Tarnished Rose

REMINDER Inaugural Altered Box Swap Deadline

2012-02-19T12:37:00.001-08:00

Just a reminder that the deadline to sign up for the AlteredPages-Artsociates Altered Box Swap is fast approaching. Click HERE for more information.

The signup deadline is Monday, February 20th with the boxes postmarked to me by March 3rd.

If you any questions concerning the swap, please email me at mcgoo4@gmail.com.

The Dining Room Cleanup

2012-02-17T06:31:00.001-08:00

Okay, as I mentioned, I’m doing a major cleanup this weekend & there was a disagreement concerning the dining room. Well, when I got home last night, I changed clothes and got to work.

Warning: LOTS of junk – If Hoarders sees this, I’m sunk!

BEFORE pictures – sorry, forgot to use the flash on some.

In Front of my Buffet Corner to the right as you walk in Top of Buffet Yes, this was the table! More stuff
Need I say anything?

Another Table View Pool Table in Living Room Just outside Dining Room

Horrible huh? I swear, the stuff multiplied like bunny rabbits! Plus, I found things my mother snuck in there that I didn’t know about. Every time I pulled a chair out, there was something in it. However, I do have a better grasp on what I have now and it’s GOOD!

This afternoon, in exchange for me paying his entry fee into a 3D bow shoot tomorrow, my son will move all this to the new storage rental.

Want to see AFTER photos?

Top of table now – I have a few things I HAVE to send out tomorrow so they will stay where they are. See, I can now GET to my china hutch! Nothing in front of it!

The small wood cabinets are headed to storage along with the antique sewing machine (that’s the longer case to the left of the gray bin). They’ll either be used when I can rent floor space at the antique mall or they will be sold. The white Priority Mail boxes you see are my stock for my Etsy store, The Creative Closet and will be moved to my studio once it’s organized. I can SEE the floor and the table now! YIPPEE!

This small stack (two paper boxes and some smaller boxes) along with the gray bin is my costume jewelry stock for the shelf space I rent in an antique mall. No, I haven’t gone through 99% of it and there is more in my spare bedroom & in the dining room by the window. It too will move to my studio (I refuse to put it in the storage rental). In fact, my entire business operation will move to my studio. I have a desk area that I’m setting up for my computer, so this area will also be used to price items for the antique mall and for Etsy.

What I didn’t show is the shoe boxes for all jewelry that is between the end of the dining room table and the window. They are all stacked up nice and neatly and will reside there until the overhaul is completely done. I have four tables in my studio. Once I clean out from under them and move that stuff to storage (a dollhouse still in it’s shipping box and some kits, more antique mall stuff), the jewelry and the stock for my Etsy store will be placed there. I do have the shoe boxes with the jewelry labeled. I know what needs repair or is to be used for projects, which ones contain necklaces, which ones contain brooches & pins, and which contain clip on or screwback earrings. The only boxes I’m not sure of are two that contain part of my cabinet photo collection. They need to be filed in binders, but I’m currently out of both binders and the refill pages I need.

I’m not sure about the dollhouse. It’s needs a re-do and I don’t have time for it now. I may put it in storage and buy a small corner shelf on which to display my roomboxes to place in that corner – they can barely be seen on top of the buffet in one of the BEFORE pictures.

Okay, NOW I can see why hubby wanted the dining room cleaned up.

THIS all came out of the Dining Room!

Yes, this was in that small room!

Another view

My Goodwill Box

What few empty boxes have left.

Well, now back to work. A quick shower and then I’m headed out back to the studio to start there. I have a big, empty, blue bin that should take care of most of the junk on the floor. Yep, I’m taking pictures there too. You will be stunned, I promise.

This is what happens when you can’t do anything for almost two years. The stuff creeps up on you!

Say A Prayer for Me – Major Studio & Dining Room Overhaul

2012-02-16T10:27:00.001-08:00

Tonight, I begin a major purge, relocation, de-clutter, & reorganization of both my dining room and my studio.

Why the dining room you may ask. Because we can’t get to it. This past year, it became my base of operation for the antique space I rent. All business related to that was handled from my dining room table. However, hubby has said “NO MORE” – the business end must move to my studio & the mess must go. He wants to be able to eat supper at the table (no, we didn’t eat there before all the clutter – it was used to play games & cards).

Here’s the rub. I had already planned a major purge & de-cluttering of my studio. Therefore I am taking a long weekend (Friday – Tuesday) to accomplish this goal. I had a PLAN! A method by which to attack everything. Lists were made and re-made, options were mulled over, bits & pieces were purchased, a storage space for excess store stock and other UFPs (unfinished projects) was rented…….it was all PLANNED OUT!

Then hubby sends me a text. “Dining Room is a Priority”! Hold on! Hit the brakes! Say WHAT!?!?!

See, to get half the stuff out of the dining room, I have to get my studio organized and de-cluttered. However, I have promised him to get the other half that can go to storage ready to go tonight. HE thought I was starting with the Dining Room! HE never asked me. HE knows now exactly now how it will all go down (yeah, we reached a compromise, I think). Needless to say, he’s eating leftovers for supper.

I’m sure there will be quite a bit of racket around my house tonight. After almost 24 years of marriage, we still don’t work well together. Both of us are too headstrong and stubborn. It’s a “my way or else” mentality we both have. Our son will be fleeing to the safety of his church and Thursday night basketball (I say his church because I attend a different one – different faiths, but I digress).

So…….please say a prayer for me. This will not be easy. In fact, I’m sure it will be quite infuriating. My blood pressure will try and rise (I’m on blood pressure medication thank goodness!) & I’m sure my language will unfortunately suffer a slight deterioration. The dog and cat will probably go hide (I won’t blame them).

I plan on taking Before and After pictures. You’ll see what I mean.

New Swap Over at AlteredPages-Artsociates

2012-02-14T16:24:00.001-08:00

Please join me for a new swap I am hosting over at the AlteredPages-Artsociates Blog. We will be altering a box, anywhere from 3-1/8” square up to a 5 x 7 x 1.5.

The theme is Housewives.

There are so many ways you can go with this theme!

The deadline to signup is February 20th with your box mailed to me no later than March 3rd.

Again, please go to the AlteredPages-Artsociates Blog for all the detailed information.

Come join me…..it’s going to be a blast!

Sharing Received ATCs–Be My Valentine Swap

2012-02-13T17:26:00.001-08:00

I thought I would share some of the wonderful cards I have been receiving lately.

Recently, I hosted a “Be My Valentine” ATC swap on Milliande. It was the first time I ever hosted a swap.

These are some of the wonderful cards I received:

Awesome ATC by Darcy Nalder

Both of these are from Jackie Nichols – Aren’t they wonderful? Can you believe Jackie just recently began making ATC’s?

By Marie – Just Gorgeous

Beautiful Watercolors ATCs by Ruth Dailey

Do you know what the sweetest part is? I only had two swap partners. I received several of these cards (& more - pictures at a later date) as “thank you’s” for hosting the swap. Can I tell you just how awesome that made me feel? I was walking on air!

Ladies, it’s YOU that deserve a THANK YOU! You made my first ever hosted swap a HUGE SUCCESS!

St. Patrick’s Day ATC Swap Cards & a Purple and Red ATC Swap Card

2012-02-06T16:30:00.001-08:00

I’m at it again. This time, I needed to make two St. Patrick’s Day ATCs for a swap I was hosting over on Milliande and a Purple & Red ATC for a swap I was participating in on Creative Souls.

Don’t you just LOVE deadlines? Makes me get off my rear-end and DO something (& quit blaming my still-recovering-from-surgery back). I’m remembering now how much fun I have when I’m busy with creating art (no matter how amateurish) and how RELAXING it is.

Here are the two cards I made for the St. Patrick’s Day swap. Let me apologize in advance for all the horrid pictures. It was overcast this weekend, rainy, & windy, so I took the pictures inside. BAD IDEA.

These will be finding their way to their new owners tomorrow (forgot I had PT today & didn’t make it to the post office). I used dots of glue and tons of micro beads on the findings in each of the four corners on the Erin Go Bragh card. I used my favorite sticky back rhinestones & my new love, Tattered Angels, on the St. Patrick’s Day Greetings card.

Here is the Purple & Red ATC – had a tough time with it. It will be headed on it’s way to Australia tomorrow also (sorry Kaylene, forgot about the PT).

In the next few days, I will be sharing cards I have received for the Be My Valentine ATC swap I hosted on Milliande. I have received some awesome cards, both from my swap partners as well as others I was sent as “thank you’s” for hosting the swap. I am VERY grateful for these kindnesses. Ladies, you are all a great bunch of people and it’s a pleasure to host those swaps for you!

Until later……………….

Call for Miniature Donations–for a Worthy Cause

2012-02-04T06:45:00.001-08:00

I received this message through my MiniDolls group. Please read below for information on donating miniature items for a roombox to be placed at Kettering Medical Center for the enjoyment of all the patients. Let’s help bring a little joy into the lives of serious ill patients. Size is 1/12th Scale.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lora is a lovely lady working on an act of kindness and generosity of her own. She is creating an oversized room box for all the patients, old, young, tall or short, large and small to enjoy. Did I mention Lora is battling Cancer and a patient at Kettering Medical Center herself ? She is creating this room box to be displayed in the foyer of the hospital, to share with all the patients and visitors to bring joy and smiles for all who pass.

The oversized roombox will feature two bakeries, one for adults, and one for children. There will be Bistro tables and bakery counters. Everything you would think of in a bakery, from baked goods and coffee to an eccentric customer or two will be needed.

Would you contribute to this project, too? My thoughts are baked goods, bad girls and boys, and a sweetheart or two. Wouldn’t a small floral arrangement on the tables be nice? Perhaps a dog, chasing a cat, chasing a mouse would bring a smile or a laugh. What can you think of to bring a smile to the viewers?

There is a deadline, July 15. Please send your small (pun intended) contribution to Lora personally. Her address:

                       Lora Ruffner
                       1388 Berkshire Drive
                       Xenia, OH 45385

Here is a list of some of the items needed:

Bakery and Store Furnishings
*Silverware/Goldware and serving pieces, tongs, cake servers, spoons.
*Coffee/Latte Cups (& Mugs)
*Square & Rectangular Bakery Boards
*Bistro/Cafe Tables (3)
*Bistro-Style Chairs
*Shop/Bakery Bags. We need at least 10 in either plain white, or pastel pink or pale green. They just need to be handmade, no writing required as we have sheets of the logos in stickers and rub on forms to add to the plain bags.

Bakery Food Items
(No donuts please, we have plenty of these items.)
*Pies
*Bars
* CAKES (lots) triple layer, extra large, and sheet cakes.
Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation
* MORE cupcakes
* Specialty items like Baklava, Éclairs, Cream Puffs, Cake Rolls, etc.
* And Holiday Specialties (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Jewish Holidays, New Year, St. Patrick’s, other you can think of)

* Dolls (employees & patrons)
(All dolls are contemporary 1/12th scale porcelain or polymer clay. No resin dolls, please.)
We currently have a girl and a boy toddler for our children.
*Two more children
*An employee (male or female) for the children’s side
*Cashier (male or female)
* One or two more patrons (At least two created in sitting positions for bistro tables)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you all who decide to donate. It will be greatly appreciated and is for a very worthy cause.

Breaking News LOL – St. Patrick’s Day ATC Swap is Open over on Milliande

2012-01-30T17:12:00.001-08:00

For those adventurous souls, I’m hosting a St. Patrick’s Day ATC swap over on Milliande Art Community for Women. You have to be a member of this NING group (membership is easy though) to participate and there are all kinds of cool swaps running all the time.

I just decided to take the plunge and host a St. Patrick's Day ATC Swap. Yes, mine are done (wouldn’t be right if the hostess wigged out on her end) and are ready to head to their new homes. Once they are well on their way, I’ll post them here (plus, I haven’t taken pictures yet LOL). You are assigned two partners, and make one ATC card for each partner.

Signups are open through Saturday, February 4th or until I post the swap list on February 5th. I have something to do the afternoon of the 5th so the swap list will go up late, giving stragglers a few more hours to sign up.

So, show your Irish! Join up and have a great time.

I See London, I See France Tag Swap

2012-01-30T16:59:00.001-08:00

Once again, those of us over on Roses On My Table that participate in the Tag, Your It Tag Art swap, had a wonderful theme to choose from.

Of course, the children’s rhyme, I see London, I see France, I see somebody’s underpants! went screaming through my head, non-stop the entire time.

Well, I didn’t do the obvious, I did a London Tag, and a Paris tag, but I also did an India tag! India having been a British colony at one time. Also, nothing to do with underpants!

So, without further ado, here are my contributions to this month’s swap:

I find Tags just slightly more difficult than ATCs. All that extra room to work with! I’ve been a miniaturist (1/12th scale & smaller) for a number of years and the Tags just seem HUGE to me.

Until Later……………

Cowgirl ATCs

2012-01-28T15:21:00.001-08:00

I just finished up participating in an ATC swap over on Roses On My Table. The theme this time was Cowboy’s Sweetheart. I decided that I would go the Cowgirl route with my cards (plus, have you ever tried finding images of women from the Old West that were not Cowgirls?).

Since the cards have all been sent in, here are the 6 ATCs I made.

This one was a gift for the hostess.

These are the best I feel I have ever done. However, they were not the easiest to come up with. Trying to find the right combination of papers, findings, and trims was hard, but so far, they’ve been a hit.

I also recently participated in a “I See London I See France” tag swap. Those will be in another blog post.

Just out of curiosity, are they any suppliers of digital images and/or findings that anyone can recommend? I’m having a tough time with both, especially all the findings I use to accent my pieces. The filigree items, charms, etc. are difficult for me to come by. Any help would be greatly appreciate.

Well, off to celebrate my MIL getting a part-time job!

New Frills & Fancy Ezine for Miniature Doll Makers

2012-01-23T08:29:00.001-08:00

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted. I’ve been struggling with multiple surgeries since August, but think things are starting to look up.

However, I was so excited about this I just had to share it with everyone. The new Frills & Fancy Ezine from Dana Burton is now available for subscription at http://www.frillsandfancyezine.com/. Cost is $5 per issue or $30 per year (there will be 6 issues).

The first issue is 23 pages chock full of tutorials, how-to’s, tips, tricks, & doll artist profiles. Once you pick it up, it’s hard to put down!

Here is the cover page of our first issue.

If you like Miniature Dolls, why don’t you also consider becoming a member of MSATMiniDolls, a Yahoo Group dedicated to the love & creation of 1/12th scale dolls. We’ve got a wonderful, fun, helpful group of people over there. Our companion website, MiniDollList contains back issues of previous Frills & Fancies (from before we went to a subscription model), tips, & help.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Black Friday / Cyber Monday

2011-11-25T06:23:00.001-08:00

Starting today, Friday November 25th and going through Monday, November 28th, I’m having a sale in all my Etsy stores.

Just enter CyberMonday when you checkout and save 10%.

The sites are as follows:

www.MSEsoteria.etsy.com

www.GhostlyTreasures.etsy.com

www.BookandAlbumCorner.etsy.com

www.TheCreativeCloset.etsy.com

www.TarnishedRose.etsy.com

A Great Find

2011-11-15T13:13:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago, I attended my first estate auction of the year. Since very few real estate auctions are held where I live (mostly it’s estate sales where every thing is individually priced), I have to wait until I’m visiting my parents in order to attend any.

