Vintage Roost Crazy Days Sale Starts TODAY!

You don't want to miss this show! It will run the next 2 Fridays and Saturdays beginning today! Besides the usual things to die for, it will also be "Crazy Days" where prices have been slashed on many vintage items and pretties for the house and garden. There are some awesome deals there! My charms of course will be there (on sale for $16!), as well as some darling vintage items from my "stash," including vintage mirrored medicine chests, a gorgeous vintage mantle, and so much more! Every vendor has cleaned out their cool things, their unfinished projects, etc. and the prices are amazing. Why am I writing this post? I better get myself down to Albany!

Love,

More Tarte from Last Week including...

Doesn't this just make you swoon? Oh my gosh, it is so beautiful. Can you also see it at a wedding or big formal party? Cindy's designs can be used in so many settings.

I LOVED this "Abandoned Ship" kit! Adore it. If it were in pink or white or green or aqua, I would SO have to have it. Don't you love what it says and the possibilities?
Ok, I told you I'd show you one of the things I bought... Here she is below... isn't she lovely? I fell in love with this Madonna in Cindy's "sneak peek" preview pics and had to have it! I was very lucky that someone didn't beat me to it earlier in the day. I'm going to antique her a bit more, and then I'll show you where she ends up here at my house.
Even the displays outdoors were to die for.
Can you tell what this is below? It's a parachute. Isn't it dreamy?

I have a pink coffee table in my living room, and I do like it, but I LOVE this one!
Look at these vintage tin boxes! I'm not sure of their proper name, but I do adore them!
Beautiful sunny day. See the white orbs on the stand there? They're baseballs! Cindy is SOOOO clever. I'm surprised someone hasn't tempted her to be a set designer in Hollywood or something! She is sooooooooooo precious, she deserves anything wonderful that ever happens to her!
What a dork I am. I was wondering what that pink thing was in the pic below... um, now I see that it is ME taking the picture. Geez, I must have gotten heat stroke or something! The pics are small until you get them posted you know!
The front counter.
Beauty everywhere.







I seriously thought about taking a nap here (below). What with all of the frivolity toward the end of the day between the King and Queen, the Barnhouse boys (hug hug), the sisters and Joy, nobody would have missed me. Isn't it just like a fairy tale picture?
I LOVE this vignette below! I can't explain why, William S. wasn't overly dashing. I think it is the color and the set up! It would all look very pretty in my living or dining room.

OH! And I have -huge- news to tell you about Cindy tomorrow too! (If you haven't seen it on the newsstands in the past few days... hint)! (You'll just die when I tell you)... so exciting!

Until next time,

Oh My Gosh, Stop the Presses!

Well, not really "stop" the presses, but look here what the "press" has come out with! You know Stamptington publications are my very favorites in the whole world! Well, guess what? My friend Pattie Mosca is in this Issue of "HandCrafted"! Yep, she is. I've told you about her here before, but now you can really see for yourself. The issue came out yesterday and I ran to the store to get it today! (Well, not "run" per se, you know me)... but I hurried like crazy!


She is so talented at so many things, you'll have to check out her blogs! Yes, blogs plural! (She has four at last count)! When you click on her Explore the Colors blog, you will see these darling shirts featured in Hand Crafted, AND you'll see all of the other wonderful publications in which her work has been published! (Great taste, those Stampington people)!

Pattie is quite the worker! And I must say, of all the dear friends I've never met in person (you know, blog friends)... Pattie is my very closest. We are about the same age, each have one grandson of about the same age, we both have kids the same ages, and love art. We live so far apart (how much farther can two people be than New York to Oregon)? But, I told her months ago that I know we'll meet in person! How do I know this? Um, not sure yet, I just know it.

Love you, Pattie!

All the best,

More from the Enchanted Land of Tarte!

Can you believe how many pics I took of Cindy's Tarte show Saturday? I always get soooooo carried away at her events. (I think I broke my own record this time)! Everywhere you look (I mean every square inch) is beautiful. I just kept going, because every display was... well "pretty as a picture!"

