Gluebook in Progress~~~~~~~~~

Extra hot GLUE this week............110 degrees here today! This girl anxiously awaiting FALL............my favorite season~~~~~~

With the little moleskins, I tend to do all two page spreads...........







I really do not like this last one. Proportions are wrong and it just does not make it. Every good glue-girl has her bad days :(

August Collage Challange at GreenPaper and BUTTONS!

Fun with Mary Green today with her 3 image Collage August for this first week of AUGUST! I cropped the French page and copied it on card stock. I then cropped the pretty lady and gave her a soft border in a shade of brown. Ran the French page back through to print off the lady. Cropped the blank label, inserted the words and ran it off on another page. Cut and pasted and voila!, a Frenchy piece called "Expectantly Waiting".

Actually I am not waiting, but sitting home missing the National Button Society Show in Grand Rapids this week! I had planned on going, but LIFE got in the way. If you are reading this, love buttons and can make it there, GO, if at all possible. Details are here: National Button Society

Book Review and Gluing Too

Summer finds me still reading up a storm and working in the gluebook.
Using a blank Moleskin, instead of an old book with some pages removed, requires a lot more thought and effort. More pics soon.


Villette by Charlotte Brontë

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


To read Villette is to re-align your mind to thinking and understanding in a far different way than we are accustomed to today. The depth of feeling, expressed in deep, sometimes involved descriptions, requires more attention and diligence to the page. I sometimes need to re-read sentences to obtain the meaning.



Lucy is an English girl with no family, who travels to Villette, France to take employment at a girls' school. Her days there are sometimes filled with ennui, as she deals with Madame Beck, head of the school. Emanuel Paul, another teacher becomes important to her although he and Lucy clash in many ways. The love interests of other characters add to Lucy's life and also her angst at her position in life. Spiritual differences between Catholicism and Protestantism figure large between Lucy and the other characters.



For me, not as compelling as Jane Eyre, but a good read. The ending is left to the reader to decide, with the last paragraphs written in a rather hazy way.



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Book Review

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Poor man goes fishing. Has only a very small boat. Takes no food. Wears no shoes. With skill he hooks a great fish. Slowly draws him in on his line. Kills the fish with a harpoon. Lashes him to the small boat for the trip home. All of this takes 3 days. On the way sharks attack and eat the fish. On arrival home the fish is just a skeleton and the old man is spent.



At first I was quite bored reading, but then began to see the messages. A simple story but with much to ponder. Despite his poverty and lack of proper tools, he manages to use what he has to do what he can. He is grateful for the fish and his ability to kill them. He also realizes that his downfall was "going too far out" and thus not able to make it back home with any of the fish remaining. He is a man reconciled to his lot in life and does what he can to make the most of it. A good parable for all.



The sweetest part of the story for me is his relationship with a little boy in his town. They have fished together and the boy cares a lot for the old man. When he returns from the trip, the boy is so relieved and cries and cries for him.



A simple life........ working at what you know with the best of your ability.



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Book Review

Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany by Marthe Cohn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I am forever amazed at what people during World War II endured and lived to tell about. This true story reveals the life of a French Jewish woman and her family. Trained as a nurse, Marthe Cohn was full of an heroic boldness that saved herself and much of her family, as the Nazi occupation pushed them out of their homes, seeking refuge further south in France. As the war neared the end, Marthe served with the French First Army, aiding the allied commanders in troop movements and plans of the enemy. She was awarded the highest military order in France, the Medaille Militaire at the age of 80. An inspiring story of a common woman giving quite uncommon devotion to her country.



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Book Review

Daughters-in-Law by Joanna Trollope

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


As a mother of 3 sons, Rachel is quite domineering and rather used to having things her way. As they marry, sparks fly as the couples strive to form their own lives, which are not always to the liking of their mother/mother-in-law. These characters are all well formed and believable, and it is intriguing to see how they impact one another in the continued search for family unity despite life changes that are always inevitable. Rachel has positioned herself as a wife and mother and the one who plans and oversees family gatherings. When this is no longer needed or wanted in the same way, not only does she have to deal with the change, but her entire family learns and grows from it in good ways. The book ends very happily and although that part is not so realistic, I loved that it did so. Ms.Trollope gives us such a well written gift of a story that goes to the heart of relationships. Of course, being an Anglophile at heart, all the little bits and pieces of English life make the read even more endearing.



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Author Note: Did you know that Joanna is related to Anthony Trollope, wonderful author of so many fine books in 1800's England

Book Review: Storm at the Door

The Storm at the Door by Stefan Merrill Block

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This young author seems to possess profound understanding of what mental illness can mean to both the patient and family. Set in the 1960's, the story centers on his grandfather, diagnosed with manic depression.  The descriptions of events might happen to many of us given a push one way or another.

