Uncanny Festoon

Working on the dining table for the trailer

2011-12-18T21:26:00.004-05:00

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

Joy.......always

This is my Happily ever after!

2011-12-17T09:55:00.004-05:00

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

2011-11-27T15:31:00.001-05:00

Saying good-bye

2011-08-13T12:07:00.003-04:00

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!

2011-07-14T21:02:00.001-04:00

What's in my camera?

2011-07-12T12:29:00.006-04:00

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

2011-07-04T10:31:00.001-04:00

Couldn't of planned this!

2011-06-27T13:12:00.000-04:00

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...

2011-06-06T12:16:00.005-04:00

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

2011-04-10T13:34:00.002-04:00

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

2011-04-06T12:51:00.003-04:00

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...

2011-03-31T12:35:00.002-04:00

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

2011-03-27T17:05:00.000-04:00

Home work I like.

2011-03-22T21:15:00.003-04:00

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....

2011-03-18T11:45:00.004-04:00

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!

2011-03-12T10:43:00.005-05:00

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!

2011-03-10T12:46:00.004-05:00

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

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

Rained out

2011-03-06T15:54:00.005-05:00

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

2011-03-06T10:44:00.008-05:00

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

2011-03-01T21:45:00.014-05:00

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

2011-02-23T13:45:00.006-05:00

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.

2011-02-20T11:30:00.010-05:00

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

My weekend finds said" Spring!"

2011-02-19T15:04:00.006-05:00

I have some sewing to do...I found these great vintage sheets and bedding that I will turn into a slipcover for the loveseat in my studio. Here I am just trying to see what I like where.
This was just a little cut-out that was with all the frames....frames that I resisted...such trouble resisting frames! I have two on the studio table waiting for content!
Joan Walsh Anglund.....love her....
Anscoflex II my dear sweetie spotted upside down in a box...just waiting for me!
Lots of needlework for little money...that put a spring in my step.....

Two new albums...worlds apart, right?
Favorite glue gun oh so dead....new in package oh so good...
Jars of glitter...for a bright shiny day.

Sorry some of the pictures were a bit of a blur ....not in a good way blur either. I was to lazy to put my camera on a tripod and I refuse to shoot on auto...that's what you get when the lighting is low and you have a bit of a shake. Now let me go peak to see what others have uncovered.

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

Remember when....

2011-02-14T11:54:00.004-05:00

I loved making collection boxes from a shoe box and tissue paper wrapped around the end of a pencil dapped in glue....you would place the box on your school desk and classmates would come by and drop Valentiens into the box. Oh...to stow away in a corrner to open each card to see who favored you so sweet......

Will you be my Valentine?

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

sneak a peak...

2011-02-13T13:05:00.013-05:00

So, to have the garage studio to myself....I sent dear sweetie off to claim a Slipper chair I found on Craigslist....it was screaming to shed its velvet dress for a more comfy burlap...and I was listening!!! To the garage I escaped paint and Pandora in hand.......(Loggins & Messina radio)
Now remember this is just peak
there is a whole inspirational story that will follow...so enjoy your peak.....

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

Sunday by myself....

2011-02-13T09:40:00.007-05:00

I'm spending the morning blog surfing. Waiting for the sun to find its way to the garage to share some much needed heat. I see from my perch on the love seat in my studio that Mr. Sunshine has broken through the tree line. I have four pieces of furniture that I am working on in the garage. Today I'm working on getting the paint sprayer to work....these old bones don't do well on the cement floor!

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

An aversion to white...really!

2011-02-09T19:39:00.006-05:00

So my vision for this beaut is chippy white, complete with vintage hardware. Stop....shouts my dear sweetie. Did you feel that breeze as my head snapped around! What? You're not painting that...I will keep it before I let you paint it! Now he is not one to give an opinion on how I repurposed an item, so why now. The truth be told I think he wants this for his very own! Now mind you I have offered more than once for him to add it to his study. He is stead fast that he does not want to keep it. So, stay tune will it go white or will he keep it?

This sweet little shelf is headed for The Depot At Gibson Mill.

Joy.........always

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mc D Recyled at its best

2011-02-07T12:37:00.002-05:00

So...Ronald, you want me to recycle?

How about a gratitude journal

For a 5 year old!!

-I was having my favorite Mc D Happy Meal when the idea came to me!! It was easy peasy! So enjoy your Happy Journal Abby!

Joy.......all ways!

Posted
using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday chores...Work on ROD journal

2011-02-06T14:05:00.003-05:00

So I started this Remains of the Day journal back in Oct. or maybe even further back. Then life interrupted. I'm trying so hard to get back to pre-heart-attack mode. So my Sunday chore (using the word chore, lightly of course)was to stitch in at least one signature into my journal.

here are a few pages. I hope to add some of my photos to my journal. This means they have to come out of the camera and on to paper. That will be a good thing. I just notice on my Iphone I have over 1000 pictures. They are safely uploaded to Picasa, I already learned that lesson!

This one has a cute little pocket

another little see through pocket. I must say creating this journal sure makes you look at trash a little different. Now I am off to finish three more signatures for my journal. A little 60's and 70's on the record player!

Joy...............................always
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Saturday stroll at The Depot at Gibson Mill, Concord NC

2011-02-05T13:50:00.001-05:00

Enjoy your stroll!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rolliflex viewfinder IPhone camera

2011-02-03T12:49:00.001-05:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I want one of these!

2011-02-02T12:36:00.003-05:00

When I saw this I made my husband backup so I could take pictures....and drool! I have wanted a panel truck for longer than I can remember.

>
When I was growing up in Orange County California we had a Helms Bakery truck that would come by in the mornings. It was a yellow panel truck. If mom was in a good mood she would let us go out and buy donuts.

The driver would open the back of the truck and pull out trays of donuts...what a treat! Joy............................always

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ican Iphone blog

2011-02-01T15:48:00.002-05:00

Ok it must be really bad when your boss tells you to do a blog post! I knew that I had to find a way to do this with my IPhone. I bought a new lap top but it is so heavy! I got greedy and bought a 17 inch screen, and that is heavy. So let's see if I can be more attentive to my blog this way. I am including a little shot from my antique shop.

so hopefully I will be popping in to post like I should ......right Cynthia!?!

Joy................always
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Cotton Candy Skys

2010-12-15T13:05:00.004-05:00

This morning as I was getting out of my car the pink of the sky caught my eye...the photographer in me would just not let me move on...now mind you it was 14 degrees, I only had my Iphone camera, which will not work with gloved fingers! but I had to stop and capture this sky. What a lovely way to begin your day....
and if you wanted to add a little more Cotton Candy pink to your day how about this Goats Milk Honey Body Butter?
I'm thinking a hot bath to sooth frozen fingers, pink body butter and Raspberry marshmalows to finish out the day!

Sounds like Joy to me!

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

When fashion comes before warmth...

2010-12-14T12:04:00.009-05:00

I always seem to find a coat to buy every year. This year the coat of my dreams....was sold out before I found it...so sad...until I found the next coat of my dreams....funny how it works out like that.

I found this dream coat on Etsy...Crows Cloth

And what a wonderful coat it is. It also helps me maintain my commitment to buy from the artist working day and night to support the dream of not working a 9-5 support job. Two dreams coming true.

