Some prettiness in the mail

bird song art event, fairies, parties

IMG_9956 Sponsor gifts for Bird Song are still coming in, and ooooohhhh myyyyyy!  This envelope of rosy goodness just made me sigh when I opened it. 

These little trims came from Lisa Super and are packaged so sweetly. My guests will love them! Thanks, Lisa!!

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And how excited will the classmates be to see these kits?  Look at the quality supplies included! 

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Each kit is unique and are extravagantly packed with everything you need to make a decorated baby shoe. And the shoe itself is already assembled, so all that needs to be done is the fun stuff.

These are from Lynn and she has the kits on sale right now in her shop if you aren't going to be here to get a kit from the goodie bags at Bird Song.

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Lynn's sister, Karla, sent goodies too, and look at how cute these packs are.  She has included lots of  vintage bits and trims for the students to play with. Thanks, ladies!

I'm so impressed with the generosity of the sponsors.  And there is more to come.  A little bird told me that Dawn will be sending some of her lovely soaps…

A full list of sponsors can be found on the side bar of this blog and of the Bird Song blog.

Nest banners

Since re-shuffling the class and seating, I have an open spot now.

Please contact me if you are interested.

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After having a houseful of arty friends last weekend, my house feels empty, and I can't wait to see all my guests at the end of the month for Bird Song.  I'll have a few staying at the house, but of course, there isn't room for all of them. But wouldn't that be fun if there was?

This cute Elephant is from Jenn, she gave me a whole set of these tags and I just had to tuck them into my Easter display. By the way, she has spots available for her magical event this fall.  After hearing her plans for decor, I have to say, you shouldn't miss it.

IMG_9911 While the theme features fairies, they are not the cutey pie colorful fairies that you might think. She is going for a woodland, GORGEOUS dreamy paradise filled with grown up, glam fairies.  More like you'd see in Vogue than in a story book. As a matter of fact, Victoria magazine's latest issue has a spread about a woodland dinner party that looks a lot like what Jenn has been planning.

Did I say GORGEOUS yet?   Wow, I can't wait!

Hello Dollies!

antiques/junking, bird song art event, celebrations, parties, vintage paper/collage art

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On Saturday, we had a create-a-thon in the studio. 

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They helped me work out kinks in my upcoming class for Paper Cowgirls

Pictured are the creations of:

Me * SuzanneAndrea * Jenn * Heather * Lori

IMG_9889 For my dressform, I wanted to experiment with wallpaper instead of text.  It was a little harder to do (stiffer paper) but I like how it turned out.  I also kept mine simple, using only things that will be given to the students in the kits.

  Its very frustrating to take a class and find that the teacher's example can't be made with what she gives you, isn't it?

While I was in the grips of decopauge fever, I covered this little bird too. It was just a white bird from the craft store, and Agnes Rosebud had eaten its head half off, so I did a bit of a redo on the poor little guy.

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A room full of pros is a wonderful thing when you are figuring out ideas.  And with this bunch, I wasn't exactly "teaching" them, it was more like all of us working on the same thing at the same time. I just gave them a few directions and they took off.

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Those ladies gave me as many ideas as I gave them.  I find that is true of any artful gathering. You get as much info from your tablemates as from any instructor.

IMG_9893 Lori showed us how to make some wax paper flowers that were recently featured in Somerset Life.  See how different they all turned out too?

The flowers are in a "vase" that I bought at Bottom's Up for $10. Its just some salvage bit of part of something else, but that is one of my favorite kinds of purchases. I'll use it a lot.

IMG_9869 Beth spent the day working on the covers for her journal swap for Bird Song, but did get to make a flower too.

IMG_9871 She got quite a few covers done, and no two were alike.

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The group not only gave me good tips for my Paper Cowgirls class, they had lots of good ideas for the seating and studio arrangement for Bird Song

I'd kind of oversold the event and was trying to figure out how to seat everyone.  Suzanne had a wonderful idea and I've already rearanged the furniture as she suggested. I did that as soon as I got back from taking them to the airport.