Don't you agree? That girl is amazing.
Some of my photos are blurry (big surprise), but even those are cool, and most importantly, I want you to see it all and feel like you were "the next best thing to being there."

Isn't this white sign neat? And the cabinet below?

How about this hutch below done in white and green and brown? Ahhh.

Yep, that's really a drum below. I think someone played it in a high school band somewhere! (I'm making up stories, but could be)!

Locker baskets, white ruffles, blackboard, mirror and of course a beautiful Madonna. (You know how I love Madonnas)! LOVE, love them. (Um, Her).

Look at this cool piece! I can't remember really what it was, BUT can you see each little compartment filled with candles and set on a patio table outside? Heaven.

I fell in love with this piece above the door where the treats were kept. LOVE it!

Looking through the little window you can kind of tell that there were cakes and platters of treats on tables back there. I tried not too look too hard at those, I didn't want to succumb!

How about that bird bath or the white cabinet on the right? SO pretty!

Closer up photo of the beautiful white cabinet with the pretty plant in front of it. (Yes, SHE also has a green thumb)! I know, I know... too remarkable.

Cool letters and crystals and crystal ribboned necklaces! They even had one with an "S&B" monogram stamped on the metal piece. It would have been perfect, but I had already emailed ahead about a "certain item" so I had to save my $$ for that!



What did I buy? I'll tell ya and show ya! (Maybe tomorrow)!

Love, Hugs and warmth,

The Tarte Show! Where do I Begin?

Cindy's June show at her new Land of Tarte was gorgeous! You couldn't walk inside right away, because first you had to see the beautiful displays on your way in!
Cindy (Queen of Tarte) is a doll, isn't she? She doesn't really like her pic taken, but I have to show you how darling she is!

And here is Joy with Cindy's husband Barry (King of Tarte). He's cute too, as a matter of fact a group of women asked how much HE was!
Isn't it gorgeous and also huge? What a cool barn this is! Cindy has thought of everything, lighting, display room, space to sit, a little place for treats...
This is the front counter area. I love it. See the "Hold Area" to the left? By the time I saw it, I had already taken up the front counter with my treasures. Duh! Cindy was too nice to say anything!

Jewels, flowers, a place to recline or take a quick nap! :)


Look at the natural materials in the display up toward the ceiling. Gorgeous, I tell you!
Three heads are better than one!

Darling French inspired ruffled towels.


Beautiful display with flowers, a nest and a little chair.
Pretty frames and other architectural elements everywhere!
I wish you could have seen it all in person! I'll show you more tomorrow (and the next day)... and perhaps after that as well. I always go crazy taking pictures at Cindy's shows!

Queen of Tarte Show Tomorrow!

I can't believe I've had to miss all of Cindy's shows at her new event location! Tomorrow is the day and I just can't wait!! Cindy is the stylist extrordinaire. Her eye for beauty amazes me. Thinks you would never give another thought to, look like works of art when Cindy gets ahold of them! Oh, AND when I lose weight and get rich, she will be my new wardrobe stylist as well! (She doesn't know that yet, but she'd be thrilled to help me out)! Check HER wardrobe and shoes. Ugh! Darling.
If you've never seen a Tarte show, you must make it a point! You will love Cindy, she is one of the sweetest, most talented artist/stylists I've ever met! I hope you can go too!
Her new venue is a cool barn in Oregon City, which is pretty much in the middle of wherever you're coming from or going to!

The address is:

Just click on her post here for directions. Hope to see you there!

A Very Sweet Lady with a Darling Blog!

