Magnolia Surprise

A New Challenge ~ The Middle and the End

2012-01-26T08:23:00.001-06:00

Earlier in the month, I wrote about the January challenge on my Etsy team, Blogging Business Artisans, where we were to work on a new technique that we have wanted to try. I decided on punch needle embroidery and found a kit which had all the supplies and instructions to get me going.

If you'd like to read about how I decided on punch needle embroidery, you can go here...

I love all forms of needlework and have done quite a lot of counted cross-stitch, hand embroidery, and crewel embroidery -- even tried my hand at needlepoint once but that didn't work out so well! But I had never tried punch needle embroidery. Well, this was my chance!

Punch needle embroidery is different from anything I've done before in that you are punching from the wrong side with your design outline facing you. It should look like tiny neat stitches, but mine weren't exactly neat!

When you punch with the specially threaded needle, it forms loops on the back side (which is the right side when all is said and done) which, in turn, creates your picture. My loops look a bit scraggly....

You use that little wire gizmo to thread the punch tool -- down thru the point, out the back end, then thread again thru the hole in the point from outside to inside.

And, believe me, that "specially threaded needle" is SHARP!! We won't go into details.....

I got a bit better as time went on....

Backside/Working side

Front side

I had problems with the loops not being a uniform height....

The loops are kind of bumpy -- they should be the same height.

It's extremely easy to pull the thread out and also you have a tendency to lift the needle point from the fabric which is a definite NO NO!! I guess practice makes perfect, but I want everything to come out perfectly the FIRST time!!

So, here it is finished. With all its warts and bumpy loops!

I just put it in a wooden embroidery hoop to show here, but I may decide to make it into a tiny pillow, maybe with some sweet smelling lavender inside!

I think it turned out pretty good and will definitely do this again. I like my DMC floss that I use for cross-stitch much better than what was supplied in the kit, and I want to work with my own designs. I think you'll eventually find this showing up in my Etsy shop!

I enjoyed participating in this challenge and look forward to February's where we will create a love-themed item. Stay tuned!

PS ~ Guess what I had in my vintage ~~hoard~~ inventory!! This (and I quote) "Easy Punch Automatic Embroidery Machine" which I found in a garage sale for $1.00! It's from 1985.

Uh-oh, it says it may be harmful to small children so I'd better be careful! Probably more lethal that the one that I was just using, since it uses battery power.... no doubt I'll be needle punching my fingers! But it does say on the package that the "automatic 'walking' needle ensures close, even stitching" so I guess that takes care of that not-so-neat stitching of mine!! (If you would like to read about this nifty machine, you'll find it on my Magnolia's Attic blog!)

Anyway, gotta try it out!!

By the way, did you notice Oliver's new kitty pal over there on the side bar? What a cutie! >^.^<

♥♥

Special Olympics Scarves

2012-01-25T11:38:00.000-06:00

Have you heard of the Special Olympics USA Scarf Project? It began in 2009 when Red Heart Yarns sponsored the project for the Special Olympic World Winter Games that were held in Boise, Idaho that year. The call went out for 5000 Red Heart Delft Blue and White scarves -- they ended up receiving almost 60,000 scarves from all the states and 12 different countries!

I have looked and looked for a photo of the scarf I made that year, but it's just not to be. I guess I lost it when my computer crashed. I made one that was the Delft Blue with white stars appliqued to each end.

In 2011, the scarf project went national and participating states hosted their own events, and put forth their own guidelines and "wish list" for the number of scarves they would like. Texas participates and I just sent off my scarves to Austin.

I was only able to make two scarves this year -- I think I waited too long to get started! Next year, I'll look for the color information earlier so that I can crochet a few more.

This year, the official colors were Cherry Red and Soft Navy in RH Super Saver, or Navy and Really Red in RH Soft which they added this year. I already the Super Saver on hand so went with that! I'm glad they added the RH Soft though -- I like it much better and will use it for future scarves.

This is an excellent project for knitting and crochet groups, church groups, Girl Scout Troops -- the list could go on and on. I hope that any of you who knit or crochet will consider becoming involved in this worthwhile project.

Information on the scarf program
If you click on "Media Resources" you will find photo galleries from this year and last year.
If you click on "Project Guidelines" you can see whether your state participates. This list might change from year to year.
The colors for the 2013 state games will be announced later this year.

I hope you will participate!!

♥♥♥ Today I am linking my scarves to Rednesday! hosted by It's a Very Cherry World. Hop on over to see some more awesome reds!

♥♥

A House of Cards

2012-01-18T11:17:00.000-06:00

She's so proud of herself...

I showed Noli how to build a house of cards

and after several tries, she did it!

What a sweetie!

♥ I'm linking Noli's House of Cards over on Rednesday. Hop on over and check out more Reds! ♥

♥♥

Do You Remember Grover?

2012-01-16T08:57:00.000-06:00

Do you remember me, Grover?

You do?!! Grover is glad, 'cause I remember YOU!!!

Oh, yes, I remember Grover. I must confess, when my kids were little (and they're 31 and 28 now....) I loved watching Sesame Street with them. Especially when Mr. Snuffleupagus was on. But Grover always held a sweet place in my heart.

So now, he holds a place of honor in my office/craft room on top of a bookcase. He loves to dangle his legs down and pretend he's on a swing. He looks down on me and I look up at him, and we smile.

Today I'm sharing Grover on Blue Monday over on Smiling Sally -- lots of blues there, and not the sad kind... the GROVER kind!!

Who was YOUR favorite on Sesame Street? 'Cause I know you watched...

♥♥

Introducing.... Priscilla Peace!

2012-01-13T09:43:00.002-06:00

Remember the little skateboarder that I made for Noli for Christmas? (Click the link and you can catch her again before she zooms down the street!)

Well, I was so excited that one of my Facebook friends, Krafty Max, wanted one of her own for her daughter!

So she picked her clothes and hair colors and I got my hooks clicking! She said that Aye loved peace signs and I was able to find some cute peace sign buttons and used a purple (Aye's favorite color) one on the shirt.

I heard from Max today -- she has entered a lovely post on her blog today with THE MOST FABULOUSLY EXCITED photo of Aye and Priscilla Peace! I am just thrilled with Aye's big smile! You just couldn't ask for a better smile than hers! (and isn't Priscilla Peace a great name?!!)

Go see, go see!! You'll love that smile!!

Max also has some great news for herself -- an honor for her beautiful Celtic Beaded Sun Catcher -- one of my personal favorites! Go see it and her other gorgeous designs in her ArtFire shop -- Crafty Max Originals.

Hmmm, I wonder if Max gave Aye a peace sign bracelet like this one for another time she was on the honor roll.....

Oh, and get yourself over to Max's shop -- she's got a freebie going on till the end of the month -- a pair of Swarovski earrings! Well, for any purchase over $20.00, but still... : )

♥♥

A New Challenge

2012-01-10T10:16:00.000-06:00

One of the requirements on my BBA (Blogging Business Artisans) Etsy Team is to participate in at least six monthly team challenges over the course of a year. The challenge for January (brought to us by Deb of Storybeader) is to set aside time to work on a new technique that you have wanted to try. (the "uh-oh" part of this challenge is that the project also needs to be COMPLETED! I always have trouble with that part....)

So, I'm thinking about what I want to do for this challenge and decided on ribbon embroidery. I've wanted to try it for a long time, even have a leaflet with "teach yourself" instructions and designs, bought in 2006 from Half Price Books for goodness sake!!

My plan was to make the little heart shown in the middle of the pillow.

Yesterday I went to Joann's where you know they'll have everything you've ever wanted to buy for any project you can come up with.... well, I look in the needlework section, I look in the sewing section, I look in sections you absolutely know ribbon embroidery won't be in. No luck. I ask if they have it anywhere -- turns out they don't carry it anymore!

So down the strip center I go to Hancocks -- of course not. Across the street to Michaels -- nope. Hobby Lobby is across town and I have to get home.

As I am pulling out of the parking lot, my car automatically, with no help from me, turns back in the direction of Joann's -- opposite of home. Decision made!

Back at Joann's -- I decided instead on "technique I've always wanted to try number two" .... punch needle embroidery!! I knew it was there at Joann's on the needlework aisle. I figure a kit would be the best way to go, but I don't really like any of the designs and you have to purchase the punch needle separately and you need a plastic embroidery hoop -- and I can't find any of mine!! Except for a little 3 inch one. I've looked for days -- they must have fallen behind stuff in my ~~hoarder's~~ craft closet. Or my daughter has them -- definite possibility. I'll probably have to just buy them again!

Anyway, as I'm looking at the punch needle kits, I see one entitled "Punch Needle for Dummies" : ) Not the design I would pick but so what!

It's got the design printed on fabric, the thread (and yay! you can use regular DMC embroidery thread of which I have every color imaginable from cross-stitching!), the needle punch tool AND the HOOP!! Yahoo!!

So, here I go, ready with my new project. And, if I really love it, I'm sure it will show up in my shop too!!!

(and if I ever find that elusive silk ribbon, you can bet I'll try the ribbon embroidery!!)

♥♥

Oliver says, I'm not ready for a New Year!

2012-01-05T11:06:00.000-06:00

I'm not ready to begin this New Year.....let me sleep a little more!

I got really tired when I stayed up to watch that big glittery ball drop and everybody jumping up and down and blowing horns and stuff. (My humans were in bed fast asleep, but I learned how to turn on the TV a long time ago -- shhh, don't tell)

Now go away and leave me alone. I know I look cute but I'm SLEEPING....

Burrowing in more. I really like it here under my 'rents pillows. ('rents - I heard that one time when my human brother said it -- kinda funny!) Gotta have my foot hanging out though.

Quit looking -- if I can't see you, then you can't see me.....

Yesterday I got up and chased my tail for a while. Sneaked it in so Mommy didn't get to take pictures of me! I wasn't sure what that thing was behind me, it kept moving just a little.... and then I pounced! And turned around and around like I've seen doggies do on late night TV when I'm watching. Kinda fun -- those doggies know what they're doing! (shhh....if you know any doggies, don't tell them I said that....)

Ho-hum, back to sleep...

>^.^<

Wow, look at those trees!

2011-12-28T07:13:00.000-06:00

On the way to our daughter's house for Christmas Eve dinner, we passed these amazing trees. We had to take a little detour to look!

They surround Chesapeake Plaza in Ft. Worth which is home to Chesapeake Energy and also houses the headquarters of Pier One Imports.

The building has lights on top which are pretty cool -- these for Christmas change from red to green with a display that reminds me of playing Tetris!

This white tree is kind of eerie.....

And this is a cool psychedelic shot!

Sharing these trees for Rednesday hosted by It's a Very Cherry World.

♥♥ I usually have my Rednesday posts over on my vintage blog, Magnolia's Attic, since mostly my reds are older than Methuselah as my mother used to say. But sometimes it might seem more logical (at least to me) to have those red posts over here. So you will see some here, some there. It's good to mix it up!! : )

Noli the Skateboarder....

2011-12-26T12:20:00.000-06:00

Noli loves skateboarding. She's pretty funny on a skateboard, but she tries! Really not too bad for a five year old!

She has this one trick where she sits on the skateboard, rides it a few feet, then flips it out from under her and jumps on to finish the ride. I'm sure there's a name for that move somewhere, but I have no idea what it is. Of course, she does this at a very slow speed, befitting a young lady of a modest age.

She whispers in my ear.... "I can skate better than Mommy. She can't do the tricks I can" .... what a kid!!

So, of course, I had to make her a crocheted skateboarder for Christmas...

This is Noli after she jumps back on her skateboard after doing her trick!

I kept her hair wild and free just like Noli's (mainly because you can't get her to sit still long enough to brush it!) I pulled the yarn for the hair from the middle of the skein so that it would be wavy and curly!

Oh, and did you see her thumbs? Thumbs!! Don't you love it?!

Skateboarder Noli is made from a cute pattern by K and J Dolls on Etsy -- she has the most adorable amigurumi patterns for sale! If you crochet, you should definitely check out her shop. Or even if you don't crochet, the dolls and animals are just so cute to look at!

I just might have to make this one for Noli for Easter! What's really sweet is that she has two outfits! Noli will love that!

♥♥

Noli Ornaments!

2011-12-18T18:11:00.000-06:00

Noli and I were in JoAnn's, shopping for some yarn. Well, I was shopping for some yarn.... Noli was shopping for Noli.

