Beaut`e

Beauty is all around us always. A smile from a little child, the grace in a face that has lived many years. The baby ducks, geese and birds, the abundant and aromatic flowers around us. If we can take a moment to stop and B*R*E*A*T*H*E ... we can see and feel, and relax.

Can you believe the Beaut`e in the tags that Karin has made! Gorgeous! She only had to make one, but she made us three each!!! I will post all of them together in one pix at a future date!
The various flower pix, all of peonies, are from my garden. When planning my patio beds I knew I wanted a number of peony bushes....6, then 8 then finally, I now have 9 happy peony bushes : ) They are singles, doubles, parfaits, pinks and whites. This is one thing I have no trouble using up! They are too beautiful not to cut and share! And they come back year after year!

"Schools out for summer". What beaut`e is around you this time of year? What beautiful faces will you get to see and visit with? Let me know! : )

~~~More Mail~~~

The mail kept coming and I was lovin' it! I have learned a big lesson though! Do not open your beautiful packages until you have the camera ready! Many of the packages came beautifully decorated and some even had TWO tags inside! Others had multiple goodies packed with the tag... hmm, visions of more tags! These girls really have done a phenomenal job! They are all so very talented and have I mentioned yet that they are all very, very funny!!!

Look at the beautiful envelope that Michelle sent! And the Tag!! Such beautiful soft colors too.

MizSmoochieLips has put alot of time and talent into her tag! Both the front and back are so beautiful with lace, and even buttons! And she sent another tag! B*I*N*G*O~~We win!

This beautiful blue dream came from Jamie! She used soft pretty elements in her design. This piece reminds me of Lake Michigan! Every summer my Mom and Dad took us to Lake Michigan. As we would drive to the top of the last hill we could catch a glimpse of that big beautiful blue span of water! You could hear all of the gulls and the smaller birds in the dunes amongs the trees...thus arriving at Jamies wonderful piece :)

Heather was another friend who sent a big package! A stamped ticket, and vintage papers!! Oh, and a double ruffle of lace! Then there is still a lovely tag made by the artist herself! She has layers of stitching, papers. photos, print and water color!~ Such Talent!

Dawn sent this "beautiful" little fairy! She wrapped her in a sheet from a vintage dictionary. Each of us were given the page with our "name" defined on it. Mine was "marry"!! She also used stitching, papers, photos,and fabric when designing her piece! As you can see, this tag can also be used as a gift tag! Ahum, that would be IF I was willing to part with it!

Ahh..and I still have two more tags to look forward to!
What will I do when the mail stops! Oh yikes!!!

Tag Swap!

The weekend was a pretty good one here! The weather was perfect on Saturday. Our son Douglas was in his first Marathon, 5k run. His was very excited to be doing it! It was held at the Brookfield Zoo so they ran amongst some of the animals. What a great Zoo! Later we had an evening baseball game to go to that Caitlin's boyfriend, James, played in. It was a night game and a double header. Very fun! We were able to meet his Gandfather jim for the first time. He is 84 and he does his exercise regime everyday!! Oh yes, he is in excellent shape! Does not look his age! We also got to see his Grandmother Arleene (his Mom's Mother) and James' mother, Barbara! James has a very, very lovely and fun family! I feel like we have known them always! Of coarse we forgot our camera for BOTH events!
I have noticed that all of my pictures take place in or around our home...can't forget the camera.

Tammy made us all a beautful tag, each one different, as did everyone. Tammy has taught me that a little red is needed in every room. Her tag uses 2 different red wallpapers! I love the red with the subtle soft green in the ribbon. It is gorgeous! Thanks Tammy!

This one above is Lisa's. A beautiful layering of art! And the reverse side holds script! A beautiful scentiment!!! I love how she used nice long layers of ribbon!!!

This is Maija's beautiful tag. She used textured paper...as in my favorite: flocked paper!!! And she has many layers too! Love the checked black and white ribbon!!!

This is Melissa's tag. She packaged it very sweetly. The hole punch is in the shape of a heart! This is where she slipped the blue and white string in and her card and a little round tag with the letter "M" on it!!! Maybe for "Melissa" or maybe for "Mary"!?
