Sunday, February 27, 2011

Pleased to meet you !


 ... and what's up with the red wagon?

I am thrilled to meet each of you and wanted to introduce myself.  I’ve been “stalking” many of your blogs for months, and I feel like I “know” you, so I deemed it only fair to share a bit about myself …(fyi this is a little long … hard to condense it I’m old !)  

I’ve been a crafter for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite memories is pasting  images onto paper at Vacation Bible School.  I still love, love, VBS …I will travel to help with VBS! 

I have vivid memories of gluing the fabric aprons onto this project at VBS 1955.

I was a member of the Peppy Peppers 4-H club; claim to fame here is a champion ribbon at the local 4-H fair for a gathered skirt.  Championship projects were sent to compete at the Indiana State Fair, where I won a blue ribbon AND a check for $3.00 … a pretty good prize in 1961. Sure wish I had that skirt and a copy of my check! 
The fabric I used for my skirt is on a quilt block. The picture is from my pattern; these are my ribbons. 

In the late 60s I left a secretarial pool where I was failing miserably, floundered a bit, and ended up a nurse. This was by the grace of the good Lord, and the skin of my teeth, (and I mean that literally). I am so happy to say nursing allowed me to live in several States; I’ve worked in every imaginable area of nursing. The job I have now requires way less adrenaline than most jobs in my career and that’s a really good thing!

My favorite job during the first two decades of my nursing career: CareFlight Reno NV – that’s me kneeling in the center

It was world class health care, http://www.vicc.org/ that brought me to TN.  I love TN but when it’s all said and done I intend to end up back in southern IN with the bones of my fore-fathers. My ancestors settled in southern IN in 1816. 

Speaking of bones, I have a deep appreciation for history and the artifacts of our past.  While living in Nevada I happened upon an opportunity, totally unrelated to nursing, that I am so very proud to have been a part of …sort of an art meets history, dream-come-true. The people and the story deserve their own post, and I might sometime, but for now here’s a peek.










My daughter is an actor; she lives with me.  We have two cats, and a stray on the porch. My niece, a college student, comes and goes (IN to TN, etc etc).  I am blessed, and the three of us love to celebrate our country roots:  the music, musicians, pig roasts, tractor pulls, truck pulls, hats, boots, rodeo, bull riding, all things pork, fresh tomatoes, corn, homemade jelly and green beans, (did I mention pork?), etc. etc.

Ls, Kels, me (daughter, niece, me)

Some how I ended up with my brother’s wagon (circa 1963 …it’s mine all mine now!). Over the years it’s been passed along and loved.  In the summer my wagon and I are always putter’n in the yard; I couldn’t live with it.  So there you have it, me and my little red wagon putter’n around blogland. Glad ya stopped by, ya’ll come back now ‘ya hear !! 


Saturday, February 26, 2011

A very special gift and a very special visit

Look what I received in the mail from Molly at Birdie Blue  birdiebluesky.blogspot.com … she mailed me the actual card of Fluffy !!   THANK YOU so much Molly for your generosity !!   (I have identified another crafting “need” a decent scanner.)


Now about the special visit ... an absolute motherload of treasures (overload) !!

In my search for cute, chubby faced, big eyed, kids, I happened upon an Etsy shop physically located near my hometown.  I contacted her (Elizabeth at Grandmothers Attic) and she allowed me to pick up my purchases up at her house.  A sweet young lady, greeted me on the front porch of her wonderful victorian home, invited me in, I walked through the door and literally froze in my tracks !!!   Oh MY GOSH !!!  Absolute heaven !!!  I have never, never, ever, ever, seen sooo many wonderful treasures (antique malls included) under one roof !!!  If Elizabeth doesn't have what your looking for I bet she knows where to find it!  

I had asked her if I could see some of her other books, and oh my ... there they were at my fingertips the cute kids I've seen in so many places in blogland; I was overwhelmed with big eyed kids from the 40’s ... cute overload !!   She and her husband spent quite a while talking with me and gave me a tour of treasure filled rooms in their home (I couldn’t focus for gawking, too many sooo many goodies, lost all restraint, just made a fool of myself !!)



I came away with this book, but she has another one in her Etsy shop it’s wonderful !!   I'd post the other goodies I bought, but both cameras have dead batteries … I know, I know  I’m going to have to do better if I’m going to hang out with you guys !! 

Stop by Etsy and visit Elizabeth at Grandmothersattic or her blog http://smirleyworld.blogspot.com/
my disclaimer J the above is personal observation without solicitation or compensation 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Easter Swap

Hi Everyone,
Come join the fun with Sandy at 521 Lake for her first swap !

See you there !  E

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Thanks to all !

I made this Valentine for Sandy at 521 Lake, it seemed she needed a little encouragment and I hoped this would bring a smile ... she says it did ! 

Thanks to everyone for all your kind comments about the train !

Also Molly from Birdie Blue birdiebluesky.blogspot.com offered to share the kitten photo with me.  I will post him when he arrives .... THANK YOU Molly I am so excited :) 

I love "meeting" everyone, and look forward to hanging out with you here in blogland.  E 

Monday, February 14, 2011




Happy Valentines Day !!

Look who I found !!!!!!!!   Oh my gosh after months of searching for this little guy I ran across him late yesterday.  How fun to find him for Valentine's Day.  I found him on a wonderful site called Birdie Blue *vintage love*.  Her site is filled with lots of eye candy please check her out.  http://birdiebluesky.blogspot.com/      Hope everyone has a good day !!   E

Saturday, February 12, 2011

So this is blogland ?

I've been following several wonderfully talented women for a while.  I've been motivated to begin a blog as a way to connect, share, and acknowledge the talent and generosity I encounter along the way. 

I can't think of a better way to start than by saying thank you to Paula Clare http://pclouse.blogspot.com/ for hosting the all night NYE craft along.  Being new at this, (and a pea brain) I had no idea what a "craft along" was or "how to" but jumped in.  A good time was had by all, I managed to stay up until I think 5A-ish.  Next day I checked in on Paula's blog, and seems she gave away a prize and I won !!!  Here's what I won


What a fun collection !! Thank you Paula for the prize and hosting the "craft along"

I refuse to grow up, so I took Mr. Garden Gnome (from my prize collection) out to play in the snow

but he ran way  .....  (I think he's headed downtown to play music, think there's a jazz group he'll be sittin in with)

Thanks for stopping in, I hope to see you in blogland !!  E