Fabulous Friday! Computers suck.

I have been writing, saving and thinking up new blog entries.

My computer hates me though. 

It's long overdue for a tune - up.

Fingers crossed that my daughter's super smart boyfriend can attend to this on Sunday.

I'm having trouble loading pictures amongst other aggravating factors.

Tomorrow I am headed to Greensboro where I will scoop up my pal, Becky. 

We're headed to the Queen City - Charlotte, NC.

I've dubbed it the "Becky's Take IKEA Trip."

No boys allowed. 

We plan to shop IKEA and hit a few Thrift Shops in the surrounding area.

 Becky and I always find the best stuff. 

I know you are all jealous of our couture style.

We plan to shop and shop and talk and shop and shop. 

Might eat some foods too.     

Have a super weekend folks!

And if you see us headed your way - 

LOOK OUT!

We are women on a mission!

 See our game faces?

It's on!

  

 

Happy Hallowe'en

 Happy Hallowe'en!!!!

Yes, I am back. Still unpacking. 

Found my camera - took pics of my Hallowe'en mantel and fireplace - lost my camera again. 

It's here somewhere. arrgh!

Bill and Kat and I dressed up last Saturday to attend a Young Cardinals/100 Yorktown show at Raleigh's wonderful Berkeley Cafe.

Here we are pre-show.

Kat helped us with our make-up. But she wouldn't let us take a pick of what turned out to be her prize winning Tin-Woman outfit!

Bill found a random mustache at the show and borrowed it, creating giggle fits all night. Wish I'd been faster with the camera phone to catch the ear hair mustache!

100 Yorktown was completely in the Hallowe'en spirit. My son, Jordan, is the monkey lead singer with 3 of his 4 banana band mates.

When Bill gets home we're gonna curl up and watch scary movies on Turner Classic Movies or these classics sent by my Sister from another Mister, Pam!

Thanks sweetie! I loves Hammer films!

Hope everyone has a wonderful, spooky, 

candy filled night. 

All treats and no tricks!

 

Love ya,

Becky

Finished It Friday!

 Happy Friday Folks!!!!

One of my friends (Dru) fussed at me this week to post what I have been working on. 

So here's some Finished It Friday Fun!

 This is now finished

and framed!

How do you like my Faux Bois matt? 

Brown paper bag and magic markers.

Kristy Kizzee Miss Zombie USA

Go see her etsy shop - Bombastitch

This beauty is on BillHubby's new shirt. 

Will get him to model it soon ( I hope)

 Sorry this pic is so dark. 

Finished one of a set of stamped pillowcases.

Kat Daughter wants me to make the other for her in pinks.

 I love, love, love the bee!

 Wedding gift

 is finished.

 TarHeel baby blanket

 His name shall be Henri! 

Pronounced "henree" not "on ree."

 Flannel cowboys on the back

 Happy Mommy to be. 

 

Don't forget

Just in time for Dad's Day, Graduations, Weddings and Summer Cook-out Fun. 

 I am offering free shipping in my etsy shop, 

Sew In Stitches, 

now through next Wednesday, June 15th. 

Just use coupon code SMS2011

or use 10OffSMS 2011 for 10% off your total purchase.

I am happy to discuss custom orders too!

Machine embroidered monograms or 

first names are available.

Just $5! 

That's cheaper than the famous catalogues and most stores!

 

BillHubby and I will be in Durham, NC participating in Duke Homestead's Herb, Garden and Craft Fair tomorrow, Saturday, June 11th, 10am - 4 pm.

Stop by and visit with us.

Super Saturday

As if Thursday and Friday weren't filled with enough excitement!

I was out the door again with my pal Anne to Rising Meadow Farm for 

their annual Shearing Day.

 Rising Meadow is a beautiful sheep farm nestled in the middle of North Carolina.

Some of these sheep have already been sheared. The rest are waiting their turn.

 Not a great pic - sorry.

This guy is a Master at shearing. He uses clippers and his left hand even though he is right handed.

We were amazed at his speed!

 

 This is Emily. She has been hand clipper shearing for 2 years and is as fast as her mentor!

 

This is the fleece once clipped. Natural wool is so very luxurious! The natural lanolins remain and coat one's hands as you card, spin and use the yarn.

 This is a llama 

(or an Alpaca - I can't tell the difference.)

They serve as guards for the sheep. I've been told the coyotes are more scared of them than of the dogs. 

5 years ago when on a Field Trip to this farm we got to meet the animals up close and the llamas were very kissy face with us.

No, they do not spit in your eyes and blind you!

Unless you attack one.

 Anne and I were windblown and a bit chilly so we left the farm and headed for lunch and thrift shopping!

We ventured into Asheboro, NC where there are a couple of amazing antique/junque shops in their Downtown. But we opted for the Salvation Army store, Goodwill and Christians United Outreach Center.

Here are the books I found.

Here are the crafty kits I bought.

And my Fave find of the day -

For those surprises I mentioned yesterday.

Jordan received a turn table for Christmas and has been amassing quite an impressive collection of vinyl. I found this gem in Raleigh and can't wait to see his face when he sees it. He LOVES "Safety Dance."

