Cottage of Memories

We are so proud of him

Last night, I was a very proud momma. My son Greg graduated from High School !

Here is a photo of him with his proud papa.

Without going into detail, this is a huge milestone in G's life. He has had a full year of 'stuff' happen, and through it all we've seen him grow into a wonderful young man. He's not a little guy anymore and he doesn't ask me to buy him power rangers or pokemon either. (now it's video games and i-pods) His favorite book when he was small was the Little Golden Book of ABC's. Funny, I know - but there was nothing he wanted more each night than his dad to sit him on his lap and read all of the words on the pages. Just like his father, he loves to read and I'm sure it started then.

I met Greg when he was 2 and his dad and I were set up on a blind date. I came over to their house to watch a movie and I remember him running down the stairs to see who it was at the door. He was wearing his little yellow jammies and they matched his little toe-headed crew cut. I loved the way Mark focused his attention on G that night, and getting him to bed before he sat down to talk and get to know me. We met in December and were married 9 months later and ever since then I've had the priviledge to raise this young man as my own son. I never knew the joys I'd have in raising him, and he's brought so many great memories to our family.

One of the fun things about last night is that each teacher in the school spoke about each of the students as they were receiving their diploma. Greg was said to be respectful, funny, a great cook, liked by all, a joy to have in class, great learner, and the list goes on.  If you are a parent, you know how much you love hearing those words from others about your child.

Greg-o, if you're reading this, I hope you know how much I love you and am so proud of you. I have seen you grow so much this last year and it is a blessing for me to call you my son. I pray that the future holds amazing opportunities for you and that you will take hold of your dreams and go for it.

I am proud to be your mom - (and thanks for participating in your ceremony. It meant the world to me~even if your dad and I weren't one of the people thanked in your speech. HA !)

what? no computer ?

Sunday was a beautiful day in the Willamette Valley, although the alergy sufferers hated it. The cotton tree was in bloom and at times the flying pollen could double as snowflakes. My neighbor was out in her front yard watering her plants and I called her over to show her my new doors. (I am so excited about them!) During our conversation she told me that her kids were mad at her because she was making them play outside, and not be on the computer. I had a great idea ! Do your kids like to paint ? yes, she said. Would they like to paint some things for me ? yes, she said. YIPEE ! So she went over and changed their clothes and I got everything ready. An old lamp that I need for the event, a fun old garden cart I purchased at an estate sale, and a fun little ladder. Perfect !

Aren't these kids adorable ? I just love my neighbor and her willingness to let me put her kids to work. They did such a great job. I'll have to get them a little something special for their hard work. I already told mom that if it was nice next weekend, I found more stuff to paint.

They're ready ! She said.

Blessings, Jill

Tuesdays Treasures

My friend Sharon had an idea last week - to gather up the goodies we found while yard saleing or thrifting over the weekend and then share them with our blogging friends. She picked Tuesday so we'd have a chance to unpack the bags and photograph the goodies. This is so good for me, because I don't know how many times I end up in a hurry and setting the bag(s) on the garage floor without putting everything away that I've purchased. Maybe this will spur me into action more often !

So, with that in mind, here is my first post for my Tuesday's Treasures.

I am cheating a bit though - I did purchase most of the items over this last weekend, except the empty frames, paintings and bedspreads.  I just couldn't help myself - they were right there in the garage and made the best display :) Besides, now they are put away ! Yipee.

So, the paintings and empty frames I purchased at one of my favorite Goodwill Stores. I've talked about it before - the one in Salem where everything you purchase is weighed, and you pay by the pound. I try and stop there every time I head up to Washington to visit my sister, if my family allows it. I usually have to tell Sam to tell me when an hour has passed. It's about all the time she'll give me, as she hates it. I  tell her that there are treasures to be found, but she doesn't go for it. Back to the goods -   I especially love the floral painting, and even though it's not framed, I'm sure I'll find a frame at some point to fit. I think I will put it in my spare bathroom where I have a large collection of floral paintings and prints.

The wonderful pink chenille bedspreads (there are two) were purchased at a thrift store where all of the money goes to benefit the adoption and proper care of cats. (I noticed that back on May 17th, Colleen from Fresh Vintage found a blue one just like them !)

The turquoise candy dish (?) and candle holder, along with the flower frog, millinery flowers, vintage dictionary, and little tart tins were found at the local St. Vincent De Paul store near my house. This is both a blessing and a curse ! Do you know how fast one can 'run in' and pick up something ? I always stop at the flower, game and wallpaper sections first. I can do a lot in 10 minutes !

