The Rusty Nail

We went to the Rusty Nail today. It is one of my favorite places to go.

The first thing you will notice when you pull into their driveway, is all of their lovely flower gardens, planted by Joan Holland.

The people who work at The Rusty Nail are always helpful and happy to see customers. The owner is Cindy Thompson, a very sweet person. They are located at 2039 W. Main Salem , Illinois 62881. Phone : 618- 548- 3034. They are open: Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00p.m. ** Friday and Saturday 10:00a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ** Sunday 12:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

For all you who love antiques, and who love handmade crafts, this place is a pure joy to visit.
They have been in business for 5 years and have a great assortment of items. They have everything from candles to quilts. They also have handmade crocheted dishcloths for 2.50 , I just love these . They ship their products, so if you see something you like give them a call.

Now the fun part , here are the pictures I took today, you will have to click on older posts to see all of them. I hope you enjoy them. *Nita*

The front of The Rusty Nail and their Potting Shed

Even the bathroom is Charming

John Boat filled with Goldfish

This is inside The Rusty Nail. I think this idea is so cool.

Hand Crocheted Dishclothes for 2.50

Teacup with its Bevy of Teapots

Americana Anyone?

More pictures on next page.

You have got to see the Raggedy Ann pillow faces, Sooo cute!!

Lonley Elf Seeks Mate

In the Mood for Halloween? The Rusty Nail is the place to be.

Raggedy Ann Pillow Faces run 4.00 each

Rugs and Pillows go hand in hand

Handmade Myrtle Bear

Summer Memories

This is a print I found many years ago at an old flea market, I have it in my hall. It looks exactly like an old house I used to go to when I was a teenager. It was abandoned, and the old man who had lived there had died, and no one in his family ever sold it.

We only lived a couple of miles from this house , and you could see it from across the field from my home. It was a place I loved to go to. I could go sit in the hayloft and read a book for hours and no one would bother me. It's funny how fearless I was at that age. I once chased a peeping tom down the alley that I caught looking in our window. Now, it seems there is so much to fear.

The inside of the house was strangely left as if the old man were still alive. His dishes were in the walk- in -pantry. His suits hung in his closet as if waiting for him to come home and wear them. The kitchen sink had one of those wonderful old hand pumps. The sink overlooked the west end of the field, and I imagined the old man's wife doing dishes and watching the sun set.

I walked up the stairs to the second floor one day and was hit by a wave of nostalgia so strong, for those that had lived there, that I had to sit on the steps to recover . I walked through their old bedrooms, each one, and oddly enough, their beds were all still there. I really never thought about me being a trespassor. I never took anything, only the comfort that it brought my soul by being there.

I took one boyfriend there, he was someone I cared for deeply. Usually I went alone. I remember he and I looking at the fields of corn that surrounded the house. That year we had so much rain that the corn seemed 10 feet tall , and it was so green. As we turned to leave, he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me so soft and intensely that I have never forgot it. It lingers in my mind and comes to visit me on hot August nights. I miss being kissed like that. It seems when you are married for so long most men tire of kissing, but that kiss.... I will remember. And that house I will always treasure. *Nita*

Retreat from the World

This picture came from the new Country Gardens magazine. Which is totally awesome. They have so many great ideas in this book.

When I first saw this picture, I knew I had found the little house I wanted in my back yard.

It is actually a potting shed. But I would make it a tiny cottage. I will have an old iron daybed in it, smothered in soft beautiful pillows. Some of the pillows will be made of rose print material. Some will be made from soft pink chenille material. The daybed will be painted a soft white.

I will have a stool in the far corner with a tiny sink next to it, and there will be a curtain around the whole thing for privacy. We will have a small fridge for soda and water. And last but not least, a small desk with a shelf above it to hold some of my favorite books. The desk will be in front of the window which overlooks the flower garden. Even though we grow older we never lose the urge for a playhouse, do we? It seems my whole life I have longed for a small place I could call my own. A nook, a room, somewhere to hide from the world for awhile. what about you? *Nita*

My Dream Kitchen

This is from the new Country Living 2008 Planner. I love this photo so much, because this is my dream kitchen. The only thing I would change is, I would move the shelf over the sink. But the sink! It blows me away. It is so old fashioned. Do you like it?

Sunflower Houses

This is a page from the book, Sunflower Houses by Sharon Lovejoy.

I love this particular passage. During the day, The faeries are curled up sleeping in the hearts of the flowers. But at night, when the moon and stars are shining brightly, they troop out onto their green ball room floor and dance and sing ( with tiny cricket voices ) in celebration of the children who gave them shelter.

