the great wall...

In April of 2005, my son Dusty, his wife Aleah, and their baby Karise were visiting us in California from Germany where he was stationed in the Air Force. Since it had been a few years since all the kids had been in the same zip code, I called on an old friend to see if he could take some photographs of all of them - before everyone flew the coop again.

That old friend is Barry Goyette - a gifted photographer who I originally met when he took PR shots of my daughter Jaime when she was applying to theater programs. You see, he used to do all the photography for PCPA (Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts) I had also seen an exhibit of his in San Luis Obispo, Ca., where he used regular people as his models. These unique portraits were quite stark - black & white and printed life-sized. I never forgot this, so when I called him to photograph the kids, I asked him for that same "look". Barry never disappoints....

here is what he came up with.....

Dusty.....

...plus Aleah & the wee Karise.....

...plus Jaime & Jacob.....

equals....
...one happy family!
This is the composite Barry put together - most people think they were standing together when this was taken.

I had him print this very large, and ordered a few of the individual shots as well. I had Dennis build three "floating" shelves for me, and I came up with this arrangement:

The *F A M I L Y* garland I made from 2" beveled glass - and I think you might spot a couple of familiar paper dolls dangling from corners....

I'm not sure if Barry would approve of me stacking all these photographs against each other - or hanging fun little chatchkes from each corner - but I love it!

Fast forward a few years....we have a new grandchild, and Karise is growing like a weed....

Time for an update.

Since that original photo shoot, we had moved up to Idaho, and Dusty's family was now stationed in Las Vegas. I knew I was going to be in California for a few days last fall, so I called on Barry again, made sure all the *youngsters* could be in Ca. when I was, and we had another session.

Also, Dusty was deployed to Afghanistan, and I thought it would be the perfect Christmas gift for him to open so far away from home...

Here's Karise now, almost four years old!

...and 10 month old Dresden, just getting used to those legs....holding onto mommy's hand....

...and here is the composite Barry put together of the two of them...

...it may look like this is one shot, but again, Barry worked his magic and put two shots together to come up with this one.

Just for fun, here are some examples of why I continue to call on Barry...

Jaime at 18....

This is the album cover Barry did for the CD Jaime recorded in 1996...

...this one is almost like a picture within a picture...I love it's graininess...
Barry used Jaime's image from the above photo shoot for this poster...
Barry also is a master at photographing dance - I love how he not only captures dancers in action....

but how he is able to use them as still life as well...

Want to see more of Barry's work? Click here.

...this is a favorite - little brother and big sister...

Lastly, Barry just put the final touches on a video he directed - if you have never heard Inga Swearingen, you are in for a treat here. I have temporarily taken my playlist off the blog so that you could hear this music. Sit back and enjoy Barry's beautiful photography and Inga's beautiful voice.....

Get ready for another call from your biggest fan Barry - Pammy's Great Wall will need another update....Jaime and Jacob will be adding to our family in early May!

We may need a bigger wall....

Thanks for stopping by,

Pammy
(I even got in the act....)

this 'n that...

Just want to mention a couple of items ~

First, one more inspirational story from the Barn....

This is my friend Beth Johnson.
Beth has been very, very sick - she has been battling recurring Lyme disease for many, many months - in and out of hospitals - stuck (no pun intended) in the house with an IV pole tethered to her - lots and lots of pain. Her one desire was to get to the Remnants of the Past Antique Show, and even ordered a couple of dog necklaces from me that she promised to come pick up in person. She and I had been emailing back and forth, and though she was in the hospital still as of the Wednesday before the show, I set aside her treasures, not fully believing she would be well enough to make it to the show.
About mid morning, as I was chatting with customers, someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind - there was Beth! She said she had "ripped" her IV out of its port and told her husband Brad to drive her to the Barn. I was blown away and honored that she would go to such lengths to shop! Not only did she shop with me, but she bought loads of vintage ribbons and trims from Beth Descala in Booth 7. Beth later emailed me to tell me she was back in bed, on the IV, but happily surrounded by trims from Beth's booth - she is making "corsages" for all of her friends to wear on their winter coats!

Here is Beth in action....

...she says her IV pole is the perfect glue gun holster!

Great job Beth!




Now a couple of days ago I was honored to have been nominated for the Kreativ Blogger award by my friend Jermaine - you can visit Jermaine on her GORGEOUS blog French Kissed here.
Here's the plan: I must tell you Seven Secrets about myself, and then nominate seven bloggers who's work I admire. So off we go.......

