Yet Another...

Yes, another project. This one IS FINISHED. However, I can not show it to you yet :( I know. It seems like a bunch of empty promises lately. I have been sharing my camera, so right now I do not have it to take the finished photo.

But this is a cushion that was on our little love seat in the living room. The deck cushions have been patched once with some lovely creamy white Laura Ashley velvet fabric. (we used to have a beautiful Laura Ashely Shop nearby). this is one of the back cushions~ I have reworked the shape to fit a cute little wicker chair that I have had since Caitlin was a baby. In fact it was in her nursery and then in Douglas'. Well, I have now put it in the master bedroom, brightening a corner by our window. :)

I think I will have the camera later today~ in which case I will update this post with the after photo :)

*The dresser is just in need of placing the hinges back on (there is a debate on brass (the original hinges) or silver hinges. and selecting the final hardware. Definitely later in the week I will be able to show you this. i LOVE it :)

so check back in ~ I will place the after photo at the bottom of this post.
*** UPDATE~ I did not get my camera back so I will show the finished chair in a future post.... Oh Merci for your patience :)

Hugs,
Mary

The Maternity Ward... I mean Yard

Yes. My husband found a rabbit sitting by a hole in our front flower bed. We think that she had just birthed the bunnies that evening. So Ducks, birds and rabbits galore have found our yard to be the perfect "first home" for their broods.




I know the mother rabbit had come to check on them for their coverings were changed daily. She hid them very well. On occasion we caught glimpses of their cute little faces~ then suddenly, 3 sets of legs and ears would go flying all around as they all tried to turn their backs to us... as if this would deem them invisible to us. A game of TWISTER in their tiny home. The above photo was taken on their last day in their tiny little home. They took up residence under our bushes for a few days and then under the clematis vine. Now they are off to the big wide world.

The Forth of July has come and gone... so quickly! We had fireworks every night! This includes surrounding towns and neighbors and neighborhoods! I am amazed at how large the "backyard" fireworks were this year! We watched the Naperville fireworks... they always do such a beautiful job. Our favorites are from Naperville and Petosky, Michigan where they shoot them out over Lake Michigan.

Finally~ a peek at what I hope to be doing today...


LOVE all of these papers! Amy butler... will I have the courage to actually use the paper??? It is soooo beautiful. Basic Grey, Porcelain, 7Gypsies, Deena's Penny Lane, Me&My Big Ideas. I will be using them on a special project, but like I said... which will I have the courage to actually "use up"... if they are gone.. they are gone :( However my project will be gorgeous!!!

Hugs,
Mary

Sounds of Summer

The windows are once again open here in our home. I am loving it! Such wonderful weather after a week of above 90 with humidity! I actually sat out on our patio on Sunday! AND WITH my CAMERA!!! Yes, I actually thought to take pictures!!! See, my husband, K.C. has always been "Joe Camera" in our family. Thankfully! We have nice family shots:)

3 phases of wind: *to see correct third photo go to my flickr page


Out on the patio the wind was blowing the trees around, tosseling them a bit wildly, like when you get out of your car and your hair is flying all over the place and you can not see! Pony tail weather.
The sounds that the trees made reminded me of my summers at Lake Michigan with my family. We went there every summer for a week of camping~ such glorious FUN! We also would take day trips. It was only an hour and a half from our home. Our friends owned a beautiful camp ground on Lake Michigan. We would camp in between two dunes... about 75 feet for tents on either side of the sidewalk. The sidewalk was cement and it led happy families and teenagers from the parking lot and wonderful little camp store through the little camp set ups then opening up to looking down at the beautiful beach...sun, sand ,waves and laughter. So many happy times there. It was were I would see teenagers having dances after dark and sneaking kisses from there girlfriends behind beach hats. Older boys thinking I was cute and best of all, my brother swinging down from the above dune on a vine right over our tent!!!!! Now that is fun! Well, we thought so, our parents did not agree :)
Are you hearing any sounds that take you back to a special time, event or place?
Please share with us:)

Hugs,
Mary

Avante

Yes. Another Before shot. Another project. I warned you last time
that I would not be showing you the after picture for a bit... and now
you see why, right? I started the rocker first, but I am waiting on
fabric decisions and I also wanted to start the dresser. The above
photo shows more closely the color of the wood and condition of the
dresser as I found it. Meaning~ wood in dry condition and some
white wash remaining. *Except for the primer I put on the one of the
drawers.



I was experimenting with primer. Brush on verses spray on. Guess
which one won? yes-serie bob! Spray on. :) Well, let me say this: I
brushed on one coat of primer and then sprayed on remaining coats (2).
Why brush on??? My dear sweet K.C. purchased an enormous, gigantic
bucket of primer a bit ago... for me! He did not realize, well yes he did,
I have been using the small cans which are easy to store and used up
in perfect order. He deemed it prudent and efficient, and rightly so, that
a ginormous bucket of primer is healthy for the budget/cost efficient,
best buy. By brushing on the first coat of primer I saved on the number of
coats of spray primer. And truly this was the best technique. On occasion
the brush on primer will have some yellowing of the white primer~ old stain
leaking through as was with this very old dresser. The spray on primer seals all of that up for me.

The second photo shows off the pretty curves of this piece. The two bottom spots
are cabinets. Caitlin took the photos for me during a time crunch. Thank you Caitlin :)
As you can see the insides are in need of a Fairy godmother. I have a trick up
my sleeve, but I am not the only one to think of this "Oh So Pretty" and Practical Idea!!!
hehehe, you will have to stay tuned to see who, or guess:) :) :)

Hugs,
Mary

Avante

Yes, it is another before shot~ that will have an apre`s
follow-up.



I found this at an estate sale I stumbled onto with my husband. we were out on errands in a different area from our usual. My Aunt had a rocker just like this and my cousin, Carol, loved rocking in it. It is a stationary rocker... so no slip sliding away across the room.



Cat toy (little round poof) is thrown out now and shoes... please take care of your shoes-----.



This is a nice box pleat skirt to make sure the lower mechanics of the rocker are concealed.
The back cushion is attached with snaps, I will have to change that, the lower cushion with ties.

Can I tell you how many staples were in this chair!!! There were THREE and one thirds tips around the deck and perimeter of this rocker! My fingers hurt for several days. I do mean HURT! I am trying to make the new upholstery without staples... I wonder if I can?

I am excited for the results HOWEVER I will be showing you a before and after shot of something else before this rocker is shown :) I am hoping to use some Shabby Chic fabric, IF I am lucky!!! So, PLEASE, wish me luck:)

Are you working on a project???

Hugs,
Mary

Refreshment

This is the "immediate" View at my kitchen window. It is quite by accident. Everything here is by default. Have you noticed that the best photos or spots in our homes happen by chance. The jumble of dishes, quickly stacked and placed on a shelf, next to some treasures of our children... all the colors and shapes looking so extraordinary together. Thus is the lot of my kitchen window.



Needing a place for the glass pieces, the window won out. All close at hand for frequent use... vases and pretty petit jars, empty of their jams and mustards (currently in use :)



The peony cut too short finds a home in my window... what joyful greetings. To quench your thirst~ why a pretty Shabby Chic water bottle. Yes, I have saved them. I love Rachel's design on them and the fact that Elizabeth always presented us with refreshments during our chats in the oh so wonderful and VERY missed Shabby Chic, Chicago... I can not part with them.

Share with us your "surprise spots" in your home... places that make you smile, all by accident.
If you do not see any at this moment~ do not fret, just keep your eyes opened and one or two will suddenly appear. Perhaps as children come in from the beach or...

Happy scouting!

Hugs,
Mary

just playin'

I had a bit of time and made one more petit pocket purse. Well, it could
be smaller~ this one is 5 inches x 7 inches. The pretty corsage is on the
reverse side of the zipper, a pretty pink zipper :)





On the inside there is placed a label that Caitlin designed for me...
yes it is my banner :)


I made a batch of these that I already sent out...
oh, but now I have added my special petit corsage to them.
Makes it a bit more fun when touching up your lipstick. :)

Hugs, Mary

My Yard

I know, more photos of the flower beds. I was hoping to put in a proper vegetable garden this year (I would have to sneak it in for it is against the rules. Really! Suburbia and a big neighborhood... equals rules. Some have put them in places were the swing set used to be. SOME have called sheds "play houses"... they surely look lovely :) I wish I had one too:) and house my studio in it:) a bit chilly/freezing in the winter!
Back to my yard...



I do not know what this is called~ It has been here for many years now and I never made a garden journal. The leaves are like Columbine and the long stems of flower will be done soon... leaving just the nice dark blue green foliage.
*massive amounts of peony buds in background :) soo happy about that :)


Here is a peony that is ahead of the curve in blooming.