Joy.....always

I missed you boots!

2010-11-15T16:39:00.003-05:00

The one great thing about seasons...you get to rekindle friendships. This weekend I dugout my favorite gloves. While getting dressed today I found these boots tucked away in the closet. Thank you fall for bringing around old friends!

Joy....all ways

Still life

2010-10-25T10:18:00.003-04:00

That really is dust on my camera! I noticed that I was not myself. Not quite able to put a finger on it. Was I a little depress that my son had left our home and the dynamics had changed. Yes, I'm sure a bit...but something else....what is it.....IT was a stuttering heart attack. I had a heart attack over a six day period. The only symptom was a bit of discomfort in the middle of my chest. When it wouldn't go away I was encourage to go to urgent care...and this is when my life took a spin! I was told that I was having a heart attack and rushed into surgery. I am now trying to get a bit of life back however the meds are knocking me for a loop. I feel blessed to be alive as family history has not been kind to our family. I was surprised as I have never been healthier than this time of my life......so all you woman out there remember....we do not have the usual signs of a heart attack....seek attention for those simple pains...better safe than not. Now I'm working on getting the meds changed so I don't feel like I'm dragging an anchor....soon to me my joyful self again!!!!

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

Life took me so far away....

2010-09-06T08:58:00.003-04:00

Family day.....many tears of joy!
Liberty in Charleston SC, on Liberty St.! What a place to chow down after 13 weeks of mess hall food! He ordered a peanut butter and banana sandwich at Justine's and I thought the waitress was going to go crazy...she sounded like his mother, with a need to feed! He ate his sandwich and then more off others plates and finished off with a peach and blueberry cobbler.

When he saw the Apple store we lost him...this kid eats,sleeps breathes technology, so imagine 13 weeks without it! We bought 2 Iphone 4 to make the next separation a bit easier.
Home and his girl in his arms, his Iphone fully charged and a movie on the computer, his heaven!
I must say I will miss the letter writing. It is quite a different thought process. It really makes you tune in to you day. I think I will find another service man to write to that needs encouragement. I know my son said so sincerely that it was the letters that kept him going.

I'm going to enjoy the 10 days he has home and then try to get back to creating...it has seem to slip to the rear of things to do,but has been very missed!

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

A Sunday unwinding....really!

2010-08-15T13:50:00.006-04:00

I have unwound 72 color strands so far and as you can see I have a way to go.....and THIS is the small bag!

I'm back! This is what 25 cents and four hours of watching the Food Network on a Sunday afternoon got me!

I just had to share this...my daughter went with friends to the coast...and this is a text that I received from her....how she knows her mother...first my husband was finding found objects for my assemblage art and now I have my daughter seeking out treasures as well. When she returns we are going to make her a GREEN lunch purse! No more crappy school food for her...so a cool bag had to be in the deal...stay tuned and I will share!

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

A new door opens

2010-08-14T09:18:00.007-04:00

Sunday I came upon these two bags of threads...and really how could I not give up my pocket change for the contents of the bags knowing what I pay for just one DMC floss. 39 cents.

And then I come across this book! Now my embroidery knowledge is very basic, chain stitch, back stitch, french knot, blanket stitch. This book has stitches that I never heard of.

The book was brought over from England by a woman that made dolls and sewed their costumes. Her daughter Trish took me inside the house to see the dolls and they were beautiful. Their outfits appointed with finest of silks and handmade lace.

This winter I hope to find myself wrapped in a quilt, fireside, book at my side learning the Maltese Cross Filling stitch!

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

QuiteSunday morning in photos.....

2010-08-08T08:56:00.004-04:00

Have yourself a lovely Sun...day......................

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

Sunday in the studio

2010-08-01T16:09:00.002-04:00

I finally have finished three projects that need to be finished. The old tool box got all girlie painted pink and sporting spots...
The little frame needed a paint job and a sweet image to make it take home ready for my antiques stall at The Depot at Gibson Mill in Concord NC.
This draw string backpack was upcycled with a vintage dollie and roses created from wool sweaters that I felted.

Yes dear sweet hubby I do use these for something...

I hope your weekend was grand...time just seems to be getting away from me lately...

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

My latest gift to myself

2010-07-26T12:59:00.001-04:00

I love collecting unusual handmade books...I found this on Etsy...

Cindy, usefulbooks...if you want to treat yourself.

You just have to love the pages she added

Yummmy.....

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

A guest in my own kitchen..

2010-07-25T15:44:00.012-04:00

So I'm not the kind of gal that likes to spend long hours in the kitchen preparing family meals, baking bread or family treats. Lucky for my children I married a man who loves cookbooks of all kinds and is never afraid to explore regional cuisine. As a matter of fact for his retirement gift I signed him up for a class at Johnson and Wales. I'm not sure that it wasn't a family gift as we still are enjoying his to die for pizza.

so here is where the guest part comes in. My friend's mom makes the best bread and butter pickles.She had me over for a tutorial years ago. I found myself with an abundance of cucumbers,what to do? OK, finally I will get out the canning equipment she sent home with me, dust off the recipe and get cooking. While I am at it I might as well attack that abundance of tomatoes as well. It ended up very enjoyable. My daughter Ivy spent the time in the kitchen talking to me. She takes after her father and enjoys cooking.

It is magical when the cucumbers turn from cucs to pickles!
Blanched and ready to be skinned!
Herbs fresh picked from the garden...good thing I love to garden!
A nice hot bath....
fruits of my labor...
treats of my daughter's labor...so while we chit chatted in the kitchen I introduced to her a blog that I have been following more years than I can remember, Smitten Kitchen.When I started following her I barley knew what a blog was. It was her wit that caught my attention first, after all it is a cooking blog...remember the title of this post...a guest in my own kitchen! Well, dear daughter found herself engulfed in the recipes. She asked if I would buy her the ingredients to make the coconut milk fudge, and I agreed. She made the fudge and then went on to make yeast bread and banana bread. Glad we have two people in our home that like the kitchen....it is not that I don't like the kitchen....I just like to be a guest!

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

PS the bread and butter recipe I followed happens to also be the one Deb of Smitten Kitchen has on her blog.

You can't make me!

2010-07-10T11:25:00.013-04:00

My sweet guy does not have quite the artist spirit that dwells within me...in other words...he is always trying to get me to throw away things that I see have a future in my art heart.

This is what I see.....and this, a paper rose made from unwinding the bag handle.....

This is what he sees.....trash!
No, all it needs is a bit of paint....and a few hours of me time ....then it cane be a journal cover...or....

This is the other side of the bag awaiting its ME time!
I finally have the vintage trouble lights installed. They come in handy to light up the project I am working on.

This sweet new addition came from my neighbor...he picked it up for me on his vacation!!! I had invited him up while the studio was in process. After, I thought...OK, I just showed him how very weird I am!!! But now I think.....He gets me!!!

More trash......sewn into the cutest of bunting...catching the wee bit of breeze in the studio....I am off to make another bunting of silhouettes and vintage book pages....have the best of weekends!

Finished!

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

Is she ready?

2010-07-06T07:03:00.003-04:00

A painting I was working on this weekend. I think I am going to put her up for sale in my antique space. I think?

