The Tin Rabbit

White Wednesday~Kitchen Whites

2011-03-02T11:02:00.009-06:00

I'm linking up with Kathleen's White Wednesday today....
These are the tops of our cabinets in the kitchen~

A chippy old column....
I had two like this, but sold one~
wish I had it back, this one seems so lonely

A cluttered window ...
look at the redbud beginning to blossom....

More old white stuff

or junk for the most part

and lastly,

a few pieces of old stray ironstone~

Wishing you all a wonderful, blessed week~ Ann

Flea Market Style Article~Pinch Me!!!

2011-02-19T17:04:00.007-06:00

Oh my gosh, what a secret we have been keeping...ever since last July! It's been so hard to do!
But now,it's here ~ I can SHOUT it out!!
Our little gardenhouse is in the new Flea Market Style magazine!!!
What a honor to be included in this wonderful magazine~

Thank you Heather for capturing the sweetness and making my little haven look so beautiful (oh and for putting up with the Texas heat). It was so much fun meeting you and watching you create. Thank you Margo...It's been so great getting to know you, hope we can visit soon~ And a very special (((Thank YOU))) to my dear friend Theresa
for EVERYTHING you do~ Your chair was perfect! Theresa's blog is also featured in this issue~Check it out!

Thank you all for your sweet emails and calls during my surgery~I am doing great, mending nicely and dreaming of spring~ God Bless~ Check out the magazine!

Happy New Year~!

2011-01-01T07:32:00.002-06:00

~ Wishing you all a very Happy New Year filled with Lots of Love and Happiness~

Merry Christmas~

2010-12-22T13:03:00.004-06:00

When we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has
given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forest and mountains
and oceans and all that lives and moves upon them. He has given us all green things and
everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused and to save us from our own foolishness,from all our sins, He came down to earth
and gave us himself. ~Sigrid Unset

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, God Bless~ Ann

A Winner~!

2010-12-04T19:08:00.006-06:00

Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments~! Each one of them so sweet~
it makes me so happy to think you would want something I've put together ~
I wish, I could give each one of you something!
I cut out all the wonderful comments,
put them in this bowl Had my dad pull out one
~ Burlap Luxe~
Congratulations!
Please email me with your address....

Okay, that was fun.

Dad...let's pull one more out....

It's... "Darlene"

If you'd like this collage, I'll send it to you

please email me~

now, one last draw for this little silver cup with an old glass pick,

a bottle brush tree and a few more little things stuck in it~

" Fran"

Please email me if you'd like this little cup...

Thank you all for taking the time to comment~

Hope you are all enjoying this blessed Christmas season~

Calling All Tattered Hearts~Christmas GiveAway

2010-11-21T11:14:00.006-06:00

I was going through all my stuff this morning looking for something and I realized
to have way Too much....
lots of old Christmas~lots of everything!
I will be listing some of that in the next few weeks on my new etsy account,
BUT, until then...I put together this little "arrangement" ~ I started with an old tarnished
spooner ~ really beat up and old~ I added some paper crumbles from a 1919 newspaper~
~a reindeer~a bottle-brush tree~ a mercury glass pick~

A little of this,

and a little of that!

If you would like to be entered in this tattered Christmas gifting,become a follower if you are not, leave a comment~ I will draw a name December 4th~My Birthday! Have a Wonderful week~ God Bless you all~ Ann

My etsy name is ~tinrabbitart~ actually, Lance set it up for me a couple years ago, I just never completed it until now...

Thank You, Thank You,Thank you!!!

2010-11-12T18:19:00.011-06:00

How lucky am I to have two super-stars come to our little Open House??? Lisa and Dawn drove way out here to Melrose to be at our Open House...These girls must be two of the sweetest people God ever put souls in~ I have to admit, I was a little nervous at first, I mean...they are soooo talented and I've loved their art and blogs forever!!! But.. all that nervousness vanished in about two seconds~
We went out to dinner.... afterwards, they came to our home and the shop. You can see more pictures on both of their blogs ..... and next post, I'll show you the sweet gifts they brought me...you're gonna love them~

Thank you Lisa and Dawn so much for making this time so special..

..Aren't they beautiful???

We had a really good turn out and sold a lot of things...the weather was gorgeous....

Thank you to each of you that came out

I hope you found something that "spoke" to you

~or something that will haunt you, so you'll come back.....

Linda, Earline,Marion, mom & dad, Zandra and sweet Paula.... I could not have done this without all of you.... Thank you all so much!

Shopping...

And most of all...

