This, That and The Other

I'm heading out of town tomorrow again. I figured if I don't blog about some random things today, I won't blog much at all. So I thought I'd give you a little update. 

Here is a peak at a new crafty project my WM team is making. I'll let you in on more details in the near future. This is the trial run, so the fabrics will be completely different. They are super simple to make and can be used for many different things. 

I thought I'd show you a little collection of vintage sand shovels I bought on Instagram recently. I have one more to add to the mix. It's a perfect summertime collection. 

I made some simple handmade stamps from pink erasers the other night. I pulled out my carving blades that I've had for 29 years. I took wood carving classes way back when. The erasers are surprisingly easy to carve. I did one more with hearts, but it didn't make the picture. I also bought some adorable ones from an etsy seller. Check her out, they are SO CUTE!! Her shop is talktothesun. She makes ao many different ones. 

I also recently searched for prayer journal ideas and printables on Pinterest. I found this beautiful one, among others. She also sells on Etsy. Her shop is ValMariePaper. She uses really nice paper for these. These are made to be used monthly, with new lists beginning each month. I'm anxious for July 1st to get here so I can start using it religiously. 

Well, there you have my recent randomness. I'm much more active on Instagram these days. Look for me over there, I'm Karen B. 

Gone and Back Again

We went back to the COLD Midwest to visit our kids and parents this past week. 

We made it to the next stop with just a little snow scare. 

Nothing like a shake and Tom's during a snowstorm. 

My mission at my in-laws was to photograph my MIL's doll collection to prepare them for sale. 

My SIL brought some old Fiestaware over for me to have first dibs. My daughter bought these pieces from her. I bought some fun pieces too. 

Isn't this a sweet Efffanbee doll? 

I got to play with my nephews baby boy. What a sweetie he is. 

Now we're finally home, safe and sound. Thankfully, we missed the impact of the newest snowstorms that are moving across the country! We had such a sweet visit with our precious family. Many changes happen between our visits. Which make goodbyes even harder. Stay warm and hug a family member! 

Mushrooms, Cows and Little Girls

What is it that makes something "speak" to me? I have no idea. I'm sure sometimes it's a current trend or magazine article that I've recently read. Trophy's have been immensely popular collectibles in recent years.  Sometimes I'm stubborn and don't get on the bandwagon just because everybody else does. I've given in on this one. It had my maiden name on it.  It's kind of a funky cheap brass color.  I like it.  I especially like it on this blue box.  

Then there's the cow trend.  Mostly up close and personal cows. IN YOUR FACE COWS. I really do like those too. I figured I could get away with a cow in a pasture a little easier. It's really pretty on my mantle. It's so hard to get a good, non-reflective photo on my mantle. I just don't think it's possible. So, you'll have to be okay with a view of my ceiling fan and pot lights. 

Now my mushroom is NOT a current trend. HH just doesn't get it. I can understand that, but I do. Again, I like him a lot. Maybe I'll start a new trend. Well, cute mushrooms with red polka-dotted caps are trendy, that's true. So, maybe I'm not too original on this one either. 

This darling, little Chalkware girl came home with me also.  She's just sweet. So there you have it, my purchases from last week's Matilda's sale. There is also a red clock, but it's put away for another day. I had an awesome field trip with girlfriend's yesterday. I'll show you pictures soon!  

Vintage Music Christmas Decor

I took so many photos of Christmas decorations that I need to split them up a little. Here's the first installment and a new project that I've really enjoyed. I hope you do too.

When you walk in the door from the garage you're greeted with a reminder.

Just in case you've been shopping all day, the powder room is the first stop.

It has a birdie theme all year long.

Since birds and music ties together, I went through my collection of vintage music and found Christmas carols. Then I used Tacky putty to carefully place them in a collage on the wall. I took out the inner pages and placed them carefully in a file folder. 

My dear friend Deloris gave me this music and I'm so grateful. Isn't it beautiful?
Check out the rest of my vintage Christmas decorating here.

Please join me at Common Ground for lots of Christmas inspiration and The Inspired Room.

Deals and Steals

I decided recently to start a small collection of "silver" handled brushes to display in my guest bath in this apothecary jar. I saw the idea somewhere, probably Pinterest. I thought it was lovely and so kept my eyes open for these brushes. A local antique shop had a few that were very pricey, about $65 a piece! That wasn't going to fly. So, I checked ebay, where they were going for $30 - $40, probably some were even less. I never ended up bidding on any. There's something about seeing it for yourself before you purchase. A couple of weeks ago when my friends and I went antiquing on a very HOT Friday, I found these. I think the most expensive one was $32. I probably got all four for less than the antique store's price. That was a good deal, I think. It's just the beginning, but really, I don't need many more.  

I'm not finished with this little arrangement, but you can get the idea. Now for the STEAL. Our town has a Facebook group for selling items. Usually it's for children's clothing, toys, and household items. I was selling some moving boxes and was on the site the other day when these antique hand mirrors popped up for sale. I jumped on that since there were being sold for $20. The entire set of 7 for $20! Now, they're old and show some wear, but, I think they're lovely.  

