NOOK AND CRANNY

AM I A PINKY KINDA GAL??

2012-01-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

I am wondering if I am really a pinky kind of gal.

If you follow me here on my blog, my home doesn't have a stitch a pink in it (except my creative space)

I guess when it comes to creating I tend to go towards the color pink.

I still manage to incorporate nature, birds, burlap and such in my work.

I do think that pink and soft pastel colors do go well with burlap and grunged trims, aged items and such.

A tag I created awhile back using pink vintage wallpaper. The wallpaper I purchased at a yard sale, a whole roll.... hah!

I purchased this vintage apron.

I would not wear this apron but I plan to use the fabric.

I guess when I create something for a swap partner I tend to go towards the pink.

I take a look at my swap partners blogs and I come to realize most like pink...

This is a tag and a paper shoe I created.

A paper doll for a swap using some vintage trim I dyed pink!!

I guess I don't mind capturing photographs of pink things either.

More supplies.

I love vintage hats, pink ones as well.

Hope you enjoyed some of my photos of pink things.

I guess I am a pinky kinda gal, are you??

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

DRESS FORM PARTY

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Check this out.

Over at The Polka Dot Closet, Carol is going to be our hostess

for a dress form party on February 7th.

NOW, this is great!

I have had my dress form for awhile now. I have dressed it up a few times, you can see the posts here and here.

When I purchased my dress form and posted my first post on it, I wondered "why doesn't someone do a dress form linky party", well here we are!!!

Fantastic idea. I can hardly wait to see all the creativity.

Do you have a dress form? You really should get it out, dust it off, dress it up and show it off.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

PREPARED TRIMS AND SUCH

2012-01-23T13:24:00.004-05:00

I thought I would share with you some of my prepared items I use in my art.

If you follow my blog you know I love rustic, nature, earth tones, rusty shabby, lace and trims of all kinds.

I love the old and tattered look.

I have tons and tons of vintage lace and trims, trims from wedding dresses galore.

I scored big at a yard sale a few years ago, a woman that was in the wedding dress making business was going out of business. I purchased a contractor size plastic bag half full, yup half full of scraps and trims for $5.00, yup I did say $5.00.

I love to stain some of these trims with coffee and tea, sometimes I use Tim Holtz sprays and sometimes I use chalks, and I have been known to use shoe polish as well.

I grunge up a lot of trims at once so I have these on hand when I want to use a piece or two in a project.

I also create a bunch of tags using copies of old photographs from my stash.

I just love to tuck a tag into a pocket on a project or I have one ready for a gift I am giving.

I also love to include a nice tag along with my swap gift for my swap partners.

I love using old clothes pins in my projects, you never know where you may find one of these.

I purchase them from the dollar store, these are colored already, I add glitter.

These are regular pins that I stained with coffee then glitter.

It is helpful for me to have many items ready and available on hand to use in my projects. I also enjoy having these items hanging around to look at.

Do you have items ready for creating, what are some of your prepared goodies?

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

DELICIOUS

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe on Pinter est, Reese's Peanut

Buttercup Banana Bread.

You can find it on this blog

I have yet to spend more time looking around on this fantastic blog. Head on over for a look yourself, I think you will be happy that you did.

I made this for my Figgy for her birthday celebration that we had last night.

Of course Pinter est is a great place to find amazing things to try.

Happy Birthday FIGGY!!

MY WINTER NEIGHBORHOOD

2012-01-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

I want to share with you my winter neighborhood.

These are bunny prints in the snow at our bedroom window.

I believe he is chasing around a little mouse. I can see the mouse prints but the camera won't pick them up very good.

One of my bird houses. I like to leave them out all year long, they get there very aged look.

After the last snow fall.

Mt Mansfield in Vermont.

Incredible!!!

A local horse and his winter house.

The ducks don't seem to mind the freezing waters of Lake Champlain.

Canadian Geese.

See that one top of photo; he was making all sorts of noises.

My favorite little winter birds, so cute.

If you would like to see my neighborhood in the summer months you can go here.

I do love all four seasons.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

I LOVE BALL JARS

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love old Ball jars.

I use them for many different things, let me show you a few.

I inserted a simple votive holder in the top and put in a tea light candle. This jar is filled with buttons. Just think of the possibilities!!

This jar has several little vintage bottles.

Some measuring spoons in the kitchen.

Some of my favorite tea, it is tea time right now...

In my craft space.

For paint brushes, pens, pencils and such.

These Ball jars are even good for putting little bears in, cute don't you think?

I decorate with them for the holidays.

These jars can be filled with many different items for each of our holidays.

How about some eggs for Easter, some candy corn for Halloween, perhaps some spiders and scary bugs as well. How about a bird nest with tiny eggs, some heart candies for Valentines, the possibilities are endless.

I hope I have inspired you to go out and find a few for yourself.

What will you store in yours??

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

NEW YEAR VIGNETTE

2012-01-10T13:25:00.002-05:00

A new year, a new vignette.

This is a new centerpiece on the dining room table.

The aloe plant was given to me last fall at a rummage sale, I planted it in the vintage coffee can. Do you notice the old door knob and the little brown bottle tucked in the dirt?

The bird nest was given to me by my dear friend Stacey, she knows I love to collect these little items from nature. I did a post awhile back on a gift of nests, you can see that here.

This bird was given to me by my Figgy for my birthday.

This is the vignette. I have used my antique sewing machine boxes, love these!

The clock I purchased at my local auction house for $5.00

The little white vintage bird cage was also a gift from my Figgy.

The bird cage has a handmade nest with a glass bird, eggs, a post card and several bead pins made for me by a blog friend.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone!!

I have been away from my blog for a short time, for what I consider a good reason.

Meet my DARLING grand baby Olivia.

Olivia came to us on December 13th.

This child fills my heart with so much joy, I feel as though I can hardly explain it.

I look so forward to the new year and all the excitement and wonderment this child will bring into our lives.

This image I found on Pinterest.

I will be on the lookout for the most fantastic dress to create a lamp (for a little bit later on) just like this for my little Olivia!!!

This is so darling....

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

(Olivia's Nana)

NATURE, BIRDS AND CHRISTMAS

2011-12-16T09:06:00.004-05:00

I have finished up on my holiday decorating.

I was waiting for the birth of our grandchild.

She did arrive on Tuesday, more of that next post.

My large nest made from two vine wreaths.

I filled with my Christmas ornies and other goodies.

Spools, vintage children wooden blocks and a vintage fishing tin for storing worms.

My centerpiece made with greens, dried milk pods spray painted with gold glitter and finished off with gold and red glitter along some of the edges. Birch branches, gold stars, cattails, a bird nest and birds of course.

I found this wooden mitten at the Christmas Tree Shop. I added some sheep wool to the top of the mitten.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Holidays

Michele

OUR GRAND BABY IS ON HER WAY TO MEET US

2011-12-12T13:09:00.001-05:00

HOLIDAY DRESS FORM

2011-12-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

My dress form is decked out for the holidays once again.

I so love all of the fabrics on this dress form from the deep red of the chest to the sheer gold with acorns and holly.

I love the gold ribbon and the color of the feathers.

Do you own a dress form?

Do you deck it out for the holidays?

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

HOLIDAY STUFF

2011-12-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

I have not done much decorating so far.

We are expecting a grandchild any day now.

I have decided this year there will be a lot going on and no time or desire to take everything down when the time comes, less is more this year.

I have looked through some photos from other years and thought I would share.

I do have a few of these mason jars out. I love these jars..

This is a little hanging I made for my Figgy last year, so precious.

Santa's train

An all time favorite photo.

A purchase from a yard sale over the summer. See, 25 cents!

Mr Nook has been busy studying for his Captain boat license. The dining room table has been covered with charting maps. He tests on Sunday so I will making a centerpiece come Sunday when the plotting maps disappear.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

I SHOULD INVITE THE MAIL PERSON IN FOR COFFEE

2011-12-07T12:33:00.006-05:00

I really should invite my mail delivery person in for coffee. I feel I should get to know this person for he/she is stopping by a lot lately to bring me all of these gifts.

If you follow my blog you know how much I love a good swap!!

These are all swap gifts from some amazing swap buddies.

This tin swap was inspired by Wendy over at Blissangles

This tin is from Lorraine, you can visit her here.

I do believe Lorraine visited my blog, she created this tin with all the things I love. Birds, wildlife and burlap.

I love this holiday tin, thanks Lorraine.

This is the holiday tin I created for Lorraine.

This is a stocking swap, this swap was inspired by Cerri at Littlepinkstudio

I received this beautiful stocking filled to the brim from Stevie-Lynn, you can visit her here.

Stevie-Lynn made the stocking herself, way more than I wanted to take on. It was filled to the brim with vintage goodies. I love these pins she made. I have them displayed in a vintage bird cage. Thanks Stevie-Lynn.

