A little break

Hello my wonderful bloggies,

I just want to let you know that I am taking an extended blogging break. There are some personal issues I must take care of, and I will return once everything is sorted out. In the meantime I will miss you all, take care.

I found her, again!!

How lucky am I? Lucky, girl and very happy!! Another fruitless cottage search on Friday led to no new prospects, but I was able to purchase THE LAMP, my beautiful lamp that I have been dreaming of since that first trip to the BARN. Here she is in all her sweetness, dust and dirt, but look at her beautiful lines.
Honestly, I cannot wait to revamp her and bring her to life again, I know how beautiful she will become. That shade is what did it for me, it is just too darn cute for words, and is oh so feminine. I also picked up a few more things and I was very good, and only bought a small amount of stuff. Peter really kept me in line, which was great because I really don't need anything right now. It was nice to have some time to go through the barn, but on the second trip I came to the conclusion that most of her items were very overpriced, so it was a bit disappointing.

So now it's onto the garden, and all the joy it brings. I took some pictures of the shed that Reno and Eddie made and it is really getting a beautiful patina.
I love it more and more, especially now that it is getting all aged and gray. The cedar roof is so pretty and I definitely think it was the right decision. The windows are to die for, I love all the ripples.
This is a little bench I put together, the frame came from Peter's Dad, which he was very glad to donate. It's all rusted and worn and I thought it would make a great little potting bench. We just cut up some wood that was hanging around and presto, a sweet little bench for this and that.
Little ducky to keep watch.
OK another year of cleaning out the pond scum, it looks good now.
Now this idea just came to me out of the blue. I had all these broken pots and didn't know what to do with them. Last year I planted some hostas and the grass kept creeping in, a real pain in the behind!! I thought, why not use the broken pot pieces and lay them in between to keep the grass down and add some interest? Voila it works!!Once the hostas fill in a little more, you will see bits and pieces of colour, and it should look pretty cool. Although I do see some grass peeking through, time to get busy. This is a great way to use up old pots and broken china, which I also used.
This is the sweetest little shed around, thanks again guys, you are the best!!
Have a great week everyone!!

This n that

Gee it's been a long time coming, sunshine and flowers. I finally was able to get some sweet little darlings in, and it feels great to see some colour in the garden.

The pansies are doing really well because it is still quite cool at night, they are calling for frost tonight, WHAT?
Some pics of a few purchases lately, these are not very old, but I really loved them. They have such a pretty scalloped edge on the bottom, and these are always great for holding more STUFF!!

These are some of the lovelies that I purchased at that amazing BARN, everything is very scattered because I was in serious panic. A sweet little boot, it holds my pens!!
Look at this darling little s/p shaker, it's as sweet as can be!!
I had to have this glass lid, I really have no purpose for it now, but my thinking cap is on. I would like to hang it on the wall and hang ribbons over the little button top, I just love the way it looks in the sunlight.
This bottle is really cool, but who knows what was in it, some veterinary tonic for sore muscles, hey I could use that!! I am going to hang it with ribbon as a collection once I acquire more. For now it's sitting on my window sill looking pretty, I love the patina!!
This is my little beading desk, messy, but a lot of work is being done here!!
These are some little banner triangles that I made up, totally random, no measuring, just pure fun.
Some of my favorite colours. These are also a great way to use up your scraps.
This is another little purse I made, the fun never ends for me!!
A little summer charm bracelet.
This was really fun to make, and I just adore the vintage West German glass cameo, it is truly beautiful and in perfect condition.
Ahh that was fun, tomorrow I will be without a car as my Louis is going in for service, yes he has a name, he's my buddy!! I have many chores to do, including finishing the pergola roof and lots of yard work, yipee!! Have a wonderful day tomorrow!!
XO

Oodles of fun

I have been a busy little girl with my trusty sidekick Lolls helping me non-stop, he he!! It seems to be a very common theme that spring brings inspiration, and I've been bitten by the spring bug. I made this little embellished wooden purse, these are so cute, just enough space for your cell, keys, lipstick and a kiss from your hubby!!
I have become this little decoupage freak, it's so much fun brushing away, and adding this and that, gee I need help!!
These lovely images are complements of my dear friend Robin, I love the way the ladies dressed back then, so elegant and very formal. They are great images in so many ways and the possibilities are endless.

Now onto another project, my little glass soldered pens, these are very feminine, girls only!! I have been working on soldering some jewellery, lets just say it's a work in progress, and takes practice. I am really having so much fun making these pens, and they are now available in my Etsy shop.
They all have big yummy flowers at the end and look really pretty on your desk.
Pretty paper and glitter inside, and words for whatever inspires you.
A new wall hanging, with my little girl Izzy, she is a new creation and is very sassy, kinda like Lolly, only not quite as cute!!
She has lots of goodies, and she is also available in my Etsy.

