tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037927507149022472024-03-13T03:48:57.478-07:00Born BrokenChel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-10396017910439146952011-11-15T12:45:00.000-08:002011-11-15T13:30:34.240-08:00Red Barbie Beautiful!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYhRO20s-yM/TsLMnDf0dII/AAAAAAAAAoM/LmhywsSBsJg/s1600/P1020048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYhRO20s-yM/TsLMnDf0dII/AAAAAAAAAoM/LmhywsSBsJg/s400/P1020048.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Today, I am sharing a vintage doll case. I keep it in my art studio, but it doesn't actually have dolls, or art supplies in it. In fact, it is filled with letters and notes that date back to my junior high and high school days. They are fun (and funny!) to go back and read every once in a while.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The doll case dates to the fifties, and it originally belonged to my mother and her sister. Clearly - it is not actually Barbie brand. I don't know who made it, it is unmarked,and I can't find anything like it on the internet. Anyway, I have five vintage doll cases this is just one of them. I'll share the others on another day. In the meantime, speaking of dolls and rednesday - <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I also posted a separate entry on my art blog - </span><a href="http://chelisehery.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">http://chelisehery.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> - so be sure and check that out. </span> Happy Rednesday everyone! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-39-DDrBfmYQ/TsLPGQFUDxI/AAAAAAAAAoU/-uXwVt2WREo/s1600/Autumn+13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-39-DDrBfmYQ/TsLPGQFUDxI/AAAAAAAAAoU/-uXwVt2WREo/s320/Autumn+13.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/">http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/</a></div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-16136782140412670682011-11-13T22:06:00.000-08:002011-11-13T22:06:56.792-08:00The Land of ZNE...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-te5XQkd123M/TsB88n3fknI/AAAAAAAAAnU/h3MfUTgGPVM/s1600/156741066_f77772aaf2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-te5XQkd123M/TsB88n3fknI/AAAAAAAAAnU/h3MfUTgGPVM/s1600/156741066_f77772aaf2_o.jpg" /></a></div><h1 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: </span></h1><h1 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">it is the courage to continue that counts.”</span></h1><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">- Winston Churchill</div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">This is a post that is about two years overdue. Better late than never, I suppose. The two questions I get in regard to ZNE, most often, are: <span style="color: red;">What <em>is </em>ZNE?</span> and, <span style="color: red;">What <em>happened </em>to ZNE?</span></div><br />
Well, here goes: <br />
<br />
In March of 2005, I began selling my mixed media artwork on eBay. At the time, I noticed that there were not a lot of online mixed media specific art groups available, so I decided to start one of my own. <br />
<br />
Originally an eBay specific group, I chose the name Variazione for the group. [Variazione is Itailian for 'variation.'] When the group asked for an acronym that would indicate affiliation, we came up with ZNE. Hence, ZNE, as the group was better known, was born.<br />
<br />
The group grew quickly, with the founding membership soon topping 100. At that time, with a great deal of help from the founding members, I made the decision to open the group to the public, via a public website. By July of 2005, the public group was up and running.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5e-oVct6kwM/TsB9EEeCpmI/AAAAAAAAAnk/zqQbnYMg9SQ/s1600/ZNE2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5e-oVct6kwM/TsB9EEeCpmI/AAAAAAAAAnk/zqQbnYMg9SQ/s320/ZNE2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Over the next several years, the group continued to grow. Members were provided with discussion boards, galleries, blogs, and cross promotion opportunities. In addition we had an incredible array of mini groups that were moderated by members, a design team, contests, activities and the group participated in charitable activities that varied from a scholarship for art school students to fundraising activities and member-to-member outreach and support. By 2008, group membership neared 2,000.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Without question, founding ZNE and being a part of such an incredible, talented and caring group of people was and is one of the most defining efforts of my life, and one of which I remain incredibly proud.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbItIlXxhck/TsB9B0aIFRI/AAAAAAAAAnc/vj5opy9cAvQ/s1600/imagesCANHM7BT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbItIlXxhck/TsB9B0aIFRI/AAAAAAAAAnc/vj5opy9cAvQ/s320/imagesCANHM7BT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> In 2008, we added to our roster a convention and art retreat - Convenzione ZNE. We held two conventions, one that year, and one the next in 2009. Both conventions were attended by talented and lovely people. We had extraordinary teachers and speakers at both events. The 2008 event even featured a movie screening. My greatest hope for the events was that the attendees would enjoy themselves, and I do believe that we accomplished that goal, and then some.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTiVdspjKms/TsB9HDSkMiI/AAAAAAAAAns/UVW5CGSKiwA/s1600/zne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTiVdspjKms/TsB9HDSkMiI/AAAAAAAAAns/UVW5CGSKiwA/s320/zne.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the fall of 2008 marked the beginning of a very difficult time in my life personally, as well as business-wise (not only for me, but for many artists, and indeed the entire country, here in the United States).<br />
<br />
It is not difficult to recall that fall, which is when the stock market fell in record amounts, the unemployment rate skyrocketed in this country, and those who were still employed were scared for jobs, in nearly every field of work.<br />
<br />
I am not a finance wizard and I know little or nothing about finance predictors. I, like many people in America, was unprepared for what a major impact the new 'recession' would have on my wonderful small business - ZNE.<br />
<br />
The previous Spring, on the heels of a well received first convention, I signed on for a second event to be held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, effectively locking myself into expensive and complex contracts. <br />
<br />
By early 2009, the paying portion of group membership was falling drastically. And, a large percentage of those members who had signed up to attend Convenzione 2009 were dropping out and either requesting refunds, or neglecting to pay the remaining portions of payment plans they had entered into. I blame absolutely no one for this. The vast majority of both our membership and our event attendees were independent artists with little or no other income stream. <br />
<br />
At the time, I did everything I could to address the issue. I created a scholarship program for both members and for event attendees. Members requesting scholarships were allowed to name their own membership price, no questions asked. Event attendees were offered 'at cost' participation. However, the 'at cost' fee was calculated assuming that we would have at minimum, 200 attendees.<br />
<br />
Convenzione 2009 ended up with more than 50, but less than 100 attendees. In the end, between the expenses of running ZNE and the expenses incurred during the convention, my family took a loss of over $20,000.<br />
<br />
This was not money we had in savings. More simply, this was not money that we had, period.<br />
<br />
The result was catastrophic in terms of its impact on my family (we ended up selling our home) and my reputation in the artistic community. (I incurred advertising debts, instructor fees, and many other expenses that took me months to pay (and in some cases, I am still in debt).<br />
<br />
I received emails calling me a scam artist, people quit the group after publicly stating that all I cared about was money, and in at least one case, a lawsuit was threatened. Whereas I had been kindly nicknamed 'the ZNE Queen' by my fabulous group, by the fall of 2009, I had been decidely dethroned.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-nGJjrGi_M/TsCdAaOI9PI/AAAAAAAAAn8/9Pqqn1d5-PU/s1600/Chel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-nGJjrGi_M/TsCdAaOI9PI/AAAAAAAAAn8/9Pqqn1d5-PU/s320/Chel.png" width="318" /></a></div><br />
All of this would be one thing, and perhaps I could have pulled myself and our group up by the bootstraps, and forged on, but, due to ongoing health concerns, this simply was not possible for me. As many ZNE members are aware, I suffered from a terrible depression in early 2009. It has taken me close to two years of hard work and sole dedication to my health and family life to feel confident that my depression is being managed effectively. <br />
<br />
The truth is, my reaction to my depression was one of fear and shame. In fact, these are common reactions felt by those dealing with mental illness, and I could write volumes about the stigmatization of mental illness, but, that's for another day. Complicating my fear was the fact that my own mother, who also suffered from depression, committed suicide in 2002. I have children and a husband and the thought that I may not be able to be there for them, only exacerbated my condition.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqGG-_IwQZM/TsCj3ALhFLI/AAAAAAAAAoE/T7W3soxmkEA/s1600/suicide_prevention_butterfly_poster-p228128201035551706t5wm_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqGG-_IwQZM/TsCj3ALhFLI/AAAAAAAAAoE/T7W3soxmkEA/s320/suicide_prevention_butterfly_poster-p228128201035551706t5wm_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In the attempt to deal with my depression as proactively as possible, I was hospitalized several times. If you personally have not dealt with this type of health issue (or, been close to someone who has) then it may be difficult to understand the ups and downs caused by medication management alone. I tried a variety of different medications over extended periods of time in an effort to get my depression under control. Aside from some of the medications not working in terms of alleviating the depression, many of them caused prolongued memory lapses and/or periods of exhaustion. <br />
