Cottage of Memories

Vision sometimes only costs $5.00

Today is an amazing and beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest. The flowers are finally starting to bud and the fragrance fills the air. I was up this morning at 5:00 to get ready for Bible Study, and the day was fresh and sweet and I couldn't wait for what was planned.  I picked up my MIL at 6:00 to watch Sam while I went to B. Study and then she had choir rehearsal after that. MIL and I hit a fun Estate Sale while we waiting (picked up a cool white shelf, some vintage patterns, a vintage wire basket, a stool that will be painted, and some other random goodness) and then we happened upon a sweet store that didn't look like much from the outside, but man did we hit the jackpot. A sweet woman owned the store and she had some fun treasures in the store. But when I asked if she 'happen' to have some vintage ledger books, games with letters or numbers, or flash cards she said 'hang on - let me go to the back'. I love those words ! A yard sale fanatics dream.  She came out with the most unusual shaped flash cards and I had to buy them all. She said she was moving locations during the summer and did I want to have any old papers that she couldn't store any longer.  Uh.  . . .yes !  I hope I didn't sound too anxious. She had beautiful sheet music and patterns and oaper.  An ephemera lovers dream. I told her that if I couldn't use it all, I had friends who could (That's you Stephanie !) I left my number and we went on our way. Oh how I hope she calls.

After picking up S, we headed down to a small city south ~ in the country ~ about 20 miles away ~ to find an estate sale I wanted to go to. This particular Estate Sale company holds great sales and has fun items. We've gotten to know each other through the years, and she is a delight.  When the ad indicated 'paper items and old photos', I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.  It was a wonderful drive with green all around and then we found it. A HOT pink house in the country. I mean HOT. Like fushia pink on steroids. We stopped at the old barn on the way up the hill, and I found this fun bike. Can you imagine the kids that rode this up and down the gravel path ? Maybe to school. I love the way the basket is on the front.  The label on the seat says Schwinn.  The fenders are all rusty, the paint chipping off and the tires flat as a pancake, but I just couldn't pass it up.

 

Right now, it's sitting in my back yard, along with the mountain of weeds that need to be pulled. (why does new soil always have weed seeds in it ? I'd like them to stop putting them in the bags I buy). Can you also see hiding behind the weeds my fun red bench with a 'future home of my secret garden' sign ?  Well, intentions were great at the end of last summer, and let's just say that time got away from me. Who knows - maybe the weeds have a pretty flower on them and they'll look great back there ?

Anyway - I can't wait to put a coat of light turquoise paint on the fenders and flowers in the basket. Not sure what Mark will say, but hey - it was only $5.00 !

blessings, jill

(After I sort through the ephemera and stuff, I'll post photos. I just don't even know what I have~ so stay tuned !)

Around my studio

As I was looking around my studio this afternoon (waiting for the Sears repair man)  I came to the realization once again how blessed I am to have this amazing home that God provided.  One of these days, I'll share the story with you, but for today, I'm simply thankful. Take a look over on the sidebar where I've added another photo album of my happy place.

This is the room where I spend most of my time. I know, it should be the kitchen - making yummy cookies or banana bread - or if my husband were writing this, dinner. . . .but it's my studio. My place of inspiration and where creativity is unleashed.

It's the desk where the e-mails are answered, the blogs are viewed, the bills are paid, the mail is sorted, the permission slips are signed, the bible study is completed, the piles are made, and when I am lucky - the art happens.  The room has no doors - it's open to the entryway of our home and when sitting at my desk, looks straight into the kitchen. The center. The hub. The heart. I love looking around and seeing photos of my family. My mom and dad on their wedding day in 1948 ~ they are so beautiful. My neice and nephews and their lovely families. My children. My husband. A photo of my dad and I when he was in the hospital. A photo of Sam and my mom the day my nephew Matt was married. Pure happiness.  There is a window behind my chair, and as I type this, I can see my porch. In the mornings, the squirrels and birds love seeking breakfast in my flower garden. I see the flowers blooming and if I open the window, a cool breeze finds it's way in with the scent of the roses. I could get lost in here and stay for days on end, only leaving to porage for food, and it's a bummer that I don't have time to do just that.

