Monticello

The beautiful home of Thomas Jefferson. 3rd President of the United States of America. Author of the Declaration of Independence, one of our Founding Fathers.

Photo looking out the window of the Ticket House.

It was a foggy morning. A tad cool. I had just bought a new camera for work and was trying it out on this trip. DH said that he remembered me reading the manual in the car while we were waiting for Monticello to open. So, I guess these are the first photos taken with this camera....

Indoor photos were not allowed. Something about the ownership of all the antiques and furnishings in the house and contracts to include no images being taken, etc etc... But we were allowed to take all the photos we wanted of the outside. Lovely Bowling Greens.

There was a painter and a ladder on this porch. They were trying to get through before the crowds started coming around to take.... pictures! DD, DH and I all took photos and did an excellent joy shooting around the ladder and painter. Those columns are pretty big!

The flower gardens are so beautiful. Jefferson grew many many varieties of flowers and plants. (I think this is Joe-Pye Weed in the foreground in this photo.) In some areas, the lighting was bad, so I chose not to take photos. But it was fun to get photos with fog.

The pond looks like a looking glass. Very pretty.

One of Jefferson's vegetable gardens. The building to the left was one of his offices. He was very 'hands on' with all of his work. He would spend hours with his work in that room. And who could blame him? Look at that view!

Jefferson's favorite food was peas. He grew 28 different varities on his farm.

This is where his body lays at rest. And I have no idea why I took this photo in Black and White except I had a new camera and was experimenting. LOL! And was at a graveyard.

Monticello, a beautiful place to tour, visit and spend a day. Learn about our history and about one of our Founding Fathers. A great leader of our nation.

They have a great gift shop, garden shop, hiking trails, etc. We have always planned 1/2 day there. To enjoy it fully, you need to plan on 3/4 to a full day.

Thank you Kelli for Hosting Friday Show and Tell every week. To participate or to see more Friday Show and Tell posts, go to Kelli's blog-There's No Place Like Home.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Look at the Gifts!

Good morning everyone! Welcome to my Friday Show and Tell. And thank you Kelli for hosting Friday Show and Tell every week. It has been a while since I have been able to participate. And actually, I had a textile piece I was going to feature, but I will show it next week. You will just have to come back. :-D

I hope that every one had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. We sure did. Looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2009.

Just before Christmas, I won a GiveAWay from Jan at "Jan and Tom's Rose Haven".

I did not get many photos of the package b/c DD got to the mail box first... It was torn open and she promptly acclaimed she knew exactly where to hang it and took off. LOL!

Her former nursery, (she is now 10) our now Beatrix Potter room, was not decorated and DD had a great time...

...stringing this wonderful Pom Pom Garland. I love it!!! I have another place all planed for it for next year. Jan also sent me some wonderful tea, which will be great on these cold winter afternoons. Thank You Jan!

Today as we were walking in from the bus stop, DD discovered another box... who could it be from?!?! (Thank goodness I was able to get if from her before she tore it up. Isn't this wonderful paper?!?)

It is from sweet Shannon of "Bless Our Nest"!

In the box was a lovely Valentines Tea Towel,

And look at this wonderful framed monogrammed plaque she made me! Isn't it divine! I love it. I love them both. Thank you Shannon!

I hope that you enjoyed my Friday Show and Tell. To see other Friday Show and Tells,or to participate, go to Kelli's site There's No Place Like Home. Thank you Kelli for Hosting!

Have a blessed weekend y'all!
Melissa

Fine Machine Sewing (at Smocking Convention)

Since I am getting my artisianship in Fine Machine Sewing, I thought I would take a class in Fine Machine Sewing.
I chose a class taught by Gail Doan, Pin Tucked Bonnet, Fine Machine Sewing. A really nice class.

I have known Gail for many years on the internet. Seems like my DD and her youngest are about the same in age. We met briefly years ago at a Martha Pullen School of Art and Fashion. Maybe at of couple of those. (I have only gone to two.) And now Gail is a teacher! Actually, she has been teaching for a while. Seems like she was teaching at the last SAGA Convention that I went to.

Gail is a wonderful designer and had been featured in Sew Beautiful, Australian Smocking and Embroidery and other publications as well.

Here are some nice pintucks in our piece.

Gail is assisting a student.

These two bonnets have their ruffles, and some of their lace and ribbon. They are almost finished.The will be finished off with blue silk ribbon.

Here are some samples of Gails other bonnet designs and bonnet classes that she teaches.

Gail shows us how to make the silk ribbon Rosette.


Isn't it just beautiful!

A lovely bonnet for a baby to wear with a pretty day gown, Easter Dress or to wear to church on Sunday Morning. It will make a nice gift that any mother will just love.

If Gail is ever in your area teaching classes, it will be well worth your time to sign up. She is an excellent teacher. Just wonderful. A great class and a great project.

