Happy New Year to All!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, I did and I always look forward to January. Nothing special in the month so it is great to cozy up and start all sorts of projects or just get extra reading in. I plan on doing all of that! Christmas is wonderful but it is always sad to see the decorations go back into the boxes.
I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!

Christmas Hoopla Tag

I was tagged by Linda @ Somewhere in Time to List 12 things about me that are Christmas related...........
1. I love collect vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations, they remind me of both of grandmothers and what they had on their trees
2. I look for vintage Christmas wrap, ribbon and cards at sales, I love all old Christmas paper stuff.
3. I like for Christmas day to be cloudy and dark, not sunny, the Christmas lights look prettier that way:-)
4. One of my favorite movies to watch at Christmas is We're No Angels, It is an old movie but I didn't know about it until a few years ago.
5. I buy a special ornament each year that symbolizes something of the year, this year a friend gave me a vintage glass ornament with cherries because of my camper.
6. I love to drive through the local Christmas light display at night when it is snowing. There is a wonderful huge display on a farm and they play Christmas music. I roll down the windows and turn the heat up!
7. This will be the 1st year I wake up to Christmas morning alone and I have an hour and half drive to my parents. (my son moved out recently, he is a big boy now....sad) So I am going to leave Christmas music playing and lights on so when I get up it doesn't feel lonely.
8. Christmas Eve is a special night for my attached man & me, It is our private cozy Christmas exchange of presents.
9.When my son was 1 I started an advent calendar with him and did one until last year, he is 22 now. I think he humored me the past couple of years:-)
10. I am wanting to start a new tradition by making Kahlua cheesecake, I hope it turns out!
11. I know an older lady that is going to be alone for Christmas and she made the comment that Santa was going to fly right over her house this year. So Christmas morning before I go out of town I am going to leave a surprise package for her and mark it "From Santa"
12. I think Christmas is a magical time of year and it is sad when I meet someone that doesn't like it.

I did it!! Took some thinking on my part but now I am going to tag Amanda @ Cottage Contessa

Christmas Trivia

A friend of mine sent this to me and I thought it would be fun to tag people and see what the answers were! If you are tagged, tag 5 others. I decided if we tagged 5 it would get around faster since Christmas is so close! I am tagging Lynn at The Vintage Nest, Rhonda at FarmhouseStyle, Robin at Bittersweet Punkin, Kari & Kijsa
and Penny at Lavender Hill Studio,
(it is easy to just cut and paste then add your answers)

Scrooge or Elf??

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper, I love the bows
2. Tree--Real or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put Christmas tree up? Around Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? whenever I find time, usually by mid January,
5. Like egg nog? Yes
6. Do you have a nativity scene? yes
7. Favorite gift received as a child? Liddle Kiddles, dolls, Coke dispenser, there are way too many
8. Hardest person to buy for? my dad
9. Easiest person to buy for? my sister
10. Worst Christmas gift? Life Saver book when I was in 1st grade
11. Mail or email a Christmas card? Mail cards
12. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? in the Fall
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so???
15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? cheeseball
16. Clear or colored tree lights? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas Song? Carol of the Bells
18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? Would like to stay home but have to travel
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer's? Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen Donner Blizen Comet Cupid Rudolph, LOL I know words to Rudolph Red Nose Reindeer.
20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Bow
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Both
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The crowds & traffic

Oh the Weather Outside is Delightful...........

Well it does look like Christmas here!! Snow is coming down and we are suppose to get a foot to a foot and half of snow by tomorrow morning! The wind is suppose to pick up and be blizzard like conditions, so I am going to snuggle in for the weekend and do some Christmas baking and cooking, watch Christmas movies and just about anything I want! (This will be my 1st snow storm alone, my son moved out a few months back.) So just me here but I am OK with that. My attached man lives 40 miles away and since he is a fire chief, I guess he feels he needs to protect his town. I respect that but it would be awfully fun to have him here to cozy up with:-) he would be handy for shoveling too!