You can also see the front , when out of the packaging, and the other photo shows the beautiful back of the tag! Lovely wall paper!

Remember This!

I forgot to show you the before picture at the unveiling of the dining room! I could have done anything to this poor thing and it would have looked better! (I would sometimes take old coloring book pictures and "re-do" them...I was careful not to hurt anyones feelings...as I remember it anyway). This light has a beautiful center of glass. Say, we all have redeeming qualities!
I think I must love lighting. I have some beautiful little bedside tables and several chandeliers. (I will take pictures and post them soon). Some are old and some are new and some I was, yes WAS making. My husband gets very, very nervous with some of my projects. I try to reassure him. Then a few years down the road and THERE IT IS! My vision in a magazine!! Poor me. No not really "poor me". Look I have a pretty blue dining room with a not white ceiling. I had a pink couch for many years and I still have a cool, but now worn, chair I covered in three different types of fabrics- all with pink in them.

Ok, I just lost my post, except for the above part which I saved MYSELF! We are supposed to have automatic saver now, it is not working for me. It saves every 1 min. Not working.
1) My preview button is not working
2) my automatic saver is not working
3) I have to type out all codes myself for links within my post...i do not have that beautiful green button that you just click, like
everyone else in this house
4) I also don't have spell check working right or italics that will work...whimpper, whimper

This is what Caitlin and I do when we have problems. We list it all out, number form to make sure it is clear. It just feels
better that way. Gets it all out. ohhh, whimper some more.
I had a whole list of nice things I was saying about all of you!
Ok..I think all of you are so kind and thoughtful and supportive! You have left me the sweetest and most kind comments. Oh yes! Thank you for leaving comments! There are many very funny writers out there!! A new Girl in town with a good funny bone is Katie. She is not just funny, she can write well also. Her Daughter is Raya of Paper Pony! And I give three Cheers to ArtsyMama (Kari), Jenny, and Teresa! Hip-Hip-Hooray!!! Kari helped me to meet many of you and she had extremely kind words for me, Jenny Is the SWEETEST and genuine person, and Teresa, who takes the time to meet new people to this blog world! A special Cheer to Rosanna (whom you can read more about at Jenny's place,March 3rd). She was my very first on line client!!! She is very sweet, kind and has a very good eye for all of the things we are making! Another special notice to Phyillis of Shabby In The City. She held a great Potluck Dinner and I met some more of you wonderful people!!! I am so happy to have met each and every one of you!!! And we all know that one connection leads to another... and there it is! We have met MORE creative and kind people!
Here is to ALL OF YOU!!! ( I would put it in iltaics if I could!!! hahaha)

Lucky Girl

!!!!How Lucky Am I!!!!
My most favorite gifts of all time are Hugs and Kisses! When my kids ask what would I like... they add that they already know I want hugs and kisses, but what else!! "Make something for me" : ) I always get what I want!!! hehehe I love them soo soo much!
This year I was given "bonus gifts"! Just look at all of these yummy surprises! Can you believe that the little flower pot wraped in the pink tissue is a chocolate filled with a delicous custurd type filling!! I cannot believe that I have not eaten it yet!!! Perhaps because it is soo cute!
Douglas, with Monica as his assistant, used his screen printing talents to make this set of note cards!!! This is only his 2nd, I believe, project he has ever done!! He used a photo emulsion technique this time! Let me tell you, I do not have the talent nor patience to tackle this !!! Douglas is patient! This involved many, many steps!!! He also made and designed all of the stencils!

Caitlin has exquisite taste. She gave me a blouse and many other gifts. I keep telling both Caitlin and Doug to please not get me soo many things. I am very spoiled! They are very generous! Especially in the their love they give me and our family every day!!! How Blessed we are! And you know who gave me the tulips! : ) It was a great day with James, Caitlin's boyfriend and Monica, Douglas' girlfriend, joining in our fun. Monica is the reining Apples to Apples Princess, we are getting her a tiara! But watch out!! James joined in very late in the game and lost by only two points!!! (Monica chose to go to 10 pts, instead of 7..to give the rest of us a chance!) Have a great day!