I think I'm going to hang them in a grouping in the same guest bath. Below are some ways I could use them. If I hang them, I've just got to make sure they're secure. It would be bad if they fell off of the wall in an earthquake. Wasn't that a great steal?

    

Summer Decor

I did a little fussing yesterday.  I finally had time to.  Boy I know how to make a mess.  I added Miss Liberty to my Independence Day decorations this year.  She fits right in.

You might remember my Betsy Ross plate from last year.  My husband calls me that on occasion.

My State plates come in handy.

My small collection of souvenir glasses are appropriate, I think.

It certainly does say, RED, WHITE AND BLUE! Have a happy and safe July 4th!

I don't really know how to make this photo a link.  I'm joining in on this party, to visit go here.

Thimble Collection

I absolutely LOVE this photo from Curious Sofa.  This makes me really want to collect thimbles.   I'm not sure I should collect thimbles because I really love this photo, though.  That seems sort of backwards.  I actually sew, more so in the past, to be honest.  I think I have, or my parents have, my grandmother's thimble.  As soon as I start collecting thimbles, I'll forget which one is hers.  The one I've always used is actually leather.  So, it's not so cute and collectible worthy.   Is it bad to collect something for reasons of display and decorating?  Oh my goodness, I'm making too much out of this.  

On a more fun note, my parents who live in the Kansas City area have actually bought me a gift card to Curious Sofa for my birthday!  I don't have my next visit planned, but I'm excited!  So, I'm just going to drag out this BIG birthday as long as possible.  Visit Debbie from Curious Sofa at her blog here.  

* Evidently this photo is not from Curious Sofa.  If it is yours, please let me know so I can give you credit!

Sheep Collectibles

Look at that face!  
I collect sheep.  Aren't these sweet?  I received these two precious sheep for Christmas from my DH.  I don't have a big collection and don't want one, but I do want special sheep.  These sheep are hand made by Colin.  I collect sheep because I knit and also because I'm a Christian.  

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 

"Look, the Lamb of God," who takes away the sin of the world!"

John 1:29

Festive Corners

Welcome to my Home if you're taking the tour! My antique cabinet that I bought when we lived outside Boston gives me lots of opportunity to display pretty things. I collect sugar and creamer sets that you can barely see. I only have a few. The santa mugs I found at a garage sale. My husband drank out of similar mugs as a little boy. The plates on the bottom are from Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn. The china is Noritake Royal Hunt that is appropriate for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'll have to do a tablescape one of these days.

This is a collection of vintage Christmas cards that all have a Scottie dog theme. A friend of mine let me choose out of her huge collection. Her Uncle had saved every Christmas card he had ever received from the 20's, I believe. They were all neatly organized by year. This was before we had Buddy who is a Cairn Terrier, cousin to the Scottie.The long stocking is from Home Goods. The red one, I knitted last year from this pattern. I used a light blue velvet ribbon. I'll have to take a closer picture for you.

Others posts have shown close up photos of the side tables in the Living Room. I'm sure, I'll post more. ;-)
Thanks for stopping by for a visit. If you're visiting from a Christmas Home Tour check out my other Christmas posts. Please visit the other homes on the tour at Rhoda's or Julia's.

More Christmas Decorating

Snowflake Tree

Handmade Christmas

Elves

Luke 2

Clean Counters

Elves

Thanks to a friend who loves these fairies, I have a new addition to my Christmas decorations this year. Like I really needed more Christmas decorations! This little guy is the small Sugar and Spice Fairy by Mark Roberts. He is bendable and perfectly happy to sit anywhere you'd like, even on the kitchen counter. You can find a dealer near you here. Check out more Christmas links at The Inspired Room.

More Christmas Decorating

I have a small collection of sheep that I decorate with for Christmas. For two reasons, really. First and most important, the sheep was used many times in the Bible to symbolize Jesus Christ and the sacrifice of His life for you and me. Second, I am a knitter. Plain and simple. This one is my favorite, he's out all year.

I just bought this one. He has a smile on his face. I actually haven't gotten the others out yet.

I've decided to try and add more blue to my Christmas decor this year. Basically because it's one of the main colors in my house. This book was my children's (I think anyway). And the little reindeer was Memaws. The beautiful mirror was a birthday gift from my Mother and the silver compote thingy was off of ebay.

This is a lovely, but fake amaryllis from Target. I can NEVER get the real ones to look this good. So there you go. FAKE! You will notice I have many old Christmas ornaments. Several years ago I went to a garage sale with my Mother-in-Law. I found 6 boxes of old ornaments for 50 cents a box. I snapped those babies up so fast your head would spin. I also had to drive them back home 8 hours, but I didn't care. My MIL thought I was crazy. I still love them. Some of these are also Memaws. For more Christmas ideas go to The Inspired Room.