~decorating my living room on a slim budget~

Larger white tray on table from thrift shop $3.

Wicker suitcases $1.-$3.

Old child chair antique show $10.

Wicker chairs belonged to my Mother

sewing bags on wall eBay & flea markets $5. each

cottage photo above chair $1.50 thrift.

the hutch belonged to my Mother

on hutch an old cottage tea pot $1.50 from thrift

Chandelier given to me by a friend

Candle stick lamp given to me by sis

Large old mirror $8. flea market
all 4 Rose pictures $5. at flea market
gold rose plaque (below mirror) given to me by a friend..

I made the mantel scarf from an old
hand cut & embroidered Italian sheet $2. from a thrift
smaller old Madonna pictures from thrift & flea markets $1.- $5.

Large gorgeous picture of Madonna & child $12. at a thrift

"Pieta" belonged to my Mother

clock $5.

clock stand 90 cents

***

my $6.99 Franciscan dishes from Salvation Army thrift

I've always had to decorate on a very slim budget

I've been very blessed to have many of my things

handed down, given to me,

or I've found at thrift shops/flea markets

to re decorate my living room I only had to put $11.99 in to it

this time,

that was to convert my chandelier into a hanging light..

I slip covered my stool

and made a few pillows with fabric I had..
the rest I gathered from other rooms in my cottage

my old soft

when the fabric wore out I made and added the gathered skirt

curtains $2. thrift

I made the dolls & 2 checked down pillows

Handmade crochet tasseled throw $8.

I slip covered the foot stool
Annie doll I made for my precious daughter Nikki
the wonderful picture is hand drawn work
of my Granddaughter Isabella by my friends Mother..
more about that another time.


old Barkcloth era curtains
I made from old fabric $9. found on eBay
fabulous old rose hand painted lamp $3. thrift

old rose pictures $.50-$2. thrift flea markets

The 2 Oriental ladies on top my hutch were my Grandmothers

My $20. transfer wear dish set..from a thrift!

2 tall cranberry vases were my Grandmothers

most frames from thrift shops
$1.-$2.

some of my before photos
I also loved the look of my old living room..

~My new sofa~

My new sofa

My sister gave me one of her sofas

from Arhaus furniture, my favorite furniture store.

Thanks so much sis!

It's been a dream of mine to own an Arhaus slip covered sofa.

On my income that's a dream that I thought would never happen.

Well it did!

The 3 year old sofa

is a slipcover style, gold cotton damask, down filled

I REALLY love it! It's so comfy too..

With my new sofa I needed to re decorate my living room

but had no money to do so

my mission was to

searched my cottage and find things to re do the room..

and I did

Next post will be of my re decorated living room.

~a Suprise package for Me!!~

Kitchen-Linens-Book Yesterday I received a wonderful surprise package
in the mail
with all these lovely wrapped gifts..Yippee!
It was from my sweet friend Mary of crash-n-smash
for my birthday
What a sweet thoughtful Gal Mary is..
Thanks Mary!
Look at ALL these goodies!
a fabulous Kitchen-Linens-Book
a beautiful handmade banner & card
made by her daughter Brandy of
Stamp with Brandy
a lovely silver cross on pink
pink covered button magnet
lemon candy
more yummy wrapped candy
RedRose tea bags
see this sweet beads.. they say Mary Rose!
click on the photo to get a better look.
check out this adorable handmade birdie banner & card
from Brandy..
Wow! Wow! Wow!

~My lovely bracelet has arrived!~

Here's the bracelet I won for entering

Darcy Knotty Knitter give-a-way..

Thanks so much Darcy!

And thanks to Leslie Wind for designing

and making

this lovely sterling & gold bracelet just for me!

It's signed inside

"Mary with love from Darcy & Leslie June 2009"

What a special added touch this is..

I'm so lucky.

How I LOVE this bracelet!

What a joy it was talking to Leslie on the phone

discussing my bracelet.

Leslie your jewelry is fabulous!

Darcy you are such a wonderful Gal.

bless both of your Gals for all your kindness....

Front of bracelet

****
back of bracelet
****

My bracelet on my old...but very happy hand! LOL..

