Buttons for Baga

Update on My Absence from Buttons for Baga

2011-09-19T22:46:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends and Faithful Followers:

Over the past 6 months or so, I have found I'm unable to keep up with three blogs all running simultaneously. I totally deserted the "Counting My Blessings" one a year ago, but did try my best to post here at least every now and then...through July of this year. I now realize that this is not going to work out, either. Due to the arthritis in my thumbs and wrists, I have almost completely stopped my knitting, quilting, and sewing. I still do a bit of crafting when I need to give a gift, but that's about it. All of my time has been spent on my photography blog over the past 6-8 months, and I am totally absorbed in learning about my camera and art of taking and processing artistic photographs. Consequently, I am going to put this blog to sleep for a bit, or at least until my my joints will let me get back into the hand work that has been such an important part of my life for over 50 years. In the meantime, I would love for you to come and visit me at my active blog. I miss hearing from you all so much, and am always wondering in my heart how you are doing. My active blog is:

http://climbingthedigitalmountain.blogspot.com

If you do find the time to stop by, I will send you little notes back. Do take care and have a wonderful fall and winter. I hope that we will all be able to enjoy some of the beautiful colors that Mother Nature has to share with us. Take care, and I hope I will hear from you in the future.

Hugs and love to all of you who so faithfully followed me through the birth and development of my blogging way of life on my Buttons for Baga.

Hugs and happy thought to all of you,

Genie

Experimentation of the Day 7-28-11

2011-07-28T21:31:00.000-04:00

Playing with the Iris

I did the manipulation on my iPad, brought it into my Mac, and finished up in PSE9.

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." ~ Walt Disney

Macro Monday ~ 7-25-11

2011-07-25T09:26:00.002-04:00

Fastening Bolt on Old 1916 Bridge
Rockbridge County, Virginia

I have posted shots of the bridge on my other blog for Louis Lavache’s “Sunday Bridges.”

If you are curious, here is the link:
Climbing the Digital Mountain One Step at a Time

"Knowledge of other people's beliefs and ways of thinking must be used to

build bridges, not to create conflicts. “

~Kiell Magne Bondevik

This post is linked to Macro Monday.

Mosaic Monday ~ 7-18-11

2011-07-18T00:29:00.001-04:00

Everyone Needs a Bit of Lavender in Life

The yellow blossoms are on my tomatoes, and the little lavender ones are on my beans.

"Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts.”
~Dodinsky

This post is linked with Mosaic Monday.

Take a Ride on the “Yellow” Side ~ 6-27-11

2011-06-26T00:02:00.003-04:00

Take a Ride on the Yellow Side
Stella de Oro day lilies from my garden, & a yellow motorcycle at a rest stop on I-81.
"There is no blue without yellow and without orange.”
~Vincent Van Gogh
This post is liked with Mellow Yellow Monday and Mosaic Monday.

Genie’s Walnut Doll~ Rednesday & Ruby Tuesday 4-21-11

2011-06-21T20:20:00.004-04:00

These little dolls are not hard to make. My sixth grade students used to make them. All you need is florist wire and green florist tape, a walnut for the head, glue, material for the dress, apron, and hat, a needle with some thread, and some cross stitch material and floss.The rest is up to you.

"The only place where housework comes before needlework
is in the dictionary.”
~Mary Kurtz

This post is linked to
Ruby Tuesday at Work of the Poet

and
Rednesday at Sue Loves Cherries

Macro Monday ~ 6-20-11

2011-06-19T22:09:00.000-04:00

My Eldest Grandson’s Feet at His Brother’s Graduation from Kent School,

Chestertown, MD

I just love the loafers and NO socks. I was sitting next to him and just couldn’t resist the temptations to shoot the feet...grandmother’s get to do silly things like this.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go.”
~Dr. Seuss

This post is linked to Macro Monday at Lisa’s Chaos.

Lavender and the Butterfly ~ 6-13-11

2011-06-12T22:55:00.005-04:00

Lavender and the Butterfly

If you enlarge the picture, I think you will see a “happy couple” instead of just the single butterfly. Not until I read one of the comments did I realize there were actually two on the flower. Amazing!

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.”

~Richard Bach

This post is linked with

Lisa Gordon’s "The Creative Exchange.”

and

Marco Monday over at Lisa’s Chaos.

Daily Photo ~ Pink Saturday ~ 6-11-11

2011-06-10T22:01:00.001-04:00

This week my son and his daughter, Eloise, took me to my 3rd oldest grandchild’s graduation from 8th grade in Chestertown, Maryland. Outside of DC, we stopped for gas and E. got one of those blue icey slushies. A little later we stopped again at a great outlet mall outside of Centerville, Maryland, to do a bit of shopping. Before getting back on the road, E. and I made a took what turned out to be a photo op pitstop. I took these shots while she was looking at her blue mouth and teeth and washing her hands....some fun, quality Baga and granddaughter time together on the road. Click on the mosaic to get a better look at E’s mouth. It is pretty funny.

"Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.”
~Lois Wise

This post is linked with:

Pink Saturday

and

Mosaic Monday

Mellow Yellow Monday ~ 6-6-11

2011-06-05T17:51:00.002-04:00

Mr. Cameron

Bustleburg, VA

Many mornings on my drive to school I see Mr. Cameron - age 96 - out on the road for his morning constitutional walk. He is amazing. Many days I stop and and we exchange a few words. Last week I finally got up the nerve to ask him if I could take his picture, and he said I could. I think he got a kick out of it considering the grin on his face. We all need to take some advice from my friend...get your exercise and you just might live to be 96.

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”

~Mark Twain

This post is linked to Mellow Yellow Monday.

Pink Saturday ~ 6-4-11

2011-06-02T20:39:00.001-04:00

There is nothing nicer than walking about in the woods during spring...especially when you have the added pleasure of a creek or river.

"Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity.”
~John Ruskin

This post is linked with Pink Saturday.

Pink Saturday ~ 5-21-11

2011-05-20T17:52:00.002-04:00

Every once in a while we all need a good chuckle. Well, here is your “have a laugh” post. Several weeks ago I had to have ANOTHER upper tooth pulled, but this time it was right smack dab in the front of my mouth. I could not even imagine going to school with a huge hole staring at all of the kids who are sent to me for in-school suspension, so I came up with a plan. Go to Wally World and buy some hospital face masks and cover one with fabric. That is exactly what I did, and here are some silly photos of my creation. I had to have the librarian take the photos so I need to give her credit. It worked really well, and the kids got a great big laugh out of it. They called it Ms. R’s "Michael Jackson” mask!

FYI....This is how a teacher feels after day after day of SOL testing!This is the sofa is in the library reading nook and not in my room.

I think I need to give my friend, Joanna, the school librarian, some photographic credit for taking my pictures, so here is my shot of her taking the end-of-the-year inventory.

Oh, to be so young and cute as this. If I climbed up the foot stool, I would probably fall flat on my face!

A HAPPY AND LAUGHING PINK SATURDAY TO ALL OF YOU FROM GENIE...THE TOOTHLESS WONDER!

