Lacey Candle Jar

I see beautifully embellished bottles and jars and have never tried this art until this week. This candle jar had been on the shelf in the closet for awhile. I used lace, ribbon, a jeweled dangle, a gold leaf from an artificial branch, a gold star, glitter and last but not least, an authentic vintage brass key taken from my collection. I have several old brass keys picked up years ago at an antique store. They have been displayed in an old printer's tray in the computer nook -- this one has found a new home.

Simplify

My altered Christmas cards this year are going to be very simple, such as this one is -- pretty blue paper, light blue organza ribbon, shiny snowflakes and a cute little snowman embellishment. Time seems to be getting away from me. Recovering from the back surgery has put a huge cramp in my style !! Anyway, it has been four weeks yesterday and each day, I have a bit more strength and energy. Hopefully, I will get back to blogging a bit more often, too.

Vintage Black Gloves

When I was going through a box of my old "things", I came across this pair of black gloves that I wore back in the 50's and 60's. Those were the days that no outfit was complete unless you had matching gloves !! Sometimes, it is difficult for me to think of my keepsakes as "vintage", and times I wonder who that old lady is that just passed me by in the mirror !! Anyway, my friend Sharon, had a pair of white gloves that she had picked up at a craft show several years ago and they were stuffed, hot glued together and embellished, so I used them as an example to do something with my pair. These look a bit "Christmasy" with that red bow, so maybe I will use them as part of a centerpiece on my dining room table come holiday time. It was a fun project and better than putting them back in a box just to be stored away.

Scented Memories

Sometime ago, I showed the photo of the old perfume bottle Mom had kept for so many years. When I came across that bottle on the day I was helping her clean out some high cabinets and she told me about Dad having given it to her, it brought back memories of the first perfume your Dad gave to me when we were dating. I did not keep the bottle after I used it all, but, thanks to Ebay, I found one very similar. The scent had a bit of spice to it and I think influenced my choice of perfumes forever after. As usual, I believe his mother chose this gift for him to present to me, but, that has always been okay with me -- she had excellent taste !!! This bottle in it's little case, will go into "the treasure chest", now.

Gift from Grandparents

This little bracelet was a Christmas gift from my maternal grandparents when I was around 7 or 8 years old. Wish I still had the box it came in -- it was every bit as beautiful as the bracelet !! I can remember my sister received a similar bracelet which I always thought was prettier than mine. It had more of a rounded face instead of flat as this one is. Oh, the jealousies of things my big sister had and the things she got to do that I didn't !! I look back now and see that being the middle child was not as bad as it seemed. My brother, to this day, claims that Mom and Dad liked me best !! I will place this in the "treasure chest."

Art Journal Cover

This is the cover of my art journal that is in the midst of being created. The on line class has been an awesome journey, so far. Since this is a completely new experience for me, my cover and pages mimic the art work of the teacher, http://teresamcfayden.typepad.com/minutia. I am loosening up a bit, but, not nearly as much as I hope to. My journal is in altered book form and I am sure I will have pages left after all of the classes have been completed. It is then that I will see what kind of creativity and imagination I can conjure up on my own !! The stamps on this cover are some that were in the box of "goodies" from my blogger friend, June.

Fun Mail Day

My sweet blogger friend, June, at www.junesartyretreat.blogspot.com, follows and comments regularly on my posts. She not only creates beautiful art, she also offers free art and pictures on another blog, http://artfreebies.blogspot.com. I recently mailed her some fun things from my stash of laces. This beautiful thank you card, along with two atc's and a gorgeous little box of fun embellishments arrived for me in yesterday's mail all the way from the UK. I enrolled in an on-line art journal workshop that began last week, so now, I have some new fun things to add to my pages. I especially love all the postage stamps.

Walking on the Beach

I am getting settled in back home after spending almost a month in North Carolina visiting and doling out TLC. Walking on the beach, wading along the shore, searching for seashells, and just enjoying the experience, at peace with the world -- It has been nearly 50 years since my bare feet have walked in the sand of an East coast beach !! I often wonder what Virginia Beach is like these days compared to "back then". I remember writing in the sand was just as much fun ! On one side of the yard and out the back door of the little cottage we lived in, was a "hedge row" of gardenia bushes -- a sight and smell to behold that summer of 1961.