Since I had more requests even after the class was overstuffed, I talked to the teachers, Carol, Lisa, and Debbie, and all of them agreed to give up their seats to students. So, now, I've gone from too full, to having a couple extra spaces. 

Interested? Please let me know.

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Now my studio seems lonely after having such a fun bunch here.  I've packed up and mailed the last batch of purchases too big to fit in my guest's suitcases, and got those in the mail.  Can you guess whose box this is?  Yep, Jenn Hayslip, bunny queen. She scored big time on the bunny front while here. (by the way, she has spaces available for her romantic, prairie fairy tale if you'd like to get  away on an arty adventure. We'll all be there too!)

And I was thrilled that everyone shopped my studio too. It was nice of them, and I know it is never easy to randomly shop around with stuff not priced. It was sweet that they made the effort. 

Treats and sweets

celebrations, Food and Drink

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Before everyone arrived last weekend, I stocked the Treat Cabinet up.  And then, Lori and Andrea both brought goodies, so we were set for sweets. Aren't these petite fours from Lori so pretty?  I saved one for Sugarwings and she was properly impressed.

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I love having the Treat Cabinet in my studio.  It makes everything look even tastier, plus its great storage.  Its just a big wardrobe that I put two small tables inside, and covered with table cloths. Under the tables, I can keep extra cups, plates, refills, etc.

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And above, I keep wallpaper. Delicious, delightful, wallpaper!

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I plan on decorating the cabinet in a birdie theme at the end of the month for Bird Song.  The room will be full to the brim, so I'm not doing centerpieces. I've got lots of birdie type things, tho, so they will go into the cabinet and on our buffet in the kitchen.

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The glittered fairies should probably come down, to be replaced with birds, but I sure like them hanging there, so I don't know.  My problem is always editing.  I tend to have everything out at once, and show no restraint.  And I know its cluttery and tacky and over the top, but man, it sure is ME. The tacky, cluttery, gaudy, glittery, fairy decorator. 

What a mess.

IMG_9852 After reading "Romantic Prairie Style" and also visiting Carol's serene home, I'm feeling even gaudier.  The book inspired me to redo my bathroom, and I started painting it last night. My goal was to go all white on white.

Well, it didn't happen.  I'll show you photos later this week.  The project kinda morphed into gaudiness.

  And I'll have project photos tomorrow.  

For now I need to announce the winner of my Moulin Rouge Souvenir from my trip to LA.  I forgot to tell you before, because I was having too much fun with my buddies visiting.

Ruth Flowers (what a pretty name!)

 

 today, I'm linking to Amy Carver's "Whatever Wednesday"

 

 

Friends from far away coming to stay

antiques/junking, celebrations, Food and Drink, We're having a party

A quick note- due to some shuffling, I have extra spaces available for Bird Song. If you'd like to sign up, please contact me.

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We had the best time over the weekend! What a great group of friends, I was honored that they would travel so far just to come and hang out in Kansas.

Pictured is:

 * Heather * Suzanne * Lori * me * Jenn * Andrea *

IMG_9837 On Thursday, we just hung out, chatted and got caught up on each others happenings. Then on Friday, we took off to KC to go to Bottom's Up and some other sales, then over to visit Carol.  I foofed up bags for each of us, and filled them with bottled water, treats, gum, and lip gloss so we'd be set for the day's adventures.

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We all piled in the borrowed van (from Sugarwing's Daddy) and then just sat there.  Apparently, the key comes out of the ignition when the car is still set on "auxiliary" and I left it on all night draining the battery.

So, after unsuccessfully hunting in every nook and cranny for our jumper cables, my son, Ryan, volunteered to run to the store to pick up another set.  He soon had the van jumped and running so we could hit the road.

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Bottoms Up is once a month and located is the West Bottoms district in KC, MO. (someone walking by us said we looked glamorous!!  Now that is something I don't hear very often about myself.  And from my pigeon toed stance in this photo, I don't think I'll be hearing much in the future either)

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There are several shops with monthly sales in this old warehouse area, and its pretty cool to see.