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

Red, White and Blue vintage style, come to the party!

2010-06-29T18:48:00.009-04:00

Come and celebrate the 4th vintage style! Anything goes here is hosting a vintage blog party

So welcome to a peek at my patriotic vintage. I have always been drawn to red! Maybe it has to do growing up as a redhead??? I have early memories of me camping wearing a WELL worn red cowboy hat,(the 1960 version of sunscreen!) and some very scuffed red cowgirl boots.
I had a huge collection of Raggedy Ann and Andy....now only favorites remain in the collection.I can still remember buying the 1976 flag. It was a very patriotic time! Isn't it sad that we can't keep that American spirit going all the time?
Vintage cowboy boots, I guess you are never to old!
This beauty was painted by a dear friend, Sue at Cottage Way of Life It was created for a swap at a gathering of friends at Valentines............so many years ago.

OK, vintage??? I say yes, or should I say NO! Do you really want to tag your childhood belongings as vintage....I think not!

And a bit of non Americana red white and blue.....
I hope you enjoyed your visit...now be sure to visit the others!

This fourth will be a little different for this family. Our son has joined the Military to serve his country. I will celebrate our Independence with a different view...much closer to the heart!

Have a safe and family filled Fourth Of July......Celebrate your Freedom!

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

He made me coffee....

2010-06-26T11:18:00.004-04:00

AHHHH is he the sweetest...yes he is! It has been in the 90's for more days than I care to count...and then there is that matching humidity! The pool even needs ice cubes!!! So, iced coffee for my morning coffee...dreamy!

The studio table this morning.....hope you find your creative juices this weekend!

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

Pearls of wisdom find their way on to the journal wall

2010-06-24T18:58:00.006-04:00

This image was added today after Hanna at Good Girls Studio made a necklace inspired by this painting...so I used one of the quotes included in her post...I'm not sure if she is finished. I will have to live with for a while.

Where this blogger creates

2010-06-19T07:17:00.016-04:00

Thanks for coming by...and a big thank you to Karen Valentine at MyDesert Cottage for hosting this bash.
Let me start out by saying it is bitter sweet that I have spent the last 16 days moving my studio into its current location...the room belonged to my son who is in his 18th day of Marine boot camp. Yes, I am counting the days until we see him again...his first move from home....so you will find many unfinished projects in the studio...but as it should be...right?
I have been collecting vintage trouble lights and will be hanging them down between the springs to spot light the project that I have in the works.

and the journal wall begins........

A couple of the studio muse!
I bought this painting at the Rosebowl flea market.... I knew that it needed to find a home in the new studio...I have researched the artist but have not found anything yet...it is date 1889

Drawers....I need them....I must have them....I am crazy about them....there I said it! I think when I die my ashes should be tucked in a drawer of an old trunk...
e

Music..old school style

The 3 journals on the left were made for me by my daughter Ivy...I think she is quite talented...she doesn't think so...she is wrong! The other journal was made for me by Pam Garrison...it is so neat I don't want to write in it...I know that I must!
Cameras and art supplies....need I say more?

Here is where you will find me melting glass, and making beads. You may never see it this clean....ever!!!! but that is a good thing...really!

a peek inside a drawer............
A color study for a necklace in progress.
yummy beads awaiting there place in the necklace.

glass waiting to become beads......

Major project, just installed last night. The story of this mantel tells a little about who I am..Me at a garage sale..."what a great mantel....how much is it ?" garage sale lady..."hmmm, my husband doesn't want to sell it." "Where is he?" "he left for the store....you really like it?" "I beyond like it!" "Well, if you can get it out of here before he comes back it is yours!" Picture here the Roadrunner placing a fireplace mantel in back of a van!!!! Yep...that is how fast I got this mantel in the van and was out of there. Now mind you it was sans mirror....this one picked from a neighbors trash.....picture here grumbling husband! Sans mantel shelf....scraps of a little bit of this and that....with molding from Habitat Restore waiting in the garage to be added.

So thank you kindly for your visit....I'm off to the Farmer's Market...and then back home to blog crawl.....hope to see you back for a visit and who knows a friendship...

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

It's the great pumpkin Charlie Brown!!!

2010-06-17T07:27:00.002-04:00

So many times we have planted pumpkins with little to no success. These pumpkins just appeared on their own. Now mind you, last year as the pumpkins began to rot I would just toss them out in the garden. In the island garden. These pumpkins however are growing in the border garden.

I don't know how big they will grow. Mr Uncanny informed me yesterday that he has already removed a couple of the pumpkins to let the others grow bigger. How funny is he that he has done a Google research on growing large pumpkins....gotta love that guy....although I think he is taking over my garden. As we spoke to a neighbor yesterday he called the roses "My roses." What??? Do you even know the name of the roses...my head starts ranting....then I stop it to remind myself what a great help he is to OUR garden!

Remember this? It is all but lost in the sea of Black eyed Susan. I must say thinning the garden is the hardest thing for me. I just hate tearing out, even when I know that it is best. I am in need of thinning out the Sunflower seedlings and I just can't stand it. But crowded does not a good garden make!

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

Gifted

2010-06-16T07:57:00.003-04:00

Left for me by a friend....how lovely that your friends will gather nest for you. It is so brightly woven with spagnum moss. A nice addition to my collection.

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

Get hip!

2010-06-14T14:49:00.003-04:00

If you have an Iphone and enjoy photograpy, you must get this App. Hipstamatic! I can not stop playing with this camera. It has an interesting back story that you can read here

These are just a few of the self portraits I took.

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

I came down to fix breakfast...

2010-06-05T08:12:00.010-04:00

Mr. Uncanny should be delighted that it takes so long for pictures to load...here is the breakfast I made him while pictures loaded...pork chorizo,onion,grilled tomatoes,and Mexican tarragon blossoms...
Mr. sunshine caught my eye as I headed down stairs....and well you know...my A.D.D. took over,the camera was on the kitchen table and festooning was all abound in the garden.
Paul Neyron rose

This should be in Sundays breakfast! Cherokee purple tomato....huge!

This is where I would like to spend my weekend,,,,instead I will be scraping ceilings in the new studio!!!

Lacecap
Popcorn Hydrangea

Hydrangea alley

It always thrills me when one Hydrangea head has so many colors.

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

Sometimes it is hard to let go...

2010-06-04T07:39:00.014-04:00

So here are some recent photos from my antique space at The Depot @ McGill Mill. If you know anything about me you know that I am a freak for drawers. I can never have enough drawers! So how in the world am I able to sell this lovely set of drawers? The world must be slightly off tilt...that is all I can say....

I was badly in need of wall space. Mr. Uncanny found this wonderful door for me. Weighs a ton...but what a wall!!! I can even use both sides. Here is it's first display.

Summer time and the livin is easy...how many of you grew up reaching into the red Coleman ice chest to cool off with a cold soda....or is it soda pop ???Remember the red mustache from the strawberry soda? I can remember camp outs with Colman jugs filled with Kool aid...thanks mom! ( for a way cool purple mustache Drink...Groovy Grape!)

