Category Archives: home

Oct16

Show & Tell #14

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Foodie figurines on kitchen windowsill, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I have a cute collection of figurines on the front ledge of my kitchen garden window. Seeing Kelli’s last week made me want to show you mine (in a way, I didn’t dust the shelf)! Many are Enesco items like Mary Moo Moos, Cherished Teddies and Blushing Bunnies (eBay has tons of these). Zelda’s Wisdom is the dog with the chef hat on with the wooden spoon in her mouth. I always admired the saying wrapped around Zelda’s base-‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of kitchen’.

I love the cow selling lemonade and the Dairy Queen bovine-all of them!

They make me smile when I see them, hope they make you smile too.
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Also made these ATCs (Art Trading Cards) over the last week. I call them ‘Seasonal Duos’.
Seasonal Duos in a row

Sep19

Show & Tell #10

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Here’s the little cabinet I mentioned previously. Bri did not like that I put ‘my stuff’ on top of it. He wanted his stuff there. He can get out his handy dandy tools and 2 x 4s and make a shelf  unit for the top. I like the rough texture and the white washing on it. We have a lot of that honey maple color in the house. I bought it for CDs and it hardly fits any-only a pile of about 10 on their sides with space around. Time to downsize the CDs anyway. They will mysteriously be downsized someday soon. : ) Oh, and please excuse the stuff  stuck around it-I need to tidy this area more.

What’s on top-  I made the cross stitched box cover. I had started it many years ago and finished it last year and added it to the box this year. I just bought the sunflowers yesterday which are in a red glass martini pitcher (I think). On the other wall (out of view) is Van Gogh’s sunflowers painting. I want to do that in cross stitch someday. That may be my next big project!

And for my stitching pals….my little ‘Sleeping Kitty’ is coming along! My friend Nancy just sent me the Q-snap cover! I’ll have to figure out how to make them as they are awesome!

Sep17

Awesome nature!

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I went outside to look around yesterday. I’m pretty much through with gardening until I have to put all the decorations away, which is a back breaking job in itself. My back wasn’t good yesterday and I made it a little worse watering potted plants after dinner. My heating pad isn’t working that great and I even tried the infrared thing-a-ma-jig. Bri found some Therma-care heat wraps and so far the one I have on is awesome. It’s like having little warm peebles on your back. It seems to be getting hotter, so I better watch that. I need the winter to get myself ‘fixed’ and ‘rested’ again.

So enough rambling! My mom went back to the eye doctor and he took a stitch out of her repaired right eye. Imagine laying there while he did that! He still wants to see her again on Friday and her next surgery may be postponed until she can see better. I was hoping she would be lots better by now, but it was a hard cataract.

Heard brother #2 went to see Joe Biden last night at Linvilla Orchards, a neat place we use to go to all the time as kids. They had hay bales there for the people to sit on. I believe Gov. Rendell was there too.

Here’s what I found out in the herb bed, munching on fennel and dill:

I think there were about 20 Monarch butterfly caterpillars on these herbs! I guess since I’m not using them, they decided to move in!

Also did a little art last night. A few more Skinny cards. My flickr pal had sent me one, so I made her one too:

Found the neat weathervane in an old American history book, the crow from an old bird guide, and the stone wall is from a desk calendar.

And I thought this turned out cute:

I call it ‘Dear Child’

Later the Dishnet guy is suppose to come upgrade the tv. He cancelled out on Monday due to van issues. Bri had to call to reschedule since I wasn’t the name on the account, they wouldn’t let me do so! I was the one who scheduled it in the first place. Needless to say, I was a bit steamed. It better be so worth the hassle.

I’ll show an update of ‘Sleeping Kitty’ later. I’ve been working on him diligently as I want a finish to frame soon. I also want to do a few Halloween designs from the JCS Halloween issue. I have a little Halloween tree for such things with little round orange lights. Someday I’ll take photos of some more of my autumn decor.

Sep6

Photo Hunt-Strings

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PSHunt

Oh this was a difficult hunt, but I located some dusty strings on this model ship in my son’s bedroom (reflected on his little dresser mirror). I didn’t want to pull out the guitar and I even took this photo:

of Bri’s old slippers (ew and never thought they would get blog time) and this:

Of a pretty tassle hanging from my curio cabinet.

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Sherry is doing a Truth or Dare for her blog party. She had quite a dare! My goodness girl!

The only thing I remember is I dared myself to stop these freshman girls in the dorm from slamming their door every time they came in and out. I was older and it was rather annoying. It was before security cameras, I guess, like 1980. I got out the vaseline and coated the door knob. I listened for a reaction within the next 1/2 hour and I heard a ‘ewwwww gross’ as they tried to open the slippery doorknob . HA! I had a good laugh. And I kept a straight face when they told me about it too.

Aug11

My special space

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For the time being, it works. Someday I’ll have a second guest room, and I can really go to town. I need the first guest room open for the snorer in the family and my collection of Barbies and other 11.5″ dolls. There may come a time when I want to sell most of them, but I was really selective about what I bought. I just found my Barbie case. The date on it says 1968, so it was around that time I got it. I opened it and Barbie, Stacy, Francie, Skipper and a GI Joe (!) looked as if I just played with them yesterday. I forget why the GI Joe was in there-I figure Mom found him at an auction or yard sale for me.

