Buttons

Playing with buttons,  

and trying to pick the prettiest one.

Sunrise

Sunrise.

There are benefits to getting up before the birds. 

Working On A Little Project

I'm working on a little project.

Be sure to check back in a few days to find out what it is.

Little Daisies

 A collection of little daisies on one of my blue and white platters.

(Viking stoneware)

Oh no!  I just saw that "Picnik" is going to close. That's were I frame, label and make mosaics for all the photos on my blog.  So I will need to find a new photo play ground.  Who do you use?  

I Have A Dream...

(International dolls by Queen Holden)

I hope that someday we will live in a world

where we can view each person as worthy of respect and love.

Where people of all skin colors, nationalities, religions,
 and economic status can live side by side.
A world where we treat each other with kindness.

I have a dream...

Liberty Blue

 A few weeks ago, one of my readers asked about the 

blue dishes that show up in my blog photos from time to time.

(Thank you for asking!  Your questions give me ideas for posts!)

Liberty Blue was ironstone dinnerware made in Staffordshire, England

and shipped to the USA to celebrate America's Bicentennial.  

1776-1976.

(Oh, the irony in that.)

It was originally designed as an incentive for savings and loan customers

and then later as promotion-ware at grocery stores. 

Pieces cost next to nothing.

A band of wildflowers surrounds the historic colonial scenes:

Independence Hall,   Betsy Ross with the nations first flag,

 Washington leaving  Christ Church, Monticello, etc...

There are many other pieces that I do not have.  Yet.

Backstamps are of an American Eagle.

I love the way Liberty Blue goes with almost any season of the year,

and mixes so nicely with the other blue pieces I own.

Do any of you collect Liberty Blue too?  I'd love to learn more from you!

* * * * *

More information:

Pictures of old newspaper ads for LB can be found at Robin's Nest.

Liberty Blue dinnerware ,  book by Debbie and Randy Coe,  2006.

 * * * * * *

I've noted that this has become a popular post.

Please leave a comment so I'll know you were here.

And I'd love to have you follow my blog.

The 366 Challenge Continues

Hey, how are you all doing with your 366 challenge?

More junk and unnecessary stuff is being cleaned out of my house today.

In my previous 366 Challenge post, I reached number 15.   So I'll pick up where I left off counting.

16.  Wall paper tray

17.  4 partial rolls of old wall paper

18-24.   Lace doilies from the 80's  (6)

25-26.  Lace curtain panels  (2)

27-33.   Books (7)

34.  Bag full of little kids party prizes

35.  Bag full of drawer pulls

36.  Picture frame

37.  Chipped blue china saucer

38-40.  Sachets (3)

41- 53.  Christmas tree ornaments (13)

54.  Magnet

55.  Sweatshirt

56.  Dish towel

57.  Candle light lid 

58.  Spare vinyl blind pieces

59.  Gift bag

60. Flameless Candle scent refills 

61. whole bag full of dried out tubes of spackle, silicone, grout and joint compound  (not pictured)

62.  two yard sprinkler spikes (not pictured)

Yes, that is 62 items going, going, gone!   YAY!   Only 304 more to go!  

Here are some helpful hints as you go through your house.

ASK  YOURSELF these questions to help yourself decide if you will keep or let go of something:
Do I love it?
Do I use it?
Do I have space for it in my house?
Does it fit me right now?
Have I worn it in the last 12 months?
Will I read it again?  Or need to refer back to it?
Is it a duplicate?
Is it damaged or broken?  Are all the pieces there?


Start a 6 MONTH BOX for things you are unsure about.  I don't want anyone to have purgers regret.  So if you are not sure, put it away in a box for 6 months... if you need to get it out to use, or miss it a lot, maybe now is not the right time to get rid of it.   If, on the other hand, you never even think about it in those 6 months, it's probably OK to go bye bye.  


Please don't think that I am saying you should get rid of Grandma's heirloom china.  Quite the opposite.  Get rid of the icky, junky stuff you have, so that you have room to display the china you love in a way that will honor your Grandma.  


Have FUN with the process.  Turn on the radio and for two songs,  go through your room picking out all the things you don't want anymore.    


And be sure to let me know how you're doing!

(Anyone else want to join me in clearing the junk and unwanted stuff from your homes?  See this post or this page for more info on the 366 Challenge.)

Hiding

I was walking down the hallway when I heard it.