I want this blanket...please don't make me sell it...I will never find another.....OK..I will sell it...I know I can't keep everything....but you can be sure if I had a young child in our home this would so be on their bed! I wish I was a young child and had it on my bed....

Thanks for taking a peak.....I am scraping ceilings in the new studio this weekend...fun times!!!

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

Not the Paris of my dreams

2010-05-30T09:54:00.003-04:00

Parris Island bound....My son Drew goes to Marine boot camp June 1st. He wants to serve his country....no amount of talking from mom and dad could sway him. I am very proud of him, I must say.

photo A heart in Provence

I will find calm in my beliefs that all is for the good of God.I will tend my garden and think good thoughts. I will write him letters to tell him he is missed, and yes there will be some tears.....

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

TAAAAAA DUhhhh

2010-05-20T11:57:00.002-04:00

Here is the lovely felted rose pin that I made at the Inspired retreat.

Here is my primer...sort of. It was just an hour class.

And here is what I need to finish...now mind you, she used that disappearing transfer...so if I fool around to long there will be no image to stitch! I must say I so enjoyed playing with needle and thread again. It has been such a long time. I forgot how relaxing it can be. I also want to try my hand at free form stitching on my sewing machine. I just need to find some time...maybe this summer.

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

Need nap now!

2010-05-17T11:46:00.010-04:00

I spent 3 days...full, very full days, at the Inspired artist workshop in Concord NC. I mostly volunteered as I did not find out until after I had already spent my class taking money for my Penland trip....and we all know how that went...what a TRIP that was!. I still had a wonderful time and will definitely be a student next year. I will also volunteer as it is a great way to see all the talent that shows up at these retreats.

This is Pam Garrison(on the left). I have followed her blog for some time. She is so creative. Her work makes my heart soar. She is the sweetest, and also very funny. Also, pictured is her very good friend Amy Hanna, equally talented. It was a great time just watching Pam create her journal covers and pages. It helps to see the creative process as it occurs. The first photo is of the banner that she did to hang outside her class, it was raffled and went to a very lucky someone!

Here are a couple covers she brought with her.

This is a close up of an apron that was worn....got to love it!

This is a bouquet from my garden that I brought in for Pam, I wanted her to know what an inspiration that she has been to me. I knew the gift from my garden would convey that.

From CD Muckosky's class. I volunteered in her class and had not know of her before this meeting. She is a young mother and very dear. She is an old soul in a young body. I love the way that she finds everyday objects and uses then to journal with. Above she used an everyday envelope.

She uses gripper lining for drawers as a paint stencil and then will reuse that piece and sew a bird to it( not a real bird, something she has drawn and cut out of paper)....she really opened your eyes to see possibilities!

This is a shot of the work table in her class, can we say FUN!

flowers seemed to be a theme for the weekend.

And I need to make me my very own of this!

Donna Downey and her husband Bill were the utmost of host. You could tell that they had given from the heart. They had great teachers and great support staff. Donna has opended a store locally and I look forward to finding my way there! I will show you a couple of the things I made a bit later this week. I made a felt rose that I adore.

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

Look what is finally coming home!!

2010-05-12T12:38:00.005-04:00

My Singer Featherweight.....oh yeah....finally!!! When we moved here from California there was not a stitch of room left to tuck one item. It is beyond me How this got left behind. I have thought so many times of items that made it...how on earth did I bring roses dug from the garden and not my Singer Featherweight. I didn't even have a yard to put the roses in. I guess that just shows the stress you are under when moving across the country. I could not even imagine the difficulty that woman of wagon train days went through to pick and choose well loved items. This well loved item was at least hunkered down in the rafters of my step son's garage. I have been kneading my husband for years to get it here....This year for Mother's day I told him he gets me my Singer or he buys me a new OLD one!!!! He knew the replacement price, I was very vocal about what it would cost him through the years. I guess he knew I was serious this year. The phone call came yesterday along with this picture. It will be on it's way home tomorrow. Poor thing needs some TLC...but I am sure it will be purring away in no time. I just keep telling my husband how happy I am...you know a replacement would just never be the same....lucky girl am I.

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

It's a start...

2010-05-11T12:12:00.009-04:00

Here is the aisle that you will find my space at The Depot in Concord NC

Here I made lemonade out of lemons...iron post in my way.....vintage images made into floral magnets!!!!

My husband put this shef unit together for me. reclaimed wood, and some shoe drying racks from a hotel. Clever, clever...now to just get it filled!

Here is the beginning of my new endeavor....wow do I need to go on a buying trip or what?

I love this place. It is called The Depot. It is a Cannon fabric mill that closed in winter of 2003 and was purchased by and investment firm to keep the buildings intact. The antique mall opened Febuary. I must say that I am excited to be back in the bizzzzzzz......

A Sunday morning walk in the garden...

2010-05-02T10:02:00.009-04:00

I find myself rather busy gathering items for the antique space that I am about to open. Last night I was out late at an auction....so a morning in the garden was a quite pleasure worth sharing!

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

Sharing my rose colored glasses...

2010-04-25T15:08:00.003-04:00

1. Pretty in Pink, 2. Pink curlicues, 3. 9c, 4. Hodge Podge Journal, 5. rose deconstructed, 6. Untitled, 7. nostalgic, 8. more lady apples, 9. Valentine Heart Pop Close-up, 10. Pink Prom Dress Ruffles, 11. Tulips in Biscuit Tin, 12. Petit Fours, 13. Mormon Row, 14. 10, 15. Untitled, 16. Colores, 17. tapestry needles, leather needle, upholstery needle, 18. Pink through a window, 19. Ornate door knocker, 20. Two armchairs

As I enjoy a cloudy Spring day, I thought I would just pop on my rose colored glasses and sing a pretty tune.....good thing you don't have to share in that part....cuz maybe pretty isn't the word most would choose for my singing!!! Well enjoy all the same.

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

A spoon full of whimsy for the garden

2010-04-20T13:34:00.005-04:00

This cute little garden ornament came home with me from the herb fair...it is very cute, but way to expensive. I will now be gathering silverware from thrifts and fleas to create more of these wonders.

I have shown some close ups for all those who feel the need for their very own.

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

I'm in the Garden!! Come join me....

2010-04-19T12:09:00.009-04:00

Welcome to my garden.....here is my true love....doing what I love....planting my oh so many plants!!!! How lucky I am...and how I know it....there is nothing fun about planting in the clay soils of the Carolina's.

I have spent the last two weekends in the front garden. We have lived in this home for 5 years...this garden is not even close to the garden I left in California. I have had a difficult time finding local growers with offerings that I am accustom to. I was a frequent shopper at Heard's Garden, where the dear sweet Mary Lou would coach me into trying something new....For those of you in the OC, her memorial garden tour is May 1 &2 2010. How I would love to go. I get chill bumps just thinking of the days spent with Mary Lou.

Here is my view under the Dogwood...taking a much needed breather....last weekend we were dealing with record highs in the 80's..this last weekend we were in the 60's...what a contrast!

So how cute is this lady bug docking station for my Iphone...so garden appropriate!

I have waited years for my Lilac's to bloom....worth the wait,but I want MORE!!!

