Happy Wednesday everyone. Well I have been pretty busy again this week getting things made for the summer markets here. I embroider denim shirts with Alaska themed designs and they do really, really well so I always like to have a good supply of them ready to go for the season, so that is what I have been working on this week. This summer I am doing 2 markets a week so I am anxious to see how well my stuff sells and how hard it will be to keep up with it all. :) There is also a store in town that wants me to consign my items, but I still have to think about that.

So, I was telling you before that I would be posting interesting articles from the Country Registers. Well here is my first one. This article is really good about using antiques for decorating and finding new uses for old things. I do love antiques so I can relate to this article.

DECORATING WITH ANTIQUES

            Repurpose antiques to create a unique, one-of-a-kind display. Think outside of the box. Can it be used for storage? What can you put in it?

A vintage toolbox holds mason jars filled with dried goods such as flour, sugar, coffee, oats and rice.

           Crocks come in many sizes. Once used for storing food, crocks nowadays can be used to hold towels, magazines or even shoes! A child’s chair with a not-so-perfect seat is repurposed as a plant stand.

Wooden boxes or crates are ideal for both display and storage. They come in many sizes and shapes, and can be used to store DVD’s, books, or video games.

            Use a small antique bowl or dish to hold bars of soap, Q-tips or cotton balls in your bathroom. Smaller dishes can also be used to hold paperclips, binder clips or rubber bands on your desk.

An old ladder makes a perfect plant stand or quilt rack. Try using one on the bathroom for hanging towels.

            Be creative! But most of all have fun using old items in new, unexpected ways.

                                                  Reprinted by permission from Country Register of Minnesota.

I like all the different ideas you can use antiques for now don't you? Don't forget to check out the new recipe for this week! Everyone have a great week! :)

Well it is Wednesday again. I think I am going to try and write my blogs on Wednesday's. Breaks up the week a little bit. Sound ok?

Been a busy week as usual. Had a few sales so that is always nice. I have been working getting ready for our local summer markets by making new stock. I told myself after the holiday rush that I had 4 months to get my stock up and did I do anything the first 2 months?? NO!! At least I am getting moving on it. Potholders have been one of my biggest sellers so I am working on some of them. This is one of the sets I made and I hand embroidered Alaska on it. The tourist always want something with Alaska on it.

I have added a couple of new items to my blog page for you. On the right handside I am now featuring FOOD FOR THOUGHT. I often come across great sayings and words that I would like to share with you. Some of these come from a sign outside of our local hardware store. Most of them are so true and inspiring.

Also, on the left handside I have added The Country Register. This is a publication of a guide to specialty shopping and events in most every state and Canada. Click on the link and it will take you to the home website and you can see all the state publications. So if you are looking at making a road trip in your area you can see what wonderful shops and stores are in your state.

My daughter is the owner/publisher of The Country Register of Minnesota and I will be periodically bringing articles from this paper. They are really great to read and are very informative. So stay tuned for these articles.

Also, we have a new recipe under the RECIPE EXCHANGE so check this out.

Well that is it for today. I need to get into that sewing room and get busy.

Welcome to my first "official" blog posting. I am very new to blogging so I hope all of you bear with me.  Thank you for visiting. My plans for this blog are to bring all of you great articles, information, how to's, what I have been doing, what is going on in the world, etc. I also have a section on the left hand side of the blog where I will be featuring recipes from all over. I am calling it the "Recipe Exchange" so if you have a recipe you want to contribute please email me with it and I will be glad to post it.

A little about myself.....I live in Alaska with my husband and two dogs. I have 2 wonderful children and 4 fantastic grandchildren(yes I am prejudice towards them). I retired about 1 1/2 years ago from 40+ years of working in finance (my brain hurt!) and decided after so many years of working I was having a hard time "shutting down".  I have been an avid sewer and quilter for many years and for several years had my creations in craft malls and also did craft shows. I decided to "occupy" my idle time with starting my own website and open an Etsy shop. This has been an incredible experience I must say. I have had to learn so much "techy" stuff that I go cross-eyed at times. The "social media" was so far over my head I couldn't even think anymore, but somehow with the grace of God, I managed to get through it. I have met many very nice "cyberfriends" in the journey.

I wanted to start this blog as I feel the Facebook, Twitter, etc realm is so busy and crowded that many postings get lost and I felt I couldn't get everything I wanted to share with all of my followers in that little 140 characters of Twitter and massiveness of Facebook. Starting a blog gives me the opportunity to share much more with my followers and hopefully exchange many ideas with all of you. I hope to have fun on this site and I hope all of you do follow me and enjoy what I share with you.

If you follow me by email you will get all the latest and greatest updates as they come along so please sign up at the left of the page. You also can join by Google Friend Connect down below. I know all of our time is so used up with so much of the hustle and bustle of life that I hope you have time to join me on this blogging journey.

This is my sewing room. Actually it is cleaned up for this picture. This is the picture I used for my new Facebook timeline. This is the little machine I use for some of my sewing. I do have a Husqvarna Viking for my embroidery and quilting.