My gosh! I have met such wonderful friends through my blog. It really is an amazing thing, this blogging "universe" don't you think? I have met such talented, sweet, giving, interesting, funny people through my blog. You know sometimes we hear about how women don't always support other women. I had seen it in the past, and it broke my heart, but I'm here to tell you, that sisterly love is back, AND in plenty of time for our young sisters to experience the love and sharing! There is so much love and support poured forth between bloggers, and I have seen fund raisers for people going through terrible things, shared words of wisdom, and talent and giving of gifts (of the heart and of the physical type too). I'm proud to be among you, my wonderful friends!


Recently, I entered a giveaway on this blog, and even though I DIDN'T win... she sent me some beautiful things, just to be nice! Last week I received the darling memo pad and pencil in the photo below and today, I received the darling notebook above! Sharon is just the sweetest most talented lady! You have to see her jewelry, and then you'll know.

Her favorite thing to do (maybe even more than creating art and jewelry) is gift giving! Look at the darling nest she made out of gold wire, aqua pearls and charms on the notebook above! Isn't it so sweet? So are you, Sharon thank you so much for brightening my day... not only once last week, but today too!
Check out Sharon's talent, and meet the sweet lady behind the beautiful works of art!

Hugs,

Another Beautiful Crop of Flowers

I've waited awhile to share these pics with you, because I wanted to identify the flower before I showed it to you. I asked the wife of my regional crop expert, Carl. This is his field across from the yellow flowers. Because they are across from each other, I was sure he knew.

Do you recognize Carl's field above? It was the scene of the infamous "out house" post in April.

I asked Carl's wife Emma (a young darling with 2 precious kids whom is a former co-worker too). Nope, she didn't know because that isn't their field. Geez! Didn't you always think that the farm on the property where the farmouse is located was actually the farm growing said crops?

Nope, the big farms around here rent parcels of land to grow things on. I must admit I was a little sad to hear this, because of the charming "pictures in my mind" of the people living on the land and growing the beautiful adjacent crops. Ok, I'm adjusting! BUT, I have a cool idea! I've always thought it would be so cool if each crop everywhere were labeled by signage stating what crop that is you see growing there! I know, I know. They don't have time for my silliness... I'm just sayin'!

See What Happens When You Look on the "Bright Side"?

I became friends with Tristan of Blah Blah Blahg fame a little over a year ago. I don't know how I came across her blog, because we are not alike at all (except that we both have Lucy Ricardo/McGillicutty tendencies). Well, we both like pretty things too, that counts!

You've seen Tristan's "Look on the Bright Side Button" on my blog for months, and I hope you've visited. She and her new sidekick Jules have created a whole world of wonderfulness, AND they have a giveaway from a different artist everyday (Every SINGLE Day)! Why? Because they believe that even in a world of so many negative things happening(especially of late), there is always a "Bright Side" and they aim to find it by gosh, and share it with all of us!



I don't know how to describe Tristan's talent but I'll give you the tip of the iceberg. She is a designer of everything haute and chic (I told you we aren't alike). Ok, we are both sassy, smart alecky types too, but that's about it, besides the fact and she is kind and tolerates me. She is young (I am old), she is gorgeous (you get the idea...) She has designed prints, all things paper including elegant invitations, accessories, fabrics, and is a perfumer as well... which means she even designs SCENTS and perfumes! Can you even imagine?? http://thebrightsideproject.com/ Speaking of perfume, guess what I won??


What else? She gives photography lessons (among other needful things) on her blog! (Oh yes, and they have created their own brand... "Besotted Brand" to be exact AND their logo is two dancing pachederms)! One of her tag lines is "Truly Madly Deeply". Doesn't that say it all? Yep, and she works in Beverly Hills! She is on a campaign to free herself of the corporate life, and with her talent, it won't be long. When I talk to the Mister about her, I say "You know, my friend Tristan from Beverly Hills..."

I adore her. Thank you Tristan. Hugs from "me" aka... (well you know Tristan, but that's our little secret, right)? I can't wait to start smelling good!

A Great Cause

Here is the piece I made and donated to the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado. They are having an event this week and I was asked if I could donate a piece of my jewelry for the silent auction! Of course, I am happy to, and honored as well!

