~HAPPY EASTER...HE IS RISEN~

"REDEEMED!  REDEEMED!  I'VE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE!

REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF HIS SACRIFICE..."

Today I'm celebrating my Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

  Hallelujah Praise the Lamb.

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL.

Love to you...

~A LITTLE HUMAN KINDNESS on GOOD FRIDAY~

 Just a quick Post today to wish you blessings and love this GOOD FRIDAY...  May your day be full of love, reflection and peace.

One of the treasures I found last Saturday during my estate sale hunt was an amazing little songbook from the 1940's.  I'm not 100% sure of the publishing time as the hymnal is undated.  It's a precious little thing and I enjoyed flipping through it and reading the words of some long forgotten songs.  Still, given the style and the aging paper of the songbook I'm guessing a bit on it's age. 

On page eighty-two I found a song written by Charles H. Gabriel...a well-known hymn writer and music editor of the time.  The song's lyrics are as timely today as they were almost 100 years ago.  It was penned in 1920...

A LITTLE HUMAN KINDNESS

"By making someone happy as we pass along life's way,

We bring a bit of heaven to the longest, darkest day;

The world is full of shadows, full of sorrow, grief and woe,

And snares are set before us ev'rywhere we go.

So many weary pilgrims toiling onward up the height,

Are longing for a friendly word, ere falls the shades of night;

O lend a hand to help them, haste to speak a word of cheer,

And gloomy clouds will brighten when the day is drear.

Keep all the hope-fires lighted by the torch of love divine;

As beacons thro' earth's darkest valleys ever let them shine.

Somewhere beyond the sunset, in a land supremely blest,

We'll find that human kindness paved the way to rest."

~~*~~

Beautiful, isn't it?  I just LOVE old music, songbooks and hymns.  They all make my heart SING!

 

Yesterday I finished and listed another pillow fashioned with some of the vintage lace finds discovered at the same estate sale from last weekend.  I used that AMAZING vintage Drawn-Work for the front pocket on the pillow.  Here's a picture of how it came out.  The pillow sold right away and I hope my sweet buyer, Miss M, will be very happy!  

Blessings to you today!

Love to you...

 

~EASTER BLESSINGS~

Dear Blogger Friends...

When I was a little girl and then well into adulthood one of my favorite hymns was entitled 

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS.

It was written by the Reverend George Bennard back in 1941 and for many years was included in most church hymnals.

I've sung this song more times than I can say and memorized long ago each word of all four stanzas.  The third verse is especially meaningful to me for it speaks personally to my own imperfect heart.  It says exactly what I've always struggled to put into words...

"In the old rugged cross,

Stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see.

For 'twas on that old cross

Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown."

 ~AS A CHILD on EASTER SUNDAY~

I've shared with you the picture above several times since I started blogging.  It was taken in 1963 on Easter Sunday in front of my childhood church in Hacienda Heights, California.  I deeply love this little photo and I'm so happy it has survived now for so many years.  I spent many a Sunday sitting inside this church and last week I was honored to visit it again.  Lots of life-lessons and Bible stories were learned in that building and it was there I also first learned to pray...

~OUTSIDE OUR CHILDHOOD CHURCH~

A chain link fence now surrounds the church making it impossible for my siblings and I to walk onto the property.  You can still see the same backdoor shown in the old photo taken with our parents.  Although noticeably tattered and worn I'm happy the church is still standing.

I love Easter and all it represents!

Today I wish you all a blessed holy day.  I pray for you peace, love, hope and forgiveness.

The very things I've found at the Cross.

Love to you...

~~~~~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING~~~~~ I Worship You, Lord

I worship you Lord! You did not enter your holy city Jerusalem on the back of a war horse, but humbly and on a donkey. You knew that you were surrounded by murderers, yet you came in peace, and by your sacrifice you would utterly conquer death before the week had passed.

You, oh Lord, are blessed and worthy of my praise. You have saved your people. I say, "You are my king!"

  They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he

who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!

John 12:13

~~*~~

Blessings to you as you honor the King of Kings this Palm Sunday...