I have been super busy in the store and people have been buying my decorated Christmas trees. If had set out to really sell them I am sure I wouldn't have sold any. It is amazing how many people like buying pre-decorated trees. I even sold my pink one! I couldn't resist, I shot the lady a price and she actually said she would take it! What a fun season this has been. Even today in the snow we are busy. I feel very blessed being able to continue having a business I love and I am thankful everyday.

Here is a picture of my latest shade. It is made out of pink vintage fabric with roses and a splash of pale yellow. I have it on a pink & yellow pottery lamp. I really did like the way it turned out. I have had several things I have been working on and they don't seem to be lasting long around here! I took these old punched reflectors and did some interesting ornaments out of them. Another collage too. I don't know what I am going to use all these vintage little watch dials for but I just think they are cute!




Does anyone remember Jiffy Pop Popcorn?? They had it at Target so I thought, Hey I remember this from when I was little! I will have to try it for a $1. Well let me tell you, It is not as much fun to make as it is to eat, they used to tell us that. It was a real pain to stand there swirling it around waiting for it to pop.
I think it was fun for us to watch but then Mom did the swirling, lol. We always
use to tell our mom, "It tastes better when you do it Mom"
I hope to be able to get around to visit everyone over the weekend, seems like ages since I have had time to visit. I hope everyone has been having a wonderful holiday season!!

Snow on the Way!

They are saying snow is on the way for us and under a snow advisory for 3-5 inches. It will certainly feel like Christmastime if we get that! Not too good for the antique business but I always have plenty to keep me busy. It is always exciting when the 1st snow comes!
Hey Rudolph is on tonight! It's only me here but I am going to watch it anyway. Always reminds me of being a little girl. Those Christmas and holiday memories are very special to me. I had a wonderful childhood and if I could pick a time to go back to it would be the days when my sister and I had tea parties, played with our dolls, whispering after bedtime when we were suppose to be asleep, and the main thing..............Dad paid the bills and we didn't have a clue what bills were! So I am always thankful of my happy childhood especially at Christmas. I like to get out the old photos with a magnifying glass to check out the toys we got and all the decorations.
I have to get busy but also wanted to include some pictures of more of my decorations and my pink polka dot ornaments. They are so girly, I am going to list those in my Etsy store. I couldn't get a good picture today of my pink front window but you get the idea, much prettier in person. I tucked greenery in my chandelier and then hung glass ornaments from it. The little tree is in my laundry area and I have several vintage kids toys for it. Sure wish I had more bottle brush trees but not sure where I would put them! Hope everyone has a cozy evening:-)

Opening Special!

I am running a special in my Etsy store in celebration of my grand opening. Half price shipping on any item!! Starts Dec 1st and 2nd but for any of my blogger friends it can start today! I have many so many things to add to the store I just haven't had time, but I am glad to had an excuse to hang out in my workroom and create things!
I made a road trip with my dad on Wednesday and I think we covered 400 or more miles in 12 hours, I think I am still tired today from it! He wanted to see a friend of his that deals in watches. I got several neat old porcelain watch dials and old watches to use for my collages. We stopped a few thrift stores and a couple of antique stores. I found a few fun things. We had a good time and we always goof around teasing each other.
I finally got a half way decent picture of my Christmas tree, it still looks much prettier in person. Hope everyone has fun plans for the weekend! If you have time drop me a line and tell me what you will be doing! I love to hear what others do for the holiday season!

Spinning in Circles

I actually found time today to get some things in my new Etsy store!! I have several things to put in but everything takes so much time! The pink tags with the little girl in bonnets went to the Etsy store. I finished up a new collage and the wallpaper background came from the sweet Lisa at a Thing For Roses. The Christmas window I did is for sale in my antique mall, I have it hanging outside in the entrance instead of a wreath;-) The other photos are little areas of my vintage Christmas decorations. You can check out the side bar for my Esty store and while you are there check out new banner from Mary at IsabellasCloset made for me using one of my collage photos. I also have a few altered Christmas clipboards I made that I have added in the store. Up there at the top of this post, is a set of Christmas ornaments out of old metal Christmas light reflectors and vintage wallpaper. Those were fun!