<br />
I am not a terribly private person, but my willingness to share these issues with others, including group members - was met with mixed reactions. I will always be grateful for the incredible amount of support I received from members both near and far who wrote emails, sent letters, and/or visited or called while I was in the hospital. However, I received a great deal of backlash as well. Everything from people telling me that they thought I was making up my illness (?) as an excuse to get out of my responsibilities, to others who told me outright that they felt sorry for me or pitied me (not helpful at all). My forthright discussions on a separate blog dedicated to artists dealing with mental health issues resulted in a potential threat to my husband's custody of his daughter. (Not because I had done anything directly to her, but because someone felt that her being around a person dealing with mental illness was reason enough to challenge custody).<br />
<br />
The result? I pulled back from everything except for my family. I worked professinally off and on to help alleviate some of our bills, but we still ended up having to sell the house. I concentrated on being there for my family to make our transition to a new place to live as painless as possible. <br />
<br />
Many of my online friends either took my absence in their lives personally, or were otherwise frustrated by my behavior. I lost touch with many people. I take responsibility for being unavailable, forgetful, and unreliable. <br />
<br />
For several months, ZNE floated along with little or no moderation from me. Eventually, when annual fees for domain names, websites and image hosting recurred, I let them slip by. My focus was and is on my health, and the happiness of my family.<br />
<br />
Many people have continued to pay a membership fee in exchange for full permission to the use the term ZNE in their eBay and etsy listings. (ZNE received trademark status with the US Patent and Trademark Organization in 2005. The term continues to be a trademarked group name owned by me.) For those that chose to do this, thank you. <br />
<br />
I have been doing better now, for quite a while. Through a combination of medication, counseling, and spiritual support, as well as the enduring love of my family and friends - I am ok. I really am. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">To all of the wonderful ZNE members, both past and present - I remain ever hopeful that you will forgive the confusing manner in which the group closed down. More importantly, I thank you all for the contributions each of you made to an extraordinary group that I was proud to be affiliated with.</span><br />
<br />
Officially, ZNE is on indefinite hiatus. In recent months,<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> I have returned to where I started, which is creating art, driven by joy</span>. For me, that is enough. I am not able to say that ZNE is gone forever, because the friendships that have endured and the incredible efforts and activity of the group will live within me, forever. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Wn9rUTIjfQ/TsB9JkkuqYI/AAAAAAAAAn0/jldYCsHjV_Q/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Wn9rUTIjfQ/TsB9JkkuqYI/AAAAAAAAAn0/jldYCsHjV_Q/s320/untitled.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you will accept the invitation to join me on the next steps in my journey, by following this blog for personal updates, my art blog (<a href="http://chelisehery.blogspot.com/">http://chelisehery.blogspot.com</a>) to see what I've been playing with lately, and/or by liking my art-related facebook page - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chelise-Hery/136208713153774?notif_t=page_new_likes">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chelise-Hery/136208713153774?notif_t=page_new_likes</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xoxo - Chel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PS - and always - enjoy creating!</div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-21292384470274140012011-11-12T10:44:00.000-08:002011-11-12T10:44:28.509-08:00Phew! That took a while!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg4hJNdoVJI/Tr67YMmQQZI/AAAAAAAAAm8/_3bfJQBdbN0/s1600/BTS+ImBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg4hJNdoVJI/Tr67YMmQQZI/AAAAAAAAAm8/_3bfJQBdbN0/s320/BTS+ImBack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know, I know, I dissapeared again. Life got exceedingly hectic after that last post. To sum, we had to put our house on the market, it sold, we had to find a new place, we did and moved, and then a summer of (wonderful) business ensued. I spent months in: Far Northern California, Michigan, Las Vegas, Dallas, Las Vegas again, Las Vegas a third time, oh and Monterrey too! Also, my kids started school somewhere in there, my step-daughter starting her junior year of high school, and my son began his freshman year. It was all great, but left me with little or no time for blogging. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I am finally home, the kids are settled, I am settled, and I anticipate having time to blog regularly again! WOO HOO!~ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not only that, I have actually had time to play with my art supplies again, and have been having an inordinate amount of fun! With the help of the fabulously fun and talented Happy Harris of<a href="http://www.happylovesrosie.com/"> Happy Loves Rosie</a> fame, I have a brand new blog that is dedicated exclusively to my art. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check it out, here:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k97OkhNtzT0/Tr67ep5k4jI/AAAAAAAAAnE/19W6FuhULhE/s1600/5596886307_bcd9b8b231.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chelisehery.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.chelisehery.blogspot.com</span></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As with this blog, I LOVE my followers and visitors. If you follow the new blog, that blog will follow you too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And! I have a new etsy shop that I am starting to fill up, as well. Visit, here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CheliseHery"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.etsy.com/shop/CheliseHery</span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrw2fitjhr4/Tr67iOWWAmI/AAAAAAAAAnM/S9pxtYYcdHg/s1600/chelisehery+tag+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrw2fitjhr4/Tr67iOWWAmI/AAAAAAAAAnM/S9pxtYYcdHg/s320/chelisehery+tag+line.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course I will keep blogging here, talking about personal shtuff... Like cooking, home decor, and all my vintage goodies. I look forward to participating in lotsa blog parties too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HAPPY SATURDAY EVERYONE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span id="goog_442909729"></span><span id="goog_442909730"></span>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-59125713165344757542011-03-16T22:23:00.000-07:002011-03-16T22:35:44.030-07:00Every Door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_FLwH5ZQ22I/TYDwk8MpCcI/AAAAAAAAAmU/hhvikLE4_i4/s1600/IMG086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_FLwH5ZQ22I/TYDwk8MpCcI/AAAAAAAAAmU/hhvikLE4_i4/s400/IMG086.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><span class="body">Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door.</span> <br />
<span class="bodybold">- Emily Dickinson </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
Yesterday I found the most fabulous thing at a local antique shop. Actually I found a couple things, but this one I just had to share. Of all the things for me to swoon over, I never knew that it would be a door stop! This piece is made of solid wood. Although cast iron door stops are prolific and well known, apparently in the 1920s and 1930s, wooden figural doorstops were very popular as well.</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
The woman selling the doorstop didn't know much about it, other than the era, as stated above. I can tell you, I will not be using her to prop a door open. Lol! She is quite large, about 18" tall, and her wooden base is a bit hefty, as you can imagine. </div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">She does not have any markings that I can find at all, and that, in addition to the chipped condition of the wood ~ makes her price, according to my research, just about right, if not a bit low. I paid $28 for her. But, could you have resisted ~ look at this face!</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pWsg9eweuj8/TYDwnPTbIZI/AAAAAAAAAmY/zFH5IHkdJIk/s1600/IMG087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pWsg9eweuj8/TYDwnPTbIZI/AAAAAAAAAmY/zFH5IHkdJIk/s320/IMG087.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">I hope your day is full is open doors leading to beautiful finds! I am joining a bunch of parties this week, check out the rest of the participants, or join in the fun yourself!<br />
<br />
House of Grace Twice Owned Tuesday<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="HOG" src="http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv204/bonniejane03/HOUSEOFGRACEtotqyeenbutton-1-2.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/03/twice-owned-lovelies.html">http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/03/twice-owned-lovelies.html</a></div></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
Elements Interiors: Whassup Wednesdays<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r87/mmoo1978/whassup1.png" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elements-interiors.net/2011/03/whassup-wednesday_16.html">http://www.elements-interiors.net/2011/03/whassup-wednesday_16.html</a></div><br />
<br />
</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Vintage Thingie Thursday<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zJh05f0SMKY/TYGViL-v-ZI/AAAAAAAAAmc/Gw5cCSRV3gY/s1600/LinkBadge-8.png" /></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div s=""><br />
<center></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1770777580"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/">http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/</a></div><br />