"Please can I get a toy?" No, sweetie, it's almost Christmas and Santa will be bringing you toys. "Please, can I get a craft to do? Puh-leeze. Puh-leeeeeeze! --- I want to make Mommy and Daddy an ornament. Puh-leeeeze?"

Who can ignore that! We are talking about crafts, you know!!

So she picked out wooden ornaments to paint -- a reindeer for Mommy and a bird for Daddy. (and, yay! they were on sale!! Always a good thing!)

Back home we got out the paints and covered the table with the old plastic got-everything-in-the-world-on-it-that's-messy tablecloth that we use for our crafts. Put on the smock (an old shirt of mine). And she set to work.

Notice how she wrote her name on the tablecloth - "Noli's"

I wonder what happened to her signature ♥ dotting the " i ".....

She's always very business-like when it comes to painting. She knows what she wants to do and sets about it in a very concentrated way until it's just right!

Mommy's has lots of glitter on it. LOTS. The glitter paint is iridescent and Noli likes that.... a lot!

Daddy's doesn't have glitter (not sure why) but she mixed some colors to make Mr. Bird cheery. Telling me what colors mixed with what colors make other colors.

We hid them away to let them dry in a place where they wouldn't be found. A few days later she was back and wrapped them! That was a sight -- LOTS of tape! I wish I had gotten a photo, but we were in a hurry 'cause Mommy was on the way!

I'm sure that Mommy and Daddy will love their special Noli ornaments. She signed and dated them on the back. (That was funny too -- the way little kids write all over the place instead of in a line...)

Have you, or your kidlets / grand-kidlets, made any special ornaments this year?

♥♥

Special Pink Ornaments!

2011-12-17T18:02:00.000-06:00

I have two very special ornaments that just happen to be pink! They were both given to me by my daughter, who is now an adult 28 with a daughter of her own. (that would be Miss Noli, of course!)

This angel ornament was the first Christmas present that she gave to me that wasn't a drawing or craft done in Mother's Day Out or school. Of course, I value those little gifts more than life itself, but this one was special because she and her Daddy went shopping and she picked it out all by herself. I think she was about six. It is also my birth angel so that made it super special!

And she painted this one for me when she was in early high school. She knew that magnolias were my favorite flower. She has given me other magnolias over the years, but this one was special because she painted it. Oh, and of course, she gave me the lovely Miss Noli too -- her name being Magnolia! Nothing much more special than that little sweetie!

(See the ornament next to it? That's the one we got for Stephanie's first Christmas!)

Sharing my special pink ornaments for Pink Saturday over on How Sweet the Sound. Have a look at some of the other awesome pinks or Christmas posts -- there's fabulous stuff over there!! (and there's a lot of them -- I'm number 161!!)

♥♥

Foodies -- BBA Style!

2011-12-15T10:17:00.000-06:00

Oops, I almost forgot! And I shouldn't because they are all such awesome artisans! As in Blogging Business Artisans....

I made this treasury a few days ago to feature my teamies and totally forgot to blog about it!

I thought it would be fun to see if I could make a whole BBA treasury using food in the titles, or in the item itself, and these guys didn't let me down! It was a bit of a challenge, but I found them!

So, if you follow along, we can go to the restaurant (taking our crayons) and choose from a very sweet menu (no veggies here!) of yummy delights, raising our glasses of wine to toast our choices, and finish off with cafe latte laced with sugar.

♥ Click on each one to see the full food name, and to go to each shop) ♥

♥♥

Blue on the Christmas Tree

2011-12-12T19:54:00.000-06:00

I discovered a new (to me) linky party called "Blue Monday" which is hosted by Smiling Sally -- and decided to participate for the first time!

I was looking at my Christmas tree and, lo and behold, there were blue ornaments! So I got out my trusty camera and snapped away -- and now I will share a few with you.

I love this porcelain bell -- not only is it blue, but it depicts the First Christmas in such a lovely way. So serene.

This ornament has a place for a tree light to go in to illuminate the beautiful carving of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. It too, is porcelain.

This second photo was taken on a setting that allows the light to shine through.

I love these little snowmen -- I have a whole set of them! This little guy is so cute with his cuddly bear and his blue vest!

And we can't leave out Santa! This one was made for the millennium celebration in 2000. Isn't he the cutest? He's having a great time leading the parade!

I was deep into ceramics during the 80s and made this woodland Santa. I love his blue skirt under his red robe, and the blue toy in his bag!

And the very best of all -- a flower ornament that Noli sewed by herself. Last year in her Montessori preschool, the kids learned to outline with a running stitch. They made a whole series of cute blocks and mommy Stephanie decided that they would make excellent Christmas ornaments for family members. Mine is a blue flower which just happened to be my favorite!

Noli was so funny -- she didn't give it to me... instead, she left it behind a picture on a table where I have a lot of family photos. It's one of her favorite hiding places when we play "hide the ......." (little toys du jour) and we always forget how many we have hidden and they show up days later.... So, of course, I didn't see the ornament until I dusted several days later!

Linking my blue ornaments to Blue Monday -- lots of other blues there too!

♥♥

Angelic Pink at Christmastime

2011-12-10T14:50:00.001-06:00

Most of my Christmas decorations are bright red, mostly fun in style. But this angel is an exception -- she's a lovely pale pink with golden lace wings. Her wings scare me whenever I put her out -- I'm so afraid they will get broken! I always put her on my buffet which is probably the safest place, as long as the 800 pound oil painting above her doesn't fall down!

Oh dear, I hope I haven't jinxed myself -- y'all cross your fingers!!

I made her sometime in the 80s when I was deep into ceramics. I remember cleaning the greenware and hoping against hope that I didn't break those wings! But she (and I) survived. She is done is an ivory with a pale pink wash and dry brushing on her lacy dress, and her wings are an ivory wash. She glistens with a bit of subtle glitter over her dress and wings.

She's actually a candle holder. Sometimes I put a candle in her holder, but I really prefer her just as a lovely and delicate angel.

Linking my pink lace angel up today over at this week's Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound.

♥♥

Giveaway for Cat Lovers!

2011-12-07T11:54:00.001-06:00

It's Giveaway time over at the BBA (Blogging Business Artisans) team! If you love kitties or know someone who does, this is the giveaway for you!

>^.^< >^.^< >^.^<

Deb, of Storybeader's Bookshelf on Etsy has made the cutest jewelry set to be given away to one lucky winner! Maybe that will be YOU!!

There's a two-stranded necklace with cute kitties and colorful beads.

A pair of dangly earrings with black and white kitties to match the necklace.

And that's not all!

A dozen kitty beads are included, just in case you want to design your own matching bracelet!

>^.^< >^.^< >^.^<

To get all the information for entering, go to the BBA blog and follow the instructions. You can even get extra entries! Deadline is December 20, at 11 a.m. central time.

And be sure to visit Deb's Etsy shop, and her blog, The Storybeader's Journal.

Good Luck!!

Playing in the Snow!

2011-11-28T19:38:00.001-06:00

Hello! I hope your Thanksgiving was fun and that you didn't gain too much weight with all the yummy pies and stuffing and such!!

I wanted to pop in and share a snowy Etsy treasury that I just curated. It features members of the Blogging Business Artisans team -- a talented group of bloggers and Etsy sellers. If you'd like to check them out and read up on some great blogging tips, go to the team blog, you'll be glad you did!

Playing in the Snow!

Click on each pic to go to that shop, or on the title to go to the treasury on Etsy!

Pink Lightning!

2011-10-21T22:28:00.000-05:00

Noli got new tennis shoes. Pink. Sparkly beads on them. Fancy, schmancy silver shoelaces.

And they light up, front and back!

She came in the door pointing her toes and stamping her shoes so they would light.

Showed them off to me. Showed them off to Papa.

Thought she was the coolest thing in town : )

So we went in the closet to take a picture. Didn't work so we went in the bathroom.

PINK LIGHTNING!!!

Oh yeah, we're cool.

Linking Noli's pink lightning shoes to Pink Saturday! Hop on over and visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. You'll find lots of pink goodness there!

♥♥

Is It Fall Already?

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Halloween is right around the corner and even though I don't decorate for that anymore, I do add a bit of fall goodness here and there. I've got to get my fall storage box out of the shed and get going with it!

In the meantime, I'll share a few fall and Halloween themed items from my shop. I must admit, I got kind of candy corn crazy!

Felted candy corn coasters.

The goblet belonged to my grandmother who died when my mother was fifteen.

I'm so glad to have two of these goblets!

This was fun to make, and hooray! it sold!

A little one is going to have it for her very first official Halloween!

I had to include it here because of the candy corn!!

No candy corn here but I guess you could put a bunch of it INSIDE the bag!!

And a candy corn cozie for your fave canned beverage!

And last, but not least, a witchy candy jar!
(She ate all the candy corn....)

Uh, did I mention Candy Corn?

Linking my fall goodies to the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival -- one of the questions posed is about what you have in your shop, and what plans you have, for Halloween. Click on the link and find some more!

♥♥

Zoom! Zoom!

2011-10-13T07:05:00.001-05:00

Back in the late seventies, my hubby bought a new motorcycle. He had owned several, but this one was special. It was the epitome of motorcycles at the time. It was fast. It had this neat new fairing. It was this sweet silvery-blue color. It looked innocent, but it was hiding its true self.

It was a Kawasaki Z1-R

I don't know if you know anything about motorcycles, but this thing could move!!

We were living in Colorado at the time and it was really fun to take the beast out for rides through the beauty that is Colorado in the spring. But then came winter. Our Fiat developed an illness and needed some part that couldn't be delivered until the snow was gone. Green Grasshopper (the Fiat -- don't you name your cars?) was buried under the snow. Poor Grasshopper, just a mound in the snow.

So the beast was our mode of transportation all that winter. What was a fun ride looking at flowers and trees became an ordeal to get to work. We lived in Avon, seven miles from Vail, and we both worked in Vail..... as night auditors, working from 11 pm to 7 am so as to be ski bums during the day. And let me tell you, it's COLD on the back of a motorcycle driving through the mountains for seven miles every night. I can't imagine what it was like to be the driver!! We wore a couple pairs of socks, long underwear, T-shirt, long sleeve pullover, sweaters, ski jackets, jeans. Hat under the helmet. Ski gloves. Boots. Man, it was freezing!!

Poor Grasshopper didn't make it though the winter. When spring came the poor thing just wouldn't start anymore, ever. So hubby bought an old Ford truck for $25.00 (honestly!). It was awful. So back to the beast until we bought another car. Green. But a Buick.

We both had Z1-R T-shirts -- we were so cute with the motorcycle on the back!

This shirt was mine. He wore his until it wore out, but I didn't wear mine as much so it lasted the test of time. It got stored away for years until one day my daughter discovered it. So she has been wearing it and wearing it out!

See the holes in the motorcycle just under the seat? She doesn't care.

But it sure does bring back memories when she wears it!

Outasight!

So, in remembrance of The Beast, my Z word for AlphabeThursday is Zoom Zoom for the lovely Kawasaki Z1-R!! Zip on over to Jenny's for some more Z's.

♥♥

p.s. (motorcycle photo from ebay - my pics are in some box somewhere.....)

Love and Smiles for Kids

2011-10-11T07:29:00.000-05:00

Have you visited any new websites that you'd like to introduce us to? Everyone likes to find new places to visit!

That's one of the questions posed by Deb of The Storybeader for the current EtsyBloggers blog carnival.

The sites that I am going to introduce are not really new -- but may be new to you.

Love Quilts is made up of a group of very talented, hard working and loving women who stitch and sew cross-stitch blocks into quilts for kids who have life-long or life-threatening illnesses.

As a stitcher, you can sign up for a certain child, or for "Charlotte's Kids" both of which have themes and deadlines. Or you can send in as many "any child" blocks as you'd like. These have basically any theme and no deadline! The stitchers are from all over the US and there are also Love Quilt groups in other countries.

It is very gratifying to stitch for Love Quilts. I've been involved for a long time - I think since 1999!

I do remember how I started.....I used to work in a Hallmark shop and a shopper was looking for cow greeting cards. I was helping her and we got to talking. She was getting the cards to send to a young girl with a terminal illness and who loved cows -- through a site called "Make a Child Smile." Anyway, Love Quilts was listed on that site and I knew I had found my place!

Which brings me to my second site to tell you about -- Make a Child Smile (MACS). You send encouraging cards (through snail mail because kids love to get mail!) to kids with life-threatening illnesses -- you can send one or as many as you like, and to however many children as you like. You can send little gifts if you choose, and they always post the names of any siblings so you can remember them too!

