I would like to wish all of my wonderful blog friends a Happy New Year!  May 2012 bring you love, joy and happiness.

Is this just one of the cutest little postcards?  This is an actual postcard I have in my collection of family heirlooms.  This card was sent by my Great Grandmother, to my Great, Great Grandmother for my Auntie, who is my God Mother.









This was mailed on December 31, 1908, and the cost was only ONE CENT !!  Can you believe it?  One cent to mail a post card!  I'm sure many have seen the postcards of old, they are embossed, and many vibrant colors were used.  You can actually see the embossing on the back side of this postcard.  And, they were sent as we would pick up the phone and call, or send an email today.  They were mementos, just as they are today!  Also, if you notice, there is no address!  Just a name and city.  This one at least has Long Island.  Many just say Babylon, Hoboken, "City" and don't give a state unless it was leaving the state.  Or if it was coming in from outside of the US  it would say on the left hand side of the address, United States of America (or Amerika).
This one was also sent by my Great Grandmother, to my Great, Great Grandmother, for my Granny - she would have been around 5 in 1908, her sister, my Auntie was a babe of only 3 months (who is still alive and living on Long Island in sharp as a tack at 104!)

Happy New Year to all my friends!  May the Lord bless your New Year with good health, love, joy and happiness. 

May your blessings be many and your troubles be few!
Donna

**I'm sharing these wonderful family heirlooms, and I ask you don't copy them and pass off as your own.  Thank you!**

I received a beautiful, and unexpected gift from someone so sweet!  Mary from Hope-Filled Living Magazine sent these lovely gifts ~ ~ ~

I can finally post this picture of the afghan I made for my Son and Daughter in Law. We will be celebrating Christmas this evening with them and our wee ones, and I can hardly wait for them to open this.


I started one for them over a year ago and it just never came together right, and I couldn't get my mind in to it to figure it out. I prayed over the situation and finally figured out what was wrong. These are their colors ~ they love the warm tones, I on the other hand like cool tones and the first one had bright summer and winter colors, yellow, pink, lavender ~ you get the picture. This one is sage, with a warm brown and a matching variegated color. 

Afghans are something I truly enjoy working on.  I almost always have one in the works, and I already have the yarn for my next project!
 
Thanks for taking a peak!  I'll show an "after" photo later this evening or tomorrow!  I can't wait to see their faces!
 
Blessings to all,
Donna

I have always loved crafting, sewing, crocheting, clay, painting, scrapping & cards, you name it, I love most of it.  And, I don't know how many feel the way I did, and still do to some degree, until I see the face of a friend, or that encouraging voice I think ~ what if I mess it up?  What if it doesn't come out right?  What if I do it wrong?  I ask these questions of myself - and you know what the funny thing is about this?  When my children or grandchildren tell me about a "new project or medium" they'd like to try, I encourage them to just do it!  Just try it!  What could it hurt if you got it wrong?  Not a thing ~ it's just paper, a canvas, a what cha ma call it, so go for it!  But for myself, I let self doubt creep in!

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't live in a closet just looking at hangers all day, I do plenty of crafting!  But it's the new stuff, and you all know what I'm talking about!  I'll see something someone else has done or out of practically nothing, made something beautiful!  I know I can do it, I really do, so why don't I?  Self doubt!

Well, I met a new friend several months ago, and she's a friend to everyone that knows her, Cindy Adkins!  If you don't know her, you really should take time to meet her!  She's fantastic.  I've read a some of her books, and believe me ~ they leave an impact!   After reading her book "Mixed Media Art: Living Your Passion" I did get bold and tried doing something I hadn't done before - and I'd like to share it with you!
  "Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit;  for without being seen, they are present with you."
St. Francis de Sales

I've also read Cindy's Angel Book, taken some of her seminars.  She's amazing - you really must find out for yourself.

But, back to my art project I lovingly call - ANGEL -

I started with a blank canvas board, painted it with gesso a couple of times, put on some gel medium and gave it some texture and then painted it.  I had to wait until the next day so it would dry good.  Then took alcohol inks and glitter, gussied up the Angel (She's so pretty now!)



Blessings,
Donna

I received the most wonderful Christmas gift from a friend!  I had no idea when she showed it on her blog that it was actually under my tree when she had posted it (sneaky, huh?)  But, A Spoonful Of Sugar makes everything so wonderful!
And, look at this most beautiful of gifts!  I opened the envelope that was tucked under my tree with strict instructions "DON'T OPEN UNTIL DEC 25th!"  Yes, many of you will recognize the Spoonful of Sugar from our wonderul friend, Cindy Adkins.

