Cool things on a hot day

Things are a little crazy here after 100 days of 3 digit weather.

Okay, maybe not 100 days, but it seems like it!  

I'm not sure how many days because I'm too weak to find the remote & turn to the news.

So what can we do inside on a hot day?

 Design & build a spaceship to catapult us somewhere cool

- of course!

I think you could build a spaceship with duct tape!

(my kids do wear shirts, I promise.)

 While the kids were busy exploring the galaxy, I unwrapped some great gifts~

Boxes from Dawn are incredible.

Every item packed so carefully.

There is some history behind wonderfully tattered wedding shoes.

Let's just say that I've admired them from afar for ages,

& now they're mine!

I will leave this pile here on my desk for weeks I think. I will just sit & stare at it.

 The little elf shoes are the cutest things I've ever seen!

They are so teeny. I just love them.

Dawn has a tutorial on her blog if you want to make little shoes.

So many little bits of nature, lace & vintage goodies, all in perfect 'low color'.

Speaking of 'low color'.....

 Beth, Miss Low Color herself, sent this amazing Autumn colored collage. 

Can't believe she used this beautiful book cover.

Sewing, inking so many elements layered on. We are about to begin work on a special sewing themed project. This collage will certainly inspire me along the way.

Yesterday something totally unexpected arrived on my door step. Overseas postage hum............

It was from Tina!

This idea is so clever, Tina flipped a tiny lampshade upside down & turned it into a basket.

Trimmed in laces, handle wrapped in ribbon & a prism dangling from the bottom.

Precious!

She also packed the basket with these lovely trims.

Thank you friends, I love it all!

A couple of packages left the house too.

 A couple belated birthdays.

Spoiler alert*

On a trip to the mall I found & bought up all these

velvet frame backs. 

Perfectly faded from years in a window sill.

Can you tell I'm ready for fall?

The fern in back is encased in wax.

 It sat in my car for days waiting on me to bring it to the post office. Gosh I hope it doesn't look like a melted birthday candle by the time she receives it!

I'm linking up with Debra & all the other's for

Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Wishing you all a nice cool, breezy weekend!

Some talented girls!

 This is going to be a long one, I warn you. So get some coffee or wine, depending on what time your reading this!

I have a confession to make, when I joined Artist Class last month I was very nervous.

I didn't know if you guys would really like my project, do you sometimes doubt yourself?  But when 2 artists I adore, sent me their interpretation of it those fears slipped away! 

Sandy at Quill Cottage took my little collage to a whole new level! She posted a lot of pictures on her blog, check it out. I'm so in love with her  art, crazy talent!

Then my precious friend Dorthe, saw it this way.  You know how you can spot an artist you love's piece from a mile away? I can do that with Dorthe's work.  All of her creations have her special style. The little girl in the image is so sweet too.

(Like my post divider?? Karen did it for me!)

Now we get to the 'lucky me' part of this post. While I was shopping with Jodie in LA, I got 2 frantic text messages from Rose telling me that I had won 2 give-aways!! I guess I need to shop with Jodie more often!

I won this darling teacup pincushion from Donna at Brynwood Needlework's!  I knew it would be perfection, because her blog just blows me away. I mean who could make a wedding dress in 2 weeks with no pattern?? Vera Wang? NO - Donna!  Thank you so much Donna, now I can throw my ratty old one out.

Yup, don't hate me girls but I won the Sissie give-away bonanza! I love every bit of it. Everything will look so perfect in my make-over bedroom, if I can ever get it done! I need Karen or Shellagh to get on a plane & come help me! (I have frequent flyer miles, hint)

Here is my shrine to the pillow diva! (I bought the one in back last month) LOVE THEM!

Friday night art group, Cami, Pat, Joanna, Carolyn & I had some good quality girl time!  Carolyn just got back from Round Top & she surprised me with the most awesome box of pretties!

First of all, check out the cool box.

So I open it up, & look inside....

She made me this tag!! Honestly, this is the COOLEST thing anyone has ever done for me. Look I'm wearing a crown! She embellished the tag with pictures of my art taken off my blog.  And the quote she chose is so meaningful to me.  This is her first tag. Carolyn is a fabulous seamstress, the girl can knit, stitch & crochet beautiful treasures.  You have to visit her blog, she is such a doll.

 

This box was loaded with so many goodies, lace, flowers, ribbon,

& a bunch of games pieces! And all of it wrapped up in pretty little bundles, just like WE love!

I feel so blessed to have so many friends in my life.

Thanks for sitting through this marathon of a post, hope you have a inspiring & creative week!