Extra Sprinkles

2011-11-03T22:56:00.002-05:00

I just love auctions. Not the online kind. The old haywagon in the country estate kind. It's almost the end of the season here in northern Illinois for outdoor auctions. November is pushing it but we get a few in before the snow starts to fly.

Last weekend I woke up on Saturday with grand plans of cleaning the house and getting a few items photographed for my Etsy shops and remembered there was an auction. I tried not to go but within half an hour I was showered, dressed and out the door, bubblewrap and plastic bins in hand.

What an auction. The estate belonged to a woman who had lived in a Victorian home. There was a lot of new stuff, but there was a lot of old stuff too. At the end of the day I drove away with my car loaded to the hilt.

Among other things, I picked up this old mirror and awesome trinket box.

So here it is November and, once again, I can't get the car into the garage. My never ending battle with myself. I wonder if I border on hoarder. How could I pass up 20 place settings of Johnson Brothers Ironstone Regency dinnerware for $25? Impossible. It's already washed and in my cabinet. Who am I kidding? Every November I will be writing posts that my car won't go into the garage once again.

A great website to check for auctions in your area is www.auctionzip.com

2011-10-23T10:21:00.002-05:00

Before and After

I picked up this table at Good Will for $3.99. I taught myself how to cut the china, glass and grout. This took most of the summer because I was looking for china that would work well. I have a huge collection but, of course, I always wanted something other than what I already had. This is my second finished project. I have two end tables that match this coffee table that I hope to complete. The problem is I love them so much that I can't part with them to sell them.

Visit my Etsy shop to see all the great vintage Christmas items I have listed. If you love vintage linens, check out my tablecloths and vintage aprons. I also recently listed some great vintage hats and handbags.

If you sell on Etsy (or anyplace else for that matter), be sure to pick up a copy of my Etsy Marketing Manual

Vintage Cookbooks and Valentine's Day Hankies

2011-01-11T14:19:00.003-06:00

I love vintage cookbooks. I especially love the illustrations in vintage cookbooks. I have found several great cookbooks from the 40s through the 80s and it is interesting to look at the table settings in the photographs through the decades. Check out my Etsy shop for new additions in my Vintage Cookbooks section. Enjoy free shipping on ALL of my vintage cookbooks.

If you are looking for something sweet for your Valentine, I have some wonderful vintage handkerchiefs. Several have delicate tatted trim. Check out my vintage hankies here. The handkerchief pictured below is my favorite.

I have also found an amazing item that has multiple uses. In the 40s, during the war, fabric was at a premium and was rationed. There was no running to Penny's to buy new curtains. In those days people were very ingenious and companies came up with paper draperies that looked like the real deal.

I found several sets of paper curtains still in the packaging and they are amazing. I have used one set to line drawers in an old chest and I used some of the same pair to line the inside of a cupboard. The paper is heavy duty. The pattern looks like barkcloth. Use for scrapbooking, mixed media backgrounds, the ideas are endless. They are even sturdy enough to this day to use as draperies if one wishes. One pattern I found is pictured below. I have another set in my Etsy shop as well. Check out my vintage linens section.

Lastly, check out the new book I am reading,

Flip the Funnel: How to Use Existing Customers to Gain New Ones

In his book, Joseph Jaffe teaches that by engaging our customers we can increase customer connections, conversations and potential conversions through repeat purchases and referrals. I really enjoy his writing style.

New Fabric and Lots of Buttons

2010-12-05T17:40:00.008-06:00

I've been busy adding new items to my Etsy shop. Lots of vintage mother of pearl buttons and some great decorator fabric have been added. You can check it all out in the slideshow to the left.

I have been looking all over for a vintage bonnet hair dryer and finally found one at a thrift store yesterday. I just love thrift stores. This is an old General Electric bonnet hair dryer and it works amazingly. And it's clean! I can't wait to try it out.

Do you remember these?

Just checking in.....

2010-11-13T20:41:00.003-06:00

Greetings! Not much to report other than I am currently working on some Christmas gifts for family, friends and co-workers. I am creating what I hope to be a keepsake recipe book for someone. I am using some digital elements along with regular scrapbooking materials. Started with just a normal Wal-Mart purchased 3 ring binder with the front and spine cover sleeves and taking it from there. Found some great elements and papers at Archiver's and also using Nana's Kitchen paper pack I picked up at Hobby Lobby. On another note, I picked up a new wavy soap cutter a couple of weeks ago and love it. It cuts so much cleaner and easier than the straight edge and gives the soaps a more interesting look.

Finally had my first sale from my second Etsy shop, ScentimentalTimes. I don't have must listed there yet but I am starting to get some traffic and so I am down here in my little work room sorting and organizing.....again. I have too much stuff. I only hit two auctions this year and the pickins' were so good that, once again, only one car fits in the garage. I am doing a better job than I have in the past at keeping things sorted but, with Dan being ill, it is sometimes a struggle to finish what I start. He's stable and actually seems to be doing better but has his days. This has been one rough year, I can tell you that. I am soooooooo looking forward to a fresh start in 2011. How about you?

October Saturday Give-Aways

2010-10-03T11:03:00.001-05:00

Visit "Tales from an OC Cottage" for details.

My Nest is Empty and Other Ramblings

2010-10-02T09:00:00.014-05:00

I can hardly believe that it has been seven months since I posted to my blog! In real life (as opposed to "cyber" life) the time just flies by so quickly that by the end of the day I don't have much energy to get on the computer to read, let alone write. Do you know what I mean? My blog posts should, after all, be written from the heart and not out of a feeling of obligation or to become more popular.

So, if you are here and choose to read about what I've been up to lately I am honored and quite happy!

Some of you know that my husband, Dan, has been very ill. To those of you who have been praying for him/us and have expressed your dear words of concern, we thank you and send you a hug of friendship. Dan is holding his own. His blood counts have returned to normal and as of his last scan, there has been no further advancement. So, for now, everything is being controlled. This year has taken its toll on my sweetheart. He has aged (and so have I!) and his energy is not back to where it was, but he is still with me, I pray, for many more years to come.

I have a new job. Those of you who know me know how much I loved working from home for the past 11 years. However, my last employer, whom I was with for almost 3 years, decided that they did not have to pay me on a regular basis anymore. I dusted off my resume, threw it onto the Internet on a couple of prime job seeking sites that cater to my industry and, voila!, I received two phone calls and within a month I was at my new job. I have been happily caged in what I call a "demi-cube" since the beginning of May. The paychecks are regular (with more money), the benefits are great and everything is going well. I even "shabbied" up what I call my little "demi-cube" and people come by to see the "pink" cubicle. The only thing I haven't done is reupholster the not-quite-sure-what-color-it-is-because-it-isn't-beige-but-it-isn't-taupe cubicle walls. I even have a lamp with a beaded lampshade on my desk. It feels a little like my desk at home, so I love it.

I am starting (I know you have heard me say this a dozen times) to get back into my creating. I just finished another picture frame (it's on MadeItMyself) and have been adding more vintage jewelry, hats, purses, and other pretties to my stash on Etsy. In addition to my regular ExtraSprikles website and Etsy, I recently added a new website to my portfolio, ScentimentalTimes.com. I have been studying vegan candle making and have created some wonderful new scents using vintage containers. This is one of my favorites:

I named the scent "Calypso". It is a soft, tropical scent with hints of mango, lemon and vanilla. When I saw this vintage Avon jar with the repousse lid, I knew I had to create something special with it. Made with 100% vegetable soy, a cotton wick and all natural oils, this candle will burn clean and completely so that all that needs to be done when it is finished is to remove the wick tab and the jar remains useful. I just hate throwing out candle containers that are pretty so I wanted to create something long lasting. I can refill this over and over and use it for years. So now, of course, I am constantly on the hunt for these pretty jars.

Until next time...
~xoxoxo~
Christine

The Leprechans are Coming!

2010-03-12T23:39:00.007-06:00

At our house, the Leprechauns play tricks on St. Patrick's Day. One time they turned the milk green and another time they hid all of the kids shoes in the freezer. Another time they hid all the kitchen chairs in the bathtub. They are so mischievous so be on the lookout for those little tricksters and if you catch one, don't fall for his tricks and get that pot o'gold.

Did anyone else see this program on Friday night on PBS? Where have I been? This is the first time I have seen this group. I adore George Donaldson, the bald guy in the middle. My new crush. I'm hopeless. The name of this group is Celtic Thunder and I am totally hooked. I just LOVE a man in a kilt!

Is it Monday.....Again?????

2010-03-08T19:53:00.004-06:00

Another Monday and chemo started again today for three more days. Hubby is handling this round so much better because he is not allowing himself to get dehydrated this time. I never want to live through that first day ever again. He has been doing great the past couple of weeks and has been able to go out with me more often on my road trips for work.

Friday we thrifted in Peoria after I finished some work there. Check out Thrifting Adventures to learn what we did and where we went.

So am I the ONLY person who didn't watch the Oscars and opted, instead, for Billy the Exterminator? (multiple episodes!) It must be the fact that I have the job I have and am drawn like a moth to the flame to train wrecks or reasonable facsimiles. I love the show "Hoarders" and will watch that as well as Pawn Stars on the On Demand channel over and over. What is it about the OLD MAN? I guess I just love his "no B-S" way of handling things. But "Billy the Exterminator" is a treasure to behold. And finally, someone is bringing back that big 80s hair! Check out his mom, Donnie. I love her! Hey Billy!

Don't they remind you of a Louisiana version of Dog the Bounty Hunter? (I love that show too)

Oh yeah, and "Operation Repo". Gotta love that one. Makes me pay my bills on time. Those girls scare me.

Your Monday Bright Spot

2010-03-01T11:50:00.009-06:00

It's a sickness. I know.

Need a Break from Winter

2010-02-25T17:07:00.006-06:00

I needed a little breath of spring so I just added this to my Etsy shop.

