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 !! 



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 

Easter Swap

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

See you there !  E

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 

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

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