~~~~~ALTERED ART EASTER SACHETS~~~~~ Sweet Bunnies For You

~SWEET SACHETS FOR EASTER~

I've been super busy in my studio this week, but I'm happy to say I've been able to sneak away just a tiny little bit to work on our suffering yard and garden.  Seems like I never have enough hours in the day to do everything I love to do...but I'm trying!  With all the remodel work we having going on (is it OK here to say "NEVAH AGAIN"?  I would but I already know it's not true!), my Mr. AGPMan seem to be bumping into each other at the oddest of times!  Feels like up awake when he's sleeping and when I'm conked out for the night he's up and at it!

 ~ORIGINAL AGP ALTERED ART DESIGNS~

Anyway, today I'm listing these two charming Sachet Pillows on my A Gathering Place Website and I hope if they are something you just can't live without (or even just love!!!) you'll bunny-hop-on-over for a quick little peep peek!

Are you all longing for Spring and warmer days like me???  Oklahoma is finally getting into her groove and this Cali Girl couldn't be more thrilled!  Fragrant blooms and crystal rain are coming our way!  Makes me too excited to speak!

Now...don't forget about my GIVEAWAY that is currently running!  Check out the link at the top left of my blog page or you can just click HERE for the details!

More soon!  Hope your day is awesome!

Love to you~

~~~~ROMANTIC PINK ROSE EASTER BASKET~~~~ Making A Sweet Find Even Better

 ~COTTAGE CHIC EASTER BASKETS~

Newly Transformed

I am always over the moon happy when I can find something sweet and simply by adding a few extra touches make it even more wonderful!  The sweet little baskets you see above served to be my latest makeover projects!

~WITH VINTAGE FLORALS and RIBBONS~

A couple of weeks ago I found these two darling twig baskets complete with soft purple violets and a single large pink rose on each one.  Although they were charming, something in my head thought they could be made into something truly divine by adding just a few extra touches!  So, I decided to bring them home and play around with them a bit...

I love working with vintage millinery florals and aging blooms and couldn't wait to get started!

~PERFECT FOR SPRING~

I've collected vintage millinery flowers and fabulous old roses for years and years.  I love adding them to pretty new finds, but they can end up being very costly in the end if I'm not careful.  By mixing things up a bit and incorporating newer parchment roses and velvets with a few carefully selected old floral finds, the two baskets were eventually transformed into what you see above.

~EASTER READY~

I'm not a big fan of the color purple.  But, I have to admit I love it for Easter and I'm totally in love with the way the original flowers look combined with the pink roses and vintage floral accents.  Rayon ribbon was added to the handles and even more flirty ruchey loops attached to the sides...

Not sure what I'm going to do with the second basket, but the first one is staying here inside my La Chaumière de Briarwood!

Isn't it amazing what a little hot glue and some imagination can do? Hope you are inspired to create something similar for yourself or those you love this Easter!

Blessings and love to you today... Thanks so much for stopping by~

~~~~~~ROMANTIC VINTAGE ROSE EGGS~~~~~~ SO EGGSTRAORDINARY

~PRETTY PASTELLE EGGS~

Let me tell you...I LOVE EGGS!  Oh...not the real ones, mind you (although I do think they are OK, too)...  I'm talking about the sweet, colorful and simply yummy Easter Eggs we all seem to find while out and about during early Springtime shopping!

 ~SOFT PINK - PALE MINT~
~FROTHY CREAM - ALICE BLUE~

Doesn't matter if they are made of milk chocolate and covered with snow white frosting or made of marshmallow crème.  I love them all just the same (unless the EGGS come from SEE'S CANDY...and then I'm a total gonner!).  I'm having to be a REALLY GOOD GIRL and extra careful to not indulge too terribly much in my favorite TREATS because I'm still on Weight Watchers (and lovin' it by the way...I'm down 25 pounds!!!).

