Relaxing Day Making Wind Chimes

The Sweet Shoppe Princess and The Cheerleader

I can't believe it has been a week since I have posted last.  Lots of things going on around here. Youngest daughter tried out for cheerleading this past week.  Yes,  I am happy to say she made the squad.  We had a special young friend turn 6.  She had a "Sweet Shoppe" birthday party.  Decorations were very cute and lots of candy for the youngsters.  I had decorated a pair of flip-flops and  made a journal with removable decorated cover for her.  This little princess' mother  has a blog you can read it here .   Her mother also taught me that little trick with the link.  Thanks Kell.

I spent most of the day working on some orders for Wind Chimes. My FIL had given me some brass ear tags they use on cattle.  I believe now they use plastic.  I put one of the ear tags in this chime with some pottery shards that had been dug up on our property. 

For the next one it was requested I use some seashells.  Used some amber colored stained glass and some glass beads as well.  I made several others and spent most of the day doing them.  Nice to have a slow paced day.

Paid a visit to the cemetery this weekend as well.  I always enjoy visiting a cemetery, such a peaceful and thought provoking place.  We were mindful of all that gave so much of us and for our freedom.  Those that have gone on to a better place and are always held close to our hearts.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. 

Debbie 

Cowboy Boots and Hogs

As I said in my previous post we spent this past weekend in Hog Jaw Valley, Alabama. While we were there I found some goodies at a few yard sales. I love old blue bottles and this one is great.

I have other Milk of Mag bottles in varying shades of blue, but I believe this one is in the best condition.

In the background you can see some of the vintage linens with hand crocheted lace on them. I can crochet and I know how long it takes to do something like this. When these pieces were created women had very little free time (not that we do now). All the time, patience and care that went into them and I bought them all for less than $2.00. Somehow that makes me sad ( as a crafter) to think of things I have made, be put out for sale for the first quarter that comes along. But, then again I love finding things like this and using them. I guess it's the circle of life for hand crafted items.







Now onto the real find, it's the "Don't ask." and "I don't know" (from my previous post) item.


How could I leave these precious little boots behind. The young man that put every scuff mark on them sold them to me. As he looked up at me with big blue eyes and jelly on his chin, he let me know these boots were a favorite of his. I wonder if one day his mother will see a picture of her son in these little boots and wish she had held onto them.

Then there were the animals:
A turkey her chicks were nearby.




And the little stars of the show. Everyone kept asking if we had seen the piglets. There were 2 Mommas for all these little ones.
Here is one of those Mommas. Even though we live in a rural area this was the closest my daughters and I had been to pigs. I can't say much for the Momma but those babies were cute.

Hope you enjoyed the sights.

Debbie

Giveaway and Retreat

http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/ Is having a giveaway and putting on what sounds like a great retreat.

Attention to those wanting to put on a workshop or to teach classes: COME TO KENTUCKY!!! It seems as though every time I hear about a great retreat or workshop they are so far away.

Speaking of being so far away. We were on the road a lot this weekend traveling to Hog Jaw Valley, Alabama. Yes, I am serious there is such a place. My husband's family is from there. We traveled there for a family reunion/meeting. It is nice to catch up with those we rarely get to see.
I had the chance to go to some yard sales Saturday morning. I found some lace and some cute little cowboy boots. When I got back in the car with the boots, my husband just looked at me. I said, "Don't ask, and I don't know." Or the answer to the inevitable questions, " Why did you buy those?" And, " What are you going to do with them?" I will post some pictures tomorrow and you will see why they had to come home with me. The Goodwill was having a 1/2 price sale, so you know, I had to look there. It was late in the day, but I found a few things.
Our dog went to Alabama with us. He experienced a Mama Sow with her numerous piglets, a turkey with chicks close by, numerous chickens and still was a good traveller. Since we have arrived back home, he has spent a good deal of time in the shade of his favorite tree. I am sure he, like me, is happy to be on familiar ground. I hope you all had a good weekend and are ready for the upcoming week.

A "Tribute" You May Want To See

I read several blogs, there is a list to choose from on my sidebar. I often look at the sidebars of blogs I like to read just to see what they are reading. I figure if I like their blog, I'll probably like a blog they like. You get the picture.


One of the blogs I enjoy reading is Plays With Needles.http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/
This blog is written by Susan Elliott. A fabulous needleworker whose work is a delight. In her latest post she talks of a stitcher Susan Lenz who is creating "Decision Portraits" as a tribute to a decision someone has made.

Please, go over and check out Susan Elliott's story about her mother and the "Decision Portrait" she is having created.
I am blown away by these portraits and I'm sure you will be too.
Debbie

In Memory of Jennifer

I have created an art doll that I am donating to a local Relay for Life auction. The art doll was created with my dear friend Jennifer McClain in mind. Jennifer passed away February 16th this year from Breast Cancer. She was a kindred spirit and was always very supportive of my crafting creations. She not only purchased my artwork for herself, but also as gifts for others. In every room of her home was something I had made for her or she had purchased from me. That means so much to have someone think your creations are worthwhile.
Jennifer's husband and 2 daughters are putting together a basket to be auctioned off at our local Relay for Life event this Friday night. The basket includes things that those of us close to her thought she would like. When her husband asked me to donate, this doll immediately came to mind. I set to work on her with Jennifer on my mind and heart the entire time.


I miss you my friend and I hope you would have liked our girl I created.