So even if you cannot cross-stitch, you can still bring happiness to a sick child through MACS! Both are such worthy organizations and bring smiles to so many kids. If you look around both the sites, you will see the stories of the kids -- some will definitely make you cry, but your heart will grow and your life will be touched.

From the MACS site:

When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more blessed than you imagined.
~Author Unknown

♥♥

What's that Wet Stuff Falling From the Sky?

2011-10-09T12:53:00.000-05:00

Raindrops
So many raindrops
It feels like raindrops
Falling from my eyes...

For some reason, every time I water skied, that song by David Cassidy ran through my head.

But this isn't about skiing, it's about raindrops! At least I assume they are raindrops......after all, we haven't seen them since May. I think I've forgotten what that wet stuff looks like!

can you see the little splashes?

It's been a banner summer of droughts, signs posted with watering curfews, dead and dying shrubs and trees. With triple digit temperatures all over Texas, it's been the hottest summer yet. My area around Dallas set a record of 70 days of 100 degrees and above. That broke the record set in 1980 -- the summer I was pregnant with my firstborn!

So it was really gratifying to hear rain on the roof when I woke up this morning! And it's continuing -- a light, soft rain; the kind that soaks in and does some good.

Praise the Lord and pass the umbrellas!!

♥♥

Yellow Roses

2011-10-06T07:14:00.000-05:00

My dearest aunt was so talented. She hooked rugs, crocheted, painted with watercolors and oils. She also painted china. That always intrigued me -- it was so beautiful with such gentle colors. I remember going to her china painting guild with her and admiring all the gorgeous pieces.

Yellow is my favorite color for roses and I had always loved this plate, so when she asked me which of her pieces I wanted, I immediately chose the yellow roses plate! I am beyond thrilled to have this, and other pieces that she painted. They are on display in my home and every time I look at them, I remember my dear aunt.

She painted it in 1970 on a Noritake china plate. The little scroll work on the plate's edge is part of the plate's design.

A close-up of the roses.

So, it is only fitting that my Y word for AlphabeThursday is Yellow, for Yellow Roses! Go on over to Jenny's for some more Y's!

♥♥

Pink on a Denmark Beach

2011-09-10T12:19:00.002-05:00

I have a thing for rocks. I don't keep a huge collection or anything, but I have some sitting around that are special in one way or another -- where they were found, the shape, the color.

The summer before I began my senior year in high school (no, you're not getting any idea of the year! Let's just say it was a looong time ago...) my brother invited me to visit for part of the summer. He had accepted a research position with Unilever, which is the parent company of Lever Brothers, and had just moved to Holland. And invited me to visit!!

So off I went, on my first flight by the way, to Europe! Alone!

Anyway, back to the rocks....

My brother had several conferences to attend that summer, which was great for me since it took us to several countries we might not have visited otherwise. One was in Copenhagen, Denmark which is an absolutely fantastic place!

Photo of Rocky Denmark Beach

In one of our treks around the area, we went to a beach, the likes of which I had never before seen! I was used to the sandy beaches of Florida and Louisiana's Gulf Coast. THIS beach was full of boulders! BOULDERS! Huge! You could climb on them and see for miles! So, of course, I had to bring a couple of rocks home.

The gray one looks like those boulders, only on a much, much smaller scale! I love the smoothness of it.

And the pink one! I love it -- love, love, love it! It's kind of a coral pink with bits of gray and has little sparkles in it. It's hard to see in photos, but the whiter areas are almost glass-like with the sparkles.

These two rocks sit on bookshelves now, and remind me daily of that wonderful trip that my big brother so graciously offered me. A peek at more of the world than a young girl had ever seen. What memories!

Linking to Pink Saturday - check out other pinks here!

♥♥

There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!

2011-09-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

Not bird, nor plane, nor even frog -- just little 'ole me, Underdog.

Remember Underdog, aka Shoeshine Boy, the Superman-like dog cartoon? Oh yeah, had to watch Underdog!

Noli and I checked out the Underdog movie (which happily had a cartoon from the original TV show included) and she went totally berserk! Watched it two times in a row, then played Underdog for days!

We couldn't find a red T-shirt so a white one had to do! Never mind that it had flowers around the neck -- Underdog is a very confident dog and is not afraid to show his feminine side! I had some stick-on felt and cut out a big U and stuck it on. Blue towel for the cape and, drum roll please, introducing......

UNDERDOG NOLI

Only she pronounced it "Wonderdog" -- I got the biggest kick out of that!

Here's Underdog aka Wonderdog saving the day!

And here's Underdog stalking the bad guy.....

After a day of saving the good and fighting the bad, Underdog is a tired puppy....

Linking Underdog to Alphab-Thursday over at Jenny Matlock

♥♥

Jumping in Fall Leaves

2011-09-07T10:30:00.002-05:00

I was just thinking about how the weather has taken a slight (very slight but, oh well) turn toward fall and how fun it is to jump in piles of freshly raked piles of leaves. Well, I don't really jump in them anymore, but I remember how my kids loved to and how a certain granddaughter does too!

Here are some awesome Etsy leaves!

This is what we'll all be doing soon enough! Autumn Fall Landscape Watercolor Print by WatercolorsByMuren

Welcome your friends, neighbors and family! Fall Door Wreath by The Privileged Door.

Can you believe this is a gourd? Beautiful! Handpainted Gourd Bowl by Nat's Kreations.

Decorate your mantel or drape over a banister -- and I totally love these leaves in a doorway! Fall Leaves Felt Garland by The Clever Life (who, by the way, lives in my hometown of Baton Rouge, LA!)

♥♥ THIS JUST IN!! Hilary from The Clever Life is generously offering a discount in her shop for my readers! Just put the code MAGNOLIABLOG at checkout and you'll get 10% off!!. And she's got some really cute things in her shop! Thank you, Hilary! ♥♥

I'm loving these napkin rings! They're hand cut out of salt dough, painted and dried. Fabulous on your Thanksgiving table or any autumn gathering! Thanksgiving Napkin Rings by Cookie Dough Creations.

I love this ceramic leaf bowl -- the crystals in the glaze pop as the piece is fired and create their own pattern! Beautiful! Fall Leaf Dish by Mia Sorella.

And just because I couldn't resist....

Leaf Noli!!

She made a picture for Daddy from leaves gathered from our yard. This was taken in November 2009 so she's almost four at the time. Cuteness!

So be sure to jump in piles of freshly raked leaves when it's time!!

♥♥♥

Toes, Tails and Tummies

2011-09-01T13:14:00.000-05:00

A few nights ago, I shot some pics of Oliver sleeping on the back of the couch (this has recently become one of his favorite sleep places du jour). Then I got to thinking about his cutie toes. And his cutie tail.

Then I got to thinking about Noli's cutie toes. And her cutie tail (yes, my sweetie little granddaughter has a tail, several in fact.)

Then tummies jumped in there and then I got to thinking about the new (to me) meme I discovered, Alphabe-Thursday, brought to you today by the letter T!

So, I thumbed (cyber thumbed since they exist somewhere between my camera and my computer) through my Noli pics and my Oliver pics and came up with some awesome Toes, Tails and Tummies!!

♥ Toes ♥
This is the pic that started it all -- Oliver's toes and tail just above me on the couch.

I love kittie toes -- especially the pink ones like Oliver has. We like to play "spread toes" with him -- rub him between his toes and that big pad on his feet and he spreads his toes waaaay out. Too funny! And his tail was practically on my nose!

♥♥ (I just added this pic and post to Pink Saturday -- but I did it today, Sunday : ) -- Oliver's cutie pink toes are going to join in! Thanks for the suggestion, Birgit! See more info at the end of this post) ♥♥

Oliver says: "cool, my mommyfur" >^.^<

This is Noli in the pool with one of her mom's friends. She was trying to stretch her toes up to the side and just barely made it! Kid pool toes are the best! (No, not my pool -- I wish!)

♥ Tails ♥
Noli plays a lot of make-believe and one of her favorites is to pretend to be a kitty. We used many and varied forms of tails -- here's one that's very colorful.

(I actually think she was being a fox with his big fluffy tail -- you may remember the "Fox in the Yard" post -- well, she still gets a kick out of pretending to be that fox!)

And here's a make-do tail 'cause we couldn't find one of her official tails....

and the kitty ears to go with....

♥ Tummies ♥

This is one of my favorite photos of Noli. She's just turned three and was walking along the path in the backyard. I love the way her tummy kind of leads the way! Hard to believe she's in Kindergarten this year!

And Oliver is all his big cat tummy glory! He doesn't sleep on his back very much so it's a big deal around here when he does! And he definitely has a big deal tummy!! (But don't tell him I said so, he's rather vain...)

>^.^< ♥ >^.^< ♥ >^.^<

For some more "T's" hop on over to Alphabe-Thursday! You're welcome to join in the fun!

P.S. -- Birgit of Swapping Howdies left a sweet comment saying that I should link this up to Pink Saturday over at How Sweet the Sound. Because of Oliver's sweet, sweet pink toes! So I clicked right over and oh! such a cute idea!! OK, so from now on, I'll try to link up over there on Saturdays. Pink is just such a hap-hap-happy color, don't you think?

and

(Oliver insisted that he get to sign his name too -- since he had to suffer the indignities of the "tummy aka belly " photo! It was the least I could do for the little guy!!

♥☺♥☺♥☺♥

Flowers for the Bath

2011-08-25T08:20:00.000-05:00

I'm on a flower scrubbie kick now! I just listed some in my shop and I think I'll do some more!

White Flower Scrubbies

Isn't that little pedestal sink the cutest? I found it in a thrift shop and just had to have it for a photo prop! It works perfectly for these scrubbies!

Flower Scrubbies in Pinks

I've only done sets of eight before (one for each week day and an extra for laundry day!) but I think maybe that's too many, so I'm going to go to sets of three or five. Plus I plan to introduce plain round ones in two different sizes. Ah, the to-do list gets longer!

Flower Scrubbies in Brites

These next two are not in my shop -- after they sold (a looong time ago!) I just never replaced them. It might have had something to do with feeling like I had to made eight of them!!

Shabby Chic Scrubbies

Facial Scrubbies in Blues

Now my question to you is -- should I continue to put the hanger on them? I thought it might serve a purpose if the person washes their face in the shower or just wants to hang it up at the sink. But does the hanger detract from the flower? Oh, the decisions!!

♥♥

Oh, Candy Corn, How I Love You!!

2011-08-17T11:55:00.000-05:00

Are you a candy corn lover? I am! If I get started eating them, it's awfully hard to stop. So I will not let myself buy a bag of candy corn!! Even though they would look cute in my pictures.....

But, with my one-track mind at work, I've been focusing on candy corn for my shop!

A basket of candy for a kid's Trick or Treat imagination -- it can be Halloween any time of the year!

You may remember that I asked whether the basket should have a face or not in this post and yes won hands down! Plus, of course, Noli demanded that I put a face on it -- and you never want to go against Noli......

A candy corn can cozie (say that 10 times real fast!)

Felted candy corn coasters

My favorite candy corn for fall decorations or kid play

I'm working on a little candy corn guy -- I've got most of his pieces parts done, just have to get some eyes (or maybe crochet them, or embroider them, I haven't decided) and stuff and sew him. I think that will be the end of my candy corn craze!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Which leads me to wandering through Etsy shops to find more and more of that delicious candy corn in all its Trick or Treat cuteness!

Are these just the cutest things, or what!! I can just some chubby cheeked little pumpkin all decked out in them! Trick or Treat! Dandy Candy Corn Baby Mary Janes by Sweet Hearts and Soles.

I love prim! And these prim candy corns are so fun -- I love how they are so tall and skinny! The tallest are almost a foot tall -- that's a lot of candy corn!! 6 Primitive Halloween Grungy Candy Corns by Old Goat Prims.

Somebody's playing a trick with these "Cracked Corns"!! Meet Zombiecorn, Deadcorn, Autumncorn and Candycorn. Aren't they priceless?!! Cracked Corn, Set of 4 by CaThCaThCreations.

And, last but certainly not least, Cat in the Hat!!

I love this cat -- she doesn't look very happy to be wearing such a cute little hat!! She's probably thinking how lovely she is and how much fun she'll have trick or treating at all the dogs' houses. That, or how she's going to sneak all the candy corn in that kid's trick or treat bag. Candy Corn Cat Hat by Scooter Knits.

Halloween's a-coming!!!!

