Use It Up, Or Wear It Out, Make It Do, Or Do Without

I love the old rhymes and sayings. The title of this blog is a particular favorite of mine. Here in the valley of Kern County we are a hardy bunch of pioneers. Some came because of the dust bowl era, some came during the depression, some pioneered the west, some came with the discovery of oil. My mother came during World War II from San Diego with her widowed mother, and my father was born here to a Southern Pacific Railroad Engineer and his wife. The saying has been a mainstay in my life, and during these uncertain times it will stand me in good stead. Most of us who craft still know the old ways. We know how to clean, to cook filling food from scratch (plain food I call it) and some of us still remove the buttons from the worn out clothing. We can plant and tend a garden, and drive an old stick shift if we have to (are there any left?). We know how to entertain ourselves without stepping a foot off our own property. We rely on God and His goodness. We still pray with thanksgiving, and seek God to heal our land. I must admit I am not a progressive thinker, but somewhat simple and single minded, lol.

I think that is one of the reasons I so love Andie at Brown Bee Design's pinkeeps. They remind me of another time. A time when precious resting minutes were spent stitching treasures filled with love and artistry. This is the same love that Andie puts into her work. I ordered another pinkeep that says "Do Much" to go along with "Promise Little"(see post below). More old sayings that hold a ton of information with very few words. Words that make you go "Hmmmmm". Words that make you think.

And speaking of words, I have posted another story in Gabby's Bunny Tails on my web site, Cottage Violets. Here is an excerpt from the heartwarming Thanksgiving story,

"As usual I ran to the window to check on the snowfall. I love snow in all its white fluffiness. As I lifted my curtain and looked down I saw an imprint in the snow. It was the shape of an angel. Careful to be quiet lest I disturb mother, I ran to find H. Harriet to explain to me that form in the snow. She came to my room and pulled back the curtain, “Miss Gardenia, it looks as though the angels have been resting in the garden. How the Lord must love you to send you an angel to rest outside your window.”

Please read the whole story at Cottage Violet's under Gabby's Bunny Tails if you are so inclined. The girls love to entertain you, and the website is always ready and waiting for your arrival.

Here are few pictures of the new necklaces (charms) on the site, and some Pinwheels crafted with handmade buttons from Cindy Houot at Angelheart Designs.














Have a beautiful, blessed Thanksgiving,
Theresa @ Cottage Violets

Eazy Peazy, Pinkeeps Pleaze Me

I am addicted, totally and inexorably addicted. Andrea Ferguson, better known as Andie of Brown Bee Designs, makes pinkeeps. Pinkeeps guaranteed to take you to another place and time. My latest score, lol, arrived safe and sound with lots of goodies (extras, woohoo) all tied up in torquoise tissue with brown ribbon. Those are Andies company colors so to speak, and she combines them well. Anyhoo, they are handstitched, whipstitched, blindstitched, cross stitched, I mean these little beauties are stitched. I guess you might call them primitive, but they really shatter the time barrier and come right to the future with amazing alacrity (don't you just love Merriam Webster, words are our friends). My present pinkeep purchase as shown says "Promise Little", and is plump and aged just like me, lol. I quickly wrote Andie and asked for another that says "Deliver Much" or "Give Much", but she was way ahead of me and already has one on the drawing board. So, I am poised to beat all of you to the punch and get to it first when it arrives on her little Pink Boutique.

Here is my first pinkeep purchase. It is a sampler signed Elsa Taylor with the date of 1850. Well, Miss Andie is certainly a time traveler because I can just imagine a young Elsa having newly arrived after enduring steerage class. It was her treasure, and now it is aged and stained, and definitely my treasure. You may visit Andie at her blog, or visit her boutique"Brown Bee Designs" at Make Mine Pink. Just click on her name anywhere in this post and you will go right to her blog. Well, I asked Miss Andie if I might have the honor of using her pretty pinkeeps as backdrops for some new altered art pendants I am working on. In her best southern accent, (well, I imagined the accent, she is a southerner), she told me to go right ahead, y'all. So following please find a new series of pendants I am working on for Cottage Violets. The first pictures shows a little vignette with the pinkeeps and a crystal candy jar with "It's Good to be Queen" pendant hung on the knob, looking quite regal I might add.

Don't Andie's little beauties make wonderful backdrops for pins, pendants, maybe a shadowbox or on a crystal serving tray with tchotchkes of your choosing.......

