OWOH Extravaganza . . .

Whenever I see people playing something that looks really fun, I want to play too! I discovered this delightful event last year and visited blog after fabulous blog. I made some bloggy friends that I have kept all year and I even won a couple of fantastic creations!  The purpose of my blogging is to meet like-minded bloggers who inspire me. I'm always delighted with their creativity, artistic abilities and, of course, their junky ways of decorating!  Since this is the final year, I just HAVE to participate again!

This is where is all began -- the creative mind of Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian has convinced bloggers all over the world (yes, world!) to offer their wares in giveaways open to all active bloggers. The purpose is to have a chance to meet new bloggers, get lots of friends, see what they offer and find kindred spirits that love the same things you do! There are no hoops to jump through to play along. Nobody needs to become a follower. Nobody needs to look at etsy shops and pick a favorite item. Nobody has to answer specific questions in their comments. All you have to do is leave some kind of comment (preferably a nice one!) and an email address so that you can be reached in case you win! Now, doesn't that sound easy and fun! I am lovin it!

 

To read all about One World One Heart and how it began (or if you too would like to join in the event), please go here.

This is my offering for the event.  A small shabby, ruffly wreath!  It could be hanging on your wall or gracing your table if you want to play along. 

Just leave me a comment!  Yup!  That is all you have to do!  Comments must be left on THIS POST ONLY!  Oh, you can leave me oodles of comments on any other post but for the OWOH giveaway - only this post will count.

Any do-dads embellishing the wreath are not included in the prize.  Just displaying some different looks!

The OWOH event will end on February 17th, when all winners are chosen and contacted.  So leave me a comment.  If your blog doesn't have an email contact button, leave me your addy (ya can't win if I can't find you!).  There are hundreds (if not thousands!) of bloggers that are playing along.  Go to the list, settle in for a long stint at the computer and comment, comment, comment!

I can't wait to meet you!

Suitcase Saturday . . .

This little suitcase has traveled many miles with me.  It has survived countless moves when I was a child.  It has held my treasures, my baby doll clothes and my secrets.  It has lived in closets and under many beds.  It held my jammies when I stayed with my grandma.  It probably came home with goodies from those visits too.

Now it stays out in the open.  It moves from room to room.  Sometimes it is showcased up high, sometimes on the floor.

It still holds a few of my treasures.

I'm linking to Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday.  But I'm calling this post Suitcase Saturday cuz I'm so very, very late.

Have a wonderful weekend, my lovlies!

Rediscovering McCoy . . .

I've collected McCoy pottery for a long time.  Before it got popular.  Before it got hard to find.  Before it got so expensive.  All of my pieces have been housed in a curved-glass hutch.  I very seldom even notice them.  And I sure as heck don't dust them!  But since I've jumped on the white/cream/taupe bandwagon, I'm rediscovering them as the beautiful pieces they are.  Here are 3 pieces that I grabbed just for White Wednesday at Faded Charm. 

I also have a vast collection of the green/turquoise McCoy.  I'll have to show you that in a future post.  There are many duplicate pieces that I hope to sell someday.  Yeah, that etsy shop is still on the horizon!  My daughter has dibs on the green McCoy and my daughter-in-law will inherit the white.  They decided that, not me!  I'm glad my pieces will be treasured someday!  I'll haunt them if they ever get rid of my collections!

I received many sweet comments concerning my birthday gift to myself.  This oh-so-darling wreath was made by Judy of Iowa Junk Gypsies.  Someday, I'm going to one of their shows!  I mean, Iowa is right next to Nebraska, right?

Now, ya'll go make something beautiful so I can soak up some inspiration!

Looking at lovely lighting . . .

. . . we recently visited a local renovated theatre.  Awestruck was my first emotion as I walked through the doors.  Opulent came to mind.  My eye constantly went up as I gazed upon the lovely lighting.

Yes, I realize that these are terrible, just terrible, photos but Connie needs to learn how to photograph in less than perfect lighting.  And she didn't notice what setting her camera was on before taking pictures.  I think she was overwhelmed by the beauty of her surroundings!  The photos look orangy but the colors were all deep red, creams, black and golds.  (Why are theatres always decorated in red?)

Just thought I would show you that Nebraska has some really, really fancy places!  We ain't all cornfields and barns!

ps ~~ I think there will be a wedding take place here this year!

White (and a few other colors) . . .

. . . this is my Faded Charm White Wednesday contribution.  It is a birthday present to myself (Happy Birthday, Self!).  Creamy!

Other birthday goodies include ~~ 

My friend, Kate, (Hi Kate!) made this luscious pillow for me.  The most gorgeous pinky peach color with a vintage button from her grandma's jar. Dreamy!

A pair of hands to showcase my 'littles'. 

And another scale from someone who knows what I love so very, very well!

That's it today, my lovlies.  Okay, bye.

I decided not to pick a winner . . .

. . . I picked 3 winners instead!

I don't think I made myself very clear about the comments (my bad!) so I struggled with the numerical sequence of who followed, who commented, who posted on their sidebars.  I'm constantly learning what I do wrong (alot!), what works (a little bit) and what doesn't (again, alot!).  But, after figuring out a system, the lucky ducks were chosen fairly.  And, I spent an hour trying to get that pesky random generator thingy to post and finally gave up.  Will someone PLEASE tell me how to do that!!!!!

