My Weblog

I wish... {and some free images}

 
{applied textures from Kim Klassen}

I wish {and maybe you do too!} that I weren't so WISHY-WASHY! Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. But after realizing that moving my blog was going to cause a host of yicky problems, I changed my mind, AGAIN.

So with my little tail between my legs, and peeling egg off of my face, it's official. I'm going to stick with Typepad. But if anyone wants to know how to export their blog, ask me, I know how to do it!

All was not lost though as making the temporary move resulted in me learning a little more about the inner workings of a blog that will come in handy in the future. Did you know that by exporting your blog to a file on your computer that you have effectively made a copy of your blog complete with photos and links? Nothing was physically moved per se...my blog remained intact. I just ended up with a copy of it in a downloaded file on my computer.

ALSO!!!! I learned how to comment on blogs using my Typepad Open ID credentials...thanks to Wordpress. Long boring story. But for any other Typepad users who want to know how, holler. I'll share my limited wisdom.

 

Here's a beautiful print I snagged from the Graphics Fairy. The frame is one I made by taping some punched papers together. Feel free to use the image if you would like...

And heres a few more I made from the same template using Elements. You will need to use a photo-editing program that allows you to work in layers in order to slide a photo behind the frame. Enjoy! I only ask that you not sell the images themselves in a collage sheet or CD or anything of that nature.

 

 
 
And last, but certainly not least, as I am so looking forward to it...

 ...Christy Tomlinson's newest online class begins on Monday, May 23rd. You can still sign up through Sunday, the 22nd. Click on this picture over in my sidebar if you want more details!

I adore her style and this one looks packed with lots more yummy journaling goodness.

 

 

Xo, Sue

dreams versus reality

Yesterday the movers came and loaded up my daughter's belongings which were doing an interim rest in our garage until the lease on her new rental began, in a new city...

My DH and I dutifully supervised the loading in an effort to make sure the right things got on the truck. Lots of "stuff" in that garage these days...sigh.

Then we blazed the trail for the moving truck to follow us to the daughter's new place...

After days of doing battle with this summer cold,

 that likes me so much it refuses to leave,

 and all the hours spent coordinating this move,  

I was looking forward to stealing some quiet time away

in my artsy craft room...

HOWEVER

When one walks through their back door and sees this waiting...

...evidence that there is a houseful of teen-aged boys, dreams quickly get traded for reality, don't they?

On Thursday an out of state visitor arrived to spend five days with our youngest. Since the little visitor --all 6 feet 4 inches of him--was a former neighbor and dearly loved by all, our home has become reunion central! It's amazing how many men-sized teens can bunk out for the night in one child's bedroom. 

Here's hoping that one day soon a little free time will emerge so I can share some of my recent finds and catch up not only on bloggy business but also on rest and life in general. Meanwhile, I'll sneak in this latest snag...

Twenty-something dollars at a local antique shop!!! It is large...maybe 30" x 36"...and the portrait is a pencil drawing! Still not sure just exactly how I'll use this when I do some re-fluffing of our home...will probably give the frame a paint job....hubs thinks the baby looks a little creepy {WHAT?!} so maybe it will have to be replaced...

More sharing is on its way when reality begins to align itself with my dreams.

She says hopefully....

Free Vintage Image

The more time I spend sorting through my stash, the more I keep thinking, I MUST start scanning some of these to share...
Is he adorable or what? Love the little pocketwatch attached to his jacket.

The photo is dated 1911. The actual photo is pretty scuffed up with lots of little ickies that I digitally erased to the best of my photo-editing software's ability --it's not Photoshop. One day, she says with a hopeful attitude, I WILL LEARN the ins and outs of Photoshop.

Please feel free to save and use any of these images for your own personal use!

Now it's back to more sorting...trying to be ready for Karen's big event: Where Bloggers Create on June 19th. 
 
 

PINK SATURDAY

 

Click on any photo to see it enlarged.

Welcome! So glad you had a chance to stop by. It will tickle you pink to visit our hostess, Beverly, for a complete listing of all of today's participants. Just click on her name and it'll take you to the pink list...

 

Might as well face it I'm addicted to............ {remember that song?}

• pink
• victorian scrap
• vintage postcards
• digital manipulation
• etc.

However, it's a beautiful addiction to have...so today I thought I'd show a little sampling of what makes me search for more, and more, and more. At the end of this post, I've scanned in the little pink wreath of flowers for you. If you have this addiction too, please feel free to copy it for your own personal use.

  This is an old calendar top from 1895. Through digital extraction I've used the little pink girl in my banner.

The details in this old postcard, which I'm guessing is in excess of 100 years old, is excrutiatingly stunning. At some point in time I'm hoping to carefully remove the victorian die cut in order to make a scan of just the card. It would make for a beautiful frame to use for other creative endeavors. 

 

Any day that I am fortunate enough to find one of these lovely postcards, is a good day. During World War I and II, our overseas soldiers used to purchase these to send to loved ones back home.

The embroidery is just exquisite...all done on a sheer netting and then framed in what was often times a heavily embossed card.

   Above is the copy of the little pink heart I scanned for you.

I hope as you continue on through your day, that your little heart finds you happy.

Thanks for visiting, and a big thank you to Beverly for hosting today's event!

The digital white frames used in several photos above are the creation of Sande Krieger and available for purchase at 2Peasinabucket.com.

 

Guest Room Makeover

 

 

Oh baby, I'm feeling it! I'm getting excited with the "coming together" of my guest room makeover. Back in July I posted here about this amazing {to me} headboard. At the time, I wasn't sure where I would be using it, I just knew I would be!

While there's miles to go before I'll be finished {satisfied?} with the final rendition, I'm happy where it's headed. "PRICE" is of utmost concern and I'm gathering pieces I've had forever, as well as a few additions I purchased at thrift and antique stores. All for thrifty prices, of course. For instance, the chest beside the bed...it's an Ethan Allen piece from their discontinued French Country line. Not sure of its original retail price tag, although there is a used one available here that is identical to mine, save that mine is in their painted version which I much prefer for my purposes. Their price tag? $799. Plus the $160 shipping cost.

I paid $150 [in mint condition] and the cost of delivery for me was treating my son and three of his strong friends to a breakfast at I-Hop!

Like many of the things I have throughout my home, the framed print was a snag during our spring break vacation in Florida. The minute I saw it, it spoke to me. The focal point of the print is a white lab. Immediately I knew I could get away with this purchase. You see, my little white lab is the apple of my DH's eye. He loves, loves, loves that pooch. As I was checking out, another customer in the store with this beautiful British accent informed me that the artist of this print was Andrew Wyeth. The name of the print, I later learned, is called Master Bedroom.

But truly, I was initially drawn to the piece because of the gorgeous frame. I love detail and scrumptious patina...

 

To demonstrate this love for patina, take a look at these old stools I bought in Tennessee at an antique store. $35 for the pair. My DH rolled his eyes when he spotted these little treasures. I could read his mind and it was thinking, "she's not bringing these in the house, is she?"

So there you have it...the beginnings of a room makeover. As it evolves, I'll keep you posted [pun intended].