Favorite magazines no longer being published

I became a reader of Victoria in the early 90's. It is chock full of wonderful vintage clothing, stationers, homes, decor, etiquette, writers/artists, gardens and so much more. I loved the calling cards section. I also became an online forum junkie when they first started one and then it became another name and then another and then the magazine quit being published and I lost interest. It was a very sad day when I heard that Hearst would no longer be publishing my favorite magazine. I have picked up the newer version but I feel like something is missing. Maybe it's just me being prejudiced but I don't have the same feeling reading it as I did the previous publication.

I got a card in the mail last month telling me that my subscription to Cottage Living would no longer be published. Very sad. I loved this magazine, as I live in a cottage and appreciate the articles and photos of other cottage dwellers.

Now I have been searching for my other favorite magazine ME Home Companion only to find out it is no longer being published, either. :{ What the heck?!!! I loved this magazine and the artists studios and the decor. All of my favorites seem to go by the wayside. I am so sad. Which magazines do you love and what should I check out based on these being my faves? I look forward to your input. I am a magazine junkie. I am contemplating ordering Traditional Homes, again.

Birds nesting, bees buzzing, flowers blooming

We have so many pairs of birds nesting right now. This Purple finch is nesting above our back staircase in the rafters. The male is colorful but of course the female is brown and white mostly. Hmmm...how did it happen to be that the male species in animals came to be so much more vibrant? We also have a pair of Morning Doves, Wrens, Robins and Warblers nesting in our birdhouses and vines. Hubby had to scare off a pair trying to nest in a tree on the front porch as that is where we will be spending a great deal of time and don't want to risk being dive bombed by them. lol Their song is sweet and soothing this time of year.

Life is being breathed into the gardens and the trees are waking up and bees are flying around. Spring is wonderful! We have soccer, baseball and basketball games going on now in the park across the street. It is fun to listen to them hooting, hollering and cheering.

The weather has been wonderful the past 3 days. 58, 73 and today 75 and sunny with a bit of a breeze. Perfect. If only I could find a home that was like this year round...daydreaming again. Sorry.

Oh yeah, there is a mermaid giveway going on over at Heavenleigh Art. She is so talented. Go have a look at her artwork. You'll see what I mean.

Easter Wishes

Today was a sunny gorgeous 55F. We went to a local nursery to buy a Sand Cherry. Of course I took my camera along and captured some images to share with you.

The entrance to the nursery.These flowers were so pretty with a white flower and blue lines but I could not get closer to it because it was behind some tender plantings that I did not want to accidentally trample on. These tulips were so bright and cheery against the stark background. Not sure what these are but they were tooooo cute!

Hope you all have a lovely Easter with family and friends. My husbands favorite flower is this one above, the purple hyacinth. That is from our garden.

Having a little fun with words and birds

I had some fun today with my camera. This has not been edited in any way. I love the vibrant blue behind the yellow daffodil from my garden. Guess what the blue is. A tarp covering our boat. I held the dafodil out and snapped the shot a few feet away from the boat and focused in on the flower. I love how it turned out. I may have to put this in my etsy shop.

I love vintage papers and images. Here I used stamps and vintage colored ink pads to create these fun tags. I ripped the bottoms and added an antique looking wire edged ribbon to finish them off.
I just adore chubby birds. This time of year they are plentiful. They are singing their song and creating the perfect nests for their ittle ones. Dancing with their partners in the sky.

Words of inspiration. These have been ripped, inked, stamped and aged. Perfect for embellishing just about anything. I like to use them in my journals, mixed-media pieces and cards.

I have been a busy bee. Lots of paper crafting. Flowers and envelopes will be finished soon and I will be back to show some of those, as well.

Blog background, Movies, etc.

I know some of you are wondering why I am constantly changing my blog background and header. Well truth be told, I have yet to find something that screams "that's me!" I love flourishes and swirls and flowers, birds, nature in general, and color but I cannot seem to find just the right thing. Today I stumbled upon this one and it felt like a nice worn pair of jeans feels. It is simple and elegant and has just the right amount of flourishes and flowers. I hope to keep it for awhile.

We came home to Easter cards from my mother today. How sweet. This year I did not send any out. I let the time fly by without a thought of even decorating for Easter. What has happened to me? I usually love decorating for each holiday. Not over the top excpet for Christmas and Halloween but at least enough so you can tell we enjoy the holiday. It seems the older we get the faster the months go by. Months? Who am I kidding? The years, is more like it. Somebody make it stop, well not stop but at least slow down so I can get everything I want to do in. I mean before you know it I'll be pulling up my knee highs up from around my ankles and getting my housecoat caught in the front door while getting my walker out onto the front porch. Sheesh!

I may have to make a Bucket List. Did any of you see that movie? It's pretty good. I've always liked Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. Matter of fact, I loved the movie with Jack and Diane Keaton. Something's Gotta' Give. It warmed my heart and made me laugh. If you haven't seen it, you should. Grab some popcorn and a cold drink and sit back and enjoy.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Easter and Sweet Vintage Swap Packages

Look what came in the mail! Fun swap packages! The first was for a Sweet Vintage Swap. It came from Leah of Victoria, Australia. She included some scrumtious creamsicle orange chenille, a fun coordinating fabric and some vintage buttons and a color coordinated crocheted flower and leaves. How fun! I am thinking about what I want to create with it. Hmmm...

The second was for an Easter Swap and it came from Gail. She included an adorable handmade bunny, a handpainted and appliqued tote along with 3 Dove bunnies. Yum! Had to share them, though. She also included some fun papers, paper flowers and a tiny alphabet stamp set. I can't wait to have fun with this lot. Both ladies have sweet blogs and sweet families.

I as usual forgot to take pictures of what I sent but hopefully they will post some pics, as well.

Weekend creations

Some creations. Photo display magnetic bds.

Here are a few pieces I finished up this weekend. Photo display boards. They are fun to make. I use wallpaper for the backgrounds, felt on the backs to protect the wall and glass beads on the wire hangers and then embellish at will.

I also have been busy tea staining papers and cutting envelopes and flowers to add to the shop. I am thinking of making up some kits so that those creative souls out there can use them in their own creations.
Oh yeah, our daughter got her license Friday. Biting nails...

Scrappy the YoYo Clown and a Giveaway

I found this fabulous site that has all sorts of fun and inspiring ideas for those whom like to sew or just create, with no sewing. They have lots of patterns and their site is so fun to browse through. You should have a peek. It's called Indigo Junction
Imagine my surprise when I opened my email this morning and saw "Scrappy the YoYo Clown". My grandmother made me one of these when I was born and I had it until I was 13, when we lost everything. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw it this morning. I loved that clown. My grandmother died several years ago and I had wanted to ask her how she had made it. This one's face is even the same. Mine didn't have bells for it's feet and hands, it had yarn pom poms. I imagine for safety reasons.

Is there something from your childhood that has special meaning for you?
Joy of Joy to the Blog is having 2 really fun giveaways. Go check them out.