Texture and Age = Timeless Beauty

It's been a few days since my last post ~ and I had some very sweet friends tell me they missed seeing something every day ~ thank you!

I'm in a hurry this morning but wanted to share a few of my very favorite things, just Simple Joys really, nothing of value or importance, but little beauties in my eyes.

I found these gold leaf medallions a few years ago in a thrift store. So old and fragile, crackly and flaking, very faintly stamped Italy on the back, but I love them. I love the texture and the age. I love that someone else loved them enough to save them all these years.

I love these old wooden pieces too. Barely holding together, dry and brittle with age, but someone loved these enough to save them for another who would come along and cherish them ~ me. The one in the back was in my Dad's junk drawer ~ he was a collector of "stuff" as well.

I've noticed that most everything that is truly beautiful to me is old, cracked, withered, peeling, flaking, it has a HISTORY... and yet WE are so afraid to get old. We try our best to look young, we don't want anyone to see the age and the texture of our lives, but that's what makes us beautiful. That's what makes us interesting and unique. I turned 40 a few months back ~ I have a few silver hairs among the dark brown ~ the wrinkles are yet to come, but I don't dread them. They mean that I have lived life, I have loved life, and I will enjoy all that life has to give...

Have a beautifully blessed day ~ and life.

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Cottage Charm Giveaway WINNER!

Tonight's the night! I put all the names in a bowl...

wait not THAT bowl....

THIS one.... and drew out...

HEATHER of PRETTY PETALS!!!

~*~Congratulations Heather!~*~

Thank you to everyone who signed up. I enjoyed "meeting" all of you and visiting all the beautiful and inspiring blogs that your links took me to...

Check back in mid June ~ I have plans for another giveaway.

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Vintage Button Brooches

I enjoy working with my hands, whether it's painting, sculpting dolls, embroidering, or beadwork ~ and that only covers a few of the things I do.

There was a segment on an HGTV show several years ago demonstrating how to make beaded button brooches. Nearly any type of handwork interests me, so I have made a few of these vintage button brooches.

I collect antique and vintage buttons (mother of pearls are my favorite) and chose a couple of interesting ones to be the focal point of these pieces.

If you are interested in purchasing a brooch, please leave a comment with a link to your email or contact me through my email link (see my profile at left).

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Carved Bakelite: This vintage bakelite button is the very much desired deep apple juice color. I've encircled it with between 250 and 300 amber colored glass beads which I've sewn on by hand. It is backed with micro-suede and has a gold tone pin clasp. It measures 2 1/4" across.

$50

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Green Enamel on Silver: This button is green enamel on a silver toned button. I've encircled it with between 250 and 300 silver lined clear glass beads which I've sewn on by hand. I've also sewn three loops of beads which dangle so prettily when worn on a jacket. It is backed with micro-suede and has a silver tone pin clasp. It measures 2" across and 3" long.

$60

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"Cottage Charm" Giveaway

I just found this today and want to get in on all the fun. Please click here to see all the participating bloggers.

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Update!!!: I am adding a few little extra surprises in the pack before I mail it.
I'll also be adding a coupon for 5% off purchase of $25 - $99 OR 10% off purchase of $100 or more to be used on any Honeysuckle Lane item(s) on my website (sale items excluded).

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I've put together a mish-mash of vintage / cottage / shabby items for you to use in scrapbooking, altered art, etc.

The lucky winner will receive from me: 3 sheets of ca. 1900 music ( a little tattered but great for ephemera projects), 9 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 vintage wallpaper (3 of each design: *blue floral, *brown & ivory early american vines, *gold and bittersweet damask), a few extra smaller sheets of wallpaper, over 1 yard of each: pale blue crepe paper, ivory crepe paper, vintage blue rayon seam binding, gold metallic wired ribbon, cotton twill tape, and ivory scalloped fringe; 12 sheets of vintage blue paper, and a pink and white cutwork cotton doily.

All you have to do to enter is comment on this post, making sure that you have an email link in your profile or add your email address in the comment.

Saturday (7pm central ~ so lots more can sign up) I will write all the entries down (which may not be many since I'm getting in so late), put them in a bowl, and draw out a winner. I'll post the winner on my blog as well as send them an email asking for their mailing address.

Don't be shy, sign up, it'll be fun!

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After you sign up for my drawing, check out what Suzanne @ Painter of the Past and Deena of Sweet Annee are giving away!

Here a chick, there a chick, everywhere a chick-chick

The chicks are growing each and every day. They don't stay the little fuzzballs but a few days before they start to feather out.

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I've been letting them roam with their mamas and the rest of the chickens all day long now.

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Inquisitive little one isn't it?

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If one gets a little behind, straying to get just one more bug or seed before moving on,

mama clucks a little impatiently and it cheeps back and hurries on over to her, half running and half flying ~ "wait for me!".

