Working on the dining table for the trailer

The table will be covered by vintage yardsticks.
I've been collecting for years.

Joy.......always

This is my Happily ever after!

This is my new project. She (yet to pick the name that fits her) is a 1968 Serro Scotty. She is 15 feet of wonderfulness. She has good bones and just needs my magic touch. So join our journey as we transform her into our cottage on wheels.

Joy always

Nature's contrast

Saying good-bye

Saying good-bye to my dad...I said good-bye at the beach I grew up on in Orange County California. My earliest memories were days spent in the waves followed by warm evening fires for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. He loved the ocean.


Joy...............always

camera ready!

What's in my camera?

I so love having a camera phone. I even had a dream about it last night. In the dream something had caught my eye. I just had to capture the moment. When I grabbed for my camera it was a throw away travel camera. Then I remembered my phone camera and grabbed that instead!...so here are some moments that I have captured!

I hope you enjoyed my moments!

Joy..........all ways!

Happy 4th of July

Couldn't of planned this!

Saturday I was looking for our dog Zoey. She has been a little off and I just wanted to check on her. She was no where to be found. I looked in her comfy place, her sunny place, her I'm in trouble place...she was no where to be found. I headed up stairs to see if my daughter had her. Just as I made the second step something moved in my husband's study. There was Zoey, hidden amidst the teddy bears! I think because she wasn't feeling good she stayed there allowing me to grab the camera and get this oh so precious shoot!

Joy..............always

My head has been in the clouds...

My head has been in the clouds lately....not that I mind! My hands have been in the garden and that is why I've been missing from my blog! There is so much to do to get the garden in shape after winter's slumber.

Joy..................always

Wandering an abandon garden

We live in a small town outside of Charlotte NC. Our small down town has it's original hardware store. The last of the original owners just passed away. He owned a beautiful home in the town. In his will he insisted that it be burnt down or bulldozed! It was bulldozed this week, to the sadness of many towns people. We went by the grounds Friday to have a look. We found that there is a beautiful garden that is also going to torn out to make room for condos. It has three Lilacs in bloom! I have two Lilacs that I have been nursing for years and only one bloom! I want to rescue these abandon Lilacs but dear hubby says know. I may go rescue some Tulips and Jonquils though! SHHH. So I brought some Lilacs home and did a photo shoot in fond memory of the lost to progress Lilacs.


Joy..............always

Oh sweet lemonaid, as the saying goes

My dear sweet Ivy had her permit for three days when her dad had to call and tell me he had some lemons to deliver my way!!! She was more crushed than the car. I tried to put her at ease with the whole "no one got hurt! It can all be repaired. I'm not mad." she was very hard to console.

So when we went to talk Marc at the repair shop I told him I had a strange question for him. He perked up! He said I love strange questions. I told him of this file cabinet that I had in the most boring office beige. Could he , would he, spray it white while he had my car into be sprayed? Yes, he said YES! and so I now have this 30 drawer, Mustang white, cabinet! I added a touch of vintage wallpaper and maps to bring it some life!

That makes the drawer count...121.. in the studio....but who is counting? My husband, that's who!

Here is just a bit of eye candy from my camera this last weekend.....

Joy.......................all ways

From this to that...

This a photo I took several years ago when I took a class at John C. Campbell Folk School. I have been studying PS Elements. OH, so much to learn. You really have to find a teacher that speaks to you. Kim Klassen has been that teacher for me. I have just opened the door and here is my favorite edit to date!

I love the crop, the textures and depth of field...I impressed myself! I can hardly wait to see where I will be after a year of study.

Joy....................all ways

TTV

Home work I like.

I am taking an online Photoshop eCourse by Kim Klassen. It is her free PS Skinny-Mini course. Here is my first home work project. She sure knows her stuff!


Joy...................................always

Past it now....

I always have such a hard time picking certain flowers from my garden. These Grape Hyacinthia's have always been in that category. So the other afternoon as I was wandering the garden I spotted the delightful Hyacinths. I stood admiring them, knowing that there time in the garden is a short one. I bent to pick just one as I so adore their fragrance. I took in the scent. Then without hesitation I bent and picked every one of them. I guess they no longer fit the list of not to be picked...hmmm I wonder what else will escape the list this year? Does anyone else have a not to be picked list....I wonder?




Joy.................................always

Ready for some flounce!

Frye boots I adore you...really I do! I am just ready for a bit of a flounce! There is very little flounce in my winter wardrobe. This purse and hat sit perched high in my closet nesting the fall and winter away. They are calling to me..."NOW???"" Today they came down from the shelf for a little vignette. Soon it will be time...for now just sit there and look pretty!


Joy.....................always

Now here is one I could have aced!

Now this is my kind of Multiplication Table!......math not so much!

Joy.........................always

Rained out

So, paint doesn't dry very fast on rainy days. I decided to move on and play in Photoshop. I am excited to take Kim Klassen's on line class. Here is just a little playing I did with her free online tutorials. I like the subdued colors, it kind of matches the view out the studio window today.



Joy..............always

Sunday in the studio

greetings from Mr.Cardinal out the studio window. A gentle steady rain....
The tuner hard at work playing a quick mix from the Ipod....now just what to work on???
Here is the completed cupboard/desk. It is just waiting to be taken home and adored. I am kinda hoping it makes it's way into the room of a little girl. I just think it would be a dream to do homework on the drop down desk with the assistance of a little birdie peaking over your shoulder!

I wanted to work on at table today but the rain has changed those plans. I think I'm going to work on a sign in the studio.

Enjoy your Sunday.



Joy..................always

Her eyes drew me in

We met this sweet little girl while we were at her house to pick up a cupboard. Her name is Samantha. She came out to show us her puppy. Her eyes just drew me in. She and her mom allowed me to do an impromptu photo shoot. I have emailed her mom some pictures for her to enjoy. I thought you might be drawn in as I was!

Joy..................................always

1. Vinyl Love, 2. A page a day March inspiration: Mostly White, 3. princess, 4. Curiosities, 5. Scallop shells on the the sill, 6. Hello Weekend!, 7. anthropologie at the rockefeller, 8. Anthropologie August 2009, 9. Anthropologie August 2009

Good Morning.

Joy.............................all ways