I want to thank my sweet David for putting up with all this, for all your help, eating sandwiches for days on end, having art supplies all over the place, listening to me complain and say I'll never do this again (knowing I will) but most of all, for being my biggest supporter and encourager. I love you (like crazy)

Enjoy Life~ Ann

Open House~

2010-11-04T21:32:00.014-05:00

It's just a tiny little shop...
maybe 800 square feet...
not a grand store,filled with tons of things...
but it does have...
a few new things and
some pretty cool things...

unusal things....

And handmade things

recreated things.....

And people that think they are "queen things"

Pretty things

And some old,old things....

Christmas Dream things ...

And lots of lace things...

And all these things

will be for sale at the

The Tin Rabbit Open House

Melrose Texas

November 6th

10-4

Dreams Do Come True!

2010-09-22T12:40:00.007-05:00

I still cannot believe this!
I'm in the upcoming issue of this magazine~ Somerset Life
Totally blown away with this honor!

Lisa, got an advanced copy and sent me these pictures!!! Thank You Lisa!

And.... I'm in the BEST of company...she also has an article in this issue~ Congratulations Lisa!!! I love that my "debut" is in a magazine with you~ Can't wait till November!

Now back to creating little treasure boxes~More details on the upcoming sale soon~

Change of Plans

2010-08-03T16:26:00.001-05:00

Queen
Originally uploaded by Tin Rabbit

The sale date at "The Tin Rabbit "has been changed to November 6......I look forward to visiting then~

Playing With Time

2010-07-25T11:55:00.009-05:00

Inspired by the beautiful poem ~Rock Me To Sleep by Elizabeth Akers Allen..I've been fooling around with time...I've had this old clock dial forever and decided to use it... I transfered the image of a woman onto it.. I can't seem to finish it ...what does it need???? I'm stuck...

I am going to stitch the wording on and then???? What should I do?

Please help! Have a wonderful week~

A Gift From Lisa~

2010-07-13T07:28:00.017-05:00

How Blessed I am to be here in this wonderful land of blog...

How Blessed I am to have such a wonderful friend~ I received the most beautiful package in the mail...it brought tears to my eyes, actually it made tears run down my face~ for a long time~ it was from our sweet Lisa ~Tarnished&Tattered
Come Closer...
Look at this beautiful box,

It totally took my breath away~

Lisa is sooo very talented

with a heart the size of Texas~

Look inside this gorgeous box, the lid has the sweetest "rabbits" on it

notice the "Tin" that she put on it...I love it!

But wait!

You've got to see what she packed inside....

Treasures that will make any artist go weak in the knees!

Look at these gorgeous things!!!

Have you ever seen a cuff so beautiful or a baby bonnet was delicate...

and look at the vintage purse...all in my favorite shades of cream & white~

Lisa also tucked in some of the prettiest flowers...love the soft color!

She also included some of her ADORABLE resin pieces...

these are so cute...

I can't wait to use them in my art!

Everything was packaged so pretty

and covered with white buttons~

Lisa,

I will cherish this box forever...it means the world to me,

YOU are my inspiration!!!!

Outside The Box Art Challenge~Time Chime Angel~

2010-06-28T07:17:00.004-05:00

It strikes! One,two

Three, Four,five, Six. Enough,enough, dear watch,

Thy pulse hath beat enough. Now sleep and rest,

Would thou could'st make the time to do so too,

I'll wind thee up no more.

~Ben Jonson~ Thank you Lisa for the fun challenge! When I saw the cute soap box~ I thought of a body! I covered it with old paper, wired parts and pieces of clocks for her legs...the hour and minute hand were attached for arms...a sweet vintage doll head was used. Old folder tabs for wings...

for her heart~ a tiny pocket watch.

I can't wait to see all the other ideas everyone else has come up with!

Where Bloggers Create~

2010-06-18T20:38:00.015-05:00

Welcome to my little studio! Come on in... that is...if you can squeeze through all the STUFF! It's small...REALLY small... but, it's cozy! My studio is in the laundry room....our home is small and there just wasn't another space available...it's not too bad~I can create and do the laundry too!This is my worktable~cluttered, as usual....
when it's clean, I can't create~ I'm totally lost! This table belonged to my husbands grandfather...I added a little
skirt around it and tucked a few paper flowers to it ~the old white pompom curtains came from the Canton flea market...I hung them like stage curtains and used old lace panels on vintage swing rods for the shelves...I can swing them open while I'm working and close them when I'm finished~

Old jewelry boxes hold tiny treasures. A lampshade is turned into a mobile, with just everything clipped on it~ I'm like a crow...I find something pretty, I bring it to my nest~

I love this picture!...I don't know why, but this young girl inspires me daily...it's kinda like she's watching over me or something~Oh and speaking of "Inspiration"....wait till you see my next post!

