Wish List Continued

Dear Daughters,

You know that sometimes your father can get in a rut when buying gifts. You see the expected peach bubble bath set that ends up under the tree EVERY year. Really, girls.. talk to Daddy... show him these gorgeous items on my wish list.

Like this beautiful Whirlpool Resin Pendant from skinnerstudio. It reminds me of the blue pottery that I love so much and won't my co-workers swoon when they see it?!?


Girls, your mission, should you choose to accept it is to get Daddy to buy this necklace and leave the peach bubble bath at the store.

Wish List Continued

There is just something special about vintage and antique items that appeal to me. While we are in the midst of renovating our old farm house I am always on the lookout for items to help give this home character.

Combine that with love of children's books, especially the illustrations found within them. This Dick and Jane book brings back memories of elementary school for me and would look great on the shelves in my office and can be found in calloohcallay's etsy shop.

Another one on my list, dear family!

The Holidays Will Be Here Soon

Soon the snow will be falling, decorations will be up and the shoppers will be out and about.

This year, what better way to do your shopping than from the comfort of you own home? Etsy provides a great way to get wonderful handmade or vintage items delivered right to your door.

Since my family will occasionally come into my blog I have decided that I am going to show a few of my favorite items that I would just LOVE to get as a gift this holiday season. Each week from now till Christmas I will show two or three items that just suit me perfectly.

So all my beloved family members... if you are reading this, take note ♥

I love this bracelet from littlbugjewelry. You know I love this soft green and I am definately short of bracelets...


And this beautiful original from emcisaac. Wouldn't that look great coming down the new stairway your father just built? You know it would!

Cute Little Snowman

I am getting geared up for the upcoming holiday season and I seem to be snowman crazed this year.




What is it about these cute little guys that bring a warm and snuggly feeling into your heart? I mean, afterall, they are made of snow and snow is icy and cold! But, none the less, the vision of snowmen, just make my heart melt.


Here is my latest snowman and I am sure that he will make your heart all warm and fuzzy as well... At least this one is all fuzzy!



Avaliable for purchase at: http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com

Announcing the Grand Opening of Nana Anna's Corner at Valerie's Gallery

I am so happy to announce that my mom is joining forces with me at Valerie's Gallery. I will be adding her work in my section titled 'Nana Anna's Corner' and she specializes in cotton dishcoths/washcloths.

Now, as you know, I, myself am a grandmother. So my mom is a great grandmother, hence the name Nana Anna. She has two great grandchildren - one is my grandson and the other my grand nephew.

Mom just turned 79 this year and is a master knitter. She has always made our family the greatest items to keep us snuggly warm and decorated her home with beautiful furnishings. I have an incredible fisherman knit afgahn that she made me shortly after I was married. Along with all the mother/daughter, father/son matching sweaters, she has made more mittens, hats and scarves than anyone I know.

But more than that, she is the person who taught me to knit, crochet and sew. Mom is a very crafty lady and has always been an inspiration to me and my siblings.

She currently likes the simplicity of the easier projects and the dishcloth fad is just what she needs to keep her hands and mind active. She recently caught the selling bug when I sold some of her dishcloths at a recent craft fair. Since she refuses to go 'on-line', we are now a partnership, with me taking the pictures and loading them to the computer / shop. The shipping will also be done by me, so be assured that all the prompt shipping will continue as always.

Her first two sets are now available through http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com

I hope you will stop in and check them out! I will be adding more as she puts them out, so stop back often to see what is new.

Felted Baby Booties

With the cooler weather coming quickly, those babes need their little toes kept toasty warm.






I have a great selection of felted baby booties that will be sure to do the job! They are great for shower gifts and as a special surprize for your little treasure!

Stop in my etsy shop at http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com/ to view a great selection.

If you would like a special order - color, size or design, just send me a convo through etsy. I would love to make a pair special for your little sweetie!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins....

Fall is just around the corner and as we say goodbye to summer visions of wonderfully colored leaves, apples and pumpkins come to mind.

The beginning of fall marks the kiddos going back to school and the household getting back on normal schedules within the day. It is when I gradually stop cooking on the grill and stoak up the oven and get that urge to bake... apple crisps, breads and pumpkin pie.

I also 'baked up' a few felted pumpkins that are so adorable. They make a beautiful center piece on your table and staged around your home. These are all available for purchase on http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com . Come on in and browse around a bit!

Felted Nesting Bowls with a Twist

I just finished this adorable set of nesting bowls and I felt it deserves a special blog entry.

Bowls or Snowman -

Use them as bowls to keep all your tiny treasures in or stack them up to make a sweet frosty:

This set is available for purchase in my etsy shop:

http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com

The Tortoise or the Hare?

Are you the tortoise or the hare when it comes to home improvement chores? I am definately the tortoise when it comes to outside painting.

We have an old farm house that we are renovating and we are moving along at a pretty good speed with the house itself (although there is alot to be done). But way in the back far corner of our property is a barn. This is a barn that was once used for chickens I believe and is one of those kinda spooky places that is pretty dark and filled with stuff. Stuff ranging from horse bridles to model T windshields. Now, this isn't a big barn, in fact, I am not sure that this can really qualify as a true barn or not.

About 3 years ago, I had this bright idea to paint this barn red. It doesn't look as though it was ever painted and had the natural weather beaten aged look. I thought red would give it some character.

So, in the summer of 2006 with 4 gallons of paint, I started swinging the brush. The wood was so dry, that 4 gallons only covered one side. This project was put asided for other things as these needless projects often do and it wasn't till the summer of 2007 that I got another 6 gallons of paint. 2007 proved to be a good year, as I painted one end and half of the longer side. But still, it wasn't complete.

Well, today I was in the mood to paint some more. This doesn't happen very often and the day was perfect for it. So, equiped with 3 more gallons of paint I was determined to complete this 3 year project. Well, needless to say, it wasn't enough paint. I think maybe ONE more gallon will do it. Maybe I will get in the mood again this year - after all, only one more and it will be done. But, if it happens that I don't, this will need to wait till next year to finish.

Here is all that is left to do. So, do you think it will be done in 07 or will it wait till 2008?

Oh - and this just bloomed today in my garden. This is my first year growing sunflowers. I thought it is pretty amazing!