This is the arbor to the back garden from the right side of the house. French Lilacs, that flower smaller pink petals, flank it while I patiently wait for two Clematis. One is a fluffy white Marie Boislott I believe. The bunnies munch on it every year. There is a second Clematis on the same side but opposite end which I think is pink.. also bunny food~ so no blooms in several years. I really should get a bunny proof fence around them.


This photo is for all of us who love the cherry and apple blossoms that float down and around the trees and are photographed and seen before a foot has even tread upon them.
Hi Lorraine :)
I happened to see this from inside this week after a dark rainy night and morning... it was such a happy sight.


close up :)


This is the same day as the above photo. We had a very nice afternoon and then rain and sun... We get that very often here... so you can count on rainbows, yes several rainbows, every year. You can also count on at least one double rainbow every year also! It is amazing! This was a double but I looked at it too long before getting my camera! So sorry about that.
Can you see it just over the bushes on the left?


I do have tomatoes around the corner of the patio. They grow profusely there and I have plenty to share. I love the petit, yellow pear ones and tiny clusters of various cherry tomatoes. I also have an herb garden next to my kitchen. I use this all summer and once was even able to use the sage for Thanksgiving Turkey!
I am so fortunate to have this yard. It has the perfect amount of grass for K.C. hmm. maybe a little less to mow this summer if I am lucky.

I will be back soon with projects and things to share :)

Hugs,
Mary

Maternity Ward

On Thursday morning we found this laying on our duckling safety set-up:

And this!

click on photos to see better.
Do you like our set up we made for them?? hehehe. I was still worried
that the babies may hurt themselves when it came time for jumping, so
we put out an old card table,covered it with a big tarp and stuck cushions
I was throwing out in between the tarp layers.... GOOD THING!
BECAUSE, later in the day we came and checked on her again . NOW there
were at least three ducklings and they all scurried off behind her before I
could get my camera in place... no paparazzi photos for me.

BUT then SUDDENLY, THIS happened! Shrieks and QUACKS!!! Oh MY!!!



This one just suddenly PLOPPED right down! I thought a moment, then
looking at Beatrice, a.k.a. mama duck, I went softly forward to get the duckling.
Mama would have nothing of the kind, she hissed at me, glaring with beady eyes.
Now K.c. had already had a fly over experience with her two days before! He
was trying to take photos of her and the nest UP CLOSE, as in over the top of
her! She flew out shaking up that paparazzi!
Oh! Back to the the problem at hand: I calmly stood there waiting. Mama
duck and baby started to "talk" to each other. I am sure Mama was saying, "Now
you get back up her this instant!" Baby duck was going the wrong way, she
wanted to slide down the "fun slide" I guess. So she did! Now she was on
ground level. This was not working so I swiftly went down and scooped up
this feathery delight and promptly placed her back with her mum! All was
good again.

Can you see the baby ducks in the above photo? *click on the photo*
There at least three ducklings. The ducklings need food and water so within 24 hours they take their leap of faith and leave the nest, following their beloved mum, Beatrice in this case.
This a.m. I went out to check on them and they indeed had left the nest. It is not too long of a "waddle" down to the lake and creek. hehehe

So ends The Story of Beatrice and Her Very Cool Nest!

Hugs,
Mary

Vintage Storage?

I have finished the "Vintage Storage" crates!
Remember them in their "Avant" stage.
Here is the half way point~ waiting for them to dry.
Oh, yes, they are stacked four crates high in this photo.


There are several views of the sides... each side is
different, of course.
I like the aged look of the application.


Apres:
And here they are a bit embellished and in place in my petit studio.


I wrapped some bits of tulle' around the wooden posts of the crates.
I wanted to keep them fairly free of adornment.


Bits of tags for quick identification of the crate contents.


Final view, a bit blurry. The insides were kept clean... easy viewing of contents.


I have loved the crates in Anthropologie stores for years. Now I finally have my own!
If you want to make them I am happy to help where ever I can :)

Thank You

This is a day late, but truly any day is a good day to remember.
Mercy Me... I love this song.



Thank you so for stopping by.
Mary

Darling Storage

First thing, Beatrice, our mother duck nesting in our hanging basket, is
doing quite well. Incubation is still underway.
While waiting, I am cleaning out my studio. Once the floors were finished
and the shelves up, etc. I just jumped right in to creating things and never
completely organized this petit space. It is in dire need of organization.

The above wooden crates were from this winters supply of Darling
Clementines and regular clementines. Soo delicious! They carried their
precious cargo to our home and now I am going to use them for storage in
my studio. Well, that is AFTER a little sprucing up!
I will be back to show you the final product.



It is going to be 85 degrees here today. Knowing this, I have already
exercised and did a bit of gardening... oh, and the screens are ready to
be put into place for those beautiful breezes!
Hope the sun is shining nicely on you and yours!

Hugs,
Mary

"Do You See What I See"???

No, not a star, but but something that is also wonderful and special!
Do you remember reading here about where Mr. and Mrs. Duck went? Well, the other weekend we found a little "HOME" that she made. I noticed that there was a clump of root ball hanging down from the basket. K.C. tipped the hanging basket a bit and we found a beautiful pale blue egg inside!!!

Then about Tuesday of last week we found Mrs. Duck, back in here Pent House, staying put on her bundle of joy(s). Remember, I did tip you in that my backyard seemed to be a maternity ward this Spring!


This is what can happen if you forget to clean up your hanging basket in the fall... Maybe you should thing about it? hehehe
We have a very good wildlife preserve,where they care and rehabilitate wounded birds etc. then return them to the wild. I called and the prompters directed me to Geese and Duck info... Very interesting. Geese mate for life, Ducks for the season of mating, leaving within one week once incubation starts. This means within one week of her sitting on the nest he leaves. That is the way it works for the Duck (Mallords) world. She will sit there for approximately 23 days. They have been known to make their nest in MUCH higher places. The ducklings should be fine as they are made to be able to handle tough situations. That is good news. I will be moving the hose reel and perhaps place an old towel over the brick edge... just for safe keeping... to hedge their chances. Oh dear, their little free falling entrance into the world. sigh.
I wish I could place a video recorder/ movie camera out there to catch them in action. I do know that ducks are not sleepy heads, they get up very early.
I would say that Beatrix, (the new name for Mrs. Duck) is a good mum!

Spring Continues...

Crazy Spring! Well, these tulips went crazy as soon as they went into the vase! This drove K.C. (Hubby) crazy! Yes, really. So I tried to "fix" them and they become more crazy! As if they were dancing.  

The effect grew on me and I now like the look very much. They remind me of those very fancy Dutch Tulips with the Parrot colors.  

Hello...

These gorgeous White Lilacs came from my garden.

I have 3, THREE, lilac bushes in the yard! I planted them a few years ago and now they are quite profuse in their blooms. This makes it much easier to cut them and share them with my neighbors. I try to think of the shape of the bush as I cut so that I will be left with an attractive bush as opposed to a stump! It is raining so I will try to get a picture of the bushes in bloom soon. :)

Tomorrow I have a very exciting post, well, I think it is!
And Yes, unless I have more computer problems, it will be tomorrow! :)

Hugs,
Mary

The Lambs

Here is my Lamb collection. I do not know why I started collecting them... I do remember 

it was in the midst of my McCoy and USA, WHITE pottery collection time. I am always side 

tracked by white. And pink. Soft greens and aqua and yellow can get me also.

I started with this one~

And as you can see form the first photo, I found another. One for Caitlin and one for Doug.  

A theme, an idea was hatched. I would give them each a lamb later in their life...

As you can see it became a party. An intimate one, but still a happy gathering.

And that is what today IS. A very happy and special day of gathering one and all on this National Day of Prayer. There are many events planed for today around the country. You can find them here.

It was in 1775 that the Continental Congress called for prayer while they sought to create a new nation, this land of Freedoms that we so enjoy the fruits of.

Lincoln called for a Day of Prayer in 1863. It would be in 1952, when President Truman officially signed it into law, through an act of Congress. Then, in 1988, President Reagan made an amendment to proclaim the first Thursday in May the National Day of Prayer. Today is the 58th formal Day of Prayer. I only learned of this special day about ~ six years ago. My very dear friend Brenda filled me in and I loved it. Our country is so great and We are blessed with freedom. Freedom to pray :)

Hugs,

Mary

Springtime Bounty

The rain keeps coming and everything is very soggy. Green, but soggy.
The sun keeps trying to push the clouds aside... keep tying "merry little sunshine" :)

The walk up to our front door is fairly bursting with joy. Welcome :)




There are two types of Ajuga (purple) in this bed, however this variety has won out.
It looks nice against the remaning Candytuft. My Candytuft (white) in Michigan was
an upright variety that formed an oh so nice petit hedge. The type shown is
more of a cascading type of perennial, re-seeding itself beautifully!


