Strike Up The Band...

Strike up the band.....

Sometimes it takes a little "live with it" time to figure out what to do with certain obscure things purchased. This 12" x 4" printers stamp of a Drum Majorette was one of those such items. It certainly spoke to me from the bottom of a stamp box at a flea market, yet an immediate purpose was not calling out to me. A negotiated price was determined and we marched home. Now, after about eleven months, it has finally found a home.

The outline of the image was painted with a mixture of about four different colors....all layered and painted until you feel the "YES" moment. Then I added the fun little quote about music...added a chain and bow...and strike up the band...musical art!

FYI: Don't forget the 100th post

will happen next week!

Check in often to see the fun giveaways!!!

The "Art-ograph" Book!

On one of my treasure hunts earlier this year, this simple little autograph book was in a locked case at an antique store. FYI: I must be totally moved...or see a fantastic price, to bother and walk to the front, tell the store worker the case number and drudge back to the case and wait for someone to open it for further inspection. But, this little black book had snippets of artistic quality peeking out from its corners...so, I went that extra step and requested a closer inspection. Yahoo! My was I thrilled when I opened this innocent little autograph book.

I quickly learned it was formerly some one's "art-ograph" book. This person had obviously requested their special friends to leave a little piece of their artistic impression for history to hold. (Notice the date in the corner!)

The depth of different artistic talent was amazing. I had stumbled on to a treasure!!!!

Notice the detail of some of these pages...it is incredible. All collected in a simple little autograph book.

Needless to say, the case was closed and the autograph book was mine. Moral to the story....take the time to open cases and see what is in there...it could be an "Art-ograph Book"!

Beware: I am approaching my 100th post...it is going to be fun! Keep checking in for the surprise giveaways!!!

Sing Because You Have A Song!

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer,

it sings because it has a song."

-Maya Angelou

Seize Good Fortune!

“Only learn to seize good fortune,

for good fortune is always here.”

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Yesterday was a day of good fortune! I received a telephone call from the secretary that works at one of my daughter's former schools. (Keep in mind, my daughter has not attended this school in over two years.) This special person obviously has the memory skills of the largest mega-mega hard drive known to man...and for some unknown reason she remembered that I loved old children's books. With this little piece of trivia tucked in the many folds of her brain, she dug up my telephone number and gave me a ringy dingy. She thought I was the lover of books, and wanted me to know the school and church library were being cleaned out and many, many books were going to be destroyed and/or given away, and they were currently on tables in the lobby for anyone to come and get for FREE!

Needless to say, my car was in drive in minimal time. In under 11 minutes the above pile of books was in my trunk. Some dated back to the early 50's. The illustrations and linen covers were awesome!

THE MORAL TO THE STORY: People do listen to what you say...your passion for the "whatever" is remembered by others, and there is always the possibility that this held knowledge by others will result in your good fortune!

To Think....

To think...art makes you smile in spite of yourself.

This weekend was all about swimming. The day starts early and seems like it can last forever. But, if your child has enough energy to do something fun...the afternoon holds about a 3-4 hour window open to explore the city hosting the meet. It happened to be a cool and rainy afternoon, so there was little question that a movie was our entertainment.

A comedy flick was the choice. This movie left my daughter and I crying with laughter at times...yet on the other hand, my husband obtained a small nap and volunteered to go get the popcorn replenished. We clearly viewed the humor in this movie differently. As someone who was guff-awing with tears rolling down her face...I found it most difficult to understand why he was not mutually amused. We all chit-chatted about the one liners....we re-enacted certain scenes...and have now incorporated particular phrases into our everyday vernacular...but, not my husband. He can barely remember the title...or that he was there.

While driving home I was reading the big ancient quote book (you know the one) and found this quote. I'm no longer laughing...but, I'm still thinking about portions of the movie...obviously, we like different kinds of humor....or it doesn't take much to make me think...

“The kind of humor I like is the thing

that makes me laugh for five seconds

and think for ten minutes.”

-William Davis

Vintage Was Once Brand New!

" It is easily overlooked

that what is now called vintage

was once brand new. "

-Tony Visconte

My favorite little thrift/junk/antique/discarded/trash store was open to the masses this past weekend. The hours are generally when the owner feels like opening the front door, and the inventory is also subject to the owner's whim. Many items are not my "cup of tea"...but, every once in a while...a little pocket of gems will service buried beneath a pile of miscellaneous "who knows what". The latest visit produced the brick-a-brack above...all equally wonderful treasures. Truly finding the unexpected is the rush of the hunt...the unknown diamond in the rough...the obscure doo-dad that you haven't seen in years...the thrill of realizing vintage was once brand new!

Fun Art!

"People rarely succed unless they have fun in what they are doing."

-Dale Carnegie