Oh, Snap!

Don't under estimate the pleasing aesthetics

of those humbler members in your button jar.

This yo-yo brooch went to Pat and the fabulous brooch she swapped with me is HERE.

Mine is a just a tad smaller than hers.

Hope she still finds it an even exchange. :)

Not Just for Washing Anymore

This is the story of creative thinking and the tolerance of it. Rebecca was cooking in her play kitchen today, and like a good mom, put a bib on her child before he ate.

Scooter is so eager for attention that he will put up with anything. Even a wash cloth tucked into his collar.

THE END

The Coat

I filled my basket half heartedly at the flea market, thinking I would never find enough to completely spend the gift certificate my mother-in-law had given me for Christmas. Yes, there are such things as gift certificates for flea markets! As I got deeper into "Those Were the Days" in Warrensburg, MO , the treasures got better, but now I was running out of time before I had to rush home to pick up Rebecca from pre-school.

And then I saw it.
[insert angel chorus and bright light here].
The Coat.
In a booth with not much else of interest, I found it. I had to to stretch to reach The Coat on its hook, but fearlessly ignoring the things that might topple in the process, I stretched and grabbed. Hands trembling, I gently took the coat off its hanger and tried it on. Like a glove, it fit! Then. I knew. I must have it!
And time was running out.
I quickly retraced my steps, putting away the mediocre items I had filled my marketing basket with, as now I had The Prize and the rest was all seconds in comparison.

At the counter I asked if the dealer would take less. A quick phone call and yes! I got my price! And the gift certificate covered it!
The "sheared mink" was mine! Soft, clean smelling fur, untouched by moth balls or musty damp. Someone had taken very good care of The Coat. Now I was the new Keeper of the Treasure!

The Coat has gorgeous vintage details like the exquisite silky covered button and closure.

Suspenders in the shoulders so you can wear the coat as a shrug and not risk the luxurious fur slipping off onto the ground.

The sleeves' linings are gathered at the wrist to ward off cold blasts of wind.

And when you wear a fabulous fur, you have to have fur cuffed gloves.

These are faux from Target, 5 years ago.

The St. Bernard pictured above is our dog Lucy.

She is an optional accessory.

Signs of Spring

NOT!

Western Missouri and eastern Kansas got another dose of winter this past weekend.
The results are beautiful.

We got rain, snow, freezing rain and then more snow.

Not much accumulation, just enough to make driving anywhere an adventure. It's the darn ice!

Cold temps the next few days means not much will melt.

Two weeks ago, I said, "this has been a very long winter."

Now I predict we will have winter right up until March 20. Maybe even beyond. Maybe there will be no spring. Maybe there will be snow one day (winter) and blistering heat the next (summer).

Winter is determined to muscle out spring this year.

Someone explain Global Warming to me?

A Magpie's Needlecase

As I feverishly tore into the carefully wrapped package from New Zealand,

all the while I thought,

"Bad blogger, bad blogger!"

So instead of step by step undressing of this delicious package,

all I can show you is the contents loosely swaddled in its mummy wrappings.

From Carole

A Magpie's Needlecase...

...made with love.



Filled with necessary items like brand new needles-
(mine are old and dull, and I don't even notice)-
and color coordinated scissors.




This needlecase has a bit of vintage bling.
Doesn't yours?



And a special inscription.





Carole also thoughtfully enclosed some inspiring poetry,
knowing my religious bent. :)

It just might get me through some troublesome tangles!







And it all started with a bit of stitchery gifted to me by Linda.

Who is quite the stitcher!

I gathered buttons, fabric, tulle, trims and sent the whole mess to New Zealand
with a request for a custom made needlecase.

In purple, red, black.

Yeah, really mainstream, soothing colors!

Carole outdid herself.
I think you could sell these in your etsy shop, Carole.
Really.
For a lot of money!

I sooo love that you went outside your comfort zone on this one.

Black tulle on a needlecase?

LOVE IT!

********
This needlecase is beyond wonderful!

And the HOPEful Winners Are...

Pat of Ooglebloops will be getting some HOPE thread bobbin charms and Eliza of druga szesnaście will receive a necklace presented in a matchbox.

Congratulations girls, and thanks to all who stopped by and left comments. It was a pleasure to meet some new people and to see old friends.

Thread of HOPE GiveAway

I created necklaces like these for the last QB5 swap and made some extras while I was at it. You know, to send someone some hope. I have one I wear often. Reminds me to think about/ pray for, the blogger who is dealing with cervical cancer, Haitians (like anyone can forget), and friends near and far who I know are dealing with chronic ailments or just "stuff". The twine is a little rough so makes its presence known by scratching my neck. You know, to remind me to be thinking about someone.

I want to share the wealth so if you leave a comment on this post, you will be entered to win this necklace or 3 Thread of HOPE "beads". Simply string one up on a ball chain or knot one onto some ribbon or twine like I did. Present it in a matchbox and voila', a little HOPE to give to a friend. Don't forget to make one for yourself too. I am also selling the beads in my etsy in 3 piece lots, but if you want a lot more, say for a Sunday school craft project or birthday party or a girlfriend party, or __________ (fill in the blank), let me know and I can fix you up with a volume price. I just want to send some HOPE out. And thread is a very useful thing to have too.


I will pick 2 winners Wednesday morning (2-17-10)