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And to shop at!

 
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Gwen of French By Design has some very drool worthy goods.  The vendors range from ultra classy and elegant to fun junk.  So there is something for everyone.  I know we found plenty.

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Did you know that Victorian Trading Co. is based in KC?  After hitting Beth's booth at Mission Road Antique mall, we went next door to shop at the outlet store for this catalog shop. There are only two brick and mortar stores for this company and both are right here in Kansas City.

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The clothes there are so durn gorgeous.  The girls were buying some perfect outfits for Jenn's romantic event in NC this fall.  I tried on quite a few, then decided that I was 10 years and 10 lbs off to fit into the dresses right. Not to mention that I am too short.  But I loved looking at them and seeing what everyone else picked out.

Then, I bought a shower curtain.  (photos later, I'm dying it, and repainting my bathroom to match it)

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Carol had us over for dinner, and if you think her home looks like it was right out of a book, you are right.  She's in Romantic Prairie Style (and oooooooohhhhh, what a pretty book!)

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Carol is not only a talented photographer and decorator, she is a hostess with a huge heart.

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And a good cook!

IMG_1869 Every single detail, every where you looked, her house is perfect.  Just perfect.  I feel like I am in the pages of a decorating book when I am there.

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So, I was really touched to see something I made for her out on display. 

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She served some local made honey flavored wine over dinner, and it was a good thing I was driving, or I'd have drank way too much of it.   I could go  Winnie the Pooh all over this honey nectar!  Man, it was good.

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Carol just had this fire place built in her backyard. It was a lovely evening to curl up by the fire and tell ghost stories. Even though the others didn't like ghost stories much.  We quickly moved on to more fun stories and had a lot of laughs.  If you've ever spent an evening with Carol, you know there will be lots of laughter.

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Here is the back of her home, near the fireplace.

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This is the tree that Carol is teaching for Bird Song.  Pretty, huh? 

I'll have more photos later of our studio day.  After that day with all the creative types in my studio, I am even more pumped about Bird Song.  I can't wait to fill the room back up with arty friends and see them in action!

 

My first garage sale of the season and its a DOOZY

antiques/junking

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The most magical of all the seasons is soon upon us- garage sale time!  Around here, its been chilly and not quite full into the season yet, but last weekend, on a whim, I glanced at the ads about 10am Saturday morning.  No good garage saler waits till late Saturday to make their plans for the hunt, but I hadn't thought about going out.  I didn't realize there would be any up and running to beckon me.

Plus, I thought it was Friday. 

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But no, it was Saturday and by the time I saw the ad that read "all vintage clothing, hats, jewelry, and shoes" I was at the very tail end of the best sale I've ever seen in my life.

Yep, this is my haul from the dregs of the sale!!!!!!

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15 floral hats at $5 each.  And I hear that I missed out on a lot that sold the day before.  Along with bags of old jewels, but hey, I don't cry over what I missed. I'm thrilled to have got this load of treasure.

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The clothes were amazing too.  I bought this cinamon colored lace dress for $10.  I think I'll cut it off to wear as a jacket over a tee shirt, right now it is floor length. Which is pretty, but I doubt if I'd ever wear it as a dress.  I can see it getting a lot of use as a lacey jacket with jeans, though.

IMG_9759 And I just can't wait to slip this over Sugarwing's head!  Won't she be an angel in this gown?

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It has such pretty details for her to smear mud, paint, ketchup and chocolate on before she tears it.

Hmm, maybe I won't add this to her dress up closet, I'll save it for "special".

a little makeover, a little procrastinating, a lot of snow hating

Chandeliers, hand painted candelabras, how to's, how-to projects

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Winter simply must go.

And I mean it.

We've been getting some very nice days, then it all goes wonky and snow comes again. And I just can't take any more cold.  I'm done, I quit.  Either Kansas warms up and stays that way, or I am leaving.