You can see the holiday stocking I created for Stevie-Lynn here.

A button ornament swap inspired by Laurie at Buttonfloozies

This swap had three different swap buddies.

This heart button ornament is from Lorraine, you can visit Lorraine here.

The piece of vintage doily and some of the buttons are from Lorraine's grandmother.

Thanks Lorraine.

These button ornaments are from Debbie at Mosiacmagpie, you can visit Debbie here.

These are beautifully hand sewn. Thanks Debbie, my button floozie friend!!

This button ornament is from Laura. Laura does not have a blog.

I love all of the green buttons and the special gold ones, too.

Thanks Laura.

You can see the button ornaments I sent to these three swap ladies here.

This swap was inspired by the Bloggerette Sorority you can visit this site here.

My swap partner was Cathee, you can visit Cathee at Artandsoul.

She sent along this beautiful gold glitter butterfly.

This beautiful ornament made with sheet music. This is stunning.

Cathee and I are going to do a personal swap together. We have decided to make a bird/nature altered art/collage book and will be swapping the end of January. I will look forward to this.

Thanks Cathee

You can see the items I created for Cathee here.

I sure do love a good swap ;)

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

"OH MY"

2011-12-04T10:00:00.006-05:00

This is my craft space this morning, OH MY!!!

I have been doing an online crop over at Bella Creations

The crop started Friday evening and ends tonight at midnight.

I have not spent all this time at it. I attended a craft show in our community yesterday, it was a great day.

I have finished up a few items for this crop, more on that later.

The crop is themed Holiday of course so I am surrounded by red, silver and gold mostly.

I have never joined in on a crop before, it is proving to be a lot of fun so far.

Well, I must get going I have much to accomplish today, bye for now.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

RECYCLED HOLIDAY GREETING CARDS

2011-12-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered what to do with your smaller scraps of sheet music?

I have cut down into strips to make holiday garland.

Have you ever wondered what to do with your holiday greeting cards?

I have been saving ours for a few years now. In the past I have managed to use some of them in collage work.

This year I have decided to make gift tags using the greeting cards.

The tags come in all sizes, some have a variety of strings and ribbons for hanging and others are for taping to packages.

I really like how most of these came out. Some cards I was able to get 2-4 tags out of one card.

We are having our local holiday craft show on Saturday. I will be in attendance with a bunch of these tags and the sheet music strips for making holiday garland.

I was sure to put some aside for my own use.

I am sure most of my blog followers are aware of this but just in case there are a few out there that are in need of some inspiration, I wanted to share.

Other years I have made and sold these snowflakes made from sheet music. I am so sorry, I can not remember where I found this tutorial it was about three years now.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

HOLIDAY STOCKING

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is a stocking I created and filled with stash items for a swap partner.

I love the image of the little boys. I have used this image a few times in the past. Last year I made a hanging for a friend, a picture of that is my header for the holidays.

The little boys are family members of Mr. Nook's. The few people in the family I have asked don't know exactly who these children are. I am sure they do look like family members but which ones??

I purchased the stocking at Michael's, filled with paper ephemera and all sorts of fun things.

I trimmed the top of the stocking with white and green vintage lace.

Finished off with a red, white and green tule bow, gold snowflake and a red glitter bell.

Can't forget the little rusty bells, I love rusty bells!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

OLDE CROW AND A SNOWMAN

2011-11-29T12:39:00.004-05:00

Here are a few holiday ornaments I created for a swap partner.

An olde crow all decked out for the holidays.

My swap partner loves snowmen so I created this hanging for her.

I recycled a holiday card.

I took apart the card and ended up with the snowman, the bucket of birds, the tree and the house.

I glued a vintage doily to a round piece of white cardboard. I then placed and glued the pieces of card to the doily.

I added sheep's wool around the bottom, a red feather, some tiny pine cones, rusty little bells and beige colored yarn.

Using my tag punch I punched out of the same card, the words "Merry Christmas", tied with vintage lace and a vintage button.

I really loved this card and was glad I could use it for just the right gift.

I love recycling holiday greeting cards.Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

BUTTON FLOOZIES

2011-11-25T10:52:00.005-05:00

Now that my three swap partners have received their packages I can show you the "Holiday Button Floozies"

This was a swap I entered over at BUTTONFLOOZIES

We had three swap partners to send a button holiday ornament to.

Here is a organza bag filled with vintage buttons, each paper doll has one of these.

I made these paper dolls using an image from my personal collection.

The skirts are made using vintage linen dinner napkins.

This music note ribbon I had left over from last year, I love this ribbon.

I had a little of this green vintage trim in my stash, happy to have found a use for it.

The bling on her hat is a pair of vintage earrings I found at a yard sale.

Her shawl is made from soft beige colored yarn.

This floozie's skirt is made from a dinner napkin and embellished with pieces from a doily.

Her shawl is made from gold organza ribbon.

Her skirt is embellished with a very unique vintage button.

She also has her bag of vintage buttons.

I so loved making these holiday ornaments.

This floozie has the most beautiful holiday hat one has ever seen, made with a vintage holiday earring.

Her shawl is made using a piece from a wedding dress.

Her skirt is trimmed with more holiday ribbon I had on hand.

This skirt is embellished with white and green ribbons and a few buttons.

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Holiday.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

WE ARE THANKFUL

2011-11-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Michele

A VISITOR

2011-11-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

Take a look at what came to our tree.

Sorry that the photos are a little blurry, photo taken from inside, through the window.

I do believe this is a female pheasant.

She could see me through the window taking pictures of her.

She was very curious, but not scared really...

Of course I love birds so I was a little excited that she landed here and I was able to get some good photos.

This tree sits right outside our dining room window. I was sitting blogging of course, when she flew in. I spotted her right away.

I sure would like to see her male partner fly into this tree.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day.

Michele

HOLIDAY GIRL #3

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Holiday Girl #3 sneak peak.

This is a paper doll holiday ornament for a swap partner.

Remember, mums the word.

I will post more pics once my partner receives her ornament.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

HOLIDAY GIRL #2

2011-11-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Holiday Girl #2 Sneak peak.

This is my second paper doll holiday ornament for a swap partner, shhhh don't tell.

I will post the rest of the pics when my swap partner receives this.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

Holiday Girl

2011-11-17T11:35:00.003-05:00

A sneak peek.

Paper doll holiday ornament for a swap partner, shhhh don't tell.

More photos when she receives.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

A GIFT FROM THE WIND

2011-11-13T07:47:00.000-05:00

I know I posted about these milk pods awhile back.

I just love these beautiful items of nature.

Here is a bunch of them in my back field. The wind will take the fluffy white seeds from the pods. All that will be left is empty pods on stems.

I have been watching this field of pods for a few days now. Once I can find some empty ones I will be doing some cutting. I have plans for these; paints, glitter and such, stay tuned.

I discovered this lone apple in the tree, do you notice the bite marks.

I believe a squirrel is walking out on the limb and having a little nibble.

This apple is the only one left on the entire tree.

Last night the wind blew, it blew all night long. This is what I found on the lawn this morning.

If you know me just a little, you know I love bird nests and birds.

Each nest is fascinating to me, made with care, made from different items. This one has a center of pine needles.

I will add this one to my collection.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

OLD FASHION COUNTRY STORE

2011-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

This country store is found in Ripton Vermont

This is an active post office, love this.

Some stats; there is a total of 559 people that live in Ripton.

10 people per 1 square mile.

I love reading all of the flyer's that are posted outside.

Basically this tells you all that is going on in this small town.

Who doesn't love an old country store??

Do you have a country store in your neighborhood?

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

A FAVORITE PHOTO

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is one of my most favorite photographs.

Happy Harvest!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

COVERED BRIDGE

2011-11-06T10:47:00.000-05:00

I've been going back through some of my photographs (I have hundreds) and have come upon these pics.

A few years ago my friend (Stacey) and I took a road trip from one end of Vermont to the other. We were gone for three days. Not that it takes that long to get from one end of the state to the other but we took our time and stopped where ever we wanted to.

Here are a few pics of some covered bridges I took.

This is the name of the bridge in the pic above.

This is a very long bridge, love it.

I really don't remember where these were located.

I absolutely love this sign.

Do you notice the holiday lights on this one? Do you also see the horseshoe?

This one is in South Randolph, VT ;)

We had a really great trip. We experienced a lot of the old Vermont. We stopped at antique stores and one of our favorite places to visit; old country stores.

Hope you can experience an old covered bridge or two.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

KITCHEN GADGETS

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

I love old kitchen gadgets...

These are some pics I took at a local antique shop awhile ago.

I am not sure why I love these items, I think it brings back very fond memories of times, and family.