It's decorated in pink and black with touches of white and cream. I am a girly girl, who loves her some pink. I love how the ribbon and button jars add splashes of color and the way my jars of 'bling' add sparkle to the shelves. I love the black dresser that was mine as a child. My sister Julie had it for a while - painted it black and then was going to get rid of it. I said 'NO!" it will go perfectly in my studio. And so here it is. Back with me again. No longer does it hold my letters from friends and cherished photos. It's now the home of my brads, eyelets, extra adhesive, ephemera, and whatever else might fit. I also love how it's an extension of my home - decorated with touches of vintage goodness which fills every space in other rooms as well. The head vases remind me of my granny, who had one in her bathroom next to her gold lipstick caddy. The words give me inspiration for what I do in here: inspire - create - laugh - art - imagine - dream - simplify (actually, I don't know how to do that one yet, but I'd like to learn !) and why I do it: friends - family -  welcome.

So, enjoy the brief visit to my studio and maybe some day you can come visit in person ! I'd love to have you over.

blessings, jill

A Year of Thanksgiving

Today on my friend Ali's blog, she is encouraging everyone to take a little peek inside your studios or work areas and gather those wonderful bits of leftovers from mini albums and make a new home for them.  I have yet to do this weekend challenge (I am still not unpacked from Artfest. . .frown) however I was reminded of a Thankful journal of sorts that Emily introduced back in the fall of last year. (I don't know how to link the actual day, so scroll down a bit to 'giving thanks').

It was one of those projects that I dove right in to. I don't know why - but the ideas just came to me after reading her post and I couldn't stop. I'd like to share with you what I made, and the process that I took - totally what Ali is talking about today.  It has made me so happy to jot down those things, big and small, that I am thankful for. The hard part is remembering to write them down - daily.

Photo one - I just went around my studio and opened drawers and looked in cubbies and grabbed random papers. I looked in my scrap bin and in my ephemera bin. I grabbed paper, bingo cards, calendar pages, game instruction sheets, old hymnal page, and an old dictionary page with the work thankful. I also looked in an old childrens book and tore out a page with some great colors on it. I looked in my scrap bin and on occasion cut a piece of paper to fit in the book, but for the most part, I just added it in. If you know me, this isn't my mode of operation. I usually must have things that match (colors) and pages can't run off the edges or be too small. I totally didn't care on this one, and it was nice to be open to the possibility of change.

Photo two - I love basic grey chipboard letters, and have quite a collection. I simply decided what I wanted the front to say and then painted the letters black. I think it took two coats. After drying, I took the great sanding tool from basic grey and roughed up the edges. (most likely glued on with tacky glue) For the cover, I had an old organ music book that I loved the worn cover on. I took out the inside pages and Mark drilled three holes in the spine for me. I simply added O rings to hold it together.

Here are some samples of the inside pages. I simply took one of my number stamp sets (it's one of my very first purchases over 10 years ago and I have no idea who made it. . . sorry) and stamped 1 - 7 on each page, representing a week. You may be able to see tiny pencil marks to the side, as the first of the year fell on a Tuesday and it was hard for me to remember what day I was on if a day was accidentally skipped. I did make a cover page 'A new year of blessings' using some old Sharon Soniff letter stickers and making memories embellishements from their noteworthy line. The rest is just fun pages of whatever I could find in that 15 minutes.

I was very blessed to have met Emily at Artfest, and I mentioned what an inspiration she was for me to start this daily thankful journal. I think too often we get so tied up in our jobs or the lives of our kids or what is shared on the news that we forget to be thankful for what we have. Even the little things. I know for one of my days when it was pouring down rain, I was thankful for my umbrella. On another day when I was reminded of the homelessness and hunger in our world, I was thankful that I could open my pantry door and make dinner without worry.