The day started cold, but there were a few items of real interest to me. I’d perused AuctionZip.com a few days before heading to my parents’ in order to see what was up for auction. However, the best find of the day wasn’t even on the site for the auction.

The find was two boxes of Scrapbooks. Not just any scrapbooks, but Playbill Scrapbooks. I had never heard of them, but immediately fell in love at first site.

There were two boxes of these, for a total of 31 books. Patiently I waited (well, maybe not so patiently since I went and asked the auctioneer during a break when they were going to be up) and slowly began to lose hope. Things were going for outrageous prices (especially in the middle of Nowhereville, Arkansas) and I’d already been outbid on one of my “must haves”. When bidding hits $100 for a stack of old photos, I must admit defeat.

So finally, the time arrived and the bidding started. As the price climbed, the few bidders began to drop out, leaving me and one other lady (who was obviously a “dealer”-usually I can spot them a mile away). I began to lose hope as my mother was going to foot the bill for these and I didn’t want to go too high. Well, at $25 a BOOK, the other bidder dropped out and they were mine. Now, no way was I going to be be able to grab all 31 books, not at that price. My mom came to my rescue and said I could get 10. Okay, a fair number and to be honest, I had no room for all of them. KNOWING the back-up bidder would take the rest, I slowly made my choices. I was ecstatic. I selected my 10 and with hardly a twinge of remorse, I watched the other bidder snap up the 21 that were left.

Here are a few pictures of the insides. Oh, the years? They started in the teens and ran to around 1935. I got a good selection of the years as I was more interested in ones with lots of pictures and clippings than I was in the playbills.

This particular book dated from 1922. This is the page where the title of the play was listed along with it’s date shown and newspaper clippings about it.

The Playbill

Newspaper pictures of the major players.

More clippings

The two major actors.

Another clipping.

I love these books. This is just information from one play! Now that I’m home recovering from my second carpal tunnel surgery (this time the left hand), I can flip through them at leisure.

Well, hard to type one-handed, so until next time……

I Can’t Find a Darn Thing!

2011-10-24T18:04:00.001-07:00

First, sorry for the long lapses between posts. I’ve returned to work and LIFE has gotten in the way of my blogging. Well, LIFE, Swaps, Family, you name it, it’s parked it’s rear in front of me.

Okay, so here’s my question. How in the world do you organize your digital images so you can find what you are looking for (or might need)?

I have TONS of images stored on my computer, in some semblance of order. However, when I’m designing an ATC, Tag, Inchie, whatever, I can NEVER seem to find what I’m looking for.

We aren’t talking looking for specific pictures here, but ones in general. See, I may need a background, a foreground, words, images of people, images of inanimate objects, etc. But when I go to my trusty laptop, I draw a blank. I guess what I’m saying is, “IS THERE ANY WAY TO CATALOG THESE DARN IMAGES”.

I’m begging, pleading, cajoling, down on hands and knees asking if anyone knows a good way to handle this.

I tried printing thumbnails of the files. You guessed it! The MINUTE I get ONE file printed, I add another image. AAAARRRGGHHH!

So HELP! PLEASE!

I Know I’ve Been Absent…..Again

2011-10-17T12:11:00.001-07:00

Okay, I went MIA. This time, it was for Carpal Tunnel surgery on my right hand. I’m still recovering and since typing is slightly painful, I’ll keep this short and sweet.
For all of you who have hung around here through thick and thin (lately, a LOT of thin!), here’s a nice Halloween postcard print for you.

Hopefully, I uploaded it correctly and you can view and download by first clicking on the image then right click and choose Save As.

I Must Be Out of My Mind

2011-10-04T18:18:00.001-07:00

Warning: Few Pictures and Lots of Rambling!
Okay, ever had one of those “What in the he** have I just done” moments? One that gives you anxiety attacks and keeps you up at night? Well, I think I had mine today.
All I did was open a business account at my bank. Yep, that’s it. However, that’s the elephant everything else is hiding behind.
I now have a Federal Tax ID, a State Tax ID, and am in the process of getting a Parish Tax ID & Occupational License. Have a lost my ever-lovin’ mind? I think I have.
This means I have to file State sales taxes every month (well for six months until the State sees I’m doing less than $500 a month in sales tax fees, then it goes quarterly) or be fined & I also have to file “occasionally” with the Parish (whatever OCCASIONALLY means).
I now need a website/on-line store & email address. “Official” ones. Not an online store where I’m selling my personal odds & ends. One were I’m actually selling a product I have purchased wholesale, tax-free, and with the sole intention of reselling for profit.

I now need suppliers.

I now need RECORDKEEPING – AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!

And did I mention, I have a 40 HOUR PER WEEK JOB!!!!!
Yes, on top of this Sole Proprietorship I’m starting, I work full-time. Weekends are devoted to playing around with my hobbies, spending time with my family, and trying to get my business started.
I set November 1st as my official anticipated start date of doing business, at least for State tax purposes. If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’ve been a vendor at an antique mall since July. However, the owner of that mall collects and pays all sales tax for me. No worries there as I am an “employee” for tax-keeping purposes.
BUT, I have to file that income on my personal income tax return.

SO, to offset that additional, no-tax-withheld income, I need to file expenses. Ergo, I’m a business. I have income and expenses. Therefore, I need a method of keeping up with everything, therefore I need a checking account, and a “official” business. What a viscous cycle – and I WANTED this! That’s the why of all the tax ids I now have. WARNING: It starts small and then EXPLODES on you. All because I wanted I little “vintage” business & maybe a little “craft supply” business.
So, all THAT necessitated the above mentioned Business Checking Account at my bank. Which started this entire “I’m out of my every-lovin’ mind” mess.
All this for a business that doesn’t even have a net worth! I’m doing this for zero dollars and am in the hole now.
Oh, and did I mention that while my official start date is November 1, I’m having carpal tunnel surgery in a week, basically incapacitating my right hand for 6 weeks and when that is healed I’m having the same thing done to my left hand? So I will be virtually useless for 12 weeks. How can you sort & stock incoming supplies and mail outgoing orders if you are limited to one hand? Ain’t happening.
So it boils down to this: Yeah, I AM crazy & out of my mind. Wish me luck!
Wonder if it’s too late to stop the entire mess. I’ll pray on it – really. It’s going into God’s hands (as fast and as hard as I can give it up to HIM). Say a prayer for me please. I have no clue what I’m doing.

PS. If anyone can offer direction, sympathy, etc., it would be GRATEFULLY appreciated. I can't be the only one that has ever felt this way.

The Seven Deadly Sins ATC Swap–Gluttony

2011-10-01T18:07:00.001-07:00

The next swap I’m participating in is a continuation of the Seven Deadly Sins swap on Swap-Bot. The theme this time is Gluttony. Easy huh, just like the Lust ATC huh?

NO! Neither one was easy. Sounds easy though, right? And Gluttony, well everyone knows what that is, so should be easy to find clippies to use. Well, it was a middling hard hunt. Just so hard to find what I was looking for. To top it off, I’ve been “blocked” for the last week or so.

My artistic abilities aren’t firing on all cylinders and now I’ve committed myself to doing not only the Seven Deadly Sins, but I also have a BIG Christmas ATC swap in November, a Tag Swap in November, and both ATC & Inchie swaps due in December.

But, back to this card. So, ready to see what I sort of came up with? I say sort of because this is my digital card, not a picture of what the actual card will look like when it’s finished.

Yeah, it’s missing something (& there’s a big copyright symbol in the middle LOL). That’s why I like to draft it out in Photoshop (love-hate relationship there) to see how it will look and what kind of tweaking needs to be done.

Maybe tomorrow, I’ll be more “on” with my artistic abilities and be able to come up with something. Wish me luck!

Camelot Castle–MiniDollList.com

2011-09-30T10:33:00.001-07:00

As most of you don’t know, I’m the PR person for the MiniDollList (www.minidolllist.com) and it's companion website, MSATMiniDolls (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MSATMiniDolls/). It has just dawned on me that I have been recently neglecting my job in the most horrible way.

Even as we speak, Camelot Castle is being built and occupied by a myriad of characters. Maidens, Mermaids, Fae, Dragons, Knights, Noblemen, Ladies, and Commoners. Stories are being woven, songs are being sung, and everyone is in for a good time (well, except those that are in disfavor with the Queen).

These are just a few of the cast of characters now appearing at Camelot Castle. Please go to http://www.damedana.com/Camelot/Castle%20diagram.html and scroll down Character Pages to see more.

But don’t neglect all the other Sites on that page. There is an Inspirational Newsletter that gives links to sites concerning Camelot Castle (in case you want to join in on the fun, it’s free to become a member), a Coat of Arms page explaining colors and designs, a Weekly Crier page, and more.

So, if you love miniature dolls and want to join, just hop over to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MSATMiniDolls/ and join – Deadline is November 1st, and there aren’t a better group of people to hang with. Or, if you just like looking at wonderful works of miniature art and reading fascinating stories, come on over to Camelot Castle http://www.damedana.com/Camelot/Castle%20diagram.html and visit. We’ll leave the lantern lit for you.

More ATCs

2011-09-28T17:31:00.001-07:00

Okay, here are a couple more ATCs that I just finished up.

This one is for a swap on Swap-Bot. The swap coordinator for this particular swap has themed the ATCs on the 7 Deadly Sins. She started with Lust. I did a subtler take on that theme.

If you can’t read the words going across, it says “Lust dances the tango and looks good in tight clothes”. Loved the saying and decided to build the ATC around that phrase. Now, to come up with a card for Gluttony, the next of the 7 Deadly Sins.

This next card was done for an Open Theme One on One Swap in the Creative Souls group.

I learned exactly how painstakingly difficult it is to paste itty bitty microbeads to what you want them to stick to. They wanted to stick to everything BUT the card; me, the tweezers, the glue, the work surface, thin air……you get the idea.

I sure hope my card making gets better. They are just so plain compared to all the beautiful works of art other people are making out of their ATCs. I guess practice makes perfect.

Well, that’s it' for today. I was on the phone with the IRS for two hours, most of it spent on hold, trying to find out about EIN numbers, sole proprietorships, and filing taxes. More on that fun subject later.

Alice’s Halloween

2011-09-25T16:36:00.001-07:00

One of the ATC Swaps I participated in recently was an Alice in Wonderland theme with a Halloween twist. We were supposed to create 5 cards that depicted what we thought Alice would see if she encountered Halloween.

Below are my 5 cards:

These (even the Spooky card - different printer) were all done using mainly photo paper. Yes, I did cut out all the white spots in the fences without tearing the fence. Yes, I did cut out the arch in Beware card. Yes, I did cut out the fiddly rake handle on that card too. Every thing except the background paper was painfully cut out with scissors and an Xacto knife. Yes, it was mind-numbing and a few choice words might have been said. Luckily, no fingers were harmed in the creation of these cards.

As you can see, I did run out of ideas and recycled the Spooky card into the Witchy Woman card with just a few (two tombstones & the wording) changes. At the time, I had a shortage of Alice pictures. No more; I now have plenty, thanks to http://www.oldbookart.com.

These cards ended up looking pretty decent even though they are mainly photo paper. There are a few things I probably would do different if I do a theme like this again. One would be use less photo paper.

I did find out an important fact. You can use Prismacolor markers on Satin Photo Paper and they are color-fast & dry almost instantly – no smearing. That’s how all but the Spooky card were colored.

I did cave and used three stickers. The tombstones in the Witchy Woman card and the ghost on the Mad Hatter card. At the time, I didn’t have anything better. If I do this again, I now have Halloween stamps to help me out. I don’t rule out stickers on my cards (unless the swap prohibits them), but I really don’t care that much for them. They have to be exceptional or I’m in desperate straights.

Later, I’ll share two more cards I created for swaps.

ATCs/ACEOs, Tags, & Inchies – This Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

2011-09-24T17:27:00.001-07:00

I have a dilemma (make that dilemmas). I can’t decide what type of paper to use in making my ATC/ACEO cards. Do I use Bright White Inkjet or Cardstock. Maybe Satin Inkjet Photo Paper or Glossy.

HOW DO I DECIDE! I’m going nuts here folks.

Okay, I tried the photo paper, both satin & glossy and liked it. But not the entire card made from it.

I tried Bright White Inkjet paper and like it. But not the entire card made from it.

How to decide when to use what paper?????? Okay, so I’m not the best ATC card designer out there. I’m new at it. Frankly, I think I stink at it.

Here’s one I sent as part of a One-on-One Swap. This is entirely printed on Bright White Inkjet Paper, sprayed with Matte Fixative. I found the little spider somewhere and added a red stick-on gem.

One of my better ideas – I must have been “on” that day. Nothing fancy, but it’s okay.

Sooooooo, that’s ONE dilemma. What paper and when to use. I’m not EVEN going to get into the subject of color enhancement with inks, chalks, watercolors, etc.

Here’s another…….How in the world do you keep ALL your embellishments, vintage papers, collage sheets, odds and ends, etc., handy, ready to use, and easy to find, especially when you’ve got enough to start your own craft shop (okay, a LITTLE over exaggeration there, but not much)? I have it “organized” into boxes, bins, folders, sleeves, etc., but can never seem to get everything into one spot. Oh yeah, we aren’t EVEN going to discuss the stamps, inks, and embossing powders that can be used. Let’s stick to the simple stuff. Oh, and remember the stick-on gem mentioned earlier. Yeah, those are new. I can’t find my 8 other packages that I have stored somewhere in my nightmare of a studio.

Moving along…..this also applies to Tags and Inchies. Here is an example of my latest tags:

These were for an Ancient Cities Swap on Roses on My Table – nothing fancy, definitely and “off” day.

These are currently for sale in my Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/listing/82138615/three-3-halloween-altered-art-halloween (okay, shameless plug). Believe it or not, these were made by mistake. Long story, but let’s say pain killers and reasonable, cognitive thinking do not go hand-in-hand (I just had a lower back fusion).

Okay, I SERIOUSLY lucked out here. My brain was functioning and I had things on hand. Plus, all images with the exception of the bats (which are die punched) were printed on regular Bright White Inkjet Paper and then sprayed with Matte Fixative to keep the colors from bleeding. These actually turned out halfway decent. A little fiber, a little Stickles, some mini gems (the ones I could find), a little Tim Holtz ink……….a voila! Tags.

Only way I pulled these together was the stuff was literally staring me in the face. Yeah, sitting on the ONE work surface out of FOUR that I can get to & use.

So you will understand, my studio on a GOOD day:

One unusable work surface

Another unusable work surface – can’t see the work top, but believe me, it’s crammed.

The left side of the work surface I use (the last one isn’t in any photos – I can barely find room to put my laptop on it).

Shelves to the right that you can’t see are stuffed full – most are labeled but I can hardly get to them if at all.

My toolbox with some of my stamps and inks sitting on the shelf above it.

So HELP PLEASE!!!!

Yes, I’m lucky. I have plenty of stuff and yes, I share what I have generously. Most comes from estate auctions so there is some age to them which is also nice (think vintage LOL). But it would be nice to be able to remember what I have and find everything. Did I mention this studio also holds my miniature hobby kits, furnishings, tools, supplies, etc.? And all my molds (for use with clay and Li-qua-che), and some doll-making stuff and stuff for my Etsy store and my brick and mortar antique store space. We are talking multi-use stuff here.