♥♥

The Union Quilters ~ On the Bookshelf

2011-07-30T10:32:00.000-05:00

Jennifer Chiaverini is one of my favorite authors. I discovered her quite by accident one day in the library. She has written a series of novels called "Elm Creek Quilts" which are about a group of women who run a quilting "camp" and the various quilters who pass their way. Excellent books.

She has also written several historical fiction novels in the series -- one about the Underground Railroad which was absolutely riveting, and another which followed up on the central character of that novel -- and this one which I was so excited to discover!

The Union Quilters is about a group of women who love to get together to quilt, but then the Civil War points them in another direction. After Lincoln's call to arms in 1862, the men of Water's Ford, Pennsylvania hurry to join up, leaving the women to run their homes on their own. They rally together to form the Union Quilters, using their talents to provide for the soldiers on the front lines and for those who have been wounded and returned home. They draw strength and encouragement from each other as they face hard and often sad times.

Throughout the novel are woven the stories of these exceptional women and of their brave men who are at war. We learn of the soldiers' experiences through letters written home and shared by the women around the quilting tables. Ms. Chiaverini brings these stories to life with historical facts, letting us see up close the suffering of the men engaged in battle, the problems faced in dealing with the wounded, and the loneliness of those left at home.

This is an excellent book, written so as to capture not only the pain and suffering of soldiers on both the Union and Confederate sides, but also to give us the hope, love, and humor of these very brave women. Women just like the ones in our own ancestries.

I highly recommend Ms. Chiaverini's novels, and will be bringing more of them to you. If you read them, try to do so in order since they tend to build one upon the other and some of the same characters, or their ancestors, appear from novel to novel.

To read more about the Elm Creek Quilts novels and Jennifer Chiaverini, go here to her website and blog.

♥♥

Trick or Treat!

2011-07-26T09:55:00.000-05:00

Halloween will be here sooner than you think!!!!

So, have you started your Halloween stuff for your shop? Or are you starting to sniff around Etsy or ArtFire or Zibbet for cute, scary or maybe repulsive decorations?

I lean toward the cute myself. I don't really decorate for Halloween, although I do put out a few cutie things for Noli. Just a small space on my room divider shelves.

I'm working on a few Halloween things for my shop -- this trick or treat basket filled with pretend candy. Very oversized pretend candy!

I'm almost finished -- as you can see, the swirl candy is pinned together at this point. I, of course, don't have the right purple thread -- not even embroidery floss and I have about every color DMC makes, but not this one!! I prefer sewing the pieces parts on with sewing thread, maybe using the yarn to anchor it first. I like the way it virtually disappears into the crochet!

Oh no! The swirl candy didn't have its wrapper in the first pic -- it was feeling a bit *naked* so I promised I would show you it when *dressed* -- it's a happy swirl candy now! Also I can see I'll have to fiddle with the color on this purple. Miss *dressed* candy is closer to the true color.

Question for you: should I put a face on the basket and let it be a jack-o-lantern? If I do, I think it will be felt sewn on (with black thread!!) Noli said it had to have a face if it's for Halloween....

That's her vote, what's yours?

♥♥

Blushing

2011-07-25T14:22:00.004-05:00

I'm so in love with this treasury that I just must post it here!

I really had a fabulous time creating it.....I so enjoy finding just the right item for what I have in mind for the treasuries I create. And sometimes I just have to post them here. Maybe I'll start doing that all the time since I know that a lot of you might not see them otherwise on Etsy. And I know you love, love, love to look at treasuries : )

I know I do...

Anyway, here is my latest....

Just click on the title or this link and it will get you to the full-size one on Etsy, and you can go to each store too.

Hope you enjoy it!

♥♥

Ugly Truck Day!! Or So They Say.....

2011-07-20T10:52:00.000-05:00

Today is Ugly Truck Day! We must celebrate all those beat up and battered trucks out on the roads (or in somebody's front yard....)

Here's a fine specimen! Late 1970s Ford Work Truck by Classic Wrecks. Have a look through his junkyard!

But, you know, I also like the cute stuff -- so I'm celebrating "Cute Truck Day" too! Let's see what we find around Etsy...

This one's a cutie! My son would have loved playing with this one -- but, alas, he has owned and driven (pickup) trucks and doesn't much play with them anymore!!

I love the different woods and the simple design. Organic Walnut Flatbed Truck by A Summer Afternoon.

That same son is a volunteer fireman in his town so maybe he would like to have this out in the backyard!

Be sure to check out all her super cute playhouses!

Fire Station Card Table Playhouse by MissPrettyPretty.

It was hard deciding on a truck to show from this shop! But, in thinking about that same son..... he used to love watching cement trucks, and called them "see me trucks" !!

Go see his other vehicles -- you will be amazed! And everything works!!

Ready Mix Cement Truck by Wisconsin Woodchuck.

Love this cross-stitch! I have the pattern and have always kept it in the back of my mind to stitch! Guess it would have been a good one for that certain son : )

Finished and Framed Cross Stitch by RocknRobin.

Here's another one that qualifies as a junker -- the truck, not the painting! I love the old rustic look of the watercolors in her shop! Fantastic!

Easy Terms Ford Truck Watercolor by April Fords.

Thanks for going truckin' with me today -- now go out and celebrate and find yourself some "ugly trucks"!!

♥♥

Lizard, lizard, show your money bag!

2011-07-05T10:08:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, I would say that until Mr. Lizard bounced his neck up and down and showed me his wonderful red money bag!

This Mr. L was no exception!

I looked out my window and saw him on the side of the greenhouse -- got my trusty camera -- and asked him to please pose for me.

I had to say "pretty please" but he accommodated me! Note his bright green color -- he might be a bit apprehensive as to my intentions, but he's still trusting of me.

OK, what's that human going to do? Catch me by the tail? And what on earth is that weird black thing she's holding? Think I'll just hang out a minute and see what's up....

Not so trusting anymore...

Not so trusting at all. Now he's completely brown and in "I'm going to bite you if you get any closer" mode. But, wait! His money bag is appearing! Will he show it?

BINGO!

Zip! Zap! Off Mr. Lizard goes -- the show is over!

Can she see my hiding place?

I'm outta here!

♥♥

Today is Waffle Iron Day! ~ wednesday wanderings and the shops found along the way

2011-06-29T10:38:00.003-05:00

Get your irons out!! Ready?

Iron those waffles till all the creases are out!!

No? Not that kind of waffle iron, you say?

Ohhhh -- THIS kind of waffle iron! This looks similar to the one my mother had -- a big huge thing, Sunbeam, I believe. Made four big waffles at a time. Yum!!

Vintage Waffle Iron with Fabric Cord from By the Wayside.

This one's a TOY..... and it WORKS!! What were they thinking? How on earth did any kid survive playing with such a thing? Maybe mom supervised the little waffle chef? You think? OK, a little tongue-in-cheek there -- I'm off my soapbox now.

I think it's adorable and probably would have loved having one when I was a kid!

Vintage Dover Toy Waffle Iron from My Heirloom Charms.

And here's what you make in that waffle iron! Oh my goodness, that looks delicious! I love the cutie bananas!

Waffle with Bananas, Syrup and Whipped Cream by Bug Bites Play Food.

How about this one? It even includes an egg, bacon and sausage! Think waffles and fixin's for dinner!!

Waffle Breakfast by Milkfly.

How yum is this? Just dripping with maple syrup. But watch out!! It's soap in disguise!! Don't you just love the presentation on the plate?

Waffle with Butter and Syrup Soap by Mollycoddle Soap.

Oh my, all these waffles are making me soooo hungry! I think I just might have to ~~cook~~ convince my hubby to cook waffles for dinner!!!

♥♥

Tamdoll ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for June!

2011-06-24T13:20:00.000-05:00

Tammy of Tamdoll is this month's featured EtsyBlogger! Tammy makes one-of-a-kind fabric jewelry, art dolls, handbags and collages. Quite a fun eclectic collection "depending on what creative mood strikes" as she likes to say.

In strolling through her shop, I was drawn to her embroidered fabric jewelry. Embroidery is something I love to do and to look at, so these little works of art really called to me!

Like this awesome necklace. I love the way she added a bit of simple embroidery around the fabric design. It really makes the design stand out and adds a little whimsey!

Or these super cute teeny tiny heart charms! And they're embellished with embroidery! And beads!

And they come in this cutie matchbox! If that just isn't the dandiest thing, I don't know what is!

And then there's this little oak leaf pin! It's made of wool felt with a crochet edging and embroidered accents, and stuffed so its nice and fat and just right to wear on your jacket!

You should go right now and peek in Tammy's shop -- there's an awesome dragon waiting for you.....

Oh, and, being a member of the EtsyBloggers, Tammy also has ......a blog!! Be sure to check out her post for the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival -- it's about a delicious sounding pie aptly named "Out of This World Pie" -- oh my it does sound decadent!

♥♥

Sting Like a Bee! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-06-15T07:26:00.000-05:00

There it was, peacefully sleeping in the grass.....waiting......

Bumble Bee Hat and Matching Diaper Cover by Aunt Mimi's Designs.

for me to walk by in my sandals, unsuspecting.....

Busy Bee on Black Toekini by Raige Creations.

Bzzzzz.....Zap! Gotcha! Oh my, that hurt.

Bee (35 inch) by Manartas.

My garage sale picking is over. Next time I wear sneakers!

Converse Bumble Bee Hi Tops by Princess Sneakers.

Thanks a lot, Mr. Bee....

Honeycomb Letterpress Note Cards by Smockpaper.

Glad there weren't two of them!

Busy Little Bumblebees Pillowcase Dress by Punkytown.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

And just for fun, I made a bee treasury too!

♥♥♥

What a Great Market Bag! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-06-08T10:04:00.000-05:00

In my wanderings around Etsy, I found Ellen of Earthwise Emporium -- I was very much impressed by her recycled farmer's market bags and wanted to share them with you!

You know those net produce bags from the grocery store? The ones that house tomatoes, onions, avocados and such? The ones you usually throw away? Well, Ellen has a super use for them, one that I think is just so clever!

She takes those throw-away bags and repurposes them into wonderful market bags to tote your groceries home! And the way she does it is what caught my eye -- she crochets a top for the bag and adds a drawstring to cinch it up! Very simple, very clever.

Here's how they begin in life, a humble little nylon net bag holding your fruits and veggies! I just love the way Ellen extends their life and keeps them away from the yucky landfill.

Her Etsy shop has other lovely creations.....

American Girl Doll clothing

A wonderful memory quilt design that is created just for you with your photos

And she's now offering pick-your-own-color sets of knitted dishcloths and crocheted scrubbies! Super idea!

As Ellen says in her profile and shop announcement, "Earthwise Emporium is about recycling, reusuing and providing products to replace disposable ones. I believe we are all to care for our natural resources and our own personal resources through being frugal..."

I hope you will visit Ellen's shop and show her some love! You can also find her on Facebook!

♥♥

Summer Colors

2011-06-07T16:21:00.001-05:00

What colors remind you of summer? Have you been using these colors in your shop lately? Show us!

That's one of the questions posed by Edi of Memories for Life Scrapbooks for the current EtsyBloggers blog carnival. Be sure to check out Edi's shop too -- she has the most awesome scrapbooks! And she's getting into laser art now and her engraved coasters are unbelievable!!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I always think of bright, sunny colors for summer -- hot pinks and blues, bright yellow and green. Citrus colors like lemons, limes and oranges. Patriotic red, white and blue. Shades of blue for the ocean -- from the deepest blue to lighter aqua.

♥♥♥♥

With the Fourth of July coming up, I have been working with red, white and blue...

like this cute flip flop pin cushion

or this nautical dishcloth set perfect for your yacht's galley when you're on your summer cruise...

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Fruit punch colors

like these flower facial scrubbies... Bring on the lemonade!

♥♥♥♥

This is my current project... bet you can't tell what it is! I've had this little pattern for ages and finally thought, "well, why not" and got out the brightest blue I could find!

Can you figure it out? Bowl? Beginning of an amigurumi animal?

Nooo..... you'll just have to wait until I'm done!

But it will make life easier when you're out walking!

♥♥

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates.....

2011-06-06T11:25:00.003-05:00

Forrest Gump had it right!

His quote, including his accent, got stuck in my head.....so that told me "Treasury Time"!! I've only made a few but I'm loving making them! Plus I find some really cool shops that I might not have otherwise.