Before it snowed this week, while the weather was pretending to let Spring come,  I picked a handful of the daffodils blooming in my yard so I could have a bright bit of Spring time on my windowsill.

That helps, well a little bit.

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I'm so glad that I have my blog friend weekend to cheer me up and make me feel spring-y since the weather isn't doing it for me!

Another thing that helps lighten my mood when I am feeling grey and gloomy,  is to lighten up something else. A friend gave me a pair of these lamps, and I liked the lines, but disliked the color. So, to cheer myself up, I made them a bit cheerier.

I followed the short cut steps that I like to use (on my side bar, in the tutorials, "How to paint a chandelier") and gave the lamps a spray coat of (bonding) primer. 

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Then, I added silver glaze over the primer, using a stiff brush and a stippling technique.  That is where you dip the brush in the glaze, then dab the brush against a paper towel to take some off, and then pounce the brush onto the object you are painting.  I use a really cheap brush when I do this, since it beats the crap out of it.

This is a technique that you don't want to try to do perfectly. The only thing you really need to watch out for, is that the crevices and cracks and low parts get filled in good.  (its also pretty to use two colors, a slightly darker one over the first after it dries, but I was too impatient and didn't do a second color)

When it was dry, I sealed it with a clear coat.

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Over the long, candle stick portion of the lamp base, I added a strip of paper taken from a really old sewing magazine.  It was simple and quick, I just ran a bead of glue all around the edge of the backside of the paper, and then stuck it on.  I didn't even measure just right, I wrapped it around, so that the excess just went halfway around the pole again.

IMG_9772 The page I used was a little crumbly on the edge and I liked that, so I left a bit of a ragged edge.  You can't really tell from the photos tho, its more to the backside of this image, but you can see just a little bit of the torn edge to the right.

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The lampshades got left as is.  I thought I wanted something lighter and lacier, but once the lamps were painted, I kind of liked the contrast.  Especially after pinning on an old, white velvet flower.

Did you notice that I blurred out the backgrounds?  I just about had to, my studio is the pits right now.

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See what I mean?   But, it will be all spiffed and ready for my blog friend weekend soon.  (this post was written earlier in the week, and scheduled to post over the weekend while I'm off playing with my friends. Lets HOPE the room looks a little better for them!)

But,if I don't stop getting side tracked by little projects like redoing a lamp,  the chances of the room getting cleaned up could be slim to none.

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 Or if I spend time digging through old magazines looking for pictures. Now, that is a real waste of time. But talking about pouncing glaze reminded me of this show house I painted in years ago.  It was a Victorian house, and had great textured wallpaper all up the grand staircase and through the hall.

I painted in all the colorful details of birds, flowers, and sunsets on the paper, then stippled over it in bronze and cream glaze.  This photo was in Better Homes and Garden Paint Decor. I'd forgotten all about this article, and just had to go and dig it up.  Instead of cleaning the studio. 

Okay, enough procrastinating. I'm really going to tackle the room now.

ps-  Today is Silver Bella sign up.  For various reasons, I won't be going this year,(one being sticker shock at the price!! Others I won't go into)  That event was always so special to me, but I haven't talked to a single person that I know who will be going this year. Of course, I made all those friends at that event, and would probably meet more wonderful people there if I did go.

Are you going?

Generosity!

Uncategorized

IMG_9741 Before I had a blog, I rarely got packages in the mail. My mom used to surprise me with things she'd made, and that was always a very special treat.

But blog world has changed my lack of mail.  I never know what to expect from the generosity of fellow bloggers.

There are contests, giveaways, and just plain old gifties always going on in the blog-o-sphere.

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Recently, I got a couple of GREAT packages, these are from sponsors of Bird Song, coming up at the end of April.

IMG_9738 Miss Sandy sent all this loveliness, a big, overflowing box of hand made goodies to give as gifts to the participants!

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And, in the bottom of the box, this bit of gorgeousness, a collage to give as a door prize!

