Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Happy "Silver" Birthday Sandi! (Aka.... another Fab Joyworks Party!)

Today? At Joyworks? We celebrated our Dear Sandi's Birthday! I know, you're thinking, "You girls have MORE parties!" And well, yeah, we DO,,,,but there are 10 of us and well, whaddya gonna DO?

                  Left toRight---Rita, Sandi,,,,,the "Birthday Girl (aka as Miss Photogenic) and Jana in background)

Sandi recently told us all, that she was nixing the Cherries she'd been collecting and decorating with for years,,,,,,and was Now,,,,, collecting Vintage silver pieces,,,,well, You don't need to say anything more to a Joyworks co-worker and "Ta-da!" You are going to get silver,,,,,,,Oh, and  a bit of PINK!

Great Lunch, all served on Silver Trays, Tea from Luanne in her Mother's gorgeous Tea Set,,,,,and Clarice's Homer Laughlin Ivory and Silver Plates! 


(Jill and Sandi)

After our fabulous lunch, Sandi opened her goodies......."Silver Boxes" from Nordstom for a  MAJOR shopping Spree and gifts of  Vintage Silver too. This cute Silver Butter Dish from Penny!


Sandi got Tons of Flowers,,,,,,,,Tulips, English Daisies and here are a few early Plum Blossoms from my tree,,,,,,,,I cut them yesterday while they were still a "bit shy." The heat in the house helped them open for Todays event...........Sandi also got tons of other flowers, and forgive me. I'm STILL learning the new camera, so there are images I THOUGHT I took, but apparently I only got as far as the "Preview" stage........Hey, I'm learning!


My bag of goodies for Sandi.....Vintage Silver stuff.

After her gifts,,,,,,Dessert, Duh! Jill made a wonderful Cake !


Yummy Cake from Jill,,,,,,,,Raspberries/Lemon Zest, and Almond.........To die for!



Make a Wish Sandi! We all hope you have a Happy, Healthy and FUN year ahead!!!

Great Afternoon,,,,,,,,,,Once again, I count my blessings to be working and be friends with SO many great woman!

Hugs, Love and a "Bus" to all of THEM, as always AND to all of YOU!


Friday, March 11, 2011

Vintage Image "Eggs", a few more Birthday Hats and thoughts on Japan!

I recently purchased some Vintage Easter Cards and had fun today working with a couple of images (AND utilizing my New Camera!)

Fun Vintage Chick,,,,,added to an "Egg." Love this one!

Vintage Cross Graphic,,,,,added to another egg...........

I'll have other cards/images for sale on the "Cheep" errr "Cheap at Joyworks. I love these old images!

Finished a few more Bday hats today as welll.........Here's one more,,,,,


(Available at Joyworks,,,,,,,I've just got this "Thing" for Pink, Green and Creme!  Hope it makes Some little girl Smile! )

I'm thinkin' we're going to have another BUSY weekend at Joyworks! We've got a Bazillion new things in the Shop and, as of late, everyone has a SERIOUS case of Spring Fever! New Clothes, new Flowers, new Urns,,,,new Birds,,,,,Great Easter Goodies and More!  If you need a Spring "Fix," in spite of the Weather....Stop on by!

Special Hugs and thoughts going out to  my BBFF- Lulu and the Gals in CA at Kim's Moulin Rouge Event ! I SO wish I was going to be there with you all! I hope it's fantastic,,,,and you'd best ALL take a boatload of pics!!!!

And, In closing,  Yes, we had Tsunami warnings today in Washington. But, we're all Okay! Like the rest of you, my heart and my prayers go out to all of those in Japan. AND, let it be a reminder to all of us IN Washington, that we too, could have the "big ONE" at any time. We'd best be prepared and help those affected by THIS horrific event, for we may be asking for THEIR help in the future!  Okay,,,,,where is my "earthquake kit?"

Have a Great weekend! Hugs love and a "Bus!"
Shell




Thursday, March 10, 2011

Wowza! Where has this week GONE? And Getting to Know my "New" Camera!

After having the "Crud," and Crying my Eyes out over the loss of my dear Friend, I 've started settling back IN to the tasks and goals at hand:

Thoughts turning toward Spring,,,,,,,and New Beginnings...................

Primrose from Clarice,,,, FIRST Image from "New to Me" Canon Camera!
(more images below,,,,,I'll be Darned!)