Some garden booty from the herb fair in Concord this weekend. A new trial for the garden this year is Mexican Tarragon, quite the bite! Here is a short list of what will be planted. Sweet Basil, Cinnamon Basil, Mexican Oregano, Lemon thyme, and Lemon Verbena, Chocolate mint, Bay, Tansy, Fever few, Sweet Annie...this one I know I will most likely regret as it can be a pest, but I love the scented wreaths that can be made from it. I like to carry a few twigs in my pockets just to smell.

Heart petal from the Dogwood tree.

No gloves for this gardener!!!

For all you Ipone users...If you dont have the App Hipstmatic...go get it!!!! All of the following pictures where taken with that app on my Iphone....Snowballs and the first garden rose of Spring 2010....enjoy!

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

Mother nature gives us Marbled end pages

2010-04-09T08:55:00.001-04:00

As I was leaving work yesterday I walked by this wonder. I know most would not have noticed...me, I stopped took out my camera and now have mother nature end pages for my hand bound books! This is a rain puddle marbled with birch pollen. It has been in the News that we are having record breaking pollen counts. This morning's News showed are part of the state in the red zone!!! There are plenty of people suffering....so if I can find some good in the suffering...how nice!!!

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

Bad day gone crazy good!!!

2010-04-06T11:06:00.008-04:00

After a painful day at work followed closely by a wicked work out by my physical therapist...I came home with a full on pout, with the intent to curl up into a ball and crash!!! INSTEAD...I came home to this.....from a dear treasured friend....Sue. A most beautiful heart box. She has a wonderful tutorial on her blog on how to create these wonderful heart boxes.... I had every intent to make my very own...I had purchased the heart boxes, 70% off no less....even had started the devouring of said chocolates....but to my dismay no gluing or glittering had begun....

Click on the picture if you do not mind drooling!!!
Upon opening the heart box treasures were revealed....velvet roses Sue made herself...yum...a charm made with an original Mad Hatter drawing of Sue's...yum...and the topper...a necklace Sue put together with found trinkets and a cameo I am sure she made and then bezel set into a most gorgeous pendant.... Sue does not miss a detail....I can't tell you the number of times that I have drawn this box close to breath in all the wonders that it reveals.

I have already put the perfect outfit of black lace and ruffles to show off this beauty....

The pink flower Sue made into a pin...I think I will add the other flowers to hair pins, so that I can wear them in my hair......Some how I managed to erase the close up photo if the Mad Hatter charm....so let me work on putting something together, and will show you the.....you might also want to take a peak at her blog Cottage Way of Life....and see for yourself the creative talents that she is so delightful in sharing......Thanks my sweet friend for turning a blue day PINK!!!!

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

Shhh.......I am not suppose to be here!!!

2010-03-28T13:20:00.005-04:00

My dear sweetie has seen to it that I rest, rest, and more rest. I have been having major issues with the nerve in my arm. I was told to put it back in the sling and rest the arm....So no playing for me for a few days...now I must get off here before he returns from the market!!! Keep me in your prayers...I need to be junkin and crafting and gardening!!! Rest is not in my game plan!

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

A Spring day auction

2010-03-20T18:25:00.003-04:00

What a lovely beginning to Spring! This morning I talked my dear sweet hubby into taking me to an auction on the other side of town. I really wasn't looking to buy much. I was more interested in getting out of the house. I also wanted to visit this auction to see how they operated and what prices were like. I only had pocket money, so no harm could be done. No chance of me going crazy over a piece of furniture or anything like that. I did fall for this tattered and water stained hat box. It is cover in the most wonderful vintage wall paper. It didn't hurt that it was overflowing with an array of vintage hats! Dear hubby also spotted a vintage trouble light for my studio and the auctioneer was so kind as to add it to the lot of hats....double bonus. Because it was late and only a handful of bidders left, they also threw in a lot of mismatched dishes...my winning bid was a whopping $ 13.00. Great way for a gal to start off her Spring season!

I hope that you found yourself out greeting Spring in the most wonderful of ways!

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

My latest collection...I candy...really!

2010-03-14T19:06:00.004-04:00

I told you it was eye candy! It started with blog surfing! Sorry to say I don't recall the blog. It seems that has been keeping be company during my down time. So, to mass this collection of candy jars, I rummaged through the house, visited a local consignment store, and made two visits to the new antique mall. There were also some pretty candy shopping in there somewhere!
The collection will move into the new studio, once completed. I have the most wonderful shelf held up in the garage, the perfect home it will make for this collection.
These marshmallow hearts were the first pretty candy purchased, from Dollar General of all places. If any candy is going to disappear it will be these...the culprit...dear sweet hubby... he is a marshmallow crazy man.
The candy jar with the strawberry Whoppers is a candlestick that I combined with a small candy jar. I used Diamond Glaze... the same product used to fill bezels. I love the combination and the footing it adds.
The empty jar awaits the perfect pretty candy. Not sure what it will be...any ideas to share? Some of these trips were rewards for the pain of physical therapy...or so I told my hubby. It is hard to sneak out and shop when you're under no driving restrictions!!!! I keep measuring my progress by how close I can get to the steering wheel!!!

While out visiting the newest antique mall The Depot in Concord NC. I added my name to the waiting list. I think once you have been bitten by that bug it is hard to shake it... I will do a future post on the mall. It is in a old fabric mill run by Cannon...they made gingham in this plant...great brick building, wonderful wood floors and best of all $1.00 a square foot, how crazy is that?

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

Do you remember when?

2010-03-02T16:17:00.004-05:00

My 15 year old daughter, Ivy, came home with this in her arms. "Mom." she said. "You would be so proud of me! I dug this out of the trash. It was left at the home her friend had moved into that weekend. Weird that you would be smiling over knowing that your daughter dug through the trash.....but oh so cool, right! Do you remember when one of your sweet children came home with their first junkin story?

It appears to be an old popcorn popper.
How cool is the the glass cover!

and it works!!! Now for the sad part of the story....there was more...old cooking stuff she called it. She described old muffin pans, iron cornbread pans...and on. Still in no shape to be junkin of any kind...I tried to talk dear hubby into hunting for me... no way...it is about to snow and I am not going through bags of trash with a flash light...no amount of pout would work... not even saying I would do it myself...still not driving...and little hope he would drive me...so my friends...imagine what went off to our landfill today....

Friday's visit to the doctor revealed that the break to my arm is much worse than we first knew. It is a triple break...still in much pain...only good thing is the pain sure keeps me from over doing...it just hurts way to much!!!

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

Wish I FELT better!

2010-02-18T18:04:00.004-05:00

If I felt better I would be working on more felt beads to go with my gumball necklace! Sorry the pictures are not better but the pain from using my SLR camera is more than I can bear! My plan is to make a long necklace, say, 40 inches, with lots of felt beads made to look like the glass gumball beads that I made for the necklace shown.

These felt beads were made in the late evening hours during my stay at Penland. They are great for calming the creative mind before heading off to slummer town. The base bead is wet felted and then the spots are added by needle felting.

The color on these beads are very bright, however so very hard to capture with my Iphone.
I love wearing BIG, funky jewelry. That is why I started making beads in the first place. If I could find beads big enough for my project, my wallet couldn't open wide enough to buy them...so the fix was to make them myself. That was 10 years ago.