That is lamby pie on the front porch. I found her at our nursery a number
of years ago. We have a wonderful nursery with two locations. One of
them is within walking distance, well, walking with a wagon in tow, if you
know what I mean! The other is just on the other side of town, a very nice
drive of say 20-30 minutes, giving one a nice break. Each has wonderful
gardens to stroll while you shop. I will take the camera and get some pictures,

hmmm, maybe this weekend :)


This is a new addition of a few years ago. I had hoped to find another
yellow Elizabeth Magnolia for just the proper resource friendly price.
And there it appeared at our second stop!!! A lovely blessing that we
can share with our neighbors. It is a moderate growing tree.


Here is a nice place to stop and enjoy the company of a friend.
There is a heavenly scented Viburnum directly behind the bench.
It is not quit in full bloom but the aroma wafts in and around the
yard and home~ when the windows are open. Before that is
finished blooming there is a wonderful white Lilac bush that will
burst with flowers just at the end of the bench (left arm of the bench).


Here we are ... trying to feel as if we are in New York's Central Park
with the cherry blossoms adorning the ground. These are pink Magnolia petals.

What do you think Lorraine? :) somewhat hopeful heh?


This is the Elizabeth Magnolia from the back patio. It has a wonderful aroma!!!
This is what the young magnolia in the front yard is shooting for!


AND "Bunny Kins"! This little beaute" is just about 6 inches long.
I looked out the bay window into our back yard yesterday and thought it
was a leaf. No, a sweet baby bunny eating the grass. What good manners
she has not to eat my garden plants. I took some photos inside and then
went outside. Yes,I went way too close. She scurried off. We will have to
walk the yard in search of any bunny nests before mowing occurs.


Spring has come and it has felt as if we have a mating and maternity ward
in our yard! Bunnies are leaping and jumping and running everywhere; birds
are chasing oneanother as well and building nests and some have hatched
already! No good photo ops there. We also had a pair of ducks!!! K.C., my
husband, saw a pair of ducks waddling around the back door. When they
disappeared he went in search of them. He saw the male scurry off under
the arbor but no female. THEN, out of the corner of his eye he saw a pair of eyes...
above a beak that was stuffed with brown grasses~ one and all blending into
the HANGING BASKET that she was hanging in !!! Camouflage! But the jig was up
and she sailed off! My husband loves his story of he and the duck hunt!

I do not know how the baby ducks would get down from there if they actually
continued to make a nest there! Hopefully they are off to better home sites!

Hugs,
Mary

Great Joy

I do believe that my package to a most wonderful and funny, kind and loving, Mom and wife, and friend has arrived. (yes improper sentence) So I can share the contents with you :)

I spoke to how the project formed here.
Have you ever noticed that there are times when working on either a difficult project or a very special project, things "fall" into place. Grace is given. That is what happened with this project. :)

The given was that I wanted to use what I felt may have been a V.I.P. portion of the piece of art that I scooped up from her shop. I thought it may be the birds. So with a found piece of paper lace and a color that reminds me of the Ocean, a foundation was formed and the Love Birds were painted on top, whew.
Now something to define the outline, sheet music, "Good Morning Merry Sunshine". The Tittle was cut out and placed along the edge and then I filled in the area with those bands of music notes ( i am not a musician). WHY would I be going thru all of this detail!? Because the way I described the procedure was exactly how it happened , not nilly willy but not every detail was focused on. So when I looked down at it at this point I see that WITH the birds in an upright position , looking down at the plaque, the music bands of notes formed the letter "C" !!! This was not planned, the doves were upright with the "C"! "C" for Creative Chaos, Karin's site and "C" for her wonderful Cosme! Hey, simple things bring me joy!

Have things like this happened to YOU!? Please do share with us :)



I know my photos are not up to par today, so sorry but no retakes are possible. For some great photos or to score your very own piece from Karin, Icing On The Cake Studio, hop over to her blog and etsy shop. Her work is even more wonderful in person!!!

Big Hugs to you, Karin :)

Hugs,
Mary

Kindness, Love ...

This is a petit post on Michael Oher. He is just towards the end of his college career and is in the top contenders for the NFL draft. WHat??? You ask. Football? I know. I will confess that I do not ever "choose" to watch football, nor any other sport now. But given my loved ones that do like to watch various or all sports, hahaha, I may tune in a bit, crocheting could come in handy here :) Back to the real story here: Michael Oher's life story thus far reached me just this past Friday, the day before the NFL draft for 2009. What a life he has already lived in his young age! Just watch this video! Oh, and grab a new box of Kleenex, since you may have used up your previous box on Susan Boyle's moving audition!




I think that for me, knowing more about the players may be key to becoming a sport fan. Oh, and having watched my son play.
How about you? Are you a sports fan? Prefer to watch your children play?...

Hugs,
Mary
Michael Oher

"From Sea To Shining Sea"

This is a petit peek into a project I have been working on for a very special person!  

It took me awhile to figure out exactly what I wanted to send to her.   Once 

selected, my next challenge was to incorporate a bit of me into the piece. 

I am very happy with the results!  I will show this in it's entirety at weeks end :)

Sometimes we are working on a new design  for someone very dear to us and thus

we ponder, wile away the time without true commitment nor results.   Sometimes

projects, committees, great organizations fall into this group.  We must remember 

the words of Benjamin Franklin~

"A little neglect may breed great mischief."

Cole`re

Anger has been used a lot lately in the news...It seems that it is a word that could become politically incorrect or at least come to mean something much different than what Webster intended. 
an-ger n.  

1. A feeling of extreme displeasure, hostility, indignation, or exasperation toward someone or something: rage; wrath; ire 
2. Obsolete. Trouble; pain; affliction

The American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language

However, anger can be used for good, as a motivator; to propel one into Positive action as seen in a new Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.  (How many wonderful movies and misty eyed commercials have we viewed from Hallmark thru the years!)  Hallmark will air this movie, their 236th presentation, on Sunday, April 19th on CBS.

Irena died last year, May 12, 2008.  She was nominated for the Noble Peace Prize in 2007!

The following is a petit documentary on Irena, for a bit of a background.   Remeber the movie THIS SUNDAY! :)

I Dreamed a Dream ~ True Beauty

Have you noticed that there is beaute’ all around us? From the mess on 

our work table, the way a child looks at his/her mom, the way a parent 

looks at their child, or a bud getting ready to bloom after a long winter!  

How about This Beaute' I discovered this morning... after over
15.5 million others! Sorry but you will have to click on the link for it is
the only way to see the original. But SOOO worth it!!!
Get your tissues out :)

Still Cold

The daffodils are out and the aroma from them is wonderful... when it is warm enough outside to get close to them! :)  The above urn is on our back patio steps... I took the shot from the comfort and warmth of inside!  

Here is the side shot... it WAS completely empty, it is now filled with snow!   Well, last week it was.  lucky for us it melted in ONE day!  There were a few neighbors that still had snow mounds near their home the Saturday before Easter... which looked very strange!

You may think that You have seen this same photo last Winter, nope!  This was  taken the same day, week before Easter!   

All is green now, still cold.  We were supposed to be in the low 70's this week, a bit above normal.  That would be lovely.  We are instead 10 degrees below normal.  The Daffodils in the front are still ok, South facing... good Feng Shui.   I will see if I can get a good photo of them, the Candy Tuft is not blooming though.

I have made a cute little something for someone and will show it too you after they get it.  I also will be working on some special things for two friends :).    Labors of love :)

I hope that everyone had a beautiful Easter!

Hugs,

Mary

Bouquets Ready For Delivery!

Visit Oh Merci :)  and Nice :)

Just making a special post to let you know that my daughter Caitlin is having a sale today!
Nice will be a part of an exclusive event/sale happening tonight in Etsy's Virtual Labs, hosted by the lovely Marichelle of Heart Handmade! Stop by the lab at 6pm central / 7pm eastern time tonight!

And today until 9pm central / 10pm eastern time all Mini I Love You Banners are 25% off!
You will be refunded through paypal once you make your purchase!