I found these silver purse handles in Michaels and I am totally in love with them. They are very cool and have a twist off hanger so you can add beads etc. It's really quite embarrassing the things that amuse me, I dunno what to say.

Have a wonderful day and big hugs my little darlings.

A huge surprise

So often you come across these wonderful places totally out of the blue, and in reading many of my friends posts lately, they have been in the exact same boat, very interesting. On a trip up north on Friday looking for our place in the country, I came across this absolute piece of heaven, I couldn't believe my luck. On our way to the last property, we drove past this place, and I thought to myself I have to pop in on the way back, and I was very glad I did.
To be honest I was totally overwhelmed and didn't quite know what to do. Way too many treasures, a huge barn to scour, very little time, and a heartbeat that was in the critical zone from a self confessed antique junkie. This place was incredible to say the least, and I didn't know where to start, because there were literally millions of treasures to go through. As I scoured through with my quickening heartbeat, I was inquiring like a madwomen about the prices, and was quite worried that she might think I was totally cheap (I am), but what the heck, I needed to know. To my total horror, she kept leaving the barn, I don't know why, but this was bad news for me. All I needed to know were prices, and if she had anything to put my goods in. Please don't leave a crazed, vintage fanatic, who is cheap, time pressed, tired, hungry, has a barking Lolly in the car, and wants to know prices so I can buy as much stuff as possible, yikes. I did manage to buy some cute things, but nothing compared to what I wanted or needed. I wasn't too worried because I knew I would be back on Sunday as the last property was amazing and I wanted Peter to see it. My darling girls, my fellow antique lovers, you would have gone crazy in this place. We could have locked ourselves in that barn for a week and lived on water and antiques, no problem, sighhhh another time.Unfortunately I have sad news, the agent phoned last night and the property has an offer on it and since we didn't want to be in any kind of competition, we didn't end up going. We will have to wait and see, but I believe I have to go back because there is a lamp with my name on it. I am in a total panic right now, with both the property and the barn of heaven, but I have to return, Sandy are you up for this? I will keep you posted.So last night I couldn't sleep, I had so much stuff on my mind and so much stuff to do. Thank goodness I have my sweet little green spot to go in times of chaos and do all sorts of creating. I made this random little scrap sign to go on a watering can that will hold that very thing. Scraps = art, so true!!
Lately this has been one of my obsessions, and it is quite fun and very useful. It has enough space to hold a significant stash and should keep me fairly tidy for a week or two:-) The only negative in dealing with scraps is the rather large mess that seems to scatter everywhere, note to self, keep vacuum close.A wee peek inside the watering can, and I see a large stash already, that's OK, I have a pillow on my mind.
Keep smiling, Lolly says WOOF!!

Busy little bee

Spring is a busy time and I sure have been a busy little bee. Last week I was sooo excited because I actually got to the nursery to pick up some Pansies and Hyacinth, but alas it's been too darn cold to plant, grrrrrhh!! I won't have time to plant until Saturday, but it's gonna be toasty;-)

This past Sunday, we celebrated our Greek Easter (that's my hubby) and it really is sooo fun. Cracking eggs, roasting lamb, laughing and eating, all with a bit of sunshine, yipee.



OK this is Mia, our Nieces 8 pound Chihuahua, who actually beat up Lolly and stole her bone, DISGRACEFUL!! One of her nicknames is Little Wee.I have been making tons of stuff for the studio, OK it's time to stop as I have no more room, but the ideas keep coming. I have also been making lots of stuff for my wee little Etsy,getting it all stocked up. Gee Etsy is such a cute name, I could see naming a pet after it, maybe a hamster or even a pooch. This is my girls rule shadow box, for all us special girls.

Vintage piece wall hanger, (click to enlarge.)


Patience door hanger, I really love the way this turned out
I still have a ton of other stuff that needs to go in my shop, but it will have to wait, as I am going to be away for the next few days. I will check on you then, happy days to everyone!!

A new studio

It's done, and it sure has been a long time coming. I was in the basement before which was OK, but I was longing for more light and something I could design right from the start. I painted the walls a beautiful apple green which I have been dreaming of for a long time. Here are some pictures of my new space which I absolutely adore. I would set up a bed and live in there if I had the space, but it wouldn't go over very well with my boys, hehe!! I hope to take more pictures as time prevails.
This is my little beading space which is set up on my Moms desk from her childhood. It's tiny, but it works just fine and I can fit everything in.

