MAMA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG

A FRIEND GAVE ME A PROJECT FOR MY BIRTHDAY

A sweet friend decided to re-gift me an item which I had given her some time ago.  This friend is quite the talented quilter and seamstress. I give her material and other items I think she may be able to use in her sewing endeavors.
So, for my recent birthday she brought me a tote bag made from placemats which I had passed onto her.  She is clever at taking unusual materials and giving them a new ( re-purposed if you will) funky life.  This time she brought me the tote and sacks of accessories with the request, "Here, make this bag your own, give it your signature."

I laid out all the lace, buttons and fringe she had brought me.  I placed the placemat tote next to all the pretties. I tried putting myself into a creative mode, which seems to have alluded me of late.  I blame it on the 100 plus temps.  Drains my brain..as well as my sweat glands.
Anyway, I finally came up with a plan.

Beautiful lace, I wanted to use all of it, but had to put on restraint.  Besides, my fingers were getting "needle burn"!

Finished project..front view.

Back view.  Love the fringe.

Side pocket.  Each side has a pocket as well as several on the inside.  My friend knows I like plenty of storage for all my necessary "stuff".. I do not travel lite.

Antique buttons add a quaint touch.

Another sweet little button.

This fringe adds a bit of Gypsy, just my style.  It has some bling too, which you cannot really see in this photo.
Thank you dear friend for inspiring me to dig deep and let that Gypsy girl out for an afternoon.  Maybe she will stick around a bit longer now that Mama Has a Brand New Bag!!

ME AND MY SHADOW

ME AND MY SHADOW TAKE A TRIP TO TUSCANY

I have collected silhouettes for many years.  I especially love the ones from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A person would sit/pose for extended periods while an itinerant artist clipped their silhouette with precision into a work of art.  They would then frame the silhouette and give it as a gift, hide it in a gold locket for only their love to view or keep it as a commemorative of a special occasion.

Sometimes the silhouette was cut from wax and not paper as was the common method.

I find the ones from the thirties and forties very delicate and offer amazing detail.

 

This unusual example shows a "kiss" which I am assuming was meant for this fellow's object of affection.  It also states it was done in Ft. Worth and has the artist's signature.  I have not seen another one like this for sale.

I DECIDED I NEEDED TO HAVE A SILHOUETTE OF MY VERY OWN!

My son gave me a book on Italian frescoes, which I absolutely read with a passion.  What woman doesn't love anything Tuscanesque? The few times I have been to Italy caused me to fall in love with the beautifully fading art on the buildings and makes me want to return over and over again.   I saw a wonderful ancient fresco and thought I could recreate it on one of my bedroom walls.  Oh, and why not put my shadow on the wall too.
My silhouette features me catching dragonflies in the palm of my hand.  There are hundreds of dragonflies at Hawk's Creek and all are beautiful.  Love them, love the fresco, love Italy and
love that my husband gave me substance when he traced my outline. 

I am not a seasoned artist but sure had fun recreating this wall and am thankful that loving primitives helps me to accept my limited skills:-)

A collection of abandoned bird's nests feel  right at home in my primitive tree .

You can make your own silhouette and your own fresco.  Find a scene you really like and imagine yourself in that scene. Have someone draw your outline on the wall you have chosen.  All you have to do is lightly color in your "shadow". Maybe the person outlining you will give you added substance too.

 

ZEE OF HAWK'S CREEK: BIRDS OF A FEATHER

ZEE OF HAWK'S CREEK: BIRDS OF A FEATHER: AN EMBELLISHED HAWK'S CREEK CONDO PUTTING BLING ON MY FEATHERED FRIENDS NEW HOME My daughter gave me a cute birdhouse she no long...

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

AN EMBELLISHED HAWK'S CREEK CONDO

PUTTING BLING ON MY FEATHERED FRIENDS NEW HOME

My daughter gave me a cute birdhouse she no longer used in her yard.  I never turn down anything for free..really... that is a fact which my over flowing workshop can attest to.  I can always find a use for everything, especially when it is a new home for my feathered buddies. You can see in the background the birdhouse as it was when I toted it to Hawk's Creek.  I had an old pedestal just waiting to be used.  I scraped off the old chipping paint( you should always wear a mask when sanding or scraping as some of the old paint is lead based)

 

I wanted to add a bit of color to the birdhouse, so I taped off the base from the top portion.  I then painted the base of the birdhouse a nice barn red. I also gave the pedestal a funky coat of sage green.  

I wanted to add a bit of bling.  I used E6000 glue to attach red and clear glass nuggets to the steeple of the birdhouse.

Part of the steeple was broken.  I did not want to replace the original, so I looked around my shop and found a dove decoy.  I glued the dove to the broken part of the steeple.

I like that the dove is large and represents peace and hope in a sometimes frightening world.

 

I also added a little token stating what we all may need a bit more of on a daily basis.

The finished project sits in a quiet corner awaiting her new residents.  Offering a refuge of peace, hope and comfort.
You can add interest to any existing birdhouse by using various objects.  Use old tools, pieces of machinery, broken bits of jewelry, doorknobs or even old toys.  Use your imagination.  I have plans for some really strange birdhouses.  I bet you have some quirky ideas yourself.
I decided to add a few pics of my many birdhouses.  Some original art projects, others gifts or purchased just because I liked them and one day I will add my own touch those waiting in the wings --or that should be waiting for wings...

Now go get your glue and bling and let your imagination have a birding party!