My friend Barb had a conversation with me awhile back; "you have a great collection of old kitchen things, but why do you have a love for old kitchen gadgets when you don't like to cook or bake"?

You can see a post here and here of some of my collection.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

DO YOU LOVE BURLAP?

2011-11-02T08:55:00.000-04:00

I love burlap. I love the rustic look and feel of it. I love the color of it. I love that it represents nature (to me).

I purchased these two rolls yesterday at JoAnn's Fabrics. You can find this in the floral department near the floral wire and such.

I plan on using these rolls as garland on my holiday tree this year.

I think that would look great don't you?

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

A FLOCK OF BIRDS RESTING

2011-10-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

This flock of birds I found on our waterfront.

For a few weeks now all we hear when we go outside (night and day) are the birds flying south.

This large group here decided to take a break, much needed I am sure.

They were really making a lot of noise.

I could watch the birds for hours.

I often wonder if they think every year "oh gosh, that trip again!!"

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

MY ROAD

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Just a quick blog post for today.

This is my road.

The summer residents have gone for the season.

This is what peaceful really looks like...

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

DO YOU LIKE EGGS??

2011-10-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share my latest project.

This egg I purchased at the Christmas Tree Shop a few weeks ago.

The egg didn't have the linen napkin on the top, I glued the napkin to the egg before I decided I wanted to take a picture of it so I could post the making of this project here.

I added some feathers to the egg, some burlap trim, and a garland of buttons.

I had this vine star packed away in our Halloween box of goodies, thought I would make use of it.

The star has pip berries, I love pip berries.

I also dug out a cow tag from my collection and tucked it in behind the star.

I have found a perfect place in my kitchen for my new item.

Do you like eggs??

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FANTASTIC FIND

2011-10-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Take a look at this burlap bag I found at a second hand clothing shop.

I just love to rummage around second hand shops for items such as this. Usually these places in my area have household items for sale as well as clothes.

I love burlap of course!!

I plan to use some of my finer antique and vintage doily's to cover this bag. I will use some fine trims and such as well.

I plan on keeping this bag for myself.

I will post when I have finished.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

PINK FROGS, PINK MUSHROOMS AND SUCH

2011-10-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

Here are some pics from our baby shower.

If you have been following along I have been posting for several weeks now the items I intended to creative for my Figgy's baby shower.

These are the pink and magenta acorns I painted.

These were a big hit with all the ladies...

You can double click on the pictures to get a closer look. Do you notice the pink frog in the center? These paper mache frogs I purchased at Michael's and painted them pink and magenta. I used boxes underneath the platters and flower arrangements to give them height. I used moss and a roll of burlap for the feel of woodland. I spread around tiny pine cones, the acorns and mini pinwheels, glittered mushrooms and of course the whimsical woodland felted baby animals.

The flower arrangements have cattails.

Baby woodland animals, Figgy made these.

The wheat grass plants and a woodland baby were gifts for our guests.

We also gave each guest a beautiful bird gift tag, you can see that post here.

Our glittered mushrooms.

Lovely balloons.

More babies.

The little baby girls that you see is the image from the invitation copied and cutout and glued onto a pink Popsicle stick.

The shower was a great success. I thought everything was just so beautiful (if I do say so).

I so enjoyed myself, creating all of these fun and whimsical items for my Figgy's special day.

Figgy gets to keep a lot of the items to help with the decorations for her baby girl's nursery, fitting don't you think?

63 more days to go ;)

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

A FAVORITE THING

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

I love milkweed pods.

I enjoy these items from nature every fall. I love them when they are opened up like this. The seeds with the white silk is sooo beautiful. I do not think you can find a white whiter than this....

I enjoy them when they are not open, I enjoy them when they are partly open.

I really enjoy the pods when they are empty as well.

These wonders of nature are a great decorating item.

Put them in a container with water all by themselves. Put them in a floral arrangement.

I have been known to put these dried pods in my holiday tree as well.

What are some ideas you may have?

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FAMILY TIMEw

2011-10-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

Family (Aunt Cindy and Uncle Carl) were here a few weeks ago for a little family time.

We traveled to an apple orchard just south of Plattsburgh on our way out for a birthday dinner, mine!!

We purchased the best apples any of us have ever eaten along with some cookies as well.

Too bad gas is not this price!!!!

This is Cindy and Carl.

We traveled to the Thousand Islands in Alexandria New York.

Here we are waiting for our boat tour to start.

We visited Boldt Castle, as must see place.

The four of us went fishing for an afternoon. Cindy and Carl love to perch fish (I do, too).

We are on Lake Champlain in Vermont.

After our big catch (we ate perch for two days) we took a little ride around.

This is part of the sunset.

It really doesn't get any better than this.

A few days later we took a road trip to look at foliage. The colors were so fantastic on the mountains. We stopped for lunch during our trip, you know one of those great out of the way places.

We loved our family time together. We will be looking forward to going to visit family out in Nevada in the spring of next year. We are planning to visit the Grand Canyon.

AMAZING

2011-10-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

While out on our yearly ride with our friends this is what we came upon.

Pretty amazing don't you think.

We always manage to find something really fun and different on our trips, this was it for this year.

Sorry for posting twice in one day, didn't mean to.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

SWAP PARTNERS ARE THE BEST

2011-10-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

Awhile back I joined in on a matchbox swap with Heather at Speckled Egg

Rules were to create and fill two large matchboxes and mail to two different partners.

These are the boxes I created.

Box #2

I wrapped each box with a large linen dinner napkin and included a grudged piece of doily with an antique cloths pin with a button adhered.

Swap partners are the best.

This is my box I received from Tammie at My Art Soul Wings.

Filled with all sorts of goodies; glass buttons, tiny bird cage, colored mini clothes pins, paper ephemera, flowers, and other curiosities.

Thanks again Tammie, love it all.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

A GIFT OF NESTS

2011-10-12T13:07:00.003-04:00

Gifts from a friend.

I asked my friend, Stacey awhile back to save me bird nests that she runs across.

Stacey came for the baby shower last weekend and this is what she brought to me.

Have I ever told you I love birds and bird nests??

Yahooooooo!!!!!!

This one even came with the egg, get the heck out!!

Look at this tiny nest. I love this...

I am thrilled with my gift of nests, thanks Stac.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FALL PORCH

2011-10-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my Fall porch.

I have had this scarecrow for several years now. I love to take him out of the closet and create a vignette with him.He sits atop of a wooden antique box refrigerator on the screened porch. He is holding the old metal mailbox full of fall flowers. He wishes you all a happy fall harvest season. Do you have a scarecrow? Thanks for stopping by. Michele

TABLE CENTERPIECE

2011-10-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

My dining room table centerpiece.

A wooden pitcher holds the silk fall flowers.

The orange berries are from a tree (do not know the name) I have had these now for 2 weeks.The black bird is a wooden loon.

A small pumpkin gourd and a rusty tin filled with moss and acorns.

I really enjoy bringing the outdoor nature items inside.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

BABY CAKES, OH PRETTY LITTLE BABY CAKES

2011-10-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

During our family time last week Cindy asked to make baby whoopie pies for Figgy's baby shower.

Oh heck yeah!!!

Cindy purchased the Babycakes whoopie pie maker at Kohls.

I get to keep the whoopie pie maker, thanks Cin.We decided on pink whoopie pies with pink and white frosting.

The frosting is a special family frosting recipe, only a selected few get to have the recipe don't you know.... This is the finished baby whoopie pie. Is this not darling or what?? We finished it off with a little bit of powdered sugar.

Anyone for a little snack??

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

I LOVE BIRDS

2011-10-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Have I ever mentioned that I love birds?? heehee

Well, I do love birds.

This is my Birthday gift from my Figgy.A very vintage little bird cage, so cute. I love this.

I will have to find something to put inside. I am thinking will look nice decorated around Christmas time. Mr Nook bought this owl for me in the 1000 Islands last week.

I purchased this large black crow for myself at TJ Maxx while shopping with my Aunt while she was here visiting last week. The crow is sold wood.

Do you have birds?

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

THE SMELL OF FALL HARVEST

2011-10-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

I love Fall!!!

I love every single thing about fall. I love the colors, the colors of the trees, the leaves on the ground.

I love how busy the chipmunks and squirrels are, preparing for a long winters nap.

I love the smells of Fall. I love to burn candles in my home, my all time favorite is Harvest by Yankee Candle, love it.

I love bowls and dishes filled with potpourri; spices, cinnamon sticks, tiny pumpkins and such. I purchased this bag of potpourri on our travels to 1000 Islands with family this past week. I also purchased several of these rusty tin moose, love these.

