Old Tire Water Garden...

Found this on facebook by Creative Design & Azerbaijan 

and wanted to 'pin' it - so am doing a quick post of it...

 The 'how to' is in pictures only.  Neat huh?

I'm thinking we can all do a water garden in our backyard now!

I think this is one of those DIY's that is trying to look like the main picture - but is not 
actually how the main picture was done.  There are some differences between
 picture #6 and the 'main' picture - but it gives a good idea of how to get there.
  I'm thinking a child's swimming pool could be used too.
 

Random Decor & Project ideas....

I'm sharing random ideas with you today that are not from 

Pinterest or (gasp) - another blog.  These were all spotted 

in the antique mall where I sell.

This unfinished piece of old needlepoint was hand stitched 

and finished with a watch chain for a handle.  

An old necklace would work too.  Cute huh?

 Don't have a photo for that cute photo frame you found?  

Scrapbook papers make neat 'pictures'.  These are 

all sporting a handwritten or script paper.

 Fill anything w/ natural or primitive potpourri for instant charm.

 You can fill anything with greens too - Sweet Annie

 in the case of this clothespin bag.

 And I'm loving the applied cheesecloth 'ribbon' and

 paper bag label to this jar candle.  Tie it up with

 string and it's the perfect 'for anything' gift.

 Thanks for stopping by!!

Do Good...

A bit of inspiration for you today...

...comment about what you did in the next 24 hours in response.  

Let's put love in action by doing good to all men! 

Joy for 2013...

As we embark on a new year - I have not made a list of goals, 

resolutions, joined the local gym, purged my closets

 or started an organizing frenzy.  But I have been inspired 

to find a 'word' for the year and make it a daily part

 of my  life.... a spiritual growth goal so to speak.

This year - I pick 'Joy'.  Joy used to come quite naturally for me 

- in fact my name spells it and imparts its meaning (Joyce!)  

But life has brought changes and disappointments that have been 

extremely difficult for me.  I'm ashamed how elusive this trait has 

become in my spirit.  So for 2013 - I've propped this

 little word on my desk for a daily reminder.

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You (that's me!); Let them ever shout for joy,

 because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalms 5:11

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous (that's me!); 

And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!  Psalms 32:11

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, 

And uphold me (that's me!) by Your generous Spirit.

Psalms 51:12

 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,

and that your (that's me) joy may be full." John 15:11

Ask, and you will receive (this means me!), that your joy may be full. John 16:24

  May my Joy cup run over in  2013!

(Feel free to check on me and see how I'm doing.)

Board of Project Inspiration...

Sometimes ya find a Pinterest board that just pulls you in.  

Such is the case with the 'Handmade' board by soap maker  

Jill Kerr McDowell.  

It should keep you busy for a while - there are over 650 pins!

 Some of my favs from the board...

Easy Quilting

Breakfast Gift Basket

Paper Dress Art

Sleeping Shorts

Linen Smock

the makings of a Twig Star

 What will be first on your list for 2013?

 

Free Fall Online Magazine...

I'm sharing a beautiful free EMagazine with you today...
from Post Road Vintage.  This gal is amazing...

She's only married 8 years (with children no less!) -

 has a beautiful online shop of handmade goods (neat, neat stuff) - 

learned to make beautiful soaps - puts together delightful 

videos and magazines and offers them for free - cooks homemade...

and keeps growing her business.   I'm just blown away.

(I struggle to get a few things listed in my Etsy shop in a week...)

 But my favorite thing?  ....her photos!  Love them...
  just simple, straight forward inspiration everywhere....

See what I mean?  I just Pinned this one this morning.  

Gotta love her!  (and nope - she doesn't even know I'm saying this...)

Thanks Heather!

Easy Peasy Sheet Music Project...

Have some books that are less than desirable to look at?

 Or maybe you just want a little sheet music love in your rooms.  

It took me about 15 minutes to cover

 these hymn books on my piano...

Thanks Pinterest for the sheet music book cover inspiration!

Goofus glass is from my mother.  I found the larger dish at a yard sale this year for 50 cents!
Linking to Transformation Thursday

God & Hudson Cars...

I met the cutest couple this week and had to share them with you.   
He was just shy of 90 years and she, his 2nd wife due to death, was a bit younger.

