All I want is a room somewhere...

Wow! Isn't this gorgeous? Chris at Just Beachy did this. She did all that paneling herself and she even painted her doorbell mechanism to blend in. I love that attention to detail! Here is a post about how she extended her paneling up the wall to accomodate her growing children and here is another about how she pulled it all together. Brava, Chris! You are an inspiration!

Just Beachy is one of my newest favorite blogs because she has a passion for coastal style, which is a look that I am loving lately. I used to be quite a snob about coastal style- I felt that if you didn't live near a coast, then you shouldn't fling it all over your house! But now that I am dreaming of a future on the coast, it's become my obsession! I love to be surrounded by images and objects of the beach that inspire me to keep moving forward.

I don't know where I'd ever find the time and resources to re-do my living room in the next couple of years, but if I could, I would definitely give it a beachy-vibe. Not outrageously done with seagulls and such all over the place, but just a comfortable, inviting room that gently references the sea. A soft soothing shade of ocean blue (like Chris's) on the walls, some natural sea grass baskets with shells in them and that's about it. Ahhh, wouldn't it be loverly?

Hugs to all!

I Didn't Mean to Disappear!

Friends, I owe you all a long post, but today I just want to encourage you to check out The Butterfly Project. This is a beautiful way to honor the 1,500,000 children killed in the Holocaust. Be sure to read the guidelines before starting your butterflies.

Hugs to all!

Thankful Thursday

Do you know Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses? She is such a nice lady and she makes beautiful quilts that make me sigh. She has begun a beautiful tradition called Thankful Thursday. I've always believed that being grateful for our blessings helps us to avoid focusing on our worries. Having said that, I am not always very good at acting on my belief! This will be a good exercise for me! Will you join in too?

Do you see this darling, darling doll? Isn't she amazing? Guess what her name is! No, really! Guess! You'll never guess! Her name is Little Bettsi!!!!!!!!!!!! I am stunned and flattered beyond all belief! Martha made her and I think she is one of the prettiest dolls I have ever seen! Not only that, but she comes with outfits and all kinds of little extras- she is a cloth version of a paper doll. You can see all of her winsome wonderful-ness here at the Ebay auction. Wow! Just wow!

I am humbled and thankful to be a tiny part of one of your beautiful dolls, Martha! You have made my day and then some! Thank you, Friend!

For me?

Woweee! Isn't that pretty? That is an award from my friend, Helene. You may already know Helene, she's very chic and talented. She lives in France and eats macarons from Laduree! How glamorous is that? I'm sure she would say she is not glamorous, but Puh-leaze! Paris, macarons, Laduree! I'm just sayin'! She also has a fabulous doll collection and amazingly, has even included a couple of Tender Arts dollies in it! I'm still blown away by that. Thank you so much, Helene, for the support and the award. I am tickled!

Now I have the lovely honor of bestowing this award on five more bloggers! I pick:

1. Eileen at Eileen's Attic
2. Martha at JelliesJamsDolls
3. Lisa at Faerie Enchantment
4. Robin at Thrifty Miss Priss
5. Tracey at Giggleface Studios

You girls are ALL creative bloggers. I'm on my way to let you know to come pick up your award!

Not Quite A Home Tour!

Well, here's an unusual property...

Hmmm, what is this place? Not very well-kept, is it?

Oh my! It's not a home at all!

I very much wanted to participate in Julia's very cool home tour, but I never got to any homes this weekend to get any pictures of. And, Lord knows, my house is not tour-worthy yet! However, I did get to see how some folks "on the other side" get to live!

This is the Sacramento Old City Cemetery and it is pretty darn cool! My sister-in-law, Deborah and I took the tour Saturday and I was just so impressed.

Love that patina!

Is this not a gorgeous view?!

Civil War memorial.

One of many very cool crypts.

Awwww....so sweet!

So even though it is not the usual type of "home", it is very pretty isn't it? I can't wait until the end of October when they have their "Lantern Tours"! Don't you think the kids will love that?

Anyway, go visit Hooked on Houses and enjoy the tour!

Our Favorite Things!

How lovely to have a little fun! This week has been so grim, I needed a little frivolity. Cindy at My Romantic Home came to the rescue! She is hosting a little show and tell. You can join in too- here's her post with the details.

These little ducklings by Stangl always had pride of place in my glamorous grandma's living room. I am so blessed to be the owner of these darlings now. Right now they reside under this glass cloche in my china cabinet. For the better lighting, I brought them out to the kitchen table. Aren't they sweet?
Now I am off to see the other "favorites". Hugs to all and thank you for all the wonderful, supportive, loving comments. You ladies are a treasure!

Welcome Friends!

Here I am!


There has been a big change in my life. My husband moved out of the house a couple of weeks ago. I am the one that caused the separation. Making that decision was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I have really felt the need to start a new blog. I want to express myself more fully than I did on the Tender Arts blog, which was primarily about my dolls and crafts.

Having said that, I have had such a difficult time composing this first post! So, fine. I will just say "welcome" today and perhaps tomorrow I will have more to say!

Hugs to all!
love,
Bettsi