- Links -

Info on the Shop Live event:
http://www.hearthandmadeblog.com/2008/02/shop-live-on-etsy.html

Direct link to Etsy's Virtual Labs where Shop Live will take place at 6pm central / 7pm eastern time:
http://www.etsy.com/virtual_labs.php

Nice shop: www.nice.etsy.com

A Bouquet ~ Almost

Here is a sneak peek of a few things I have been working on. It appears as a petit bouquet ~ for Spring and the anticipation of summer. Am I rushing into summer? Ah ~Spring and Summer. Theses will be added to the shop in all of their finished glory, this week.



Meanwhile I guess I will be appreciating the cold and sogginess, nourishing us in-spite of our protest.

Hugs,
Mary

Mother and Daughter

Now this is what I call beautiful work! Now you can see the difference from my three petit dollies (shown here) and these oh so adorable mom and daughter.
Notice all of the details AND the steady hand required to turn out such a beautiful piece!!!

Where can YOU get one for yourself, your daughter or even your family you ask?

Over at Erica Daley's of coarse!   She has a very nice selection.  So enjoy!



After my last post and messaging Erica and also Wunderkind... I took the plunge (hey, this time I looked at the sums and saw that I could own one of my very own!!! And I found one at Erica's! She is such a sweet heart that she gifted me the Mama!!! Now I need to come up with a suitable surprise for her~ and I may have come up with something! :)

Next on my list: try to score a Wunderkind as she is restocking tomorrow!!! That is Saturday, March 28, 2009, Girls!
The Early Birds get the dolls!

Hugs,

Mary

Play Time

I had a bit of free time and I decided to turn it into playtime!   Three cute little dollies ~ 

Spool Dollies.  I had just found a new glue and wondered if it would hold the wooden pieces together without holding it for a trillion years.   It worked  pretty good so I made three dollies. But they do not compare to the beauty of the originals!!!  

You see, I first heard of  these cutties at Erica Daley's .  You can scoop up 

one of Erica's sweet dollies here.  When you stop over at her place notice their cute pixie hair cuts now a favorite modèle de cheveux of contemporary women. 

Erica linked me to another site Wunderkind and that is where I found the style of 

Anime dollies.  They are also so adorable!  She even has petit hand knit hats for them!  (hint: look in her sold section).   Oh, and  Erica even has cute little homes for them!!!  

I dream of owning one of Erica's and Wunderkind's creations!   They are 

unique, creative and so inspiring!  A "wunder" ful petit piece of art :)

Hugs, 

Mary

Happy St. Patrick's Day

**this is a repeat post from 2007, I hope that you still like it**

Happy St. Patrick Day! Yesterday while working on some new items for the shop the radio was on, talking about St. Patrick. I did have an idea that he was not really a saint, but what a man he was...(please read the following with an Irish brog)....
He was actually British, kidnapped at a young age and brought to Ireland to be a slave! His duty was to tend the sheep. Tending sheep gives you quite some time on your hands. He would gaze at the grass and up to the stars and talk to the heavens. This is the way he came to know God! There came a time when he escaped form Ireland. He was able to get passage on a ship with very rough ,blood drinking, roughes. Now he did not partake in these events, and he was left to be much of the time. After sometime they found themselves on a lonely island. With starvation looming around, these men called out "hey there Christian". The men gave him this name because of his beliefs. "If your God is so great, ask him to give us food." Christian put forth a prayer. Well no sooner did these men turn around when a small group of wild boar appeared before them. They had plenty to eat from then on and they even shared a small portion with him. Christian made his way back to Ireland after hearing God speak to him. God asked him to return for there would be no other way that he could possibly return without being killed, for he was a slave that had escaped! He had the protection of God and was able to bring Christ the Lord to Ireland! For before this there was only a small pocket of Christians near Dublin that had learned of God from traders. The Irish gave him his name, St. Patrick. Also, he used the shamrock to explain the Holy spirit in one body! Three petals representing: the father, the son, and Holy spirit.
So there is what I now know of St. Patrick. HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!

Hey! I Like Your Sweater! :)

Today is Friday The Thirteenth! I thought I was in a time warp, confused at the least... Did we not just have a Friday the Thirteenth!? Yes we did. In fact we still have yet another to get to this year! That is right,. This year of 2009 will have Three of them. Hmmm. How do you feel about that? In Paris, France there are "guests" that you can actually hire for your dinner party to insure that there will not be 13 guests!

Sooo to Brighten your weekend and not to mention, Friday the thirteenth AND not to mention the fact that the world could use some great news... I have a very special to my heart YouTube video for you. It reminds me of my Dad, who was a very kind and thoughtful man.



Their must be two pretty proud Moms out there! Say, do you know of someone like this? Or...
Maybe you can start your own little campaign! Let me know if you do.

Hugs,
Mary
p.s. as i send the youtube link to a couple of nephews, I realize that I am a very lucky mom.

Projects

This is a coup d'oeil minuscule~  A tiny peek at a very big and exciting new line I am designing! This has been percolating for a long, long time and it is all coming together. It actually has it's roots way back when I was in Junior High. Now that is way back, and lets not go back, as nice as Junior high days are... the pressures, the learning, the boys. Focus. The bottom of the photo is the secret part :) I LOVE IT!!! May I say it again! I love it, love it , love it!  I know, it IS a tiny peek.  You may also notice the strand.  I am using my new found crochet skills there!   I added a picot edging to the piece :)  Who knows what will end up on the editing floor/box.  We shall see :) 

I hope you do not mind the petit peek.  I just wanted to let you know that I have been diligently at work hoping to provide you with more beautiful things.  



Today is a good day for working inside. After yesterdays 64 degrees, yes, nice and warm for March, it is to be a very drippy day.

A good soaking for beautiful spring flowers that are starting to peek out.  Oh Happy Spring, I look forward to you!


Hugs,
Mary

Have you ever felt that you are looking for lost treasure in your own home? There are two types of "lost treasure".
First~ the kind that you know that you have. That special photo or cake plate that you can not find ever since you remodeled.
Second~ the kind of treasure that you did not know you ever had, under valued by you for years, stuffed in a corner of the storage room.

I am addressing the FIRST. To be specific, my Shabby Chic books. They are just as important to me as my embroidery book and now my new crochet book. I have ALL of Rachel Ashwell's books. :) I value each one, and each one is signed by Rachel, thanks to Caitlin for encouraging me to go to her book signing in Chicago. Thank YOU Cailtin :) I do have a very special and lovely daughter... but that is an entire book :) One for Daughter and one for Son :)

Back to subject... lost treasures. Yes, plural. When we remodeled the kitchen and also emptied out the dining room, so it could get a beautiful oak floor, I packed them, all of my Shabby Chic books, away. Hubby assuring me that they would only be gone for a month at the longest. I safely placed them in a strong box and he took them down to the basement, into my area. I now use this term "my area" very loosely. It has been taken over with hockey equipment on one side, YUCK and boxes of Christmas decorations, etc. etc. etc. etc..... My special box was lost. It was not with the boxes of dishes that came from the kitchen. :( sad. I would go down there to look every once in awhile to no avail.
THEN last weekend I went down to specifically look in the hubby's area. THERE was a heavy box, and books were in it!!! MY books! Found!!! So Happy.
Now they are back in my dining room/ library. Treasure found! :)
Have you lost a treasure? Is it still waiting to be found? Have you found it?



Rachel Ashwell will be releasing a new book this fall, Happy news in very rough waters.

Hugs,
Mary

De Finition ~

I started out slowly, ripping out each row until it held the correct number of stitches. Proceeding to the next row and next, until the thrill of learning another new stitch, the popcorn stitch. I was like a cowgirl in the rodeo arena wrapping and wrapping the rope around a cow, calf or steer??? Well, I was crazy with speed, wrapping the yarn around my crochet hook and fingers, getting tied up in my own yarn! I loved it but soon realized that I better slow down in order to have a finished product that somewhat resembled a round disc, and consequently a beautiful round pillow.



After going to find yarn for three days in a row... I came up with two types of pink yarn, one a man made bright pink and the other a cotton, that fades in and out of pinks and white. I also used the white from the popcorn stitch again in the flower and a cotton aqua. There is most likely some rule/guideline about types of yarns, weights etc. to use in a project. Following pattern directions would be a good start for me! But, I was possessed with this project. I could not wait for each new row and the challenges (for me) it presented. I did feel like I was back in Junior high school, going to the fabric store trying to find the perfect fabric for a skirt when it only existed in the workrooms of the designers whose garments I would drool over in Seventeen Magazine. I did get a scoop on a farm about 30 minutes away that is operated by an 18 year old girl who raises her own special sheep and cards, dyes, etc. etc. the wool.  She then offers her own yarn for sale in a wonderful shop for a very pretty penny (deservingly so)... out of my budget and more importantly my talent for the moment.