So go ahead - celebrate National Scrapbooking day tomorrow making a little something for yourself. Hopefully some of these ideas have sparked some creativity of your own.

Moms R and R

Our church hosts these amazing little afternoons for moms who need a little R and R (rest and relaxation). Many guests have talked about gardening, raising children, encouraging one another, and many other subjects.  Unfortunately I have never been able to attend because I've always worked. 

Well, about 6 months ago, I receive a call from one of the women who plan these events and she said 'hey jill- I hear that you're a great scrap booker and we would love for you to come and teach the ladies a bit about what you do'.  Hmmmmm. How did they know I did that ? That I love this hobby and want to share it with as many people as I know ?  Well, come to find out, my friend Amy ratted me out to the committee and the rest is history. (love you Amy !)  So, on May 6th, I will be conducting an afternoon of play and the ladies will create a little scrapbook entitled ' This is me'. They will have an opportunity to write about some aspects of their lives. . .today. . . What they fear, love, enjoy, believe, collect, etc.

Here is the cover and a couple of pages from my book that is provided as the sample.

Now, go do something to celebrate YOU. Go on . . .do it !

Blessings, Jill

Girl Scouts is a part of me

Hello friends. yes, I'm here - although very busy. What else is new ?

Last week it was all about Girl Scouts for our family. It's that time of year again where the year begins to come to a close and we get ready for next year.  So much is going on. . .especially when you are the co-leader of two very active troops and service unit manager for our area. (I think there are 25 troops in our unit).

First was Friday night, and the Girl Recognition ceremony. This is where every girl in our council who has earned either the Bronze Award, Silver Award or Gold Award is recognized for her acheivements. In addition, there are two scholarships given - the Arlene Johns Memorial Gold Award and The Holly Hammann Award (specific to our council).

I am so proud to say that 6 of the girls in our Junior Troop earned their Bronze Awards, with three girls each working on 2 separate projects. Three girls, including my daughter, organized and planned a 'Box of Blessings' at a local church for families in need of food for Thanksgiving. They planned out the meals they would receive, made centerpieces, organized and designed a recipe book, went grocery shopping for the food that wasn't donated (with the money donated), filled the boxes, and delivered a large portion of them. Our second group of girls created an interest badge, called 'Becoming a Princess'. They visited brownie troops and taught them how to set a table, how to make a party crown, and other aspects of being a princess. They then presented certificates to each participant and congratulated them for finishing the badge. Amy and I are so proud of them. We took them to dinner and then to the award ceremony where they were presented with the awards.

Then, my dear Girl Samantha was presented with the Holly Hammann award. She was very surprized to have won this (I already knew, as I had to make sure she was there) and I was very proud. The fun part about this award is as her parent, I could only suggest the nomination, and 3 other adults and 1 member of her troop had to write a letter of recommendation for her to be eligible. This award will provide her a week of camp at Camp and she has chosen 'Trail Riders'.  She has loved camp since she was a Brownie, and has earned 7 badges so far during the summer. Again, we are so proud of her and her committment to girl scouts and to her community.

Then on Saturday, it was the Annual Meeting / Adult Recognition Ceremony of our Council - Girl Scouts of Western Rivers. This was a very emotional annual meeting and adult recognition, as at the end of this year, we will merge with 3 other councils in our state and become one. Although there are many mixed feelings about the merge, the bottom line is that it is the best thing for the girls we serve. (personally, I am excited!)

At the recognition part of the day, I am humbled to announce that Amy and I won the award for 'Outstanding Leader of the Year' in our council. Amy and I nominated each other, with the agreement to the nominating committee that if we were being considered, it would have to be together, not just one of us. We've been doing this now for 6 years and in reality, we couldn't do what we do without each other. We have different gifts and we work so well together. Our little brownie troop of 3 that we started 6 years ago has grown to 10 and they will be bridging to Cadette next month. Many of these girls we've had since the first year as they learned about our troop and joined.  Then there is our Brownie troop of 5 girls that will be bridging into Juniors, so we have a total of 15 scouts right now.