So here, with a bow to Forrest, is a treasury full of chocolately goodness!
P.S. I featured teamies from the Etsy crochet teams I'm on... : )

You can click on the title to go to the "real" treasury on Etsy where you can (because I know you want to) comment, click and share!! And, if you click on each photo, you'll be taken (like magic) to that shop! : )

♥♥

"The Good Guy" ~ On the Bookshelf

2011-05-31T08:30:00.003-05:00

I have read many of Dean Koontz's novels, and this one is definitely one of the best. I like his writing: suspense novels with twists and turns, frightening without being gruesome, psychological horror without nightmares.

This is about Tim, an ordinary guy caught between a hired killer and the woman targeted. It's a case of mistaken identity. It's about discovering courage within himself. It's about determining to save an innocent life and facing real evil. It's about finding that you love someone and will do anything to protect her.

"I need to kill her, you know."

"You could just walk away."

"No, Tim. I've got an image to protect."

"Then kill me instead."

"All right. That works for me."

This hired killer is ruthless. He doesn't care who he kills, only that he kills someone. And if some innocent someone gets in the way, well, so much the better.

He has no real home; he lives from house to house if the owners are away. But they have to meet his high expectations. The home must be perfect -- clutter free, organized, even the tops of high shelves dusted. Food in the refrigerator. The kitchen clean. And, after he spends a night or two there, he leaves it better than he found it. Washes and puts away his dishes. Makes the bed. Takes a shower and wipes down the walls.

But should the owners come back before he takes his leave, well, a bit of play is in order.

And he has a really good time hunting down Tim and the woman he has been paid to kill.

Kangaroos, Koalas and Taz, Oh My!!

2011-05-25T14:38:00.000-05:00

"In the southern hemisphere it's autumn right now, the days are shorter and the nights longer. What's something interesting you have found out about living 'down under'?" That's one of the questions posed by JacBerKitsch for the current EtsyBloggers blog carnival.

When I think of 'down under' I think of Australia and all the fantastic animals that live there, animals unlike any I would ever come across anywhere here in the states. I have always held a fascination for koalas and kangaroos, but there are many other unique animals to find! And I found out some very interesting facts along the way!

Koalas have got to be the cutest animal on earth! They are marsupials and, like kangaroos, the baby koala is called a joey and is carried in its mother's pouch until about six months old. When they are older, they catch a free ride on mom's back! They like to dine on eucalyptus leaves and sleep the majority of the day. Notecard - Wildlife Series Two - Koala by RMVera Studio.

Do you remember Taz the Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil? Even though these little guys are cute, they are pretty vicious! Also endangered. And carnivorous. Watch out! They've got sharp pointy teeth, strong jaws, and ears that turn red when they are excited. They live in burrows or hollow logs, sleeping during the day and hunting at night. They can also climb trees and swim! Yikes! Tasmanian Devils Photo by PhotosAlegria.

Kangaroos are pretty fascinating creatures! They can hop up to a speed of 40 mph and uses its tail like an extra leg for support while standing. Most kangaroos can only move both back legs together and not one at a time. They are social animals and live in groups called "mobs." The baby joey is carried in mom's pouch for nine months and then climbs in and out for feeding until 12 to 17 months. (Good grief!) Mom can have three babies at one time -- one becoming mature and just out of the pouch, another developing in the pouch, and one embryo in "pause mode." Oh my aching back!! And they all live in that pouch! Plus there are four teats in the pouch and each has a different milk for the different stages of development! Can you imagine?!!

Couldn't resist this guy! The title is "Honey, since you are up, bring me a beer" Typical male....

Kangaroo Blank Note Card by Postal Therapy.

Hope you learned a little bit -- and please check out the three photography shops! They have a lot of fantastic photos to look at!

Nanjo Dogz ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for May!

2011-05-24T07:49:00.000-05:00

Nancy of NanjoDogz is this month's featured EtsyBlogger! She makes polymer clay Pandora beads with an emphasis on the shapes of various dog breeds. A really nice thing that Nancy does is to donate a portion of her sales to several animal charities.

In looking through all her puppies, I decided to show you the ones that have meaning in my life, because, of course, they are my favorites!

The German Shepherd

I had a wonderful, loving German Shepherd named Aries. This bead looks a lot like him!

The Pug

Well, this is a Puggle, but my grandpuppy is a Pug! Snowflake is his name, given him by my little granddaughter (she got him at Christmas and it snowed, thus, Snowflake!)

The Basenji

My brother had two Basenjis -- they were so cute and didn't bark! Basenjis just make a kind of yodel

sound. And they have the cutest curly tail and a belly button! And don't you just love the ears?

The West Highland Terrier

If I could talk my hubby into getting a dog, this is the one I'd want! Westies are just so cute!

Maybe I could get a Shepherd AND a Westie! The Westie could run circles through the Shepherd's legs! Oh what fun! Maybe I'd add a Basenji and she could stand on the sidelines and yodel. And we could invite Snowflake over and have a doggie party! More fun! Of course, Oliver my cat might have something to say about all this dogginess....

So.... you should get over to Nancy's shop and find your own favorite puppy bead! But, just so you know, it might be a tough choice! They are all so cute! Visit her blog too!

Oh, and here's another bead, just 'cause it's so adorable!

A bookworm!

♥♥

No Dirty Dishes Day! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-05-18T07:24:00.000-05:00

Take off that apron! Pull off those rubber gloves!

Go out to eat! Order pizza and eat out of the box!

TODAY IS NO DIRTY DISHES DAY!

Today we will not dirty up the kitchen; we will not leave dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter. We will leave that dishwasher alone. For today we celebrate by eating out ALL THREE MEALS. Or by using plastic plates and forks (remember to recycle!). Or eating ice cream right out of the box (with our plastic spoon).

Yes, this is a true, real holiday, no doubt made up by some bright kid trying to get out of doing the chores!

So today, instead of dirtying up the kitchen, I'm wandering around Etsy, looking for ways to celebrate to make this holiday even more fun!

1. Get over to your favorite hamburger joint.

Hamburger and fries for you -- chicken nuggets for the kids. Don't worry, they won't eat all your fries. They'll be too busy playing on the playground!! Felt Hamburger Combo by CreationByM.

2. Drink milk right out of the carton. Yes, you're allowed -- today only.

And if anybody catches you, offer them the jug too!!! Gallon of Milk Felt Food by The Felted Pear.

3. Sushi - no cooking, no utensils except chopsticks!!

This is sushi is crafted from candy and is entirely edible! Looks positively delicious! Candy Dessert Sushi by Death By Cupcake.

4. Pizza - straight out of the box, no plates allowed!

This one looks yummy! Box and pizza sold separately! Felt Pizza Box by Felt Food Feast. (Check out the Kool-Aid smiley face pitchers when you can go back into your kitchen...)

5. For all you "gotta have your veggies" types -- salad!

Go to your favorite salad bar and munch away! Making a Salad Play Set by Extra Baggage Boutique.

6. After that salad, surely you have room for a triple decker ice cream cone! And no dishes!

Yummy! I'll have cookies 'n cream, butter pecan, and mint chocolate mint!! Ice Cream Cones Amigurumi Pattern by Knotty.

Did you get enough to eat? Hope so, 'cause no fair sneaking into the kitchen tonight -- unless it's after midnight!!

♥♥

Apples for the Teacher! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-05-04T07:53:00.000-05:00

Well, we're nearing the end of the school year -- prom, graduation, yearbook signing -- and teacher gifts!!

I think this apple cozy is just the best! She also sells a pattern so you can make your own! It would be great for your work lunch box too! Crocheted Apple Cozy by Unravel Me.

This is so cute, and different! I like the background designs with the decoupaged papers and then the saying on the top -- very clever and "happy and pretty!!" (Read her profile!) To Teach is to Touch a Life Forever by Happy Pretty.

Here's a cute wooden block that teacher could use on her desk to hold down test papers or to sweetly sit on her bookshelf. I love the abc's and ruler ribbon! Live Love Teach Block by Sassy Talk.

I love this! "A book a day keeps the landfills away!" She buys the books from charity resale shops and then repurposes them, so not only does she help the environment, but she also gives back to others! How wonderful is that! A Book A Day by Roundabout.

And, just because I happen to have them in my shop...apple coasters by yours truly! Apple Coasters by Magnolia Surprise.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to the apple orchard!! And don't forget your kid's teacher(s) -- she put up with them all year! : D

♥♥

Chex Sandwiches

2011-04-30T08:22:00.008-05:00

Yesterday's conversation from the backseat as I pick up Noli from preschool.....

Noli ~ What day is tomorrow?

Me ~ Tomorrow is Saturday.

Noli ~ Yay! No school! Nobody has school on Saturday.

Me ~ Well, no, except if you're in college. Some college students have school on Saturday.

Noli ~ When's college?

Me ~ After high school.

Noli ~ I guess you have to be 8 or 12 to go to college.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

When we got home, we made Chex sandwiches.

I highly recommend them! A bit labor intensive but worth it!

Noli put her OK on them!

We used Corn Chex, but they would be equally as good with Wheat or Rice, whatever you like!

♥♥♥ She is such a kick! ♥♥♥

♥♥♥

Be sure to go over to Little Andalucia for some fun linkies!!

Linda B's Jewelry ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for April!

2011-04-27T08:06:00.012-05:00

Linda of Linda B's Jewelry is this month's featured EtsyBlogger! I really love the section she has for healing jewelry. I'm pretty fascinated by that!

I have always loved turquoise and the various shades are in my list of favorite colors -- so this bracelet really jumped out at me!

Linda says that turquoise is good for the throat, lungs and tummy and gets rid of pain -- I'm all for that! Plus, in the Middle Ages it was thought to provide success for men and contentment for women. Contentment is good. Turquoise Gemstone Wire Wrapped Healing Bracelet

I have loved malachite for so long. My daughter once gave me a beautiful malachite and silver pendant that I just adore. So these earrings are calling to me!

Linda says that malachite has been used to aid success in business and we can all use that on Etsy! Plus, it can bring balance in relationships. Also, something we all need! Green Malachite Earrings.

The pearl is my birthstone, so I can never pass by a display of pearl jewelry! This little ring is so beautiful in its simplicity.

Linda says that it is a new design for her and that it would make a lovely gift for Mother's Day or for someone with a June birthday (like me!!) Hmmm, just might have to drop a few hints! White Pearls and Copper Wire Wrapped Ring.

Not only does Linda have beautiful jewelry in her shop, but she also writes tutorials -- her guides for FaceBook and Blogging would definitely be helpful to us all!

I hope you'll take a few moments to peek into her shop -- you'll be glad you did! She also has a blog where she features lots of Etsy sellers -- always a good thing.

PS -- I'm combining this EtsyBloggers post with my usual Wednesday Wanderings 'cause I'm tired and just couldn't do all that walking! I could only make it to one shop today! *grins*

I need some of Linda's jewelry to perk me up!!

♥♥♥

Doin' the Bunny Hop ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-04-20T07:41:00.000-05:00

In my family, all slippers were called "Bunnies" no matter what they looked like. Could be trains or cartoon characters or just plain old moccasins, they were Bunnies to us! (My kids probably would never admit it though!)

So with all the bunnies that are appearing everywhere at this time of year, I'm looking for my kind of bunnies!

This is the cutest bunny ever! In her robe and bunny slippers....

And I just had to show you the backside - rollers in her bunny hare, uh hair!

Crochet Bunny by Miss Missa Creations.

These bunnies are so sweet! They are beautifully knitted by one of my favorite FBers, Tafferty Designs. You should stop in and see all the lovelies in her shop! Baby Cashmerino Bunny Slippers by Tafferty Designs.

This is Grace and she's all ready for bed. And don't you just love her bunnies!! Bedtime for Grace by Littles by Sheila. More really cute polymer kiddos in her shop.

Your little mommy will love these cuties for her doll! Aren't they just so sweet? If you like playing with dolls, you should check out this shop! Bunny Slippers by Hole in My Bucket.

I would love wearing these! They are bunnies for adults and they look so real! Felted from wool from this shop owner's very own sheep! Wool Felt Bunny Slippers by Wool-in-Legends.

I wouldn't want to have any serious discussions with this crazy lady before she has her coffee! The inside says "Another year, Another wrinkle" Oh my, definitely let her drink her coffee first! Funny Birthday Card by Crafts by Char.

Hope you enjoyed the bunnies! Thanks for hopping around the Etsy shops with me!