I love my beautiful, round, popcorn stitch, flower pillow. I love it. I Thank Nicki Trench and Zara Poole for the directions for this wonderful project in Vintage Crochet, by Susan Cropperand Alicia Paulson for her help AND all of the crocheting she has shared at Posey Gets Cozy.  Last but not least, my beautiful friend Jean who started me off in this wildly wonderful adventure.  

I am VERY excited about a NEW design plan!  I am sooo excited.  The possibilities are vast!  I can not share right now, but will as soon as I can.

Stay warm out there on the east coast, Spring  is near.

Hugs,

Mary

Smile

The sun is out today! Some how the sun can negate the fact that it is 1 below, 9 below with the wind chill...I guess it is not very windy out today! I am always so thankful for a sunny day! We are lucky, I think, to have our front widows facing south and the fact that our home, while a traditional Georgian style on the outside, has a very welcoming open floor plan inside. We still have a dining room but it is open to the foyer. Our front living room is also open to the foyer and all so to the back living room via beautiful paned French sliding doors. The back living room is mostly open to the kitchen table and kitchen and there are two hallways extending from front to back of the home. Plenty of light streams in from the large windows and glass doors in the back.
The day we walked into our home for the first time I loved it. Light was streaming in and everything was white! Just like we asked our Realtor for!
I so appreciate our home this time of year even more so. Any light we are given during the day has every opportunity to come in. Today the light is streaming way over and into the shelves in the dining room holding these tea cups. I just dug them out of the basement where they have been sitting, waiting for me to return them to their rightful place once again. Caitlin, Douglas and I would have "Tea Parties" with these cups. We drank hot cocoa, dined on Pepperidge Farm cookies, and tried to mind our manners while laughing. It was great fun.
I hope that the sun is streaming into your home and work place today!

Hugs,
Mary

P.S. Thank you very much for all of your help with my crochet project! Your support is so appreciated!!!
p.s. the crocheting is coming along quite well!!! (at least i think so :)

What I did/ What did I do???!

Well, I am not sure what I did.
I do know that I DID get excited about crocheting.
I DID buy this. Guess WHO is in it!! : ) Which is why I bought it!
I DID plan on crocheting a padded hanger.
I DID see the circle pillow somehere out there...where???
I DID think I could do it.
Lastly, I did jump right in, with no help.

The photo you are aboout to see is PRE- Jean. She is in no way connected to what you are about to see. Do NOT attempt to drink or eat while viewing the photo... I do not want any one to choke... although you may die from LAUGHTER!

Please click on the photo to see ~



Once you have recovered, please help me!!!
Jean was so polite and kind. I had to tell her that I could not resist the puff stitch (ps) { see, i do know something! "ps" means "puff stitch" } so I grabbed some white yarn, of a different weight, of course, why not! I was fine until the fifth row.... yes that is when they stopped telling you how many stitches you should end up with after you finish a row. (better point out here that i really depended on that stitch info, i tore out each row at least twice in order to end up with the right number of stitches!)

ALSO~ Does anyone know why it is rufflie??? Jean could not even figure out what I did wrong!!!

What Jean did discover:
Mary you---
Put the (ps), puff stitch on the "back side".
me~(whimper, whimper, because I like that side better, Jean ( Jean laughs)

You used the wrong weight of yarn.
me~ do you know how I love this shade of green and softness of the yarn.

What size hook did you use, Mary?
me~ Well, the pretty pink one Jean! (i am not kidding you, that is how I chose)

The Puff stitch should be done in the same weight as the main yarn, it directs you here in the pattern.
Did you read the supply portion of your pattern , Mary.?
me~ no, not really Jean, i did not want the colors they used.

Finally Jean suggests that I unravel the work up to the fourth row... where it is still laying flat and use the correct wieght of yarn for the puff stitch.
I hope I know where the fourth row is!!!

ANY HELP you can give me I would greatly appreciate!

Oh merci, oh vous remercient, à l'avance!!
(Oh thank you in advance!!!)

As I bundled up all of my books and yarns, I let Jean know that I also was going to do a pretty shell stitch around the pillows edge! :) Jean tipped her head back and Laughed!!!


Hugs,
Mary

A New Habit Springs Forth

Oh dear! I have a new habit. Let me explain...
It took me, hmm 3 years to develop it! I was browsing around Michael's innocently enough when we met. No not the crochet hook. Jean. A most lovely and dear woman. She was in the aisle with the booklets on various needle crafts. Somehow we started to converse and by the time we parted we had exchanged phone numbers and set a time and place to meet. Jean is an expert crocheter. She can crochet those beautiful doilies and table scarves, etc. Her gift is great and she was on the prowl for a student! Those first few meetings she tried to explain how to hold the crochet hook , how to handle the yarn.... I was not a pretty sight. I was not grasping the idea at all. Finally she suggested that I just keep moving along with my chain stitch and it would all work itself out as I crotched more.

After a few classes I became busy with constructing my Christmas buildings for a shop in town (pre-blog and etsy days) and did not have the time for learning another craft! jeesh! How could I even think of another project let alone another field all together! I was not "hooked" yet.

Fast forward to to the present time where something is clicking in me, was it time. ??? Go figure, for I can not. It just came to me and now I am going to learn. I will see if Jean is still available ~ to me. Perhaps she has banned me for my abandonment of her... I still feel very bad. But I think I can do it now.

I am excited. My yarn and package of crochet hooks came from JoAnne (50% off coupon! I love the shades of green. It reminds me of the fresh green grass... and flowers will look lovely against it! EXCITING!
I can make my very own spring. Well, hopefully! I will keep you updated! :)

Hugs,
Mary

L*O*V*E*

***I wish you hugs, wonderful laughter and love this Valentines Day***



Hugs,
Mary

Neglect/Mishchief

My latest project! I have no before shots for I jumped in after years of deliberating on getting rid of this piece. This shelf; purchased at a craft fair years ago in Plymouth, MI with my husband. We placed it on the wall in our new home and important objects adorned it.



But times changed and it came down as we moved to a new home. It sat neglected in the spare closet (now my studio), briefly made its way into a corner in the office, then taking a trip south to the basement. Neglected. Weak attempts to revive it as I once a year thought about it. I neglected to delve into it's possibilities. Luckily it's neglect did not cause deterioration.



No one threw it in the trash or used it for bon fire wood. It was there, in the basement waiting for me. Lucky ME!
Inspired by Kath Kidston I found a nice green paint color. After TWO attempts for the Cheeper company to mix my paint with the "exact" recipe from the original paint company (not Kath's) I went to Michaels and mixed up my own recipe to match that lovely shade of green that Kath uses.
*(to save on the quantity and cost of the paint I did not go to my usual favorite paint store...)



So there you have it. Once again beautifully adorned and giving warmth and new purpose to a little hallway leading into the dining room.

A little neglect may breed great mischief. ~ Ben Franklin

Hugs,
Mary

Spring Entry

Today will be in the 60's!!! Remember, I am here in cold,WINDY, FREEZING Chicago and it is FEBRUARY! Ah, It is a true heat wave and I will be taking full advantage of it!. The sun is already streaming thru my windows, renewing the body & soul. I hope that you will be enjoying a pre spring show this week also.



The primrose is from my grocery. I like to get at least one each spring and for $1.99 it is a nice treat. This time I did a bit of re-arraigning. I replaced the heavy metal urn, which is nice but I wanted to "lighten" the area, with two separate glass pieces. A clear candy dish on top of a pretty aqua cake stand. I know, a bit different, but I needed more presence and I like the "tanslucency"! It freshens the area and with the primrose in place and the sun streaming in it really is a welcome sight!



I will be back tomorrow to show a little project that I am working on. AND it is actually finished! Yep, before I have even shown you the the AVANT/before shot. Ah~hum. in fact this time there will be not one tease shot for I forgot to take before shots! At least it is done!

Hugs,
Mary

Thank You Jessica!

This is cute!  Caitlin whipped it up a few weeks ago.  I love how she has punctuated her message :) 

She made it all up for a very special fred flare  Charity Event!  You can find the event at Snail Mail Valentines For Charity.

All of the proceeds will be going to eldercraftsmen.org.  They provide crafts for seniors.   LOVE THAT!

So naturally I wanted to join in too!  A quick brainstorm with my sketch book and this is what I have offered:

Yes, the photo was very quickly taken so that it could get packaged up and off to the post.

I love the  "Thoughts Of  You".  Is that not what we all have for those that we love!

And this just in!  Oh merci  Jessica!!!   Enjoy your Valentine Mobile.  We know how wonderful you are to support such a wonderful cause!!!  