</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Jenny Matlock's Alphabe Thursday - since the letter is W, and my doorstop is made of Wood!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8NS-lzFmRgE/TYGWaZNKXKI/AAAAAAAAAmg/6VSR_ge7ft0/s1600/Letter+W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8NS-lzFmRgE/TYGWaZNKXKI/AAAAAAAAAmg/6VSR_ge7ft0/s1600/Letter+W.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/search/label/Alphabe-Thursday"> http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/search/label/Alphabe-Thursday</a></div><br />
Time Travel Thursday<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae217/brambleberrycottage/800px-The_clock_tower_of_St_Mori-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/">http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/</a></center><br />
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/door_2.html#ixzz1GmXLOnrJ" style="color: #003399;"></a></div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-16894860285375646422011-03-10T08:49:00.000-08:002011-03-10T08:53:16.814-08:00Vintage Plates and Pottery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uhUEDbqX2uQ/TXiC79LlQpI/AAAAAAAAAlc/1slDHzXoqMc/s1600/P1000629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uhUEDbqX2uQ/TXiC79LlQpI/AAAAAAAAAlc/1slDHzXoqMc/s320/P1000629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It is Vintage Thingie Thursday and Time Travel Thursday, and today I am going to share some of my vintage plates and pottery.<br />
<br />
I have a small collection and it is very eclectic. In general, I'll pick up a piece if the pattern appeals to me, and it costs less than $10. And really, under $5 is preferable. I don't look for any particular pattern or maker, however, as you can see, florals really appeal to me. (Actually, that is not entirely true. I have a small collection of mixed vintage <a href="http://www.bauerpottery.com/">Bauer</a> pottery and Fiestaware, but I'll save those for another post on another day.)<br />
<br />
Yesterday I decided to stop by the local thrift shop to see if anything new had come in, and I found the beautiful plate above. It is a gorgeous lusterware. The plate is about 13" wide. And, it was a steal at $2.99! It was marked "Germany, Lena Jensen" so I figured it would be easy to get online and learn a little more about the piece.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jtfpY2EL-9c/TXiDDwGIgvI/AAAAAAAAAlg/g0YZrnZod6M/s1600/P1000630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jtfpY2EL-9c/TXiDDwGIgvI/AAAAAAAAAlg/g0YZrnZod6M/s320/P1000630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unfortunately, I can't find anything about this maker or this particular mark. Does anyone have any information about this mark? I'd love to know.<br />
<br />
Here are a few more favorites of mine:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vrajfUK9cSY/TXiDcyIzxOI/AAAAAAAAAlk/pDuRpEoypX8/s1600/P1000631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vrajfUK9cSY/TXiDcyIzxOI/AAAAAAAAAlk/pDuRpEoypX8/s320/P1000631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Two beautiful platters which are in my china hutch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-18_XsKepxSc/TXiDoqLPxwI/AAAAAAAAAlo/GKkspWXzK_U/s1600/P1000632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-18_XsKepxSc/TXiDoqLPxwI/AAAAAAAAAlo/GKkspWXzK_U/s320/P1000632.JPG" width="317" /></a></div>Calla lillies, suspended in time (and porcelain)!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MaaO-3zDU4I/TXiD2jlUY7I/AAAAAAAAAls/DkEfALPtr3c/s1600/P1000634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MaaO-3zDU4I/TXiD2jlUY7I/AAAAAAAAAls/DkEfALPtr3c/s320/P1000634.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>The piece above is probably a little newer than the others. But, I love the gold rim, and the cherries, of course.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-97O4O3Obk-8/TXiEKl8atAI/AAAAAAAAAlw/Qq4wnP1KaEc/s1600/P1000635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-97O4O3Obk-8/TXiEKl8atAI/AAAAAAAAAlw/Qq4wnP1KaEc/s320/P1000635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here are three mismatched pieces that go well together on the bookshelf in the family room.<br />
<br />
Finally, I thought I would share a tiny little ceramic lidded container that I adore. I especially like the gold handle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8onrmck47k8/TXj_eAuT4lI/AAAAAAAAAl8/6UtL36UIcMg/s1600/P1000636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8onrmck47k8/TXj_eAuT4lI/AAAAAAAAAl8/6UtL36UIcMg/s320/P1000636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here's a picture of it, in the bookshelf. It sits alongside a vintage hat that I treasure, and a mixed media are piece that I created a couple years ago ("Marie Buttonette") using a vintage doll.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EFtsa8HVmGo/TXkBrZT00NI/AAAAAAAAAmE/xr3_Ii0R1iE/s1600/P1000637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EFtsa8HVmGo/TXkBrZT00NI/AAAAAAAAAmE/xr3_Ii0R1iE/s320/P1000637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday, and Time Travel Thursday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TBCMkKWzeOI/AAAAAAAAAb0/K6CcWPuoeyw/s320/LinkBadge-8.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/">http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<center style="border: medium none;"> <a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae217/brambleberrycottage/800px-The_clock_tower_of_St_Mori-1.jpg" /></a></center><center><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/">http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/</a></center>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-82269736117839332432011-03-09T09:04:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:05:39.116-08:00Merry, Merry, Take a Cherry<div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;">“When I sound the fairy call, </span></b><br />
<b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;">gather here in silent meeting,<br />
<br />
Chin to knee on the orchard wall, </span></b><br />
<b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;">cooled with dew and cherries eating.<br />
<br />
Merry, merry, take a cherry, </span></b><br />
<b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;">mine are sounder, mine are rounder,<br />
<br />
Mine are sweeter for the eater, </span></b><br />
<b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;">when the dews fall, and you'll be fairies all.”</span></b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;">- Emily Dickinson</span></b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_EqJ4DoaOVs/TXeuhZWTgMI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/pPrj-ZoVtiw/s1600/P1000627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_EqJ4DoaOVs/TXeuhZWTgMI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/pPrj-ZoVtiw/s320/P1000627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;">Today is <a href="http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/">Rednesday</a>, so I figured I would share a favorite piece of art. My husband made this for me for valentines day, last year. Isn't he a sweetie? He found the cherry cloth at a fabric store, and he stretched it over a huge (4.5' x 3') box canvas. He got the letters and circle from a craft store and painted them red, himself. I ended up adding the roses with a gossamer trail, to soften the piece just a little, making it just perfect for my taste. He hung it above our family room fireplace. I love it, and everytime I see it, I am reminded that I am loved, too. It is a very simple piece of art, but its size makes it quite striking.</span></span><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8y-Yha1ZL8s/TXeuwhQ-I5I/AAAAAAAAAlU/8zwdqg7rbqM/s1600/P1000628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8y-Yha1ZL8s/TXeuwhQ-I5I/AAAAAAAAAlU/8zwdqg7rbqM/s320/P1000628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">And, completely unrelated ~ but there is an awful lot of red in this video, the fabulous <a href="http://www.barbesaintjohn.blogspot.com/">Barbe Saint John</a> posted this video on her facebook account today, and I dare you to watch it without bursting out laughing at least once.</span></span></div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="195" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/du4uH1fC9B8" title="YouTube video player" width="320"></iframe></div><br />
<br />
If you would like to find more red goodness, check out <a href="http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/">It's a Very Cherry World</a> and check out all the participants, or blog about your own red love, and join in the fun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vZwOku4dPzI/TXey5kntYjI/AAAAAAAAAlY/hy_vVccgLjE/s1600/MWSnap018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vZwOku4dPzI/TXey5kntYjI/AAAAAAAAAlY/hy_vVccgLjE/s320/MWSnap018.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-43245031345050510282011-03-08T10:37:00.000-08:002011-03-08T10:40:56.274-08:00Tuesday Mourning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sb47kGpzTKg/TXZ1fzC04-I/AAAAAAAAAlM/U6kE_ta64y4/s1600/il_570xN.184736417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sb47kGpzTKg/TXZ1fzC04-I/AAAAAAAAAlM/U6kE_ta64y4/s320/il_570xN.184736417.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tuesdaymourning?ref=pr_shop_more">Tuesday Mourning</a></div><br />
I am having so much fun with my<a href="http://chelsmending.blogspot.com/2011/02/sitght-of-stars.html"> Pinterest</a> account. (Want to see what makes me happy? Check out my pins, here: <a href="http://pinterest.com/cheliseh/">http://pinterest.com/cheliseh/</a><br />
<br />
So today, I did a search for Tuesday (what else) and here were all the wonderful pins that appeared: <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/?q=tuesday">http://pinterest.com/search/?q=tuesday</a>. <br />
<br />