Bel Accomplissement!

****Lovely Completion!****
We really where able to use the dining room yesterday! It has been sooo long! This room is one of my favorites. Actually, I love each and every one of the rooms in our home. The dining room has always given us a beautiful, calm space. Perhaps because for one long weekend in November, there within it's space slumbered lovely sleepy heads. Caitlin and Douglas and their cousins in various groups that Thanksgiving weekend! It seemed that every available space was occupied. It was Wonderful! Our new home was now christened with love and joy!
The light in the room is amazing. And I specifically choose curtains, in most every room, that will billow in the gentle breezes that float through! The room is perfect in the early morning hours. It is south facing. And I like to have dinners in time for candelight, not too late and not too early...During the fall and winter holidays it is a perfect time!



The Lynx Lake paint color from Ralph Lauren is perfect! We ALL had to get accustomed to the "brightness" of it. Oh no, it is not a bright color, we were just used to a very muted off white called Nigerian Peony, also by Ralph Lauren. Some called it too much like the beach..which is 45 min. to an hour away. Others thought it was too much color!!! We have a soft green/gray colored powder room (which will be changeing soon) and a nice yellow livingroom. The other rooms on the main floor are shades of white.
This dining room table was given to us by my Father-In Law! It was the dining room table in my husbands home. We would all fit around it for dinners, all nine of us!! And later we would slip in the first couple of grandchildren! I do not know for sure if my Mother-In Law choose this table for her family, but I like to think that she did. So I happen to love this table!

Aha...Can you see the difference in the back wall from the last two photos? The last one is very soft and faded looking! Light! just the lovely light!
Now for the fun project!!! I know I teased you forever about this chandelier! De'sole'...Sorry. Before we begin..... after diong my "mini" photo shoot I found a scratch where it was nicked during candle bulb prep. and the canopy ring was not painted!!! All has been corrected now!!! But not in the photos...I lost my light and I knew if I went back I would not get it done on time!!! I stilll had Mothers Day and Tags and... Trust me. I have also chosen to keep the matte finish.

I do love the way It finally came out. I know I had MANY ideas of what it should be transformed into! The shell chandelier...which I think is still a beautiful idea. Well I chose to think like a floor display person at Anthropologie!

I used fabric, paper and postcards along with the paint! I do like it...but I may add more "things" hehe :)
So, did you noticed the "somehting is not quite like the others"? I used these great covers I bought a long time ago for another chandelier ( Italian metal floral). It only needs four candle bulbs. I needed five. So I used an old plain white one. I am not sure if I will use new plain white ones or get more white drippy candle ones. We shall see.
Love these curtains and hardware! I used floral tie back pieces and bamboo from the garden center cut down to the proper size :)

These lilacs where divine! Their fragrance permeated the entire home!
I also had to finish up the tags for Tammy's Tag Swap! This was a challenge for me as I have not done collage art. So I chose somethiong I was familiar with. Embroidery! And I was inspierd by Ded's Class with Amy Tangerine!!! I understand she is going to do another class at Sweet Peas and Snap Shots for all of you lucky girls in southern California! And I do believe it is on MAY 19th!!! Maybe she will come to Chicago? Meanwhile I will have to be happy with my tags :)

I love my little sheep and chandelier. I may make more of them.
I hope your weekend was filled with love! See you tomorrow!

*******L*O*V*E*******

Mothers, our Mother, our Mom, Mums...All meaning LOVE. What an honor to be a Mom. To have those little hands and feet and eyes following you! All day, every day. Then they are teenager hands, was it over night? Still willing to hold your hand, go for a walk. I am blessed to be a Mom and I have been so blessed with Caitlin and Douglas.
We treasure them while they are in our care and pray for their safety when they are out of our sight. Some Mothers will be having one less child at their table this Sunday. I cannot fathom their loss... if I hurt this much for them... My heart and my prayers go out to them.