Decoupaged on the inside of this spoon is a bundle of ribbon tied letters "from the heart" and dusted
with glitter.  It has pink seam binding and 5 small pink roses.  It is so beautiful!  The little card on the right has a photo of the Sacred Heart of Mary, (my name sake "Mary" in old Europe), and a medal of Our Lady of Lourdes (one of my favorite stories of visitations of the Blessed Mother) in France.

Also enclose in my gift is a Domino decoupaged with flowers tied with a pink ribbon laying atop a letter and envelope.  Down to the last intricate detail, everything is connected!  The metal tag on the chain spells out LIFE.  This little tag on the right is so true ~ "Life is Sweet" ~ so very, very sweet.

Thank you Cindy, from my heart I thank you for the kindness and love you have shown me.

I will display these beautiful items where everyone will see them when they visit my home and tell them about my sweet friend in Lousiana, and where I will see them every day for inspiration!

Blessings,
Donna

I'm sure any of you who are already blessed with grandchildren agree they are a blessing from our Lord.  Each one special, each one unique, different from one another in so many ways, yet the common thread?  We grandparents!  I am blessed with five.  My daughter has two boys who are already 21 and 18!  And then my son blessed us with three, a boy and two girls! 


Isaac, 11



Elise, 9














Leila, 6



Our Wee Ones













Just as our children hold a special part of our hearts, so do our precious grandchildren.  Isaac is my son's first born and only son.  Elise is my first granddaughter - oh my - I was so happy to finally have a granddaughter!  And Leila is our little wee one, the last grandchild we will have until greats come along - and I pray that's a few, no make that several, years from now!

Elise just started wearing glasses, and she told her daddy, "it's like seeing in HDMI!"  Isn't she just beautiful!

That's my bit of showing off - I have several projects I worked on for quite a while, but the people I made them for look at my blog, so I cannot share them with you!  Christmas day I plan on showing my hand made goodies.  Thank you for taking a peak at my blog.

I wish you all a wonderful and Merry Christmas.  May our Lord bless you and your loved ones!

Blessings,
Donna

For my little hummingbirds to fly south for the winter!  We enjoy our little feathered friends.  They arrived late, along with a late Spring, and now with freezing cold nights dipping down in to the teens and lower 20's it's time for them to migrate to South America!  We went . . .



from this



to this..

           










And, while I don't mind watching these little guys from my window when I'm on the inside and they are on the outside, this is not my idea of a welcomed visitor!  Thank goodness my Sweetie was home and caught the little bugger and put him outside!  I mean, I'm in the Christmas spirit and all, but on the night before Christmas this is one little creature I do not want stirring in the house!!!

And look how big he is!!  Nose to tail - he was T H I S    B I G.  About 4"!  But, that's pretty big when you figure it's right next to where I sit in my chair when I watch TV!  Just why is he coming through the fireplace? After all, our Dear Lord gave him a leather coat!

Merry Christmas to all God's creatures, big and small, feathered and not - may they all be blessed this wonderful season!

Blessings,
Donna

This is our youngest granddaughter, Leila, who turned 6 while I was visiting last week!  She's so precious to us!  The youngest!  Holy cow!  I don't know where time has gone, but I wish it could slow down a bit! 

She was so happy to be the "Star" of the party!  Both of her older siblings celebrated their birthdays a month and a half ago, so she's been patiently waiting!

Happy Birthday, Little Leila!

Love Grandma

Oh my gosh, what a fast few days it has been!  I wrote to a friend, it's like being in the midst of a tornado, hurricane and blizzard all at one time right now!

First, my new computer is lovely.  Screaming fast, 17" but can't get my pictures to load on my blog.  Tried using the old computer and sending it to a shared folder, looked promising - but nope!  No go!  So ~ here I sit, 100 new photos to play with and not a one to show you!

When I left last Thursday to visit with my son and his family, I was going to celebrate the youngest of our wee one's birthday who turned 6 on Friday.  We were also blessed to see both granddaughters in their Christmas Programs.  So cute at this age!  We grandparents are so very proud when our grandchildren perform!

