Long-time no post

Today is a beautiful clear day..probably to be mid-nineties..but it is another gift .
Blessings surround us moment by moment..Do we see all that is there?
I have been given so much in my life..Wonderful momma who has the patience and kindness and goodness like no other..a tremendously giving husband that shares himself and loves me and our Father God and our families..My Kels who truly has a love and a passion for her wonderful gift (singing) and recognizes that her life is purposeful..(She will be a great teacher one day) Kimber..ooooh Kimber..my first born.Learning not so easy life lessons.Trying to 'be' and become..my hope for her is to grow with less hurt and mature with a true love of herself..
Lately I have been perusing the blogs I love..finding antiques, vintage sussies, wonderful altered artsy treasures created by gifted talented people..and thinking about my creative nature and WHY? I don't push myself to 'get into it'..I have always had this 'eye' to see things differently and put treasures together to make a pleasing arrangement of some sort..but I have recently lost the interest in this..
WHY? So, inspired by blogs of creative & giving people, I have wrapped myself up in the world of blogdom to find the push...I'm getting there..I really am..I'm on a hunt for the piece of my self that gives me permission to explore beyond my small day to day world .. I mentioned to a good friend one day that I felt like I was putting myself on restriction...I don't want to live restricted..I want to free myself from this..everyone around me accepts me 'just as I am' but..there is more there.. More that I expect from myself, more that I want from myself, more that I owe myself and my loved ones...Today is a new day..I broke my silence..NOW let's see where we go from here..
I'm blessed to have this day...
Deb

My latest treasure...

On July 7 I turned the big 5 0 .. My precious partner in life gave me a wonderful keepsake treasure..a gorgeous vintage locket to add to my small collection. As I hold it in my hands, I feel his meaningful sentiment..I have intentions of putting a picture of him and me in it..that way he is always with me, beside me and close to me..LOVE to you my husband..I'm so proud of you..(Ken has recently accepted a new position in the company he works for..congratulations Mr. RVP)

Vintage wilted roses

For years I have been drawn to beautiful florals..whether it be a wonderful embroidered fabric piece, a yummy old floral shoe holder, vintage millineries or the favorite rosie china bowl..I love the old cracked, crazed platters, plates and bowls that no one else wants...here are the ones that I look at everyday..I have them hanging over my kitchen sink, they make me smile..the imperfections are many, just like us humans..but accepting...just as I am...

Vintage treasures ~ pincushions

I have had this long-time love for these soft vintage pincushions..I've added to my collection sporadically through the years..I pick one or two up when I'm out junkin'.
(Since I'm an antique/vintage flea market dealer, that is quite often.) I thought I would 'work with the new camera a little' and snap a few photos of these.. In a previous post I mentioned my memories of momma sitting at the sewing machine hour upon hour..as a child, I remember her diligent concentration on the presserfoot of the machine..I can see the pins protruding from her mouth ..lol
She read that post and created a new addition to my pincushion collection..It's the beautiful red floral square pillow in the photo..Oh, and by the way..the black and white picture is me when I was about 3 or 4 years old!! Enjoy.. Deb

Here we go 'round the BLUEBERRY bush....

Early this morning, my husband and I drove out to my sisters house (Ties that Bind Ranch) and picked fresh blueberries..Momma,two of my sisters,my daughter and my niece all gathered around the blueberry bushes and chatted and nibbled (I personally had quite a few of the sweet ones almost to the point of a tummy ache.) Fresh blueberries..momma mentioned fried blueberry pies..yum..My sister makes jams and jellies and last year sold them at the local Red River Market..she even adjusted the recipe to accomodate those of us that wanted the sugar free version..yummmmmmm..
Before we left, we snapped a few posed pictures..
We did this same thing last year on Rob's Day..June 24..All 4 of us girls plus..nieces,nephews..JoyKay, we missed you sister!! love love making memories..
Happy Fathers Day Ken..you are my favorite person in the world!!!!!

Vintage treasures !

Don't we just love our wonderful 'finds'?? I'm just loving this great vintage tulle gown..I found it a couple of weeks ago at a local junk store..I added the sweet yellow millinery rose cluster (can't resist the floppy flowers and velvet petals).
The pincushions in the next pictures are a recent auction win on ebay..I just love the softy vintage homemade pincushions..I believe my love of sewing accessories comes from fond childhood memories of momma surrounded by pins, zippers, fabric and bits of thread..I can still hear the hum of the old kenmore sewing machine thumping along as she created yet another easter dress for us girls..(3 sisters & me) We all grew up surrounded by her love for us and still have her with us to create memories with today..!She's just another one of my close vintage treasures..ha..

TIARA Sneak peek!

OK..this is my tiara creation...I'm excited to share with you girlies..I hope 'B' likes it..Enjoy..Deb

Blessings

Something very very special recently happened in my life..something that has been a 'work in progress' for 2 1/2 years..Short story long...my precious husband was raised a devout cajun Catholic.. I, on the otherhand was not (am not)serving/acknowledging the Lord in our life has always come very easily..We practiced in non-denominational churches on and off..thru the 20 + years together..
When we moved back to our home state 4 years ago..He felt the need to get back into his faith of origin..So, as his wife, I went on the journey of having a previous marriage annulled..many meetings, councellings, talks, paperwork, waiting..later (little did I know how much of an experience this would be)..this was finally granted to me thru our local Catholic Diocese in April..Now, the next step in this process, was to have OUR marriage blessed/recognized by the Church..
We stood
before God, Fr. Dan, our two beautiful daughters,my momma and Kens two sisters and re-spoke our vows to one another..IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!
This was something done out of love and devotion for/to my husband and with God's blessings we march forward daily on our journey as a married couple til death us do part..Wow..I'm tearing up as I type this..it feels so..good to share this!!
Enjoy.. Deb

Weekend Recoup.. Artsy Finds!!!!