Tonight, I will doubtlessly be reading my Canon photobook 101, and trying to figure how to get good close-ups. I haven't figured it out yet. When I do, these pendants along with a new series I am calling "Girl Guides" will be on Cottage Violets, and on Lollishops when that gets up and running. All the pendants are 1"X3" and are little collages sandwiched in between glass slides and held in a silvertone frame. They can be used as necklaces, brooches, tree ornaments, or bottle charms. They are moderately priced at $9.95 plus shipping. And bonus round on the back I included one of my favorite sayings, "It is never to late to be what you might have been". I will include a ribbon, key chain, and stick on pin backing with each piece. A leather strip is also available, and comes standard with all Girl Guide pendants (not shown here). The pictures don't do these pieces justice, even if I am tooting my own horn, lol.

Please visit Andie at Brown Bee Designs, she has way more than the one proverbial string in her bow. In fact, she is a bower of creativity, (do you like my word connections, I do, lol). Plus the girl is funny, rip roaring, knee slapping funny. In fact, I have met a lot of looney ladies at all the E-Malls. Tons of fun, and creating an American made legacy to boot. Now I'll give myself the boot, and say :

Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite,

But if they do, hit them with a shoe,

Then they'll have to quit botherin' you.

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God Bless You More Abundantly Than You Could Ever Think Or Ask,

Theresa

Shoe-lee Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me

Every once in a while, a Shop Owner comes along. Maybe I should say Artiste, Purveyor of Dreams, Handcrafter Extraordinaire, Forward Thinker. Perhaps, I should just say "Dorkwad"(for we often call each other that without offense taken or given). If you have peeked at the pictures you will already know I am describing Michelle at Raspberry Rabbits. She has a gift, and feel for the art she brings into existence. First, I present the shipping box wrapped in white and festooned with flowers. A happy package that probably caught the notice of every postman lucky enough to handle it.


And then my treasure, a beautiful little quilt (she named it "Mail Art") encased in a clear plastic box. The photos don't do it justice, so use your inner eye to picture the beauty of it. The symmetry is perfect. A square within a square, within a boundary, within a square. Oh my, I really meant to say, It is set together with an artist's perfection or rather perception. When I wrote Michelle to tell her of its arrival, I commented that pictures did not do this piece justice. It is true. It is a perfect little melange of perfection, eye candy.Can you tell I like it A LOT.


And her branding was great! An engraved pen in splendiferous pinkness, lol. A little Raspberry Rabbits Pouch with Raspberry Tea, and a Raspberry Chocolate. Which reminds me, my cousin, Miss Sweetpea Pitty-pat was over and we opened my treasure together. She ended up with the Raspberry Tea (alas, my chocolate addiction must needs be fed, lol). And then the "Thank You" card. I don't know if you can see, but it is her logo , and a beauty right down to the deckle edge on the bottom of the card. Sweet, sweet, sweet.

To the right is a close up of the shoe, just because I wanted to see it again, lol. Miss Sweetpea Pitty-pat loved the lace coming out of the shoe. I loved it all.........

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And one more attempt at getting a true picture of this work of art. Do you remember when we used beautiful words like "soutache" to describe the braided trim on the edge of this piece. If you will take a moment to stare at this piece, the remarkable texture, the clever use of layers, the whole package really, you will see what I saw, perfection in a small package. Someone's love of creation explained in one picture.


Now for a little silliness, which will take that saccharine sweet taste out of your mouth, which I must say I could not describe my treasure without. It needed all the sweetness I could muster to do it complete and perfect justice.

Here is a little song I wrote for my girls group on a lazy afternoon back in 1979 or so (long ago). It can be sung to the tune of "The Girl From Ipanema". I have no excuse for this silly ditty, except that the natives were restless, and needed a slight distraction from the labors of the day.

So here we go, it is the reworking of the Nursery Rhyme, The Little Old Lady Who Lived In The Shoe:

Short and stout, and bent and sturdy,

Oh living in a shoe can be dirty,

And when she passes

Each one she passes

Goes ewwwwwww,

~

(Chorus)

Oh, but what can she do,

She spent her whole life

In a shoe,

Oh, what if this happened to you.

~

She has kids, ten more than a dozen,

A nephew, a neice, and one chubby cousin,

And when they pass,

Each one they pass

Goes ewwwww,

~

(Chorus)

Oh, but what can they do,

They spent their whole life

In a shoe,

Oh, what if this happened to you.

