A Big "Hello Kitty" Birthday to Ashley

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Nineteen years ago,




...a precious baby girl made me a Mom for the very first time.



Born at 1:01 am, she was the most beautiful sight my eyes had ever seen!
...love at first glance!




Weighing 9lbs 12 ozs, at birth, she hardly seemed an infant,
but what a good baby she was!




She had her moments at times, as any kid would.
But on a whole, she's been a good one, making her dad and I proud!

And today she celebrated
in grand Hello Kitty style.




.... 'cause she's still a kid at heart, in some sense,



.... and isn't afraid to beat to her own drum!
To be the wonderful individual that she is!















My prayer is that the Lord will bless her with many more years!
...good ones!




And that she will always have laughter and joy in her heart!




Happy 19th Birthday, Ashley!
... Loving you very much, Mom!




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Hello Kitty Cake was created by a local baker,
handcrafted in fondant!

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Post Linked To:
Mop It Up Monday, Birthday Bash @ I should be mopping the floor


Simple Fall Pillows

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Fall is right around the corner...
Hard to believe if you live in the hot.humid.South! ha!
Feels like summer right on!

This past weekend,
I made a few fall pillows to go in my booth.




Started with Iron-On Transfer paper,
running the transfers off on the computer.

The super cute graphics came from The Graphics Fairy.




I trimmed the transfers down, before applying them to a thick linen material
with the iron.




Each pillow was stuffed with poly-fil.




The "Pumpkin on the Pedestal" is my personal fav.
Got to make one of these for my home!








The two pillows below, were "trial and error made to the good!"
The little pillow was meant to be larger,
but that didn't work out.

It took a few tries to get the hang of the transferring.

With both pillows, I was trying to use fabric that was misprinted from a bad transfer
on the opposite side.
But it was getting late, I was tired, and I sewed both "bad" panels in, instead of out.
When I turned them, there was the dud panel showing on the back of the pillow.




In order to salvage the owl transfer, 
I cut it down as well, and added it to a burlap pillow.




Packed them in a large basket for display...




And these little darlings are headed to the market...
Just in time for Fall Decorating!



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Linking Post To:
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Creative Inspirations @ Embracing Change
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Share Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Brag Monday @ The Graphics Fairy


Vintage Colored Glass Finds

Sunday, August 19, 2012

My Junkin' was a little slim this past week, 
not a lot of time to hunt.
But I was in one of the local thriftin' shops I usually stop in bi-weekly,
and stumbled on the beautiful colored glassware pieces below.

A stocker was coming out of the back room with half of these,
and I caught him before they were ever put on the shelf!
He was nice enough to offer the rest of the stash they had in the back.
I was turning on the Southern Charm, let me tell you!  ;)
...Wouldn't you for these beauties! ha!

And they were priced really cheap!!! 



The black pieces were made by Indiana Glass,
 the Black Diamond Point Pattern.



The tall red vase
is 50's Mid Century Mod Ruby Red Amberline,
made by Viking.



The beautiful little red and yellow Fenton piece
is Amberina.




The two orange vases and the dark blackish-red vase
are Viking, also.



Aren't the details of the glass just striking?



The orange cut-glass vase below,
I'm not so sure about.
Not certain of it's age or maker,
but it is stunning in person,
It is a large, heavy piece and would be so pretty in a fall vignette.








I also found the three snuffers, below.



Love the detailing on the handles!



Hope your week of junkin' was fruitful!
Sometimes it just pays to be in the right place, at the VERY right moment!



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Linking Post To:
Thrifty Treasures @ Southern Hospitality
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedar Hill Ranch
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Vintage Inspiration @ Common Ground


Girlie Dorm Decorating

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

My baby -- a college sophomore ...can it be???

We moved Ashley into her dorm yesterday,
and I believe we're about to get the hang of decorating and stocking a dorm! 
Last year, we didn't know what she would need, 
{we were newbies, you know}
so we carried EVERYTHING, resulting in way too much stuff! 

And yet, although we had EVERYTHING, we still didn't have all the right things!
Does that make any sense??? ha!


~ ~ Ashley's Sophomore Dorm ~ ~
{Photos are in no particular order}









The furniture and lay-out were different from her freshman dorm,
which we were anticipating.