TO Do/Work on List:
Catch up around the HOUSE!
Catch up at work,,,,,(We were Hopping last weekend!) Lots of new goodies at Joyworks!
Catching up on my computer stuff (Blogs/Email/Facebook) Sorry I'm tardy!
Catching up on Craft projects and orders........(Box  of hats, etc, ready to mail tomorrow for New York Cupcakes)
(Suz,,,you were going to email me so I need info on your Easter (Yard) Egg.)
Catch up with Jill on Atlanta  visitation plans-(On Hold till I find out about dog/house sitter....both sons plans are up in the air,,,,,Ack!)

Trying to learn NEW camera's software,,,,,Please Hold your Breath and say a prayer, it is Finally SUPPOSED to be loading as we speak,,,,Well as I type! In the meantime? While I'm waiting.....(oh please, oh please let me have images from the new Camera uploading!)  STOP IT,,,,,,,and SHUT THE FRONT DOOR,,,,,,,,they Finally UPLOADED!!! Ackkkk!   (See added pics! SCORE!)


AND, I simply HAVE HAVE HAVE to tell you all,,,,,or "Ya'll" (God Bless my Southern Blog friends!) about the books I got "Sucked into" reading this past week. Ask yourself THIS:
Do you love Antiquing/Junking/ Yard and Estate Sales/ Auctions?
Do you Love a Good Mystery?
Do you appreciate humor and well appropriated Antics?
Then you simply MUST read the "Barbara Allan" Books! 
Too fun and a GREAT escape! This mother/daughter team will delight you,,,,right down to their "Tips" at the end of each Chapter on Antiques, Auctions, Rummage Sales and the Likes.....
Start with: "Antiques Roadkill" I'll give you a Money back guarantee! If you don't love it, I'll buy it from you!!!


Said Images: Tada!
Birthday hats and "Mini Flags,,,,,for New York Cupcake and Joyworks,,,,in No particular order, but Ladies and Gentlemen,,,,,My New Camera is awesome!



"Wish" Hat for Lisa,,,,,,,hope you Enjoy!


Vintage Wallpaper hat,,,,,,,,,,,,

I made some BOY hats too......for both Shops! And a few "Mini" Flags........


"Dream, Make a Wish, Happy Birthday" Little "flags for Cakes and cupcakes!


I've missed being in touch with SO many of you for SO long! I'm HOPING to catch up in the next couple of Days! Thanks again, for your patience, compassion, and support!


Hugs, love and a BIG old Glittered "Bus" on the Cheek!
Shell

(PS Gail,,,,,if you read this I HOPE your Wrist is Better! Thinking about YOU and Lovin' "my" new camera! Thanks and Hugs!)

Sunday, March 6, 2011

A LONG week and a lovely Ending!

Hi!

Oh, I could spend hours and pages about the importance and support of friends!  My week started out tough,,,Still feeling crummy  and a pending funeral on Tuesday for my friend Jana.  I have just got to say to all of you that phoned me, emailed me, "Facebooked" me and the like.....I So appreciated your thoughts and comfort.

By Wednesday, I'd finally managed to pull myself together and attend my friend Luanne's and co-worker at Joyworks,,,,ahem 70th Birthday! We had an awesome evening/party at Clarice's lovely home!

Sorry, no pics from moi, I finally connected with my friend Gail this week and purchased a Canon Camera from her with "All the Bells and Whistles...." I'm still learning!  (She and I were going to connect earlier, but Gail Fell in the ice and Snow and broke her Wrist! Which required surgery and multiple PINS! OUch!!! (I hope you heal FAST Gail!)


(Vintage Wallpaper from  the dear Isabelle  made into a crown)

Thanks SO much for the HUGS and support from my Joyworks friends,,,Calls from Deb and Debi, Calls from my BF Laura who doesn't Blog OR facebook,,,, Blog Comments and Emails from SO many of you! (Lulu, Kim, Lisa,etc.) Cupcakes and Hugs from  Linda Queen Yesterday ( You are as SWEET as the Cupcakes my friend, it meant a LOT! The cupcakes were divine, but your thoughts and deed meant the World!) and  today? a Visit and flowers from my dear friend Dana today......who has been sick too!

Life can be TOUGH! We all know it,,,,but it's great to know that friends care!

I know I HURT when "Ya'll hurt."  but also I know I smile, and laugh, when you all are happy!