And a big hug to Caitlin for letting me know about another great event at fred flare!

Hugs,

Mary

p.s.  I was so excited about hearing form Jessica that I forgot to thank all of you for your kind get well wishes!!!  I am feeling much better now!  Oh merci!!!

Sunny/Under the Weather

I already took a sip of my tea before taking the photo... felt like bad manners.

This was followed with chicken noodle soup, which I do not love for this was the first food my Mom would give us when recovering.  This would have been preceded with Vernors.  Have you had Vernors before?  It is a delightful soda, a ginger ale.  Well, it is not lovely when you are ill. Served with vanilla ice cream, as in ice cream float, is delicious...  rendering childhood memories of being under the weather negligent.

Yesterday I spent the day in my favorite pink chair with the remote, my headache, cough and sore throat,dosing on and off.  Ah, "he" would not dare touch the remote now!  Not with all of my cold germs all over it!  Ha Ha!  My hubby does not like to be sick, who does.  But the Super Bowl was on so even though I had the remote, I placed the T.V. on the appropriate channel... sneaking a peek at the Kitty Half Time Show and the Puppy Bowl once when someone left the room for a moment.  This was the very first time that I have watched an entire Super Bowl!  Yep!  I have never sat thru an entire game. It was ok. It is pretty brutal. 

Oh, I only have a bad cold.  As I am finishing this I am feeling much better, new medicine. 

I hope that all of you are in tip top shape and enjoying some sunshine streaming through your windows. Lovely!

Hugs,

Mary

P.S.  

All of those clementines with their vitamin C did not seem to stop this cold from getting to me! humph, go figure.

Sunshine!

Yes, this delightful, refreshing, delicious and energizing little sphere of sunshine! It is getting me through a very long bout with snow and freezing single digit temps. Last week it was in the double digits giving us a heat wave! NO kidding! It felt wonderful! Sadly the arctic blast from the other week reached far south into Florida! So very sorry. At least we expect this type of weather.

Every time I see these little "CUTTIES", as they are called, I snap them up OR the original version (as I like to refer to them) Clementine's. My Mom always treated us with Clementine's during this cold time. This year they are on the shelves much longer than usual. I do think that the season is waining down though.

If you are in need of brightening your outlook, try a Clementine or a tiny Cuttie!



Hugs,
Mary

Artic freeze ~ Aberta Clipper...

Sooo cold! Any way you say it, it is way too cold. The weather is frightful as well as the driving. Most of us are driving slower these days and I am thankful.

I am thankful for the miracle in New York yesterday! What a gift, what a blessing.

I am thankful for our cozy home from where I found some shots through the windows to share...

This is our pink bench.


This guy was trimmed last summer after ALL of the birds left. I started this bush awhile back when it was less than two feet tall... it is now over 8 feet.




This is one of the urns on our front porch... yes I have left the Christmas finery in them... I love how the snow cascades on this. The photo does not show this off well.


Hmm.... hot cocoa sounds good tonight!

Hugs,
Mary

Remember These?

Do you remeber these pretty plates from last summer?

And this little beauty?

Well! I have hung them up on my kitchen wall! After my daughter made note that I have nothing on any of our walls and my husband fully agreed. Let's remember that the hubby is willing to put ANYTHING on the walls just to have something on them. I remember quite well after we were married, when he wanted his "Dogs Playing Cards" tapestry up on the wall of our apartment! Now this is a man whom I had to convince that placing furniture away from the walls and even at an angle was ok.  

So they are both happy now. AND I must say that the hubby hung the plates for me... while not quite "hearing" the plan for how the arrangement of plates would be. He decided upon a circle. I had to go along since they were already there and the holes were made... but in the end it is not a circle. The last two plates did not work out quite right so it is as it is. Not a circle. :)





I placed them on this wall fully knowing that I can easily make changes.  I do like how it has come out in the end... however~
If you have any ideas for other arrangements of the dishes, I would LOVE your suggestions!

Thank You!!!

Hugs,

Mary

Parisian Bistro

It has been cold and dark here lately. The type of weather you really want to curl up by the fireside and have a nice meal and conversation. A bistro style meal! Oh, I do love homemade mac and cheese, but I wanted a bit more healthful meal, especially since Caitlin was home for dinner.
I had boneless/skinless chicken breasts, nice carrots and mushrooms in the fridge with good potatoes in the pantry. Perfect.

All that I did was to prepare the potatoes and carrots for roasting:
cut into wedges or slices (the smaller the faster they will roast and I wanted mine done in 30-40 minutes).
Place on a foil lined cookie sheet with sides. Drizzle olive oil over them and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Herbs of Provence. Place in the pre heated oven set at 375F.

Pre-heat an OVEN PROOF pan on stove top burner.
Place a table spoon or so of olive oil in it and then the chicken breasts which have been lightly salted and peppered.
Quickly brown each side of your chicken breasts to seal in the juices and give flavor to your meat and pan. This will be a couple of minutes on each side.
Now place pan in oven for 20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. If you nicely time the veggies and chicken they will all be done at the same time!

For the sauce:
Place chicken on a warmed plate and cover with foil.
Place pan (that had chicken in it) over a medium burner, add a table spoon of butter and sliced mushrooms, sauté these for a minute or two.
Add a bit of low sodium chicken broth and if desired red or white wine if you have it on hand. Heat through and pour over chicken.
Ta Da! A nice spinach salad is wonderful with this!
I made it two days later when my son was home for lunch (a rare event!). I was thrilled to give him a homemade meal in no time flat... for in no time flat he was out the door for work.

Let me know if you try this! I do think you will be thrilled with your effort!!!

Hugs,
Mary

Carola

This post is all about the wonderful PRIZE package that I "won" at Carola's!
Well, prize may imply that I actually did something to earn this generous gift. I did not, for you can not say that going to a friends blog and saying hello is work. It is a joy! A joy that I have not been able to do much of lately. So you see what a treat to visit all of YOU!

You may notice, in the first photo is a beautifully soldered ornament with the Eiffel tower within it. MADE BY CAROLA! Now My Grandpa Marks taught me to solder when I was in High School. I needed some stands for some pictures I had made. So I bent wire and he showed me how to connect them! I, sadly, have not solder since. But look at Carola's expertise! There is also a religious medal of the Pope!



Her presentation of each package was delightful! Details all over!

AND what treasures lay hidden inside!



Beautiful wrapping papers... for so many uses other than wrapping.





And this is what was hiding within the above two wrappings~





Notice the double sided wrapping paper ~ gold dots inside!



And the last photo of a VERY CUTE petit tin!!!!



Sorry it is a bit blurry.
I do love petit boxes. In fact my son just gave me a cache of small round tins!!! I think I will make up something pretty for you!

I would like to say thank you to Carola for another fabulous give away!!! When you visit her , you will surely notice her talent for taking beautiful photos also!

Hugs,
Mary

.~**HAPPY NEW YEAR**~.

It is strange to think that 2008 is gone and the New Year is here! AND, if one wants to think ahead... next year 2010!!! Now that is strange!

But let us not get ahead of ourselves or the moment! In fact, I need to look back a tiny bit! The entire holiday fun was a whirlwind. I would like to share a few things from this season.

The BEAUTIFUL plaque is by Karin! I was able to scoop it up at her beautiful shop. I love it and am very grateful to have it!!! I think it is a wonderful New Year slogan too~ "GREAT JOY"



This present was for ME!!! My son Doug is the creator of the wrapping. Every year we take photos of Doug and Cailtins' present wrapping work, for all gift giving days through out the year. Needles to say that I personally love their work and LOVE it when they have time for a gift made by them... and with their busy lives now, I am grateful for the way they give a gift!

Here is Caitlin's work...



Well, the left over! I slid it off before we took the photo! The box was a beautiful brown box from Anthropologie in a cube size. Can you see it there on the tree? The silver tinsel in the shape of a present with a flower bow :)



This little deer and tree plaque I made especially for my sister Amy and her husband Jim and their daughter Emma. They are in New York and I do not get to see them very often. This plaque reminds me of them. They love nature also.



The above photo is of something that is very dear to me. Not just because of the birth it reflects, but because my sisters and I have received them from either our babysitter or the wonderful Nuns at out CCD classes. Yes, they have glitter on them! This one Caitlin found for me at a thrift shop. Then she found a LARGE ONE!!! It is about 4-5 inches tall.

So that is a little peek into my happy holidays!
I hope that your new year is brimming with GREAT JOY!

Hugs,
Mary

Love And Joy

It has been a few weeks of busy holiday fun and preparations along with creating Christmas homes for you!