Just some of my button stash, it's getting rather embarrassing.
Two thrift shop finds, the mirror which I painted, and the little house that now holds some of my beads.
So far I'm doing a good job at keeping it clean. Right now it's a pleasure, and it's great to be organized.
This is a little vintage vanity that I purchased last summer and it works great for storage, photos, and wrapping.

This is sewing central, a very busy place now that I have my darling girl back.
More glass containers, I have a serious love affair with these, however I could live without the constant dusting!!This room gets the morning sun and is always so welcoming, especially now that spring is here. It's compact, loaded to the max, and full of all the things I love. It makes me smile every time I'm in there, yes I am a lucky girl.

Fabric scraps galore

I think anyone who sews can relate to this, tons of fabric scraps in all sizes and shapes growing by the day. As some of you may know I have been working on my crazy quilt for a long time, and I was doing really well on the progress until my darling and beloved machine crashed. I have her back, but I actually need larger scraps to continue, so I will have to wait awhile to finish. What I do have, are lots of tiny scraps, so what's a girl to do? Make something of course, and this is what I came up with, a little scrapped magic carpet.
I took the scraps, lined them up on a long piece of fabric and sewed a whole bunch of strips. Then I attached them to my foundation fabric which is about 2' X 3', on the small side, but it works for my project.It's tiny but works well in my space, and best of all it's soft and squishy because I added a backing. It looks all silly willy, but it was fun to make and it's soft on the toes.You can make anything out of these scraps, this is just one idea. I hope someone else has some ideas and is inspired to make something fun and useful.

Happy Easter and Passover

Hi everyone, I just wanted to wish you all a wonderful Easter and Passover. I love this time of year because there is so much opportunity with the arrival of spring and everyone feels great. Have a fantastic holiday, from Lolly and I.
This is after I told Lolly we will be having pancakes for Easter breakfast tomorrow, a big chop licking!!
XO

Vintage love and other stuff

I've really been bitten by the vintage bug and I've purchased a few lovelies from my buddy Robin who has a lovely little Etsy shop. I was so thrilled when I received my Sears catalog reprint of the 1900's with all these fascinating items available at that particular time.
The prices are unbelievable, really astounding, along with the quality and selection of wonderful vintage items.
I have already used several pages that are going into a collage I am making, and they are so interesting.
I also have an old copy of King Henry IV from 1922, that is very weathered and beautifully aged that I am using right now. I really can't wait for some fantastic auctions and estate sales to attend so I can find more treasures. There is an amazing fair in July, that's north of us, and the selection is quite remarkable, and a great way to spend the day.
On another front, I totally redid my art studio, and moved it from the basement, into one of the bedrooms upstairs, and I am soooo glad I did. I am loving it and it has been magic to create, I have literally been in sheer heaven completing it. Tons of fun projects, painting, sewing, drawing and playing non stop. I had this little plastic case in the shape of a purse, that held some beads and I created this little angel.
I wanted to put the beads in another container and I loved the shape of the purse and wanted to use it in some way. I basically used it as the body for this little button girl, and reinforced it with cardboard, and added all the decorative elements. She is kinda weird looking, but I like her, because she is totally different and made from something else entirely. Her legs are chop sticks and she has wooden button feet, so she can stand up. Of course some pink ribbon, buttons and paper to finish her off.I find now I'm trying to re-purpose all sorts of items that I would have normally discarded and it's quite remarkable what you can make and use. Hopefully in the process you can have some fun and make something you enjoy or can use and feel good about.
OK I know the pictures really suck, but Picnik has been a total disaster lately and takes forever, so I kinda gave up. Is anyone else having that problem, or do you know of another free photo editing program that is good?
Thanks so much and have a super weekend.
XO

Dog Bandanas

Hello everyone,
I am having a giveaway for that darling pooch in your life. I don't know if I have mentioned this before but, I have been making dog bandanas for quite some time, for friends and of course Miss Lolly. I am going to put them in my Etsy store and/or website for purchase hopefully soon.
I am excited to offer this giveaway for your sweet pooch to have a little present this spring. You can leave me a comment and I will draw a name and pick the winner on March 26th. These are some pictures of the samples I can make. I have tons of fabric, so I will let you choose what would work best for your baby.Thanks for looking, good luck and happy spring.
XO

A spring thing

I, like so many others are soooo excited about spring, I can't wait for those sweet birdies to start singing. This has me very inspired and I have been busy making lots of fun things. This is a little Easter wishes sign that is available in my Etsy shop, full of fun spring colours.
It is full of whimsy. I sure had a lot of fun making this little door hanger.

Another Easter sign.
Bunny love!!
Just think spring!!

I am anxiously awaiting planting my pansies and some hyacinth, hopefully next week it will be warm enough. Enjoy your warm sunny days everyone!!