What if this happened to you!

The girls liked it, and God didn't make me repent, so I guess He was okay with it. I must say God has a great sense of humor, because He passed so much of it on to all of us. And Michelle at The Raspberry Rabbits has much more than should be her rightful share. Please visit her at http://www.theraspberryrabbits.com/ for a wonderland of delights. And don't miss her pictures of Chunky Bunny and the rest. Chunky Bunny is currently on the Iron Man circuit to lose a few pounds bless his heart.

And remember Proverbs in the Bible says, " A merry heart doeth good like a medicine".

Dorkwads Unite!!!!

Bless You,

Theresa

Pinwheel Tags and Lolli-Shops - They're the Tops

There's a fun, new e-mall a coming!! Lolli-Shops! I mean, look at that name, it drips cute. I can't even say it without smiling( and drooling a little). Look at their logo, it will give you the warm fuzzies guaranteed. I was irresistibly drawn to it like a moth to a flame. But I didn't get burned, I got accepted. I hear it is opening sometime in the fall or early winter, so get ready to have an incredible shopping experience in the near future, lol.

Here is a picture of the logo:

Now, isn't that the cutest. It evokes memories of parties, and childhood crushes, Easter, Spring Carnivals, and a host of other cherished times we keep alive in our memories. Lollipops, pinwheels, kites, and kittens are all reminiscent of that long ago time (not so long ago for some of you, lol). A time when we played hop scotch on the sidewalk. We rode our bikes like life was a constant race to be won on our trusty metal steeds. We wore dresses to school and hoped the wind wouldn't raise them up as we walked home from school with our hands full of Valentines from all the boys in class(I bet their mom's made them do it, lol). It makes me think of the week before school started when we had our little wardrobes all figured out, because our next dress would be coming at Christmas or that special outfit to celebrate Easter. My cousins always had the best dresses at Grandmother's Easter Egg Hunt replete with frills and a bonnet to match (I must not forget the shiny new patent leathers). In keeping with the cuteness that drew me to Lolli-shops, I have decided to offer my Pinwheel tags there. My pinwheel tags are made with Fairy Tale Buttons hand made by none other than Miss Angel Heart of Angel Heart Designs (or Cindy Houot, but please play along!). If you look three posts down, you will see the Tale of the Fairy Tale Buttons.

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Here are some Pinwheel Tags and Fairy Tale Buttons:

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The picture is a little dark but you can see them on my website in a better light, lol. I have a head full of ideas to use all the buttons in that heart shaped bowl Miss Angel Heart provided (she does lovely ceramics, or is it pottery). But take a look at the Pinwheel Tags on Cottage Violets. They are fun and fresh, a new twist on an old idea.

Just running my hands over the buttons reminds me of a lovely verse that is one of my favorites. A verse that reminds us how to live our lives. I think I will end this post with that verse.

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And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and [that] ye may have lack of nothing.

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I Thessalonians 4:11,12

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Hugs and Blessings, Theresa

Just a Little Game of Tag

Marie of SavonMarie soaps, and Miss Andie of BrownBee have tagged me to tell you seven things about myself you might not know. Well, Marie and Miss Andie you asked for it so here goes:

1. At work, they call me the walking dictionary and say I read the encyclopedia as if it were a novel. I rank high on their geek-o-meter.

2. I am older than Godzilla, and my asst. dispatcher never hesitates to remind people of that fact. He is fascinated by the whole situation, lol.

3. Gabby, Miss Violet Teacake and the Girls are so real to us, that we talk about them at work like they are REAL, lol. (you will have to read Gabby's Bunny Tails on the site , if you don't recognize the names.

4. I have been married for 35 1/2 years to the same man, and still love him dearly. We don't have any children, except each other, lol.

5. I resemble Aunt Bea from The Andy Griffith Show, and seem to have a lot of her screen personna's attributes and mannerisms.

6. I have been known to belt out any old tune that comes to mind, anywhere, anyplace. I also whistle a lot (that one was for free, lol). I am very eclectic in my singing, whether gospel, big band, pop, show tunes, lounge songs. This is for my pleasure only (I am unaware that I am doing it most of the time), and people get used to it, usually.

