Not Yo Mommas Handbag

Could that be "Little Red Riding Hood?"

2012-01-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

I had another

"Flash-back".....

Straight back to the 60's....

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs

and

Little Red Riding Hood

this is what spurred the memory.....

as I was strolling through the treasuries on Etsy

there she was...

The brave, daring girl of my childhood.

Little Red Riding Hood....

(wonder what her real name was?)

Anastasia Lovisetto

created this treasury....

You might like a trip down memory lane....

This and more....

check it out

HERE

smiles....

LOVE this time of year.....

2012-01-21T11:33:00.000-08:00

No,

I am not completely crazy,

but,

I love the first few weeks of the New Year.

They seem to hold so much promise.

Hope.

New attitude.

Re-newed Faith.

All of this seems possible this time of year.

I love to peruse the "treasury" section of Etsy.

Creativity is always in abundance.

Visually stimulating.

Different.

Positive.

I like that.

Here is a collection that I think you might like

Black and Blue

These are from the shop called;

FanTan

My thoughts exactly!

from

Stilldez

(a new fave!)

This brooch from

ColinDuncan

I don't know any of these sellers personally,

but I love the way they photograph their shop's items.

I like their layout...

and

they are all interesting to browse through.

check out the

Treasury section of Etsy

I spend almost as much time there

as I do on

(and that's a lot!)

Old man in the tree....

2012-01-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

LOVE

this

HUGE Live Oak

when I first saw it,

I knew...

I knew I would return and photograph it

so that I could make a print and

put it in a

prominent place

and see it daily.

This tree inspires me.

It is hundreds of years old.

Located in Brookgreen Gardens,

near Litchfield, SC,

it has seen plantations,

slavery, Civil War (isn't that an oxymoron?)

WWI, WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars,

well,

you get the picture,

it is a great, great, great, great grandfather.

So,

there is hope....

I ordered a large print

(16 x 20)

back in November,

but I became so busy with the holidays that I

put off mounting and framing for myself.

This week I corrected that.

I dug out a beautiful frame and mat

that I had previously

used to display a bridal portrait.

Here is the result

I love the convenience of my iPhone camera.....

however,

for someone who has been spoiled with the

consistent quality of Canon cameras and

lenses, I don't think I will give up my

"big-rig" set up soon....

If you would like to have your very own

Mammouth Live Oak Tree

you may find it in my Etsy shop

"Not Yo Mommas Handbag"

Tweety Bird....

2012-01-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

I tawt

I taw

puddy tat....

smiles....

Memories.....

2012-01-02T18:48:00.001-08:00

Do you have memories of home movies?

the clickety clack of the film strip?

the lack of sound?

the excitement of seeing yourself and others on the movie screen?

What fun!

smiles

Naughty or Nice? how about "Exhausted or Blessed"?

2011-12-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

Good Grief!

(or so says Charlie Brown)

How much can one person do?

How about you?

You tired yet?

yeah,

too....

Well, it is almost time to relax.

Really, I kid you not.....

In the meantime,

I have been doing all sorts of things

that I rarely do at the holidays.

Like selling,

making,

baking,

arranging,

driving,

listing,

even....

thinking!

(Yes, I know it is hard to believe)

Anyway,

one of my favorite things to do is

photograph

beautiful things....

and to that end,

I was trusted with

a dear friend's most precious

Christmas memories.

Ornaments made when she was a mere child,

with her mother and sister.

Made by hand, with rick-rack,

satin and glass balls,

pearls, sequins and

glitter.

She needed them photographed for a

blog post she was writing.

Over they came in a wicker basket,

and handed to Ms. All thumbs.

I was so nervous.

I placed a couple of towels on the floor, as a cushion.

I brought a small lit tree in from the front porch.

I scrounged a dozen ornament hooks from my personal stash.

And then I began....

oh so carefully,

to organize them in themes,

putting them together as groupings.

Everything went so well,

I put everything back in the basket,

burned the CD with the images,

and headed over to her house......

well,

you

might

able

guess

what

happened

next....

As I got out of the car,

I head a "pop".......

not a loud one,

like someone purposely causing a ruckus,

but a subtle one, almost missed in my excitement.

S@#*! (Heck!)

Yes,

one was broken.

She was so graceful with her disappointment.

She even tried to make me feel better by saying

"That's not one of my favorites"

So sweet....

Lesson learned.

Do not underestimate someone's capacity for grace....

Happy Holidays!

smiles.....

I Saw Three Ships Go Sailing By......

2011-12-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

I love driftwood....

that is what attracted me to this hand-crafted piece.

It is signed by "C.C."

I wish I knew who CC is...

but more to the point,

I love the motion that this sculpture evokes...

It reminds me of my Uncle Burt,

who passed away last year.

He was a handsome sailor,

who loved the sea

off the Maine coast.

(available at Not Yo Mommas Handbag's shop at Etsy)

Do you have a sailor in your life?

Do you sail?

The freedom...

The connectedness.....

The exhilaration....

I saw three ships go sailing by

on Christmas Day

on Christmas Day.....

smiles...

What book would you like to receive for Christmas?

2011-12-12T19:40:00.000-08:00

All my life,

really, even before I could read them,

I have received books for Christmas.

My mother is a retired librarian...

My father is addicted to collecting books...

they were probably separated at birth,

but that's another story...

What book interests you?

Are you an avid mystery reader?