Thanks so much to everyone who has been emailing me to check on Dan. He is feeling a lot better today. Just have to keep him moving and drinking his Gatorade. Hopefully the bad days will become fewer and fewer. Although he went to the barber to get a No. 2 buzz cut, none of his hair has fallen out yet. Maybe it won't. They said it should be happening by now. Keeping our fingers crossed!

JUST ADDED TO ETSY

2010-02-21T15:53:00.015-06:00

I went to am amazing estate sale this week and am finally getting the items uploaded to my shops. Take a look! These are just three of my finds. I have to get the rest photographed. My favorite, though, is the Fire King Rachel star pattern milk glass chip and dip. That will be difficult to part with.

Fire King "Rachel" Star Pattern Heavy Milk Glass Fluted Chip & Dip Set

Amazing Crestmark Continental Silver Art Deco Lidded Casserole Server

Very Cool and Retro Black and White Therm Ware Ice Bucket

Hello and an Update

2010-02-17T10:25:00.010-06:00

Hello to one and all. Some have been looking for me and I know some have just given up. The past few weeks have been full on. I wasn't planning on sharing but figured since some of my bloggy friends are praying friends, I thought I would share and ask you to pray for my husband. I'm not keen on posting personal issues on my blog, but when the going gets tough, the tough pray and ask for prayer.

My sweetheart, boyfriend and hubby, Dan (aka Shabby Hubby to some) has been diagnosed with lymphoma. I rushed him to the hospital about 6 weeks ago and, after major poking and prodding, he has cancer. This is our second go-around. This isn't the kind of cancer they can just go in and take out. It's chemo time at our house. We had to wait until further biopsies, bone marrow samples and CT scans were completed but he finally began chemo on Monday of this week. Today is the last day of the first round and we get to do this every 21 days for 6 months. There will be more bone marrow biopsies and scans along the way. He is feeling pretty good after the first two days but this is the easy part. Now we wait for the hair to fall out, for the fevers and, hopefully we can ward off infection. It's a pretty scary time. So, if any of you are the praying type, I am sure my guy wouldn't mind a mention. :)

I've been keeping myself busy with my Etsy shop and trying to update ExtraSprinkles as I find time. Burying myself in my job, my online shops and taking care of my boy is helping me to stay anchored.

Some of you have been so kind and have kept in touch. Thank you so much. I haven't had time to visit all of your blogs but hope to now that we are getting into a bit of a routine here.

Thanks for stopping by! I will update as often as I can to let you all know how my sweetie is doing.

I am Just Not Good at This

2010-01-06T12:08:00.003-06:00

I keep trying to find time to come back to my blog. There have been so many things during the past 7 months that have interfered with my blogging, my website, my projects. I will not bore you with the details but just to say I am alive and at least I am listing new inventory once again on my website and my Etsy shop.

Have you been watching that show "Hoarders"? OMG! That show scares me to death. While I am not like the people on that show that allows garbage to stack up, I do tend to suffer from what I call "multiple collection disorder". Some people can't pass a shoe store without going in. I can't pass a thrift store without going in. And don't show me a newspaper ad or tell me about an auction being held within 100 miles of my house.

My garage is looking like it did before the major clean up (See April 08 Garage Phase 2). This summer I picked up A LOT of furniture that I need to either paint or just sell as is. However, I can still get one car in the garage, so it is better than it was before.

I started a major project last year that was really doing well and had so much promise but my partner emptied the bank account and ran off with the money. Sounds like a typical story, I know. What was I thinking by partnering with someone? I met up with my friend, Lena, when she was in Chicago for business and she cautioned me that women should never go into business with anyone else. If it is for us, it is for us and not for anyone else. I am sure there are exceptions but Lena knows her stuff and I am going to listen to her from now on. So I have to decide if I am going to spend the money for legal fees to get the money back or just let it go, learn from it and move on. It really hurt but it wasn't the end of the world. I learned a lot and even got some side work out of it just for me from a vendor who turned client, so maybe in the end it was for the best. Actually, it was for the best. At least my former partner ripped off the bank account before the money really started coming in. It was still humiliating and embarrassing and every other adjective you can think of to insert here.

So let me think of what else has happened since I last chatted with you. My oldest daughter is still in college with about 2 semesters left (not to mention that I think she has met Mr. Right) and my baby girl is a high school senior this year. She has been accepted to every university she has applied to. She has decided on Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago. Not my first pick for her (very very liberal school) but she loves the city and wants to live downtown. When I discussed my concerns with her she said "Momma, you gave me a good foundation. I will not lose my faith and I can't be brainwashed." I guess I just have to trust that I did my best and the rest is up to her. The dorm is very cool and is only 2 blocks off Michigan Avenue. It is a high rise and at least half of the rooms have views of the lake and Buckingham Fountain. She is so excited. She has been awarded a scholarship that is almost 50% of the total cost per year, not counting books. Thank you Jesus! What an answer to prayer. He never abandons us. We are mailing the deposit this week. So my last little chick is about the leave the nest. snif.

If you happen to visit me, leave a note. I promise to respond. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that this new year will be the best for you and that God blesses you and your family.

~Christine

Have I Been Gone That Long?

2009-06-09T13:06:00.004-05:00

Well, ladies, once again I got sucked into the vortex of real life and have been missing all of you very much. I still owe Linda Jo her birthday prezzy, since May 19 was her birthday and I still have not mailed it. sigh. What happened? Nothing incredibly exciting, just working.

School is out now and both girls are home and working. Grandma is doing better and the doctor took her off of most of her meds now. When we got her home with us last June she was taking about 15 different medications. Now she is taking 3. The doctor who was treating her in Florida has lost his medical license. I was not surprised to hear that news. I can't bear to think about what might have happened had we not gotten her away from him. No one has to tell me why our Medicare system is broken. I know why it is broken. Doctors like him who made little old ladies take blood transfusions they don't need and put them in the hospital 15 times in 3 years when they didn't need to be hospitalized.

I wish I had a photo to post for you but I don't. Or, maybe I do.

Ahhhhhhhh, now don't we all feel just a little bit better now?

I am in total NCIS withdrawal right now. I keep going to surfthechannel.com and watching all the episodes in sequential order over and over again. I'm so afflicted. What a silly thing at this age.

My peonies just bloomed. Life is good.

2009-03-13T21:20:00.002-05:00

I thought celebrity crushes ended somewhere around 17.
I guessed wrong.

2009-03-02T16:16:00.007-06:00

Ice Fishing, Anyone?

hint: Turn off the music on my slide show over on the left of the page so you can enjoy the "down home" tune I chose for this video.

Men will be boys and they are all 14.

I didn't see any women in any of these photos. Did you?

2009-02-26T00:17:00.004-06:00

So Much Has Happened Since Our Last Visit

May I please brag? Just a teensie weensie itsy bitsy bit? Please, oh please, oh pretty please?

(I am such a good whiner)

On Sunday, the day after my birthday and before the post two down that we will never mention again, my baby girl was inducted into the National Honor Society. I know, big deal, right? It is a big deal to me. I never made it into NHS, and, besides, it was the 70s and I was more into, well, other things. (I have pics that you will never see while I am alive but I think that the statute of limitations has run on most of that stuff)

I told my kids that they only had one goal in high school, well two goals actually. Goal #1: Chastity and Goal #2: National Honor Society because it is money in the bank when it comes time for scholarships to be handed out.

Laura is the last of my Mohicans and every single one of our kids got into NHS. Whew!

My work here is done. I can hang up my cattle prod once and for all. Now we can go and visit some colleges over the summer and see what she wants to do. Whatever it is, it will be expensive and I still owe her sister for, well, that thing we are not to mention.

Here are is just one pic from the ceremony. I know....it's about as exciting to read this as watching someone else's vacation slides or looking at pics of someone's new baby. Too bad. Look at it anyway.

2009-02-25T22:08:00.009-06:00

LOOK WHAT LINDA JO DID!!

When I got home from work last Friday there was a package waiting for me from Linda Jo. I wondered why she had asked me for my address. I thought maybe she was sending me an invite to come to Texas to enjoy some warmer weather. I opened the package and look what she made for me!!! Linda Jo, did I tell you it was my birthday?

She even found something that had my name on it!
It's difficult to see, but it's right below the pink rose in the left lower corner of the pic above.

And look at this sweet "Wish" ticket, the velvet leaves and velvet rosebud.

Linda, how did you know!!!!!

And the vintage ledger had the date February 21 on it.
Amazing.

Now, I am going to say this and I don't want to hear anyone go "poor baby" because
this gorgeous birthday card just totally made my birthday.

Linda Jo, this was the only birthday gift I received. I did get a card from Shabby Hubby and I got a card from a girlfriend. Your beautiful and thoughtful gesture meant more to me than any other gift I could have received. So the absence of gifts and cards was not felt because I just keep looking at this with such deep gratitude for your awesome thoughtfulness. It is the bestest, mostest special thing I think I have ever received.

Thank you so much! I could just hug you real hard!!!

I will admit that for my birthday, my girls and I did go to the 11 PM showing of "Taken". Gotta love that Liam Neeson. Good movie for you girls who love "quality kills". Ummmm, that would be me. ;)

"Full Metal Jacket"....one of my all time faves. I never have been a chick flick lover, in spite of my pinktabulous reputation. Unfortunately, I have raised two girls who love this type of movie as well.

Their first choice was to take me to the midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show but when they found out that I saw it in the 70s, that idea lost it's appeal. They wanted to shock me and have the other moviegoers tease me. When I started spouting off the lines from the movie, the songs and the audience participation lines, they decided that instead of them embarrassing me, I would end up embarrassing them.

I am very tardy in getting photos of this beauty posted so that you could all see Linda Jo's lovely work.

Thankfully Linda Jo's beautiful gift arrived BEFORE what happened in the post below.

After you look at the post below everyone say together "oh, bless your heart you poor thing".

You may now commence with your feeling sorry for me. It's not my fault that my daughter decided not to continue keeping collision coverage on her insurance.

2009-02-25T12:42:00.002-06:00

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!!!!

DID I MENTION THIS WAS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR?

