I am honored...really!!!!!!

Every morning I have the same routine...After I get Anthony and Micheal off on the bus, I get back in the house, practically run to get my coffee that I have been patiently dying for, and sit down at my computer. I check my emails and then start going through my favorite list of blogs. I have been doing this for months! Well, this morning I received this award from Sarah at Vintage Lily and I have to say (as corny as it may sound) that I am honored!!!! I really am!!!! Thank you so much Sarah and it really has "made my day". I have been blogging since the fall and still feel rather new at it. But it is the truth when everyone tells you about the friends you will make and how you do connect with some of them. If Sarah didn't give this to me, I would be giving it to her! I had been seeing some of her pictures on Flickr and was so excited when I found her blog. When I saw this on it, I knew it would be one of my favorites!


By the way Sarah, that commercial you are talking about...exactly!!!! Oh, and one more thing...If any of my boys would have been a girl, Sarah was the first name we would have picked!

So now I am passing it on to some of the girls that have inspired me and have the blogs that I just have to check every day!

~Holly~

Who doesn't love Holly!? Not only is her blog beautiful but you can just tell what a beautiful and sincere person she is. And the talent...can't even begin. Way back when, I bought some wallpaper from Holly. She asked if I had a blog and at the time I was very unsure about it. Well, she was the one who told me what a wonderful experience it would be and obviously she was right...Thanks Holly!

~Heather~

I love her blog! She is so creative and loves anything beautiful and pretty and has her own way of putting it all together. I love how she "appreciates" old things. A lot of people don't get it but Heather does and I totally understand that!

~Monica~

I love Monica's strength! Her husband is in the USAF and she's must miss him dearly but you would never know it! Her two kids are her life and you can tell how much she loves them through her blog and I just LOVE that! She is moving out of the country soon and I can only hope that she keeps her blog going!

~Cindy~

I think Cindy is a blast! Not only is she talented but I think she is very witty! I have a new found love for birds so of course love these birds that she stitches!

~Dawn~

Last but not least is Dawn at The Feathered Nest! I love that she posts every day (something I wish I could do) but she also offers free images and tutorials that are beautiful and generous. I think she is truly genuine and a real sweetheart!

There are still so many others that I can think of. Like I said, I still feel rather new to blogland but these ladies (and many others) have made me feel very welcomed. Everyone is so different yet similar. Thanks to you all!

Now I have to get off and finish my swaps. Remember a few posts back I said for once I was ahead of myself? Well I haven't worked on them since. We are also leaving for Florida in two weeks and I have to start concentrating on that and being ready for Easter as soon as we get back. Time to get to work!

Tinsel Trading

Well, we woke to a pretty huge snow storm yesterday morning. My husband purposely took the day off to take the kids to The Museum of Natural History. Thursday night I asked him if he still wanted to go even if we did get this snow storm. He said yes, no matter what, and all I was thinking was "You bet your (you-know-what) we're going, you told me you would take me to Tinsel Trading!" So off we went... What I love about this store is all of the original fixtures, cabinets, cases and shelving that is all still used!
All of these little drawers house buttons. All kinds of buttons, beautiful buttons that you have never seen before!

Look at all of these little trimmings! It goes way up and way down!

My favorite spot in the store! Trust me, you will stand in front of it and be speechless! There is such a huge assortment and ohhh the colors!
Isn't it just beautiful!

This area is at the checkout. Of course you'll find a few more things that you'll just have to have!
Well that's about it ladies (and gentelmen?). Believe me, there is much, much more! I was trying to balance my bag, umbrella, basket and camera so some of my other pictures didn't come out too well. Also knowing that there were four boys double parked outside awaiting my return, a girl just can't concentrate. But we did make it to see the dinosaurs...