(V)

(. .)
c(”)(”)

My Sunday Inspiration ~ Love Quilts

2011-04-17T09:54:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite pastimes is cross-stitching. It's very relaxing and I can do it with one eye on the TV. : )

Vintage Toy TVs Optic Viewers by Thank You Lucky

So I cross-stitch for Love Quilts, which is an organization of awesome stitchers who cross-stitch blocks which are in turn made into beautiful quilts for children with life-long or life-threatening illnesses. Each child has a theme picked out by the parents or the child and we sign up to stitch away.

Inspirational Words and Phrases Special Kids Theme

Stitched February 2011

I have learned that I just can't stitch for every child there is, so I try to always stitch for those that are from Texas. Or sometimes one just touches my heart so much that I just have to sign up for that child. It's hard, these children are alway so sweet and so sick. And the parents almost always talk about how strong the child is, and how much they (the parents) have learned from this small child leading the way along the long and scary path they are on.

Stitched for Tylynn January 2011

I wish I could stitch more for this organization, but I do have to balance things out with crochet for my shops -- and sometimes it seems that I just can't get either one done! Fortunately, they don't depend on me! There are many, many talented stitchers who create many, many beautiful quilt squares. It just amazes me how talented they are, and how they can stitch in such volume!

Any Child Square Stitched April 2011

Fortunately, there are "Any Child" categories that are ongoing and don't need a due date! Like this cute pair!

This is the finished quilt for Tylnn. You can see my rainbow square (above) just above the last square on the bottom left.

If you scroll down this page, you'll see the little banner with a panda -- that's always there so you can come back and see the current children and photos of squares and finished quilts, and maybe sign up to stitch for a child that grabs your heart.

It's a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

♥♥

A Personal Invitation...

2011-04-15T14:43:00.000-05:00

I finally got my new vintage (can you even say 'new' and 'vintage' in the same sentence?) blog up and going!! I've been working on it behind the scenes for a while -- finding just the right background and stuff. I'm liking the way it has turned out -- hope you do too!!

Magnolia's Attic

So.... please come visit! I hope you will enjoy it and come back to visit often. And, of course, I'd love for you to comment and follow!

♥♥♥

Playing the Blame Game ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-04-13T07:34:00.000-05:00

Today has two major holidays -- well, if not major, then certainly bizarre!

Scrabble Day (no doubt originated by the guy who created the game) (in 1938 by Alfred Mosher Butts, by the way...) is celebrated on this date every year. So break out your Scrabble game (I know you have one), dust it off, and play a round or two!

Blame Someone Else Day was originated by, hmmm, wasn't me, it was someone else!! Today you can blame all your goof-ups, mistakes and do-overs on somebody else! You don't have to take any responsibility for that little faux pas or that big, huge mistake. Somebody else did it!!!

Pleez note: any misteaks or speling erors you find are not my fallt -- sumbody ells did it!!!!

Something broken? Blame it on the dog!! Baby says, I sure didn't do it.....not me! It Was the Dog Onesie by Morning Star Loft. Cute, cute, cute!

And the hands point to...triple letter score!! A recycled Scrabble board makes this clever clock -- it's even framed with vintage wooden tile racks so you can put your own Scrabble message across the bottom! Recycled Scrabble Board and Rack Clock by Miss Courageous.

This is a good one for my hubby! His favorite pastime is playing golf and has made two (TWO!!) holes-in-one. A major feat! Man Blames Fate for... by Artsco.

Scrabblicious! says this seller and I agree! Giant Scrabble letters to spell out your message! Giant Customized Wooden Letter Tiles by 15 Tangerines.

We know you didn't lose that important report! Hang this sign over your computer so everyone will know whose fault it is! Office Policy Blame the Computer Primitive Sign by Patti's Primitives.

What should you do after a rousing game of Scrabble? Why, nap, of course! And a nap on these pillows would be the perfect place! NAP Letter Pillows by Mod Press.

Enjoy your Scrabblelicious, Blame Game Day!!! ; D

Kitties and Lilies Don't Mix!!! Keep Your Cat Safe!!

2011-04-10T08:09:00.000-05:00

Did you know that lilies are dangerous to cats? Well, I didn't!

I had thought of planting some, but not now! Although Oliver is a house cat, there is the chance that he might sneak out, plus we have visiting kitties in the yard from time to time. I wouldn't want anything to happen to our little visitors!

The lilies mentioned are tiger lilies, Easter lilies, stargazer lilies, and certain types of day lilies. Apparently, all parts of the lily are poisonous to our kitties and ingesting only a small bit is enough to cause kidney damage, possibly fatal. Even drinking water from a bouquet on your table or licking pollen from its paws or biting a leaf can cause a kitty harm.

Easter Lily courtesy of Pat on Flickr

If you like to decorate with Easter lilies as it gets closer to Easter, please be mindful of your little fur friend and maybe get artificial lilies! Easter lilies are among the most hazardous.

I received this in an email from VetDepot, the online site where I order Frontline for Monsier Oliver. Here's a link so you can read for yourself. You can also google 'lilies and cats' and find lots of sites with information.

Oliver says "Very Important -- Keep your kitties away from lilies!!"

and

Is It a Bird? Is It a Plane? Is It a UFO?

2011-04-09T08:24:00.000-05:00

A heart-shaped UFO? (They come in peace...)

♥ ♥ ♥

The other night my hubby came in from the patio, grabbed my camera, and took these pictures. He was actually going for the crescent moon, but didn't fool with settings -- but, you know, I kind of like the blurriness of the way they turned out.

Through the trees...

That cool heart shape....

I see the moon and the moon sees me.

April Showers ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-04-06T08:47:00.000-05:00

March winds and April showers bring May flowers...

Well, we're smack dab in the middle of those April showers, I'm afraid! A night or two ago, an April ~~shower~~ big huge storm woke me up 4ish in the morning with what sounded like hail on the roof. Sounded like the skylights would bust out! But, it was nothing but an April shower that, by a more reasonable time in the morning, had become a beautiful sunshiny day!

I wish these were the raindrops that had fallen on my skylights -- they are too pretty to be so loud! Have a look at this shop; it's full of rainbows and rainbow colors! You'll feel happy just peeking in her shop windows! Rainbow Raindrops Cloud Mobile by The Rainbow Room on Etsy.

How about this little cutie! He wouldn't be so loud on my skylights! Magnets keep him sitting nicely on his cloud, floating around the sky. So sweet... Lil' Magnetic Rain Cloud by Animal Magnetizm on Etsy.

Fleecy soft rainbow scarf! This is so cute it would make your day happy just to wear it! Rainbow Scarf by Oolahoolah on Zibbet.

This is a fun rainbow from one of my Facebook buddies! Max does beautiful

bead work and this is no exception. She says it's inspired by her daughter

who's really into peace signs and anything hippy!

A Rainbow of Peace Handwoven Bracelet by Krafty Max on ArtFire.

Do you remember the Smurfs? We absolutely loved them at our house!

These are vintage rain boots just right for puddle splashing! Have a Smurfy

Day!!! Vintage Smurf Rain Boots by Stardust Vintage on Etsy.

Only light showers from now on, April ~

Bring on the May flowers!

A Little Privacy, Please!

2011-04-05T07:49:00.072-05:00

Not long ago, I treated Oliver to a new kitty box -- one with a top to give the boy a bit of privacy.

Sometimes, when I am in the laundry room where his kitty box resides, he zooms in, squishes his immense bulk inside, turns around, and looks so serious while tending to his bathroom duties. I can't help it, Oliver! You're just too hysterical!

Going in.

I'm not even going to look at you and your ever present camera.

Can't you just give a guy his privacy?

Leaving.

Oh, by the by, his kitty litter is in the one with the yellow top on the right. The others are for storage of various things. I'm kind of like Hoarders when it comes to litter containers.... :o)

and

>^.^<

P.S. ~ Oliver wanted to show you his new signature, above. He just learned to sign his name and is very proud of it! (It is a tad messy, but writing is hard to do when you don't have thumbs....)

April Fool's Backfire

2011-04-01T09:16:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure how old I was, but I was old enough to know better...

I got a bright idea to play an April Fool's joke on my older brother. Way older, 12 1/2 years older.

He always had cereal for breakfast -- Cheerios -- with sugar.

I got up early and filled the salt shaker with sugar...

and the sugar bowl with salt...

He ate one spoonful and it was bad news for me...

The worst joke ever. Total backfire.

Moral of story: head for the hills if you have a way older brother.

This April Fool memory is part of the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival which is being hosted by Devine Designs Jewelry. One of the topics to choose from was to tell about a joke you played on someone -- and although this didn't turn out to be such a great joke, it's definitely one that I remember!!

P.S. ~~ A bit of shameless promotion ~~ The salt and pepper shakers are in my Etsy shop, and the sugar bowl is in my ArtFire shop, just in case you want to use my April Fool's "joke" for yourself..... ;-)

Rachael Ray move over ~ Chef Noli is in the house!

2011-03-28T11:16:00.000-05:00

I almost dropped my teeth when I walked into my kitchen not long ago and saw this!

Needless to say, I thought "OMG, what are you letting her do??" (directed toward my daughter who, of course, was standing near my five-year-old granddaughter's precious fingers). "Don't worry," says my daughter, "We do this all the time."

ALL THE TIME?? I'm used to her cutting things with a butter knife, but that's a sharp steak knife for crying out loud! Well, to the steak knife's credit, it's not really all that sharp!

My second thought was "BLOG!" and ran to grab my trusty camera...

One of the funniest things that Noli does is to yell "Wait for me! I want to help!" and runs off to grab her trusty stool and runs back in, plops it down, and jumps up on it ready to "do it myself"!! She's like a whirlwind. Like the Roadrunner zooming away from Wile E. Coyote in the cartoons.

Photo from http://www.looney-tunes.cartoonspot.net/

So, after I calmed down a bit, I stood back and watched. And she did a great job of chopping and cooking veggies for our spaghetti dinner!

Now, if I could only get her to clean up.....

Mystic Wynd ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for March!

2011-03-25T07:38:00.003-05:00

Karen of Mystic Wynd is this month's featured EtsyBlogger! If you haven't visited her shop, you really must! It's chock-full of lovely jewelry -- some elegant, some feminine, some exotic.

These just jumped right out as I was looking through her shop, intent on deciding which beauties to share with you. Enjoy!

I love this glass heart with its rings, much like a tree's rings growing ever outward. Perfectly named "Love Grows." I can just picture this worn with a sweet sun dress made of lacy cotton, very girly but with an old-time feel. Aqua and White Glass Heart Necklace.

This turquoise pendant reminds me of a ring that was my mother's, and that I have passed down to my daughter. I do so like the copper swirls over the top! They bring to mind the piece's name, "Winds of Change." Turquoise Pendant with Copper Swirls.

And, oh my! -- this dramatic piece! I'd wear it with a simple black V-necked top and gorgeous pants! Set off with a cuff of red leather and strappy heels with a pop of red! This one is named "Scarlet Blade" and I think that fits it perfectly. Murano Style Red and Black Glass Necklace.

These are only a few of the beauties you'll find in her shop -- go visit and see what jumps out at you!!
Oh, and visit her blog too!

Hooray for Chips and Dips! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-03-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today is National Chip and Dip Day!! Can you believe it?! I know I am on pins and needles until it gets here every year on March 23! National Potato Chip Day is March 14, but this holiday is better 'cause you get DIP! And not just potato chips, but ANY chip!! My personal fave: Kettle Chips! And Corn Chips with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and milk! (I know, that's weird.)

So today I'm hunting down the chips and dips and finding the yummiest, cutest and best smelling!!

Ruffles have ridges! But these chips are soap! And a sour cream dip! (Really a vegan soap!) This shop is a must-see, but be prepared to get the munchies after you look! Potato Chips and Dip Fun Food Soap by AJ Sweet Soap.

Like Mexican food? You can always count on this appetizer when you're eating out! Tortilla chips and salsa, or the best, guacamole. Forget the tacos, just give me chips and guac! Felt Corn Chips and Dips by LisaJHoney Sweet Things.

Cheetos!! Oh the yellowy goodness all over your hands! No way you can sneak these chips -- everybody will know what you've been doing! And you know you secretly love Chester Cheetah, 'cause "It ain't easy bein' cheesy" ; ) Shout out your cheeto love with this Cuff from Repurposed Cheetos Bags by Squigglechick Designs.

Bring on the Fritos! (Don't forget the pb&j and milk!) Maybe I could keep my secret stash of Fritos in this cute wallet! Do you remember making those gum wrapper chains and seeing who could make the longest one? That looks like the technique used for this wallet! Too cute! Frito Wallet/Coin Purse by Sweet Candy Purses.

