Thursday, April 30, 2009

Mini-Book Project!




















I've finally had a little time to play with paper, scissors, and glue! Making scrapbooks or books of any kind has always been an enjoyable hobby for me, but of late I've not had much time to spare so this has been really great fun. I think I like the process as much as the final product.

Give Me Thine Heart!


Give Me thine Heart
Hear ye not a voice from heaven
To the listening spirit given?
"Children, come!" it seems to say,
Give your hearts to Me today.

Lord, may we remember Thee,
While from pain and sorrow free,
While our day is in its dew,
While the clouds of life are few.

Then when night and age appear,
Thou wilt chase each doubt and fear.
Thou our glorious Leader be
When the stars shall fade and flee.

Now to Thee, O Lord! we come,
In our morning's early bloom,
Breathe on us Thy grace divine,
Touch our hearts and make them Thine!


I found this beautiful vintage prayer the other day and thought I'd share it with everyone. The birds are sweet; the sentiment sweeter still!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

One of the Sweetest Songs!

One of the sweetest songs I hear each day is the song of the lovely goldfinch come to feed. They are always beautiful but, now that they have their summer colors, they are more brilliant than ever. Still it is their lovely songs that charm and serenade my cottage dreaming days!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Come Fly Away With Me!

I love the colors in this vintage butterfly postcard. Aren't they wonderful!

A Few of My Favorite Things!

This little cottage cabinet lives in a corner of the master bedroom and is a delight to look at each day. All manner of treasures find their way into this happy space. Hope you enjoy perusing the shelves!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Peter Rabbit Popping Up From His Hiding Place!

Here's little Peter Rabbit popping up to say, "Hello"! I'm sure he'll duck right down when he sees Mr. McGregor coming to hoe  his garden! But, for now, just look at how cute this little guy is! 

This darling bunny-rabbit is a recent find from one of our local thrift shops. (I can't resist that shop!) There seems to be an endless supply of sweet cottage finds just waiting to be discovered! Now what could be more fun than that?


Saturday, April 25, 2009

Return of the Wrens! Elson Reader Artwork!

I just love the illustrations from this vintage Elson Reader. Nowhere else have I discovered such wonderful artwork. Whoever, created these pictures surely loved animals and birds...as do I!

By the way, my wrens have returned and right on time. Last year it was April 26 and this year April 25. They will sing for me all summer long and I will be the happiest bird lover around!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Something "Fishy" Going On! Look What I Won!




MARCH 17, 2009
"Fishy Swa" Winner!

"I have chosen the winner of our monthly drawing for the "Fishy Swa" pendant - it is Coralie Cederna Johnson. I have notified her and hope to hear from her soon."

(This is the wonderful email I received from Pam Dansie with the sweet surprise of having won the beautiful glass Fishy-Swa pendant! As most of you know my husband had open-heart surgery on March 17 and I'm just now getting back to blogging. So I'm happy to say THANK YOU PAM FOR THE WONDERFUL GIFT, even though my thank you comes a bit late! I love this gorgeous pendant and will wear it with great pride and joy!)

I hope you will all take a look at some of Pam's other lovely glass work! I think you'll love it! I know I do!

Is Anyone Familiar With These Dolls?

I found these adorable dolls, still in their original package, at an antique mall a few months ago. Does anyone know anything about them? They are called Jack and Jill "Huggable Rag Dolls" but I've never seen them before. Have you?


(For so many of you who have asked, my husband Jim who had open-heart surgery recently is doing just great! We had a huge set-back when he ended up back in the hospital from too many blood thinners but that has been remedied and all is well. He's able to drive, walk the dogs, and enjoy feeling well! We are so grateful for his good health and also for all of the good wishes received from all of you good friends. Many thanks to all of you! We so appreciate you!)

Room With Yet Another View!

Here's another area of my all-purpose room which shows a few of my books along with the tables I use to do a bit of crafting, photographing or whatever else I'm into. This all changes with the slightest new inspiration I feel from day-to-day or hour-to-hour.  I like to display my recent thrifty finds out where I can enjoy them...until the next batch comes along. 

For so many of you who have asked, my husband Jim who had open-heart surgery recently is doing just great! We had a huge set-back when he ended up back in the hospital from too many blood thinners but that has been remedied and all is well. He's able to drive, walk the dogs, and enjoy feeling well! We are so grateful for his good health and also for all of the good wishes received from all of you good friends. Many thanks to all of you! We so appreciate you!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Another View of My All-Purpose Room

The Lassie Come Home picture is on the wall right above the teal desk chair you see in the picture. So now you have a view of the adjacent wall. I do try to keep everything organized but it's sometimes difficult when I keep changing things. But, oh well, that's what keeps it all so interesting! And so much fun!


All Creatures Great and Small!



And I love them all too! How about you?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Beautiful Log Cabin Quilt in Silks & Satins!




From my personal vintage collection. This gorgeous quilt was completely built by hand. Whoever, put these colors together was a true artist! I've never seen one more beautiful!

Lassie Came Home!


Several years ago, when Jim and I were newly married and out shopping at our local mall, there happened to be several vendors selling their vintage wares in a kind of flea market. One of the vendors had original movie posters from the 1940's and 1950's. I just couldn't resist looking through all of them only to find the original Lassie poster with a picture of Roddy McDowall as the young boy in the movie. Dame May Whitty, Edmund Gwenn, Nigel Bruce and Elsa Lanchester were also listed on the poster and I was in awe!

However, the price was a bit steep so I decided I would just have to leave it behind. So we returned home, but my love of collies and shelties and Lassie just kept reminding me that I should have bought the poster while I had a chance. But the sale was over and we weren't going back.

And...you guessed it! I forget what Jim's excuse was for 'going out for a few minutes' but when he returned it was with poster in hand! What a gift of love! But it was huge! There wouldn't be a frame large enough for it. But he handled that too and went out to his workshop and made this beautiful wooden frame which I've cherished all these years!

Lassie Come Home sits right above my computer desk and I get to enjoy the scene in living color every day! Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Technicolor Triumph lives on!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Return of the Robins!

Here's what's happening in my back yard! Lots of robins have returned in the last months and it's so heartening to see them back once again, starting their families, and keeping our yard alive! What pleasure it is to see them again!

Three Little Bluebirds Winging Your Way!

The vintage illustrations of bluebirds are some of my favorites. Don't you just love the springtime blossoms and background blues featured here? 

Monday, April 13, 2009

Bluebirds of Happiness for Springtime!



Not long ago, I discovered these lovely hand appliqued pillowcases at a tiny antique boutique in a tiny town somewhere along our path to another larger mall in Ohio.

We like to enjoy the ride so were taking our time along the back roads, enjoying the scenery and just relaxing when suddenly I spotted this unique little shop.

"Stop the car! We have to check this out," I exclaimed!

The shop was filled with beautiful linens and white antique items all crowded together in a gorgeous collage of cottage bliss. Everything was beautifully arranged and I had a hard time choosing but finally settled on this pair of pillowcases and certainly have not been sorry for the choice! Bluebirds for happiness! What more could anyone ask for?

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter Bunnies!




Happy Easter everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!