Sunday, January 31, 2010

Gifts for New Great Granddaughter

I'm somewhat—but not compulsive—about the things of my forefathers and foremothers. I mean if I have something my grandmother gave me, I cherish it, but I certainly would never, ever fight my siblings over something. It just isn't worth the time, trouble or negative feelings you get from those disputations with family.

My parents were divorced after about 38 years of marriage and each remarried. They're both deceased now but my father had a pocket watch from my mother's father. It never stated in any will that it was his—my brother's—so it went to his widow. My brother laments to this day over a pocket watch our grandfather told him would be his. It's been 40 years! I inherited nothing from either parent and I have never, ever—not for one second—given it any thought. Those are just "things" and I have wonderful memories. Those I can hold and savor and take with me to the next life. But my brother has let it wear him down for all these years over things that "could have been." I don't think I've ever done that.

I have a corduroy quilt my grandmother made for me. (That's it in the pictures below.) She made it out of scraps from jumpers she made me when I was a young child. She gave it to me when I got married almost 49 years ago. I used to snuggle under it when I was very cold because it is heavy. When you get under it you'd better be in the position you want because it is so heavy you can't move once it's on top of you! But that quilt will go to Washington state with us next week to be in our great granddaughter's room, and she'll know it came from her great great great grandmother. It sounds so ancient when put that way but it's only 60+ years old.


Our granddaughter and her hubby haven't decided on a name yet but so far they've liked the name Violet or Anastasia. Mandy's favorite colors are lavender, violet and purple and I think she likes pink but her house isn't decorated in those colors. Mostly she used beiges and darker colors but her office has lavender walls. She was going to put the baby in the office and work there when she wasn't at her office at Microsoft. Her hubby's office is downstairs in a big room but since he has so much computer equipment in there it wouldn't hold her office equipment. He does a lot of work at home also since he works for MS XBox as a designer and...well, you can just imagine what that room looks like. But guess what?! All her office stuff has been moved out and it is now officially a little girls room! Gee, what being pregnant can do to a professional chick. *Wink* She's told us we can do lavender, pink and soft greens.

Now, I do not plan on spoiling that girl; I'll leave it to her grandmother, my daughter. That's a grandmother's prerogative. I'm talking about clothes, nursery furniture, etc. But I do plan on making her as much frilly and froufrou-y stuff as I can. The birdhouse below is the first thing I've actually made since learning of her imminent birth and confirmation of her gender. I have a box full of stuff that is going over to Washington with us and so far I have a lamp I made, a crown, the quilt, another doll quilt my grandmother made that I think she'll enjoy having knowing its sentimental value and various other things I think Mandy might want from me. I've already given her my original wedding rings and some jewelry. I think she should enjoy them now and not wait until I'm dead! I want to see the sparkle in her eyes when she is wearing something that came from me.


These pictures were before I finished it with the bow, added a few minor touches and Love Bunny put the screwy thing on top so it can be hung from the ceiling.




This little crown I made last year and was for sale on my selling blog. She'll love this in her bedroom. Fit for a princess, which she is.

In her later years my grandmother had to live in a nursing home but she made these little doll quilts to keep her hands busy and to give to indigent families. This one came to me. She always thought of me and told me I was her favorite granddaughter. I believe it to this day. I think I was.

Another little lamp I made but never sold. It's hers now also. I'm glad it didn't sell. ;-)

I made this a few months ago and it was meant to be a giveaway. It will now go to her and I'll do another one for a giveaway soon.
~*~


Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Eleventh Hour - A Curious Mystery

When I buy a book whether in the book store or online I always write my name in it with the date that I bought it. Thus back in 1990 I bought this very clever picture book. I say clever because it shows intelligence and skill by the author, Graeme Base. The Eleventh Hour - A Curious Mystery is a book that appeals to all ages. It's a mystery albeit for children also. I've included a few photos to provoke an interest. But as you can see, I've never broken the seal at the back of the book. That's not to say I haven't peeked! ;-)
Depending on the cleverness of your child, I should say it's for ages 5 or 6 years old on up. Adults will get a chuckle out of it also.


