~Halloween~

My Halloween curtains
Yes I did make these curtains.

They were easy and only took about a half hour..

Just get your hands on inexpensive cotton fabric (or an old bed sheet)..

Add a rod pocket across the top and then just cut away..

Have fun!

My Pink pumpkins

~a bit of Halloween decor at my coTTage~

I hand painted a Styrofoam head & put it on my Mannequin..

she now peeks out my front window...
I made this pumpkin doll an old pumpkin

my livingroom mantel

~Happy 12th Birthday Granddaughter Isabella~

Such a happy day when my Granddaughter Isabella was born!

4 mos old

2 years old

May 2007

Sept 2008

Birthday at Disney Sept 2008

***

~Green eyed Witch pattern for sale~

I am offering for sale my "Green eyed Witch" pattern (hair & doily included).

For Altered Art, Halloween decoration, or Scrap booking project.

What a fun Art challenge she would be!

Visit my Etsy shop or email me at IsabellasCloset@aol.com if would like to buy one.

Only $3.99 plus shipping

I think she's a cutie! Hope you do too..

Thanks so much ~Mary~ :-}

~Please welcome Carol to the world of Blogging!~

~Hello blogger friends~

I'd like to introduce you to Carol

from Meadowsweet Days

she's new to blogging and now a friend of mine..

Please stop by her blog.... say hello & give her a warm welcome.

She designs beautiful floral items..

You'll love her Sunflower wreath, it's gorgeous!

~Prayers needed for Poppy and her family~

Prayers are needed for Poppy,

her Grandmother Janice from Wildflower Cabin

and Poppy's Mother, Father, and family..

This precious 13 month old passed away September 13.

Please stop by Janices blog and leave your thoughts and prayers for this family.

How devastating this is.

...God please watch over precious Poppy and her family...

~Prayers for my friends in Texas~Ike hits Ohio~

A bit of wind damage in my back yard..

My dear friends from Texas and other states who were hit by Ike

how are you all doing?

Please let me know..

We in Ohio were hit by Ike too, with up to 70 mile winds

but NOTHING like the devastation you have gone through.

Our schools are closed today because of damage and

sadly a 12 year old boy was killed in a town not far from here.

My thoughts and prayers are with you!

~Back from Disney~

"Don't cry because it's over.

Smile :-} because it happened."

Dr. Seuss

A bit of rain....

We are back from Disney.. we had a fabulous time and we are exhausted!

~Meet A Lovely Gal named Jackie~

I'd like you to meet Jackie a lovely blog friend of mine from Valentine Hearts.

She's a Wife, Mother, and a Midwife student.

Wow how impressive is that!

Stop on by her blog and say hello..

She's also a banner customer of mine. Thanks Jackie!

Above is the most recent banner I've designed for her.

******

This is my last post for a week or so..

I'll soon be off to Disney :-} Yippee!!

~I'm sooo Ready for Disney!~

Oh my gosh I am soooo ready for our Disney trip!!

Not sure who is more excited Isabella or Samuel or me LOL..

I was up at 3:00am this morning can't sleep just thinking about the trip.

I'm all packed.

My carry on is ready with sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, camera,

and my handmade Mickey bag.

Hope I do not forget anything.. It's still a few days away.

Hey have any tips for me?

Please pass em on if you do..Thanks!

Hugs & blessings ~Mary~

Brandy's having a Give~a~way!

Brandy of the blog Stamp with Brandy

is having a scrapbook give-a-way..

Wow what fun!

Rush on over and see all the wonderful things she's giving away.

~Fall Banner give-a-way winner!~

Congratulations Debbie from the blog Paper Roses.

You are my Fall banner "give-a-way" winner!

Hope you enjoy your banner.

Thanks everyone for leaving me a such nice comments.

I will do this again soon.

Please let me know what banner you would like me to design next.

Hugs & love~Mary~ :-}

~Banner Give-A-Way!~

Hello! It's time for another of my

Banner Give~A~Ways!

If you'd like to enter to win the above banner

(with your Blog name)

just leave me a comment on this post.

On Fri. Aug. 29 I will draw the winning name.

Will you please pass this along

by adding the above banner & post to your blog!

...Thanks so much...

Good luck! ~Mary~ :-}

~Off to visit friends in Florida :-}~

I'm getting ready to visit my friends in Florida. Here's a photo of them.

The visit has been in the making months now, thanks to my Daughters.

Yippee, we can hardly wait!!!!

The day is close at hand and we'll soon be on our way.

Sorry for not posting much lately.

I'm doing GREAT.

I've just been so very busy working, trying to earn money for the trip.

Hugs & blessing a very HAPPY Mary :-}

~America's Fastest Dying Cities~

Fast Dying City

Canton, Ohio (Canton-Massillon, Ohio, metropolitan statistical area) Migration (since 2000): -7,807 Total population change: +212 June 2008 Unemployment: 6.7% (2000 average: 4.2%) Annualized gross domestic product (GDP) growth: 0.7% More on Canton

I awoke to the above info on my AOL welcome this morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These are very hard times for my hometown of Massillon &

Canton, Ohio (my place of employment).

Sadly we are rated #1 in America for Fastest dying cities..

What a shame.

Just a few years ago I had a full time job and things were fine..

Today I'm lucky to have my part time job.

Things could be so much worse :-}

Thank you God for all I do have!

~Birthdays *Please*~

I'm updating my

Blogs & Birthdays :-}

When you have a second could you please check

my sideboard to see if I have your birthday.

If not will you please give it to me.

Thanks so much!

Hope you are all having a wonderful Summer..

Hugs & blessings ~Mary~

~Blog award from Carol Anne~

I'm very honored to receive the above blog award from

one of my most precious friends Carol of the beautiful blog CarolAnnesBoutique.

This Gal is truly such a sweetheart and has touched my heart in so many ways!

Bless you darling Carol for being my friend!!!

Please stop by Carol's blog, you will LOVE it!

~Update on Isabella~

Photo taken of Isabella by Isabella :-}

Handmade splints by Doctor/therapist for two fingers.

Isa & Sam being silly

My 11 year old Granddaughter Isabella was diagnosed with Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis 3 years ago. Because of this disease she's endured flair ups, surgery, test after test, blood work, medications with shots, splints on hands, wrist (now fingers), braces, shoe inserts, therapy 3 times a week and lots of exercise.

She must now go back to extensive therapy on her hands and wear splints on 6 fingers all the time. If she does not do this she could loose the use of her hands/fingers....

For now the Doctor made temporary splints (more to come) until she gets permanent ones.

So far Isabella is fine with all this. Her Mama is worried sick about her. Poor Mama has not been able to sleep. Say a prayer for her too!

So for now Isabella's not in remission, maybe she will be some day. Until then we pray and Isabella works hard to keep active. Bless her sweet heart, shes such a great kid!

Read about this precious 7 year who wears ring splints and whats she been through....