Never Say Never

I have a thing for chairs and when I saw this old girl at a local rummage sale

well, I just had to have her.

She's strong, she's sturdy, 

 she's beautiful, and now she's mine!

No, her color isn't right for my home and she has brown spots on her fabric.  Sooo, I'm going to do something I always said I would never do.  

I'm going to reupholster her.

Do I have any experience?  Of course not!

But I do have some gorgeous upholstery fabric and a drive to get it done.  I will probably own a copy of Upholstery for Dummies before I'm finished.

We'll see how she turns out.  Wish me luck!

Have a good week!

Farm Chicks Goodies

Just a few (very few) of the goodies I bought at the Farm Chicks Show June 2-3 in Spokane, WA.

I have a 'thing' for picture frames.  This one will be hung in the living room with the plate/mirror in it along with another small rectangular mirror.

Detail on the picture frame.  Kind of art nouveau-ish don't you think?

Sorry for the bad picture here.  (I had to use the flash.) This is the set of plates going in the frame.  There are three layers of china plates and then the small round mirror.  The women selling these had the cutest booth and so many beautiful combinations of these.  I could have bought several.

A small 1930s table cloth that is so sweet!

A cute little velvet purse in my favorite colors.  Couldn't leave that there!

I'm a nut for vintage needlework so had to buy this old baby bib.

and this long table runner.

I also purchased 2 old books with great binding and graphics on the covers.

And the letter 'M' which I decided stands for 'Me'.  It's made from a book. 

And a bakelite tray with a bird graphic and leaves in it.  It's hard to see in the picture. 

Then of course I found oodles of bits and pieces to be used in my mixed media wall hangings.  This was the show of shows for me!  I hope to be a vendor there next year.

I can't imagine what fun that would be.  

Next post I'll show you my rummage sale chair!  Coming soon!

xo, Karen 

Woo-Hoo!! Farm Chicks Show

June 2-3 I attended my first Farm Chicks Show at the Spokane, WA Fairgrounds!  Oh  my goodness!  Unbelievable!

My sister-in-law, Patrice and I arrived at 9:00 am and there were already hundreds in line.  So many interesting people to talk to while waiting.....patiently.  Well maybe that patiently!  When the gates opened, the line moved quickly.  And we were in!

We had already mapped out our strategy of going directly to the back first and maybe beating the crowds.  That didn't work.  We stopped at the 2nd booth in the door and immediately found a treasure!

Because there were so many people it was difficult to take pictures of the booths and the merchandise but I did get a few of some of my favorite things.

A horse and wagon, plus a shabby old chair.  I love shabby old chairs!

 Isn't she cute?  And I love the green and white quilt behind her!

Then there's this delightful little cart that I can't believe I didn't buy! 

We had such a good time and found many treasures.  We even went back Sunday just in case we might have missed something and lo and behold we had!

Let's just say it's a good thing we brought the pick-up!

I'll try to show some of our treasures on my next post.

Thanks for stopping by!  xo, Karen

No, This Is Not Me

This fine woman is a picture of health and beauty.

We know this is true as it is written across her bosom.  And anything written across the bosom must be true right?  (Probably not.)  But within a few weeks I hope to look as healthy as she does.

Long story short, I was diagnosed with colon cancer early this year.  One month ago I underwent surgery to remove 12" of my colon and am now recovering.  Very well I  might add.  I've been given the go ahead to lift over 10 pounds and to start taking walks and riding my bike.  All 18 staples have been removed.  

And the really good news is that the surgeon got all the cancer and it hadn't spread anywhere.  Thank you Jesus!  And thanks to all my friends for their prayers!  So while I've never looked as pretty as the woman above, I have looked as healthy and intend to again shortly.

Thanks for all the notes I've received even though I haven't been an active blogger for a few months now.  I will be back on a regular basis shortly.

Happy Easter to all of you, xoxo, 

                                                        Karen

Working at the Quilt Shop!

I couldn't be more excited!

I am working part-time at one of our local quilt shops Village Quiltworks!

It's a beautiful shop owned by Debbi Trevino and is located in Richland, WA.

I'm including a few pictures for now.

Isn't it lovely?  All that luscious fabric!

I just love going to work.  I work with Violet and Sara who are wonderful women!

