Quilt Art!

Today started with a set plan.  No cleaning...no putting things away....ONLY a day of creation.  It is very rare that these days survive....but, today was pretty good.  Went to the studio early...had a late meeting....and sewed tool spools of thread away.  I went through 6 bobbins of thread.  

Quilty goodness is on its way!

Eat, Play, Love! Words to Live By!

Eat, Play, Love!

Making signs with the words to live by.  

This was my first weekend as an empty nester.  Hmmmm.

My house is clean.  I have the laundry done. Yard is mowed. 

I have made so much stuff...cleaned out so many cranes....worked on both of my antique booths....attended Brew Fest in Downtown Chattanooga....ironed a pile of linens to price...spent a few hours Saturday and Sunday in my studio...and tonight my honey and I are watching a movie.

Who knew I would have this much time?

Merchants Warehouse Antique Booth!

Yes, the daughter has launched into her next chapter with gusto!  I am quite excited for her new adventure, and look forward to sharing it with her.  Look out Tampa!

This also leads me to another chapter...whew.  I knew this day was coming, but it sure did happen quickly....it seems. I am officially an "empty nester"!

So, to celebrate, I have opened another antique booth!

at Merchants Warehouse!

It is just a small corner in a precious little store, but I have filled it with all kinds of goodies!

Please stop by and see what all the vendors offer.

Merchants Warehouse!

Launching the Daughter!

Sadly, I will be away a few days, for I'm taking my daughter to college.

Eeek.

This is the last hug and kiss of her 'best-est' buddy, Daisy.

I am the one on the other side of the camera weeping.  My two favorite girls!

If you are a Mom and taking your urchin off to college....best wishes!  This is going to be a tough one.

Handmade Art Kit!

Well, I am in route to visit a young friend.  She is also a flourishing your creative sort!  Just love her energy to make things.  So, in my vast supply of stuff, I am going to share!  I made her a fun little art kit of beads, buttons and jewelry hardware!  

Can't wait to give it to her and see if the creative spirit starts to bubble.

Surprises of creativity in route!!

Encourage and share the spirit of "handmade"

Doll Clothes....Art!

At the Ga-Zillion mile yard sale....I found a bag of doll clothes (about 200 pieces) for $5.

What do you do with 200 mini outfits?

Make art.

Tiny clothes...tiny art.

"People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile."

-Lee Mildon

Boston Terrier Love!

"Until one has loved an animal

a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

-Anatole France

This is exactly how I found my furry daughter one morning this week.  Daisy Mae was beautifully tucked in bed with care.  

So love her!

"happy" Mixed Media Embroidery Art

"I have different hats; 

I'm a mother, I'm a woman, I'm a human being,

 I'm an artist and hopefully I'm an advocate.

 All of those plates are things I spin all the time."

-Annie Lennox

"All my hats make me happy!"

-Alexa Lett

Boden Love! The Alexa Dress!

Finally, I have a dress named after me!

Just received my Boden catalog and was thrilled.  I do love their clothes...style...merchandising...and most everything else about the goods.  But, there is a "first" for everything....

the "Alexa" Dress!

Growing up I never disliked my name, but I always wanted to walk in Cracker Barrel, Wings at the beach, or any tourist attraction and find my name on a pencil...key chain....mug....or Christmas ornament....never happened.  My name never surfaced on ANYTHING!

I wanted to have something personalized!  Finally, the age of monogramming happened and I eventually PUT my name on some stuff.  Now, at my age, my thoughts are, "who cares." Although, it still feels pretty cool to have your own personally named dress.  When you see your name defining such a lovely dress it still brings back the memories of spinning the rack and hoping for an "Alexa" ink pen. This is waaaay better.