Skateboarding

I was skating outside the other day when I noticed a really nice shadow by the evening sun. I liked how my board was outlined perfectly, wheels bolts and all, so I decided to take a picture or two.

Show Me Your Form Party!

It's here! Tiffany Kirchner of Shabby Scraps is hostessing a Show Me Your Form Party! (It officially starts in the morning Aug 1st--so make sure to check back if you've arrived early too.) Click on the banner below to see all 50 + bloggers who are showing their forms! See mine below.

For my regular blog readers you've most likely already met Betty, but if you're new than I'd like to introduce you to her. Meet Betty! Betty is I believe from the 1930's--although I'm not positive on that.
She came to live with me about 2 1/2 years ago. We met while I lived in Florida at one of my favorite thrift shops. There she was, way across the other side of the store when I spied her. I quickly, but very carefully ran over to her. I didn't want to be too conspicuous. I mean a grown woman knocking people over to get to a dress form--well it's not a pretty sight. Lucky for the old women they were clear of my path. It was love at first sight. I'd always wanted a dress form and now I'd found one. The only thing standing between me and her was............the price tag. Oh dear, do I dare peek at it. I know it's going to be expensive. After all she is vintage and this shop had newer models in not so wonderful condition for $95. So I take a deep breath, found the tag, turned it over, peeked through one eye and....................oh my goodness! I can't believe it! She's only $50! I can do that! I nab Betty and quickly wheel her--she has a lovely cast iron base with wheels---up to the register. Pay for her before they realize what a bargain she is and whisk her out to the car. Oh? Yeah? How do I get her into my car? There are 2 adults and one 7 year old who have to share the seats. Why you cram her in there any which way, so you can make a fast get away--again before the store realizes their mistake in pricing her so well. Whew we're home! Now to pose her so she looks like she's always lived there with us, so the hubby doesn't get suspicious. Well he's a man and wouldn't ya know I sat Betty right at the edge of my sewing room entrance which was right at the main entrance into the house. You can't miss her--but he did! It took him a good week before he even noticed her. I think it was all the giggling we girls were doing at the fact the he hadn't noticed something so large and different sitting right there waiting to greet you. Well he didn't seem to mind--after he rolled his eyeballs a time or two--he's used to my oddities by now-- until months later when Betty was moved to a corner of our bedroom. She was on his side of the room--well you know his side of the bed--but far enough away. It was a large room and she sat right between two windows and it scared him every night. Yup Mr. Macho skeered of Miss Betty. I guess with the windows he thought someone was coming through them in the middle of the night.
Betty has since moved across the country with me from Florida to Idaho and now resides in my basement sewing room. I think I'll dress her up as a witch for Halloween and put her on his side of the room--again by the windows. hehehee!

Here's a closer look at Betty's attire. Poor girl has only 2 outfits. If she's going to be attending parties I think she at least needs a 1950's prom dress all frilly and pretty and of course a halloween costume and maybe something with a vintage apron and..............

This is Betty's other outfit--her seamstress ensemble.

Last, but not least are a few other small dress forms. The 2 larger ones on the ends are waiting for me to dress them--one of these days. The one in the center is my oldest daughter's and as you can see she displays her collection of cool jewels on it. The little pink one is a pincushion I made with a glass candlestick base.

On my list of Dress Form wants is some dress form shaped soaps and a dress form shaped perfume bottle, a victorian dress from a childs dress form, maybe a sister for Betty.............

Don't forget to click on the banner above and enjoy the party!

On Display

Molly Johnson, a golf/portrait photographer, helped me to put some of my artistic photos on display in my church coffee shop! She has also helped me to get my first internship/job with her employer, which should begin by September! Thanks again for everything Molly!

A Peek Into My Discovery Journal

Have you ever kept a Discovery Journal? It's something I came across several years ago when I first read Sarah Ban Breathnach's book Simple Abundance. The idea was to gather pictures from magazines and wherever else you might find them. They were to be pictures that spoke to you and then they were to be arranged and collaged into a scrapbook and during all of this you were supposed to "discover" your true inner you.

Well a lot of mine was no surprise. I knew who I was inside, but I did discover that I am lacking what makes me, me in my everyday life--as far as my surroundings that is.

I discovered that I need at least 3 things:

1--I really, really need more flowers! Now I do have a small flower garden, but what I really need is flowers inside my home. Faux flowers are quite fine with me, but I am severly lacking in this area I have found. The more romantic the flowers I have found the better.

2--I need fragrance! I used to burn candles all of the time, but seem to have gotten away from that. Partly because I burnt them all up! LOL! I love spicy fall scents no matter what time of year it is as well as vanillas and spiced plum and pear scents.

3--The next thing I need--although you can't tell it by my journal is music. I've never been one to collect music, but I'm finding I would love to start a collection of music, so I can have it playing softly in the background. I've never been one for loud music or music that is right there making you listen and interrupting your thoughts. I need something soothing or romantic like the classicals of the 18th and 19th centuries--Mozart, Bach, Shubert--those kinda guys. I love Enya and Yanni and Celtic music as well as old timey barn dance music--no lyrics (bet that surpised ya--it doesn't match the others!) I also love to listen to hymns--old hymns. Not the new stuff. See lots of discoveries!

Here's a peek at just a few of my pages in my discovery journal. They pretty much sum me up....

Roses. Soft. Delicate. Yellow. I've also discovered that yellow is a favorite color. I absolutlely love soft creamy yellow on a house--to me it says Home.

Ah, the color lavendar and lilacs are that! And China and Wicker!

Oh yes Pink! And Quilts! And soft country farmhouse pieces!