1. I was on Wheel of Fortune in 1979 – the host was Chuck Woolery. I kept hitting bankrupt, but when I finally was ready to solve a puzzle with over $5000, good old Chuck told me I was $75 from a new car.....so I went for it. (wouldn't you?)

You guessed it.
Bankrupt.
Boo.....
(as if it wasn't painful enough at the time - I have it on tape - my kids loved to play it for their friends, so I have been able to re-live that scene over, and over, and over, and....)

2. I was once a singing waitress at Johns at the Beach in Santa Barbara. It was the 70's - they were all trained opera singers.
I was not.
I was an experiment - to see how "pop" would go over.
So-so.
But it was a lot of fun.

3. My favorite flavor is this....

4. I am not a great housekeeper, but I am obsessive about making my bed EVERY DAY. There can be dust-bunnies swirling around in every corner and a ring around the toilet bowl....
but my bed is made.

5. I have donated my hair to Locks of Love three times – mostly because I am extremely lazy about getting to the salon....

6. I hate food from the sea....

7. My favorite artist is Andrew Wyeth. This print, Wind From the Sea, hangs over our bed – it used to hang in my mom’s living room.
She knew Dennis loved it too.
I once went with my mom to a Wyeth exhibit at the de Young in San Francisco - to see those nudes of Helga that created such a stir...

And finally, I would like to nominate the following women and their fabulous blogs:

Arlene - I just love your writing style....

http://www.heartrockshome.com/heartrockshome/

Carol - not one, but TWO blogs....

http://poeticpumpkins.blogspot.com/
http://oldwillowfarm.blogspot.com/

Rolane - love your country, laid back style...
http://barnbarnbaby.typepad.com/vb/

Shari - you constantly inspire me...
http://sharifrench.blogspot.com/

Judy - my friend and encourager....

http://remnantsofthepast.typepad.com/remnants_of_the_past/

Judith Claire - you have been an inspiration to me for 25+ years.....
http://danapowershouse.blogspot.com/

Jaime - my sweet baby girl - the most gifted writer I know - I am your biggest fan....
http://jaimeclewis.wordpress.com/

There you have it! Thanks again to Jermaine for encouraging me and for the new gift of friendship.

Ta ta.....
Pammy

ornamentation.....

My friend Shari French, lovely Sandpoint artist with Southern Charm, kindly offered to take some of my creations with her to the Tacoma Dome Holiday Food & Gift Festival. I've told you about Shari before - she makes beautiful jewelry (like this) and her booth set-up is to die for!

I never miss an opportunity to *share* my wares, so I told her yes, YES! Unfortunately, I left most of my jewelry with Kriste in California, and Judy was taking some of it to the C.A.L.M. Antique Show in Santa Barbara this weekend. So I decided to whip up some of my ornaments, since I had all the materials at the ready to do so. This time however, I chose to "age" them and use handmade wire hooks to hang them from, instead of ribbon. I love them! What do you think?

All are made with my signature antique music, which is sandwiched between beveled glass - in all kids of shapes and sizes.

You know how I love words and quotes - some will make you giggle....

...and some will speak to your heart.

Shari also asked to take some of my bottles, so I am giving her all that I have left.

So if you are in the Seattle area, and want to shop for unique treasures, go on over to the Tacoma Dome and visit Shari....

...and tell her *hi* for me!

Thanks Shari!

Pammy

Remnants of the Past - a smashing success!

What a fabulous day we had at Remnants of the Past Antique Show in Nipomo, California. The setting was divine, the weather was perfect, the vendors were excited, the customers were happy, and our hostesses were The Best!

My weekend started on a great note early Friday morning when I stopped by my friend Merle's house to borrow some old crates to use in my display. Not only did I find the crates sitting on her front porch (right where she said they would be), but she left me a note of welcome tied to a maple branch (from her magnificent Japanese Maple that she knows I adore!). It touched me so much that I had to incorporate it into my display along with the old lug box from her dad's vineyard....
On to the show....Judy thought of everything. From a cupcake (from Amy Bakes Cupcakes) in the early afternoon that she handed out in cute little cartons (I think she knew we all needed a little sugar pick-me-up by then!)....to her fabulous lasagna dinner the night before the event. Judi Powers, owner of the property, and Judy Watkins, the Wonder Woman who puts on this show, have a pre-show soiree for all of the vendors. It is held down at Judi's house on the property (which is a whole other blog post altogether - one of my most favorite spots on earth) and the spread she lays out is a feast for both the eyes and the tummy....






