A Re-Purposed Life

Winter White

2012-01-17T16:46:00.000-06:00

Hello

Well, I have settled into my long winter's ~~nap~~ hibernation. I haven't been out since I got back from Indiana. My husband even commented on the fact that the car hasn't been moved in a week. However, I have been in the studio. I am working on a heart and love theme.

My daughter Jody of Le Faded Fleur is selling at the

Junk Salvation Show

in Hillsboro, Oregon at the Washington County Fair Grounds.

February 3rd and 4th

I am sending some hand made goodies to her to sell at the show.

If you are anywhere near the area, you don't want to miss this show. Be sure to stop in to say hello to Jody she always has very cool stuff.

I am working on some small art journals with a Love is theme.

Love is patient, Love is kind

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects

always trusts

always hopes

always perseveres

Blessings and Love,

Rebecca

I will be linking with

Kathleen of Faded Charm for White Wednesday

and

Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesday

Featured in Romantic Country

2012-01-12T18:46:00.002-06:00

Hello

What a difference a day makes! Of course it is January in the Midwest... but it has been spring like weather here with the exception of a handful of days. And yesterday was no exception, I was outside all day yesterday working in the yard and garage. Just puttering, organizing and cleaning. It was a sunshiny 55 degrees with blue skies.

I was looking at all my bushes because they are actually budding out... the tulips and crocus are up too.

Even my peony tree has large red buds, which isn't good!

I did wrap it up yesterday in burlap from the good advice of my friend Donna.

And today...

It is a good day to stay inside, put a pot of coffee on and maybe do a few things you have been thinking about doing but haven't sat still long enough. For me it is reading the latest issue of Romantic Country. Now don't get me wrong, I did go through it as soon as it came out. I just haven't read all of the articles. And since my home is featured in this issue along with some good friends of mine, I wanted to enjoy it.

The Miss fabulous Fifi O'Neill

sent me the pictures to share.

They were such a delight when they were here.

I do have to comment on the colors of the bedrooms, they turned out much brighter than they are. Sometimes the printing doesn't get it true to the photo.

I am honored to be in such good company in this issue. I was so tickled to see my good friend Polly from Counting Your Blessings. Her beautiful farmhouse is featured with all her wonderful creative touches.

Also featured in this issue is Tracie from My Petite Maison. Her lovely home in CA features her beautiful collections and some wonderful shots of her porch.

Also, my talented friend Anne of Fiona and Twig has her photography featured in this issue. She has taken images of another amazing friend Theresa of Garden Antiques Vintage. Anne photographed her beautiful dress form displays in Warrenton.

If you haven't already gotten your copy, be sure and pick one up. I got mine at Target. This issue is loaded with serious eye candy.

Meanwhile...

I will go back to a second cup of coffee and read...

while this keeps coming.

Blessings

Rebecca

I am linking up with

my good friend Debra at Common Ground

Vintage Inspiration Friday

LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Farmhouse Friday

The Picket Fence

Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage

Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home

Home Sweet Home

and

2805

Potpourri Friday

Tot's Kentucky Home

2012-01-10T23:23:00.002-06:00

Hello

I hope your week is going well, we are well into January and we are still waiting for winter to get here. In Chicago today was gorgeous! Bright sunshine and in the 50's, I even worked outside. I think it will be short lived but I have been saying that for two months now. Everyday that we have this fantastic weather only makes the winter shorter and that is fine by me.

I am finishing up my road trip with you today. I promised you pictures of Tot's house and you won't be disappointed. She has such an eye for detail but more than that she is such a warm and loving person. I so enjoyed my time at her house.

Tot and Craig (her husband and partner) took us (Miss Donna and I) to a great Mexican restaurant. We met her daughter Sarah there with her two beautiful children. The food and service was wonderful and we spent the whole evening laughing and having a great time.

The house has been featured in Country Living and also in the book they published. That was a few years ago and now Tot and Craig are redoing the whole house.

She has changed her pallet to grays instead of white on the walls and it is gorgeous.

If you follow her blog, Time Worn Interiors you know they just put hardwood floors throughout.

She has an infinity for seashells and her collection is amazing.

I love them too, so my camera gravitated to them...

Especially the coral.

They have gathered the most amazing collection of architecture I have ever seen.

Here I caught Donna daydreaming...

And of course we had deep discussions... as girls often do!

Not to mention the French linen sheets we slept on... pure butter.

I loved these Mohair French chairs... if only I could have fit them into Donna's little VW...

Now... the studio. I really had a hard time leaving this room!

This was memorable... not because of all the beauty I was surrounded by but the beauty of friendship and love.

Thank you Tot, Thank you Donna...

Blessings

Rebecca

I am linking up with Kathleen for White Wednesday

at Faded Charm

and

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

See you there!

Road Trip 2012

2012-01-06T22:20:00.000-06:00

Hello

It is the first road trip of the year for me and it started the new year off right. I love a good road trip.

I am so lucky to have the opportunity to take off when I like or the road calls. In this case I needed to go to Indiana and pick up my merchandise from Christmas at the Horton's. So my dear friend Donna always opens her house so generously. I was anxious to see her house as she has been making good progress on her renovation. It looked fabulous!

If you follow Donna on A Life Reclaimed You know she and her husband have gutted their home that used to be Donna's grandparents and have been doing everything themselves for the last 4 years. Donna actually did the zinc top to this fabulous center island. It turned out awesome.

This is where I sleep now, when I am there. It will be the library when finished.

It seems every time I go visit Donna it is for an event and we both work... so this time we decided to do something fun!

Well, I thought going to Kentucky sounded like fun...