Ok question~Does anyone ever feel like they just keep spinning in circles, work and working but seem to be getting nowhere? I have been feeling a lot like that lately. I think there is just so much I WANT to do and trying to make time for it all. But here's a plus for me!~ do I have all my Christmas decorating done!! I am sitting by my tree now with the fireplace on, cozy:-) (wish my camera would take a decent picture of my tree, I will have to keep trying) Tonite I am all alone and plan on spending the entire evening in my workroom so I can get more things done.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and who managed to go out on Black Friday? Not me, I remember how scary Kohl's was last year!
Ok this is posting is short, sweet and all over the place, lol, told you I was spinning in circles;-)

I Finally Made it To the Prom!!

Whew, it has been a busy day and I forgot how long it takes to get all prettied up. Thanks to Natasha for hosting a prom!! I feel as if I have been transported back in time. I just love the vintage pink crinoline dress but glad I have a silky slip underneath, it is starting to tickle, lol.

Wonder if it will be chilly out with the top down on my Cadillac? I better grab my mink stole! I decided to be princess for the evening and wear my tiara, but not sure how long I will be able to keep these long gloves on. What if my nose itches??!! Doesn't everyone look like they are having a good time? Oh look what Lucy gave me! A signed photo of her! (yes it really is mine and real) She must be making the rounds since she was over at Natasha's earlier. Well time to mingle with all the others!!
It has been fun!!

Lots To Do and Christmas is Coming!!

I have a hard time finding the time to do what I need to do and then on top of it all Christmas is coming, FAST!!! The day after Thanksgiving I have a Christmas work party for my antique dealers, it is a carry in and they all decorate their booths. I am not doing an open house in the store this year but everyone is running some really great sales. I like to have my Christmas tree in my apartment decorated for the party and I set up the food in my kitchen that is connected to my living room. It makes it feel so festive and I hope it inspires them to be in the Christmas spirit. I have lots to do this weekend and I just asked my attached man to help Saturday night with all the Christmas decor. He was a sweetie and said "of course" I almost have my store decorating done. Check out the pink pre-lite tree I got at Walmart for $17.96!! I am doing a pink/white/silver front window. I will post a pic later on, it isn't finished yet. And right when you walk into the store I have a black/white/silver display. How about black and silver snowflakes!? I just wanted to post a quickie and I hopefully I will have a chance to read some blogs soon! The holidays are nice but where does all the time go?? I had a lot more time a month ago!

Gratitude Gala

I am going to do my Gratitude Gala post along with my photo of myself that I was tagged by Rhonda to post.
I am so grateful that I still have my grandmother with me and she still has a great mind. She is in the hospital right now and I am praying she recovers. The one photo is of the both of us when I was 4 or 5. The other is the photo is of me on the same day. Times were sweet then. I grew up going to visit my grandmother and staying over night. I would read Donna Parker, Cherry Ames, Vickie Barr, all those great old books. My sister and I loved to place dress up in the old clothes, AND buttons!! LOVED sorting the old buttons. I have such great childhood memories of both of my grandmothers. But I only have this one left. I hope to get around to everyones blog over the weekend, it has been a while and I miss everyone! Life has been busy lately. I guess when I think about it, I am doing exactly what I did when I was little girl, as a big girl for my real job. Yes, lots to be thankful for.

Happy Halloween All

I just wanted to take time to wish everyone to have a spooky fun evening!! I don't do the trick or treat thing now that my son is an adult. So I am staying in and my attached man is coming over bringing pizza and we are going to cozy up and watch a scary movie. Lots of candles too! Here is the rest of my Halloween display I did. (I drew and painted the little cards for fun) I put flicker bulbs in my chandelier but you can't see it but it looks neat.
Have fun all!!