I plan on having Mr. Nook drill holes in the others so I can hang on the tree during the holidays. I thought this would be a nice touch to my tree.I love pumpkins and apples just hanging around in different areas. I've been known to have winter squash out for decorations. I specially love dried corn stalks. I have been known to bring these stalks right inside in past years. Not sure what I will do this year though.

A little bit of Fall decorations for now. Thanks for stopping by. Michele

THIRTY TWO PLANTED

2011-10-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

I have 32 little Terracota pots planted with wheat grass.

These are gifts for our guests at Figgy's Baby Shower.I will be putting in the pot a whimsical woodland creature, such fun!! 10 days until the shower, should be good to go with these.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

MY WORK TABLE

2011-09-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

A quick post to show you my latest on the baby shower.

Pink acorns, have you ever??For the new followers-a whimsical woodland-baby girl-pink baby shower is in the works for October 8th. Thanks for stopping by. Michele

PACKAGES ON PORCH

2011-09-27T11:12:00.004-04:00

Packages keep showing up on the porch!

I have been mentioning lately that I joined in on a few Halloween themed swaps.

This tin swap was created by Wendy over at Bliss Angels My swap partner is Donnely over at Blue Rose Goddess Arts

This tin is titled "She Seemed So Sweet"

I love the use of the twigs, you know me, I love nature items. I love the yellow webbing used here, looks spooky and rustic.

A big thanks to Donnely for my Halloween Tin.

Also included in my package is this wallet. Love the colors. My next package left on the porch is from Gerri at Flicker This swap was created by JoAnn over at Vintage Dragonfly

This swap was for a Halloween themed large matchbox.

Have I ever mentioned, I love a great swap??

Gerri made this Trick or Treat banner, love this.

A spooky tag, yikes is right. These are actually two playing cards, sorry forgot that pic.

This is the matchbox.

A big thanks goes to Gerri. You can see my matchbox to Gerri here

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

SCARY KIDS

2011-09-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the sweetest looking children can be made scary looking when creating for Halloween, this has always amazed me!!! Thanks for stopping by. Michele

FASHIONABLE CROWS

2011-09-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

While going through some of my Halloween stash from years past I discovered my beloved crows.

Made from burlap and stuffed, these crows are great fun to make.Dress them up in anything that you like. Halloween is a great theme for these crows along with Christmas as well. A tag I made for yet another swap. This image is a great uncle of Mr. Nook's.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a sunshine day.

Michele

FAMILY TIME & BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

2011-09-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

Well, Tuesday is my Birthday once again.

The years certainly do fly right by, don't they?

My Aunt Cindy and Uncle Carl are coming from Nevada for a week for some family time and my Birthday celebration.

We have plans so far to visit the 1000 Islands in New York State.

Mr. Nook and I discovered this area for our Anniversary back in late May.

You can see that post here and here

We liked it so much in Alexandra New York, we asked Cindy and Carl if they would want to go there, yes!

We thought Cindy would like to see the Boldt Caste.

We will take a leisure ride over there through the Adirondacks, stopping at roadside markets and pumpkin patches, (one of my favorite things to do) just see what we can see, oh yea, maybe a junk sale or two!!!

We will spend a night in town then the next day take the boat tour down Million Dollar Row and tour the castle.

I will post about our trip after our time with family.

Other than this plan, Mr. Nook and Carl will do a day of fishing, they both enjoy this....

Cindy and I will go into town to do some baby shopping for our Figgy and have a little luncheon and a mini baby shower celebration.

Well, I can't wait to get my family time started, just a few more hours and they will be here.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FARMERS MARKET/TEDDY ROOSEVELT DAY

2011-09-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Our local farmer's market and Teddy Roosevelt day was Saturday September 17th. You see, back many moons ago, Teddy Roosevelt was visiting Fisk Farm here on Isle La Motte when the then president was shot. Needless to say Teddy had to cut his visit short and get back to Washington to take over as President.

Every year the Isle La Motte Historical Society and The Preservation Trust sponsor Teddy Roosevelt day with celebration all over the island.

There is apple picking and cider pressing at the local apple orchard. Hayrides and a corn maze for young and old. The local farmer's market or course. A parade with antique automobiles, horses, school children and of course Teddy himself on horseback (local resident).

We even have our four legged friends come out for celebration.

Produce vendors.

Local jewelry makers. Love her display..

Who doesn't love a bird house?

I love these.

I even brought some home for a vase.

This is what I created for the market.

Marsh mellows dipped in white chocolate dipped in orange and black sprinkles along with fun Halloween sprinkles.

Kids went crazy for these.

In two weeks there will be a Hall's Orchard-Hall's Harvest Day.

I plan on making a whole lot more of these. I might get a little more creative with some spooky worms and such, what do you think?

These are Barb's peppers from her garden.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN TIN

2011-09-16T17:37:00.003-04:00

Halloween will be here soon, yahoooo!!!

I have joined in on a few Halloween themed swaps.

Have I ever mentioned "I love a great swap"?

This swap and our host is Wendy over at Bliss Angels, fly on over to check out her blog, she is a Halloween goddess!!

This is an altold tin.Halloween is such a fun holiday to craft. Look at the expressions on these children.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a sunshine day.

Michele

WHIMSY BIRD TAGS FOR BABY SHOWER

2011-09-15T10:24:00.004-04:00

I have been busy with more baby shower activities. If you have been following along, my Figgy is having a baby girl in December.

I am a proud Nana that will be hosting a baby shower on October 8th.

I will be doing all of the decorations myself and other fun and whimsy stuff!

I have made bird tags to give all that attend as a thank you gift.

I started with an image of a beautiful bird from this book a friend gave to me earlier this summer. You can see that post here, the pages of birds in this book are truly amazing, take a peek!

I used this image for the bird on the tags. Using a large size tag I began to create. Starting with the tag I painted them three different colors, see picture of paints below. This paint is pearled. The photos are not picking up the pearl colors on the tags no matter what I do.

I then cut up miscellaneous pieces of vintage doily's and glued to the tag.

I included some of the leaves with the bird and glittered the pink flowers magenta.

I glued the bird to the doily. The bird has a real feather as a tail. I located flower type items from my stash of vintage trims and such and adhered these on along with a splash of trim along the bottom

I finished off the tag with a piece of long vintage lace, beige and pink for hanging. For a special touch I added a small twig that the bird rests on.

I had so much fun creating these little whimsy bird tags. I think they will go along nicely with our woodland whimsy pink and magenta theme don't you? Pretty pink and sweetness for a little baby girl!!!!

These little bird tags will be waiting for our guests in this pink paper bag. The bag will also consist of game papers and instructions and such for our games and drawings for fun prizes for all.

More whimsy shower preparations to come, stay tuned.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a sunshine day.

Michele

KITCHEN GOODIES AND ADVERTISMENT FRAME

2011-09-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

I made this vintage advertisement frame awhile back.

I purchased a whole box lot full of old recipe cards and these advertisements. I think the Grammy that owned them saved them from cans and boxes for each one actually has a recipe on it.

Taking a large picture frame I started collaging these on the frame.

Notice the very vintage kool aid envelope. Actual Nestle chocolate chip envelopes. I was so thrilled when I came upon the box lot at a yard sale. I think I paid two bucks.

I have used a lot of these similar/same items while making a recipe mini scrap album for a swap I was in. You can see that post here.

I love making those mini's!!!!

Actually this is not in my kitchen, it is on the porch.

A hornet nest I found blown down the other day. I love collecting these, I have a few of them.

Back to the kitchen goodies. This is a small collection of jello molds. The rooster is real copper. Two of the fish are antiques. This vintage mixer I purchased at the local auction house. I removed the cord, I use it to hold this plant. An old Sunbeam mixer, love it!! I hope there is not dust up there??

I am linking up with Debra over at Common Ground for Inspiration Friday (click on the link on side bar).

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a sunshine day!

Michele

ANTIQUE MAILBOX

2011-09-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

This antique mailbox came from Jim's house, Mr. Nook's father.

The mailbox is heavy, it is made from steel.It sits here for now on the sill on the screened in porch.

I will have Mr. Nook hang on a wall somewhere, I just have not been able to pick the right spot yet.

I am leaning towards the wall by the door to the house. This way I can use it as a decorative planter of items for each season and holidays and such.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a sunshine day.

Michele

GET THE HECK OUT!!

2011-09-04T08:00:00.001-04:00

I just had to post about the new Flea Market Style magazine I purchased a few days ago (fall/winter 2011 edition)

I usually do not spend $10.00 on a magazine unless it is Somerset Studio, but I did. The best ten bucks I have spent in awhile.

Look at these pages, I can hardly stand this.

Do you notice this is a clock? Well let me tell you. I sit at a local auction house on Saturdays once in awhile and these vintage saws come out a lot, no one wants them. Well the next time there (I will go next Saturday) I will be bidding on these so Mr. Nook and I can make one of these for the house.

