Merry Christmas 2012

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Graphics Fairy

I will be back after January 1st

I miss you all!

Happy Holidays!

Hello blogging friends!

This is a vintage postcard from my little collection post marked from Paris France to New York in 1922

(I added the border with PicMonkey)

I've been missing in action for a bit so I wanted to do a little post in case anyone out there was wondering why I disappeared! 

I miss blogging but most of all I miss seeing what you all have been up to in the last couple of weeks.

Life has been extra super hectic and not because it's the holiday time of year.

We took on a new adventure and my rug hooking pattern business has been busier than normal, which is great but I can't keep up!

Some things just had to give for a while and unfortunately one of the things is blogging but I do intend to come back after the first of the new year so I'm sending you all this cute kitty postcard and wishing you all a very

 Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and Happy New Year!

I miss you all and I am so looking forward to catching up on what you have been doing.

Please feel free to download the postcard if you wish!

See you in a few weeks!

Heavy but pretty...

Thanks to all the sweet bloggers out there who left such nice comments for me. I am back and fine. I'll avoid surgery at all costs in the future though...didn't like that one little bit! And who would!

Glad it's fixed tho!

Bloggers really are the best!

 I finally got out today, I felt like a caged animal after over a week inside.

I went to JoAnn's and loaded up on paint and brushes (since they were on sale) so I can start painting roses on anything I can find this winter.

Then off to a boutique that always has a few vintage things.

I picked up some really pretty green vaseline pieces that I'll save for later.

Then onto Whimsicals where I found a pretty vintage mirror with not so pretty metal flowers that I'll paint an antique-y white, then they will be pretty too.

I actually felt like puttering around when I got home. I had Mr. Wild set this super heavy cement old urn on one side of the fireplace bench. I filled it with some of my pine cones and a few antler sheds found in our woods years ago. Simple but I like it.

I can't wait to stick a tree top in this urn and decorate it for Christmas!

For those of you that have been following along on my Wyoming blog, I posted a few pictures today HERE

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to;
Timewashed for Blissful White Wednesday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Sunday Road Trip and more....

This is a long one...lots of stuff going on.

Mr. Wild managed to break his arm last week at work soooo that is making him kind of grumpy and not wanting to do any work outside (because he can't) to get things put away for winter (guess who will be doing that now...yes...me...not happy because it's already too cold for me).

So what do you do on a Sunday afternoon when you have a broken arm...go for a ride and hit a few antique shops just to get out for a while.

(I really had to intention to buy anything...just look...ya, right!)

First shop....I fell for this old box immediately and the price was really cheap. It's paper/ cardboard, not sure, but it's very sturdy.  I LOVE the embossing on it. It will find a good home here.

The frame and old chick were in the last shop we stopped at...the really good one in Wisconsin where she sells her treasures at such a good price! We were there this spring and finally were able to go back. It's very small but she always has things I love and for so cheap it's more like flea market prices than antique shop prices.

The frame will get a remake and I'll show you that when it's done...what color...white! Of course!

I have an obsession with white pitchers (it used to be just clear glass pitchers). This old beauty was from the "cheap" shop and it was very reasonable.

So was the old wash bowl that looks to be really old. The name on the bottom is Trilby, all I can find online is flow blue by this company.

But I love the crazing and light browning and of course the wild roses!

This "cheap" shop always has a basket of crochet and linens at $2 each. She had a big bag of crochet in the basket and since I am such a hoarder collector of old crochet this was a gold mine to me!

And the bonnet...at $2 and it's perfect! Look at the time and work that went into this!

And a small baggie packed full, I didn't even bother to open it there, it was more fun to go through the bags of crochet when I got home. They were all neatly folded, clean and starched. I love the frilly one next to the pink circles. The cream piece with the ribbon is the top half of a pin cushion hat that I will finish. Also an old linen runner ($2) that is stained a little but will be great for re-purposing.

This metal cabinet with mirror doors will be perfect in the bunkhouse bathroom, over the 'biffy', maybe a shelf below it too. The bottles were $1 each and the little aqua vase had a small chip on the inside for $3, you can't even see it.

A sweet little Limoges plate for $3, the picture does not do it on this at all.

Two very large cast iron harness hooks for hanging plants on the bunkhouse porch. An old slate and do you think I could find any chalk in this house so that I could write "I heart junk"!!! I have a box from when I was a kid but it's packed away somewhere. A bed lamp that I need for the bed in the bunkhouse (I use one here and I love it).The spoons are grapefruit spoons, I've never seen any like this. I've only seen serrated edges but these have a funny curved shape that will fit right into the halved grapefruit segments. I want to try them out.

And my favorite find of all...this crib spring. It's in excellent condition and small enough to hang on a wall and decorate. 