Lends new meaning to the phrase "I should have just stayed in bed".

My fault.
Her car.
She is still crying.
Not repairable.
I got the ticket.
(cuss word)

You heard me. I said cuss word.

2009-02-12T22:10:00.003-06:00

YEAH, RIGHT......

I was happily, well maybe not so happily, working at my office today when I received a telephone call from college daughter. She called to tell me that she and her roommate had been thinking about something while eating in the dining hall. That is never a good thing. It usually means I am about to write a check.

Anyway, the two of them decided that since daughter is not getting any scheduled hours at Chili's and roomie only makes a few bucks a week working on campus that the two of them will now work for me.

Excuse me? Doing what?

Now, please excuse the language here, but I am going to quote these two "young ladies" in the exact verbage that they used when they called me. "Mom", Katie said, "We want to be your _itches." The missing letter is not a "w".

How do you respond to that? "My what?!!!!" She repeated the exact same words quoted above, omitted letter included in her statement.

Oh my. "Is that how I taught you to speak?"

I had to ask for a specific definition of what she was saying, or asking, I'm not sure which it was.

She informed me that she and Stacy would come to my office and do work for me and they would come to the house and clean it once a week and also help to start reorganizing the basement so that I could get back to my creating.

Sounds good, but when she started to explain what they wanted to do I started daydreaming about me walking down Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago without a care in the world, fur coat flying out behind me in the breeze (I do not own a fur coat) with these two idiots running behind me trying to keep pace with me as they are carrying all of my packages. I mean, isn't that what "_itches" do for their employers?

And where did that title come from anyway?

Back to reality. I don't shop on Michigan Avenue unless there is a sale so forget about that.

"Oh, so what's the catch?"

"You will pay us."

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh" (I knew it would involve a redistribution of wealth). sigh.

"How much do I pay you?"

"Well, we need to have a sit-down."

At this point, blogpals, I am losing it. I am laughing so hard that I can't see and I couldn't catch my breath. I had to put the phone down and go to the bathroom or I was going to need to change my clothes. I was literally gasping for air.

So I gather my composure and asked when they would like to have this "sit down". OMG, I can barely keep myself under control while I am waiting for her answer.

"Well, Saturday is Valentine's Day and I might have a date. I have a big exam on Monday so I need to study all weekend, except Saturday of course. Maybe we could get together on Sunday and you could take us to lunch so we could have a break from studying." She went on to tell me that she and Stacy do not have classes on Tuesdays and they could work for me on Tuesdays.

"So you are going to input data into my Excel program and clean the house and do all the other things I need done and get it all done on Tuesdays?"

"No", she says, "When we don't have other things to do on the weekends, we can do work for you because Stacy has track meets on Fridays or Saturdays most weeks."

"I see. So you can only be my _itches at your convenience. I don't think that is very professional, as _itches go. What does it say in the Professional _itch manual?"

THIS IS MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER!!!!! Have a sit-down so I can buy these two knuckleheads lunch so they can tell me how much they want me to pay them to be my _itches when they feel like being my _itches?!

This is too hysterically funny not to follow through with the sit-down. I have to find out what they are really up to.

Personally, I think they want to go someplace for spring break (over my dead body) and they are trying to figure out how they are going to finance it (again, over my dead body).

Oh, I forgot to mention that Katie told me that part of her "pay" could be my paying her cell phone bill and car insurance (insert "over my dead body" here). Did I ever tell you how much Katie's cell phone bills can be? Her first one ever was $800. No, I haven't paid her cell phone bills in a long time.

So, if I have "_itches", have I finally arrived? Am I finally affluent?

Anyone want to start a pool to see how long this lasts? This is the child who lives in her on campus apartment but has a room here she can't keep clean.

Maybe I should have danced all night.....

2009-02-08T19:47:00.001-06:00

Thrifting was a Bust

Sorry, ladies, I have nothing to show for my day of thrifting. Maybe I am too thrifty.
Poor Tallulah remains without her frock.
The hunt continues.....

2009-02-07T00:20:00.003-06:00

OKAY, NEVER MIND

sigh......I guess I was the only one "back in the day" with Senior Cords. I don't have them anymore and my yearbooks are packed away. They were corduroy skirts for girls and slacks for guys. They were khaki or cream colored and you decorated them to show your school spirit. We wore them during Senior year to all of the sporting events and during special occasions. Sometimes we wore them to school.

Not only did we have Senior Cords in high school, we also had them in college. This must have been an Indiana thing, because I went to high school and college in Indiana. I went online and found a group of kids who have a blog from my alma mater, PURDUE!, wearing their "cords". I'm sure their cups are filled with pop (soda for those of you from out east).

I'm going to have to come up with another little challenge because it has been a long time since I gave anything away on this blog.

Tomorrow is a thrifting day. I still don't have proper attire for Tallulah. She is still naked as a jaybird with only a strand of pearls to keep her warm. Have I told you about Tallulah? If I find any great treasures tomorrow, I'll let you know. I decided not to go up to Lake Geneva tomorrow to see the finished snow sculptures. Thrifting sounds more fun to me right now.

2009-02-05T18:52:00.022-06:00

Isn't She Beautiful?!

My grown-up job took me to Wisconsin today and after I had finished I decided to drive home "the back way", through Lake Geneva. I am so glad I did! As I was coming around the curve to head into downtown Lake Geneva, just look at what greeted me.... A Snow Fairy!

I headed into town and found a place to park. During the summer months finding a parking spot in Lake Geneva is almost impossible. Today I had no trouble. I discovered that this weekend is the annual Lake Geneva Winterfest. I found a parking spot right at the edge of the lake, grabbed my camera and mittens and went for a walk.

I was delighted to discover about 20 snow sculptors busily creating their works of snow art. Lake Geneva is hosting the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition as part of this festival. Something tells me I am in for a road trip on Saturday so I can see the finished works.

There was even a team from Alaska

That's a long way to travel just to play with snow. They must be giving away a really nice prize. I don't know about you, but if I lived in Alaska and drove south, I might just keep going until I hit sun and sand instead of snow and ice.

Speaking of ice.........

Yes, that is Lake Geneva, (the lake, not the town) in the background.
There were no less than 10 cars out there driving around as I stood there waiting for the ice to crack and swallow one of them up. I know that people in Minnesota and other areas further north are used to seeing this, but even through I have lived around here for 30 years, I have never gotten used to seeing this.

I prefer driving on the beach at Daytona. I never want to be in my car and hear that unmistakable sound of ice cracking under my car and then experience a sudden "SPLASH!"

Back to the snow sculptures.....

One of the teams from Illinois created this darling fireplace, complete with the fake electric fire. They even accessorized the mantle.

Unfortunately I could not get warm standing next to this. It was in the teens there today.

For once in my life I am going to hope that the temps remain below freezing, at least through the weekend so these folks don't have to worry about their sculptures melting. It is supposed to be warming up tomorrow and maybe get to 50 by Saturday. Maybe now would be a good time for those fisherman and other crazy people to get those cars off the lake.

Until next time.......Stay Warm!

I'm Feeling a Little Nostalgic Tonight

2009-02-03T20:46:00.012-06:00

Sorry for the long post, blogpals, I can't help myself tonight.

First of all, I want to thank Nathalie Thompson for giving me the "Beautiful Blog" award. I checked out the other blogs that she gave the award to and I am humbled to be in such amazingly talented company. What a perk to my day this was! You must check out her blog. You absolutely must!

Okay, back to my melancholy, er, I meant to say nostalgia. sigh.

My baby girl is going to be 17 on Friday. That's Laura, aka "the baby" on the left. Friend on the right.

(insert very heavy sigh here) Where did the years go? I'm still trying to figure out how I got to be this age myself?

Me - First Grade - seems like only last week - love the bangs

You probably can't see it, but there are rhinestone centers in buttons of my blue velvet dress. I LOVED THIS DRESS! I guess I developed my love of everything sparkly and blingy at an early age.

As I was watching Laura work on her art project for school tonight I decided to go "surfing" on YouTube and see if I could find some of the things I remembered from "the olden days" as she refers to my youth. Maybe you remember some of these as well.

This is the first "big girl" doll I remember having. I had the blonde one.

Do You Remember These? I have taken to checking eBay to see if I can grab some Liddle Kiddles at a reasonable price. My sister had the Liddle Kiddle's house. :(

Not that anyone will watch the whole thing, but this little blue guy was my favorite cartoon character.

Do you remember Shindig? The world stood still when this show came on.

Hey, Linda Jo, are you out there?????

Slinky, Silly Putty, Old Maid, Dream Date (I usually ended up with the scruffy guy), The Game of Life, White Roller Skates with big pom poms on the front (pink, of course), wearing your best guy's ring and wrapping angora all around it so it fits and then you use a little toothbrush to keep the angora neat and tame. Princess phones, party lines, gas for less than 50 cents a gallon, a large Coke was 10 cents, a DQ Banana Split was 50 cents and Twinkies were 12 cents. A Cherry Coke and Twinkies was the most amazingly delicious combo.

Did you have a pair of Go-Go Boots? I did. They were white patent leather really shiny ones.

45's and record players you could carry around by the handle. Then there were 8-tracks (I owned Elton John's "Yellow Brick Road" album on 8-track). I got it in 8th grade. I was soooooooooo ahead-of-my-time groovy. LOL!

And, last but not least, do you remember "Senior Cords"? Do you even know what they were?

The first person to post a picture of him/her WEARING their Senior Cords will win a fabulous prize, of my choosing of course.

I hope this wasn't just a Midwestern thing, otherwise I am going to be sitting here all alone in the dark with a prize that has no place to go.

Linda Jo???????????????????

Was anyone else besides me a band geek? That topic will be on a much later post.

Much later.....
I have a horrid photo of me in my band uniform......with a shag haircut.
Thank you so much, Mrs. Brady.

POST NOTE: I ADDED THIS LAST VIDEO JUST FOR LINDA JO!!!!