I have lots of lace in stacked baskets, boxes and even more boxes...

too much?

Seam binding...all in my favorite shades....

Behind this curtain....dolls, doll heads and one of those doll heads is really creepy, I KNOW! Little elves...some from childhood, some just because they wanted to come home with me...Jars on top of jars filled with everything...I'm cleaning out some and parting with a few of these things~

Jars....

and now

Drawers....

I keep things organized in all these drawers

This one came out of a newspaper office~

Someone has replaced a few of the pulls with old spools...

Everything is in here~

Baby doll clothes,

old Christmas odds and ends....

everything has a drawer~

Another little shot of my table~

Well this my little workspace, so glad you stopped by! Thank you Karen for hosting this wonderful party! I can't wait to go see all the other studios!

Gratitude

2010-06-13T11:23:00.005-05:00

“Of all the ‘attitudes’ we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing.” —Zig Ziglar The first one my test has came back OK! Thank you all so much for all your sweet prayers! And a special "Thank You" to Sandra http://www.flickr.com/photos/24103847@N02/ ... definitely the sweetest heart in Tennessee! Look at this precious little hanging she made and sent me. She also crocheted the beautiful lace in the cabinet! It is so delicate and pretty..I love it! Sandra, I can't wait to meet you and give you a big hug!

I broke down and cut some of my hydrangea's this morning~

You have to cut them at just the right time to keep them from withering up,

hopefully, these will dry OK.... I may dry a few more and then let the rest stay on the bush

a while longer~I like the old "greenish" shade they become~

I hope everyone is having a WONDERFUL weekend! Thank you all for stopping by~

God Bless!

Collections and a Gift from Lori~

2010-05-30T17:18:00.014-05:00

Tiny collections in my home~
watches and butter pats

Shakers~ mismatched~
dinged up...

old clocks...

these are just a FEW of the things

that gather here~

I received the sweetest package in the mail from my friend

Lori~http://myfaeriewindow.blogspot.com/

I've received several packages from

dear friends....I'll show them in the next

few post.. today, I'll show you some of the things

Lori sent

Look at this cute cabinet card...the expression on this little girls

face is just adorable....

~gorgeous lace with the touch of lavender

every time, I see something lavender, I think of Lori!

She is so good at making things beautiful~

She also sent this vintage bride&groom cake-topper....she knows, I love them,

and she thought this one needed to come live here~

It's so pretty! I love it Lori! Thank you so much!

Ok, I've got to tell you about this next picture!

We've been having a problem with SNAKES~

I know!!!... I'm terrified of them too! Anyway,

I noticed something in the door of this box

in my backyard...it was really high up,so I

couldn't see what it was....I was so upset!

thinking for sure it was a snake after the little birds...

What was I going to do????

I thought about the zoom on my camera,

this is what it was~

I have no idea how this frog got up this high

He stayed all day...just watching~

A beautiful butterfly~

and beautiful flowers..

have blessed me this week!

Thank you all for stopping by

and thank you all again for your

sweet prayers! God Hears

Reflections~

2010-05-19T13:17:00.008-05:00

Thank you all so much for your sweet prayers~for holding me up and holding my hand~ I know things will turn out fine... I've been busy this week making things for the shop and the mall & me~ I made this cone last night~something about cones I love....cones and pockets!

This one I hung on the end of our bed inside an old frame...it's filled with all kinds of cute stuff, a couple little gifts from friends...I think it turned out pretty cute~

It's so hot here..it was 95 yesterday...my plants have to be watered twice a day.... Does anyone know what this red plant is? Everyone ask! It's taking over my flower beds! Every year it moves into another one.. I don't mind ~

The Black-eyed Susan volunteered here...I have always loved these happy plants..."he loves me plants"~

The larkspur is taking over too....I so need to get all these flower beds under control...they are just so overgrown & going wild~ maybe this fall!

Now for some great news~

My friend, Heather ..http://prettypetals.typepad.com/prettypetals/ has written a story for Crescendoh http://blog.crescendoh.com/crescendoh/ ! For those of you that don't know what this is..it's a place where artist share their stories and inspiration. Sweet Heather has written a story for this week! She included a link for my tutorial on making paper roses...thank you Heather! I am so proud of you!!! Go over and have a look! I love this site!

