Saturday morning.....

I spent a lovely day Saturday morning in one of my favorite little towns, at one of my favorite bead shops with S.I.L Beth, where we participated in a wire jewlery class. It was a spectacular way to chase away the winter blues.

Heidi Small, a friendly spirit with LOADS of patience, taught the class at Aboca Beads in downtown Damariscotta. Taylor, owner and partner to her Mom joined in on the fun, helping us select beads and other materials.

There were a few others in the class, a threesome, made up of 2 sisters and a brother. (Jerry was a hoot!) and Taylors friend who's done this a few times before. (her piece was GORGEOUS!)

I have to tell you, I've got to get Beth to send me a picture of her necklace, it was really quite beautiful, and I can still see it in my mind.

I snapped a quick photo of my creation.

sorry the quality is way lame.

Turquoise and a big chunky piece of coral, all wrapped up in silvery wire.

If you're in the area, check them out for future classes, or stop by and pick up some unique beads and findings.

Such a great way to spend a cold winter's day!

posted by: sweetpeas at January 29, 2007 23:05 | link | comments (8) |
artsy fartsy

Valentine ATC swap

I'm finally getting back into the groove of creating!

A couple of photos of ATC's I made for Maryann's

Oh~So~Charming Valentine ATC Swap.

I just love digging throuh my old stash of paper goods!  It's been a while.

You can go here to see the other two that I have created.

Check out the group to see some wonderful inspiring art for Valentines!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at January 24, 2007 18:57 | link | comments (5) |
artsy fartsy, bloggy projects n such

collections

This post is dedicated to my friend Barb, another collecting junky, who knows no limits, and loves anything with a spout, handle or rim, and if it's chippy or cracked, all the better! Who wouldn't love that spirit?

Recently Big Daddy and I bought 2 new leather recliners for the living room. Our big couch and matching love seat were sent off to the new addition, suddenly leaving our living room a brighter and bigger space! I changed the curtains to flowy & sheer, took down a LOT of rustic/log cabin collectibles from the walls, and just basically gave the space a cleaner look. 

I will show you more of this space in the future, but for now, here are some shots of one of my favorite old cupboards. I've had this cupboard since 1995. It used to sit in my storefront shop, and was owned by another dealer, who put items in my shop on consignment. When I closed the store he sold it to me for $25.00! It has a wonderful old door, that we have stored away for now.

Recently it held a great old decoy collection, but I was ready for a change, so I grabbed my old yellow ware bowls from the kitchen and brought them in the living room. In future pics, you'll see that I have this color yellow dotted through out the space, so my bowls are really at home here. I've been collecting these bowls since 1996. I honestly can't see myself ever letting go of them!

And once again the decorating gods grace me with just a gentle touch....

My 2 Father in Laws each give the perfect gift every year for Christmas. TJ Maxx gift cards! So wasn't I thrilled to spy this wonderful quilted lap blanket!! A.) I was looking for one that would go with our brown leather chairs.  B.) It was to throw on the new cream colored love seat.  C.) I wanted some of that yellow in it.

PERFECT MATCH!

Don't you just love it when that happens?

ps. I should mention that my Mom has a totally KICK~ASS collection of yellow ware too....(way better than mine, and it makes me green with envy!) I like collecting the same stuff as my Mom, she has really good taste!

posted by: sweetpeas at January 19, 2007 16:09 | link | comments (5) |
antiques, collections

pretty little things....

It occured to me that I often show pictures of bloggy gifts sent to me by the coolest of chicks.

But I have to tell you, there are some VERY cool chicks who are the nearest and dearest to my heart! They know me so well, they know exactly what I'll go gaga for! So Christmas was full of pretty little treasures....

FOR EXAMPLE:

For the new room I had started a vintage vase collection, with all kinds of pain~in~the~ass stipulations. They have to be of a matte finish, a certain off white...etc. Well since my Mom collects the same stuff....she is the perfect person to pick me up a vase or two, or three, or four.... (of course when she is not coveting a fab piece for her own collection!) I am loving this old piece and it will look perfect in the cupboard!

About the same time I began a new collection of old transferware (again for the new addition). My collection would not be half the size it is without contributions from my Mum~z!! (Jon's Mom) She has taken up the antiquing bug and can be found scouring the planet for all kinds of goodies....and who are the lucky duckies that will find a wrapped piece of "something good" deposited on their doorsteps? Bethie and I of course! This little treasure was lovingly wrapped up for Christmas. I adore it!

Speaking of Bethie, my Sista~in~law....she surprised me with a book that I have really, really been wanting, but due to the fact it was Christmas, I thought twice about buying it. "Pretty Little Things" by Sally Jean, (my ABSOLUTE favorite collage artist in the whole wide world) is now sitting along side my easy chair by the fire place...*sigh*...such a thoughtful gift!!

I am a truly lucky Gal!

So remember the ones closest to you too, as they take the time to remember you!

xoxoxo

PS....for those of you who are wondering, "what about Big Daddy?? what did he do??" I have to tell you the poor guy really wanted to buy me a gift, but I refused him several times over, as we had just made a hearty little investment in 2 leather chairs, and we are getting ready to purchase a new TV and stand. When I asked him what it was he wanted to get me so badly, he told me an Ipod. WELL...I really could have kicked myself just a bit! Ah well....I'm really not much of a gadget girl anyway, or I guess I could say, "maybe next year!"

posted by: sweetpeas at January 04, 2007 18:29 | link | comments (9) |
antiques, artsy fartsy