The Snow Owl

2009-01-22T12:35:00.007-06:00

As I was driving home from the office earlier this week, I saw this snow sculpture in front of my favorite gelato place. It was too dark to take a pic at that time, although at night they have this lit up and it's beautiful.

This snow owl is a few days old now and it looks like it is starting to lean forward a bit, but there is still a lot of detail and I thought all of my bloggie friends might enjoy seeing it.

My First Chandelier

2009-01-15T14:50:00.005-06:00

Okay Linda and Nathalie, here it is. My first attempt at breathing some new life into a, dusty, beat up old brass chandelier. I picked this up at a garage sale early last summer and had grand intentions of bringing it back to life long before now. The first problem I encountered was the wiring. I started to try to do it myself and after learning a few new choice words that I will not repeat here, I took it into town and, for $25, my soul was saved because that's all it cost me to have it rewired.

When I got it home I had to figure out how I was going to paint it evenly all the way around with out setting it down. So I rigged up a harness to hang it on a broom handle across some sawhorses that I had put up on a table. Voila! It worked. They say necessity is the mother of invention. For me, desperately trying to get my garage cleared out again is the mother of invention for me. (If you look back at one of my posts from last spring you will see the before and after of my garage clear out. It's worse than before now.)

The woman who had owned the chandelier had most of the original crystals. It takes about 74 and she only had about 65 of them still in decent shape. So off I trotted to my favorite eBay crystal dude and I bought pink crystals and some pink crystal chain. I'm not thrilled about the gold tone on the metal parts, but it's all I could find with the pink. Some day I can find the silver tone metal parts and switch them out. Some day. (yeah, right)

Anyway, I got the old light down from over the kitchen table and hung this one in it's place. I love it. I am going to try my hand at dipping the bulps in silicone to see if I can figure out how to do that. If that doesn't work, I'm going to make some pretty beaded, frou-frou shades for the lights. It's a little naked with just the bare lights, so I will figure something out and show you the updated version in a later post. Probably much later....

Show and Tell Monday - Fairy Birdcage

2009-01-05T11:07:00.008-06:00

I have so many projects that I started and never completed before "it all began" last year. This birdcage was one of those projects. I picked this birdcage and stand up at an auction early last spring and it sat in my garage until sometime in July when I finally painted it. It was originally bright red. After several coats of white paint, I finally got the red covered.

And then it sat. And it sat. And it sat. You get the idea.

Over the weekend I stumbled across it in the garage while looking for something else that I had started and never finished. I stood there, staring at it, trying to remember what it was I was going to do with it. Aha! I remembered!

I dug around for a couple of silk floral vines that I had put someplace. Found them! Then I grabbed a string of Roxie's pink mini lights and arranged those in the bottom of the cage.

Now, I need a bird. Aha! Last year for my birthday my girls bought me two wonderful little birdies in teacups from Cathy. I hung one of my darling little teacup birdies where the little swing would have been, plugged it in and I love it.

You can't tell in the daylight pics, but the little pink lights add such a soft glow and it really is lovely. A couple of little fairies are hidden here and there, just for me. You can't see them in the photos. To cover the cord, I wrapped another floral vine around the stand.

Stay tuned. I just finished my first chandelier. Can't wait to show you!

Happy New Year (or I Hated 2008)

2008-12-31T08:42:00.002-06:00

Well, if anyone is still visiting me, it's a miracle indeed. I haven't been here in a long time and sweet Linda has been faithfully checking up on me. Thank you, Linda! Somebody does care!

I don't believe in astrology, but if I did, I would say the stars have definitely not been aligned in my favor. December turned out to be no better than September, October & November. Floods and illness and ice, oh my! As far as 2008 is concerned, I'd prefer to forget about it.

2009 HAS TO BE BETTER!

Whether you care to hear my sad tale of woe or not, I'm going to tell you anyway.

On the 15th of December I had a stroke. Not a giant one. No, my face isn't drooping on one side. Nothing is out of place. It was a teeny, tiny, little nothing of a stroke. The only reason I knew something was wrong was because my left arm and hand felt like they had gone to sleep while I was in the shower. I had already been suffering with pneumonia for the previous 10 days, so what was there to worry about with a little tingling in my arm? No big deal....I thought. But the feeling didn't go away and after a little while I thought to myself, "Christine, admit it, you are over 50, your arm is tingling and feeling a little numb, call the doctor". So I did and, of course, I was sent directly to the emergency room, do not pass go, do not stop for a Krispy Kreme. So, making a long, boring story a little shorter, after a couple of days and thousands of dollars worth of some really fun tests, including blood tests that the tech said he had never heard of, I was told that I had ruptured something somewhere that caused a tear in something that repaired itself but not before I had that teeny, tiny, little nothing of a stroke. So I went home and I was feeling fine. Until...... (yes, it gets even better)

Food poisoning. Lobster Ravioli. I'm still eating jell-o. I may never eat solid food again. ugh.

I've had it with December. I've had it with 2008. To make matters worse, I live in Illinois. 'Nuff said. DON'T GET ME STARTED!

2009 is going to be fantastic. 2009 is going to be fantastic. 2009 is going to be fantastic.

This is my new mantra. Say it with me now, "2009 is going to be fantastic!"

I miss you all very much. I've promised over and over again to get back to blogland, to get back to my projects, to get products up on my website and every time I make a move towards any of that, I get smacked. Not any more, 2009 is going to be fantastic!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! My prayer is that you will all be blessed with prosperity, health, happiness, and all the love your hearts can hold.

Christine

Okay, I'm Finally Almost There

2008-10-19T19:08:00.004-05:00

Hi All,
It seems as though for every step forward I take, I take 3 or 4 backwards. I'm ready to say "Mother may I?" Remember that game? I think it's payback time because when I was "Mother", I always said "No, you may not" and then I smiled my evil little grin. Trust me, I have one of those. ;)

Today I have been working (Finally!) on my ornaments. I started them in August and after I managed to get them painted and glittered, I never had another spare moment to work on them. Even though I had to set myself up in a corner of the house that was not filled with items from the
formerly-flooded-now-under-reconstruction basement, I did manage to get a few finished.

Can you believe I have set up a Christmas tree in this mess I call home? Wait until the workers get back here on Tuesday and see this. They are already wondering why everything in this house is pink.

I have to admit I nearly lost it once today when all of my beads went spilling all over the floor. I really want my house back. We are managing, however, and it should be back to normal, whatever that is, soon enough. At least one of my Christmas trees is already set up.

I hope you like my new blog design. I just love my fairy and her sparkly crown. I forgot to keep a copy of all of your links, so I am off now to try and find a few of you. If you read this and see your link is not there, please email me so I can put you back up there.

Thanks!

Hugs to all,
Christine

Still Moving Slowly

2008-10-16T11:52:00.001-05:00

Hi Friends,

I am still moving very slowly. The new website is finished and the new blog design as well.
With the re-construction of the formerly flooded parts of our home, my progress has been
delayed. I am, determined, however, to keep moving forward in spite of the obstacles.

This too shall pass...........................

Warmest regards to all,
Christine

Slow but Sure

2008-09-08T16:47:00.002-05:00

Well, I thought I would be back in the thick of things here in pinktopia sooner than this but my best laid plans keep getting sidetracked. Ah, but have no fear, dear ones, I'm very close. I know, I have said that before, but I am actually working on stuff!

First of all, I want to send a HUGE shout out with hugs to Cathy at Treasured Heirlooms for the amazing feature article about her in Country Victorian Magazine. O-M-G! Have you seen it? Visit Cathy's blog and look at the pictures of her gorgeous home. Cathy, you never cease to totally blow my mind! Your talent and creativity are unmatched.

Secondly, as you no doubt know, I have been away for so long and haven't had time for creating. I haven't put anything new on my website for weeks. Maybe it has been months. I have lost track. To get me off my tush and back into the studio, I decided it was time for a brand new website. I've been thinking about doing this for a long time, but decided now was the time. Everything is still in the design process, but I am really excited about the new look for my website and the new look for my blog.

I have been busy sewing new Christmas pretties and working on my ornaments, frames and mirrors. I'm saving them all for my new website, basically because I'm lazy and don't want to have to list them and then move them later.

It feels so good to have a pair of scissors in my hands again. Now that just didn't sound right, did it? LOL!

M, from O.C. Cottage, I've been thinking about you because I just found some really pretty fabric and I'm hunting for a chair that needs a new seat cover.

Okay, girls, I'm off to start visiting you all again. This feels great!

Hugs to you all!

I'm Still Here

2008-07-25T10:25:00.002-05:00

Hello to all my friends in blogland. I miss you all so much!

Having my dear mother here at home with us has been, shall I say, challenging. Our days our filled with trips to the doctor, the physical therapist and then visits from the respiratory therapist. So between my road trips for work and everything else, Extra Sprinkles has had to take a back seat, at least for the summer.

I haven't gotten my ornaments painted, I haven't gotten my picture frames or mirrors painted, I have several pounds of polymer clay to work and, I haven't sewn a thing. I bought the most gorgeous fabric just before Mom came here and it is still in the shopping bag. Nothing has gotten done.

Our days our filled with trips to the doctor, which is true, I must report that Mom is in much better shape now than she was when we picked her up in Florida. The first visit to the doctor resulted in 5 medications being deleted from her daily routine. FIVE! She was being over-medicated. Now she is clear headed and much more mobile than she was before. I took her out to Home Goods the other day and she didn't even need to bring her oxygen with her. Things are definitely looking up for her and her mood has definitely improved.

Thanks so much to everyone who has left me kind posts and also to those of you who have thought to email me so we could stay connected. You have no idea how much I appreciate all of you. I haven't had time to visit your blogs, but I will soon.

Now that we have gotten into a bit of a routine around here, Shabby Hubby and I are taking a week away to decompress a bit. Our two daughters who are still at home will be taking care of Grandma and Grandma is looking forward to doing some cooking and bonding with the girls.