Thank you all so very much for your kind words, interest and purchases from the Winter Wonderland!!! I do love making the various homes, church and Santa's Sleigh for all of you!

I have also been helping Cailtin, my daughter, get ready for the Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale. This event actually took place this past weekend! This was great fun, and Caitlin's booth/table looked FANTASTIC!!! I would say, with no bias whatsoever hehehe, Nice had the best booth of all! (She has all of the photos.)

Sunday afternoon we left the Renegade and headed out on our own!!! This is not a usual event, to have uninterrupted time, no real time frame . We stopped by Shabby Chic where I browsed to my hearts content. Visited with Elisabeth, my favorite Shabby Chic girl! So very very kind and sweet and knowledgeable. I made a few small purchases, which I cannot show at this time... sorry.
After Shabby Chic, we went to lunch at a wonderful cafe, Nookies Too. Every table we passed held deliciously prepared items.
It was going to be difficult to choose! In the end we had a wonderful turkey club which we split. We do that a lot, way too much food otherwise. Then we drove down Michigan Avenue to see the holiday hustle and bustle (way too cold to get out).


Yesterday I put a few more items in the shop (etsy). I will be joining Lolli Shops also, but not until my personal IT person can assist me,ur, I mean do it for me while teaching me. yep.

Little bitty Cottages of Love and Joy :)



A flurry of beautiful glass, pink beads, vintage! Thank You MOM!



Whew, there has been alot going on! In the past I have always left December free from work, except for a few friends needing some projects or gifts finished up. I do, as I know all of you do also, value time with family, friends and preparing for our family holiday happenings. I also get the urge to make NEW things during this time!!! How contradictory! I once went out two
days before Christmas to find red and white check fabric of good weight to make a table cloth and napkins for Christmas morning! Does all of that fuss really matter? NO. It is very nice and fun to do, but time with each other is all that matters.

Hugs,
Mary

"Walking In A Winter Wonderland"

Today is the day!
You waited sooo patiently while I worked away like a little elf. A lot of love has been filled into each of these homes and packed into Santa's sleigh. I took a lot of care in designing and hand creating these pieces and I hope that you fall in love with each of these soon to be family heirlooms.



1) “Comfort And Joy”
Just outside of town, nestled in the countryside sits a cozy church ready and welcoming 'Comfort and Joy'. Oh, I hear the church bells ringing now! Every bit of this sweet little church has been lovingly made by me for you! I've adorned this building with Faux stained glass windows, a quaint bay window, “stone” work detail, arched windows and a beautiful round tower that holds a golden bell which actually rings. This will definitely become a family heirloom.
12” long X 8”wide X 13”high
$98







2)” Let It Snow”
“The weather outside is frightful, the fire is so delightful...”
But there is a place to go- Let your eye scurry past the Christmas tree and up the front stairs to the welcoming front porch. Then, let your mind dream over the cute deer in the front yard. Everyone's cozy with Christmas cheer inside this little home.…"let it snow, let it snow, let it snow".
This home was dreamed up with an amalgamation of friends and homes that I love in mind. A bay window, covered porch,,a chimney,shutters,sparkling snow, and custom trees and wreaths! Has snow ever looked so welcoming!
11” long X 9” wide X 8.5” high
$98






3) “Christmas Time In The City”
The city is all a hustle and a bustle with winter’s finery on display. The snow has fallen softly over the rooftops and trees are iced with sparkling snowflakes. The home has been dressed in the finest holiday trims, ready to delight each passerby and greet loved ones for holiday festivities.
This home is packed with details ...it’s Christmas time in the city!
This was the first Christmas home I designed for this year. A townhome/brownstone sitting ready to welcome in holiday cheer. Three levels of windows and a nice welcoming stoop at front door. This home is crowned with pretty roof details.
Holiday cheer surrounds this home from the custom Christmas trees and wreaths to the golden garland drapped around the top. Do not forget to check out the back porch :)
8’ wide X 12’ long X 13” high
$98





4) Santa Claus' Sleigh
Santa is ready for his world tour!
From the hand embroidered blue snowflakes on his coat to his adorned sleigh packed with Christmas goodies. Santa is ready for his special flight with a beautiful, strong reindeer. This was great fun to design for you!
“Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!!!”
$35





"Have yourself a Merry little Christmas"... just follow these few steps to Pre-Order
1) E-mail me @ marykholcomb@hotmail.com with the name of each piece that you would
like.
Shipping is $10 per building and $7 for Santa's Sleigh, each shipped separately.
2) I am ready to make 15 buildings... what ever the combination that is desired by all
of you. :) AND at this time 3 Santa Claus' Sleigh.

Ho~Ho~Ho~ Have fun and Thank You!

Hugs,
Mary

Last Sneak Peek

Hello, hello! I have moved into the "photo room" of my house. For this project ,this room is my front living room. The room that I decorate in my favorite style.

Why have I moved into this room!? I am taking photos of THREE new Christmas building styles to offer to you!
I am presenting them a tiny bit differently this year. I am going to offer pre-orders (limited quantity) for now. These beauties take a bit of time to make as each is made by me ^o^. We will see how it goes, if time allows for more to be made I would love to make more for your Christmas and winter homes.

Ok, ok. The three buildings are:
: a beautiful European style church
: a brownstone home
: a beautiful welcoming home