How about a little spicy dip for those chips? This one sounds good! And if you've just gotta have veggies, it's great for that too : ) Kick Me Later Medium Salsa Seasoning by Jamn Salsa.

Well, you've gotta have a bowl to put all those chips and dips in, don't you? How about this vintage set -- maybe it will keep the chips where they're supposed to be, and not on the couch! Vintage Chip and Dip Bowl by Domus Modern.

Want a little snacky dessert after all those chips? Try this 'cause tomorrow is National Chocolate-Covered Raisins Day! I kid you not! Mark your calendars - it's on March 24th every year!! Paca Beans Chocolate Covered Raisins by Well Criated.

After all those chips I need a big glass of Sprite with lots of ice!!

Eye Spy...Something Red! A Look Back...

2011-03-21T12:03:00.119-05:00

I just found a fun link party to join! Creative Friday Features is hosted by Little Andalucia and each week she will post a new theme. Then, you can join the party with a post you have written that fits with the theme. Fortunately, you can use an old post if you'd like! Yahoo! I'm saved!

Here's what she says about her linky party: "I like the idea of us supporting one another and the bigger the playground for creative entrepreneurs and bloggers the better it is in my opinion." I totally agree!

This week's theme is "red" and my choice is a post I did back in August of 2009: Eye Spy...Something Red!
It will be my entry on the link party, with an updated edit.

Here's how to get to the party:

Have fun reading the various blogs!
And you're welcome to join the party anytime!

Disturbing Oliver

2011-03-20T09:39:00.000-05:00

Oliver is a very laid-back cat. Likes to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it. He is very solemn -- even when he's playing he seems pensive. His expression is always so serious!

So it's really fun to sneak up on him and catch him in the act of being oh-so-Oliver...

Asleep in one of his favorite spots. Happily snoozing away. Snoring.

Until my camera catches him.

"Oh why won't you let me sleep. I was having the nicest dream."

"I'll just glare at you until you go away."

He only moves his tail and eyes! He looks skinny here but he's really a butterball and sinking down in the chair pillow.

"OK, I'm going back to sleep. But I'm keeping my eye on you..."

Funny how they can sleep with their eyes a tiny bit open. Eerie.

=^.^= ♥ =^.^= ♥ =^.^=

Do you like "catching" your cat?

=^.^=

Spring is in the Air!

2011-03-18T09:16:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness for the Bradford Pear! This small tree with its sweet white flowers is one of the first things to bloom in my part of Texas. It greens up, the tiny clusters of flowers bloom.....and then the flowers go away. The tree stays green but I miss the profusion of white.

I had a Bradford Pear in my side yard, but unfortunately it met its match in some evil bug that spun big pouch-like webs over the limbs. These bugs were all over the place -- few varieties of trees were immune (fortunately our oaks were!) You could see the webs on trees all over town. We tried to save our Bradford, but nothing helped and we eventually had to have it removed. It saddens me every time I look at where it was; it was such a pretty little tree.

But, the Bradford Pear is blooming everywhere right now and it does my heart good to see them! They are like dots of clean, white glory where there has only been the gnarly, witchy looking bare branches of trees during the winter.

And the pansies and petunias and such! They are starting to appear in street medians and entrances to subdivisions. I love all the colors!

Spring is almost here! The weather keeps changing from week to week but the days are getting warmer and the flowers are starting to bloom!

|{|{|{|{|{|

I have recently joined the EtsyBloggers team and one of the fun things to do is to participate in a bi-weekly Blog Carnival. The current topic is titled "A Touch of Spring Fever" and I chose to write about the first signs of spring that tell me that winter is finally over. Everyone posts the links to their blog in the comments section of the Blog Carnival post -- so you are welcome to click on them and enjoy the posts! And be sure to leave comments on each if the spirit moves you!

Happy Spring!!!

Luck O' the Irish - Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-03-16T08:24:00.000-05:00

St. Patrick's Day is upon us and I always think of clovers. Four leaf clovers for luck. Shamrocks.

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Why should you never iron a four-leaf clover? You don't want to press your luck!

Clovers from my yard!

When I was just a wee lass, I used to sit with my friends in huge clover patches and make clover necklaces from the small white flowers. Most people mowed the clovers down, but there was a house at the end of my block (which was good because I wasn't allowed to cross the street!) that had the biggest clover patches ever! Sometimes I'd find a four-leaf clover and that was, indeed, very special!

This is a four-leafed clover that you can keep year-round for all the luck you need! Vintage Quilt Heart Shamrock by The Career Scraper.

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I have a bit o' the Irish in me and a very Irish last name. But I still wear the green on St. Pat's Day, and feel funny if I don't, for I do not relish getting pinched!

Here's a very clever wearin' o' the green! A handpainted cuff bracelet made from a vinyl record! How totally cool is that! Irish Shamrock Cuff Bracelet by Designs by Devonee.

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What is St. Patrick's Day without it's resident leprechaun? After all, somebody's got to guard that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! And maybe have directions to get there : )

This little guy is a real Irish cutie! And he's a pattern so you could crochet your own wee leprechaun -- maybe he'll lead you to his pot of gold! Pudgy Leprechaun Crochet Pattern by BVOE's Shop.

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For sure, every St. Pat's party has green beer and probably a leprechaun or two changing all the beer to green!

These two mugs are perfect for your beer, green or otherwise! St. Patrick's Day Beer Steins by Etched in Time, LLC.

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There's always a St. Pat's Parade winding through downtown USA and everybody in it is Irish! At least Irish for the day! It's a good time to take your Irish pup for a wee walk...

When you and your sweetie pup lass are in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, she'll be so darlin' in this cute dress!
St. Patrick's Day Dress by Cody and Company Pet Products
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After the parade, you'd better be giving your pup a few treats. After all, she was so good!

As this seller says, "Your pup found the pot of gold!" Don't these treats look yummy? Maybe they could be a people treat too?!! Leprechauns Gold Dog Treat Box by Po's Bag of Bones Bakery.

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May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.
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As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

What's in a Name? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-03-09T07:31:00.000-06:00

Today is "Learn What Your Name Means Wednesday" -- really! It's part of "Celebrate Your Name Week." Google your name -- find out what it means! Mine means "Princess"!!

And to get you started, here are some little known, fun name facts! (You knew it was coming, didn't you?!!)

♥ M&Ms are named for the candy’s creators Mr. Mars and Mr. Merrie. Very creative of them, don't you think? Ha! :D

Peanut M&Ms are one of my three favorite candies. If I have a bag of them, I just can't stop popping those peanuts! The whole bag. No matter the size. Just don't get me started on the great big bag... Cute M&Ms headbands for your little candy lover! M and M Peanut Candy Wrapper Headband by Presents From Alex.

♥ Donald Duck's middle name is Fauntleroy. Poor guy. No wonder he was so crazy!

Donald is my absolute favorite of the original Disney characters. He's hysterical when he gets so mad! He has nephews but we know little about their ancestry and Daisy has been his girlfriend forever but he just will not step up to the plate and marry her. Even though her shoes are so in vogue and her bow so perky...
Vintage Donald Duck Figurine by Circle the Square.

♥ Jake the Jailbird is the guy in jail on a Monopoly board. The police officer in the corner is Officer Edgar Mallory and Scotty is the scotty dog playing piece. (Another 'creative' name, huh!)

Boy do I remember playing Monopoly, both as a child and with my children! I don't know what the playing pieces are made of now, but ours were metal. And as a kid, I would more often play with the playing pieces and the (wood) houses than play the game itself. Life's Little Games by CocoPunkz Handpainted Shoes.

♥ Gidget is the Taco Bell dog. Somehow I always thought of (her) as a (he)!! The original dog actor was named Dinky, but was replaced by Gidget. (Maybe Dinky didn't like tacos?) Then there was Taco who was a stand-in for Gidget.

I miss the Taco Bell dog, no matter his name. (or gender). His commercials were funny and he was a cutie! This handpainted canvas for needlepoint really looks just like him! Ahh Chihuahua by Glitzy Mitzi.

♥ Did you know that Barbie's rightful name is Barbie Millicent Roberts? Millicent? Really? And her sidekick, Ken's last name is Carson.

Did Barbie write her name with Ken's like we all did in Junior High? Barbie Carson. Barbie M. Carson. Or, because she was so progressive, Barbie Carson-Roberts.

Here she is in her bridal gown -- she keeps it in her closet because she just knows Ken will pop the question one of these days. Sleeveless Barbie Wedding Dress with Veil by OnHoliday.

Thanks for strolling around Etsy with me today, and playing the name game!

Treasuries!!

2011-03-08T15:09:00.003-06:00

Great discovery on Craft Cult! They have a widget that makes it so easy to post treasuries on your blog! I wanted to try it out and decided that I would the next time one of my shop items was featured in a treasury. Soooo, today's the day!

And I was thrilled to find that I'm in two treasuries!

The first is called Spring Green with Blossoms and it's made by Splendid Little Stars. She used lovely creations from members of the Etsy Blog Team. I'm thrilled that my Key Lime Pie Washcloths are included!

The second treasury, made by Into the Light, is called And on the Lighter Side... and features beautiful creations by members of My Texas Friends -- a team made up of Etsy crafters who reside in, or used to reside in, Texas. My Bridal Keepsake Pouch proudly sits side by side with wonderful Texas-made treasures!

Well, that was pretty easy! I'm glad I found out about this widget! Another cool aspect is that the item photos in the treasuries are clickable!! Brings you right to the shop!

To do it yourself, go to Craft Cult and click on Widgets at the top and then Treasury. Enter your Etsy username and choose the treasuries you've made, or those you're featured in. Choose your treasury from the drop-down and copy the code that comes up. Paste the code into your blog post using "Edit HTML."

The best way to do it (after a bit of trial and error on my part) is to type all your post and THEN paste the code where you want it. It doesn't show up on your "Compose" page so it's hard to tell where to put it. It will show on your "Preview" page, however.

I hope that was at least as clear as mud! As Mikey's pals used to say: Try it, you'll like it!!

Oh, and be sure to go visit the shops of the lovely friends who made the treasuries, as well as the featured items themselves!

The Official Party ~ My Little Pony Style!

2011-03-07T11:43:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was Noli's birthday party! It was at a local park and was a beautiful day, a little chilly if you were in the shade, but perfect out in the sun. I can't believe she's already five! The time seems to have passed so quickly but then, looking back, it's hard to imagine a moment when she was not in my life. She's getting so big and grown up -- even though we still do a lot of cuddling, I wish I could turn back the calendar and replay those sweet, sweet baby days!

You couldn't miss the location -- you were greeted by this sign made by Daddy (Noli helped by putting on the stickers).

And this very cool Pony balloon. Noli loves, loves, loves My Little Pony! And of course, the ponies were very visable at her party!

Her cake was pony inspired -- made by a baker friend of a friend of Daddy. Or something like that. Anyway, it was a cute cake with a chocolate and strawberry surprise inside! Yum! Noli placed the star candles just where she wanted them to go. And loved the fact that she got another pony!

Mommy's cake that she makes for Noli each year (a yummy apple one), so it's become a tradition, didn't turn out so well this time. Mommy said she would bake another one, so I said we would have another, special, celebration. Besides, she has to use the sweet silver Winnie the Pooh candle holders that she got when Noli was just born and has used on the apple cake each year.

Aren't traditions wonderful?

The kids all had a great time -- a park is a perfect place for a birthday party! When my kids were little, we had many a party at the park! Easy clean-up and the kids make their own games -- what could be better?!!

They climbed.

They rock climbed.

Oops, I'm stuck!!

They rode bikes.

Noli got a new one, all pink and glittery, and I think there's a pony on it somewhere. She also got a new Razor bike from her cousin so they'll have the same thing. It's kind of an updated Big Wheel look. Good grief, the kid now has a bike, the Razor, a skateboard, a scooter. There's even a trike out on my patio that she won't let me get rid of! She is wheel city!! But I think the glittery bike with horn, bell, cool pouch, foot brakes AND hand brakes as she's so quick to point out, and of course, handlebar fringe, is her favorite!

They ate cake.

And they opened presents.

All in all, it was a fun time!

Whose Birthday Is It Today? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-03-02T07:52:00.000-06:00

A couple of pretty important people share a birthday today -- the ever sweet Noli and that all-time rhyming genius, Dr. Seuss! So it's not only Dr. Seuss Day and Read Across America Day honoring the great man, but it's also......Drumroll, please!......Miss Noli's FIFTH BIRTHDAY!