Me, Donna and Tot

They both have new "do's" - Donna just cut her hair and Tot has grown hers out... sooo cute!

especially when it is to visit our friend Theresa or Tot as most everyone calls her. She recently opened a new shop in Glendale and we were dying to see it. Now Tot has a wonderful blog called

Time Worn Interiors as most of you know and her talent is well known on the show circuit. That is where I first met her, at the show in Roundtop Texas.

Her store front is wonderful.

and wait until you get inside... her talent for details and display is pure eye candy.

Tot attending to business

I loved this old vault...

Donna shopping...

This French Settee is amazing with gorgeous mohair upholstry

See the mirror and wonderful platter... they live with me now.

If you get anywhere near Glendale Kentucky you have to stop into this amazing little treasure of a shop

We had a great day of shopping, Theresa took us around to all the other shops in Glendale. This little town is so charming.

Thank you to my good friends Donna and Tot for such a great time. My next post will be on Tot's house... it has been published in a book and magazines such as Country Living.

How are you starting out 2012?

Maybe a road trip is what you need.

Blessings

Rebecca

This New Year... This New Beginning

2011-12-31T00:00:00.018-06:00

Happy 2012

This is a brand new year...
the world celebrates and we all get a new start. We make new years resolutions with expected success and are often disillusioned by February. No matter how disciplined we are, we have honed habits that are sometimes too hard to change and then we are doomed for self condemnation. And if you happen to be like me, discipline is just not in my make up. So before I even start I fail. Oh, I strive for discipline... focus... routine...

but if you know me, you are laughing right now.

This year, (if you have read my prior post) has been anything but disciplined and for the last few months I have been struggling with myself.
On discipline.

I tend to be hard on myself. I am better now that I am older but self condemnation and guilt comes and creeps into my thoughts too easily. I have to keep guard and even then it sometimes rules my actions.
Did you know that any condemnation is not of God for those that love Him? Romans 8:1

I like to move... I do not like to sit. That song from Madagascar is in my head...
I like to move it, move it, move it.
I like a good project, I like to put as many irons in the fire as I can fit and then juggle a few more in the air. Now, I do not do this intentionally but it just seems to be my lifestyle.

I keep saying I am going to slow down and I do at times, usually when I am too tired to move or stressed. Stress is one of those foxes that rob... stress and worry is just plain lack of faith. Stress and worry is the opposite of faith. Think about it. It is not only not trusting God that He will do what He says, it is hard on the body. It robs you of good health. When that occurs it is usually because of one thing. Me, not spending enough time with the Lord. Faith comes from hearing the word of God.

And that brings me to what I have been struggling with. Just sitting and reading the word. At least that is how I think it "should be" now I have many many "shoulds".
I should be up in the attic praying... I should have a set time for scripture... I should start the day off by sitting and reading the bible instead of checking my email. I should have a certain day to do my laundry... I should cook more... I should spend my time more wisely...

Just like all those lists of New Years Resolutions

that are being made out this very minute.

Ok, you get the picture. When I don't do my "shoulds" after a time, a stubborn door slams shut in my brain and I rebel. It is self propelled, I now have no control at this point and I am struggling with a whole new problem. My rebellion.

Rebellion turns into running... running away from God, running away from the problem. In my case I will have a million things to do so I won't do the thing I am struggling with.

For those of you who are new to my blog... I bare my soul now and then, but please bare with me.

Of course, during this time I always have an on going conversation with the Lord... sometimes it gets real needy. It goes something like this, "Ok, I am doing my best here...I just can't do it, you are going to have to do it. You do it Lord, I give it to you."

But all the while "I" am struggling with it.

The Lord is so good, because He will sit back let you chase your tail for only so long, usually until you get so tired, you now have to sit still and listen. Although in my case he talks to me on the go.

This morning I had a revelation,
not a new one or at least one that I hadn't heard before, I had head knowledge of it. You see when you go through times of struggle you are actually bringing what you know in your head and planting it into your heart. Once your heart gets a hold of it, you will have peace.

This morning my heart heard

There is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.

Now, I have read the eighth chapter of Romans a hundred times and know it. This morning , the Lord showed me it wasn't the thing I wasn't doing that was hurting me, it was the "shoulds" or the self condemnation. If God doesn't condemn me then who am I to. The self loathing does not come from God.
God waits for me and kisses my cheek and tells me I am his. He doesn't give us once a year to become new again, as the world tells us.

He gives us every morning.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.
Lamentations 3:22

Every day is just like New Years Day... according to our creator.
Every morning is a clean slate.
Every morning there are new mercies to cover the "Shoulds" the falling short of what I think I should be or do.

So today this New Year day - this New Morning day,

I give you God's steadfast love - mercies and...

And my love.
Thank you for a year of friendship, inspiration, encouragement and support.

Happy New Beginnings

Rebecca

Looking Back at 2011

2011-12-29T00:45:00.005-06:00

Hello

Well, we are winding down 2011... are we not?

To tell you the truth, this year has shot across the sky of my life

like a shooting star and I only hope 2012 does not pick up speed or I will be looking at my ninetieth birthday sooner than later.

I have been fighting time this past year and whenever that happens... I will loose, for sure.

So have I lost really?

I started looking back on the year and thought I would share a little.

Starting a year ago January... I started the year out right by taking a road trip to Missouri to meet a dear friend. Here

Debra from Common Ground... opened her lovely home and heart to me for 3 days. We shopped, ate, talked till we were blue and shared our thoughts and inspirations.
I found a most dear friend in her.