I am trying to post them no later than this Saturday, Nov.1st. First come first served, by stating which building(s) you would like in the comment forum of that post.
As you may have guessed from my two sneak peeks, I am very, very excited about these pieces. I feel that you will all love to add these to your homes beautiful and loving decorations.
~~~~~~~~ I have even more surprises coming for the holidays!~~~~~~~~~

Thank You oh so much for your patience!
Hugs,
Mary

The View from My Room...

This is my view for a few weeks now. When I was helping Caitlin I at least was able to get out of doors! I have been VERY busy, working very diligently on Christmas items. I am behind... well, I would be making Christmas collections now no matter what. I have been known to make them up until Christmas eve, when they are for my own family! Christmas is so very special!
While getting the mail yesterday a friend was driving by and she stopped for a moment to laugh about various projects around our homes. She also informed me that NEXT WEEK is HALLOWEEN!!! "NO" I responded, "you MUST be wrong!" "Please!" As much as she wished I were right, she informed me that it was true! Cute little Trick~or Treaters will be arriving at my door step next Friday.
We moved here, to Chicago, quit a number of year ago now. Our Children were thrilled to move. One reason was that it was
Halloween weekend and this area had a potential for a long and prosperous trick~or~treat evening. But come the day, while we were out getting some necessities, we noticed "strange" little people out roaming around the streets! Now mind you this was at 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon! What was going on? It could not be time to send out the munchkins, could it!!!? It WAS! They start early here. We were used to 6p.m. until 7~8p.m. We hurried up into our new home and you should see how fast kids can change when needed!!! They were off with their Dad to conquer new territory!
Now my young people help to hand out the treats... well, we all rush to the door to see which cute little gobblin we can recognize!
I will be back before Halloween. I wll have wonderful things to share with you too! :)

Hugs,
Mary

Jingle Bells

Yes, this is another SNEEK PEEK. I am very excited to show off TWO new Christmas homes. ummm, but not quit yet. :) The one above may be called ~ The Little Cottage Around The Corner. This would be after a favorite movie The Shop Around the Corner
If you go to You Tube you can see some clips of this movie. I was not able to show them here. Clip 10/11 is very nice Besides a nice scene,it has snow falling beautifully.

Hugs,
Mary

Petit Ballerina

The fall weather is quit beautiful today! The sun is out against a beautiful blue sky and the leaves are showing a blush of pink, orange and yellow. Lovely. I also enjoy fall for the cozy reflective quality it gives to me.

The above petit ballerina I actually made a number of years ago! Hmm, like perhaps 1995 ish!!! I had another one but it is not wiht me any longer. She was a kind of "hobble skirt" gal with a cute hat also from that era. I hope to get some little figures made yet this fall.

For now, I am finalizing two great, if I may say so myself, new Christmas houses! I was at the "I hate it" stage a few days ago, but thankfully, have now moved onto the "I love it" portion of the project. I will show photos as soon as I can.



So I will keep you "posted" hehehe.

Hugs,
Mary

Extra,Extra!!!

Just out today!!! The Autumn 2008 edition of Somerset Life! Meet up with old friends and get to know new ones in this beautiful fall issue!

If you love strolloing thru beautiful gardens you MUST visit Clarice Fox-Hughes. Viewing her garden, in this issue, is as if you are there, soaking up the warm sun and all of the beautiful aromas of her garden. As you turn the pages there are paper dolls, beautiful packaging... Every page brings new feasts for your eyes. How do they do it in every single issue!!! Instead of linking you to these web sites today, I am going to let you discover these talented women for yourself. You will "ooo" and "Ahhh" as your mind swirls with the beauty and talent in this issue and behind the scenes of Somerset Life.
Well, here is one gal who sends Thanksgiving thanks early to the Stampington Team, especially Jenny Doh. Thank you for finding me and OH THANK YOU for bring us this wonderful publication, Somerset LIfe.

This is a special project I was thrilled to be involved with!!! I decided upon a tote bag and combined my love of embroidery.



And to be green, I used vintage material for the handles and edging fabric :)



Jenny, thank you so very much for encouraging us all to challenge ourselves, not just in projects that are feasts for our eyes, but also those projects that feed the hearts of those in need! Cheers to you and Maurine!!!

With Love,
Mary

Now Introducing~

Yes, my Son, Douglas. Intelligent, smart, funny and fun, caring, compassionate, giving and talented in many fields! Above is one of my favorite photos of his! I love it and THE only reason I would dream of telling you how YOU can get this photo is that he can make another one for me! :)

This photo represents one more facet of his style. another favorite of mine are his night shots which also include industrial locations. You can see and purchase his work at Doug Holcomb.

Doug was asked by his boss to take photos of real estate that they were conducting business on and they eveloved into being used for his new website, Schramko Real Estate If you are wanting to delvelope or purchase real estate in the Chicago market, Chris is the one to see. An excellent businessman in a tough field. He is the best!

So I have more great news coming!

Hugs,
Mary

Something New

I have been working on something this week. I actually began working on the main project early in the summer. I can not tell you about it yet. Soon, very very soon I will share it all with you!!! Very exciting!

I DO have great news from Caitlin. She has just updated her shop,Nice at etsy! I have been waiting for this! she and Doug, my son, had a photo shoot last week! Very exciting for Doug is a great photographer and Caitlin is a wonderful stylist!! I can not wait to see the finished photos!

Hugs,
Mary

I Came Back!

I made it back! I am excited to show you what I found! At the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago, Caitlin was a few doors away from her neighbors of last year, Kelly and Matt of My Favorite Mirror!!! Actually, by Sunday morning they were her our neighbors! The several tents in between had collapsed under the rain fall!!! Above in the photo you can see a CUTE key charm ring! Kelly has started her very own design line.!!! She and Matt have art work from other artists on their products but she has now designed her very own line! :) LOVE THAT! I was able to get one before the supply was depleted!!! LOVE THAT!!!
LOOK at the back~



I just popped over and took a peek at the Renegade Scrapbook! Hop on over for yourself and see all of the FUN in spite of the weather! They had a great stage set up and while I was there I heard a few songs. I think that Renegade did a great job selecting the bands. You will also see a shot of Caitlin's table while you are there!!! This was taken late Sunday night.

I have to say that Sue, the head of Renegade had very tough job that weekend, what with the weather! I know she felt for all of the vendors and bands. The rain did not interfere with the spirit and strength of the Renegade Chicago group! If this were a sport, which it just may be, I would say that it was a great series. Congratulations to all of you who came out, set up tents, walked the show and joined in the fun!

Guess what!? I will be back tomorrow!!! Oh Dear, have you fainted!? I have a lot to share right now!

Hugs,
Mary

More Than Soggy!

My Oh MY! The Renegade Craft Fair, like the U.S. Mail, goes on no matter what the weather! Our beautiuful city of Chicago received the most rain fall in our recorded weather history! The tent took at least 30 minutes to put up!!! This is a "pop-up" style of tent, somewhat like an umbrella. Why sooo looong? It kept filling with water so fast it would become too heavy to slide up the mechanisms!!! Gallons of water at a time where emptied out!!! We were drenched and very happy to get under the tent, once it was up!!! Caitlin arranged her tent interiors beautifully!!! A special wall she designed to display her deer plaques,clocks, light box memo boards and New printed art work! And along the sides,the beautiful lights that she has been designing since winter of 2007. But this was their BIG Renegade DEBUTE!!! Oh they are so beautiful! Then it slowly started to happen... drip, drip, drop. Like the little Disney song, "Little April Showers"~



Caitlin's Dad was already all over that problem. He had gone out to Home Depote and found the perfect tarp. Large and light weight. Since all of her neighbors tents were up we used a stick and our Secret weapon! Caitlin's boy friend James! You can see James and Caitlin in the first photo. He is nice and tall! :) He is also a wonderful guy, helping Caitlin all weekend. So very nice and I now that made it great for Cailtlin. Her Brother Doug also came down to help her Saturday and Sunday. Her support group was all there and with the weather, it was a blessing! :) Yes indeed! For when Caitlin, James and Doug returned on Sunday morning two of her immediate neighbors tents were almost completely caved in by the water collecting on top! They ended up closing up. Lucky for Caitlin that she has a great tent and tarp from her Dad :)

Here is the French version of "Little April Showers"



Due to the rain, the electricity was unable to be hooked up until FINALLY the skies cleared (of rain, not clouds) late Sunday afternoon/early evening. Everyone loved how beautifully lit her tent was. The lights were beautiful!!! Oh, did I say that already! Well they were and I lOVE them!!! I WANT one BADLY!
We were all drenched for the weekend, but everyone was in good spirits!

I WILL be back tomorrow to show you a cute little something that I got at the fair. REALLY! :) I will!

Thank You for Sticking with me while I recovered from my very bad cold!!!

Hugs,
Mary

Almost Lost!

As I was putting away some of Caitlin's plates Look what I found!!!  I had forgotten all about it!  That is pretty sad since I found it at one of ONLY two flea markets I made it to this summer!  And it was the only item that I found to buy!  I do love it.  Perhaps I will wait and make my wall of plates next winter. I am kind of weird that way, in that I like to wait and look forward to the fun.  And I do believe that we ALL would agree January and February can always use some cheer!

"Almost Lost" could apply to myself! I apologize for the lack of posts in the past few weeks.  I am on the production line for my daughter's Renegade Craft Fair Booth.  This year I believe Caitlin will be close to the music./  Yes, Renegade is having music!  Last year the music was part of the Division Street Party.   Can you say LOUD!?  If you go HERE you can link over to the various bands sites and sample their sound.  The location and times for Renegade are there also :)

Hugs,

Mary

Say, stop by and say hello to Caitlin, the "NICE" booth! :)

A GREAT movie!

A few weeks ago the hubby and I made it to the movies! He thought we were going to see the new Batman movie. Funny thing though, I had already let him know, over and over that I was sorry but I will NOT be able to go to that movie. It looked too sinister for me and reviews from friends whom had seen the movie agreed with me. I guess he had high hopes.

So the two of us were standing there in front of the movie "marquee" trying to figure out what in the world the other movies were about! We gave up, asked for help and we were given a "cheat sheet". Then it hit me! Henry Poole Is Here! That is the movie I had heard about that I had made a mental note of. Of course all the while not knowing the title and a small tad aobut the movie BUT It was rated either PG or G. Let's face it! It is easy to have a movie rating such as those stand out of the crowd.

I highly recommend "Henry Poole Is Here".This movie was so wonderful! We felt wonderful leaving the theatre! And if you would like another reason to see this movie~ how about LUKE WILSON!!! I do believe he is quite cute! I must say that the ENTIRE cast is absolutely lovely!!!

Memories

Once in a journal, my one and ONLY journal, I wrote: "Create = Breathe". That pretty much sums it all up for me. I would venture a strong guess that all of you feel the same way! Since my days as a 4~5 year old cutting out "dolls" from my story books to sewing, crafting, painting...So many great projects, people and memories! Yes, ALL OF OUR talents go on and on as we keep challenging ourselves.

These various pins were made while my two children were quite young. Made during naps and evenings, like many of you now :)

I loved making the angle pins and the cake pins. And the heart pins were great fun also. I only have two hearts left. I had kept one with tulle on it, for telling my tulle wreaths! I also had hearts that had little ribbons gathered into beautiful little bows, placed in the crease of the heart. I even had to make the tiny "hat boxes" for the pins!

Earlier this summer I saw Tammy Gilley's Hearts which she was creating. They so reminded me of the hearts that I had made years earlier. I LOVED seeing her hearts! I felt like I had traveled back, but NO! :) They are made today! The hearts are why I am writing this post. You too can have a beautiful heart, this time to rest your head upon as you dream of all of your new ideas! Just hop on over to Tammy's Studio!

"Dream A little Dream"!

Hugs, 

Mary