9 Days!

I was going to call this post White Rabbit, then remembered it is a 60's song about drugs!

Oops.

Tragedy averted.

My white rabbit has nothing to do with drugs, although her art puts me in a dreamlike state!

She's really the Tin Rabbit aka Ann Perry.

She makes the most AMAZING pillows, pockets & other various works of art! Her work is featured in the current issue of Somerset Life.

I'm lucky enough to have a few of Ann's wonderful creations in my home.

Ann's son Lance is a very talented artist in his own right. 

 His awesome art dolls are published in the current issue of Prims.

(photo borrowed from Tin Rabbit)

You can read more about Lance & his art on Crescent Hill Designs.

The apple didn't fall far from the tree!

I'm so excited because in 9 days Dawn & I will be in Nacogdoches

for the Tin Rabbit Sale!

Finally face to face, not phone to phone!

Don't you love it when real life & blog land intersect?

My little Indian Princess & Daddy made it home from their camp- out.  I've never seen a dirtier child! 

 I made her strip down at the back door & carried her straight to the shower. 

A dirty child is the sign of a good time!

I had to show you the pumpkin they carved on the trip, pretty cool huh?



Inspiration Friday/ Haunted House

 Welcome to my little museum of natural science,
otherwise know as my Autumn house.

There are few things more beautiful to me than 'Stuff' that has past it's prime.

Nature always inspires me, living or dead.

It's the cycle of life, right? 

So for my Vintage Inspiration Friday post, I am showing you what inspires my Halloween decorating.

Vintage nature!

My mantle holds a couple of my Round Top treasures.

Like this gigantic sunflower head, I bought from Sweet Pea Gloria.
Remember I showed you this pretty lace panel?

For now it's living over my mantle.

It's so long!

Beautiful old naked books.

Pages from a German nature book.

Lots of little pumpkins.

See the brown cloth pumpkin? Well, it was the beginning of a whole new obsession.

I just had to make some of these for myself.

So the first step......

Gathering!

My poor family was mortified at the pumpkin patch last week. I asked the owner if I could pick up any orphan stems.  I looked like a true bag lady walking around digging on the ground for these babies.

Kevin kept saying, 'don't you have enough?'

Silly boy.

One down, 50 to go!

The leftovers make an interesting still life.

Meet the family pet ....not really!

Around this time of year we are most defiantly more

Addams Family than Partridge Family.

(It's eyes are not red, bad photography)

Last year at Marburger I bought this stuffed duck from Judy Hill.

I carried him around all day like a new born baby, scared to death he'd get bumped or damaged.

Of course my family thought I'd finally crossed the line into insanity with that purchase.

Due to controversy & molting he only comes out a couple of months each year.

 Anne asked me if my Halloween style included blow up monsters in the yard.

Whadda you think?

So there you go, a little tour through my house of horrors.

Now if I could just figure out why the kids have so many nightmares in October!

I have to show you my new love! 

I saw this amazing purse on a blog awhile back but passed on it when I saw the price. Most of my bags are either homemade or from Target. But when I saw her at Lonestar Antique Mall I could not resist!

Isn't she purdy?!

I just saw Tracey has featured this same bag today.

They are available in her French Larkspur blog-shop!

Make sure you go visit Debra at Common Ground for a look at more vintage inspiration!

Hope you have a great weekend. Lily & Daddy have an Indian Princess camping trip, so it's me & my boys!

~Lisa

Behind every great art event is...............

~A devoted leader~

And that would be the Yapping Cat herself, Miss Cindy Mayfield. 

Her enthusiasm & passion are contagious, she puts everything she’s got into making
Paper Cowgirls one of the best art retreats around.  And judging from the smiles & comments her efforts paid off.  It was a perfect day. 

Cindy’s got a heart of gold, I would happily be involved in any event she organized. Heck I’d even come work her garage sale if she asked me to.

 (I hope she doesn’t see that!)
~A kick Ass Partner!~

(Pardon my French but she is)

Ann Denise is a phenomenon.
With a wave of her paper clay wand she transformed the pink cottage into a vision of black, white & orange perfection. 

Spiders climbing walls, birdcages filled with crows, black cats & even a fortune teller – Zaltan!  

There was not one bare corner, no detail forgotten, or one tabletop left uncovered. 

AD is not only a decorating fiend but she can brew up some yummy treats!

She cooked up most of the food for the party, plus taught her awesome class. 

All this on no sleep.  
Whatever she’s taking, I want some!

~Art husbands~

 This T-shirt modeled & designed by Mr. Flatwoods Folk Art
(Tom Venable) says it all.
Tom chauffeurs Lesley all over the country so that she share her talent & art with her many fans- like me!  They are a real team, & he's a hoot!
Cindy’s husband Stuart is fixture at all PC events. He’s always giving directions to out of towner’s, being a tour guide, & schlepping provisions back & forth. (which is why I have no picture of him)
But most of all he is Cindy’s biggest support & cheerleader.  

Mike, Ann Denise’s partner in crime got my vote for MVP of the day.
He cooked & baked right alongside AD, swept & did dishes all day!
(now that's a man who knows the way to a woman's heart)

Even my husband Kevin, fresh off surgery lay in his sick bed finishing off my burlap kits.

 (Oh, he was fine, I gave him an ice pack & 2 vicodins first)
Next....

~Guest Artists~

There are a few artists whose work I adore & whose blogs I relentlessly stalk.  Lesley Venable is one. In fact the first workshop I ever bought was from Flatwoods Folk Art. 
 My journey into mixed media began with that class. So when I learned I would be teaching along side one of my idols I was thrilled & also intimidated.

But Lesley is as real as they come. So funny, honest & generous.

  Not many artists are willing to share their secrets with students, but this girl holds nothing back. 

But most importantly, behind every great art event are amazing people!!!!!!

It’s the cowgirls themselves

(you know I’m talking about you)

that inspire all of us to work hard to make everything perfect.

PC girls are just the best. There are no strangers at this art event.
If you came alone, you’d feel at home immediately & leave with a lot of new friends. No dress code, no pretense, just real people ready to party, bond & learn something new.  If you have the chance to make the spring event I promise you will have the time of your life!!!!!!!

Thank you to EVERY ONE of you for making this day so special for me!

My latest book review!

A long time ago I saw the cutest banner on someones sidebar.
The old fashion silhouette caught my eye & with a click of my mouse I discovered Clarice & her Storybook Woods.

Her blog is like a journey to a simpler & more romantic time.

Together with her beautiful, fun daughters Chloe & Auberne', they bake lavender honey shortbread, do nature crafts & celebrate Tasha Tudor's birthday. 
I was thrilled & proud for Clarice when she announced her latest book a fictional tale titled Wren Bay.

Her story brings her beautiful blog to life through the eyes & experiences of a young Boston socialite named
Wren Bay.
At 19 young Wren marries Delvin & moves to his 200 acre dairy farm in Massachusetts.  The newlyweds are soon separated by war, but Wren vows to use this time apart to turn Bay Farm into her dream home.
The book is part novel, part cookbook as Clarice has incorporated wonderful recipes into each chapter.

I can't wait to try Jam Hand-Pies, Cider Cake & Orange Honey Ice.  But for this post I decided on the simple
Overnight Oat Cakes. 
Clarice suggested I add some nice chocolate or orange rind to the mix so I did, & they were absolutely delicious!!

You can read the first chapter of Wren Bay right here,  or you can order a copy for yourself right here!

It's a yummy book in more ways than one!

I have got to put my books down & get my kits finished.

I cannot believe the Wicked Tea is only 2 days away!!!!!!

Why can't I be a more organized person??