The book is about solving the mystery of who is eating all the cake for the party. Just an adorable book!
~*~


Thursday, January 28, 2010

Beautiful Images For You #1 and Pink Saturday

Join Beverly of HowSweetTheSound and the other participants for Pink Saturday and see all the pink items. You'll be delighted for sure, Chicks.
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I am a firm believer in sharing. I cannot even tell you how many images I have from when I was designing templates. I don't do that anymore but I thought I'd start sharing with you so you can use them also. I probably have well over 10,000 images so I'll put some on here from time to time so you can use in your scrapbooking, crafting or any way you wish. As you can see I'll be numbering them so count on a number 2 sometime soon. I promise you it will be worth it. I have all kinds of images for different holidays. Enjoy.








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Random Thoughts:

Now, you didn't think I wouldn't say something else, did you? Oho, you should know me better than that, chicks. ;-)

At the ward Christmas party at church in December, Love Bunny was dressing for it and I perused his attire with a looooong, slow look at him. Nice Dockers and button-down red shirt.

She: You're not wearing that, are you?

He: Why? Which don't you like?

Looking at himself, he looked puzzled.

She: The Santa hat. (He is one of the church leaders and I thought that was a bit undignified with the Santa hat on his head.)

He decided I was right because we focus on the Savior with our Christmas parties. Kids get candy but there isn't a Santa Claus there.
~*~

Several months ago now I was doing my monthly visiting teaching with my V.T. companion and we were going to a sister out quite a ways from us. I wasn't in the mood that day and as it turned out we spent 5 hours doing this and neither one of us has that kind of spare time.

However, I learned something.

I must admit I had a major attitude that day. We went to this lady's home and she had it built and it was beautiful. We had the tour—a major BIG TIME tour. But when I walked in I saw her very formal dining room set with place settings on the table, I thought to myself that it was a bit showy just to show us her new home. I was thinking she had "styled" it as is done for magazines. Well, I later learned we had been invited for lunch and wasn't even told about it. Now, I was trying to lose some weight and was a bit miffed that I didn't have control over my food on that occasion. But as we were preparing to eat after the hour and a half tour, she served a salad and desserts. But we spent just over 2 hours with her and by the time we left I was ready to "KILL"! I had scheduled 2 hours for the 2 women we visit and when it turned into 5, I was fit to be tied.

But later, I thought about it and realized I missed the major point here: I had a nice lunch. But with the attitude I carried for those hours I lost the purpose for the visit—to bring a spiritual message and companionship to a fellow Christian. I failed that test. I shall be more compassionate in the future.
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A few weeks ago now Love Bunny and I (okay, mostly "I") wanted a hot dog. So since I was driving we stopped at the Chevron Gem Stop station. It's brand new and you could practically live in there with what they offer. Even has a Starbucks. So as we were leaving a man held the door for me. I wasn't sure if he was just being a gentleman or if he thought I was an old lady that needed help with the door. Aaaaack, is this what happens when we are over "39"? ;-)
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What exactly is meant when we say "the far side of town"? I guess that depends on what side of town you live on. So I don't refer to the "far side" anymore; I usually say north, south, east or west side of town.
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I'm going to leave this world kicking and screaming carrying pink, frilly and froufrou-y things if it's the last thing I do......well, that will be the last thing I do. *Wink*
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Gorgeous Papers #2

Even more gorgeous papers for you to view. This one is a gorgeous Christmas-y one, but I think it could be used for just about any occasion. After all, holly is just a lovely plant of red berries, and white evergreens (is that an oxymoron?) are abundant in many shabby, romantic homes all through the year and doesn't have to signify Christmas altogether. I'd certainly use it all through the year.

For the bird and nature lover. Notice the little bunny at the bottom.

For the lover of old ledgers.

Isn't this a lovely shade of green that complements the fruits exquisitely?

This one would be perfect for a lover of Victorian wallpaper and old wishing wells.

Lovers of all things french and that lovely "french blue" would find a good use for this paper.
~*~


Sunday, January 24, 2010

Can We Talk, Girls?