This post is linked with Pink Saturday over at “How Sweet the Sound.”

The Creative Exchange ~ 5-17-11

2011-05-16T20:28:00.001-04:00

Everyone Needs a Little Lavender in Their Lives

(I used 2 layers of Dahlia texture - the first with “multiply” at 56%, the second using“soft light” at 26%, and several levels adjustments."

"The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”
~Marcus Aurelius

This post is linked to The Creative Exchange sponsored by Lisa Gordon

Mosaic Monday ~ 5-16-11

2011-05-15T17:04:00.002-04:00

A Special Lapquilt for My Dearest Friend, Weezie
(Click on mosaic to enlarge.)

Weezie’s feet get cold in the evenings due to her RA, so I thought it was time for a new lapquilt to cover them. The top is of wonderfully soft cotton from our local quilting shop, and the back is of the softest flannel you have ever felt. I followed the lines of the pattern and machine quilted it. I did not want the back to be blank so came up with the idea of blanket stitching tulips and hearts to it in addition to the signature square. Here are the results. To be 72 and still talk daily to my best friend some 300 miles away is a dream come true. My kind principal allows me to call her each day at 1:00. This way we each know the other is OK.

"A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world.”

~Leo Buscaglia

This post is linked to Mosaic Mondays sponsored by Mary Carroll
.

M.E. Monday ~ 5-16-11

2011-05-15T15:03:00.000-04:00

M.E. Fabrics I received from my swap partner. How lucky could one gal get?

This lost is linked with M.E. Monday sponsored by Vicki, the Cherry Chick.

M.E. Monday ~ 5-2-11

2011-05-01T21:17:00.000-04:00

Genie’s Desk.....

Believe it or not, I got the upstairs office cleaned up enough tonight that I was able to actually make an M.E. post for the first time in weeks. It still has a long ways to go, but I can work at my little table now. Am in the middle of some genealogy research so have had papers in piles all over the room. Now it is clean enough for me to go and mess it up again. Ah, such is life.

“If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet him with, “Who could have done this? We have no enemies.” ~ Phyllis Diller

Happy M.E. Monday to all of you.
Stop by Cherry Chick Jewelry to see other M.E.Monday posts. Vicki is our host, and she has more M.E. goodies than anyone else I have ever known.

Pink Saturday ~ 4-30-11

2011-04-29T12:44:00.001-04:00

Look what I found on a side street in Richmond, VA.

I certainly wouldn’t mind having this little baby to drive to and from school each day.

"Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer."
~Author Unknown

This post is linked to Pink Saturday over at "How Sweet the Sound."

Rednesday ~ 4-27-11

2011-04-26T22:37:00.000-04:00

Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do
"Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. " ~Albert Einstein

This post is linked with “Rednesday” sponsored by Sue over at “It’s a Very Cherry World.”

Easter is Just around the Corner

2011-04-19T22:21:00.000-04:00

There is a little bit of the child in all of us...especially me.

"Bunnies are cuddly/The large and the small/But I like chocolate one/The best of them all.”

~ Unknown Author

Sunbonnet Sue

2011-04-19T14:41:00.000-04:00

While killing time in our local antique mall - a.k.a.flea market - I came across this old Sunbonnet Sue quilt marked $150.00. I took it off the rack and noticed a number of what I call "old age" stains on it, so put it back, walked sadly to my car, and drove to my PT appointment. Afterwards, being that I would not get it off of my mind, I went back to the store and started looking at it again. Knowing that summer would be here soon and I could lay it out in the sun with some diluted lemon juice, I decided to go up and ask my friend, Oliver, what was the best deal was he could give me on it. He called the owner and came back with $75.00. I almost flipped, and of course I said...SOLD! It is in WONDERFUL condition, all the precious prints are so old and beautiful, it is all hand sewn with perfect tiny stitches, and the stains I can work with in time. Why do I work at 72? Well, this is one of the reasons why....so I can treat myself to things like this every once in a while to bring joy to me and brighten our home. Buddy was ecstatic when I brought it in the house, and now it hangs proudly in our sun room. We love it, and the day of work it took me to purchase it was well worth the effort.

"Men should be judged not by their tint of skin, the gods they serve, the vintage they drink, nor by the way they fight, or love, or sin, but by the quality of the thought they think.”
~ Adela Florence Nicolson

This post is linked with Ruby Tuesday over at Work of the Poet,

and

Rednesday at It’s a Very Cherry World.

Pink Saturday ~ 4-09-11

2011-04-08T20:52:00.000-04:00

Eloise on Her Sixth Birthday
"I don't think I will ever get tired of wearing pink.”
~Emma Bunton

This post is linked to Pink Saturday.

Rednesday ~ 3-23-11

2011-03-22T20:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Kerrs Creek Volunteer Fire Department

Lexington, Virginia ~ Rockbridge County

Happy Rednesday To ALL!

To see more colorful reds, go to “Its a Very Cherry World” and pay Sue a visit. She hosts this meme.

M.E. Monday ~ 3-14-11

2011-03-20T22:44:00.000-04:00

This week I received my first package of scraps from one of my partners in Linda’s Scrap Swap over at a Swap for All Seasons. My partner was Carolina Moore out in Las Vegas.Be sure to check out her blog. When I opened the postal service envelope I almost did flips right there on the side of the road I was so excited. She had looked at my blog and decided it was time to pass on her left over Mary Englebreit fabrics to me. She sent me big pieces and little pieces, and I am overjoyed. After a bit, I decided I just had to use the “queen” fabric on my little kitchen table. It is covered in glass so I hope I will not soil it before I can cut out the different sections and applique them to something. Next week I will share with you the rest of the fabrics she sent me.

Happy M.E. Monday to all of you.

Stop by Cherry Chick Jewelry to see other M.E.Monday posts. Vicki is our host, and she has more M.E. goodies than anyone else I have ever known.

Pink Saturday ~ 3-19-11

2011-03-18T20:17:00.000-04:00

Just a Little Pink from Rockbridge Middle School, Fairfield, VA

Gretchen’s science papers....I taught her when she was in the 6th grade, and now she teaches science next door to me. How time flies when you are teaching school!

The bulletin board outside the library...Easter is just around the corner.
"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.”

~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann”

This post is linked to “Pink Saturday."
Please be sure to stop by Beverly’s How Sweet the Sound to see all the many lovely pink posts for this week.

M.E. Monday ~ 3-14-11

2011-03-14T17:20:00.000-04:00

This is my genealogy journal compliments of Mary Engelbreit. It’s full of pink lined pages and stays closed perfectly because the flower is a magnet. You will notice the price tag on the back - $12.95 - well, I got it for $5.00. Please forgive the crummy pictures...at least you get to see the journal inside and out even if the colors are a little off in the last two.

Journal closed

Front with flap on the right open...

Inside pages...

Inside front cover...

Back with the price that wasn’t...

"Some family trees have beautiful leaves, and some have just a bunch of nuts. Remember, it is the nuts that make the tree worth shaking."

