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.