I love Pinterest because of the wonderful visual finds, and today ~ my Tuesday search brought up several images by this fabulous Southern California Artist, whose store is called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tuesdaymourning?ref=pr_shop_more">Tuesday Mourning</a>. My husband and I are in the process of moving, so I have to wait a bit before investing in some new art pieces, but when I am ready, i shall definitely return to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tuesdaymourning?ref=pr_shop_more">Tuesday Mourning's etsy account</a>, to select a special piece of my own.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ad_qPKtowd4/TXZ1fIcRrhI/AAAAAAAAAlI/9dk5OaFro-A/s1600/il_570xN.173156830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ad_qPKtowd4/TXZ1fIcRrhI/AAAAAAAAAlI/9dk5OaFro-A/s320/il_570xN.173156830.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Is she not fabulous? I hope YOU are having a fabulous Tuesday! See you tomorrow, when I hope to post something red and whimsical for <a href="http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/search/label/Rednesday">Rednesday.</a>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-17754227325072748582011-03-07T10:23:00.000-08:002011-03-07T10:23:18.772-08:00Three Little Kittens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blingee.com/blingee/view/121868454-Three-Little-Kittens" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Three Little Kittens"><img alt="Three Little Kittens" border="0" height="259" src="http://image.blingee.com/images18/content/output/000/000/000/743/701965243_836900.gif" title="Three Little Kittens" width="280" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;">Three little kittens they lost their mittens, and they began to cry,<br />
"Oh mother dear, we sadly fear that we have lost our mittens."<br />
"What! Lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!<br />
Then you shall have no pie."<br />
"Meeow, meeow, meeow, now we shall have no pie."<br />
The three little kittens they found their mittens,<br />
And they began to cry,<br />
"Oh mother dear, see here, see here<br />
For we have found our mittens."<br />
"Put on your mittens, you silly kittens<br />
And you shall have some pie"<br />
"Meeow, meeow, meeow,<br />
Now let us have some pie."<br />
The three little kittens put on their mittens<br />
And soon ate up the pie,<br />
"Oh mother dear, we greatly fear<br />
That we have soiled our mittens."<br />
"What! soiled you mittens, you naughty kittens!"<br />
Then they began to cry, "Meeow, meeow, meeow"<br />
Then they began to sigh.<br />
The three little kittens they washed their mittens<br />
And hung them out to dry,<br />
"Oh mother dear, do you not hear<br />
That we have washed our mittens."<br />
"What! washed your mittens, you are good kittens."<br />
But I smell a rat close by,<br />
"Meeow, meeow, meeow" we smell a rat close by...</span></b> </div><br />
<a href="http://blingee.com/" target="_blank" title="Free Photo Editor"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't really have time today to do any fun art stuff, so I just edited and blingeed up this week's image from <a href="http://collageobsessionchallenge.blogspot.com/">Collage Obsession</a>. Here's the original image:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8XqRUa4KFNA/TXUiL8JOQYI/AAAAAAAAAlE/ZvnQtHmSFS4/s1600/Parrot_and_kittens1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8XqRUa4KFNA/TXUiL8JOQYI/AAAAAAAAAlE/ZvnQtHmSFS4/s320/Parrot_and_kittens1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Hop on over to the Collage Obsession blog to learn more, and find more fun artwork - or participate yourself! <a href="http://collageobsessionchallenge.blogspot.com/">http://collageobsessionchallenge.blogspot.com/ </a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Monday everyone! </span></span><br />
<a href="http://blingee.com/" target="_blank" title="Free Photo Editor"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></a>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-38952682794929884132011-03-04T20:47:00.000-08:002011-03-04T20:47:46.580-08:00The best things in life.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">“The best things in life are <b>silly." - Scott Adams</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IVoG_V149aU/TXG_A8bly1I/AAAAAAAAAk8/TCUH5plXUAU/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IVoG_V149aU/TXG_A8bly1I/AAAAAAAAAk8/TCUH5plXUAU/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">Well, when Liz at <a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/">Brambleberry Cottage</a> invited me to join in the Funny Faux Pas Follies, I am not sure this is what she had in mind, but it was the very first thing that I thought of! Lol.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">Last weekend we had my beautiful nephews Adin and Ellis over, and just look at how cute Ellis's smile is. I had to grab a quick shot with my phone. After taking the picture, I took a second look ~ and lo and behold ~ look what the camera caught Adin doing! I just couldn't stop laughing.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"><b>Happy Friday everyone. I hope you have a great weekend. For more silly stories, or to join in on the fun and share your own, hop over to Brambleberry Cottage this weekend. I bet you won't regret it!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0FDd8KrGiNc/TXHAKDEZg0I/AAAAAAAAAlA/2ju5Ehpaeqo/s1600/TTT%252333b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0FDd8KrGiNc/TXHAKDEZg0I/AAAAAAAAAlA/2ju5Ehpaeqo/s1600/TTT%252333b.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><b><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/">http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/</a></b></span></div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-24535753824790320092011-03-02T20:34:00.000-08:002011-03-02T20:41:35.803-08:00(Not so) Vintage Thingie Thursday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ol_FtEPYC-E/TW8JeA_vazI/AAAAAAAAAkI/1vQzbBnZ_mI/s1600/bottles+in+basket+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ol_FtEPYC-E/TW8JeA_vazI/AAAAAAAAAkI/1vQzbBnZ_mI/s320/bottles+in+basket+small.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LojQBZ-mcr8/TW8HmFEJhlI/AAAAAAAAAkE/Zr1nxUnYauA/s1600/P1000613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LojQBZ-mcr8/TW8HmFEJhlI/AAAAAAAAAkE/Zr1nxUnYauA/s320/P1000613.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">“The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made" - Groucho Marks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">It is <a href="http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/">Vintage Thingie Thursday,</a> so I figured I would share a prized collection of miniature cream bottles, that (as you can see on the far left) I now use as casual glasses. They are perfect for lemonade, fruit punch, and root beer. They are very sweet, and remind me of a simpler time. The only thing is... they aren't (shhhhh!) really vintage. <a href="http://www.strausfamilycreamery.com/">The Straus Family Creamery</a> is a local dairy farm that produces the most delicious milk products, and they are sold in the gourmet section of our local supermarkets. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">So, I figure since I am cheating on the "vintage" aspect of Very Vintage Thursday, I would share some more of my decidedly modern favorites. Namely, dinner on Wednesday night.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">First off, menu planning and shopping itself has always been a chore. However, I was beyond thrilled when I found the website, "<a href="http://www.howdoesshedoit.com/">How Does She Do It</a>", which simplifies the process beyond measure. First of all, it has a database of recipes that you can access by searching for a particular dish, or you can search by category ("chicken" or "dessert" or "pasta", etc.). You can also add your own favorite recipes. You can then populate your own weekly menu with the dishes you want to make. But the coolest aspect, as far as I am concerned, is that it then creates your weekly shopping list for you. So you go over the list, and if you already have some of the items, you can remove them from the list, and if you have other staples you want to add to the list - you go ahead and add them, and then voila - you take the list with you and you ensure that you have everything you need to cook for your family for the week. Woo hoo! Convenient, fun, and easy peasy. Check it out:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oC1XKdNlpk8/TW8UM5DXtrI/AAAAAAAAAk0/X4iaykypDW0/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oC1XKdNlpk8/TW8UM5DXtrI/AAAAAAAAAk0/X4iaykypDW0/s1600/logo.png" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.howdoesshedoit.com/">http://www.howdoesshedoit.com </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">Here's an example of what I cooked last night - it took about twenty minutes total, fed four with some left over for my husband's lunch today, and everyone liked it. Chicken and Broccoli with Rice. First, I chopped up a lb. of skinless chicken breast, brown it in a tablespoon of oil, and then set it aside:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ThB3-VDTdbE/TW8J3GZk57I/AAAAAAAAAkM/e3p2co4U5ZE/s1600/P1000605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ThB3-VDTdbE/TW8J3GZk57I/AAAAAAAAAkM/e3p2co4U5ZE/s320/P1000605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">Next, you take a can of cream of chicken soup, a cup and a half of water, and some pepper and paprika, and mix it all in the pan, over heat. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-skABcMko7Ew/TW8KO_QN8HI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/HURuxsXbcqs/s1600/P1000608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-skABcMko7Ew/TW8KO_QN8HI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/HURuxsXbcqs/s320/P1000608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EHCcCqdBprA/TW8KdobPX-I/AAAAAAAAAkU/a9gkhxJSkk4/s1600/P1000610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EHCcCqdBprA/TW8KdobPX-I/AAAAAAAAAkU/a9gkhxJSkk4/s320/P1000610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>(Love the glass spice jar.) Archer Farms is a Target brand. The pewter Pepper shaker (I have the salt shaker as well) are from Crate and Barrel.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">You let this mixture come to a boil.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UeXDtJyTwFI/TW8LWGYyNnI/AAAAAAAAAkg/YJaAkYIOcvc/s1600/P1000615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UeXDtJyTwFI/TW8LWGYyNnI/AAAAAAAAAkg/YJaAkYIOcvc/s320/P1000615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">Once it comes to a boil, you put the chicken back in, and add a cup and a half of minute rice, and a bag of frozen broccoli. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T6hq-vYjPy0/TW8LnmBOIzI/AAAAAAAAAkk/QDAKTji1pdM/s1600/P1000616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T6hq-vYjPy0/TW8LnmBOIzI/AAAAAAAAAkk/QDAKTji1pdM/s320/P1000616.