Costume art
December 14, 2012 § 2 Comments
My pictures here stink. I bought 54 discs from Pakistan. I was told they came off of belly dancing costumes. They winged their way to me sifting bits of exotic dirt and smelling of tea and herbs. I completely love these things. I bought a multiple of 9 so I could frame them nine at a time, but ended up pinning them in a line across my whole bedroom wall. I think a giant poster shape would be a better display when we move. They are made of glass and stone beads and heavy wool. They have cracked little mirrors and strings sticking out. Each is intricate and so bright. My favorite is the middle picture, middle disc; yellow ring and orange diamonds.
Rhino
December 4, 2012 § Leave a comment
Remember I bought this guy?
Painted this guy green:
Stuck them together, and now he lives with his rhino friend.
And they are very solemn together. I love it.
Starry
November 23, 2012 § Leave a comment
Going on
November 22, 2012 § 1 Comment
Hello welcome holiday. Here are some things in the works. Our hostess gift for Thanksgiving dinner.
Last week we stopped by the Denver art museum to squash pennies and there happened to be a holiday sale going on. I bought this guy. Two layers of vellum and paper stitched together for this amazing rhino print.
I’m fixing up this frame for the rhino. He will hang near this rhino!
Some new kitchen herbs.
These lovely red rosettes are growing in the back garden, even in winter.
I’m working on reusable gift wraps. It is my plan that fabric ties and festive ribbons will be sewn on these hemmed squares and that they will be used for years to come. Less waste and prettier too.
Pinterest project- sentiments
October 20, 2012 § Leave a comment
Polaroid
October 6, 2012 § 2 Comments
Do you know, I didn’t know they weren’t making polaroid film until right now? What a shame! Found at the thrift store. A like-new camera and a bit for the cheerful wall gallery.
How to shop for souvenirs
October 5, 2012 § Leave a comment
Somehow I’m only just getting to a place in life where I want to get something from the spots to which we travel and bring it home. Which is a shame because I feel like I went to all the most thrilling places years ago. I guess I have associated souvenirs with kitsch and shot glasses. But now! What fun to bring home a little of the experience and a piece of memory in a tangible form. Squashed pennies are souvenirs we like. Penny machines in interesting locations flatten the pennies you provide and imprint them with a place and picture. The kids are gathering quite a pile. They used to be a luxury when I was a child, but now you can’t even get a candy bar for the 51 cents each costs.
On a recent trip to Tucson, AZ, we loved the landscape and the blooming dessert and the whole experience. I did look in some artisan shops. This basket is the only thing I purchased while in Tucson, and I just adore it. But after looking at what was for sale I thought I might have a better selection on-line and when I got home, I went shopping. Ebay and etsy have an abundance of items from all areas and I was soon immersed in prickly pear glasses and desert themes.
This water color print was $4 via etsy, and is an adorable snip of all the quail we saw skittering through the cactus while in Tucson.
The saguaro is a defining characteristic of the Tucson landscape and this tile is from etsy, and from an AZ artist. The Indian lady I found at the thrift store. There are all kinds of geometric and Native American themed things being donated that I never noticed before looking for them!
I loved the textiles I saw but they were steeply price in Arizona. I found this woven blanket for $8 thrifted. It is new and I love how the edge frays so delicately.
Pinterest project- lantern pumpkins
October 4, 2012 § Leave a comment
I saw these pumpkins and pinned the picture. We tried it at home. I’m not really into Jack-o-lanterns, but these are so friendly and warm. First we painted the lantern design. We used a small kitchen knife and a large bore drill bit to carve the windows. Much of the paint came off with carving so I repainted and spray with a fixative after the design was done. Delightful.
Pinterest project- Iron roses
September 20, 2012 § 4 Comments
I have had this set of spigot handles pinned for a long time. From an etsy seller whose collections I really love. But I didn’t want to pay $54. Something about the colors, size and texture I love. So I found a set of 20 knobs on ebay. A few needed help with color, but most are originally chippy, roughed and delightfully heavy. I used shadow boxes from Joanne’s with the glass removed. I like being able to touch the shapes, as if they are installed on the wall. And I have 2 sets! I’m having trouble with where to hang them. Which set do you like better?
Hankie hoardings
September 17, 2012 § 1 Comment
I keep finding them; colorful, bordered, never-used old timer cotton squares. I have quite a pile now and will be stringing them up for bunting soon. But I can’t decide whether to hang them diagonally, or a squares. what do you think? Here are two examples: Square-hung and diagonal hung.