Enough rambling. Back to my original subject. How do I decide 1) what type of paper to use, when to use it, and 2) how can I ensure I know where my multitude of embellishments, papers, clipart, etc., are so I can put my hands on them when I need them. The bad artwork I’ll just have to work at. LOL

ANY ideas, suggestions, etc, as to type of paper and method of organization would be SOOOOOOO appreciated. I have commitments to make Tags, ATCs, and Inchies until mid-December. Also, I really want to get into making ACEOs & Tags to sell at the Art Center where I’m a member. Then, I would like to get into altered postcards and journal pages.

I seriously need some direction here. Maybe I need to hire a professional organizer. Wonder if there are any out there that organize studios?

Procrastination

2011-09-21T05:42:00.001-07:00

I’m a procrastinator. If I can’t get a huge block of time to do something, then I feel like it can’t be done. Well, of course this is wrong. I have lots of time in my day, but in small increments (say 30 minutes – 45 most times).

When I read the below article by Christine Kane, I thought, “That’s me!” So, I’m going to try and do the 9 simple steps she has written on how to keep from procrastinating. I wanted to share it with you in case any of my readers were like me & found this useful. And you know what, she’s definitely correct; Procrastination IS fear. I’ve lived it, felt it.

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9 Simple Solutions for Procrastinators
by Christine Kane

Irony: As I started to write this article, I thought, "I'll just go play one Sudoku game first." I caught myself in the act and marched to my laptop.

People who say that procrastination is about laziness are probably the same people who think that anorexia is about not eating enough.

Procrastination isn't about laziness. It's about fear. It's about perfectionism. It's about overwhelm. We all experience it, and there are some tricks to help you get moving again.

Here are 9 ways to break the procrastination habit:

1 - When you get an idea, do some little thing to begin.
When I read Stephen King's book On Writing, I noticed something. I noticed that when Stephen King gets an idea, he writes it. Immediately and imperfectly.

Most people get an idea. Then they sit there. They wonder if it's a good idea. Then, they wonder if it's a good idea some more.

Got an idea? Begin it now!

2 - All hail small chunks of time!
Lots of us complain about having no time. My guess is that we all have lots of time. It just doesn't happen to be all at once.

Are you waiting for many hours of spare time to begin your idea, your project, or your taxes? Stop waiting! Learn to use the spare half hour that comes up here and there. (I gave myself 45 minutes to write this article just to take my own advice.)

3 - Agree to do it badly.
Set a goal to do it badly. Set a goal to show up. Let go of doing it ALL, or doing it WELL.

Some of my coaching clients' biggest victories have a lot more to do with getting over perfectionism and fear, than they do about getting it all done perfectly.

4 - Commit aloud.
Call a friend and say something like this: "I'm going to spend the next half hour working on creating my new product." Then go do it.

Call the friend after the half hour and make her congratulate you. Repeat daily.

5 - Define quantities.
Nebulous goals make for nebulous results. "I'm gonna get my office organized" is a lot like saying, "We oughtta do something about Global Warming."

Most procrastinators have a hard time defining quantities. We think everything needs to be done NOW.

When are you going to do it? For how long? Which part of your office? The file cabinet? Or your desk?

Define the goal and acknowledge its completion.

6 - Install this System Upgrade into your Mental Hard Drive: Less is More.
Have fewer goals. Have no more than three priorities for a week.

Why? Because you're not lazy. You're just trying to do too much.

Find out what it feels like to accomplish one thing instead of not quite getting to everything. Wow - what a difference this makes!

7 - Do it first.
My first coach made me write songs first thing in the morning. He told me to schedule the 2-hour chunk as my first activity upon waking.

Why? "Because you're telling the universe that this is your priority. And then the universe lines up everything to align with your priority."

Action grounds your priorities. It makes them real. It also makes your day easier because you're not wasting energy thinking about this thing you're supposed to be doing.

8 - Avoid nose-bleed activities.
Email, voicemail, web stats - any activity that bleeds itself into your whole day becomes a non-activity. It becomes a nose-bleed.

When you do it all the time, you never complete it. You just let it slowly drain the very life force from you. Define times for these activities. Then, turn off your email, your cell phone, your web stats, until that time comes.

9 - Don't ask how you "feel" about doing the activity.
Have you ever committed to getting fit? And then when the alarm goes off, you lie in bed thinking, "Do I really feel like going to the gym?" (Like you even have to ask!)

Change this pattern. Make your decision the night before. Commit to getting up and going right to the gym, the computer, the blank canvas. Don't have coffee and sigh and think, "I'll probably feel more like it at lunch time." You won't!

If it's a priority, don't waste time asking yourself how you feel about doing it. Feelings are an easy out.

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Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 20,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

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I hope you enjoyed this article and get some inspiration from it.

Update on Space in Antique Store

2011-09-16T11:54:00.001-07:00

Well, it’s been awhile. My back decided it needed to be fused, so I’ve been recovering from that.

However, right after I got my first shelf unit rented, another one came up. Of course I jumped right on it. This new one is closer to the front of the store and the checkout counter, so I’m using it to sell vintage jewelry.

Now, these pictures aren’t too good, but they give an idea of my new space. I think I’ve sold more off of it than the first shelf.

Since I stocked it, I’ve been back several times to move items around and make it more pleasant. If you notice, I wrapped the shelves in upholstery fabric to make it look more elegant. In addition to jewelry, I sell porcelain items (like the little Made in Occupied Japan figurines below), reverse painted pictures, and purses. The original shelf unit is still for all my “Junktique” items. In fact, I haven’t been to the store in three weeks and I’m sure both shelves are in bad need of a freshening and restocking. Luckily, before surgery, I tagged a bunch of stuff. It’s hard to sit at the table I use to tag items (it’s actually my dining room table) . All the bending to get them out of boxes and then placing in other boxes is rough on the back (& against doctor’s orders).

We are still hoping for floor space. Mom and I both have so many larger items we need to sell plus a floor space would allow more shelf space too. There is one lady who it thinking about giving up her space and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. One end is a wall, so I would be able to hang pictures and mirrors that I have for sale. Currently, the antique mirror I have at the shop for sale is laying flat on the floor, cushioned by material I laid down there. Every bit of space gets utilized!

Well, off to work on some ATC cards. I also need to think on whether or not to participate in a Journal Page swap and then I have to work on some Altered Tags for a Tag Swap. That’s not to mention the items I need to list in my Etsy store (I re-opened www.TarnishedRose.etsy.com) and things I need to also make to sell in it. Thank goodness I’m off work for another two weeks.

Tomorrow, I’m going to try and get to Michael’s. Since it’s the end of the week, the stuff that I wanted that was on 50% will probably all be gone. I don’t want to make a painful 40 minute drive (on way) for nothing but I really need a few things.

The last month has flown by. But, to top it off, it looks like I will be having carpal tunnel surgery in another week. THAT will probably slow me down more than my back has.

Ah, such is life. It’s good though. The shelves are paying for themselves and then some and I’m hoping Etsy sales in all of Mom and my Etsy stores (we have four together & plus my personal one listed above) will increase the closer we get to Christmas.

Until later,

My New Shelf Space in the Antique Store

2011-07-07T13:19:00.001-07:00

Yeah, tired of hearing this huh? Well, it beats me thinking about the lower back fusion I’m having in one month!

Here is my newly stocked shelf in the antique store in Ponchatoula – Acquisitions of the Bygone.

I know, not much to look at, but at least, it’s a start! Top Shelf for objects that can stand on their own.

Then, the two three inside shelves to hold those smaller items and some pictures, a hat or four!

And finally, the floor, for those HEAVY items.

AND I just found out yesterday, I now have TWO shelf units. Yep, after spending all last weekend pricing and tagging for the first shelf, I was offered a second space and jumped on it. SOOOOO, this weekend will be spent pricing and tagging items for it. Since the new shelf is very close to the front desk, it will mostly contain vintage jewelry. There will be some smalls, like porcelain figurines and maybe a large picture or two for the very top shelf, but the bulk of it will be jewelry.

I purchased some great decorator fabric from Hobby Lobby and will use that to line the shelves of the new shelf unit. Can’t have just plain brown board for all that nice stuff I have. Yesterday, I also purchased several display busts, a display hand, and necklace stands at Hobby Lobby, so that store REALLY like to see me walk through the doors.

Scary thing is, now I have to read the tax code involving sole proprietorships! You should see how convoluted it is!

So, back surgery in August, out of commission for 6-8 weeks, and TWO shelf units to stock and tidy up! Thank goodness my hubby and son are there to help (with the requisite grumbling). The nurse said that 3-4 weeks after my surgery, I’ll be able to take short car trips, so I will at least be able to go to the shop and tell my hubby and son where to place new items (well, hopefully I’ll be selling enough where I need new items).

Then, a short break, carpal tunnel surgery in right, then left wrist, and more directing hubby and son on what to do. HOWEVER, hubby WAS the one that said, go ahead, get another shelf. Bet he didn’t expect THIS to happen!

On that note, I’ll sign off!

Life is a mirror – If you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.

I Have A Shelf Space!

2011-06-29T12:18:00.001-07:00

It finally happened. I am the proud renter of a shelf in an antique shop in Ponchatoula, LA! (and still on the waiting list for a floor space.

Okay, now PANIC TIME! What do I put on it? What do I HAVE to put on it? Oh crap, where is everything? I don’t even have tags for anything! Dang, I was going to order those the other day and I forgot. Will she let me put my business cards with my Etsy store on them as price tags? AAAEEEEEE!

What can Mom bring down with her (she’s my partner in this) to put on it? She has EVERYTHING you can think of! We’ve got pictures, Harper Bazaar magazines, antique books, paper ephemera, antique framed pictures, antique frames, vintage & antique jewelry (got to find a small lockable cabinet for this), games, pottery, glass, etc.

Looks like I am going to be VERY busy this weekend!

Oh HAPPY DANCE!

Life is a mirror – If you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.

Antique Booth Saga - May Be Over!

2011-06-23T12:07:00.001-07:00

I know I am probably boring you to tears by now, but after many a talk, fuss, discussion, argument, trying to explain (this involves more than just myself), I think I have reached a decision.

Okay, this is what we ORIGINALLY thought about renting in the "Indoor Flea Market" (cringe). Remember, it is $100 a month in an untried location that just opened where the businesses before it have endured the "kiss of business death".

View of 42" Wall Space & a tiny Floor Space

If you notice in the picture above and the

third one below, there is a doorway. This is

where shoppers walk into the "showroom"

to where the booths are located. The white

line marks the outer boundary of the space.

The white bookshelves shown in the second

picture would be where my shelves, etc.,

could go, but they could not be taller than 4 feet.

View of long side of 168" L-Shape

View of 55" short side of L-Shape & Wall Space

Now, this is the small shelf space I would have (if it becomes open at the end of June) for $35 per month, in a semi-established ANTIQUE & COLLECTABLE store. Also shown is the floor space I would aspire to. It is the general consensus (well, two out of three of us) that the smaller shelf space would bring in more revenue than the larger even though it is a LOT smaller. Each space has the same 10% commission. Remember, it has location, location, location.

View of one shelf (I like this setup against

the wall). See the small amount of floor space

on the right and left?

A view of another shelf arrangement

Floor Space I aspire to!

Now, I just hope that a shelf space becomes available, I don't get sick AGAIN, and things work out down the road where I can have a floor space like the above (but with a little more in it). It would be nice to have a dream come true, even in a small way to start with.

I'm for starting off small, then slowly but surely, getting a little bigger and a little bigger. As I mentioned in my previous blog, my mother really wanted floor space in order to sell some of the larger items we can't really ship so we don’t sell them in our Etsy stores. There would be room, say at the bottom of the shelf, to put some of the vintage crates she has. However, larger isn't always better if you aren't in the correct space or if you are not sure what your constraints (family, health, full-time job, art association membership, your own creative time, etc.) might place on your ability to effectively stock and maintain a vendor booth, whether it be a shelf or floor space. Starting small like this will help me effectively feel out my limitations and abilities at my pace, not overextend myself thereby causing anxiety and conflict, and in the end, go bottoms-up or give up out of sheer frustration.

So, thank you for listening to me rant, rave, or discussion, however you may see it.

Life is a mirror - If you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.

The Continuing Saga of the Antique Store Booth Rental Search

2011-06-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

First, I have survived nasal surgery and while I'm still getting back on my feet, things are better. I can actually breathe! Only problem is that all that nice, fresh, air is hitting nasal passages and sinuses that haven't felt it in MONTHS, therefore headaches or just general malady occur on a daily basis.

Dilemmas, dilemmas, dilemmas. I have now found a place in a town 30 minutes from me that known for miles and miles and miles (maybe several states) around for it's plethora of antique stores. While it's only shelf space, I can place items on top of the shelf (it holds 1,000 pounds) and is of decent size. It also has the tempting price of $35/month w/a 10% commission. And, who's to say I couldn't move into a floor space if one became available there? The negatives are 1) No floor space as of right now; 2) no wall space as of right now; 3) it's a good 30 minutes from my house. Positives are: 1) located in a prime location; 2) store is nice and big with lots of vendors to help bring in traffic; 3) it's billed as an "Antique & Collectible" store; 4) it's been operating almost a year (well, could be sort of a negative too); 5) price is very reasonable; & 6) I could see if it's something I could succeed at now or if I needed to wait a little while longer. There is also the fact that several stores on that street are currently vacant BUT knowing the town, could very well be rented and leased the minute the economy turns around and I would have my foot in the door (so to speak) and be more tuned into things.

The other one closer to my home is a small upside-down L-shaped booth with a little floor space for furniture type items (a space that is 50" deep by 88" wide), wall space, and shelf space (14' worth less the 50" deep needed for the furniture). It's also the first booth you see upon entering the store. However, there are some very big negatives. 1) It's being billed as an "Indoor Flea Market" (UGH) with vendors of all ilk while 99% of my items are antique or vintage; 2) the rent is $100/month w/a 10% commission; 3) it's getting very little traffic; 4) it's not in an area conducive to this type store; and 5) somewhere around 4-5 stores have been in this location in the past year or too and all have closed up shop. It sits between an empty home-site (the house was demolished by a tornado a few years ago) & Mini Storage Buildings. Just on the other side is an area full of slightly shabby looking mobile homes (hey, don't get me wrong here, I lived in a mobile home myself for a while!)

So now I am back to square one trying to figure out what to do. Mom prefers floor space for the few bigger items that we have (I may be wheedle a foot somewhere else in the store where I could stick one larger item at a time - I'm a good wheedler!) and we need a place for a lockable cabinet in which to store the more valuable and/or small items I will have. Of course, I haven't even started negotiations with the lady that has the shelf space. Who knows what may come of that.

AHA the picture just arrived of the shelf space. More later~

Life is a mirror - if you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.

Countdown to Surgery

2011-06-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Well, not much longer and I will finally be able to breathe correctly again. In one week, I will be having surgery on a deviated septum and some other nasal blockages that has kept me from breathing correctly.

Only one little problem.......I had to stop taking my Celebrex. I have severe pain, from carpal tunnel in both wrists to arthritis in my back where I had surgery this past November. Sooooo, I'm waiting for the pain to really hit. Currently, it's confined to ring finger & pinky on my left hand and my lower back near my surgical scar. It will slowly begin creeping up and down both arms, into my neck (from my neck fusion) then down my back and onto my legs. The only thing I can take is Lortab, so will have to start on it as soon as the pain gets unbearable. Since I just stopped the Celebrex last night, I have a least today before the pain really hits, maybe even tomorrow. We shall see.