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"> Cover the mixture, and let it simmer for five more minutes. This gives you time to set a really quick casual table:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIgquwKY5gw/TW8L2uWJZMI/AAAAAAAAAko/Op3h7efelNY/s1600/P1000617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIgquwKY5gw/TW8L2uWJZMI/AAAAAAAAAko/Op3h7efelNY/s320/P1000617.JPG" width="274" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">And woo-hoo! Dinner is ready!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a-Qd9KICTcg/TW8MQynqdNI/AAAAAAAAAks/BLP8unDA3ek/s1600/P1000618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a-Qd9KICTcg/TW8MQynqdNI/AAAAAAAAAks/BLP8unDA3ek/s320/P1000618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">The dish already has your protein, starch, and vegetable. I put out a a platter of fresh grapes and orange slices, as a side dish.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UCMEaR_Gu2Y/TW8K7cQgfJI/AAAAAAAAAkc/zyjLnEGWm4I/s1600/P1000614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UCMEaR_Gu2Y/TW8K7cQgfJI/AAAAAAAAAkc/zyjLnEGWm4I/s320/P1000614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">And then, to complete the meal, one more modern convenience:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BZEEwCLOBks/TW8NJo8PffI/AAAAAAAAAkw/dC-EO68p2UU/s1600/P1000619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BZEEwCLOBks/TW8NJo8PffI/AAAAAAAAAkw/dC-EO68p2UU/s320/P1000619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">Yum! Happy Vintage Thingy Thursday! I know I cheated, but taking the time to sit down to a home cooked meal with your family is becoming less and less common, and for some - a thing of the past. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">Personally, I think the family meal is a vital part of family connection, and modern conveniences such as the website and quick recipe I shared above help to make sure that I can focus on what it timeless and important, a happy, well fed, close family.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq">Thanks for stopping by! Here's a picture of me with my messy hair and apron on. It looks like I have been cooking all day long. Lol!</span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-haufin5ji50/TW8b8MNF-eI/AAAAAAAAAk4/24c_isU-ECo/s1600/P1000611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-haufin5ji50/TW8b8MNF-eI/AAAAAAAAAk4/24c_isU-ECo/s200/P1000611.JPG" width="199" /></a></div><span class="sqq"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="sqq"> </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TBCMkKWzeOI/AAAAAAAAAb0/K6CcWPuoeyw/s320/LinkBadge-8.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/">http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-12453993861424422152011-03-02T10:08:00.000-08:002011-03-02T10:08:05.109-08:00Chirp chirp! And cherries too.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/3d/0/AAAAC1k2UakAAAAAAD0PDA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/3d/0/AAAAC1k2UakAAAAAAD0PDA.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OJll_G0zJU8/TW6GcBh97_I/AAAAAAAAAj8/JN1hU3dSbCM/s1600/dolls_046.82140343_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OJll_G0zJU8/TW6GcBh97_I/AAAAAAAAAj8/JN1hU3dSbCM/s320/dolls_046.82140343_std.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYj7u84ileo/TW6ClWpoBFI/AAAAAAAAAj0/bu_WWlU-QWQ/s1600/P1000537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYj7u84ileo/TW6ClWpoBFI/AAAAAAAAAj0/bu_WWlU-QWQ/s400/P1000537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Today, for Rednesday, I am featuring a tiny but dearly loved <a href="http://www.jmurphybears.com/sm.html">Jennifer Murphy</a> little bluebird, that sits on a shelf along with some of my favorite <a href="http://elevenmorning.com/art_dolls">Gina Gabriell dolls</a>, (and some pics of the hubby with his motorcycle). I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Murphy when she taught at Convenzione 2009. She was a doll, no pun intended! I love the colors in my little blue bird, I think the red strawberry really enhances the sweet blue.<br />
<br />
Red is definitely one of my favorite decor colors - which you can also tell by the dolls, which were made by my wonderful friend Gina.<br />
<br />
This little corner of my house really makes me happy, and I am glad to be able to share it with you, through Rednesday. Do you love red too? Share your favorite red goodness, via It's <a href="http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/search/label/Rednesday">A Very Cherry World's</a> Rednesday!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rEteEyMhDPo/TW6HXYxldPI/AAAAAAAAAkA/1TT-YSST2rU/s1600/MWSnap025+a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rEteEyMhDPo/TW6HXYxldPI/AAAAAAAAAkA/1TT-YSST2rU/s320/MWSnap025+a.png" width="248" /></a></div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-89892166360931469492011-02-24T13:05:00.000-08:002011-02-24T13:05:59.464-08:00Keep Calm and Blog On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahjlwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/keep-calm-and-carry-on.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="http://sarahjlwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/keep-calm-and-carry-on.png" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yT8FkF45As/TWbD-AxaH3I/AAAAAAAAAjw/2X26fyc5_co/s1600/P1000527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yT8FkF45As/TWbD-AxaH3I/AAAAAAAAAjw/2X26fyc5_co/s320/P1000527.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
It is Vintage Thingy Thursday and Time Travel Thursday - so I figured I would share a little today, about our "Keep Calm and Carry On" print, which can be seen int he upper right corner of the photo of our living room, above.<br />
<br />
Nowadays, you can find this print and variations of the print all over the place. But the original story is an interesting one. It's even on Wikipedia now (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On</a>):<br />
<br />
"<strong>Keep Calm and Carry On</strong> was a poster produced by the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_Majesty%27s_Government" title="Her Majesty's Government">British government</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939">1939</a> during the beginning of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II">World War II</a>, intended to raise the morale of the British public under the threat of impending invasion. It was little known and never used. The poster was rediscovered in 2000 and has been re-issued by a number of private sector companies, and used as the decorative theme for a range of other products. There are only two known surviving examples of the poster outside of government archives." (For mor, click on the wikipedia link above.)<br />
<br />
Our family particularly likes our Keep Calm print (which is a screen printed onto a canvas box frame) - not only for its bright color and soothing sentiment, but also because my mother-in-law is English, and a sweet trip to Britain is one of the first international trips my husband and I took together.<br />
<br />
I also love the many recent variations of the Keep Calm poster. Some are very sweet:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2009/07/02/f1df8a51327f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2009/07/02/f1df8a51327f.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>Some suggest financial freedom:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.geenius.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/keepcalm/06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="http://www.geenius.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/keepcalm/06.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>Some are more likely to keep you calm than others:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_S3ONBPJCv7I/Szrd6bj9GOI/AAAAAAAABRc/BwseVD0_4mM/s400/keep+calm+and+make+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_S3ONBPJCv7I/Szrd6bj9GOI/AAAAAAAABRc/BwseVD0_4mM/s320/keep+calm+and+make+tea.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>And given a real emergency, this one is probably the most realistic:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JPpYO4RyCK0/TNpDkeo97fI/AAAAAAAADJc/GII5PF8oxXs/s1600/keep-calm-who-kidding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JPpYO4RyCK0/TNpDkeo97fI/AAAAAAAADJc/GII5PF8oxXs/s320/keep-calm-who-kidding.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
Hope you all enjoyed this little jog down a vintage highway. Have a happy Thursday everyone!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TBCMkKWzeOI/AAAAAAAAAb0/K6CcWPuoeyw/s320/LinkBadge-8.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/">http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<center style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae217/brambleberrycottage/800px-The_clock_tower_of_St_Mori-1.jpg" /></a></center><center>http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/</center>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-65414367991455457672011-02-18T17:56:00.000-08:002011-02-18T18:33:13.890-08:00The sight of the stars...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">- Vincent Van Gogh</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8brZSGlciPc/TV8geReghtI/AAAAAAAAAjo/ixf3pDUhqx0/s1600/MqRyKM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8brZSGlciPc/TV8geReghtI/AAAAAAAAAjo/ixf3pDUhqx0/s320/MqRyKM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="sqq"><br />
Oh, I have been beside myself with misery the past two days, fighting a flu. I am just starting to feel better now. Phew! However, I found the greatest site, a beta site called Pinterest ~ that serves as the world's largest online inspiration board. The idea is that you collect images that inspire you, and create categories for images so that you can visit them at any time. Likewise, others can view, follow, or copy elements of your boards. </span><br />
<span class="sqq"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99f0B7ILyD0/TV8hJc3Y41I/AAAAAAAAAjs/Sx-gCrPYBzk/s1600/pinterest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99f0B7ILyD0/TV8hJc3Y41I/AAAAAAAAAjs/Sx-gCrPYBzk/s1600/pinterest.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com%20/">http://www.pinterest.com </a></div><span class="sqq"><br />