I also did a new years project. Here

The computer room. I had closed the shop a few months prior, so every nook and cranny was filled with shop stuff. My computer room had become a storage space. It started out like this...

and ended up like this...

I am in this room a lot now and really enjoy it.

February brought an exciting road trip to Arizona to visit my sister. Here. We followed that awful snow storm all the way down... but it was so worth it.

My mom was there also... it was a good 2 weeks with my mom and sister.

I also spent a day with my good friend Karen from
My Desert Cottage. We had a great day together, she took me to her favorite shops and we had lunch together.

March came and with it brought sadness, especially for my two daughters as they lost their father. We spent time In Minnesota where the memorial was but with that also came joy as they were reunited with their half brother. It was a time of healing. Here

In April I had the pleasure to travel to Virginia and meet so many lovely women as I spoke at their annual Prince of Peace luncheon. Here

It was one of the high lights of the year and I still am grateful to Connie for letting me share what God has been doing in my life.

May brought special visitors and so much fun!
My wonderful friend Donna from A Life Reclaimed came for a whole week and helped me get ready for the one and only FiFi O'Neill and Mark Lohman They were here to do a photo shoot for her new book that is coming out in March. They also shot for the magazine Romantic Country which I am in the spring issue.

Mark, Donna and Fifi

June was my busiest month as the week after Fifi and Mark left, I left for the Great Pacific Northwest.
Road Trip, baby...
Yep, me myself and I took off for a month and headed to Washington where my daughter Jody lives. We had a date with Farmchicks. I spent a week with Jody of LeFaded Fleur finishing projects and hitting some antique shops. One of the highlights was finally meeting Kathleen of Faded Charm. We did a little shopping and a lot of chatting. She is a sweetie.

We then headed to Spokane and set up at the FarmChicks Show
Here

July brought my daughter back to me for
Horton's French Flea Market. Here.
Jody and I packed up and went to Indiana to stay with our beloved Donna! We set up our tent again and enjoyed a fabulous Flea market put together by the Horton's and the fabulous Miss Donna. We had great fun meeting new and seeing old bloggy friends too.

August was hot and walking through mud... as I put it. It was my biggest project of all... Studio redo. I completely stripped my studio of every last fabric and bauble and put it all under a tent in my back yard... and that started a long process Here

During this process, I also was doing the Kane Country Flea Market the first weekend of each month. My goal was to get out of storage and reduce my expenditures. Try to simplify my life. Here

September brought sadness again with the loss of my husbands brother and best friend, Jack Ersfeld or Kramden as he was affectionately called by my husband. He lost a 3 year battle with cancer on Sept. 25. Jack was born in 1943, served in the VietNam war and served on the police force in Chicago for 24 years. He was quick to laugh and had a gentle heart. He will be missed by Diane his wife and stepchildren along with many friends and very much by his brother and our family. May God bless those he left behind.

October

But mission accomplished!
Of course there were trips to Minnesota to see family and I moved out of my studio at the art gallery. All that went into the garage, which my son was so good to help organize and build shelving to put all my "stuff" on.
So that brings us up to November and December, which were filled with shows and etsy and family and friends.
I started off the holiday season by taking a trip back to Tipton for the Hortons Christmas show. Here

Another fun fun fun thing I got to do was have a blogger party at the show. And I met some wonderful women and also saw old friends.
I was thrilled to see Patti of Shabby Chick
and her lovely daughter Tia... love to you both!
And of course I got to stay with the whirling dervish herself
Miss Donna. Which is always a joy... we have fun, don't we girl?

Which brings me to December... decorating my house, my birthday and going home to Minnesota. My heart is always with my family, so I will leave you with pictures of my Christmas last week with my lovely family. God is good.

(Yes, the Ferret is real... his name is Zeus. She loves him.

I am Thankful...
This past year has been anything but lost...

I want to thank all of you, my friends for letting me share and chronicle my life with you.

Many Blessings in 2012
Rebecca
I will be linking up with
Debra at Common Ground Vintage Friday Inspiration

Christmas Thoughts...

2011-12-24T23:44:00.000-06:00

This past year has been a whirl wind for me, things I thought I had to accomplish and other things were presented so I fit them in. But there is only time for so much, so other things were lost by the wayside. And so Christmas was no different. I had shows to do and things to make and decorating to do and with that I kept saying I am going to slow down. It is now two days before we leave for Christmas and I am still busy in the studio, still trying to get last minute things done and a rush to the post office... again.

It has become a habit formed by years of much going on... kids, shop, studio, the list goes on. This has not been a bad thing but lately the Lord has been impressing on me that it is time for just him now. A time I put Him first in my time. What other time would be better then at Christ-mas time. To spend time in the Word and to replenish.

Christ the love gift to the world from God the Father of all creation. God the father gave his son so He could have a relationship with us, to make us like him, to make us sons and daughters, to give us the inheritance of the kingdom of God.

Christ the first gift.

Christ the gift of pure love.

This I have heard all my life, but this Christmas I want this to be a light that shines a little brighter, that I may experience this in a new way, a deeper understanding of not only what Christ did for me but a deeper understanding of who Christ is to me.
My relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ.
Christmas is about 365 days of Christ in me the hope of glory.

Tonight the house is quiet and I am choosing to be still. To ponder and pray for those in my life. In a few days we will all be together and another Christmas will have come and gone. What will make this Christmas special... not the gifts or the food but the love we share and that love is a reflection of God's love in us.
The source of all love comes from only one place, God and he is all accepting, all forgiving, all nurturing, he is unconditional love. From this love I draw and this Christmas I will try to be more of what God's love is.