Have a Wonderful Week Sweet Friends~ God Bless, Ann

I'm Back~

2010-05-13T11:30:00.007-05:00

It's been a while, I know... I've not been feeling so well.....everything is OK and I should be ashamed for having a down time... but as my diagnosis date approaches..I'm feeling a bit of saddness,fear,worry and just weary at everything that's happened in the past year. As most alreadyknow.. last year, I heard those two words every woman fears the most...but, I'm doing great. It's just after being somewhat "normal" the last few months and not thinking about it every waking second, it's time to go back and face it all again...that makes it seem so fresh again..please say a tiny prayer if you don't mind? Now onto brighter things....

Some of you have been asking when the next sale will be

~ The Tin Rabbit ~

Saturday,September 11

I'll have more details this summer~

Thank you all for stopping by...

God Bless~ Ann

I'm still learning on uploading pictures

this one on the bottom was not suppose to be here!

Oh,well.....

My Old~ New Gardenhouse~

2010-04-25T20:47:00.011-05:00

~ I love old gardens best....tired old gardens that rest in the sun~author unknown

A Mother's Day gift from my guys a few years ago.... my dad,husband and sons...

A gardenhouse made from antique windows,doors and bricks....Filled with things I love....

~ seed packages and pictures...

Jars and junk~

..flower frogs and flower pots...

birds nest~wasp nest ..

All resting in the sun....now that their work is done~

I hope you had a wonderful weekend~Please come again soon!

God Bless!

Vistors In The Garden~

2010-04-22T17:40:00.007-05:00

Today I had family and friends coming over~they love to sit on the porch and enjoy the flowers,bird and just the quiet...well, my porch is still covered with pollen and I really didn't want to stir it up by sweeping ...I pulled my old wicker settee out of the shop~covered it and added some pillows, a few little accents and I think it all looked pretty good?

The whole time I'm doing this...this little rascal is watching me! I love squirrels and especially him... but, he is the biggest ((mess-maker)) there is...he jumps on the feeder and takes his little hand and rakes all the seed out.....EVERYDAY...the ground is covered! He has his own feeder and he will eat there but he likes the birds feeder better!

He's really a pet...you can walk right up to him ~ I think he actually posed for me in these pictures...anyway WE all had a lovely morning~

I've started a new journal...

I always do the cover first~it usually comes easy and then I "think on" the pages...

Don't you love these old family photos? I know there are many stories in these eyes...

I really appreciate each one of you that stops by to visit and I love your comments!

God Bless all of you sweet friends~

Have a wonderful weekend~

Random Things~

2010-04-18T18:01:00.006-05:00

Ever had one of those days when you just don't know which way to turn?~kinda like this cute cat hanging on a tree in my backyard....today is just randomness..... An "oh so sweet" image of a little girl for you to use..I bought this from sweet Marion at Hertiage Antique Mall in Lufkin... so cute,hanging onto her bear for dear life~

New art for the shop...I should have been doing a thousand other things, but I just wanted to make something~ It's a tiny piece~ "Blowing Kisses"

And a couple pictures of my moms garden....

Her entire yard is just breathtaking~a cabin sitting in the middle of the woods... but,she loves these

purple verbena best.....I'll have to take more pictures of her yard another time~it's amazing

Thank you all for stopping by~ God Bless~

Madai's Magic~

2010-04-15T18:55:00.012-05:00

Oh Madai, what a wonderful swap this was for me! I am still in awe at everything ...it was truly as if a magic wand had touched everything you sent!...I met Madai http://cottageoflostplay.blogspot.com/ several years ago when she made the most gorgeous banner for me...I've posted it before..it's in my studio and is the focal point of the room...the magic~ well, I met Madai again on Flickr and we decided to do a swap...what a swap it was!!!... notice above.... the gorgeous doorplate?...I love it...I had been wanting one forever and this one is so pretty!

I oohed and aaahed as I opened this wonderful basket, a bee skep!!! Inside, oh my...It totally took my breath away! As I lifted each beautifully wrapped package another appeared...glittered stars,hearts, and trinkets of every kind...all wrapped and adorned with sweet little notes,poems and quotes, all heavenly smelling....the most beautiful music ever all captured on a CD....I play it everyday Madai~

Look at these sweet glittered hearts...I absolutely love them....so Madai~ lovely packages of seeds that are now planted in my garden so maybe a little of hers will live here at The Tin Rabbit....have you seen her garden??? It's out of this world beautiful~

Next, out of the basket came this precious doll...is she not the cutest? I love her and her pretty little glittered cone~ her tag reads..."shall we take a turn in the garden?" Don't you love her?

