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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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.

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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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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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

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.

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

Billy Baldwin Designed With Books

The illustration is a watercolor painted by Mark Hampton of the Cole Porter library with bookcases designed by Billy Baldwin. So very beautiful!

A Great Wonder Dog Story

JIM THE WONDER DOG 1925-1937
Born in Louisiana in 1925, Jim displayed signs of extremely high intelligence. He was able to pick out colors a person was wearing, although dogs are thought to be color-blind. He could pick out a car by its owner, color, make, or license plate number. Jim became a hunting dog who knew which fields contained birds and which ones didn’t. His owner would let Jim choose the field in which to hunt and he was never disappointed. Jim was examined at the University of Missouri by a group of veterinarians and scientists. Results of the examination were normal. He responded to their requests given in Italian, French, German and Spanish. He was taken before a Greek class and given several requests in Greek which he successfully answered. Jim picked the winner in the 1936 World Series. He correctly predicted that Roosevelt would be re-elected in 1936. He also correctly picked the winner in the Kentucky Derby for seven years. And most amazingly, he could predict accurately the sex of an unborn infant. The Wonder Dog died on March 18, 1937 and was buried in a cemetery in Marshall. A small white stone was erected over his grave bearing the inscription “Jim, the Wonder Dog.”
I've been calling my dog Webster, the wonderdog for years just because I love him so much. Thanks for stopping by the cottage for a great dog story today. Rosemary




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Thanksgiving Day At Home

It's so nice to be home for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. Here's hoping all of the travelers arrive safe and sound. I'm cooking cornish game hens this year instead of turkey. All of the trimmings will remain the same; cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, raw cranberry relish, a sweet potato dish (maybe), brussel sprouts, popovers and pie. Yum.

I got a few new old books this week with wonderful graphics. I was so excited when I found this image. I love making these illustrated quotes and sharing them with you.