BLUE MONDAY Wishes~

Discovered Smiling Sally this morning
and wanted to go on a new blogging adventure.
~ Blue Monday~
Visit her today, if you too,
would like to share some blue!
I think I will dress in something
blue today along with this lovely ladies.

BEDROOM BEAUTIES~

These are hanging in my bedroom and
while lying in bed this morning
enjoying a warm cup of coffee,
I thought,
I would like to post these beauties
for you to enjoy also.

This one is all one piece
(not sure what type of material was used)
could be some kind of plaster cast, just not sure.

I always enjoy combing the beach for
nature's delicate treasures.
God is a wonderful artist and when I stop
to really look
I am never disappointed.

Hope you take time today to reflect on the Creator.
Blessings abound ~ Candy

LATEST TREASURES~

Holiday break was over this week which means back to ukulele band practice with Melba (90 yr. mother-in-law) and neighbor, Sandi. We travel a couple towns down the highway to meet with other musical friends...some are really good, some getting better, and then there are the newbies--Sandi and I are in the last group (just started last year). Melba teaches us hula and all the other things she has done since retiring in 1980. My in-laws moved from Houston to Wimberely four years ago to be close to us. Melba was in four bands in Houston, sometimes leading them and has joined three since her arrival here. I have joined only two (not retired like the others) since I help my husband home school our 16 yr. old son .

I said all that to say, we hit every Thrift Store between here and there every Wednesday.
We strum a little, shop a little, and eat a little...
we really enjoy our girls day out!

We also have a favorite Dollar Store
where I picked up this bargain butterfly bag.
Feel free to copy and use if you wish.

Buttons, boxes, and birds...of my!

One of the things I can't pass up are
beautifully colored glassware.
The tall one is a new color for me--purple.
It was made in Spain.

This is the second suitcase I found this week, both only $2 each. By the way, this is in my living room. Everything in my home is hand-me-downs, second-hand shops, or heirlooms...I can count on one hand the things I have bought new. I love to love pre-loved things!

Beaux trésors français

Discovered a 'fab-u-lish-ous' site today.
Shawn will take you on a French tour...
you won't be disappointed!

Here are a few French books from my family trunk. This one on the left is Les Recits DU CHATEAU 1847 and the beautiful blue one is Histoire Naturelle des OISEAUX des Reptiles Et Dea Piossons, also 1847, a nature book of birds.

This one is newer...1901.
Would share a little about what's inside but
I don't speak French! Hope you enjoy.

Knock! Knock! Who's there?

Care free and happy! Don't forget to dance.

BUTTERFLY GIRLS~

Here are some beauties for you. Enjoy!

'WELCOME' Home

Visiting The Feathered Nest this morning, I enjoyed seeing a few of Dawn's treasures on display. The dainty little candlewicking picture reminded me of this projected I had done many, many years ago. It hangs over the back door and after a while just fades into the background and is forgotten. I took it down (dusted it off) and wanted to share it with you. A happy little sign! that says, 'Welcome to all my new blogging friends from all over the world.' Have a great Tuesday.

Another trip to the library ~

Couldn't resist the folksy red bird with her little thimble purse!

Mary Jane's book is loaded with great projects and life lessons she has collected along the way.
For you old timers who already know about Ms. Butters, please remember, I just started blogging this month so my new interests are running wild.
Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome I have received.
God bless, Candy

Here is a cute picture for you to use~

Birthday Blessings

Thank you Sharon for the inspiration on embellishing a personal journal.

While creating a pocket on the inside cover I experienced a sweet moment. Playing on the CD player was Amazing Grace - A country salute to gospel and the song was It Is No Secret...light bulb...idea for a bookmark. I thank the Lord for that inspiration.

I placed these little pictures through out the pages with
a note of how this special lady, Thelma, has blest my life...

and me giving her a flower...I Love You!

This is going to my dear friend on her 85th birthday tomorrow. She has been a spiritual mentor and was my birthing coach when I delivered Samuel 16 years ago.

Some fruit of my labor

Started with a pillow I had purchased on sale. Then using some material I had on hand, appliqued some leaves and border in green. Selected buttons in 'grapeish' colors and sewed into place. Then attached to the pillow by sewing just under the tassel fringe.

Beautiful buttons, some old, some not so old.

One thing leads to another...

I want to build a bottle house in my back yard, so I took a trip to GOOGLE land for some inspiration. This can lead into worlds one can only imagine. While zigging and zagging through images that catch my eye, I landed in Janet's world...

of recycled art collage creations and just had to share. http://janetcooperdesigns.com/index.html Hope you will enjoy them, too.

Magnolia Pearl

Love this sofa! It beckons one to sit and dream. Robin Brown, also known as Magnolia Pearl, inspires me. In her book A Bit of Velvet & A Dash of Lace she shares her decorating and crafting secrets. You can learn more about her interesting story by visiting your web page http://www.magnoliapearl.com/

Pin cushion colletion

Was so happy when I spied this one tucked down low in a bookcase amongst a crowded antique market booth. So cute with the little drawer under the seat.

This one has a rustic home made look I really like and by the stool marks was a loved and very used item. Wish I know by whom.

Look what I just found...again! While puting something away discovered this pucked in the back of a drawer. I am suppose to be cleaning house, but just had to post this right now. Have you ever seen one in this style?I can only image what you pin cushion collectors out there can do with this. I'll not hide it away this time.

Beauty in Junk

After finding this quote I put together a small collage of found things.

'Once you begin to see
the beauty in junk,
every outing can become
a treasure hunt.'

I purchased a book from a second hand store, Twice Blessed, entitled American JUNK by Mary Randolph Carter. Inside she gives tips for the Junk Hunt! Essential tools, a junking survival kit, haggling, how to dress for the hunt, and something I really need RESTRAINT!

Birthday wishes from the past ~ 1904

Here is a precious photo of Annie as a small child. Unfortunately she passed away in her early twenties. But thankfully we have a glimpse into her sweet spirit through this little birthday card she made for a beloved cousin.

I can make out most of the message on the envelop. Seems Annie 'met with disaster getting the bow knot through.'

I love the message Cousin Annie wrote here on the inside. This folks were world travelers and I see down on the left hand corner of the artwork embossed on the paper 'made in France' and the hand writing under looks to be in French. We have many French books with lovely covers from the same trunk treasures. I don't think Cousin Annie would mind me sharing her personal little birthday wishes to Dear B.B. ~Hope you enjoy! Candy

AMERICANA menu

Monday, May 23, 1938. This one is older than the last one. Wish the relatives would have left a note inside with details of the evening-who, where, why? Never thought to take a menu from 2009 and keep for those who will come after me...sixty years later.

Insert on the menu with the original paperclip. Fresh Killed Spring Chicken...I wonder if they kept them out back of the restuarant?

"Thirty Minutes for Supper"

This painting on the cover of a vintage menu
is Walter Richards,
portraying travelers arriving at an
early-day "Harvey House" much like
the first one three-quarters

of a century ago.

Dated as Monday, December 8, 1952
WOW! Great prices...but not sure
what the average income was?

"When our eyes see our hands
doing the work of our hearts,
the circle of creation is completed inside us,
the doors of our souls fly open,
and love steps forth to heal everything in sight.
~Anne Jones~

Honoring the Family

While visiting Lori's blog she too,
has made a fabulous collage of old things.
All the lace, buttons, and even
the collar were tucked away in trunks.

The Holbergs saved everything, so I was happy
when the eye glasses were discovered in a box with
many others.