 

When we were awarded our pins and certificates, it was fun to be able to go up as a team, and really, as sisters. She is an important part of my life and such a blessing - and the little sister I never had. (and I am the big sister she never had as an only child).

So that's what's been going on in our household these past two weeks. Next weekend we are taking the girls camping along with others from our Service Unit to earn the Forestry Badges our council created a couple of years ago. I hope that the weather will be nice, and not snow like it did last night !

Blessings,

Jill

Artfest Part Two - it's all about friends.

As mentioned before, there is just not one word that describes this amazing experience. The beauty of Fort Worden was incredible, and the classes were fun and taught me a lot. But what made the most impact on me from the week, was definately the friendships nurtured and made.

First of all, my dear friend Ali. She is an amazing woman with amazing talent and a humble heart. We talked so much on the drive up to Portland - hardly able to contain our excitement for the destination that was ahead. She was even game to stop in Salem at my favorite Goodwill outlet thrift store. Everything you purchase, you pay for 'by the pound'. We found some great old books to use in our classes, she found a fun globe bank for Simon and I came away with a bit of lace and a great brown jacket from CJ Banks.  Here is a photo of one of the bins,  (you have to be game for digging through junk in order to find treasures),  along with the price chart that hangs from the ceiling.

After leaving Salem, we headed up North to the Portland Airport to pick up Dona. I had never met her, but she and Ali are friends. We immediately went to lunch at Red Robin, and the beginning of a new friendship was created. Dona is an amazing artist and faithful journaler as well as a great photographer. I came to admire her over the weekend for her talent and commitment in all of those areas. 

I loved seeing how her classes fit her and the amazing art that came out. Her paintings on clay canvas were simply beautiful. Dona - I can't wait to go again next year and laugh as hard as we did this time. If laughing burns calories, I think I burned thousands over the weekend.

The only photo I have of Dona is the three of us on the beach the day we were leaving.

Next are my new friends Janine, Morag, and Amy Lee who happen to be my room mates. The thing about signing up thinking that you are going alone (I didn't know Ali was going when I sent in my registration) is that you put yourself out there and vulnerable by choosing a shared dorm room. I really had no idea what this meant, other than I would be sharing a room with a person or people I didn't know. There ended up being 4 of us to a room with 8 bunk beds. We each got a top and bottom bunk, which was wonderful for our extra class supplies and luggage. When I came in to the room, all other roomies had laid claim to their beds, so I was right by the door. I didn't mind one bit. I think they took one look at my pink luggage, pink rolling tote and pink bedspread and wondered who in the world this crazy for pink lady was. They immediately nick named me 'pinky'. What they thought was so funny though, is that I never actually wore pink clothes, except for my pj's. We had a wonderful time getting to know each other a bit through lots of talking and giggles on the first night. Again, I think I burned a thousand calories that night. I wish I had gotten a photo of the four of us, but the week got away with out it. I am so sorry you guys - hopefully we will all return next year and snap a photo. (BTW - Morag is from England and brings Cadbury Chocolate - so we'll be fighting for her next year as a roomie !) You were all a delight to meet and share the space with.

And then Stephanie. My first forever friend who I met on the internet. Who would have known that one little e-mail would start this amazing friendship. I knew from the moment we met that we had a kinship - something that brought us together. It's so hard to explain. Like a long lost sister or best friend. I immediately felt like I could tell her my life story and she'd love me like we'd known each other for years.  She had originally posted on the message board that she was going to purchase towels and bedding in Seattle and then leave it at the fort since it was too large and bulky to bring on the plane. No way -momma Jill wouldn't stand for that. So i told her I'd be happy to bring an extra blanket or two and some clean towels and to save her money. She was the inspiration for making all of those ephemera packs for trades. In return, I received a lovely package of papers and millinery flowers perfect for me. There were sheets on old banking ledgers and bank records as well as some other goodness. It will be hard to use it. I can't wait for our paths to cross again in blog -land and at Artfest in the future.