I have an idea...I don't know if any of you girls on the east coast live close enough where you can get to the city somewhat easily. I've been to Tinsel Trading four times now but never alone. This spring (I'm thinking May) I am planning a day to take the train in and spend the day doing something, but that something is going to include a trip to Tinsel Trading. Even if that is all I get to do. Maybe even take a class, but at least know that I don't have anyone out in the car waiting for me. So if anyone is interested in meeting up and maybe squeezing in some lunch, I'm game. Let me know.

fun mail

I have always loved and collected vintage wallpaper but lately, I don't know whats come over me...I can't get enough! I've been waiting for some that I ordered from Heather and they came today. Yippee...They are even prettier in person. I just recently got some of these gorgeous velvet millinery flowers also...Some velvet leaves and these green (with a pink hue) velvet strawberries. Couldn't you just die!(My pictures are a bit dark, I know. I guess you would know think that my husband is a photographer!) Isn't this little bunch the sweetest!!?? That little grouping of forget-me-nots at the bottom are in three shades of pink!
I've also been busy making these little boxes for Easter. You would think that I would be finishing more important things like all of the swaps I keep joining but I am easily distracted.

This one....
and this one are my two favorites!
I am going to try and get them listed in my Etsy shop tonight. I am exhausted! I think I forgot what is like having the boys home for a week straight! Yesterday I had a total of eight, yes eight kids here. I kept thinking about Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Do any of you watch that show? I get such a kick out of it! Although I think that Kate has the patience of a saint, I think she should be a little nicer to her husband (at least when the camera is on!)

Tomorrow my husband is taking off and I think we are venturing out to the city (Manhattan). It is suppose to rain and or snow but he's determined to get to a museum or something. I'm hoping to get him to make a pit stop at Tinsel Trading. He usually will park out in front and wait with the boys. If I do go I will try and remember my camera...it really is heavenly in that store!

More note holders and swaps

Well, things around here are getting back to normal. My floors are in and I love them! Hubby is replacing some of the mouldings right now. I am actually almost done with this swap, which for me, is a miracle. If you know me, then you would know that I am a last minute kinda gal so this is big. Here is a glimpse...These colors are normally a bit bright for me. I was going to go more neutral but I figured it's for Easter and why not go more bold. It was fun for me to use these colors for a change. One problem though. I bought all the supplies about a month ago and I am one "something" short and it's kind of a main "something". Hopefully Michaels will still have some left. Also started making more of these holders. Some friends had asked me to make some for them and some wanted to hang them and some wanted magnets for the back which you can see here. So now, I am leaving that option up to the buyer. This one is in my shop and hopefully will list the rest by tomorrow.



Kids are on winter recess this week so I will either get a lot done or nothing done. It is so rainy and gloomy here now that I am so ready for Easter!

HAPPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!!!!

Happy {Heart} Day to everyone! Have a ton of running around to do today but wanted to share some heart photos. "Crayone Hearts". I usually make these every year with the kids and let them give them out at school. Aren't the colors fabulous!!??

I have more hearts around the house than I thought! Sorry that some are a bit blury.

This little candy box my Aunt sent to me a few years ago. She's an antique dealer in upstate NY and said this little box was from a soda shop that she and my mom used to go to when they were kids.

I just found these boxes yesterday for the kids. Aren't they cute? They are vinyl and have great texture. Guess who will end up eating the candy?I'm off to make a few "sweet deliveries" and then to school parties!

Hope you all have a wonderful day full of love and suprises!

A perfect pair...

My husband is a photographer and last night he had a wedding to do. I knew he would be home late so I thought hmmmm...a day of playing and creating. He works alot so when he is home I try not to whip out my supplies too much. I didn't have any idea of what I wanted to make at first but ended up making this nut cup...

After I complete something I put it up and out of the way because the kids come by to check out what I am doing and sometimes start picking at things. I proceeded to make some other things. It was about 11 pm and I was starting to clean up and found this pretty piece of wallpaper already mounted and started to fool around with it. Ended up being this...

Finally, this time I really finished cleaning up close to midnight and went to put the tag away and realized that the two made a perfect pair!
Very "Oh Naturale" wouldn't you say! I love the overall look! Reminds me of an outdoor wedding. I was trying to think if I had anyones anniversary coming up but don't so I decided to put it in my store for now...but may have to pull it out if I need a little last minute gift for someone! ;)
Also made some of these wallpaper spools with a yard of velvet ribbon wrapped around them. Almost too pretty to use! You can find them in my store.
I may not be blogging for a few days because tomorrow (I am so excited!) I am finally getting my new, much needed, slate floor installed in my kitchen and mudroom. They say two days, I say I don't think so, but we'll see.