My daughter-in-law to be asked me if I would be interested! She is sooo cute and a dynamo really! They are lucky to have her there as an employee. The event sounds like fun, huh? "Seafood and Sandals" is the event. What a worthy cause. The proceeds of this event will help to fund the Jason Fleishman Summer Camp. This camp enables kids who normally wouldn't be able to have a camp experience because of their medical problems with epilepsy to attend and have a great time. It looks like a wonderful and worthwhile experience for these kids!

I'm very excited for Kristen. How wonderful it would be to work at a job with such a positive focus! Among other things, she trains public safety responders about what it looks like when someone may be having a seizure instead of what could look like fighting or resisting, and provides other educational information about Epilepsy as well. We're proud of you, Kristen!

(Did I tell you how CUTE she is)? They aren't big photo "senders" but I'll post a pic of her soon!

Hugs,

Omigosh! S.O.S.!

Ok, you all know how I LOVE old bottles, right? Old ones, and only pretty newer ones. You know how I made these little numbers at Christmas time for Vintage Roost and for gifts, right? I love them!

I also came across a pretty one in our pantry last month. The glass of this bottle is actually AQUA! I love the label too. So, when I noticed it and looked at it a little closer, I figured I'd keep it and eventually borrow someone's glass saw (have ya got one laying around?), cut it up and make some cool soldering projects with it! A couple of times I've said to the Mister "Hey Hon, please don't throw that gin bottle away." Which to me, is code for "I'll be needing it for an art project soon. I thought he understood same. You know, we RARELY (seriously) rarely ever drink (Say 1-2 glasses of wine or margarita, little cocktail per month). That is 1-2 per month, people).

So when I opened the pantry yesterday and noticed THIS I nearly died! True, we are both under stress with "parental" issues (repeat after me.... I will buy long term health care insurance, I will buy long term health care)... The poor guy must think I'm "hitting the sauce!" OMG, poor guy! He apparently thought the stress finally got to me, and laid in a supply for me!

I do have issues, (I'm a stress eater, a happy eater, an angry eater, a soulful eater, well you get the picture...) but I do not have the -failin (which = the "failing" which is "Irish talk" for drinking problem).

So just a bit ago, this is what happened here: My Mom came home from rehab (the Nursing Home) at 11 a.m. today, nearly 3 weeks from the ambulance ride to Intensive Care. An hour ago I decided I needed a nap. I heard the Mister answer our phone and then run downstairs. In a panic I stormed through the house and downstairs. What's wrong??? I said. "Oh nothing, the nurse just wanted to talk to your Mom so I told her to call at your Mom's number. (Not a good idea). So after she hung up with the nurse, we asked her what the nurse wanted and she said "something about when and where to get my blood tested" she said. "So, what about it then? When and where?" I said. "I forgot"she says but it's Monday I think." Ugh.

I just got upstairs and sat in my "easy" chair to take a breather. Well, that was not to be. That's right, less than 4 hours home, and she's already pushed the Life Line button! The only time she has done it before is the night the ambulance came when she almost died. They called me on my phone and said "this is Life Line" and your Mother needs you, can you get there right away?" "Of course" I yelled "I'm on my way downstairs to her now." "She needs us!" I hollered breathlessly. Downstairs we ran. "Mom! Mom?! Where are you?" The lifeline people were still talking but downstairs on her speaker this time. "I'm in here, in the bathroom, I need you." "I'm here, I'm here said I. "What is it?" There she was sitting on the toity. "I need some fresh panties!" she yelled. Whew. Breathe. "Take a deep breath I say to myself, she's okay." (All of this for panties, what next)?

It didn't get much better from there. "HONEY, do we have any limes?????"

Love,

Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte!

