New Camper Birdhouse for Pink Saturday 5/30/09

This is the little camper birdhouse I made in January and sold. I didn't want to sell it because I wasn't sure I could find another one since this was the only one they had at the time. But I did find a couple more and am making another one for OUR camper. It will NOT be for sale. But I thought I'd show you how it came together in case you might want to make one for yourself.

I finished this one the other day and it will definitely go into the camper that I've named the Rose Cottage Camper.

Garland and rose on top along with the name of the camper.

I started with a good sanding first and then painted some parts pink since they won't be covered with fabric.

Wheels will be covered with fabric though.

Some of the fabric might be lighter than others so the pink paint will help the wood to not show through.

Creating For A Special Chick

I created this for a chick. She doesn't yet know she is getting it. It's made of shabby roses fabric, paper roses, tissue paper garland, buttons, netting around the bottom, a "special chick sigh" and little charms. I can't wait until she gets it.

I am sooooo loving this new camera and the pix it takes. Much better than a few weeks ago!!
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Crafting Again

I've been crafting again and came up with this little cutie. It will be for sale on my other blog - La Maison Rose. I don't sell these very much as I like keeping them or giving them in swaps so if you want it go there. Roses and feathers make it a shabby romantic cottage birdhouse. Oh, and of course, the lovely rose fabric. ;-)

Random Thoughts on Pink Saturday 1/31/09

I want to remind you all to visit Beverly's site How Sweet the Sound and visit all the women who participate in Pink Saturday. You'll love all the PINK!
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A shabby and chic little crown. Not just any crown, my sweet cherubs, but a PRINCESS CHICK CROWN. Yesssssss!!! It isn't very big either - only about 4" across and 5" tall. See my little chick? Hah.... It is painted and glitter sprinkled to look almost like a snow crown. It has roses.....squeeeeeeeeal(!)......and feathers and pearls and rhinestones and tissue paper garland and tulle netting in which the little pink chick rests........oh it's so froufrou-y!

Oh, and if anyone would like to buy it, get in contact with me through my Profile Page here on the blog. My email is listed there. I just try to make it a teensy bit harder for the spammers, chickadees! *Wink*.......... Ooooooh, and nuuuuuuuu, you can't wear it around the house; it's only for show on your shelves. Hah!!

Now on to other things on this glorious saturday morning, my sweet cherubs.
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Some sweet ephemera valentines I received recently. It truly does remind me of when I was a child. These were the kind of valentines we sent and received. Aren't they quite adorable?

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My latest shabby romantic little cottage birdhouse. Ain't she cute?

First of all, let me show you one of my favorite prints by artist, Chuck DeHaan. I think I've shown it before but didn't get a good photo of it because of where it was hanging and I was too lazy to take it down. Well, since we've repainted the walls pink I haven't put it back up yet so I got a pretty good shot of it today in my living room entry.

Most people express surprise because it's more western art than shabby romantic roses cottage but when I see or buy art it has to speak to my heart. Yes, this spoke to my heart when I found it in a little antique shop in Niles area of Fremont, Calif. when we lived there.

I see the Indian looking lovingly and reverently down at the little blue bird in the bottom right corner. It simply tugged at my heart and it has found its place in my home. And I love snow scenes! I hope you enlarge the photo to see it best.

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Why is it that everyone on the road has to be first? They'll whiz by me and I'll see them at the stop light. I call it "hurry up and wait" because that driver has wasted more gas but didn't save one second of time since we're both sitting there waiting for it to change. I try to never hurry while driving. I just let all the nuts and zanies in front of me. That way they won't rear end me. Works for me.
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I heard the other day a famous actor comment on how he and his wife have been married for 30 years and are still together because they don't speak the same language. Literally don't speak the same language. He only speaks english and she only speaks french. I guess they sort of understand each other. How sad. First that he didn't learn her language and second that she didn't learn his language. Sounds prideful to me, not to mention rude and not at all like it should be.

