Let the door bell ring...

I have been receiving lots of goodies in the mail

and wanted to share them with you... my friends!
Looky... Look.....

Tammie at MY ART SOUL WINGS
hosted a Birdie Fever swap....
sounds like fun huh!
Today I received a box full of goodies from my partner Monica Andrade

Feast your eyes upon this sweet, wonderful hummingbird collage!

This is sooo cool.... Don't you love it?

I am lovin it!!!!

I screamed with delight when I opened this sweet wonderful CHERRY tea towel...

Monica how did you know I LOVE CHERRIES!!!!!

I bet a lil birdie told you! Yep this lil guy was handmade by Monica too...

I envy all this talent!

He loves his new home.... in my cherry kitchen!
~~Tweet Tweet~~

This picture does this piece no justice...{sorry Monica}

It is a lavender sachet {it smells wonderful}

See the precious birdie in the center...

The beads hanging from the bottom spell out DREAM!

This is sooooo cool!!!!

I am going to hang it on my desk......
Oh and there is mooooore.....

WOW Monica you spoiled me girl......

Take a look at this cute birdie notebook.... I am always writing notes!

Vintage post cards... sweet birdie note cards...and an embroidered birdie tag!!!!

Too fun!

Oh and she also included a cherry air freshner for my truck...can you believe it!
I LOVE IT!
Thank you with all my heart Monica!

I do hope you enjoy the birdie fever goodies I sent you!

These pretty papers came all the way from Australia!

From my sweet friend Natasha Burns!

They were made from her pretty paintings!

There are birdies, and roses, and gowns,

and cuppy cakes, and cherries,

and birthday cakes, and cherries and cherries!!!!

~giggle~

You must visit her website... NATASHA BURNS.com

honestly these pictures do her papers no justice!

they are so soooooo pretty!

I am haveing a hard time cutting them!

Think I will save them for something extra extra special!!!!

Thank you Natasha... I love them ALL!!!

Dear sweet Ele sent me A BIT OF PINK HEAVEN...

take a look at these pretty pretty handmade cards!

She calls them pocket cards ..... How unique!

Embellished with ric rac.... flowers...ribbons... tacks....
vintage inspired papers....

gosh Ele you are so talented!
I really really love these cards!
Visit Eles' shop and get some for yourself!

Thank you Ele... you are the BEST!!!!

I hope you find sweet suprises at your door!

Until next time...
wishing you many blessings, Dolly

My Sis

A crazy patchwork pillow.... ohh la la
Pink roses, green polka dots, lace and ruffles
ohh la la

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want to introduce all my blogger friends to my sweet wonderful sis!
She is the best
and I am very proud of her!

Suzy and I are not biological siblings..
we are sisters in heart
and sisters in christ!

Suzy and I met about 3 years ago... on ebay of course!
She emailed me and asked if she could talk about

my handpainted cherry goodies on her auctions!
We have shared emails everyday since...
We know each other inside and out!
We have watched each others families grow
and have shared each other grandbabies too!
Suzy and I have been thru alot together
and I would'nt trade a second of it for anything in the world!

Take a look at Suzys' auctions.....
Sis creates pillows and sells them on ebay under the name Suedels....
these are not just any pillows....
they are the prettiest pillows one can imagine!

She searches yard sales, antique shops,
ebay and tag sales for vintage laces, and trims, vintage buttons,
tablecloths and such to use in creating one of a kind beautiful treasures!

I am the proud owner of several of her creations!
I treasure each and everyone of them...
she puts lots of love into each piece she creates!
Trust me she does quality work!

Here a few examples of her beautiful handiwork!

Not all of Suzys pillows are done in bright colors...

she also does the prettiest pastel,

shabby chic, romantic victorian ones!

If you have a color scheme or an idea for the perfect pillow

just email her thru her auctions and she will create it for you!

:-) Tell her Dolly sent you :-)

It's raining, It's pouring.....

It's been raining for two days now....

{Shall we build an ark????}

Oh but no I am not complaining!
We need the rain...
the strawberries are forming their fruits...

rain means plump juicy berries!
The corn is planted and growing...
the trees, flowers, grass,

and wildlife all need the rain!

In our little town

down by the river

they have a walking path

that runs along the rivers edge!

Hubby and I went for a spontaneous

walk in the rain!
{no umbrella included}

Singing "rain drops keep falling on my head"...

It was fun!

The rain was gently falling,

we had the path to ourselves,

No one in sight,

not a care in the world!

We felt like kids again!
Splashing in the puddles

and putting our feet in the water!

Holding hands and walking in the rain......

I even got to search thru a patch of rocks

for a few heart shaped rocks!
~~That makes my heart sing~~

{I collect heart shaped rocks}

What a way to spend a rainy dreary afternoon!

Note>You don't have to be a duck to enjoy the rain!{Giggle}

Hugz, Dolly

Take a walk with me....