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The last few evenings I've let Buffy and Henny Penny take the chicks inside the coop rather than catching them and putting them in the little pen I have for the babies.

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When they get settled, and I go down to close the doors so they'll be safe from critters at night, I always lift the mama's wings to count babies. Henny Penny has one little chick that sticks it's head out from under all the feathers and pecks away at my finger! It's so funny, such a tiny thing being so bold and brave.

I don't want to bore you with chick pics and chick tales, but I'll try to keep you posted on how they are doing from time to time.

Have a beautifully blessed day ~ here, the sun is shining and I'm going out to hang laundry on the line.

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A ~Teeny *Tiny* Tag~

A dear friend of mine, Suzanne, tagged me with a teeny, tiny tag. Before I play along, I want to remind you to take the time to look at Suzanne's wonderful naive portraits and other folk art handmade items. You may see her work here, here, and here. I own a few of her pieces and can personally tell you what a wonderful artist Suzanne is ~ the photos don't do them justice.

Now, for the teeny, tiny tag I am to open the book nearest me to page 28 and type an excerpt from it. I have two choices. One is my Bible, and page 28 has lots of who begat whom (Abraham's descendants), and the story of Isaac and Rebekah and their twins, Esau and Jacob. The other book I have near me is Our Village by Mary Russell Mitford. I think Suzanne thought this would be fun in more ways than one, for she knows my typing skills (or lack thereof) and is probably chuckling to herself wondering what sort of typos I'll make. Well the joke's on her ~ I scanned the page! I hope that you can click to enlarge it to read... or I guess the joke will be on me, huh?

And now I have to tag a few of you:

Diane Allison-Stroud (she has lots of time on her hands right now ~ gotcha back!)

and

Lynda (a friend of mine from 1/2 way 'round the world)

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More Victoria News

I was just looking at the Hoffman Media website and see that the Victoria website is back up and working again! I have just sent in my subscription for the new Victoria magazine. I don't want to miss a single issue! I already buy HM's Southern Lady magazine. I need to subscribe to it too, instead of trying to catch it on the magazine stands. Sometimes I do miss out.

A few years ago one of my pillows was featured in Victoria's That's Victoria section (see photo at left) ~ you talk about a country gal being on cloud nine! I was/am a HUGE fan of Victoria and for them to want to mention one of my handmade creations was a dream come true for me.

I'm sure Victoria will be bigger and better than ever. Hoffman Media publishes quality magazines with beautiful photography and well-written articles ~ I don't think we'll be disappointed.

Come Walk With Me...

...into the woods behind my home. Let me tell you, half a day can slip by before I realize it when I am out walking in the woods. I enjoy hearing the birds, the squirrels, the bull frog that makes his home by the little stream...

This morning I went for a walk and took some pictures to share with you...

Ferns make me feel so calm and peaceful...

I planted this little flower in the hole in the tree several years ago. It keeps popping up each spring (see photo below).

I LOVE this old tree. I think I'll transplant some native ferns in it this evening. If for some reason it ever has to be cut down, I told my husband I wanted it cut off right at the ground, left about 5 or 6 feet tall, cleaned up, and placed in a corner of my workroom.

I'm short, 5'3" if I stretch, but these huge old trees make me feel 5 inches tall!

But isn't it a glorious feeling to look up through the leaves at the warm sunlight filtering through?

Our walk was short but sweet ~ but I'll take you on another walk someday soon.

I hope you enjoyed it!

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Victoria Reigns Again!

(photo courtesy of Wikepedia)

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...the magazine, that is. I was so elated when I read on another blog that it is true! I saved many, many an issue though sadly I don't have them all. I continue to refer to them for inspirational articles featuring wonderful homes, delicious recipes, glorious gardens, charming frivolities, and inspiring women. I have several beautiful books by the editors of Victoria magazine as well.

