I'm Enjoying.....

These days I am enjoying my flowers...

My new wildflower book that Carla found for me...

Remember Judy Blume from our younger days?  She has a new adult book out, I read it in just a couple of days, it's the best book I've read in a while, now I'm binge reading her other three novels..next one up is Smart Women.  I probably read it years ago, but I don't remember it...

I might be enjoying this drink outside, if I'm out there reading...it's so good...

When we go to the US, we love to see  a sandwich in a restaurant served with potato chips, you just don't see that much here, so sometimes we do that at home.  I found these Red & White Potato Chips at Dollarama, I have never seen these Covered Bridge brand chips there, hey, they're made in New Brunswick, I've been to their factory store in my travels!!  They're perfect for Canada Day or any day at all!!!

I'm still SMASHing but Pocket Letters are catching on.. this is one I made and sent to Washington.  This shows the front, backs are usually always decorated and goodies stuck in between the layers.

Today I received this one from Texas..  I love it!!

And, this I enjoy every day...my user name on there is mackaypj, just in case you want to stop by.  

Anything in particular that you've been enjoying lately?

My Newest Hobby

I can't believe I haven't been on blogger since December 20, where did the time go?  Well, I can tell you where I've been spending a lot of my time - on Instagram!!  I started on Instagram nearly two years ago, it started out for me the same way that my blog did - taking pictures of thrifted finds and vintage things around the house.  My blog changed to include other things, like SMASHing, recipes and the like, there's still the odd thrifty find, but not as much as the only thing I look for actively all year long are Vera scarves and of course, the vintage occasion items.

Since the summer, I've become more interested in Instagram - I'm always looking for something different to photograph and every day I am taking part in Instagram challenges, I enjoy it a lot!  Now, I am walking in fields to get pictures of old houses, old cars, stopping on the side of the road to take a picture, chances for pictures that can become amazing are everywhere!!    I have to boast here just a bit, my pictures were featured in 104 challenges since the summer - some as stand alone features, others sharing a grid with others.   I love to browse and look at other pictures that people have posted, there are just so many ideas, I've learned so much and have plenty to learn yet, one important thing I've learned is that photo editing makes a big difference in your picture!!

I thought I would share this grid with you - showing my most viewed pictures.    I find it interesting that six of these shots were taken within the past month -  I'm most proud of the first shot, my most viewed, it was featured numerous times on different hubs, it was just a perfect day for photography and turned out perfect!!  All of these pictures were taken with my iPhone.    I like it that Pyrex is always popular too, but I've probably shared every piece of Pyrex that I own and how many ways can you photograph it?  

 I'm mackaypj on Instagram and I'm an Instagram addict!!!

My World Through Instagram

I love Instagram!!  I've had my iPhone for about a year and a half, it wasn't too long after I had it that my blogging friend, Holly, introduced me to it - at first I was mostly taking pictures of thrifting finds but now it has progressed for me, trying to get better shots, taking part in Instagram challenges, I always have my phone at the ready, you just never know when a picture opportunity will arise.  We are heading out for vacation next week, I anticipate a lot of picture opportunities, a lot!!!

I thought I'd share a few of my favourites with you this morning..

Flowers make beautiful shots and even wild flowers on the side of the road!

I might have to pull over at any time!

I've been very interested in old signs lately, they're few and far between around here but I'm always on the lookout!  They just don't make them like this any more!

Then, there is always food!!!

There's always something to take a picture of - at home (Pyrex and my kitchen), a store promotion on the sidewalk, M&M containers at Walmart!

This was my first picture I took today - dogwood in the back yard.

My very favourite picture I've taken, so far, has to be this locust on my Gerbera Daisy.  I watched him a long time and took a lot of pictures to get this one!

Join the fun if you haven't - you can follow me on Instagram right here

The Button Wreath - from Pinterest

Another week, another made from Pinterest post - I don't know how I am going to come up with a different beginning for every week -it's still January and I'm already having trouble with that part.  

I posted a random picture this morning on Instagram of my button wreath - I'm just new on Instagram in the past few weeks - follow me, I'll follow you back - my user name is mackaypj.  Back to the wreath - this isn't something I've made in the past week, I've actually made a few and given them as gifts but I do have these two left for me.  I have tons and tons of vintage buttons - just another phase of collecting.....  As always, click on the picture for a better view...  

Perfect for Valentine's Day!

You  need lots of buttons - 

I am not a real crafty person, I try to be, but I'm really not,  that's why I don't know the proper name for this wreath form.  I found this one works best, they're expensive, but cutting it in half at least gets you two wreaths.  I take somenice ribbon and wrap it all the wreath,  glue it at the end - then, you're ready to start gluing the buttons on.  I like to make them nice and full, so buttons on top of buttons.

I tried different types of glue but this one seems to work best for  this project, I   bought it at Walmart.  Here is the original site that I pinned from - she used a template,  I think my method works just as well.

I always have a surplus of the dark buttons,  the dark ones are my favorites.  I've made all white ones for gifts, they're pretty  too - which one do you like best - the red buttons or the dark ones?

It's time to link up with Sue at Rednesday - I just know there's going to be all kinds of Valentine beauty over there.  I am also linking up with a new to me blog hop -Adorned from Above