Sunday

I promised I'd be back in short order with an update on the fun things I had sworn that I would do this weekend. So far, I'm sticking with my promise to myself, and to you!

Friday afternoon was my first score; I found hydrangeas and roses, my favorite combination! So of course, I left with those by the armload. They look beautiful next to this old seashore photo I found while junkin' on Saturday, and some old starfish. Just enough to make me dream of summer....ahhhhhh.

I gave in and got a circle puncher, and boy am I glad I did! I've been punchin' like crazy! Not too sure what I'm doing with these yet, but I see some cards and tags in my future!

I wanted to make a hand-made gift for some friends at work who served on my committee this year. There are 9 of them, so it had to be do-able! I think these notepads turned out well.

I found some gorgeous old wedding certificates this weekend to add to my collection, and a whole book of nearly new old paperdolls. How cute are they? The colors are perfect.

Remember the old vintage book holder I told you I found a few weeks back? I'm still giddy over that one! I set it up in the dining room with an old Nancy Drew book. It makes me smile every time I walk by!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, and taking some time for yourself ~~~

Thursday

No, I haven't forgotten about you, dear friend! Things have just been very, very busy, and I am too quick to make time for everything but my creative self! A girlfriend and I have been having fun browsing this book. We've given ourselves a homework assignment to complete by Monday. (Gulp!) I am determined to get some crafting/junkin' in this weekend - -for sure. School is out soon, and then...look out!

Whew! What a Day!

When I woke up this morning I was sure it would NOT be a creative day, but I surprised myself! I was wanting to make my Mom some notecards for Mother's Day using my new-found PhotoShop 'skills'. I was pretty happy with what I would up with, several hours later! This first one is a picture of her, the rest are of her mom and aunts, etc. I hope today found you with some creativity to spare!

Getting Better!

I am still having fun experimenting with Photoshop. I made this tonight, and printed it out in 4x6 for a really cute card. You may remember from a few posts back that I found her on this website. Poke around for a while! It's hit or miss, but lots of fun. Next I want to try using some of our own old family photos to make something for mom for Mother's Day. Hmmm...

Tomorrow I'm taking the kids out to my mom's. They are spending the night while my husband and I go to an annual black-tie fundraiser. I'm really looking forward to it, but am also looking forward to hopefully swinging by one of my favorite antique malls on the short trip out there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a great find!

In the meantime I am remiss in not telling you about an ATC Swap ( a chain kind of thing) that I am way behind on! I found out a bout it from the talented Sarah. I am being a slow poke partly because I don't know who else to sign up; I need more people to add to the list! I'll fill you in next time. Maybe I can talk one or two of you into it! Have a great weekend - -

The Experiment Continues...

Okay...now I am really starting to get the hang of this! How fun!

Tech Saturday

I can not believe I actually 'made' this on PhotoShop! Okay, Okay, it's only three images, but still! Go out there and try it, if I can do it, you can do it, too!
I'm going back to the computer - - while the creativity floweth!

Happy Thursday

Today I took a much needed mental-health day, and puttered around some of my favorite haunts. I was so appreciating having some time to myself, that when I saw this plate, I knew I had to take it home with me!

Today was also a great day for finding some fab photos! I am really excited to try and experiment with these now that I am playing around with PhotoShop!

This vintage ticket to a church supper should also make for some fun scrapping. Now to figure out the scanner...!

Made this notebook that other night; it's going out to Renee in Ocean Grove, New Jersey - an Etsy friend!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend - -

Poetry in Motion

Valentine for Ernest Mann

You can't order a poem like you order a taco.

Walk up to the counter, say, "I'll take two"

and expect it to be handed back to you

on a shiny plate.

Still, I like your spirit.

Anyone who says, "Here's my address,

write me a poem," deserves something in reply.

So I'll tell you a secret instead:

poems hide. In the bottoms of our shoes,

they are sleeping. They are the shadows

drifting across our ceilings the moment

before we wake up. What we have to do

is live in a way that lets us find them.

Once I knew a man who gave his wife

two skunks for a valentine.

He couldn't understand why she was crying.

"I thought they had such beautiful eyes."

And he was serious. He was a serious man

who lived in a serious way. Nothing was ugly

just because the world said so. He really

liked those skunks. So, he re-invented them

as valentines and they became beautiful.

At least, to him. And the poems that had been hiding

in the eyes of skunks for centuries

crawled out and curled up at his feet.

Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give us

we find poems. Check your garage, the odd sock

in your drawer, the person you almost like, but not quite.

And let me know.

--Naomi Shihab Nye--

Happy Sunday

You know how I love those vintage girls! Dress patterns and old magazines are my favorite place to get their sleek sophistication. I made this card today. This lovely lady has also inspired me with an ATC idea I just may try out, using an old French for Travelers book I found this weekend. The kids and I went to a huge, annual used book sale on Friday night. We had a blast. I found lots of old vintage books that were just itching for a project I had in mind...journals!

