AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING

The thoughtfulness and generosity
of bloggers continues to amaze me!

About a week ago, the lovely Sandi of
A Cottage Muse asked for my address.

Little did I know she was planning something amazing,
and this past Friday, I discovered an unexpected treasure in my mailbox...

This darling gal had sent me the two skeleton keys,
the door knocker, and the doorknob you see in this photo, along with this note...

Is that not the sweetest?

I certainly never expected this...when I feature a fellow blogger,
I figure they're doing me a favor, too!
They're providing with me inspiration,
not to mention gorgeous images to place on my own  blog!

Thank you, Sandi...you'd better believe that each time
I see these thoughtful treasures,
I'll be keeping my eyes on the prize...Fiona and Twig, the Shop!

And I had one more incredible image I just had to share with all of you-
another scan for you to get all crafty with. Click to enlarge, then right click to save.

How amazing is that cover, I ask you???

I grabbed this 1912 book at a garage sale
a few weeks back for...get this...50 cents!

I simply had to have it for the killer cover alone,
and I knew instantly that it would be a fab gift
for all your crafty guys and gals out there. Enjoy!

I'm off for the day, I have a pretty exciting adventure
I'm headed out on this evening. I can't wait to share with all of you later this week!

Have a beautiful Monday!

IRIS AND MAGGIE

I have a couple of presents for all you artsy, creative types.
Or just those of you who really love vintage cabinet cards!

I scored a big old box of cards and photos at yesterdays estate sale for a pittance,
and wanted to share them with all of you.

First up is the cutest little gal I think I've ever seen...don't forget to click to enlarge...

Meet Iris Bridges, 14 months.

Photo taken August 22, 1902.

Isn't she adorable? I can't wait to see what y'all create with this wonderful image!

Next up...well, to borrow from my friend LuLu Kellogg, 

this is where sweet and sinister meet!

Found in the same box of cabinet cards...meet Mrs. Maggie Henderson...

Get a load of those spindly fingers!

You think she and Iris were related? Surely not!

Anyway, I really can't wait to see you folks 

get your craft on with this chick!

So, enjoy!

And enjoy this lovely Spring day, too!

Linking with A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words for 2nd Time Around Tuesday

MY HUSBAND SAYS HE'S LEAVING ME....

...if I bring home one more creepy inanimate figure!

I rescued this little orphan girl
from a local estate sale this afternoon.

She had belonged to the lady running the sale,
said that her name was "Becca".

The ladies husband, Mr. Estate Sale Lady, looked pleased to see her go.
He threw my husband a sympathetic glance as if to say
"Good luck buddy, devil dolly is your problem now!"

Sheesh, sometimes I think people watch entirely too much TV!

I mean, just because she has an unfortunate bit of red paint there
on the corner of her lip that sorta resembles blood...

Hey, how'd that pic get in here???

Anyway, here's Becca just hanging 'round the homestead this afternoon...

Living way out in the country = no nosy neighbors
thinking you're nuts for having a naked child mannequin in your front yard.

I'm taking Becca down to the booth next week,
just as soon as I find her some suitable attire.

I'm thinkin' a vintage girl scout uniform would be sorta cool,
what do you think?

If she sells right away, great, if not, I'll change out her attire
to fit the seasons or holidays.

Mr. Twig will just be relieved that she's leaving the house, no doubt.

Oh, and Mr. Twig didn't really threaten to leave me,
that was just the "grab" to get you in here.
He's far more tolerant and understanding of my weirdness than I probably deserve!

I scored lots more wonderful goodies at the sale,
including a treasure trove of 1937 ledgers. 

Photos coming next week!

So, what did you find on the garage/estate sale trail this fine Saturday?

SUPER SIZE ME...

Howdy!

Welcome to Texas.

Where we do EVERYTHING bigger, including blogging.

I've been up all night giving my blog
a Texas sized face-lift, can ya tell?

I switched to to the Minima Stretch Template,
which will now allow me to super-size my photos,
and just basically do everything bigger, better,
and more like the Texan I was born to be.

(Photo courtesy Angelique)

That's me and the inimitable Angelique of Six in One Hand.

She's a Texan, too...and I know for a fact
that she believes in doing things up BIG just like I do.

Go over and check out her blog,
she's given it a fresh coat of paint for Spring, I think you'll love it.

And while you're at it, go pay this gal a visit, too...

My buddy Debra of Common Ground has been sprucing up
her little corner of the blogosphere, and I'm certain that she'd love to know your thoughts.

As would I!

Pull up a comfy chair and take another look around the joint.

I'll be here when you get back, eager to hear what ya think!

AMAZING GRACE

She had a dirty face.

And a missing arm.

Her dress has seen better days.

You see her cap?

Look there, on the left side.

You see the red cross?

She must have been a nurse.

World War II, you think?

I do.

She called to me at Warrenton.

She must have known I was a health-care worker, too.

I named her Grace. As in Amazing.

She made the trip back with me, and now sits in my locker at work.

To inspire.

and encourage.

And to remind....

That those of us who tend to the

sick

and dying

and the imperfect in body

Have our own imperfections, too.

A good reminder.

One I need at times.

Like today.

Thank you, Grace.

LUCKY GIRL!

That would be me lately!

After a loooooong dry spell, I've actually won
THREE incredible blog giveaways in just the past month!

I've already received the first two prizes and the third is on the way,
so here's a peek at my recent windfalls...

First up, I returned home from Warrenton to discover
that I had actually won this stunning work of art...

Titled "Star Quality", this is an assemblage piece of art
created by the supremely talented Patricia Chapman of Assemblosity.

From her profile, Patricia "creates assemblage and collage art
using found objects and found images, text, and a large measure of humor.
I draw my subject matter from life, love, and other impossible situations."

You really owe it to yourself to visit Patricia's amazing BLOG,
her work is cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind, and for sale!

And next up...

Just look at what I scored from my dear, sweet friend LuLu Kellogg!

'Tis one of her highly coveted jewelry creations,
this most divine lampwork ring!

Stunning, eh?

Thank you my friend, to borrow a phrase from LuLu, I pink puffy heart this!

Not enough riches for one woman, you say?

I couldn't agree more!

Just look what's headed to me from Libbie at The Middlest Sister...

I know, I couldn't believe it either!

My very own, five year old Harajuku Girl!

Alas, sadly, Libbie isn't letting go of Annie, but instead will be
sending me the next best thing...
these wonderfully colorful journals and bowls from Target!

Whew, that's a lotta loot, right?

As long as I'm on a roll, I see a lottery ticket with my name on it
down at the convenience store!

Little Blue Farmhouse, here I come!

Happy Wednesday!

BRANCHING OUT

Inspired by displays and vignettes seen in Warrenton,
I headed down to the booth today to play.
I've said it before, but it bears repeating...click pics to enlarge!

Take a few willow branches...

Pages from an old book take the place of leaves...

Just branching out and trying something different!

Unrelated to that, have you shopgirls and booth owners
ever purchased something intended for the store,
only to fall in love with it yourself? (raising my hand!)

Meet the latest object of my affection...

Oh yeah...I can hear ya swooning from here.

I couldn't bear to take it to the booth, can ya blame me?

Have a great night and a terrific week!


Linking with Cindy at My Romantic Home