Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Britain's Smallest Library in a Red Telephone Box






Villagers in Westbury-sub-Mendip, Somerset, England were heartbroken when the mobile library service stopped coming to deliver books. The next library was 4 miles away...a long way to travel for a good read. Someone came up with the brilliant idea of buying a red telephone box and adding shelves to convert it into a tiny book exchange for all to enjoy. It has been a runaway success. The phone box library is open every day for 24 hours and is lit at night. There is a regular check on it to see if some titles are not moving. These are then shipped on to a charity shop to keep the phone box collection fresh. Read more + more.

I love wonderful stories like this, don't you? We have a free book exchange at my post office. There was a village uproar here when all of a sudden the USPS decided it wasn't appropriate. It wasn't in the actual post office, but the vestibule and it was quickly put back after we all wrote letters and made phone calls. We love our little place to buy a stamp, mail a letter, and take a book or magazine. There is a big turnover since everyone makes regular deposits too. All for the love of books.
What's your library card worth? Find out now.



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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Meryl Streep Vanity Fair Cover January



“It’s incredible—I’m 60, and I’m playing the romantic lead in romantic comedies!” Streep says.“Bette Davis is rolling over in her grave.”

Meryl Streep grew up nearby in the Bernardsville / Basking Ridge (New Jersey) area. I have friends that bought her childhood home. When they did some remodeling, my contractor recycled some of the wood from Streep's deck to make a trellis for me at my former residence. I can honestly say that I've painted Meryl Streep lumber. I'm looking forward to seeing her new movie that comes out on Christmas Day It's Complicated because it's about remodeling a kitchen. Steve Martin plays the architect. I think the Vanity Fair issue with her photo on the cover comes out on Wednesday. That should be good too. Magazine credits.



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Origami Wreath | Paper Craft Tutorial


Origami wreath made from old book pages
glued on a gift tag.



I made this one from recycled security envelopes.


Wreath made from old sheet music.

Tutorial. (via Domesticali)
NOTE: I made a few changes.
I changed my dimensions from centimeters to inches.
I cut 8 strips measuring 1-1/2" wide x 3" long.
It was so easy.
I made the one in the second photo on the first try.
The strips interlock and pull apart easily as I found out when photographing my wreath outside in the wind. If you plan to hang these on your tree and have little children around, it might not be a bad idea to use a spot of glue on each strip. You will figure it out.

So much fun. So many possibilities. Once again, here's something wonderful made from nothing. I like that! Have fun. Make lots!

Nice to tuck inside a Christmas Card too.


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Life's Little Instruction Book page 145 + Two Photos




I can hardly believe it's December. I can't remember October, can you? I hope the weather will be clear tomorrow night because the full moon is on December 2nd at 7:30. The Santa card is by Martha Stewart for Crane. I love it because it reminds me of some of the great pictorial calligraphy from the 19th century.



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Monday, November 30, 2009

Decorate Christmas Cookies Easily

I scanned the images from an old insert in a Martha Stewart Living Magazine. I think the geometric colored sugar designs are quite beautiful and unique. Easy too. Look in your kitchen junk drawer and see if you can find some utensils with slots or holes. Don't forget to look at your barbeque tools too. 

"Men and Dogs Love An Open Fire" Illustrated Quote Dorothy Draper


It's finally cold enough to have a roaring fire. The last image is my first fire this year at the cottage. I'm going to bring lots of firewood up to the house from the barn today. Tonight will be perfect for a fire and a movie. Dorothy Draper is not a decorator that I have followed or know much about but I plan to learn more. Don't you like the frame I picked for the illustrated quote I designed? Have a wonderful week and enjoy the last day in November. The countdown has begun.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Contented Dog . . .




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Advent Calendar : Free Download

Today is the first day of Advent. I found this free download while reading a blog on my Google Reader. I printed mine and can't wait to put it together. You will need a craft knife, a ruler and some glue. It will be easy and fun. Make one for each child in your life and one for yourself. The countdown has begun! Notice that the numbers are jumbled up and you have to hunt around to find the correct one. This teaches counting, numbers, the concept of time, and most importantly patience, so it's educational too. Enjoy and share! Rosemary



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Cate Blanchett :: "I Speak Earth"


Visit the website for I.Speak.Earth



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An Open Fire + Christmas Music = Perfect Together

This open fire is a preview of a faux wood-burning fire on a wonderful holiday website. You never have to tend it as you listen to great classic Christmas music in the background. If you view it full screen (press F11) you would swear that it was the real thing. The musical selections are all old favorites that play continuously without repeating. I will pull this up while I wrap packages or when I want a wonderful image on my computer screen with seasonal music. Don't you love it? Enjoy and share. - Rosemary


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Saturday, November 28, 2009

Untie The Ribbons



The colder weather is finally here. We had a lot of wind last night and I'll be busy picking up sticks when I take Webster for his morning walk. I don't think I have ever mentioned how fanatical I am about sticks on the ground. They are not allowed! I've found that if I pick them up on a daily basis, they don't have a chance to become a problem. It's good exercise too. Thanks for stopping by the cottage for a great quote. Don't you love it? Have a nice weekend. Rosemary



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Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday Illustrated Quote




I'm celebrating Buy Nothing Day today. Buy Nothing Day is your special day to unshop, unspend and unwind. Relax and do nothing for the economy and for yourself - at least for a single day. After such a busy day yesterday, the day after Thanksgiving is a perfect do nothing day, especially since the refrigerator is full of leftovers and I don't have to cook. I created the image with the holly for the inside of my 2007 Christmas card. Enjoy your Friday whatever you choose to do. Thanks for stopping by the cottage. Rosemary



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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Day 2009

Norman Rockwell "Freedom from Want" Saturday Evening Post cover March 6, 1943. All of my childhood Thanksgivings were like this. Have a wonderful holiday, I know I will. The cottage smells absolutely wonderful! Wishing all of you an old-fashioned Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

There Is Honor In Being A Dog ~ Aristotle

Dogs have always been loved, haven't they? The illustration is a photo of an antique tile with the funkiest dog ever. Thanks for stopping by the cottage for an illustrated quote. Rosemary



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Life's Little Instruction Book page 144 + Happy Thanksgiving

The Turkey Day countdown has begun. I worked on my grocery list all day yesterday and finally went to the market around 5:30. I got a great parking spot, whizzed through the store, found everything I needed, got in line behind one woman who was almost finished checking out, helped bag my 4 sacks, loaded the car easily since there was a street lamp overhead, and got home at 6:30. I've always had good luck shopping at the dinner hour. Our weather has been quite warm for this time of year in New Jersey. It is drizzling rain this morning so I'm glad I did a load of laundry yesterday that dried nicely on the line. Have a safe trip if you are traveling and enjoy the holiday tomorrow. Don't forget #477 above. Happy Thanksgiving from the cottage. Rosemary