Dan and I are heading out to Maryland this afternoon to see some friends. We also hope to visit our oldest daughter, Kelley, in Arlington, Virginia and see our grandson, Aiden. We say "hope" because we do plan to see her, but she can be called away at a moment's notice, so nothing is ever written in stone when it comes to her schedule.

I have no pictures to share with you this time, just words of thanks and a promise that I will
be snooping around your blogs again very soon.

Hugs to you all!
Christine

On The Road Again......

2008-06-17T08:40:00.002-05:00

Tonight Shabby Hubby and I will be hitting the road for parts south. Grandma is ready and waiting for us and we will be so happy to get her into the car and get her back home with us.

Katie arrived home last night from her adventures in Florida and now Dad & I are heading right back down there. It would have been nice if she could have stayed and then driven back with us, but she was in a part of Florida further south. It would not have made any sense to go and get her because the plane ticket home cost less than the gas it would have taken to go and get her. She is so bronze and beautiful from spending nearly two weeks on the beach. sigh. I remember those days.

Shabby Hubby and I will take our time and hopefully get to Gainesville by Friday, possibly Saturday. We are looking forward to dinner in Valdosta with Francie from The Scented Cottage as we travel through Georgia.

I am taking my laptop with me so if I come across any decent blog photo-ops, I will post them for all to see. I just love the drive through Tennessee and hope we are able to do that in the daylight.

By this time next week Granny will be home, safe and sound and loved and hopefully she will be telling me where she thinks that picture would look better, and maybe that chair would work better over there, and while she's mentioning it, why don't I do something about that gray in my hair. LOL!
Music to my ears.

XOXO!

Katie Has Finally Called Home

2008-06-12T19:09:00.006-05:00

In an earlier post I mentioned that our daughter, Katie, has gone on her first trip away from home without mom or dad. She is in Melbourne, Florida with her bestest gal pal from high school, Jenny. Jenny attends college in Melbourne, studying marine biology.

Katie called to tell me that they have been spending every evening, late into the night, at the beach watching for the leatherback turtles and finally they got to see one. This picture is of Jenny taking her picture of the turtle. Look at how huge this thing is! Its face reminds me of the face on the turtles in "Finding Nemo". Am I seeing freckles?

This next picture is one Katie took of the sunset while they were setting up to wait for the turtles. Boy, do I wish I was on that beach, swinging in a hammock and sipping some kind of fruity rum drink with an umbrella in it. That place just looks so peaceful. sigh.

The Pink Sofa Has Landed!

2008-06-09T10:21:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday!

While I am preparing for my mother to come and live with us, I'm also continuing my re-do of several rooms in my house. This re-do is on a budget. By "budget" I mean I am doing everything on the cheap. I've spent thousands over the years on custom furniture and I've never been happy with any of it for very long. So this time I decided I was going to have what I wanted, in the colors I wanted and I am determined that I am not going to spend a lot to have it.

I was browsing through the Ikea store one day with my youngest daughter, Laura. Laura is so unlike me when it comes to decorating. She loves that contemporary, industrial look (yuck!). I allow my girls to decorate their spaces the way that they like. I figure as long as I can close the door so I don't have to look at it, they can have their rooms pretty much the way they want them to be.

As Laura and I were snooping around Ikea I found something I would have never thought to look for in that store: a pink sofa. Well, the slipcover they have is pink. Last Thursday I went back to the store and I bought the sofa and the pink slipcover. Being the cheapie that I am, I did not rent a truck. Believe it or not I got this thing into my Ford Explorer. I had to move both of the front seats up as far as they would go. That meant I was driving with the steering wheel almost touching my body. I prayed all the way home that the air bag would not go off. I'm sure the way I was driving was somehow illegal, but I was home in about 45 minutes and I was willing to do anything to get that pink sofa. I love it and can't wait to go back and get the comfy chair with the pink slipcover to match.

For an inexpensive sofa, this thing is pretty comfortable. The slipcover is 100% cotton, so it can be washed over and over. I am a happy little camper. Shabby Hubby likes it too. It is convenient that he likes it, however, at this point, I really don't care. I wanted this sofa whether anyone else likes it or not.

I have the walls painted a Benjamin Moore color, Frosted Toffee. I've got my lace sheers that came from the Simply Shabby Chic line at Target. My garage sale mirror is hanging over the cabinet I bought from Tickle Me Pink Boutique. The whole place is a work in progress, but I think it is coming along nicely.

So, if you want a pink sofa and don't want to spend a lot (less than $500 with the slipcover!), head on over to Ikea and if you are resourceful, you can save on delivery by shoving your body so close to the steering wheel that you can get it home for free.

Now I just need to find a coffee table that I can transform and a pretty rug to put in front of the sofa. Oh, and I need to make a pretty throw pillow or two. And maybe a crocheted pink and white afghan or something like that, if I can remember how to crochet.

Achoo!

2008-06-04T10:44:00.002-05:00

Oh, my nose was so red and my throat was so sore and the coughing just never ceased. I'm much, much better now but still a little bit of asthma hanging on. I missed all of you so much and every day I thought I would get back to my silly little blog and then my grown-up job would interfere.

Not much has been happening on my little website since I got sick because I just haven't had the energy to think about making anything, let alone actually create anything. But I feel the creative juices beginning to pulse through my veins once again and I will be back in full swing very soon, I pray.

On the family front there has been a lot going on. Katie is home from college and she is leaving on a little adventure today. She is traveling with her best friend from high school down to Florida where her friend goes to college. She plans to stay a week but she is thinking of snooping around to see if there is a school down there that would suit her studies a little better than the one she is at. On the one hand, I am thrilled that my baby girl, who has avoided change all of her life, is willing to take this adventure and, for the first time, actually go someplace where mom is more than a half an hour away. On the other hand, snif, I just got her home after a long and grueling school year full of sciences and math and phone calls home full of tears and I don't want her to go.

In addition to Katie leaving and not knowing exactly when she will come home, we have decided to go to Florida and bring my tiny little mother home to live with us. It's a long and unpleasant story that I won't publish here for the entire world to read. Let's just call this an intervention because my mother was not being cared for the way she should and deserves to be cared for and we are bringing her here to love her and care for her and make her comfortable. I do not know when exactly I am going to get my mother, but it will be in the next two or three weeks. I would ask any of you who pray to please pray for me that this transition will go smoothly and when I get to where my mother is currently living that I can get her out of there without any complications.

With everything else that has been going on, Miss Tammy Faye has been nagging me for a photo shoot as well as an adventure. She is with me today at my grown-up job and she finds it quite boring. Since she is a trendy, glamorous jet-setter, sitting around with me all day leaves her yawning. So I will have to get with her and find out exactly she wants to do. She told me she wants to go to Florida with Katie, but Katie would not be able to keep up with her. Stay tuned for the adventures (misadventures) of Miss Tammy Faye.

Thank you all for your emails and kind posts. It warms my heart to know you missed me. I will be visiting all of your blogs to let you know I'm still kicking.

XOXO!

What's In A Name - Part Deux

2008-05-19T09:59:00.002-05:00

I promised to post the winning name by today and I am keeping my promise. There were lots of great entries, however, since my cute little pink poodle does not seem to have a multiple personality, we can only have one name.

And that name is......(imagine you can hear the drum roll...)

Tammy Faye!

I was leaning toward the French themed names, but I kept coming back to this one and so did my girls.

The name just fits her, especially with those eyelashes. And her namesake, the real Tammy Faye, was really quite fashionable, so it just fits.

The winning name was submitted by Terisa of Running With Scissors.

Thank you, Terisa! Your magic wand will soon be in your hands. :)

Today is a busy day for me at my "grown up" job and I can't post any pics right now. Stay tuned because as soon as I have a free minute or two, I will be back!

What's In A Name?

2008-05-08T16:51:00.017-05:00

I was outside this morning, praising God out loud for the fact that there is FINALLY some color in my yard. My gorgeous pink crabapple tree finally exploded overnight. I thought it would never bloom and those tight little buds would just stay tightly closed, stubbornly refusing to share their sweet fragrance and stunning colors.

As I was standing on my deck, looking at the tree, I noticed that there were more shades of pink in the tree than I recalled from last year. Upon closer inspection, the mystery was solved. Somehow, this little stray poodle found her way up into my tree. It must have been the coyotes who patrol our neighborhood every night. How clever she was to hide herself among the pink blooms of my crabapple tree.

She is as sweet as can be and completely house broken. She follows me everywhere. There is only one problem; we do not know what to call the new puppy. We've had a family confab and nothing seems to fit so I've decided to have a Pink Poodle naming contest. The name should be feminine, I mean, just look at those eyelashes! And maybe a bit French-ie, but it doesn't have to be.

And just to make it interesting and worth your while to help us name her, the person who submits the winning name will receive the following: (Imagine you are now hearing the voice of Don Pardo announcing the lovely prize)

"Thank, you, Christine. One lucky winner will receive this gorgeous, hand-made magic wand designed and created by Jillian Haupt! Just imagine it all, ladies, the havoc you can wreak upon your noisy children, snoring husband, barking dog, meddling mother-in-law, crummy boss and nosy neighbors. With just one swoosh, all of the day's irritation can be banished from your existence. Comes complete with a lifetime supply of magic. Some restrictions do apply. Void where prohibited by law. Check your local ordinances. Back to you, Christine."

Thank you, Don! If only the Lovely Carol Merrill were here to help me demonstrate it's usefulness. :) Yes, ladies, with just one "swoosh" of this magic wand, all of those little irritations can be banished from your presence. To me, that's certainly worth a shot at submitting a name for this darling little pink doggie.

And, speaking of life's little irritations, and color combinations that make your eyes bleed, please enjoy the view I had as I came into the kitchen this morning.

There is nothing I can even say that could describe my reaction in socially acceptable terms. Needless to say, that jacket and shirt did not leave the house on his body a second time today. 10 years of therapy will not be able to undo the psychological damage that outfit caused me this morning. sigh.