The sweetest glittered BLESSED banner....

More beautiful hearts......

love the pretty blue ribbon on this one!

and yet another banner! This one for the shop,

How pretty it looks over the counter AND also the

sweet girl tucked in another DREAM banner ...I'm going

to hang it in the shop as well .....

I'll be sure to take a picture of it.....

Madai, thank you from the bottom of my heart....I loved playing swap with you~ It was so much fun!!!

Thank you all for stopping by to visit~

Spring at The Tin Rabbit~

2010-04-11T15:52:00.007-05:00

A few spring pictures of spring at The Tin Rabbit...

Everything is so green and pretty, I love this time of year~

I wanted a picture of the koi but they are staying in the deep cooler part of the pond now that it's warmer

a ball of stone........

Post an angel at your door,

Fear the darkness nevermore.....

I'm not sure who wrote this but I love this saying.....

Oh and I know Easter is over but I saw this on someones blog ( I can't remember where, sorry) but I'm loving it...I guess being an "artist" and a Christian..I really enjoyed it...check it out!

I

http://www.cbn.com/special/discovereaster/?cpid=DE100330l

Have a Great Week Everyone and I'll post pictures of my final swap with the precious Madai this week!

Grandma's Button Can~

2010-04-07T19:07:00.008-05:00

What is it about buttons that make us want to hang on to them...store them in tins like a keepsake or something? When I was a little girl, I loved it when my grandma would take her button "can" off the shelf in her closet and let me go through it. It was like a prized possession, she'd hold up different buttons and tell where they came from.. ~ it was so exciting going through the tin and finding all her little treasures...a ring with the stone missing~grandpa gave her that, and how she cried when she lost the stone~ a baby bracelet~ a watch missing the hands..... grandpa gave her that too when they were "dating"....

a seed package with a pretty flower on it and no seeds....

and her mama's thimble....

I never tired of hearing those stories or running my fingers through

those buttons......

grandma's button can

A new tiny cone I finished~ Thank you all for stopping by~

Friendship Swap With Carola~Boxwood Cottage~~

2010-04-05T06:13:00.011-05:00

Hello Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter?....Today, as promised...I'm going to show you my very special swap with Carola...http://carolsgarden.blogspot.com/...I know everyone knows this sweetheart from Germany! She is sooo talented and what an honor to have her as my FIRST swap partner! We met over at Flickr and decided to do this little Friendship Swap...well, it certainly was not little by any means...just look at ALL these treasures!!! Carola knew I loved the old china head dolls and that I had been searching for a frozen Charotte doll...look at these little darlings! The little Charotte doll has tiny wings that Carola attached to her but they came off during her long flight over here... now,they are back on...the sweetest little angel! The precious doll head came from Carola own collection! I will cherish her forever! I just love her Carola!!! There was the cutest little old,old book with beautiful, beautiful pictures...love it! And look at the beautiful hand-crafted soldered necklace with "The Secret Garden"...she makes these!!! I am just blown away by her talent! And each item is signed so sweetly making it even more special!

Look at all this....treasures on top of treasures....wonderful old paper mache containers for me to work with and I've already dressed a couple! The sweetest little handmade cone, more soldered pieces...a fabulous darning tool from France! Oh goodness, am I spoiled or what??? Oh and look at the beautiful spoon...adore this~! It's hanging in my winow now...I smile everytime I see all this pretties Carola!

This is what it looked like as I'm opening this treasure chest~

Everything wrapped so pretty~

More soldered beauties...love this one with the "A" ....

Antique thread.....

A pretty vintage powder box from France~ And another one of her very special handcrafted art pieces...it's so pretty Carola~! It's now hanging on an antique mirror and it looks gorgeous....Thank you~~!

another soldered piece....CUTE!

Choosing a favorite is not possible as I LOVE everything she sent..... but~I adore this tiny little hat she made and embellished ...all my dolls are fighting over who gets to wear it~How sweet is this???

Thank you so much Carola for this wonderful Friendship Swap~It's amazing that you can live sooo far away and yet be so close....I love everything and will cherish it all forever~ Thank you, Thank you, Thank You from the bottom of my heart~ XO....

And, Thank all of you for stopping by to visit!

Have a Wonderful Day!

It's Not About A Bunny~

2010-04-03T18:38:00.004-05:00

Happy Easter!

May we all remember what Easter

Is Really all about~

Monday I'll have more on my swap with Carola!