This is also my Friday Show and Tell for this week hosted by Kelli of "There's No Place Like Home". To see more Show and Tell's click here.

Happy Anniversary!

16 years ago, my husband and I married. It has been a wonderful 16 years and I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. (Happy Anniversary Honey. I know you read my blog every day. I love you and you are a blessing to me.)

We spent our honeymoon in the mountains. (I had two other photos to post, I took them this past June, but I can't find where I stored them.) I saw this heart hanging on the window in the gift shop of the Mt. Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had arrived the night before and it was cold. I remember the inn restaurant had a salad and the most wonderful French Onion Soup. The next morning, after breakfast, I went into the gift shop and saw this heart. I had to have it. I showed it to Ed and he loved it as well. It has been hanging over the sink in my kitchen ever since.

This is my Friday Show and Tell! Thank you Kelli for hosting Friday Show and Tell.

Make sure you stop by Kelli's There's No Place Like Home and check out all the other Friday Show and Tell participants.

Fall Y'all!

I have had a busy week. That is good. :-) Keeps me out of trouble. ;-) Next week should be slower.

We have had a nip in the air. A smell of fall. Nice window opening weather in the early AM and late PM. Sigh. Now I am getting in the mood to decorate for fall.

This is a little start!


The pumpkins are from where else but... the $ Tree! The basket is an old silver plate basket that I have had and spray painted a few weeks ago. The frame is from "shopping" in my basement, spray painting and adding a glazed finish. Chalk board spray painted foam core, again found in the basement.

Make sure you stop by Kelli's There's No Place Like Home and check out all the other Friday Show and Tell participants.

I have been a little more inspired and went shopping.... well, after I went to my MS patient's house to do her physio-therapy/training.

Addendum!
I added a few photos of some more things that I have done today.

Today, I found this plate at Marshalls for 50 cents. It does not go with a thing in this house. But when I am done, it can be a starter of my new 'china garden'. :D

"What'cha do'in?" Zoey is coming into the room to check on what I am doing... (Off topic here-notice where the grout stain stops? and the messy job? Don't, don't leave supplies where precocious 8 year olds, who think they know it all, can get to the supplies. B/c of trying to fix her mess, I still have not finished restaining my grout... another post, another day.) I am not putting Zoey in the cloche.

I saw where Kimba (Soft Place to Land) made one of these and posted it on her site this morning. I was looking for one while shopping yesterday and Target had them for 29.99.... too rich for my blood... Especially when it might be in the Goodwill box next month! I had the finial from Lowe's sitting in a drawer- .20 cents. I received a 40% off coupon in the email box from Micheals yesterday. Vase came from there. 7.99 - 40% +9% sales tax. Little more than 5 bucks.

Votive holder from the $$$ Tree 2 for a $. The faux harvest came from Ross. Though I have a bunch from the $$$ Tree as well.

This is a Princess House Chrystal Vase that my mom gave me 15-16 years ago. It just sits around. When I saw Ramona's vases full of the faux harvest and pine cones, I thought "Oh, I need to clean the dust off of that and fill it up!!!" Looks good! Now to get on with more decorating!

Ed's Grandmother's Trivets

I am participating in Kelli's of There's No Place Like Home Friday Show and Tell. {Click on this link to read more about it.}

I took these photos with my trusty point and shoot camera. I think they came out OK? And a lot quicker to upload to my blog as well. :D

A few weeks ago, my FIL's wife gave me these lovely trivets. They were made by my husband's Grandmother. She was much loved by her family. And the lady knew how to use a needle. They thought I would appreciate them.

The top two were, I believe, made as pot holders. And must have hung in the kitchen. They both have a loop on them. The yellow orange (variegated thread) is the only one made like that. They are both smaller.

They had stains on them. I had to soak them in Sun (same as biz only cheaper) for several days. It did lift the color just a tad. The pink was darker.

This one was a tad more vibrant.

This one also had ink on it as well as stains. Lots of Grandmothers Secret Spot Remover and Sun. This one soaked over and over for days to remove all the stains. It did fade a good bit.

Mom (what she was called by her children, DIL and Grandchildren) was an excellent craftswoman. And she used excellent materials. These trivets were stored for decades with the stains. That eats away at the fibers in the textiles. (Textiles must be cleaned in like dove dishwashing liquid, rinsed throughly and packed away. All sugar and stains removed before storage.) I was suprised that the fibers held up so well to the soaking. They look just beautiful!

And doesn't it look beautiful underneath my Laura Ashley Teapot made by Stashfordshire?

Yard Sale and Thrift Store Finds

I am participating in Kelli's of There's No Place Like Home Friday Show and Tell. {Click on this link to read more about it.}

Last Saturday, I met up with Rhoda of Southern Hospitality and we went yard selling. Man she is GREAT to go with. She does not dilly dally or dig through junk that is out there b/c no one wants it. She is like me. Walks around it, sniffs around, gets back to the car and moves on. My kinda woman. And she knows stuff!