CUCUMBERS AND CANOPIES

GARDEN'S BOUNTY

Do you love cucumbers like I do? I planted mine late in the season, but still am getting quite a few of these little delectable delights. Cukes are great for the digestive system. I have read where in some Asian societies, cucumbers are eaten with every meal for exactly that purpose.
I love to slice them and soak overnight in apple cider vinegar and fresh cut onions.  Serve with warm cornbread, tomatoes and a stir fry of zucchini and yellow squash,  Yum!

 Tomatoes soon.  These little guys will soon be big and  juicy .  I use tomato cages, but also tie them up loosely with large rope  by staking them to a rod placed in the ground near the cages. I use insecticidal soap to treat any insect problem.  Companion planting helps. In years past I planted marigolds alongside many of my veggies. Helps with the insect woes.

 SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT...SHAMWOWTASTIC!!

I want to show you how you can make a charming canopy with a different twist. In this particular design I used the top from a broken metal table from Egypt.  I loved the metal work when I bought the broken parts.  I knew one day it would find a home somewhere in my funky house.

 See how the pretty lace metal work casts an artsy shadow on the wall? I turned the table top upside down, attached a ceiling mount from a broken swag lamp with the chains still intact to the ceiling.  I then hooked the chains to the table top. Worked great.

 I then hooked a purchased net canopy to the center of the ceiling mount.  Next I found antique lace panels  (from my stash), which I pinned around the table base as side interest for the canopy.

 I used the intricate ironwork from the antique bed as tiebacks to keep the canopy nice and neat, yet flowing and allowing the beauty of the bed and lace to compliment one another. 

 Years ago I bought a fabulous collection of antique, hand gold leafed ceiling molding.  I used some of these stunning pieces as crown molding above the canopy.

I am not one to "match up" anything..clothes, furniture or crown moldings. The moldings in this room are all different.  I think it adds contrast.

If you want to make a canopy.  Look around your treasure stock pile for anything that might work.  Use your imagination. You might have a broken table similar to mine, an old fireplace screen, wagon wheel, barrel rings, boxes with the bottoms removed or even a car hood.  It does not have to be round.  Square and rectangles are super cool.  I have used many "weird" pieces of junk for canopies.  Go for it.  You will have a fun creating your own Shamwowtastic conversation piece.

CONCRETE TIME IS THE KEY STEPPING STONES

CLEANING OUT FLOWER BEDS CAN RESULT IN FINDING TREASURE

PROVIDENCE STONES

I found a few treasures when I recently cleaned out an over grown flower bed. Years ago I made some stepping stones which I called Providence Stones. I collect old keys, clock parts and other funky little cast offs.  One day I decided to make some stepping stones to frame these collections. Placing each key, old clock face and gear into their perfect new home was relaxing and yet invigorating as it made my mind go to memories of times past.

These three stones is what I have left of my "Time is the Key" steppers.

 Digging and playing in the dirt does not always mean planting flowers, trees and shrubs, it can be planting works of art.  Your own personal interpretation of beauty.

You can see these have taken a beating from mother nature and yet survived to bring a smile to my face.  If you look closely you will spy a penny. I have always put a penny into my stones, not for luck but as a sign of Providence, Blessing and Grace.
I have made many steppers in the past not only with keys and such but with any funky object I find fun and interesting.  You can do some for your own garden.  Choose anything you like. It can be marbles, broken jewelry, pieces of china or pottery, small toys, pieces of industrial scrap.  I have written on some,  placing my own bits of humor and sayings using a sharp pointed stick or tool. Painting them when dry with weather proof paint or attain. Use your imagination.
All you need is a large terra cotta( or plastic) saucer or any shallow dish. You can use almost any concrete product. Quickcrete and such. Depending on the texture you want in your stones.  Follow the directions on the product you choose.  I have tried several ways of lining the saucer.  I have used Crisco to grease the saucer( especially easy if you use a plastic saucer), I have used plastic bags to line the saucer, either work just fine.  You pour the mixed concrete into the saucer, depending on how thick you want your stone to be will determine how much you pour. When the mixture is somewhat set--but not firm start placing your objects into the concrete mixture.  Press firmly so when the concrete completely dries your objects will hold tightly. Place your saucers in the shade to dry.  Doing this will help them from cracking. When your new art is dry(this may take a few days) you then turn  the saucer over onto the soft ground and your new creation will pop right out. You can seal them if you wish or even stain them.  Get creative and do whatever your artistic side dictates. As my friend from Arkansas always says, "No step for a stepper"..but I say step right on up and make your own steppers.  That would make you a step stepper..I like it!

WEEDEATERS CAN BE FUN

I have to be honest, after my last true "Weedeater" bit the dust, I decided no one made an actual weed eating machine which would fit my hand.  I have retired from that chore. I still hand pull those hated weeds from my flower beds and garden when they poke their nasty little heads through my deep mulch.  Yep, I hate them. 

I decided to make my own weedeaters. I place them at various posts in my yard.  They are scary and I think menacing enough to make weeds run for it. Do they really work--well, I am not saying but they do make me happy and that is enough.

This gal has a place of honor and watches faithfully over her charges.  No weeds allowed on her watch. Don't you think she looks like Angelica Houston? Quite stern and serious..but I smile every time I pass by.

This guy sits straight up with piercing blue eyes, and a toothy snarl scaring all weeds who think they might take up residence in his garden. Not happening while Willard ( yes, that is his name) is on duty. Willard Weedeater, I am a fan.

I made these fun characters from old implements.  I have others in the planning stages, but thought I would share these two and let you know they earn their keep by keeping me smiling.