Memorial Day

"It is foolish and wrong to morn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."- General George S. Patton

To the Beach and Back!

Ahhhh..... this past weekend I was able to escape for approximately 24 hrs. and it was worth every second! The weather was absolutely beautiful, the company was delightful and the memories are priceless. It could not have been more picture perfect! Speaking of pictures, while we were in Morehead, we stumbled upon an art exhibit along the waterfront and caught an eye full. This painting is by a lovely local artist, Pene diMaio, who's art is truly reflective of her easy going, approachable personality. Not only does she paint beautiful landscapes, she spices it up with paintings such as this one. LOVE IT!!! If you have the chance, please visit her web site: http://www.pdimaio.com/
Then, as I strolled in and out of the other exhibitor's tents, I found this little "reclaimed" goodie. Who would have thought to recycle bottle caps and transform them into earrings! These are awesome and I love the nautical theme! How apropos and what a perfect souvenir to remember this trip!

After returning home from my cursory journey to the sea shore, I of course had to have a reality check and make a trip to the grocery store aka: Wal-Mart. As I turned the corner, I discovered this vintage beauty. Where have you been all my life? Is she not fabulous?! The color is a perfect vintage blue/ green with slightly cream tinted finders, as if it had a perfect aged patina circa 1950. The extra wide brown seat looks so comfortable! The only thing missing here is a woven basket and a bell on the handlebars to ring in summertime. Ring, Ring, Ring!!!!!

A Belated Mother's Day..........sorry!

Even though my career/job status is temporarily on hold, you would think I could do something as simple as get my mother-in-laws Mother's day gift in the mail on time. Well, the answer is no! The beginning of the week last week I had all intentions of finishing and things were moving quite well I might add, then tragedy struck. The rest of my week was emotionally consumed and physically strained due to caring for my eldest dog. He is okay now, a slight head tilt, but still good to go. Anyway, I finally finished on Thursday and shipped it UPS. Unfortunately it will not arrive until Tuesday. Here are the fruits of my labor:

Don't you love the packaging? Kisses, because the tin is a Hersey's Kiss tin! Damn I am good! I am really pleased with the finished product. The more of these little girls I make the easier it is to plan out their assembly (the hardest part).

Her party hat is the old thimble I found at the Raleigh flea market and the top of it is a cuff link with the monogram "M". That took some looking to find just the right little personal added touch.

I love her swishy swanky skirt! That too I found at the flea market. It is a rusty tiny tart tin, which I bent in half so it would flair out and make the skirt. The bow is a vintage broach!

I must admit, I was a bit reluctant to use a round tin, but in retrospect I am glad I did. Her proportions balanced out quite lovely in the end. Tell me what you think. Write a comment or please become a follower. Thank you!!!

p.s. Mom, if you are reading this I have not mailed your gift either. Maybe you could get it when you come for a visit next month? Love you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's day, originally uploaded by Anita Ja

If there is one common thread that unites us all, it is that we all have a mother. Mothers are everywhere in our lives and they are presented to us in many forms: biological, adoptive, step-mothers, mother-in-laws, grandmothers, close friends, caretakers, etc. no matter their appearance or title, they all mold and touch our lives to make us the people we are today, as well as who we aspire to become in the future. This day is dedicated to my mother, as well as the substitute mothers I have met thus far in my journey in life.

To LIBERTY, I just want it all!

A couple of weekends ago I came to the conclusion, that before I left NC I had to travel to the famous, twice a year extravaganza known as the Liberty Antique Festival! Story goes, that it is a sprawling venue (acres), littered with tents just bursting at the seams with one-of-a-kind, can't live without, antiques! How could I resist the temptation! Now, what do I need to do to get there?

Being a novice attendee, I called upon a friend of mine who I was sure could show me the ropes. First, she said that we needed to leave at least by 4:30 am in order to get there, park and wait in the line. Phew, I get up early, but I usually do not start my day with a two hr. tour up and around Raleigh. Anxiety fueled perseverance was coursing through my veins and ........I went.

Above, is the "golden (actually pink) ticket" to enter the premises. I held tight to it in my hand, though it slowly withered with the thick dew that surrounded us, after all we were standing in some farmer's empty field. You could see just the tops of the tents blowing in the wind and through the slats in the fence, people were trying to sneak a peek at what awaited on the other side. Finally, the horn blew and everyone marched into the tent city. This is were I would be posting the awesome pictures that I took on my new, top of the line, smarter that me, touch phone but sadly (or is it ignorantly) I am unable to download them to my email!!! Why is technology so fascinating yet frustrating?

