Sunday, June 17, 2007

Warning!!! A HUGE Mommie brag to follow...

... Introducing the Jr. Miss County Pageant 4th Runner Up!!!!


This was her first pageant ever. She has begged to be in it for 4 years and this year, we let her do it. Now, let me say, she was one of the 2 youngest in the group of 13 girls, being 11 in an age group of 11-14. Most of the girls were much more mature.

So proud of my little sweetheart! If you ask me, it takes a lot of confidence to get up on stage in front of a huge crowd. She did it with poise. She practiced her walk every day for 2 weeks at home. And trust me, she was quite a sight on high heels at first! LOL! So stiff & unsure of herself during practices. But you would have never know it last night. She was her wonderful lovely self on stage, not caring if she would win or not, just having fun and letting her personality shine. I couldn't even tell she was nervous - she says she wasn't at all. Just graceful. I was beaming with pride backstage and just had to hug her huge when she stepped off the stage after doing her walks.


I had talked with her over and over about how she shouldn't expect to win, because she was young & this was her first pageant, blah, blah, blah. And not to worry with the "proper way" of doing things. telling her to just be herself, because that is what peole are attracted to. When they announced her name, it didn't register with her. She stood there waiting for someone to step up & then all of the sudden, it registered with her & she pointed to herself & asked, "Who, me?" I wish I could have captured the look of surprise on her face. Priceless! Funny thing is, I did the same thing. I thought, "Oh, my goodness!!! Did they just announce Madison?! They did! They did!!!" I don't remember exactly, but I think I might have jumped out of my seat & squealed with delight. I know people probably looked at me funny. Probably thinking, Geez, lady, it's not like she won the crown! But I really didn't care. I was just so stinkin' proud I couldn't stand it! So, she wasn't crowned Queen, but she is my Princess & that's all that really matters, anyway!

Oh, yeah. She wants to do it again next year. So fun!

Friday, June 15, 2007

Friday's Finds...

... Oh, what fun I had today!

Madi and I were headed out to the mall to find a pair of clip-on earrings for her pageant tomorrow when we decided to take a detour to a moving sale. I just happened to remember that I had seen an older gentleman putting up signs last evening.

Anyhoo... I found LOTS of treasures for almost nothing!

First, a box of material for $3 including some nice vintage pieces! Then, old books. 10¢ each. I nearly fell over with glee!! A late 1890s German book, 5 volumes of a series from 1907 with wonderful embossing on the covers (see close-up), 3 of the same book on the life of Napoleon somebody, and the most wonderful and huge antique book (20 volumes in one, accoring to the title)on health and anatomy complete with full color fold-out of the head, lungs and body - I did close ups of a couple of them - and it was only 75¢! No cover, but with these kinds of treasures on the pages, who cares?!






Next, there were the mini little treasures I found scattered around with no prices on them. a couple of vintage boxes of staples in excellent condition (I just love vintage packaging!), An old Anacin tin filled with sewing notions, hook & eyes, snaps, etc., A doll made of tiny spools, a little skater figurine, an old metal button and a mini little Bible scripture book measureing about 1" by 1.5" that I though would be wonderful for altering along with a small bottle of Claire Burke Original home fragrance spray and a nearly new bottle of Aveno face lotion (which is a tad pricey at the store) All for 10¢. Not each. ALL of it for only 10¢ Seriously! How cool is that!?!


Then, Madi found a cool old bottle filled with green mints and an old Chinese Ginseng box complete with little vials inside. Yep, you guessed it, 10¢ each!


And finally, after we paid for all that, Madi spied a couple of old manual typewriters, the kind in their own suitcase. At only $5 including 2 brand new replacement ribbons, I took one of those as well!!!

Excellent sale, I must say!


Then, we were off to the mall. Madi found a piece of paper in the car and played with the typewriter the entire way there. She thinks it is the most fun toy ever! Hate to tell her, that baby will get some use from me as well! It'll be great to type on labels for artwork!

After finding earrings, we had to stop at Wally World for a coule of things then headed over to B&N to peruse the art books and the latest Somerset. Love that mag. Don't know why I don't just buy myself a subscription!!
On the way home, I decided to stop by the Thrift Shop. There, I found some vintage sheet music - all for $2. A roll of heavy weight vintage wallpaper that has fabric strands embeded in it(hard to explain). Can anyone say journal covers? Or collage texture! Yay!!! A huge cork board to make into an inspiration board to hang in my creative space for only 1.99 and a few magazines for 10¢ each as well as a couple of copies of National Geographic for 25¢ each so I can try making turpentine paper. I also found a Brand new tote from the Company Store for $1 and a couple of vintage sewing patterns for 25¢ each. And last, but not least, an old Book of Remembrances album for $2. This thing is super heavy duty and will be fabulous for creating a colage book. I'm guessing it will hold about 20 or so pages full embellished.