In the meantime, I'm trying to get what I can done at work AND trying to get necessary stuff related to my Etsy stores and possible booth rental all together. I have a PILE of stuff on my dining room table to go through and sort into saleable now, fixable, or supply use; not to mention stuff I personally collect that needs to be put in my new display cabinet. Hubby really hates it when I obscure the dining table!

Then, there are two estate sales to attend this weekend along with an Art Association meeting I have to attend. May only make one estate sale, but hubby gets to be my chauffeur. Without a doubt, by this weekend I will be on Lortab and I will not drive when I take it. Very unsafe.

Then, the pain REALLY starts. The doctor warned my that my surgery aftermath will be painful, but as long as she gives me really good pain killers to take, I'll be fine. I've survived a neck fusion, knee surgery, back surgery, migraines, and chronic pain, so I feel I can handle this. I hope a day or two after surgery, I will at least be able to function enough to start sorting stuff again.

Guess I need to run. Lunch time is close and I need to go outside to clear my head. Apparently, I am allergic to something in my office and about 5 minutes after sitting down at my desk, I get light-headed which continues to worsen until it hits vertigo stage before I leave for the day. If I leave my office for just a few minutes, all that starts to clear. I'm having the custodial company that cleans really give my office a GOOD cleaning while I'm out. This only started happening recently, so something has changed. Probably not cleaning it or vacuuming it like they should.

Got to run. Maybe I'll have good stuff to talk about and show y'all soon.

Life is a mirror-if you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.

Lab Results, Clueless Doctors, a New Etsy Store, and Who Knows What Else

2011-06-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

Since I feel decent today, thought I'd right a short bit on some things.

First, if you EVER have blood work done, make sure you get a copy. I found out I have extremely low blood sodium which was contributing to my p-off attitude and migraines as well as my general feeling of miserableness AND that I'm slightly anemic. Did the doctor or lab tell me this? Nope! I got my results, Googled them, and found out. THEN I started calling doctors. And don't let them shrug it off with "it's just because of the medication you are on" like one of mine did. An example is my Hyponatremia (low blood sodium). Look that stuff up and the problems are scary. Mine is easy to fix; I just eat salted/salty foods instead of avoiding salt (I have high blood pressure, go figure). Also, I needed to be on iron. When I called my other doctor with the results, her immediate response was, "I'm calling an iron supplement in now". See the difference? Now a third doctor I see knows my medication wasn't directly causing my irritability and witchiness after calling her. So, I have to monitor my blood sodium.

I'm preparing for surgery on the 14th. Maybe after that, I'll be able to breathe, the pressure in my head will be gone, and there will be no more sinus infections. A deviated septum and trapped air pockets are a pain! Of course, I've been told that after surgery, they will be MORE of a pain for a while. Of course, that is what pain medication is for, right?

Tomorrow and Saturday is the HUMONGOUS estate sale my mom is headed to for us. She has a list a mile long, and the auctioneer and his wife have orders from me to make sure she doesn't miss bidding on anything I would like (Mom is ready to strangle me for that). Plus, we have a friend that will be whispering in her ear to buy this or buy that. Mom has NO CHANCE of getting out of there without being totally broke! Aren't I just horrible? HEE HEE HEE.

Oh, if you are interested in old books and records, my mother and I opened a new Etsy store, www.BookandAlbumCorner.Etsy.com. We are still in the process of getting it stocked, but there are a few old books up.

Guess I need to get back to work while I feel like working. A migraine could hit me at any minute and I feel the pressure in my nose already building. That's the funny thing about blocked nasal passages, no air and lots and lots of pressure. No wonder I also have trouble walking, talking, and breathing at the same time! Back to the grind.

Life is a mirror - if you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.

Antiques/Vintage and The Question of Whether to Leave Them Whole or Tear Them Down for Parts

2011-05-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

Okay folks, this was the post I was telling you I would need your input on, either for or against, when I wrote that I was back.

See, this is somewhat of a sore subject for me and I am somewhat divided on how I feel toward this. So yes, it's okay to "straddle the fence" on this one.

I see this a LOT at auctions or estate sales and so does Mom. People buying gold and silver vintage or antique jewelry in MINT condition and with the broken stuff to MELT IT DOWN and sell if for the gold or silver content. Now, this I CANNOT STAND! Let me elaborate.

If it's broken, okay, go for it. Yes, some may be repaired, but most people lack the skill. Salvage the stones and findings, sell them separately as vintage parts to be rebuilt or used for something else and carry on with the melting down. But the stuff in MINT condition. UH HUH. NO WAY. That is history you are destroying. You can never, ever get that back. It's not worth it. If I could, I would buy every bit I could get my hot little hands on, but unfortunately, I wasn't born with a silver (or even bronze LOL) spoon in my mouth. I have to settle for what I can get. These people are just after the money to make a few quick bucks and that is horrendous to me. Money isn't everything. Saving out past is. I want to walk up to these people and say "Don't you know you are destroying a piece of the past that can never be salvage? That there will never be any more of what you hold in your hands?" Of course, my Mom would then grab me by my arm and drag me off, while I would probably be carrying on about the shear audacity of it. Melt down the broken stuff, save the good. Of course, this does benefit me in a way, because it makes what I own more valuable and it increases the rarity, but money isn't everything and believe me, it does not buy happiness!

Same goes with typewriter keys, adding machine keys, etc. Now, you will notice on my Etsy sites that I have these for sale periodically. Mom and I buy BROKEN items and then have Dad remove the keys. It pains us to even think about tearing apart an early 1900's typewriter simply because we can make more on the keys than the typewriter itself. So, we buy a perfect typewriter or adding machine (or whatever) it goes into storage. We take the broken, break down and get what can be used, and give the rest to Dad for scrap. Again, I love old typewriters. Hate to see a perfectly good one torn to pieces for the keys, but don't mind if it's broken.

Old vintage furniture beyond restoration? Sure, salvage the wood that can be salvaged along with any veneer and mirrors, and then trash the rest. Good vintage/antique furniture that is in mint condition or that can be salvage? Fix and sale.

This could go on and on and on.

So, what is YOUR opinion. First, I honestly want it. I will not get mad or upset because I have ASKED to KNOW what YOU think. Whether you agree with me or not. My opinions here are my own and it's a free country (YIPPEE) and we are entitled to speak our minds. So, have at it!

Happy Memorial Day and kiss a veteran, active military, or reservist or at least thank them for serving their country and keeping us free so we can do something like speak out minds. My Dad and brother both are veterans (brother is active reservist) and one of my Uncles is a retired Marine. Semper Fi Uncle Ray!

Remember, smile and the world smiles with you, frown and you frown alone.

Update - Rent or Not to Rent

2011-05-29T06:12:00.000-07:00

Well, this was kind of decided by itself. While I'm not renting the tiny space I was offered (the owner put some stuff in there and it's just too crowded and looks ugh), I am going to rent the first available space that's around $100 - $125. Mom just started putting stuff aside and buying for a booth, so it just happened. I'm working on getting the license and stuff I need to proceed and my credit union is waiting on me to do that so I can set up a business account and get a business visa to use (which also tracks spending easier).

I believe God took it out of my hands and answered my prayers. When things just happen like that, well, HE has done things HIS way. Remember, we may ask and he answers, but never how we expect. That's my firm belief. I've seen it happen in my life way too much not to believe.

Please pray for me! I need it!!!!!

Smiles~

Do Rent or Not to Rent - That is the Question!

2011-05-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I possibly, potentially, have an opportunity that I didn't expect for another 15 years or so. And, of course, I'm in a quandry over it.

There is a new antiques store down the road from my house. Three miles away or so. Not a great location for such a business, but it's a busy road and should attract a lot of people who just see it and pull in (like I did). It's been open a month. Currently, all booths are rented, but there is a possibility one or two will be opening up for rental. One doesn't even have enough stock to cover the rent on the booth (actually a great enclosed room) and the other is huge and used by the owner who is thinking about splitting a section off and renting it.

My delimma? I'M TERRIFIED! I've Etsied with my Mom and done okay. Not getting rich, but helping to support our "junkin'" habit. I've been making contacts all over the place for different items and doing quite well selling outright to specialty store owners. But renting my own booth. AAARRGGHHH!

Mom is behind me. Hubby is behind me on this too (though somewhat reluctantly). Son is all for it. But what if I can't sell anything and make the rent? What if I flop? What if I'm a horrible failure. Then I get to slink home and hear "I told you so" and then feel like punching the first person that tells me that. But on the other hand, what if I succeed? What if I make enough to cover rent and then some? I'm not looking to get rich, just try and move some of the stuff Mom and I have that is too heavy or big to sell on Etsy because of shipping issues.

However, one fact is true. I will never know IF I DON'T TRY! So, I've told them to give me a call when one of the smaller booths that is capable of holding smaller furniture items becomes available because I think I want it. I can stock it to the gills in a weekend. Finding shelving? No problem. Yard sales, estate sales, Craigs List, dumpsters (yes, you would be surprised what people throw away), etc. I'm not above that. I grew up poor and was taught how to be frugal.

So, I quess my next step is to talk to the credit union loan manager about getting a small business loan and setting up a DBA with a vendor # and tax ID. Please wish me luck. This scares me more than you can EVER realize.

Life is a mirror - If you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.

IMA Show and Sale New Orleans, LA - Last Weekend

2011-05-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

What a WONDERFUL show and sale. Though it was small, we had the first show and sale in New Orleans in Katrina blew through and tore up so many people's lives and wrecked so many events. While it was small, it didn't lack for fun and plenty of vendors.

Thelma, who organizes the IMA Shows, did an outstanding job and she is an awesome lady. Hats off to her for pulling off this event. I never even saw her lose her admirable cool even once.

On Thursday, I took several round tables (or round robins as some call them) and what I didn't have time to take, I made sure I purchased the kits. I loved Sister Oliva's where we were able to frame a picture of our choosing. This is a great lady and I plan to visit her gift shop on Magazine Street in the near future where she sells minis and full size items, with all proceeds going to her convent. Then that afternoon, I took a great Leather Trunk Class taught by Joyce Bernard from New Mexico. While I didn't finish (I'm slow and a perfectionist - Mom, who was watching, said I'm just like my grandmother was), I do feel comfortable that I will know what do in order to complete the trunk. Joyce also make wonderful filled trunks among other items.

On Friday, I hit an estate sale in the morning (more on that in another post) then spent the afternoon with two friends, one of which now lives in Arizona. What a wonderful time. Yes, Mom was with me the entire time. She loves to travel with me even though she doesn't do minis. Then that evening, we headed back to the hotel for the Preview Show and Sale where I was the lucky bidder on the Pearl Jordan doll!!!! Ever seen a 42-year old woman doing the "Happy Dance" down the middle of the sales floor? Well, if you were there, you saw me do it. I have always wanted one of her dolls and am grateful to her family to have donated the Fisherman to such a worthy event. Pearl, you are missed by all in the mini world. The below picture is from her website. I haven't had time to take one of my own and wanted to share her wonderful doll with you all.

Then, I preceeded to spend way too much money. When the sale closed, I hadn't even made it through the vendors, so I headed home and prepared for another day of buying the next morning.

Saturday came and Mom and I headed back to the sale. Let me tell you. Miniaturist, with few exceptions, are the NICEST people I have ever met. I spent TWO HOURS talking and buying in just FIVE BOOTHS! I hit KarenLynnn at Kreative Goodies (wish I could have bought more), Deb at Dragonfly for her Mulberry Roses and Glue Syringers, Craig Roberts at The Hairy Potter for a beautiful pot and great conversation (you have got to stop and talk to him if you see him at a show), Bob Hastings for two beautiful cornices his wife (may she rest in peace) painted, a 1/2 scale house, and lots of wallpaper (he's so nice), plus I talked with Nancy Weith at Exceptional! about some awesome beaded flowers in a vase she carries for an 80-year old lady. I am determined to buy one of these, even though the cost is VERY high. Nancy also carries Lyn Trenary dolls that are just great.

By then, it was time for lunch and a rest. I hurriedly ate then back for more shopping. Little items here and there. I tried to purchase something from each seller if I could. Then I met an awesome lady. Talina from Bit's and Pieces. Such a friendly, awesome person. We talked and talked. Besides miniatures, we share the same love of auctions and estate sales, though she has a more extensive collection than I do. I really have got to get in touch with her soon, but am giving her time to recover from the show (plus I'm still snowed under at work!).

So, when it was all said and done, a totally awesome weekend. Lots of fun and laughter. Laughter I needed badly along with seeing my friends who I hadn't seen in forever. Can't wait until we can get together again!

Life is like a mirror-if you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.
Smiles~

Sharp Edges

2011-05-25T06:17:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to Christine Kane articles and when I read this one, it thought "This sounds so much like me". Then it hit me. I bet a lot of my readers feel the same. So, I'm sharing this with you and if it helps just ONE person make that decision they've been mulling over like I have, well, then I've succeeded and so has Christine. Enjoy, and I have several other topics I'm developing/writing which will be posted soon.

The Sharp Edges of Expansion: Why Your Life Purpose Hurts Sometimes
by: Christine Kane

Somewhere along the way, we learn to avoid things that are uncomfortable.

"Hey look at this," we think. "If I just stay here in the middle - away from the sharp edges - then I don't get too banged up."

Slowly, our passions and goals cease being about what we want to create or who we dream of becoming. Slowly, our passions and goals become more about how to avoid the edges.

When the edges sneak up on us anyway - as they tend to do - then we find ways to soften them. Conveniently, we live in a world that will jubilantly help us soften the edges.

We distract. We eat. We smoke. We drink a glass (or three) of wine before dinner. We become anti-anxiety, anti-depression, anti-mood. We watch hours of stuff that means nothing to us. We soften the edges.

And you know what?

It kinda works.

In the moment, we seem not to get bumped as hard.

Only problem is that as we lose the edges, we also lose the wisdom that the edges are designed to bring. We lose the intuition that comes from the experience. We lose the discovery of our own boundaries and preferences. And we lose the joy that is a natural result of vulnerability, awareness, and energy.

All of this results in losing our awareness of our life purpose, our passion.

In other words, you can try your level best to stay smack dab in the middle, not bumping into the edges. But one day, it will occur to you that you have avoided so much more in the process. Including your own life.

I am lucky enough to work with some of the most amazing women on the planet in my Platinum and Ruby coaching mastermind. These are women who run their own businesses. They're creative. They're entrepreneurial. They shine. They have big breakthroughs and major victories.

And, of course, they hit edges along the way. (So does their coach!)

In fact, I don't know a single successful person who doesn't bump into edges on a regular basis. It is always tempting to think, "If I'm truly living my purpose, should it hurt like this?"

But that's just that old story we've memorized well over the years, trying to keep us safe in the middle of the road, not failing - but never winning either.

If you are reading this, and you know in your heart that you have a big WHY, then welcome and bless your edges. After all, no one succeeds without them.

Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 20,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

Life is a mirror - if you frown at it, it frowns back; If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.
Smiles~

I'm BAAAAACCCCKKKKKK! Well, at least until the next illness lays me flat!

