Pink Paint and Roses

A Few Flea Finds

Yesterday we went to the little Sunday morning Flea and although quite a few vendors I was expecting more...the best day of the year so far, weatherwise. Sunny, virtually no wind and 74 degrees. That's a beauty for us this time of year.

This little curtain panel was too cute to pass up.....

A few pictures, this one is sweet....

I also picked up these vintage purses that I think I'll 'doll up' with some pretty millinary flowers. Won't they look pretty! (I think the white ones are vintage not the natural, although it's darn cute)

This old religious litho is a beauty too.

Can't wait to see what next week brings! Happy Hunting! 

more Etsy love!

I spent some time browsing on Etsy the other day. It's such a fun place to shop and to be inspired. My trip this time was to check out a new Etsy shop called pinkrhinestone. This little shop is owned by Gail, a nice gal from Miami that I met through this blog.  Gail puts together 'Sweet Lady' collections which can consist of vintage jewelry, hand dyed lace, gorgeous pastel seashells and more....she'll even put together packages to your color specification.

LOVE these shells! Please stop by and see her!

I'm off to a little Sunday morning flea market, with any luck I may be back to show you some pretties!

Happy Sunday!

Today's Projects

These are my newly dyed roses. They were dingy white originally and I was headed to the trash with them and then thought to color them. I had no dye so off to the kitchen to look for food coloring. I found some red and put several drops into a bowl of water and dunked them. In minutes they were pink and they picked up more color on the edges which makes them look more realistic. I love em!

I need ideas here....this is a vintage playing card, standard size. I picked it up on Ebay but now what do I do with it??? I love the graphic and am thinking of copying it and having notecards made up. Anyone have any other ideas?

Finally, something to share.

I thought that perhaps I would stop blogging, just kind of pull the plug. I was actually on the page to cancel and with a strike of a key just eliminate pinkpaintandroses but couldn't pull the trigger. I looked around the house for ideas, been there, seen that, what now? Over a year ago I started this with a great deal of enthusiasm and the last several months I've found it to be a struggle.

How do people make their blogs so interesting? They share their lives, their creativity, their families, trips, etc., they just share. Sharing requires time, something I have very little of. Then to compound things, I feel guilty not visiting others like I use to. Most of the time I visit and don't comment and that's almost like cheating. This lame blogger is in a bad way.

So I spent this morning visiting some of you and was inspired. Your enthusiasm is shining through and your warmth....ahhh your warmth, how is it that that shows through a hard computer screen? I am always bowled over by the warmth that practically radiates off your pages. For that reason and that reason only I sit here tapping away at these keys.

Finally, something to share....I was at a thrift a few weeks ago and came across these lovelies. They were stacked on a shelf beneath other frames filled with 'laser' prints. I paid just a couple of bucks each for the pictures.

then I found this frame

it's enormous! The opening is for a 16 x 20 print but the sides are 5" wide!

We have been doing a little sprucing up for Spring and I came up with this great English cottage paint by number at Kane County Flea Market a few weeks ago. I'm not crazy about this frame and will probably replace it soon.

last but not least, I found this darling little basket filled with vintage millinery flowers in a cute shop in St. Charles. It only stands about 3" tall.

Have a great day!   

My Daughters New Venture

This is a picture of my younger daughter Kate at 5 years old, this picture was taken about 15 years ago by  her older sister Sarah who was about 16 or so then. Pretty good huh?

Well I don't think that I have ever mentioned that my daughter Sarah is a talented photographer....yes she is. She's also a gifted teacher and a really funny girl, she should add writing stand up comedy to her resume. Anyhow, my Sarah is in the process of opening a website, please drop in and if you like what you see on her site please click on her blog and leave a note of encouragement. Tell her that her Mom sent you....gets me brownie points!

Always be nice to your children, they are the ones that will decide on your nursing home later.

a little late but then again St Pat's is only 364 days away

I work with the lovely Christy Crafton, you may remember her from her HGTV spots or from the now defunct Country Sampler Decorating Ideas magazine. Let me tell you girls, she is a creative genius! She's one of those people that can take anything and turn it into something grand. I wish you could watch her work, absolutely amazing!

This St. Pat's ribbon is one of those magical things that she came up with. She took some ribbon, dismantled a silk hydrangea and put it all together with a bit of wire and floral tape and VOILA!

While we're talking crafts, have you ever had one of those candles that come in a plain wrapper or no wrapper? They smell terrific but don't do much esthetically. Well that's exactly what was going on here so I dressed them up and now they look worthy of a party!

 

Again, a little sheet music, some tulle and a few millinery flowers. They'd make a very nice hostess gift or favors for a Spring Tea!