Can we talk "beauty" things for a moment? Well, I'm going to anyway, so sit down and listen.

I like "fluffy/mis-arranged" hair; always have and always will. I tried and tried to get a good picture of all my hair this morning before I went to church but I could NOT for the life of me get it all in. I tried getting the back of it, but, alas, no deal. I'd just get a picture of the top. (Do you realize the contortions you have to go through to get a back head shot?! No? Well, I'm here to tell ya, it ain't easy, chicks.)

So tonight I went into the bathroom and tried doing it in the mirror. I must have taken 10 photos to get just these 3 to show you. We won't even include the conversation with Love Bunny.....sigh...... Men simply don't understand these things!

I thought I was rather clever getting this one of the front top and the back. I didn't try for it; it just happened serendipitously.


And this is the reason: this product. I've used this for a couple of years now and just love it. It truly does hold like glue. Karli, my hairdresser for cuts and perms only as I do NOT have my hair done regularly, used this on me and I've loved it ever since. It is great and goes a very long way. I simply put a tiny bit in my hand and on fingertips and "comb" with my hands. Karli never ever uses a comb on my hair and only uses a brush to dry it. She uses her fingers. She is the most talented hairdresser in the state of Idaho. I love this kid and treat her very well with gifts and nice tips. ;-) I always take care of the woman who is holding the scissors near my hair!!
~*~

Friday, January 22, 2010

A Recent Monday for Pink Saturday 1/27/10

It's another Pink Saturday hosted by Beverly of HowSweetTheSound. Please go and visit all the participants and enjoy yourself. And yes, I did visit several new ones last week but for the life of me I can't remember which ones. I'm losing it, gals.
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Okay, so I'm ever changing the way the house looks! You got a problem with that, chicks? No? Good! Because on a recent monday I got the "bug" to redo some things here.

Remember this post where I had to move in the exercise bench? Gone. Yep, outside on the back porch waiting on someone to call from Craigslist or it'll go to a thrift store. I've only used it a couple of time but I do the exercises my chiropractor recommended with a big ball and rubber tubing so I didn't need it. OUT! Thus, it made room for an etagère from my living room. That started this chain of events.

Everything off the shelves of one bookcase in the family room. Notice my exercise ball in the corner by the sofa. Oooooh, and for those of you who have asked where I got that green and white ticking stripe slipcover, it's no longer available. I purchased it about 4 years ago online at Touchstone but they don't have slipcovers anymore. It is very unique, and I've washed it many times, and it fits so well I was sorry I couldn't find it anymore to recommend to all of you who have emailed asking about it.

And then move that bookcase into the living room.

Leaving a vacant spot in this corner. It will soon be filled with pictures on the walls though.

What a mess!

Much better after straightened and cleaning a bit. I changed the pillows from another room to here. My box of crayons is on the bottom shelf of the mosaic table I stole...uhhh, borrowed from my daughter on one of our trips back to California last year. I love to color in books.

This wall definitely needs something after moving one of the bookcases to the living room. I have shelves and artwork I could put here but just not sure what I want to do with it at the moment.

These Baker chairs have been upholstered 3 times. I love the chairs: soft, cushy and extremely well made and showing no signs of wear after 25 years so I'll keep them. I had them covered with quilts because they didn't look too shabby chic, but now I'm thinking they go just fine. I ordered 2 chair covers online but sent them back as I didn't like the way they fit. I think they go well because as Rachel Ashwell says kilim goes well with shabby chic. Isn't that what it's al about: mixing and "MIS"matching? I think it is. The chairs are a pale green, pink and lavender as you can see in the photos below this one. I absolutely love those chairs and they will probably be here long after I'm gone.


This one is Love Bunny's and yes, I can definitely tell which one is mine and which one is his just by sitting in it. The cushions have molded to our "bottoms"! Noooooo, really they are feathers inside and we can fluff them up a bit but they are really stuffed tightly.


I'm thinking of a making a new cover for the ottoman though. I doubt I'll get to it before spring. Too many other things I want to do first.
~*~