I'm Late but the Winner Is.....................

Due to my long unexpected weekend I forgot to pick my winner for my give away!!! Oops!! those 3am mornings are tough but the fun my sister and I had was well worth it!! Here is the winner from the random number generator..............Was number 2~Robin at Bittersweet Punkin!!! Use my email address on my profile page and send me your address!!! Congrats!! (take my word for the number~can't seem to get pics to load at this moment)

Sisters Making Memories~Camper Time!!

Last night it was sister sleep over nite in the camper!! We met our sons at McAlister's Deli for dinner, yum!! Then we went shopping for fun stuff for our paper art. My little camper was full of paper and all sorts of do-dads. Doing our work in the camper meant many trips in and out of the house to use the stove to dry the paper. (camper stove isn't hooked up yet) You see, we didn't start until almost 11pm, so we needed the paper to dry FAST! We ended up in bed at 3am and of course with a bedtime laughfest!! Sisters making memories..........When can we do it again?!?! Hope you are all having a great weekend and making your own sweet memories:-)
***Hey guess what??? She called while I was doing this post and she is coming back with more stuff! We will be half dead by tomorrow evening but oooh we will have fun:-)

Ma & Pa Kettle

Do you remember those old movies about Ma & Pa Kettle and their leaky roof? Well it was a rainy evening here last night and I love those types of evenings but.............. I was working and getting ready for the barn sale coming up. I had to upstairs for something and was so happy that I was getting so much done, then what a surprise I got~ my bed was soaked on one side!!. I knew I had a little problem with the roof and that it needed repaired but this is a BIG problem!. I had to go up into the loft and station rubbermaid totes all over to catch the drips, each time I thought I had them all I had to go back up because I could hear another one! Then I finally was so tired I just started taking towels and stuffing them around. Which leads me to think I am changing the name of my antiques mall to Ma & Pa Kettle Antiques!! Seems fitting huh?? But I am a Ma with no Pa. Think it would be ok if I cried now? Ok I won't cry but I sure feel like it:-( Maybe I better laugh...........as my grandmother says, this too shall pass:-)

Apron Book Give Away!

I don't have much time this week for posting or even reading blogs, but I did want to do a give away!! Just because everyone else is doing it and it looks like fun! So here is what I have for one lucky winner~The Apron Book, great little book about aprons~Of course a vintage apron, a small vintage floral tablecloth with matching napkins, and a set of darling little cherub/angel note cards. I am going to pick the winner next Sunday morning, so you have until then to post. And I am going to use one of those online number pickers, <<(I am tired can you tell, lol) Oh yeah, Random number generator. So post as many times as you want, I will plug in the numbers and let it pick one for me. off to bed now!
(click pic for larger view)

Blogging time

This has been a busy week but then aren't they all?? I love blogging and I have made so many new friends I wish I had more time to spend visiting and posting. I don't know how you all find the time to blog everyday and post blogs as well! I have to MAKE myself not do it so I can get my other stuff done, like work! lol
This wonderful cherry bag was sent to me by the sweetest blog friend~ Michelle at Vintage Pistache Isn't it darling!!! She was so kind to send it to me because of my love of cherries~You remember that cherry camper of mine??:-) What surprise to find at the post office waiting for me! Just like Christmas!! She even packed it in matching tissue paper. That is great since I am such a color junky. I have to use mugs/cups for my tea and coffee to match what I am wearing. (I am baaaaaad on color coordination, sort of an obssession I think lol)



These are the cutest Halloween cards that are vintage inspired. I found them at Barnes and Noble~a box of 24 for only $6.95~What a deal! I love to mail out cards the old fashioned way.
I can not believe that the end of October is almost here! I will have to be digging out Christmas decorations soon to put out in the store! And I am NOT ready to Christmas shop. But I am ready to see all my vintage Christmas decorations! I like to get them out early so I can enjoy them as long as possible


This is a black and white toile lampshade that I finished up this week. I have a thing lately for black and white. Not really sure why that is. I wish I had more time to make these, I have so many designs and ideas. That goes for all my other projects too.