Not feeling too great to go to the chiropractor. My upper back is bothering me more and I woke up with a ‘tummyache’ about 2:30. I took more Rolaids and chewed some gum then and am better, but feel like I am hungover (only been that way a long time ago!) He may say that 21 years of gardening, plus having Lyme Disease may have taken their toll on me. When I mentioned I had LD (got it in about 1997) he asked if they followed up on me after I took the 3 weeks of antibiotics and I said ‘no’.

Anyway-here’s my desk that I will spruce up-it’s bigger than it looks-about 30″ long:

I found the teapot piece in the back and am finally utilizing it. My friend sent me most of the papers on the left and I was going through the papers on the right. I have tons of paper! Still sorting through them and will arrange by color. I’d like to bring a 3-door storage piece up from the basement to replace the boxes.

The bookcase on the right is just one of my pieces for my cookbooks.

I’ll let you know what goes down today.

~Update-I went to the chiropractor and he said my neck and back muscles are definitely tight and could benefit from treatment. He did strength tests, used the little rubber hammer and told me his dislike of one of the doctors where we go. I don’t care much for her much either and was always glad when I had the PA instead of her. She wouldn’t listen to anything you say. I am going to go a few times a week (I hope the insurance covers some of it or I won’t be able to afford to go). I hope it helps!

Aug11

Finally some rain

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Bri kept telling me it was going to rain-he must have known. I did go out and water my plants as it was so nice and cool for a change. I had more energy to do so as it wasn’t humid. I also picked a few flowers to photograph in these cute little vases I have. I’ll share on I photo shopped as a ‘sneak peek’ for Saturday’s Photo Hunt:

I love that Paint Shop Pro!

Ever have a pretzel from ‘The Pretzel Factory’? They are pretty good and we got 10 for $5 plus chocolate and cinnamon dipping sauces. I believe the yeast plays havoc with your digestive as we all took Rolaids. Or it was my homemade tomato sauce (?), but I added a pinch of baking soda to it to help with the acidity. The sauce was good (tasted so fresh) and while we ate, it poured outside. We needed the rain so badly.

My shoulder area is better, but I’ll still go see the chiropractor tomorrow. It’s not my only issue. My neck on the left has been hurting off and on and my knees aren’t that great. We’ll see what happens-never been to one before! My uncle was teasing me-saying that first he’ll use the little rubber hammer, then a metal hammer and I better watch out for the tongs! He had a good laugh, which was music to my ears.

I’m sorting out my papers and craft stuff, or I’d show you a photo of the desk. Bri couldn’t believe it was messed up already. I had to take a break. ; )

Was a bit teary-eyed to see the American male swimmers on the relay team (Michael Phelps was one of them) take the gold a little bit ago! They were hooting and hollering!

Aug10

A desk with a view

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This was all yesterday:

Since Bri and I were flying solo (Sean made a day trip to a Delaware Beach), we got moving on my craft area. I’m not saying everything is honky dorie yet, but things are in place. It has a great view of the overgrown butterfly bush and the butterflies that have been visiting there. Lots of dust and sorting. Uggha. So my ‘antique’ Shaker desk is now under my dining room window. It’s painted a funky blue-will have to do something with the paint. It’s ‘sister’ desk was stripped somewhat by me and use to hold the microwave in the kitchen. We made the switcher-roo between the blue and the wood (blue was in the guest room, the wood in the basement). We had to put our teak tea cart in the basement for now-hated to, no room up here. I may offer it to a family member, but it’s not in the best of shape. May end up getting rid of it in the long run. It served it’s purpose. Just taking all the crap stuff off the dining room table and moving it to the desk a big difference. That’s my plan. I really need a super cute storage unit with drawers. The plastic boxes look ugly. When I get it a bit more tidied up, I’ll post a photo.

Sean got home around 7-it was really crowded down in Delaware. They tried Rehoboth first, no parking whatsoever-ended up down the road in Dewey. I was glad to have found a coupon for buy one, get one free at a popular pizza place down there for $10. Mentally I’m taking the $10 of the price of the $35 coupon book. I usually get my money’s worth out of it. : ) Sean has sunburn only on one upper arm. It was probably the way he was sitting on the beach. We go to Atlantic City in a week. Just saw where a guy fell off the escalator where we will be staying (he was sitting on the arm and got killed-geez).

I hope you got to see the opening ceremony of the Olympics-what a techno fabulous show! My mom called me to see if I had it on as she was so impressed by it all. Terrible about the Americans hurt (killed) there.

Sorry to hear about the passing of Bernie Mac-just his facial expressions made you laugh.

Better go to bed soon as we need to go to church tomorrow. I hope my sinuses will forgive me for all the dust I inhaled today.

One of my latest creations-she’s eating glitter-opps:
Hope ATC

Don’t the jewels look real-they’re stickers! The lady is from a Victorian inspired catalog. The painting they offer of her is called a ‘yard long’ as she’s 36″ long. I wanted to try some new rubber stamps too.