But the one thing that really threw us for a loop, 
 sending us scurrying around Raleigh yesterday for a new plan,
 ...the walls!

The walls in this residence hall were wallpapered a grass-cloth type material.
Therefore, the vinyl wall decal of a black chandelier Ashley brought didn't work.
So disappointing, ...with blingy accents, the chandelier was certain to be super cute!!!

We searched for a metal wall hanging; a large crown, chandelier, cross...
But having no such luck, we opted for the mirrored butterflies
and the black and white prints.







The framed print, below, is of "letters" derived from objects around campus, that look like a letter.

My mom bought it at The Craftsman's Classic Art & Crafts Festival,
a few weeks ago in Myrtle Beach.
The vendor suggested that we frame it without the glass,
enabling her college friends over the next years, to sign the surrounding mat!
Ashley loved the idea!

And I already had the frame, bought in a box lot at an auction, without the glass,
so that worked out perfectly!







The pink and gray caddie/tote in the bottom desk cubicle,
was found at Sears, a canvas toolbox by Craftsman.
It is sturdy and portable, housing Ashley's makeup.
It served it's purpose well last year!












Anything catch your eye???
Here's where it can be found....

Comforter - Amazon.com & ebay
Linens - Cynthia Rowley X-long, HomeGoods
Black Body Pillow w/ Black Body Pillow Cover - Target
Monogrammed- Locally
Black Ruffled Rose Pillow - TJ Maxx
White Ruffled Rose Pillow - Marshalls

B&W Marilyn Monroe Framed Prints - Walmart
Silver/Mirrored Wall Butterflies - Target
"Meredith College" Framed Print - Craftsman's Classic Art & Crafts
Festival Vendor
Black "Cut-outs" Wall Divider {over Fridge} - The Container Store

Damask Print Step-Stool - Marshall's
Black Desk Chair - TJ Maxx
Pink Lamp - TJ Maxx {last year}
Teal Blue Desk Fan - ? {last year}
Black High Heel Shoe Tape Dispenser - Office Depot
Hello Kitty NY Bank  - NYC Souvenir Shop {last year}
Silver Pedestal Mirror - HomeGoods

Black & Silver Small Table for Printer - {perfect size!} TJ Maxx
Dorm Fridge - Lowe's

Silver & Pink Over the Closet Clothes Hanger/Hook - Marshall's {last year}
Silver Magnetic Dry Erase Board - Walmart
"A" Monogram Key Holder/Wall Hanger - Made by Ashley


If I've left anything out, and you'd like to know,
 just leave a question in the comments! :)

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Sharing this Post at:
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Share Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri Friday @ 2805


Lou's ~and~ A Southern Blogging Convention

Friday, August 10, 2012

"I'm so excited,
and I just can't hide it...."

Want to know why?
...'cause I already have my ticket bought, and calendar marked,
 reserving the weekend of October 12-13, for my very first blogging convention!

The Southern Bloggers Conference 2012
in Raleigh, NC!

All are Welcome!
It's only called Southern, because that's where it's being held, ...in the South!
But, we'll extend our southern hospitality to anyone who wants to attend,
'cause we're just nice like that, ya'll know! ;)

Check out this LINK for more information and the Conference Blog!
The organizers of this event have lined up some awesome and informative sessions!
Hope to see you there!



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On another note,
I'll be taking a few days off from blogging.
We'll be moving my daughter to college on Monday.
In the meantime, we're busy packing and taking care of last minute details!

I'm leaving behind a virtual visit of Lou's,
where I have my second junk booth.

The front of Lou's is a garden center and florist.
If you are ever in Wilmington, NC, you'll want to plan to visit her charming shop!
....and visit the second-hand booths in the back!

Just browse along....

Gorgeous Nursery Plants Surround the Patios....









 Florist Inside....






Gifts and Garden Accessories from the Garden Center...




























How cute are these??? 



And a few shots of my booth {Bello Market}, in The Collector's Market in the back...



The placement of the pictures on the back wall look a little odd,
but originally I had a big beautiful bright canvas hanging behind the blue chair,
instead of the smaller framed print.
Five minutes after it was hung, a couple bought it.
But that was a good thing!!! :) 












Lou's Flowerworld
Garden Center & Florist
5128 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC  
910.395.1004


DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS