blow your mind. I know it has mine!

Have a great day and don't be afraid to accept a crafty challenge and reach for higher goals.

God bless!

Rhonda...

My First Fun Friday Challenge

The theme this week was yellow and framed. This is my first challenge and I really enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy my "performers".

Crowns and tutus were created with vintage lace placed on in scrunched up layers, and then I used some shimmering powders on top of that.

Vintage Sheet Music

Itty Biddy Yellow & White Rhinestones

Several layers of different papers, including the frame.

Enjoy you weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Rhonda...

For The Birds Collage Swap

I finally got my collage out in the mail to Danielle for her collage swap. I love whoever created over night priority mail. It really helps when you are frazzled, can't seem to get anything done, and are running behind. I can't seem to get my umph back since I went on vacation. I feel like I am behind on everything, and I have LOADS of catching up to do. But really, all I want to do right now is take a nap.

The upper left piece says "Together Always" and the flower has a rhinestone center.

It can't be mine and not have something vintage on it. For this, vintage music did the trick.

I just got this pretty fringe on the top, and on the back I added some tiny ivory pom poms as well.

A scalloped oval of vintage french text, a C&C sticker and one of my cards I had made to add to my swap items.

I hope that whoever receives my collage loves it as much as I do. I had fun putting it together and had some good flow once I got going.

Hope your flow is doing well and that you are having a great day!

Rhonda...

Shipping & Final Participant List

Yippee! It is all figured out and I have our final list of participants. Thanks so much to you all for your patience and for believing in this book. I am honored to have so many wonderful artists on board. I promise you will love the finished product!

After checking out prices, weighing and calculating, I have decided to just follow along with the other book swaps that many of us have already done. I give Mary Ann full credit (thank you Mary Ann).

$6 usd for domestic participants
$8 usd for international

You can send payment with your page or pay through my PayPal account under my email address Rlsecrist@aol.com. I will be printing shipping labels through a mailing service that I have joined so that I will have tracking info.


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. Maria Kelly
9. Priscilla - Flea Market Queen
10. Celeste - Stone Soup Art
11. Emily - Remember Me
12. Nancy - Nancy Gail
13. Christine - chrisysArtnphoto PAGES RECEIVED
14. Elaine - Artful-Spirit
15. Ele - at abitofpinkheaven
16. Tina - Embellishments by Tina
17. Maria - The Junkk Drawer
18. Shannon - Miss Fickle Media
19. Christine - mybellacolle
20. Natalea - kandeland PAGES RECEIVED
21. Beth - beth's bagz'a
22. Stephanie - mlouispink
23. Ginger - mural-artworx
24. Bridget - Bridieshome

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I look forward to seeing more of your work. Be sure to post pics on Flickr, if you want to. Take care and have a great weekend!

Rhonda...

I'm Home & Well Rested

I am officially home, but still on "vacation" time. I am relaxed, and although I had a migraine yesterday, I just can't get back into "cleaning, caring, doing" mode. Am I complaining? Absolutely not. I like being relaxed and surprisingly so seeing how I have to be at my daughter's school for field day in less then an hour. Need more coffee!



It was so nice to be in Edisto. I just love it there and just feel renewed after a trip there. I have a spiritual connection to the place. Not surprising after visiting there 19 years ago after I almost died. I still remember walking down the beach in a very weak manner, but the fact that I had heart surgery two weeks prior did not phase me a bit. I was too happy to be alive and out of the hospital after a month long stay.



On my last morning there, my dad made me some breakfast. I love daddy eggs, which is what I call them. The whites are firm and the yellow is soft and my dad does an amazing job with this. My parents always have the best bread as well. Naturally it is extra yummy when someone else cooks it for you.







Fresh eggs, toast and a good ole cup of coffee. I sat on the back porch and enjoyed the sun coming up and the morning air. I love this porch. My husband and I used to drag our mattress out when we were younger and sleep out here.

Here is the view in the other direction. We always go early in May so that we miss the small crowds. When my husband and I first came, we were only about 20 years old. I remember thinking, "How dull, there is no one here, no bars, nothing to do". I was so wrong! It was a magical place because it was just us and no one else.

I love being so close to the water. Just a walk out and there you are. There have been some scary times, especially years ago when Hurricane Hugo came. I was so scared that this place would be wiped out, but we were spared. The beach has changed so many times over the years. Used to walk down a hill to get to the beach, and now it is right there. One year they came in and redid the whole beach, sucked in sand from way out to build the beach up. There was a time when the water was so close to the house.

This is also a wonderful location where sea turtles come in to lay their eggs. There are helicopters that go up and down the beach looking for their trails. One year, I was jogging at night and saw a big rock. I didn't know how on earth someone dragged a big rock up the beach. Oddly, the rock had moved on my jog back and I suddenly realized what it was. I was in awe, I was blessed, I was so fortunate to see a sea turtle right there in front of me. At the time, I didn't know I shouldn't go up to it, but I did. I got right down on my hands and knees and crawled with it towards the water. It started to rain, and I didn't care. It was an amazing moment that I will treasure forever.