The attention to detail was amazing - like this Scotti dog image on top of the warm pastry/brie appetizer...in honor of Gus, Judi's beloved Scotti who roams the yard.

Tables filled with tired, but well fed vendors....

Two tired Judies the night before....I call them *Judy-squared*.

Time to check on last minute details before going home to sleep.....

Two fresh and ready-to-go-Saturday-morning Judies - aren't they stunning????!!!

Girls in Pearls...Judy, Kriste and moi in our booth.

There were SO many wonderful people who made my weekend special - here are just a few...

Meet Kimberly and Melissa in their gorgeous silver/white booth. Kimberly owns a store in the Sacramento area called Bungalow (www.bungalowvintage.com) and she purchased a bunch of my necklaces to sell in her shop. Thanks Kim!

Kellee from Susan Branch Studios was there selling Susan's books and calenders....


Woodstone Marketplace was there with their wonderful lunches...

One of my favorite people is Bonnie Crawford of Birds of a Feather in Cambria, Ca. I loved and shopped her store for years before I got to know her. Bonnie has been dubbed Queen of the Smalls and has participated in the Remnants show from the beginning - she also carries my line so I love her even more! Her shop is filled with vintage treasures....

...like this old fashioned ice cream display...




Gray Hartley - winemaker extraordinaire! I was talking to a customer about how to use my wine collars (of course I had forgotten to bring a wine bottle to use as a display) and Gray happened to be walking by just then. I called over to him, "Hey Gray - you wouldn't happen to have a bottle of wine on you, would you?" - and he said, "as a matter of fact I do!" And he brought out the cutest little bottle of his world famous (and I mean that - click here) Hartley-Ostini Highliner wine! It sure pays to know your local winemaker.....
Dennis says thanks, Gray!



Here is Patty Kodenko - isn't she adorable? She didn't want her picture taken but I pestered her until she agreed - I wanted you to meet her and see her fabulous treasures! She does the most amazing mosaic work, but this is what caught my eye...

Thanks Patti - I just loved everything about your booth!




I already mentioned Amy Bakes Cupcakes....they were incredible!



I know I told you about my friend Carol Smithback and her one-of-a-kind pumpkins...now you can put a face to the name!
Here she is in front of her pumpkin cart....

...and here she is again with her *elf* Charlotte Hartley (who just happens to be married to Gray who you met earlier) How cute are they???? I swear, I didn't see anyone without a pumpkin on Saturday....she had a very good day.

And finally...our booth! Well la-de-da.....look at those hops Judy displayed so beautifully.

lots and lots of treasures....

and then there was my little corner...

It was a marvelous show - a highlight for me was meeting friends who have been following my blog so faithfully and came just to say hello! I was delighted and honored to meet Jermaine of French Kissed who I have followed and enjoyed for several months. She came all the way up from Santa Barbara for the day just to visit the show. It was as if we had known each other for years - my new BFF!
And what a small world it is - a young woman asked me if I was in a show in Rathdrum, Idaho. Uh....yeah. Apparently she stumbled onto the Vintage Barn Show while on vacation and bought some treat jars from me - then stumbled onto this one in Nipomo! She plans on making both shows a regular destination from now on!

And finally...I was determined to bring home one of Carol's pumpkins. I even ordered it ahead of time - that's how sure I was that I could get it home. I decided to pack it in my carry-on luggage - along with my camera. When I got to security at Santa Barbara Airport, they kept rolling the conveyor belt back and forth.....back and forth...back and forth...with that bag going through the x-ray machine. Then a second TSA official was brought in. Then they took it off the belt, opened it and unpacked EVERYTHING. Then put all of it through the x-ray again. So it seems that when I closed up the suitcase after packing, my camera ended up directly on top of the pumpkin, and in the x-ray it appeared to be an electronic device inside a rather large, round container made from organic material. The TSA gal was a peach - started giggling after realizing what it was....however, the people behind me waiting to go through were not smiling.

I did get it home in one piece though, along with these two little turban gourds.....

A final good-bye to Gus Judi's Scotty who was the official greeter....I am already excited about the Spring show....stay tuned!

I'm off to take a nap - I'm exhausted but extremely happy!
Thanks for tuning in...
Pammy

p.s.: a hearty THANK YOU to my baby girl Jaime and her darling husband Jacob who planned and set up the music - it set the mood perfectly and created a lovely atmosphere!