Sunday, January 30, 2011

the joys of bartering.....and of knowing my friend Mara Parent...

I would like to introduce you to my friend Mara Parent. She is an incredible water color artist and teacher.
We met when Mara and her lovely daughter Marcia sat behind us in church - during the 'meet-'n-greet' I turned around and saw two beautiful women dressed in the coolest style - I knew she had to be an artist.

Later on, when I was involved in spearheading an art gallery there at the church, I discovered that she was indeed a gifted artist. I sought her out to see if she would consider contributing to our little venture, and she submitted a beautiful water color of sheep grazing.
"The Lost Sheep"
I later found out that we were SO fortunate to have her work in our little fledgling gallery - she was a very busy and popular artist in the San Luis Obispo, Ca. area.

Mara started her studies at Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles. She has also studied at U.C.L.A., the Academy of Color in Los Angeles and has had many teachers in watercolor, I.E. Tony Couch, Margarite Lyons, Milford Zornes, Don Andrews, Etc.

She taught painting on silk fabric with liquid dyes for many years but her love of watercolor always prevailed.

Many teachers have rigid rules and Mara finally decided to forget all the rules and create in her loose, impressionistic style. Now her paintings reflect the mystery that she prays for. She always asks God to guide her hand.

Her work is in collections nationally. She continues to gather pictures in her mind of God's beautiful creations and tries to encourage her students with the belief that if they have the desire to paint, they can learn. She loves to teach people who have that passion.



Fast forward 10+ years.....

Mara, Marcia and Marcia's husband Thor have relocated up to Coeur d'Alene where I live!

We have had lots of fun reconnecting, and we've spent many lovely evenings together.

Mara, Marcia, Dennis, moi with friends Fred and Michele celebrating in downtown Coeur d'Alene!
Mara has become a huge fan of Dennis's furniture, and it is mutual admiration, because Dennis is totally taken by Mara's work.

So they worked out a deal.

Mara drew up a side buffet table she wanted, and Dennis spotted a couple of pieces of Mara's he loved of wine bottles.

The die was cast and the work began.

This....

flanking the cabinet Dennis made - that's Mara on the right and Marcia on the left!

for these....



Here are some of my favorites from Mara's archives:

one of my favorite places on earth...
"Cambria Pines"


from her sketchbook....


of course this...
love the labels from familiar Central Coast wines!(notice the 2 Buck Chuck on the right?)
I just love these kitties......

Makes me think.

I wonder if Mara would be interested in another barter.....

Don't you think Monkey would be a fabulous model????

Please go on over to Mara's website and take a self-guided tour of her gallery.

Tell her Pammy sent you!

xoxo



Tuesday, January 25, 2011

turn out the lights, the party's over......

Yep, my little giveaway is now officially closed and I have chosen a winner!

And the winner is.....

Congratulations Vintage Sandy!!!

Please email me with your choice from my new Words From the Heart collection and I will send your new bling off to you!
(oh yes...and your address too!)

Just in time for V-Day!

Thanks to all of you who took the time to enter....this was so much fun I may have to do it again!

Stay tuned....

xoxo



Sunday, January 23, 2011

have a heart.

Just a quick reminder to all of you in blog-land....

You have only a couple of days left to enter my little giveaway.

Have you entered?

YOU HAVEN'T??????

This is what you could win:

So if you want to be wearing one of these sweet pendants on Valentine's Day (and beyond...) or if you know someone who could use a little encouragement...

...jump on over HERE and tell me which of them speaks to you.

You will NOT be sorry.

I guarantee it.

xoxo

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

a brand new heart-felt giveaway!

Thank you all for your encouraging responses to my last posting!
Today I am excited to announce that I have added my Words From the Heart pendants to my What's New page on my website here:
Pammys Attic

In fact I'm SO excited that I want to give one away!

Just leave a comment here telling me exactly which one you want and you are entered to win.
(you'll have to go to Pammy's Attic to see what you have to choose from!)

Yup. It's that easy.

I will give you one week to make up your mind.

Next Tuesday I will randomly pick one name and announce it here.

With Valentine's Day only a few weeks away, why wouldn't you want to enter?
Alrighty then.

On your mark.....

Get set.....


xoxo

Friday, January 14, 2011

words...from the heart.

I have been a very busy girl.

During the holidays I did some exploring online.

I came to the realization that there are a ba-ZILLION people out there doing what I do - soldered jewelry.
 (All of it quite lovely too, I might add.)

What can I do that is a little different - something I haven't seen yet???

A different shape perhaps?

Nuff said.....

Introducing my very first Words From the Heart....





Two different styles.

Both are made with bits of vintage ephemera.

 Some, from antique law books.


 Some from old music.


All of them created to encourage.


Uplift.


Inspire.


These are not for sale yet, but stay tuned!


Who knows....I may even decide to give one away!

Linking to Inspiration Friday over at Southern in My Heart
and
Masterpiece Monday over at Boogieboard Cottage
xoxo

Monday, January 10, 2011

a project worthy of an award for...Project Monday #5!

It's time for another Project Monday!!!

The first Project Monday of 2011.

During the dreary post-Christmas days of January, I thought it would be a great time to share  a lovely little project I came up with to finish off my last Project Monday...

Fun.
Easy.

CHEAP.

Here's what you do:

Cut a dozen 2" wide strips from some old sheet music. Cut them length-wise.
and
Cut 8-10 1" strips from the same music, but cut these a couple of inches shorter.

Cut a large circle from cardboard and find the center. Using a pin, poke a hole in the center.

Punch a hole in both ends of each strip.

Bring ends together to form a loop, and poke a brad through the holes.
Keep looping and building onto that same brad until all strips are stacked on the brad - make sure you first use the 1", then the 2".

Insert the brad through the hole in the circle and bend the prongs of the brad back.

Arrange the loops so that they are evenly spaced.

Cut a few more strips for 'streamers' - both 2" and 1" wide - and cut them at staggered lengths.
Cut the ends into a 'V'.

Glue these between the cardboard circle and the loops.

 
Cut out a couple of smaller circles, (I loved this clock face graphic!) add some glitter and a few words...


Make a pretty hanger out of #19 gauge wire and....

...attach it (with thinner wire) onto the back.

I glued an old book page onto the back of the cardboard circle ~ the back should always be as pretty as the front!


Big Mama looks positively smashing with her award on, don't you think?
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, wouldn't this make a fun and unusual 'prize' to give to that special someone?

I'm linking up with Masterpiece Monday over at Boogie Board Cottage and White Wednesday over at Faded Charm!


Now here's my Linky!



xoxo

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2011 is going to be a grrrrrrrrrrrrreat year!

Happy New Year!

I am already excited and making plans for some great events coming up in 2011.

Since Christmas I have actually already spent hours and hours in the attic experimenting creating some fun new designs.

I have a busy year ahead, so mark your calenders...

...and come visit me here:

1) Remnants of the Past Vintage Show ~ April 30, 2011 and October 2011
Nipomo, California


2)  Farm Chicks!!! ~ June 4-5
Spokane, Washington
right after Christmas I found out I was accepted!


Rathdrum, Idaho
this is an old ad - I'm so ahead of the game, the newest one isn't even printed yet! (but you get the idea...)

So I'd better get back to work!

I will of course share with you everything I am working on....

You will NOT be disappointed - I promise!

xoxo