I tackled two this weekend - Nancy being my favorite. It was hard to pull her apart, I'll admit. But once I got started, I realized the countless projects I could do with her now loose pages. I also tackled this old spelling book, he was bigger and abit more fragile than the Nancy Drew.

Susanna

by Anne Porter

Nobody in the hospital

Could tell the age

Of the old woman who

Was called Susanna

I knew she spoke some English

And that she was an immigrant

Out of a little country

Trampled by armies

Because she had no visitors

I would stop by to see her

But she was always sleeping

All I could do

Was to get out her comb

And carefully untangle

The tangles in her hair

One day I was beside her

When she woke up

Opening small dark eyes

Of a surprising clearness

She looked at me and said

You want to know the truth?

I answered Yes

She said it's something that

My mother told me

There's not a single inch

Of our whole body

That the Lord does not love

She then went back to sleep.

Home Again, Home Again...

Home again! Whew, what a trip. I've already scrapped a small book to send off to my Mother-in-law. It turned out just too cute.

Well, I told you I was planning of striking off on my own on Saturday morning to go to the flea market, and I sure did. I got up before the rest of the 'fam', got a cab, and started junkin'. Now girls, I hope you won't be too disappointed in me, but I have to tell you. I didn't hang in very long. First of all, it was freezing out. I'm telling you before long, I couldn't feel my face. I was also fighting off the beginnings of a rippin' headache. I still don't know what brought that one on. And finally, I was starting to feel a little like needing the loo, if you know what I mean, and when I tell you to picture a bathroom in the middle of New York City, in a parking garage...well, picturing a murder scene doesn't do it justice. This was definitely my find of the day:

Here's a closer look. So poignant. Made for me.

This I saw on my travels, too. I had to take a picture. Can you see...on top of that door? The sign says, "The Time is Always NOW."

Hmmm....what's it time for in your life?

Happy Thursday

Hello, everyone. I took this picture after we were finished eating on Easter Sunday. I admit that I am no chef, but I do love to set the table! This little nest was too cute. I found it at an antique mall.I had also found this old picture several weeks ago. Part of why I loved it was because it had a note on the back - 'Gladys, before marriage.' I thought it was rather poignant...didn't we all look better 'before marriage?' I found a few other pictures of Gladys, after marriage, with a gorgeous baby. Looking rather, well, tired. Here she is after I worked on her with some colored pencils.

A little better, huh? Tomorrow morning we leave for New York City for a few days. You know what's on the top of my to-do list for Saturday morning, of course. Dragging the family to the huge flea market in Hell's Kitchen, and the Garage. Can't wait!

Have a great weekend ---

Sunday Thoughts...

Yesterday I really did make it to the Frida Kahlo exhibition, and it did not disappoint! I left inspired by her ability to turn the pain and tragedies of her life into art. If you ever have a chance to see her work, or read about her, please do! Included in the exhibit were candid photos of her from her own personal collection, many of them written on in her own hand. It was really fascinating. There are so many inspiring women out there. And speaking of inspiring women...

Remember at the beginning of February when I ordered myself a little treat from Sally Jean? Well, it arrived. With a bonus necklace! I was soooo excited!

It makes me smile every time I wear it!

Speaking of smiling. Everytime I find a used copy of a Rachel Ashwell 'Shabby Chic' book - I buy it. I can't help myself. So this weekend I bought another copy of one of my favorites: Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic. Just flipping through the pages is inspiring to me.

Hope you have a beautiful week - -

Your friend is your needs answered.

He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for your peace.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

-Kahlil Gibran

*image uploaded from 'freeparking' on flickr

Sunday Stuff

I came home today from the craft store loaded down with things for the upcoming holiday. For me, that's Easter. It's so darn close to Saint Patrick's Day this year, that I'm doing blown-out decorations for that; I'll just have to take them right down again! Anyway, lots of fun stuff in great pastels - not always easy to find!

I'm hoping to go to Pennsylvania next weekend to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Museum of Art in Philadelphia. You may remember one of my past posts from last summer on Frida. I find her very inspiring, and the chance to see some of her paintings and mementos up close is too much to pass up! I hope you can spend some time this week thinking of what will get your creative juices flowing for Spring.

The View to Easter

Seems like forever since I've been here, friends! Sorry for that - things at my 'real job' have gotten in the way lately. Over the weekend, I was determined to get out some of our Spring things and make Easter come a little faster. I love this picture taken one Easter Sunday of my Grandmother and all her sisters.

I promised I'd show you my first attempt at an ATC. I like it, thought it's a little more of my melancholy side than I'm used to crafting about!

Hope you're getting some springtime heading your way!