A picnic--with a basket--not an ugly plastic cooler. Maybe somewhere to escape to and enjoy a favorite book or an engrossing chat with a dear friend.

And aren't we all princesses carried about in a golden carriage with our prince. Graceful. Romantic. Beautiful.

The simple lines of white stoneware pitchers. The softness of a rose. The gate that says Welcome.

Linens and Lace. A girl can never have enough of either!

Or enough flowers.

And lastly--the entrance into the secret garden of one's heart..............

What I really need is a cottage near the forest with a huge flower garden. Filled with all of the soft romantic and simple pleasures of life and a victorian wardrobe.........

Online Yard Sale!

I'm having an Online Yard Sale! You're all invited to come and browse and see if there's anything you just gotta have. You can click HERE or on the picture above to be instantly transported to my Yard Sale. Thanks!

Show Me Your Form Party at Shabby Scraps

Coming August 1st at Tiffany's of Shabby Scraps
Tiffany is hostessing a Show Me Your Form party!

Many of you have already met my Betty, so I think I'll see if I can find her a new wardrobe just for the party. In the mean time hop on over and check out Tiffany's wonderful blog and while you're there read her hilarious story of Nadia.....

Get your dress forms ready!

Blog Awards!

Oh me oh my! I have been awarded with 5 blog awards! Oh me oh my! I feel so honored! Thank you!

I received the Brillante Weblog award 4 times! It was received from (in order of how it was received).......

Deena of Ewe N Me Printables

Teresa of Aunt Polly's Attic

Deb of Pilgrims and Pioneers

Sandra of Babycakes All She Wrote

Thank you dear blogging friends! I appreciate your kindness!

Now for the rules and the passing on of the award.....

The rules for receiving this award are:

1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

I am trying to decide whether I should select 4 or 28 bloggers, so what I will do for this award is upon selecting each blogger to pass it on to I will leave them a message and let them know they were selected, so I won't be posting them here at this time.




The Next Award I received was from Theresa of Take a Sentimental Journey. Thank you Theresa!

I will also pass this one along just like the other award. I think I may be busy for quite sometime.

Again Thank You!!!!

Antique Baby Dresses For Sale

Don't you just love antique baby dresses and how delicate they are. I have several that I am selling from my Picture Trail Album , so I thought I'd share it here. Most of these are handmade and are approximately 75-80 years old. That means the babies who wore them are now great grandparents! There are a few that are vintage dresses and a pinafore apron that I'm not sure how old they are.

As I was looking at these I thought that besides hanging them to display how neat they would be to use in a collage or to collage on them or even to use them for a stitchery. I can see an old style alphabet stitched onto them--sort of like an old sampler. Lots of possibilities.

To see them you can click on the picture below or click HERE. Enjoy!

South Padre

Here are some of my favorites from my trip to S. Padre last week-end.

The oceans at South Padre are gorgeous compared to Corpus...no jelly fish, just crystal clear water and a sand bar to hit waves! Best summer trip I've had in awhile...


Cows at 6:30 Am


Corpus

The longest road ever. seriously.


Matt being Matt

PADRE













What else could I do?

She was actually nice and laughed

Home Again and Montana Pictures

Home again and what spectacular scenery we have enjoyed these past two trips to Montana. The husband works for a wholesale grocery company and he covers parts of Wyoming and Montana and our youngest daughter and I have went with him a couple of times recently and after seeing what he does and where he goes I don't feel a bit sorry for him when he has to go to work.

Here is just a sampling of where he goes and what we enjoyed and these pictures don't even begin to show how majestic and spectacular Montana is. A good part of our trip was in Glacier Park--where he has to go every week. Poor guy!

I forget exactly where this is in Montana. It's part of the Missouri River and somewhere before you reach Butte. Can't you just imagine having a log cottage here.

And oh the wildlife we've seen! This is one of about 3 moose we saw. He was on the side of the road trying to cross, but the traffic was scaring him. We knew he'd get his chance to cross the road, so the husband pulls over, I jumped out, snapped the pic right as he started across and then back into the van before it got too close. Isn't he fabulous!

This is one of the lakes at Many Glacier in Glacier Park. As you can see still lots of snow and gorgeously green and the water was a beautiful turquoise blue. If you want to escape the summer heat Glacier is the place to be. It's absolutely wonderful! I don't think we ever got much over 75 and the mornings and evenings were sweater cool.

One of my favorite sitings--these majestic Rams on The Road to the Sun in Glacier. The picture doesn't even begin to show how beautiful they are. All total there were about 12 Rams and they just sat there as motorists stopped to take their picture.

This fuzzy little guy is one of many of the mountain goats we saw. This one was in a very small parking area at The Road to the Sun and they just wander around the people and look at us as we look at them.

One of literally hundreds of waterfalls we saw. This is also on The Road to the Sun at Glacier--an absolutely spectacular drive. The husband said it was a shortcut from one side of the park to the other, however I beg to differ as it is about 28 miles of the most beautiful scenery you've ever seen and we had to stop every 20 feet to get out and look around!

I'm not sure which river this is, but it was set in the middle of the most beautiful woods in West Glacier and as you reached the river from the roadside there was a nice sign that read--Entering Grizzly Country and then it listed all the do's and don'ts. We entered Grizzly country on several walking trails, but I never did get to see any of the bears. Not one single one. I guess they were all home waiting for Goldilocks.

We had the most wonderful time and I plan to go back with the husband on his travels at least once or twice more this summer. I forgot to mention that Montana is also full of antique places and quilt shops! I did get to visit a few, but there are many more to visit andI plan to do just that!