Life Is Just A Chair Of Bowlies

Awww, Mary Engelbreit has been sick.  I have admired her work for over 20 years. I recently started following her blog.  Mary is currently writing from her home where she is resting & recovering from a "weird form of pneumonia". Sending blessings your way Mary - get well soon.
Funny, how we are each drawn to different types of art or collectibles. Anything ME has been a passion of mine that has never waned since buying my first little card of hers years ago.  The quotes she chooses are always inspiring, her illustrations touch my soul, & her decorating style makes you want to snuggle down and never leave home.

The 1st print that captured me as a collector
I have picked up most of my ME collection from garage sales & thrift stores.  They mean even more to me when I can get them at a bargain. I had one wall in my house that I had left blank. I just didn't want to hang any ole picture there just to fill the space.  I wanted something special.
An anniversary present from the Hubbs


 Meet my little sea shelling girlie. I love her vintage swim cap and the way her little tummy pooches out as she is dumping out her bucket that is filled with Florida shells.  Mary had a vacation home on the beach just north of me. By her choice of the shells from the bucket I can tell she did a lot of beachcombing.  Notice the shell in the sand is a Junonia. It actually cost me more to frame it than the lithograph cost me including shipping. 
My "All Mary All the Time" shelf 

I have a ME shelf for all my books. Her Xmas book is the centerpiece of my holiday vignette. I get a new ME calender for Christmas every year. I give each woman in my family a ME recipe box for a wedding shower present. If my friends get a ME card they pretty much know it's from me.
I have almost every edition of Home Companion Magazine
Her expression says it all
This week I will be heading up to my storage closet to pull out all my holiday stuff and I can guarantee most of it will be ME. So, Thank you kindly  Mary for all the inspiration you have provided over the years. Every time I am shelling on Casey Key I will keep a look out for you.

Comments

  1. rjerdeeOctober 4, 2010 at 1:12 PM

    You're quite the ME fan! I know of her from my days with Barbara and Mary Anne in St. Louis...it's fun to think that she has a home on Casey Key...also Stephen King has a home there.

    Yes, that was Sharky's sand on my last post! So great to be back!

    ReplyDelete
  2. rjerdeeOctober 4, 2010 at 3:20 PM

    Karen,
    I'm not a beachcomber--those are my kids when they come to visit. I just like to sit on the beach and watch people go by.

    But here's another idea: I'm going to Jane's sale in Tampa this Saturday...want to go along or are you working?
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda @ A La CarteOctober 4, 2010 at 6:16 PM

    I love your ME collection. I don't have a lot of her items but they are so sweet and I could see me collecting them....something else to collect!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Leo October 4, 2010 at 7:52 PM

    Now I know the background on the label inside the Gift from the Sea book! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cindy AdkinsOctober 4, 2010 at 11:42 PM

    I just popped over from Debbie's blog and wanted to say "hi." Your ME collection is precious--isn't she great? So nice to meet you!!!
    Hugs,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ms. Bake-itOctober 5, 2010 at 1:06 PM

    I love your collection. I especially lvoe the gift from hubbie. The little sea shelling girlie is one of my favorites.

    ~ Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  7. CherylOctober 5, 2010 at 2:32 PM

    Hey Karen, thanks for the sweet comments. I'm glad to be back too...it's nice to get back into a routine after all those crazy days ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Blooming Rose MusingsOctober 5, 2010 at 7:17 PM

    Your gift from hubby is wonderful! I love her designs too. I sent her card that said "Everyone needs a Spot of their own" to lots of friends. I loved the little girl and her dog.
    You have a wonderful collection.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Simple HomeOctober 5, 2010 at 10:04 PM

    I was sorry when her magazine was discontinued. It was always so inspiring. I didn't know she'd been sick. I hope she's better soon. I've always been a fan too.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete

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