Traveling through episodes at the mental institution and the sheer pointlessness felt by so many was very tiring, but brought greater understanding  about mental conditons. 



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Newest Gluebook Pages and ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Last of Mrs. Chaney

Spent a great couple of hours this morning with my gluebook, my husband and a fun movie on Turner Classic Movies, The Last of Mrs. Chaney. Give me the old ones any day for quality acting, humor, great locations, sets, costumes, BUTTONS sometimes too.

After lunch I made Blueberry Scones. Wanna come over?








What are YOU doing today; hmmmmmmmmm??

Book Review - Queen Lucia~~~~~~~

Queen Lucia by E.F. Benson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Written in 1920, Queen Lucia is like a breath of fresh air and a nice change for me in what I have been reading. Living in the small village of Riseholme, the town's eminent quirky citizens all line up behind the doings and such of Lucia, the self-appointed Queen. Most important is who is doing what and who else knows it and how they might take credit for it. Various realms of belief to enlighten their lives are sought with fervor. The humor is superbly dry, witty and quite English in the extreme. As a dedicated Anglophile, I say "Here,here; Good Show!"



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Gotta See This!

Oh, how I would dearly LOVE to go here and see this!
Such a fascinating family of creative people........ And, so many buttons to love!

Book Review~Gardenias by Faith Sullivan

Gardenias: A Novel by Faith Sullivan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The life and mind of 9 year old Lark, from Harvester Minnesota in the 1930's, is the voice of this story, the roots of which were laid in the authors' 3 previous books in the series. World War II is now raging and Lark's mother has left her husband and, with her sister Betty, moved to a town in California, taking a reluctant Lark. The neighbors and others they meet become a major part in Lark's formative years there. Shirley, abused and ignored, is enveloped into the family, much to Lark's dismay. The coming of age happenings that are sometimes frightening and confusing occur with input from Shirley, who is much wiser to the ways of the world. The role that other adults play in the girls' young lives takes me back to those who meant so much to me. An insightful look into those torn apart by war as well as the relationships in families that both hurt and nurture. I recommend reading the previous books although this one stands on it's own.



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Love and Summer by William Trevor

Love and Summer by William Trevor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A man is devastated at the death of his wife and child.............a brother and sister deal with the death of their mother..........a young girl comes to live on a farm from a home for foundling girls...........an elderly man with dementia is forever living in a time and place long gone.......An unknown man on a bicycle interrupts life in the town.

All of these characters are developed into a picture of life of common Irish people, who influence one another in rather subtle ways. Trevor is brilliant at his characterizations and we can almost feel the emotion as their lives are played out. Love and loss and guilt and pain and redemption all lie in wait.



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More Gluebook Pages

I believe that I have really learned a new way of laying out my pages, thanks to Mary Green at GreenPaper Since taking her Vintage GlueBook class, I have been much more mindful of composition of the page and how the eye can be drawn most effectively to view the page. Mary still has her great discount on the class through June.


This second one I especially love as the background pieces are my Grandmother's handwritten recipes. Also, on the sheet music, the name McKinley, my granddaughter.

Book Review

A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear




In 1932 England, Masie Dobbs is working not only as an investigator in her own detective agency, but has been sought by the government to an added task; to monitor questionable activities at St. Francis College in Cambridge as a member of the teaching staff. With what we now know of the horrific events of the following years, reading about those who were caught up in the Fascist/Nazi movement is chilling. Masie leads a very regimented life, with a strong work ethic and helping those in her midst who need both emotional as well as financial help. She is rather hesitant in totally giving her heart to love, but desperately wants to find that soul mate. Following Masie through the series shows her continued steadfast strong character and the reader develops a sort of friendship with her and longs for her happiness.



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INCREDIBLE Movie

I do not often recommend movies of our current day as there are not too many that I feel are worthy. Temple Grandin, starring Clare Danes is one I believe everyone should experience. (As you can see from the picture, STAR likes it too)

Based on the true life of a girl with autism and how she and her family help her not only to deal with the condition but through persistence and education to rise far above it. Her gift of seeing all things in pictures is both alarming and intriguing and sometimes very funny. Clare Danes is simply brilliant in this role and brings such understanding to the role.

The quote left to me from the movie was "I'm Different, but not Less".

Quiet Celebration

Celebrating our 43 Years of Marriage today! Thanks Mr. K!