~Author Unknown

Vicki...I thought I was out of M.E. things, but I found this with my genealogy papers. Wow...was I excited! I made it one more week. Guess I need to start searching for next week. We shall see.

Happy M.E. Monday to all of you.

Stop by Cherry Chick Jewelry to see other M.E.Monday posts. Vicki is our host, and she has more M.E. goodies than anyone else I have ever known.

Mosaic Monday ~ 3-14-11

2011-03-13T18:37:00.003-04:00

Saint Baldrick’s Festival in Richmond, VA

Shaving Our Heads to Raise Money for Childhood Cancer Research

(Click on the mosaic to enlarge, and click again to make it still larger.)

On March 21, 2004, my husband, Buddy, my son, Gene, and I all participated in the Saint Baldrick’s Richmond, VA, Church Hill Festival...an annual Saint Patrick’s Day event. Saint Baldrick’s is an organization founded to help find a cure for childhood cancers, and one of the ways they raise money is to have people get sponsors for having their heads shaved. I knew nothing of the organization until Gene called me one night and asked if Buddy and I would like to join him in this endeavor. We didn’t have to even think about it and immediately said we would. Years before I had taught a child who lived right down the road from us and had brain cancer. Being with her at school and being a friend of the family, I learned first hand what it is to have and love a child with this tragic disease. All I can say is it was an amazing, eye-opening experience. Not only did I have my head shaved, I also had them take off my eyebrows because when people go through chemotherapy, they lose their eyebrows as well as their hair.

Only when I was outside did I wear anything on my head. It was so cold I had to put on a skull cap or a baseball cap to survive. My niece gave me her chemo cap which had served her well through two horrible bouts with breast cancer, and I learned quickly why my bald headed father always wore at a cut off, knotted woman’s stocking on his head when he went to bed at night. I always thought this was an awfully odd habit, but I soon understood exactly why he did it. A bald head can get mighty cold at night.

I did not warn the students I was going to do this so Monday morning the kids got quite a shock. I thought they would either come up and ask me what had happened or at least politely say nothing. Instead, I got a rude awakening when I walked into the lunchroom. They laughed at me...and I crumbled and broke out into tears. I was horrified at their lack of feeling and concern. I realized, when I got over the immediate horror, they were probably so shocked to see me without any hair they just burst into laughter. At the time that never crossed my mind. I was just like any child who is faced with children laughing at him or her...devastated. That night when I had more time to think about the incident, I had a light bulb moment. What I had experienced was what so many children have to face on a daily basis when they do not have that “normal” look. I suddenly knew what bullying and mean children do to others because I had felt it myself.

This story does end happily. The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders all brought in money for me to give to Saint Baldrick’s. Some of them even brought large checks from their parents for the fund raiser. By the time I had to turn in my money, I’d collected over $1600.00 from the students at my middle school and had, at the same time, made them all more knowledgeable about childhood cancers and how to be kind and helpful to their fellow classmates who are ill or “different.”

Please be kind to one another and follow the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

“What we remember from our childhood we remember forever ~ permanent ghosts, stamped, inked, imprinted, and eternally seen.”

~ Cynthia Ozeck

This post is linked to “Little Red House” sponsored by Mary Carroll. Stop by her site to see more Monday mosaics.

Pink Saturday ~ 3-12-11

2011-03-11T22:31:00.003-05:00

My Pink and Green Quilt
The shamrocks are not actually on the quilt...just an added touch for our pink and green Pink Saturday

May your blessings
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

This post is linked to “Pink Saturday."

Please be sure to stop by Beverly’s How Sweet the Sound to see all the many lovely pink posts for this week.

Tiny Ticker Tape Quilt

2011-03-08T18:59:00.003-05:00

Those of us who are participating in Sara’s Scrap Swap have been asked to post an idea we might have for using scraps. Here is one I recommend highly.

About a year ago I made a “Tiny Ticker Tape Quilt” for one of my dear friend’s granddaughter. Following the wonderful tutorial on Amanda Jean’s site, Crazy Mom Quilts, I used rectangular scraps from my scrap box. My sandwich was white flannel on the bottom, Heritage batting for the center, white flannel for the top, and then I stitched the little rectangular pieces on top of all three layers. The last thing I did was sew the binding around the edges and put the label on the back. Presto.....here is her dolly quilt. Click on “Tiny Ticker Tape Quilt” to see Amanda Jean’s tutorial, and click on my quilt to see it enlarged.

M.E. Monday ~ 3-7-11 ~ When A Good Idea Runs Amuck!

2011-03-07T19:10:00.000-05:00

I decided I would make my blogger pal another little goodie over the weekend since I did not know she had had a birthday. I’d seen the fabric you can send through an ink jet printer, but since it was a tad bit pricey I decided to make my own. From Wally World I bought some thin cotton fabric, some 2 sided very thin interfacing, and I ironed one side of it to a piece of computer paper and the other side to the fabric. After that I put the M.E. calendar page on the scanner and ran the fabric through the printer. Well, it came out great, and I immediately started machine quilting it so I could make it into a mini fabric collage for her. The plan was to add buttons and some lace and other goodies, but I never got that far. It was after it was stitch that I really messed up. Thinking it would be nice to spray it with spray starch before beginning putting the finishing touches to it, I socked the spray to the fabric. NOT GOOD! When I started ironing it, all the ink started to run and mush all over the place. Most people would probably have just thrown it away and kept the old mouth shut, but I couldn’t resist sharing my major boo-boo with all of you M.E. lovers and crafters. Here is the disaster. Hope you get a good chuckle. And, oh, remember that ink jet inks are NOT waterproof!!!!!

Here is the precious page from one of my ME calendars I got for $1.00 a piece.

Here is the faded, yucky thing after I sprayed it with the spray starch. I’m so glad I hadn’t already sewn all the buttons and other goodies on it.

O.K., Vicki....Now you understand why I’m always telling you I’m making my “prototype” goodie before making the final one for gifting. This time I was already late for your birthday so was in a hurry. Not good! Sorry about my mess up...my intentions were good, my friend. You won’t get this disaster, but a little something is going in the mail to you tomorrow. A happy belated birthday to you and again, congrats on your birthday wishes from the one and only Mary Engelbreit.

Happy M.E. Monday to all of you.

Stop by Cherry Chick Jewelry to see other M.E.Monday posts. Vicki is our host, and she has more M.E. goodies than anyone else I have ever known.

A Swap for All Seasons Mini Fabric Collage Swap

2011-03-06T20:22:00.001-05:00

Before Christmas I took part in my first swap sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons." We decorated 25 matchboxes and inside of each we put a tiny little gift. It was such a neat experience I decided to join her February swap which was to make a mini fabric collage. My swap partner was Becky from "Camellia Cottage Diary". I made her a two sided collage with one side for Valentine’s Day and the other for Easter. She sent me the dearest blue and yellow collage with lots of darling tags, a wonderful cotton wash rag, and some blank tags for me to use in the future. Thank you Becky for all of your hard work. I love my things, and now it is time for me to show them off.