Bare with me in the next week or so, as I work out my insight on the new camera,,,,and uploading!
I'm excited and yes, a bit intimidatd to have a camera that is capable to do SO much and  we all KNOW that "Shell is Photograhically Challenged!"

Big Ole' Hug and a Bus to you all! Your'e the BESTEST!!
Shell

Hope you all have an Awesome start to a new week! Hope to catch up a bit,,,,,Promise~~~

Friday, February 25, 2011

My week from He.. Double Hockey Sticks.........But I THINK looking up!

Okay,,,,,So ..... New Pictures? Not So much! Amidst the Show mayhem and frivolities of Ruffles and Rust,,,,, I  managed to drop my Camera and apparently the said "Camera" and the Computer are no longer on Speaking terms!  (Truly, if they would have asked me to Mediate, I would have!)      "AhhhhhhhhhhChoooooooooo!!" Sorry!
(The last group of pics I posted of the Ruffles and Rust event were from a DISC,,,,,which I procured from the Memory Card of my Camera and had made into a disc at Bartell's) And,,,,,,,if you looked at those final pics,,,,,,I never DID figure out how to Edit the Disc photos........



Make a Wish Shell gets her New Camera Soon!
I'm going to buy a camera from my Friend Gail, as soon as she and I can connect....So, stay tuned! HA!

Get out your violins or your "Pitty Pots" Out-as I call them because in addition to Getting Sick ("Oh Give me a break Shell,,,,,,4 out of 5 Washingtonians HAVE "it" or had it.) Losing a dear friend,,,,,,,which is off the Richter Scale for me, and I'm still not totally accepting,  And, yet, I STILL managed to :

A: Walk out to my car for the First time midweek after being Sick and see a "Towing Warning" because my tabs were expired since Jan 1 (Oh Good Shell!) Which I took care of the moment I saw the notice,,,,but STILL, I've lived here forever,,,,,and  Big "Marks/Paint on my Car in front of my Home?

and  then Today?

B: Walked back out to said car today and ran a few errands and managed to LOCK the Keys in the Car!
( I forgot I had AAA so the Tow truck dude gave me TWO receipts and told me to find out if I could get the ahem $94 dollar fee paid.)

Did you EVER want a Re-wind? I mean Truly,,,,could I go BACK to last Saturday and change things? Dropping the camera (small factor in the scheme of things), Be with Jana and Bella when the world turned upside down,  Use the Purell, or get more sleep so I didn't get sick too? Respond to the Dep of licensing on Time or Not lock my Stupid Keys in my Stupid Car.............

Well, I'm just taking a DEEP Breath! Realizing how many friends I have,,,,,,thanks to all of you, my coworkers and neighbors. This Too Shall Pass~!

Loves, Hugs and  Bus to you all. Thanks again! Shell!  and I think you ALL know,,,,,I may be Down,,,,but I'm NOT OUT!!!

Have a good weekend! Love hugs and a Bus to all......and thanks for your thoughts, prayers and wishes!
Shell

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Snow, Sore Throat and "A Short History of Private Life" by Bill Bryson

I started getting Sick last nite.....Sore throat the likes I haven't had in ages...My Sis in Law Mary got sick Friday nite, during Ruffles and Rust,,so whether I got the bug from HER or from the Masses...My throat hurts!

And,,It's Snowing! Western Washingtonians go into Panic Mode with Snow........Good Grief, we are Wimps!!!


No pics this post......But I have a BOOK to recommend,,,,,which is my means of escape if  not Crafting, alternative therapy. And with the whole Sore throat and Cold,,,,,,Cuddling up on the Couch seemed warranted today!

Are you Familiar with Bill Bryson?  He was introduced to me by a friend,,,,,and the initial book I read was a Genre SO foreign to me,,,,,I doubted I'd like it. I doubted I'd finish it. I read about his haphazard and reluctand Hike with and old school buddy through the Appelachain Trail........Some Thousands of Miles or ill-prepared, unexpected experiences. I Loved the book.

But NOW? I'm reading his latest. " A Short History of Private Life." A book centered around all and I mean ALL of his knowledge,,,,,,,which is Vast- of Rooms, architectures/ lifestyles of those that would have inhabited a Victorian Parsonage in England............You'll gain a profound insight into inventions---including the Chair, the TABLE as we know it,,,,the various Rooms and how they came to be. Servants daily lives, the preperation and consumption of Foods. The English set the precedence for many of these traditions.....including the Consumptions of Tea and Sugar, as Bryson explains. Structures and origins of the likes of the Eiffel Tower,,,,,,,,and more and more.