I was able to make this base bead with my broken arm...but even that was more pain than I could handle right now....maybe it will be part of my therapy...you know, the range of motion and all that fun stuff that is down the road for me.

These beads are about an inch round....I adore them...my dearest of friends, Linda, was a sweetheart and put the necklace together for me. She knew it would be a long time before I would be able to do it on my own. She also gave me the best complement...she is going to copy the necklace...you see, she was the one who taught me to make beads.Her work is to die for...so for her to copy me!!! wow.....I have really tried to do nothing the last 3 days.....something is making me sick...it is either the pain or the meds...but I sure felt like I had taken a couple steps backwards in the healing process...so I am trying to be still....a very hard task for me....thank you all for your continued prayers.

Joy.......................always, yep even now!

HEARTS I WEAR.......a little peek into my jewel box

2010-02-14T16:08:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's friends.................

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

It is snowimg glitter!

2010-02-13T09:18:00.007-05:00

This is the best shot i could get considering that I could not lift my camera due to my broken right arm. If you will click on the photo to enlarge it you will see the glitter effect a bit more.

Let me also share a peek of where I was headed before the big fall...I am trying to make beads that feel the age of time. By wrapping the hot glass in silver foil and burning it off in the torch you get a fuming of silver. I also was working with a baking soda wash while the beads are hot to get a texture of age....I want my beads to fit in with the vintage findings that I use. Once healed I will continue this exploration...

Looking out the front widow I would swear that Martha must be perched on clouds above dusting my world with glitter!! The light breeze is gathering spays of snowflakes and swirling them in the morning sunlight...it is like living in a snow globe full of glitter. I would so love to have photos to show....but this morning I discovered that I can not raise my camera to my eye. The pictures I share today were taken in the safety of my home, camera perched chest high.
It was so pleasant to watch the open of the Winter Olympics as snow fell outside...growing up in Southern California this is never something I thought I would experience. I am still waiting for the white Christmas....

Joy..........................................Always

Broken hearted

2010-02-06T13:29:00.004-05:00

SO.....in my last post i said that i risked life and limb to post my update...well, the next day it cost me my limb...i didn't actually lose a limb...just a six week sentence. Wednesday morning my friend and i were on are way into the glass studio...chatting about her crazy morning, when, before we knew what happened we were both on the ground. Victims of black ice!!! I knew immediately that I had done something to my shoulder. I could not move my arm without shooting pain!!! An hour drive to the ER to find out I had broken my right humerus bone....the good new no surgery the bad new nothing can be done but a sling and lots of drugs!!! I spent another day at Penland in bed. before my husband came to bring me home. So not the pictures I was hoping to post. The last bead I had made Tuesday night was a broken heart....how apropo! So no driving for a month! My world has been turned upside down......but alas it coulld be so much worse!!!!

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

Penland straight from the camera

2010-02-02T14:48:00.005-05:00

I am working in Circus color as Elizabeth in our class has tagged these colors. With the overcast outside it is a warming palette to be working in. The beads pictured are by first treasures from the kiln.

Soldiers of color standing at ready!
GLASS,GLASS.....everywhere!

OK bloggie friends, I had to risk life and limb to find internet connect to catch you up. I am at Penland School of Craft up in the Blue Ridge of North Carolina. I will be working at the torch for a solid week....heaven! There are 11 of us here playing on the torch. No class...all play. And of course, all woman chatting, all day. We show up around 8ish and break at 6:30 for dinner, and then back on the torch until we drop. Everyone brought something to share for dinner...so no meal planning needed. Today mostly pictures...and let me tell you there is so much eye candy her for the photographer in me it is hard to contain myself...well I leave you wanting more. I am off to torch some more glass....more tomorrow!!! That is if the weather allows me to get down the hill to the print studio....sans sled!!!!

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

I'm off playing at Penland for a week ...more to come. iPhone not great to post from. google Penland

2010-01-31T17:15:00.002-05:00

Morning light

2010-01-24T08:58:00.003-05:00

I must say of all the days of the week that I like to rise out of bed early...it is Sunday. I like to rise early...alone...quite...taking in the sights of the garden...the garden lights still a glow...a gentle rain...spirit mending quite...my wish for you today is that you find spirit mending quite.

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

Two post for the price of none!

2010-01-23T14:39:00.013-05:00

1. cupcakes, 2. dream pillows, 3. scalloped fabric garland, 4. sweet treats, 5. red and white striped paper straws, 6. lanterns, 7. birds, 8. nest egg, 9. pom-pom, 10. rainbow cake, 11. vintage sheet quilt, 12. vintage sheet bag, 13. spring scarf, 14. Paper Floral Wreath-Spring Mix, 15. kusudama, 16. Button Ball

Something else that I have been collecting...pictures on Flickr. I found some of the greatest blogs by finding pictures I like...so if you want to brighten a cloudy days just follow the pictures...after clicking on the picture....click on the photostream...then the profile tab and there you should find a link to their blog....like #4 sweet treats will lead you to Sweet Jessie
just one of the blogs I found

Pick up line

2010-01-23T13:50:00.003-05:00

I just can't help myself ....do you think there is a support group out there to help people like me? Here is this weeks collection of items picked up from the ground. Now I do use some of them. The washer will be put to good use in a necklace. And copper, you can always use copper. The beads in that earring can be reused. See, I don't even need any help coming up with reuse ideas...Maybe I just need to give myself permission to gather away! Permission granted!!!! Geee that was easy.

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

a heart for giving....You?

2010-01-16T18:27:00.007-05:00

RED CROSS

pretties to ponder ....

2010-01-14T12:25:00.010-05:00

Happy visuals! As I am working on the visuals for my new studio. I find Flickr so helpful yet a bit over whelming! I want it all!!! and I know that I need to scale down my wants. I intend to have a whole wall dedicated as a doodle wall. I have already bought paint colors. I want to find a happy blend of bright and cheerful and vintage pastel. Can you see it here in this Flickr mosaic???

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

Sorry I had an error attaching the links to the Flickr photos. You can view them through Flicker at member Uncanny Festoon, just visit my favorites

vignette scaping

2010-01-12T19:21:00.003-05:00

I came home to a cleared dinning room table. My son had some friends over and they decided to clear my dining room table putting everything on the floor of my husbands study. They were working on a project together.
Sunday morning with the house nice and quite I put things away. Then the gathering began. I have a lot of things gathered. The vignettes have begun....It is like indoor landscaping...vignette scaping

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

It's ok to hate me...I found the best dollar store EVER !!!!

2010-01-05T18:50:00.006-05:00

I know it is not for everybody, however if you read my blog often, chances are you are hating me right about now. Junk heaven! Junk as far as the eye can see. And we r talking good junk...and YES, dollar junk....pinch me!!!
Nothing is priced...you go find the owner Don or drag it into the barn where he is keeping warm by the pot belly stove...really...i kid you not. Talk about to much to take in...We lasted about three hours. It was a chilly 27 degrees...that is nose drippen cold. I even took breaks by the pot belly, trying to recover the feeling in my feet!
This girl was in drawer heaven...two barns filled to the rafters. I left them for the next trip!

There was a laundry cart full of enameled items...I bought a lovely red piece that I will be growing tulips in...stay tuned....