How about spy novels from the cold war?

History?

Astronomy?

How-to or DIY?

Art?

simply

gorgeous

coffee table books

filled with lovely images?

Tell me

what do you yearn for?

And

I will share

my faves too...

Do you need a quality Christmas present for a girlfriend?

2011-12-11T09:18:00.000-08:00

A really good girlfriend,

the type that takes your silly calls

in the middle of the night

kind of girlfriend?

The girlfriend you would have rather had

by your side than your man

when you are giving birth?

Because she is less likely to have fainted...?

The kind of girlfriend who would make

sure that you don't go home with

the wrong person?

You know the type...

I have one,

she is still my "bud"

my BFF

my bestest

my soul sister

I suspect you have one too!

Well,

she

deserves a

wonderfully

thoughtful

gift,

doesn't she?

One of my neighbors

is a

FABULOUS

TALENTED

seamstress....an artist, really.

(I am not, I can sew a straight line...that's about it)

BUT

Mary

true

artist

at the sewing machine.

And I love her sense of humor too!

This is my favorite

makeup case. She made it!

Good Lord!

it could have been modeled after

me and my "chicks" from school....

(don't dare tell them I said that!!!)

It's exactly what we look like at the beach now.....

I look the most like the "pineapple lady"...

havin' a drink, and opening my big bag of goodies...

(you notice they don't venture too far either)

One of the things I love about this bag is

the meticulous handiwork....

I am not kidding!

Mary is very particular about what goes out of her

shop, and will not allow for stray threads or unfinished ends.

(wish I was that careful!)

Notice the apple green and white gingham check covering over the ends of the zipper?

See how nice the interior "cloud" fabric is?

And that handle that will detach if needed?

I so admire this attention to detail!

As far as I am concerned,

this bag is exactly the right size, too.

I used to travel for a living

and there is nothing worse than a make-up bag

that takes up your entire carry-on...

Here is another thing I love....

look!

at the "wavy stitching"!

Not only has she used wavy cuts of fabric to simulate

waves at the beach,

she continues the theme with stitching too....

I love that!

Her shop is named

"Seamless Expressions"

Check out this bag

at her

Etsy shop!

HERE

Things are feeling a little Greige......

2011-12-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

and a little blue....

and rusty....

and white.....

These are photos,

not paintings.

They are available immediately

in 8 x 10 size

Not Yo Mommas Handbag

Etsy shop.

Other sizes are available

upon request.

smiles

Feeling a lot like a discount!

2011-11-29T05:04:00.000-08:00

Ready for Christmas?

Everything bought?

Paid for?

Wrapped?

Tagged?

Hidden from prying eyes?

thought not...

me neither...

BUT

there's hope...

I love buying my

presents online.

I do.

And, (braggin just a bit here)

I started buying holiday gifts online

in 1994.....for someone my age (54),

that's pretty bold (at least it is in my head)

here is

a gift especially

for all of you that read my

blog....

TEN PERCENT

off

any and all items in my shop

Not Yo Mommas Handbag

for the month of December

(actually starting today ;-)

Simply enter

"TENPERCENT"

at checkout,

and

there you have it.

It may not make choosing any easier...

It won't wrap them,

and

hide them...

But it might make your wallet feel better....

smiles

One Kings Lane....

2011-11-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

Do you know of this

ONE KINGS LANE?

I stumbled upon it one day

and have been totally

obsessed with

ever

since....

This is just one of the many lovely photos I find there...
I hope I have posted it correctly and that you
will be able to
click the image
and be taken to the site.

If not...
click on the name above...

I think you will enjoy..
smiles

Source: onekingslane.com via Ellen on Pinterest

fun vintage things...

2011-11-14T12:34:00.000-08:00

A sad face....

Memories of fun wintertimes...past....

Images that remind me of times gone by...

All of this appeals to me...

How about you?

What fires up your imagination?

What do you like to collect?

Can a old item bring a tear to your eye?

It can me.....smiles

Fabulous Friday Fun Facts....

2011-11-11T06:20:00.000-08:00

ok,

I want to give credit where credit is due....

and it's not with me...

Real Simple magazine

produced a list of

cleaning suggestions..

using household products that are

"friendly"

In other words,

items you have in your house that

are basically green...

I like that.

I like ideas that reuse, recycle

and repurpose otherwise

thrown away products.

So here are some of those suggestion..

(ones I had not thought of...)

Baking Soda as Silver Polish

To polish silver: Wash items, then place on aluminum foil in the bottom of a pot. Add a baking-soda solution (¼ cup soda, a few teaspoons salt, 1 quart boiling water) and cover for a few seconds. The result? A chemical reaction that gets the black off the gravy boat.

Dryer Sheet as Iron Cleaner

Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron. With the setting on low, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you're left with a pristine press.

Emery Board as Stain Remover

Remove small stains from suede by gently rubbing the file (either side) across the problem area a few times to get rid of the splotch and refresh the nap.

Cornmeal as Grease Absorber

Add this to the grocery shopping list for new reasons. Cornmeal absorbs grease on light colored fabric or upholstery. Pour enough on to cover the soiled area and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum to remove the grains.

Dryer Sheet as Scum Buster

Remove obstinate soap buildup from glass shower doors by sprinkling a few drops of water onto a used fabric-softener sheet and scrubbing.