Back to the contest:

1. Starting today, you can submit as many entries as you want.
2. Entries must be posted on my blog, in response to this post. No email entries, please.
3. The contest ends on Friday, May 16, at 6 pm.
4. I will announce the winner no later than the following Monday so that my daughters will be able to help me review all the entries. The winner's name will be announced on my blog, so be sure to check back. I will also send the winner an email and if the winner has a blog, I will post a winning notification on their blog.

I just know that with the creative talent you all have, someone can come up with a lovely, feminine name for my new little girl.

Jillian, if you win, I will have to think of a different prize for you. I'll come up with something good!

Thanks everyone! Put your thinking caps on and send me some good names!

Hugs to all!
Christine

My One Dollar Chair

2008-05-05T19:36:00.007-05:00

I got this chair for $1 at a local auction last summer. When I saw it, I knew I could do something with it. When I finally got the garage de-cluttered, there it was, waiting for a face-lift.

The wood was a nice color, if you are into the dark wood. It has great legs and nice details (unlike me) but that ugly green vinyl seat cover had to go. Thanks to M, from Tales From an O.C. Cottage for her great idea to use that pink curtain from Wal-Mart. As soon as I read her post, I rushed out to Wal-Mart and bought that curtain. Only $6 and change! The green vinyl cushion was rather sunken in the middle, so I doubled up on the batting. Now it is quite the comfy chair.

Voila!

I hadn't turned my back for 2 minutes and when I turned around, Ella had flown right into the chair to claim it as her own. She prefers the sun room to her perch in the powder room. I guess I don't blame her.

So let's recap:

Chair: $1
Curtain: $6
Paint: $4
Batting: $1.76
Cool Chair: Priceless

My Visit with Jillian Haupt

2008-05-03T19:07:00.012-05:00

When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and the weather looked quite promising. But, alas, winter is hanging on here in Illinois and the rains and dark clouds and cold wind came without any mercy. The weather didn't dampen my excitement, though, because I was going to the Elmhurst Art in the Park show to find Jillian and her wonderful fairy dolls.

I arrived at the show with my friend, Gisele, and we began our search for Jillian. We found her tent, but where was Jillian?

Jillian's friends, Susan and Rosann, told us that Jillian had injured her foot, however she was on her way back from having it taken care of. About 15 minutes later Jillian arrived. Yay! I finally get to meet her! She is as lovely and friendly as can be and I loved every minute I spent visiting with her.

And talented? OMG! I wanted to buy everything she brought to the show, but I've had my eye on Miss Ella since I first saw her on Jillian's blog. Now Miss Ella lives at my house!

I would show you what else I bought, but it's a surprise. Stay tuned because very soon I am going to have a contest and the prize will be an original Jillian Haupt item. Soon, very soon, I promise.

It was so cold and it was raining and I felt so bad for all of the artists. I hope tomorrow will bring them better weather.

After Gisele and I left the show, we decided we were hungry. So off we drove to Oak Brook. Many of you will be able to guess where I wanted to go. Yep, Cheesecake Factory. We began our long lunch with our green vegetable, grilled artichoke.

It was a lot of work but it was oh so yummy. Especially that garlicky dip. My, oh my. By the time the entree came, I was so into my artichoke that I forgot to take a pic for you. It was Bang Bang Chicken and Stuffed Chicken Tortillas with Sweet Corn Cakes. Gisele and I shared both dishes. The entrees were fabulous but they weren't as important as dessert. Pistachio cheesecake. Indescribably yummy.

And the best part of lunch was this little gentleman who was sitting next to me and was quite the little flirt. Such a face! I just wanted to smoosh his little cheeks and bring him home with me and Miss Ella. His mom decided it was probably best if he went home with her. sigh.

Today was a good day. :)

This is the Last Time!

2008-05-02T23:06:00.005-05:00

No more tagging me, okay? I'll play along this time, but I declare my blog a tag-free zone from now until Jesus comes to tag me. If He tags me, no worries, I'm home free!

Naughty Linda Jo has tagged me this time. I am supposed to list 6 weird things about myself, link to her, which I already do, and then tag three others. I love ya, Linda Jo, but I can't tag anyone else this time. Didn't Irma start this last epidemic of tagging? Naughty Irma!

Well, where do I begin. I can name 6 weird things about me, Cathy can name 6 more, Francie will be able to name 6 more different than the first 12, and so on and so forth. You get the picture. ;)

Okay, here goes:

1. I am very OCD about things being symmetrical. Sheets and bed covers must be even on both sides of the bed or I can't sleep. It takes me half an hour to get the tablecloth just right and when someone gets up from the table and pulls one side over so it isn't even anymore, I can't eat until I fix it. I straighten the pictures in my friends' homes, whether they want me to or not. I'm so distracted by crooked things that I can't even listen to them if I am looking at a crooked picture. I'm not as bad as Monk, but I'm getting close.

2. I can play 6 musical instruments. Big deal, huh? LOL!! No, one of them is not an orange wax Halloween harmonica (Remember those, Linda Jo?). Although, if you count that, it would be 7 musical instruments.

3. I read a lot of autopsies in my line of work and I once had to hire the wound ballistics expert that was used in the Eric & Lyle Menendez trial. (If you don't know who those boys are, you are younger than I thought). Did you know a lung can hold its form on the cutting board? And if you want to know what "wound ballistics" means, email me. I'll tell you. Eeeeeew!

4. I like to watch the movie, Signs, wearing a tin foil hat. Try it sometime, it's hysterical. Even my kids do it with me now. Ah....memories of dear old Mom. Won't that be a funny tale the family can share long after I'm gone?

5. Stranger than fiction brushes with fame: I was married to Kim Novak's nephew, I went out once with John Mellencamp's brother and my cousin was recently booted from American Idol. If you don't know who Kim Novak is, Google her. I'm not going to explain it. sigh.

6. My favorite movie of all time, okay second favorite movie because Franco Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" is really my favorite-favorite, is Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Okay, that's enough now. You all know I'm, well, a little unusual at times. It just makes life more interesting. Who wants to be predictable? I like that I am predictably unpredictable.

Now, on to more interesting stuff:

Tomorrow is the Elmhurst Art in the Park show where the lovely Jillian Haupt will be exhibiting her work and I will be there bright and early. I have my eye on one of her new dolls. I hope it is still there when I get there. I will try to find some blog-worthy photo ops so I can share them with you.

Until next time......

Why I lLove My Job Sometimes

2008-04-30T20:50:00.003-05:00

As some of you know, my job requires a lot of driving. I'm on the road for hours and hours every week. In my line of work, we call the hours we spend driving "windshield time".

Sometimes I stop along the way at a new antique shop or a new fabric store that I find in the different towns and cities I travel to. I call the time I spend in those places "Nobody Knows Where I'm At And They Will Never Know" time.

Today I saw the most wonderful place and just had to stop. When I saw the sign it just screamed my name. Christine!!!!! Come here!!!!!! Of course, I pulled in. I would like to share a picture of what I purchased at this new place. I'll be visiting them again the next time I'm out that way.

It was yummy!

Nobody knew where I was and they'll never find out. Unless you tell!

I Love This City

2008-04-29T13:20:00.011-05:00

Where else can you go from being out in the country at a flea market on a Sunday and two days later take these great pics of the city, in the span of about 40 miles? It just blows my mind.

I had to go into Chicago today for my grown-up job and while I was there, perched high above the hustle and bustle below, I snapped these pics. Winter in Chicago is for the birds, but spring and summer are awesome. If you have never been here, you should try to visit at least once in your life.

Check out Lake Michigan, between the buildings at the end of the street!

You can see the John Hancock Building hiding behind another high rise below.

You can see the Sears Tower in the pic below, off in the distance (to the right of center).

Looking down from my perch, yes, ladies, I was outside, perched on the 23rd floor. Yikes!
This very old church is being rehabbed.

Well, that was today. Tomorrow I may be posting from St. Louis. I haven't heard for sure yet. For me, every day is an adventure. Not always a welcome adventure, but an adventure nonetheless.

Hope you are all having a wonderful week! I can't wait to finish my work this week and work on the pretties that I've been dreaming up.

Christine

Sundays in Sandwich

2008-04-27T21:07:00.013-05:00

You know it is spring in my neck of the woods the minute the Sandwich Antiques Market opens for the season. Today was the opening day and the market is held one Sunday a month until October. Not too many dealers today but enough to keep it interesting and to provide some much needed inspiration.

I wanted to share my favorite booth with all of you. All this great stuff was collected or designed and created by Marty Ballerton.

I've been visiting Marty's booth for a few years now and never really talked with her until I ran into her at an auction last summer. I told her how much I admired her work and how talented I thought she was at arranging her merchandise in her booth. The flea market management provides the ugly red and white tents, but looking past the ugly tent, you can see the detail Marty puts into her work.

Check out these great vintage aprons!

And these little Scotty dog sachets are so darned cute! I love the polka dots!

Where is Vickie Pink Pearl Girl? Check out these hats!

And this vintage purse!

I've been encouraging Marty to start a website because these pics only show the tip of the iceberg as far as her inventory goes. She's at least thinking about it.

If anyone is interested in any of Marty's items, please feel free to give her a call:

Marty Ballerton
Circa Designs & Vintage Textiles

630-554-2811

These last photos are of another booth that I like to visit for inspiration.

Next month there will be more dealers and by June's market there will be hundreds of dealers and thousands of people with funnel cakes, corn on the cob, corn dogs, lemon shake-ups, brats, burgers, the mini-donut guy and lots and lots of antiques of every kind and condition.

And, can you believe it, ladies? I didn't spend a dime today! Well, except for the $5 to get in.

Oh No, I've Been Tagged.....

