Happy New Year!

There are no words to describe how grateful I am for the friends I have made through my blog in 2011!  Thank you so much for all you've taught me and for making me laugh some days when I really needed it. 

The corgi girls and I wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

 

Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA

Monument Avenue is one of the most historic and beautiful sections of Richmond.  Hope you enjoy these pictures my friend and I took there this morning.

And last, a little whimsy is added to the area by the owner of this antique Cadillac.  Each year he decorates and stuffs it full of Santas, Sponge Bob, toys, decorations, etc.

We Bought A Zoo

I saw this movie over the holidays and it was one of the best I've seen in a while.  Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansen were at their best and the animals were beautiful.  The story is based on a true story about a journalist whose young wife dies and he decides he needs a new start for his family.  It was sad at times but very funny also!

House Sitting

Today there's a very peaceful, gentle rain coming down and I love it!  I have two house sitting jobs this week and just got in from taking care of all the critters.   One house has three cats and one dog.  Caroline, the beagle, has gone to grandma's in NC with the family so I only have the cats to feed.

Cinnamon

I was a little later than usual getting there this morning and got some dirty feline looks.  I think the caption for the above picture should be, "You're not here to take my picture!  Where's my Fancy Feast?"

Tony was watching me from the upstairs landing when I came in the front door.  I had a very brief conversation with him and headed to the kitchen.

This is Arthur.  He and I go way back!  My best friend is very dedicated cat rescue person.  She has helped organize and worked with a couple different organizations in the Richmond area.  It's been over ten years ago since she asked me to go with her to a "less desirable" neighborhood in the city to get several kittens living under a fallen down porch.  It wasn't easy, but we were able to catch three of them.  Arthur was one of the three and my neighbors adopted him.  Even through he was rescued when he was very small, he still has strong feral tendencies.  I hardly ever see him when I go to this house.  His appearance from under the bed this morning was rare and I had to snap this picture quickly!

A Few Of My Favorite Gifts

This ornament is adorable!

My friend found "Susie" in Florida last summer.  She makes a great addition to my Susan Paley collection.

Another friend gave me a set of four vintage black and white glasses.  They will be fun to use with my pretty white dishes.

I've admired this cute black clogs for quite some time and my favorite "Santa"

brought them to me.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day and got some favorites too!

Not a creature was stirring...

Well, maybe one.

Mikasa and Corgis

From 1996 - 2001, Mikasa manufactured cappuccino mugs and dessert plates with Santa and a red and white corgi at his feet.  About 8 years ago (after I got my first corgi) I started searching for these cute dishes and the only place I found them was on Ebay and Replacements.  Replacements is always too expensive for me but I've been able to get six sets from Ebay.  I go to lots of yard and estate sales, however, I've never found this pattern. I'd sure be excited to find a few!

I love using these during the holidays!

Hallmark Nostalgia Houses

2011 Arts and Crafts Bungalow - 28th in this series

I have been collecting Hallmark Nostalgia House ornaments for 25 years or more. In the last few years, I have displayed them as a little village in a  corner cabinet in my breakfast room. 

If you click on the picture, you can see the details on each ornament.

Button Projects

This week I've been working on a few gift projects and finished  two  with buttons.  You already know how much I love buttons and finding new ways to use them is always exciting!



The   pin measures 1" 1/2 X 2" and is covered with a combination of old and new buttons. There are a few Bakelite buttons included. I bought the base at an estate sale.  It is an oval frame that was probably made to house needlework.

I covered a 5" X 6" frame with an assortment of beautiful gold buttons.  I love the way it turned out and don't think it really needs a picture.

Just Add Snow

I built  this 1" scale shop from a kit last year and my good friend at the miniature shop did the brick siding and the electricity.  I had so much fun making all the "parts".  There's limbs for arms, carrots for noses, coal for eyes, top hats and corncob pipes.

Extra items are stored in the loft.

The shopkeeper is watching for customers from the loft window.

This snow lady is considering buying a fancy hat.

There's an assortment of different size arms.

Outside Decorating

I use artificial greenery for the base of all my outside decorations.  On my lamppost is an old Christmas tree top that I added a variety of live greenery too.   All the live pieces are stuck in the artificial base and are removed and thrown away after Christmas.

I used an inexpensive swag to decorate the railing post.  Fortunately, I have all the extra greenery and nandina berries in my yard.

Saturday Flea Market and An Estate Sale

Saturday was a busy day!  I went to the flea market in the morning and found several good buys.  One of which was this Peter Rabbit tapestry pillow for $1.  I also found a vintage chenille bedspread that was in perfect condition for $5. 

In the afternoon my friend and I went to an estate sale.  We got there about 20 minutes before it ended and the prices were unbelievable!  I bought four cross stitch, costumed framed pieces for $1 each, several packages of sewing and embroidery needles for my machines for $1, and a handmade crocheted purse for $1.