Next post I'll include a link to the web site for the store as well as pics of some beautiful fabric we just received.

Please leave a comment so I'll know you were here and thanks for visiting!

I Won Binky's Giveaway!

I won Binky La Faye's wonderful giveaway!

The package was beautifully wrapped.

See the great vintage postcard and the little key?

And inside was her gorgeous prism!

Isn't it pretty?  I love it!

And the other side.

(Sorry for the flash reflection.)

I like both sides equally!

It is now hanging in my sewing room where it can inspire me and I can enjoy it everyday.

Thank you Binky!  You are a talented woman!

Good day everyone.  :)

Go! Baby Giveaway!

Hop on over to the Threadgather and visit Deb for a chance to win this Go! Baby from Accuquilt. 

Wouldn't this be fun to have around?  I can think of some wonderful projects to stitch up with this!  Her drawing is July 14th so don't delay!

Have a great week!

Creamy Roses Lamp

I'm hooking up with Junker Newbie's  "Would You Buy It? Wednesday" and White Wednesday.

Hop on over to these blogs for lists of fun links.  At Junker Newbie's see what people are buying and weigh in on whether or not you would have made the purchase.

I bought this cute lamp at a thrift store.

 It's 11 inches tall and someone has put a new cord on it.

 I love those creamy roses!  It's in excellent shape.

And it was only $4.50!  Right now it resides on the computer armoire in the 

Goddess Room (aka - my sewing room, named so by my Hub).

The same shopping trip I also found this wise little saying.

It was only .50 and helps remind me not to stress out over, well,...nothing. 

It resides in the arms of a favorite teddy bear where I see it several times a day.

What a great reminder!

Have a wonderful day and please go over to Junker Newbie's

and White Wednesday  for all the great finds this week.

Thanks for stopping by!

I Won! & Other News

Good Morning!

I just found out I won this beautiful prism

at Binky La Faye's giveaway!

Isn't it lovely?  I can't wait to receive it!

Please visit her at http://binkylafaye.blogspot.com.

Her blog is full of the most wonderful eye candy sure to spark your creativity.

I would like to add a personal note.  My blog entries have been sporadic lately.  That is not what I intended when I started my blog.  However sometimes life gets in the way of the best laid plans.

My husband, Craig, also known as the center of the universe, 

was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer that he had surgery for 6 years ago.

So since January we have been dealing with doctors, treatments and all that goes with.  He is in the last week of radiation now and doing pretty well.  Thank you God!

My intent is to get back to blogging.  I have met so many wonderful people in blog land and I thank my followers who have hung in there with me.

Coming up I have some wonderful 'needful things' finds to share, some quilts I'm working on as well as other needle work.

Thank you Binky for having the great giveaway!

God Bless!

I Smell Green!

Good Morning!

Well, we finally had a little sunshine over the Pacific Northwest last weekend.  Very exciting and uplifting!

For those of you who aren't familiar with me yet, we have a small farm.  This is the field in front of our home being planted to potatoes.

The green in front of the tractor is alfalfa as is the field in the background (that one's not ours).  Isn't it beautiful?  Everything smells so lush, fresh and well, green.

I love the smell of green!

We even got to do a little yard work over the weekend with the help of ROOFus of course.

To ROOFus Spring means freshly turned soil to lay on and he loves that!  Sadly for him it is being turned into a planter but he can have it for now.  Notice the top of the weather vane.  It is a frolicking, naked lady with a watering can...A bit of whimsey out here in farm country.

Our growing season is about 3 weeks behind due to Mother Nature.  I hope yours isn't and that you're enjoying your yards and gardens...and yes, the smell of green!

Breathe Deep and God Bless You!

Going to See KC Willis!

I am over the moon excited!

I will be attending KC Willis' class Mixed Media Fabric Collage Book this November 5th in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Please visit KC on the Road  to view her schedule for the year.

 This is the book cover of the project we'll be working on!

 And two of the inside pages.

This is  KC's last year of traveling and teaching art so check out her schedule to find a class near you!  I have some of her Collage Camp DVDs which are well done,  full of energy and great, clear instructions, but I still can't wait to attend a class in person.  If you can't attend a class, her DVDs can be found at www.collagecamp.ning.com .  