This book will blow you away! Pre-conceptions of lifestyles/and for me,,,,,,even things as simple as a "Rush" Torch,,,,,(Did you know that the  Medival Torches described it Novels and Moves Only burned for an average of 20 minutes???) Lots of Trivia and insights on Historical Events, inventions,,,,,as we percieve (d) them and how they actually were!!  I'd highly recommend this book,,,,,,if you're into Antiques, Architecture or Design,,,,,,You'll love it!

And........
(On a personal note, the initial autopsy on Jana was inconclusive. There was no aneruisym (sp) no evidence of head trauma or heart attack. The final results won't come for 5 weeks or more.  Her services, as it stands now, will be at St. John's Episcopal Church  here in Snohomish, on Tuesday.)

New Zealand,,,,,,,,etc. (Probably MORE than you want to know)

I have no word on my Father in Law,, last known as living in Christ Church. Although, my last communication from a neighboring Sheep Rancher, stated,  he, was becoming  delusional (Alzheimers?) and left his  Vast Sheep Ranch????  I may never know what has occurred,  as he broke contact with me and my Husband's children/ his grandkids,  years ago.

I do, however hold an affinity and fondness for Chirst Church, in general. Karl flew there  several consecutive New Zealand Springs to try and  help out during "Lambing" season and reconnect with his Father.Whom had, according to his son, on a Whim of sorts, came home one day from a Successful career as an Engineer at Boing  and told Karl (10) and Wife Lenore,,,,,,,that he was leaving- Wife,and Son,,,,,and moving to New Zealand to raise sheep. And did.

Lenore, having received a Masters in Literature from Purdue,,,,,,carried on. She taught English and continuted to raise Karl- whom she'd had late in life,,for a few years. Sadly, she developed severe and early onset Alzheimers...which lead her to spending the last  years of her life in Nursing homes and my husband Karl, being put in the Foster Care System.

Yadda, Yadda, Yadda......yep, Shell can talk/type. I'll spare you the rest.......but my Karl always said that Christ Church was the most beautiful place on Earth. In spite of "issues with his dad, he always talked about taking me there,,,,,visiting. I have pics of him there,,,,they are gorgeous. It indeed is/was heaven on Earth.  My heart goes out to the people living there!

It's Snowing here still, a bit. Wondering if Weather and my Throat are going to let me attend Luanne's 70'th Birthday Extravaganza tomorrow nite!  I need the laughs and frivolity!

Hugs, Love and a Bus, Always!
Shell
(Stay Warm and healthy and SAFE!)











Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Ruffles and Rust....Part Deux.......Thank you's and a Request if you will....

First of all, thank you to ALL of you for your comments/prayers/phone calls for Bella,,,and the loss of her mother, Jana. I'm going to post Bella's beautiful pic on my Sidebar......and please, oh please, if so inclined, copy and paste it to YOUR blog  sidebar or facebook Page,,,,,for further Prayers and thoughts for her and her Daddy, Bob..

So now, here,,,,,,because I Knew Jana well,,,,,and I know little Bella,,,,,they would BOTH like happy, whimsical things in their lives. Here is Part Two of the Ruffles and Rust Photos/Event!



Random Photos from "Ruffles and Rust Event."


"Maison Duce" Isabelle's Space always one of my Fav's!!!

Just random spaces and Vendors and Forgive me, I would generally do more research and comments..........



Cute Moss Shopping Cart..........

The  Barn House Boys,,,,,,,Kickin' it! Too Fun!


Random Images.......Maybe Amy's???????? Or Isabels????????

Ormalulu' s Booth,,,,,,,,,,,,Gorgeous!!! as always! Love you my Dear Friends!
My "Bestest" Friends- Kell Bell and Debi
How fanastic is her Hat????
Hat Winners= Friday Nite Gala.......

Amy and Wendy.............
Great Event,,,,,,,,,,,,We had a Ball! These images make me smile which I needed a LOT right now!

Please post  my sweet Bella on you Sidebar,,,,,,,,and ask for prayers for Her, her Daddy Bob and Auntie Kris!!!
Love, hugs and a Bus to you all! (My father in law  lives near Christ Church, New Zealand. I have not heard from him,,,,,,,,,please keep him and the residents in your thoughts and  prayers as well............

Shell