And there she was. Bundled in a bag with a tiny dolly blankie, a hat, 2 mismatched dancin' shoes and a plastic crackerjack charm. She called to me from the thrift store table. Yoo, Hoo, over here! I had to take her home, she was so cute and cheap! I mean, inexpensive! How rude of me! Look at those rosebud lips! SO cute, heart shaped rosebud lips just like my niece Cassidy's. (I'm thinking she doesn't read my blog because I'm old and boring, so I'm safe) OH MY!
What's this I see when I take Charlotte out of her suffocating baggie? Um, yeah. Headless. There's a bunch of glue there but it obviously didn't hold! Is there a better business bureau for thrifting?!
Look at her pretty little vintage dress! Her golden blonde locks? What was I supposed to think? That she was a good deal, that's all! And a... oops another "boo boo". What a tacky way to try and bandage a dolly's leg. Geez! It IS a femur fracture after all!

Of course covered by said pretty vintage dress! Aha! I think serious mischief was afoot in the packaging of this dolly! A bit misleading, don'tcha think?

Oh yeah, and what's up with those "dancin' shoes"? I didn't care that the gold lame' one didn't match the pink one, but seriously people! Look at the size of these clodhoppers next to her feet! What an insulting blow to poor Charlotte. A cruel trick by a rogue "packager" no doubt! Those shoes are bigger than her derriere! Imagine that in real life!

Oh well, you've never known me to buy a whole doll anyway. Just parts. Heads, legs, arms and the occasional hand. Ok, I suppose she'll fit in better this way around here anyway.
I don't know what Charlotte did to bring herself to such a tragic end, I'm guessing she was like me... a spunky girl that just couldn't HUSH!

More KC Creativity, and HUGE Giveaways!

So you know how I go on (and on) about KC Willis of Lipstick Ranch? I'm in her Collage Camp class and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Besides showing me how to make beautiful art, she's taught me a new way to look at things... as she describes it... she wants to teach us a new language... her language. If she teaches us step by step (as she does so well)... exactly how she does it, then eventually we'll be ready to branch off on our own. I've watched the videos for Collage Camp over and over. LOVE THEM. What? What does my wall hanging look like? Well, it's getting there, although I am doing it backwards. Yep, I know... that's so like me. Impatient.

I need to clean out the garage to find my sewing machine (which I bought reconditioned about 20 years ago) and have never used... long story!

ANYWAY, "Collage Camping" isn't the only thing in Miss KC's repertoire. She has made an exciting announcement about NEW classes of different sorts. I want to take them all, but I had to choose just one, so it had to be one I knew I couldn't live without! This new series of classes is called "Mixed Media Mania" (as you've no doubt seen on the new badge on top of my "blog things."

The new classes are "Altered Books Workshop", "Works on Paper Workshop" and the one I would die without... the "Altars and Shrines" workshop. Could you die??? I sure could. I can't wait. You know how you pick up a little something antiquing or flea marketing and you don't know why you like it, you just do? If you're like me (heaven help ya), you do! Such is the case with 2 pieces I've hung onto for a few years (ok a million other things too)... but there is a reason I've hung on to these pieces... I just didn't know it until now! They will be perfect for the Altars and Shrines Workshop! I would show you now, but my camera batteries are now dead. Tomorrow though. I am so inspired!! She is the most generous and talented teacher and woman! You know if you've seen her blog or her interview on HGTV.

SO, the Giveaway! The most generous one I've ever hoped to win! You don't have to purchase/join a workshop to win (but seriously you'd be missing out on something wonderful)! Oh yes, AND, if you buy all of the 3 new workshops together, you will save about $20! ANYWAY... without further ado here is the link to the giveaway! KC says it has a $300 value, but I think it is worth much more than that!!

That's not all though... she is having another Giveaway the same day for this gorgeous piece of art! The first of these flags she created is hanging in the Cowgirl Museum in Ft. Worth, TX! AND... it retails for $525! I'm not kidding! It is just gorgeous!