And the two other items, the floral bowl and floral soap dish were picked up at a yard sale. The bowl will most likely end up in my living room on the shelves that house my shabby chic china and knick knacks and I think I'll use the soap dish in my studio for some sort of fun embellishements.

Thanks for looking at my treasures - I hope you had as much fun viewing them as I had shopping for them.

May your day be blessed with abundant riches.  Jill

Rose Parade

This weekend was so busy - getting ready for our fun play event - however I can't go without mentioning another fun day Amy and I had with the girls from our Cadette Troop.  We took them on a mystery trip to Portland for the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade. Our mystery trips started 4 years ago when we decided to take the girls somewhere without them knowing where we were going. They never know the day or the time, so it's always a surprise.  This year we were going to take them to a great show at Omsi, however it was cancelled due to a lack of participation. Although the Rose Parade wasn't our first next choice, I liked it because it was the same weekend we'd already planned to be gone. (and trying to coordinate two busy schedules can be difficult sometimes).

So off to Portland we went at 6:30 in the morning. We arrived about an hour before it started, so I brought the girls sidewalk chalk, bubbles and silly string to play with while we waited. (We even put squares on the street for 'Horse Poop Bingo', but they weren't 'goin' in our area.  It did rain a bit, but quickly stopped while the parade was in full action.

The silly string attack.

Sam marking her square.

Waiting for the parade to start.

Here are a few shots of the wonderful floats, talented bands, and beautiful flowers.

This was a group from Taiwan. The girls (no guys in the band!)  were so lovely and they played the coolest instruments. The other fun thing I loved is the way they used their fans, rather than flags.

Here is a float sponsored by Anheiser Busch - I love the horses !

 

 

This float was sponsored by Fred Meyer - the joy of gardening. I really wanted to take those roses home with me to give to all of you - my lovely blogger friends.

I hope you enjoyed the little tour. So many other wonderful floats and bands - and not enough time to post them all.

Until tomorrow, may your day be filled with blessings. Jill

getting ready to play

Wow- so much going on around here. But then there always is !

Although, it mostly all revolves around getting ready for our come play eugene event which is in two short weeks. I am so glad I've attempted to map out my weeks so I'm sure to get everything done.

I love my friend Sharons idea for organizing an event on paper - check out her post from June 5th. I do my lists a bit differently. As long as it works for you, it doesn't matter how it's done - right ?

Here are just a couple of the things on my list.

Wash windows in living room - done, purchase more dessert plates - done, reorganize studio - almost done, set up garage for the boutique - started, put together special ephemera travel kits to sell - almost done, pull weeds - never ending job. . .and the list goes on. I pulled my decorations for the Fourth of July, so my porch and some of the living room and kitchen will be decorated for the event. (i try and decorate for every major holiday, but sometimes it doesn't happen when life gets busy. I excited for this though - b/c I haven't decorated for the 4th in a lot of years)

My favorite thing so far though has been to get started setting up the garage.  I had a vision in my head of what I wanted to do - make a big screen type wall to block off all of my totes that hold holiday decorations (I have 18 for Christmas alone !) - and I knew that I wanted to use old doors, and I had two - but I needed more. 

Back track to Thursday afternoon and I'll share a little story. I was driving to the store after dropping Sam off for choir and saw this door leaning on the side of a house that was being remodeled. It would work ! So I drove around the block and pulled up to the house. I asked the guy on the roof if he was tossing the door, and if so - could I have it. He said sure, and proceeded to indicate that he had three more in the house and would I want those too.  Ummm . . .yes ! He must have thought I was crazy. So he and the other guys working at the house put them in the van for me. They also had an old window too that they were trashing ! So they stayed in the van until Friday morning and when I was unloading them, I noticed an amazing find. Here is a photo of the three doors on my lawn this afternoon before I washed the mud off of them. Can you spot the treasure ?

How about now ?

Now ?

Isn't this amazing ! A vintage glass door knob ! I was so excited - and it was all FREE. I don't think those guys knew what they had, and to think it was going to go in the trash ! I was happy to take it off their hands.  So the Lord blessed me with the doors needed to block off the garage ! Yeah !

So, to give you a little teaser of what the 'Cottage of Memories Boutique' will look like for the Come Play event on the 20/21st, here are a few photos of the doors in their places.

The kit that we are using has a travel theme, so I pulled some of my vintage suitcases for display items.  Sorry ladies - they won't be for sale.  I must say - I love how it's turning out.

Well, I must get to bed. These weary bones are achy after hauling and washing and setting up all day.

Until later, may blessings abound. Jill

Come Play Eugene

Hello friends !