She may not have found anything, but I did find a few things. :D One is my pearl. I did pay about $10 too much considering there is no foot petal, plug or accessories outside of a couple of bobbins.
This is a ~1927~ era Singer Sewing Machine. One of the first table top electrics. It is the daddy to the Featherweight. I bought strictly for a decorative piece. It's daddy looks just like it, but is a hand crank. If I had seen that, I would have passed out on that man's driveway. Then I would have had to pay asking price or walk away empty handed.

Needless to say, I was thrilled with my find. The hardest thing was to not look too excited. Then they know they have you. Rhoda is a good coach. She did not know anything about vintage sewing machines, but she did help me come up with a good dickering price. And not look too excited. :D I was so happy with my find!!!!

I also found a couple of pashminas (new still in packages) and a couple of plant stands for bargains while we were out. The pashminas will be handy for winter scarves and one I plan to use as a should wrap with a black dress for a dinner I will be going to next month. Plant stands are great! (Rhoda, I hope your car did not hatch a bunch of spiders!) As soon as these hurricanes and all this humidity passes, I plan on painting them.

Now on to Thrift Store Finds.... I have discovered a little thrift store that takes donations and profits (after expenses are paid) are donated to several ministries about town. Two of their ministries are dear and near to my heart. So, I plan on sending most of my future discards to them and shopping them every chance I get.

I found this nice willow basket. It will be saved for a perch and potty for Zoey. Zoey is 'perched' trained. She will not go in her cage, and rarely on a person. We have to keep a perch (willow basket) next to her cage (or where ever she is) for her to climb onto to potty.... Occassionaly she chews them and tears them up, so... If I can find one for $4.25 cents, I get it! :-)

BTW, we usually put a layer of rocks in the bottom of the basket and line it with news paper. We change out the news paper frequently.

I do have a weakness for nice linens. This is a table topper. It is a fine hankerchief linen with machine embroidery and hemstitching. The crochet lace is all by hand. Very nice and mint condition. It was $4. I need to wash and iron it.... ;-)

Those were my finds! And my Friday Show and Tell. Make sure you go by Kelli's to see other Show and Tells for this week as well!

I hope y'all have a blessed day!

More Teapots and Collections

I am participating in Kelli's of There's No Place Like Home Friday Show and Tell. {Click on this link to read more about it.}

Last week's teapots was just a small dent in my collection. I no longer know how many I have. Some are boxed up for seasons. Now every time I open a gift, it is usually a teapot. I love them so I do not mind. I have many Christmas ones and they are boxed up in the basement or attic and will come out in a few months. Looking at this photo at eye level, it is not displayed very well. I will have to work on that. I think you can click on this photo to enlarge it. To the left is a disney tea set from Beauty and the beast. It is for looks, not to use. DH and DD got it for me years ago. Clocksworth came to an untimely demise a few years ago on my terracotta floor. I do keep tea bags stored in the armoir in that is in the back. She is the tea caddy.

The blue set with the fall leaves is a set my mom got me several years ago. Next week it will be displayed for fall. I store it here the rest of the year. There are two milk glass candle stick holders that were my grandma's. The large milk crock in the center was one of my great grand mother's. It has a USA stamp on the bottom. Very heavy and probably 75-100 years old. I don't use it. Just wipe off the dust and leave it alone. I do not want it to come to any untimely demise on my terracotta floor. As you can see, I like blue and white. :-). And I am not a stranger to foux finishes.
The cabinet I bought at unfinished furniture and DH and I painted. I did the crackling. Did not turn out exactly like I wanted, but I still love it. I do want to tone it down some and thanks to all my new blogging friends, I now know how to do it. :-)
While the wall looks cream in this photo, it is several shades of yellow. I did a foux finish (dry brush glaze) that I just love. Several shades of yellow. However, under that particular wall of paint (ceiling paint and primer...) are several samples of foux finishes. Yep. I painted this room 2 times, did not like it. Had to prime it, found out some finishes... only ceiling paint will only cover up. (Yep ladies, when primer will not work, ceiling paint will always cover. So file that away for when you get in trouble. ) So, I got tons of samples of paints, mixed with glazes and put them in strips on that wall. That way, when the sun touched it at different times of day, I could see it and decided if I liked it or not. The combination I have now I liked the best. :-)

I also found a better photo of the chandelier I painted and DH installed for me last week.

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We have 4 little birds. 3 budgies. Here is the Daddy- Tweety on the left and Mama- Candie on the right:

And here is their son, who we hatched a couple of years ago, Elvis. He is a called a harlequin. A beautiful coloration.

And here is Zoey the Grey. (If I ever get another grey I am going to call it Gandolf.)

Right now, they are all molting. I have feathers everywhere. I am also very surprised that these little fella's are not totally nekkid! But they seem to be covered! But I have a lot of dusting and vacuuming to keep up with. Life of being a bird owner I guess.