The Wake Forest mugs are for Kat and me.

And for my sweet BillHubby who loves to photograph interesting buildings and southern history in decay - a bank.  This is from the late 60's and small enough to fit in the palm of one's hand.

Giveaways, Lights and Freedom!

Have you been outside today?

After a month of record high temperatures and me hiding inside with the AC cranking out lovely cool air it was so nice to take Our Petey the Boston Terrier out for his morning meander and enjoy some cool - dare I say crisp? - air.  Birds singing, sun shining, and a wee bit of a breeze. I know it's mere a lull in the heat storm that is Summer in the Mid-South.  But oh so nice to open the windows and let the house breathe the cool free of air conditioned stuffiness!

What have y'all been up to so far this summer?  Nothing seriously exciting nor new around here.  Bill is still on the job hunt. But his temporary unemployment has allowed him a chance to go out and about with his camera. Check out his pics of what we lovingly refer to as "Southern Decay" and the other things that catch his artistic eye.  

Leave him some comment love too. He thinks his pictures are "okay."  

I say they are amazing.

My daughter Katharine and her Beau, Brian, just moved into the cutest little house in a cute little town nearby.  They are now 25 minutes versus 15 minutes away but it's a fun ride through the counties' back roads. They had too much stuff and offered us a floor lamp.  Great timing as one of our lamps had just decided to rebel. Only one minor problem - the gift lamp is a little wobbly.  

No problem. 

Ha!

We put it to work in our workroom. Lovely. I sat down in the chair beside it and Whomp! There it is! On my head. Fighting a tear or two I declared war on said lamp. 

You lamp you!  I'll fix you! Ha!

 Yeppers!  I fixed that lamp!  You are now looking at the new ceiling fixture in our Guest bathroom!

(Oops! Tilt yer head to the left. Sorry.)

I love hanging light fixtures. I love recycling! This application used the base and top of the lamp.

Free is good isn't it?

Come back and visit with me next Tuesday for a review of a product from CSN Stores and a $40 Gift Certificate Giveaway!!! 

I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful weekend celebrating the freedom we have as Americans!

Be safe!

Boston Terrier Love and a Giveaway!!

 

Most of you know, we are owned by Petey the Boston Terrier.

He has owned me for nearly 13 years.  As you can imagine I have collected many a Boston Terrier knick knack valuable junque item.

Recently, CSN Stores contacted me.  This outfit has 200+ stores!!!!  They sell barstools and all sorts of Furniture, Home Decor, Housewares, Outdoor Stuff (grills to games to furniture,) Baby and Kid stuff,  Shoes, Bags and Luggage, Health and Fitness things, Pet supplies and goodies and Office and School supplies!  Seriously, I still haven't looked at every store.  There is soooooo much stuff!

The nice folks at CSN like my blog. They gave me a couple of exciting and fun options. I could have an item to review or I could have a giveaway.  Welllll, I had never shopped with CSN before. I knew little about them.  I proposed a compromise so that I could honestly evaluate their services and give you, my sweet readers, a prize too.  Could I would review a product and have a Give Away? 

Why yes, you may!

Let me tell ya, I spent hours looking at the fabulous products they carry in their stores.  All of it was great looking and reasonably priced too.  I decided to treat myself to this little guy!

He's a Boston Terrier puppy and he's Purple!!  

How could I pass him up?

I placed my order and swift as a European Swallow (or was it an African Swallow? Laden or unladen? But I digress.)  This sweet pillow was delivered fast!  Safely packed and on my doorstep in a matter of days.

I took him around to meet my other precious stuffed animals and dollies.

 

Here he is with Jordan's Bear. Bear was Jordan's constant companion for many a year since 25 years ago.  Bear is hoping to be passed to a Grand son but for now he is chillin with the precious Build-a-Bear that Kat gave me.  They both think this "Petey" pillow is cute and that his color is a perfect blend for the bedroom.

Petey The Pillow (as I have named him) decided that sitting with the ladies is where he wants to be.  There are many more adorable, petite pillows in this collection.  You could create a whole menagerie!

And if all my ramblings aren't enough fun this gets funner!  

(Yeah, I said "funner.")

I have a $40 "Shopping Spree" to award to one of you, my wonderful readers.  You can use it in any of CSN's 200+ stores online.  (They also accept all the major credit cards and PayPal plus a couple of "Bill Me later options" if you want to spend a little more.)

How may you win you ask?

Leave a comment on this blog.

Easy huh?

Extra entries - Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry. Thank you.

• #1 Go to CSN Stores for a look around. 

Come back here and tell me what you would use your $40 to purchase.

• #2 Follow my Blog or remind me that you already follow me.

• #3 Tell a friend about this giveaway.  Ask them to comment that you sent them here.  You'll get an extra entry.  And if they become a follower of my blog - you get another entry.

• #4 Grab my button for your blog.

You have until my Blogiversary, Saturday, March 13th, Midnight Eastern Standard Time to enter.  I will draw a name on Sunday, March 14th and announce the winner!

Stay tuned because I have all kinds of Give Aways planned for my One Year Blogiversay!

Now I think I'll join Petey the Boston Terrier in his favorite activity.