7. If I had it do to over again, I would have pursued being an environmental engineer. I believe God has given us dominion over this earth, (just like Adam over the garden), and He has a sensible solution for everything irresponsible we have done to this earth. Example, snails eat sludge as their part of cleaning up the environment. Or water running through sand and rocks help purify it. In other words, for every natural resource God has given us there is a natural way to clean up the dross. Oh dear, I have gotten started haven't I. Oh yes, it makes me really angry when a celebrity chains him/herself to a tree after riding there in a 6MPG limousine, snorting cocaine on the way, while lounging on fur seats. Ludicrous to say the least. Let's be sensible.

Ooooh, that was fun, but a trifle boring, so sorry!!!!

Blessings,

Theresa

Staging Your Home, The Blessed Life

I was curious about the word Staging - Stage, so with my mother's words from youth echoing in my ears I proceeded to "look it up"....I wasn't satisfied until I found two definitions way down the page, lol.

1. To arrange, organize and carry out.

2. A step or period of development, growth or progress.

Now those two definitions I can embrace and relate to. I want to #1 Stage My Home for convenience, comfort, and a soupcon of beauty. 3 simple steps: arrange, organize and carry out, sounds like list time to me (my forte). This I can do, and have done. Now my convenience, comfort, and beauty may not be yours but that is okay also. The best rule of thumb for #1 kind of staging is never ever live up or down to the Joneses, create your own style. If God hasn't given you a Purple Thumb for decorating get help from your Purple Thumbed Friends. Maybe you can trade your Green Thumb for someone else's Purple one.

#2 Staging is even better. It gives us a way out when we are bored, or feel that our tastes have changed. Your living space will evolve (never the Darwin theory kind, lol) as your family changes, your needs change, or your mind changes. Just as Prayer Changes Things, progress, growth, and development all mean change. So I am going to just DE-STRESS over the whole thing. I used to say the one with the most when they die wins (in regards to craft supplies). Now I say, it is not what I have, but how I use it. I want to decorate my home and my life for God's glory. I recently ordered a plaque from Dawn at The Feathered Nest. The plaque says:

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. I Thessalonians 4:11,12

Thank you Dawn for offering such a lovely reminder for our daily lives.

I would like to make a blog toast of sorts:

Here is to a new day and an old way, the gracious gift of life and salvation. Here's to you my sweet blog friends.

Theresa

Showin' Tellin' and Jingle Bellin'

That song from the 50's just won't let me alone today. It's called "At the Hop" . Danny and the Juniors sang it. Do you recall?

Let's go to the hop

Let's go to the hop (oh baby)

Let's go to the hop (oh baby)

Let's go to the hop

"To the MMP Christmas in July Hop"

It all started Saturday. Miss Sweetpea Pittypat came on over from her Emporium with a load of goodies for Christmas in July at Make Mine Pink. Now, we all agree Miss Sweetpea is the sweetest bunny ever to live in Harrington Woods. And she has outdone herself. So sit back and enjoy the pictures of some of her dreamy creations. By the way, I think Chunky Bunny and Miss Sweetpea would make a great match. Alas, she is not willing to leave Harrington Woods even for a day, even to meet Hunky Chunky.....Oops, back to subject, and here we go to the pre-Hop Hop.

And last but not least, there is that old Andy Williams Christmas Classic;

The Holiday Season

It's the holiday season

With whoop-de-doo and Dickory dock,

And don't forget to hang up your sock,

Cause at just exactly 12 o'clock,

He'll be coming down the chimney down,

He'll be coming down the chimney down,

Coming down the chimney down.

MERRY SHOP HOPPIN TO ALL

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

Hurry to The Secret Garden Before the Secrets Out

Do you remember the story of "The Secret Garden". Do you remember the motion picture version starring Margaret O'Brien and Dean Stockwell? The whole film was in black and white, until you entered the splendor of the garden. Then the scene burst into vibrant technicolor. That is what happened to me as I was looking for items I loved for Pink Friday's Garden Path. When I saw this "Pretty Porch Pouch" by Dianne of Mama's Pocketbook, everything else faded to black and white. There is nothing I would rather have than this Pretty Porch Pouch hanging on a chair, over a fence, sitting on a bench, or anywhere in my garden as long as it is within my sight. I was thinking what a great Garden Party gift. Use the pouch as the centerpiece, then give it away at the end of the party much to the delight of the one who receives it. But I must caution you, if you think giving it away would be easy, I would beg to differ with you, lol. Just click on any of the highlighted areas or the purse itself and go straight to Mama's Pocketbook, where Dianne is waiting with a garden of earthly delights. Thank you Dianne, your work is always inspiring me.