Here are my dollar items a book from 1921 on cooking lessons. I will post some on it later.
Golden Thoughts for a dollar...less than a penny for each thought...A radio tube small enough to be added to a necklace in the making...
Two more yard sticks to add to the bunch...one from a state that I did not yet have, a feed and garden store
This light fixture was laid out in that mass of junk...5.oo...Sweetie says it is very old cuz the wires are wrapped in cloth and there is no ground wire...he will fix that for me..so you see that it is the
best dollar store ever. We will wait a bit till the weather warms before heading back for more...that is what I say now lets see how long I hold out.

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

Bitter sweet

2010-01-01T19:01:00.002-05:00

. bittersweet vision, 2. Bittersweet, 3. Untitled, 4. Effects of time This is the wreath that I made from my Bittersweet.

As you can see or not see there is not a bit of beautiful orange Bittersweet flora on any of this wild wreath. And so is the reason it will be pulled from the yard. I collect my Bittersweet starter from a friends NC mountain cottage. I then was told for blooms I needed a male plant and female...OK....so I added another plant not knowing if it was male or female???? Well I must have guess right because the next year I had budding Bittersweet. It has been three years and each year I get less bloom and more WILD. It is an invasive plant but I thought worth controlling. Well I am thinking NOT!!!! So I gathered this wreath as my farewell to Bittersweet being gathered fro my yard. There is a very quaint mountain town Blowing Rock where a very dear lady sells bunches of Bittersweet....and what a great reason for a Sunday drive........so bitter sweet as it may be I say goodbye to my garden Bittersweet!

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

May all the doors of your desires open in the New Year!

2009-12-31T17:21:00.002-05:00

1. An old door 2, 2. A closed door, 3. Doors are back :) , 4. * Doors All Around *, 5. Magic Red Door, 6. red door, 7. Door, 8. 50 Doors in Crestview, 9. Door Lock :: HDR (Explored), 10. Behind the door, 11. Red door in morn, hockey players be warned, 12. Door to freedom, 13. ~~there is a door that you are looking for~~, 14. Mosaic Door, 15. OLD ARABIC DOOR, 16. Christmas door, 17. Detail from a Dublin door, 18. Don't Open that Door!, 19. 4 Doors + 4 windows V2, 20. initials

I am happy to share that the goal to start a blog in the year 2009 brought to my world more that I could imagine. Old friends found and new friends made. A world of ahh to be had.

In 2010 I look forward to the doors that will open...some I can imagine and yet others unknown.

Peace and good health to one and all as we say goodbye 2009 and hello 2010. Joy to each of you.

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

These are a few of my favorite things....when the

2009-12-28T12:52:00.008-05:00

The song Favorite Things enters my mind when I step on the threshold of this shop! It is my toy store shall we say. I think that I could go without eating for weeks to save money to spend in this shop( OK, that might be a little much, however point well made). I have to quite my excitement to allow myself to take in all the wonderment. The shop.....Pairs Market, in Savannah GA.
I only brought in my Iphone so the pictures are not the best...but well enough to get you intrigued.

There is always a bit of let down as some items are props. Like a moth to a flame you can bet my eye is drawn right to those items. So they become ideas tucked into my breast pocket for my hunting trips! What an awesome paper press this was! How clever a little table it made.

This table lined in zinc looked as someone had to run an errand in the middle of their holiday baking.

What great cupcake displays these would make...I think I need a dozen!

Breast pocket idea....right??? How many times have you passes up spindles?

Me peaking with excitement, peeking in the window from street side. You see the little espresso and dessert bar. The day we were there they were giving out cones of cotton candy....I share mine with the corner cop who gave us hotel tips...we had not planned to spend the night... it being Savannah at holiday time...cotton candy was a cheap price to pay for that kind of tip!

Burlap, burlap, burlap...it was all over...pillows, lampshades, table runners.

So if you should find yourself in Savannah be sure to visit one of my favorite shops...I will post some of my wonderful finds tomorrow.

Now if you are anything like me you will click on each picture to see every single detail of what is pictured!!! Oh LA LA!

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

Wishes for a very Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T10:25:00.002-05:00

He knows if you've been bad or good!!

2009-12-15T14:35:00.005-05:00

How funny is this picture. I was shopping at Target when I came upon this mother just beside herself! This little girl would not sit down She was mad because her little brother had pulled a banana from the bunch! I asked her if I could take her picture. As you can see she was more than willing to allow me to catch her Grinch moment. I asked her if she would like to see her picture...not losing one moment of frown she agreed to see the photo...a moment of smile came upon her rosy cheeks...and then you guessed back on to full pout! Hope Santa was busy somewhere else that day...I left the poor stressed mother continuing to coax the Grinch like elf to PLEASE sit down...and the dear sweet brother in distress that the bananas where removed from his wee hands..... Sure glad Santa isn't watching me anymore!

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

Great Expectations dashed

2009-12-13T17:55:00.010-05:00

I had great expectations of replicating a tree that I had seen in Country Living. At the end of the year I kept and eye out for the perfect tree. It would be a discarded tree found curb side with great bones. I found it and sent it out into the forest in my backyard. I watched over the months as the needles dried and fell to the ground. One side seemed to be holding on to it's needles so dear sweetie hung the tree upside down in the forest to encourage the dropping of needles. The idea was to paint it's bare branches a lovely color of red, string it with lights and decorate it with everything vintage!!!! But, alas....it still clung to it's needles and try as I may...it was not to be. So...it has come into the house El natural...decorated with thread spools that serve as candle holders, vintage lace, dried hydrangeas, a birds nest and garlands of raffia....well really how fit for a blog touting itself as Uncanny Festoon....the mantel awaits it's festooning so stay tuned!

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

And now back to the cold

2009-12-06T18:01:00.005-05:00

I have been off to Florida and returned to rooftops of white! Lots of things to share just need a bit of time to capture it all.

2009-11-26T09:26:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving................I send you Blessings

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

Junkin Monday

2009-11-22T06:00:00.012-05:00

A warm amber willow picnic hamper to heighten the stack...when I brought it in the house dear sweetie was admiring it...I took it to his study and added it to the stack...he chuckled and said"you knew right where it was going" he is right I knew the minute I saw it at the rummage sale that it would rest with the other baskets in his room. How high to stack...now that is the question?????

a candle lit day with a light drizzle outside making the glow warming to the soul. The fairy lamp and thread spools were a great find at the rummage sale. The spools are just the right size to house a candle in the top hole. Can you believe the Autumn colors of the taller spool?

I always have my eye out for items to add height to my vignettes. Marcela from Nice and Easy antiques has had a hand in me seeing things a bit different. This little pumpkin rest on an upside down silver compote dish layered on top of another pedestal...

Kid leather gloves...from the Dollar store! Not really, but they were only a dollar! The fit...perfect! I needed a black pair of gloves, I always seem to get brown??? Perfect timing as our evenings drop into the low 40's.

Tea cups for a quarter at the rummage sale...priced by the Mad Hatter himself I believe!!! You must be mad to sell tea cups for a quarter....all made in England and vintage! MAD I SAY!

Six hand painted tea cups ...............$1.50 and no tea tax!