I brought them home with me Saturday evening, and this is the first opportunity I've had to sit at the computer!  I know all of the Grandmas who are reading this understand what I mean!  But, we've settled in, have our routines down and on to the business at hand - cookie making!  Tomorrow we want to do sugar cookies and decorate them with colored icings and sprinkles!

Thank all of you for your lovely messages and concern for my health while I was quiet last week ~ blogging friends are the kindest!   I promise I will be answering all of my emails in the next 2 days!  And, welcome to my newest followers - I love you've joined me and will be writing to you shortly!

My Sweetie is working on the photo issue, and, hopefully I will have many to share with you tomorrow or Wednesday (depending on when I'm actually able to get back to the computer with 15 minutes to spare!) 

Congratulations to our friend and blogging Sister, Cindy Adkins, for reaching Amazon's Best Seller List with 3 of her books!  Yeah, Cindy!  If you haven't read her books, you are really missing out on some great reading.  And, they are books you can download and read on your computer!  How great and convenient is that!?  If you haven't already looked at Cindy's blog, please do, she is an amazing person, fantastic artist and an inspiration to all of us. 

Safe travels, happy shopping, enjoy family and friends, but most of all ~ much love and blessings to all!

"Grandma!!!"  "I'm coming!"

Hugs,
Donna

Hello Everyone!

I've been under the weather for a few days, but out now and in the fresh air! I'm also getting my new computer!  Yeah!  I'm so happy as it will have a bigger screen and that is easier on the eyes!   So, while I'm visiting with the wee ones for my littlest one's birthday, (she's 6 going on 16 - and that's a tough age!!) I'll be off the computer.   Only til Saturday night, so I'll get caught up then!


Happy and safe shopping, baking, cooking, wrapping, crafting or what ever you might be doing - ooooh - just relaxing with hot tea sounds so good!!  mmmmm!

Blessings to all!
Hugs,
Donna

It's sometimes slim pickins' for junk jewelery because it's become so popular for altered art, but I did OK this week.  Along with the jewelery, which is hard to see here, there is a watch with a pearlized face, and intact so I can take it apart and use all the pieces!   I picked up a package of clasps, and some vintage lace, still in the package, along with about 10 yards of eyelet lace which went straight to the laundry!  A wooden oval plaque and some latch hook pieces for $1.50 - not bad!

I also scored some antique children's clothing - free - which may end up right in the trash if it doesn't clean up.  It had been stored up in an attic for 80 years and was the ladies mother's items.  Too bad, because they aren't in good condition and the man joked he'd give me $1 to take it!

Little Girls Slip

Baby Bonnets

Tea Coaster Set

The Tea Coaster Set I think can be salvaged.  The two circles are snapped on and the tea pot part opens up as if it is a light weight cozy.  All are hand sewn and embroidered. 

Crystal Bell

Assorted Cups

Of course, as usual I must pick up some type of glassware I really don't need but seem to want.  Bell was only $1.25, cups for all were about $1.50.  To match the pattern of the bell, I also found a mustard jar.  My friend who goes with me each week saw some snack plates that had a tree motif which resembles an Oak (Paso Robles is Pass of the Oaks) so I bought her the plates, 8 total, but only 4 matching cups.  We joked with all of the cups I've picked up over the years, we're bound to find 4 more to match her second set!  She so good to me, the least I can do is pick up a little something for her now and again.  I'm teaching her how to "Negotiate!"  She's picking up haggling pretty good, but many times she nudge me and say, what do you think - and I negotiate for her.  We have a blast together and that's what really counts!

If anyone has any ideas about how to take the stains out of the old clothing here, please post for me.  I don't want to ruin them further if they can be salvaged!

Thanks for taking a peak, and have a blessed Sunday!  Tomorrow is a day to finish up some altered art!  Yeah!

Blessings,
Donna

Now, please keep in mind, here on the Central Coast of California, we don't get tons of freezing weather like those of you north of our boarder, or east of the Rocky Mountains.  So, when I talk about getting cold and breaking records, I'm not talking about feet of snow or ice sheets - compared to many of you, we're wimps when it gets too cold.

But I couldn't help but share how cold my little hummers have been!

When I first saw the water from the living room window, I thought the mix had somehow gone bad - but this is ice!  Of course the bugs and ants weren't poking their noses out until it warmed up so they were drinking a lot of cold sugar water!
We have been breaking records for our area, freezing nights for the last couple of weeks and more to come.  Low 20's and upper teens. Here in Paso, we're just a tad inland.  We warm nicely to the 50's and low 60's, so we have nothing to complain about!  But we worry about our little bird friends.