Cottage Violet's has a few little items to share for Pink Friday - The Garden Path, too. I will picture one here and the rest are to be seen at Cottage Violets. Also, I have been working on a whole new line of tags using Fairy Tale Buttons from Cindy at Angel Heart Designs. I hope you will check back for their premiere. I do not think they will disappoint, lol. This little photo will serve as an entrance to the rest of my story, which is a little information about the author of the Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett. Please visit often.

Frances Hodgson Burnett emigrated to Knoxville, Tennessee from Manchester, England in 1865. She had lived in the slums of a then Victorian England (due to the early demise of her father), and emigrated to America to find a better life at the request of an uncle (living in Tennesse at the time). When Frances was 18, her mother died leaving Frances with four siblings to support. That is when Frances started writing. She wrote serials for the leading ladies magazines of the day, Godey's Ladies Book and Harper's Bazaar are two of those magazines. She married a doctor from Washington DC and you would think this is where she lives happily ever after. Oops, not to be. After 25 years of marriage, she divorced her husband, and married her business manager. The second marriage lasted only 2 years. During the 1890's she spent most of her time in England, but came back to America in 1909 after becoming an American citizen.

She was quirky and tempermental. She attended in person the Golden Jubilee celebrating 50 years of Queen Victoria's reign. Although her books were celebrated and famously popular, Frances was often talked about and scandalized in the press.

Her three most famous books are: The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and A Little Princess. All three books found great success, and later found renewed acclaim as they were made into hit movies. The Secret Garden starred Margaret O'Brien and Dean Stockwell, Little Lord Fauntleroy starred Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney, A Little Princess starred Shirley Temple and Arthur Treacher. Frances Hodgson Burnett died in 1924 at the age of 74 in New York City. Her books are famous, but she is one of the least celebrated authors to have such great classics to her name. The pictures below are of Frances Hodgson Burnett on the left, and the 1911 cover version of The Secret Garden on the right. I hope you will consider reading these classics. They are well worth the time. Regards, Theresa

What Is It About Feet Pictures? Let Me Show and Tell You

You know, I see more feet pictures these days. There is even a coffee table book with feet that represents a cross section of the United States. Working feet, dancing feet (my favorite, lol), baby feet, cowboy feet, FEET. You name the feet, they have them. My A/R clerk at work got married a year and a half a go. She's a budding photographer. She excitedly asked me if I wanted to see the wedding pictures she took (that didn't include her). Great, I said. Well, the first thing I see is a picture of all her maids and ushers feet (barefoot). She looked up, and said, " I just have this thing about FEET." So, I have jumped on the bandwagon feet first, lol. My dispatcher wears flip flops 24/7. I have heard rumors that her bedroom slippers are fuzzy flip flops. Anyhoo, Janet at Janet's Creative Pillows, (one of my favorite Pink Sister's of all times), had a wonderful marvelous, flip-flop pillow for Pink Friday's Beach Cottage theme. Well, my dispatcher was having a birthday so I just scooped it up ASAP. Here it is in all it beachy glory. Thank you Janet, it was the perfect gift......

The feet from left to right, my boss's granddaughter's feet (she's subbing for her aunt, who is the boss's daughter and ready to give birth at any moment , excitement building), next the general manager's wife's feet, next the birthday girl's feet, and last but not least my little sister (well, ex-sister-in-law, but true blue friend after 30 years and definitely a sister to me). By the way, as you can tell she isn't wearing flip flops, but we are equal opportunity photographers, lol. Also, you don't see the asst. dispatchers (son-in-law, husband of pregnant boss's daughter) feet. Reason; they are too darn big to fit in the picture, and his pink tennies clashed with our theme. I guess our opportunities are not that equal. hahahahahahha, can't help it.
These next two pictures are of my present from Janet of Janet's Creative Pillows. She gave me lips!!!! I have been asking my husband for lips for years (like I could afford them, hahaha), but alas tis not to be. So, I decided, when I saw my scrumptious lip pillow, that I would put it on my inspiration board. Who knows, maybe God will send an angel to plump up my lips for me, lol. Hey, you may laugh but it could happen. I believe, I believe, I believe. Good thing God has an enormous sense of humor.