Wishing you love from the heart of God this
Christmas.

Blessings
Rebecca

She Shines at Christmas II

2011-12-20T23:03:00.003-06:00

Hello,

Welcome back... I was giving you a Christmas tour of our home a few days ago, (here) but it just got too late and too many pictures. So I thought I would finish it up today.

I really didn't do much in the living room this year... I just ran out of time. So here are a few shots of the fireplace.

Years past I had a flocked tree in here, but this year it is still in storage.

Fresh greens around the fireplace.

I like to put fresh greens over the pocket doors leading to the dining room.

The living room looks into the family room, we use the living room mostly for sitting and reading.

The family room is the romp and television room.

It has tall ceilings, so every year we put up a 11 ft Fraser tree. We get our tree early so my husband likes a Fraser, they do not shed their needles.

They smell heavenly.

This year this bad boy came down on both my husband and me...

someone forgot to lock the tree stand. Luckily only the lights were on the tree but we both had needles in our hair :)

This is such a sunny room during the day, I thought I would show it during the afternoon also.

Thanks so much for joining me this Christmas season.

We will be traveling to Minnesota for Christmas.

I want to say again a big thank you to everyone that left such beautiful comments on my birthday.

I had such a great day!

My wish this year is for... that love abounds.

I am linking up with my friend Kathleen at Faded Charm for her White Wednesday party.

Blessings to you this busy week.

Rebecca

Also
Linking with

Thank you for my Birthday Party

2011-12-18T23:20:00.001-06:00

It is exactly one week, 7 days, 168 hours before Christmas and that means only one thing to me...

it's my Birthday!

And I got such a beautiful present from my heavenly father...

Snow

Not too much...

Just enough to make it look like Christmas...

Just enough to make everything clean and frosted like cake...
Birthday cake?

It is the first snow of the season... and it was a surprise during the night.

Don't you love waking up to a beautiful surprise!

That quiet softness of snow that muffles the outside sounds and puts a frosted glow through your morning windows.

I could hardly wait to get outside and take pictures with my new camera...

I am blessed...

I am also blessed to have such wonderful friends...

I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart that participated in my Birthday party and left such inspiring messages.

I was so touched by your life lessons and heartfelt comments.
It was so hard to pick three favorites because you all had such wisdom.
You were such an inspiration and I enjoyed reading these over and over... thank you.

My choice is...

Susan of Old Grey Mare

When struggling through three very difficult years of horrible betrayal and deceit and being so wounded I could not breathe, I knew I had to change myself, since the situation was out of my control.

I had held the anger in my stomach like a fist and it was only going to be through the power of forgiveness and the power of grace that I would ever right myself and be able to live again.

You cannot continue to make the same choices and expect a different outcome, yet so many lost souls continue to wail against the walls, until bloodied and beaten, never seeing it is within their power to alter their course.

SO, it is the power of forgiveness and the power of grace that I will wish to all your birthday pals this year and to you dear friend..many, many blessings of hope and promise.

I have to tell you that this gave me a good cry, not only because it hit close to home but because it is one of the most important lessons one could ever learn.

Forgiveness is the basis for inner peace. Without forgiving others you cannot be forgiven, without accepting forgiveness you cannot find joy... the joy that passes all understanding.

Thank you my sweet friend.

My choice is..

Cyn of Cynz Place

Oh where do I start with a tip, My tip for whomever reads this is Prayer. I don't mean the little lay me down to sleep prayer..I mean really talking with our Heavenly Father. I have had many troubles and trials over the past few years, health as well as family issues...and honestly..If I didn't talk with my heavenly father daily..I don't know if I'd be writing this post. Sometimes more than once a day. To ask him for guidance, ask him for forgiveness, or Thank him, I LOVE that we can be in constant contact with Him.

Although I would be so joyed to win, I truly hope someone reads this tip and rejoices in Him and prays and speaks with Him.

This my friends is what it is all about... there is nothing more important then your relationship to the heavenly father. He wants a relationship with you, he waits for you, he loves you.

My father who was a wonderful teacher of the word... studied Greek and knew the scriptures inside and out and preached hundreds of sermons... in his last days, so sick yet thanking God and telling me, there is only one thing that matters... "love the Father, He loves to hear it".
It just comes down to one thing, your relationship with your heavenly father.

Thank you dear Cyn

My choice is...

Lori at Katies Rose Cottage

Oh my goodness Rebecca you are so precious! I just absolutely adore everything that you create so much!!

One tip that I am really trying so hard to try and do more often is to be still and know that He is God ~ Also taking time to be still and look around and notice the blessings that are right around me every single day ~

This is something I have been working on in my life - to be still...
in this day of electronics when there is hardly a second that one isn't hooked up to either the iphone, ipod or the computer. We need to have everything faster and better.
We have become used to things moving faster and faster.
One hardly is alone with his own thoughts let alone with God. To notice small things and appreciate simple pleasures... everything doesn't need to be in 3-D, light up or travel at the speed of sound. It is ok to sit in a quiet house alone with your thoughts and just be still. To think and appreciate the smile your child just gave you or feel the breeze on your face. To notice the bird on the trellis as you scurry to the car. Be still and know that I am God.
Thank you so much dear Lori.

If you would kindly email me with your information, I will send out your gifts.
Thank you all for your kind wishes... I enjoyed my birthday.

I thank God for each and every one of you and pray you will have a most joyful Christmas week.