 

Eldon was raised Amish and has a God-given talent to design and create.  
His whole life he has built and sold 

(without any formal training whatsoever) equipment

 used in the poultry industry.  I was reminded...

  

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example 

to the believers in word, in conduct,in love,

 in spirit, in faith, in purity.  

I Timothy 4:12

You can read more of their story here and here, but let's just say they are 
huge collectors of Hudson cars and have donated 50 cars

that are now housed in a museum in Shipshewana Town.
(And they still have 16 of their own!)

 I met them when they were in my area for a car show.   

At almost 90 years - Eldon drove here from several states away.  

They were shopping in the antique mall when I was working.

Thank you Eldon & Esta for your 'example'!

All American Red Gingham...

I love me some vintage kitchen paired with red 

gingham.  Sadly, I have no such goodness in my own

 home.  But in our cottage - oh yeah...

EVERYTHING purchased via thrift, yard sales, free, etc.

 (Okay - the farm house original sink curtain is
 stripes and not checks - but it's close enough!)

 I'm not surprised that 3 of my Pinterest  

Kitchen Spaces include red gingham.   

(refer to board for photo sources and more...)

 This one with a touch of aqua is my personal favorite

 right now...

Eclectic Kitchen design by Los Angeles Architect tumbleweed and dandelion.com

 And just today - I listed these red gingham goodies

 in my Etsy shop.

Country Kitchen Book

6 Advertising Cook Booklets

Red gingham - almost as American as a certain 

red, white & blue - almost...

House Church...

This darling church has been converted to a house -

 er... make that 'home'.  I am in love!  

What do you think - could you live here?

 Perfect red and white coloring...

We spent a few days at the family cabin this week.

  This was spotted when we did a little exploring.
  Gotta love rural America!

Linens & Paper Bag Albums....

Yep - I'm a linen lady.   My main 'job' at the 
Mt Joy Gift and Thrift Shop

is to price the antique linens.

 We get gobs of them - it's amazing. 

 It's a little linen heaven in my literal corner 

of the shop... 

 I even have my own kiosk!

Today - I met the The Paper Bag Lady.  She was

 shopping at 'my' kiosk.  She buys lots of 'my' linens

 to use as embellishments in her one of a kind paper

 bag photo albums that she creates.  

Check them out...

album photos from Paper Bag Lady website

  

 See the little doily flowers?  Yep - some of them 

hail straight from my linen corner...

 Don't miss her Facebook page.   I'm impressed!

  What do you think?

We Are Not Alone...

This little impromptu worship clip blessed me 

today.  A friend of mine has a family member 

in this chorale.

We were in Ireland last year - but we missed 

this beautiful cathedral.  The chorale's CD with 

the full version is available here.

Bears Our Burdens...

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
   who daily bears our burdens.  

Psalms 68:19

Taken in Ireland

What a precious reminder this was for me today.  
My burdens need not be mine alone.  Indeed 
Jesus wants to carry them for me!

Be On Guard...

Even from your own number men will arise and 

distort the truth in order to draw away disciples 

after them.  So be on your guard!  

Acts 20:30,31a

Taken in Ireland - on a misty day.

The Narrow Gate...

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad 

is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, 

and only a few find it. 

Matthew 7:13,14

Taken in Ireland

To Save A Life...

"For whoever wants to save his life  will lose it, 

but whoever loses his life for me 

and for the gospel will save it."  

Mark 8:35

Look Straight Ahead...

 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze 

directly before you.   Make level paths for your feet 

and take only ways that are firm.  Do not swerve 

to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. 

Proverbs 4:23, 25-27

Taken in Ireland

Pebbles and Sheep...

We did a bit of beach combing in Ireland.  Picked up some shiny stones in shades of gray, rose, and green.  But as soon 
as they dried - you could hardly see the pretty colors.  

A bit of polyurethane brought the color back...

And look what else we found.  

 A sweet reminder of all the delightful sheep we saw...

 

They even stopped traffic...

Loved the sheep!

Sweet Bathrooms...

More photos from the Vogt Farm Bed and Breakfast in rural Mount Joy or Marietta, PA.  They have such unique private bathrooms for the guests.  Most have handpainted art on the walls.  These are some of my favorites...

And another view of the front entrance...

Be sure to check out their website by clicking the link above.  

If you're ever in the area - it's a place you'll want to be sure to consider staying!  Still more photos to come.