~ I won! I won! I won! Darcy Knotty Knitter give-a-way~

I won! I won! I won!

Yippee!

Darcy from Darcy's Knotty Knitter had a

a 100,000 views give-a-way so I entered

(never dreaming that I would win)

This afternoon I received an email stating I won

her give-a-way.

As I was reading her email,

trying to let it sink to what just happened

my phone rings..

Well here it's Darcy calling me to tell me I had won.

It was her hubby that picked my name out of 101 of her followers!

How about that.

So....I am the VERY lucky winner of

a custom piece of art jewelry designed and made

by Leslie Wind

I've admired this talented artist for awhile now.

I first saw Leslie's work on Darcy's blog.

Thinking about how I'd love to own a piece of

Leslie's jewelry... it is fabulous!

I am so excited that I will be able

to speak with Leslie about my win.

Thanks so much to Darcy & Leslie

for making my day!

~Happy Flag Day!~

*** Happy Flag Day ***

2009

~Poison Ivy..Leaves of Three, Let It Be!~

Poison Ivy.. DO NOT even GET CLOSE to this stuff!

I found the above on the Internet.. Oh my the poor girl!

***
Well I've had a close encounter with poison ivy
I'm a bit miserable.. can't open my one eye.
Sunday I was landscaping..
I found that my poison ivy was back again this year.
Last year I removed it with no problems.
So again I was VERY careful removing it.
I bagged & tossed out my gloves, old clothing & the ivy.
Ran & took a shower..scrubbed & scrubbed..
Well on Tues the rash started & it's not stopped!
Rash/swellings on my arms, neck, fingers, ears, face & one eye..
Yesterday just happened to be my Doc visit.
Doc says use Kaolin..
I think I may have gotten the posion ivy
because it was windy Sunday..
the oil/resin must have gotten on me via the wind.
So dear friends.. like the old saying says
Leaves of Three, Let It Be!!!

~"Girls day out" at the movies~

I took this photo as Bella was leaving

the movie Angles & Demons.

Credits were rolling.

Yesterday was "Girls day out" for

my Granddaughter Bella, daughters, sister, niece and I.

We went to see the much anticipated movie Angles and Demons..

We loved it!! Especially Bella...........

She read the book (along with my sis, daughter, & niece)

Bella could not sit still waiting for the movie to start.

She wiggled and laughed and shared many

parts of the book with me.

This avid 12 year old book reader amazes me!

How she loves reading adult books.

(but only the ones her Mother approves) .

Bella and I held hands through the entire movie.

I enjoyed watching her face light up at this fast action mystery movie.

Being Italian, Catholic and understanding the workings of the Church

this movie had special meaning to us.

Many years ago I was lucky enough to visit Italy

and the Vatican City...

I stood at many of the fabulous sites in the movie!

Visiting Italy was truly one of the highlights of my life.

Bella gave me her Angles & Demons book.

Today I'll spend part of my day outside reading.

Have a happy Sunday :-}

~a bit of sewing~

What have you all been up to?

I've been working in the yard, reading, sewing,

doing my graphic design work

and going to my evening job.

I made the above pillow using vintage barkcloth

one of my favorite fabrics to work with and

pink gingham (another favorite)

antique white buttons.

I also make a bag from scraps of fabric and a large old button.
Hope you all are having a very Happy Spring!

My 400 post is coming up soon!

~Happy Mothers Day~

I'd like to wish you all a very

Happy Mothers Day!

Hugs and much love for ~Mary~

~Zoe round head doll "Keeper of the key"~

I'd like you to meet Zoe "Keeper of the key".

She's the newest addition to my handmade dolls.

She's a round head doll.

Her hair is lambs wool,

her face/lips has been painted on (not very well),

separate cloth eyelids, and 3 dimensional nose.

Her head was made using 6 pieces of fabric

I prefer using my 5 piece round head pattern

I like the shape just a bit better.

See my Annie doll.

If you enjoy doll making give a round head doll a try.

They are fun!

~May devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary~

The month of May is devoted to

honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I remember as a child making

a May altar in my bedroom

on the first day of May.

Each day I would try my best to bring

fresh flowers to place before the

beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Many days I would visit my neighbors homes

and ask if I could please have

some of their flowers.

