Basket Swap

I was a player in the Fall Intrigues Basket Swap over at the Something Special site. http://askmichelesomethingspecial.blogspot.com

This was such a pleasure! I was paired up with someone who, like me, also lives in the valley of the sun. She is Fabric Artist and sent some beautiful things! Here is what I received:
















...adorable towels and a pumpkin body sponge!















I have a passion for candles...and look at this cute oil and vinegar container!

I am totally into stamping and have a fondness for all kinds of tags, it's like she read my mind!















Some dark brown Aida cloth...I do enjoy cross-stitching and did a lot more of it back in the day when I had better eyesight! I just might have to get one of those magnifying glass thingeys that you wear on your chest, and do a project, once again! The small vintage looking napkins (serviettes as they call them in Canada) are also so very charming.

I absolutely love the apron, and it will be so fun now, and in the future, when I become a grandmother--which may now come my way sooner that I would have thought (I totally can't wait for that!).














I have had such a hectic last few weeks because of travel and my son's wedding, (I'm a brand new mother-in-law!) so I'm a little behind on all my projects. My basket to give is in the works and almost done, I just have to finish up a couple of things. My partner is out of town for a few weeks, however, so I really don't have to rush it, but do want to get it done ASAP. Here is a preview of what I am giving:














Hand-stamped cards, candle and container, hot pad, scarecrow decorations, off-white, floral pillow, small rusty watercan, and candy corn, etc., cause I've got some other goodies to add to this!

















Oh and by the way, just couldn't resist posting a picture of my son and his new bride! Aren't they a lovely couple?







Cheers!

I Just Linked To The DIY Show Off Project Parade!

I added my Coffee Table post from June, check it out...and if you'd like to link YOUR DIY project post to The DIY Show Off Project Parade go here:

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/09/diy-spice-loft-diy-project-parade.html

Have a great day!

Something's Come Up!

At the time I posted my last post I didn't know that I would be getting the opportunity to take a little excursion! (That, and I have the momentous and noteworthy occasion of my firstborn child's wedding in Texas, coming up on the 2nd of October!) Soooo, my most recent party plans for this blog will have to be postponed until around the second week of October.


My husband and I met 5 years ago this month. After we had known each other for an extensive period of time (1 month) he invited me to visit him in the lovely Province of Alberta, Canada for my birthday. During my visit we took a trip to Banff, a beautiful and stunning mountain community located in Canada's first National Park. We had such an enjoyable day in that setting, and needless to say, that was the day "we both just knew"...So aside from it's great beauty and charm, Banff holds a very significant place in my heart, for that very reason, AND it is also where I am headed, almost exactly five years later for a grand getaway with my husband!

P.S. I do have BlogPress on my iPhone so I can chronicle some cool stuff from there that I most likely will come across, so I'll catch up with you soon! Hope the remainder of your month is fabulous, and as they say in Canada...

Cheers!

Rusty Rave Monday and Plum Perfect Friday

I have decided to try something new here at The Rusty Plum...I plan to join in the blogging world festivities and host a couple of my own weekly linky party social gatherings and call them the "Rusty Rave Monday", and the "Plum Perfect Friday"!

Mondays will feature fabulous finds unearthed, and Fridays will reveal the unique re-do's or re-purposed articles that have been retrieved and reclaimed.

Following are some of my latest "Rusty Rave Monday" discoveries to get you into the spirit and start you thinking about contributions you can make that will add to the merriment! So join in the fun...we'll just give it a whirl and see how it goes!


I purchased these old books at an antique store in the White Mountains of Arizona. They are the coolest--The Home Workshop Manual is, well, just right up my alley! It is from the 1930's and is in amazing condition. It has 735 working drawings, plus great illustrations in that tremendous old style. The little red book is Vol. 1 of Les Miserables, now how cool is that...I sure would have liked to have been able to get my hands on the second volume, but I am extremely happy with this one, I absolutely love vintage books!


I love vintage suitcase stacks too! The two bottom ones are family heirlooms that I grew up using. When my father died five years ago, they were found among his belongings, so I definitely snatched those up. I have been looking for a smaller vintage suitcase ever since, to add to the stack, and finally found the top one last week at a shabby boutique in Phoenix. Sometimes it takes awhile to complete a collection or a "look", but as always, it's all about the thrill of the hunt! So happy hunting...I'll see you back here at the end of the week. I am so excited about, and looking forward to, your creative submissions!

Clean Up That Copper...

with dreamy whites!


Remember this great full-length mirror that I scored at a garage sale?


I pictured it with a fresh, white-washed coat of paint...


and it turned out just like I had envisioned...stunning!


And, an inexpensive Goodwill find shapes up nicely,



and becomes a versatile little architectural element, revived.


I love white because it's so flexible--I can move accessories from room to room when I get "that urge" to make another change. Here's to economical re-decorating!

I Want To "Bee" In The Blog Guidebook!!

As much as I adore gathering treasures to remake, I like to network with other bloggers who have similar interests. This is a nifty little site that I found a while ago...and it's such a great networking tool!




As fellow women in this big blogging world we all need an outlet to share and exchange our talents and passion for all things girly! Check it out!

My 1st Giveaway Winner!

AND THE WINNER IS...




RAYLA C.! She has won a one-of-a-kind, personalized collage to match her decor!


Hey, this fun! Thanks to all who entered and please check back often to get yourself entered for my next giveaway, coming soon!