Hard to believe but good things come from cleaning . . .

I started cleaning out boxes for another garage sale and look what I found! Vintage crocheted lace! I think it was made by my husband's grandmother. So pretty - wish I could make some. It is now on display where I can cherish it.

If I use some of it, how do I finish the ends so the rest doesn't unravel? A little glue on the ends?

Also made this for a wedding gift that was this weekend.

Hope I find more 'good' stuff . . .

Ciao!

Now, for the big reveal . . .

I know the couple of people that look at my blog have been waiting on pins and needles to see my new kitchen so here it finally is . . .

These are terrible pictures (and I even edited them in picnic) but you can see most everything. See the bottom corners? They are corner drawers - LOVE THEM! No more lazy susans - HATE THEM! There are a few things I already wish that I would have done differently - like the faucet. The sink is so deep that the faucet doesn't reach to the front very well and I didn't put in the spray faucet. DUMB! And the stainless appliances - can you say CLEAN EVERY DAY! You can see that everything is black, cream and a touch of brown. Kept it all neutral so I could change things up when I got tired of something. Now, I need ideas on how to decorate - what colors?

I made this shadow box for a friend's birthday that was a month ago. I really need to get more on the ball! Love the muslin rose in the bottom corner and need to make more.

I also finished this cabinet but I think it needs something more. What do you think?

I have 3 quilts in to get quilted (I don't quilt by hand - would like to but who has the room? - and I don't machine quilt the big ones myself). Will show photos when I get them back. So, I guess I have accomplished a few things this summer even though my list of 'want to get done' is still very long. Feel that summer is slipping away!

Oh, by the way, there is a very cool giveaway going on at Dime Store Thrift. Go check it out! She is the thrifter of all thrifters!

I made reservations for our trip to Minnesota to attend the Junk Bonanza! If you haven't been, it is an amazing sale! Full of fabulous junk items vendors make into even more fabulous junk! Hope they will let me take pictures! If you are going too, let me know. We'll talk!

Waiting for all you junkers to contact me . . .

Ciao!

DOES anybody notice? . . .

This is my apple from my apple tree. Yes, the tree grew only one apple but it is a beauty! Can't wait to chomp into it!

I just found a blog that asks the questions that I often think about. Visit Linda at Unlimited Possibilities so that she realizes that there are people out there that care about those of us who are just beginning to blog and don't have the following that those OTHER blogs do. You know the ones - the ones we visit everyday to find creativity and talent oozing from the pages. The ones that we visualize for ourselves only we just haven't 'found' our niche, our voice, our direction, our photo-taking and writing skills. Yet! I recently finished reading Blogging for Bliss by tara frey and I am enthused all over again with writing a blog. I guess my reason for blogging is best described by Tara herself: 'to want to connect with other people, to explore and to be inspired'. I certainly am exploring (hours of exploring!) and I am definitely inspired but I want so desperately to connect with other people. Anyway, I am getting there. I am committed (although still not enough to blog EVERY day). But most of all -- I dream big!

Hoping someone comes to visit and leaves a comment . . .

Ciao!

Artful Blogging Blogger . . .

You really must go visit Sarah at Whimsy Dreams Studio because she is offering a fabulous giveaway! I love her work and she is in this issue of Artful Blogging where so many fantastic blogs are featured. I really want to win but I know that you will too!

Keeping my fingers crossed . . .

Ciao!

5 weeks and 3 days ago . . .

You'll have your kitchen in 3 weeks! We had our first 'real' meal in the 'not-quite-finished' kitchen tonight! We've been driving by the sweet corn stands for weeks and wondering how long it would take to boil water on the grill (no, we don't care for 'grilled' corn on the cob) and with our mouths drooling, we finally had it tonight. MAYBE the kitchen will be finally finished tomorrow when the cabinet doors are hung. No, wait, it won't REALLY be done until the stove that was delivered yesterday is replaced (stove doesn't work, go figure!) so MAYBE next Wednesday when the new one comes I can finally say 'finite'. So actually it will be 6 weeks and 3 days! I'll post pictures of the 'kitchen from hell' tomorrow!

Here's to not eating another cold sandwich for a LONG time . . .

Ciao!

Chicago, Chicago, that toddling town . . .

This post is going to be all pictures (it only took me 2 hours to upload these!). Everyone should see Chicago . . . once! The traffic, the people, the prices! BUT, Navy Pier, the architecture, the history, Tiffany's . . . WOW!

This is my daughter and me in 'the bean' . . . TOO COOL! They say the bean's curveture adds 50 pounds! HA!

All in all, other than going to the wrong hotel and then having to take a taxi to the right one, we had a great time and we plan on making this the first annual mother/daughter trip (now that she can pay her own way!).

There still is no place like home . . .

Ciao!