Another Milestone

Today we celebrated another milestone in our family. Our grandson Jaxson Price Turner was one year old. Love you my little sweetie!


Jaxson at one day old.


Jaxson at one year. What a cutie!

Seven Things About Me

I was tagged by Zita, who has a lovely blog that I enjoy Mlle Magpie, to share seven things about myself and then pass this along to seven interesting people that I would love to know more about. Thanks so much Zita for honoring me!

1~I will be 50 (how did that happen?) next month. Oy vay!

2~My favorite color is brown.

3~I am a terrible procrastinator but a type A personality.

4~I hate housework and do less of it all the time.

5~I have way more ideas and projects in my brain than time.

6~I am madly in love with my two grandbabies.

7~The older I get, the less afraid I am to dress weird.

Okay now for my selection of sistas and one dude to pass this along to:

1~Deb of Talking Trash.

2~Lulu of 2Chippys.

3~Sue of Bella Shabby.

4~Jermonne of Barn House.

5~Tina of Dream In Cream.

6~Lisa of La Rustique Market.

7~Margo of Margo's Junkin' Journal.

Tag, you're it!

Just Add Buttons!

Here is a quick and simple idea to add a custom touch to store bought or handmade pillows. Simply add buttons!

As much as I hate to admit it, above is a pillow I purchased at HomeGoods. The fabric was perfect and the price too good to pass up. Below is the same pillow with four simple shell buttons added. Below is another pillow with added buttons. (I made this one.) See how a few buttons can really up the cute factor!

Collin County tax rolls shrink with economy

By ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning News

High-flying Collin County has been grounded.

Property values here, which have surged throughout the decade, are now flattening or declining, according to appraisal records.

Countywide, taxable values have dropped slightly less than 1 percent, but some cities and school districts have seen larger dips. As a result, they may have to cut spending, reduce services or raise taxes. A county that once seemed immune from downturns has been jolted by the dismal national economy.

Even Frisco, which routinely posted double-digit appraisal increases, has joined its neighbors in the malaise. Its tax base in Collin County dropped from 2008, according to preliminary figures from the Collin Central Appraisal District.

Full Story

Collin County Foreclosures show decline

May 20, 2009 -

By Aleshia Howe

Just in time for the start of the home buying season, new reports show residential foreclosure numbers in Collin County and surrounding areas are on the decline – but so are home sales prices.

The first quarter of 2009 showed an 11.9 decrease in the number of new foreclosures compared to the same time last year, according to the Collin County Association of Realtors. The CCAR Pulse, which studies the 36 real estate markets of 36 local communities, also showed more than 25 percent of area homes sold in the first quarter were foreclosure listings – up 19 percent from the same time last year.

In a separate report, Addison-based Foreclosure Listing Service Inc., a company that tracks foreclosure postings and auctions in 19 Texas counties, tallied a 13 percent drop in Collin County foreclosures from May 2008 to May 2009.

Full story

Thanks Peg

I bought this fabulous old cast iron floor lamp last spring from Terri (Garden Worthy) at Marburger. Mr. Sweet Pea re-wired it and it now sits in my living room. It even came with the old tubular bulbs. Love it! But it needed a little somethin' somethin'... And so, this spring Peg (French Vanilla) had these adorable lampshades that were dripping with old seam binding wrapped around them in rumpled bows. Peg was kind enough to let me snap some pics and I decided that this treatment was exactly what my lamp needed. Here's my version... What do you think?

Modified Amy Butler Bag

I had so much fun this weekend completing this simple bag from Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection - Bags, Pillows & Pincushions. This magazine is available on news stands now and is filled with lots of easy to follow projects.I choose Amy Butler's "Favorite Clutch" found on page 68. The fabric I used is available at JoAnn Fabrics - outside is a bright blue and green paisley and inside is a coordinating green with blue dots. Great spring colors!

Since I am not a clutch kind of girl, I decided to modify the design slightly by adding a handle. I also did some additional top stitching to give the bag a more finished look. This was a perfect project for me, as I have a growing collection of vintage rhinestone pins.

MIA

So you ask, where have I been? Here and there, to and fro, like sagebrush caught in the wind. Have you ever had a period of time where you just couldn't finish anything you started, couldn't get out of your own way? Well that is where I've been. Starting several new projects, finishing none. Dabbling. Driving myself crazy. I know WHAT I want to do~~so as Nike says~~why can't I "Just Do IT"! Words of enouragement appreciated here...

I'll be back...

Simple Table Runner

A simple to make table runner to add a splash of color and style to any table. Finished size as shown is 16" x 54".

Materials List:
1 Yard fabric

Coordinating thread

Directions:

Cut fabric into three pieces of the following sizes - one 18" x 44" and two 9" x 44". Fold and press under 1" along both 44" sides of the 18" x 44" piece of fabric and both 9" sides of two 9" x 44" pieces of fabric. Fold and press raw edges towards crease on all pressed sides.

Sew using a 3/8" seam allowance. Fold and press under 1" on bottom edge of both pieces of 9" x 44" fabric. Fold and press raw edge towards crease. Sew using 3/8" seam allowance.

Lay 18" x 44" piece of fabric right side up on flat surface. Place 9" x 44" piece of fabric wrong side up on top, lining up raw edges and matching one 9" side to long side of 18" x 44" side. Form evenly spaced folds across 18" side. Pin at top and bottom of fold.

Sew along raw edges using a 1" seam allowance. Remove pins from sewn side. Press pleats in place, removing pins at bottom of pleat as you go.

Turn under and sew raw edge.

Repeat with other 9" x 44" piece of fabric.