BUSY - BUSY - BUSY!!!

Hi everyone! I know it's been soooo long since I've done a post, but we have been going-going-going! We just got back from Washington and had a great time (see the pictures above-the middle one is my sweet husband, Roger holding crab bait!); and that was after our trip to California and a quick camping trip in between! Also, as you may or may not know I work four days a week at the local grocery store - I'm the baker! I get there at 5 a.m. and home about 2 p.m. And sometimes I even take a NAP after work!! So it doesn't leave much time except my days off, which have lately been spent going places. Enough excuses though. On our trip to Washington, my terrific friend, Fran and I went yard saleing, to thrift stores, lots of eating, and boating with our husbands....Between them, and our friends still in California, and some who moved to Wisconsin, we try to get together at least once a year. We are trying to put together a caravan trip to Wisconsin in 2009 - but there are a lot of hurdles to overcome, it may have to wait until 2010.

I have four lampshades to make for two customers right now. (I also do requests) One is quite an unusual request; originally it was a glass shade, but it was broken and she cannot find a glass replacement. I had made a shade for her once before, so she called me and I am going to make one out of styrene. The other couple would like two simple white shades to replace the old torn ones for their bedroom. Needless to say, I will be busy for a while! I added a picture below of two shades I made for another customer earlier this year. You know, it is always a pleasure to work with these nice people.

Well, that's about it! I have found a lot of projects to do, especially in my garden. Fall is almost here and soon Winter will follow - so I have to spend a lot of time planting and getting them ready for the snow which will surely follow! I'll write more later and I am always checking out your blogs too! I have found some really great ones that I added to my "favorite blogs" list!You'all have a great Labor Day!

xxxooo

Marilyn

We had a great vacation!

I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but as you all know we were on vacation for two weeks; then had lots of work to do when we got back. Also had over 260 emails to go through, whew! Excuses, excuses! We had a great trip to Southern California! My grandaughter turned 6 and we had a lovely party for her: lots of kids and balloons! In this picture, she is blowing out the candles on her birthday cake as you can see! She got a swing set too! I made her a pretty summer dress from some white chenille and fabric of yellow and white daisys with an aqua background, I didn't get a picture of it, but it turned out real cute!
Our vacation was really fun; to see our old friends and spend time with our families. We sure miss them all. We moved to Oregon from California four years ago, so we only get to see them once or twice a year! I'm sure you all know how hard it is to be away from your kids and old friends! But enough of my boo-hoo-ing!

I did some yard-saleing and got a few "goodies" this weekend. Found a cute little chicken planter that they were asking $5, but she sold it to me for $3! I was cleaning it this morning and saw that it is a Royal Copley and it's in great condition too! What a deal! Also, I'm a sucker for picture frames and found two: one is a large oval frame and the other is a rectangle both are made of wood; I think I'm going to paint them both off-white, and use them for family pictures!

I haven't been doing much on my lamps lately, but I do have a shade that a friend would like and I'm going to work on it today. She wants me to make one of my "doily" shades for her, and has been saving lace and doilies for it too! I already have the ribs covered and the lining on, so now the fun part begins! I'll show you a picture when it is complete!

Hope you all have a great week, I'm happy to be back! I have been looking at a lot of your blogs lately and have found some really great posts, you are all so busy!

xxoo

Marilyn