Rubber Glove as Pet Hair Remover

Put on a damp rubber dishwashing glove and run your hand over hair-covered upholstery—the hair will cling to the glove, not the sofa. Rinse off the glove in the sink (with the drain catcher in place, of course).

Vinegar as Sticker Remover

Dislodge a stubborn price sticker. Paint with several coats of vinegar, let it sit for five minutes, then wipe away.

Walnut as Scratch Filler

Repair hardwood floors by rubbing shelled nuts into shallow scratches. Their natural oils help hide the flaws.

Lemonade Kool-Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner

Clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher by pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and running the (empty) dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't have to.

Rice as Coffee Grinder Cleaner

Mill a handful of grains in your grinder and the fine particles will absorb stale odors and clean out residual grounds and oil. Discard the rice and wipe clean.

Wax Paper as Floor Cleaner

Use this kitchen staple to pick up dirt and dust. Rip off a piece roughly the size of your sweeper and attach it just as you would a cleaning cloth. As you sweep highly trafficked or dirty areas, the gunk sticks. Wax on, dirt off.

Ketchup as Copper Polisher

Revive the color and shine of copper cookware. Squeeze ketchup onto a cloth and rub it on pots and pans. After five minutes, rinse with warm water, and towel dry.

White Bread as Painting Cleaner

To clean an oil painting, softly rub a piece of white bread over it to remove dust or dirt.

Feel Free to copy and print this list....

I did not create it,

full credit goes to Real Simple Magazine!

(one of my faves)

Happy Friday!

smiles

I confess....

2011-11-10T05:17:00.000-08:00

I might just have a

little camera

addiction....

They may be found

HERE!

My friend the artist!

2011-10-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Cammie is an artist.

Cammie

has

Etsy

store...

I confess,

I covet

Cammie's

art....

Here are just a few of the lovely paintings

by Cammie...

Check out Cammie's Etsy store
ByCamDesigns
for more lovely paintings, pastels

and

Fun Pet Portraits!

smiles

Do you remember?

2011-10-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

these?

Did you have one?

like me,

wished you had one when in college?

The typewriter that I pounded

out my countless term papers for my ruthless

History professors....was a manual, heavy handed model.

It weighed about 350 pounds.....

My fingers hurt for days after completing a paper....

Thank God for erasable bond!

(don't you know anyone under the age of 50 is lost by now!)

Well,

suffice to say that this typewriter

is much easier than all of that...

it plugs into the "grid"...

and OMG...listen to that bell ring!

that ought to surprise the heck out of my son when he tries it!

You may find this and more

Not Yo Mommas Handbag

Finally! New items on Not Yo Mommas Handbag site!

2011-10-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

I admit it...

I have been quite slow to move...

Partly jet lag and some laziness....

But

this weekend I was inspired to move..

and the results are

New Listings on

Not Yo Mommas Handbags

Here are some of the

fun discoveries you will find...

What A TRIP!!

2011-10-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

Not Yo Mommas Handbags

went on a trip....

Well, technically.....

I went on a trip...

London

(I love London!)

Literally...

blown...

away...

by how very cool

London

is...

more to come...

smiles...

Photographs are also on SALE at Not Yo Mommas Handbag this week!

2011-09-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

50% off.....Back to School....smiles....

2011-09-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Weekend Everyone!....

smiles

Back to School Sale!!!!,,,,50% off everything....smiles.

2011-08-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Yes,
I got impatient.....
I just couldn't wait....

That's right....

We are going back to school.

We endured

an earthquake, with minimal damage....

a hurricane, with no rain (too far inland)....

And we are getting ready to leave on a

trip to London in one week.

I want to clear out the shop a bit.....

So,

here

goes...

EVERYTHING

will

marked

down

50%

for one week only.

Wednesday, August 31st

until

Wednesday, September 7th

at noon.

After that I won't have the time

to package and ship.

At Noon on 9/7 the shop will close

for 2 weeks.

When it opens,

there will be a whole slew of new

inventory....

So, if there is anything you

have been considering.....now is the time to

pounce!

Simply

enter

"BACKTOSCHOOL2011"

at checkout to receive your discount!

cheers!

Sale announcement tomorrow!

2011-08-30T06:02:00.000-07:00

A sale!

a big one...

a total inventory mark down....

announced tomorrow.

Just in time for the end of summer....

in time for school to start...

in time for me to go on vacation....

smiles....

Carrie Anne.....what's your "fame", girl?....can anyone explain?

2011-08-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

Many apologies to the Hollies....

I know.

I am teetering on the edge of pop blasphemy....

But I love the name Carrie Anne,

it connotates "fun, happy, carefree times"

And it is the name I chose for this

Not Yo Mommas Handbag.....

she is found HERE

Today you can find her

in a lovely treasury created by

Jill

owner of the

"BeSomethingNew" shop

on Etsy!

Her treasury is titled

"Cool for School-Tree Challenge"

and it comes with an interesting twist....

you can win a prize.

Check out the Treasury for the link to

prize rules.

And while you are at it,

check out Jill's shop!

Beautiful is the word that comes to mind.

Gorgeous accessories for any woman,

and especially brides!

Crazy for cameras...

2011-07-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

TODAY!

we have so many choices for capturing images....

and not just with a camera.....

our phone,

our computer,

a box....

well, you name it....

we have got it...

love

see

someone

something

interesting

with

cameras

check this out...

Christy

SassDeluxe

Has created a fun filled treasury

Etsy

today.

