"SITTING IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY -- I AM GRATEFUL."

Diggin' It is located at 507 North Tennessee in McKinney, TX.

Merry Christmas, y'all!! We're just back from Texas where we had Tex-Mex in seventy degree weather on the patio one day and were freezing cold and layering up the next. (I've got to admit I miss that dramatic weather change thing now that we live in the NW where the weather is a whole lot more consistent.) We visited with as many family and friends as we could in the few days we were there. We ate our fill of Blue Bell Ice Cream, Tex-Mex, catfish, shrimp cheese grits, and even a little fried chicken complete with all the fixin's. (And yes, next week I'm back to my Jazzercise classes!!) I even managed a quick shopping sweep through several antique malls and boutiques in between driving from East Texas to Dallas to Oklahoma City.


Diggin' It offers customers an eclectic
 assortment of funky junk and handmade wares.


While in McKinney we got to spend a lot of good times with one of our dearest friends, Tracey Collins who owns Diggin' It, at 507 North Tennessee. Sweet Girl even worked with Ms. Tracey one afternoon for a school mentor project.



Sweet Girl has been a fan of Diggin' It since
 Tracey began dreaming of having her own store.
She's pretty fond of her "Aunt Tracey" too.



Tracey's mantra greets customers at Diggin' It.

Tracey has a bountiful store full of fabulous junk, and incredible treasures she's collected from right down the street and half-way around the globe. In addition to all the fantabulous goods at Diggin' It, now she'll also be offering my Good Ju-Ju Jewelry creations. That's right! 



My Good Ju-Ju Jewelry creations
 are now available at Diggin' It!



Tracey has several of my latest necklace creations all made with a little vintage junk and a whole lot of good ju-ju and love as well as my vintage earring bracelets! Thanks to Tracey for supporting the creative spirit and giving so many of us a chance. I'm Diggin' It!

A few of Tracey's funky finds.

TODAY'S GOOD STUFF:

1. GOOD FRIENDS

2. LONGER DAYS

3. CREATIVITY

4. COMFORT FOOD

5. FAMILY

Peace, love, and all the good stuff, y'all!



2ND SATURDAYZ SWEET INSPIRATIONS



This awesome paper angel watched over Billie's
Brocanteur Vintage booth at 2nd Saturdayz.

 Not even record amounts of Seattle rainfall could dampen the great vibe of last weekend's 2nd Saturdayz Vintage Market. Creativity embraced every corner of the cozy workshop space.  I had the great fortune to meet so many talented folks and wonderful area shop owners. Thanks, y'all for making this Texas girl feel right at home. In addition, thanks to the fabulous Junk Tribe for their endless efforts to make this the incredible, creative monthly market it is. Stay tuned for more 2nd Saturdayz Vintage Market dates for 2011.

Today's Good Stuff:
1. A cozy fireplace
2. Receiving Christmas cards
3. Hand-knit mittens
4. Holiday parties
5. Gratitude for so many blessings!





I love these clever paper ornaments purchased at November's market.



Lori's CinnabarBlue creations are as fabulous as she is!



Such artistry in Elizabeth's Fussbucket's World designs!





This wonderful vintage ornament wreath was made for

 me years ago by  my good friend, Tracey, of McKinney's Diggin' It!



A vintage Christmas vignette for the mantle.



Votive candle holders made with old
lace, shiny bits, and lots of glitter!


PEACE, LOVE, AND ALL THE GOOD STUFF, Y'ALL!



BURLAP BLISS

Junkin' joy is everywhere these days! Take a look at these fabulous BURLAP PILLOWS my friend Pam from Bugaboo Vintage Design is selling. Pam is a brilliant seamstress and has been whipping up incredible designs made from vintage linens for years now, but her latest creations include hand-stamped BURLAP FEATHER STUFFED PILLOWS. She's also making beautiful pillows featuring Victorian postcard transfers. To order or get more information about the pillows seen here or any of her cute kid clothing and sweet baby accessories, contact Pam on her website: http://www.bugaboovintagedesign.com/.
Then there's my newest creations from my own little cottage on Dragonfly Hill, BLISS TILES -- canvas squares hugged tightly in vintage bark-cloth and cotton florals. They'd be fun to feature on a wall or special cozy niche. Also, GLITTERY CANDLEHOLDERS featuring tiny Victorian postcards and hand-stamped inspirations. I've also got a whole new group of "GOOD JU-JU" jewelry including vintage bracelets and necklaces.  

Pam's BURLAP CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS, PILLOWS, and some of her other wonderful BUGABOO VINTAGE DESIGN creations as well as my treasure trove of goodies made with a little junk and a lot of love will be just a few of the spectacular vintage items available for sale at 2ND SATURDAYZ VINTAGE MARKET, next Saturday, December 11 at Seattle's Magnuson Park on Sand Point Way. See http://www.2ndsaturdayz.blogspot.com/ for more info.

PEACE, LOVE, BURLAP,

GLITTER, AND JU-JU 

GOODNESS, Y'ALL!!



BLINKER TIME: REST STOPPIN' AND REJOICIN'

(I've unpacked this previously published post as it still resonates with me during this season of waiting and rejoicing.)

"'Hope' is the thing with feathers --
That perches in the soul --
And sings the tune without the words --
And never stops -- at all -- . . . " Emily Dickinson

 Howdy, Friends!
Tis the season of quick moving, calendar jam-packed with activities, and more to do than time to do it all. Why then would I even begin to suggest it's time to pull over from the highway of life for a sweet rest stop?

A lovely little group of vintage angels.

Vignette of precious hand-crafted ornaments and family pics.

This little snowman was created by Kim of NEST and GARDEN.

Well, dear readers, for exactly that reason. Because we are all so busy and this season of holiday wonderfulness is so short, and guess what, there are no "do-overs" on the old ramblin' blacktops of life.

Did you know the Christmas tree originated in Germany and is a symbol of peace?

This is the perfect time to take a break, take a walk, enjoy a winter morning sunrise or sunset with the ones you love, watch children enjoy the season whether they are your grand-children, your own, or your friend's kids. Kids absorb so much more richly than we grown-ups do. They're only caught up in the moment.

This incredible advent wreath with its real bird's nest was created by Deb of GARDEN PARTY.

In my faith walk, it is the season of Advent, a time when we prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of the Christ child and His return again one day.

I enjoy making time to listen to music by candlelight each
evening as it begins to get dark -- thankful for the LIGHT in a dark world.

Many other global faith walks have similar traditions marking the year's end in self-reflection and introspection.
With that in mind, give yourself permission to hit the blinker and pull off the busy highway of life to rest and rejoice. Let go of the frantic schedules, the crazy pace, and the rushing through every moment.

Just be -- if only for a few minutes.

PEACE, LOVE, AND

ABUNDANT BLESSINGS, Y'ALL!