Tonight we will celebrate family style at a restaurant with Mom, Dad, and both sets of Grandparents. Noli is a lucky girl to have her grandparents living nearby, and she sees all of us every week! Then Sunday is her big birthday bash!

The first stop today is the shop of a Facebook and CreateCrochet Team friend who has this cute Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat hat. by Desert Diamond.

Cute to wear while you're reading, well, The Cat in the Hat :p
Vintage Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat by Junk Master.

This is so cute that maybe I could learn to love those green eggs! Love the fork sticking out of the ham!
Green Eggs and Ham Playset by Ms. Magpie Girl.

I do not like them in a box, I do not like them with a fox, I do not like them Sam-I-Am, I do not like green eggs and ham! Possibly one of the coolest Dr. Seuss books of all time!!
Vintage Green Eggs and Ham by Fam in a Van. (Brand new vintage shop -- go check them out!!)

I love Horton! And when he's hearing a Who, he's just perfect!! No matter the size size size...
And this one is handpainted -- and edible! Fondant Elephant by Edible Details.

I remember reading the Dr. Seuss books to my children -- I always thought Horton was such a good guy!
Horton Hears a Who by Storybook Charm.

The Grinch is my absolute favorite Dr. Seuss character -- I love the old cartoon movie (and watch it every year). I love the way his heart is so teeny tiny at first and then GROWS three times its size. My kids always said they were going to get me Grinch slippers, but, alas, they never did!
Sip a bit of Christmas cheer from this wine glass and maybe you won't be so Grinchy anymore!!
The Grinch - Handpainted Glass by The Blushing Ivy.

And, of course, the book. Love it, love to read it! How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Missenpieces.

I really don't remember Dr. Seuss books from when I was little but I sure read my fill of them to my kids! Sometimes all the repetition drove me insane, but they were so funny that it didn't matter. We were all in giggles by the time we were through! I'll have to get more Dr. Seuss books for Noli. We have a few that I've kept thru the years but I'll have to get her more. She'll love them!

Soooo, a big HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Miss Noli and to Horton, Grinch, Cat, Sam-I-Am and all the others!

"Still Alice" ~ On the Bookshelf

2011-02-27T07:47:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about LEFT neglected, a book by Lisa Genova. I knew early on that I would read anything this author wrote. It was only her second book, so I do hope she puts pen to paper again, SOON!!

Her first book is entitled Still Alice and it is every bit as well written and interesting as LEFT neglected. Definitely a page turner! It's about a woman who finds out that she has early-onset Alzheimer's -- she is only 50 -- and is a psychology professor at Harvard. Alzheimer's is a harsh disease usually affecting the elderly so to read this from the point of view of a younger person was really an eye-opener.

I really found myself paying attention and taking the memory tests put forth by Alice's neurologist (and passed them all) because, just like we all do as we age, I occasionally forget names (usually singers and actors, not friends and acquaintances) and have to run down the alphabet until suddenly the right name pops into mind! I don't know why I forget singers and actors -- just not so important I guess. Or I go into another room to get something and then can't remember why I went there. So I have to retrace my steps, and then the thing I was going to get pops into mind! Anyhow, I did the tests and repeated the memory phrases with flying colors. Thank the good Lord.

John Black, 42 West Street, Brighton. There!! I still remember it!!

Alice has her own set of questions which she keeps in her Blackberry and looks at every day. What month is it? Where do you live? Where is your office? When is Anna's birthday? How many children do you have? And as the book, and her disease, progresses, the answers get more and more vague.

Ms. Genova does her homework and is very factual in the medical end of things. The book has even been endorsed by the National Alzheimer's Association. She has done an excellent job of writing with compassion and a bit of humor.

If you belong to a book club, this would be an excellent one to read. Included is a Reader's Club Guide with sample questions and "A Conversation with Lesa Genova" where she details why she wrote the book.

I'll definitely be watching out for a new book from Ms. Genova!

Have You Hit the Courts Today? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-02-23T07:25:00.000-06:00

Tennis Courts, that is!!

Today is "Play Tennis Day" -- who would have thought it!! I, myself, don't play tennis -- I took a couple of semi-lessons way back when but never really caught on to it. I remember having some cool tennis shoes though -- white leather with green accents. Seems that my racquet had green on it somewhere. Oh I was quite the fashion plate!

Sooo, let's go find us some tennis on Etsy!!

There's nothing better to a dog than a ball he can chase! and catch. and bring back to you all soggy and yuck. so you'll throw it again real quick since it's all soggy and yuck. This cutie pup looks like he's just tail-wagging, backside-wiggling ready for you to throw that ball again!! English Springer Spaniel Tennis Ball Print by Wild Wild Things.

And the score is Love - Love! Wedding cake topper for the tennis couple. Hmmm, do you think she's about to smack him with her racquet because he dared to sneak a peek at her bridesmaids? Nooo, not on their wedding day! She's just declaring that she's the way better player! Love Love Tennis Bride and Groom by Becky Kazana.

How cute is this?!! Make your own tennis stationery and then stamp the envelope when you're finished! I simply cannot imagine carving my own stamps -- of course, I've never tried but I still can't imagine it. I'd goof up somewhere for sure! This seller makes all manner of stamps -- really fantastic stuff! Tennis Racquet and Balls Stamp Set by Brown Pigeon.

After the game is over, toast the winner with these cute wine glasses! I love the neon green tennis ball on the bottom! Too clever... Tennis, Tennis, Tennis Wine Glasses by Jennifer 347. Lots of cute painted glass items in Jennifer's shop!

Cute tennis cookies to eat with that wine! Yum! These are definitely the sweetest cookies, ever!! ;-) Have a peek at her shop -- you won't believe the cookies! There's even Saints, Cowboys and LSU cookies! How cool is that? Well, cool to me anyway. Tennis Gift Cookies by Ruthie's Cookies.

Well, that was fun! Anybody ready to take up tennis? Ummm, probably not me. I think I got rid of the racquet and the shoes are long gone....

"LEFT neglected" - An Excellent Book ~ On the Bookshelf

2011-02-11T08:29:00.000-06:00

I'm reading a new book by Lisa Genova entitled LEFT neglected. It is excellent!!

From the title, even the way it is written, I assumed that the "star" of the book has perhaps left her 9 month old son in the car and something happens, or that she has left her family neglected in some awful way. (Yes, I read the flyleaf but was on the run at the library so didn't closely read it...)

Anyway, she has this terrible accident, leaving her with a brain injury and THAT is the "left neglected" part. She has no knowledge of the left side of her body. She can't see anything to the left. She can't feel anything on the left. She can only read on the right side of a page so nothing makes sense. If someone is standing to her left, she can only hear them. She intellectually knows that she has a left arm and leg, but cannot see them.

Can you possibly imagine this? I took a placemat (hey, it was handy) and held it down the center of my face. Everything to the left disappeared! I just cannot conceive actually having this happen.

But, on a lighter note -- the way the book is written is hysterical! You really get inside Sarah's head (no, not MY head, heaven help you! Sarah is the left neglected lady). She's this powerhouse of a woman, doing 20 things at once, has the great career, lots of people to manage, the home, the kids, the husband. And a mother she now has to deal with to help her in her new life -- a mother she doesn't want around. There's a lot of laugh-out-loud stuff -- the author is an excellent writer.

She has written one other book, " Still Alice?" Oh, my what is that one about? I'll be running back to the library to check it out as soon as I finish this one! Lisa Genova is definitely my new favorite author!

Hearts to Your Love ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

2011-02-09T07:23:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day is only a few days away -- have you gotten your valentine for your honey yet? This is the time of year that Hallmark sees the most men (this and Mom's Day too!!) -- I know, I used to work in a gift shop that also had Hallmark cards. It was a kick to see the guys all lined up in front of the cards! Some would spend a really long time picking out their card, while others would walk in, look for a moment, grab a card and that was it. And of course it was always fun to see what other goodies they bought for their sweethearts.

We would make balloon gift baskets which were always popular. They would contain a heart shaped box of chocolates, a stuffed Valentine plushie animal and some small goodies like candles, topped off with a balloon and lots of curly ribbon. Very fun to make, except when the helium tank went too fast and the balloon popped!

♥♥♥ So, in anticipation of that day of chocolates and flowers, I'm looking at shops with heart!! ♥♥♥

Who could resist this cute little hedgie? Hedgies are so adorable by themselves, but put them with a heart and the awww factor really kicks in!! And he's only 2" long from the tip of his nose to his cutie backside!! Mercibuckets also makes the sweetest little gnomes you've ever seen -- I know because I have one! I actually won it on her monthly Facebook page drawing (you should check it out -- maybe you'll win one too!) Hedgie Love by The Jaunty Gnome.

This heart is absolutely gorgeous! It is beautifully stitched with floss and embellished with a metallic thread and small beads. Spectacular. I hope she will add more cross-stitch to her shop (I love to cross-stitch and can really appreciate the time it takes to make something this lovely). The 3 Poinsettas Timeless Elegance by Craftastic Creations.

Uh-oh, Jellyfish Love!!! And they're holding, uh, hands... OK, tenacles, but it doesn't sound as sweet. : ) This would be the coolest valentine for a couple with a beach house, or even just an aquarium! Too cute! Jellyfish Love You and Me by Tributary Handmade. (Go see the shop -- really nice embroideries!)

Choo choo! What a sweet valentine train -- a vintage postcard sent to Miss Elizabeth Jones -- you'll have to visit the shop to see what's written on the back! And notice the heart smoke coming out of the train's smokestack! I love these old cards... Train of Love Vintage Valentines Day Postcard by Paper Piggy.

And for your Valentine munchies.....I know you'd love to find these yummy cookies on your doorstep! I can just taste them now... mmmm! There are other Valentine cookie bouquets in this shop too -- you must go look! Love is in the Air Valentine's Day Cookie Bouquet by Sweet'n Treats.

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Thanks for heart shopping with me today -- hope you found something sweet for your honey!!

♥♥♥

Magnolia Surprise

A New Challenge ~ The Middle and the End

Special Olympics Scarves

A House of Cards

Do You Remember Grover?

Introducing.... Priscilla Peace!

A New Challenge

Oliver says, I'm not ready for a New Year!

Wow, look at those trees!

Noli the Skateboarder....

Noli Ornaments!

Special Pink Ornaments!

Foodies -- BBA Style!

Blue on the Christmas Tree

Angelic Pink at Christmastime

Giveaway for Cat Lovers!

Playing in the Snow!

Pink Lightning!

Is It Fall Already?

Zoom! Zoom!

Love and Smiles for Kids

What's that Wet Stuff Falling From the Sky?

Yellow Roses

Pink on a Denmark Beach

There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!

Jumping in Fall Leaves

Toes, Tails and Tummies

Flowers for the Bath

Oh, Candy Corn, How I Love You!!

The Union Quilters ~ On the Bookshelf

Trick or Treat!

Blushing

Ugly Truck Day!! Or So They Say.....

Lizard, lizard, show your money bag!

Today is Waffle Iron Day! ~ wednesday wanderings and the shops found along the way

Tamdoll ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for June!

Sting Like a Bee! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

What a Great Market Bag! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Summer Colors

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates.....

"The Good Guy" ~ On the Bookshelf

Kangaroos, Koalas and Taz, Oh My!!

Nanjo Dogz ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for May!

No Dirty Dishes Day! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Apples for the Teacher! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Chex Sandwiches

Linda B's Jewelry ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for April!

Doin' the Bunny Hop ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

My Sunday Inspiration ~ Love Quilts

A Personal Invitation...

Playing the Blame Game ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Kitties and Lilies Don't Mix!!! Keep Your Cat Safe!!

Is It a Bird? Is It a Plane? Is It a UFO?

April Showers ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

A Little Privacy, Please!

April Fool's Backfire

Rachael Ray move over ~ Chef Noli is in the house!

Mystic Wynd ~ Featured EtsyBlogger for March!

Hooray for Chips and Dips! ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Eye Spy...Something Red! A Look Back...

Disturbing Oliver

Spring is in the Air!

Luck O' the Irish - Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.§§§As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction!Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

What's in a Name? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Treasuries!!

The Official Party ~ My Little Pony Style!

Whose Birthday Is It Today? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

"Still Alice" ~ On the Bookshelf

Have You Hit the Courts Today? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

"LEFT neglected" - An Excellent Book ~ On the Bookshelf

Hearts to Your Love ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.
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As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!