SAY CHEESE!

a collection of cameras,

images of cameras,

images taken by cameras,

jewelry of cameras,

and

accessories for cameras!

what more could a photographer want?

oh yeah,

to be included!

YES...

today, my day has started off with just

about everything I could ask for...

This is my Instant Gratification Polaroid Land Camera

Oh! for a whole month

a ton of instant film packets,

this camera,

and freedom to travel....

what fun that would be....

Check out Christy's shop,

and of course,

this treasury
which includes lovely
images that I haven't asked to reproduce here,
so...
you'll just have to visit...
HERE

and have a happy day....
smiles...

Whew!.....that was really something, huh?

2011-07-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

We had a wedding.....

more precisely,

my husband's lovely daughter

was married the last weekend in May....

Whew!

coming off that emotional time

has left everyone in our house

with sort of an "emotional hangover"

Ever had one of those?

Symptoms include,

but not limited to;

physical exhaustion

headache,

swollen feet,

aching back,

empty pockets,

messy house,

lost gifts,

missing jewelry,

(found!)

disorientation,

anger,

confusion,

hair loss (?),

misplaced vehicle,

(found!)

multiple airport visits,

.........

well,

you

get

the

picture.....

In all my years of photographing weddings...

I have never seen a more beautiful bride.

Of course,

partial.

I look forward to seeing the photographer's

images of this wedding....

they will be beautiful

sure!

smiles.

Let them eat cake!

2011-06-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

"The Chick's"

(that is to say, my girlfriends and I)

had a

Royal Wedding Weekend

couple of months ago

(I'll bet you can guess which weekend)

and

there

were

crowns....

many

crowns

so,

why fight it?

of course,

there were also photographs to be taken...

Our dear hostess had just returned from

London and bought each of us

a royal coffee mug!

There was FOOD....

lots

FOOD!

(oh, and sweet tea)

There were pretty flowers all over her house too!

And of course, there were shoes....

really,

how could you have a wedding without lots of shoes?

We ate at the Varsity,

we laughed hard,

cried a bit,

wore our crowns with pride,

missed a few,

loved the moment...

smiles.

I am blessed with incredible girlfriends....

2011-05-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Really, I am....

this is a busy week.

(aren't they all?)

So when the phone rang this morning,

I thought,

Holy Cow!

Here goes...

What a pleasant surprise!!

My sweet friend

whispered quietly

"Can I bring you something?"

sure,

as long as I don't have to wash it,

groom it,

feed it,

wipe it,

wax it,

cloth it,

instruct it,

dust it,

organize it,

help it.....I thought.

And as I came down the stairs in response to the door bell,

I glanced at the storm door,

first I saw her shoes,

then her leggings,

then her rain coat

(what! it's sunny and hot!)

then her PJ's,

(ha! she's sleep-delivering!)

and then the zip lock bag....

filled to the brim with lovely

gardenia blossoms!

My sweet friend had noticed how wonderful they smelled

in her garden this morning,

and thought that

I might just need a little

pampering....

How lucky am I?

They filled

two large bowls!

You cannot imagine what

this meant to me today!

smiles

Thank you K!

Not Yo Mommas Handbag!

2011-05-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow!

Where have we been for the last month?

Busy as bees...

Happier than a pig in slop....

Planning a wedding...

planning and schemin'

Wishin' and hopin'

(oops, that's a whole different era)

But that is where Not Yo Momma has been...

We will return soon,

promise!

Do you need help?

2011-04-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

I know that I can always use a helping hand...

some information that helps me do my job....

ESPECIALLY,

FREE

INFORMATION!

Do you blog?

Do you know how to do all those nifty little things

you see on other blogs

that makes a blog fun,

easy,

up to date?

If you are like me,

you probably know how to do one or two tricks

but

when it comes to the

geeky advanced stuff

(technical term there...)

you are lost.....just like me.

Well,

right here on

April Fool's Day

there is hope

no foolin'....

really.

Check out the wonderful

Sneaky Momma's Blog Design post today!
She makes it easy
Even for a liberal arts major like myself.....
She has even catagorized the whole she-bang!
Go there! NOW!

AND

have a wonderful weekend!

I plan to...

smiles....

WOW! have you checked this out?

2011-03-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

The new ways that you can view

a Blogspot blog?

I did...

and holy cow,

what a visual treat...

Go to any Blogspot blog

and add onto the end of the URL

/view

for example,

http://notyomommashandbag.blogspot.com/view

and a whole new way to view your favorite blogs

opens up.

Being that I am a visual learner....

I LOVE THIS!

Check it out on my blog

(easily, by clicking the link above)

and then do the same for any of your favorite

Blogspot blogs.

I might be the very last person on the face of the earth to know this...

so if you are already "in the know"

forgive me.

Also,

I just ordered a pair of shoes online,

because my feet are as wide as they are long....

you know, .......box-like.

I have fat feet,

lots of reasons,

but suffice to say,

I have a very hard time finding dress shoes to fit.

If you have the same of similar problem

check this out.

Here's $10 off at Shoebuy.com

Save on shoes, accessories, handbags and apparel at Shoebuy.com. We've got something for everyone and for a limited time, you can save $10 on that special something. Valid on purchase of $50 or more.

View >>

For Japan With Love....

2011-03-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

Please go HERE

to help...

smiles.

R U OK?

2011-03-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

I am safe at home....

Are you?

How about your loved ones?