Apple Dumplings~

2010-03-31T07:29:00.005-05:00

This past Sunday my youngest son~Lance~ celebrated his twenty-fifth birthday...Stefanie gave him a surprise party Saturday night and then Sunday they came here for lunch. One of his favorite desserts is Apple Dumplings...this is a very easy and yummy recipe! It sounds a bit different but, I promise once you try it...you'll like it! Promise!

Apple Dumplings

4 Granny Smith apples 1 cup sugar (I use about 3/4)
2 cans Crescent Rolls 1 T cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks butter 1 can Mountain Dew

Peel, core and cut apples into 16 slices. Use a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Roll 1 slice
apple in each crescent roll and place in casserole dish. Melt butter in sauce pan
and add sugar and cinnamon. Pour over rolls.

Pour Mountain Dew over mixture. Bake uncovered at 350 for about
45 minutes or until nice and brown...

Serve warm with a little ice cream or whipped topping! I know, this is not

a very healthy dessert, but it's for special occasions~Oh and if by chance

there are any leftovers, stick in the frig~ it's even better the next day! Thank you all sweet friends for stopping by to visit~

Have a Great Week~ God Bless!

Friendship Swap~ Sandra

2010-03-28T15:35:00.015-05:00

I received the most beautiful package in the mail from my swap partner and friend~Sandra. Sandra does not have a blog but can be found on Flickr..."SKBlanks" ...She has to be one of the nicest people on there! Well, I received my package from her and.. oh my, it was as sweet as she is!
Everything was sooo gorgeous! The package itself ~ amazing...I didn't want to open it but couldn't wait to either! (I did save the wrapping) First, look at this absolutely gorgeous cuff.

Just beautiful... the lace, the stitching~ everything impeccable! Handmade flower~love! I wear it all the time...

Now, look at this.....Is this not the most beautiful heart you've ever seen??? All handmade...

Look at the details, I wish you could see it in person! So pretty! See her pretty ribbon flowers?She makes those from ribbon...just lovely!

Now, just when you think there cannot be anything else... Look at this!

This was one of the first things I saw that Sandra had made...I fell in love with it! Now, I have one of my very own..Don't you love it too?

Soft~ sweet colors,and again...the details! Love this ribbon and lace....

Sandra tucked in lots of other pretties, beautiful ephemera~cards and the sweetest old book of poems, many of her ribbon flowers

and one of her tiny~tiny little covered boxes in this precious little dish...

too cute!

Sandra, I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for such a beautiful swap! I will cherish each and everything forever! Love Ya!

Thank you all for visiting on this day, God Bless You All! Next week, I'll show you more pictures of my swaps..... Have a Great Week~

Where I Create~

2010-03-23T20:56:00.003-05:00

It's a tiny little room at the back of our house... I love this space, it's filled with all the things that make me happy...

I share my space with a washer and dryer...that's OK~ I like working to the hum of a load of clothes drying...something comforting about that sound...

There are lots of baskets, boxes, bins and bowls...

Not very big and not very quiet....
But, just right ......

Thank you for stopping by~

Thankful Sunday~Swap with Lori~

2010-03-21T12:02:00.006-05:00

Since I joined Flickr and started this blog, I have met the most amazing and creative girls ever! Everyone is sooo talented and there is such a sweet spirit among all of you! I've had the honor of swapping with some of the very best! My first swap was with Miss Carola of Boxwood Cottage...she is an absolute angel living in Germany! The second one was with the most adorable little fairy ever, Madai ~ Wren's Cottage~...next, the absolute sweetest, kindred spirit,Sandra~ SKBlanks on Flickr and most recent, Miss Lori, the very, very talented and creative sweetie from My Faerie Window....since it's "Thankful Sunday" and I am so thankful for all these wonderful new friends here in blogland... I thought, I'd spend the next few Sundays showing these amazing swaps, I'll start with Lori, as I still have everything on my table from opening up. I had ordered one of Lori's precious powder puffs, she emailed and asked if I'd like to do a "mini-swap"...one of my pockets for the puff...well, it wasn't a mini at all...look at all these sweet things she sent!!! First the little puff is the most gorgeous thing ever! It's sooo cute all in cream and the tip end of it is all glittered like it's magic! I love that little detail. But wait.... next, is the most beautiful little doll all dressed in pink...is she cute or what? I love her!

Now, look at this little bunny Lori made! He is so tiny and sweet with his pink bow! Makes me smile everytime I look at him! Love those ears!