So, while I have been stuck on the couch watching daytime t.v. ~ I've made it through by viewing and creating the most wonderful images, and my own boards. What boards have I created of my own? Everything from Places and Spaces I Love, to Polka Dots and Cherries! You can view all of my boards, here:</span><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><b><span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><b style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/cheliseh/">http://pinterest.com/cheliseh/</a></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq"><b style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">Because the site is in beta stage, you have to request an invite to join. I did so, and was invited within a few days. I am so glad. I am having a blast! Enjoy looking around, and re-check anytime you want. I have a feeling my boards will be updated regularly. When it comes to inspiration, it knows no bounds!</span></div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-75102329823513819332011-02-15T22:50:00.000-08:002011-02-15T22:51:07.138-08:00We Create the Dreams"We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams." - Albert Einstein<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDzwKExJwY8/TVtwefPinaI/AAAAAAAAAjc/-ERnUtmZ8l0/s1600/JitterbugDancers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDzwKExJwY8/TVtwefPinaI/AAAAAAAAAjc/-ERnUtmZ8l0/s320/JitterbugDancers.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>In just a few hours it will be Wednesday. Woo hoo! Jump for joy. Half way through the work week. Do a little dancing, and the next thing you know, it will be the weekend.<br />
<br />
Speaking of dancing, several months ago I uploaded a playlist with a few of my favorite songs. You can check it out anytime you want by clicking on this image on my sidebar:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seQXaSncuRw/TVtxzB3npvI/AAAAAAAAAjg/A32D43fg_HA/s1600/musicbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seQXaSncuRw/TVtxzB3npvI/AAAAAAAAAjg/A32D43fg_HA/s1600/musicbb.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chelsmending.blogspot.com/p/listen-along-with-me.html">http://chelsmending.blogspot.com/p/listen-along-with-me.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
And speaking of jumping for joy, and fine music ~ I was delighted to blog-surf my way to the Birdie Blue blog:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djPqZZw7tQ8/TVtytrgD4eI/AAAAAAAAAjk/42gSS360ifg/s1600/happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djPqZZw7tQ8/TVtytrgD4eI/AAAAAAAAAjk/42gSS360ifg/s320/happy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://birdiebluesky.blogspot.com/">http://birdiebluesky.blogspot.com/ </a></div><br />
Not only are the graphics delightful, but the music playlist (at the bottom of her blog) is to die for. Anyone who listens to Kate Bush, the Talking Heads and Jack Johnson - is a music friend of mine!<br />
<br />
So listen to my playlist, Birdie Blue's, or create one of your own. And when you do, don't forget to dance. Remember, you are the dancer. You create your dreams...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-42245387704662484152011-02-15T08:47:00.000-08:002011-02-15T08:47:48.614-08:00Yummy Ruby Tuesday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blingee.com/blingee/view/121365506-strawberries" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="strawberries"><img alt="strawberries" border="0" height="261" src="http://image.blingee.com/images18/content/output/000/000/000/73b/697319085_214695.gif" title="strawberries" width="280" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
Woo Hoo! It is Ruby Tuesday. I thought I would share this picture I took (and blinged up) of some fresh strawberries that I put out a couple days ago when I had family over. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9h0zxPqC-k0/TVqqe_YfD_I/AAAAAAAAAjY/BsTXNXoz8a8/s1600/Rubytuesdaybadge2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9h0zxPqC-k0/TVqqe_YfD_I/AAAAAAAAAjY/BsTXNXoz8a8/s1600/Rubytuesdaybadge2011.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/"> http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/ </a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
Here are more pictures from Saturday night. Ironically, I had my camera on the wrong setting, so all the pictures were fuzzy and red tinted. Poor picture taking, but apropos for Ruby Tuesday - lol!<br />
<br />
Despite it's fuzzyness, I love this picture of my sisters in law. Both my brother's wife) Katrina (left, and my husband's sister Jennifer. That's me in the middle:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Py-6BINFY/TVqpBaK8Y6I/AAAAAAAAAjI/lYk5YMKKRrY/s1600/P1000597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Py-6BINFY/TVqpBaK8Y6I/AAAAAAAAAjI/lYk5YMKKRrY/s320/P1000597.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Here is a picture of my wonderful nephew Adin. We love having him over - he's so fabulous!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saukt7TBhfk/TVqow0mHdjI/AAAAAAAAAjE/2wb96dlG9a8/s1600/P1000595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saukt7TBhfk/TVqow0mHdjI/AAAAAAAAAjE/2wb96dlG9a8/s320/P1000595.JPG" width="245" /></a></div><br />
And some pictures of my brother Jesse with Adin's little brother, Ellis:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kMR4VEwgAqg/TVqoaFsuOtI/AAAAAAAAAjA/I-FiIx26OYU/s1600/P1000594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kMR4VEwgAqg/TVqoaFsuOtI/AAAAAAAAAjA/I-FiIx26OYU/s320/P1000594.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFGzgAQN4os/TVqqCWYQTgI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/Ri8JH-mZ2sU/s1600/P1000601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFGzgAQN4os/TVqqCWYQTgI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/Ri8JH-mZ2sU/s320/P1000601.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jYjqdQmV5fg/TVqqd4v1akI/AAAAAAAAAjU/pPpz1goqZ1M/s1600/P1000602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jYjqdQmV5fg/TVqqd4v1akI/AAAAAAAAAjU/pPpz1goqZ1M/s320/P1000602.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Here's a shot of my wonderful mother in law, Pam, and my father in law, John. Butter loves them too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBHpJeWG47o/TVqnoKv7g2I/AAAAAAAAAi4/KbT017BYQxU/s1600/P1000589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBHpJeWG47o/TVqnoKv7g2I/AAAAAAAAAi4/KbT017BYQxU/s320/P1000589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here's a shot of my hubby Richard, and my step-daughter Abigail and Pam, my mother in law. Three beautiful generations in this shot. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pgUQjlMhKlg/TVqnOUQoa6I/AAAAAAAAAi0/mK1CWZ3OLSo/s1600/P1000586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pgUQjlMhKlg/TVqnOUQoa6I/AAAAAAAAAi0/mK1CWZ3OLSo/s320/P1000586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwDLqWvf5Dc/TVqpdjwzD7I/AAAAAAAAAjM/mJyuQB6-ksE/s1600/P1000598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwDLqWvf5Dc/TVqpdjwzD7I/AAAAAAAAAjM/mJyuQB6-ksE/s320/P1000598.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And finally, above - my son RJ. I can never get a shot of him smiling. Sheesh! I have one other picture of him. He looks even more sullen:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QUKn6I24Tc/TVqn_Pah1FI/AAAAAAAAAi8/jIATsg2uPY8/s1600/P1000592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QUKn6I24Tc/TVqn_Pah1FI/AAAAAAAAAi8/jIATsg2uPY8/s320/P1000592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ah well. He's a teenage boy.<br />
<br />
Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful day.Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-45238252296731884632011-02-13T23:43:00.000-08:002011-02-14T00:18:03.203-08:00Oh, the Instructive Kewpie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1jxuYreUmQ/TVi9VEJq01I/AAAAAAAAAiM/eMvpCl9Ky7Y/s1600/4085637023_8002866883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1jxuYreUmQ/TVi9VEJq01I/AAAAAAAAAiM/eMvpCl9Ky7Y/s320/4085637023_8002866883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I thought I would participate in Making Monday Marvelous day on the C.R.A.F.T. blog, as well as Metamorphosis Monday at http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/. Given the Valentines theme, I thought I would share with you one of my great loves ~ Kewpie dolls! Last spring I created a Kewpie themed display shelf that I hung on the wall in my guest/craft room.<br />
<br />
I'll share the process with you, in case you might want to create something similar to showcase a collection of your own.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mmm button" height="125" src="http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac167/serendipity629/gray_zigzag-2.png" width="150" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHtQzyoOtds/TVjk-DXOtRI/AAAAAAAAAiw/HmAWYXYpHDE/s1600/Pic_for_Body_of_Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHtQzyoOtds/TVjk-DXOtRI/AAAAAAAAAiw/HmAWYXYpHDE/s200/Pic_for_Body_of_Blog.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">STEP ONE:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First, I took a sturdy gift box, that was divided into sections. The kind of box that originally held a set of four vases. I don't have a before picture of the exact box that I used, but here are a couple pics off google that show the same kind of box:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0cwG32g8Cs/TVi9TAMCuNI/AAAAAAAAAiE/7sBCc8f8_no/s1600/4X+GG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0cwG32g8Cs/TVi9TAMCuNI/AAAAAAAAAiE/7sBCc8f8_no/s320/4X+GG.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJZvURGBZYs/TVi9ViXZ0uI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/M-T0EAPxjqY/s1600/IG1145-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJZvURGBZYs/TVi9ViXZ0uI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/M-T0EAPxjqY/s320/IG1145-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you don't already have a box like this, I would suggest you keep your eyes out for a similar box at garage sales or flea markets. You could even request a box like this on freecycle. I found mine, already empty, at a thrift store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> STEP TWO:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Decorate the box. I first used spray paint, but you could also cover the box in gift wrap, fabric, vintage papers such as maps or dictionary pages, or scrap book paper. I wanted my box to be pretty simple - so that the dolls themselves would be the main feature. I used a baby pink spraypaint to coat the box inside and out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA9vr4ukbH8/TVi9UXzjmXI/AAAAAAAAAiI/y_KY4v5oxmU/s1600/3680019112_8ccc37fa70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA9vr4ukbH8/TVi9UXzjmXI/AAAAAAAAAiI/y_KY4v5oxmU/s320/3680019112_8ccc37fa70.