Blessings
Rebecca

She Shines at Christmas

2011-12-15T20:35:00.001-06:00

Hello

Christmas is fast approaching and we are all busy with shopping, baking and decorating. Not to mention all the kiddie programs and church activities. It is a nice busy time and I hope you are all enjoying each task and fighting off the stress that can accompany too many things on our plate. I know the lines can be annoying and people can be crazy this time of year (might want to put away the mace while shopping) but I really enjoy the hub-bub. I try to look at people and smile and wish strangers a Merry Christmas. A little extra kindness this time of year spreads the joy and spirit of Christmas, it doesn't take much and it does wonders for your own stress level.

I have finally gotten most of my decorating done in the house. I starred at the bins for two weeks while doing the shows, just not having the time to dig into them. So it is only this last week that I have been puttering and adding touches to the house. I love how the house looks at Christmas... she just shines in all her glory this time of year. There is just something magical about candle light and greens. This old house looks so good under candle light, kind of like all of us do. One can't see the imperfections only the glow and essence of her spirit.

So come on in...

I would love to have you spend a little time with us this Christmas 2011.

This old house was built in the 1860's and is Italianate in design. She (I refer to the house as a her because she is rather feminine) has been stripped of most of her original beauty, but it has been on the historical house walk here a couple of years ago. I was talking to Susan of Old Grey Mare today and she suggested I do a post on the history of this old house. I think that sounds fun, so I plan on doing a couple of posts in January.

The "bones" are still here... and we enjoy her essence.

The dining room is one of my favorite rooms - although I don't spend much time in here.

Most of my Christmas decor is either vintage or handmade. I love adding greens to just about everything - greens will make anything look good! I use a lot of boxwood... it dries beautifully.

I have to tell you, I took a lot of pictures... my son gave me a new camera for my birthday (and Christmas) and it should be for the next 5 years, he spent way too much! So I am having fun with it, however it is on automatic at this point.

Ok... let's get out of the dining room, I think we have spent enough time here and head to the kitchen.

I love sheep...

Nothing says Christmas like white stoneware and pine!

Pay no attention to the plastic behind the curtain... one of the blessings of an old house.

Leaving the kitchen, we will go to the computer room... it is small and not so many pictures :)

This is getting to be ridiculously long with all these pictures - so I am going to extend the house tour to my next post.

I hope you will come back to finish the tour and for some hot mauled wine...

Wishing you a fantastic week and if you have not joined my

Birthday Blogger Giveaway... please do so here

I would love to have you join me.

I am linking up with my friend Debra at Common Ground today for her Vintage Inspiration Friday and also...

LaurieAnna's Farmhouse Friday

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home at Friday at the Charm of Home

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence

Thanks so much for visiting.

Blessings until next time,

Rebecca

Birthday Blogger Party Give Away

2011-12-13T21:22:00.001-06:00

It's that time of year again... I am sending out an invitation to my Birthday Blogger party.

My mother always said I was a lucky girl to share my birthday with Jesus... I always thought so too.
But it is that time of year when everyone is at their busiest, one week before Christmas and I dropped in... so needless to say, I don't celebrate it much. But last year I decided to throw my own blog party since I really never remember having a birthday party. We usually celebrate it with Christmas, it is when everyone is together and I don't mind, especially now when I would rather forget about them.

So this year I would like to do the same only this year I am going to make it easier. As last year, I will be giving gifts instead of getting them... with the thought "it is better to give than to receive".

Last year I asked you to post a gift for someone special in your life and link it to the party. I chose my 3 favorite.

This year I would like you to leave a message on this post and tell me your one best tip for living. We all have learned many lessons throughout our lives but most of us have a couple of good tips that were either learned or passed down to us. I will chose the winners on my birthday and post 3 favorites.

You have blessed my world and although I haven't been around as much as I would have liked this past year, I enjoy all of you so much.
This year, to receive the gifts below you must be a follower and leave a tip for living in the comments. If you would like please grab the birthday button on my sidebar to spread the invitation but it is not necessary to win.

A Christmas stocking

A Rose Bracelet

And a bottle brush tree in a bottle.

I hope you can join in on the party and remember to post your favorite tip, it can be on personal growth or your favorite recipe... whatever you found that enriches your life.

I will be having my family and some good friends over on my birthday but I will post the winners in the evening.

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful Christmas season. I am finally done with decorating the house and I will be posting a house tour next week.
Here is a sneak peek...

Wishing... Love abounds this Christmas and coming year!

Blessings
Rebecca

Etsy Shop up and a Workshop... finally!

2011-12-09T13:02:00.002-06:00

Hello,

We woke up to a dusting of snow this morning and it has put me in the Christmas decorating mood... That is a good thing since I have not hardly started... I brought everything up and unpacked it all but it is all in the dining room just waiting to be put in it's place. I will show pictures next week.

I have been busy loading my etsy store... finally. With all the shows I have been doing - I just haven't had time, so for the next few days I will be listing.

I woke up with sales already on these, that makes me happy!

I have not sold on etsy before, only my blog shop and website.

So listing has been slow. Here are some things you will find at

Rebecca for Vintage Living etsy shop

I plan on working in my studio this weekend and listing what I make next week. I know it is late in the season but I want to play now and what I don't sell this year, will give me a head start on next year. It seems I am always behind and playing catch up.

I have sold out of stars, so I am trying to make a few more of those also.

My last show was good but I am glad to be done. I managed to snap a few shots but not before it was picked over. I didn't have enough time to get set up and they just picked out of the boxes, so these pictures are not the best.

Workshop!

I will be offering one class before Christmas,

in my studio here at my home.

It will be the week before Christmas on

Tuesday - December 20.

It will be at 5:30

Dinner and refreshments

will be included

I would love to celebrate this time of year with you!