If you love scrapbooking and friends and fellowship and a chance to have fun and learn some new techniques and get a cool new kit and paint and play and enjoy good food and just hang out for a few hours with Ali and Tricia and Emily and me, then click here to find an invitation to an event you don't want to miss ~ happening on Friday June 20 and Saturday June 21.

I'd share all of the details here, but I certainly woudn't want to leave out anything. Besides, Emily has done such a great job of including them ALL on our new blog.

So go on ! Check it out ! E-mail Emily and sign up TODAY  !

 We can't wait to see you !

Saturdays paper finds

Okay all you ephemera fans out there. Here is just a sampling of the paper goodness I found at the country estate sale last weekend. This is the home where I purchased the bicycle that is awaiting a fresh coat of paint and some flowers in it's basket.

First, let me say that there were so many fun things found at this sale. The woman (or man) was a saver, and I could give them a hug for it. Most of the papers I found were from the late '20's to the 30's. This holds significant 'value' to me, as my father was born in 1917 and my mom in 1926 - so it's just a small glimpse into what their lives - purchases - expenses - wages - bills - etc. might of been when they were born. It would be the era my grandparents lived in, and struggled in. 

Also, this particular family had to have been loggers. Big here in Oregon and in Cottage Grove, where this family lived.  This will make more sense when you see some of the papers I found.  Here . . . let me show you what I mean.

Here is 'the box' I purchased for $5.00. I didn't really know what treasures were going to be inside, but it looked fun. Plus, I didn't want to take the time to look at every single piece of paper.

What was in there ? Treasures. History. Stories. Memories. Ethics. Humility.

The first item that I chuckled at was a note from the man of the house. I tried to get a good photo of it, but it wouldn't show up. It's on a small post card like paper, written in pencil. The postmark is dated September 20, 1933.  "Dear Wife,  (not even honey, sweetie, love .  . .just wife- Ha !) I won't be home this week end. We moved over close to Triangle lake for a week or so. will try and be home next week. with love, clifford." Can't you just imagine what it was like working in the woods for weeks on end without going home at night ?  You can see it in the phto below - standing up next to the picture of the girl.

The second item I just loved was this receipt for goods from the local hardware and furniture store.  It's a description of what was purchased on November  30, 1922. Some of the items: 1 Wash board .80, 1 Broom 1.00, 1 wash boiler 3.25, 1 stew kettle 1.15, 1 tea kettle 1.75, 1 pudding pan .25, 1 percolator 1.25, and so on.  The total for all items after their wedding day was $35.70. And they paid for it in cash.  It also says in the Mrs. writing ' our first house keeping supplies. Married 10-30-22. You can certainly tell what was important and necessary. The sweet woman knew how to cook and clean.

My third favorite find in the home were these collection of spiral notebooks and ledger books. (the larger one standing up in the back didn't come from this sale - I just needed a back drop). These are worn, and dirty, and you can tell they were kept either in a shirt pocket or back pocket of his work clothes. Mr. wrote down every little detail of what he did during the day. I would imagine he had to - out in the woods, how would anyone know what you accomplished for the day ?

Here is a close up of one of the pages. I just love the story it tells.

Some people think I'm odd, enjoying things like this, but like I said before, it gives me a glimpse in to the past. How my ancestors might have lived. My parents didn't save anything like this, nor do I have any items like this from my grandparents. But I do have photos and history and stories that I'm preserving for future generations.

Who knows what I will do with all of this. Maybe include in some ephemera kits that I'll sell some day. Or give away to special friends, or RAKS. For now though, they have a safe place in my home where they are appreciated and enjoyed.

Have a great weekend my friends. I hope you've enjoyed the treasures.

blessings, jill

(PS - I'll have more to share after the weekend. Game pieces, flash cards and more paper goodness.)

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 in the south part of town. I saw some treasures on the table outside and a woman watering the flowers, so we turned around and stopped - rather than search for yard sales in the half hour we had.  Wow - did we ever hit the jackpot. A sweet woman owned the store and she had some fun treasures inside. Her displays were wonderful with like-colored items and themes together. After finding a wonderful porcelein figurine that will be added to my sweet daughters collection, I asked if she 'happen' to have some vintage ledger books, games with letters or numbers, or flash cards.  She replyed  'hang on - let me go to the back'. OM Goodness ! 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. I also purchased some school flash cards with pictures and some sweet old boxes with greeting cards in them. I love the floral graphics the boxes have, and they'll find a great home in my living room. After talking for a while and telling her what I did (collage, altered art, etc) 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.  Um.  . . .yes !  I hope I didn't sound too anxious. She had beautiful sheet music and patterns and paper.  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.