Don't you just love these little lavender bags Lori makes?... sooo pretty and it smells heavenly! And look at this gorgeous lace, she had it wrapped around this beautiful cabinet card and embellished so pretty....

Oh Lori, Thank You so Much for this wonderful swap, I love everything!!!, and I can't stop looking at all of it! Stop by and visit Lori at http://myfaeriewindow.blogspot.com/ Thank you all for visiting today! Next Sunday, I'll show you another of these fabulous swaps! God Bless and Have a Great Week!

White Wednesday~Collections

2010-03-17T07:11:00.003-05:00

These weeks just fly by! It's time for another White Wednesday with Kathleen at "Faded Charm" First, this picture was SUPPOSE to be on the bottom(can Never get it right the first time!) but, it ended up on top! So, anyway...this is my newest pillow creation! Now, the collections....

This is a small collection of cake toppers I have, something about them I love...maybe I'm just a

romantic at heart...the photos in the back are from sweet Carola at Boxwood Cottage...we did a swap recently and she sent me these along with lots of other treasures from Germany...

One of these is the topper that was on my wedding cake many years ago! Have a Blessed,Romantic Day everyone!

Thankful Sunday~

2010-03-14T16:02:00.003-05:00

These vintage linens hanging on the line reminds me of a saying I heard a long time ago. I'm not sure who wrote it but it's so true
"If all our troubles were hung on a line,
You'd choose yours and I'd choose mine"
Isn't this so true? There's always someone with more problems than us.
This gorgeous Sunday, I am thankful...
Have a Wonderful week sweet friends....

New Project~

2010-03-11T15:05:00.002-06:00

Don't you love it when something turns out pretty good??? I found this not so cute lamp at the local thrift shop...I think it was $2..I like it's little tiny size...brought it home,cleaned and sanded just a tad..a little paint and stain...now,he's a cutie...added some lace to an old shade and now it lights up a little dark spot....

My latest completed project...can you tell I really like lace? I loved this saying the first time I saw it....a sweet reminder that death is not the end and we will see those we love once again....

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Perfectly Imperfect~White Wednesday with Faded Charm

2010-03-10T06:19:00.003-06:00

I love ironstone..to me it never goes out of style..always fits in..these are "nothing special" pieces..just a collection of old,worn,tired resting pieces..some full of chips,a few cracks,a little or a lot of browning....

Don't flip them over expecting a pedigree,most don't have it! All perfect...well, perfectly imperfect! Just the way I like them...

Have a Great week everyone~Thank you for visiting!

Paper Rose Tutorial~

2010-03-07T09:11:00.004-06:00

I've had so many request for a tutorial on making these roses, so here you go! First, take a package of standard coffee filters...coffee stain them...I put the whole stack in a large bowl,pour hot coffee over all..Take apart and dry..I hang mine on a clothes line or you can heat your oven,TURN OFF and let them dry in there. Once they are dried,cut in half...then,cut in half again...making four pieces out of one filter. Next, trim edges of each, forming a petal. Take an old hymnal or any sheet music..using the petal from the coffee filter, cut several music petals....

Now, take a full page from the hymnal,roll from top of page to bottom forming a cigar shaped center bud...take a coffee filter petal...wrap around the bud,encasing it, add another,after about 5 or 6 more add a music petal, repeat, it will begin to tell you where it needs which...it also helps to crimp the bottom, this helps hold it all in place....

When it's as big as you'd like,wrap string or any type ribbon, pulling tightly. After it's secured, take your finger and gently circle around each petal separating and fluffing...I drizzle a little thin glue down between the petal to secure it a wee bit more. You can then dip in dye to add color if you like...I kinda like the natural color!

Thank you all so much for visiting my blog!!! Have a Very Blessed Week!

White Wednesday~

2010-03-03T06:59:00.003-06:00

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing

to us our appearance only.... Samuel Butler

I am joining Faded Charms White Wednesday again,

I Love old mirrors...bruised,cracked and full of

charm...

Second Chances~ Handmade Journals

2010-02-28T20:21:00.006-06:00

After I had surgery 9 months ago, I was feeling down,
a bit sorry for myself, I just didn't want to do anything,
definitely in a dark place...I found Heather's (Pretty Petals)
on line class for making handmade journals...I joined and fell
in love with making them and writing too. It was a way to
channel all the bad feelings into something positive and happy!

I've made several in the last few months,using all kinds
of little snippets of beautiful things...I had always been a
collector of "stuff" .. pretty little tidbits, all stored away
waiting for something special to be used on...

My journals have no rhyme or reason, just books of
beautiful pictures, quotes, old laces....all put together..
happy to be useful again...Have a Great Week Everyone!