I can't wait!!!Can you STAND this!!!

I love this..

I have a collection of vintage and antique kitchen utensils. These items mostly sit in containers around the kitchen.

I will be doing this real soon. I am thinking I will have Mr. Nook make two or three of these.

I am thinking a nice piece of old barn board will be good for the back plate for this, don't you?

Get the heck out.... Will you get a load of this... I will be asking Mr. Nook to make me one of these as well.

I have several maple syrup cans around to use for this.

I knew I would find some sort of inspiration for them, this is it.

This is so fantastic, too.

I will put up a few of these in the bathroom.

Some people are just so crafty, then there are people that come up with these fantastic ideas.

I thank the people of Flea Market Style magazine for all of this inspiration.

You should go out and get this magazine, it is so wonderful.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

PINK GLITTER

2011-09-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Have you ever glitter a mushroom?I plan to try to glitter a real mushroom for my Figgy's baby shower.

The theme is woodland whimsical, you know moss, tree, flowers, mushrooms, etc.

I am going to paint some acorns (bottoms only) with these two pink colors.

Baby pink and magenta are the two colors of the invite (see invite post here) and the balloons too.

I will also be painting some terracotta pots these colors. Paper clips for paper items in guests' bags.

Some entertaining items from Crate and Barrel, I will share that later on. Probably a pink punch!!! Thanks for stopping by. Have a sunshine day! Michele

BOTTLES, BOTTLES AND MORE BOTTLES

2011-08-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you happen to follow my blog you know I live on Lake Champlain in Vermont. We own our own lake frontage, a lovely 129 feet.

Last spring we had record breaking lake levels of over 103 feet, believe me, the lake was FULL.. this level has not been seen for over one hundred years.

We had some shoreline erosion during the flooding; with high water and wind storms it was very bothersome to say the least.

With this said, I had not been down to our beach until just a few days ago. I figured I should go down and do my yearly treasure finding walk. In the spring time with normal high water, treasures tend to wash up on shore.

This is me and Mr. Nook on the four wheeler on the shore.

This is our little beach house up in the trees. North of our property I was walking in the waters edge where I noticed this little old bottle, how excited I was. Look, more I thought, I sure am lucky this year in my treasure hunting. I felt Lucky to have found several old bottles but discouraged to discover the reason for finding the bottles. I discovered a dump site in a very high bank. This dump site is not on our property, thank goodness!!

Remember I mentioned we had the very high water??

Well, it had eroded a bank, the dirt washed away uncovering this bottle dump.

I found several treasures and was happy for this.

There are a lot more bottles sitting up in the bank (cliff actually)

I am sure more will come down with heavy rains.

Notice this one still stuck in the bank. Mr Nook says; we should not dig at the bank it may come down more.

These are the bottles I have taken home and are in the process of cleaning.

Some of the bottles I plan to look up on the Internet.

Some are old medicine bottles.

A large Clorox bottle. This very rusty piece is a top to a coffee grinder.

I have a love for old and vintage bottles. I use them a lot in vignettes all over my home.

I have more cleaning to do, but this is a good start.

The next day the lake is really calm I will be walking the waters edge again, the water is where I found most of the small bottles.

I just know there is one fantastic treasure yet to be found.

I will be speaking to the Select Board members of our town in reference to this issue. Thanks for stopping by
I am linking up with Debra over at Common Ground for Inspiration Friday. Go on over for some vintage inspiration there is lots there.

Michele

PLANTS, SUMMER FLOWERS AND SUN TEA

2011-08-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

These are some plants I just recently purchased at my local grocery store for $2.00 each.

I re-potted them and have been nurturing them daily. These plants have already grown quite a bit.

I have also been making some sun tea on the sundeck rail. I plan to see what these plants will do by October 8th just in time for my Figgy's baby shower, notice the pink color in the plant. I think these will be just fantastic in our decorating theme of woodland whimsical, don't you?? I have myself a beautiful vase of flowers to admire. I am so enjoying the cooler temperatures the last few days, makes me happy!! This vase sits right beside me while I'm working on the computer doing some blog posting for the next several days. I like to get several posts ready at once, post date them and then I am ready to go for several days. Oh, I am also enjoying a glass of my sun tea, just yummy... Thanks for stopping by. Michele

WHERE ARE MY FOLLOWERS???

2011-08-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

I am wondering if anyone else is having follower problems?

For quite some time now, the little pictures of my followers are not showing up. On my dashboard I can see there are 113 followers but I can't see any of them.

I have visited other blogs and want to follow, same issue.

This makes it so one can't follow for there is not link to click on to sign up.

Can anyone enlighten me??

I thank you in advance.

Have a great weekend.

Michele

WORKING ON

2011-08-25T08:40:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share with you what I will be working on in the next few weeks.

Halloween and fall/harvest time is fast approaching.

Fall is my Favorite time of year, I just love it.

I signed up for a swap (yup, another swap) over at Vintage Dragonfly

this swap is for a large size matchbox filled with Halloween goodies.

Four of the goodies have to be handmade.

Sign ups for this swap end on August 31, hurry if you want to join in on all the spooky fun.

Project two....

I will be having more Halloween fun over at Bliss Angels

This fun will start with a Halloween themed Altoids tin.

Sign ups end on August 30.

Hurry over to Bliss Angels to sign up if your interested. Project three

Just recently I have been busy creating dolls (see that post here) for a swap over at

Roses On My Table

This is a creative site you can join, I joined several months ago and love it.

The paper doll swap is called Le Papier Doll Swap. Requirements are to create two dolls 8-12" long. A monthly theme is given, this past theme was "back to school".

The next theme is Halloween themed dolls.

Hurry on over if you'd like to join in.

That about finishes up what I will be creating next.

I will post my creations when done.

What creations are on your mind or worktable???

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

MY POSTAL LADY VISITED

2011-08-23T14:17:00.003-04:00

Look what my postal lady dropped off a few days ago.

I joined in a recipe mini album swap over at Bella Creations

If you would like to share you art and creations this is the place to do it.

A wonderful community and a fun place to be involved.

The person that sent this mini album to me is Starr.

Thanks so much again Starr, I so love all the vintage goodies.

Starr included this beautiful card for me. I love the colors of the pages.

I just love the vintage inspired little tags and such.

This is a large mini that I can just fill to the brim with many recipes.

I made a recipe mini album for Lacee, you can see that post here

I will get many years of use out of my recipe album.

Did I ever tell you, I love a good swap??

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

MORE PINK WHIMSY

2011-08-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share more pink whimsy for the baby shower.There are plans for these, more later on... Coordinating garland

Baby pine cones, too cute!! Going to add in some elegant as well.

Two vases with tall grass for our woodland. Pink and magenta napkins, remember the invitation?

You can see the invitation in a prior post.

Basket full of goodies for the drawing, bring a package of diapers for a ticket for the drawing. I don't want to show any of the goodies in case anyone is looking.

A little more items for my plans.

All of the silk flowers and pics and such were on sale at Michael's and also had a coupon for 25% off (includes sale items) yipeeee, love a sale.

Thanks for stopping by.

Did I tell you I love pink??

Michele

BACK TO SCHOOL

2011-08-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

I have created these paper dolls for a swap.

The swap is over at Roses On My Table

The swap is called "Le Papier Doll Swap"

I do believe they have a paper doll swap each month, next month is Halloween.....wonder what I will do for that????

The following doll swap is Christmas, this one will be wonderful. I already have some ideas for this one. This month the theme is School.

This paper doll is called; "First Day of School"

Using this template I found here

and an image of a face from my collection of photographs, I set out to make my first paper doll.

Using scraps of this and that, vintage lace and trims of course (did I ever tell you I love lace and trims?) ;) I can't forget a little bit of bling.. I think this young student loves her new outfit for the "First Day of School" In this swap we are required to make two (2) paper dolls. This one is called "Music Class" Notice her music note tights!! Sweet pink skirt. This is vintage trim died pink.

This young student loves her scarfs and flowers in her hair.

She loves to go to school making a statement all her own.

I had a fantastic time making these paper dolls.

Why don't you give one a try??

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

ps, I will post when I create the Halloween paper doll.

WOODLAND WHIMSICAL

2011-08-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've just got to share my plans and excitement over planning for my Figgy's baby girl shower.

I will share more as time goes along.

The shower is for October 8th.

This is the invite, without the text, so cute hah??

The plan is to recreate this little baby out of paper and have her floating around on balloons all over the rooms.

I found this image of the bird on the Internet, sorry can't remember where or who it belongs to.

I will be making birds like this, some of them will be tied to the balloons as well.

The theme is woodland whimsical; woodland baby creatures.

I will be using pink and magenta balloons along with same color flowers, moss and trees made from tree branches and twigs for the woodland part.

