Patty Here . . .

Hi, it's Patty! (The golden retriever on the left) I wanted to let everyone know

that Gabriel (the other dog) passed away in March,

and Mom didn't want to write about it. (She still doesn't).

so I'm letting everyone know. He was 10. Mom misses him a lot

but now I get all the attention.

 I had cancer - malignant melanoma in my mouth, so I had surgery, then

a vaccine (immunotherapy), and now I'm on chemo. It's a little pill that mom

hides in my food so I don't spit it out. I haven't lost any fur either.

(Except for my normal shedding). Mom has pet insurance. Lucky for me.

Mom gave me a bath in the tub.

I wasn't thrilled with it, but she kept giving me cookies and I forgot about

the water. Mom got some special scissors and watched You Tube

and groomed me herself. I look beautiful. Except she messed up on my

feet, they look kind of choppy. And I'm on a special cancer diet now. Mom

cooks for me. Meat and vegetables, and I get eggs and fish and cottage cheese.

Mom eats Klondike bars and Lean Cuisine.

Mom is busy making Junque Journals. The latest one is called

"Life in the Castle" and it has Knights and Ladies and rich colors.

She really loves making them. They have old sheet music

and lace, and tags and tuck places, and she sews them

by hand. They take a loooong time to make and

then she sells them in the Etsy store.

Love, Patty

New Sewing Themed Junque Journal

I have a new Junk ("Junque") Journal to show you.

This one took me a long time. It has a lot of vintage lace

and ephemera and even some old patterns included.

It's for sale in my Etsy store.

 Lots of pockets and tags!

Hope you enjoyed looking at my journal.

Love, Linda

So Short Summer!

Gabe here!

Mom is grousing about summer being too short.

I like summer because we relax on the porch and watch mom

work in the garden.

And eat cookies.

 Here are some photos of our garden this summer.
There is a little fence around so I can't go in.
If I stick my head in, sometimes I scare a bunny though.

Here is Patty playing poker with our neighbor, Brandon.
She wins a lot.

And of course, I am still as handsome as ever!
I was 9 years old on August 26th.

 Everybody loves me!

Love, Gabe

New Junque Journals

Here's what I've been up to lately

making Junk Journals

 These are hard cover books that have been taken apart, then covered with fabric

and filled with tea and coffee dyed pages, as well as lots of pockets and

tuck spots to fill with tags and ephemera.

 The cover has been embellished with vintage lace and an antiqued collage

of images, poetry and a metal pin.

 Shown are a few of the tuck spots with some tags I created using lace,

buttons and old book pages and old music paper.

 I did a lot of sewing in this book as well.

Hope you liked this peek of my newest project.

It's for sale in my Etsy store.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/541908436/birds-and-flowers-journaljunk?ref=shop_home_active_2

Love, Linda

Handkerchief Bonnets

My new collection of handkerchief bonnets is in the Etsy shop,

all ready for christenings and baptisms, home from the hospital,

upholding family traditions, or beginning new ones.

These bonnets are made from pristine, vintage handkerchiefs,

that have been lovingly preserved over the years,

and now given new life and purpose.

Some of them have been sold, but many are still available.

Enjoy! Love, Linda

My Lilies are Blooming!

Three years ago I bought oriental lily bulbs at the Philadelphia Flower Show

I got some double pink ones, and I can't remember their name.

I also got white Casa Blanca, and planted them in memory of my mother.

We had white Casa Blanca lilies at her funeral.

They are blooming now!

Love, Linda