Showin' and Tellin' 'Bout My Inspiration Board

I was talking to God the other night. No really!!!! Well, you might call it prayer, but being that I am not so eloquent as most people, I just call it talkin' to God. I was talking about Cottage Violets, my web business and my dreams in general. He dropped a little verse into my spirit, and that's how my inspiration board finally came into being. He (as in the guy upstairs) reminded me that the Bible has a solution for every problem, care, hope, dream, plan, etc., etc.. So I started my board and this is how it turned out. Here are some of the components, since the board is full.

The sweetest tussie-mussie from Stephanie at Shabby in Pink Boutique to signify new friends.Then a sticky for prayer requests, lately there has been a never ending supply.

Here is the verse, you can find it in Habakkuk 2:2.

Don't you love saying that name: Habakkuk

Love biblical names.....

Then there is my sweet Cottage Violets. I cut out the front of an old greeting card and fitted my business card inside. I think it's too cute! But then, I would wouldn't I, lol.

I love linens and hankies. So this signifies my love of linens. I have so many more to put in the shop, so check in often. Okay?

Then, I made tags that say, PLAN, HOPE, DREAM. I used gold ink and stamps on gingham pink tags. I remembered an old stampers trick. If you make a mistake, cut-out a patch in the same or contrasting paper. Apply the patch, and then make thread marks on it in the same or contrasting ink. It hides the mistakes and looks like it was planned. Don't you love little tricks? Oh yes, there is plenty of room on the back of each tag to write my plans, hopes, and dreams.

If you know anything about me, it is that I love china. So, I put a sweet little Hammersley demitasse on the board. And beneath it a tag with a home on it. On the back of the tag I have written the name of the area my husband and I want to retire to and live in. He is 59, yikes. 401k's better grow,grow,grow.

And last, but definitely not least is a little picture I made from a little picture.I used blue pastels to suggest the presence of clouds. I added a banner to the airplane, and typed in one of my favorite verses of all times. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

So, there you have my Show and Tell. I definitely showed and told a lot didn't I. But I think everyone should have a revelation and a vision of what they want and where they are going. Because, God wants to give us the desires of our heart, as long as we follow him....................

Regards, Theresa

These Are Just Two Of My Favorite Things

If I was writing that famous song, My Favorite Things, I think I would add a verse. It would go like this,

"Handmade and vellum, with ribbons and stickers,

Pictures of maidens, and young boys in knickers,

Strawberry baskets and china that rings,

These are a few of my favorite things."

Here we go with Show and Tell Monday...

Do you know what a Hammersley Strawberry Basket is? Beautiful, that's what. In England they eat millions of strawberries during Wimbledon. Well, I love tennis, I love England, I love strawberries, and most of all I love Hammersley China. So today I chose a Strawberry Basket that I just purchased. As you can see there are pockets for the little sugar and creamers.

So there you have one of my favorite things: A fine English china "Strawberry Basket".

It won't be hard to guess what the other is. Tags, tags, tags. Gotta love'em.

These are big shipping tags with vellum, cutouts, sticker sayings, and a shimmery wired ribbon. There is plenty of room on the back for any note or quote you choose.
The only thing better than a tag or a Strawberry Basket is.....You guessed it.
A tag on a Strawberrry Basket. Ta...Da..... And here it is.....




Enjoy your show and tell Monday
God Bless Us Everyone, Theresa

Show and Tell in My Best Kindergarten Voice

Make Mine Pink is having Show and Tell Mondays, which are certainly better than Hoops and YoYo's Sarcastic Wednesday's don't you think? Well, I am soooooooo busy, but I wanted to get in on the funnity fun fun. So, my pictures are a little ugly early, even though it is late Sunday night where I am, haha (ugly early, late Sunday, comprende?). I digress,(can you tell I am sleepy?) Anyhoo, I am making a new line of tags that are a little smaller than the altered art tags. Here are the first ones, hot off the craft table. They come in lots of four. The wording will be different on each set (on the little secondary tags at the top).

Much better in person I can assure you. Then there is the old market cart I bought at an antique sale recently. Fell in love at first sight....It is not relined yet, and the wheels are a little squeaky, but I think this is definitely a diamond in the rough. Don't you......Ooops, just noticed something wrong besides the darkness and bluriness of the picture. Can you tell what it is?

So, there you have my first Show and Tell Monday. Teacher may I be excused now. I think it's Sleepy Time....... I hope God forgives such idiotic silliness. You know what? He does, and I am so glaaaaaaaaaaaad...... Theresa

Easy Peazy, Lemon Squeezy, To Paint A Rock Is Not So Easy

Today I was thinking of some fond memories. Once on Secretary's Day, the General Manager's wife painted a personal paperweight for all the ladies in the office. There was a saying on each paperweight. She thought long and hard about the sayings, and even enlisted her husband's help. Each year I give a donation and buy a calendar from Christian Record Services .They send blind children to camp each year, it is a wonderful organization. Anyhoo, she put a saying by Helen Keller on my paperweight. I will cherish this rock forever. Oh, bonus round the rock is painted pink........


