Brown Challenge #1

Things I Love in Brown....

29 years of Commitment

This weekend was our 29th wedding anniversary.
The day hike we took in the mountains

reminded me of our life together...

It has gone over some pretty steep inclines,

dark passages, rocky outcrops and some

beautiful views of forever. When I

was 18 and said "I do!" in a vow

before God the path seemed so easy and sunny,

but I have learned that marriage takes more

commitment to the journey then any other thing in life.I have to honestly recommit each year to "going

the distance" and each step I take has to
be with that purpose in my heart.

Saying "I love you" isn't enough,

it is in the daily living that the loving

is really told.

Gold Challenge #4

My Gold Challenge this week is a recipe I used in a

post about exactly a year ago!

"Peachy Keen Pie"(August 20, 2009)

I make it annually

as it is an all time fave at our house.

Fresh Peach Glace Pie.

I figured it was golden enough to qualify!
Rave reviews all around:)

Revamped Train Case

This is a vintage train case that I thrifted.

( A train case is what was brought with you

for personal items as you traveled by train

back in yesteryear:)

This had a tattered pink lining

that I tore out so I could refinsh

it and use it for my toiletries when I travel.

The scrapbook papers are all from

Graphic 45 domestic goddess line.

I also used some of my vintage pattern

images to finish the look.

I also waterproofed it so it should last a while.

Anthro Inspiration Blouse

I was inspired by a fall blouse in the latest

Anthropologie catalog and so with some

tweaking of pattern McCalls 5522

I came up with this! The part I really liked was how they put the dark

edge on the ruffle and flower and this is the detail on that.
It is a very nice fit and the fabric is from
"See Sissy Sew".

Gold Challenge #3

I had a difficult time coming up with a

challenge that was unusual with gold!

Finally I decided to alter a picture on

Picnik, something I have been wanting to try. This is the original, above, a church window with colored panes.

This is the final result, which I liked
because it looks like the window
panes are made of jewels:)

Very Thrifty Vintage Finds

I had a chance to do some thrift shopping

a few days back and found some GREAT deals!

If you have a Habitat for Humanity store near you

they are definitely worth a visit.

And good old Goodwill usually comes through also! I found these shoes which were marked 1 size too big but luckily I tried them on anyway and
they were perfect. Then the next place I
found the purse and they are a perfect match:)
I also found the clip on earrings that I will
use as shoe decorations or for a collar pin. The two jackets are not vintage exactly but
look like they came from the 4os.
The picnic basket, suitcases and
skates were a real steal.
Now to figure out where to put them!

Give Away Winners!

Congratulations to the winners

of the 1 year birthday giveaway!

#1 Grace Stenersen (via email)

#2 Ramona (Stenersen Life)

#3 Tara (Adventures of the Kulla Klan)

#4 Molly (Whispers of Joy)

Please email me @karenneh8_10 @msn.com

so I can contact you about

getting your item to you!

I hope you all enjoy your wins and

to all the rest who entered,

sorry! Maybe next time!

Pomeroy Farm 100 years of Quilts

I had a chance to go to a special quilt show

at the Pomeroy House (Yacolt WA) last Sat.

The family who owns the living history farm

has preserved quilts from every era of their

heritage and so it adds up to 100 years of quilts!

Many of the quilts have been made by

family members also.

The farm was decked out in quilts on fences,

porches, in the main cabin and barn.

Really amazing and colorful! This picture is of a quilted cover for a VW!

The license plate says "catch the quilting bug"

Absolutely adorable:)

Here are some quilts around the farm...

Civil War era quilts hanging in the garden.
Amazing what history can be found in our own
families if we think to preserve it!

Gold Challenge #2

My gold challenge was a simple one.

I simply purchased a gold beret

and added a flower made from

a piece of gold suede ribbon

from my stash.

I just love that hats are coming back

in style! I plan on wearing many

this fall and winter:)

Birthday Give-Away x 4!

In celebration of my Blogs First Birthday

I am offering 4 items in a give-away.

Entering is easy!

Leave a comment on this blog or email

@karenneh8_10@msn.com

letting me know which items you would

like to win. You can enter once for each item

but can only win one thing, so if you win

your name will be taken out of the other drawings:)

#1 Little girls outfit

size 9/12 months, with sun top, bloomers

and beanie hat with fabric flower. #2 A handmade carry-all shoulder bag

with 2 inner pockets and a card holder on the outside

(I use mine for a library bag) but it could be used for whatever

as it is very large and roomy.

#3 Chipboard flower album

with paper, ribbon, buttons, letters etc. to

complete the look

#4
$25.00 gift certificate to

"See Sissy Sew"

a fabulous fabric, clothing, bag

apron, pattern, etc....store

in Battleground, WA

http://sissyfabric.com/
Even if you don't sew I guarantee you will

find something beautiful to purchase

and the store itself is eye candy!

THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!!

Drawing will take place Friday, August 13th @ 5 pm.

1st Blog Birthday and Giveaways!

This is my 1st blogging Birthday

and I have to say it's been a great year!

I have been more creative, motivated,

happier, busier and blessed

by this simple little thing

called blogging (which until

last year I had never even heard of:)

than I have been in a long time.

I've learned so much from each fellow blogger

and been challenged to try new ideas

and my horizons have been broadened.

So in appreciation...

I have several giveaways coming up.

Check back later:)

Gold Challenge #1

Gold is an interesting color because

it can be a combination
of yellow, brown, etc.
and then the metallic gold we most often
think of.
I don't really like metallic
colors so my projects will be more in the
"golden-rod" hues!
This should be a challenging month:)