Here is your collage hanging on the old chimney in my dining room.

Close-up of the top...

Close-up of the lower section

My wonderful cotton wash rag...ONLY for my face...

Tag 1

Tag 2

Tag 3

Tag 4

Becky’s Thank You Card

Again, thank you so much, Becky. You are so talented.

Rose of Sharon ~ 3-5-11

2011-03-05T00:17:00.002-05:00

When I go to visit my dearest friend in Asheville, NC, the first thing I see as I start up her driveway is a beautiful Rose of Sharon bush. It is very big, and its blossoms are the most gorgeous blend of pinks and white I have ever seen. Even though these photos were taken on my last trip to see her, I thought it would be nice to post them now since it is that time of the year we are all starting to think SPRING!

This post is linked to Beverly’s "Pink Saturday"

and

Mary Carroll’s Mosaic Monday.

Road Trip Reds ~ 3-2-11

2011-03-01T20:10:00.007-05:00

Some of the Reds of Saturday’s Drive through Allegheny and Botetourt Counties, VA

I am linking this post to Ruby Tuesday (sponsored by Work of the Poet)

and to Sue’s “Its a Very Cherry World.”

Mosaic Monday ~ 2-28-11

2011-02-27T20:59:00.001-05:00

Look Closely ~ Spring Is Showing Her Face on My Trees
Visit Mary Carroll’s Little Red House to see more beautiful mosaics.

Pink Saturday ~ 2-26-11

2011-02-25T18:21:00.002-05:00

What is pink, has a great big room on the front, and boasts 3 garage doors on the side?

Goshen Volunteer Fire Department

(540) 997-5411

140 Main St, Goshen, VA 24439

Goshen is a town in Rockbridge County, Virginia, United States. The population was 406 at the 2000 census with 176 households and 107 families residing there. The town is known amongst the Boy Scouts of America for hosting Goshen Scout Reservation, one of the largest Boy Scout camps in America. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²), all of it land.

Please be sure to stop by Beverly’s How Sweet the Sound to see all the many lovely pink posts for this week.

Rednesday ~ 2-23-11 ~ Shelley’s Give-Away Arrived

2011-02-22T22:17:00.003-05:00

This week I am showing off all the precious things I received from Shelley over at Shelley’s Vintage Variety when I became the lucky winner of her February Give-Away. I am tickled “red” with all the darling things she sent me. I posted the M.E. teapot candle holder for Vicki’s M.E. Monday, but the rest I saved to share today. The little Raggedy Ann is now in my “cellblock” at school (remember...I keep the in-school suspension room at my middle school, and it is in an old textbook closet without any windows). She sits on the table beside my rocking chair and puts a smile on my face each day. I must admit she has to be my favorite thing though the little child’s hanky runs a close second. In addition to those, there were 2 little dolly hangers, a M.E. soap and M.E. note cards, a little china heart container which can hold some jewelry, a vintage cake topper, a red plastic Valentine holder to hang on the wall, and another doll which I am in the process of sewing a little outfit for. Thank you again, Shelley, for sending me such a dear collection of goodies. You were so generous. They are all in their happy new home and will be treated with love and caring for the rest of their days.

Happy Rednesday To ALL!

To see more colorful reds, go to “Its a Very Cherry World” and pay Sue a visit. She hosts this meme.

M.E. Monday ~ 2-21-11

2011-02-21T19:24:00.004-05:00

This darling little M.E. teapot is actually a candle holder...another one of those wonderful M.E. things I had never seen before. I won from it Shelly over at Shelley’s Vintage Variety in her give-away 2 weeks ago. I received some other little M.E. goodies from her as well as some non-M.E. ones. It was a precious give-away, and I feel so lucky to have won. For Rednesday this week I will be posting all of the things she sent me so be sure to come back and check them out. If you love Raggedy Ann and Andy, she has a wonderful collection for you to enjoy, plus her blogs are wonderful. Please pay her a visit.

Stop by Cherry Chick Jewelry to see other M.E.Monday posts. Vicki is our host, and she has more M.E. goodies than anyone else I have ever known.

More and More Pink!

2011-02-18T21:02:00.001-05:00

Last weekend while celebrating my birthday out at Douthat State Park, the “girls” stayed busy making valentines, place cards for the table, and little napkin holders. The place cards were made from little foam cards, the valentines were all hand drawn and hand painted, and the little napkin holders were made from the little toilet paper rings from the paper dispensers at my middle school. We painted them and then coated them with Modge Podge for strength.

Left to Right:
1~ Baga’s (me) plate and napkin holder
2~The valentine’s table cloth and table setting
3~ The napkin holders
4~All of our name place cards
5~ Eloise’s handmade valentines
6~Eloise’s crayons in their pink case a and her pink and green necklace
7~Eloise’s sneakers with pink tops
8~ Eloise’s pink Mary Engelbreit socks
9~Eloise special jambes with the feet in them pink trim on the neck and a pink pig on the side and her pink back pack

Please be sure to stop by Beverly’s How Sweet the Sound to see all the many lovely pink posting for this Saturday.

Rednesday ~ 2-16-11

2011-02-15T21:23:00.002-05:00

Here is a potpourri of shots from our trip this past weekend to Douthat State Park.

Eloise working on her handmade Valentines for her kindergarten class and teachers.

You will note she is VERY serious about this endeavor.

Her Valentine Blanket from Baga

Her Pillows and Her Monkey

Eloise’s Red Water Bottle and Drawing

Baga (moi) is on the left, Eloise is next to me, her best friend, and Georgia, is on the right. The tree is full of cherries, and when I asked what the brown thing on the far right was, she was quick to tell me: “Baga, you know what that is. It’s the basket for the cherries. You can’t pick cherries without a basket!” Guess she told me!!!!

Baga’s Suitcase, Scarf, Gloves, and Fleece Baseball Cap

Baga’s Computer Case

And Finally....Bud’s Sherpa Hat with All of Its Red

I have linked up with Rednesday (sponsored by Sue Loves Cherries). Be sure to stop by Sue’s blog to see lots of great reds from around the world.

The Red Skies of August

2011-02-14T19:55:00.005-05:00

I am so tired of the cold and winds of winter, I decided to post 4 of the fabulous sunrises we experienced last August during our family reunion at Virginia Beach. All I can say is....they were awesome! If you are wondering...these shots were taken within a very short period of time. The sky was changing with the blink of my eye.

Stop by Mary Carroll’s "Little Red House” to see beautiful mosaics from all around the world.

I am also linking this post to Ruby Tuesday (sponsored by Work of the Poet)

M.E. Monday ~ 2-14-11

2011-02-14T16:29:00.000-05:00

What is a weekend with your only granddaughter without a little Mary Englebreit?

"Come on, Baga, and take the picture. I’m tired of all this camera stuff!”

Stop by Cherry Chick Jewelry to see other M.E.Monday posts. Vicki is our host, and she has more M.E. stuff than anyone else I have ever known.