The class will teach basic soldering

and you will be making a glass tube ornament

Please email me at alxfreedom@aol.com

for my address and directions or

if you have any questions.

If you would like to sign up for the class you may do so here

Christmas Ornament Class

Due to the late posting of this class, this may not fill, if that be the case I will refund your money and post another date after the new year.

On a footnote here... I would like to make a statement on my convictions and they are mine alone concerning what I make, sell and teach. If you have another way of thinking that is great.
With the internet and so many ways to see one another's art work, not to mention publications and so forth, it is impossible to think you are an original. I have yet to see a piece of work that is truly an original. Somewhere along life's path you were inspired by something or someone's work. Believe me someone somewhere did it before you or me. I myself believe in networking and encouraging my friends, customers, students, fellow artists... shop keepers. I have always had this philosophy, to the point where I have helped people open a shop across the street from me that copied my designs to the letter... ha! (that tested me) Anyway my point is, if someone gets an idea from me or takes a class from me... I expect them to soar, I expect them to take my idea and build on it... hopefully make it their own and grow. That is the true reflection of my work.
If you sell something I made... good for you! I have been in this business way too long to not know my priorities.

Please let us all encourage each other in the spirit of loving kindness and gratefulness.

I hope all of you are enjoying this Christmas season!

I will be joining Debra for her Vintage Friday

Blessings to all of you

Rebecca

It's beginning to look a little like Chirstmas

2011-11-29T19:03:00.003-06:00

Hello

I am linking with Kathleen at Faded Charm for White Wednesday, it seems I am hardly on my blog anymore... let alone visiting all of you.

I plan on slowing way down this winter and hopefully I can get caught up on blogland.

I have one more show this weekend, actually I am in 2 shows at the same time. I will be physically at Kane County Market this Saturday and Sunday.

I also have a corner at Horton's in Tipton, Indiana and will be participating in their

Artisan Christmas Market

Saturday, December 3

9am to 6pm

Please join Karen and Tim for Christmas inspiration

I have been working in the studio getting ready for the Kane County Market. These tags or ornaments are so simple and I guess that is why I like them. They will look great on a package wrapped in kraft paper.

They are made with old ledger paper and prayer cards affixed on cardstock backing and embellished with boxwood .

I have been slowly bringing in a little Christmas the last couple of days, I decorate each day. Even up to a couple of days before Christmas even though we are not here. I leave the decorations up through January.

We have a fresh tree and that goes down on New Years day though.

I love greens and tallow berry.

I don't take anything out, I just add to it. My collections look great with Christmas.

I just love puttering and making each room festive yet -

I keep it pretty simple.

I love the mixed greens. I usually get a case of it and put it all over the house. I also use seeded eucalyptus and boxwood with pepper berry sometimes.

They dry beautifully, so I can keep them throughout the winter.

I hope you are having a fun week and I look forward to getting around after this week.

Can't wait to see all your decorating ideas!

Blessings

Rebecca

Our Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-25T12:14:00.002-06:00

Hello

It is the morning after Thanksgiving day and the house is just waking, I can hear the kids playing upstairs and soon they will make it down to the kitchen. I am thankful...

Thanksgiving day is hectic here.

Me, I am pretty much in the kitchen all day. We have a late Thanksgiving dinner, not by choice, some of my family cannot make it here until 5. Right at crunch time. My kitchen is not set up well, so there can only be so many people helping and only 1 or 2 people by the cooking area. That means... stay out of my way :)

With 5 girls... I have more help than I need but with 5 girls they have there own agenda.

Here they are at crunch time... you know that stressful time when the gravy needs to be stirred, food needs to be on the table and the turkey is being sliced... because it all gets cold fast!

Yes, they thought a Snow White photo shoot was necessary... never a dull moment here!

Notice I'm not laughing...

But mom lets them have their fun... just stay out of my way!

Let's back up a few hours and see how the day progressed...

It just wouldn't be fun without a make-up session

Now it's Maddies turn...

Ooooh sooo pretty!

Ice Princess... Sophia

Fairy Princess... Savannah

and Maddie is Maddie

Kids Having fun

Including big kids...

Dinner Table

Dinner Time

Praying for what we are thankful for...

After Dinner... the kids did dishes

Poor Nik got stuck with taking the meat off the bone.

TV room

and I will leave you with desert

I hope your day was filled with laughter, family, love and thankfulness as was mine.
Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.
I am so thankful for all of you.
Blessings
Rebecca

Le Faded Fleur

2011-11-22T11:12:00.001-06:00

Hello,

How are you all doing this busy week of Thanksgiving. I just got back from a trip to Minnesota to visit my mom. We had a family friend pass away, he was part of my childhood and I had such fond memories of him. He is now painting with my father in heaven.

I will be having my family in for Thanksgiving! We are quite a crew and this old house will be bustling with kiddies and women chatting... the guys of course will be in the family room watching the games.

It is such a wonderful time of year. All my family will be in except for one... Jody. She will be here for Christmas though. As you know she just left here a while ago but it is a perfect time to introduce you to her and...

She has started a blog.

Le Faded Fleur

Jody and I at the Farmchicks show this spring

Jody at the French Flea Market this summer

She is just in time for the Holidays and she will be showing you her lovely hand made Christmas items.

So please go over and say hi to my number 1 daughter Jody!

And welcome her to Blogland.

She is a very talented and gracious person...

I am so very proud of her.

Love you darl'in!

Many blessings to all of you this busy Thanksgiving week. I am wishing you all a blessed week and a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Blessings,

Rebecca

PS I will be joining Kathleen at Faded Charm for her
White Wednesday! Join us there...