2008-04-27T00:19:00.002-05:00

Naughty Sandy of Lu Lu's Fluffy Ruffles has tagged me. Oh, how I hate being tagged because I would rather talk about what I am doing, and not about me personally. Oh well, here goes:

1. Name 2 scrapbook topics I would like to do: 1) My geneaology and 2) My dogs.
2. Name the 2 best places I have ever been to: 1) Australia and 2) Split in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea.
3. Name 2 things I do every day: Pray and work.
4. Name 2 things everyone pretty much already knows about me: 1) I hate throwing things away and 2) I love fairies.
5. Name 2 places I wish to visit: 1) The religious shrines in Europe and 2) Tahiti.
6. Name 2 things you may not know about me: 1) 4th of July is my favorite holiday and 2) I have 6 Revolutionary War grandfathers. (I need to get that DAR application filled out.)
7. Name 2 nicknames you have had in your life: I’ve never had a nickname. Go figure.
8. Name 2 interesting jobs I have had in my life: 1) The job I’ve had for almost 30 years is pretty interesting. I am an insurance investigator. 2) In college I worked for a musician and hand-copied his musical arrangements for him, one stinking note at a time.
9. What 2 fun things I do after work: 1) Eat, 2) Sleep.
10. Name 2 things I would like to learn: 1) How to play piano, 2) How to speak Italian.
11. What are the last two things I have downloaded or CD bought: 1) A new online file tracking system for my insurance job (oh, how exciting!) and 2) add-ons for my browser. (Oh, how boring am I? I better get to the store and buy something, anything. Maybe some Michael Buble’.)
12. What are 2 TV shows or movies from childhood I still enjoy watching after all these years: 1) Bewitched and 2) I Love Lucy.

Well, that wasn't too bad. Now I have to tag three other online friends. Ah, but will they still be my friends after I've tagged them? Hmmmmmmm.

Okay, I think I will tag 1) Michelle of Rose Petals and Blooms, 2) Francie of The Scented Cottage, and 3) Cindy of Angel Heart Designs.

Sorry ladies, these are the laws of blogland. You are officially tagged and you must respond. :)

The Garage ...Phase 2

2008-04-21T10:10:00.003-05:00

Every muscle and bone in my body is screaming out in pain right now. O-M-G! Even my hair hurts! But, I think it was worth the body pain to get this garage in shipshape condition. Just take a look! This is how it looked after the first power-wash. Shabby Hubby mopped it all down with a good cleaner and then I power-washed it a second time. There isn't one spider still living in this garage. May they all rest in peace!

After the floor dried, we only brought back in the items that are going into my garage sale and my painting projects. Oh, and the 2 lawnmowers, huge snowblower (it could clear the runways at O'Hare), the three weed wackers and the four gas cans. The floor is too clean now to put the cars in the garage, so they are still in the driveway. The garbage trucks comes tomorrow and I have a funny feeling that we won't be their favorite stop. But at least I finally got Shabby Hubby to relinquish the thirty-year-old rusty snow shovel that hasn't seen the light of day in at least 5 years.

Well, it's all over now but for the garage sale. Once that's over with and the items that don't sell go to charity, we will be able to get all THREE cars into the three-car-garage for the first time in 10 years!

I'm on a roll, so keep your eyes opened for my next re-do. Now let's see some pics of what you are all doing to de-clutter. ;)

The Garage ....Phase 1

2008-04-19T18:15:00.007-05:00

I have a tendency to run out of summer before I run out of auctions. The result is a garage full of stuff that I can't do anything with until the weather gets warmer. Hence, I also end up with a 3-car garage that only 1 car will fit into....sometimes. This is in addition to Shabby Hubby's TWO lawnmowers, THREE weed wackers, FOUR gas cans...you get the idea. Two of my pink sisters from MMP, Cathy & Francie can testify that my garage did indeed look like this when they came to visit me in February. My garage has looked like this since the last auction I attended in November.

Okay, so today it was raining and I was really aggravated because I had been waiting all week to get to this project and now I wasn't going to be able to haul everything out into the driveway to hose down the floor, sweep the spider webs out of the corners and then sort and put back what I was going to keep and what I was going to haul to the thrift store. About 2 the sun came out and I dashed to the garage and started. I decided to toss projects I knew I wasn't going to get to within the next 6 months. That meant lamps, lamp parts, all the sorded little "I can do something with that" what-nots. Gone! It didn't hurt one little bit. I thought it would at least sting a little, but it didn't. Everything that has been on Ebay at least twice and didn't sell went straight to the thrift store. I'm not doing much Ebay lately so what was the point in holding on to it all? You are absolutely correct, no point at all! It's gone!

I couldn't put anything in the driveway because it started to rain again. Argh! So I did my best. I sorted into sections the stuff that goes out to the garden, the patio, my front porch, my front garden, etc. Those things will get hauled outside tomorrow and placed in their proper positions. I got all the garden tools hung back on the wall and then started tossing. My recycle bins are full, my two trash bins are full and we took two huge loads to the thrift store. That is Shabby Hubby in front of me. He was not a happy camper because I just tossed stuff into the back of the truck as I went along. As you can see, it was raining again. :(

After all of that, I can probably get the little PT back in the garage again. I cleared at least that much stuff out today. Everything has been sorted and moved out or into it's proper waiting area until I get it outside, hopefully tomorrow. I know this doesn't look much better, but I can actually see the concrete floor now in more places than I could before.

All that's left for me to do now is get the garden decos out into the garden, the patio furnishings out where they belong in front and in back and then I can organize the rest and get the floor and walls washed down. Then I can paint the furniture that needs painting and recover the seat cushions that need to be recovered and get my little paint booth set up again in the corner. And the garage will stay neat and tidy....that is until I run out of summer before I run out of good auctions. ;)

Stay tuned for Phase 2 of "Christine De-Clutters".

Long Time No Post

2008-04-16T20:46:00.004-05:00

Well, it has been almost two weeks since I last posted anything. Time flies whether I'm having fun or not. Since we last chatted I've been to a couple of auctions and found some great stuff. Some of it is already in my boutique. I'm kicking myself because yesterday I took a little break from my grown-up job and went hunting for vintage rhinestone jewelry and, while I found some great things that I bought, I didn't buy something that I can't get it out of my head. It was a vintage Jeanette pink milk glass cake stand. OMG, how could I not buy that? I saw it and wouldn't even pick it up for fear that the price would make me faint. But now I can't stop scolding myself for walking away from it. I found one on Ebay (Item # 370024797861), if you want to see what it looked like. I tried to post a link to the listing but it was very long and wouldn't copy and paste on my Mac and I'm too comfy to go down to my Windows based laptop and do it. So, if you want to see it, just pop that item number in on Ebay and you can see it.

We had snow on Sunday and it was 70 today. What gives? Today it was so windy that my little mother-to-be robin had a difficult time staying in her nest. Poor little thing. I don't know why she didn't pick a better tree.

I've been working on more picture frames this week and I will begin my mirrors soon. Here is one of my frames from this week. I'm teaching Shabby Hubby how to paint so that he can help me. He wants to be involved in what I'm doing and I thought he could at least do the initial coat or two of paint and that would really save me a lot of time. If it turns out that he does a good job for me, I might make him available for hire. :) There are more than just a few of us who could use the extra help now and then to get our work done faster. Now, if I can just get him to mop floors I would be in Hog Heaven, wherever that is.

I took a stroll through Cathy's blog yesterday. You have to go and read it yourself. It's a really sweet post from her Pink Fairy Cottage.

I wish I had more interesting things to say this week. My grown-up job has had my attention the past two weeks. In the span of two days last week I logged almost 1000 miles. My poor little PT Cruiser is really racking up the miles. I had a flat tire on Friday and had to drive around on that humiliating spacesaver spare until Monday when the two new tires arrived. No, they couldn't repair the flat and no, I couldn't get away with just one new tire. sigh.

So that's what has been going on in my life since our last visit together. I hope your tires hold air, your hubby's will help you, your children are healthy and that you dream up wonderful new creations that you will share with the rest of us.

Until next time.......

Christine :)

It's Hunting Season!

2008-04-05T22:09:00.003-05:00

I am so happy! It was 60 degrees today and our local flea market was in full swing. Well, as full as it could be now that they are tearing up most of the land that was the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, IL to make way for progress. Our fairgrounds property sits on prime commercial real estate land. Every year they are taking a little bit more so that fewer and fewer dealers can set up. Shabby Hubby and I used to have a regular spot there for years and years, selling antiques. As we got older we found that it was really a lot of work; packing and hauling and packing up and hauling it back. We gave all that up a few years ago.

Look what I found today!
I just love these little baskets. These were all I could find that was worth buying today. It used to be a great flea market, with tons of vintage items. Now every other booth seems to be knock-off designer this or that. There were three candle makers in a row. Sigh. And don't you just love it when the person who is selling items has no idea whatsoever about the treasure you are taking off his hands? Love it!

I'm keeping these cuties for now but someday they may end up in my boutique. You never know with me. My kids tell me they never know what to expect when they walk in the door. Will there be furniture to sit on or will Mom have ditched it all and started painting the house again? I get bored easily. :)

Now that the snow has finally melted the auctions have started up again. Tomorrow is a doozie and I can't wait. Limoges! Bavarian! Germany! Oh My! I am so excited. I haven't been able to go to an auction since October. I've got my trusty number holder so I don't have to worry about where it is. I have my notebook and pen and, of course, my camera in case there are any good blog photo ops.

I should have been painting and glittering frames all weekend. However, when I woke up the this morning and saw that sun, I grabbed Shabby Hubby and out the door we went. We came home long enough to go to church this evening since we will be heading out to the auction first thing in the morning. I just love a good country auction with haywagons loaded full of treasures.

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. I am!

Hugs,
Christine

And the Winner is......

2008-03-30T23:33:00.003-05:00

Janet of Beloved Creations has won the darling pattern and coffee mug from The Sewing Basket! Thanks to all who stopped by and left a comment on my blog.

I've been busy creating all weekend and can't wait to show you all what I've been up to. I hope to have some pics posted soon. I made some new picture frames with my roses and they are stunning, if you don't mind my saying so. :) I created some darling accessories for my natural soaps plus I began a sewing project tonight that I was soooo into that I didn't want to stop. But stop I must so that I can get up in the morning, get to work and get back to that sewing machine as fast as I can.