A few times I only had

dandelions to give to the Blessed Mother.

~A Bohemian Market is having a give-a-way~

My sweet friend Carole

at a Bohemian Market

is having a give-a-way.

Please stop by her blog

leave a comment on her post to enter..

How great it is to see her back blogging again!

~Grandma-Your Angel~

For all the Grandmas in blogland

*****

~Your Angel ~

Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born.

The child asked God,

"They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow.

How am I going to live there being so small and helpless?

"God replied,

"Among the angels, I'll choose one for you.

Your Angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired,

"But tell me God, here in heaven

I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said,

"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day.

And you will feel your angel's love and feel very happy.

" Again the child asked,

"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me

if I don't know the language?"

God said,

"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear,

and with much patience and care,

your angel will teach you how to speak."

"I've heard that on earth there are bad people. Who will protect me?"

God said,

"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

At that moment there was much peace in heaven,

but the voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked,

"God, if I am to leave now,

please tell me my angel's name."

"Her name is not important.

You will simply call her GRANDMA."

~Sick Sam and a day with Bella~

I had planned to spend yesterday with

both my Grandchildren Sam & Bella....

but

Sam was sick and he had to go to the doctor.

He has strep throat, bronchitis, & a sinus infection!!!

Oh my gosh this poor sweet little guy...

I feel so bad for him..

What a way to have to spend your Easter vacation.

Darn!!
So only Bella and I spent the day together.

We made a pillow of Twilights Edward Cullen.

Watched the movie Twilight (again)...LOL..

and giggled and giggled and giggled.

Nothing like being with a 12 years old to make your day!
The above bag is Bella's.

I made it and added it to her Easter basket.

She added all the buttons.....

Hope all of you had a lovely Easter :-}

~Italian Wedding soup our holiday tradition~

Italian Wedding soup has always been a family holiday tradition. I'm the one who makes it.

Happy Easter to all of you..

Hope you have a blessed day.. ~Mary~

Mary's Italian Wedding soup..

6 qts. water

1 whole chicken

4 large bay leaves (remove before serving)

1 large chopped onion,

1/2 pound baby carrots cut up

2 tsp. salt (more or less)

1 tsp. Garlic salt

1/2 tsp. Onion powder
1 large bunch of Endive

Small meatballs for Wedding soup

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 tsp. dried parsley (fresh is better)

1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Sprinkle (or more) of garlic powder

1/4 tsp. basil (fresh is much better)

2 eggs

3/4 cup bread crumbs

mix all ingredients together

roll each meatball into the size of a medium olive

(get the kids, hubby, or grand kids to help, it takes awhile)

In large pot combine water, bay leaves, seasonings. Bring to a boil and then simmer until chicken is tender/cooked. Remove chicken, tear or cut into small pieces.. set aside. Strain broth (make sure you remove any small chicken bones and bay leaves toss them out) Return broth, chicken to pot. Add one large onion cut up, 1/2 pound cut up baby carrots, 1 large bunch (soaked and cleaned) cut up endive cook 30 minuets. Add meatballs cook another 30 minuets or so.

This is opptional..Before serving, while soup is simmering add very slowly: 2 well beaten eggs to soup. Stir constantly. Enjoy :-}

~Sad day for L'Aquila Italy~

Mourners gather for Good Friday's open-air ceremony in L'Aquila
What a sad photo.
My thoughts & prayers are with the people of Italy who are suffering..

~Thoughts & prayers for L'Aquila Italy~

L'Aquila

~The above map shows where my Mother lived~

***

My thoughts & prayers are with the people of L'aquila Italy this day.

I have realives that live South of L'aquila, I'm worried about them..

I remember my Mother telling me stories about

the many earthquakes she lived through as a child.

She told me how her, my Grandparents & Uncle sleep outside for days

after an earthquake because of the after shocks.

When I traveled with my Mother to Italy (many years ago)

what a joy it was visiting all my relatives & seeing their way of life..

My Mother lived in a very small town called Liberi way up in the hills..

Please keep all these lovely people in your prayers

at this time of such devastation.

God bless them..