My own Mother was, and is the most wonderful Mom of all. (Don't we all believe this? Because it is true!) She cared for us and loved us all and we always knew it. We learned appreciation and a good work ethic. We also knew how much She loved our Dad and how much He loved our Mom! The best gifts of all.
When I left home this is how I saw the world because of my Mom:

"I see skies of blue, clouds of white...What a Wonderful World...."
*************Happy Mothers Day****************

Let's Go Shopping!

Caitlin's shop!
Caitlin has just added some really great new items to her shop!! We, rather YOU, are lucky that she is parting with them. There are always pieces that I wish she could keep...but then there would be no shop! The owner of Bountiful, in Venice, California has no problem even selling her very own bed right from her bedroom!!! Now that is courage! I guess when we give up things there is then room for new things. I feel the added bonus of knowing the joy that the new owner has in placing it in their home!
The photo above has the coolest pieces in it!!! I see so many uses for it other than the perfect baby room additions!!! How sweet they would look! And check out the cute snail, yes I said cute snail. It was made in France! It is a bank!!! I love going with her scouting for new things...it keeps me fresh on what is happening. I also feel energized! I was able to get a White Fire King casserole dish complete with it's cover! I need one of those! And for me it is the perfect color. I will have to make something in it and take a pix of it for you. Of coarse I am thinking desert right now because I am hungry. But something really healthy sounds superb!
Well, back to the chandelier....if I end up not liking it I can always re-do it easy enough. I just have too many ideas for it! Have a great Friday!

7 weird Things!!!

Yes, it is going around! Will YOU catch it??? I caught it from Karla!
This will be a fun thing for I do have many weird things...I just have to ask my family if I need any help! haha.

Ok, Here we go Sonia and Karla! Each player starts with 7 random weird facst/habits about themselves. People who are tagged write 7 things on their blog and post these rules. At the end of your blog (post) you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1) My husband thinks that I am perfect. Rather he thinks that I think this!!! lol So while watching Mary Poppins for the
first time with the kids We saw Mary Popins take out her measuring tape to measure the children, and then herself. The
measuring tape read "Mary Poppins Practically Perfect". So I now joke that I am "practically Perfect" Why not strive for a
goal! hahhaha
2) I was thought of as the girl who always smiles.
3) I do not like the Wizard of Oz. Too scarry for me.
4) When on vacation if I think about food I then know that I am not having fun...and I better do something about it!
5) I am the oldest daughter and I have four younger sisters. I still have a habit of giving advice...too anyone I know well
enough. Not my opinion on how they should run their life but little helpful tips to ease a job. Sorry, all meant to help.
6) Oh yes, I was just reminded, hehe. I have one green eye and one brown eye. Wait! That is not the weird thing...I didn't
know until I was in college!
7) My Mom would tie me to a tree!!! We lived in a beautiful Italianate Home and it was on a farm. My Mom gave me
enough line to roam safely around the sandbox. Oh yea and the tree! (There were barns with cows and horses in
them).

That was fun! And now to share this joyful exercise!
I am tagging:
1. Dede
2. Caitlin
3. Tricia
4. Phyllis
5. Jenny
6. Meg
7. Carol
I have had alot of fun and I hope that you all do also!
Today is the National Day of Prayer!

!!!Joyeux Anniversaire Matthew!!!

!!! Two Post Day !!!

TODAY is Matt's Birthday! May 2nd!!! He is my big brother! He has always been there looking out for me, even when I have not known it. He has always championed the best wishes and gifts for my sisters and me. He is not condescending or bossy. He is loving, caring, GENEROUS, kind, thoughtful....AND he is still allowing himself to grow and become more, : ) haha at our age! : ) Oh ya, he also is extremely smart, and knows how to swing out on a vine over a tent like Tarzan!!!
He was there for my daughter and I on Sept. 11th and was also great at caring for his girlfriend with her (our) great concerns of that day. My Brother is strong and he is soft. Happy Birthday Matt! I love you!

