Groundhog? What groundhog?

Hi there. I'm not worried about groundhogs and what they report, although the concerns of those in the Midwest and Northeast are understandable. We're enjoying the lull before the onslaught of summer here in Texas and a bit bemused that it is already the second month of this year. Time speeding up is supposed to be a sign you're getting really O-L-D, right? 

Never mind if it's true. The distraction of Valentine's Day can go a long way to help ignore those thoughts. Here's the start of my decorating for 2015.

The little red cubby from Christmas stayed out to be refilled with tributes to February 14.

A Mary Engelbreit illustration framed in red and a couple of little hearts.

A little bird with a heart and a red plate that says "Cutie Pie". The bird is from Target last year and suffered damage to its tail section from marauding cats, I am sad to report. These are all in the library.

Meanwhile, back in the dining room: a few seasonal additions to the terrarium. The polka-dotted tray was made by middle daughter Mary for me. It has hearts on the inside. A beautiful Godiva box from a thrift shop and a heart pick in a succulent round out the vignette.

A little lovebirds picture hanging from a knob on the hutch. That's all that's been done so far but there is still a bit more to put out, so stay tuned. It's really nice this holiday occurs when it does, don't you think, in the middle of a month that's often dreary and over burdened with bad weather? It's a welcome bright spot, so let's hear it for all things sweet and cheery!

Michele

First Efforts

Hello, peeps,

I hope your week is chugging right along. Yesterday I worked on my first tries for everyone's favorite holiday in February by making valentines. Here is one:

To this cute little felt coin purse was added this sentiment:

Voila!

For my youngest daughter I made this. It began with a clear plastic box that once contained something that was saved after the contents removed. Here it is ready to go:

The tissue paper was from a thrift shop and the xo cut from another package. Inside is one of these:

It's special too because the brand is the same name as the brother closest in age to her, Theo. Okay, that's two done. Stay tuned for more to come. Do you enjoy Valentine's Day? It's always seemed like such a cheery spot in an otherwise dull part of the year, far from Christmas and nowhere near spring and Easter, that life without it would be dreary indeed.

Keep calm and heart on!

Michele

A lot of to do for a redo

Hello, all,

We are having lovely weather here right now. I wish it was possible to ship some of it to Massachusetts and other parts of the northeast and give those poor folks a break. I stayed home all day and besides making a start on valentines, worked on this small project. It began with this:

a little box that has held paperclips for many years.

With the aid of:

and this for lining:

and some supplies already on hand, it turned into:

a miniature suitcase for some lucky doll or mouse to take on a trip. Or perhaps be filled with chocolate to brighten someone's day on February 14. My projects don't often turn out as perfectly gorgeous as those of many other bloggers, but it's still fun to try. Except now, when it's time to clean up.

Gotta go,

Michele

Coming Soon

Hello, friends,

I am thinking about you and sending prayers your direction if you live in the area where the massive snow storm is. Take care and stay warm! Of course, this month is January, so a certain amount of cold weather is to be expected, which is one good  reason for thinking ahead to February. It's short, but does take us a little closer to spring. Soon I will go into heavy Valentine's mode, but today my thoughts turned to another event in that month, Mardi Gras. 

Here are a couple of things to celebrate that:

Last year I made this:

It's a portable Mardi Gras kit made in a mint tin. You have beads, confetti and a crown that can be carried in your pocket. Now I'm wondering how soon is too soon to put the one on the dining room table. Hmmm.

That's all there is to report here. Have a good one!

Michele

A little more door

Hey, how's it going so far? I hope everyone in the northeast is able to get home and stay there during the storm that's coming.

Today I went to Family Thrift and among other things, bought a wicker satchel, shaped much like a brief case. Its new home is by the front door, although the contents haven't been decided upon yet. Here it is:

It was one of their signature prices, $2.92, so not a bad deal. 

You can never have too many baskets, right?

Are you getting impatient to think about Valentine's Day like me? I am ready to *red* up the place, big time but am trying to wait till February gets here. 

Be safe!

Michele

In and out

This is just a quickie to show you where the hankies wound up, in my closet.

I want to make more of these but alas, found neither hoops or hankies at the thrift shops checked out today. Maybe next time.

Have a great weekend!

Michele

Soggy Thursday

Hello, people, from wet and rainy Houston. Nice to get the precipitation, unless you have to be out in it; that's not much fun. I scuttled home as quickly as possible after Bible study was over this morning and was glad to get inside and pt on dry, warmer clothes. Did the shadows in the weather nudge my imagination to make a shadow box from an old drawer? Could be. Here are the elements:

a vintage tin flute with a sprig of green,

a little wooden tree,

a lucky die--for those of us old enough to remember when $64,000 was an unimaginable sum to win on television!

I love this little wooden sofa that was a quarter on my last trip to Manna. It seemed close enough in spirit to fit in with the miniature chairs. 

And there it is together with a little red bird perched on top. Why have dull bookshelves when there's room on them in front of the main contents?

Stay dry!

Michele