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Celeste, sent a box-o-pretties too, here is a small sample of the generous supplies she sent for me to share with my guests.

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My BFF, Beth, not only designed and provided the images for the gift bags that she also helped sew together, she has made these little nature inspired sachets to slip into the goodie bags too.

For a full list of the kind hearted friends of mine who are sponsoring the event, there is a list on the sidebar of my blog. 

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This box, though, was a real surprise!  I had ordered another hundred or so 1860s Charlotte dolls from Germany and was really excited to get this package marked from that dealer. But when I opened it up, it wasn't cute little dollies looking back up at me, it was this!!

The original invoice was in the box, so I know who the rightful owner is and will send it on to him, some guy named Nathan in Minneapolis. But not until after I show Sugarwings, she'll love this.  That kid shares my interest in the spooky side of life.  Big bad wolves, witches, and goblins always make her happy. I might tell her these are goblin eyes…

Oh, and my Charlottes arrived safely, too.  And they are the big ones, I've not carried those before.  I'll let you know when I add them to the shop, but first I want to play with them and make a few things myself.

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This package was much better, I won this hand made bag from Teresa.  Very, very pretty, and so well made. Its a really sturdy, heavy bag for as dainty as it looks.

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And a kind hearted reader who knows my deep, true love of old ribbon sent this.  Thanks, Marilyn!

See why I skip happily down the driveway when I go to check the mail?  Its not just a mail box, its a treasure chest.

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Sometimes I'm lucky enough to get treasures in person. My pal, Sherry (who will be a house guest during Bird Song) gave this cute packet of sequins and jewels to me at Moulin Rouge.

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And my Moulin Rouge roomie, Kim, gave me this pretty package containing a sweet necklace that she made.

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Poor Kim.  She didn't get the best deal in rooming with me. My snoring is back! My theory is that I need to lose a few pounds.  Because the surgery to stop the snoring worked before the holidays and all the treats that I ate kicked in. 

Plus, Kim doesn't have an once of fat on her body to keep her warm, and I tend to over heat at night, so we had some different views on the thermostat setting.  I was a night owl and she gets up before 6am, so we weren't well suited in that way.  Its a good thing she is such a nice person with so many fun stories to listen to!!  We had plenty to talk about and got along well, even with our differences. I hope I didn't annoy her too much.

Kim is holding two dolls made by Colleen, and she ended up buying the rabbit. 

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Colleen is some one I really enjoyed getting to know. She drove us all over, to Venice Beach, In and Out Burger, the garment district.  So, I am sending her this little package of things as a thank you. 

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I've found that its just as nice to send fun mail as it is to get it!

So, what’s new?

celebrations, parties, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

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(felted nests $5-6)

This week, I am planning a get away with some buddies. Well, it might not be an actual get away for me, since its at my house, but it will still feel like one. A girl's weekend, where I can make stuff, shop, eat goodies and chat, chat, chat with blog friends that I just adore and love to spend time with will feel like a fantastic vacation, even if its in my own back yard.

IMG_9671 (Lots of pink cupcake people, starting at $2 a package)

We are planning dinner at my house on Thursday after I make an airport run to scoop them all up that afternoon.  I'm not sure yet what I will fix for our meal, it needs to be something that is all ready to go ahead of time so  I can slip it into the oven when we get back from the airport.

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(rhinestone rondelles 10 for $4.00)

For these kind of meals, I usually do something Italian.  It always seems easier to serve, and is something that tastes good when made the day before.  Those flavors develop over night and just get better, don't they?

Plus, I'm good at making an Italian dish nice and light.  Lots of fresh veggies, a low fat tomato sauce, and a light sprinkling of cheese.  It tastes good, but is not heavy.  I have a feeling that we'll be having lots of goodies around for the weekend, so kicking it off with a lighter meal will probably be appreciated.

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(mini rhinestone crowns $4.50 each)

But its not the meals that will be important, its the time together.  I'm soooo flattered that these special ladies are flying across the country to come to visit and spend time. 

