Pink Saturday!

Happy PINK Saturday Dear Bloggy Friends!

Please stop by How Sweet The Sound and say HI to our host Beverly!

Last week, as part of Pink Saturday I stopped by the Vintage Nest for the first time.  Lynn shared one of her  amazing creations, an Altered party hat. I will definitely be visiting Lynn again to see more of her artwork!

For my PINK post today, I want to share something very special. My love affair with Bessie Pease Gutmann (or should I say her artwork) started some thirty years ago. I was at an auction when this beautiful antique print came up for bid and my heart skipped a beat. I wanted that print so bad but being a poor college student, I set my limit at $20.00. The bidding started and with every bid I made, there came a counter bid. When the bidding reached $15.00 I thought surely my treasure was going to slip through my fingers. I remember bidding $18.00 and waiting but there was silence. Then I heard the auctioneer say "going once, going twice ........SOLD to the young lady in the back"! I WON!!!! I was so excited and could not believe the bidding ended at $18.00! And THIS is my treasure:

I don't know how old it is or it's true value but I feel certain it is worth more than $18.00. It could possibly be a first edition print and it is in the original frame with the original glass. and measures about 18"x24". Here's a shot of the back.

The original paper backing has long since crumbled and fallen away but I have never removed the original cardboard to see what is underneath.

Several years later, a dear friend gave Hubby and me this print for a Wedding Gift. Today, it hangs in my dds' bedroom.

This print was almost prophetic, because even though we could not imagine what our future children would look like at the time of our wedding, our oldest dd looked so much like this little girl as a toddler, she could have been the model!

I have since collected calenders and cards with Bessie Pease Gutmann's wonderful images and I think she truly is an American treasure. If you would like to read more about her, here is a link to the Wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_Pease_Gutmann

And of course you can find scads of places online to buy her prints. Have a great weekend everyone! Hugs and Blessings, Nan

Friday Freebies!

 TGIF!!

Check out all these wonderful FREEBIES and while you are there, leave a little note of thanks for these very creative folks!

This softie Rabbit from the Crazy Gecko is so sweet and she has the pattern for you!

Check out these Elephant Angel ornaments from 

Mariska's Blog! She has the free PDF file and tut to make this cutie.

Next we have a free printable vintage look library card from Torta Gialla!

And look at this amazing paper shoe that Artful Affirmations  made AND she has the template and a tut too!

Next Sew 4 Home has the pattern and tut for this adorable felt travel sewing kitty!

And finally, Stampington has the template and tut for this cute gift card sleeve.

Have a great weekend everyone! xxoo Nan

Scripture in Pictures Sunday

As always, you can click on the picture 

to make it larger 

and feel free to "right click" 

and save, if you like! 

 

Pink Saturday and Saturday in the Garden

Happy PINK Saturday!

Today I wanted to share some of my fav simple pleasures, perfectly PINK of course!

Do you know what this is?

How about now?

Does this help?

Can you tell now?

This, my Bloggy friends is heaven on a PINK stick! IT is a scalp massager! You hold it over your head, as seen above, then gently and slowly push down. The metal fingers separate and spread over your scalp while the little tips send tingles up and down your spine! Of course it's always better if someone else does it to you, there's something about the element of surprise! You can buy one for yourself at Bed, Bath and Beyond for only $3.99!

Next this candle is made by my most favorite candle company, 

The Warm Glow Candle Company. You can't order online but if you go to their website, they have a map so you can find a retailer near you. This PINK one is Italian Wedding Cake and smells heavenly! 

Oh and a side note, it is sitting on a PINK doily made by my Great Grandmother!

Next, my PINK Crop-a-dile. This thing will punch holes in anything short of a 2x4! It also sets rivets!

I have never worn glasses but as I get a little older :) I find if I am reading small print or doing detail work, I need a little help so of course I had to get a PINK pair! 

