Brag Monday ~ Moonbeam Elixer

This altered bottle was my first attempt at digital art. I got the large rectangular label and the smaller horizontal labels from The Graphics Fairy. The hauntingly beautiful woman image is from Mind Wide Open's monthly art contest. I entered this bottle in the contest last year AND WON!!!! You could have knocked me over with an Autumn breeze! Thanks Karen!

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Lots Of Love

Two dear sweet women who have become fast friends of mine recently bequeathed these vintage items unto me.

These two women know how I love anything with a house or a bird on it

and how I am adopting orphaned plates,


and how I have a love for things with a history of love behind them.

I think I hit the jackpot here

and I'm not talking about what you see in these pictures. Thanks Connie and Lisa.

Share your Vintage Thingies every Thursday at Colorado Lady's blog.

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ How Do You Make A Hanky Dance?

This box is about 4 1/2" square, covered and lined with a pale green satin, and embellished with lace, ribbons and bows. I've always thought it was a box in which to store folded hankies, but I don't really know. I also don't know the function of the long ribbons on either side of the box. They must wrap around it somehow to keep it closed.

But none of that matters. I think it is gorgeous, and hope to find a new purpose for it in my new (in the process of painting) craft room.

Any ideas on how to re-purpose it?

Get your vintage on! Go to Colorado Lady's blog this and every Thursday to get your fill of all things vintage!

(ANSWER: Put a little BOOGIE in it!)

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Was There A Doctor In The House?

This is a photo I found at a yard sale after flipping through some other stuff. I wish I knew where it was taken. Can you see the hitching post below the little girl? (You can click on the pictures to make them bigger) Look at the gingerbread! WHY WHY WHY don't they make houses like this any more? The main door of the house is to the right of the woman in the rocking chair (behind the shrubbery):

There is a sign that is propped up against the house that says "Doctor Rose" on it, right next to this man, and you can see there is a separate entrance behind him:

This man is walking on a wooden boardwalk in front of the yard:

Is this a church spire in the background? Looks like they have a little vegetable garden back there too. Either that or it's a grave????

You can see more Vintage Thingies every Thursday (or Friday if you've been busy like me!) at Colorado Lady's Blog.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

This man is my dad. When I was little, every Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM, after hearing his car pull into the driveway, I would hide behind the front door of the house where I grew up in Pleasant Hill, Ca, waiting for him to open it, then jump out and yell "Daddy-O!!!!!!", and he would act surprised every single time.

It was behind the door of this house in Napa, CA that he grew up. My dad and I went to Napa yesterday, to re-visit the memories that this once small town still holds. He pointed out many houses and locations that were the scene of many of the stories of his past I have heard before, and a few new ones too.

We found the niche of my Grandmother Madonna, who I never got to meet, & been told I look very much like.

We found the house of his father and his second wife, my Grandma Helen.

And of course there was FOOD involved. In fact an important part of the reason of our road trip was to get a special treat for his birthday dinner.

If you have any history with Napa, you must know of this place. It was once the Depot Restaurant, home of the delicious Malfatti, and many great memories. The Depot has closed, but if you ever have a hankering for GREAT Italian food, you need to follow our lead and head to Clemente/Val's Liquors in Napa, where the previous cook/owner from The Depot is still dishing out century old authentic Italian handmade recipes. Clemente himself & his family will even carry your order to your car, give you a kiss & a hug and send you on your way.

We had a surprise guest at his birthday dinner tonight--his lifelong friend Harold Haloran, who helped us celebrate and eat Dad's favorite cake--Banana Nut, made by my sister Joan. Happy Birthday, Dad. You've always been my hero. It was your day, but I feel like I got the gift.

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Talkin' 'Bout My Girl

I got this mannequin at a recent garage sale (for $7.00!!!). Maybelle is a full-figured gal, with no markings. I've never seen one with the
string in the middle of bust--I wonder what it's for? Anyone have any information on her? For now she is content to stand at the end of the hallway. Soon she will be in my new craft room!

Go to Colorado Lady's blog this and every Thursday for more Voluptuous Vintage Thingies.

All Because Two People Fell In Love

It was a beautiful a day as these two people are. I had looked forward to the wedding of my baby brother and my new little sister, Mary, for almost a year! I and my whole family are SO very happy they found each other.



I was delighted to be included in the wedding by making a few things for the reception.


I made these for Mary 'cuz she's a California girl to the core, who loves her flip-flops!




Then I made these scrolls for the wedding guests to fill out with their memories, hopes, dreams and advice for the newlyweds! They will all be put into a scrapbook (my wedding gift to them!)
I also decorated the toasting glasses with rhinestone initials and white roses. It was also my (nerve wracking) duty to deliver the cake to the reception site an hour away! Everything went as planned, and we all partied the (hot) night away.

And as if we didn't have enough to celebrate: my sweet sister, Madonna came with her husband Albert (my dance partner for most of the evening), all the way from Louisiana!
along with her daughter (my niece) Rebecca and her beau Rusty.
While they were here, joined by my sister Joan, we got to visit Wendy Addison's shop "Theatre of Dreams" in Port Costa!

It was truly a magical time to remember!