GoodReads --- Reading and Organizing Books

This past year I was introduced to the Good Reads site and it is an amazing way to sort my books into just the right categories. I have made lists of Books read, Books To-read, Faves of all Time and ones I have quit reading. They can also be alphabetized. It is also a great way to find books you might not know of and read reviews by others.

Click on the above Label upper right and see. What are you reading right now?

Berries and Glue

Well, not TOGETHER but both here today~~~~~~~~~~~~~Yummy on the S'Berries with homemade shortcake.


Here are 2 Glue Pages since taking the online Class from Mary Green. I thought I knew a lot about this, but have learned several new things from Mary. Plus, she has a discount on the class through June. Click on her little Sign on the sidebar to get details.




AND, a BIG Welcome to my friend Tami who has just started to blog------------ Vintage Connections See it HERE: http://vintageconnections.blogspot.com/

So............... a Year Later~~~~~~~~

Popping back into blogging after a year away.

I have been pondering over why I chose to blog originally and why I am back. Yes, I enjoyed making some new friends out there and showing what I created and how I lived in my little world. I also realized that the blogging world can make you rather competitive and anxious about trying to come up with more creative and clever posts. After all, there are lots of creative people! So, I did not blog for a year.

But, I have found that I really miss it. So, I am back, but less anxious to show not just what I can create, but WHO I am. I will talk more about all the wonderful books I am reading and probably the Vintage Gluebooks I am rather addicted to making of late. And, it will be an encouragement to be more accountable for each moment of the day. Oh, and maybe I will share little bits and pieces about our newest girl in the house, my kitty-girl named STAR.

SHAMELESS Marketing of BUTTONSSSSSS!!!!!

Who in the world does NOT like Buttons? Lots of people have fond memories of buttons as a child from their grandmothers or mothers. They not only provide a useful purpose, but many are so incredibly gorgeous or ingenious in their design and materials used.

I have studied and collected buttons for about 15 years and they are by far my largest collection of all the things I love.

I hope you will peruse my Picasa Folder of buttons I have for sale. Look at the wonder of them, even if you are not into buying. Doesn't cost to look!

http://picasaweb.google.com/grammylkk/WildWedsJune9#

Write me at lkk@kc.rr.com if something wants to come live at your house!

Am I Still a Blogger?

Good question...................it has been so long between posts that I am probably only writing this just for me------------but that's ok...........

Been seriously into reading and grandkidlets ball games and helping elderly friends get their home packed up for a move.........lots of living, but no blogging. Maybe my blog has run its' course; perhaps I do not NEED to do it like I once did. We'll see...............

HURRY UP.............and S-L-O-W Down~~~~~~~

Reading has long been a Passion of mine............I have to remind myself at times to slow down as I read; to take it all in; not to rush to finish...........It is difficult when there are so MANY books that I long to read.

I spend most all my time these days reading as my creative pursuit instead of "making things". Oh, I still stitch a bit and re-arrange bits of the home front, but reading is what I long to be doing most.

Reading is the great Equalizer...........no matter your lot in life, if you can read, you have the key to meeting new people, visiting new lands and learning about whatever you want. Give me a great stack of books and a pot of tea and I'm happy.

Since beginning this blog, I have kept a book list on the sidebar. I would love to hear from other book lovers to hear of what you are reading.

Hop, Hop..............Cheep, Cheep..........Chocolate Anyone?

~~~~~When you are a girl who has a bedroom devoted to Peter Rabbit and related bunnies and Easter rolls around and all the other goodies get pulled out for a visit, it is hard to know where to stop! So, some just have to stay in their room and be happy they are out the entire year.


This little container was from cottage cheese back in the 50s. It is paper with a wax coating.



I made these big blue and pink bunnies back in 1974 in a ceramics class.


All the post cards are quite old and it is hard to pick just some to show.
I love using what is at hand; I had some variegated cloth-type "yarn" that I chained a big length of to use for the string for the cards. I may still paint the clothespins if I get motivated.





Included the little tiny doll quilt that I made a couple of years ago as the colors are so right.

Then and Now

He was born in Iowa and became a farmer...............Once he made over 50 perfect ringers in the game of pitching Horseshoes.............That was sorta like making a whole lotta 3 point shots in basketball today; or a couple of holes in one in golf.............he was the First World Champion Horseshoe Pitcher in 1910 and held that title for a number of years..............He was given the title, The Grand Old Man of Horseshoes.................His name was Frank Jackson and I am his great-granddaughter.

In his honor, I collect buttons with Horseshoes as the focus. This tray is one I entered in Competition a few years ago that has both Horseshoes and Shamrocks. They are made from pearl, various metals, glass, horn, Bakelite, celluloid and composition.