It is almost time for us to bring in the feeders and encourage our little Hummingbirds to migrate south, and the Coastal Cousins to hop over the mountain where it stays a little warmer than we during the winter.  If not, they won't survive and we won't have returning birds, new babies and a continuing life cycle.

They say the birds return to the same feeding area each year, which might be why we have so many!  Right now, we've had some real hefty ones, obviously a northern bird migrating south, that need some encouragement to keep flying.  There's nothing worse than going out to the rocks where the feeders hang and finding a little red head on the ground, feet up ~ sniff sniff!

Stay warm, be happy and healthy and thanks for taking a peak - I'll be back later to share some more Christmas decorations I managed to get up and this weekend is a weekend of creativity!  I hope to share lots of what I made on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday!

Blessings,
Donna

Ohhh - here's a little tree I just love!  This is the first year for the Kitchen Nook Tree (this is the other half of my 2 for $4 trees I told you about!)  So, because it's right off the kitchen, I decided to make it look like baking goodies, fruit, apples,

Tree #4, I promise no more (til next year!!)

yummy things!  Oh my, that gives me an entire year to look for, buy, bake or create ornament goodies of the baking kind!  Sounds like fun!  I bet I'll find a few things at after Christmas sales!  The best time to pick up those "needed" items!  Here are some cuties I already had who now have their own pretty little home!




So where shall we start - from bottom to top?  Does it matter really, we'll cook til we drop!  Our Snowmen here are making cakes, wine and cheese, and even a drumstick, no more turkey -  pah-leese!



Oh some flour for cookies, and pies, cakes and more!  Old Mother Goose says no trips to the store!

Here are some Anchor Hocking pieces I found over the weekend.  A creamer and covered sugar bowl, $2 for the set, an oblong bowl, 50 cents, and a round footed dish, also 50 cents!  The 4 wheat snack plates had no cups and were a great price at only $1 for all four plates!  The blessing in this ~ I picked up a box of extra cups for snack plates a few months back, and there are some that match these!

I can't remember the name of this pattern, but I have several pieces of this as well.  I have another dish just like this one but without the top - this one is in perfect condition!  Would you believe on 50 cents for this one, too?  It is footed and not one chip, nick, or crack!  It's beautiful!

I also picked up some extra punch cups for a punch bowl I bought a couple of sales back, a grape motif and in their own box!  $1!!

More Cups

Wall Sconce

Masks, Busts, Heads

Another Punch Bowl

Old Ornaments

Beautiful Metal Bird

Mrs. and Santa Claus

Well, don't know what is going on with my computer - but it will not upload any more photos, so it's time for it to rest.  I'll post more tomorrow - because I did more than yard sale, FOR SURE!!

Have a wonderful new week and many blessings!
Donna

Wow, it seemed like this weekend flew by!  I don't know why, but the closer we get to the holidays the faster time seems to goes by!  Or is it just me?  I don't know, but I feel like taking a nap, and it's already Sunday night!  he he he!

I started out by going to garage sales for 4 hours!  We were exhausted, but, honestly - we would have gone on if we'd seen more out there or they stayed open later!  At first, we didn't find anything!  Nothing, nada, zip!  Then we were on a roll!!  Oh baby, oh baby - did we ever find some great items at great prices!

22" Lamps

These lamps were my first find of the day!  I needed a pair in my guest bedroom. Perfect with a little TLC. I'll will recover the shades with the material to match the drapes in the room.  One cord need replacing - easy peasy fix, and only $7 for the pair!  I'm teaching my friend how to banter and barter with folks for a better price.  She found a cute cabinet she wanted and it had a $10 price on it.  $3 was finally the price settled on for a 4', 4 shelf wooden cabinet for her bathroom.

This is so much fun!!  Onward ~ ~ ~

Crystal Cloche

I love this cloche, but the lady wouldn't part with it unless I would take both pieces which included a cake plate. The cloche is a beautiful crystal piece.  I have a plain glass cloche that will go with the plate.  Next, on to an Estate Sale! I love them because there are so many treasures, but sad to think they are someones memories.  Let's take a peak!!

Antique Baby Shoes

Lovin' old silverware!