Treasure Hunting

Do you find that your taste is changing or are there some things that just keep on making you smile?

I have to say that when things that I like become too popular and I see it everywhere, I lose heart and I will no longer like it.

 I really hate it when old things are massed produced, I know it is a money maker but usually it will bring down the value of the old piece.
 Now, owning my own shop for years, I have been guilty of buying lots and lots of reproduced stuff... 
but overall it is over kill.
 Maybe being in the business for so long and trying to stay ahead of that next cutting edge look has turned my rose colored glasses clear.

I used to go antiquing or junking, whatever you want to call it and always find
 heartstoppers-stomach clinchers-gut grabbers,
 it has been awhile since I can say any of the above.

Why is that?

Is it because I have been doing this for so long?

Is it because there just isn't that great of stuff anymore?

Or

Do I just have enough stuff?

I certainly hope it is not the latter!

My husband had to go to Wisconsin on business and asked me to go along, so I shopped and he worked...
 sweet deal.
Not that I needed more... 

This is hand painted on silk, I love what it says...
Behold This Heart, That Has Loved Man So Much

But I am selling at the Farm Chicks Show in the spring...
So I did find some treasures that I liked and can part with,
 most of it anyway.

Not this though...
I collect these little beaded chatelaine bags  

 Here are some treasures that make me smile...

Some things are just staples... my color pallet is usually the same
Neutrals

I never tire of creamy stoneware, but I don't find it like I used to.

Any crocheted lace and linen coverlets or table cloths, if the price is right - I can't resist.

Old beveled mirrors, metal frames and prayer cards

Old tarnished silver and chipped edge mirrors

I think after you have been doing this for so long, you fine tune your taste... maybe that is it.
I am just more selective. I love mop buttons but they have to be either carved or a certain color now, white paint has to be old, mirrors have to have old glass and ghostly, lace has to be a certain color and pattern... the list goes on.
It is the challenge of  creating a look rather than just collecting or selling that I enjoy. 
It is another creative form.

So overall I had a fun trip and didn't do too bad shopping,
 what do you think -
What treasures make you smile?


Blessings
Rebecca

Gifts From the Heart

I have been so...

(yes, I am going to say)

~Blessed~

1. Blessed

a: held in reverence

b: honored in worship  

c: Beatific

2. :of or enjoying happiness;

specifically : enjoying the bliss of heaven ~ used as a title for a beautified person

3.  :bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune

Blessing noun

1. the act or words of one that blesses

b: Approval, Encouragement 

2. a thing conducive to happiness or good welfare

Between my birthday and Christmas I was blessed with gifts from friends...
 blog friends...
Friendship across the miles but ever so meaningful.

Sometimes you find that the miles between you are not that far and you take the leap of faith and put those miles away between you. 

Such is the case this week.

I am grateful, 
not so much for the gifts, 
although they are lovely and more than I could ever ask for.
But the love and caring that goes into each gift...

The friendship that has been gifted to me

From such dear ones that the Lord has hand picked to bless my life at this moment in time, to encourage, edify and bring pleasure

Donna, you are my gift.

Talented and beautiful with such a caring heart

To create such lovely gifts and be there to support and encourage

Thank you my sweet

But the Blessings do not end here

This week I was also blessed  with 
 Debra

Such a beautiful gift, made by her hand and put in mine.

One of her favorite creations taken from her neck and given to me. I was touched at Debra's giving heart. A heart that is fashioned from the heart of God.
Thank you, my sister.


And by mail...

And what a birthday surprise, from my friend Terri... such a gifted caring woman...

to make this journal and surprise me with it. Such a talented sweet friend.

Thank you, Terri

But it doesn't end there...

And so many miles away... what a wonder it is,
 that we can call each other friend...

This big world made small by our blogs

To see the talents of so many amazing woman and then to be able to call them friend... such it is with my friend
Carolyn

Thank you sweetheart.


"Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with."
- Mark Twain


I will be hooking up with Kathleen at Faded Charm for White Wednesday to show the beautiful whites from my friends.
 Thank you Kathleen for WW #82

Blessings,
Rebecca

More than Common and Grounded in Love

A road trip by heavenly design... 

I just spent the best part of this week with 
Debra from Common Ground 
at her lovely home in Missouri. 

 Debra and I became friends through our blogs...

 but we became sisters through our Lord Jesus.

I needed some down time and a road trip at this moment in time... 

  Debra was gracious enough to open her home and arms to me.

 I was treated to warm southern hospitality by her and her husband. 

Their lovely home is held together by the love they have for each other and built on a foundation of love for Jesus their Lord and Saviour.

Debra and I sat most mornings sipping coffee and talking about our lives... where we came from, where we are now, what we knew to be true, where we failed,  how we survived but mostly how the Lord has led us down a path that neither one of us would trade for anything.  A path much in common.

We ate, laughed, cried and prayed together. 

Two women the Lord put together and bonded in His love.

And of course their was shopping...

Shopping in Debra's space...

Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap... Luke 6: 37

Thank you Debra, my cup runneth over.

Blessings,

Rebecca