I've moved...

I've moved beyond the fitful starts and into launching my dream.
It all picks up at Nyssa, Ink.  
Please visit when you can!

Simple vintage goodness.

Islay Grimes Cast Stone Sculpture 

Simplicity is beautiful. 

Find him here.

on collecting...

I have several "collections"...

Small pitchers or creamers (I would share a photo but they currently reside in a cupboard- in our last, roomier home they had their own proper - albeit dusty- shelf).

Vintage ceramic and glassware, resting comfortably in a beautiful french hutch (and would make another lovely blog picture, I am sure).

Art, piles and stacks of art (to fill way more than my own home).

Vintage linens (in a heap, waiting to be laundered).

Barbies. Yes, lots of Barbies (sadly, stacked neatly in a closet). It's the little girl in me and Barbies always make me smile.

But one of my very favorite collections (all fitting nicely in one little shoebox) is the pile of hundreds of quotes that have moved or inspired (or even just made me laugh) that I've collected over the last 25 years... this collection is one that actually makes a real, measurable difference in my life. I call on those quotes-- to just get me through life on some days, and, on other days, to help me make the most of life. These quotes, becoming my own personalized book of inspiration, remind me of the beautiful and amazing fact that I have the ability to control my mind and focus my thoughts in the direction of my own choosing.

Original art by Richard H. Dawson. All rights reserved.

.... quoting Geothe--- "Nothing is worth more than this day". 

and according to Ralph Waldo Emerson--- 

"Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind". 

Simple as that. 

Star of the Sea Rummage Sale

Yes, people are still talking about the

Star of the Sea Rummage Sale!

The annual event, held in the catholic school gym, just concluded with "free day" last Friday and I went no less than 5 times in 4 days. I must begin by saying that the volunteer ladies who run the sale are vintage classics themselves. Completely adorable. Above is just a small portion of my finds.... my favorites: the Peterboro picnic basket, two absolutely perfect vintage rattan lamp shades, silver iced tea spoons (this score triples my tiny collection!), loads of vintage sheets and linens, two super fab homemade vintage housewife dresses, vintage patterns, a vintage ice bucket and soooo much more.

I probably spent, all told, $25 in my 4 day rummage spree. But even better than the deals, it just got me jazzed. Downright giddy. I actually left the house early before work (unheard of) to get in line on the first $2 bag day! This will be an official annual event in my life and is just a delicious slice of small town goodness.

That lil' bit of treasure-seeking adrenaline created a small creative storm of which we shall see the fruits of soon... because this beautiful machine below and I have once again, made friends after a somewhat lengthy fall-out.

fits & starts... so true in so many areas of my life and happily I'm in the midst of a sewing fit!

legend of the four leaf clover

It was 3 years ago this week that my husband and I fell in love.

On our first date, just a few days following St. Patrick's Day, at a table overlooking the Columbia River, we learned that we had shared an important mentor in our high school years. His name was Jack Ryan, a true Irishman who left an unforgettable impression on all who were lucky enough to know him. Jack had been my guidance counselor and was my husband's baseball coach. My husband is 10 years older than I am (well, he'd say 9 and a half) and we went to entirely different schools. Each of us still had the article that had run in the paper upon Jack's passing. Imagine that. For more than 20 years, two people, now sitting at a table together having just recently met, had treasured the same newspaper article and kept it through countless moves and changes in life.

Just a few days before our fateful first date, while he was traveling in California, my husband had purchased a money clip that had a gold four leaf clover tucked inside an upside-down horseshoe. As we sat at the table, giddy with first date jitters and still amazed that we shared this very uncommon man in common, he showed me his new money clip and we toasted Jack Ryan. I told him then that I had been thinking lately that perhaps a four leaf clover may be my next tattoo.

Immediately after we had said goodnight for the evening at the front door of my apartment, I walked directly into my dressing room and picked up the four leaf clover card that I had received when my father passed away more than six years earlier. It had been sitting on a shelf since then and I always treasured it but I had never once thought to flip it over and see what was on the back side of the card. Imagine my shock when I did flip it over and see.... "enables young ladies to discover the man they will marry".... Filled with both excitement and a very nervous but happy fear, I began to recognize that larger forces were at work and that we had truly been blessed by the "Luck of the Irish". It wasn't a week later that my husband had proposed to me.

May the lucky clover bring you health, wealth and happiness all the days of the year!

have a flirty friday!

I just adore this vintage postcard. One of my prized possessions. It came to me through my father's eclectic collection of memorabilia which became mine upon his passing. Every time I look at it, it makes me smile. The beautiful buxom blonde, the sight seeing guide, the observant gentleman, the message that "You will see some of the greatest sights of your life on this trip" reminding me of the richness of my own life experiences and the wonderful sights I have seen.

It doesn't have a copyright or print date on it but calls for a one cent postage stamp, has a divided writing area and "linen" look. I am guessing it dates from the mid-1950's (but I've only had one cup of coffee this morning). Here you can find all sorts of great information on dating antique and vintage postcards!