Making some purses

okay I 've had a few hours in my sewing room and I have made 2 purses, and have 2 more cut out! The first one HAD to be the one I have intended to make for about 10 months now. I found the fabric in Virginia, and planned on making it for someone who made a nice comment about the bag I had made for Keila. (and it was in my heart to make this one)
That aside, I got a little creative and put three fabrics together ..Andrea told me it looks like shabby chic, Dee said Victorian... me ? I just liked it. I quilted all the outside pieces before putting these little treasures together. The Green one was the first one...it is regular size... about 6inches across when sides are folded. the Larger three fabric one is 8 inches across with the sides folded in... and about 12 with all open.
It was fun, and I enjoy doing it...now to get a stash to sell, so I can make a little money on the side, to buy more fabric, etc.

My days

My days certainly aren't what I pictured they would be. A friend emailed me last night and said "If I only knew that retirement would be so hectic! I'd like things to slow down somewhat!" That pretty much sums it up.
My better half has really gotten into Barbequing! and it has been delicious...but I dread the discussions at 1030pm about WHAT we are going to eat the next evening.
On a more personal note I did get to visit my aunt yesterday- what an encouragement to see her- she hates to be inactive, and makes sure she takes her walks daily! Her height has decreased over the years, and now Abby comes up almost to her shoulder! wished we had a camera!

This past weekend I was able to accomplish some long awaited projects- I put curtains on my kitchen windows. Took the valance that was originally on the window, and made it into more of a swag, and after sewing up the side seams, I hung my lace curtains. Also traded out the white shelves on wheels for a black shelf unit without wheels...I like it better

whispers of love

I hear in the background tears and my heart tugs with love
"Hey little pumpkin pie"- I say quietly.. "its going to be alright!
I love YOU! I miss you...give me a little kiss? "and nothing but silence whisper back in the phone... and then softly she giggles... and I know
SHE REMEMBERS! so very important for this ole heart of mine, she remembers the whispers, maybe kisses and hugs..but probably its the silly crazy things I did to liven up the day!

Life goes on to the end of the day, but soon my heart is torn in another deep way
I want to say- this is it! there will be no more pain! but my heart knows the truth, and I can only speak His Name.
I'd love to make it simple.. do this or do that...but I know a heartbreak intimately and it just needs to play each day out
He does come and move tenderly to bind up the broken wounded heart - but that doesn't mean its easy- I know that it is not
So though there will be mountains, and laughter and joy- I won't lie and say its tomorrow
Life's journey holds some valleys, some tears, and strong storms
I hope that you find some bridges, some help along the way
the journey is a lonely one, and we can only help by being here for you..what ever that means in your today
Does it help to say "He's Faithful!" for truth I know it is!
I hope you continue to call, when you need a shoulder or a friend to speak
Someday...SOMEDAY... we'll be reminiscing over these days so distant past
Someday you will know healing...and the scars won't even be seen
Someday I will whisper ... "today is now morning, and the night has since passed!"
Someday you will smile... and you will be whole...and saying to others
"This too shall pass"

Does it get any better?

Sorry no picture here BUT I just wanted to mention:
Sloppy wet kisses,
Giggles and raspberries,
mad dashes across the floor to protect the black cord from getting chewed,
arms shaking, eyes crossing as the little mouth opens and she leans forward for another spoonful of oatmeal,
the swan dive on the floor which signifies "pick me up"
the jeep in motion, moving fast when it spies a desired object
attempts to save my glasses before they get sticky and pulled off
sing song girlie noises as she talks to me, and sings to me (yes the voices are different for each)
sweet picture of peace and tranquility as she falls asleep in her car seat, listening to her mom worship on a friend's baby grand
wondering what it is that she sees under the couch so deep, that she crawls at lightning speed to get it before I do (ugh those deep bends)(did I mention she has knee callouses?)
and those smiles of recognition that I get when she sees me after a good sleep
Hmmm the joys of being a gramma