"Meow."

I followed the sound.

And there was Natasha,
hiding in the linen closet,

sleeping on all my clean towels.

Please Join Me For Tea At 2:00

Please join me for tea at 2:00.

I'll pick up a freshly baked lemon cake from my favorite Italian restaurant.

And we'll sip China Oolong tea in pretty forget-me-not and primrose cups.

We can chat away the afternoon and catch up on all your news.

Hope to see you soon.

PS- Are you watching Downton Abbey tonight?

* * *

Teacups, saucers, bowls and plates:

Shelley- "Primrose Chintz"

Royal Albert "Memory Lane"

Royal Albert "Forget Me Not"

Pitcher:

 Lord Nelson "Heather" chintz

Teapot:

Sadler

Linens:

Leacock Linens

Battenburg Lace 

Today I'm joining:

Sandi at Tea Time Tuesday

Martha at Teacup Tuesday

Terri at Teacup Tuesday

Hope

It's my word for 2012.

Do you have a word too?

Fabric Recycles

We have a wonderful little fabric and craft resale shop here in town!  It's called Fabric Recycles.

The store's "ever-changing inventory" is very unique, with everything coming from stashes that have been hidden away in closets for years.  Some items are vintage.  Others are newer.  All the prices are fantastic.

It's so much fun to browse through the cubbies of well organized, color coordinated fabric, thread, floss and yarn,  Piles of ufo's wait for a new owner.  Walls are covered with oodles of buttons, sequins, ribbons, lace, piping, trims, knitting needles, darning eggs and gadgets galore.  Seasonal craft books, magazines and patterns are stacked by the hundreds.  You can easily while away an hour or two in here.

The  owner, Page (pictured here), is as sweet as can be.

If you quilt, crochet, knit, sew, craft, embroider, hook rugs, or are creative in any way, you must stop in to see this shop!

Thank you to the staff at Fabric Recycles for allowing me to photograph your fun store!  I just love your shop!

(PS- for bloggers who are joining in the 366 challenge,  this is the place to drop off the sewing and craft items you no longer use.   If you have a lot to donate, click on the store link above to learn about stash buyouts, etc...)

Your Sagging Cupboards And Overstuffed Closets Will Thank You!!

Over the  past year I heard a lot of people complain that they had too much junk at their house and they needed to sort through it and get rid of a bunch of it.  That they had so much in their basements and in their closets that they didn't even know where to find things.   Then a blogging friend mentioned that she had taken a 365 challenge last year.  I thought that was a wonderful idea!

 So Ladies.... here is your chance to clear things out.   I'm starting the new year with a "366 Challenge" (it's leap year)  and I invite you to join me.    

Between now and Dec 31 2012, I'm going to try to donate, gift or toss at least 366 items from my home.  One item for every day of the year.  Yes, that is right... 366 items out of here this year.   Think how much lighter the house will feel by next December!

I'm  going to get rid of things I've outgrown, things I've already read, things that don't suit my taste anymore, duplicates, and things I must have been crazy to buy in the first place.   :-)

I can give things away to friends who collect, donate to a charity, sell things in a garage sale, sell things on e-bay,  or throw broken stuff in the trash.  It just can't come back in the house.  I can get rid of  7 things each week or  31 things each month.   But one way or another, 366 are gonna be outa here by the end of the year.   (If you don't make it to 366 that's OK.  Just do the best you can.)

I've already got my first pile ready to go.   Yay!!

1. Blue taper candles (4)

2. Snowman dinner plate

3. Stacked snowman decoration

4. Candycane pin

5. Rustic sheep decoration

6. Butter dish (with no lid)

7. Book-  PS What I Didn't Say

8. Book- The Time Travelers Wife

9. Book-Brer Rabbit

10. Book- Jantsen's Gift

11. Book- Wonder Play

12. Lotion (unopened)

13. Hand gel (unopened)

14. White taper candles (6, not pictured)

15. Vintage Tavern angel candle.

Only 351 things to go. 

C'mon and declutter with me!!   It will make you feel good to let go of things you don't want or need.   Your sagging cupboards and overstuffed closets will thank you!  Remember, one woman's trash is another woman's treasure, and these things can all go to someone else who needs them or will appreciate them more.   

(Let me know if you want to join in.  I'll start a list, so we can all encourage one another.)  

Update:  See the 366 Challenge page under my blog header.