Look Mom! I did it.

My daughter brought home this book from the school library.....

Thought I would check it out..... and was surprised to see knitting included in a children's craft book. I have always been kind of intimidated by knitting.... always thought it was hard....well, if it is in a kid's craft book... it couldn't be all that hard? Could it??

So I headed out to my closest thrift store... picked up a couple of needles (25cents) and a ball of wool (50cents) and look!

I did it! It is really not that hard and its kind of fun! I admit I am not making sweaters or socks or anything like that but if you are thinking knitting is a hands off project because its too hard.... its not! I promise! Try it!

Have a happy weekend!

Mesmerized

I am mesmerized by ...... old dusty ledgers with their classy, scrolly, script, dates, and numbers

So so so so beautiful. Wishing I liked my handwriting better. Thinking I should buy a good calligraphy pen and book and practice, practice, practice. Does anyone have recommendations for a good do it yourself handwriting/calligraphy book??

Sick Day

I am home today... feeling under the weather... speaking of weather - here it is, outside my window.... snowy, cold, very unspringlike...I know, its January in Canada... But look what hubby brought me..... ahhhh, sweet.....

Awhile back, I found this old compact at our small town thrift store... it was really damaged on top.... the coating was all flaking off.... but I loved it - so it came home with me and has been sitting on my desk waiting..... I was really hesitant in gluing anything on to it - but it wasn't making me happy the way it was. Now it looks like this.....

I added one of Julie's large scalloped tags and tatted flower (which I adore by the way) and a vintage rhinestone. I love the way it turned out.... now it can hold some sweet little treasures instead of looking sad and worn out! Here is the inside... in case you were wondering.....

And a side view..... and yep, that snowy white background is snow!

And I think because I am not feeling so great, and just sitting here, looking around, I am seeing the beauty in my surroundings....

Old spools of pastel colored thread from Holly over at Pink Grapefruit Style,

Sweet old valentines I picked up somewhere along the way....

pretty pink and aqua vintage stamens.....

and these two vintage cutie birds... old Christmas bulbs that I bought after Christmas and can't bear to pack away just yet.....

It's the small things!

Itty Bitty Book Swap - Winter Wonderland

I am late in sharing with you.... but better late than never....right? Right! The theme for this one was Winter Wonderland... this is mine,

and my second page.....

This one is by Mary Ann...

This one by AndreaThis one by Jo...

This one by Donna...
This one is by Jane. I wish I had the patience to download all the photos for you as they were all so well done. I am so happy I joined!

Petite Inspiration Box Swap

I signed up for Speckled Egg's Petit Inspiration Box Swap..... ! As soon as I read about it, I knew I wanted to join. I love little boxes, little treasures. I stuck with the pale pink and blue color palette for all three boxes, but each has a little different detail. Deciding on which treasure to put into which box was so much fun.... I hope I made good choices and my swap partners will be pleased.....

Thank you to Heather at Speckled Egg for this charming swap!

Thank you....

Thank you to Karen over at http://www.ciderantiques.blogspot.com/ who kindly bestowed this award on me. Thank you Karen! Karen has a beautiful blog and was one of the first people to welcome me to blog land.... so kind of you Karen! The award is forwarded to charming bloggers who invest in the PROXIMITY of space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. The authors ask that you pass this award on to other blogging friends and include their link in the post. Notify them to let them know that they have been given the award. So please spread the love! I would like to pass this award on to:

Alisa at http://lifeisabeautifulplacetobe.blogspot.com/

Heidi at http://www.dreamsintertwined.blogspot.com/

Cari at http://www.luckygirlgifts.blogspot.com/ and

Viv at http://hensteethart.blogspot.com/

who all have incredibly beautiful blogs and have taken the time to be a blogger friend. Thanks guys!

Princess of Mine

I found this dress at value village. Is there value village in the US??? Its like a big department store sized thrift store. Its my happy place... anyways, I found this white vintage tulle wedding dress... and for $16 I had to buy it. Of course my two princesses were first to jump in!

This is the stuff fairytales are made from! Have a fabulous weekend!

Sweet Old Doll

Sweet Old Doll
Originally uploaded by Mysteries of the Juniper

She certainly isn't perfect, and I certainly didn't need her, but nobody else seemed to want her and she just grabbed a little piece of my heart. For not being a doll person - you'll say - that's two.

Art Journal

I have been reading alot about art journals lately and am so inspired by all the photographs of journals out there which combine art and/or images and words and thoughts. I have read that your not suppose to think so much and just let it come out. Here is my page from yesterday.I really enjoy the process, cutting, gluing, but when it comes time to put in the words - my wall goes up. I really struggle with that part of it.
I really love those journal pages with all the writing, and different letter types and squiggles.... I am going to keep trying! Maybe it will just come with time??

Thrift Store Art Supplies

Couldn't resist these goodies....

Stacks of old ribbons, lace....

and edgings....

Little bits of blissfulness.....

And the view from my front window this morning..... Life is good.

Soap Box

You know when you buy soap.... and its wrapped up in plain white paper and that plain white box.... ho, hum.... well, once upon a time, you could purchase your soap in packages like this.....

And I'd just like to say... I would certainly be willing to pay a little extra for my soap to come packaged in a box like this. Wouldn't you??

Thrift Doll

I am not really a doll person.... but while stalking my favorite small town thrift store I came upon this sweetie.... she's old....and cute.... and for a dollar.....well - I just couldn't walk away.... I guess she can guard my buttons....

Happy Friday!

Flea Find

I came across this sweet little tin at the antique mall. Love its aged patina and the fonts and graphics on the tin.... Patent 1910....

And the cherry on top is that it is filled with itty bitty rubber stamps...month, day, and year. The year stamps run from 1920 to 1926! This has become one of my favorite treasures!

Art Journal Snippets

After years of trying to maintain a journal, and failing to be consistent, I have discovered the journal that keeps me interested. It is a collection of small collages of pieces of papers that I love or admire.... clipped from magazines, a note or drawing sent by a friend, a found item or scrap. Arranged in a pretty way and added to miscellanious thoughts, to do lists, things to try or buy, doodles.... I am finally staying at it.