By the way, I am slowly collecting material for my faerie house. Bits of moss here, and little acorn hats for lamps. Small twigs and all manner of sweet things.

Scroll to the bottom, and I will have this page so you can see it larger .

Pieces

I tore this out of a magazine several years ago because I loved the way it looked. I am going to make one of these in the next couple of weeks. But I have a rock, that a dear friend gave to me that says, * Luck* I am going to use. Just looking at this picture soothes me.

I was thinking about something today as I was looking around at several different sites. I thought, we are all trying to touch others in the world. With our art, our little corners of our home, our stories, our lives.

We want to reach out beyond our own tiny little worlds, and our own perspectives.

It almost feels like if we touch someone with our life we leave a little piece of us behind.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Boy, do I feel Silly!

I want to apologize to Miss Donna over at Quiet Life. I wanted to nominate her for A Nice Matters Award and forgot to add her to my list. I was so excited and tired that night I overlooked it. But, I am nominating her now. This woman is a wonderful person. The love she shows her family touches my heart. She is grounded, and real in her faith in Christ. Take a peak at her site you won't be disappointed.

I Now Declare Miz Booshay For A Nice Matters Award:

http://www.booshay.blogspot.com/

I've Been Tagged - he he

I've been tagged by sweet Sheri , over at http://blendedcolors.blogspot.com/ to post my 5 favorite older posts. O.K. I am a rule breaker because I am posting 6. But, hey I couldn't leave the Fairy Houses out!! Here are my favs:





1. http://redtinheart.blogspot.com/2007/07/ghost-of-violin-annie.html



2. http://redtinheart.blogspot.com/2007/07/beach-days-gone-awry.html



3. http://redtinheart.blogspot.com/2007/07/conaghar.html



4. http://redtinheart.blogspot.com/2007/07/ghost-of-persimmon-road.html



5. http://redtinheart.blogspot.com/2007/07/quilter-textile-artist-janet-bolton.html



6. http://redtinheart.blogspot.com/2007/07/fairy-house.html

Nice Matters Award

I was nominated for a Nice Matters Award by Amy over at Abundant Curiosities , http://abundantcuriosities.blogspot.com/

Now, I have to nominate the people I want to receive this award.

Here they are:

1. Blended Colors

http://blendedcolors.blogspot.com/

2. The Feathered Nest

http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/

3. Dying Man's Journal

http://hudds53.wordpress.com/

4. Love Conquers All

http://loveconquersall.typepad.com/

5.Blackberry Creek

http://blackberrycreek.typepad.com/blackberry_creek/

6.Thrifty Collage Artist

http://thriftycollageartist.blogspot.com/

7. Treasure Barn

http://treasurebarnblog.blogspot.com/

I had to pick a couple of more people than I was supposed to, but these people are awesome! They are great encouragers and talented artists. I would encourage you to visit their sites, for you will come away feeling better. xoxo Nita

American Indian Monday

Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce led 600 of his tribe in a 1,600-mile fighting retreat against U.S, forces. After 13 battles in 1877, he was forced to yield when only 30 miles from sanctuary in Canada.

Photo and information from the book: America's Fascinating Indian Heritage.

There are a couple of pictures at the bottom of page, that go with American Indian Monday.

A Room of One's Own (ATC)

I made this last night.

The little white cabinet is in my kitchen, it holds art supplies, and I have a plant, just like this on top.

Shadow of His Wings

The last few days have been really hard. I was studying this morning and found these scriptures. They comforted me so much. Sometimes when the way is so dark that I feel like I can't see my way anymore, God always helps me. I hope these comfort you as much as they do me.

Psalm 33:18

Behold, the eye
of the Lord is on those
who fear Him, on those
who hope in His mercy.

Psalm 37:7

The angel of the Lord
encamps all around those
who fear Him,
and delivers them.


Habakkuk 3:19

The Lord God is my strength,
He will make my feet like
deers feet,
And He will make me walk
on my high hills.

Blue Heart

My nephew Malik made this today by accident! He was working on another project and was dabbing his red heart on this aqua paper. I loved this more than his project he was working on , and so did he after he took a good look at it. I am going to use this color paper to make my next project and the red paint too, love it.

( Simlplicity ATC)

I long for simplicity.

Just to have a simple life, not a dull life, just simple. It seems our lives are burdened with so much noise and sometimes with chaotic images all around us. This ATC reminded me when I was a child, and the simple delight I took in flowers.

Joy ATC Card

I see joy in my life, even if I have to name it and claim it. Sometimes, it seems like a big raincloud tries to follow me wherever I go, but no more! Rainclouds, get the Hades out of here!! I want Joy.

Does He Really? ATC Card

I made this card last night. I made two others that I am posting later.