Letters to Loved Ones Back Home

While your Dad was in the Navy, he was "out to sea" for a 3 month period of time. The ship went to Puerto Rico and back from Norfolk, Virgina. Oceana was the air base that your Dad was actually stationed. The few letters that I reread were from a husband and father that missed his wife and little girl, dearly ! Also, ship life was not a joyous time, it seems !! I had forgotten how he signed off at his letters end -- Love, Doug and Dad xxxx -- the x's for kisses to us. Most of the time, stamps were placed on the envelopes upside down -- a symbol of "I love you". It was 1959 and 1960 - we had our little mobile home and you and I were at my grandparents mobile home park in Ohio for the duration, plus a few months. When your Dad got settled back at Oceana and we got a few financial issues ironed out, my uncle moved the mobile home to Virginia Beach for us. We were happy to be a family again. Today would have been our 52nd anniversary. The letters will go into the "treasure chest".

Coming Up Roses

I have been trying to conjure up some creativity !! I had made some RAK cards and had roses left over. Cutting out all those tiny stems and buds was tedious to say the least, so, no way was I going to throw them away. This is a very simple greeting card, but, will be useful for most any occasion.

"When the Garden Sun is Setting"

"And your mind from care is free, When of others you are thinking, Will you also think of me". Your friend, Elton" These are the words my Dad wrote to my Mom in this autograph book on May 22, 1929. It is full of sweet little old fashioned verses that bring a smile to your face as you read them. Four and a half years later, they were married. Mom and Dad had only 8th grade educations as did a lot of South Dakota, pre-depression, farm children, but, that did not keep them from educating themselves. Many times, they would read our books as we brought them home from school. They kept up with daily news, the stock market and politics. Starting out as hired help to a farmer and his wife in Iowa, they built their own empire of farm land through the years. Their legacy to their children was more than in material things !! This book will be lovingly stored in the "treasure chest".

Silk Stockings

The actual history of "silk stockings" dates back to the 16th century and even earlier. "Nylons" came into being in the early 40's. Garter belts and girdles were essentials in the wardrobe to hold those stockings up. And then, the wondrous invention of panty hose --no more girdles and garter belts !! This little kit was in one of my Mom's sewing machine drawers ever since I can remember. I'm sure it is something she had as a young girl. The little cardboard spools have different colors of silk threads used to mend runs and snags in her silk hosiery. A couple of the spools with the more popular colors that hosiery might be, are near empty. The faded purple velvet top acted as a pins and needles cushion. I remember being so excited to have my first garter belt and pair of nylons when I was about 13. I think the occasion for getting so "dressed up" was a Christmas Tea Party with my 4-H club. The pair of nylons had seams going up the back of the leg and it was imperative that those seams were straight !! Seamless nylons were unheard of. Sometime during my younger years, I remember having a couple of pair of nylons that had beautiful embroidery-like work at the seams down around the ankle area. Those would be fun to have in the treasure chest along with this kit !! http://www.stockingsonly.com/ has a bit of interesting history. Click on "Free Hosiery Story" on their site.

Treasure Chest

A few weeks ago, when Hilery and I were on one of our shopping excursions at JoAnn's, I fell in love with this box. It is 14" x 16" and 8" deep with a magnetic closure. I had a 50% off coupon and HAD to have it !! What on earth did I need it for ? What could I use it for ? After a couple of weeks of looking at it sitting in a corner on the bedroom floor, it came to me. It has become a "treasure chest" for some of those mementos I have written about and then put back in a drawer or back in a box. When it is full of my memorabilia, it will be much prettier on the closet shelf than a cardboard box !!

It's Time

One of my favorite remembrances of my Mom is that statement of hers, "they don't make boxes like that anymore". I came across this lovely velvet, satin lined 2" x 4" box one time when I was helping Mom go through some things. She told me her first watch came in it. She no longer had the watch, but, I happened to have my first watch, received for Christmas when I was about 7 years old. I wonder what hers looked like. Mine, pictured, originally had a black leather strap band, long ago worn out. It came in a maroon velvet box which I did not keep, for some unknown reason !! We were in South Dakota that year at Christmas time and I can remember wondering how Santa Claus would find us, but, he did !! My sister and I received the same watches -- I would imagine your Aunt Shirley still has her box. We do belong to a family of savers !!