Debbie

Get Out There and Vote!

Here in Kentucky this Tuesday is our Primary Election. I have a friend running for office that I have helped on the campaign trail. One of the things I have been surprised at is the number of people that don't vote.


Do you remember being in the 3rd grade and the teacher asking everyone to put their head down on the desk while you raised your hand to vote on something? Maybe you peeked to see if your best friend was voting as you were, but you never dreamed of not voting. Well this is 40 something years later and I still feel that way. I vote whenever there is an opportunity. My children have grown up going into the voting booth with me. We have talked about how important it is to vote and have your voice heard. As we arrived at the polls we saw our neighbors and my children saw it was important to those people as well.

Take some time to look at what the candidates stand for, how they feel about issues that are important to you. Listen to what they say and don't say. Just because they wear the Democrat, Republican or Independent label is not enough to vote for someone. Yes, those labels may represent your values on most levels, but that doesn't mean the best person for the job wears your label of choice. Think about who will take your small voice as well as all the other voices wanting to be heard and make a difference.Even if there is a candidate who is unopposed, cast your vote. That vote shows your support and that you will be watching how they work for you in the next term of their office.

I didn't always cast my vote for the winner, but really that is not what is important. The fact that I voted and stated how I felt, showed up in the numbers at the end of the night. Who ever won saw they had great support but there were also others that didn't vote for them. Not everyone agreed with them and thought they were great. It sent a message they better think about their decisions and strive to do their best for the greater good. So even if your vote was cast for the losing candidate it sent a message. The message is; we are out here watching, listening, thinking and we will be voting the next chance we get.

See All The Pretty Things

As promised pictures of all the goodies Ramona sent me. We took part in a craft supply swap Gina at http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/ hosted. This was my first swap and I really wasn't sure what to expect. What would I send was my first thought, after I pushed the send button to join the swap. As time went by I found a tin that I could add things to as I came across them. Then it was easy. I had an extra of this and was I really going to use that. I filled the tin and sent it off in the mail to Ramona. Then I started wondering what Ramona would send me. The box arrived and you will see.....

Now on to a few more detailed photos.

The journal Ramona made for me.

Special "Magpie" Alphabet could this be any more perfect?

Now I am thinking about all the things I can make. Thanks again! Ramona

Off to Peddle My Wares

Tomorrow I will be taking some new creations to Damselfly Studio and Art Gallery. http://www.damselflybeads.com/
This is a local shop where I sell my art. Before taking them I took some photos today so you could see some of the things I like to make.


This is an art doll I created after taking an online workshop from a great teacher, JoAnnA Pierotti.
http://www.mosshill.blog.com/
JoAnnA is a very creative artist and an inspiration to me and others. Check out her blog and be prepared to be amazed.


This is a wind chime I created from vintage china and stained glass.

I also had a wonderful surprise in the mail today from my craft supply swap partner Ramona at http://samuelsfamilyfrenzy.blogspot.com
will post photos of all my goodies tomorrow.

Anoher Great Giveaway!

http://trashtotreasureart.blogspot.com/2010/05/blog-candy-giveaway-for-my-followers.html

I just found this blog and WOW! What a giveaway.
Debbie

Again sorry about link

Where Bloggers Create Party

http://mydesertcottage.blogspot.com

Go over and check this out. Sounds like a lot of fun. Since I create all over the house I will have to submit a bunch of photos. I guess I better start cleaning and sprucing up a bit. Speaking of cleaning, I had the biggest cobweb in my den. I tried to take a picture of it to post, I never could get it to show up. I guess I really shouldn't admit to having such a cobweb, but you all know how busy I have been lately. I'm having too much fun to be worried about spiderwebs. Thanks for visiting,
Debbie

p.s. Sorry about link not sure how to do it.

Flooded Basement Woes

After doing some work on our downspouts I thought a flooded basement was a thing of the past. No, that was not to be. Yes, once again the rains came down and basement filled up. The only good thing that comes from a flooded basement, is it makes me clear out a lot of stuff I really don't need anyway. Isn't that how a lot of things we have are, just stuff that we really don't need. I know I am a Hunter/Gatherer by instinct (as the numerous items in my basement can attest to) but, really, do I really need that stuff?
I am involved in a craft supply swap that Gina from "The Shabby Chic Cottage" organized. I am looking forward to seeing what my new friend/swap partner Ramona from "Better Than We Deserve" will be sending me. There I go again wanting more stuff. Now I will justify, these will be craft supplies that I can use in my artwork. Speaking of artwork I need to get busy. Starting this blog, setting up an etsy shop and all the rest has put me behind. But, it has also been great fun! Thanks for visiting.
Debbie

Another Derby Come and Gone

Here in Kentucky it just doesn't get any better than the First Saturday in May! That's the day we sing "My Old Kentucky Home", drink Mint Juleps and watch the most exciting 2 minutes in sporting events, The Kentucky Derby! Where ever you were, I hope you had a chance to watch it. There were beautiful hats and some crazy ones too. We co-host a Derby party at our friend's home and it was great to get together with everyone.
I did have a chance to hit some yard sales and found some cute things I will be listing in my etsy shop this week. It is always a fun day when there are yard sales.
I am still working on my blog background as my DD says I need to add some color. Coming up with a name for my blog was tough, but I do like "Mosaic Magpie" and I am happy to move past that much thinking.
Thanks for stopping by,
Debbie