And then Amy (from Texas) who happened to be one of Stephanies roomies. I didn't meet her until one of the later meals, but from the beginning, she too was a woman I knew would become a friend.

And Debbie - my coffee girl. She was so sweet to offer fresh pressed Starbucks with cream and sugar every morning. I was so blessed to have met her as a dorm-mate. She makes amazingly good coffee and art ! I loved the lamp shade she made in her 'gut instincts' class.  Yep - she made it out of guts.

And Julie - another dorm mate who I got to know a bit during meals and in the hallways. A beautiful woman with a big heart.

In the photo below, there is: Julie, me, Stephanie and Amy.

And certainly not least, I had the opportunity to meet the talented and wonderful Emily. She is hilarious ! and she brought part of her beautiful family with her (mick and yindi). What a delight it was for me to be able to see and touch some of the art she made and was so passionate about. And again, I forgot the photo opportunity we had, so it will have to wait until next year. (or until they visit Eugene - hint, hint)

There were other women I met and friends made that I will never forget, but these are the 10 women who made the biggest impression on my heart from the weekend.

This was truely an amazing weekend. God Bless you all.

Jill

Home from Artfest

Wow.

That is the word that immediately comes to mind after this amazing week at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, WA after attending my first year at Artfest.

The happiness in all of the classrooms and meeting places were evident by the hugs and smiles and shear energy that abounded from everyone. I don't remember ever seeing anyone frustrated or sad. Just emotional over the experience.

In a nutshell, the highlights for me were driving to PT with old and new friends, meeting Stephanie in person, who I met through the yahoo group, meeting new friends (amy and julie), the coffee provided in my dorm every morning from my new friend Debbie, and the enjoyment of learning new techniques in every class I took.

I am headed off to work in just a few, so I will post more photos tonight of all the goodness, but for laughs, here is a photo I took while we were on the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Hmmm. I wonder if there really was a reason for the armed coast guard to be escorting us !

Blessings, Jill

Good grief - someone stop me !

Are you kidding ? Another project for tonight ? Yep.

The inchies are staring me in the face to finish sanding, inking and attaching flowers. But the 10 ephemera packs mentioned earlier today are all in bags, ready to go. More ATC's ? We'll have to see about that. (I'd work on them in the car, but I'm driving. Not a good idea)

In the mean time, I mentioned a post or two back that I wanted to make something special for my 2 friends whom I'm traveling with as well as my room mates.

I finally came up with the cover tonight - of a little  4 x 6 mini scrapbook - for recording memories or adding photos to when they get home or a bit of journaling during the weekend. I hope they like them.

Now if I can stop thinking of new things to make. . . . . I might get to bed before 3 am !

Blessings, Jill

More trades ? What am I thinking ?

As I was putting together a little something special for Stephanie - who I just met online through the artfest message board, I decided to put together a few more packets of fun stuff to trade. Is anyone out there trading ephemera and other fun vintage things ?

Here is a peak of what my packets will hold.                                                                                             

In each packet of trade, you'll get some vintage wall paper (at least 4 pieces), a vintage Bingo card, vintage sheet music, dictionary pages, page from a flower decorating book, page from a bird book, Salem, Oregon utility bill ($1.88 per month !), some miscellaneous papers, a bit of lace and buttons, and 3 fun owl playing cards. If you participated in the ATC swap, my ATC's were made using the gold card in the middle - and if I stop making up new things to trade, I might have time to make more !

Sleep ? Who needs sleep.

Until Wednesday - Blessings, Jill

This is me

Since I haven't been able to get a scanned photo of me for the corner of 'About Me', I've taken a picture of a picture that I had taken a couple of  years ago. For those of you who are curious, here I am. It's a bit blurry, but that's what you get when you take a picture of a picture.

Blessings,

Jill