Snowy Surprise

I got up early with my husband this morning. Poured a steamin' hot cuppa Joe. Pulled up the shade on the French door and what did I see???

SNOW!!! Lots of fluffy, fluffy, white snow! Wait a minute. Isn't it almost March??? Didn't I just take pictures of little flowers peaking up through the mulch? Don't I have hyacinths and daffodils coming up in my yard? Wasn't I just out working in my yard in only a sweatshirt a week ago?


Yes and all those little plants are blanketed in a nice covering of beautiful, pristine snow. And -- it's still coming down.

Not to panic. Our school district hasn't declared it a snow day or even a two hour delay. Not that I have school age kids at home to keep busy. But, the weird thing is, our school district seems to cancel whenever there is the smallest amount of snow -- and they haven't. Probably means that they don't expect it to continue or stick and that it is melting as it hits the streets. Right.

Whatever, I'm off to work anyway. My husband said it could make tennis practice interesting today. Lucky for them, they have bright yellow tennis balls! Might be a short practice. Maybe we will get to have an early dinner tonight! Anyway, stayed tuned. More new project pictures coming soon! M.

Paper, Plastic or ... Tote?

I've been making a few totes for the March 21st sale.

Some are fashioned to carry whatever your little heart desires ...

and others are styled after the fabric grocery bags all the stores are promoting.

I figure ... if you are going to drag a bag into a store, it might as well be attractive and interesting. It might even be nice if it was unique and a little artsy. I might even remember to take it into the store once in a while.

That might be a stretch, but, you see, I have four of the thin, generic numbers in my car. Most of the time I forget to take them in with me and Lord knows I wouldn't want to trapse back out to the parking lot to retrieve them. Call me "ungreen", irresponsible, wasteful if you want to, but I'm not going back out for them. I figure I peel the labels off the tin cans and recycle them, rinse the glass jars and put them in the correct recycle bin and I recycle plastic produce bags -- so I'm just not going back to the car to retrieve the fabric grocery bags.

So I figure maybe, just maybe, a pretty one made of repurposed elements will jog my memory. Here is a little peak of the detailing: old lace, pearls, buttons, blingy shoe clips and vintage images. To see the rest, well I guess you will have to visit our 4 Friends Sale on March 21st!

Signs of Spring

It seems to me that it has been a harsher winter here in the Willamette Valley. Although we haven't had the usual rain, rain, rain, it has been cold. I can deal with cold as long as there is some bright sun to go along with it. Since we have had some sun now and then, I can't complain too much. I can deal with snow, etc. as long as there is some brightness.

I was walking in to work last week and noticed little signs of Spring poking through the dead leaves. Not a lot mind you, but just enough to make me happy. I just happened to have my camera in my purse (Something that I find myself doing more and more lately!) and decided to share pictures of them with you today.

I hope they brighen your day !

I have been working on new things for the upcoming 4 Friends Sale on March 21st and will share some sneak peeks with you in the days to come. Keep check back! M.

New Friends, Old Friends and Lot of Fun

The Blog Party, hosted by Auntie Joy, was a big success! Joy, Lisa, Isabel and I invited fellow bloggers in the area to get together for an afternoon of chatting, treats, and creativity.

The gals wasted no time in creating some amazing "crowns". It was fun to watch the transformation from chicken wire to a bejeweled piece of art. Joy's shop was a flurry of activity. Between the crown and valentine making - paper, lace, jewels, etc. - were used in a variety of ways. Like we told them, the sky is the limit! Make what makes you happy ... and they did.

Other bloggers just stopped by to enjoy the merriment, visit and sample a few treats. Isabel and Lisa out-did themselves by making little smokie wraps, a veggie platter, brownies and the best strawberry lemonade. Our blogging guests included: Timi, of A Girl Named Timi and her husband; Joe and Jermonne from Barn House, Cindy of Tarte, Pam of My Grandkids Rock, Julie of Kindred Spirit Soap Co., Christa of Chloe Rose, Sylvi of Little Cottage and her daughter Cecelia. In addition to the bloggers, we were happy to have Betty, Jori, Michelle, and Tony join us. Maybe after seeing all the fun we have, they will begin blogging too!

It was so fun to meet everyone. Many were new acquaintences for me. It was nice to put a face and voice with the blog. I feel really blessed to have met so many really talented, nice people - hard working people that enjoy what they do. Thank you all and hope to talk to you again soon! M. PS Take a peak at Isabel's post for a much better account of the day. She has some great pictures!

Blog Party Tomorrow

I've been busy today getting all the "makin's" together for the Valentine project at Joy's Blog Party! There will be lots and lots of papers, lacy doilies, ribbons ... and so on to make a one-of-a-kind valentine for that special someone. It doesn't even have to be that special someone. You might like to let your best friend, your sis, or sweet daughter know just how special they are to you. Besides that - they are fun to make!

Joy has been gathering tons of goodies so you can create a drop-dead gorgeous crown so everyone will know that you are the Queen of your Castle ... or bungalow ... or split-level ... or motor home ... or whatever. You can be the queen of it!

The Blog Party begins at 11 a.m. tomorrow. The Valentine and Crown making will take place from 1-3 p.m. at Aunties in Silverton. There is a small fee for making one of these beauties: $5.00 per valentine and $18.00 per crown. The experience - I guarantee you - will be priceless! On top of all of that, you will have a special creation to take home with you. In addition to all of this merriment, there will be treats. What's a party without treats?!? A dull party, that's what I say! And - I think dull is the last thing you think of when you think of Auntie Joy! Isabel and Lisa will be there too - so read the invite below and wander out to Auntie's in Silverton for an entertaining get-acquainted day! M.

Flea Finds

The first Sunday of the month is when one of my favorite flea markets is held. My buddy Diane and I fueled up early with coffee and did some serious shopping. I didn't buy as much as usual, but I'm really happy with what I brought home. I have something in mind for each little thing: the crocheted basket piece will become part of a collage,

the dresser scarf ... a pillow, the old bottles and prisms might become something similar to bottles pictured in Somerset Life,

the pictures of children ... well, you know what I do with those!


I have so much to do before the 4 Friends Sale on March 21st. Our invite goes to print tomorrow, so if you would like to be added to the mailing list, please send me your address or email address.

AND ... don't forget the Blog Party this Saturday, February 7th at Joy's. Hope to see you there! M.