~PLUNK de JUNQUE in de TRUNK~

~BRAVING de HEAT~

The temperature setting is STUCK ON BROIL here in Oklahoma and so far this year we've had 22 days of insufferable heat.  The uber-high-temps have successfully contributed to the killing of both our lawn and some of our shrubs...  My La Chaumière is quite a sight...

(I'm thinkin' a little bit of cheese would be quite tasty with my WHINE....)

OK...so this is the plan for today...

I'm off to estate sale and tag sale shop with my friend, Becca!  Then we will be stopping in at my FAVOR-RIGHT Antique Market in Oklahoma City!  I'm feeling some good JUNQUE comin' my way...

Despite the heat I just LOVE MY LIFE!  Nothing like SUMMERTIME SLUMMING with a 2die4 friend!!! :)  I'm searching for a twin bed for a guest room and I'm hoping against hope I can find something WONDERFUL on the cheap!  No other way to shop!

(I'll be sure to brag showoff share with you my great finds!)

Hope you are having a fabulous SUMMER DAY...

Love to you...

~FRENCH PERFUME BOTTLE CARDS and TAGS~ Romantic Parisenne Ooh La La

  ~COMING SOON~

Nursing my hip injury has not been fun and it's kept me sidelined for several days.  I'm doing great now after a much needed round of meds and I'm almost back to being good as new.  Thanks to all of you who sent your kind thoughts my way!  I've actually been able to sleep for the first time in weeks and I'm feeling better than evahhhhh.....

 ~PARIS...Ooo La La ROMANTIC~

I'm going to take Wednesday and Thursday off this week to catch up on some special orders and to finish the production part of a line of French Bottle Perfume Cards, Notes, Hang Tags, Tea Bag Covers and Fabric Panels I've been working on since last Fall.

 ~WITH LOVE~

Today I'm giving you a sneak-peek at three original romantic designs newly fashioned at A Gathering Place.  If I didn't love painting and sewing sooo much I do think I would have loved becoming a full-time graphic-arts-girl.  Re-purposing vintage images and ephemera is my third favorite thing to do in the whole wide world!  I'm becoming a total computer geek and I'm quite sure this makes my sonshine, Brandon Kent, very, very proud! 

Hope your day is lovely!  I'll be back on Friday to show you yet another project that's been taking up my time!

Love to you...

~BECAUSE I HAVE TO BLESS ME~

~Adrienne and Momma~

Easter Sunday 1987

Back in the late eighties, right around the time this picture was taken of my precious daughter, Adrienne, she began to say the most delightfully sweet things.  She was not quite three years old and her big brother, Brandon, generally did most of the talking for her back then (boy has THAT changed!).  So, when she did finally start to speak we were always excited and more than eager to listen...  She had the tiniest of lisps and the loveliest way of chattering away about, well, nothing everything...  :)

 

 ~HANDMADE LACES~

One day after experiencing a wee little 'sneezing fit' I noticed my girl would always follow up her 'kerchooooos' with the statement

"Momma...I have to bless me!"

~INCREDIBLE NEEDLEWORK~

No matter how many times I tried to explain she was misunderstanding the sentiment "Bless You" after sneezing she just didn't seem to get it.  One day I finally just let it go.  Amazingly the expression somehow found it's way into the heart of my family and today it lives on...

 

 ~FABULOUS TRIM~

As a result a little life-lesson about giving was born which helped my children learn early on that if they did something for someone else in love the side benefit was they had a chance to bless themselves as well.

 ~FEMININE PILLOW SLIP~

~ROMANTIC and FLIRTY EDGING~ 

Today I was reminded once again by a faithful, loving friend that blessing others is most certainly what life is all about.  

 ~GORGEOUS CROCHET~ 

I've never met my friend, Francy in person.  She lives far away from me down south and I've known her since my early eBay selling days...about nine years now or so.

~LOVELY TATTED LACE~

We've formed a lasting friendship and I love her more than I can say.  She's nearly old enough to be my Momma and I can talk with her just like I was her daughter.

I'm so proud and blessed to call her friend.

 ~CAMISOLE TOP~

A few days ago Miss Francy emailed me to let me know she was sending a package of trims (and things) my way and today our trusty Mr. Postman delivered a big ol' box to my front door...

 ~VINTAGE CROCHET HOOKS~

~OLD PINK THIMBLE~

I was totally unprepared for what the box held.  Vintage laces and trims, crochet hooks, buttons, pillow slips and doilies were neatly tucked inside.  All the goodies were sent to both help me with my little business and to allow vintage laces, trims and edgings to live on and on...

I thought about the generosity of such a very special gift for quite a long spell...

(I'm sad to say I rarely give the BEST I have...) :(

 

~Vintage Buttons~

  Dear Francy-Girl

I want you to know that today I whispered a prayer of gratefulness for you.  You are an amazing, giving woman and I'm so taken with your benevolent, caring spirit.  My hope today is that by blessing me the blessings will return to you a hundred fold.

I adore you, girl!  Thank you...

Love~Rebecca

~~*~~

Tonight my now grown-up Adrie-Girl is coming over and we (along with my Miss K) are taking our recently widowed neighbor homemade soup, fresh-baked bread and strawberry jam for dinner...

Wanna know why?

"Because I have to bless me!"

Love to you as you share your best...