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HOFFMAN MEDIA, LLC AND HEARST MAGAZINES FORM JOINT VENTURE TO RE-LAUNCH VICTORIA
The Magazine about Romantic Living to Debut October 2007
Birmingham, Ala., April 26, 2007—Hoffman Media, LLC, publisher of the successful magazine Cooking with Paula Deen, today announced that it has partnered with Hearst Magazines to re-introduce Victoria, a magazine that ceased publication in 2003. The two companies have formed a joint venture for the purpose of publishing Victoria and ancillary media products and events under the Victoria brand name. Owned and operated solely by Hearst from 1987 to 2003, Victoria will now be entirely under the direction of Hoffman Media, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hoffman will handle all editorial, production, distribution and advertising for Victoria. Hearst will contribute the Victoria trademark, copyright, URL (www.victoriamag.com), subscription database, and access to historical content of both editorial and art.
Founded in 1987 by Nancy Lindemeyer, Victoria was the authority on romantic living, including home and garden, fashion and beauty, food, home decorating, collectibles and profiles of remarkable women. Its mission was to create a community of kindred spirits – those who recognize the importance of beauty and manners and traditions in daily life. In its new form, Victoria magazine will once again take its place as the official guide to gracious living.
Victoria will be published bi-monthly with its first issue hitting newsstands in October 2007 with a November/December issue. The magazine will carry a cover price of $4.99. Hoffman Media’s launch plans for Victoria include heavy newsstand distribution, strong internet presence, and targeted direct mail campaigns. The ultimate goal for the launch of this bi-monthly magazine will be to reach 250,000 paid copies after just two issues.
“Victoria magazine had a unique editorial perspective and a loyal readership since its very first issue in 1987,” said Cathleen P. Black, president, Hearst Magazines. “Because of its success in the niche women’s lifestyle market, Hoffman is the right publisher to bring the Victoria brand back to life in its new format and we are confident that Phyllis and her team will do a great job.”
While Hearst ceased publication of Victoria following the June 2003 issue, the brand has lived on through a series of branded books published by Sterling Books.
“Women across the country have longed to have their beloved Victoria back and now they will,” said Phyllis Hoffman, CEO, Hoffman Media. “Victoria is a perfect fit for our roster of lifestyle titles that share a similar editorial and demographic focus. We’re thrilled to be working with Hearst to revive this brand for a more targeted audience of women.”
A leading special-interest publisher, Hoffman Media is known for specializing in magazines targeting the women’s market. The company’s most recent launch, Cooking with Paula Deen in October 2005, met with unbelievable success—reaching a rate base of 750,000 after only eight issues. The company also publishes titles such as Southern Lady, Tea Time and Taste of the South.
About Hoffman Media, LLCHoffman Media, LLC, headquartered in Birmingham, AL, is a leading special-interest publisher specializing in magazines targeted to the women’s market. In addition to publications, the company has a growing consumer seminar business and an established ancillary products division.
About Hearst MagazinesHearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines, with a total of 19 U.S. titles and nearly 200 international editions. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (73.4 million according to MRI, fall 2006). The company also publishes 20 magazines in the United Kingdom through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited.

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Click here for the actual webpage.

Fluff & Feathers

A *bubbly* friend of mine asked about the babies and I promised her I'd try to get more photos of them today. There are 11 of them; Buffy has 6 and Henny Penny has 5. Both mamas are still pouffy and clucking constantly. Every morning when I go to feed the chickens, I pick some clover for the babies (& mamas)... they gobble them up as fast as I can pick them! And look how the little wings are feathering out. They will be 2 weeks old Sunday. Thanks for asking about them Jean!

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Simple Joys ~ Simple Beauty

It has been drizzly nearly all day today, then the drizzle changed to a light shower... just slow and soft and pitter pattering. The temperature has dropped to 58 degrees and it's only 1pm ~ so much for the 80 degrees we had yesterday. I sometimes go out into my husband's woodworking shop when it's raining, just to hear the rain on the tin roof. I close my eyes and I'm back at my childhood home, in my bedroom, the window is open, and I'm listening to the rain on the roof... then there's the distant whistle of the train... and some evenings... if the breeze carried it just right across the hills and hollers and Big Creek that bordered our property... I could hear a neighbor who lived a few miles down the road playing the trumpet... quite often it was "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You".... it was such a slow, hauntingly beautiful sound...
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I thought I'd bring in the last of the azalea blooms ~ they are so fragrant! I wish you could smell them. I love this color ~ apple blossom I call it. I don't know if that's the name of the plant, but I think it's fitting.

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I sold another of my Sisters dolls, Emily ~ all that's left is Anne. I told her (Anne) not to fret, that she'd be going to a home soon, too. The right person at just the right moment will happen along. I thought I'd get one last photo of Emily before she was carefully wrapped and boxed and mailed to her new home. Do you see the sweet girl in the background?

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I made her last year, loosely basing her face and body on the Queen Anne dolls of the late 1700s and early 1800s.

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Her hair with the bun at the nape of her neck and the style of her dress are not like the Queen Anne's, but rather, they reminded me of my grandmother's hair and a style of dress I saw her wearing in a photograph when she was a young woman. Her dress is made from an old lace edged linen tea towel in one of my favorite colors ~ a pale, pale aqua. I'd been saving the tea towel for quite some time waiting for just the right use for it.

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I'd better get busy and pack Emily up for her journey ~ I hope the new owner will have as much enJOYment owning her as I had making her.

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Simple Vignettes

I never have my home completely decorated ~ always changing some little something here and there, maybe a bird's nest on the ivory pedestal today, and back in a silver dish tomorrow ~ the robin's egg blue vase in the bathroom for the moment, but possibly in the kitchen next week.

