Altered Art Party!!!

I just found out about this Altered Art party over at The French Cupboard.

I have ALWAYS wanted to join in one of these cyber-parties, but either didn't have the right project in the works, or the confidence to jump in.

 Since I just now discovered this I didn't have time to go upstairs into my magic attic and create something new, so I decided to go back in time and drag out my old paper dolls.....

my original design - that's Schmitty the Kitty - may he rest in peace.

my grandson Dresden

my granddaughter Karise

I got a little carried away....

ya think???

OK, I even made necklaces from scanned images of these guys.

So.....

If you are struggling with what to do with the kids this weekend....

This would be a fun project for them to make.

Just click HERE for the details.

See you soon for an update on my new website....and a fun contest, where you might win one of these...

Bodacious Bubbles!

See ya later!

Monkey

I'm taking Monkey down to the lake!

I can hardly contain myself...

I am so excited right now.

Excited about new projects...

Like these:

I am calling them my new Bodacious Bubbles.

...because these are whoppers!

They are 1 1/4" wide and magnify whatever I choose to sandwich between their bodacious, bubbly domes.

I have decided to go with some wonderful combinations of whimsical fonts and images, backed with scraps from this law book my friend Virginia gave me.

Thank you Virginia!

 I told you I would find a cool way to use this.

What else am I excited about?????

I just finished work on the first batch of Susan Branch's newest, limited edition ornament:

...but I can't reveal it to you yet.

not until she does, so stay tuned!

As if that's not enough to be excited about.....

I have been accepted into Custer's Arts & Crafts extravaganza in November!!!!

AND.......

In a few short weeks I will be launching my brand new website where we will have shopping carts and galleries and all sorts of good fun....

You MUST come back and check out my progress. This online store is the coolest ever.

So stick around...

Don't go too far...

See you soon!

The Rusty Bird

Meet my friend Virginia:

Some call her this:

She makes these:

Better than a bird.

She is one of my favorite vendors at Vintage Barn Show.

Last weekend, at the show, she gave me this:

And because she knows how much I love to use vintage ephemera in my work, she surprised me with these:

Virginia has no idea how much I love birds.

And nests.

I have this rather large *gallery* hallway in my home....

It is actually the size/shape of a small room, and it is where I have displayed most of my bird's nests, etc....

I hung one of my necklaces from Virginia's cage and added some eggs.

(more about that cute little cabinet and a later time...)

I think it looks just dandy.

I made this cube a while back. Not as easy as it may look.

This is where Big Mama usually lives.

This is a grouping I made using old botanical bookplates with inexpensive frames from Michaels. The key here is using the same exact size frame and mats (I cut my own) to make a statement. 

This sweet little table was my bedside table growing up. It is circa 1860. (or so my grandmother told me)

I love it.

The collection of large eggs on the right are actually from chickens we had many years ago.

We called them "The Girls".

I blew them out and saved them.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Virginia.

Thanks for stopping by!

ps: make sure you come back to see how I use the treasures Virginia gave me.

You won't be sorry!

Vintage Barn recap!

Vintage Barn was a smashing success!

According to Rolane Hopper, our beautiful hostess, it broke all records.

She says that in years past they have never filled the parking field completely, and this year the over-flow parking was filled!

The day started the way it always does.....

...with a word of thanks and praise to the Lord, who has blessed this show from the very beginning.

Then the cowbell was rung and we were open for business!

I was so busy all day long I didn't get much of a chance to take pictures of the other booths.

So.....

I am sharing with you instead, pictures of our new look.

We had seen Blue Canoe Reloaded's booth at Remnants of the Past in California.

 They made their own tea stained canopy for their booth out of canvas drop cloths.

Love this look.

After a trip to Home Depot for drop cloths....

After making a pattern and dusting off my old sewing machine....

After soaking it in a garbage can filled with 300 tea bags......

Success!

We loved the earthy bohemian look.

I even made leg warmers sleeves to cover the newness of the aluminum frame.

check out those cool horns - my "new" display feature!

Every wall aged for a rustic, organic background.... 

Perfect for showing off barbed wire.

Dennis made these two matching hutches for me to display my wares in.

I fell in love with them and told him to put a hefty price tag on them, so they wouldn't sell.

They sold.

He has promised to make me a couple more.

Big Mama always causes quite a stir.....but she's Not 4 Sale!

As my fellow vendors and bloggers post their pictures of this wonderful show, I will pass them on to you...

My next show is Remnants of the Past, in Nipomo, California -  October 2.

Until then, I have many projects (like a brand new website!) in the works, so stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by....