Roses , roses, roses, and good buys

Okay for all of you that will never visit my home:
At this stage of my life, one would think I would KNOW what I like... but most of my adult years have been spent focusing on others, and what would make them happy, so much so that somewhere I lost the ability to KNOW what I like (as in decorating my new living space.) I have a few people to thank..mostly her( Ex: what do you feel drawn to? check out these blogs!, or that looks soo you!) , but also her, and her...they all encouraged me to find me in the midst of my eclectic style. so I listened, and I found there were two things that were constant- RED, and roses.. any in the red family..pink, rose colored, and even yellow. I did not like orange very much, but very much gravitated to the Pink ladies who decorated with rose plates, bowls etc, some lace, but needing some bold red in there too... And I finally figured out that hubby REALLY didn't care, as long as I was happy (why 39 years to figure that one out?) so when we found ourselves moving again (5th time in 5 years...) I knew it was time to take the space from the very beginning and make it mine. Blues are my husband's favorite, so I attempt to bring some blue in to make him not feel over run! Luckily for me Keila had the living room and bedroom with some blues on the walls so I am able to pull things a little together.( those rooms will be another blog!)
Over the last few months I have been to garage sales, flea markets, and doing some ebay to find some new buys and here is how I am putting things together in my kitchen. Last year I started with my little red table (well old white chipped table enamel table that I painted with red, and flecked with white) then I bought some old soda fountain looking chairs with red and white checked seats I loved, and fit right in with my table ..then I bought that green hutch which sat on Ben's deck for a month.

So these are close ups of the items in my kitchen:
This is a bowl I bought in Texas, a sugar bowl from Gma, and a creamer from a garage sale in Texas- they don't match but I love them


Below is picture of two tin plates from a flea market..they have blue back ground and I thought that was a good way to bring in the blues,then there is my mother's plated Tea/coffee set in front. The next picture shows my Goodwill plates behind pics of Ben, Derek and Dee...and my hubby's old silver cup (1889) he found at lake in the 50's, flanked by my silver sugar scuttle, and my unknown metal creamer/gravy server..with beautiful flowers. The picture on right below is red tray with my yellow roses,(ebay) other two rose Goodwill plates, a silver plated fruit plate from my mother's collection - all behind a picture of my sister and I at 1 1/2 and 2 1/2...I am on left .
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Below is my wrought iron pot hanger, now used for decoration with aprons, antique towels, roses from Christmas tree shop..hanging over my new farmer's bench from the Christmas Tree shop. The red enamel plate was $2 at a garage sale, and works well with an enamel tea pot (sl hidden) I purchased on ebay...along with some oriental finds, ebay finds, flea market glasses with painted roses. the final picture is the beginning of my wall with ebay tray, and our antique tea set we purchased in texas. some day I will add more rose plates/trays etc.



Final set is a wrought iron shelf ,with red vase, two lovely old egg cups from my motherin law, and two blue cups with pink roses found at Christmast Tree shop, and finally a little area for the wonderful gifts given to me by my friends at ARC when I left my position



all in all I like my little kitchen...though honestly little finds get lost in the big picture, I have lots more to look for to compliment my look...AND I have fabric I want to add to windows... but I haven't yet gotten to organize my sewing room... but I am looking forward to being a busy little homemaker!
thanks for visiting...please leave me a comment and know you stopped in for a visit.. it keeps me encouraged

Silly Bird

I decided to post the picture of the bird talking and tapping on my kitchen window this morning...silly bird! I think the windows made a great mirror effect because I haven't yet cleaned them...but this poor guy could not understand why he couldn't fly into that which he could see! His mate, or family member could be heard calling him on from the trees to the west

Making all things new

Morning finds me smiling , eager to start the day. I dwell in an old, new surroundings dressed up to look like me, and I am content. Here is a peek at my 'new' kitchen.
Looking in from the front door is my tea area, tins and little box holding my daily drink packets, framed by a tray purchased on ebay, and crowned with my 25 cent at a garage sale -wire baskets (finally something to hold those onions and fruit buys) This picture is looking from the entrance way.. loving my flea market hutch- layered with old pictures, precious silver and pewter, roses painted on china and tin, colors of red, pinks and yellows- ebay , garage sales, flea markets, and from my mom's once held dearly collections- now mine to hold and smile with memories
Over my table is my new little tea set... well old, but new to me... I will take closer pictures another day- this 14 piece set (sugar and creamer on hutch) lost two of its family in the shipping from Texas, and has shown itself to be difficult to find replacements- is from Poland, and has the lovliest burgundy rose buds, and all the edges are kissed with gold... it just makes me smile
and can I forget the Lilacs from the little lilac bush I got for my birthday or mothers day 6? -9? years ago... what a little beauty it is today...and little hands now help me pick these sweet blossoms..hummm
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new