Love Bunny and I have lasted for almost 48 years because we DO speak the same language: love for each other. A novel approach perhaps or a truly humble couple??? Hmmmm........
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There is definitely such a thing as an emergency run to the donut shop or to Michaels or Joanns. Trust me on this one.......please!
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Nagging never seems to work very well for me. I think I should give it up and just deal with hubby doing it on his time frame and save myself the stress of nagging. It doesn't accomplish anything. And if after 40 years you see no progress then maybe it doesn't work like they told me it would. Ahhhhhhhhh, I feel less stressful already........
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My friend called me the other day with this opening line: Wicked witch, how may I torture you. A very novel line I thought. But then she knows me quite well and knew I'd probably need a laugh about that time of day. Plus she needs me; I'm helping to raise her teenagers with my words of wisdom........well, I think they are since my kids are 45 and 46 and doing quite well!!
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I saw a couple waiting at the doctor's office the other day with a baby in a camouflaged baby carrier. Now, can anyone tell me why a teensy baby would need to be in a camouflaged carrier?! I doubt there were any deer or moose lurking at the medical center. But ya never know, right?!
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A person once accused me (lightheartedly) of flattery. I told her I never ever flatter; I only speak truth. If someone is pretty I let them know. I always tell children how gorgeous they are because THEY ARE. (Kid in my house ripping it apart while mum sits idly by is the exception. They are never invited back. That's a firm rule in my home.) But it almost suggests I'm lying. Now, why in the world would I lie by saying you're lovely, gorgeous, pretty or beautiful. I get nothing out of letting someone know they look better than me. Nooooo, I don't flatter, I speak truth when that person is beautiful, lovely, pretty or gorgeous.
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The concept of growing old has never really taken hold with me. Just ask anyone who knows me or chats with me on the phone and hasn't ever met me in person. I'm a 20 year old at heart.......okay, maybe 25, but that's the absolute oldest I'll go! I am the poster chick for "I'm never gonna grow old"!
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I think a study should be done on the effect of testosterone in the presence of power tools.
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Love Bunny and I were chatting one morning and I asked him if he thought there would be food in heaven. He thought not, but wasn't sure. If there is no chocolate, truffles, oriental chicken salad, fish, shrimp, beans and coleslaw, cornbread, french bread with butter or Pepsi, then I'm not sure I'd wanna go.
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Last sunday in Relief Society at church they were doing a "good news" moment. Everyone who has good news just shouts it out. I thought of raising my hand and saying, "I think my anti-wrinkle cream is working finally" but thought better of it. They'd probably throw me out because of either my levity or I'm starting to look pretty darn good, chicks. Hah.........
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Now, if you want to see how truly blessed you are in this life, watch this video below. But you'd better have some tissues ready. This man is astounding and shows the true humility of man and the power of God. He is a blessing to be here on this earth and I praise his loving parents for not aborting him. He has a zest for life I don't see in many people! I, also, love life and never ask "why me?" or "if only" or "what if", I go on and make my happiness the best way I know how. I lead a charmed and blessed life.

My Latest Creation

Just so you all know, this post was composed over a week ago and might not make sense because Deb has gotten her prize now. I believe it's the one she would have chosen. Sorry if there is any confusion!
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I've been wanting to create something just so very froufrou-y for a while and just have been lazy about it. But I have 2 valentine swaps and a 500th post giveaway and decided to make items just kinda over the top - in a classy way of course. ;-) Can I make ya laugh or what, chicks? So now..........

This will be the first of 3 things I'm doing. So someone has a choice to make today. My Dolly's Valentine Swap partner, Deb, has a decision to make. Are you reading this, Debbbbbbbb?!?!?! You can have this one or it can be one that you haven't seen yet. It's your decision to make. A sure thing.....or a sight-unseen thing? If you don't take this one it'll be the prize for the giveaway for my 500th post. I've told all you chicks about this so if you miss out by commenting on my blog when I post the giveaway prize don't come crying to me as that always interferes with my Feng Shui and I hate when that happens! Ratzzzzzzz ! ;-)

This little jewel is roses barkcloth on the front with a red valentine bead up at the peak of the roof (hidden under the white garland) and roses running along the roof line of the little birdhouse. A tissue paper garland is on the roof and rick rack goes around the bottom. A mulberry paper rose is set on the little perch and on top of the paper garland. I then added a double "skirt" of pink nylon tulle. So this is pretty much it except for a few very minor details also.

