Living in the Moment, An emal from my Mary....

As I've been packing,pricing, creating for next weekends show today, I wondered if my "Mary girl" was going to be UP to coming. And when i finally sat down to check my messages, I found this email she posted Tuesday, to dear friends and family.

Spinal cancer removed, Check, Radiation, Check! A waiting healing period and then her cancerous kidney removed, Check! She'll be evaluated and tested again next month. I'm praying and holding my breath.

She doesn't really "DO" email. Well, a bit, but mostly forwarding Jokes or Cartoons,,,so I was surprised to read what she wrote ...

(Sorry,again a pic from our trip to Farm Chicks in 2011,,,,)

Mary's Words Tuesday.....................

Hello to my dear friends and family-

For today my one true sentence is: My life is good. It is the truest thing I know at this moment. Even when I walked in that black cloud, a part of me knew that this, too, would pass and somehow, sometime, I would feel human again. Right now I know that I have had the best life can offer. I also know that I have to keep that thought firmly with me.

I have to keep remembering that I had the best childhood, the best growing up years. I have the best husband, and I have the best family and grandchildren for me. I've had the best experiences in life and love. I have traveled, although never far enough or long enough. And I have experienced many things:

Being loved by Ross
Being touched by a hummingbird
Being Mom to Brodie and half the neighborhood kids
Being a partner in the best of marriages
Being a big sister
Being intelligent enough to learn from life's lessons
Being a lifelong friend to my dear five muscateers (you know who you are)
Being able to work
Being able to get up each morning
Being able to go anywhere I wish

My life is good because:

I know that I am truly loved
I know that my only child Brodie, my "best accomplishment" loves me and chooses to be with me
I know that Brodie, Mary B, my grandchildren and family and friends love and support me
I know that my health can be fragile
I know that I am capable of dealing with whatever comes
I know that I have passed my hardest tests
I know that I am not alone
I know that I have finally learned the lessons that Ross tried to teach me

Thank you, Ross
Thank you, God


I cry and smile as I type this because I love this woman, my "sister" who has been in my life since I was 9 and means more to me than I can ever say. She is brave. She Is strong. And she has stood by me for 45 years.

She's the one I got my ears pierced with. She's the one I told when I was 20 I was on the Pill, "Shelly Louise!" She's the one that didn't just marry my brother, but the whole Family!! She's the one that made me and "Auntie" at 15 and forgave me on my first "all alone" outing with my Baby Nephew Brodie and LOST his "Blankie."

I love my brother. He is SUCH a good man! He's a great dad, a great grandpa and, according to Mary, the BEST husband ever. He has achieved a LOT in his life, Medals in the Viet Nam War, His Phd. He even invented some vaccine that keeps Salmon from getting a certain Virus. He's reserved man, but I KNOW he has a heart of Gold. And I KNOW he's the best husband ever. But maybe that's because he married the BEST woman ever. She helped put him through College and life wasn't always easy.

I'm hoping Mary will be able to come to the show. I understand if she isn't up to it. I just have to give thanks for ALL the times she and I have been together. I hope there are MANY Many more years of that!!! I love her so!!

I'd love it if you keep her/us in your prayers. And lift those up who support and love you, every day! It's SO simple and yet, SO important!!!


Hugs and Love to you ALL and an appreciative BUS on the Cheek
Shell

"Pixies and Pumkins" Friday Finds

How's your week going? It sure seemed to go FAST!! Feels like Fall here now. I heard my first Canadian geese flying overhead last night. Wow!!

So,,,,,It's Friday? And you all pretty much KNOW what Shell does on a Friday this time of year!!! So here's some of my finds and a couple more lace Pumpkins,,,,,,

Acck! I found some great stuff today, including these Pixies and doll heads. I actually already HAVE one of these pixies in "Old Lady Pink." Fun to find these girls today and thought they looked kinda cute wrapped around the pumpkins that I haven't finished yet. Some fun old Doll heads, a sewing basket and a bit of "Bling."

Love the Austrian Crystals and always Vintage pearls.......

Normally, I rely on the "Junk Fairies" to guide me in the right direction when I'm out looking for Estate/Garage sales,,,but today maybe it was the "Junk Pixies" because when I was JUST ready to head home around 3, I got that "Nudge" that I was supposed to go to ONE more sale........And I found all of THIS

I know I get a bit nutty about this kind of thing, BUT Look at all this Vintage goodness! Ballerina's, Bunnies, Spun Cotton doll heads, etc. Look at those little Christmas "tinies" in the bottom right hand corner...I've never seen any vintage embellishments THIS small!! All this stuff will be great for future projects. Thank you Junkin' Pixies!!!

Also found this Pink satin box, and old powder jar, vintage cards and some "Vintage" notions! Too Funny,,,,The flower appliques are from "House of Fabrics" where I worked when I was 17 and 18,,my first job. Yeah, I KNOW I'm Vintage too! HA!


And then.......

An old green suitcase, small illuminaire "Noel Candles," Some fun old Dominoes, birds and several old Classic Vinyl Records.