A Little Bit of Homemade Red and Pink

2011-02-07T23:41:00.000-05:00

For the past several several I have been making little Valentine’s gifts for my friends here in town and for some of my blogging pals. After seeing the cutest pattern on the internet for coffee cup cozies I decided to give them a try. They are such fun to make, and I really love mixing and matching the different colors. They are all reversible with bottoms on each side and a stretchy band that will work on either side. The other thing I have been making is a tea or coffee cup felted coasters. The one pictured here is going to my doctor’s nurse here in Lexington along with one of the cozies. If you would like to make some for yourselves here is the link to them at House on the Hill.

This post is linked to: Ruby Tuesday, Rednesday, and Pink Saturday.

A Swap for All Seasons Winter Swap 2011

2011-02-07T23:11:00.000-05:00

Thanks to our beloved swap sponsor, Linda, over at A Swap for All Seasons,we are just about to wind up our winter swap for 2011 ~ a mini fabric collage. My swap partner is Becky Garrison over at Camelia Cottage. Becky loves vintage things, hankies, and 40’-50’s colors. Her kitchen is pale blue and white with a red antiqued table and chairs. She LOVES color. Well, I thought and thought trying to come up with a festive idea but one in keeping with her likes so this is what I decided upon. Her collage is two sided: one side is for her to hang for Valentine’s, and the other is for Easter. After emailing back and forth and passing the idea by Becky, we decided I would to go ahead and finish it off so she would be able to go ahead and use it immediately as Valentine’s Day is almost here.

For the Valentines’s side I used pink and red fabric and felt along with lace, some vintage doilies I cut apart for the hanger, rick-rack, old buttons, yo-yo’s, and embroidery. As a final little touch I put a tiny crocheted flower in the center and stamped twill tape with “be mine.”

Since Becky’s kitchen is blue and white, I chose those colors as well as yellows for the Easter egg side. Once again I used lots of buttons, rick-rack, yo-yo’s, lace, vintage doilies, ribbon, and I even found some little Easter egg buttons for the top. For that final touch I stamped “happy easter” on twill tape going across the bottom.

Well, I just could’t stop there. For ages now I have been wanting to attempt to make some tags. Having seen so many precious ones on the different blogs, I decided to give it a try. Keeping with the Valentine’s Day~Easter theme, this is the tag I designed...and it, too, it two sided.

I hope Becky likes it. I had such fun putting all together, and I learned a lot during the process. Again, thank you Linda for all that you do to make all of our lives just a bit brighter and a lot more fulfilling.

ME Monday ~ 2-7-11

2011-02-06T21:07:00.000-05:00

Today is M.E. Monday, but it is also my 72nd Birthday!!! I fully plan to wear my M.E. Birthday Crown all day at school. My son sketched the picture behind the crown in charcoal on an old blackboard with a lovely wooden border he found beside a dumpster. Someone’s else’s trash definitely became my treasure.

I found this precious little kleenex box with the $1.00 M.E. items at Michael’s last week. It was so cute I bought a bunch of them to give to my fellow teachers for Christmas this year...that is if I still have my job!!!

Before calling it a night, I want to add two more pictures. My dear blogger friend, Debby, over at Cozy Blanket sent me the sweetest little morale booster note the other day. It was a precious card with a photo of her grandchildren and some other cutie pies standing in front of a candy truck.The little boy and girl on the right belong to her. She also made me the dearest M.E. fabric pin with a yo-yo in the middle. I wore it to school on Friday and the teachers and students had a fit over it. Thanks again, Debby, for remembering me.

I hope all of you have a wonderful M.E. Monday. Stop by Cherry Chick Jewelry to see other M.E.Monday posts. Vicki is our host, and she has MORE M.E. stuff than anyone else I have ever known.

Pink Saturday ~ 2-5-11

2011-02-05T16:25:00.001-05:00

Inez Rosella Luce ~ 1868-1899

Inez Rosella Luce was my grandmother on my father’s side. She married Eugene Rodolphe Hornot in New Orleans, Louisiana, they had three children: Celina, my Aunt Cenie, Eugene, my father, and Roger. Both my grandmother and little Roger died in the great flu epidemic. She was only 31. My Aunt Cenie died in her late 90’s and my father lived to be 100 plus a few months. There is something about the pink in these flowers on her dress and little purse that really touches my heart.

Please be sure to stop by Beverly’s How Sweet the Sound to see all the many lovely pink posting for this Saturday.

COMPUTER CRASHED! ~ 2-2-11

2011-02-02T21:07:00.000-05:00

I AM OUT OF COMMISSION UNTIL SATURDAY. MY COMPUTER HAS GONE TO THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUND FOR COMPUTERS AND A NEW ONE IS ON ITS WAY. BE BACK SOON!

Red Is Everywhere

2011-01-30T22:58:00.005-05:00

Today Bud and I went on a little hike up on the Blue ridge Parkway and then ended up in the little town of Goshen, VA, where we ate a late lunch at the local cafe. Click on the mosaic to enlarge.

1-Litter Box on Blue Ridge Parkway

2-Old building in Goshen ~ Betty’s Full Service Flower Shop

3-Genie in her red baseball cap with her two walking sticks trying to remain upright in the icy snow

4-One of my babies about to fly away as we were walking out the front door

5-Signage at the Goshen Swinging Bridge

6-The letterbox we helped little Eloise find back in ’09. We all love letterboxing.

7-Rairoad track crossbars lowering as the train was about to come through Goshen

8. Some type of marker up on the Blue Ridge Parkway

8. Sign outside the Mill Creek Cafe in Goshen, VA

This post is linked to “LIttle Red House” sponsored by Mary Carroll.Stop be her site to see more Monday mosaics.

I am also linking to Ruby Tuesday (sponsored by Work of the Poet)

and Rednesday (sponsored by Sue Loves Cherries). Be sure to stop by both sites to see lots of red photos.

Pink Saturday ~ 1-29-11

2011-01-29T07:26:00.000-05:00

Memories

When we were in Belize a while back, my husband’s main way to get around was either by foot or by bike. While visiting a little seaside town, he selected this girl’s rental bicycle which he appropriately named “The Pink Cadillac.” All I can say is he was a hoot and a half riding up and down the dirt roads on this thing. “He" on “it" was definitely an eye-catcher.

Please stop by Beverly’s "How Sweet the Sound” to see more lovely pink posts from around the world.

Mosaic Monday ~ 1-24-11

2011-01-24T21:03:00.000-05:00

There’s Still Ice in These Here Hills

Visit Mary Carroll’s Little Red House to see more beautiful mosaics.

Ruby Tuesday ~ 1-25-11 and Rednesday ~ 1-26-11

2011-01-24T20:09:00.002-05:00

Last week I posted the red and white #1 car with its “For Sale” sign in the window and its checker board paint job on the side. When I was coming home from work today, I noticed it had been moved. In front of it was another red #1 car but this one not looking quite so good with all of its dents. These folk really must love their race cars and the color red! Just a little more local country color from my neck of the woods.