Blog world has been very good to me, and I am extremely lucky to have met such good friends through their blogs, and through going to art events.  Funny, we each are at different ages and stages of our lives, but all of us have a love of beautiful vintage things,  and never run out of conversation topics.

Friday will be shopping in KC, and then on Saturday, we'll hunker down in the studio and play with pretties.  Nothing formal, just comfortable and relaxed.  If weather permits, we might sit by the bonfire that night.  But then again, we might be having so much fun in the studio, we won't want to leave it.  So, I'm not setting  schedule, we'll do what sounds good. 

That is the best kind of vacation, isn't it?  

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So, this week, I'll be busy Spring cleaning and getting the guest rooms ready for friends. I've got 3 extra beds, 2 sofas, and we'll set up a blow up mattress.  Just like the slumber parties I loved as a kid!

Growing up in Pendleton, IN, my friends and I lived for slumber parties. Any occasion was a reason to throw one.  I used to have a big birthday party every March for my Irish Setter, Ambie, and would have a whole group of girls come for a sleep over.  

Now, as a grown up, I'm glad to continue the parties.  My favorite thing about visiting with my sisses is that last glass of wine at night, sitting up late and talking. That cozy feeling of knowing you are in for the night and can talk as late as you like, all curled up in your jammies, laughing and being silly.

Do we ever out grow that? I hope I don't.   I always want to enjoy that 14 year old girl that is still a part of me, who likes to giggle and stay up late with friends.

IMG_9690 (rhinestones $3.50 a foot)

I'd hoped to get the yard cleaned up for the party, but it snowed over the weekend, and spring is just not cooperating with me.  Oh well.  I have a feeling no one will really care if my flower beds are planted or not.

But they will care if the studio is too messy to find a path to the tables! So, I'd better get to work.  I don't know how I do it, but I sure tend to pile things up in there. It gets away from me, and I live like a pig out there.  I'm not that way in my home, I get antsy if my house is cluttery and messy, but I sure can let the studio fall apart and fill up fast.

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(glass stones  25 for $3.50)

 I'm off to clean. I need a giant trash can and a shovel, I think. 

I've been trying to get it done, but keep getting distracted by shiny things.  All these photos are of new things I've listed in the Boutique.   This last one is clear glass stones from the 40s, aren't they nice?  

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If you'd like a chance to win a souvenir from Moulin Rouge, please leave a comment anytime (or as many as you'd like) till March 31st.

Yay Carol!!!!!!!!!

antiques/junking, Books, give away

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Have you ordered yours yet???  This is going to be the prettiest book, wow, I can't wait. you can get it early through Amazon, right here.  I ordered mine today!

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My beautiful friend, Carol's beautiful home is in the book, along with lots of our favorite bloggers. I went to visit Carol during the shooting and finally got to meet Fifi. She and I had worked together before, but I'd mostly dealt with her by email and a couple times over the phone.

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Next weekend, while I have a houseful of arty, bloggy friends, we'll be headed to visit Carol, and ooh and awe over her home in person.  She's invited us for wine and pizza after we do some shopping in KC. 

And great shopping is in store! Its Bottom's Up weekend, and I can't imagine a more interesting place to bring out of town friends.

Maybe we'll see you there? 

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Ready for a prize?  I know I was supposed to bring you back something from the Long Beach Flea mkt while I was in Cali.  But since I ran with the Bad Girl Crowd, I didn't make it there, we played hooky and hung out elsewhere.

After unpacking, I realized I didn't buy a suitable souvenir for a blog prize. So, here is your memento of the event, one of my projects. 

I'll leave sign ups open for a bit longer, please leave a comment if you are interested. All comments between March 16 and the 31st will count. 

Moulin projects

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, Travel

A quick note, to let you know that there are a couple extra spots opened up in my Paper Cowgirls class.  Please email me for a special link to sign up.  If you had approached me about it in the past, and there wasn't space, there is now.  And I am sorry, that I didn't save the names of the people waiting to get in, because I thought it was already full!!

