Heart # 13

To me pottery is always a good thing to buy. I have two sets of these triple bowls and they are so handy. Right now they are sitting on the dining table filled with buttons as I work on sorting my latest find from the thrift store. And tomorrow they may be filled with chocolates.

Heart # 12

I don't usually go looking for tins even though they are a reminder of my childhood. It has to be a very special tin for me to make that purchase. And this was one of those tins; heart shaped, a neat design on the lid, and the right colour. Another heart to add to Maura's collection.

Heart # 11

Heart # 10

Heart # 9

We've never had tea at the Tea House but when ever we stopped for a break, I would always go and wander through the Manor. The gift shop did not interest me much but there was a small room at the back set up like it would have been 100 years ago. I loved walking on the uneven and well worn pine floor into another world, a world of stepback cupboards, woodstoves, farmhouse tables and pottery of all kinds. A world where a rugbeater was a common every day tool. And this is where I found my latest addition to my collection of rugbeaters.

Heart # 8

Heart # 7

Wood is good. I found that out many years ago when I was a stay-at-home Mom. I could handle a jigsaw, a plane, a chisel, even a tablesaw if need be. Made my own templates from cardboard-hearts, tulips, horses, cows, and even rabbits. Sanding was the one thing I did not care for but it had to be done. Once I mastered the simple shapes I moved on to cradles, benches, pegboards and even picture frames. After doing a few craft fairs, I started selling at two local shops so that kept me very busy. But once we moved away from the Big City to a small town where everyone had a woodshop, I stopped working with wood and would only fire up the jigsaw for a gift or a custom order.
All over the house are reminders, like these two wooden heart shelves, that I was able to stay home and nurture both my girls and my creative self.