Aug8

Show & Tell #4

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I wanted to say that it’s been nice to meet many new bloggers through Kelli’s Show & Tell. I have been so impressed by all the terrific blogs I’ve seen over the last few weeks. There are many interesting people out there and you are all special. Nice to meet you!

Today, here is my late Grandmom Ruth’s little Martha Washington cabinet that I have in my family room with mostly my cross stitch and crochet supplies tucked inside it’s little drawers and bin like sides.

I know, there’s so much on top of it! Carol from A Garden of Stitches made me the little ‘Stick it Here’ pincushion and Barbara from Mainly Stitching made the pillow top pin cushion. I made the framed pieces you see-the Big Bee, Little Bee on top of the cabinet and the little stitching girl on the wall. I have some cute thread spool garland draped around the walled piece. I am dying to get some new window treatments there. The little cabinet sat in the hallway in mom’s house (my grandmom lived with us, it was her house too) and it was rather neglected and lost it’s pretty shine. I actually saw a similar one at Chadds Fords Day and it was polished and preserved nicely.

Here’s what’s on top closer up:

I found the little stitching girl at a flea market-it’s a pin cushion too. My dear late friend Charlotte gave me the book leaning against the wall there. I should show you the gorgeous box there too with copies of vintage sewing items that my friend Barb from Colorado gave me. It’s really neat.

Jul29

Still sorting

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They say it gets worse before it gets better. I have things scattered all over the place now that I emptied the tea cart this morning. Brian’s small collection of beer steins, some bar stuff (we hardly even drink); vases, and other things that had no business being there. We have used the cart for over 24 yrs. It gets dusty. You can’t see what’s on the bottom shelf. When I took it away, it really opened up the space! I think the next step, that’s after I clean everything, will be rearranging the china cabinet. Did I tell you I hate the china cabinet? It was given to me by the in-laws when we moved here as she was getting a new one. It’s 60s-70s Early American, I can’t stand that chunky stuff! I want a white one to tie in with the kitchen cabinets. One of these days.

Bro #2 cat got out of his apartment and was missing. I’m not sure what the kitty status is today. I know bro stopped at the SPCA to see if anyone picked the cat up. He is really a scaredy cat to the 1st degree. I told him that when our mostly housecats get out, they always come back. It helps that I was sitting in the lawn crying for Cosmo. He couldn’t stand that. But our first cat Jade was declawed. We had to leave her out as we went to a picnic. When we came home, she was up against the back of the house waiting.

Bro #1 is losing one of his oldest pals from cancer. I guess his pal is about 54 like he is. When I think of his friend, I see him smoking. #1 spent the entire day with his pal in the hospital on Sunday. So sad.

I was bored and sneezy yesterday-so I made this:

I am pleased to announce that one of my photos is being used on Schmap-an Orlando travel site. If only I would get paid. : ) It’s the guitar fountain from the Hard Rock Hotel. We did stay there, but had some room issues…I won’t go into it here. It’s totally a great place, but they should keep pets out of the rooms.

Jul25

Show n’ Tell week #2

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Today, I’m sharing some of my Titanic lady porcelain dolls and a few other pieces from that collection-they have their own shelf in our family room. If they could talk, they would say ‘dust me’ and I will now that I saw what was on them. They are too pretty to let this happen! Dust and me do not get along-better wait until I get back from the eye doctor! (I may add a few more shots too, it’s pretty late now).
There’s Rose-from the movie Titanic, as portrayed by Kate Winslet in her modern striped outfit and big hat. I have one or two other outfits, but stopped buying them as they were getting pricey. I do have a photo of Kate up there too, it’s suppose to be signed by her (eBay purchase). Not sure if it’s the real deal.
The fine lady in black was modeled after one of the passengers, if I remember correctly. For the life of me, I forget her name! I also have two models of the grand ship, one of which I assembled; and the children’s book ‘Voyage of the Great Titanic’. There’s a little mannequin with a turn of the century type outfit and a cute purse that looked nice up there. It’s to the right of the computer desk here.

So what’s funny to me is that sometimes I’m taking a quiz on the Titanic and it may ask how many smoke stacks it had. I forget to look up to double check that there were 4 and not 3, and I usually answer three!

Brian and I were married on April 14th, the day the ship struck the iceberg. I remember my mom’s friend Jim saying that he hoped our marriage stayed ‘afloat’, or something to that effect. Very funny! It’s been over 24 yrs.

I do have a few other Titanic things that I’ll share in another post or two.

We have gone to a few Titanic exhibits-in Atlantic City and Orlando, Florida. I am interested in that time period, as my Grandmom Ruth was a little girl back in 1912. I was interested in the Titanic before the movie-honest. We have a National Geographic video about it too. The exhibits were interesting and sad at the same time. Each had an ice wall that represented what the water felt like in the Atlantic in April-deathly cold! The Florida exhibit had a replica of the Grand Staircase-gorgeous. And here’s the bigger version of my doll’s outfit!

It was such a waste of everything-people’s hard work building it, but of course mostly that of innocent passengers who had no lifeboat to safety.


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