Now, for the last, but not least, picture. Pink Friday's theme is The Garden Path. So, let me take you down the garden path (snicker,snicker, can't help it). Here is a little foretaste, foretaste of the offerings available at Cottage Violet's this Friday. So mark your calender, and MMP and my site, and shop til you drop in an Earthly Garden of Delights. Tis waiting down the garden path, and you have an exclusive invitation.

Here is a short excerpt from one of my children's books.

" Safe beneath my garden walls,

I've gathered bunnies, bears, and dolls."

You are invited, too!

Regards, Theresa

And The Winner Is - SILENA

I went to that random counter everyone talks about and put in the numbers 1 and 30, and it chose 16. I counted down sixteen names and there was dear Silena of the Enchanted Valley Boutique. Congratulations, Silena . You have won the first ever Cottage Violet's blog contest. Contact me and let me know your e-mail address. Since you are a sister member of MMP, I would love to toot your horn a bit. Silena's website is truly enchanting, she's a girl after my own heart. She obviously loves to shop for her customers, and pick just the right treasures.

It's Pink Friday- Romantically Roses over at MMP and here are some of Silena's gorgeous offerings. This is a lovely box with silk ribbon accent. Oooh-la-la

This is a tres' chic 5X7 painting of roses on canvas. Someone's very talented!!!!

This is just too beautiful for words. It is a platter and sugar/creamer in the rare Mikasa pattern called Country Roses. It is a rare find, and Silena knows quality when she sees it.

Click on any of the above pictures and you should go right to Silena's Pink Friday Page on her website. Enjoy looking at Silena's treasures. I know I did. You will find just the right item.

Remember, it's Independence Day, and Freedom has never been free. God Bless You and God Bless America, Please!!!! Thanks, Theresa

Red, White and True Blue Blog Contest

Hi All,

Cottage Violet's is having it's first blog contest. The deadline is 9PM EST on Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 and the winner will be posted by 9AM EST on the 4th of July. All you have to do is leave a comment telling why you love the good ol' USA, and that's it, you are entered. Please play nice and enter only once, lol. And the prize: A $50.00 (fifty) dollar gift certificate for merchandise of your choice at Cottage Violet's. This old gal's red blood runs true blue, so in recognition of the 4th of July, we are offering a reproduction paperdoll book called United We Stand. One-half the purchase price will be donated to the Disabled American Veterans. We have a limited number of 12 books at only $12.95 (shipping and handling included), so hurry on over and support our veterans. Here's a sneak peak at the paperdolls. (Sorry for the picture quality, they are really crisp and clear in real life).

Una, Ned, Ida, Tom, Eva, and Don are saluting you, and your patriotism. Won't you help Cottage Violets help support a Disabled American Veteran? We appreciate your kindness.

Whether or not you purchase this book, you are still eligible to enter the BLOG CONTEST. So leave your comment, and God Bless The USA. (Please note, international shipping is not included in the $50.00 gift certificate, but may be used as part of the purchase price for domestic shipping. There's always some fine print!!! All comments are subject to approval of the blog owner, and any rude or deleterious comments will be blocked.)

Have a Wonderful Independence Day, Theresa

A Blast From The Past - Beach Party Tonight

Wow, it's Pink Friday! Get your surfboard waxed, yourself relaxed, and head out to a Beach Party Tonight. There will be gals and pals, boutiques and chics, and you're invited, so get EXCITED!! Today I have a special beach surprise from Inka at Inkling Designs. It's ketchy, it's kitschy, and oh so Beachy...... Guaranteed to be fun in the sun, so whip out your card, pard, and let's go Beach Combing with Inka.


Surf's Up, and the gang's all here. In between the frug, the pony, and the watusi, swim on over to Inkling Designs and dig the Flamingo Cards. Our pretty pink Flamingo Hotties are strutting their stuff on beachy notecards. In between takes, and sunbathing, drive-in to Inka's and pick a lovely pink Flamingo stepping stone to beach up your pad. It is sure to be a hit with your tiki torches and sandy paths. Click on any items photo to take you to Inkling Designs, surfing made easy...

Hey, this fun's not done. Pick up a basket filled with beach treasures to put that sparkle in your favorite wahini's eye. Or how about a Surfing Safari treasure hunt with this beachy basket full of treasure as the prize. Inka's lives in Florida, so she's in the know and up-to-date on your favorite beach treasures.