Why am I telling you, won't that reduce my chances of winning? Yep, but I have some pretty good ju ju lately, so I'm VERY hopeful! (Not really, but I'm still hopeful). So RUN, don't walk to the giveaway! You will die when you see it. Oh and how about the Altars and Shrines KC has done? TDF, I tell you!

Sooooo, I was wondering... since KC calls those of us participating in Collage Camp "Campers," will she call those of us in Mixed Media Mania, "Maniacs"? She's way ahead of me, she mentioned it before I asked her!

Love,

Local Beauties

I love to show you the beauty in this area. The other day I drove around the corner (practically) to take some pics of Cooley's Iris Nursery. The top one is the only one I kept, nothing showed up. (Yes, I know I need photography lessons)! The rest of the pics are from Cooley's themselves. Can you believe how beautiful this place is? You'd never know it from the first pic what beauty awaits behind the hedges!

They put out a cool $5 calendar every year with pics, lots of info and even coupons.

How quaint is the pic below? Makes you want to have a picnic there!

Even their pictures don't do it justice. There are SO many rows and so many colors!

Wouldn't this be a pretty place to get married?



Now the pics below are mine. I risked life and limb to take these! There is no place to park and it's a major road! My flashers work well, so that's good to know! This is down the road from Cooley's. It's a farm crop... I bet you can figure out from the last pic what it's going to be!

Or maybe not! I'm going to take pics when the crop is in full bloom. They had a crop like this a few years ago up in the hills above Silverton. It was so gorgeous! It looked like all of the hills were ablaze in bright red!

1. What's up with the funky "1" next to my signature? I don't know. Maybe it's saying I'm number one! (At what, I'm asking)? Must mean something else!

Stitching up a Sampler

Besides reading, and journaling, and a sudoku or two, I worked on this while visiting my Mom in the hosptial. I found it so calming, and I was content having something to do with my hands.
Have you seen the sampler craze in the blogosphere? If you're a blogger, I bet you have! I was initially inspired by Pam Garrison. I adore her anyway (remember, I took the journal class from her at Art Fest in 2007 and showed the cover a few posts back).
Besides Pam, a whole bunch of other bloggers have jumped on the "stitching wagon" of late. I love doing it, it is relaxing and fun, and mostly because it can be so random. No pattern, no following lines, no ripping it out if it isn't perfect like I used to do way back in the day... (Quite the opposite, the imperfections are what make them charming I think).
This sampler is nothing tres' fabu like Pam's are, but I still love it. I had no plans for it in the beginning, but I do now! I'll show you along the way as I get closer.
In your blogging "travels," hop by Teresa McFayden's blog, she has the "bug" too! Aren't hers gorgeous too? The thing I like is that they are all so different, yet we're all doing the same thing! I bet you may want to make one too, after looking at theirs! (Besides that, you'll get hooked on their beautiful blogs)!
Be sure to check out Rebecca Sower's work too, these ladies are true artists, they do a million different types of art (and events) and they will inspire you like you won't believe!
I always start out with a clean surface (the arm of my chair) to set the current element(s) out, but before long, one arm of the chair looks like the pic above.
And here's the other arm of my chair. Elements waiting their turn to be added to said sampler. See anything interesting in this pic? Well, if you look hard, you can see the price of the pretty embroidered hanky (10 cents)! Don't ya love it when that happens? The flower is from a cute vintage hat I found thrifting. The string of pearls, I pulled off of a broken necklace.

There is also a VERY hazardous situation in this picture! See next to the small individual pearls? Um, yeah those are my medications. I put them there so I wouldn't forget to take them. Can you see why this was a B-A-D idea? I'm always talking about "pearls of wisdom" and making pretty bottles full of "pearls of wisdom", but this is taking it a bit far. Although, I do crave wisdom, it will NOT come to me by swallowing them with my meds!! I caught it before it went down with the pills. Maybe sub-consciously I was thinking I could obtain wisdom that way! My husband always points to my head and says "I can't imagine all the stuff going on inside there!" Yeah, he doesn't want to know!