I am linking this post to Ruby Tuesday (sponsored by Work of the Poet)

and Rednesday (sponsored by Sue Loves Cherries). Be sure to stop by both sites to see lots of cool red photos.

M.E.Monday ~ 1-24-11

2011-01-24T19:35:00.000-05:00

This is my last calendar...three is the magic number. I have one I carry in my purse, one on my desk at work, and this one I on my daddy’s old desk at home. I posted the other two earlier. Each one has its own special little personality and its own pictures. I love all of my M.E. calendars.

Stop my Cherry Chick Jewelry to see other M.E.Monday posts. Vicki is our host, and she has MORE M.E. stuff than anyone else I have ever known.

My Eloise and Her Wonderful Pink

2011-01-21T20:27:00.000-05:00

Upper Left - Eloise in her pink pants sewing on her pink bunny’s eye.

Middle Left - Her pink sparkling Sketchers she got from Santa.

Lower Left - Her pink and lavender polka dotted suitcase from me.

Right - Eloise in her fuzzy pink and white jacket.

Please stop by Beverly’s "How Sweet the Sound” to see more lovely pink posts

and Mary Carroll’s “LIttle Red House" to see more Monday mosaics.

Rednesday ~ 1-18-11

2011-01-18T21:00:00.002-05:00

Living way out in the country like my husband and I do, we see lots of these funky racing cars. Having never been to our little speedway, or to any speedway for that matter, I do not have a clue for what kind of racing this vehicle was used. My guess is the economy has hit the owner hard because it has been sitting there for sale for a good while time. Every day driving to and from work I see it and wonder what the students would think and say if I drove up to the school in it. When it finally sells, we will have lost some of our local rural color.

To see more colorful reds, go to “Its a Very Cherry World” and pay Sue a visit. She hosts this meme.

Our Winter Swap

2011-01-17T07:35:00.000-05:00

Once again, our dear Linda over at “A Swap for ALL Seasons” has given us a new swap for February, and 100 gals are participating. This time we are to create a 5 X 7 fabric collage to give to our swap partner . Since I LOVE to sew and quilt, this is going to be right up my alley. Today is the day I start my “prototype” practicing with little mini collages. Right now my brain seems to be empty, but once I start pulling out all of my scraps and odd and ends I hope it will engage. Here is Linda’s new button for this swap.

Here is the little 3 X 3 mini collage she showed us to get us all started. This was given to her by her sister at Christmas and the photo is of her 3 children a while back
.

M.E. Monday ~ 1-17-11

2011-01-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

This week I am posting another of my M.E. calendars. This one is a desk calendar where I pull off the page after each day. Then I save the little pictures to use in my M.E. crafting. The following is a better view of the desk in my “cellblock” ~ my in-school suspension room ~ to pay a little tribute to my pal, Miss Vicki.

Yes, It is M.E. Monday once again sponsored by our Miss Vicki over at Cherry Chick Jewelry. Be sure to stop by and look at the other Mary Engelbreit posts for this week.

Pink Saturday ~ 1-15-11 and Mosaic Mondays ~ 1-17-11

2011-01-15T16:11:00.002-05:00

Shades of Pink ~ Hats for Cancer

Here is a collection of different hats I made for my hematologist to give to her cancer patients. When I visited her the first time I was in total shock because I did not realize that oncology and hematology are treated by the same physicians. My precious, soft spoken doctor is the sweetest and dearest lady from India. I just love her. She gives so much to her patients with her kindness and compassion, I decided I wanted to share with her some of the many hats I have knitted...I am an OCD hat and sock knitter. She does not treat children, but she has many older, aged female patients who are so tiny they need hats made by children’s patterns. Doing this is a way to honor my sister and others who have fought and continue to fight this battle. Maybe one day soon we will find a cure; that would be so wonderful.

Please stop by “How Sweet the Sound” sponsored by our friend, Beverly, to see more pink posts from around the world.

This collage is also linked up with Mary Carroll’s Little Red House and her Mosaic Mondays.

Vintage Thingie Thursday ~ 1-13-11 ~ My Grandmother’s Sterling Silver Compact

2011-01-12T20:44:00.004-05:00

This is another of my little family treasures, but this time it is from my mother’s side of the family. The compact belonged to her mother, my maternal grandmother, and as a child I just loved it when Mother put it in her pocket book. It is sterling, but shows lots of wear. There are dings and dents, but they just give it more personality and charm. The chain is gone and the mirror is broken, but I will not replace or fix either of them. I simply do not want to change anything about it. The large circle on the bottom left is where mother had her powder, and the smaller circle on the right was where she had her rouge.The section with the 1924 date on it opens, and that is where the mirror and rouge parts are housed. The little silk powder puff is pretty much in shreds, but it, too, is so dear just the way it is. I would not think about replacing it, either. The sweet little flower on the top is cloisonne and is still in perfect condition. The section with the 1924 date on it opens, and that is where the mirror and rouge part are housed. I just love this compact. Yes, it is one of my special little treasures.

To see more beautiful vintage things, be sure to stop by Suzanne’s The Colorado Lady.

Ruby Tuesday ~ 1-11-11 and Rednesday ~ 1-12-11

2011-01-11T19:09:00.001-05:00

The Old Stonewall Service Station

About a quarter of a mile up the mountain from our house sits this old service station. It is such a wonderful part of the local color, and the the family who owns the property keeps it painted and in good condition. From time to time they will rent it, but much of the time they just use it for storage.

Be sure to stop by "Its a Very Cherry World” (Sue Loves Cherries) and "Work of the Poet" (Ruby Tuesdays) to see more great red posts for this week.

M.E. Monday ~ 1-10-11

2011-01-09T20:21:00.001-05:00

Today is M.E. Monday. Be sure to stop by Vicki’s Cherry Chick Jewelry and look at all of the other Mary Engelbreit lovers’ posts.

This is the cutest little calendar you have ever seen. It fits into its own little slide in case and fits perfectly in my pocket book. I liked it so much I got one for my daughter for Christmas.

Pink Saturday ~ 1-8-11

2011-01-08T11:41:00.000-05:00

In my opinion, this is the perfect post for a Pink Saturday. It was my granddaughter, Eloise’s, Christmas present. You would NEVER know my son and his wife bought it off of Craig’s List a tad bit dirty. They cleaned up the tires, added the little basket, and touched up all the other spots that were in need of a bit of tender loving care. They paid a whopping $40.00 for it, and you do no want to know what that bike really goes for new....way out of their price range. Great buy!

Please be sure to stop by Beverly’s How Sweet the Sound to see all the many lovely pink posting for this Saturday.

Rednesday and Ralph~ 1-5-11

2011-01-05T17:40:00.001-05:00

All I can say is I was pretty shocked when I walked into the back room and saw “Ralph" munching out. He was not the least upset by me and went about the business of chowing out in spite of my big blue eyes staring at him. Since I could do nothing at that moment - a fly swatter does NOT work with a rat - I just watched in awe knowing I was going to have to pull out the rat trap ASAP! End of story!!!!