A New Paint Job

2010-02-24T15:12:00.003-06:00

Well, I finally got it right...I wanted to paint and did but,it was way to dark
I loved the color but it just wasn't right for a bedroom...I went back to, picked
the same paint but just ask that they lighten it a bit....I think, it turned out
just right! Now, I may never be able to match it again....

I moved things around as we were painting.... everything old
is new again, even Miss French got something new to wear.....

Enjoy the Day!

Beautiful Images

2010-02-21T17:04:00.002-06:00

Hope you is having a blessed,beautiful day~

Curtains In The Cabinets~

2010-02-19T17:29:00.002-06:00

I've been in the mood to change something in my kitchen....my
sweet David is saying...Why??? Why do you want to change it....
it looks fine! I'm not sure, maybe it's the need to fluff the nest a bit
or maybe it's spring in the air, anyway...

I decided to hang curtains in my kitchen cabinets...I found these
remnants pieces of lace, tacked them to the doors, change! I like it

well for now anyway ;)

Creating Today~

2010-02-13T16:46:00.003-06:00

SOLD

It's too cold to go out and do anything so, I worked in my studio today. I made this wallhanger from an old suitcase pocket and vintage lace...it's mounted on heavy board covered with vintage sheet music and more lace on the back...It's $25...email if you are interested! Have a wonderful,blessed weekend!

Magic at The Tin Rabbit

2010-02-12T19:06:00.004-06:00

Today, I did something I never expected to do here...I made a snowman, a snow angel and listened to kids laughing as they rode a "boogie board" used as a sled. This is Texas, we don't do thoses things here,well until today...magic happened,everyone smiled and for a few short hours
nothing mattered but the beautiful white snow....

A Winner!

2010-02-10T12:46:00.004-06:00

Thank you all so much for commenting!!! I wish, I could pull every name in the

old bowl out!

The name that was drawn was "thasnifty"...congratulations sweetie and if you will email me with your address, I'll send these right out!!! Thank you all again~

~Candy Box Tutorial~

2010-02-07T15:50:00.008-06:00

These candy boxes are so easy to make, I took an old Christmas candy box,opened it and made a pattern. I had seen this done in a magazine a while back...

First thing you do is glue(I use spray) your paper to cardstock or poster board....you can use any paper you like.... lay your pattern on this and trace around it, also drawing the inside lines. Carefully cut out around all the edges using your lines as guides. Do not cut the inside lines. Now, score the inside lines and gently start folding, using a ruler will help fold and keep your lines straight...begin forming your box...it kinda goes together on it's own. Run a bead of glue down the 1/2" side and seal. Clip a clothespin on it to hold together!

Punch a hole in each side of the box for your ribbon. I like to use the old velvet
ribbons...they just have that aged look to them but...seam binding looks pretty too! You
can decorate the outside any way you want...I like the paper rosettes..To make those,
take 4 strips of paper 10x2 inches...do the accordian fold on each,snip the ends...take two
of these and glue together,making 1, fan out...do the other the same way...now,glue the two
fanned sections together...pull together in the center with a dab of hot glue, glue onto
box...add something onto the rosette. Please remember, I am totally new at all this and
if something is not clear, please email and I'll try to explain! Now, for my give-a-way....

You have all left sooo many nice comments and made me feel so WELCOMED~
I'm going to give this candy box and 5 of my handmade paper Mozart roses away.
Just leave a comment and I'll draw a name on the 10th of this month....

Overwhelmed and Full of Graditude

2010-02-02T15:05:00.006-06:00

Thank you all so much for stopping by to welcome me!!! You have made me feel so special! I look forward to "meeting" each of you here in this sweet blogland...

I have so many things I want to share and show you! Since Valentines Day is approaching I think the first thing will be some lovely handmade candy boxes.

Hopefully I will have instructions soon on how to make these!

P.S: I'm unable to access my email at the time...hopefully, I'll have this cleared up soon! Thanks! XO

2010-01-31T19:03:00.002-06:00

I walk to the edge of the unknown, leap off and fly...It's scary but so much fun....Hello!!! My name is Ann or as most call me..."Miss Ann"...I am an artist and shopkeeper here at "The Tin Rabbit"

First of all, Thank you Dawn for doing all this for me! I couldn't have done ANY of it without you! You are such an inspiration to me!!! I know you have your wings hidden away somewhere!

With this blog, I hope to inspire, share my ideas, home,thoughts and life....Thank you so much for stopping by.......