From my Grandmother

These lovely doilies and potholders were crocheted by my Grandmother Schultz. She was an amazing women when I look back at her life. It couldn't have been easy back in the 20's and 30's on a South Dakota farm raising seven sons and one daughter. My Dad was the first born and told quite a few stories of how strict his parents were. Anytime my Grandma sat down, she had her crocheting in hand. I remember her sitting in a kitchen chair at our house talking away, crocheting away, and never once looking down at her hands to watch her work -- she was on "automatic pilot". I received some of her potholders, lavender and yellow in color, as wedding gifts and I used them to the point of wearing them out. Mom had these put away in a drawer --she was one to save nice things for a special day. Is that today ?? No, I won't use them. They will be put away in my new special "treasure chest" which I haven't taken a picture of yet. Maybe tomorrow !

Flower Girls

These two photos are of me as a flower girl in weddings of an aunt and an uncle in late 1944 and early 1945. My dresses were in that tub of mementos. I took them to the dry cleaners, but there are a few spots they were unable to remove. Again, I wonder why some things are kept forever and now, what should I do with them ?? Mom made both of these dresses to the specifications of the bride, and of course, they are beautifully put together. The photo of me alone was at the wedding of my Dad's brother, Lehman. The dress is pale blue, the crepe paper carnations in the basket were blue and pink. Oh, how I wish I had that antique wicker basket !! My Dad's sister, Elda, had the two flower girls, me from her side of the family, and the other little gal from the groom's side -- I don't remember her name. We wore little gold lockets, a gift from the bride and this time, the basket held real flowers !! Our dresses were yellow with blue ribbon trim -- somewhere, there is a photo of you trying on this dress at your Grandma's house !! Being a flower girl in a wedding was an honor -- I wish I had more memory of the occasions !!

"I Made"

These beautiful pieces were in that tub from my closet with a note in Mom's handwriting folded within that said "I made". I don't remember that Mom ever did any crocheting, but her embroidery work and sewing were never less than perfection ! The square piece was probably made as a dresser or table scarf. I love the adorable appliqued potholders. They would be perfect in someones country kitchen, but, they will remain in my "treasure chest" !!

Days of the Week

Flour came in white cotton fabric bags many years ago. Of course, nothing was ever thrown away -- recycling is not a "new" idea ! These white bags were most usually hemmed around the edges and used for wiping the dishes dry. Embroidering a set of seven for the days of the week was a favorite pastime. A note in Mom's handwriting was in along with this set saying they came from Bertha who was Mom's older sister. These treasures were in the tub I opened a few days ago. Ironic that I purchased a twelve pack of "flour sacks" a couple of years ago to use when washing windows and mirrors.

My Baby Sweater

I opened a plastic tub from my closet this morning looking for something in particular, which I didn't find, by the way, but, found some other treasures I had forgotten about. Why we keep some things and rid ourselves of others remains a mystery to me, always !! This little woolen sweater was mine as a baby. Mom gave it to me when my baby doll, Louise, came into my life that Christmas of 1948. It became part of her layette and fit her perfectly. I suppose I will put it back into the collection of treasures of which I will post a few of in the upcoming days. And, then the tub will be again placed back in the closet, but, this time with a record of what, where and why the items are a part of my life memories !!

Sweet Baby Bear

My "big" birthday has come and gone !! My Christmas teddy bear had a baby for this "special" day. Hilery made the baby bear that measures about 4" tall in his sitting position. I was totally amazed when I opened the box that he was gift wrapped in. He was nestled in a box full of crushed $1 bills, one for each year of my age. He is adorable and has found his home on the lap of the Christmas teddy. AND, I had fun spending the cash !! I have such talented girls !!

Shopping Bag Memory

Hilery and I went on our usual weekly shopping excursion, yesterday. As I was taking my purchases out of this bag this morning, an image came to mind of my Mom. When I was very young, 4 or 5, I can remember that Mom always took along her "shopping bag" when we went into town on Saturday night. (Stores did not have those endless plastic bags.) It was an aqua colored, "satiny" upholstery type fabric, beautifully lined, with wood handles. I can picture it clear as day !! I think she may have made it herself. We would make our trips into JC Penny's, Montgomery Wards, and the "dime store" among other places. She would purchase her sewing notions and whatever else was needed for our home, placing all of her items in that bag as we went from store to store. I especially liked those privately owned clothing stores where we would look at all the beautiful ready made clothes. Mom would look them all over, get an idea what we liked, then go home and make her own patterns to replicate that clothing for herself, my sister and me. I wonder what happened to that bag !! It would be a much prettier bag to carry than this one I purchased at Target !! It would be fun, also, to have one of those dresses she created !!

