If that were in my yard I would write "Friends Welcome. Solicitors, GO AWAY!!!! There have been so many door to door imposters that I do not open my door anymore. I feel so bad for the folks who are truly employed by a company that wants them to go door to door. I just dont feel cordial answering to strangers anymore. ramble-ramble You had a grand idea and it will be a wonderful addition to your garden.

akup_a - Here is a close up picture of the hand washers I have. One is stamped "Ward Vacuum Washer". There are baffles in the bottom, and you use them in an up and down motion sort of like a toilet plunger. I'm sure glad we have advanced so far that we can look at this as garden art now! My poor grandmother used these things back in her day, and she would have thought the green washing machine a great luxury! According to my mom, grandmother did all her laundry with a washboard and wash tub. She raised 5 children and my grandfather worked in the coal mines, so there was lots of laundry, and the coal dust must have been horrible. texasfern - I used to have an old wooden ironing board, and got rid of it several years ago. I'm really kicking myself now - since it would fit into the laundry room perfectly!! Sherril

Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I have so enjoyed looking at everyone's ideas and homes that I was inspired to post my own. I have to say it was such fun taking the pictures and learning about photobucket. I do enjoy the collecting of Christmas stuff but like most of you here on the boards I am budget minded too. When I get some on these gorgeous items on sale after the holidays it makes it that much sweeter. To answer some of your questions: Kathleen li - I love the ironing board Santa in the hall display too. It isn't really an ironing board but a piece of plywood with fabric and paint done to look like Santa. I bought it years ago at a craft fair here in Birmingham, AL for less than $20. The santa portrait is new this year from Kirkland's Home. The have one every year and it is only $59. I got it last week at 25% off. Calicocat1967 - I like the Santa plates. I was fortunate enough to most of them from Fitz and Floyd last year on Christmas day. They put everything on sale and I get their emails telling when. I picked them up for less than $10 each. The covered dish in the kitchen corner cabinet came from Tuesday Morning after Christmas last year. It is a Christopher Radko but I only paid $15 for it on sale. luvstocraft - Thanks for thinking I "belong". I kind of felt like I did and it's nice to point out to hubby "There are others like me. I'm not the only one always picking up dishes or decorations everywhere I go" One of the things I have enjoyed about the board is the comradery. Every when I didn't post I felt apart of the community. I am glad that I came out of lurkdom. I got the angles in the pictures for 25 cents a print years ago and had them framed for less than $10 each. I stole the hanging on a ribbon and dowel idea from a magazine. Very eye catching and costs very little too. phyl345 - I'm glad you enjoyed it. sameboat - Thanks for looking and commenting. melvalena- I hope I didn't create new work for you for next year. I am enjoying changing up things a bit from year to year, so I love the ideas you guys come up with. Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your grandkids. bonniee- Thank you. I enjoyed your post about decorations too. mary ruth - Thanks, I love the Fitz and Floyd too. I got the large santas on top of the refridgerator last year on Christmas day. They are normally $350 each but on their clearance/outlet on their website they were only $89. I know that is still expensive, but I couldn't pass up the chance for something so large and beautiful for that price. I ordered my mom and her sister one for this year's Christmas present. I am so excited to give them to them. They are the chief decorators in the family so I came by it honestly. slinkey - What a nice welcome. Thanks for you praise and I feel like I will be a regular now that I've broken the ice. I do love my home. It is older and I actually came to these boards because we are considering building a new home on a lot we bought so I was researching building and come across this board on a search. But it didn't take me long to go from the Building a House forum to Decorating to Christmas/Holidays. purplemoon - I have loved all of your decorations and posts for the year. I thank you for your comments. The pair of large leaping reindeer are my "pride and joy". This is the first year I have displayed them, getting them last Christmas Day online. They came from Frontgate, which is not a store that I can normally afford. But after Christmas they put all their stuff on sale and mark it down a little more each week. On their website is a section called Outlet. I did not know of it and wanted a large reindeer for my fireplace hearth, so I searched and got a hit on them. The are regularly $199 each and but were on clearance for $59 each. Again a little more than I normally pay for a Christmas decoration, but a great deal on a heavy well made piece. I am pleased with the display. I would be honored to have some of my stuff in the Inspiration Album. Thanks for asking. Does that mean I have "arrived"? Ha-Ha. Feel free to look all you want. prosperity66 - Thanks for your kind words. I am glad others enjoyed it. Thanks again to all of you and I am off to scour the Internet for any clearance deals, but not ever sure where I could possibly put more if I find it. Merry Christmas!

Hey, I thought I posted yesterday! Must have clicked the wrong thing AGAIN! Hate it when I do that! Anyway, what I had said was--I love the Santa you painted on this. Great idea to change it and make it the way you prefer. I always love your santa faces and the beards are so great! Have to tell you that I am envious of your neighbor girl--getting to paint with you! Hope she knows how lucky she is! ;o) I have an old wooden ironing board too. A store owner friend gave it to me for free because the wood is split down the middle. I just need to glue and clamp it, then sand and paint. I won't feel guilty about painting it, otherwise it might have ended up in the trash! I recently found a pattern that I want to paint on it--it's not nearly as detailed as your's Bebe, just a simple face and beard. I think it's a Susan Jill Hall design and the pattern is already big so that saves me some work. I'd ask for your pattern, but I could never paint it anywhere near as good as yours! LOL I was laughing at the discussion about gardeners and housekeepers! ;o) Up until early summer, I always did all my own yard work. I could not start the gas edger, so had to depend on DH to do that for me and he does NOT like yard work. I finally got tired of begging him to edge, so I hired a "gardener"--actually should be called a mower, blower, edger--because that's all he does! I still do all the trimming of the vines on my walls and the bushes, and take care of my roses and other flowers. So not ritzy here either! As for a housekeeper--that's me too! I tried it for awhile when I was still working--but like some of you, I worked like crazy before she got there, so might as well just do it all myself! LOL The cleaning isn't a problem, it's the clutter that is the problem--and I have to put that away myself anyway. Now that I'm retired, it's easier--except for climbing ladders to wash mirrors, windows, ceiling fans, top of cabinets, etc. Hate that part! LOL Luvs