Art Imitates Life

Do you have a friend who is upbeat, cheerful, generous and fun to be with? I do. 

Meet Emily. Spending a few days with Em always involves deep conversation, laughter, and usually an art project. She is great at choosing projects that take me out of my comfort zone and stretches my imagination a bit. With her, I get to try new things and work in unfamiliar mediums. She encourages me to be brave...to grow. I need that.

We had one of our little art retreats this week. We had the house to ourselves and plenty of room to make a mess...and we did. 

We stayed up until 4am, laughing, talking, snipping, and gluing. It was wonderful.

And although I don't think either of us is under the illusion that these are great works of art, we did get the opportunity to learn new techniques and expand our horizons. 

Plus, we had fun...and really, isn't that what girlfriend time is all about?

My "masterpiece"...still needing the finishing touches. Nothing amazing...but still, a sweet remembrance of our time together.

I plan to hang it in my new studio space (more about that later).

~Emily's collage...not quite finished.~

Canvas, gesso, paper, paint, etc...$20.-$30

Spending time with someone who is cheerful, positive, authentic, and challenges and encourages me to be my best self...priceless.

 Spend some time with YOUR authentic friend(s) today.

Until next time...

Rhonda

If you would like to try the "Little Houses" project yourself, visit Caatje's lovely blog for instructions.

~Simply Primitives Update~

I'm pleased to announce my very first update on Simply Primitives, December 1st, featuring some of my new cut paper silhouettes. I hope you'll join me along with the other talented artisans there.

Our silhouettes are adaptations 19^th century works, finished and framed in the early style. Each image is hand cut from heavy card stock and mounted on parchment. They are then tinted with our special solution to replicate aged paper. Each silhouette comes in a distressed, wood frame, under glass. The back of the frame is neatly finished with paper and comes ready to hang.

Until Next time...

Blustery Black Friday

As I sit here typing I can hear the fierce wind whipping across the Indiana prairie, the creaking of the house, and the voices of our eldest son and Mr. Kattywhompus deep in conversation. We are staying cozy inside, awaiting company this evening. How wonderful it is to be restful and relax with family gathered round! With leftovers in the fridge and dogs at my feet I feel blessed beyond measure.

In between checking the turkey and serving up pie, I was able to get a few things listed in my Etsy shops. I am working on a series of cut paper silhouettes, some of which are already available here, and some of which will be available on Simply Primitives on December 1st. I am thrilled to be included among their newest artisans, and hope you will visit me on my page there. Look for me in the Artisan Directory after December 1st. I have also added a couple of things to my vintage Etsy shop, including this Artisans Sampler, perfect for Christmas crafting!

I've been putting these together from my stash of vintage lovelies...things that are wonderful, but don't necessarily fit with our primitive style home. It's been fun to see how much the people who purchase these kits appreciate and enjoy them. I have several more in the works that should be listed in a day or two.

Here are some of my colonial style silhouettes. The designs were adapted from early portraits and are hand cut from paper.

I'm going to decorate a short wall in the living room, next to my desk, with similar pieces. I'm still looking for some little oval frames to mount some of the smaller cuttings.

These are available in limited numbers, so please...if you see one you must have, don't hesitate.  I'd hate for you to be disappointed.

 

I think they are really special...and hope you will feel the same.

I can't believe I forgot to show you the lovely little gift I received from Michelle Palmer. Out of sight, out of (my) mind... 

I was one of SEVEN winners in her generous fall giveaway...

Michell is such a talented lady...I  just adore her little drawings on fabric. Wouldn't this look fabulous on a fall themed sewing roll?

Michelle chose this drawing especially for me. Does she know me, or what? It's perfect! She also included one of her magnetic Christmas sets in my package and as always, a sweet note.

I encourage you to visit her lovely blog, and afterward her Etsy shop. You'll be glad you did!

Until next time...

Ordinary Days

It's been a busy week. Between attending the Simple Goods show, hosting a group of homeschoolers, teaching a friend to sew, blog deadlines, surprise parties, and doctor appointments, I feel like I hit the ground running and haven't stopped. Tomorrow I will sit with a friend who has just had surgery and later in the week I will enjoy luncheon with a group of high school classmates. In between my daily chores I'll try to squeeze in a little stitching. These are the ordinary things that make up my days. As my Auntie used to say "It's better to wear out than to rust out."

I love Ohio...and Simple Goods was, as always, a primitive feast for the senses. Of course they don't allow photos to be taken inside, so you'll have to trust me when I say that it was wonderful. I saw some really beautiful old things and some new things made to look old. I talked with some talented and lovely people. I coveted a red wool petticoat that sold for $400...out of my budget for petticoats, but marvelous all the same. I didn't actually buy very much. My biggest purchase was some old striped floral fabric, perfect for making sewing rolls. 

I also bought this tiny grain painted box from Derek Schmidt of T.F.C. Folk Art.  I added the funny little strawberry on top. It's not attached, I just like the way it looks perched up there.

  One of the things that has kind of become a Simple Goods tradition is that Emily brings a fun and creative project to share with us. This year we spend the evening before the show playing with paper dolls. This project was so much fun that I think I might try it on my own sometime. Here's what I came up with.

~A masked mermaid and a Victorian dog/angel~

~Downtown Granville, Ohio~

Another tradition is a trip south to Granville, just a short drive from Mt. Vernon through the picturesque rolling, farmland of Ohio. Granville reminds me of the fictional town of Stars Hollow, and just might be the cutest place on earth. You won't find Luke's Diner, but you will find great coffee at The Village Coffee Company. In Granville the people are friendly, the shops are wonderful and the pie is homemade.

One of the main reasons for our pilgrimage to Granville is a visit to Green Velvet. 

The entrance hints at what you'll find inside.

Green Velvet is luxurious, and sparkly...a girlie girl's paradise.

The shop was all decked out for the holidays season.

~Spools of beautiful ribbon at Green Velvet~

~Pastel Vintage Glass Ornaments~

~Wonderful soaps and perfumes~

~More Sparkle~

We always try to stop in at some of the really great antique malls on route 70 near Springfield, Ohio on our way home.

Look at this great storefront seed display.

~A wonderful early basket~

 Doesn't this this old blue cupboard have a fabulous finish?

I found this small chest which will serve as a jewelry box after it's painted. It has two working drawers and the top opens to reveal a nice bit of storage. 

And suggestions on what color I should paint it?

 And last but not least...This little wooden tray once painted, will become a sewing caddy.

I have lots more to show you, but I'd like you to be awake for it.

Until next time... 

I have a secret...

Shhhhh...come closer so I can whisper in your ear. Even though I adore primitives...there's another side to me that you may not know about. I have an alter ego. I'm a girly girl who loves pink, ruffles and all manner of pretty things. 

When I come across an ancient box of old lace or a button tin at an estate sale I just can't resist. Can you?

I love putting together these little inspiration kits from bits & bobs that I've collected on my adventures.

Don't hate.

Maybe you prefer blue?

 Or Aqua?

Old lace?

Or just something sweet?

What's that? You like pretty things too? Don't worry, your secret's safe with me.

These pretties and others, coming soon to an Etsy shop near you.

Scissor Happy

My scissors have been flying...snip, snip. I find these little figures so engaging that I had an entire basketful in no time.

A few for gifts, a few for the shop  and even a few for myself. How can I resist?

I've been working on a few other things. Can you guess what this untidy jumble will eventually become? 

Stay tuned!  Until next time...