~COVERED IN VELVETS~

So...the best kind of Easter treats for me (and I'm thinking for all of you other weight-conscience gals out there) are the non-edible kind!  I'm over-the-moon happy with the way the embellishment of these charming Pastelle Eggs came out and I'm hoping you will love them, too! 

~VINTAGE and PARCHMENT MILLINERY FLEURS~

I only have a few of these but the ones not already spoken for have been uploaded to my A Gathering Place Website today (under Easter Favorites).  I hope you'll stop for a closer peek... Maybe you'll even be inspired to make some of your own!

Hope you are having a fabulously creative day!

Love to you~

~HAND PAINTED BUNNIES to Tickle You Rosy Pink~

 ~COTTAGE CHIC BUNNY IN PINK~

Easter Sunday - April 24th

Before I share with you some of the latest painted pretties for my shoppe I want to take just a minute to say a huge thank you to all of you sweet people who took the time to send your thoughts my way regarding the passing of my childhood friend.  You have blessed me and I passed along your words to Andrea's family.  I hope you know how much your kindness has meant to me.  Thank you again so very much!

Now...a few days ago I shared with you a photo of three identical little Easter Bunnies before their transformation!  Today I will be uploading all of them to my A Gathering Place Website and I hope you will check them out when you have time.  One is pink, one is cream and one is white.  Hope you love them as much as I do.  They were a JOY to create...

~HAND PAINTED ROSES~

Each Bunny comes with hand painted pink roses~  They include a charming bouquet of vintage and newer millinery roses and assorted blooms all tied up with ribbons about the neck.  Don't forget I only have THREE. :(  Try as I might I haven't been able to hunt down any more! 

~SO ROMANTIC FOR EASTER~

I just finished several other hand painted pink rose pretties and they will be uploaded as soon as I can get them photographed and descriptions written!

Blessing to each of you today.  Isn't life great?  I just love breathing in the soon-to-be spring air and the promise that those fresh and new days hold!  Thanking God today for His goodness and grace.  Can't imagine where I'd be without it!

Love to you~

~SWEET EASTER PILLOWS and Other Cottage Finds~

 ~CROSS STITCHED BUNNY PILLOW~

Did you know that Easter Sunday can fall on 35 possible dates between March 22nd and April 25th?  It last fell on March 22nd in the year 1818, and will not do so again until 2285. It landed on March 23 in 2008 (way too early for me!), but will not do so again until 2160. Easter last fell on the latest possible date on April 25th in 1943.  But, this year it will fall just one day before that, April 24th, 2011.

 ~SWEET IMAGE PILLOWS, too!~

When Easter Sunday comes too early in the year the ground in Oklahoma is still mostly brown from our frosty winter weather.  Green grass is a must for this Cali native and so I'm extra excited that it falls late in April this year.  Who can have an Easter Egg Hunt when the earth feels like dry, cracked hay under your feet?

~PRETTY WEBSITE OFFERINGS~

I started early with my Easter Website Offerings this year and I've loved having more time to design and plan new things!  The Pillows you see above will be available later today with more planned for early next week!  The Altered Art Easter Cards, Hang Tags and sweet Tea Bags are already available with new styles coming up in time for Easter gift giving!

 ~MY FAVORITE CARD EVER!~

~MATCHING HAG TAGS, Too!~

 ~GOTTA LOVE THOSE BUNNIES!~

I hope you'll find time to enter my Giveaway that is currently running for some of my Easter Pretties.  You can find more information HERE or you can find a link at the top of this page on the left!

~EASTER GIVEAWAY~
Enter Today!

I hope you are having a great day!  I'm over the moon excited about our French Door being installed in our breakfast room this weekend.  We are praying it doesn't rain so everything will run smooth!  Thanks for all your sweet comments yesterday!  Choosing to remove the window seat was tough...but we are loving the extra space!

Love to you...