P.S..... When you live in a 110 year old frame farmhouse built WITHOUT hardly a crawl space underneath it, mice and rats are just a troublesome way of life. We try our best to be varmint free, but sometimes a Ralph gets in through the cracks!!!

Be sure to stop by It’s A very Cherry World to see more wonderful Rednesday posts.

Another Gift Has Arrived!

2011-01-02T06:36:00.000-05:00

Back in December, Vicki, over at Cherry Chick Jewelry, was kind enough to give me a $10.00 gift card to Artbeads.com. What a GREAT site that I had no clue even existed. I had wanted some of the jump rings she uses in her jewelry making and some little silver ball thingies so those are what I ordered - all for $10.00 - and just look at the precious way the company packages and sends out their things. It is a lovely touch. If you are a dabbler in little making little necklaces and other small or large things, this is the perfect site for you to visit. The prices are reasonable, the delivery is prompt, and when your order arrives it looks like you have just received a birthday present. Now, I am waiting for all the other stuff I bought...boy, have they made a custom out of this old gal! Thank you so much, Vicki, for thinking of me. I love my goodies...but then, you knew I would!

My CSN Gift Arrived!

2011-01-02T06:15:00.001-05:00

Back in November I found out I’d won a CSN giveaway from Angie over at Free Spirit Haven. Well, being the put-offer I am, it took me a while of looking, but FINALLY I decided on what I wanted....and here it is. My gift is a wonderful Carson magnification lamp that works either on batteries or with an AC adaptor. I can use it on my table to magnify whatever it is I cannot see with my OLD eyes, or I can set it to the side of me on the chair I’m sitting in and use it right there. It is GREAT! I used my $45.00 gift card for something I really needed, and I am one happy camper. Thank you so very much, Angie, for your gift. Whenever I am using it, I will think of you and our friendship.

Here is a precious picture I found when I visited Angie’s site this morning, and I just wanted for more of you to get to see it. I realize it it a day late for New Year’s Day, but it was just so sweet I though Angie would like it if I shared it with all of you, too. Oh, how I love vintage photography and cards! The innocence of them is so beautiful. Just look at those dear little faces...being a knitter I especially like the little girl with her needles and yarn. I am wishing the happiest of what the New Year has to bring to all of my blogger friends. I will be thinking of you in the days to come.I give thanks to all of you for your unfailing friendship this past year. You have brought me such happiness and added so much good to my life.

Christmas Cookies at My Daughter’s in Maryland

2010-12-28T00:25:00.000-05:00

These cookies were just too precious to eat, and there were this many more of them in the box.....absolutely amazing!

Christmas Matchbox #12.

2010-12-12T14:58:00.000-05:00

My Christmas Matchbox #12 was sent to me by Wendy over at stitchduchessscrazysanequiltingworld. She used ornament fabric to cover the outside of my box and the inside, and then she added the gold ruffles to the top and bottom. My granddaughter thinks it looks like a little Christmas drum, and I agree. Inside she placed the dearest little red and green bulb Christmas ornament. It is so neat that the box and the goodie carry out the ornament theme of the matchbox. Thank you so very much, Wendy. You efforts are greatly appreciated, and you box looks precious on my little metal tree. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Matchbox #11.

2010-12-12T13:54:00.001-05:00

My Matchbox #11 came to me from Carol over at heirloomsforyou.blogspot.com. It is so sweet with the little gingerbread man and green heart on the top. Inside she made me a little beaded pendant which I have already worn. Thank you Carol for your little box. It is presently hanging on my metal tree along with its 24 brothers and sisters. Happy Holidays to you and your family and again, thanks so much.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Matchbox #10

2010-12-12T13:33:00.001-05:00

Matchbox #10 came to me from Sarah over at ourpumpkinandsweetpea.blogspot.com. It is darling. I am convinced she designed and painted her own paper just like the Christmas tag ornament inside. The red flower and button set it all of perfectly. She even went so far as to put sparkles on the #10. Sarah, I love my matchbox, and thank you for making it for me. Happy Holidays to you and all of your family.

This is the front of my box.

Here is the back with a different tree on it.

And, here is the precious little tag ornament which was inside my box.Tomorrow I’ll be posting #11 so stay tuned.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

My M.E. Box from Vicki

2010-12-12T12:53:00.002-05:00

This year Vicki from over at Cherry Chick Jewelry and I exchanged some Christmas goodies which, of course, were Mary Engelbreit inspired. I made for her 25 little M.E. matchboxes hanging from a M.E. yo-yo Christmas wreath. We both needed a bit of propping up this holiday season so our little exchange did the trick perfectly. A gift from a friend always boosts the spirits and puts a smile on one’s face. Thank you so much, Vicki, for thinking of me. I love my box, I DARE anyone to touch my M.E. pen, and I cannot wait to use my note cards and my rhinestone goodie... BUT, best of all are my Cherry Chick cherry earrings. You are the best jewelry maker in the whole wide USA. I adore the watch you made me, and now I have a pair of your darling earrings. I am one lucky gal, and feel so fortunate to have made friends with such lovely people as you and Debby since I started blogging. It was great fun swapping with the two of you. Happy Holidays to you, my friend.

The M.E. paper she used is so Christmasy, and she covered the inside of the box with the same paper stuffing it with bright and shiny red tinsel pieces. Under all of that red were my little goodies.

Isn’t this the cutest little box top? I surely think so!

Here are my little goodies: my note cards, my pen, and rhinestone cherries.

Finally, here are my precious cherry earrings. Vicki is such a talented artist, and I just love all the things she creates. Her work is beautiful, and I am gradually acquiring a little collection of it with the pins and pendants she has made for me along with my watch and earrings. Again, thank you, Vicki, from the bottom of my heart.

This post is also a part of Vicki’s M.E. Mondays. Be sure to stop by her site to see other precious M.E. posts this week.

My Precious Box from Debby

2010-12-12T11:56:00.000-05:00

This holiday season I participated in my first two swaps: one was the the Swap for All Seasons Matchbox Swap sponsored by Linda and A Christmas Box Swap sponsored by Debby over at The Cozy Blanket. I have been posting the little matchboxes I received one day at a time, and now here is my box that Debby made me. It is the sweetest thing, and I love it.

The red and white checks against the black on the outside of the box turned out so attractive and and looked like something right out of a M.E. magazine. As all of you know, I am a true lover of Mary Engelbreit’s work.

This is the top of my box with Anna Estelle and her rosy cheeks.

The box was filled with so many wonderful little goodies.