2011-05-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

So, what have I been up to for months? Absolutely nothing but working and being sick! I had back surgery in November to fix one herniated/calcified disc and one bulging disc & now have a slightly damaged nerve. Then, a three-month long sinus infection hit, followed by a reoccurrence of my vertigo which has resulted in me falling flat on my still healing back several times, and now, another sinus infection. Also, they discovered I need four allergy shots a week. Yeah, it's been a miserable few months. Did a mention the migraines? Oh, and the CT Scan I need of my sinuses to make sure nothing's wrong up there! :(

Hopefully though, things are beginning to look up. While I'm not back to any hobbies (like mini dolls or altered tags), I am back to attending estate sales and am heading to a Miniature Show and Sale in New Orleans this weekend. Also, since one of my doctor's (I'll let you guess which) basically ordered me to find a way to socialize and make friends, I'm looking into joining a local Art Association. I may be a serious person, but I do have a small artistic streak running through me. Now, hubby agrees with doc, but let's see when push comes to shove if he can give up the "I need you to do me a favor" or "I need you to do this or that for me real quick" when I have something I need to do for the association. Okay ladies, we know men talk the talk, but a lot can't walk the walk, no matter how much they say they love us.

So while I'm bumming around New Orleans at estate sales and trying to make friends in Gonzales (like after 15 years without any it will be easy - Ha!), hubby and son will be fishing. We got son a well-used aluminium boat for his birthday. He loves it and wants to fish every weekend, so he and his dad or he and a friend cruise around all the canals around the house terrorizing the bass, bream, and catfish. Course, when they get home, it's "where's supper?" Typical male yada-yada-yada. I guess after 23 years of marriage I can gripe all I want. LOL - my fault I love the lug.

Anyways, I'll be posting more shortly. There is a dilemma I've faced or should say I have a difference of opinion with some other auction go-ers or estate sale go-ers concerning old items. I'm going to discuss my side of the topic and if I still have any followers out there, I would REALLY, TRULY love to hear what you think on the subject. Right now, I've got to figure out how to get rid of a migraine without taking any more migraine medicine (I'm running low). Back in as day or two with more.

Until later........

An Apology and A Reason

2010-08-29T08:18:00.001-07:00

First, I want to apologize to all my followers out there. I know I’ve been incommunicado for quite some time. I have a reason.

About a month ago, I found out that the disc in my lower back that was causing me an increasing amount of pain had herniated. Also, the disc right above it is bulging. Due to work responsibilities, I am unable to have surgery until November. Needless to say, I’m in quite a bit of pain and some days, it’s an effort to walk or just function. To top it off, the pain seems to increase on an almost daily basis.

In an effort to combat this pain, I am in physical therapy three days a week. While it seems to help some, today, as I am typing this, I’m propped on the sofa with a heating pad on my back and pain radiating to my knees and down to my left foot.

Since pain and work seem to consume my days, I’ve lost all interest in almost everything. It’s a temporary condition (the pain has caused my bi-polar disorder to flair up too) I’m assured, but one that is frustrating none-the-less.

To top this off, work has gotten increasingly stressful, along with my personal life. Louisiana is in a budget crisis, and I work in higher education which is once again facing massive budget cuts. I’m looking at having to run a department on quite possibly a smaller budget than I have had in almost 10 years! Also, my mother-in-law whom I love dearly is driving me nuts because she isn’t working and is suffering from depression and self-induced problems (she wants to move in with us & she’s in her early 60’s!), and we have the cute new puppy at home that is stressful in and of itself.

My psychiatrist is adjusting my medicine accordingly and I’m in therapy to learn how to cope with all this too. They are the ones that assured me this disinterest is temporary and are helping me to less the effects the chronic pain & stress have caused.

So, between physical therapy, a psychiatrist, a therapist, and support from my family, I hope to be able to handle the pain until I can have surgery in November. In fact, it’s scheduled for November 5th. Yes, I’m counting the weeks LOL!

During the 6-8 week recovery, I hope to begin crafting, creating, and blogging all the time again. I really do enjoy this.

In closing, please bear with me. I have lots to show you when I’m up to it (I’ve won a few on-line auctions and got some neat stuff before losing interest) and still have a ton of things I wish to accomplish when life stops throwing me curve balls.

Until later……………………..

It’s Been a While!

2010-08-01T10:04:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! It’s been a bit since I’ve blogged, other than the about our new beagle (who at the moment is raising a ruckus because he is in his pen outside instead of inside with us). For enquiring minds, he is doing just fine and is totally spoilt rotten.
Okay, I wanted to share a few finds with you that will eventually end up on one of my Etsy sites. Also, I hope to get some crocheted items up (supplies as I didn’t crochet them) for those of you that may have an interest in baby dolls. Yes, these should fit (they are 11” shoulder to shoulder) and well made. They may be vintage, but I’m unsure as to the age.
Okay, here we go (I’ll probably put these up on my other blog Epoch Junktique in a couple of days – you can ALWAYS contact me if interested in anything you see, either here or on the other blog).
Victorian sterling silver & glass cruet set:
This is complete and unbroken! A rare find nowadays. I’ll probably list it around $175. Is awesomely gorgeous!
Junior Monarch Numbering System – has the numbering system too!

Only problem with this is the crank handle has been broken off, but I believe it can be fixed. Just look at all the numbering punches there! I’ll probably put a price around $75 or so on it. I’m still pinching myself over this one. Very rare find (for me at least).
Crocheted Baby/Doll Clothes:

Aren’t these just adorable? Again, they measure 11” shoulder to shoulder and will probably price them around $10 per set. VERY well made sets. Some come with the hat and booties, others with a top, bottom, hat, and booties.
On a sad note, UPS screwed up and lost part of a shipment! I had to file a claim but the items they lost are irreplaceable! Old cabinet photos, old model airplane kits that were to be a gift to my brother, an old jade and wire tree I was salivating over, a vintage silk kimono, some old WWII memorabilia, and the list goes on. The seller and myself are just absolutely sick over it. Apparently, the tape at the bottom must have gotten wet or something and pulled away from the box. They retaped it, but by then the damage was done. No telling who had my items now, but I hope they enjoy them like I would have!
Well, puppy lunch time. Off I go!
If you are into miniature dolls, please don’t forget to check out the new link on my sidebar. The MiniDollList.com is having a Camelot Court event. It’s going to be awesome!
Until Later…………………………..

It’s Been a Busy Month

2010-07-20T16:13:00.001-07:00

Sorry everyone that I’ve been missing this past month. It’s been busy. Work, son’s baseball, and now, a new addition to the family. Nope, not a baby, LOL, as I’m not having any more kids, but a new puppy!

Let me introduce my son’s new beagle pup, named Mojeaux! For all of you not from South Louisiana, it’s pronounced “mojo”.

Isn’t he cute? He’s a Lemon Spotted Beagle. My son wants to train him to be a rabbit dog, but as things are looking, he’s going to be a lap dog! In two days he has been kennel-trained, though since he is only 7 weeks old, the house-training is ongoing. When Mojeaux gets sleepy, all you have to do is say, Go to Bed, and he goes and curls up in his kennel!

So, it’s like having a baby. Regular feedings, “mistake” cleanups, getting up twice a night (though that is son’s job right now), playing constantly, it’s all that.

Now, I do have a LOT of auction finds to share with you, a miniature supply swap I was involved in (lots of goodies there), and just things in general, but will do that (hopefully) when I am on vacation next week. Of course, son leaves to go visit relatives for two weeks, so I will have puppy duty to share with hubby.

Maybe I can also get some crafting in – currently, I’m working on some miniature flowers, a dollhouse, a miniature “wicker” coffee table, and a couple other mini things as I can find the time. I need to get some RL sized stuff created, my selling blog and my Etsy stores updated, plus I need a pair of round nose and chain nose pliers so I can get some jewelry made (got a few ideas in mind, though all I’ve ever made before are anklets). Not enough time nor money in the day to do everything. Sigh.

Until later…………………………..

A Few Finds of Late

2010-07-01T10:33:00.001-07:00

As I think I’ve mentioned, I’ve discovered On-Line LIVE auctions. Here are a few of my wins as of late:

Vintage Pins – LOVE the White Dragonfly

Box of Vintage Dollies

Vintage Hollywood Ephemera of Grace George

And of Gladys George

Two French Cartoon magazines from 1907 – a little rough, put HEY, they are FRENCH and from 1907!!!

Of course, couldn’t pass up these fab synthetic pearls. What girl could?

There is MUCH more! Talk about blew my budget, but with such goodies out there (and several Etsy shops and a selling blog to stock) what’s a junkin’ girl to do????? Though I am staying away from the auctions this month. Hubby is taking me junkin’ in New Orleans toward the end of the month and I want to make sure I have the funds available to enjoy myself.

I’ll be sharing more with you in the future.

Until Later………………………..

Smiles~

Up For A Name Change?

2010-06-29T13:50:00.001-07:00

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away………………

EEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!

NO, wait a minute, this isn’t Star Wars! This is my blog and I needed an update. A blogland blogger name update that is.

Way back when I first started blogging, I was primarily hooked on dolls of any shape or size, as long as they were teenagers or older. I’m not fond of baby or toddler dolls. So, I gave myself the name of The Lone Dollier. Being one of the very few people left within a 200 mile radius of me that was creating/costuming dolls (not counting reborns-ugh-sorry personal preference type thing I guess), I felt very alone. Also, I was new to the blogging community and didn’t realize it helps to have uniformity.

Now, I have expanded my horizons and I not only costume miniature dolls, I also go junkin’, collect paper ephemera, love anything vintage, create altered tags, and work with miniatures of all types. If you’ve noticed, I’ve even added a little tag line under the main name of my blog to reflect my expanding vision.

So, I’m thinking about a name change. In two other arenas, I go by Tarnished Rose. That’s my “professional” name if you will. I’m just kind of melding my Etsy shop name, my Twitter name, and possibly my Facebook page all together with my blogger name. I am now Tarnished Rose in blogland. I now have a name that better fits my likes; things that are tarnished, not new, but still have that beauty to it, things like dolls that I make that may not be your typical “pretty” dolls, but have their own beauty, altered tags that are slightly grungy, you get my drift.

For now, I’ll keep the name of my blog the same. Dolls, Etc., covers a LOT of ground and I do hope to get back to focusing more on dolls. Now that I have a NEW AIR CONDITIONER in my studio!!! YIPPEEE!

Now my studio is nice and cool once more!

Until Later……………………………

Smiles~

And The Winner of the Cavallini Stamps Is:

2010-06-28T11:44:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I read through each entry (yep, sure did and thank you all!), printed them out, and assigned a number to each one. In all, there were 79 entries (some people forgot to post a separate comment for posting on their blog). I checked, double-checked, TRIPLE-CHECKED (as I wanted to be fair and correct) entered the numbers Into Random.Org and DRUM ROLL PLEASE
True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max: 79 Result: 48 Powered by RANDOM.ORG
The winner is: LIZ – all the way in Indonesia! WOW, don’t think I’ve ever mailed anything there. Cool! LIZ, I will be emailing you privately to get your mailing address.
You can visit LIZ at her blog, http://www.pintaliztiirene.blogspot.com/. If I’m understanding her correctly, she just passed a big test and deserves a round of applause.
THANK YOU all for entering this giveaway. I had an awesome turnout, acquired a bunch of new followers, and got even closer to the next giveaway, which I will hold when I hit 200 Followers! I’m sorry the drawing took so long, I have been so busy with my son’s All Star team that I finally had to take a break at work and do this before you all rioted on me!
Stay tuned, I have a TON of great finds from some estate sales and on-line auctions share with you. Also, don’t forget, I have a second blog where I offer items for sale before I list them on my Etsy sites (which are also on a page of the blog). The name of the blog is Epoch Junktique and I have some old toys and board games up for sale right now along with some of my altered tags.
Until Later…………
Smiles~

Bloggerette Sorority

2010-06-25T18:29:00.001-07:00

Okay, I’m a baddddd Rusher. I didn’t post my creation (thank you Zandra for reminding me)! Sorry, life (aka son’s baseball team) got in the way. BUT!!!! I did get my project done. I completed an altered tag.

I used a combination of Distress Inks, Vintage lace, Gauze, a “dirtied” silk rose, a Transfer of the photo we were to use (I have a secret potion that work great), and a Resin rectangle with “Dream”.

Oh! A picture of me. AHHHH, ahem, cough cough,

I had to take one with the camera on my laptop. AHEM, ummmm, I kept getting a glare on my glasses so they are on my nose. LOL

Enjoy (tee hee)

Until Later………………………

Have a Look-See!

2010-06-23T07:20:00.001-07:00

Okay, one of the web’s most awesome stores has contacted me to do a review.

Many of you know of this store and that they have some of the greatest products at the best prices, tons which come with free shipping. So, let’s take a look at the VANITY Site from CSN.com and see what's available.

Here are a few that I could see in my bathroom, which BTW, will be getting a full makeover HOPEFULLY in the next year or so & guess who I will go to. YEP! CSN’s JUST VANITIES store.
I have a small bathroom, but Virtu Maybell Double 55.1" Bathroom Vanity would fit just right!

Or maybe the Belle Foret 60" Double Basin

Or this one with a single sink: Vintage Stone 60" American Collection – talk about classing up the old bathroom! Plus, it has all the drawer space that I definitely need.

So, now, for an upcoming review, brought to you by CSN! I will be reviewing these items for you.

Now, why you may ask, did I decide to review such mundane kitchen/house wares? Well, here’s why. I’m a crafter. I create a LOT of different things. And most of you that read my blog are like me. And there is a lot on CSN’s website that might be of use to you. In fact, their crafting storage items are super cool. And guess what else is on the drawing board for me???? YEP! A new studio (about a year or so away too – have to renovate the house). I’ve already perused their site for desks and shelving options. Their free shipping would save me a BUNDLE.

The PASTA MACHINE will be used to condition clay for my art dolls, jewelry, and miniatures. The TILT STORAGE BINS can hold the results of said creations from the use of the pasta machine. Sounds like a plan to me!

Once I’ve given both of these a work-out (& let me tell you, I will take them through their paces!), I’ll do a review right here and let you know how things came out. I’ll show the results!

Thank you CSN! You are so awesome to deal with.

Until Later………………………………
Smiles~

Recent Wins

2010-06-22T05:50:00.001-07:00

Okay, I’ve been very remiss. I’ve won several blog prizes lately and haven’t posted about them. They’ve all been wonderful and the ladies that gave them away should have their hard work acknowledged.

First

I won this AWESOME necklace from LULU Kellogg – wore it to work yesterday and got all kinds of compliments.

Cool Scarab necklace from Barb’s Botanical Gardens – will be wearing this one real soon!

Beautiful Journal, plaque and the sweetest birds from Fairfield House – Journal is going to be for my dream studio. I’m going to start planning it & THEN convince hubby that I NEED one inside so he doesn’t feel so “neglected” HEHE. HE ASKED FOR IT (look at yesterday’s post).

Awesome handmade stationary set from Hope Filled Living – now I can send all kinds of letters.

Plates, napkins, recipe cards and TWO Rachel Ray DVDs from North Dakota Kitchen – WOO HOO! Recipes galore.

Beautiful necklace from Dara through The Creative Connection – won’t fit around my head, but will hang in a prominent location in my studio so I can drool over it.

FOUR Collage Sheets from Create with Joy – great for my ATCs
A $25 Gift Card to Michaels from The Graphics Fairy – got my list ready!
AND a wonderful Gardening Kit from Vintage Linen Treasures (see sidebar) – now I can get the rest of my containers potted.

So, I’ve been doing the HAPPY DANCE a LOT lately. I want to publicly say THANK YOU to all of these awesome ladies for hosting some wonderful giveaways!

I will be drawing the winner of the Cavallini butterfly stamps shortly.