This Mermaid is a Beach Cottage Must Have........Don't be late Eric Von Zipper has a crush on this little cutie, and you need to hurry before his gang shows up. Isn't she just made for your seaside retreat, with the seashell trim and beach cottage colors? And for you dyed-in-the-wool Pink Loving Beach Babes, Inka has pretty pink baskets, filled with shells and covered in netting to set on your shabby chic coffee tables. What an accent for your cool, enchanting beach cottage furnishings. Don't miss out! Inkling Designs is just a click away for the best beach experience.

And as the evening winds down, after Annette's Beach Party, explore Inka's sight for vintage treasures and shabby chic pleasures. After all, Inkling Designs is much more than just a day at the beach.

P.S. These Beach Party photos are used purely for fun and nostalgia, so don't go saying Annette endorses this or that, okay????? And never, ever, blame it on the Bossa Nova.

Later dudettes, Theresa

This Is How I Know Tea Time Will Go On

I picked the most beautiful. lilting song to turn into tea music. And then I picked the most beautiful tea boutique on the world wide web. You have got to see Karen's Sweet Necessi-Tea's boutique. If you are a tea lover, this is your bag, lol.

Every day on my screen I see tea, and cozies
That is how I know tea goes on.

Teapots from all countries,
And colors and sizes,
That is how I know tea goes on.

Near, far, wherever you are,
I believe a small boutique will have your tea,
Once more just open the door,
And it’s there on your screen,
And the tea just goes on and on.

Pink Friday comes once weekly,
On your screen and my screen
Welcome to a Fine English Tea

Sweet Necessi-Tea's offers cozies
And tea cups and saucers
Karen knows that tea must go on

Near, far, wherever you are,
Her boutique is just a click away
So once more just open the door,
And it’s there on your screen,
And the tea just goes on and on.

She’s here, tea lovers have no fear,
I know Sweet Necessi-Tea's will go on,
She’ll stay , so choose tea today
And I know she’ll go on and on.

Please have a beautiful Pink Friday - English Tea

P.S. I am setting sail soon on a new luxury ship. It is the best thing going here in 1912. It is called the Titanic, and I have heard it is unsinkable, from an American friend named Molly Brown. Would you like to tag along? Regards, Theresa

Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest

What a fine day. I have a question today. Can you guess who our famous Hammersley Grandmother's Rose Teapot resembles? The hint is in the title of the blog. She dances with candlesticks and sings with teacups.

Here is an excerpt from her famous song:

It's a guest! It's a guest!

Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed!

Wine's been poured and thank the Lord

I've had the napkins freshly pressed

With dessert, she'll want tea

And my dear that's fine with me

While the cups do their soft-shoein'

I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing

I'll get warm, piping hot

Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot?

Clean it up! We want the company impressed.

This Friday at MMP Pink Friday your place has been reserved for the best seat in the house. Welcome to a little bit of English Tea Friday. The event starts on Friday morning. So you can dress up, dress down, wear your jammies, the host will never tell. We are having such a wonderful time presenting these themed events. You can choose among the boutiques, mix and match your finds, and there is always something for everyone.

Well, have you guessed? Oooh here's another hint the role went to Angela Lansbury a great English (turned American) actress. What fun, I love Show and Tell Monday

Thanks for stopping by, Theresa

Father's Favorites - Going Back in Time

Make Mine Pink is sponsoring a weekly event, Pink Friday's, and you have an exclusive invitation. This week the theme is Father's Favorites. Well, you take a bunch of Pink Addicts and wave a blue flag in front of them. What do you get? Some of the best father's day merchandise available anywhere. It takes all kinds to make a world, and my picks are aimed at the Renaissance Man. The man who likes tea in fine china, the vintage inkwell sported on his desk, and hammered aluminum serving pieces. Plus, I found two Sister pinkies who are offering comfort and food, ie Soft and Silky Pillows and Manly Fudge. Okay, you've got china, you've got pillows, you've got aluminum, you've got fudge. What does that spell? Happy Hubby, Blissful Boyfriend, Pleased Papa, Felicitous Fiance. So click on the links and find your Father's Favorites at the Boutiques at Make Mine Pink. Here are some pictures to get you started:

Come on over to Cottage Violet's and check out the china and aluminum

These stunning needlepoint and silk pillows are available at C'est Chouette

Manly Fudge Doubles at Clutter Bug Studio

Don't miss the vintage inkwell at Cottage Violet's, or the Hammered Aluminum tray.

Happy Shopping for Father's Favorites,

Theresa