Anyway, this is a quick look at my Liberty "loot". As you can see, there is a bit of a Halloween theme going on here. I purchased three silver trumpet vases, two vintage pumpkins, three talcum powder tins, cuff links, a Marie Antoinette mask, an old gentleman's top hat and two hands/ glove forms.

I about died when I saw the top hat and immediately knew I had to have it to place on my skeleton for Halloween. Then, I saw the mask!!!! LOVE IT! Marie Antoinette is so hot right now in all the crafting magazines. I could not believe no one had already bought it! Will it not look precious wrapped around a pumpkin?...maybe a pumpkin with a tag around the stem saying "Let them eat cake!"

These hand forms are totally WOW! Although I cannot take credit for discovering them, my friend that went with me found them after I had left, called me and asked I would be interested. The white porcelain one is labeled Paris: Extra Small and the slate gray is for forming latex gloves! You can also write in chalk on it! How cool is that?

I plan to transform the old soap tin into one of my "altered art" dolls and the gun cuff links will be the perfect accessory for a Western themed doll.

Finally, two talc tins and a vintage plastic light up jack-o-lantern. I am so inspired to start creating for Halloween!!! The trip was wonderful and has refueled my creative juices. I just want to create!!

Market or Bust!

To market or bust has been our mantra for the past few years traveling to the Highpoint furniture market. Historically, we have faced a devastating cold (past amongst ourselves of course), engine trouble (leaving us stranded along the highway), extreme fatigue, vendors who do not deliver on their orders, vendors who have suddenly disappeared/ gone out of business, etc.......but we have always conquered these numerous blockades and have had a blast!
Here is Tif, posing next to a giant decorative piece of yard art? Too cool! I can just see a series of these balls in various colors spread out across an English garden like giant Crockett balls. Speaking of the English, Hail to the Queen!!!

This company, though a little snooty, wins the award in my book for best merchandising in history! As an English wholesale company, they have boldly and imaginatively displayed their wears, not only on the inside but outside as well (understatement). Who could resist visiting this shop! Their displays ooze out the door and demand your attention! The size is so over exaggerated it feels like you too are a prop in their performance and those fantastic flags pulled back serve as stage curtains.

Liz Bessel, I could only think of you the whole time I was trying to absorb all the creativity that went into this spectacle (and yes that is a gigantic couch slip covered with the Union Jack). Liz is my dear friend who was a Brit in a former life and would like to return to her homeland as soon as possible. If you visit her blog, http://www.libbysworld.com/ you will learn more about this interesting woman and her love of England.

Journeying inside, you can see the sky is falling and raining down books!! The ceiling is only about 20 feet tall! How much time did that take I ask you? Then, to my right you can see the old typewriters mounted to this masonry wall. Talk about the words falling off the page! The entire display had tattered paper hanging from the typewriters and the red ribbon is frantically intertwined throughout the display, tieing it all together!!! (I will pause for an applause)......

I did ask to take photos of their display, which I think everyone should do before clicking away. Having owned a store, nothing is more flattering when someone politely asks to take photos, and on the other hand, nothing is more insulting when people brazenly go "paparazzi" on you and steal your creativity. Sorry, I did not document the rest of our trip. This was early in the morning and as the day progressed we had so much to do and so lilttle time.

Pansies... the Forgotten Cut Flower

Now that spring seems to have come to an abrupt end, and an ominous summer is approaching, my choice of cut flowers are becoming limited. My camellias have pooped out and now that I look around all I have are my pansies. Pansies? I do no believe I have ever cut a bouquet of such. Here are the fruits of my labor.....
The colors are so BOLD and added a great splash of color to my kitchen. These delicate tissue paper thin flowers are so appropriate when placed in this tiny bud vase. LOVE IT!!! Yes, my obsession continues with tiny little vials, as this silver beauty is my newest acquisition from the Habitat Resale Store. It was a steal for .25 cents! Habitat must have been using a trainee for pricing that day, because otherwise it would have had a price tag of $15.00!

I mixed a few of the larger heads with the sweet johnny jump-ups for some dimension. I did not know that pansies even have a slight fragrent smell. Who knew? As for greenery that will last forever, I snipped a piece of mint that had vigorously returned from last yrs planting. Oh so easy, who cannot do this I ask?

I also use my beloved milk glass vase. I could not stop once I got started. Then I proceeded to plant my bud vases throughout the house so I can enjoy them in any room. (ie. the bathroom next to the sink, kitchen table, computer desk, kitchen sink, etc.)

Anyone can do this it is a must! And, if you do not currently have a flowering plant, cut some mixed greenery (add a little varigated for contrast) and shove it down in a vase.