Until Later………………………

He Said, She Said

2010-06-21T13:30:00.001-07:00

My husband and I are arguing. I never spend any time with him. I say, he never spends any time with me. I have my studio, my blog, my likes, my junkin. He has fishing, hunting, and football. We like NOTHING the other likes! Okay, we can’t even agree on what type of hot dog to eat! Yep, talk about night and day.

He wants ME to spend time with HIM. NOT the other way around. I hate hunting, can’t stand going to football games, think shows about hunting and fishing on TV are stupid AND I can’t fish because of my health (allergies & riding in the boat would literally kill me right now). Would it kill him to take me to the antique malls around where I live every now and then (I’m agoraphobic to a certain degree and going places is always anxiety-attack inducing) or go to some yard sales? Take me to Michaels or Hobby Lobby? Hmmmmm?????

Have any of you ever experienced this? I read so much about how husbands are so supportive of their wives’ hobbies. Well mine isn’t. Insecurity? Jealousy? Probably both. But, it’s a two-way street. I tried the one-way street for over 18 years…….our marriage almost didn’t last. So it’s no more of that now that I wrestled an identity back (which he FULLY supported me doing!).

Sorry for the venting, normally I try to keep this blog upbeat, but it’s reaching critical mass.

So, chime in! Does your spouse think you’re ignoring him when you are in your studio? Does he want you GLUED to him 24/7 after even 22 years of marriage (yep, just this May)? Or does he go with you as much as you go with him? Inquiring minds (well mine LOL) want to know!

Until Later……………………………

Smiles~

Surprise in the Mail Today

2010-06-19T09:44:00.001-07:00

My Giveaway closes at Midnight, June 20th, CST - Go HERE to enter.

Okay, so I’ve discovered on-line, live auctions. AARRRGGHHH!!! Not bad enough there is Ebay, Etsy, garage sales, estate sales, etc., nope I had to go and find out about ON-LINE LIVE BIDDING AUCTIONS!
You know, the kind that you can attend while sitting in the comfort of your own home on a Saturday night, 2,000+ miles away from where the action is. Get your auction fix if you will (especially where I live where there are NO auctions to speak of).
So, I get a notice that Westsound Auctions up in Washington state of all places is having an auction. I’m perusing their catalog and there it is! A GOLD Dragonware cup and saucer in a lot of other “vintage” items. Namely two alphabet ceramic blocks and a hammered aluminum basket. Now, everyone that knows me KNOWS I’m “el cheapo”. I don’t spend a lot on any one item & I didn’t want the other three things in the lot. Okay, no chance to win this for my mom, who collects this wonderful stuff (dragonware that is), and who has a birthday next month, and who deserves a gift from a very grateful daughter.
But, I bid. Then, I go to bed. Heck, we are two hours ahead of Washington and this was one of the last lots. The auction didn’t start until late my time as it was. No way was I staying up until after midnight to see myself lose.
I wake up the next day, check my messages while at the ballpark (son was pitching) and surprise of surprises, I WON!!!!!!
Yep, this little jewel just arrived

If almost MINT condition! Now, I paid out the wahzoo for shipping, that’s the drawback of having something shipped halfway across the country, but my mom will soon be the proud owner of something she loves. PRICELESS.
Oh, and did I mention a little SURPRISE! Yes, the nice folks at Westsound included this little jewel in my package and she’s all mine!

A vintage postcard! I think the folks over there deserve a Thank You note from me, because I’m very appreciative. And I just sent them one.
Oh, and the other items, they’ll be up on my Etsy store soon.
Until Later……………………………

Experiments with Envirotex Lite

2010-06-09T19:03:00.001-07:00

I’ve been doing experiments lately (insert evil laugh). I purchased some of this

so I could make some of these

and these

(camera flashed)

and these!

I would say it’s ~~ALIVE~~ a SUCCESS!

Since my light box hasn’t arrived yet (expected date, June 15th), you really can’t see how CLEAR these are. They are crystal clear and hard and very glossy. Well, except for the rectangular ones. Those were part of the first batch and were too near the surface of the container I was using. Some of the roughness I attribute to the paper. But, I’m looking for a deeper rectangular holder. I’ve got my eye on some candy molds on Amazon right now! I see more experimenting in the near future.

Now, these aren’t perfect, but I think with a little tweaking, I can get them exactly like I want. Plus, I’m going to try using different media. For these, I used laser printed images on the rectangular pieces and silk flowers on the others. Think next I’ll try beads, dried flowers, ANYTHING I can get my hands on (& you saw pictures of the inside of my shop in a previous post, there’s LOTS for me to use).

So, I have to decide what to do with these. Maybe include them in with some orders from my Etsy store (I did send out two today in separate orders), or put mini magnets on them and use them. HHMMMMM. I REALLY want your feedback, good OR bad.

Also, I’m looking at being out of commission AGAIN! I found out yesterday that I’m having surgery next week. My knee specialist has to scope my right knee and see why I have such a huge knot on it and lots of pain. Looks like someone inserted an egg under my skin at my knee cap. So, surgery and then crutches for three or four days. What do you want to bet I hobble out to my studio, prop my knee up, and play????? But shhhhh, don’t tell hubby or he’ll blow a gasket. LOL I’m supposed to keep it propped up and not do much (therefore I won’t be at work next week) so by extension I’m not supposed to play in my shop. BUT………….

Until Later…………………………………

The Bloggerette Sorority

2010-06-07T18:56:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for my Giveaway, please go HERE

Okay, so I never was in a sorority. At 19, I was married, working full-time, and going to college at night. That didn’t leave a lot of time for joining anything, not to mention I just wasn’t the college sorority type (I was really, really, PAINFULLY shy).

So, when I saw there was a blog Sorority starting up, I was intrigued. Was it for me? Could I finally, possibly qualify? HMMMM, it’s for people with my likes…..HMMMM, I’m not shy anymore can basically carry a convo if I need to…..HMMMM, I think it’s for me!

So, if you would like to join the Bloggerette Sorority, click on the link below and check it out! But hurry, Rush is approaching and you don’t want to miss this!
Won't you join us?

Until Later…………………………………………..

I’ve Been Busy Today

2010-06-06T15:50:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for my 100+ Follower Giveaway, please click HERE.

So, inquiring minds want to know, what has she been up to today? Well, maybe you don’t wonder what I’ve been doing on an overcast, rainy, south Louisiana Sunday afternoon, other than watching the LSU Tigers play baseball (GEAUX TIGERS! LSU!!!)

Well, I’ve been getting my fingers inky and sticky. Yep, I’ve been playing in my studio. Couldn’t yesterday since the back and neck were really acting up after two hours sitting in an uncomfortable chair at my son’s baseball game, trying to stay dry (yep, it was raining off and on), and keeping score (I’m the scorekeeper for the team). So, I had a LOT to make up for today.

So, here’s my current studio – the storage area. It takes up half my studio which is a built-out 10 x 20 portable building. Yes, it’s as packed as it looks!

One desk Another supposed computer/video desk center except my computer can’t get a signal there.

Gratuitous shot of the dollhouse I’ve been working on FOREVER and my other desk that looks out over the backyard toward my house. I have another worksurface that sits perpendicular to this one and separates the working half of my studio from the storage half.

Oh, would you like to see a picture of my little friend that kept me company all day? Sure you would.

HEHEHE, bet you weren’t expecting that! Yep, this little fellow ran all over my worktop today while I was ~~playing~~ working. No, I’m not particularly bothered by spiders. They eat bugs and as long as they stay off of me, I leave them alone. Considering it was smaller than the diamond in my wedding band (tiny) he wasn’t any danger to me. He kept scurrying all over the place trying to avoid my fingers as I reached for things.

Okay, so first, I played around with some High Gloss stuff by Envirotex. Lisa at Tarnished and Tattered makes the most awesome Resin Bobbles using it (& now I just read she found some stuff that’s even clearer-gotta get me some). Since you have to work fairly fast, I didn’t take pictures, but this is what I am waiting on:

I’ve approached it somewhat differently than she does since I don’t want to copy her, but learn from her. So, I read her tutorial, ask a question or two, then went out and decided to experiment. Once these dry, I’ll show you the results & give you a review of the product. Nope, Envirotex isn’t a sponsor or anything, they don’t know I exist!

Then, it was time to get inky!

Some worked (love this one) Some didn’t Some are okay These crosses are some of my favorites.
Some women-themed Love the chandelier

As you can see, I love Tim Holtz Distressed Inks. They work so wonderfully! I’m also in love with some wonderful Lampblack black ink (can’t remember the maker). Makes the most wonderful image. No, Tim Holtz doesn’t know I exist either, so I wasn’t paid to say wonderful stuff about his ink LOL. It is marvelous though. I also use a combination of his felt pads for blending and baby wipes. Yep, baby wipes give you a wonderful blended, softer look. Does make the tags a bit damp (though I try to use wipes that have been setting out for a bit and have dried some). I may have to iron a few to get them back flat. I also LOVE baby wipes for cleaning my stamps. I just get the unscented cheap ones, blot the stamp (both rubber and acrylic) then blot on a paper towel. I’ve even cleaned USED stamps that I bought and had all the ink just magically come off.

Okay, I’m also participating in an ATC swap that happens every two months. As you may be able to tell, the theme was CATS. These aren’t due until July, but since I’m ALWAYS turning them in at the LAST minute, I decided to get July’s theme out of the way. The only one I’m not sure about is the Photo Op one. I think I need something in the lower left corner, just not sure what.

Oh, and in case any of you are interested, I listed a bunch of tags I made a few weeks ago over on EPOCH JUNKTIQUE. Please let me know what you think about them. The ones you see above will also be listed there soon. Prices are listed on my selling blog linked above.

Whew! That’s a long blog post for me. Now, I need a break and some food. Except for two tiny pancakes this morning, I’ve not eaten all day.

Sorry I haven’t been able to show any dolls or miniatures that I’ve worked on. I just haven’t been in the mood to do them, but sooner or later, the mini bug will bite and I’ll be off working on them. I can feel it nibbling at my toes right now.

Until Later………………………………….

ANNOUNCING – EPOCH JUNKTIQUE (vintage junk)

2010-06-05T14:29:00.001-07:00

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY 100th FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY HERE

Okay, I’ve done it. I’ve opened a second blog that will be a “selling” blog. I’ll place items on it before listing them in my Etsy stores (or may do both simultaneously). My mom has been wanting something like this for a while and I finally ~~had~~ made the time.

Why have a selling blog? Well, 1) I wanted a place where all my Etsy stores could be shown in one location; 2) a place to quickly list my latest finds for sale until I had time to write out nicely worded listings & take all the fancy pictures (I need to get a photo light box made) for Etsy ; 3) list items that didn’t sell on Etsy, 4) where" “make an offer/choose and item for $X” could be placed; & 5) items that didn’t quite make the 20-year cutoff for Etsy (I have a LOT of Madame Alexander dolls that fit into this category).

Having a selling blog seemed to fit the bill. So, the name of it is Epoch Junktique (epoch meaning “vintage” – like y’all didn’t already know that). Currently, all four of my mother’s and my Etsy stores are listed as well as a couple of games and books. I’m playing around with the Pages Gadget and with adding a PayPal link under each listing. Once I get it all figured out, things should run smoothly. I also take checks and will ship Worldwide.

Down the road, I hope to use it to announce blog-only specials, as my business grows.

See, there’s a method to my madness. When I retire in 14 years (13 years, 11 months, and 25 days but who’s counting?) I plan on antique hunting or junkin’ being my “second career”. I also dream of owning my own booth in an antique mall. So, I’m taking my first “baby steps”. I want to travel around the US with my mom if she’s still able and with friends I meet through the years that share my love and passion for vintage/antique items. Considering the lack of anything down here vintage except furniture and glass (which I avoid), I have to travel. My motto will be Have Truck, Have Trailer, Will Travel! Okay, so I have to get over the fear of towing things – I totaled out a perfectly good boat I was towing several years ago – can’t tow a dern thing now!

Back to my new blog - At first, the going will be slow since I don’t have a lot of free time on my hands, but hopefully, I’ll be able to list more and more. Plus, if I can ever teach my mom how to blog, she has TONS of vintage items she can list. It takes a combination of Windows Live Writer and Blogger Editor to get things just right.

Now a big SHOUTOUT to Karen at The Graphics Fairy for all the help she gave me in getting my new blog set up with three columns. She a WONDERFUL, SWEET person. THANK YOU KAREN!

Here’s a peek at something that will be up soon:

Until Later ……………………………

A-Junkin’ We Will Go, A-Junkin’ We Will Go

2010-06-03T19:10:00.001-07:00

Did I get your attention? No???? Okay, maybe the below will. I had a vey fruitful, though somewhat expensive day! Well, my truck broke down BIG TIME. That was the expensive part. The fruitful part was the goodies I found.

Ad on Craig’s List: Antique Toys: I have quite a few antique toys, if someone wants to come look and make me an offer on what they would like a partial list includes a Flash Gordon toy gun, Marx wind up taxi, large iron bus, a Mike Mulligan type steam shovel, many other toy pistols and pea shooters, old board games from the 30's....too much to list. I have been listing them one at a time, but this is getting tedious, and I would rather just pull them all out when some of you can come by.

Sooooo, that got my attention. I go by after work today (I also went to a private estate/garage sale today, more on that later). Hubby was heading to Bass Pro with the Son, so I was at loose ends.

Eh? It’s raining you say? No problem, have umbrella, will junk! Pouring buckets you say? Oh, well, what’s a little water.

So, you ask. Ya’ gonna tell us what you found? Okay….I will. :)

Hollywood Movie Bingo Game

See the famous names Tracy? Crosby, Lombard? Can I tell you, it only gets better?

Cute! A game about a frog, based on a book

Immaculate board

Love the wording

Play the market on Wall Street! Test your skills against the market! I have NEVER even heard of this game. Looks to be complete too.

Darling – 1935

And MINT 1915 Love these illustrations! Opera glasses – Think they are some kind of plastic maybe, though they look mother of pearl, not sure, but they work!

You want more you say?? This isn’t enough?

Okay, how about a Built-Rite cardboard house! Ok, you know I’m a miniaturist, so I’m going to love little houses. Needs the tabs put back in the slot, but what a find! NOT TORN!

Heavy Metal Soldier, just missing his gun – 1930’s probably, maybe as late as 40’s but doubt it. Still with some of the original paint.

I tried and I tried, but I couldn’t get a picture INSIDE the FotoReel. It’s a Lion Tamer! You turn the wheel (yes, it works) and you see 3D scenes of a man taming different big cats! This thing is old and in almost perfect condition. The turning wheel slips a little.

Isn’t this neat? Metal rattle thingy (LOL- love my technical jargon?) From the outside, 20’s? 30’s?

Toy Waffle Iron – it actually looks as if you could put it on a stove and use it.

Tricky Taxi – Still winds, just missing the handle and a little paint.

Lead(?) toy soldiers in near perfect shape.

Heavy Metal running Cowboy and Indians with some of their original pain left.

Tin Gypsy Wagon - the nice colors!

You are looking straight down on this. You turn the knob and it spins within itself. Not sure what it is called. The name escapes me. Old spinning top w/box – the box is torn on the backside but I have all the pieces.

WHEW! Nope, that’s not it, just all for today. I apologize for the quality of the pictures; I was trying to fry fish and take pictures at the same time.

If you see anything that interests you, please let me know. These will go up on Etsy soon (I hope – I’m behind on my listings). I ship worldwide and take PayPal.

