LIPS!

This little clay figure was formerly a character in an animated film my daughter created in elementary school. I think the art teacher made this figure...it is of the Headmaster of her school. It was later sold at a school auction and I was the buyer. I think she is adorable and I just love her collagen lips! Enjoy!

Road TRIP!

Today I leave for my annual junking pilgrimage with one of my best friends.We are headed north...away from any form of a hurricane. With a year's of anticipation we will be attending the "Country Living Fair" in Columbus, OH, and going up to the Amish country. Yippee! I can't wait to share the sights with you upon my return. So for the next few days some happy photos will be appearing...enjoy the sight and look forward to what is coming!

Had To Share!

Passing on the torch.... As a parent, you hope that something about YOU will surface in your offspring (only the good of course). Well, one of my wants would be to pass on the ability to sit at a table with a bunch of arts and crafts supplies and get totally lost in what you are doing. Just be able to be with yourself and your creative spirit not driven by rules and instructions. Never look at the clock and only wonder where the time went. Ta-dah....I think the gene has been shared. Not too long ago, my daughter spent the afternoon in our basement making little clay puppies. Below is the outcome. She had no pattern, no guidance (I wasn't even around) and no rules...just raw creativity forming into cook able clay. The end result of her creative spirit made this adorable little "mop" type dog. I LOVED IT! Just had to share.

Crafty Carriers!

Just discovered this new blog...quite charming....and they are having a GIVEAWAY! Just read and comment to enter...not too hard for what looks like a great little crafty carrier filled with great crafty goodies! Go visit: Vintage Cate! http://vintagecate.typepad.com/a_charmed_life/ I've shown this before...but, since we are all registering for the new fan-dangled crafty carrier...I thought I would re-visit my homespun version. Yes, this was formerly an old aluminum lunch box. It is a perfect size!

Since things tend to wiggle around while dangling off your hand...a cloth lining was in order. I wanted something inexpensive...yet cute and re-purposed. So...while doing some thrifting I found this adorable "June Cleaver" type cotton red and white polka dot dress for a whopping seventy-five cents...purchased it.

Notice the red lining in the lunch box....

This is its former life....

Plus, I could possibly line approximately 27 more lunch boxes. Great buy...and great re-use! Pop in and register:

http://vintagecate.typepad.com/a_charmed_life/

Thank You!

Sometimes people do things for you that a purchased thank you card cannot possibly express. Sometimes the "thank you" card is given to one person...yet, the process of making it was a gift from someone else. Make sense? The creativity of others begins to creep into what you make and integrates with your own personal style...and for this we must be thankful. Often this process is a disaster...but, other times it works like a dream. It can open up your own creative juices to expand and possibly cross down another street. As of late, I've tapped in to various other artist's techniques and attempted to try new things...but all the while being true to myself. This is a huge FUN process...and produced some oddly unique items. It is similar to "teaching an old dog new tricks". Never become complacent with what you do....try something new. The need to create something...(I have taken the handmade pledge) for a thank you gift has been weighing on me. I needed something to pass on that expressed my feelings toward the many gracious gifts/services to me. Being a seeker of profound words...brought me to these four quotes. I LOVED them! So, (light bulb moment) created four somewhat similar pieces...with four delicious quotes.

Time to wrap and mail...pass on the "Thank You"....appreciate the gift from all angles.

New Mantra!

This is the sign I purchased from one of the vendors at the Ga-Zillion Mile Yard Sale! She was a wonderful...friendly...and creative soul. Her trailer was crammed with quirky sayings and identifying type signage. Simple lettering...minimal artwork....but, words with punch! This was her booth/area in this large field of vendors. The haphazard style of display was perfect for the product. She would sell a while...then paint a while. Life was good!

B Happy!

Just a little piece of art today. The name of it "B Happy" is exactly what happened with my long Labor Day Weekend. The family hung out with another family and had a fantastic time. Lot's of happiness was being spilled out! Find yours today!