We came, we saw, we spent!!!

Charlene & I had a great time in Round Top! I returned a day early to tend to a sick boy. Although he was in good hands with Daddy I couldn't stand being away another night. We were both pretty weary and light in the pockets so it was okay. I am going to share some pics & stories tomorrow but until then, check out our load!

Boy, it adds up!

Road Trip

Round Top here I come! This is something I've wanted to do for years and tomorrow Charlene and I hit the road. I have packed all of the essentials, my market cart, maps, gas, blender & cash. We'll see how much damage I can do to my bank account in four days. I have a list of things I want to do which include -

Seeing the Magnolia Pearl tent in person, spending some cash with Carolyn Westbrook, buying odds & ends to use in various art projects, eating some yummy food and hooking up with my sister who is coming from Austin. I can't wait to hit Zapp Hall and hunt for .........

One of these

and some of these one of these

any of these
one or two of these

and I'd love a couple of these.
But I don't know how I am going handle being away from these guys!

I'll be back soon to share some stories and treasures.

Crafting Challenge

I bought these wood slices at Pottery Barn last January. Don't you love the deals you can get on holiday stuff after New Years? I don't know if you can see the price but they were marked down from $14. to $2.97. I bought 2 bags and figured I'd do something clever with them. garland...assemblage...ornament...still thinking.

Fluffing & Soldering

My booth was getting kind of stale. Some things sold, others haven't so we've just been plugging up holes. So I spent some time at the shop Saturday and did some work.

A little cherub light nestled in a giant birdcage.

A couple of Halloween goodies and my bottles front & center.

Five minutes later my awesome french toile chair sold! Another hole to fill.

A creepy Halloween bottle. I spent a lot of time on this one and it came out just the way I imagined.

I used a traslucencey to copy a picture of a crow and layered him onto an old Poe poem. Then I turned that into a charm for my bottle.

And The Winner Is

Susie ! Her blog is From My Home To Yours.blogspot.com

Send me an email Susie & I'll send your banner.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my blog the past few days. I had a lot of fun making this banner, I put a lot of thought into each card. I made this banner vertical simply because it has 7 letters. The awesome Traci Lynn Huskamp makes hers this way and I love them. I chose the word 'inspire' because that is what you do for me each and every day.

I also made a couple of Halloween goodies. They'll be in my Etsy shop as soon as I get some time.

Stay Tuned

Hi Friends,

I'll be announcing the winner of my banner giveway this afternoon sometime. I'm still working on it! Too many projects, not enough time!

White Wednesday & A Hint

Another week goes by, and at least here in the lone star state it is starting to feel like Autumn. The cool weather always motivates me to nest. The kids are in school and I have the time now to pull out the pine cones & other decorations that have been roasting in the attic for months. As I wondered through the house taking a mental inventory I snapped these pictures to share.

I love this little collection of bud vases. I bought them in San Antonio at an estate sale for about
$20

Wonderful Alabaster lamps from a charity shop for $3o on 1/2 price day. I think my throat went dry.

Mirrors, my house has lots, and they all have alligator skin paint.

Sections of the most brilliant chippy paint garden trim, I bought it at a garage sale for $2, don't know what I'll do with it but I love it.

I also I added a clue to my banner giveaway. Remember, you have until Thursday to comment on my blog.

See you next week!

New Friends & A Giveawy

Look what I got in the mail today!

I met a wonderful new blog friend from Oregon, her name is Sheila. We just started emailing and sharing stories and found we had so much in common. She sent me a 'welcome to blogging' gift. Sheila designs and makes these adorable journals and postcards, I think they're sooo cute. I love the images she uses, these cute doll heads. She has a great blog that you can see here. I have never recieved a gift like this before, for no reason from someone I'm not related to or have never met in person. I've always read about how wonderful the blogging community is but never really bought it. Thought it was a bunch of hooey to make us non-bloggers feel left out. Ha! Anyway, turns out it's all true. I have had such a warm welcome from everyone and have met so many new friends already. You are all out there just waiting to help, encourage and advise anyone who asks. In honor of you and to thank you for everything I'm hosting my first 'Giveaway'. Leave me a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing. I will announce the winner on Friday. The prize is going to be one of my banners like this one that I'm selling on Etsy.

The message on the banner will be a surprise to be revealed Friday.

My sweet dear friend Carolyn brought a surprise to my workshop last night!!

Just in time for Round Top! I can't believe what an AMAZING job she did, and in only 3 days. That's right, I just delivered the naked cart to her Monday. I just love the way she married 2 different vintage table cloths together. Carolyn is a wonderful seamstress, she makes these darling pillows that she sells at Collected Treasures.

You can check them out here.

And look.....a pocket! Perfect for my camera and map.

She is one of those thoughtful, generous people who would do anything for a friend just to see them smile. I'm defiantly smiling!

For Molly

I promise, this is the last one! I really love the way this bottle turned out. I made it for my sister in memory of the parents we lost not so long ago. Faith and spirituality are themes I use often in my art. In this crazy life when sometimes nothing makes sense it gives me peace to know there is a plan.

Hope your all enjoying this nice long holiday weekend. If your looking for something to do, Dawn is having a great sale on her tutorials. I bought 2~! She also introduced me to a new blog Green Paper. Mary has GREAT images for sale and free. Check it out.

White Wednesday

This is my first White Wednesday, until today I was only a voyeur. These are some images from my booth. I love to use white as a base to build layer upon layer of texture and hue. From snow white, to cream, tan, burlap, and then onto rust - which to me is just white that got left outside!

My 'Faith' banner

Beautiful old columns

An old bottle embellished with layers of white lace, canvas, & leather.

Thank you Kathleen for hosting a great another great Wednesday!

Big Day!

I am so blue! My little ones set off into the big bad world of pre-school today. Honestly, I know this is said a million times a day but really....'Where did the time go'? I realize their not off to college or anything but this is a big step. I know in my heart that things will never really be the same after they discover life outside of our little cocoon. This past year they really turned into children (as opposed to toddlers) each with their own opinions, talents and personalities. In some ways it has been more fun to hang out with them, but sometimes I just want to snuggle and kiss that little spot on the back of their neck that smells like baby. My sensible side knows that I should be proud and happy. I've done a great job so far and they are anxious to explore the world and learn new things. But the irrational part is can't stop crying as they walk away waving goodbye.