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So, for today, I'll share a few little vignettes scattered here and there throughout our home. Next week I may have something different to share.
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I like odd things, old things, simple things, things someone would throw away.... I'm not picky!

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I like things made by friends and talented artists. I like family heirlooms, no matter if they are rickety and worn...
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I like old wooden cupboards, bird's nests, feathers, tree bark, mosses and lichens...

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I like old books ~ musty, dusty books, it doesn't matter...

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I like old vintage jewelry ~ bits and pieces of broken sparkly jewelry...
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Mother's Day

Her heart is like her garden,

Old fashioned, quaint and sweet,

With here a wealth of blossoms,

And there a still retreat.

Alice E. Allen

Pure and sweet, her fair brow seemed as eternal as the sky;

and like the brooks's low song, was her voice,

a sound which could not die.

John Greenleaf Whittier

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Mother's Day is a bittersweet time for me now. My Mom passed away last September and it's still so hard to deal with at times. At the same time, I have a lifetime of precious memories of my Mama, so not a day goes by that even though I have sad, lonely moments, I have hours and hours of thoughts of her sweet smile, her soft skin when I kissed her cheek, her words of encouragement or praise, the sparkle in her eyes when she was watching her grandchildren, the early morning dewey walks with her to see the newest blooms that had just opened up, singing with her in church, her soft voice in the bedroom when she said her morning prayers before starting her day... the wonderful memories of Mama are endless. When going through her belongings, I ran across so many things we, her family, had given her over the years. The photo above is a rose corsage I made for her several years ago. Every Mother's Day Mom wore a corsage to church in honor of her Mother who had passed away when Mom was in her 20s. Mom had kept it and the little tag I had attached to it carefully wrapped in a drawer, only to be used once a year. I have it now, with many more of her small keepsakes, nothing fancy, nothing expensive,

just Simple Joys.

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Finds of the Day

Yesterday, one of my sisters and I went out of town for the day. We went to Goodwill, Salvation Army, and a yard sale among other places. Of course, these were my favorite stops!

I hadn't found so much in one day in a long time. Some of it is for myself, and some will be used in the items I make and sell. I think it was a good amount for a good price ~ $29 for everything I'm about to list:

1. Old painted wall cabinet with mirror (LOVE the cubby holes inside!)

2. Painted and crackled bench (needs a cushion or I might get a glass top and use it for a table)

3. Ironstone sugar (I collect brown transferware and this will look nice with it even though it's not all brown and white)

4. Ironstone creamer (to match)

5. Metal flower frog (the thing you put in the bottom of a vase to hold the flowers)

6. Glass dome with wood base (I'll probably use it for one of my handmade dolls)

7. Wood boxes (2 of them to paint ~ maybe fraktur inspired birds and flowers)

8. Silver plated woven basket (to hold little strawberry emeries I make)

9. Vintage Alice in Wonderland book

10. Wooden tool carrier (perfect once I paint it and add some of my handmade *glass*glitter* white pumpkins)

11. Vintage gilt frame (the gilt has worn off in places, but that's what I like about it)

12. Wooden whimsies (4 of them ~ maybe they went on the ends of drapery poles or were screwed in the wall and used to hold the draperies back? I'll find another use though)

13. Large wooden pedestal (oh what a grand make-do pincushion this will make!)

14. Ziplock bag full of vintage and antique laces and trims. (The golden yellow cotton lace ~ 9 yards of it! ~ and sheer ruffled trim with red edging is especially pretty.)

15. Several pieces of muslin, linen, and silk. (They were rolled up in little bundles and tied with fabric strips. One had a handwritten note that said "real small pieces of fine muslin". Most of these are from old clothing. Some of the linen and muslin pieces were gathered sleeves, and the silk looks as if it's cut from a dress bodice. I'll have to use these delicate pieces for doll dresses.)

16. A Wal-Mart bag stuffed full of excelsior straw, spanish moss, raffia, vintage crepe paper, and styrofoam balls. (I'll use all of this for my handmade creations a little later. The moss and raffia will fill baskets and wooden boxes as nests for my hand made birds and glass glitter pumpkins. The balls are great to use as a base for the heads of paper clay dolls.)

And here they are......

I think that's everything ~ I was so happy with my finds, but it would have been as special a day if I hadn't found a thing. My sister and I had fun and enjoyed our time together. She's had a huge battle with breast cancer for the last several months. If you've read about my Sisters dolls on my website or are on my mailing list, you'll already know a little of what I'm talking about. So, it was a blessing just to spend the day with her. God has been so good to our family, and continues to watch over us. He is in control and we are forever grateful for His Goodness and Mercy.

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