Anywho, on to the winners . . .

Marie from Lost Bird Studios won the little box filled with stuff!

Danielle from My Blessed Serendipity Life won (I don't know what yet) from those that were so kind to advertise my giveaway on their sidebars.

And I promised a little something to the 200th follower.  Henria O - number 200 was lucky for you!

Send me your addresses girls and the mailman will be trudging thru the snow to deliver a package to YOU.

But you know, I really am the lucky one here.  Not only did I gain a few new followers that I hope will become great blogging buddies (because isn't meeting new bloggers the purpose that most of us blog?) and got alot of comments from my favorite people (that I love with a capital L) who are always around when I need them but I'm sending off some lovely items that deserve a home where they will be used. 

I guess we are all lucky to have each other!

ps - I have oodles of rubber stamps.  I don't stamp anymore (really never did - I think I just collected them!) and put them all out of sight in order to relieve the guilt of not stamping anymore.  Anybody interested in doing a series of stamp giveaways? 

Snow blind . . .

. . . it seems like everyone is getting snow.  This last blast brought only about a foot - believe me, we have had alot more!  But the wind!  And the cold!  Wasn't I going to book a cruise for January?

I don't suppose that this kind of white is what Kathleen at Faded Charm meant for a White Wednesday post but really, what is whiter than snow?  Here I am, the first time I participate and I don't follow the rules.  Yeah, that's me - I very seldom follow rules. 

These white photos are being linked to Faded Charm's White Wednesday anyway.  Next time I'll play nice.

Be sure to wear your shades outside in the snow - it's blinding.  And a pair of long johns!

Adventures in bridal fairs {part 1} . . .

. . . the wedding planning begins.  And we quickly realize that we don't know anything about planning a wedding.  What to do - what to do?  Why, we begin by going to the first of many, many, many bridal fairs that are happening!  The one we planned on attending was 2 hours away and after getting up at 6:00 to be ready to leave by 7:00 and plowing snow 15 miles to the nearest highway, we decide that the snow storm that was in progress was going to hinder us in our search for tulle.  So we trudge back home, disappointed, but determined to find an outlet for our wedding hyped-up attitudes.  Lo and behold, there is another fair only 40 miles away.  We'll risk life and limb traveling on trecherous roads for 40 miles (which only took about 1 1/2 hours to get there)!

There were photography vendors, invitation vendors, venue vendors and dress vendors.  But, where did we start?  Why, the cake vendors, of course!  Never mind that there is no date set, no reception hall booked, no colors chosen, no dress even considered.  We Wanted To Find Cake!

Can you choose a cake and design a wedding around it?

If I had to choose, this would be my pick.  Simple and elegant.  And white!

  (But I don't get to choose.  It is not my wedding.  I'm already having a hard time keeping my mouth shut.  I'm trying to wait until my opinion is asked for.  Oiy vay, this may be the hardest thing I have ever had to do!)

Cookies would be so much fun!

Or are they passe'?

(It is just that frosted sugar cookies are MY absolute favorite!  Oh yeah, already forgot.  It is not my wedding!)

Cake pops on a stick.  Or too 'kid party'?

And the ever popular cupcakes.

Sometimes it is not good to have so many choices!

Really girls - we could use some wedding planning tips.  What did you find absolutely necessary?  What would you do without?  What was a big hit?  What didn't work?

Now, for some reason I'm craving a piece of cake . . .

A quickie for my birthday . . .

Giveaway Alert!!!

So, I start to change over calendars and come to realize that TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY!  Remember last year when I officially changed my birthday to July?  I was tired of blizzardy, right-after-the-holidays, 'I got you a bigger gift for Christmas that includes your birthday', nobody feels like going out because it's so cold birthdays.  I liked my birthday celebration in July.  I liked it alot!  But, I wanted to do something for my January birthday too so I'm celebrating it with YOU!

Since it is January and my brain is still in 'vacation' mode, I didn't think what fun thing I could do that would bring you all to my blog and marvel over it.  I'm busy purging (isn't that what we all do in January?) so I thought I would just stuff this box with . . . well, stuff.  You don't care what is really in it, do you?  As long as YOU are the winner?  I promise I won't make you take my old clothes that I've been saving for years (I'll never get into those sizes again and who wants to wear denim skirts again anyway).  You won't get the mauve and light blue country-style decorations that graced my home at one time.  The collection of pig related items - forget it!   

Only the good stuff for my friends!

If you want, you could post this photo on your sidebar.  I'll give you my undying appreciation and maybe a little sumpun, sumpun extra will be in the box for you if you win.  Oh, and an extra chance too!

If you follow me, yup, you guessed it . . . you will get another extra chance!  Maybe the 200th follower will get a bit of love! 

But first, you must all leave me a comment!  I'll contact you sometime next week if you win.  You can comment up until I pick someone!

Good luck, my lovlies!

Edited ~~ comments are now closed.  As soon as I figure out how to show the random generator thingy, I'll post the winners!