Vintage Living at Horton's Christmas Show

2011-11-16T00:00:00.002-06:00

Hello

I hope you are all having a wonderful week. The weather has been unusually warm the last couple of days and it is hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week. So showing Christmas this week seems a bit out of place. But I said I would post my pictures of Vintage Living at Horton's Christmas show, so here is a

Very Vintage Christmas.

We did have a great time with the bloggers

that could come to the show.

Thank you so much Patti at the Shabby Chick for coming and bringing Tia, we had so much fun hanging out together.

I didn't take pictures of all the bloggers that stopped by to say hello, I got too busy but I so appreciate everyone that came.

It was a fun time had by all and I want to say again a big Thank you to the Horton's and of course to my dear friend Donna.

I had so much fun.
I forgot to say that I will be set up at Horton's through Christmas. I did not take down my corner, they have been gracious enough to ask me to stay through the Holidays. If you are in the area please stop by and do some Christmas shopping at the Horton's.

I am linking up with my friend Kathleen at Faded Charm for White Wednesday.

Blessings

Rebecca

A Very Vintage Christmas Show

2011-11-14T07:59:00.003-06:00

Hello

I am back from Tipton, Indiana, it is about a 3 1/2 hour drive and today was 71 degrees and sunny, so the drive was lovely. When I got to Tipton there was snow on the cars... it was perfect for the

Very Vintage Christmas show at Horton's.

I arrived on Thursday and met Donna at the Horton's store. We unloaded my merchandise and got to visit with the Horton family a little and then headed to Donna's house for dinner. Donna's husband had fixed his famous chili dinner, so we had a great time eating, laughing and catching up. Donna and I then worked on finishing up some projects we had going. I got to work on my stars in the cottage, listen to Christmas music, sip a little wine and laugh with miss Donna.

Friday we set off for the store bright and early, I had to set up and Donna had a million things to do, we left the store in time for dinner. That evening we were all tired so we went to bed early.

Saturday morning was the event... so without another word from me, I will show you
Miss Donna's magic.

Horton's Very Vintage Christmas Show

Donna's burlap Christmas stockings

Donna's burlap ruffled stockings

Donna's poured fig candles... heavenly ~~scent~~ sent.

I had a good laugh... there was a designer at the show that stood in the middle of one of the rooms and said loud enough for everyone around him to hear,
"Someone said, one person did all this and there is no way one person did this!".
He just had never met Donna!
Not only does she do all of this, but she makes product too...

Donna made these cute pouches, knitted trees and yarn ball garlands

Even after all that wonderful display goodness this is a rare sight... Donna resting. She outdid herself this year! It was inspiration in every corner.
As always Tim and Karen Horton were wonderful hosts and it was a joy to be apart of their event... they put on quite a spectacular show. Thank you so much for letting me join in on all the fun.
I will be posting my little part of the Christmas show later in the week, I thought this was enough pictures for one post.
Now, I get to visit all of you for once! I am going to relax for today and then it is back to the studio for more Christmas goodies.
Wishing you a grateful day
Blessings
Rebecca

Busy Week

2011-11-07T14:32:00.001-06:00

Hello

Well, I am counting down now until I leave on Thursday for my dear friend Donna's house. I am so looking forward to spending time with her and her wonderful Mr. Re-Claimed... They are both such loving generous people who love life and most of all the Lord. I thank him for putting them into my life.

Donna as you may very well know coordinates the Horton's Christmas Show in Tipton. You can read about it here and also on her blog here.

Looking forward to seeing the Horton's also and their lovely family. This is such a fun event they put together... if you are in the area please come and join us.

Don't forget ... I am having a Blogger party in my corner of Horton's!

I would love to see all my old friends and meet some new ones!

This last weekend was Kane County Fleamarket and I had my set up there. Just one more left for December and that is it for the winter.
Here are just a few shots from that.

Here are a few shots of my friend Lisa's booth, she is sooo much fun!
Don't miss her new blog The Frenchman's Wife, you will love it. She is such a talent.

It was fun!

I have a new post up on my other blog
The Love of God

Please visit me there, I always appreciate you stopping by.

I have had so many of you ask about my handmade Christmas and jewelry items, whether they will be available online. Yes, they will be after this week. I will be listing after I get back from Tipton. Thank you so much for your interest, I appreciate all of your comments and emails. I promise to be by after this week also, I do miss getting around to all of you so much.
Hope all is well in your world.
Blessings
Rebecca

Events... and A Blogger Party

2011-10-27T22:04:00.002-05:00

Hello

Happy Thursday evening... middle of the week and I don't know where the first part of it went. But I am happy and thankful for being able to do as much as I do.

It has been a good week and I expect it to continue. I love Autumn... I love it a little warmer though, it has been cloudy and damp here in Chicago this past week.

But the trees are beautiful and I am enjoying them because soon they will be bare. I really love the change of seasons, I just wish winter wasn't so long here in the Midwest.

This time of year brings so much anticipation and preparation for the holidays ahead. It is so much fun.

I am working steadily in my studio now, as countdown is here for the shows I will be doing.

And I am trying to get etsy up and running which I haven't been able to do as yet or my blog shop. But I will be loading it soon. I also am still planning on doing a few workshops but they will be late November and December.

Today I want to invite all of you to a party! I am so excited...

I will be participating in

I not only will be setting up a small space at the event and bringing my Christmas wares but I am also going to leave it up all through the holiday season. Karen and Donna were nice enough to invite me to stay and have a sample of Vintage Living in Horton's.

This event was so much fun last year and I am looking forward to it this year...