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">STEP THREE:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also decided to add a couple of wooden finials to the bottom of the box. I picked up the finials at Lowes, but you could probably get them at any hardware store. They were unpainted pine, and only cost a couple of dollars each. The type of finial I used is shown in the picture below. Ignore the glue. I didn't use glue to attach the finials, I used screws and nuts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw-IC2mA_cc/TVi9VyLDXrI/AAAAAAAAAiU/o9MGLtibVVM/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw-IC2mA_cc/TVi9VyLDXrI/AAAAAAAAAiU/o9MGLtibVVM/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">STEP THREE:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before attaching the finials, I painted them red, so that they would create a nice contrast with the pink box. Then, I attached them to the bottom of the box, again, using screws. Here are a couple pictures of the finials attached to the box:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMJUNRGjNng/TVi9evFnd2I/AAAAAAAAAiY/TWLpq-Y7Oag/s1600/P1000014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMJUNRGjNng/TVi9evFnd2I/AAAAAAAAAiY/TWLpq-Y7Oag/s320/P1000014.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JK04LF-RV40/TVi9xjgxF5I/AAAAAAAAAic/kjKIq16ei0w/s1600/P1000015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JK04LF-RV40/TVi9xjgxF5I/AAAAAAAAAic/kjKIq16ei0w/s320/P1000015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">STEP FOUR:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, I decoupaged the inside of the box with vintage ephemera. I used a vintage bingo card, a vintage receipt, a vintage card of buttons, and a vintage postcard. I also added some vintage Kewpie images, inside the box. Here is a shot of one of the four compartments in the box:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6kgTY0pVQo/TVi-cJDu8pI/AAAAAAAAAik/-dt_KPNlLHw/s1600/P1000018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6kgTY0pVQo/TVi-cJDu8pI/AAAAAAAAAik/-dt_KPNlLHw/s320/P1000018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a picture of the box when I was finished decoupaging all four of the inside compartments:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-awqpRUzJfJw/TVi-G5ZC7gI/AAAAAAAAAig/crWRnh_CFZk/s1600/P1000016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-awqpRUzJfJw/TVi-G5ZC7gI/AAAAAAAAAig/crWRnh_CFZk/s320/P1000016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Don't worry about the screws showing on the inside, they'll be hidden in the next step.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">STEP FIVE:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I used a hot glue gun, and attached four of my favorite vintage Kewpie dolls inside, one doll to each compartment. Finally, I attached a fifth doll to the top of the box, to balance out the finials on the bottom. I also attached a vintage dress bow to the front, hot gluing it to center of the box where the four corners met.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then my box was ready to be hung on the wall! (I attached a wire hanger to the back, but you could use whatever method of handing the box that works for you.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Voila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haaQ-yW0lY4/TVi-wPhaaGI/AAAAAAAAAio/Zz19ZbHB1qg/s1600/P1000021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haaQ-yW0lY4/TVi-wPhaaGI/AAAAAAAAAio/Zz19ZbHB1qg/s400/P1000021.JPG" width="232" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love my little handmade Kewpie Curio. I spent less than $10 total on the paint, finials, and box, and it took less than one afternoon to complete. You could use the same method to create your own themed curio, as it lends itself to pretty much any "mini" item collection. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">A couple of last tips: </span></b> Be sure that your box is sturdy, and test it by putting your items in it and holding it upright before you begin, to be sure that the weight of the items you place in it don't cause the cardboard to bow. Also, you don't want your box to be too deep, as it will cast shadows on the decoupage inside, which you want people to see, because it is a part of the fun. If you decide to use a darker theme, I suggest you still paint the inside compartments a lighter color, again, to invite natural light inside your wonderful new curio. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #990000;">Happy Monday everyone, and have a lovely Valentines Day!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-23101477365362621762011-02-12T00:00:00.001-08:002011-02-13T09:30:45.238-08:00Where Love Abides<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">Every house where love abides</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"> And friendship is a guest,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"> Is surely home, and home sweet home</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"> For there the heart can rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"> ~Henry Van Dyke</span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejWjsId2scE/TVd0AHGI7DI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ItVEMilBTeA/s1600/P1000579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejWjsId2scE/TVd0AHGI7DI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ItVEMilBTeA/s400/P1000579.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had such a good time with family last night. My brother and his kids and his wife, as well as my mother and father in law, and my sister in law and her boyfriend, all came over and had dinner with us. Colonel Sanders was kind enough to provide the chicken and biscuits, (making fried chicken for a dozen people was a little much for me) but I had fun making lemonade with lemons from our tree. I also made potato salad and a number of other side dishes. My sweet husband helped with cleaning and cooking too. It was a wonderful day. Tomorrow I'll share some pictures of family, but today - it is Display Day Sunday here at Born Broken, so I thought I would share a few vignettes from our house. Here are a few little corners of my home. Welcome! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcluqT8EUQc/TVd0omsMXOI/AAAAAAAAAgU/rT2IkmubN7M/s1600/P1000523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcluqT8EUQc/TVd0omsMXOI/AAAAAAAAAgU/rT2IkmubN7M/s320/P1000523.JPG" width="320" />ive </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our living room has a huge picture window, and I hung small crepe streamers in swags across the glass, to make the room feel a little more festive for our guests. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oMyjq7hdA7I/TVd0_0b5UFI/AAAAAAAAAgY/btV_i0RXTBA/s1600/P1000524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oMyjq7hdA7I/TVd0_0b5UFI/AAAAAAAAAgY/btV_i0RXTBA/s320/P1000524.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've shared photos before of my prized candy vending machine, which is stationed against a wall dividing the space between our living room and dining nook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sllOpUjR84c/TVd1T0JCNdI/AAAAAAAAAgc/3etGlf0EIDk/s1600/P1000525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sllOpUjR84c/TVd1T0JCNdI/AAAAAAAAAgc/3etGlf0EIDk/s320/P1000525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above, a nice close up of top of the momentos on top of the candy machine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_TjviPa464/TVd1km1l0MI/AAAAAAAAAgg/1E0ovZhxZJM/s1600/P1000526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_TjviPa464/TVd1km1l0MI/AAAAAAAAAgg/1E0ovZhxZJM/s400/P1000526.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above and below, another piece I love is this vintage steamer trunk, from the late 1800s. we use it to store extra linens. It is in the living room, beside our couches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWJOj9hKHa8/TVd19Ysu9GI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Di-uCIR0HJg/s1600/P1000527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWJOj9hKHa8/TVd19Ysu9GI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Di-uCIR0HJg/s400/P1000527.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75vrdAc4Cz4/TVd2S0dKHXI/AAAAAAAAAgo/hveai5SOgtg/s1600/P1000528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75vrdAc4Cz4/TVd2S0dKHXI/AAAAAAAAAgo/hveai5SOgtg/s320/P1000528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above is a comfy slip covered "chair and a half", and on the right, the side table is created by placing a tray on top of a painted cardboard ice cream tub. I keep my crafty fabric inside the tub.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tULdv-ZXWM/TVd2ebab4eI/AAAAAAAAAgs/GUrl2gtDsXE/s1600/P1000533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tULdv-ZXWM/TVd2ebab4eI/AAAAAAAAAgs/GUrl2gtDsXE/s320/P1000533.JPG" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pictures above and below are rather blurry, but they show a few of my favorite Gina Gabriell dolls, as well as a tiny Jennifer Murphy bird.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcmhiEbJIQI/TVd2sdtuLsI/AAAAAAAAAgw/-o2urX_npyY/s1600/P1000537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcmhiEbJIQI/TVd2sdtuLsI/AAAAAAAAAgw/-o2urX_npyY/s320/P1000537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGe-dQIgmIA/TVd27HJgDAI/AAAAAAAAAg0/YQt8JwtbM0s/s1600/P1000542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGe-dQIgmIA/TVd27HJgDAI/AAAAAAAAAg0/YQt8JwtbM0s/s320/P1000542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Above, a couple of vintage china serving platters, along side which is a vintage advertising fan. These are all on the sofa table against the back of the love seat in our family room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_HFKQbdKrmE/TVd6rS58r3I/AAAAAAAAAhg/u5eE000NvOA/s1600/P1000582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_HFKQbdKrmE/TVd6rS58r3I/AAAAAAAAAhg/u5eE000NvOA/s320/P1000582.JPG" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above and below, another blurry shot of teas, vintage tins, and favorite pieces of altered art. These is the collection that sits atop the buffet in the dining nook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mofJ3QhFYs/TVd7HQjW8KI/AAAAAAAAAhk/bWJCfNX2c_E/s1600/P1000583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mofJ3QhFYs/TVd7HQjW8KI/AAAAAAAAAhk/bWJCfNX2c_E/s320/P1000583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is so much more, but i thought this was a fun start. In the coming days, I'll share more. Until then, thanks for stopping by. You're welcome anytime!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you have any collections or tiny corners full of fun displayed in your house? I'd love to see them! Feel free to leave me a comment with a link to your blog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Sunday everyone!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YunPVWakd_M/TVeC7ricrLI/AAAAAAAAAho/wpCrQ2YcuVI/s1600/buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YunPVWakd_M/TVeC7ricrLI/AAAAAAAAAho/wpCrQ2YcuVI/s320/buttons.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-7292230059920829532011-02-12T00:00:00.000-08:002011-02-12T08:00:47.456-08:00The Beautiful Land of Life<span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span><span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CK97WwDBPXY/TVYZd5z-9hI/AAAAAAAAAgM/JqpCwqOs4js/s1600/blessed_weekend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CK97WwDBPXY/TVYZd5z-9hI/AAAAAAAAAgM/JqpCwqOs4js/s320/blessed_weekend.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em> ~Albert Einstein</em></span><br />