TIP: And finally, something I've learned? Give me a Garage/Patio sale in a Mobile Home Park over a fancy new home any day of the week! Those Seniors have a lot of Vintage goodness tucked under their carport!

Glass bead garlands, Crochet hangers and a fun embroidered Apron. Oh and some fun glass bottles I found when I left at the crack of black!


I ran into a couple of friends while out and about today! I'd been planning on going Junking w/ Deb Bock today and she's been having some health issues. Missed you today Deb!! Get Better!

Back to Joyworks tomorrow. We have TONS of new stuff in, so Stop by if you're local and see what's new for Fall!! Two Weeks until Island Chicks up in Anacortes, Can't wait!! Enjoy your weekend whatever you do!

Hugs, Love and a "Pixie" Bus!!!
Shell

(Linking to Debra's Event at Common Ground

Lacey Creations..........

Happy Wednesday! Wow, is it really Wednesday already? I've been alternating between Cleaning/purging and organizing and Making a few things.......

If you know me at all, you know I love ALL things Lacy and creamy and Vintage,,,So I've started a few simple creamy scarves, with soft, distressed tulle (the softest I've ever found/seen) and Vintage laces..........

These will wrap around your neck a couple of times and look great with just about anything you're wearing. Also fun with jewelry layered over the top for that "Boho" look. Or,,,,,as My friend/coworker Penny does,,,this type of scarf looks great wrapped around a lamp shade or in one of your home decor vignettes. I'll be making more in the next day or two, some with a pop of color!!

And well, as some well known artist once told me,,,take the Materials you have at hand and use them in differnt ways,,,,,,So?

Lace and tulle white Pumpkin! I think it may still need a distressed creme tag, or something,,,,,Let me know what you think! (I don't really DO the typical Halloween stuff. I Love the creme and the Black, but I could live without the Orange or Scarey!) I had fun layering this one in lace and I have several other "Pumpkins" painted Vintage White, ready to be embellished or glittered!!

Also worked on some "Hat Stands" and started playing with my Hops, I made ONE wreath and then figured I needed different wires. I'll share the wreaths soon,,,,,I forgot to eat and my blood sugar went a bit Nuts, I think.

Hope your week is going well! Trying to get back to Blogging AND visiting/commenting on others! It's been a busy time of year!!

Hugs, Love and a "Lacey" Bus!!
Shell

PS....

If you read my last post, Please truly THINK about doing some Tags for a Swap for the Holidays! They don't have to be "Over the Top," more just a reflection of who YOU are! You can put your dog on it, a recipe, a snipped of ribbons you like.
Think about it, every year we get Christmas cards that are for the most part impersonal. You can get a WHOLE Box of Tags at the Office Supply store and with a few minutes make it something special...... (More on this soon! I think I know JUST the Gal that can help me show what you can do/make!!) Think about it!!

Congrats, Thank yous and whaddya think about a TAG Swap??

I picked up the latest copy of Ki's "Flea Market Finds" today. Just out on the shelves.
I LOVE this Magazine and it is one of the FEW I buy these days. There is so MUCH Washington State "goodness" in this magazine, including my new friend Celeste Shaw, whom I met during this years, "Farm Chicks" event in Spokane at her Celebratory dinner for many of us Vendors and Junkers. Her fabulous Eatery "Chaps" just outside of Spokane is a MUST visit....and the pics of her fantabulous HOME in Flea Market finds are amazing!

Also in this issue is a recommendation for SNOHOMISH for Junk and Antique finds!!! That's right you heard it here folks...And the recommendation? From one of my "Bestest's," Deb Bock of Garden Party fame.

(Deb and I here, junkin a couple of weeks ago)

I called Deb and told her she was quoted in the Magazine and she said, "That's Great!" And when I told her WHO was mentioned she added ,,,,,,"I mentioned Joyworks Too!" Well, We weren't mentioned. Edited out, BUT those of you that KNOW Joyworks, and follow our blog know who and WHAT we are all about! We might not be "Junk/Antique worthy" But we're STILL the best shop in town for all you other shopping! Deb's review mentioned "Annies on First, Faded Elegance, Snohomish Bakery and Ruffles and Rust Square." are blessed to have a lot of great shops, eateries and eclectic Vendors!

Ki also Mentioned, "Carol Hicks Bolton's" Marvelous Shop in Texas and my dear friend Anne Lory's-Whom I have come to know and Love in so many ways in recent years! (YGG!)
Pick up your OWN copy of Flea Market Finds latest issue Soon!!!

And then? Today? I got a package from my dear Blog friend Debra Oliver of Common Ground. I think Most of you know Debra in one blog respect or another!!! She sent me a gorgeous "Thank YOU" gift!

Love this, put it on after I got it,,,,,and she also sent me this wonderful Tag,,,,which got me to Thinking!!!! Let's make some TAGS!!!And ,Share/Swap'!

Gorgeous tag from Debra.........