I just love junking days when I find lots of fun treasures! So fun, indeed!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Let Me Introduce You...

to Fifi Lapin I came across this stinkin' cute little art blog via Free People as I was hopping around the internet today. Happy little art. So fun!

OK, It's Official....

... I have Vintage Wallpaper Envy! Seriously! I am seeing so many beautiful things made using gorgeous wallpapers.
Just take a look at some of the lovelies I have found...
Tammy Gilley's Tag Swap Goodness

Charlotte Lyons' Mother's Day Frame

Jennifer Paginelli's favorite things

Memmu's Lonely Bird ATC

Jenny's Tag for Rosanna

And there are sooo many more that I could add. I've seen some fabulous creations on blogs, too! Just click around on the many links over at the side & be inspired! So much eye candy!!!

And to think, I didn't save any of the scraps when we tore the stuff off all the walls in this huge house 5-10 years ago. I could kick myself right in the shinbone!

I had found a couple of rolls in the attic when we were putting in insulation a couple of years ago. I saved them, but they were quite dry-rotted on the outside, but I just knew I could find something salvagable inside. I pulled them down a couple of months ago with the intention of trying to save some of it. Apparently my husband didn't think they were worth saving, though, because when I went to look for them a week or 2 later, all I found were crumbs in the spot where I'd put them. He won't admit to having thrown them away. He just gave me this shrewd little grin & said, gee, honey, I haven't seen them. Now, I know he disposed of them, 'cuz he does that kind of thing often. grrrr! I must find a better hiding sopt for my treasures. Trust me, he's NOT going to live this one down. I've been chiding him about it every chance I get. I figure that if I give him enough grief about it, perhaps he will think twice next time he thinks of getting rid of my treasures! Maybe.

Anyway, the more wonderful little gems I see made with vintage wallpaper, the more worked up I become about it. I simply must have some. But I'll have to wait until fall when school is back in session & I am working again. It really stinks that we aides don't get paid through the summer. Makes it really hard to buy things...err, I mean budget.

So, in the meantime, I will live vicariously through those who are creating beautiful art with it and sharing online. And I will probably be green with envy. But please, don't hold it against me, OK?

Monday, June 11, 2007

Dreaming of an Art Party....

... Lately I've been fantasizing about holding some sort of an art party. It seems my inner critic is trying to run rampant on the idea giving me all kinds of reasons why it wouldn't work. So I am listing the criticisms & my responses to them...

C: I don't even know where to begin. How does one even go about such a thing?
Me: Ask for advice from others who have put something like this together.

C: I am not qualified to teach anyone art. I am still learning myself.
Me: Perhaps I can still encourage others to create even if I have limited experience and knowledge. Or perhaps I don't give myself enough credit & what I do know would be helpful to someone else.


C: I don't know enough "arty people" to invite. I seriously only know 2 other people in my town who might even remotely be interested. I don't have any arty friends. Stamping friends, but not arty friends.
Me: I could possible put out a "feeler" type brochure or flyer around town and see how many people might be interested.

C: I have nowhere to host such a thing and no budget to rent anywhere.
Me: Who knows, the place might open up if I put myself out there & just go for it. Gotta have faith, baby!!!

My ideal would be to form an art group that would meet either monthly or quarterly and possible have different members of the group take turns sharing techniques and ideas at each get together. But I want to include newbies, too. Or maybe I should just start an art journal group and we could get together to work on our journals together.

So, if anyone has any bits of advice or encouragement for me, please leave a comment. I would totally be going out on a limb here with this thing, but it has been in theback of my mind for a long time. I have been telling myself it is just a pipe dream and no one would come anyway. I've finally decided that it is time to stop that horrible way of thinking & take chances.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

If Wishes Were Horses....

...beggars would ride. And I would be going toSilver Bella. Just look at all the wonderful classes available. It would be a dream! There's only 7 spots left. Some very blessed individuals will fill those spots for sure. Ahhh... I suppose I shall start a little nest egg and hopefully will be able to save up and go within the next couple of years.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Artist date...

... just me, myself and I. Decided to take the afternoon and treat myself to a date. Went to Bath & Body Works for their huge sale and bought myself some yummy shower gels and lotions and home fragrances. Delightful.

then a trip to Barnes & Noble to peruse through a huge stack of art books and mags while enjoying a lovely Dulce de Leche latte - with whipped cream, of course. Simply divine!



After a couple of inspirational hours, I meandered over to Hobby Lobby, where I stumbled upon quite a few bargains, including some new stamps and papers at 1/2 price!. Oh, what joy!!!


All in all, it was a very wonderful day. I just wish I'd had a few more hours before I had to be home. But, hey. I'll take what I can get, right?