The Fireplace -2 Years Later

The fireplace today-




The fireplace about 2 years ago is here.
Slow but Steady Wins the Race!

March ...Irish Mardi Gras...Style

There is no Irish in our family (as far back as I have gone on the genealogy) but my Hubby's side can get Cajun in a couple of generations! I feel sure I will find some Irish if I keep digging!

Since we got this beautiful orchid, I had to pull in some Mardi Gras color to go with it.
Trying hard to get my crafty side back- I made this banner last week with some greens from my scrap pile. I bought some of the ribbon on sale at Hobby Lobby and pulled some green buttons from my vintage button jar.

The little Leprechaun is hiding in the bird's nest....

There he is....

Our Sweet Addison

Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, cards and care. We are moving ahead in tiny steps. Some days it seems very real, other days it seems like it is not at all real. I'm just so sad. When I worked on this dress and hat it was with such love and dreams of the day we would dress her in it to come home from the hospital. The dress was so tiny that I knew she would only wear it once. It was comforting to me for her to wear it even though it was not the happy day in my dreams. There is a wonderful network of volunteer photographers who work with grieving families called "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep." We were blessed to have a wonderful and caring woman come to the hospital to take pictures of our perfect little angel.

We knew the moment she was born that it was simply a cord accident. There was no warning, no sign of any problems, just an accident. We have been surrounded with family and friends. Every need was taken care of before we knew we needed it. We know that our brains will never understand any of this but we do have faith that Addison is safe in God's hands.

We know that joy will come back in our lives....

I've read back over the last year of my blog, trying to remember happy times. I know that I want the "happy" me back- so I may not share too much sadness here. I have a grief journal to keep that part of my life in. I will cry there and laugh here!

Sorrow

It is with great sorrow that I have to tell you that we lost our Princess. My daughter went to her regular appointment and there was no heartbeat. I ask that you pray for her. She is heartbroken and so are we. It will be a while before I return here. I will have to take time to heal. Be assured that God has us firmly in his hands and we are surrounded with love.

Buttons!

I confessed to my cousin recently that I "may" have a slight obsession with buttons. I really love vintage buttons....but...I am also drawn to new buttons. I blame it all on my sewing work, which technically makes them a business expense....right?? It turns out this may be a genetic trait on my Mom's side of the family. We have identified 5 women that are attracted to buttons and there may be more.. Here is some evidence of my issues:

Vintage buttons from estate sales in jars on the mantle...

and in teacups...

Old and new buttons from thrift stores in jars in the sewing room...

Newer buttons from an estate sale in a canning jar lamp in the kitchen...

Tins of buttons in the sewing room...

Buttons in an old salt shaker that I made into a pin cushion...

Vintage buttons from an estate sale framed on the wall of the bedroom... (These buttons belonged to a woman that married a man who grew up in this house!)

More newer buttons around the base of a candle in the parlor....

Do you think I need an intervention?

Goodbye January !

I hardly left the house last week! I just stayed up in the sewing room and worked- really made a dent in the stuff that had built up! This weekend I packed up January and opened the Valentine's boxes. It was nice to see the bright pink and red - fun stuff!

That's my Ginny doll and my Lolly- I think they are wondering why I have them standing next to a bowl of vintage baby shoes!!???!!

I sprinkled some vintage Valentines around the room- Love the sweet little pictures on them!

Meanwhile in the Dining Room....work has resumed at a fast pace.... after a long break!! Once Spring gets here I will lose my worker until next January- so we are determined to get this room done! One of the main problems was the huge old piano that was stuck in the room- Look it is gone!

Monday some wonderful men came from a salvage/rehab store came and took it away. Now there is room to work in the room! Windows and doors are stripped and being painted and stained. I got out the fireplace tiles to play with again because I have totally forgotten what my plan was!! But, the best news is that the corner cabinets are done....and oh, how. I. love. them...!!!!

V

Baby Shower

The first baby shower for The Princess or Lambie (youngest son does not like that nickname) was last week. It was a "Diaper, Onesie and Bib" shower. She got all kinds of cute things but, I forgot to take my camera so the only pictures I have are of the things I made. I kind of had my own interpretation of the theme. Instead of bibs - I made burp cloths out of diapers to match her onesies. And more cloth baby shoes.... This is the Kimono pattern
To match this appliqued onesie, burp cloth, sweat pants and headband.

I love these little headbands- hope she will leave it on! The little flowers are crocheted out of embroidery floss.

Next is a taggie blanket to match her bedding. Her name is monogrammed on the folded corner.

It also matches this onesie outfit. Her name is on also on the onesie. There was an unexpected middle name change after I finished this burp cloth...oh well...she will only spit up on it anyway so I am not going to redo it!