 Also, Robin over at A Robin's Nest attended one of KC's classes in Texas recently and has posted some pictures of the art they created.  Robin also does beautiful collage work. 

Just had to share my good news.  This is going to be my 'treat' for the year!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

Spring Celebration Nest Giveaway

Good Morning!

Outside it's sunny, gorgeous and NO wind!  So nice!  It's cold but that doesn't matter.  

Hello Sunshine!

Other than the weather report, this post is about Vicki's Spring Celebration Nest Giveaway.

Is this not fabulous?

 Hop on over to Vicki's blog 2 Bags Full  for a chance to win this lovely piece of art.

Her blog is wonderful and I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit.

I am fortunate enough to own one of her nests but would love this one to keep it company!

Good luck and have a great day!

Winds of Change?

Yes, they are blowing.  But they aren't the only thing.  I live in Southeastern Washington and my goodness, the wind has been blowing for over 3 weeks.  Every single day!  I am ready for a change!  Some sunny weather, nice white puffy clouds instead of gray rain clouds...anything along that line would be wonderful!

But enough griping.  The good thing about this wind is that its kept me inside and I have been cleaning the Goddess room, as my Hub calls my sewing room. It is now neat, fairly orderly and ready for me to mess up again.  :)  

I love it!

Not much else to share today except for this nice vintage baby cap I came across at a thrift store.

 I don't have a doll the right size to model it so I had to make do with a jar of goodies.

 I just know it would look cuter on a baby's head but you get the idea!

Whoever did this did lovely work and it is so soft.

I hope you are having better weather than we are!  Have a lovely weekend!

Art with Ariana

Our grand daughter, Ariana came and spent the weekend with us!  She is 9 years old and loves to come over and see what Grandma has going on in the Goddess Room (as named by Grandpa).

She asked if she could make a collage for her room.

She picked out images she liked.

She especially liked the background, the roses and the little girl.

Isn't she cute?

Here is her finished product.  She selected and arranged almost everything by herself!  Last time she was here she did her first ATC.

We added a ribbon for hanging then signed and dated the back.

Finished product, happy girl, proud Grandma!

Fabulous 100th Post Giveaway!



Sonya over at Counting My Blessings is having a wonderful 100th post giveaway. You won't want to miss this! Just click the link and it will take you right there. Her work is simply beautiful! Congratulations Sonya!

What A Difference!

Just two weeks ago I was in Lincoln City on the Oregon coast visiting my daughter and three grandsons.

Unexpectedly the weather was beautiful!  Where I expected rain, wind and cold, I found sunshine, no wind and something close to warmth!

I caught some pics of the waves rolling in at Boiler Bay.

It was warm enough that the boys went in the water.  They had a blast!

And here's a shot of Jenn and the boys (from left) Casey, Taron and Andrew.  Their dad, Andy had to work or he would have been with us.

I say what a difference because I am now home in eastern Washington with wind, hail and snow.  And we are supposed to have a low of 13 this week!

I think I'm ready for another beach trip!

I Went to Barbara's House!

Well, okay.  Not her house but her store, Treasures from the Heart.  Barbara lives in Eugene, OR about a 6 hour drive for me.  I stop to see her on my way to visit my daughter in Lincoln City, OR.  We had such a wonderful time visiting and drinking tea.  I also had a great time shopping!

Here is one of my favorite places in her lovely store.

Her valentine display is delightful!  And what the heck was I thinking not buying that darling cart with the scrolly wheels?

Her tea time display is beautiful.

This is one of my favorite corners.  I always find something tucked away here that I can't live without!  This time it was two old books.

Another favorite spot. Love this space!  There are two very cool old ledgers right behind the adding machine tucked between the wooden mirror and the clock that were very tempting.

A suitcase of treasures!

And here, by far, is the heart and soul of the shop.

She is such a delight!  I just love her!

Barbara, thank you so much for the visit and the fellowship!  And for patiently teaching me how to make your lace flowers.  Very fun!

 I came home with old books, two clocks, sewing notions, baby shoe bookends, a glass cake cover, a necklace, some of Barb's handmade little booklets to keep on hand as thank you gifts along with some of her altered bottles, and the list goes on.

And I can't believe I'm seriously thinking about that cart!
I may be calling you soon Barb.  :)