The woman in the shop (this wasn't the "cheap" shop) said it just came in Thursday night (This shop is only open on weekends) She was going to buy it and use it for a boot scraper by her outside door! Whaaat! So glad I rescued it!

I'm thinking of all of you blogging friends that are back east and hoping that you and your families are safe.

I have new pictures of the bunkhouse on my other blog HERE.

Our carpenter called last night and it will be finished (the exterior) the end of this week. 

I'm so anxious to see it in person!

And lastly, I won't be blogging for a bit.

Big chicken me has to have surgery for a hernia next Wednesday so wish me luck!

I am such a wimp, I've never had anything done before so I am scared to death. I was born with a small hole in the stomach muscle...usually men get this...my mom asked the Dr. when I was little and he said it was nothing...well it wasn't! So as I got older the fat has slowly pushed through that hole and it's gotten quite large. I'm finally to the point that I'm sick of it and want to get rid of it!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll post in a couple of weeks...I hope.

I think I'll be able to sit and catch up on your blogs, that's my plan.

Linking to:

Timewashed for Blissful Whites Wednesday

White Velvet Pumpkin

Every year I enjoy bringing out my old fabric pumpkins and finding a new place to display them.

This is a white velvet pumpkin which I tea stained and added a wool stem and a silk ribbon.

This year I used a few vintage books and lace doilies with one of my old doors for a background.

Thanks for stopping!

There's a new party in town be sure to drop by Timewashed!

Joining;

Timewashed for Blissful Whites Wednesday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Autumn Cloche

I'm joining Marty's CLOCHE PARTY, please stop by her blog to visit her fun party!

I found this tall cloche last spring at a sale and have never put it to use until I spotted Marty's party on Barb's blog. 

Be sure to stop by Barb's blog too (HERE)and see what she did! I love it!

Anyway, I started playing around with an old cast iron pot, turned up-side-down, placed one of my velvet pumpkins that I made about 10 years ago on top of the pot, hung a simple copy of an old postcard on the pot and placed the cloche over it.

Added a few pressed maple leaves and some old brown books.

I'm quite happy with how it turned out and so simple!

Thanks Marty and Barb!

Surprises in my yard!

I took a break today and this is what was out my front window.

Bluebirds!

They are migrating south and stopped by for a bite and a drink.

I had to quickly take these through the window without a tripod.

Aren't they just the sweetest things! There were a lot of them but this was the best I could do.

Look closely, this bluebird below has a Winterberry in it's beak!

Then the turkeys come by for a drink now and then but to see them drinking all at once was comical!

And one of our maples just before the wind came and blew the leaves all away!

I haven't begun to decorate inside but I am enjoying the Autumn treats outside.

Happy Autumn!

More pictures of building our bunkhouse and Wyoming HERE

Thanks for stopping by!

And check out all the fall treats at

 Common Ground for Fabulous Fall Fun

It feels like fall!

This is the first day that is felt like fall so I went for a short ride and took some pictures

(I just wish my camera was cooperating)

And of course I have to throw in a picture of the bunkhouse, this is the roof of the porch (still needing the roofing)

More pics on my Wyoming blog HERE

I'm driving back tomorrow and will be home on Monday.

They will continue to work on the bunkhouse and promise to take pictures at the end of each day and to email mail them to me hopefully twice a week.

I don't like to leave and miss the roofing, windows and doors but the forecast is for much cooler weather and staying in a small trailer when it gets cold is not what I want to do.

I miss seeing what everyone has been up to and I'm sure going to try to catch up on your blogs asap!

Sure wish I was able to get over to Deb's for the Minnesota bloggers get together...hope you all had fun!

Computers!!!

Good morning!

My computer went on the fritz the other day. I had to find a place in Cody, WY to git 'er fixed.

I went to PC Cowboys!

I was like handing over my life to a total stranger!!!!

It was so hard to drive away without it and wait for 2 days to get it back.

But it's back and runs even better than before after a certain anti virus program was removed.

He got my browser back with all my bookmarks which I thought would be impossible and installed a different anti virus program so I guess I'll stick with it.

I'm hoping to post some pictures today on my Wyoming blog. A lot has happened to the little bunkhouse but unfortunately I have to leave very soon and I'm about in tears not wanting to ever leave this place.

They found a buyer for my dad's condo which is awesome since that was only the 2nd  person to look at it so I have to get back to sign closing papers. 

Maybe that's a good thing otherwise I may never go back home!

I probably won't be visiting any blogs for a few days either since I really have to scramble to pack up and close up this trailer, then there is a 2 day drive back and I'll be catching up on everything at home. 

I really miss not seeing what everyone is up to!

See you all later....

Wyoming cattle and a sunset

Hello blogging friends...I thought I'd post an update on my Wyoming venture and this...

I could hear them in the distance and then all of a sudden there they were.

The dusty trail...this is the driest year on record for Wyoming

but it sure makes a neat photo!

And as they continued east, a little greener and nicer view.

(That's our poor old broken fence that we really need to repair.)

One of the beautiful Wyoming sunsets looking at the mountains north of Yellowstone Park.

I'm visiting a few blogs now and then and everyone is talking about fall. It doesn't feel like it here at all which is a surprise to me. I can take it though...easily!

It's been in the upper 70's to low 80's during the day and low 40's at night, just about as perfect as can be. Mornings are cool (especially the trip to the outhouse is a wee bit chilly!)

The Cottonwoods are starting to show a little gold and they are starting to harvest the sugar beets.

I LOVE it here and I wish I could just move into the bunkhouse and stay forever!

More pics on my Wyoming blog...here.

I also found a cool thing at the antique store today I'll post after I get a picture...I need suggestions...

Thanks for stopping!

Vintage Crochet Bag

For White Wednesday I thought I'd show you my pretty little vintage crochet bag.

The woman who made this probably used a lovely shade of off white or ecru crochet thread.

Now it reminds me of the lovely aging on old ironstone.

I love the crochet dangles...or whatever they are called...

It's well 'aged' but I think it's pretty this way.

Someday I will learn how to crochet these stuffed balls!

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

$5 Box of Treasures

Yard sales are far and few between out here in Wyoming but I did find a few treasures last Saturday.

I headed out to hit the only two that were in the paper, there are always a couple signs on the main street for those that do not advertise. I found a few things but then on my way back 'home' I found the best sale only about a mile beyond our road!

A small suitcase full of my favorite finds, lace, crochet lace, a sweet little tattered doll dress, embroidery floss...

 I also found this smooshed lace collar inside the suitcase.

It made me almost throw the $5 at the woman and run to the car I was so excited over the collar!

When I saw the collar I figured the price was well worth it. When I got home I dug through the mess and then I found the rest of the good stuff...it was all on the bottom. 

There were things too that aren't so swell that I removed.

Sorry about the bad background (a dishcloth!) but I am so limited right now, when I can I'd like to photograph this beautiful lace collar. I think it's Brussels lace, I'm not positive. It's a very large collar. Other than a few teeny holes a little yellowed and wrinkled, it's in great condition.

I always love finding old candy boxes and even better when there is old floss inside...

I've never seen a suitcase that opens on both sides. 

On the opposite side after you open it there is a lid that lifts to reveal compartments of vintage embroidery floss.

And last, the suitcase, in need of a good cleaning but that will have to wait.

All of this for five bucks! My kind of treasures!

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

White Wrap

Okay, I know it's a little out of the ordinary post for White Wednesday, it's not vintage but it is white!

Yes, it's the wrap around the bunkhouse, it's was the only white thing I could think of around here for White Wednesday!

It's starting to look like a building and I'm having a hard time believing that it really IS mine!

This will be the most awesome studio when the time comes...only thing is I am soooo impatient and I want to start moving my things in NOW!!!

Thanks for stopping by and if you want to see more and also the pretty red sun setting last night  (due to the smoke from forest fires in Montana)

Please visit here

Linking to;

 Faded Charm for White Wednesday

And 

Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

A perfectly quiet birthday!

 What a fine way to spend my birthday...just where I want to be! 

No big party or celebration...no cake and ice cream, well...I did have some Huckleberry ice cream.

Just peace and quiet out here.

I spent the day just exactly how I wanted.

This is the view to the east, the Big Horn Mountains with the almost always perfectly beautiful sky.

Part of the bunkhouse floor, they plan to come out on Monday and start building the walls.

Notice the "horse trailer" is loaded full.

A few flowers still manage to bloom where there has been no rain for weeks.

This is just a little bit but I mainly post about Wyoming on my other blog The Dirt Ranch.

Now that I'm here and feel a little rested after the 900 mile drive (just me and my cat) I plan to get back to my comments. I appreciate them so much and feel bad about falling so far behind. This is what I plan to do this coming week...catch up on my blog world!

Thanks for stopping by!

Pink Saturday Feature

Thank you Beverly from How Sweet The Sound for featuring my blog this Pink Saturday!

For the party, I did a quick trip around the house taking pictures of pink things and was surprised at how many things I found!

My 1950's prom dress, I found this at a yard sale for $5 and purchased it from the woman who wore it back in the 50's. (Here's the post for more about the dress.)

I love to crochet...flowers and hanger covers...

Millinery flowers are always fun to find...

A sweet old satin yoyo pillow that I found last week at my Gold Rush Days post...

Along with the ever popular pink gooseberry bowls...

A little fabric rose I made to decorate my crochet hangers...

More vintage millinery flower hats...

A pretty vintage doorstop.

Thanks for visiting!

Happy Pink Saturday!