~TILL WE MEET AGAIN~

It seems like it's been ages since my Mr. AGPMan took a road trip!  As I shared with you this week we will be heading East in the morning for a visit with my sister, Linda, and her family.  I'm more excited than I can say....

Getting things ready for our house/dog sitter has just about made me nuts!  Gosh...my 2-Do-List was never-ending!  Things are in order, the SUV is packed and we head out at the crack of dawn.

Not being with my children this Easter Sunday has me a tad bit sad.  I'm sorta weepy over the thought of not seeing my Miss K hunt for colored eggs (there are only sooo many years they get to do that, you know???), but her daddy promised to take lots of pictures and video tape her for me!  So...I know I'll be OK!

I will return in about a week and until then I'll leave you with this thought...

"Earth's saddest day and gladdest day were just three days apart!"
-- Susan Coolidge

Blessings for a lovely Easter Sunday...I will be missing you~

Love,

~EASTER GRAPHICS TO SHARE...and a TINY BIT OF NEWS~

 ~FOR YOUR COLLECTION~

(Free for the Taking)

When the sun came up early this morning I knew immediately it was going to be a gorgeous day.  Mr. Weatherman said parts of Oklahoma would reach up into the high 70's today and into the low 80's later in the week.  Change has arrived and with it comes fresh new life, tiny buds of color and all things fragrant and beautiful.  I'm crazy-passionate, totally in love with Spring.

~ANOTHER FOR YOU TO ENJOY~

(Free for the Taking)

First...I want to share with you two sweet vintage graphics from my collection.  Easter is a very special time for me and my family and one of my favorite holidays to celebrate.  I love little chicks and flirty little bows!  Don't you?  Just click onto the picture and then copy and use as you wish!  Happy Easter from you to me!

Second...our house-sitter and doggie-sitter are all in place and my Mr. AGPMan and I will leave later in the week for our trip out east.  I'm a bit sad that I won't be here to enjoy Easter with my children and our sweet Miss K (first time ever!), but I am excited about seeing my sister and sharing the day with her beautiful family. 

Today finds me back in my studio finishing up special orders AND preparing to ship all those hand painted bunnies some of you purchased because of GINGER'S Post about her visit to my little shoppe last week (THANK YOU, Miss G!).  I'm also still working on stocking my website!  I'm hoping it will be bulging at the seams when I open it up for business in the middle of April.

That said, thank you for being patient with me as I've worked non-stop on new product.  I'm excited about reopening my little online shoppe and PROMISE you it won't be much longer now.  My target date is April 16th (just after you've sent in ALL your $$$ to the IRS!) but I'll share more when I return.

Blessings to you this lovely yippeee-skippee day of Spring...

~MORE FREE CLAPSADDLE GRAPHICS...and The Beauty Herself~

~Sweet Ellen Clapsaddle~
At About 10 Years Old

Last week I shared with you some aging graphics from the ever popular Miss Ellen Hattie Clapsaddle. By now you know how much I love this artist's work. While doing even more research on her life I FINALLY found a couple of pictures of this extremely talented lady! I just had to share them with you... From what I understand these are the only two photographs of her that remain today.

~Ellen Hattie Clapsaddle~
At About 20 Years Old

While organizing some of my seasonal images I came across a few more I think you will just love. I know it is early in the year, but for those of you who plan ahead (like me!) Easter isn't all that far away!

Feel free to use these darling Clapsaddle images as you please. I'd love to see what you do with them!

~Original Easter Postcard~

~Sentiments Removed~

~Isn't She Wonderful?~

~Cleaned Up A Bit~

~Brundage or Clapsaddle?~

~Cleaned Up - Sentiment Removed~

The vintage postcard above is unsigned and I'm not positive who the artist on this one is. Sometimes the work of Frances Brundage and Ellen Clapsaddle looks similar. I've included this one for you because I love both artists!

Blessings to you as you continue to create beautiful things within your happy heart...Rebecca