Good Tuesday morning!! Ok..I didn't get pictures of the before/after sale but I am proud to say that 'we made it!' thru the 100 + temp. day! Yuck! Our sale was NOT what we expected! We put signs galore up and ran the ad..by 8 a.m. the crowd wilted to nil..around 10 it picked up again..I did have fun with my momma and my sister Rob..We just visited and lounged around..a couple of neighbor gals came around and I gave them a 'tour' of my VintageBoquet ninny house in the back yard...we did have some fun..ok the day wasn't too bad..lol I should mention that I was attacked/stung by a wasp while setting up in the carport..so I'm still suffering from that...
OK..enough of that...I'm working on my TIARA for the crown swap..I've decided to make two..(one to keep) Holly is showing us sneak peeks of hers..I'm tempted..I haven't figured out how to make the button of the swap fit on my blog yet..working on it..
I would love some 'tips' from you bloggers for getting those pics so crystal clear .. I haven't taken photography 101 or anything..lol I'm adjusting to a new camera too.
My husband Ken and I went to the Melrose Arts & Crafts Show on Sunday afternoon..we toured the old Melrose Plantation, Natchitoches, Louisiana...and I bought some wonderful goodies..OK, OK, let me see if I can take a picture or two to show you............pause
ABOVE PHOTOS...Goodies I got from 'Skip 2 my Lou'..wonderful artist, Janet Waldrop, from Bullard, TX..She is a master jeweler that recreates/repurposes old costume finds into wearable, stunning pieces wearable today..Her wonderful 'marketing' gimmick is to position her creations on old photos..Her wordings on the back of each photo describe the pieces as well..Each one 'speaks' to you..WOW!
Then, I found this great cross .. ANITRA's Originals..repurposed wire creations..This lady won 1st place best of show for a mammoth cross, similiar to the one I picked up..A lota' love and strength in those hands!...
Ok girlies..I DO need some picture taking tips..These things are so much better than the pictures show!
Thanks for the blog responses...I'm working my way around..Enjoy..Deb

Scramble to arrange & price...Carport Sale

Ok, I have GOT to buckle down and concentrate on this heaping pile of household rejects in my carport..I obligated to the sale by calling our newspaper and placed an add for the sale tomorrow!! The work has begun..my momma is on her way here to help price and arrange to make a decent presentation..(there is nothing I dislike more than to shop a garage sale that isn't planned and organized thoroughly) Lesson to self..Just Do it!!
I might take some before/after pictures..that way I (you) can see the accomplishment..ha! funny..You know, I just had a thought, maybe someone will come along that will want to adopt my dog Hank..We have had him a little over 3 months and he has turned out to be more of an outside dog than inside..I really just wanted a 'lap' dog to putter around my feet..Hank is rough and tough and loving and obedient, but he is just too much for me to handle..He truly loves me (and I him) but he is very active and needs me more than I can give... Oh well, enough of that..we'll see if anyone 'fits the bill' to adopt him tomorrow..
Ladies, You have all been so nice to respond to my new blog...I'm loving it! I promise to sit down again afterwhile and review/post/possibly pictures....
Enjoy this day God has given us..make the most of it and your life!!
Deb

The Kitchen window....

This is the kitchen window that our 'crazy bird' visits daily! I've often wondered if he was trying to get to the cage or the bird nest' fern .. my sister once said 'No, Deb, he wants the nest on top of your head!' That funny, funny sister JoyKay...Enjoy, Deb

My daily guest....

Every day for the past 4 years we have had a visitor..an unusual but welcomed one..You see, we live in an old home that sits approximately 4 feet above the ground..in the eat-in kitchen area of the home are two pair of wavy old glass paned windows that overlook the back yard..being as high up as we are, it's like we are perched in the trees..my daily visitor is a beautiful red cardinal..Without fail, he will peck away 'Good morning' or midday or evening..I love hearing him chirp and sing cheerfully..On occasion he brings others around..There are about 2 other pair of cardinal mates in the yard..not to mention the other mourning doves, occasional red headed woodpecker, chickadees and oh yes, the hummingbirds..These are welcomed blessings in my life..

Today, my momma, Wanda and my nephew, Jesse and I went to an area flea market..Cypress Stump in Lecompte, LA..just down the road about 12 miles..I found a weathered and worn white wicker chair for $10..It might last a season..

It's is currently sitting on my front porch waiting for me to rest my hind quarters (or butt )..lol I also found a floral tole wall hook for $1.50..it needs to be painted a creamy color..

Yes, I will attempt some pictures..I'm working with a new camera and this new blog..I'll get it.. hummmm..let me attempt something right now.... Our front porch entry..We spend many hours perched upon this porch reviewing our day...

Let's see, what other photos can I send???

Ladies, thanks for sending such sweet welcoming messages! I was so thrilled when I received your kind posts! I'm Loving this!!!

Happy smiles and claps to Holly..@ http://http://hollydoodledesigns.com/WordPress/?p=76

I hope I did this right... enjoy.. deb