"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." Helen Keller

Please check out Christian Record Services. They are a lovely worthwhile organization.

Kind Regards, Theresa

The Best Gifts Are Tied With Apron Strings

I recently came across a beautiful apron that I am having trouble putting on Cottage Violets. Once you see it I think you will know why. There was a tremendous amount of work put into this apron. I sat and looked at it a long time. Did she pray for her children or husband while she sewed. Did she pray for the crops to get in before the fast approaching thunderstorm. Did she think of all the friends she would serve in her best-after-church-apron. Was she contented and happy as she crocheted row upon row of beautiful lace trim. Were there babies at her feet and hanging onto her everyday apron as she set in the waist at her treadle machine. Was it a wedding gift for a special friend. Did she take in fine sewing to fill the family pocketbook. All the questions and the only answer I could give to myself was: she was an artisan, a sewer of fine seams, a crochet devotee, but most of all she had love. She cared to crochet the lace to set into the strings. She cared to make the careful tucks that set the design apart. Please take a look at this treasure and tell me what you think. But please don't break the reverie, the romance.

I think the best gifts are tied with apron strings.

New Going's On At Cottage Violets

Have you ever met someone you are sympatico with instantly. Well, my cousin Patty, aka Miss Sweetpea Pitty-pat, is one of those someones. As children, she and my older brother hung out together, and her little sister and I hung out together. But when she asked me to join her Red Hat group " Cherry Cordials" , we totally clicked. Who knew after 40 some years of casual contact she would mean so much to me. Now, she is going to join Cottage Violet's with her handcraft business " Miss Pittypat's Mercantile", and I am sooooooo excited. Plus, extra bonus she is a chefess (new word) extraordinaire. Maybe I can coax some recipes out of her to share with you. I have enclosed a little photo of two of her lovely creations to show you why, "I am so terribly excited to have her at Cottage Violet's". Hurry on over to Cottage Violet's and check out Miss Sweetpeas other offerings. See you soon, Theresa

My First Award, More Precious Than The Oscar.

I received an award. Awesome....Little old me from humble beginnings, rewards and prizes. Woohoo. Thank you Stephanie at http://www.shabbyinpinkboutique.com/ for the award. Now I must return the favor, so 10 (count'em 10 of you have been targeted) other people will receive the same award and HERE WE GO (in no particular order except Stephanie):
1. Stephanie at http://www.shabbyinpinkboutique.blogspot.com/ you are one of the nicest people at Make Mine Pink and really made my day. I would like to make your day!!!


2. Janet at http://www.janetscreativepillows.blogspot.com/ , you were the best mentor and always available even though I know now what a busy person you are. You help make MMP what it is today.


3. Lynn at Vintage Nest, http://www.lifeatcedarhill.blogspot.com/ , you truly know the meaning of nesting, and how to be an encouragement.


4. Ann at Green Oak Antiques, http://www.magpiecottage.blogspot.com/ , you never mince words and always tell it like it is, with an amusing touch of your lovely sense of humor. Your blog is like reading a letter from a close friend.


5. Karen/Eileen from http://www.forgetmenotdreams.blogspot.com/ , you overcame blogophobia and are well on your way to becoming Blog Queen, and you have the nicest retro logo I have ever seen.


6. Dianne of http://www.mamaspocketbook.blogspot.com/ , you related on Make Mine Pink the other day what a lot of ladies were feeling, and helped them pour out some feelings that needed tending to. You are also my favorite technogeek, lol, and Pursemaker extraordinaire.


7. Andrea at http://www.thebrownbee.blogspot.com/ , you are uproariously funny, but I suspect there are deep waters running under the surface. Can't wait to see your boutique when your plans come into fruition.


8. Karen at http://www.sweetnecessi-teas.blogspot.com/ , I always love reading your forum posts, and I love visiting your website and looking at the tea cozies. Good luck at CL.


9. Lori at http://www.katiesrosecottage.blogspot.com/, you are the perkiest and sweetest lady at Make Mine Pink. You always encourage, but never push yourself forward. Plus, I seem to get more traffic from your website, so a double thanks to you.


10. Janet from http://www.beloved-creations.blogspot.com/, you are so beloved for giving all the ladies a chance to be on blogtalkradio . I also think it is wonderful that you are caring for your Grandmother. God Will Bless You Mightily, and already has.


There you go. So although most of you don't know me much, now you know how you impact the lives of others. HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY, WEEK, MONTH, AND YEAR.....God Bless You All.

Theresa