" For Rebecca "

I have a wonderful Blog friend who's name is Rebecca.

She has a few different blogs, all very interesting on there own but I came to know her through her Blog,

"Life and Godliness"

Now I can't honestly say how long we've been following each other because well, it seems to me that the older I get the faster time 

goes by. But that's not really important.

Rebecca's post's always seem to inspire me in one way or another.

Whether it be through God's word, crafting, thrifting or just striving to do the best that she can everyday.

This brings me to why I am posting this today. Over time Rebecca has requested to see certain things of mine and I always intend on posting about them but always put it off for one reason or another.

So today I decided to just go ahead and do it.

On her blog today she had a great idea for her fireplace which I thought was ingenious!! Then I explained what I do to my Mantle.

She said she wanted to see it so without further ado...

here you go Rebecca, the Mantle.

I apologize for the poor picture quality. I don't know if it's me or my camera. So here is another photo.

I have made different "Skirts" I guess you'd call them, for different seasons. This one is the Autumn one. I used to have a Halloween one but have since stopped decorating for Halloween.

I also have one for Christmas but I think I may make a new one this year. It's very simple. I just measure the length around the Mantle (sides included), double that measurement and just sew it as you would a simple curtain. I leave a small pocket across the top to thread some elastic through and tack it up.

Very simple. The one above also has a leaf garland that I hung over the skirt. You can make it longer if you want, mine is about 8 inches   counting the quarter inch hem and half inch pocket.

I don't think Rebecca knows this but I did a post about my Tin Collection because of her. She had posted about her Tins quite awhile ago. It had to have been over a year ago at least.

Do you remember that Rebecca? Well after I read your Tin post, I started thinking and took a look around my own house and realized that I also had a Tin Collection. I never gave it a thought and wasn't consciously collecting them until AFTER I read her Tin post.

So you see how simple it is for other's to inspire us?

I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I've felt down in the dumps and read one of Rebecca's posts only to be picked up by God's words and wisdom.

Now before I end this post I will tell you that Rebecca's really been wanting to see my little upstairs apartment. I call it my apartment because no one likes to go up there!! They don't like the stairs!!

It is my refuse. My sanctuary. I love it up there.

It's not very fancy or beautiful but it's so, so quite up there and peaceful. So I am going to end this post with a few photo's for Rebecca, of my little apartment!

Here sits Pixie, guiding the way.

My cats live up there too as they don't like the dogs!!

Notice the Tin sitting on the old stove.

  

You've reached the top of the stairs.

What's behind the curtain?

Here's what you'll see first.

Spare bed used mainly for grandchildren!!

The view facing the spare bed.

This is what you'll find behind the spare bed.

All of those books and magazine's,

All crochet patterns!!

Also behind the spare bed, 

all of my girly stuff !

The long hallway, closet on the left.

At the end of the hallway there are lots of children's books and some toys for the grandchildren.

Self Explanatory!!

My craft room

next to the bathroom.

My room,

small yet cozy!!

View from foot of bed.

Almost done.

My favorite chair.

So that's it Rebecca. 

It's not the most beautiful little apartment

but it's mine and I love it.

As a matter of fact now that I think about it,

Jake liked the house for the fireplace and I liked it for the upstairs.

There are also two bedrooms downstairs.

I just want Rebecca to know that I haven't forgotten her requests.

If I've forgotten anything else, blame it on my brain!!

Please visit my friend Rebecca if you haven't already.

She is very inspirational too me,

And we are both 

THRIFTAHOLICS!!!