So much in fact that I decided to throw a party...

A Blogger Party

In my space, during the open house...

Please come and help us celebrate this wonderful Christmas season. Donna and I are putting together a little gift for all of you, in appreciation of all the support and fun we have had this year blogging with all of you. There will also be a drawing for a special Vintage Christmas gift. This is for you followers too! Just mention the blog when you see me, you don't have to have a blog to come!

There will be treats, gifts and plenty of laughter...

Come be inspired!

A Blogger's Vintage Christmas 2011

Here is just a sampling of what I am working on for the event.

Hand dyed velvet flowered bracelets.

Knitted and Burlap Stockings

And I will leave you with a few wonderful images of last year's event. They speak for themselves...

The Horton's know how to throw an event...

they have a little angel in their pocket and her name is

Donna.

I am linking up with Debra at Common Ground
for her Vintage Inspiration Friday...
I haven't been able to do that in awhile and she is such a love...

Blessings

Rebecca

Tucked in My Studio

2011-10-20T22:58:00.005-05:00

Hello

I want to thank everyone who left comments on my last post, they were all very kind and as always full of encouragement. I am trying to get around to all of you to see what you are up to.

This will be the beginning of many studio posts, now that I have my studio back. I am getting into the swing of the holidays that are fast approaching. The weather has turned this week and the beautiful fall weather has left. But I am Happy as a lark tucked in my studio playing...

I did a post on my The Love of God blog called

Preparation for Christmas

if you get a chance please visit me there!

I had a rather large order of tea dyed flowers to make this week, so I made extra. They are available in my blog shop. Here.

I will be adding new holiday items next week.

I also filled an order of Tattered Flowers and made extra... I think they look good on a star ...

or a stocking, don't you?

I am making an assortment of stockings with vintage velvet's, French linen and of course burlap.

These roses are going on some wreath's

Here are some finished linen stockings

I have started making stars... my best seller actually. I have been making these for 15 Christmas's now...

Here are some random shots of baubles ready to be made into something for someone...

I will be joining the Horton's for their A Very Vintage Christmas show in Tipton, IN,

in November. I will talk more on that later.

But before that I will be at the Kane County Fleamarket the first weekend in November.

I am also getting my Christmas workshops together and will be posting the schedule for November and December next week. I would love it if you could join me in my new studio.

For you who live out of town

I have a special place for you to stay...

Come Play with me and...

Be Inspired...

I am linking up with Debra at Common Ground for her
Friday Vintage Inspiration party and Feathered Nest Fridays!

Blessings

Rebecca

Studio Redo: Finally Finished!

2011-10-15T22:31:00.003-05:00

Hello

Well, it has only taken me 3 months to get to this post but I am happy to say the tent is gone and the studio is ready for business or at least creating.
It was quite an ordeal but wind, rain and collapsing tent didn't stop me... I had damage control but it is what it is.
I am just happy to have my studio back.

Just a quick recap... here the before pictures.
This post was the way the studio looked when WWC shot it for the magazine... But then it was used for storage after I closed the shop. I had my shop studio and I needed to move all that into this space, so until I could organize, it was used for storage.
To organize all this stuff I needed to move everything out, so hence the tent. I moved most of the contents to the garage and a tent I put up in the back yard. Needless to say, it took longer than I anticipated.
New paint, new flooring and a new look!
I am happy with it...

Warning: there are a lot of pictures here!
So you might want to go get a cup of coffee or a glass of wine depending on the time of day.

Are you getting bored yet?
I should really make two posts out of this... but lately it has been hard to post with all that is going on.

Some bracelets I am working on...

Hand dyed velvet roses with chain

Collage

Thanks for sticking with me, sorry this got so long.
Wishing you all a good week and hopefully I can visit you this week. I have been missing all of you.
Blessings
Rebecca

Fall 2011

2011-10-10T19:46:00.002-05:00

Hello

This week has been perfect fall weather... beautiful blue skies, warm sun, fresh dry air and the gorgeous display of color the trees give. The kind of weather that gives you energy and the nesting urge to get ready for what is yet to come.

The last couple of weeks have been a blur with much happening around me. Some good, some sad, some happy.
The good... is being able to be busy with what I love to do. I had two shows back to back with my daughter Jody, traveled to Minnesota and saw old friends from long ago and spent a couple of days with my beautiful mother. Always a joy.
The happy... is getting things done around here including re-organizing the garage and finally taking down the tent in the back yard. Thanks to the help of James and Jennifer.
My studio is almost presentable and I will be doing a post on that later. Getting the garage organized was next on my list and we got a good start on it. James installed industrial shelving and loaded it up with my daughters things and mine. It felt good to go through and get rid of so much stuff that had been accumulating. We will actually be able to get a car in the garage for winter!

The joke of the day was to watch people slow down as they went by... and ask if we were having a garage sale.

We worked him to near exhaustion... but gave him water now and then.
...and yes, that is a shiner he is sporting

His first and a beauty... but tables are not to run into, sometimes a hard lesson.

My son is very good at puzzles...

And so is Jody, she is packing to go back home. Trying to fit all that she accumulated in the past 4 months she has been here.
It will be sad to see her go. I will miss her but she will be back for Christmas.
The sad... we lost my husbands brother to cancer 2 weeks ago. He is in a better place but he will be missed dearly. We want to thank our friends and family for their support and comfort.

Our strength comes from the joy of the Lord and that joy comes only from knowing Christ. Happiness depends on happenings but joy comes from within. Joy is inner peace and contentment and does not depend on what is happening. I wish you joy...

Many Blessings
Rebecca