Some fun baby girl card stock papers for making tickets for a drawing in exchange for a package of diapers, love this.

Moss

I will post again as my plans progress.

I love pink!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

I LOVE THIS!!

2011-08-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

I found this on Etsy the other day.

I love this and think I will....Make a box just like this with yard sticks.

What do you think???

Here is the link to the owner of the box

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

GUESS WHAT!!

2011-08-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

RECIPE MINI ALBUM

2011-08-10T12:28:00.003-04:00

I wanted to share with you my latest recipe mini album.

This I made for Lacee over at Bella Creations.

If you like to make mini albums and like swaps you can join in on all the fun.

This album is made from brown paper lunch bags.

The album is covered with a dish towel with roosters.The little copper pans I found at AC Moore. I used al ot of items from my collection of vintage cooking, baking and advertising ephemera.

I found on the Internet the canning jar images, enlarged and grudged with shoe polish to use as recipe cards. I love these.

I used vintage rick rack on some of the pages. The paper pockets have many surprises.

My collection of baking ephemera was purchased several years ago at a barn sale. All of it was from one women's kitchen.

This woman cut out and saved what seems like every recipe she ran across.

Recipes from side of boxes, recipes from newspapers, recipes from cans, etc. All of it is a great collection to have. Using these cutouts I have tucked into the album hoping Lacee can/will use as recipe cards for her own recipes.

Here is an advertisement for bread, it opens up into many pages.

This is a copy from newspaper on different cuts of meat, dated 1932.Another little booklet about Jello.

This is a page of copies of items.

I also included in the swap two matching dinner napkins.

A different style of blank recipe cards with the same canning jars.

Lots more goodies to share with Lacee.

I didn't want the post to be to long.

This is the back of the album.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

SURPRISE BOOKS

2011-08-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Look what I found. These books are... actually file holders. These still had the file tab pages. I think these are soooo neat. I will be storing my special ephemera in these and will be putting in my creative space.

I LOve these.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

BIRDS AND FROGS

2011-08-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I found some items for my creative space, and a baby shower.

The pottery birds I found for 60% off at Michael's. Mother and baby bird.

The large basket was on sale.

I will be using the basket for my vintage trims and lace.

I have been busy with a large project, wrapping all of my lace and trims around post cards so I can see what I have instead of these trims in the bottom of a tote.

These little papermache frogs I found at Michael's, in the dollar bin.

I just think they are the cutest things.

I will be painting these for my Figgy's baby shower, probably pink with green spots. I will be posting about plans for our baby shower soon.

I think I will keep one or two for my creative space.

Have I ever mentioned, I love birds!!! ;)

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FESTIVAL OF THE ISLANDS TREASURES

2011-08-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was an event called "Festival of the Islands".

Each year residence and business owners get together and participate in this event by offering an event, a free item at their business, a yard sale, etc.

I enjoy the yard sales, go figure right...

So Mr. Nook and I headed out for an adventure.

Here are some goodies I found.

Decal, special hah?Vintage dish towel and very large doily. Love a vintage dish towel. A pair of vintage drapes, $2.00 These are so fantastic!!

A cute jewelry box for my space.

Look at this lovelyness...

$2.00

Little bottle for buttons.

I think I scored...

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

BIRD SONG

2011-07-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Look what was in my mailbox.

This is my Bird Song tag book.

Several weeks ago I joined in a tag swap over at Karla's Cottage.

You can visit her blog, I do on a nearly a daily basis.

We were to send to the hostess seven (7) tags, bird themed.

You can see the seven tags I created on this post.

This tag is from Samantha Miranda

This tag is from Karla (hostess) This tag is from Karla Jackson at Misspeachsmeowz

Karla also added a little book of birds, so cute.

This tag is from Tami Hacher

This tag is from Jeanelle Ricca

This tag is from Christine Nay of

Changeofheart56

This tag is from Kelly Deal at

Kellydeal

This tag is from Pam Perrella

I wish I had more information on some of the tags so I could give credit to those that deserve a shout out.

I do have to say, each and every tag is so beautiful and unique and I thank each and everyone of you that made them.

I love them all and will cherish them.

Who doesn't love a good swap.....

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

WOODCHUCKS

2011-07-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you, but I think a woodchuck is a beautiful creature.

Look how straight they sit up.These two are playing in the bushes.

These creatures have the keenest hearing ever. It was very hard to get pictures of him, he heard my camera self focus from many many feet away. Do you notice how red his fur is??

This was his house. I love to photograph animals, I think they take the best photos.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

UNIQUE ITEMS

2011-07-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mr Nook has been cleaning out his father's home after many years of accumulation. Mr Nook's father is 93 years old. Here are some unique items.

I love this little red and white tin of leather dressing?? The suitcase I purchased at a yard sale last Sunday. This cabinet came from Jimmy's house.

This chair as well. Do you notice the very small oil squirt er...

The earrings are from a yard sale and will go into my bling box.

I just love a vintage suitcase ;)

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

GRAMMA'S ATTIC MATCHBOX SWAP

2011-07-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Have I ever mentioned I love a good swap?? ;)

Well, I joined up with Vintage Dragonfly for a Gramma's Attic Matchbox Swap. The swap rules are using one large 250 count matchbox fill it with items that you think would come from your Gramma's Attic.

My swap partner is Michele from Ask Michele Something Special

Here is her matchbox filled with goodies from Gramma's Attic

I wrapped the box in a vintage hankie.

I covered the outside and inside of the box with vintage sewing pattern tissue and paper instructions. I packed into the box, vintage lace, sheet music tags, vintage buttons, costume jewelry, copies of old photographs, and other miscellaneous items. I loved filling the box with old treasures.

On the outside is an old pin and a watch face. Vintage yellow rick rack, a grunged doily all tied up with beautiful trim.

I hope Michele likes her treasure box.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

IT HAS BEEN A BLAST!!

2011-07-26T13:30:00.002-04:00

I have just finished up with "WHERE BLOGGERS CREATE"

If you would be interested in viewing bloggers/artists creative spaces then you should go on over to My Desert Cottage where you will find a list of 300 or more links to such places.

I spent over a week looking into studios and creative spaces, some were the size of a closet, some were whole basements, some were dining rooms and/or dining room tables, kitchen tables, some were little cottages in the back yard, amazing, wonderful spaces.

One of the things I learned, rather the space was tiny or large , all that created these spaces are so grateful to have a space to call their own.

Another thing I learned is, the space itself is what is "creative".

What struck me the most is; a lot of the creative spaces I visited are a place where one can go to recapture what once was; a feeling of sweetness, whimsy, cozy, warmth, and beautiful only to the creator of the space. (well some where pretty beautiful to me and I am sure to many others)

These spaces were a place of no fear, no worries or major concerns, (this was mentioned by the blogger over and over again) almost as if it is a feeling of being a young child again but with the ability to have everything we want, to own items again that we once had, and how much of that, that we actually want.

I know this to be true in my own case.

I want to thank everyone again for visiting my space and leaving such warm comments.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

TOUR MY CREATIVE SPACE

2011-07-14T17:30:00.005-04:00

"WELCOME TO MY CREATIVE SPACE"

I would like to thank Karen Valentine at My Desert Cottage

for hosting this event.

Head on over to Karen's blog where you will find a very long list of other bloggers that have signed up. Visit some of these great spaces, I am sure you won't be disappointed.

Come into my creative space, make yourself at home..

If you follow my blog you would know that I love a great swap.

This is a basket of my swap gifts.

This is my love, Willy Wonka Pea Doodle.

Willy is at the Rainbow Bridge having the time of his life. I am a hoarder of vintage lace and trims. I can't help myself, I don't know what the obsession is really, I just love it, and that's just it!!

I truly love my creative space.

I love to just sit and look at all of my trinkets and pictures and lace, to be in this room I feel at peace. My space is my therapy, if I needed therapy...

The picture of the two little girls was a card from my Best Friend, I finally put it in a frame today.

This photograph is of my dad.

I have used this photo many times in different pieces of art and in collages and on greeting cards.

I love the look of old books, books are great items to use in vignettes.

Told you I love lace. Vintage sewing patterns make me happy, too.

These mother and child bears are one of my most cherished things ever, Figgy gave this to me for mother's day many, many years ago. Isn't this just precious?

I love old pictures and have several hanging in different areas.

A View from the doorway.

There are three walls that are all shelves. Most of the shelves are full of boxes of creative goods, paper, books, more lace and trims, all sorts of stuff. I won't show you that, not very attractive...

Did I mention I love linens?

I have made a lot of art using linens.

I also have a love for birds.

I hope you have enjoyed my creative space and some of my favorite items.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

TOWN WIDE YARD SALE Part 2

2011-07-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

Remember the town wide yard sale post??