Are they ok too?

Have you been in touch with people you love this weekend?

I have...

I have been down with a bad cold,

thus, I have spent too much time in front of the TV.....

watching peoples' homes and loved ones

float away....

Makes me cry.

I am very proud though,

that our country is offering help,

whatever they need....

This morning,

I put my sweetie on a flight to China,

by way of Tokyo...

yeah, I know....

This trip has been planned for sometime

and there was no easy way to

rearrange the schedule.

Delta was ready,

so we were too....

So....

I shall simply dwell on the reality of the moment....

He is safe and sound

right now.

I feel very fortunate to have family and friends

in my hometown that assure me

at every turn....

Still....

Monday Musings....

2011-03-07T05:03:00.000-08:00

Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough,

but not baked in the
same oven.

Yiddish Proverb

I don't know exactly why,

but that has just amused me today....

I am awake early due to my increasing sensitivity to

cold medicine.

(is it my imagination, or are they more dream inducing?)

Anyway,

Monday seems a good day to

feature a couple of treasuries that I have

been amazingly included in....

where the sky is blue is where I want to be

PetCollage

is a lovely collection of springtime blues and pastels...

all with a sunny outlook and a

sweet hint of warmer weather

just around the bend.

Included was my

Carrie Anne

(I love that song)

Check out Pet Collage's shop!

What a fun, creative place....

JEN

WalrusStusk

is at it again....

She is the most prolific treasury creator

I have run across...

and

this week is no less intriguing

with

Show Us Your Pearlies

in which she lovingly assembled a soft,

creamy collection of all things pearly white.

And

she included my

Rose of palest yellow

And,

good advice at anytime....

Tip Your Waitress

is a fun quirky grouping of

Vintage Waitress related items

that make you want to seek out the nearest diner for lunch.

Ms Tips

owner of

Ms Tips Vintage

serving quality vintage on Etsy

sweetly included my

Four Diner Coffee Cups

The Creative spirit!.....watch this!

2011-03-01T15:39:00.000-08:00

My goodness....
I am so in awe of those who throw caution to the wind
and just put it all out there without
the slightest worry of
what other people think....

Theo Jansen
has a gift....
a creative spirit....
A love for movement...

Check it out!
smiles

The Busiest Etsy'er.....EVER!~

2011-03-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

Maybe you've been to her shop,

Maybe you've never even heard of her or her shop.....

Bet you've seen one of her Treasuries!

Holy Cow, this woman can put together a Treasury

with more flair and speed than

(my guess)

anyone on Etsy!

Meet

Jen

owner of

WALRUSTRUCK!

Go there and check out her

wonderfulBead Embroidery creations...

Really!

I am not kidding...

hair clips, barrettes, pins....

well, you get the picture,

lots of cool stuff in stunning swirls of

beaded delight.

She lives in Arizona,

which probably explains her inherent

creativity.....

Anyway,

this week alone she has created

three treasuries that I am aware of...

sweetly, she included me....

First,

You Have My Wrapped Attention

in which she included my

Dining Table Salts

Secondly,

she created

An Instant Audience

including my

Division Flash Cards

And finally,

there is the lovely

Want To Be In A Treasury

that I was thrilled to see my

Scaley Bark photograph

Now,

see what I mean....

this woman is all about

Treasuries.....

Go check them out...

comment on them,

and maybe you will find yourself

in one soon.....

smiles

Spring is poppin out all over....

2011-02-27T18:41:00.000-08:00

No...

None of these are actually blooming in my garden, yet....

But,

this pink and yellow lovely

And this yellow and gold sweetness...

can be found regularly

Not Yo Mommas Handbag

@ Etsy

Prints available in several sizes...

if you need a size you don't see,

convo me,

and I will special order

just for you!

On the other hand,

this amaryllis bloomed last year at Christmas,

and not this year....

until this week....

I was watering the green leafiness of it all...

and

What!

there was a stalk trying to poke it's way out of the stem...

I am watering and feeding now!

Hope to be able to post a photo of it

before long...

Have you had this experience before?

A plant that blooms spectacularly one year

and comes around very slowly the next year?

Let me know.....

please...

smiles

Southern Charm....

2011-02-27T12:44:00.000-08:00

Do you believe in coincidence?

serendipity?

chance?

miracles?

I don't.

I believe that the universe occasionally

conspires on our behalf....

And

sometimes we are given proof....

Like this week.....

Two treasuries....

Two different photos from my shop....

(Not Yo Mommas Handbag)

Two different themes...

sort of....

You tell me......

coincidence?

First let me present

"Places I have lived: Tampa"

created by

April

Flourish and Debonair

an Etsy shop filled to the brim with

a plethora of interesting things

from

Vintage Apparel to handmade paper!

Sweetly, she included my

photograph of live oaks

laden with spanish moss, titled

"Spanish Moss hangs way down"

Then,

without even so much as a week or two passing....

There is a

knock at the door

(not really...." figuratively speaking".....)

And here I find,

Southern Gothic

Kirsten

Acorn Alley Designs

another lovely shop

that features

beautiful handmade jewelry

using beads, gemstones and

my favorite, pearls!

She graciously included my

other spanish moss themed photograph

An Abundance of Spanish Moss

So....

what do you think?

coincidence?

Me thinks not....

Thank you Universe!

Lest I forget...

there is one more thing

I would like to share with you...

DemyBlackDesign

is a very interesting shop at Etsy

originating in Moscow!