C'mon girls, let's see some more crafty ideas. If you don't have a blog please drop me an email and attach your pics and I'll share your great ideas right here.

the niceties of having a blog

I am so blessed in many, many ways but who would have guessed that a blog would bring it's own blessings. I have met so many wonderful ladies here, some kindred spirits, some playmates, some of the nicest folks on the planet. If I lived closer to you we would have tea, go shopping together, have crafting days, etc. You are all a wonderful part of my little life....it makes it soooooo much bigger! Thank you for reaching out, no matter if its often or just stopping by once a month, I appreciate all of you.

One of my newest blessings is meeting my brand new pal, Penny. Penny does not have a blog but she reads them and most definitely should start one as she has a lot to share. Penny is a Mom, a crafter and a good hearted person, she and her Womens Guild do really nice things for people less fortunate. We've gotten to know each other a bit lately through this blog and I'm delighted to introduce her to you.

Penny is really talented and has been kind enough to share some pictures of her creations with me.

Isn't this awesome??? I love the sheet music in the background and the whole 3 dimensional effect.

 

Here is #1 of 2 of  Penny's teacup arrangements.  Love the Spring flowers and the pretty 'sugared' birdie.

Here is #2 of 2 of Penny's Teacup arrangements. Love the sheet music, I would have never thought to do that! Did you see the pink butterfly on the leaf??? Too cute!

Thank you Penny for introducing yourself and  for sharing your beautiful creations!

Winter Blahs

Another 6" of snow....will it ever end? We are on record for the snowiest winter here in Chicago in the last ten years....I wish it were for the most sun or warmest temps....BUT NOOOOOOOOO! I'm tired of trying to make the best of it too! To hell with that. It's depressing and we are in serious need of warmer temps, sun and green grass (the kind in your lawn, although if it were the other we probably wouldn't feel so bad about the weather)

Did you hear about the horrible shooting at the Lane Bryant store here in Tinley Park, IL.? I was absolutely horrified having worked in retail management all my life, as well as my daughter Sarah working for Lane Bryant for a few years, it seemed to hit really close to home. I fell into a a funk from that and it was just this past weekend that I was able to get to the Memorial that has been built outside the shop. Such a sad, sad place. Words just can't express how I still feel about this.

The 5 white crosses have pictures of the victims on them. There are layers and layers of roses, notes, stuffed animals, etc. It took my breath away.

On a happier note, we've been busy making lots of pretties for Spring. It sure improves your mood to busy yourself with stuff like this.

You can do this with a few bits from the craft store and a vintage teacup and saucer

this requires a bit more work

I have not forgotten about the 'GIVEAWAY'. I'm just trying to make it really splashy because of how late I am now. Look for it this weekend!!!

If whilst reading this you're in the icy tundra like us in Chicago, I send you my condolences. If you're in warm, sunny temps....please, please invite me for a visit!

See you all this weekend!

The weekend is over.

Thank you for all the kind notes about the passing of 'Ed'.  It turned out to be a wonderful celebration of the mans life, I expected no less. I am part of a great family that pulls together not only at times like these but all the time. They are a terrific bunch that really know the meaning of family.

I heard funny stories that I hadn't heard before and thats hard to do considering I've been around this family for the last thirty years. We laughed, we cried and we were so touched to see not only our friends but people that we hadn't seen in twenty years show up to pay their respects. It was a sad but yet wonderful couple of days.

As in most larger families there are always a few that take on more responsibility than others and in this case it was the youngest, Matt and Susan.  I'm not sure how that happens because they all love their folks but certain ones always end up carrying the load in every family. First of all, I don't know what we would have done without Matt. He was the closest logistically and spent a part of every single day for the last year at my in-laws house helping with Ed's physical care, all the Dr. appts, etc. and was a rock to his Mother. Then there's Susan who lives in the Boston area, she flew in regularly and spent extended weekends with her Mom and Dad  and made the countless phone calls with Dr's, therapists, etc. There she was coordinating all from her post in Boston...she handled it flawlessly. I wanted to acknowledge them publicly for that because a simple thank you just doesn't seem enough. Thank you Matt and Susan, your parents and all of us will NEVER forget what you've done and how much that meant to each and every one of us.

So long Ed!

Giveaway postponed a few days

I'm sorry but I must postpone the blog 'Birthday Giveaway'.  Sadly, my father-in-law passed away last night after a year long illness. He was a bear of a man in his younger days, gruff but with a heart of gold.  He will be sadly missed by all of us.

I'll be back early next week with the Giveaway details. Stay tuned.