Beaute'

Sucreries de Dede! I was so excited to get another wallpaper package.This time from Dede! It was filled with so many goodies that I could not get it in one Photo! Look at that beautifiul porcelain knob with the roses on it! This may be an exact match to the two knobs that my grandfather put on a book case that he made for my Father and Mother! And then there is the very cool label frame..love those! Glitter, a pretty floral cut out, velvety delicate ribbons..soo yummy! And beautiful aqua tulle, my personal favorite! See the cute ME card that she sent with a nice note inside AND 3 WISH TICKETS!!! I have plans for those!!! ok, ok here is a close up of some of the things in the photo... I love, sooo LOVE this flocked wall paper that she gave up!!! OH MERCI Dede!!! I love it to bits!!! I happen to be in love with flocking. I wish I could learn how to do it myself to various items I have in mind : ) : ) Will I be brave and use this on an item? Like Dede has. I must! = Je dois! Look at this vintage sheet music! Here are some of the words. Where'er you tread, the blushing flow'rs shall rise, and all things flourish, and all things flourish, where'er you turn your eyes, where'er you turn your eyes, where'er you turn your eyes. Very pretty. And she included roses! A nice shabby off white velvety rose! And rose fabric (along with that very nice rose flower paper shown above! Pink and blue papers! Grommets!!...Lovely. Oh Merci Dede!!!
I happen to catch the Gardener's Diary on HGTV this A.M. and the featured garden was in Madison, Georgia. If you click on this you can see some photos of her beautiful ROSES! You also will get some sources for Heirloom Roses among others. This saves me! I had needed to go to my gardening files and fined my address for Heirloom Roses. Check out the Abraham Darby Rose!!! Heavenly! This one is from David Austin. I really like this show but too often I do not get to see it. She really show cases beautiful gardens that you feel you can get inspiration from! Well i hope I have helped to give you inspiration today ( with Dede's beautiful package!)

Happy May Day! Heureux Peut Le Jour!

The sun is out and the temperature is perfect! All of the spring blooms are scenting the air! The flower shown above is from the Elizabeth Magnolia Tree! It is gorgous and smells heavenly! I am so very, very fortunate to have it next to our patio! We picked it out ~5 years ago. It was only about 6' high I think and now it is 15-17' high!!! (We just tried to measure it last Saturday) We are pruning it carefully as it grows.

More excitement today!!! As it is May Day, we are now in full gear with our May Day Basket Swap hosted by the talented and lovely Kari. She really knows how to organize a successful event and keep it running smoothly. As you may have noticed : ) The EXTRA LOVELY May Day Basket pictured above! It was sent to me by the VERY talented Tammy. Can you believe the beautiful colors! I must confess that I started getting into it yesterday, when it arrived, and suddenly realized "Wait, STOp!" You have to photo graph it first! Which was going to have to be this morning! I waited like a good little girl!
Here is a close-up of the beutiful treasures, it is filled to the brim! If you enlarge the picture you can see the detail that Tammy added to the French Tin! It even says "Happy May Day" right under the porcelain flower! And under that she added more detail! Can you see it?! : ) Tammy's Grandmother embroidered the two pillow cases! Can I tell you what an extreme honor it is to receive them! I will always treasure them! AND THEN! She also gave me a tea cup and saucer from her Mothers china hutch! This is so very generous, kind, thoughtful...In fact Tammy also sent me little french flash cards and one of them is Partager: which means to share, to divide! This is what Tammy and her sisters are doing. For you see it has only been over this last six months that she and her sisters have lost their Father and then their Mother. I have lost only my father, when my children were very young. I cannot fathom her loss! And to be so generous to part with these beautiful items. One day I will also be following her lead and gift these and other items to family and friends.


Tammy also included a beautiful vintage necklace!! And some beautiful blue milk glass beads she "strung" with wire (oh, for a future project!)! And the oh so CUTE little green note book, pink, off white and soft blue tickets, and "ride tickets" also! Then there are the ever needed birdie stickers. Oh and I cannot forget the prize (OH that would be "le prix"). The le prix is the vintage flowers, my favorite of all time!. Well, then again the pillow cases and tea cups with the sweet pink grapfruit candle tucked inside!



I love every single bit of this truly lovely and thoughtful gift! Oh, Merci, Tammy! And HAPPY MAY DAY TO ALL !