You can see that here

I found a few more items that I just couldn't resist, remember I have a hoarding problem??

A few more old bottles (the clear one)

I just love fall silk flowers.

My Figgy did a little de-hoarding at her condo and wants me to hold onto this big urn. I told her I would keep it for her, and when she purchases her old farmhouse she can have it back. This book was the only book that interested me out of hundreds. I don't think anyone should sell books, I think they should be free. There are just so many out there, I am afraid most get thrown in the landfills and that is a shame. I have a recipe mini album swap coming up end of July and I will be using some images/pages from this little gem. These children are to cute!! I found some of these fun items and Figgy had some for her mama as well.

I needed a tape dispenser for my studio, lucky fine.

One can't have to many paint brushes or highlighters.

I was thrilled to find the tag items, can't wait to color them up.

FUN stuff!!

I do have to say; I did really well for the day.

I am trying to be very frugal when out junkin these days.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

RING, RING!!!

2011-07-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

I do not believe I have ever shared my very vintage telephone. I purchased this telephone at a yard sale may years ago.

The man I purchased it from said it worked. Well, not so much...

It sure would of been great if it did work.

It really looks nice in little vignettes. Some lilies from my yard.

Ring, ring...

I found this little bird made from bark at a yard sale last weekend. Do you have an old phone?

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

PRETTY SHOES

2011-07-07T13:35:00.004-04:00

I love shoes!!

I really don't love shoes, I love handmade shoes.

A few weeks ago I joined a fairy shoe swap at Bliss Angels.

I was then assigned my swap partner, Marsha. You can visit Marsha at Sassy Mini Dolls

Here is the shoe Marsha created for me, I just love it!!

Notice the little fairy girl, she is sitting so pretty on the back of the shoe.

Marsha also included a pouch of lavender, so nice.

Do you notice the ballerina doll?

I love the shoe but I really love the pink bird, have I ever mentioned I love birds?? ;)

Thank you again, MarshaThis is the shoe I created for Marsha.

Using a tutorial from Artful Affirmations

I created this shoe using card stock paper as the form and then covering with sheet music on the bottom, vintage wallpaper on the top, and a linen dinner napkin on the inside. I glued vintage trim around the edges.

I also created a tag for Marsha.

Using the same vintage wallpaper as the background. The woman is a cutout from a sewing pattern. I finished off the tag with vintage wedding gown trims, lightly colored with pastel paints.

I tucked into the shoe some lace and trims and pink picks. I included some sheer lace and trims on the top of the shoe.

This is the bottom.

Inside.

This was such a fun swap.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

HAPPY 4TH !!!!

2011-07-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!

What are your plans for the holiday weekend?

Whatever plans you have, be sure to take some time for family and friends...

Maybe you will choose to do a little creating?

What about some lakeside relaxation?

Grab yourself a very tall cold Root beer, the all American soda...

Maybe you will attend your hometown parade?

What about some boating?

Some of you may do some junkin shopping :)

One of my favorites for sure!

What about a nice bike ride?Whatever it is you choose to do, have a wonderful weekend.

Michele

A GIFT FROM A FRIEND

2011-06-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

A dear friend of mine gave me this book the other night.

Her daughter was thinking of doing some painting but she then had her little daughter, and we all know what happens to most of us then, no time right now for these sorts of things, maybe later on!!Right away the bird on the cover made my heart soar, so beautiful, look at the vivid colors (camera is still not getting the colors correctly). The more I started thumbing through the more excited I got. I wish I had this book when I was making my "Bird Song" tags for a swap, you can see that post here. OH well, I will just have to make more... I am wondering if I should frame some of these, these pages are that good??

What would it be like to have the ability to paint like this, just heaven I would think.

I can't draw a stick figure that well...

When looking through the book with my friend she mentioned this bird.

She has one that has come onto her property recently.

She said she loves this bird so I am going to make her a gift with a copy of this bird. I will share that when I am finished.

I could of taken pictures of all the birds in this book for all of you, but just to many for a post.

Figgy is coming this weekend for an overnight visit. I am going to ask her to teach me how to make a collage of pictures or say three pictures for my header here on my blog. I would just love to use three or four of these pictures as my header, what do you think??

I hope you enjoyed the birds.

I am wondering, if any of my blog friends would like to do a swap with me for a tag (see post link above on sample of some of my bird tags) I would be happy to make a tag using a copy of one of these bird images. I feel I want to share these beautiful pictures.

Let me know by leaving me a comment here on this post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

I AM IN LOVE

2011-06-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

I don't know if I have ever mentioned, I am in LOve with Somerset Studio magazine?

Well, I am and have been for several years now.My Figgy subscribed to this one for me last Christmas. I love receiving this in the mail.

I have to say, I have spent many an hours in the Borders book store pouring over these magazines.

Every now and again I would just have to purchase a couple of these magazines. Now mind you, I hardly ever spend nearly $30.00 on anything, well groceries of course.....

I love the art, I love the feel of the paper itself, I love the inspiration, I just simply love them.

I do have a modest collection and I have looked at them over and over again. When I look at them for the 2nd and 3rd times, I see something different each and every time.

I know there are a lot of other bloggy friends out there that have a love for these magazines just as I do.

I'm just saying................

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FILLING MY HOARDING NEEDS

2011-06-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

I've been gathering items again to feed my hoarding desires.Last Saturday Mr. Nook and I stopped at a few yard sales. I found this so very vintage fabric and knew just what I would do with it, see below.

This one piece was just the right size to cover my couch on the porch, love , love it!! I have a few small pieces as well, I may make a pillow or two. The recreation department in our little town is having a yard sale during the town wide yard sale this weekend. The recreation dept. asks for donations of STuff for the yard sale.

WELL, I get to see first hand (I work at the town office) what comes in for donations and I purchased this linen table cloth. I learned what linen is a few posts ago, if you love linens you can visit this post. This table cloth is a beauty... At the same sale where I purchased the cloth for the couch , I found this piece. I thought I would die this with coffee and rip to make trims to use in some of my creations. Feeding my hoarding here!! I LOve pretty trims.

A tiny little broom just for show.

I think I will make pin cushions out of these two bird planters, good idea??

When I spotted these my heart skipped a little beat.

I've been doing alot of thinking of new items for my studio. The big "Where Women Create" blog party is next month, can't wait, yipeeee!!

I think I will stain up this apron same time as the fabric.

Not sure what I will do with it after I stain it, I just know I don't like it so white.

I am happy with all of my new found items.

Oh, that recreation department yard sale is Saturday, so I will be on the look out for more items that I really don't need.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FATHER'S DAY FISHIN WITH MR NOOK

2011-06-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here on Lake Champlain Father's Day Weekend means FISHING!

Each year there is a fishing derby on the lake. Mr Nook has been fishing this derby for about 15 years now. Looking to earn 1st place in the lake trout category.

Sunday we headed out late in the morning, Saturday was to rough to fish.

The little fish pin on Mr. Nook's hat is his father's day gift. Figgy and I found this pin at the Mother's Day antique and craft show we went to (you can see that post here.)

The pin is carved from a deer antler and hand painted, it is a salmon (he loved it!)

This is a new toy, shows many different things, if there are fish down there, the water temperature, the speed of the boat for trolling purposes and much more. All these things are considered while trying to win the competition. Mr. Nook is a hoarder of things, too. His hoarding costs a little more than my hoarding though.... This is just a very small sampling of lures, eye candy for a fisherman I guess. I don't get it, only one lure is going to catch that one winning fish.

The Plattsburgh Ferry boat.

See this pole bent over? Well, we wait for this pole to stand up straight, that means FISH ON!!!

This is Mr. Nook.

He sure does love to fish.

Some other fathers out trying to win the #1 fish.

This is what the cutty looks like. We could sleep down here but as you can see this would not happen while out fishing, no room for that.

A little something that I brought on board for myself.

We caught a few small lakers, nothing to brag about.

They all get released back into the lake if they come on our boat...

I hope you enjoyed our fishing trip.

Mr. Nook will love the post I am sure.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

MY LOVE OF BIRDS

2011-06-22T09:00:00.001-04:00

Have I mentioned, I love birds?

I think birds are wonderful and fascinating creatures.

Have you ever watched a mother bird fly around with her babies? This is a fun sight to watch.

I love the color of these blue jays. This photo is not very clear, it was taken through a window, these guys have the keenest hearing.Love the sounds a cardinal makes. My neighbor (Mrs. Masters) once told me that a cardinal hangs around a one mile radius to where it was born. I never looked this up , just take her word for it. There are a lot of these birds around. I call them black crows, actually they have a different name than that but don't remember what it is. These birds are really big in size and they like to fight and carry on. They are beautiful all the same. I also love old bird houses, these old houses stay outside in case they have bugs and such.