My mind won't leave this alone.............ideas a plenty

BOOKS AND BERRIES

Emergency candles in a lovely shade of honey

and what is Junkin Monday without a little junk???

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

As promised

2009-11-18T22:09:00.003-05:00

As promised here are some of the other photos I took of Abby...I know how sweet...right!

This is her grandmothers nurse's cap. The photo will be a holiday gift...we also took some shots of her in her grandfather's fire helmet...what a gift it will be to see their sweet Abby in these photos.

Where's the horse? I thought she looked so Alice in Wonderland.

I adore shooting children's hands

Abby is a girl after my own heart. You can see how she loved these vintage cowboy boots. They were my son's boots and I believe that he slept in them a few nights!

Lessons learned

2009-11-18T07:26:00.003-05:00

First lessons in the studio. Sunday I gave my first lesson in the studio. I have taught classes in my home just never in the studio. I was teaching Meri Elle to solider. It is a treat to watch an artist learning a new skill. She brought some wonderful images to capture behind glass. It will be a wonderful time seeing what she does with this new gained talent. It helped me as an artist teaching just how to help others move past hesitations and free them self to just DO. It was a wonderful time. We have already decided what her next class will be. Fine silver fusing. Yes, Meri Elle with a torch!

Gold digger!!!

2009-11-15T16:37:00.006-05:00

Yep. I went digging for gold in order to buy this table. My dear sweet guy was returning a video. I asked him to drop me off at the consignment store just behind the video store. He came inside an we walked around together. He found a Metal star for his study, and I found a shadow box with eggs. They were closing so we went to make our purchases. That is when this table caught my eye. It was one of those it must be mine kind of moments! We are saving are pennies for an up coming trip. I just looked at my dear sweetie. He reminds me that I have lots of gold jewelry that I never wear and gold prices are high right now! Yes, they are! So after a bit of gold digging the table was mine. Much better to have a table that I will enjoy every day, than gold sitting in a jewelry box!

Now I can work on the window treatment and lighting for over the table. I have had great luck finding vintage lighting at the Habitat Restore. It is close to work so I will be hanging out there at lunch time. Our Restore has a great little cafe and book store attached so it will make for a good hunt.

I got this glass dome for $3.00. The home owner said I wondered who the early bird would be who got this deal. It still had the $30.00 price tag on it. I added one of the glass door dobs from last week to make it look more like a cloche. Great, Right?

This nest has been hiding out in the rose arbor. I finally was brave enough to go in after it. I added some of my glass bead eggs and a pin and pearls that came home with me this weekend. Every nest has it jewels!

This was all free! Set out for the trash at a garage sale. As I was gathering it all I was thinking you could have sold this to ME! They are made of cedar and will hold shelving in my new studio.

This candle stick holder turned upside down make a wonderful pumpkin holder. I have plans to make it into a floor lamp once all the perfect pieces are collected. Do you hear that Mr. Handyman? A new project for you!

The coffee station progresses with the addition of the coffee cup tree. I think it needs some red paint.

I bought these adorable gloves when we were vacationing in Virgina. This hat was waiting for me at a garage sale this weekend. Oh, so very Breakfast at Tiffany!

I always seem to have a theme of what I find. Not of my selecting, just by chance. This weekend the theme seems to be turquose!

This box of treasures was just 3.00. The owner didn't seem to have any interest in the content........oh my!

Dear sweetie added two crosses to his wall. The two on the left. $ 1.00 each!

This wooden purse fasinated me, all tounge and grooved together. It had been purchased in Costa Rica. It will get a bit of a redo to hide the snap, the wood colors are deep and rich.

Showering her with ART.....

2009-11-14T16:12:00.004-05:00

Sweet times three...three adoable little paintings that I have done for Emma's nursery. Her Pottery Barn Baby bedding as color inspiration, I will shower her with art...a great way to start don't you think?

I am painting again..

2009-11-12T06:17:00.002-05:00

My soul aches to paint. We have lived in this home for 5 years. I have not had an easel in all those years. My husband had gifted me withan easel in California. Some how it did not make the cut when we moved to North Carolina. I have longed for an easel, but gave way to tools of a jeweler instead. I bought a small easel at an estate sale,from an artist. He used it in his travels. I saw it as a perfect fit for my limited space in my studio. My heart ponders after a much larger easel...an so it will be some day. I am painting three small 8x8 pictures for a friends nursery. She is a quite spirit and I am minding my Ps&Qs with choice of content. She is dressing the nursery in Pottery Barn gingham. So some sweet little letter blocks will fit right in. For me it is not the subject, it is the act of painting again that feeds my soul.

Here is a peak at what has begun

Here is a peak at where my artist brain goes...you can see why I might need a little reeling in. This is a mixed media piece that hangs in my studio. It was Halloween a few years ago. The woman pictures is someone I work with. I asked if I could shoot some pictures,she agreed. Of course I don't think she had any idea that I would drag her into the mechanics area for atmosphere! There really is no telling the lengths I will go to for the right shot....just no cliff hanging for this girl!

Looking out my bedroom window...

2009-11-11T07:30:00.002-05:00

I meant to take a picture of the Fall display Monday...it was a poem of color and warmth. This morning Dear storm Ida had brought a different verse and has striped me of that image.

If I were...A Little Tea Pot

2009-11-10T06:59:00.002-05:00

Short..check!

Stout...........check!

and oh so very smug, don't you think? Not a bad whistler either!

Junkin Beverly Hills style

2009-11-09T06:28:00.008-05:00

Be sure to take a peak at all the Junkin Monday finds over at Nice and Easy Antiques.

This is the lovely fan I have been hunting for sometime...it was in the house but minutes before dear hubby had it in the garage torn apart to see if he can get it running. This is not me complaining, I am very happy to have a HANDY man. It just would have been a better photo if it had been in one piece. The add for the sale stated that " I am an artist pack rat headed to Australia and all must go." in the list of items was listed an antique fan. Sale started at 8, we arrive just a few minutes early to find nothing set up...true to the artist spirit I thought. I share that I was here hoping to buy the fan. Out it came from the back seat of her car...$5.oo not sure if it works, wiring a bit scary ! OK, friends, this girl had on the most fabulous cowboy boots ever...I wanted to knock her down and take them...instead I bought the pair pictured on down the post...her aunt lives in Texas and sends her vintage boots...can you have her send me some???

Really, Beauty Can?...I guess that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...however I did buy this beauty.

I bought these 3 glass door knobs for a project. The centers are mercury glass. I was afraid of the price and when I heard $1.50 each, I wished there were more!

Here are the boots. The black ones with the oh so great stitching. They also are a taller boot which I love to wear with a dress. I paid $30.00...steal!

This fabric appears to have been a robe that has been cut apart. If I didn't know better I would say that it was stitched from silk slips.

Is that Christmas sneaking in? I liked that this candle light was of brass and not plastic.

And drum roll please....the buy of the weekend....bookshelf with beading and scallops for....more drum roll ...pause.....$15.00....Shut UP!

It was cold out ...but it went home in the Mustang, top down! Good thing I wore a down vest and wool hat!

and I just had to share this picture...hydrangeas in November in the South! Yes, out of my garden. I know, share in my surprise!