Just checking in

Hi everyone! I just can't stay away too long, so I thought I would do a quick post and remind you that the drawing for the lace bag in post #100 will be on Sept. 5th. Still plenty of time to leave a comment. We don't have anything special planned for the Labor day weekend, some friends over for dinner friday night and then hanging out at home. I hope to get the living room painting finished! Yes! I am still working on that, I have NEVER taken this long to finish a room. I usually have the whole thing done in a day. I have been getting some projects done that I can't wait to share with you next week. I hope everyone has a wonderful end of summer weekend! What are you doing for Labor Day?

Ok, I know that I just told you I was so overwhelmed with the beginning of school I was taking a break. So I went out this morning for a little therapeutic sailing (Estate sailing that is) and I had to show you my haul. First, 2 more Victoria magazines for 25 cents each! You know I can't resist rebuilding my stash. The bluebird figurine was 10 cents at the sale, my friend Jan, bought this and gave it to me and said it was the "bluebird of garage sale happiness" which, clearly, it is.

I also got all these goodies. A couple napcoware turkey planters (can you say thanksgiving centerpieces?) and matching napcoware turkey salt & pepper shakers. 25 cents a piece! The old bowl, pressed glass cake plate and an adorable vintage cottage picture, (need to find a great frame) and even the huge doily for the table . Most of these items cost 50 cents. The cake plate and bowl were more but I loved them and with the money I saved paying 25-50 cents for everything else.....they were cheap too. This beautiful footed glass bowl..$1! See how the bluebird likes it? This sweet milk glass vase..50 cents!

As if that wasnt enough, when I got home this was in the mail for me! This is from Julie of Equus Villa, who is passing along this book and the recipe and main ingredient for swedish pea soup as well as this beautiful tray and the serving spoons. Thank you Julie! What a great day! Ok, NOW I am taking a break... no really........

A big thank you to everyone for the kind comments you left on my last post. It is a project I have had a great time playing with. Is anyone else stressing out over the beginning of the school year? my job begins again next Monday! I work for the school system and that is when my back to school meetings begin. This was my last full week of vacation! I look around and wonder what I did with my summer. Seems like nothing is finished, some things never really got started. I know that it shouldnt be a big deal, I still only work a few hours a day, but they are my most productive hours, late morning and early afternoon. It will all work itself out when I am back to being used to working, but right now I feel like I have so much to do before fall and winter get here! I see it in some of the other blogs I visit. So many of you are taking a "short break". I think that the next week may be a tough one for me so I will be taking a break too. I love blogging so much I know I will sneak something in next week, but not the regular posts I am used to. I would like to just wish everyone a happy week. Enjoy what is left of summer. The days are getting shorter, the kids are heading back to school (and so am I:>( ) This time of year holds its own joys, but the end of summer can be bittersweet. My youngest is a Senior this year, so it is my last season of "back to school" before college. I will be looking in on everyone ( I am such a blog addict!) Remember to leave a comment on post #100 if you are a lurker so I can enter you in the drawing next month! I will see you all soon.

100 :>)

Here it is, my 100th post.When I began this blog and saw others who were celebrating that milestone I just couldn't believe I would make it that far this fast.! And this is what I have been working on. I had quite a collection of lace and vintage jewelry that I was hanging on to. I knew I would think of something pretty to do with it someday but I didn't know what. I finally hit upon the idea of Lace Gift bags, embellished with vintage jewels and buttons and beautiful ribbons!

I think they would be great for giving fancy soaps or jewelry or to keep on a dressing table to hold little treasures. Leave a comment telling me what you would use these for, and I will draw a name Sept 5th for this bag....

filled with surprise goodies! This bag is approximately 9"x7" and embellished with a cuff of beautiful vintage lace and closed with a vintage rhinestone brooch. The medium bags in the top picture are approx. 5x7 and the smaller bags are approximately 5"x5". Thank you all for your kind comments and encouragement. It has been so much fun getting to know you a bit through your own blogs. Remember to leave a comment and for those of you who don't have a blog, please leave an email address where you can be reached in case you win!

99!

What a big cheater I am. Here I have already teased everyone with my project and I have this one silly post to go before my 100th and I can't think of anything exciting to do with it! I am so fixated on my 100th post! I will say thank you to all the lovely ladies who have joined me on this adventure and left encouraging messages, inspired me, tutored me and helped me in so many ways to develop a blog that allows me to stretch myself and, in itself, prods me to grow and experiment and reach out. Thank you! This is a fantastic experience and I would recommend it to anyone:>) It is a grey rainy day here in Michigan. About 65 degrees. We need the rain and the coolness is nice, but it does tend to make me want to sit down with a good book or a movie and vegetate. Can't do it. I have trim to paint in the living room and this morning I am taking Victoria in for her school registration. I have a few little errands to run so I can unveil my 100th post too, so no books today! Now that I only have 2 weeks before I go back to work I feel like I have just now started to get things done. I have about 6 different projects in varying stages in the basement and my dining room table is still covered in all the things you see in my last post! I guess I better get off the computer and get busy. Since I hate to do a post without a picture, I will leave you with the board by the computer. My inspiration board you might call it. Filled with cards the girls have made for me, photos of my family and other bits and pieces of messages from loved ones. It makes me smile:>) See you soon!