(Cool, huh?)

Owned and operated by

Demy (short for Evegeniya)

This shop has

handmade jewelry and painted silk!

(This is a busy girl!)

She also writes a blog

and last week wrote about

Recycled Jeans...guess

you might know where I am going with this one....

She was generous to include my

"Windy"

in her article

entitled

Monday Moodboard "Recycled Jeans Bags"

Check it out!

If you have found yourself the recipient of

the generosity of the universe,

tell me about it.

Really!

I love those stories....

smiles.

You have to be sneaky....

2011-02-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Do you have adult children?

If you want to catch their attention....

You have to be sneaky....

Do they go out on the town,

and

do things that you cannot imagine

your babies doing?

What is a mother to do?

How about send them a card....

one that reminds them,

who it is that they will be calling,

if they end up in jail,

on the side of the road,

lost,

frightened,

in trouble.....

Daddy,

that's who....

So,

while I was shooting

some photos of my sweetie

this weekend,

I caught one

where he has

"the look"

you know the one...

the one that you just hated to get from your pop

when you were in trouble....

I use Shutterfly for most of my photo printing needs.

I like their easy set-up and order,

I like fast delivery,

and

I like free stuff,

which they offer often!

AND

they offered me a $10.00 discount on my next

order, just to mention what I had just created

(which I was going to order anyway!)

This isn't anything special just for me,

you can get it too....

Go there

(Shutterfly)

order stuff,

create a share site

(I have many!)

and have fun with your photos!

Here are some of my share sites....

Ellen M Reed Photos

and

Not Yo Mommas Handbags

And think of a way that you can be sneaky too!

smiles....

Four Leaf Clovers St. Patrick's Day Card

Send custom cards from Shutterfly for St. Patrick's Day.

View the entire collection of cards.

Do you Polaroid?

2011-02-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

Maybe you don't even know what a Polaroid is.....

You can't be blamed,

they simply do not make them like they used to....

(never thought I would say that!)

but they don't.

Polaroid Land Cameras

were all the rage when I was

a junior high school student.

(that's "middle school" for those of you younger than 50)

Mr Land

was a very smart guy...

he...

Well, I cannot explain how he did it..

you can find the explanation

HERE

But this is what he created....

A Square Shooter Polaroid Camera

This is only one of the many models that he

created.

I love them....

instant photos.....

As a friend of mine used to say

"Instant Gratification is not fast enough!"

But

Polaroids come close to fulfilling that need.

Apparently, I am not the only person that feels this way.
Many Etsy sellers carry a wide array of
Polaroid cameras....and I have more.....

One of those sellers,
VelvetMorning
created a lovely Treasury entitled
* Katy Says Today Is the Best Day of My Whole Entire Life*
and you know what?
I think Katy may just be right!
what a great collection of Etsy items she has put together!
I especially love the photographs.

AND!

the very same Polaroid camera is featured in
a wonderfully themed treasury

My California Childhood - "Free To Be You and Me"
by
Heather Correa
of
that rollercoaster at jhcorrea
her collection caught my eye right away with a reference to summer fun,
James Taylor, a wonderful surfing print, hair fork, jewelry, pottery
and even a book!
Holy Cow pack my bags and look out! I want to go to the beach!

If all that attention were not enough.....
(and of course, it never is....)

I am honored to be included in a treasury collected
and assembled by
Jenny
at
The Door Stop
a new favorite shop with tons of fun chalkboards
for every taste!
Well, Jenny created
At Nanny's House
a sentimental journey to grandma's house,
complete with stand mixer,
pin cushions,
Monopoly games pieces,
record player,
all sorts of sewing paraphernalia....
in other words,
lots of fun!
She was kind to include my
Advertising thimbles
which actually came out of an old sewing basket
that my grandmother owned. I don't remember her
ever using them though, only metal ones...
But here they are...
plastic, I think.

And they can be found
HERE.

I am so slack, sometimes....

2011-02-14T05:49:00.000-08:00

restin' on my laurels.....

layin out of work....

check'n into the slack-o-rama hotel/motel.....

out in left field....

not hittin' on all four gears....

I have taken a break

and

simply didn't let anyone know...

even myself (smirk)

And

while I was gone....

(out to lunch....)

Some very nice people decided to do their thing,

and included some of

Not Yo Mommas Handbags

and

Vintage items

in their

collectively creative

Treasuries!

Angela

AandBoriginals

(love her fingerless gloves snugs!)

created a fun gardening treasury

called

Ready To Garden

and included my

Carrie Anne handbag!

Speaking of gardening...

Purple-Color of the Crocus

was collected by

the shop-keeper at

Admired History

an interesting shop filled with fun

things from our recent past...check it out!

My Purple Scarf of Passion

(corny, huh?)

was included....sweet!

Sleeping Child Print

was

kindly allowed to join the fun at

Shabbier Chic

a collection by

My Grandmother's Attic

(featuring great bracelets by the way!)

Amy

All Together Lovely

assembled a collection of

Tea-related items

Tea Fit For A Queen (TTT)

and included

White Shabby Chic Tea Pot

And gratefully...

I was the lucky one who

was included in

NUTS About You!

a Valentines Day appropriate treasury

that includes many nutty things, used in a dozen different ways...

Vicky

AsherJasper

collected a lovely bunch of coconuts (and more)

to make up this fun and light-hearted

Ode to a Nut

and those that loves them.......

Happy Valentines Day to you all....

if you feel loved,

Good!

pass it on to someone who doesn't...

even simply kindnesses,

like being courteous to the sales clerk...

go a long way.

smiles....

I hope that groundhog is right....

2011-02-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you,

but I am ready for some serious spring......

Don't get me wrong,

I am truly grateful that I am not facing;

a hurricane of epic proportions, like Australia....

a mob of very upset Egyptian citizens....

a blizzard, also of epic proportion, in the upper half of USA....

But really!

I am tired of snow, cold, ice, and

crazy drivers....

I live in the south....

I have been taught how to drive in snow and ice by

a man from curvy road country....yes, West Virginia..

I can handle it,

but, not if I have to dodge

all the other silly southerners

that have never been instructed

as to how to handle the slick stuff.

Last weekend,

there was a tease....

a day of nearly 70 degree weather...

my sweetie and I rode around with the top down...

hat and sunglasses....

scarf...

coat...

smiles

In the meantime,

I am thinking about a new line of

Not Yo Mommas Handbags

So....you don't know what to do with this....

2011-02-01T05:19:00.000-08:00

No...

I understand...

It all seems so simple,

and yet,

when it comes right down to it...

you choke.

"What in the world would I do with such a thing?"

you might ask yourself...

A souvenir silver tourist spoon...

in it's original packaging no less...

I have been negligent in describing what

this little jewel can do for you...

I apologize.

no really, I am sorry.

But as a token of my regret,

I have found another blogger who can

clue you in...

Check out

Billie Monster's blog

all about souvenir spoons....

I have only the one in stock,

but you can find it

Not Yo Mommas Handbag's Etsy Shop

Got the Travel Bug!....

2011-01-31T15:32:00.000-08:00

I'm inchin' to go on a trip...

almost any trip will do...

but the trip I would love to take is a trip to Italy...

Looking over my photographs from my last trip,

stirred up the ol' wanderlust...

Tell me what you feel....

Ahhhh....

there is a magic about Italy...

If you have not been there, I hope that you have the opportunity...

I know that sometime in the future, I will go back...

The Trevi Fountain....she has my coins...

smiles....

Ya'll know what Southern means?......

2011-01-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

Spanish Moss.....

Live Oaks.....

Hankies in your back pocket....

Questionable Wildlife Art.....

Conebread (Cornbread) in granma's muffin tin.....

Salt Cellars in the Sunday table (filled of course)....

Personalized Pig Pickin' mugs...for Root Beer, of course...

Politicians advertising on granma's sewing thimble....

A big loud gold pin on your Sunday Best!

Salt and Peppa shakers from Myrtle Beach...

A toothpick holder in the kitchen...

An "At-home Savings and Loan"...

And lovely, peaceful tidal marshes....

All of this can also be found at

Not Yo Mommas Handbag's Etsy Shop

Ya'll come now, ya hear?....

smiles....

Love those treasuries!

2011-01-24T05:19:00.000-08:00

Especially

PINK

ones...

Strawberry and Banana Sundae

created

Cosmic Jane Tangibles!

a lovely shop

that specializes in a

an interesting

niche market...

matchboxes!

Cosmic Jane

kindly included my

Fushia Flower

in her lovely collection

Also,

you will find

sherbert striped hearts,

a pink sundress,

happy rosettes,

a wall of wildflowers,

sunshine earrings,

hoya bella print,

meringue hand soap,

and

jewelry!

WOW!

I think PINK is the perfect color

to get us started thinking about spring.

It is fun,

girly,

bright,

happy,

and

of course,

it makes me

smile....

The future of stories....

2011-01-20T05:04:00.000-08:00

I am

amazed at the ingenuity of

Etsy-ers!

Below is a short story

about a quilter.

An interesting story

that made me start to think about the future of stories.....

How will we

(and by "we", I mean the human race)

tell our children stories in the future?

Is the future existence of

"books"

really in question?

Do we foresee a

future of reading bedtime stories

off of a iPad?

or will we even read to our children

at all?

Will this duty be

left to the

"Boob-tube"

to come down the pike?

(sorry, just a bit of channeling my grandmother there....)

Being a visually stimulated person,

I love the whole concept of this video.

I really do...

It even makes me want to

try quilting,

an activity which I have

admired, but avoided out of fear.

I am just not a

typical

"quilted-vest"

kind of girl....

Check out his cool video...

and tell me what you think....

Do you worry over silly things like

bedtime stories, like I do?

Do you see this as blatant propaganda?

Are you bored?

I value your opinion and wait for your

response....smiles.

What a Motherlode!

2011-01-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

Mama Motherlode,

that is....

A fun, creative,

interesting,

thought provoking,

memory poking.....

new blog!

I love to find new

creative endeavors

and this one found me!

How lucky am I!?

Edythe Heilner,

the mastermind of

Mama Motherlode,

seems to be the kind of girl that I

would love to go junkin' with....

I will let her explain her motivation,

as I couldn't have phrased it any better...

"The concept of taking old,

discarded items and turning them into something fun,

beautiful or useful has always inspired me.

I think I love hunting for the stuff

as much as I love creating with it.

As a child I filled a lot of old shoeboxes

with little rooms made of hairpins,

bottle caps, cotton balls and fabric scraps.

I may be a grown-up wife,

mother and grandmother,

but I'm still inspired by the hunt for found objects

and still brimming with creative ideas

of how to up-cycled and repurpose them.