<br />
We are having the family over today. I'll be making fried chicken and potato salad and corn on the cob. Apple pie too. You are all invited too! I'll take pics and share them tomorrow. That way you can join in on all the fun. Until then, another beautiful image from:<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz51/FPTFY/Misc/newfreevca.png" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'll post again soon!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CK97WwDBPXY/TVYZd5z-9hI/AAAAAAAAAgM/JqpCwqOs4js/s1600/blessed_weekend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-22928220984310958752011-02-11T08:56:00.000-08:002011-02-11T08:56:51.925-08:00Returning....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways i</strong></span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>n which you yourself have altered.</a>”</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> - Nelson Mandela</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOqJe_k5Pu8/TVVpFPb4ELI/AAAAAAAAAgI/1kzg2eHn4ro/s1600/file7961263241393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOqJe_k5Pu8/TVVpFPb4ELI/AAAAAAAAAgI/1kzg2eHn4ro/s320/file7961263241393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wow, 2010 escaped me, and we are already (practically) half way through 2011. How did this happen? I've missed blogging, and am looking forward to getting caught up, both here, and with all my fellow bloggers. Thanks everyone for being patient for another post. My schedule has freed up, and I am excited about blogging a bit more regularly. Woo hoo!</div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-85651371832429698272010-07-08T11:15:00.000-07:002010-07-08T11:15:03.162-07:00Up, up and away!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDYUxiwy7mI/AAAAAAAAAfE/LFcNgbs_4iA/s1600/file000771728409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDYUxiwy7mI/AAAAAAAAAfE/LFcNgbs_4iA/s400/file000771728409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Woo hoo! I am actually on the in-flight wireless connection right now. RJ and I are headed to Michigan to visit with lots of family, and maybe some friends too. The trip to the airport this morning was totally nutso (why does leaving for the airport always have to be like that?) but we are well on our way now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll check in with pics from the trip soon. We'll be in the mitten state for two weeks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDYVfHiyRKI/AAAAAAAAAfM/BWdg9y7SBeY/s1600/file0001642886659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDYVfHiyRKI/AAAAAAAAAfM/BWdg9y7SBeY/s320/file0001642886659.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you all are having a great summer, too!</div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-45023160473428787162010-07-06T17:11:00.000-07:002010-07-06T17:11:30.648-07:00Good Fortune<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDNwVwjNZbI/AAAAAAAAAes/FxE2mi6q26s/s1600/P1000105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDNwVwjNZbI/AAAAAAAAAes/FxE2mi6q26s/s400/P1000105.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>“A wise man turns chance into good fortune.” </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><strong></strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000;">-Thomas Fuller</span> </em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDNiyAI7rQI/AAAAAAAAAek/39sqDjGO_Xk/s1600/P1000106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDNiyAI7rQI/AAAAAAAAAek/39sqDjGO_Xk/s400/P1000106.JPG" width="348" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I thought I'd share a couple more pictures from our weekend trip to San Francisco. These photos are my submissions for Ruby Tuesday and Rednesday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To see more delicious red goodness - check out the blog links below:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDPD8FwWQMI/AAAAAAAAAe0/axC72TvEDlQ/s1600/MWSnap279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDPD8FwWQMI/AAAAAAAAAe0/axC72TvEDlQ/s200/MWSnap279.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/search/label/Rednesday">http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/search/label/Rednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDPE0_0dVpI/AAAAAAAAAe8/SoYjLZkQrCo/s1600/rubytuesdayredshoesheaderNEW2_copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TDPE0_0dVpI/AAAAAAAAAe8/SoYjLZkQrCo/s320/rubytuesdayredshoesheaderNEW2_copy.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/">http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-39759419580638696142010-07-04T19:01:00.000-07:002010-07-04T19:04:31.599-07:00Band of Characters!<div><embed flashvars="cy=lt&il=1&channel=2522015791363882579&site=widget-53.slide.com" name="flashticker" quality="high" salign="l" scale="noscale" src="http://widget-53.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" style="height: 328px; width: 389px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><br />
<div style="text-align: left; width: 426px;"></div></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">The family.</span></strong> <span style="font-size: small;">We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.</span> ~<em>Erma Bombeck</em></span>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-58525512589098100222010-07-02T11:41:00.000-07:002010-07-02T11:46:36.644-07:00Life...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blingee.com/blingee/view/113662753-me-n-abs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Create cool Profile Comments"><img alt="me n abs" border="0" height="400" src="http://image.blingee.com/images18/content/output/000/000/000/6c6/627157831_363969.gif" title="me n abs" width="396" /></a></div><img border="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNzgwOTU*OTMwOTcmcHQ9MTI3ODA5NTcxNjkyOSZwPTYyNTEmZD1jb2RlYm94Jmc9MSZvPTllMjU3M2ZjNmIwYjQy/ZGRiMTExMjViZDc3MTU4MDdm.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life. -Sophocles</span></div><br />
Alrighty, bear with me. Friday freebies is on hiatus for a few more weeks. Today, the family and I are leaving for a quick weekend away. We are just going to San Francisco to do the touristy thing. We are staying at a nice hotel, going to a show, going to a fancy lunch, etc. etc. We just want to be together. I am really looking forward to it.<br />
<br />
Late next week, my son and I leave for Michigan to visit more family, for a couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
Summer is upon us and if it were up to me I'd spend every moment with my wonderful kids and hubby. I love them all so much. The picture above is of me and my beautiful step daughter, Abigail. She looks just like her dad, except she is beautiful and he is a goofball. What can I say?<br />
<br />
I hope you are all out there enjoying the sun and enjoying your families. This is the life, and it is what true wealth is all about. I hope you all feel as rich as me!Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-89747005019870347222010-06-29T11:34:00.000-07:002010-06-29T11:36:21.180-07:00A bit bogged down!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TCo5qh66fFI/AAAAAAAAAec/IhIyZMaDJw0/s1600/PhotoFunia-860884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TCo5qh66fFI/AAAAAAAAAec/IhIyZMaDJw0/s320/PhotoFunia-860884.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Life sometimes gets so bogged down in the details, you forget you are living it. There is always another appointment to be met, another bill to pay, another symptom presenting, another uneventful day to be notched onto the wooden wall. We have synchronized our watches, studied our calendars, existed in minutes, and completely forgotten to step back and see what we've accomplished." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>— Jodi Picoult (My Sister's Keeper)</em> </div> <br />
Hey all! <br />
<br />
So sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have been beyond bogged down with a lot of wonderful stuff, like <a href="http://chelsmending.blogspot.com/p/sonc.html">Special Olympics activities </a>such as their 2010 Summer Games in Davis, CA. As work has been gearing up, I shifted focus to those priorities, as well as spending quality time with my family. <br />
<br />
I promise to get another <a href="http://chelsmending.blogspot.com/search/label/Friday%20Freebies">freebie friday</a> post up soon - and I look forward to participating in all the wonderful memes, such as <a href="http://chelsmending.blogspot.com/search/label/Vintage%20Thingie%20Thursday">vintage thingie thursday</a> - soon! <br />
<br />
Hope you all are having a wonderful summer - and that if you let yourself get bogged down, it is only in good stuff and not stressful. <br />
<br />
Now, carry on bloggin' folk!Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-703792750714902247.post-43996632985496456952010-06-20T10:53:00.000-07:002010-06-20T10:53:41.780-07:00Happy Father's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TB5TOD5P2iI/AAAAAAAAAeU/FXuikORRIVg/s1600/p166312_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Vvzq436aUY/TB5TOD5P2iI/AAAAAAAAAeU/FXuikORRIVg/s400/p166312_m.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br />
"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty." --<em> Unknown</em>Chel ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960034268941925478noreply@blogger.com2