After I've spent a long day out in the field on job sites, I love to come home and heat up my PINK wrap. The scent of Lavender and Chamomile is so soothing and the heat is great for relieving sore muscles and stress!

And last, a simple PINK pleasure from the garden! The name of this Hibiscus is 

Tequila Sunrise, after the drink and if you have ever had one, you can see why!  I love the bright, vibrant color variations in the flowers.

That's it for PINK Saturday this week. Please stop by How Sweet the Sound and say HI to Beverly our host! Hugs and Blessing, Nan

Friday Freebies!

TGIF!!! I have some Fabulous Friday Freebies for you today and while you are snagging these wonderful gifts, make sure and leave a little LOVE!

I really like the Journaling "To Do" pages that Grace is Overrated has developed!

These bookmarks from we wilson are FUN and FUNctional!

Talk about cute! Warehouse Fabrics has the pattern for the cutest reversible scalloped apron!

I don't have kiddos going back to school this year (well...college doesn't count) but this Back to School Bucket List from My Computer is My Canvas is adorable!

These little dolls and their clothes from Nuno Life are just precious!

And speaking of dolls, this Molly the Monkey pattern from mmmcrafts is just  the cutest!

And last but not least,

 Yellow Mums is gifting us with these great labels perfect for color coding all kinds of things!

 

An Apology and TWO Thank Yous!

     I owe a HUGE apology to one of our bloggy sisters! I would like to blame my temporary lapse in courtesy on being new to the blog world but that is no excuse for forgetting etiquette! You see, a few weeks ago Nan of Retired in Alaska wrote to tell me that I was her One Hundredth Follower and she wanted to send me a little giftie. About a week later a package arrived in the mail containing the most wonderful book. Yes, I sent her an email and thanked her but it never occurred to me to post on my own blog until I noticed other bloggers doing so when they received a similar reward. So Nan, I hope you will accept my apology and my sincerest thanks! So without further ado....

Thank You Nan of Retired in Alaska for sending me this wonderful book for being your One Hundredth Follower! The book is about a wonderful lady who devoted her life to taking care of the Bald Eagles in Alaska. She did so faithfully until she passed on to her greater reward!

     The second Thank You goes out to Elizabeth of  

Creative Breathing! I mentioned in a comment on Elizabeth's blog that I had a hard time finding felt where I live. So what did E do? Why of course she sent me a piece of felt in the most beautiful shade of Blue! If you have never been to Elizabeth's blog, drop what you are doing and get over there but be prepared for inspiration overload!

     I've only been blogging for two months and already I am amazed at the generosity and kindness and inspiration shown by so many bloggers. I am so happy I began this journey and now scratch my head wondering what took me so long to get started!

WOWSER House Wednesday!

I haven't posted a WOWSER House Wednesday in awhile so I took some new pictures last week to share. The houses are all in a neighborhood that is known as a "Neo-traditional" neighborhood, meaning the neighborhood, houses and all the common areas were designed to resemble a very old neighborhood from the past. The houses must be built to strict guidelines in respect to the Architecture, placement on the lot, paint colors and even door, window and trim selections must replicate houses of long ago. The end result is that you literally feel as if you are in a very old neighborhood. I'll be quiet now and let you oogle over these houses!

I actually designed the landscape at this house! :)

Do you notice the Sky Blue Porch Ceiling? It is a very, very old practice in the Charleston area to paint the porch ceilings this color. I've heard two explanations, one is that it is to remind all who enter of  Heaven. The other is that the blue was thought to scare away evil spirits!

I really like this house but I HATE the placement of the Garage! I guess they had no choice but I think I would have put the garage doors on one of the sides!

I really like this next house, it just oozes charm!

Another view of the same house!

So what do you think? Do you think they accomplished the goal of  having the "feel" of an old neighborhood? There is actually another neighborhood close to this one that "I" think actually does a better job, I'll share some pictures of it soon!

Thanks for stopping by today! Nan