This is NOT the blog post to comment on for the 500th post giveaway. I'll let you know very clearly when that is posted. This post here is my 511th. But I'm so astounded that I've posted this many that I need to celebrate. Oooooh, and chocolate truffles will be accepted graciously! Thank you very MUCH!!! :-)

Back is a lovely roses fabric also. But one of the requirements for the valentine swap is that the item has to have hearts on it so this meets those requirements. I put more roses on it than anything though so it'll make a "statement" whatever time of year it is when placed in your home.

Side is a red and white check.

Even prettier in real life, chicks! Promise.........
Clicking to enlarge gives you a much better view also. ;-)

Sooooo it could be Deb's or it could be one of you who takes this home, my sweet cherubs. I'll post as soon as I hear from Deb..........

Vintage Fabric Birdhouse

I made another birdhouse today. I haven't crafted for several weeks now and I've missed it. Sometimes we just get into a slump and life kicks in and we just veg out in a nice, soft, comfy easy chair with a good book. That's me!

Anyway, this one was really quite fun to do out of all the birdhouses I've done. I used a vintage wilendur tablecloth. Maaaaaan, when I first cut into that tablecloth I almost cried! It was so gorgeous and they are becoming so hard to find anymore. So I use it sparingly. But the other fabric is an old cloth cover also. So when it's gone, it's gone forever. The other part is chenille - pink of course!

I then had to decide what I wanted to do. I just started sorting through all the "junque" I had and kept wanting more and more. I added little paper roses, ribbon rose, faux diamonds, rhinestones, pink vintage lace (haven't seen this particular pattern before in pink!) little posies around the front side and rose leaves all around it.

The little mommy bird is sitting on her pink paper nest just waiting for her babies to arrive. :-) Then she added some little flowers, twigs and a leaf to make a cozy bed for her baby chicks.

I was sitting in my office on the computer when hubby came home and I showed it to him and he actually said, "WOW!!" I asked him if he thought it was too much frou-frou and he said NO! Now, that's a first, let me tell you.

Now, here is the sad part. My friend, who is the only other Idahoan transplant from California I know and she lives up in north Idaho, emailed me today to tell me she is giving up her blog. Booooo hooooo. I just about cried I was so disappointed. She is funny and humorous like me and I feel a kind of kindred spirit since we both came from the same general area of California. Esther just has some other issues going on right now and they come first. I admire her greatly for doing this. Family first! But I'm going to miss her greatly. But I'm supposing I'll be emailing her from time to time.

Esther!!!!!!!! I'm gonna miss ya, cherub!!!!! Sniffle.....sniffle.......sob........sob........

Sunday Chat

I'm still marveling over what I've found when I cleaned up the office here and transferred everything over to the sewing, now sewing/craft, room. I just know that some of the things I'll be using within the next week. I still haven't decided what but I've got a few ideas.

These little wooden blocks are due for a painting - pink, of course - and then spell out something. Hmmmmmm, wonder what it will be. Maybe paint a rose on each of them.

Look at the sweet yellow and pink of these little posies! I think I'll use them on a new birdhouse I'm doing. Maybe it'll be finished by the end of the week.

And who could resist these little pink flowers all shimmery? Not me!!

Yep, got some little white ones also. To think they were hidden under some computer stuff!! I'd forgotten all about them.

These little scraps came to me with some things I'd ordered and were used as packing material. I thought it was just too pretty to throw away so I'm thinking of a way to incorporate them into the newest birdhouse, which will also be covered with rose fabric. What else?!?! :-)

And of course, who could resist these little pink roses to put somewhere? Maybe on a new sachet I plan on doing this week.

Yesssss!!! These were lost under the computer books also! I can't believe what I found today. This little book has a little heart that says "We are always the same age inside." Those are my sentiments exactly. I may be almost 70 but my heart and head are still 20! I keep telling everyone who will listen to this but they don't quite get it if they are under the age of 35. Hah, have they got a lot to learn.

And look at these old victorian stickers.......old boot shoes - or whatever they called them back then, and parasols, fans, hat boxes, hats and more roses! I love old ephemera but these are new type stickers for scrapbooking.