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This is a photo my table mate took during Shea's class.  We were making necklaces, and I was trying  mine on while keeping it together with clothes pins.  We used jewelry glue to layer pieces of filigree with a rhinestone piece, and mine just kept sliding off. 

I made too many design changes in the necklace, using a vintage piece instead of the rhinestones provided, and it was too heavy. So, it didn't hang right, and I had to redo it.  I adored Shea's design, and love the necklace, but I wanted mine just a little different than the rest, and that was a mistake.  I got carried away and added way too much.

So, it got stripped back down again and I still used my own vintage pieces on it, but I followed our teacher's design so that it hung correctly.  The silk ribbon that she gave us to use in the kit was meant for a certain weight limit and I'd gone way too far over that.

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Mine ended up without the filigree pieces, even after all the work of gluing and clamping them together.  I used that bauble on just a ribbon, so I actually got two necklaces out of the deal!

This choker is still Shea's concept, I just changed out the beads in the kit for some from my Great Aunt Caroline, and used vintage rhinestone flowers instead of the charms  provided.

I've worn it a lot, and know that I'll get a lot of future wearings from it too. 

IMG_9647 Here is something else I've been wearing, a necklace from Lonnie. I bought it at vendor night, it has my favorite things in it, millinery, ephemera, pearls, and a dorkie. 

Don't try to rain on my parade and tell me that is a Scotty, not a Yorkie.  I'll put my fingers in my ears and sing, so that I don't hear you.  

Yorkshire Terriers are hard to find, so when I find a cute Scotty, I say close enough and just lie to myself about what kind of dog it is.

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Two of my other projects from Moulin Rouge have already found a permanent home in my cottage.

This is Kerry Lynn's dry erase board, but tweaked a bit with my own colors.  She had such a brilliant idea for making this, that I just knew I had to change it to match my kitchen and use it as a grocery list.

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The edges were meant to be finished in a blanket stitch, but I was too lazy, and simply glued ribbon on the edges.  I also dodged the stamping, because I am not good at that either.  But I did stick with the French theme and used text and pictures from a magazine given to me by Zita.

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More of the French magazine was used to back this crystal, and the rhinestone Eiffel tower was from our goody bags. 

Mine was getting done really fast, and I realized that everyone else was embroidering, stamping, sewing, and making frills. I was just plopping stuff in place and gluing it down.  I didn't actually MAKE anything for mine!  No wonder it went so fast.

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And Kerry Lynn had some cool tips and tricks that I wanted to try.  So, I used her wired seam binding idea to make a holder for my dry erase marker.  Its now wired to the handle of the piece and dangles down.

My pal, Pam, was a handy neighbor. She is fluent in French and could decipher some of the French from my magazine.  She also provided  a pretty word for me to write on the board (with permanent marker), "Toujours" which means "always".  That was the title of my mom's favorite song.

 

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This was Colleen's can can girl class.  She painted gold boxes for us to use as a stage, and sculpted all the dolls for us to paint and embellish!   She also provided all the materials we needed, but I brought light colors to use for my stage and girl, and then, somehow my can can girl morphed into a ballerina fairy. 

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I gave her a flower petal skirt, butterfly wings, and a magic wand.  If you hang around me too long, these things just happen to you.

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The piece I made in Jenny and Aron's class got a little make over too.  I used their painted pink cake, but for the background, I glued down a map of Paris. And I was soooo smitten with the graphics that Kim used for the event, that I just had to use her can can girls on the picture.

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I finished it off with the red curtain material and gold foil trim that Colleen had provided for her class, and added a vintage pink, cake topper, dancing girl to the top of Jenny's cake.

Each class was such a fun idea and our teachers really came up with some great concepts and kits for us.  I learned some good tricks and ended up with some things that I loved!

Thanks again, Kim, for putting it all together for us! 

I have not unpacked yet, so don't know what my giveaway will be yet…. How about if I extend it?  All comments still count toward the drawing. Whatever it is!

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