***NOTE***I am planning to do a give away and will be doing a post on it over the weekend so check back!!!
Happy Friday to all!!

My Award Made Me Smile:-)

Thank you to Michelle at Vintage Pastiche', she awarded me with the "You Make Me Smile Award" What a pleasant surprise! There are SO many wonderful blogs out there that always make me smile and keep me coming back again and again.
The rules to this are to pass this award to 10 other ladies that make you smile.
Here are my picks, I am only allowed 10 so I hope this gets around to everyone!!


*Dena~at Swaddle Cottage
*Lynn at the Vintage Nest
*Robin at Bittersweet Punkin
*Lisa at A Thing For Roses
*Sarah at Misadventures of Sarah and Jack
*Linda at Somewhere in Time
*Mary Isabella at Daisy Bouquet
*Dolly at My Cherry Heart
*Fifi at Chez Fifi
*Angie at Scrapnmomsmoments

There are so many out there that make me smile so these are only a few! Please pass this on!!

A little about me

Polly had asked me about my dinner date that I had last weekend. Here it is Saturday again and time for another dinner date. Wow that week went by fast!!
About me....... I have been divorced now for 3 1/2 years, finally my life feels peaceful and normal. I got rid of all the drama when I got rid of my ex. I am dating a man that had been my platonic friend for 15 years or so. When we would get together we always had a good time laughing and talking for hours. I never thought anything about it, just happy to have him as a friend. Now here I am dating this man. We still laugh and have a good time and there is no drama and no arguing. Life is peaceful and fun. Things are not perfect though, he lives 40 minutes away and we only see each other 2 or 3 times a week. He must really love me because he had to trade his truck in to buy a new one because the old one had too many miles on it from driving to see me, lol. One Sunday evening this past January he gave me a diamond ring over a game of Scrabble, (told you life was peaceful, lol) I am too old for a "promise" ring, so I named it my attachment ring. So I am official attached! My 22 year old son gave his approval which means a lot to me. He watches out for his mother:-)
Life is good for now and I feel very blessed.

One Autumn Day.....

Yesterday was the day my sister, mom, dad and I went the Covered Bridge Festival. We all took the day off from everything and had fun just the 4 of us. My sister and I managed to leave our families behind. It was breezy and 40 degrees cooler than it was Monday, It felt like winter! I am sure I kept my winter coat on all day! We actually went the day before it started. Going early has it's pros and cons, mainly pros. Cons~not all the vendors are set up, and not hardly any food booths are going yet, Pros~not hardly any traffic, all the flea market vendors are set up so it is better pickings. We prefer the antique junk dealers over the crafters because we all resale, so it makes sense to go early for those bargains!!! We found lots of stuff and my sister accused me of taking up too much room with all my stuff, she was teasing of course (but I did hog up the trunk, lol) Since there were not hardly any food booths open we found mini doughnuts for lunch~YUM!! They were so hot and just melted in your mouth:-) Something about eating food outside makes it tastes better I guess.
We found the guy that sells all the enamelware. He was on the cover of a past Country Living and they he did the Country Living Show, (some of the comments on this link are interesting to read) We got all the left overs but we got better deals, so that was cool. I love the old labels that are on them. The chenille pumpkin was only $2, can you believe it! All 3 of us bought those. On Tuesday I also picked up this darling little white terrarium, it was only $7. I am keeping it and can't wait to put a Christmas display in it! There were a lot of laughs and we all had fun. I am tired today but it was well worth it. I can't think of any better way to have spent the day there than with the "original"4!