~~My flowers and me
welcome thee~~

Here is a peek at my shade bed....
This big boy is my favorite hosta!
He is a real show stopper!
I got a small division from my friend Barb when I lived downstate....
he grew and grew so I divided it a few times, and now look at him.
He can be divided again!

This is a frances williams hosta!

This little painted lady fern I have to protect ....

last year my chicken girls almost killed her!

They like to scratch in the flower beds for bugs and worms...

well they dug around her roots and she was not happy!

She wilted and stopped growing early in the summer!

I babied her, gave her lots of TLC and talked nice to her

{ begged her not to die}

and now she looks great!

Don't you love columbine?
Their pretty flowers dance above the foliage!
I have them everywhere!
In shades of pinks and purples and creamy white!
I think they like it here....
they reseed every year and pop up here and there!

Last summer my friend was digging out her irsis
and throwing them out because they stopped flowering!
I am glad I came along when I did!
I suggested she divide them and give them room to grow
and they will reward her with new blooms!
She saved a few and gave me the rest !
Look what happens when you give them some room and TLC.

This soft sunshiney lemony yellow irsis makes me smile!
I found a bunch growing wild in the woods
so I transplanted some in my flower bed....
she needed a place of honor!
Is'nt she awesome!

This is my first poppy to open so far...

I planted her last year but did'nt get any blooms....
the bush is filled with buds so there will be more opening soon!
I love their gentleness and vibrant color....
it reminds me of crepe paper... yet soft to the touch!

The first clematis blossom opened...

Look at the vibrant colors... hot pink trimmed in lavender!

I am so excited!

I sure hope it covered the arbor by summers end!

Mmmm can you smell the peonies?

Their fragrance fills the air!

Such sweet sweet splender!

These girls have been with me for many years!

Each time we move I dig them up and bring them with me!

I remember my mums garden...

she had red climbing roses that completely covered the fences

and white peonies that came from her mommas garden!!

I hope you enjoyed visiting my garden!

You are invited to wander thru anytime!

If friends were flowers... I'd pick you!

~~Enjoy your weekend~~

Looky LOOK.....A NEW CHERRY Heart Banner

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new banner!

The talented and beautiful Miss Heather created it for me!

Like many of yous,

Heather and I have never met in person but we have a friendship that I would never trade for anything in the world!

Thank you with all my heart sweetpea!

Being computer illiterate as I am..... {thats no secret}

I had to send a plead to Miss Natasha to insert my pretty new banner for me!

I think she has ESP....

she woke up at 4am and did it for me.....

what an angel she is!

Thank you Natasha.... sweet dreams!

As my 3 year old granddaughter would say

"you aw my bestest fwends"

Ya gotta love the internet.....

How else would we have all met such wonderful people all over the world!

How else would we be able to connect to so many people who share the same intersts and hobbys?

How else would we know so many things exisit?

Where else can you find so much inspiration in one place?

How else would we find the answers to so many questions at the click of a button?

How else would we be exposeing ourselves and homes to so many strangers? :-)

I could go on and on but you get the idea........

I treasure the many friends I have and the many people I meet everyday here on the internet!

Thanks again to Heather and Natasha...

where would I be without you girls!!!

Enjoy your day,

Hugz, Dolly

Ouuuuu....Weeeeee.....

I am so excited....
And I just can't hide...
I'm about to lose my mind and I think I like it....
ouuuuu... weeeee

What's all the excitement about.... you ask????
I just subscribed to the reborn and exciteing VICTORIA magazine...



hitting the newstands in november!

My all time favorite of favorites...
{and I have lots of favorites}

It's coming back......

~~ Yaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy ~~

run on over and reserve your issue

Come november we will all be singing....

I am so excited and I just can't hide it.......

Enjoy your day!

Dolly

It's ParTea Time

I am so excited......Risas' partea swap starts today!My partner is Amy @ lifebycandlelight and her other blog is craftsbycandlelight.I can't wait to get to know Amy and create some goodies for her!I love tea parties and everything about tea! Yes I am an advide tea drinker....I drink 6-9 cups a day!I collect tea cups and tea pots, tea cozys, vintage tea towels, silver tea spoons...yes just about anything that relates to serving and enjoying tea! That is my comfort... my hands wrapped around a cup of hot tea!With a dash of french vanilla cream!Ohhh la la!!!!! ~Won't you come have a spot of tea with me~

Fleas

Twice a year they have a flea market/quilt auction in Claire that is hosted by the amish!

It takes place in the middle of a field ... probably a cow or horse pasture!!!!
Early friday morning hubby and I
along with our 2 amish neighbor girls Sovilla and Edna...
went to see what goodies we could find!

Ahhhh.... the day was perfect,
the sky was blue... the sun was shinning bright....
a great day to S*H*O*P

In my pocket I had my list of wants and needs!!!!!
Oh yes when it comes to searching thru markets like these we ALL have our needs...
needs to rescue things that make our heart skip a beat!
My list consists of vintage sewing supplies, vintage laces, goodies for my spots and dots swap partner
STAR STAR ** be on the look out for anything with CHERRIES that is unique...
and some pretty vintage tea cups and tea stuff for the tea swap coming soon!
Also the usual.... I collect and never have enough of ... thingys!

