THRIFT SHOP STOP!

I haven't been to a thrift shop in a dog's age! Finally, I hit one yesterday before I went grocery shopping.

Any of you heard of the British author, Dick Francis? I've read a few of his books in some old Reader's Digest Condensed Books. They always have something to do with horse racing and they were very good stories. I found two hardbacks that I'm delighted with! Also, two strands of clear-ish beads.

In addition, I found a pretty Christmas plate made by Pickard China, U.S., a fun Christmas wind chimes that's double-sided and needs detangling, and two Ocean Water scented votives by Yankee Candle.

Also, a pretty Mason (England) Vista china tea cup, sans saucer. Three vintage hankies and a tablecloth (?) that's 24 inches square. I question it because it feels and looks like a men's handkerchief, but it's so large that it fits a small table. Who cares!

I haven't joined up with Rednesday in a while and this display is a perfect excuse to do so! Hi Melody!

MY SPOOLIE SWAP GOODIES

Wow, the East Coast of the U.S. is being slammed with a freezing rain and snow storm. Stay safe everyone! Let's celebrate Rednesday today!

I received a package in the mail yesterday. I just knew it had to be my Spoolie Swap box from Chris of Perfectly Printed! You know it's gotta be something good when you open to pretty pink bubble wrap!

The first thing I see under the bubble wrap is a pair of socks! I LOVE socks!!

And, what was with the socks? Candy! Yippee!

The next layer produced a boatload of goodies: another box of chocolates, vintage Valentine cards, a pretty pink tissue bell, two vintage floral decals, a cute little "rag" bowl and a mini paper bag with L-O-V-E Scrabble letters. I'm on sensory overload at this point!

And the piece de resistance is ~ the spool! OMG, it's so beautiful! (Sorry it looks crooked, but I photo'd it on my couch) Look at all the pretty crocheted items, the ballerina, heart mold, pink ribbon, pearls, doilies, and . . .

a gorgeous antique calling card that says, "A token of regard for thee In this my simple offring, see".

Chris, you outdid yourself! Again, thank you SO much! Now, here's what I sent to Chris:

This is the spoolie, celebrating the Queen of Hearts ~

And this the the Valentine card/shadow box ~

I hope you all have a fun and wonderful Valentine's Day!

SOME VALENTINE DECORATIONS

We got another foot (30cm) of snow today, :( . I had to shovel a path from the house out to the road that our back driveway goes to, because it's a heck of a lot shorter than the 1/8 mile long "official" driveway - twice! I'll be sore tomorrow! I hired the two brothers next door to shovel a path down the long driveway to the bus stop.

I am joining up at Rednesday, hoping all those reds will warm me up!

I'm going to show you some of my Valentine decorations - some that I made. First is a beautiful accordion card that I picked up a year or so ago. It's so pretty!

Next is my what-not shelf.

I decorated the three little bottles for V-Day - stickers or double-sided tape so I can take them off easily.

Couldn't resist giving this forlorn angel a Valentine card. Hope she cheers up.

This is a candy box that I decorated for myself. I am absolutely in love with it!

Remember this guy? "Where's Steve?" (Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter). He's looking to get lucky!

Last is a heart-shaped necklace that came from my aunt's estate.

A BLUE REDNESDAY!

I'm getting ready for Valentine's Day in a blue fashion this year - on one shelf, anyways! And there's just enough bits of red to qualify for Rednesday, too! This is the shelf above my craft table.

Some vintage Avon Here's My Heart containers, two Lefton girls, and a few other pretties!

A FEW FUN ITEMS FROM MY AUNT + REDNESDAY

My sister and I went over to my deceased aunt's house to see if there was anything we would like. On the larger scale I will be getting my maternal grandmother's curved-front china cabinet, and what was my aunt's father-in-law's round dining room table - with claw and ball feet!

On the smaller side I took some wood thread spools, ribbon rolls, and a few other small items from her craft room. Unfortunately, we didn't have the same craft styles; she sewed and quilted. In the upstairs there was a box of figurines that I got excited about and took almost all of them. My nephew (her grandson) who lived there with her said there's another box in the attic. I hope I can get those, too!

A few Rednesday items to start with: an S&P set in the shape of cardinals. Two girl figurines, the one on the left is a Lefton.

This is an older candy tin in a pretty winter scene. You can see that the top was cut out to use for a bank.

Now for the non-reds! Love these little birds! They are S&P shakers, too. But, check this out - see these odd things in the bottoms? They are noise makers! You know those small round cans that, when you turn them upside down, they moo? These are like that . . . except these don't work. What a novel idea!

I was so excited to see this Shiny Brite box but, unfortunately, it's empty. It is in excellent condition, though.

Last, I'll show you these adorable mouse figurines. Love the chains! My grandma had a chained set of deer way back when. Their expressions are priceless!

REDNESDAY CHRISTMAS DEC'S

Thought I'd show you a few Christmas decorations this week. Decorating went slow this year because a few days before Thanksgiving Katherine had a stomach bug for three days. Then a few days after T'day I had it for four days (lost 5 lbs. in that four days!), then Katherine got it again for another three days! Strange. But we're all better now. This is my vintage Christmas apron that I just adore! The second photo is a close-up of the scene.

 I was so excited to find these small Gurley candles at the thrift shop this summer. I think I paid a quarter or 50 cents for the small box of them!

These are just a few ornaments put together for a quick "something" on a blank wall beside the stairs.

TODAY IS REDNESDAY!

Hi everyone! Today is Rednesday, but I'm not hosting it anymore. Melody of Brown Gingham Creations is!

I have a favorite aunt, Aunt Rose, who passed away a few weeks ago. She was the youngest (at 80) of six with my mother being one of the oldest. Three are still alive. Aunt Rose was full of fun and always ready to give a listening ear or some sound advice. She lived in a big old house with a barn/garage, a garden shed (my uncle's), a grape arbor and a pond "way out back" on the property.

I loved the occasional sleepovers and family gatherings there. She made the best grilled cheese sandwiches in the world! She always had this Chinese lantern hanging in her kitchen - I don't know why because she loved Native Americans (adopted two), wolves, and angel dolls. I always wanted it and was fortunate to be able to have it after she was gone.

It's sad how some people die and it's expected, and some it isn't. Aunt Rose, at 80, could easily have passed for 60 or 65. She wasn't gray, but still a pretty strawberry blond.  She was very active with gardening, crafting, and being social. Cancer quickly took her over the summer. I will always have fond memories of my favorite aunt!

REDNESDAY IS MOVING!

I am proud to announce that Rednesday has found a new home! I'm so excited! Lillian of Cottage Sweet Cottage has asked to take it over.

Here is her new button (she has a code on her blog sidebar):

Pass the word, gossip, shout it from the rooftops - anything! But, please let everyone know that Rednesday will be up and running this week!