I want to do a "Tag Swap" with Blog friends for the Holidays! How FUN would THAT be? I've got ATC and cards from many talented friends, but I'd LOvE to have a BUNCH of altered Tags from friends!! Let me know what you think, let's see what we can plan with all of our Blog Friends!!

Happy Monday!! Hugs, love and "Tag You" in a Bus! Lets do this, whaddya think?
Shell

Happy Monday! Hope your week is starting off right!

Busy week!! (And quick Mary Update)

I've been Hopping! Hope to get back to creating and blogging more next week! Busy time of year for a lot of us!

IF you have any insight/knowledge on drying all these hops, let me know!! Have a great weekend!

(I had a long chat the other nite with my dear Sister in Law, Mary and she is doing Well! No treatments for now, and she'll go back to get Checked again for Cancers in October. Holding my Breath!)

Hugs,Love and a "Hoppin, Grateful" Bus to you all!
Shell

Cowgirl UP! (Friday Junk finds) and Washington HEAT!!!!

Well, I guess the last couple of days I DID kind of "Cowgirl UP!" It's been SO HOT here in Washington State,,,,,we've been breaking records. But a "Junkers" gotta DO what a Junker does,,and a Gal with a glitter stash can only wait SO Long!!

I got up REALLY early this morning and managed to get out Junkin' early,,,,Here are SOME of my finds,,,,there's more stuff outside, like ladders, shutters and doors, but it's too hot for THIS cowgirl to go out there and take pics!!

Found some great boots, belts, this great Pink Cowboy hat and a book of Vintage "Country"Sheet Music, some old spurs and a couple of old Suitcases,,,,,,,,and a bit more..........

Great Black Boots and an old silver belt...

Some well loved but still cute and sturdy pink ladies boots and LOOK at the cute hot pink little ones!! I'm all over these vintage trophies right now,,,,,this Hot pink bowing trophy was a freebie....

Found a creme vintage slip today and a BIT of Vintage lace,,,,,but most of this lace is from my friend Linda Queen, who dropped it off for me at Joyworks last week,,,,,Thanks again Linda! So fun when a friend cleans out their "Stash" and they think of you!!!

Fun little "Greige" side table and a chippy green mirror.......

Fun little Craft Bits and Japanese porcelain pieces,,,,,I see a little Bluebird in here that has my friend SUZ name all over it...

And,,,,,,because I TRIED to post last nite and the Internet wasn't cooperating, Here's the Letters and Hallowween stuff I finished yesterday........

Looks like a word puzzle here, with a bunch of little witch hats.......I just got too warm to do much more,,,,,,But the letters spell "Bling" for my Island Chicks booth nexxt month.......

A few more witch hats.....

I made several more, but this post is long enough! Need to go out and water! Have a GREAT weekend, stay Cool!!

Hugs and love and a "Cowgirl" Bus on the Cheek!
Shell

Today was "For the Birds!" Heat and Projects

This morning? I got up just at Sunrise and was sitting on my back porch with a cup of Coffee when I saw these "things" flying around...At first I thought it was BATS because we get those little insect lovers around here but on further inspection, it was Birds of some sort. I have NEVER seen so many aggressive little buggers flitting through the sky and apparently feasting nicely on some sort of insects! Maybe it's our recent heat wave,,,,but fun to watch them dip and dive!!

So today I finished some Paper Birds...........

I don't generally use a lot of NEW papers,,but the Cremes and Black Cardstocks with a bit of Crepe and some German Dresden for "eyes" was fun to put together........

I made a whole "Flock!"

Also started some witches hats which along with my remaining letter "G" in the "Bling" didn't get Glittered.......I'm "Schmitzen" as my son Andrew would say and perspiration and Glitter are NOT so much Fun!!!


But this is all trivial as folks all over the Country suffer from drought and fires and days and days of Heat! Enough already!

If you've followed the News, there are several severe fires in Washington State right now. They are all, as us "Locals" refer to it, "East of the Mountains." Washington State is split darn near down the Middle by the Cascades. The weather on "This side" of the Mountains is remarkably different year round than the East Side. They get more Cold, More Snow, More Heat,,and alas, more fires! I hope you'll take a moment to keep all of those Farmers, Ranchers, their Family and Animals both domestic AND livestock in your thoughts and Prayers!

We're going to be heating up a bit more here on "This side of the Mountains," okay, heating up a LOT!! Most of us don't have AC at home, but at least it cools down here at night!

This morning? Right before I got out of bed, I was thinking, "I'd like to meet a Nice Man with Lake, River, or Beach Property for my dogs." Then I simplified by saying, "I'd like a man with a nice body of Water," My tastes and requirements have certainly Changed at this stage of my life!!!

Stay Cool, Stay Safe, Appreciate the little things like a run through the sprinkler or a visit somewhere with AC!!!"

(I know Blogging has slowed down as of late,,weather, Pinterest, Facebook? But pls leave a comment if you can,,,,,I'm starting to feel like I need to change my toothpaste or deodorant!)

Hugs, Love and a "Sticky" Bus!
Shell