I still have several more toy items I got today that I’m going to share with you and I REALLY want to go back again for some more that I didn’t get. But, after that purchase and the one I made at lunch today at the private estate/garage sale (pictures to follow soon), I need to SELL things, NOT purchase them! I’m BROKE. Not to mention all the repair work done to my truck today (sob).

Until Later………………………

100th (well 100+) FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY

2010-05-26T19:17:00.001-07:00

WOO HOO!!! I made it to 100+ followers! I’m soooo excited. I never thought I would make it this far. Thank you for hanging in there with me as I ranted, raved, mumbled, and generally carried on about everything from miniatures to junkin’ to my bad back/neck (& now knee!).

Now, before y’all revolt and unsubscribe to my blog for not coming through with the promised giveaway, here it is…

DRUM ROLL PLEASE>>>>>>>

Yep, you could win your very own Cavallini Butterfly stamp set! Stamp muslin for ribbon, make tags, cards, gift paper, the sky’s the limit. Those of you that mini, they have their uses there too (think mini pillows). Yes, I have a set and they are really neat.

I tried to come up with something that everyone who follows me would like. I believe I have quite a diverse following, so having something that appealed to all was hard to come up with. This stamp set was chosen because it fits into many different categories.

So, “what are the rules” you ask?

1) Leave a comment, even if you just say “Hi!” (one entry)
2) Post on your blog’s sidebar or on your blog and leave a separate comment (one entry)

You can become a follower if you like, but it is NOT REQUIRED. I prefer you follow me because you want to, not because you have to.

That’s it! Please make sure you leave a separate comment as I will use a Random Number generator to decide a winner. Also, if you don’t have a blog, make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.

Contest Deadline: June 20th, midnight CST (USA)
Why? It’s Father’s Day & Hubby’s birthday so it’s easy for me to remember!

This contest is open Worldwide.

Until later……………

Wonderful Giveaway at Vintiquities Workshop

2010-05-26T09:38:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share with you the wonderful giveaway Thespa is having over on her blog, Vintiquities Workshop.

Here is an excerpt:

So many vintage goodies! Lots of image rich vintage book pages, antique music sheets, vintage and antique cards of all shapes and sizes, a wooden cabinet purse, antique buttons, antique lace bits, and the hankie card from my tutorial!

---------

Not only is she having this awesome giveaway celebrating 100 posts, she also included a tutorial on how to make the vintage handkerchief holder you see in the picture.

So, head on over and take a look. You want be disappointed. But, hurry, giveaway ends Monday, May 31st!

Until Later……………………..

Smiles~

The Swap

2010-05-19T19:17:00.001-07:00

Well, I participated in my first “real life” sized swap and boy, was I every happy I did! My swap partner was Lesley from Country Girl Corner in the UK. The Shabby Chic Cottage hosted the swap.

I sent Lesley a (what I hope) was a nice package of assorted items (pppssstt Lesley, got a surprise headed your way too – found something & thought of you) & today, I received my package from her.

Okay, I had to pick myself up OFF the floor because I fell out of my chair. Why? you ask. Well, because look at the goodies she sent:

OH YEAH! Magazine & frames

Cat Sachet (Smells GREAT!) And you know I LOVE kitties!A Vintage Tablecloth (YUMMY) – Look at the gorgeous embroidered flowers! And the cutes frames….got ideas for those already.

Country Living Magazine from the UK (WOO HOO)

AND THE CREME DE LA CREME! A LaMODE Petit Journal dated 1902! (I want to make that dress for a doll!)

Still with a piece of an original pattern in it! And look at those needlepoint charts!

The dresses Ah, should I say, Toilette???

Lesley – THANK YOU!!!!!!! You were spot on when you put this together for me. Girlfriend, did you read my mind????? :)

I hope dear that you were as happy with your gift from me as I was with yours. And if you happen to read this, just ignore that you are getting a surprise in a few weeks LOL.

Until Later…………………….

Here are a Few Free Images

2010-05-19T13:05:00.001-07:00

I just received some Ebay wins in the mail and thought I would share a few of them with you.

These have been scanned at as high a resolution as possible. I have many many more photos & postcards in my collection – plans are in the works to share them with you. Just need to find the time to scan everything.

If I remember correctly, these are CDVs & were used as calling cards. If I’m wrong, someone PLEASE correct me.

Please do not sell these images as your own. However, you may use them as part of your art that your resale. Enjoy!

Until Later…………………..

Smiles~

Thank you

2010-05-17T11:52:00.001-07:00

I want to say a big THANK YOU! to everyone for all the kind comments concerning my little Lydia and her publication in Miniature Collector. You really made my day.

Also, thank you to everyone who comments and even those that don’t. I know you are out there and am very grateful.

Well it seems not only have I made over 100 posts, I have hit the 100 FOLLOWERS mark! YIPPEE!!!!! HAPPY DANCE!!!!

So, in just a bit (once I get some swap obligations out of the way), I will have a giveaway. Watch this spot for details.

Until later………………………..

Smiles~

Junkin’ Part Deaux

2010-05-10T12:37:00.001-07:00

Okay, as promised, here’s pictures of the second estate sale I went to a couple of Sundays ago. There are a couple of more coming up, but I’m flat-busted-broke the rest of this month!

Vintage Alice In Wonderland Porcelain Figure

Vintage Cat Marked “Japan” in black letters

Antique Chalk Portrait – sorry for the flash reflection, it’s really in wonderful shape. The estate sale ladies were calling her “Grandma” by the time I left and wrapped her up extra good (it was raining & very humid).

Old Plastic Horses – these are neat and they are two toned – that is not paint chipping

Old Plastic Car

Vintage Metal Bank, the piggy just needs a little glue and it’s missing the key

UNUSED Vintage Album in great shape – NO pages have been touched.

HILARIOUS Book by Johnny Carson from the 60’s

And the FIND OF THE DAY! A 1934 Edition by Munro Leaf in GREAT SHAPE! I almost fell out of my chair when I realized how valuable this book was.

All in all, I had a wonderful time that weekend. Yesterday for Mother’s Day was great too. My son got me a rod & reel so I could fish with him in our pond. I’ve done nothing but fish all weekend (he gave it to me Friday) & now I’m paying the price – ALLERGY ATTACK!!! But it’s well worth it.

Until Later………………………

Smiles~

I'm Doing the Happy Dance – I was PUBLISHED (well, my doll was!)

2010-05-08T12:14:00.001-07:00

Okay, about two years ago, I made and donated a doll with a vignette to a miniature museum. Just a child doll in 1/12th scale. First one I every painted, first child doll I ever made. It took me three hours to paint her face.
IT’S IN MINIATURE COLLECTOR!!! June 2010 issue. WOO HOO!!!

That’s my little girl doll there in the pretty yellow pinafore. RIGHT NEXT TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE DOLL MAKER’S DOLLS (Pearl Jordan make Geppetto).’
Sorry, but I just had to share the awesome news. Oh, and the hoop you can see was made by my husband. He was such a big help when I told him I needed and old fashioned hoop.
Well, thank you for letting me do my HAPPY DANCE all around blogland.
Until later………..

Estate Sale-ing or as I Call It - Junkin’

2010-05-07T12:23:00.001-07:00

So last weekend, I got out of the house & headed to some local estate sales. Normally, there are not that many around the greater Baton Rouge area, but there were two on one weekend. YIPPEEE! And hubby said to go (I was really in a lot of pain), I would probably feel better. So, Sunday (50% off day!) afternoon, after dropping my son off at his girlfriend’s house to work on a Civics project, I headed off to BR.

This post is concerning my First Stop, a sale by a group I had never heard of. Looky what I found!

Colorful Brooch A cute charm bracelet

AWESOME Jasper & Sterling Silver Vintage Cufflinks

(but missed the antique dollhouse furniture by just minutes – rats!)

Sacred Heart pieces Cool bangles OLD books & a Hem measurer

60’s Vintage Silk Scarves

Vintage Pillowcase

Vintage Handkerchiefs

Old Grater

English Wallet

Opalescent Cup & Saucer

50’s Glass Bead Necklace

Funky Bird

Yes, these are all destined for Etsy! I did get my brother his Christmas there (shhh – don’t tell) so I won’t post that. He checks out my blog on occasion.

I had a great time. Then I went to another sale, one that I had attended that Friday, but that was just down the road & it WAS 50% off day. Wait until you see what I found! Oh, I love it! I’ll also have to take pictures of what I decided to keep, which wasn’t much since my house is beginning to look like a storeroom, but there were a couple of things I bought for ME.

Have a great weekend and until later…………….

Smiles~

Yes, I’m Alive

2010-05-04T19:26:00.001-07:00

Hi all faithful bloggers. Yes, I’m still alive and well. Okay, partially well, ummm, somewhat well. I’m breathing at least!

It’s been busy, busy at work and at home, so I’ve been MIA from blogland lately. BUT, I PROMISE to make it up to you. Coming shortly to this blog, there will be a very nice giveaway to thank you all for being patient.

Also, I’ve acquired some new real photo postcards from the early 1900’s, thanks to some wonderful Ebay sellers in Portugal and another friend overseas who is parting with some of her items. Also, I went to TWO estate sales this past weekend (YIPPEE) thanks to my awesome husband who TALKED me into going even though I was in a lot of pain. Yep, still in pain from my neck and back.

Got some really awesome finds I want to share with all of you. I’ve also experimented with making paper flowers so I will have those to show you and just general talk about life. Unfortunately, no minis getting done, but that’s okay. Can’t stress about that.

I do have a fellow mini doll maker who is member of the list I’m PR Rep for, Cheryl Polito, who lost ALL her mini stuff in a trailer fire. She’s really a nice gal, so if anyone out there wants her info, drop me a line at mcgoo4(at)gmail.com. Remember to replace (at) with @. Even if it’s just to offer condolences and I will send then along. Us mini doll makers have to stick together you know.

Well, got to get to bed as 5:30 comes really early LOL.

Talk to everyone later, and THANK YOU for being so patient with me.

And The Winner Is………….

2010-04-19T16:46:00.001-07:00

Okay, did everyone think I just dropped off the face of the earth? Maybe disappeared into the black hole of Calcutta? Got eaten by a shark while spear-fishing off the coast of Madagascar?

Nope, none of the above. I went back to work. Yep, something as simple as work has eaten into my blogging BIG TIME! I’m so tired when I get home, I collapse. Oh yeah, and brilliant me opened up a fourth Etsy store (The Creative Closet) which is doing well (thank you wonderful customers!!!!) but also eating into my time. But, I shall not complain. LOL

Nope, didn’t forget about the drawing, just a little late. So, without further ado, I will announce the winner.

I went to Random.org (couldn’t get a dang picture to paste) and entered the number of comments, hit GENERATE, and the lucky winner of the Cappuccino cup is ………………………………

Number 5 – Sherrie of A Conversation at Goodwill

Who said: Good day to you. I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for joining my giveaway and for also joining me on my wonderful journey into blogging. I am having so much fun meeting such nice people. I have added a few more things to my give away. Best of luck to you.

Congrats Sherrie!!!!!

Thank you all who entered!! And who put up with me! I hope to be back to blogging soon. Once life slows down a little or I build up more stamina. HHHMMM wine is good for the blood…..maybe a little more Blackberry Wine will do the trick!

Sherrie, I’ll be contacting you – Cheers!

Until Later………………….

Well, Looks Like I Am Falling Down on the Job Here

2010-04-12T06:58:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting. Man, has it been busy!

I haven’t forgotten about the drawing for the the cappuccino cup – it’s just been delayed slightly due to REAL LIFE interfering. SOOOOO if you want to still have a chance, go here - GIVEAWAY-CAPPUCCINO CUP – and I will draw Friday, April 16th. I am so sorry, it’s just been wild.

Yes, I’m probably in over my head…….not to mention my neck is still giving me problems, work is in overdrive, my carpal tunnel flared up, & I can’t have my back surgery as planned because a co-worker is suffering a much more life-threatening illness and I need to be at work to help out.

On top of that, I thought I lost a box of inventory for my new store, but come to find out, either the post office didn’t put the notice in my box or my mother-in-law forgot to tell me (she picks up the mail sometimes) & forgot to get it for me. ARRGGHHH !!! Shoot, I haven’t even been able to get anything else listed so my new store is only partially stocked.

So, since I have been remiss and neglectful, here’s a free image of a French postcard. I hope you like it.

Until Later……………………….

Smiles~

Well, I Must Be Nuts – A New Etsy Store

2010-04-02T06:43:00.001-07:00

Good morning and Happy Good Friday to you all!

I mentioned in a post last week (good grief, I’m falling down on the job here) that I had opened a new Etsy Store. Well, it’s now on my sidebar. Hopefully, it will move to a page of it’s own, once I figure out the Blogger Pages gadget.

The new store is The Creative Closet and will be stocked with Die Cuts/Scrap and with 7 Gypsies products. Currently, all I have up is the die cuts & scrap. The 7 Gypsies is still arriving, though I did get a good sized shipment yesterday. My goal is to carry not only those items, but Prima flowers also. However, I’m still working on getting my business licenses and all that other stuff one needs to be a real honest to goodness business. Until I do that, I can’t pay wholesale prices. Though I was lucky enough to buy out someone’s stock, enough to get my store up and running and it will be pretty well stocked for the present time.

The reason I say I have got to be nuts is that I have a full-time job, a full time family (it’s also baseball season and my son plays), and now I’m looking at having a full-time web business. I currently run three other stores, two of which are with my mother, and we have a third that I need to create the header for in order to open. See why I need to learn about Blogger Pages? I already have too much on my sidebar! Not to mention, I try and keep a good list of giveaways for everyone to enter on my sidebar. I haven’t even been able to do that! LOL. I haven’t even read the blogs I subscribe to in a week, which means there are over 1000 posts to get through.

Also, I love to blog, but things have been so hectic since I have returned to work, that I haven’t even done that in a week. Not only do I need to post a postcard today for Postcard Friday, I also have to post for VBF and I have about three postcards to send off for postcard exchanges, get three orders off in the mail (I’m still selling Flea Market Style magazines also), and make a trip to check out some possible stock for my store and for personal use from someone selling off their scrapbooking supplies. My giveaway also runs through Sunday night, so I have that, and I would love to get back in my studio and work on a dollhouse and some dolls!

Oh, I love to stay busy, but do you think I have now lost my every-lovin’ mind? LOL

Until later…………………………

Looky Looky – I won & I bought

2010-03-27T09:27:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I’ve been a little lucky again, plus I scored some really cool pincushions for a worthy cause.

First, the win! Oh and I CANNOT FIND THE HOSTESS OF THIS WONDERFUL BLOG CANDY!!!! Look what I won, but I am so embarrassed! Please if you follow me and sponsored what you see below, let me know so I can give you full credit. It’s been wild wild wild around her with my mother-in-law getting sick and me having to help her, going back to work, undertaking a new venture (more on that later) and just RL in general! ARRRGGHHH. I’m so sorry. Well, here’s the wonderful loot:

Soaps and cards and tea OH MY! AWESOME

Then look at this lovely teacup (in my favorite blue color, a vintage silver spoon with lilac, and bath salts. YUMMY!

Next, I participated in Inspiration Avenue's charity auction to benefit Angel Faces. Look at what my high bid got me!

Awesome pincushions (love the kitty and the cute fox on top) and a so sweet & cute corsage, all handmade & donated by Beth at BethsBagz & Dime Store Chic. Again, all proceeds went to Angel Faces, an extremely worth cause.

