It's Because Your Seven!

Finally....something with my name on it. Since I was a little girl, all my friends could find cool key chains, pencils, note pads, charms...with their name on it. My personalized items all came from a "Sharpie". My name became a bit of a resentment for a little while...I wanted something cool, and on a spinner rack you could find at any Stuckey's found on the highways of America. Little did I know at the ripe age of seven, this would soon pass. Names were not given for key chain purposes...they only become a marketing widget for children at age seven. But, just like any self-absorbed child...wanting to dangle their name emblazoned thing-a-ma-bob...I wanted a name that could be found easily. It soon became a joke in my family...do you know how many key chains I've been given with "Alex" on it...and an "a" sharpied there after. Thank goodness age...maturity...and time...develop confidence, and the need to be just who you are. Name or not. It does not become necessary to put your name on anything to retain your identity.

My Dad found this novel. He said the name of it was the strong buying factor. The artwork is not really me...but, I find it interesting...quite Art Deco meets Victorian.

The novel is written by this lovely lady, Anne Melville. She lives in England with her family, and writes beautiful novels about Alexa Lorimer and her family.

This may not be a key chain...but, it's even better...a book! I don't think it made the best sellers list in 1979, but it made my favorite's list in 2007! Why does your name have to be on a spinner rack? It's because your seven.

Surfaces of Nature!

Nature is all around us...stop and notice the many layers!

No Place Like Home...

Everyone is in the mode of vacationing and visiting family....I usually am one of those people as well. Can't wait to get out of my house, and within 72 hours, can't wait to get back. No matter how wonderful the destination and accommodations...there is none better than my own. Saw this quote and it screamed, "make something with me"...thus this piece of art.

Enjoy your summer retreats...but, always know...there is no place like home!

Cityscape....

"When you look at a city, it's like reading the hopes,

aspirations and pride of everyone who built it.”

-Hugh Newell Jacobsen

I had fun yesterday...it was about art...finally! My summer schedule has had me a little scattered, but several hours after swim practice was dedicated to creation. Yippee!

This little cityscape came out of my efforts. See if you can figure out what makes up each building/tower. Little clue: same item...different colors and sizes...and is usually exchanged. Can you figure it out?

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Quilt 'til You Wilt!

"Asking a quilter to mend, is like

asking Picasso to paint your garage."

-Unknown

I have tried quilting....run into the problem of "instant gratification". When I create something....I need to see results quickly...this is not the idea behind quilting. I've known ladies to work on a quilt for months...or even a year. Holy cow, I would be crazy!! I personally need completion on a much more timely basis.

Quilting is a respected craft in my household. I love quilts and honor the time and talent each one requires. When I see a handmade quilt in a yard sale...my heart sinks for the maker...and sings for me! Many of my favorite quilts were the table spread on the ground for someone to lay their stuff on at a yard sale. I can snap a quilt out from under a ten year old, stained Mr. Coffee Maker, fourteen green and milk glass colored single stem vases, ump-teen stacks of books and broken 'Home Interior' plastic frames... and not knock over one item. Quilts can bring out my magician skills in minimal time!

Enjoy the beauty of color in quilts...even my paper versions! I just heard this the other day.....quilt 'til you wilt! Not a bad philosophy!

Life's Little Mysteries...

"Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life.

Don't let them scare you unduly,

for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity."

-R.I. Fitzhenry

This past weekend I found these two beautiful scrapbooks at a local antique store buried beneath a stack of National Geographic magazines.

The "Cut Outs" book was a child's notebook for written genius. This particular book had no evidence of any documented history...but, had a few scribbles of a toddler throughout. It was in pretty good condition, with the exception of the mice that obviously found it worthy of a snack at some point. The colors were stunning and created a thrilled image of a child who had initially received it many years ago in my brain.

The "Spiral Scrap Book" was my favorite. Don't you love the landscape on the cover? It reminds me of a paint by number kit. Once again this was once some one's way of preserving all things important. But, disappointingly...it had nothing in it. The book was completely empty. I loved the cover and purchased it any way.

But....to my SURPRISE! When I sat down to write this blog about how beautiful I found the covers to each of my new scrapbooks....these two little slivers of newspaper fell out. I was so excited!

The first advertisement was for a car. It sold the reader on how important it was to have transportation and to go places, and do and see things. It was possible for $25 you could have a down payment on your very own car...the key to experiencing life. Hmmmm.

The next sliver of newspaper was a cutout of this handsome gentleman smoking a pipe set in front of a picturesque landscape. I can't tell what he was telling us...but, the person that cut this out, heard something worthy of saving. Maybe it was his warm smile...cute outfit...or great striped director's chair? Or maybe the "cutter outter" envisioned someone just like this taking her for a ride in a new car out to see and experience the world?

The paper was dated December 31, 1939, Omaha, NE. Who knows why these two pieces of newspaper were so important...who knows why they found their way into this scrapbook...who knows who the "cutter outter" was? But....life is full of little mysteries...they tend to keep boredom at bay... and no doubt spark creativity!

Fruit With Panache!

Do you ever wonder what in the world was

going on in your head when you create something?

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This particular piece of art certainly begged the question at the end of the day. Obviously, someone...(a unique somewhat pear shaped, flamboyant and charming woman) had crossed my path. This lady was someone only a mother could love....and also me. She had style from the top of her head to the tip of her toes...not necessarily the style one might want to emulate...but, certainly style one would forever etch in their mind.


This lady gently asked me the time of day while I was cruising down the sidewalk. This tiny question opened my eyes to an individual I will forever remember. This odd shaped damsel was a vision. Her architectural style hair adorned with a huge 1980's fluffy scarf was only the tip of the ice burg. She thrust her buxom bosom into all those approximately 5 feet tall or less, and accented her short but shapely legs with a too revealing flouncy skirt. This all was garnished with a round purse, somewhat like a ball, and grey spike heel pumps. She reeked of "vintage 'what not to wear', but I'm going to anyway" flavor. She was polite, had a grateful attitude and stuck out like a soar thumb on the sidewalks of my city. I loved her!

May I have as much panache with confidence in my later years. I created this art to honor her being, and to remind me that I too can be so unique!

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My esty store has all kinds of new goodies...give it a peak!

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Still have not heard from Recycled Rita (Karen B), Julie B and Katy for the 100th Post Giveaway. You won some of the loot and I need your mailing address. Look at the last post to see what you have won!