Okay, this photo was supposed to be turned the other way and I don't want to start all over just to change this pic. The point is that I mention in this journal that one day my oldest can write on the pages about our trip. All of the books are there, even the first one from 19 years ago. My life has changed in so many amazing ways since that first trip.

A tear came to my eye when I realized my daughter could do our entry this year. She was so proud of herself, as I always am. Maybe one day she will bring her children here, my grandchildren. What a weird thought, but seems like you blink your eyes and it is where you are.

So, many blogs to check, friends to catch up with, swaps to do, sales to package up, oh my, oh my. Loved my trip, but so nice to be back too, to my wonderful life. Hope all of yours are doing as well. Have a great weekend!

Rhonda...

One Of My Favorite Places

There is a little island in South Caroline, that my family has been visiting for 19 years now. It is called Edisto and it is about 40 miles south of Charleston. I love it here. My husband and I first came here when we were 20 and we just feel in love even more with every visit. So many memories, and so wonderful to bring my own girls here now.

My first time here was about two weeks after my heart surgery. I almost died during that time in my life, but then came here and began a new life, one of appreciation for all that I was blessed with, including a healthy body. I took about 30 rolls of pictures in a weeks time. I was so thankful to be alive.

I love it here in Edisto. We stay in the same house, with my parents and not too much has changed. When you go inland more, the beauty is just incredible. I love Spanish moss and there are some beautiful historic places here. So much history in one time place.

One of my favorite spots, as morbid as it may sound, is an old cemetery at The Presbyterian Church. When you visit the many graves, you read some amazing words, and the thought of what this place was like long ago is fascinating.






These trees are just amazing and I wish that I could take some Spanish moss home, but it would never survive. The smaller building outside of the church is a place for prayer, to post prayer request, etc. It was made smaller then 10 paces, so that no one could challenge anyone else to a duel.

I love this view, of this large memorial reaching up to the sky, and the steeple going up even higher. The inside of the church is beautiful as well. I have always wanted to attend a service here, but I never think about it until it is too late. I learned a lot one year when I took a plantation tour with my mother and sister. I had no idea the rich history here and the plantations, many of which have been beautifully restored and are currently lived in, are just unreal.

Another beautiful memorial. The grave stones and iron work here are such works of art.

Did you have to rub your eyes and reread that sign? For a spot in our United States to be founded in 1685 is just unthinkable. You don't see it too often, but it is there.

This spot of trees beside of the cemetery reminded me of the movie The Bridge to Teribithia.

My trip has been very relaxing. I have worked on my Birds & Bonnets pages a little bit and have had lots of quality time with my Mom, which we haven't had enough of lately. It has also been fun playing with the girls on the beach. It just blows my mind how fast they have both grown. I think of my oldest playing years ago on the beach. She was so tiny. Now, she is jumping in the waves and so tall. I love the way she comes out to play with my Mom and I. I really want to have the friendship with my girls, that my sister and I have with our Mom. I am so blessed! They have also had lots of fun with their Papa and grandfather. Papa loves to fish, and Grampa is fun to splash at in the ocean. You can bet I took a lot of pictures of that. My oldest even caught her first fish, but ends up it was a young shark. The girls are fascinated with the way the fish feel and my youngest calls the squid bait her "pets" and runs around with one in her hand showing anyone that will listen to her chat about it.

Hope that everyone out there is doing well. Just wanted to say hello and I hope that you are making wonderful memories of your own and having some quality family time and relaxation.

Rhonda...

Show & Tell Friday - Shoes Part 2

I really loved all of the visits to my Show & Tell last Friday. So many wonderful people commented on my Grandmother's shoes and gave some great ideas on how to display them. This week I have another pair to share with you.

On July 26, 1903, my Great Grandmother Adams wed my Great Grandfather Adams. This would be my father's grandparents. I really need to post a picture of them together. She is the most breathtaking woman I have ever seen. Her blue eyes just speak to you from her pictures.

These were her wedding shoes. They are so tiny and are made from the softest leather. She had them imported from France and they are just so elegant.

They are in very good shape, being over a century old and I just love all of the details. Again, I would love to display them. I think of how the light and elements would hurt them, but then again, why keep them locked away in a box when they can be looked at and enjoyed.

This is the lace from her wedding dress, the shoulders. I have no idea what happened to the rest of her dress but this is the part I inherited. I wanted to incorporate some of it into my wedding dress, but I didn't have the heart to damage it in any way. Instead, I had some lighter colored roses to represent my loved ones in the center of my rich, red colored rose bouquet.

So much beauty in this 100 + year old lace. One day, I will do something fabulous with it. In fact, the idea has occurred to me while writing this that I can place these elements, along with some photos of my grandparents next to the rose colored glass items I have that are engraved with their wedding date. The glass is in my china cabinet that is full of china we hardly ever use. I think I should make my china cabinet into a display for items such as these.

To be continued....

Next I will show you my father's baby shoes, gown and dumbo. They are precious and I have a picture of my youngest in his gown.

Have a great weekend and remember to not only treasure those family heirlooms, but to enjoy them in your every day life.

Rhonda...