Happy Valentine's Day

We are on the road home from Michigan to VA after seeing our grandson Easton for the first time Feb 5th. We had a fabulous week in Michigan and spent tons of time with Easton. Thursday the movers came and packed up Keely and Jason's(my daughter and son-in-law) house and finished up Friday.Friday night was an adventure with us sleeping on air mattresses since we had no furniture..early Saturday morning we pulled out bound for VA...about an hour or so into our trip, our back tire blew! Thankfully the truck has dual wheels so mainly just an inconvenience but caused a 2 hour delay..we found a tire place open and had that tire replaced. Last night we spent the night in Charleston WVA and are getting ready to make the last leg of the trip to VA here in a few minutes. Easton is a good  little traveler and at three weeks of age has already visited/lived in three different states! Wishing you all wherever you are, the Happiest Valentine's Day ever....xoxoxo

Before Kitchen Project

Located this old photo from twenty years to post which enables you to see what the kitchen looked like earlier. Updated photo of finished cabinets to follow.

Happy Valentine's Day

Thought I would get a head start and make a few Valentines this year rather than purchasing paper ones. As I have previously posted, art has never been bestowed upon me. I appreciate it in many forms. I didn't do too badly when I drew this one from scratch - placed it on a piece of red fabric (from my unlimited stash) - I even figured out how to work my zig zag elements on my old Singer sewing machine to sew the edges. I lined the piece, turned it and pressed it and then using thread to match - ran a closely sewn zig zag stitch all the way around, which caused the heart to have some flexibility. Stuffing (actually purchased some at HL (Made in USA) was added to make it soft and fluffy. Slip stitched the edges and then added the cute black and white checked ribbon. Was excited to post this, however, could not get a good photo of the front door where this cutie is displayed, so I chose the only other bright lit area - the back kitchen door. Hope you like it too - you have 5 days to whip one up for YOUR Valentine.

Some old things NEVER become old

Most of us have heard of McCoy Pottery even if we have not had the opportunity to buy a piece. This true American company was successful in the late 19Th century and some of the 20th. I've seen it in Antique shops all my life and have only had the chance to purchase the pieces you see displayed here. I have other American made pieces of pottery I will post later, but McCoy Pottery is classic and I would not disrespect it by mixing it. The colors used in the process have stood the test of time and though in the past, through my comfortable ignorance of doing so, I planted IN the piece itself. This is a no-no. Years ago I realized the value of these pieces and removed all plantings. Now, they sit proudly displayed together in my living room on a round table in front of my window and once in a while I will purchase a small plant, already potted, and just place it inside my McCoy piece. They are priceless - a real American treasure. I'm pleased to own these few.

Cards of the 40's to Pillows of Today

As promised in an earlier post, I have made our first pillow to begin a series of pillows to compliment beautiful greeting and note cards of a by-gone era that many of us long to revisit. Modern technology is appealing but one can not replace the sincerity of the well wishes conveyed through older cards. We will launch Southern Thresholds Collection - 2010 as soon as details on Etsy can be outlined. We're positive that guests will want to acquire a pillow from this collection which will capture and preserve those wonderful years of the 40's.

Appreciation of things of the past

Do any of you purchase greeting and note cards - only to find that lately it's easier to text a greeting or perhaps e-mail someone? I'm guilty of the latter, but wanted to let our guests in on the nicest collection of note cards and greeting cards I've seen in years. My cousin Patty had kept these for quite a few years (they were passed down to her by family members years ago) and last fall while we were working on a project in her house in Alexandria VA, she gave them to me - the whole lot. It must be over 100 cards. Many of the envelopes would not pass postal guidelines now, but I will use the cards and lovingly send them to many of the shut-ins at my church. These ladies will probably recognize the timeless beauty of the wording on the front. I love them so much and wanted to share them with you. I'm glad you're on the receiving end to enjoy them and not on my sick list of shut ins. Just a couple of the greetings to share - Especially for you! Just to remind you Now your birthday is due. There's no one more deserving of happiness - than you! Another one with a cute kitten saying Hello - Just a little note to say "hello", and ask if you can guess - how pleasant it is to think of you and wish you happiness. How cute are these two? Enjoy this special collection of a dear and caring person who kept these for years. Best thing of all: Made in USA

Welcome February - month of the Valentine

There's something about Valentine's Day or the month of February to make us stop and think of a special person in our lives. We are special because we have someone special in our lives. Wanted to wish each of our guests a wonderful February and take the time this month to do something special. I used a wreath from years past - cut the flowers off stems and drew a half heart on paper and had my husband Carl cut two pieces out of a left over piece of decking board. After he cut the two pieces out, I asked him to drill a hole around the edges (large enough for the stem of the flower). I hot glued the inside edges of the heart. All of you that know me - I can NOT draw even stick people. After placing the flowers around, I saw the shape taking place before my eyes and thought "how easy is this" - wow - To cover the edge of the wood, I rummaged through my stash of ribbons, etc. and found a piece just long enough to hot glue and cover; all I had to do to finish this nice piece of work was to hot glue a small red and white ribbon in the center of the white ribbon and then a bow was tied and it was hung between the two windows in our small den - we hibernate here during the winter months - Carl watches his old westerns and I sit on the couch perusing magazines and books and thinking of another project.