This blog is about the hunt,

the materials,

the creative impulse

and the execution."

I am Hooked!

I want to know what she knows....

I want to be inspired....

I want to remember the way things were...

and how I might use that knowledge?

well, I just don't know yet,

but I am sure something will come up...

In one of her first posts,

she was very nice to include one of my

favorite purses

Belinda

Once you've been to her blog,

check out her Etsy shop!

Mama Motherlode. the shop

is definitely the place to take a walk down

memory lane....

she has many of the same things that could have

been found on my late grandmother's desk.

Clothespins, buttons, bows, belt buckles,

seed packets, girls' dress patterns,

and glove forms!

Oh my!

So...

what are you sitting there for?

go check her out!

For Pete's Sake!

......smiles.

Treasury Report.....

2011-01-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

What FUN!

I am honored to be included in several treasuries this week!

First,

let me tell you about

Winter Waits

Chrystal

Proprietor of a wonderful shop called

DwellLovely.

Amazingly, she opened her shop on January 3rd of 2011~

and already has jumped right into the Treasury biz!

Now that's something to be admired....

She included my sweet little

White Shabby Chic Teapot

clean, and chip-free....I might just have to keep this one...

Any-who...

Then I would say you should

moozie

(feelin' manly yet?....no worries, you will!)

on over and

Check out

My Finds Today

assembled by

InnovationDesign

Also, in her shop you will find

lovely knitted

shrugs, cowls and fingerless gloves (love those!)

She included my

Green Metal Toolbox

in her collection of unique

and quirky

fun

finds...

(Love the cat-eye glasses!)

And finally....

but certainly,

not lastly....

any less interestingly

You should check out

What a Bathroom Needs

collected

Clara

Bloomprint

A funny little shop,

self discribed as

"A kitchen-based photographer's work on her model ingredient-garlic"

(how much fun is that?!)

She was considerate to include

my little

chalkboard, made perhaps in the 1970's,

"Bath Rules"

I am, once again,

honored....smiles.

Treasury Report!

2011-01-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, 2.0

second one of 2011

(it is going to take awhile to get used to typing that!)

I am blessed

to have gotten the attention of so many

lovely Etsy sellers!

They truly amaze me when they send me the link to

a collection of Etsy products that go together

in some creative way....

Makes me want to sing...

I love Kermit!

But I digress....

Vero Zubcov

Verozeta Design & Jewelry

has created a treasury

called

eating!

Now, who could dislike that?

not me....

And it is a lovely collection too!

Beautiful tones of browns and tans,

subtle references to eating....

I love it!

She sweetly included

my monkey pod bowls!

which might just lend an funky tone to your

next party....

smiles....

A spicey Column about Windows and Doors.....

2011-01-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

I apologize in advance....

my play on words may disappoint.

But the intention was good....promise!

My Etsy friends have been extraordinarily busy this week!

Especially the "Treasury creators".....

and again,

I am honored and inspired.

First let me tell you where the "Spicey"

comes from...

Megan at

Flow Yoga Mats

(a very interesting shop, indeed!)

has created a treasury called

"Need a little spice in your life?"

There is something for everyone in this collection of Esty items.

Spices, vintage wallet, Salt, soap, PUMPKIN CARAMEL!

Even a pillow, spice rack, and holy cow, earrings too....

And she included my

Myrtle Beach Salt and Pepper shakers

which I didn't have as a child,

but, could have, as many times as

I went to Myrtle Beach....love that place.

(or at least, the MB of the 1960's and 70's)

Now,

on to the "Column" reference...

Check out

The treasury created by

Cocodelayinc

(don't miss this shop!Fun jewelry!)

called

Subtract Column A from Column B and add to Column C

in which columns depicted in jewelry, pillow, wall hangings, garden decor,

wonderful drawings and photos

Like the one I have in my shop,

that I captured in Rome, in 2003.

Corintian Columns in B/W

And finally,

"Doors and Windows"

assembled by

Debra

HolyCowStudio

(love that name!)

with interesting images of the openings in our lives,
including my
Deserted Interior

I am honored.

I went to Debra's shop to browse....

and what an eye she has!

A talented photographer in her own right,

those of us included in her treasury

have been selected by a talented

artist!

Please do yourself a favor, and check out the Treasuries of Etsy!

What FUN!

What talent...

you will be inspired too.....smiles.

Another person you should know....

2011-01-03T04:49:00.000-08:00

I love to follow

women photographers' blogs....

I am rarely disappointed.

And, should you also strive to see

lovely photography...

You should know Mary...

Mary is an accomplished photographer.

I came to know her work

through a mutual friend.

She strikes me as a gentle soul,

a person of clear vision,

and

a lover of classic images.

One of the reasons

I became a follower of Mary's blog

is I recognize, in her, someone who

can create a classic "still life"

out of ordinary things found in her home.

Takes someone with

"The Eye"

to do that....

Mary has that eye!

This is one of my favorite "Mary" images.

You can puchase it at Mary's Etsy shop

Mary Carroll Photography

And,

if you have even a few minutes

to grant yourself a

"Visual Treat"

you should check out

her blogs

In A Soft Light

and

Little Red House
and
her Flickr site

but only go if you are prepared....

Prepared to be hooked,

on the photography,

the words,
few as they are,

and

the soft,
lovely music.
smiles.....