Cute.

These birds are black but they have the most beautiful color on the neck area, a shiny blue/green color, fantastic!

A nest rocking in the wind (believe me, the wind blows pretty good here off the lake). The birds make them this way, birds are smart.

Morning dove.

Last year a mother dove lost her baby out of the nest. For days she protected this baby but in the end a cat had the last word. I was sick about this. The nest was to far up in the tree to put it back for her. (Mr Nook heard about this for several days). I also understand that morning doves keep the same mate for life.

Beautiful oriole, this bird comes every single morning around 11:00 am, it sings so beautiful.

These little guys are so darn precious. They are friendly, too. They love to have their picture taken.

These are a few of my favorite photos of birds. Hope you enjoyed them.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

WHAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON

2011-06-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have finished my Bird Song Tags for a swap.

I just loved doing these. I used a lot of my favorite items while creating these, vintage lace and trims, Pieces from my wedding dress collection.

Scrapbook paper-flower cutouts.

Sorry for the bad lighting during this shoot, some days it just does not want to cooperate with me....Vintage buttons, bows and such.

Vintage wall paper.

I distressed the tags using shoe polish, go figure!!

This tag here is for our swap hostess, Karla over at Karla's Cottage

you should check out her blog, I think you may enjoy it, it is one of my favorites.

This one is made using a bingo card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

WORTH THE STOP

2011-06-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

You are NOT going to believe this...

Mr. Nook and I were on our way into town to have a bite to eat and pick up a few groceries.

It was probably 6:30 pm. I spotted a pile of goodies, including a suitcase (you know I am into the suitcases these days!) by the roadside with a sign nailed to a tree that said "FREE". Well, Mr. Nook turned the car around. Upon closer look I determined the suitcase was not for me, while lifting the case I thought, ghee this seems like it has something inside. I opened the case and it was full of linens, is this a mistake I thought. Looking at the sign again nailed to the tree, it did say Free.

I could hardly believe my luck.

I have been to this yard sale several times over the years, it is actually an antique shop in a barn. A few times a year they bring some of the stuff out onto the lawn and call it a yard sale.

As you can see, there is still the price tags attached.

I so love these dish towels.

These dish towels are very large size and they are quite different. I do not know my fabrics to well, they seem to be of a soft burlap so to speak. Does anyone know??

What to do with all of my lovely finds?

Well, you know I love to use doily's and such in some of my art work. Some of the towels I will probably keep myself, they are after all right up my alley.

I am thinking, I would like to try my skills at making some bags with the linens. I should just DO IT!!

Do you think a vintage dish towel would make an interesting bag??

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FINISHED AUCTION FIND AND MULTI POT HANGER

2011-06-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have had a busy creative day and love my results.

Back on Mother's Day my Figgy brought me to an Antique and Craft Show. (You can see the fun post here.) At this show we purchased this black wrought iron thingy. A few days ago I purchased the pots. Do you know what the black thingy is??I lugged all of my supplies out on the sun deck to work.

Using the burlap roll I cut some strips and placed in the pots so it would hang over.

Some summer silk flowers and such.

This brown metal stand I purchased at the local auction last Saturday. I knew just what I wanted to do with it when I saw it.

The burlap roll I purchased at Michael's, this is a new find for me. I love, love this stuff.

More supplies for my projects.

Here is the finished pots. The black wrought iron piece is what is holding these pots together.

I did not purchase anything to create this except the moss (the moss was used for the brown wire thing) and that burlap roll (acutally I will be using the burlap on some tags), the hanger, and the pots of course.. I was determined to use what I already had.

This hangs right by the entrance to the house on the porch.

I do like how this turned out.

It has a little bit of this and a little bit of that all mixed in.

The brown metal basket is a double nest. I Love, love this.

I will enjoy decorating this for the holidays, fall, thanksgiving, the Christmas holiday and more.

I have linked up to the following parties

Find the links on my side bar.

Treasure Hunt Thursday at Blue Creek Home

French Inspiration Thursday at The French Cupboard

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

I thank all hostess's.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

TAGS AND CARDS

2011-06-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

I mentioned in an earlier post I am going to be busy with a few swaps and a makeover of my studio, you can go here to see that post.

I have cut out some items for my Birdsong Tag swap.Have I ever mentioned, I love birds? I have some cutouts ready for my vintage Birthday tag swap.

Using some of my vintage sewing patterns I made copies. Since it is a summer birthday celebration I decided on some summer outfits. I really do hate to give up my pattern envelopes, so I make copies.

I just love vintage sewing patterns, the images are so much fun. Do you like vintage patterns?

The roses are from a roll of wallpaper boarder I purchased at a yard sale awhile back. The colors are so vibrant, I love this.

Stay tuned for further fun stuff!!

Have a great day.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

MY NEIGHBORHOOD

2011-06-14T06:39:00.000-04:00

I thought I would share with all of you some sights in my neighborhood.

Don't you wish you could have a bike like this, or do you??

The first time I see one of these for sale, it just might go into my trunk. Watch out Ms. Frugal, step aside...Beautiful, beautiful swan. Everyone takes a picture of this.

This is so precious, don't you think?

Light house on Light House Point Road.

I love this old rusty sign, I think it has been around a few days.

Our neighborhood country store.

My fishing pole. Yup, I do fish.

Discarded pieces of farm equipment makes great photographs.

This is some one's house number. Great idea don't you think?

I hope you have enjoyed a look around my neighborhood.

What is in your neighborhood??

Have a great day.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

WHAT WILL BE ON MY WORK TABLE NEXT

2011-06-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you know me, you know that I love my studio and all my things in it. I love all my vintage and antique ribbons and lace, all of my buttons, all of my magazines (where I get alot of my inspiration) I love all of my swap items from my bloggy friends, all of my books and papers and photographs, I love just about all of the things that I hoard. Someone call the doctor!!!

So once again I will be joining in on "Where Bloggers Create"

This event is hosted by Karen over at My Dessert Cottage

If you would like to join in on the fun by posting about your space or just visiting others creative spaces, you won't want to miss this.

There are some really amazing spaces out there.

If you know me you also know that I love a great swap. I have joined in on several swaps over the last several months and have received alot of wonderful items from books of tags, heart pillows, collaged items, jewelry, halloween items and so much more.

I will be making, I think it is seven (7) bird themed tags for a swap. I will receive seven back from seven other artists. I can't wait to get started on these tags. I do believe this swap is still open. You can go to Karla's Cottage

to join in on all this swap fun.

I love birds so this one is right up my alley.

This swap I joined just a few days ago over at A Swap For All Seasons We will be making vintage birthday cards. We can use real vintage cards or make our own cards. I think I will incorporate a little of both, what do you think?

This swap is open to anyone that has participated in one of Linda's swaps in the past. I have joined in on a few of Linda's swaps, the last one was a Mother's Day Brooch Swap, that was great fun. I recieved the most beautiful brooch from my swap partner.

I have been doing a little thinking on this one, I am looking forward to starting on some of the birthday cards soon.

Well, this will be some of the projects that will be on my work table very soon.

Stay tuned, I will share with you the projects as I work on them.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

FINISHED SUMMER PORCH

2011-06-10T08:30:00.000-04:00

I finished the seasonal porch, finally!

I was sort of waiting for all of the pollen to get out of the area before I finished. I was not successful with that however. I have a dust rag that is not to far away....I have done a lot of rearranging of things from last year. You can see the post of the porch from last year here.

We love this outdoor space so much and do spend a lot of our time out here. We eat our meals and watch evening television out here.

You can see posts of "a week of vignettes" I created for the porch;

Mr. Nook and I purchased this vintage suitcase at a gigantic flea market we stopped at on our way home from The 1000 Islands.

This is my new tabletop centerpiece.

The old bottle I purchased for $1.00, a pot of my new found wheat grass, some old shoe polishing brushes and a wooden bird cage just to mention a few items. I have seen some vintage suitcases out in blog land and was so inspired by this, I just had to have one for myself. I do believe it is going to look awesome come fall time and for the winter holiday all decked out, what do you think??

The large tree and these small trees light up at night.

I think summer has Finally arrived.

I hope you have enjoyed our summer living space.

I am off to sit out there for the rest of the evening.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele

WHEAT GRASS IS A SUCCESS

2011-06-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

A few posts ago, I talked about purchasing some wheat grass. I was able to get some planted, easy to do. Well, it has been a success.The wheat grass gets really tall in this cage. This sits out on the table on the sun deck. I have to give it a hair cut every few days. I love how the little pots of greenery look in my vignettes.

This garden lantern sits on the handrail coming up onto the porch.

I purchased the wheat grass at Creative Habitat. It was 3.99 for a good size bag.

This is easy to grow, go ahead and try some.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michele