Miracle?

My husband loves to forage in Homesense as much as I do. Yesterday he brought me these two cuties. Both the crown and the dog are cast iron. The dog is painted gray, I don't think you can tell from the photo. I love when he surprises me like that. Today, when he got home he went to change and hollered down the stairs: " There ARE still miracles today; I found five ironed shirts in my closet. " Very funny.

I Remember Mama

A long time ago my mother made this laundry bag. She made the stitches and coloured the picture. I came accross this when I was digging out my (unironed) tablecloths. I'm afraid this bag is older than I am! I would love to know what she coloured the fabric with don't you? Do you notice that she never completed it either! I wonder if I should.

Lovely Things

I love to collect vintage pitchers and tablecloths. They make me happy.

This little jug is one of my favourites.
My aunt did the embroidery on this cloth a long time ago. She gave it to me because I love pansies. She just passed away a short time ago so it is extra special to me.
The rest of the cloths either came from my Mum or at yard sales. I never paid more than $2.00 for any of them.
I have lots more little pitchers I will show another time. Does anyone else like to collect these things?

A Place of My Own

Ever since I was a little girl, I've always wanted a dollhouse. My favourite toys were always miniatures of something, be it dolls or houses. A few years ago, when we first became empty nesters, I decided to fulfill my life long dream of owning a dollhouse. Thank you Ebay! We don't live near a large enough city, so all my purchases came from online. I've made a few things but mostly bought the furniture, etc. There are lots of great blogs and other online sources with tons of ideas.
The living room rug is hand stitched. The walls are Benjamin Moore Natural Linen and the tea set is real silver in honour of my hubby who collects real size silver. The little mat at the foot of the stairs was made by me stitched totally in french knots which mimics rug hooking. My husband wired the house for me and the lighting just brings the place alive. You notice I have a dining room table but no chairs, still hunting for the perfect ones. I think if you click on the pics they will get bigger.
Thanks to Jayme of Tales from the Coop Keeper she has got me going on my dollhouse again. I kind of put in the background lately. Next time I'll post pictures of the kitchen. Stay tuned!

Pass It On

My friend Karin over at Creative Chaos creativechaos.typepad.com wants to share this great news for crafters everywhere:

First.......I have it on good authority that I and/or my group in no way shape or form scared, frightened or struck terror in Carol Duvall with our frenzied meeting. Thank God. So that leads me to my second piece of good news. Not only was I not banned from any future meetings, gatherings or correspondence, I was given top super secret information about the eventual return of Carol by her long time producer Kelly Ehrlich. Kelly and I have quickly become, as one might say in the industry, BFF's since that fateful meeting in the lobby. Ok, she's only written me twice.......but, hey, that's BFF material in my book.......Hi Kelly! Coffee next week? I'll have my people call your people!

Anyway, the super top secret information is that Kelly is trying to get an online craft community together called icraftnetwork featuring Carol. Although the site is not up yet, she is hoping for beta testing in the next couple of months. If you email Kelly at icraftwithcarol@yahoo.com , you will be put on the mailing list, as well as, be part of first beta test group. Meaning you will get to see the site before the general public. It’s like a backstage pass to a rock concert!

So, anyhow, I got a chance to chit chat with Kelly about the new site...........

Karin: So, Kelly, now that I've been "personally chosen" to spread the word, what can you tell us about the site.

Kelly: Ummm, I’ve actually told many people about this; but I'm glad you can help us out! The site is not up yet; however, we are hoping to have it ready for beta testing in a a couple of months. What everyone can look forward seeing on the site is the largest fully interactive craft community online which will include many of your crafting idols, a market place where members can sell their own crafts, they will have access to amazing craft projects from the craft industries most talented and most recognized craft experts. We will be the HULU of craft programming.

Karin: That sounds exciting! Can you explain to everyone what that will entail?

Kelly: Well, they will be able to view and discover craft programming they never even knew was out there. We will be producing original icraft Network programming with all the Carol Duvall show regulars and the craft industries leading craft designers as well. There are so many bells and whistles on this site it will literally be a crafters utopia.

Karin: I love utopias! Especially when it involves crafts. So how can crafters participate on the icraftnetwork?

Kelly: There will be a variety of ways crafters can participate. Members will be able to upload and share their own projects and craft videos. We will be highlighting craft bloggers, events, news etc. The purpose of this site is to bring the best of the crafting world all under one roof.

Karin: So does that mean Carol will be back on our screen soon?

Kelly: Carol is going high tech; so keep an eye out for Carol and friends coming to a computer screen near you soon!

Karin: So, Kelly, can you let me in on any other secrets....please........pretty please......

Kelly: Ok.....I will say this, top secret of course, there is power in numbers and my wish is to build the largest online craft community that will support the launch of a 24hr craft network. I think the networks are missing out by not seeing the huge demand there is for this type of programming. I want to prove to them that there is a HUGE demand and an audience that will support this type of programming. THAT is why I need every crafter who misses The Carol Duvall Show and other shows like hers to email us at icraftwithcarol@yahoo.com and let your voice be heard!!! In the meantime, we will producing online craft segments and shows for your viewing pleasure on the site.

Karin: So one last question.....now that I practically know Carol on a personal level, do you think she would come over to my house if I cooked her dinner?

Kelly: Maybe with a little added security and some guidelines, you might get her to accept a dinner invite.....lol......

Karin: Yay! Carol's coming over for dinner! I hope she likes Costco

Back to the drawing board

Last Saturday after endless searching I found a vanity for the bathroom. It has a marble top and an undermount sink and is in the cottage style that I am looking for. Now DM decides it's too small and he will build me one. Oh, dear, this may take awhile and in the meantime there is no sink in the bathroom, our ONE and only bathroom. It's the never ending project, never mind the craft room. Help me Rhonda! Beam me up Scotty! the end.

Altered Art

Last year for my birthday my hubby and daughter #2 gave me Paintshop Pro. I love playing with the images although I'm not very good at it. The original images come from the Graphics Fairy.