Hmmm let me think... what was my first purchase????

Oh OH Oh down the very first isle....

I found 2 boxs of chipped and odd dishes.....
2$ a box...
the top few pieces were plates with roses and a few tea cups....
heart skips a beat!

These are MINE....
I paid for them and asked her to hold them for me!
I am thinking anything that was too damaged goes into the mosaic box...
no waste here on these goodies!
I am feeling this is going to be a GOOOOOD Day!!!!!
I will show you my goodies in future posts.
Today I wanted to show you some of the sights.... A rainbow of Fiesta ware..... lined up waiting to make someone happy!
The crowds ...the food, fresh baked bread and pies,

The sounds...

The horses naying and clip clopping down the road,

Popcorn popping in the big copper kettles,

the chug of the engine running the amish ice cream maker.

The auctioneer off in the distance!

Ahhhhhh.... what a way to spend a day!
Wish you were here!!!!!
XO, Dolly

P.S. yes that is my flea market cart.... {my kids call it my granny cart}

I painted it and made the pretty liner for it!!

It holds lots of treasures!

*INK*

Our college daughter moved back home with pregnant cat in tow!

Miss Marz was'nt very big so we did'nt really expect her to have her babies any time soon!

She kept the whole house awake on monday night......

making weird short meow noises!

It was cute....

she was biteing hubbys' mustache and

sticking her nose on his nose,

all the time he is telling her to shush and go to sleep as he is petting her!!

I told hubby she is trying to tell us something.....

I said "whats wrong Lassie"?? {giggle}

Hubby did'nt think that was too funny at 5am.

Being the good man that he is

he got up and checked on everyone in the house,

all was well,

not a creature was stirring,

not even a mouse!!

The next day Miss Marz was being very lovely dovely all day...

and did'nt want to be alone....

The maternal instinct kicked in and our daughter made her a bed

to have her babies in.....

the bed consists of her favorite blanket,

my cushion from my favorite chair
which Marz {the princess} thinks is her chair,
and stuffed it all nice and fluffy into a box!

Marz went into labor around 7:30ish on wednesday evening!
We sat patiently waiting with cameras in hand... paceing the floor
I don't know who had the most pain the momma cat or the momma of the cat!
Our daughter had tears in her eyes while coaching Miss Marz!
One kitty came out and Momma was amazing...

she knew exactly what to do!!

How exciting it was for us to witness such a wonderful miracle!!
Marz only had one kitty poo......

it is all black just like the daddy!
Precious as can be with its lil meuuuuuzzzzz!

Momma and baby are doing great!!!!

Yes our new fur grand baby has a name....
its name is INK....
Hmmm.... Where did that come from????
It's daddys' name is Pinkerton,
not knowing if it's a boy or girl this name fits!

{As you can tell, daughter does not do traditional...
she is as unique as her momma is!} Te-hee

Have you hugged your fur baby today????

Smiles,
Dolly

P.S. You can bet I will post pictures periodically!

More meeeuuuuz

The babies are coming ~~ the babies are coming!

Our daughters' baby girl is haveing her babies tonight sometime!
Her water broke and she is in labor!

WHOOOOHOOOOOO......

I will keep you informed!

I am so excited.... I am gonna be a grand mama again!!!!!!!!

Hugz,

Dolly

I Love Presents

I do hope you all had a wonderful mothers day!
Mine was awesome!

I spent the day with all of our children and grandbabies at my mums' home!

We had a beautiful sun shiney day...

Filled with family, love, lots of foooooood and presents!

I love presents!!!!!

Who does'nt love presents right????

My daughter gave me a this pretty hat box covered with old fashion lilies!

Sooooo vintage garden chic....

inside was 3 matching candles!

Romantic rose, vanilla musk and garden lily... mmmm they smell awesome!

{sorry... I should have taken the glass out of the frame to prevent the reflection}

My son gave me a picture of him with his 2 precious lil angels!

Is this sweet or what!!!!!

They are all 3 dressed in white shirts with blue jeans!

Very casual chic!

I am into black n white pictures lately....so this is perfect for my picture wall!

And the frame is so me... shabby victorian looking... I love it!

Then when we returned home there waiting on the porch was another present..

This one was from my secret pal

Take a look at this cherry sweet set of vinegar and oil cruets

WITH CHERRIES..... YAAAAYYYY!

Along with a great smellin lavender sachet....

That's not all....

she also sent me two very very pretty rose covered quilted placemats, trimmed in the prettiest deliacte lace!

{great for sloppin up messes} LOL.... {sorry.... private joke}

Also a sweet lil PINK rose scented candle.... love the graphics on the tin!

plus she created a personal mothers day card just for lil ole me!

~~~~ I LOVE PRESENTS ~~~~
XO, Dolly