Happy Valentine's Day

Reading blogs I follow this morning, one had photos of hearts found around her home. I went on a heart "treasure hunt" and actually have photos of 22 and surely could find more !! These are a few that turned out somewhat well. The teddy bear and "I Love You" ceramic box were Valentine gifts from your Dad, the locket, a b'day gift from Hilery and Adem, the quilted heart and two other items were gifts from you. I love the old "Blue Waltz" perfume bottle for the memories of my younger days -- When I was 8 or so, someone gave my sister and I a bottle of this perfume. It could be purchased for about a quarter at "the dime store", as we called the old variety stores back then. I have no idea what became of our original bottle - this one I won on auction on Ebay a couple of years ago. Of course, I paid more than 25 cents for it !! Again, I have my usual problem with arranging multiple photos, and even so, they do not come out published like I had them arranged. Oh well, will have to get Hilery to help me one of these days and find out what I am doing wrong !!

"Hope Chest"

My Lane cedar chest was my high school graduation gift from my Mom and Dad. "Back in the day" of 1958, a cedar chest or "so-called" hope chest was a customary graduation gift for a girl. We were to go off to college, find the love of our life, and during those years, fill this chest with linens and the like for our future home. Well, I had found the love of my life and was getting married the same week of graduation. Your Dad was already in the U.S, Navy and we were off to living in furnished quarters for four years. Mom and Dad purchased this and our bedroom furniture for us(our wedding gift) in 1964 when your Dad got out of the Navy. I still love all of the pieces as much as I did that day when we were choosing them. I haven't been through the contents of the chest in a number of years -- I guess I would call it a "memory chest" now, because that is what is stored there, mostly.

Set of Four

When your Dad and I got married, most of the gift we received were things that eventually, over the years, wore out, such as the sheets and towels. Other things were replaced with changes in taste, or lost in moves. We weren't "registered" for fine china, silver and the like. This set of four trays have survived, for some strange reason. Rarely used for their intended job, they have been most usually just stored in the back of a cabinet. I sort of forget that they are over 50 years old, or that I even have them, until an occasion such as this morning, as I was cleaning this one. I keep it under the toaster so I don't end up with toast crumbs all over the kitchen counter when I make toast. It will never be as collectible as those Coca-Cola girl trays, but, it is surely considered an antique at this point in time !!

Way Back When

I came across this old photo when I was going through a drawer in my desk. Why it became mislaid with a few other things, I have no idea !! I don't remember why I even have it, but it is a wonderful old picture of my Mom and Dad and Mom's sister, Bertha with her husband Lyle. Mom's handwriting is on the back plus a stamp from a film processor in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. So, I think maybe this is what happened !! These two couples look young, happy and in love. By looking at Mom and Dad, I think the photo would have to have been taken in the early to mid 1930's. Bertha and Lyle were married after Mom and Dad and maybe came to Iowa from Ohio on their honeymoon, then the four of them took a trip together to Wisconsin to visit relatives there. I love the guys dressed up in their suits and ties. Those were the days when people dressed in their Sunday best anytime they went away from home !!

Another Bird Book

I was inspired to create a second "Bird Book". This one, I am going to list on EBay with 50% of the final auction bid to be donated to "A Place to Bark". Of course, you know about this artist, Bernie Berlin, and her mission of animal rescue, For anyone else who reads my blog, they can find information at http://www.aplacetobark.com/ . I do have high hopes that someone will appreciate my art, but, I especially hope that someone will have a generous heart and appreciate the cause.

Chinese New Year

When I picked Hilery up on Friday for our "weekly" bonding, I asked her if we shouldn't go to the Bellagio Conservatory to see the Christmas scenery. When we arrived, we found it to be roped off and everything being renewed for the Chinese New Year plantings and decorations. It was amazing the number of people at work plus watching all the plants being rolled in for them to use. I was sorry to have missed the Christmas "show", but, will be anxious to return for the completed show of plantings and decorations.