Here I tried to spread them all out so you could see them: flavored tea and coffee, 2 Christmas volitive candles in little jars, one of Debby’s adorable little bottle cap necklaces she made especially for my 5 year old granddaughter, Eloise, a teacher’s pencil holder, a popcorn ornament, M.E. bookmarks which I desperately needed, an M.E. cherry rhinestone accessory, and a dear little “Noel” tiny ornament. Thank you Debby so much for all of your hard work. You are such a special lady, and I appreciate your box so very much. Happy Holidays to you and your family this year. Your gift to me has brightened my home and my heart

Christmas Matchbox #9

2010-12-09T17:01:00.000-05:00

My #9 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Jan over at:

http://artfriendzy.blogspot.com

Jan’s Christmas Matchbox is so attractive and festive with its candy cane paper, ribbon, and the stamped ticket, but the gift inside is unbelievable. I love the way she stamped the “9” on the ticket, but the puzzle piece pendant with the little gold “Queen’s Crown” is the neatest gift. By the time this posts, trust me...I will have worn it multiple times. Thanks so much, Jan. I love my box and goodie.

Tomorrow I’ll be posting #10 so stay tuned.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Matchbox #8

2010-12-07T17:01:00.004-05:00

My #8 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Linda over at:

http://countrypickins.blogspot.com.

Linda’s Christmas Matchbox is so dainty and feminine. It is covered in pink with lace and pearls and a lot of sparkles. It is the sweetest box to look at hanging from my metal tree. When you open it up there is not one goodie....but TWO of them. One is a little santa ornament and the other a little key which I may wear on my necklace. Thanks you so much, Linda. I love my box and my goodies.

Tomorrow I’ll be posting #9.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Matchbox #7

2010-12-06T17:01:00.001-05:00

My #6 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Lauri over at: http://lauricrowe.blogspot.com.

Her box is a light green one with a miniature tag on the front saying: “Just for you.” The hanger she created is so clever ~ it is a paperclip with a disc on the top. Inside she put the dearest little angel pendant which I cannot wait to wear to school. I continue to be amazed with each box I open as they are all so precious. This was the BEST swap to join. Tomorrow you will see #8.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Match Box #6

2010-12-05T17:01:00.001-05:00

My #6 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Sophia over at:

http;//bluechairdiary.blogspot.com

It is a festively decorated box with the cutest little turtle inside. I cannot decide whether to us it as a stitch marker for my knitting, make it into a bookmark, or wear it as a necklace. Decision...decisions...decisions. They are such fun. Tomorrow you’ll see #7.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Matchbox #5

2010-12-04T17:01:00.004-05:00

My #5 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Angela over at:

http://downtothedarlingdetails.blogspot.com

The matchbox is so festive with its little red reindeer on the front and the darling Santa magnet inside...such a cute and clever way to use a bottle cap. The striped paper on the front and the red and white “merry christmas” paper on the inside set it all off perfectly. This box is just darling. Thanks and Big Hugs, Angela....Tomorrow you’ll see #6.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Match Box #4

2010-12-03T17:01:00.003-05:00

My #4 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Mary over at:

http://Jmppastimes.blogspot.com

The matchbox amazing. The first photo shows the box with the angel wings open. They actually fold in from each side and are beautiful on the paper printed with music. The second shot is fro the back, and the third shows how Mary carried over the snowman theme to the inside of the little box, too. The little gift is a tiny angel ornament. This box is absolutely beautiful. Tomorrow you’ll see #5.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Match Box #3

2010-12-02T17:01:00.008-05:00

My #3 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Maria over at:

http://Huntedtreasures@blogspot.com

The matchbox is covered in blown paper and sitting on top is a little teddy bear with a red plaid bow. Inside there is a little teddy bear ornament..such a dear little present. The paper Maria lined the inside of the box with is so old timey and cute. Thank you, Maria, for all of your hard work. I love my box. Tomorrow you’ll see #4.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Match Box #2

2010-12-01T17:01:00.031-05:00

My #2 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Shannon over at: http://quiltinginpinksbulldogsatmyside.blogspot.com

It is pink and so sweet. The top has a little Christmas tree on it with pink and white gingham ribbon across the bottom, and inside there is a little “JOY” bookmark with a tiny bell....such a clever enclosure. Tomorrow you’ll see #3.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at
"A Swap for All Seasons.”

Christmas Match Box #1

2010-11-30T17:01:00.007-05:00

My #1 Christmas Matchbox came to me from Kelly at :

http:cherrykingdom.blogspot.com

It is precious. The top says "Happy Holidays" with lots of silver tinsel, inside is an old ticket with a crown stamped on it, and the goodie is the cutest little homemade snowman pin...a great box for #1. Tomorrow you’ll see #2.

This Christmas Matchbox Swap is sponsored by Linda over at "A Swap for All Seasons.”

Pink Saturday ~ 11-20-10

2010-11-21T08:43:00.002-05:00

How would you like to ride around in this truck? I think it’s pretty cool!

Go to Beverly's "How Sweet the Sound" to see more pink from around the world.

“Christmas Matchbox Swap for All Seasons" Boxes Have Arrived

2010-11-20T08:05:00.002-05:00

The wonderful Christmas Matchbox Swap for All Seasons is now entering its final stage.....the opening, photographing, and sharing each of the 25 boxes with all of you. It was great fun making the boxes, but it is much more fun receiving them. The ones I got are absolutely precious. Check back starting December 1st to see a new box each day running through the 25th. It is time to get into the holiday spirit.

Rednesday ~ 11-17-10

2010-11-16T19:03:00.001-05:00

You never know when you are going to see something red, but spotting a red truck on the trail in the middle of our hike was most unexpected. The berries were just a bit of icing on the cake.

You can see other photos featuring red at:

Sue’s “It’s a Very Cherry World”

Macro Monday #23 ~ Bridge Graffiti ~ 11-15-10

2010-11-14T18:56:00.001-05:00

There is more “lover” graffiti inside this old covered bridge than I have seen anywhere else. I just could’t resist trying to take some macro shots. The graffiti goes along the railings leading up to the bridge, up the interior side beams and across the ceiling beams.

Hump Back Bridge ~ Allegheny County, VA

To see more marcro shots, go to:

Macro Monday at Lisa’s Chaos

Monday Mosaic ~ 10-15-10

2010-11-14T17:25:00.000-05:00

Here is a hodgepodge of some of my favorites shots taken this week. Possibly some of you have seen a few of them, but I thought it would be neat to takes my picks and group them all together.

To see more mosaics go to:

Mary Carroll’s Little Red House

Mr. Sam on a Mellow Yellow Monday #95 ~ 11-15-10

2010-11-14T13:38:00.004-05:00

With nothing better to do with his time these fall days, I thought Mr. Sam might like to go for a ride on Buddy’s push tiller ~ aka “Buddy’s Baby.” He wants his mom’s pal, Angie, over at Free Spirit Haven to come riding with him!

Go to DrowseyMonkey’s Mellow Yellow Monday to see more yellow... http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

PInk Saturday ~ 11-13-10

2010-11-12T19:53:00.000-05:00

Last weekend while driving on a back country road, I spied this old trailer. Needless to day, I informed my husband I wanted to return to the spot after our hike so I could shoot it for my Pink Saturday post . Even though it is in terrible disrepair, I think the old trailer is pretty cool and funky.

To see more “pink” from around the globe, visit Beverly’s "How Sweet the Sound.”

Happy Pink Saturday !