Vintage Sheets & An Award

Yesterday I sat down at the computer to write this post and when I clicked on my blog, nothing happened.  Tried again - nothing.  I thought, well maybe blogger is working on the site.  I couldn't get on all day.  So, I wasn't ignoring all of you.  I tried very hard to get to you.  It did make me realize how I am growing dependent on my blogging friends and I'm glad.  You give me a daily dose of inspiration, blessing and laughter.  We also work through some hard things together and that's what gives our lives it's fullness.  For me, it's about relationships, with the Lord and with people.  Thank you for you!

I hesitate to say that I think I may have a new addiction, Vintage Sheets.  It all started when I was blog hopping and landed on All Things Vintage Sheets.  The patterns, the colors, the shabbiness.  I was hooked.  I purchased the sheets, above, at an estate sale last week.  Three full size sheets and four pillowcases for a total of $4.00.  Yes, you read that right.  One of the sets was still in it's original packaging.  Sheets can be found on Etsy, Ebay and at Goodwill or Salvation Army.  I washed mine in hot water with my Meyers Lemon Verbena laundry soap and softener that I save for the "special stuff" and they came out great.  I am participating in the Vintage Sheet Charm Square Swap and look forward to seeing what I'll receive in exchange.

Karen, from Sew Many Ways, has awarded me the Trendy Blog Award.  Karen has a wonderful blog and I encourage you to visit her.  I am to pass this on to 10 blogs.  I know that some of you don't participate in awards, so don't feel like you have to join in.  This is a good way for readers to see some great blogs so I'm passing this on to:

Sherri from A Quilting Life
Simone from Beach Vintage
Natalie from Cinderberry Stitches
Carrie from Cottage Cozy
Cora from Heartfelt and Homemade
Lisa from Hospitable Pursuits
Saskia from Join My Joy
Kathy from Kathy's Cottage
Monique from Monique's Stitches
Jenny from Sew Pretty Dresses

If the winners would like to receive the award the guidelines are:
Share this with 10 other blogs that you think are trendy too.
Post about your award in your blog
List your top 10 Trendy blogs
Copy the Trendy blog button (so they can grab it too)
and pass the guidelines along to them

There are so many blogs I love and have given awards to in the past.  It's really hard to pick just 10.  I list the ones I go back to often on my sidebar.

With joy,

Twice Surprised

I went out to get the mail and was greeted with a fun surprise package.  I wish every outing to the mailbox resulted in beautiful packages like this one.

Inside was the gardening apron that Joyce (Iloveprettylittlethings) made for me as part of her giveaway.  You can read that story here.  I just love it!  It has lots of pockets for my gardening tools and my kleenex (my allergies always kick in when gardening).  Joyce did such a wonderful job sewing and I love the print she chose.  She knows deep down that I want to be a farm girl so the chickens are quite appropriate.

On my way back to the house I glanced over and saw these intruders grinning at me.  Time to tie on that apron and get to work!

My second surprise came in the form of an award from Cynthia at Precious Cupcakes.  Cynthia has a fun blog and etsy shop.  She is also the brains behind "Operation Sweet Dreams" which provides new pajamas to needy children.  Check out her blog for ways to support this cause.

I've been asked as a recipient of the Honest Scrap award to tell you ten things about myself and pass this on.  I've decided that anyone who visits me and wants to participate in the Honest Scrap award is a recipient today.  We'll use this as a fun way to learn more things about each other.  Here goes:

1.  I was born and raised in St. Joseph, Michigan.  My parents still live in the house that they built when I was 6 months old.

2.  Okay, now I have to tell you that I'm 48 years old so you'll know how long my parents have lived in their house.

3.  I met my husband in the 7th grade.  We didn't start dating until after graduation from high school.  He was way too smart for me (or so I thought).

4.  I have always enjoyed creating things.  I spent most of my time drawing until I caught the knitting/quilting/sewing bug when my son was 2.

5.  I have one son who is a freshmen in college and a daughter who is a freshmen in high school.  I'm not quite sure how this happened, I feel like I walked through the front door of the elementary school this morning and exited out the front door of the high school this afternoon.  It has all gone by that quickly.

6.  I became a Christian when I was 30 years old after a traumatic life experience in which I learned that I am not in control of my life, but the one who made me, loves me and saves me, is.

7.  I live in a subdivision but secretly live the life of a farm girl every second I can.

8.  I cannot imagine life without girlfriends, especially the ones who aren't afraid to tell you the truth.

9.  Though I try to fight it, deep down I'm a hopeless romantic.

10.  Everyday I am inspired by all the beauty around me and I have the need to create, everyday.

Let me know if you accept the award so that I can visit your blog and learn more about you.  Be blessed today!

Joyfully,

Sharing the Sunshine

I was just tickled to receive the sunshine award from Renee at Renew...Balance...Organization.  Check out her blog for some great tips on getting organized.  Her blog is so colorful, just like a bit of sunshine itself.  I now get to pass the award on to 12 bloggers that bring some sunshine into my day and that you might like to get to know (these are in no particular order):

1. Joyce - I love pretty little things
2. Tori - I'm not in Kalamazoo anymore
3. Tricia - Notes of Sincerity
4. Lea - Farmhouse Blessings
5. Judy - Daily Yarns 'N More
6. Jody - Gumbo Lily
7. Lallee - Lallee's Cottage
8.  Kelly - Ministry Wife & Family Life
9.  Beverly - My Sew Sweet Studio
10.  Emily Rose - Simply Vintage Girl
11.  Jen - The Cottage Nest
12.  Keren - Free Pretty Things For You

To accept this little slice of sunshine, here are the rules for accepting:

• Put the Logo on your sidebar, or within a post.

•Pass the award onto 12 Bloggers

•Link the nominees within your post.

•Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

•Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award

Be joyfilled today!