I'll post some pics as soon as I have 5 minutes and some decent daylight. In the meantime, I wish you all a great week and lots of sales!

xoxo!
Christine

Wandering Around Wisconsin

2008-03-22T21:18:00.007-05:00

I have had to travel over 700 miles and I have spent 19 hours in my car since yesterday morning. I had to go to Wisconsin TWICE in two days for my "grown-up" job. If you watched or heard the news yesterday, you may have heard that northern Illinois and Wisconsin received a winter storm blast that just knocked our socks off. By the time I got to my first destination yesterday, my cute little PT Cruiser looked like a dirty little popsicle.

Visibility on the roads was really terrible and by 2 p.m. this is what it looked like:

While I was driving home today, I stopped for lunch in a wonderful little town, Plymouth, Wisconsin. I stopped for a sandwich in a little coffee shop and then took a break and walked up the main street, looking for something interesting. I found exactly what I was looking for when I stumbled upon a wonderful little shop, The Sewing Basket.

What a great store! Patterns, embellishments, beads, unusual notions and something really cool that I bought but it's a secret until I unveil it in a new project. I'll tell you about that later. They even had felting supplies and wonderful kits for making the most unusual and artistic scarves. I'm sure The Sewing Basket is well known in that area, but I felt like I had just discovered an incredible hidden treasure.

I have never seen so much great fabric in one place. I live just outside of Chicago and you would think that I could find anything I want within a few blocks or miles. I would be willing to make a special trip just to visit this shop again. And the next time I go there, I am going to make sure I have plenty of time to browse and shop. I could have spent the whole day there.

I want to give this fantastic shop a proper "shout-out" so I'm having a give-away. Just leave a comment on this post and you will be automatically entered to win a pattern and a cute coffee mug. The pattern is called "The Idea Bag" and you can make several bags with different designs from this pattern.

Leave a comment on my blog and your name will be entered to win this great pattern and cute mug. The winner will be announced next Sunday, March 30.

Have a Happy Easter!
Christine

Look What I Can Do!

2008-03-19T14:12:00.012-05:00

Isn't that what we always said to our mothers whenever we colored a new picture or made something new with popsicle sticks? I am still so amazed whenever I create something pretty and that little girl who still lives inside my head always wants to show her mother each new thing she has made. My mom lives 1600 miles away so my friends in blogland will have to do for now. I hope you don't mind. :)

I've been so busy with my "grown-up" job lately that I have not had time to work on the projects that are swimming around inside my head. Last night I decided that my head would explode if I didn't make something new, so out popped this beautiful picture frame. I found a very drab pedestal frame and gave it a sweet pink wash. I then drenched it in my favorite stuff, vintage German glass glitter and I dressed it up with my gorgeous handmade clay roses, some pearl beads, some vintage rhinestones and, voila! I just love it! No matter what type of lighting I use, I can't get the pictures to do this frame justice. It really sparkles and is so pretty in person. I hate to part with it but I can't keep everything I make. Where would I put it all?

Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry used to create fireflies

Strand of Rhinestones Encircle the Base

I am calling it "Framed in Beauty". How sweet would a newborn baby girl's picture look in this? OMG!

I am feeling much better now. I have promised myself I will carve out a little bit of time each week for creating. Stay tuned because I have several more projects that still need to be converted from just "thinking about them" to actually "creating them".

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Christine

It's All In The "Apostrophe"

2008-03-18T21:24:00.004-05:00

In keeping with the Irish theme this week, I found this great sheet music cover. Of course, it should say "Rosie O'Brien", but I'll accept "O'Reilly". At least it has an apostrophe.

Feel free to drag this image to your desktop and use it for your altered art project.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day From Chicago!

2008-03-17T19:14:00.002-05:00

Do You Like My New Hat?

2008-03-16T15:34:00.005-05:00

I must say that I am quite ashamed of myself for being away from blogland for so long. Sometimes life just gets in the way and then I suddenly realize that it has been days and sometimes even weeks since I have added anything new to my blog. I really need to get myself better organized with a proper blog and newsletter schedule. I promise to try harder.

Over this past weekend I had two wonderful friends staying at my home; Cathy Scalise from Treasured Heirlooms and Francie Thornton from The Scented Cottage. Cathy and Francie came to Chicago to attend the Country Living Women's Entrepreneur event with me and some other online friends. One of those other friends was Georgia Mallory of Grandma G's Cottage. What a delight to finally meet these creative, talented women in person! Pictured from left to right below are Cathy Scalise, Georgia Mallory and Francie Thornton.

While Cathy and I were waiting for Francie and Georgia to arrive, we did a little scavenging around and I found the most wonderful vintage hat. It is a sculptured style hat, covered in velvet fuchsia leaves and has two large satin and velvet fuchsia roses. It still has the pink netting in the front and is in excellent condition. I just love it.

Front

Back

Top

Should I keep it or sell it? If I keep it, I will be tempted to pull it apart and use the leaves and roses in a project I've been thinking about. However, I am saddened at the thought of this beauty being lost forever at the hands of my snips and glue gun. I don't collect vintage hats, but I love vintage millinery flowers.

Okay, I think I will sell it. If you would like to purchase this pretty, please click the link:

(I just removed the link because the hat now belongs to Vicki of All Bliss Be Thine. Thank you so much, Vicki! You are going to love this gorgeous hat.)

I am currently going through and editing my photos from the Country Living Event. If I find some that don't make me look like I weigh 1000 pounds, I'll post them.

Have a great week everyone!
Christine

Get Inspired

2008-02-04T15:12:00.001-06:00

click here to view my slideshow!

Ta Da!

2008-02-03T20:29:00.001-06:00

Meet Titania!

Adornaments are Back at Extra Sprinkles

2008-02-02T14:07:00.001-06:00

I've had so many requests that I've decided to bring my Adornaments back to Extra Sprinkles. It's really a shame to have to put them away and not be able to look at them until next Christmas, so I'm leaving them up all year. I cry a little when each one goes to its new home. I just love them all.

I've decided to do something a little different with this new batch. I'm creating a custom stand for each Adornament. The one I have pictured here is full of sparkle and light.

Why I Would Rather Winter in Australia than Illinois

2008-02-01T19:24:00.001-06:00

And later that same day.....

Ugh.

I've Been Tagged

2008-02-01T18:26:00.001-06:00

I've been tagged by Francie of The Scented Cottage.
Here are the rules. Read 'em because I'm out to tag some of you!

1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person that tagged you.

2. Post THE RULES on your blog.

3.Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.

4. Tag 7 people and link to them.

5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

So now I have to tell you 7 weird (?) things about myself. There's so much to tell if you only want to hear the weird stuff

1. My favorite movie is "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".
2. I used to speak Italian and Portuguese fairly well. Can't do it any more.
3. My favorite food is shrimp cocktail. (not weird enough?)
4. I still refer to my 16 year old daughter as "The Baby". She doesn't mind.
5. Susie Crocker and used to play truth or dare with the Terrell twins in the top of the barn. (Sorry Susie)
6. My first Elton John album was on an 8-track.
7. I saw Elvis in concert in 1974 and I still have my ticket stub. I saw him working at a KFC in Kalamazoo in 1980. :) I did so!

Okay, now who am I gonna tag?

1. Cathy at Treasured Heirlooms
2. Priscilla at Flea Market Queen
3. Cindy at Angel Heart Designs
4. Lisa at Pale Pink & Roses
5. Georgia at Grandma G's Cottage
6. Brenda from Just a Bed of Roses
7. Natasha from Natasha Burns Artistic Creations

Now I have to go and tell them they've been tagged.

The Coronation

2008-01-30T22:45:00.000-06:00

I've been working on my newest Fairy Tale for over a week. I want it to be perfect. I've finished the "throne" for this Fairy Queen. Finally. I've been saving these mother of pearl earrings for just the right moment, and it seems this is the moment. They are shaped like wings and very heavy, genuine mother of pearl. I am quite happy with how the throne turned out, but I am sure going to miss holding and touching those earrings.

I added German Glass Glitter to the backs of the wings after I took these pictures to cover the discoloration that was there and it did the trick.

Thank you so much Cathy from Treasured Heirlooms for the life-saving bag of pretties you sent to me for this project. This Coronation will go on!

To be continued......

Cousin Jack is Home from Iraq

2008-01-21T13:58:00.000-06:00

My cousin's son, Jack, has spent the past several months in Iraq. He is in the Air Force reserves and, thankfully, did not have to complete a full tour. He just arrived home and this is a photo of him, just after he got off the plane. He is meeting his niece, Maggie, for the first time. Look at the smile on her face! It was love at first sight.

WE HAVE A WINNER!

2008-01-21T13:50:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Joyce of Cottage Collections! Joyce has won my blog entry contest, celebrating my new blog. Joyce will receive a beautiful Lavender Floral natural soy candle, provided by Two Sisters Bath & Body.

Thanks to everyone who left comments for me in response to my first post. I love contests, so watch for more to come!

A New Blog = A New Contest

2008-01-14T16:14:00.001-06:00

Welcome to my first post on my new blog. To commemorate this momentous occasion, and the fact that I figured out all by myself how to upload my website header image to my blog, I'm having a little contest. Leave a sweet comment to this post and your name will be entered to win a natural soy candle from Two Sisters Bath & Body. The very lucky winner of this most generous of prizes will receive a Lavender Floral 100% natural soy wax candle with cotton wick, retail value $9.00. This candle will come to you in darling tin and has a burn time of approximately 20 hours. Yes, I am shamefully promoting my other business. It's a dirty job but somebody has to do it. It might as well be me and the winner might as well be you. So leave me a sweet comment and I will draw the winner's name on Monday, January 21.

I'm working away on several new projects and as soon as I figure out how to create the slideshow, I will share some pictures with you. Be patient with me. I may be slow to the draw, but once I figure something out, there's no stopping me.

Be sure to visit all of my favorite blogs for inspiration and some just good plain fun. I will be updating my Favorite Reads list. I have so many and I just haven't gotten them all listed yet. If you would like to share your favorite reads with me, please feel free.

Warmest regards,
Christine