All in all, a great trip to the old Post Office last week.

Well, gotta get some clothes washed and folded and get ready for a baseball game tonight. YEA! Opening of baseball season. My son is a pitcher and I love to see him play. Course, as a mom, I’m always on pins and needles that he’s going to have a good pitching night. You always want your children to succeed.

Don’t forget, you have until Midnight on Sunday, April 3rd CST to enter my giveaway for a beautiful Cappuccino cup. Just go HERE to enter.

Until later………………………….

Postcard Friday

2010-03-26T06:06:00.001-07:00

Today’s postcard is another one from France. As most of you know by now, I LOVE vintage French postcards and can’t get enough of them. I even visit the much-despised Ebay in search of them.

Without further ado, here is today’s postcard:

I love it when the postcard has been used and there is writing on the back. To me, it makes it so much more collectable.

Now, please don’t forget you have time to enter my giveaway HERE. It’s for a beautiful blue cappuccino cup and since there have been very few entries, you have a great chance at it.

Until later………………………….

Time for Another Giveaway

2010-03-21T07:12:00.001-07:00

Okay, here we go! Once again, it’s time for a giveaway. This one is sponsored by CSN – my very first sponsor! WOO HOO. They are donating this lovely 6.75 oz Blue Cappuccino Cup (saucer NOT included). I thought it would be a great giveaway for those that love their coffee or tea or just to display. I personally think it’s wonderful. And to let you know, nope, I get nothing out of this. This is all for YOU.

Isn’t it just gorgeous?

To participate, please visit kids beds and leave me a comment letting me know which kid’s bed you like. Right now, they are offering free shipping on orders over $69. I checked them out because my son is really needing a new bed. They have some really great Nice!
So, how do you get entered? Well, it’s easy.
1 Entry - Leave me a comment naming the bed you like.
2nd Entry – Link my giveaway from your sidebar (or blog about it) & let me know you have done so, in a separate comment.
You don’t have to follow this blog to participate, but it would be nice to see you there! When I hit 100 followers, I’ll have another giveaway.
This giveaway will run through Midnight, Central Time, on Sunday, April 4th. I will draw the winner using Random.org.
Thank you all and I hope you enjoy this giveaway.
Until Later…………………………..

Sorry, I’ve Been Quiet Lately

2010-03-20T14:16:00.001-07:00

Well, I went back to work Monday, so I was extremely exhausted and half sick by the time I got home every day. Didn’t leave a lot of time to blog.

Last Sunday, I worked on this:

Just an old dollhouse (The Laurel) that I’ve had for close to 7 years now. I ripped the porch off and was going to turn it into a shop/residence and “pave” the base. Since I’ve got so much going on, I decided to sell it. However, there is not much of a market for dollhouses where I live.

I placed it on CraigsList, but so far, all I have received is spam. Now the shingles you see are fresh. It only took two days to get them done. I also painted the sides

in a nice barn red color. The eaves need another coat of white paint along with the trim around the window and door. It also needs doors. The front needs another coat of both blue and white paint. I had special mixed the blue, so I’m going to have to come up with another color there. I do have the white AND a piece of trim where the white and blue meet. It will be painted the barn red color to tie all three colors together (did you know the eye finds odd numbers more pleasing?). I also have the window boxes that go under each window that will be painted white.

As for the blue color, I may go to Lowes or Home Depot and pick out a color that’s close and have them mix me a sample pot. If I hadn’t been so sloppy with the white at the bottom, I wouldn’t even need the blue, but I was, the damage is done, now I just have to fix it. Plus, find doors! The doors that go with it don’t fit. So, either I have to make some or sand down the ones I have. UGH. Now where is that handy-dandy sander hubby got me one year that I never used. HMMMMM

What I thought I would do is continue working on it, updating the listing on CraigsList as I go. It’s only marked at $30 (though I would take less just to get rid of it) and would really make a cool shop. Plus, I was going to throw in the can of white paint!

Well, I’ll mess around with it more and see what I get done. It’s supposed to be blustery and chilly here tomorrow, so a day spent in a warm studio would be great. At the very least, I’ll hone some of my somewhat rusty dollhouse skills before I tackle The Victorian some more or one of my other projects.

Speaking of projects, look what I’m thinking of doing:

Yep, the Greenleaf Spring Challenge with the optional addition.

I MUST BE OUT OF MY MIND!!!!

Until Later…………………………….

Postcard Friday

2010-03-19T06:08:00.001-07:00

My offering today is another French postcard. I hope you enjoy.

Sorry, it’s been a rough week and I haven’t blogged much. Maybe once I get used to working again (5 weeks off was NOT long enough LOL) I’ll be back to blogging. I’ve done nothing when I get off work but sit on the couch with a heating pad on my neck until bedtime. Oh yeah, and watching way too many episodes of Bones and NCIS.

Until later……………….

Smiles~

And the Winner Is……

2010-03-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

So, today I took a few minutes away from work and had a draw for my Flea Market Style magazine giveaway. Let me apologize for the quality of the following photos. They were taken with my camera phone.

First, I wrote everyone’s name down on pieces of paper,

put them in a basket,

asked my assistant to draw a name (sorry, she’s picture shy),

And the winner is……………………………..

So Esme, I’ll be contacting you for your mailing address.

If anyone is interested, I still have Flea Market Style magazines for sale. Just email me at mcgoo4(at)gmail.com.

Thank you to all who entered. Stay tuned, there will be another giveaway shortly.

Smiles~

Postcard Friday

2010-03-12T07:09:00.001-08:00

Guess what? I have more French postcards!!!!

Just couldn’t let my followers down, so I found another supplier AND my favorite one had more too. So, I’m good to go for a while.

Without further ado, here is today’s very old French postcard.

And, as you can see, I even have the back to share with you! I hope you enjoy this one.

Until later…………………………………

Last Chance for my Giveaway – Time is Winding Down

2010-03-11T09:44:00.001-08:00

Remember, you have until Friday the 12th at Midnight CST to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a copy of Flea Market Style.

All you need to do is go HERE and leave a comment. Remember, if you also post it on your sidebar, leave another comment letting me know for an extra entry. You DO NOT have to be a follower (but you’re always welcome to be).

As always, I am also selling copies, so if you want to get yours now, they are $9.95 plus shipping ($2.33 media mail in US) and I do ship INTERNATIONALLY ($3.83 to ship to Canada, $8.84 to ship to Rest of World).

Until Later……………………

The Victorian

2010-03-09T16:36:00.001-08:00

Sadly, this has been neglected for years. It is close to 30 years old and I have had it for about 5 of those years. In all that time, I have never touched it other than to place it in my living room.

If you look closely, you’ll see there are shingles missing, trim missing, and dust everywhere (though I did blow / brush some of the dust off).

It’s laid out really strange – first, it’s two room deep with access to those room only through the windows and doorways. Hard to really see inside much less decorate.

This room leads into this:

Sorry for the poor picture, the flash didn’t go off. It the turret room and octagonal in shape.

Then we have these rooms:

One deep in the middle, one small and partially unfinished. Notice the white. It’s supposed to be papered like the rest. I’m playing around with making this a bathroom but it’s very awkward.

Now, going down to the second floor.

Maybe a small bedroom?

This is in the middle room and leads into this:

I’m trying to clean as well as I can, but with my neck I am unable to contort myself right now. Not unless I want to put myself back into the hospital!

This then leads into this:

Another small octagonal room – AARRGGHH!

Okay, now for the tour of the first floor. It is a little easier to at least get to.

Bottom left (looking inward from back). Notice the door on the left and the doorway on your right? What you can’t see is another doorway just out of camera range – I was too close. This could almost be set up as a small attached shop with it’s configuration. Not really sure.

Middle room where you can see the second doorway there on the left leading out of the far left room. There is also a doorway on the right you can’t see and a set of stairs that aren’t installed yet. I want to place a runner on them first.

Far right room, unfinished. The pink wall is very rough and loose. I need to glue it down and figure out how to finish it. Also, if you haven’t noticed, there are no doors nor doorframes. Just windows.

The floors are in good shape. I wiped down the wood flooring with baby wipes, let it dry, and then covered with gloss Modge Podge. The change was wonderful. I know how wonderful, slightly glossy, deep colored wood flooring that LOOKS like true wood floors would. I may do one more coat to seal it really good or I may just go over it with wax or leave as it. I’m not sure yet. I’m going to let the floor cure overnight and then decide.

Lastly, this is the main entry. Double french doors with nice floors.

So, any ideas as to what the rooms should be? I am at a total loss! I am having to “renovate” the outside, doing a lot of repair since you could consider I was a “slum lord of dollhouses” for a while.

Tomorrow, I’ll continue gluing pieces back onto the outside and cleaning up the two dollhouses that reside in my bedroom. I have boxes of furniture in my shop that need to be placed in them. It dawned on my last night that I would have MORE room in my studio if I got the furniture out of the boxes (4 or 5 paper boxes) and into the houses where it should be. That way, I could see what rooms were missing what. Oh yeah, I have accessories too. Once I get these done, I have several more that I need to focus on. That doesn’t mean I’m forgetting about the dolls, the antique-ing, junkin’, thrifting, altered art, collaging, ATCs etc.

Getting my dollhouses set up gives me more room to do all of this! That’s why I have three worktables, one corner computer table, and one jewelers table in my shop. I can have different projects going on on each of them and just roll from one to another! Isn’t that a great idea? Now, if I could only be off work a little longer now that I’m feeling so good. Well, back surgery is coming up soon………

Oh yeah, I still haven’t faced my bead stash yet! UGH

Until later……………………………

Recent Blog Giveaway Wins

2010-03-08T07:36:00.001-08:00

I’ve been lucky lately. I’ve won a few giveaways, going back to the OWOH giveaway event and I thought I would share them with you.

I am extremely grateful for all the people that post giveaways; that’s why I’m having one now with at least two more planned for the very near future.

Two wins from OWOH – Don’t you just love the Monkey Earrings?????

The earrings are from The Purple Lady's Art and Life & the felt tea bag came from My Mommy Makes It.

These are from Sweet Jeanette and are awesome. I just love the heart and the bookmark is perfect. Hope got me through several years of uncertainty in my life. Jeanette makes the most awesome things & also has some wonderful recipes on her blog.

From Zig Zags This and That. Isn’t it AWESOME! It will fit perfect with some of my spring outfits! I love it so much I want more!

Then I won this awesome Victorian-look pendulum wall clock from Aged Vintage Papier. It was sponsored by CSN, the same company that will be sponsoring my next giveaway (to be announced soon).

And how about this awesome vintage picture w/frame and the cute little rug (perfect for one of my dollhouses) . I’ve looked and looked and cannot find the link to the blog I won this from! I feel horrible because it was such an awesomely generous giveaway and the little rug was an extra surprise that was thrown in!

Well, that’s it for now. Thank you for letting me share my awesome wins. Again, I’m grateful for all the generosity showed by all my fellow bloggers out there. And of course I’m grateful for all my wonderful followers.

Until later…………………………………………

Vintage Black Friday

2010-03-05T07:59:00.001-08:00

As some of you know, VBF has been revived and on the first Friday of every month, those participating post something vintage and black. Well, here are my items for today.

This is the “sister” to the doll I posted last VBF. Her head is tilted at a different angle and she is red and black instead of yellow and black. I originally was going to “rob” them of there garments for another project, but fell in love with them, so for now, they are safe.

Two vintage morning necklaces. What a FIND! The top one is intact as you can see the beautiful butterfly motif in the beads. The second one is broken, but still mostly intact and is so awesome. This one I know dates to the first part of the 20th century. It’s close to 100 years old.

Well, those are my offerings for today. I hope you enjoy them.

Until later…………………………..

Postcard Friday

2010-03-05T05:25:00.001-08:00

Well, another Friday is here and it looks as if I will have two posts. One for Postcard Friday and one for VBF (Vintage Black Friday). So, since I already have a picture of a postcard, that one is first.

One more French postcard. I’m almost out and the lady I buy them from hasn’t had any more like these available.

Don’t forget to check my previous post HERE to sign up for my giveaway. And as a teaser, I have a sponsor (yes, really) for another giveaway I will be having as soon as my other one ends. I’m thrilled! It will be my first sponsored giveaway. Also, if you want to purchase a copy of FLEA MARKET STYLE, just drop me an email at mcgoo4@gmail.com. They are $9.95 plus $2.38 media mail or $4.95 priority mail shipping.

Until later……………………………

It’s HERE – Flea Market Style & A Giveaway

2010-03-03T10:45:00.001-08:00

WOO HOO. My copies of Flea Market Style have arrived and are currently available for $9.95 plus shipping. I do ship internationally, so all of you out there that can’t find a copy, I have about 20 left. You can email me at mcgoo4@gmail.com to request your copy. Or, just send me a comment that you want to purchase a copy. US Shipping via Media Mail is $2.38, Priority is $4.95. Overseas shipping rates vary, so please request a quote. I ship the day after payment is received (I take PayPal, money orders, and checks).

SOOOOOO, how about I give one away?

Yep, you can win your very own copy. For one entry, leave a comment. For a second entry, post this on your blog (sidebar posting is fine) and leave me a comment that you have done so. Let’s share the love. That’s all there is too it.

Entries are due by Friday, March 12th, midnight CST.

Until later…………………………………..

ARRRGGHHHH I have a Dilemma

2010-03-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

Okay, most of you would think the problem I have is a good one. Something to reveal in even. But not me. It’s a reason to start hyperventilating and anxiety attacks.

What, might you ask, could this be? Well, it starts off looking as innocent as this:

A seemingly innocent looking bureau. Nothing scary, right? Okay, let’s look inside.

Okay, so what? A few little containers. How bad can it be?

WOW, you say vintage jewelry. COOL, gimme, gimme, gimmee.

OOOHHHH, AHHHH Bead containers you say.

Swarovski crystals & beads & stones & glass seed beads – YUMMY you say.

WHAT!!!! FRESHWATER PEARLS BY THE HANK!!! You say. Tons of glass beads and findings like toggle clasps, lobster clasps, earring hooks, bead wire, crimp beads, spaces, etc., you say.

I say AAAARRGGGHHH SOB, CRY, MOAN. I have NO clue what to do with all of these! I haven’t even LOOKED in them for four years.

Yes, FOUR years since I went and looked at my beads. I love the colors, I know there are tons of beautiful beads projects in what you see, but I am at a loss. See, I had a bad couple of years. Spending helped. Spending on beautiful items helped A LOT. But now the same thing that brought me joy, now brings sadness too.

Then, you take a look at my Etsy store and say, “Well, you’re selling bracelets that you made”. Yes, I am, but those were grouped for me. Give me a group of coordinating beads and I can go to town. Give me a mish-mash like above and I can guarantee you an anxiety attack in 1 second flat.

So, dear friends, anyone want to play? Sigh……..Now I’m The Lone Beader too.

Until Later………………………….

My Favorite Cup and Saucer

2010-03-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

Mira at Belle Blanc is having a give-away. All you have to do to enter is show her your favorite cup and maybe it will be her favorite too. She has a beautiful blog so you need to go over for a visit.

So, here is one of mine (I have a few favorites!).

Nice little piece made in Italy. I keep it on the antique sewing machine that serves as the nightstand in my guest bedroom. There’s a small starfish that makes it’s home inside the cup. My mom found this at an estate sale a few years ago.

Until later…………………………..