Weekend views

Wow, that was fun! Thanks for everyone for visiting me and how inspiring to see all the creative spaces! I hope to visit some new blog friends too.




This past weekend Sarah and I went to our friends cottage and on Sunday went to an art show in Bon Echo park. The girls decided to carve a piece of soapstone. It was pretty cool.


First, there is a pile of different shapes to choose from - all different sizes.


Sarah chose a heart one like this.


Then you have to file down all the outside corners and edges. Nice white dust everywhere!

Then 3 different grits of sandpaper to make it nice and smooth.



The next step is to put it in water with emery paper and polish it. This is where its cool cause you finally see what color your stone is.

Then it has to be oiled to keep the color.



Ta-Da! The finished piece. She etched a music note in there and wants to get a cord to thread it onto.

While we were there, I went to the "rock". It is a famous landmark around here with indian petroglyphs painted on it and one of the highest points around.



The rock is so pretty and you can also take a boat ride over and hike up to a lookout which is amazing.

A good day.

Where women create party!

Welcome!

Karen from My desert cottage is hosting a blog party today and I decided to join. It is all about our creative spaces and showing them off.

My space is in an odd spot - it used to be the living room of the old cottage until we added an addition to make a big living room. Then I took over! I have recently moved everything around and organized it, but it's not quite done yet...if it ever will be. :)

So today I will show you snapshots of my room.



ugh! how did that get there? lol. This is a picture of the in progress move a while ago - just to show you what I was up against.

This is the same cupboard as above I got from IKEA. I turned it on its side and it fit perfect under my window and between the door and wall. I love how much it holds and now I use the top for storage as well.

This corner I recently finished. You can read all about it here. It was a plain wall and I glued dictionary pages and made an inspiration wall.

Above the patio doors to the backyard, I put up this board that says " a key to a vital life is an eagerness to learn" Perfect for me, since I am always asking questions! I glued the vintage key on there.


These are SOME of my books.

Another cupboard from IKEA. I love this one too. The doily design in right in the material and there are 10 adjustable shelves and it's 6 feet high! Lots of storage and it fit in a tiny space I had like it was meant to be.

This is another corner. It is the top of an antique hoosier cupboard I have had for years. It has been used for dishes, food, storage and now art supplies! On top are buttons and ribbons and the journal is one I made at artfest this year in Pam Garrisons class.

Just below here is the base of my lamp with a collection of charms from my charmsters group, an old pic of my Dad and a neat bottle holder I just got at a yard sale for 5 bucks! What would you do with it? I'm thinking it would look good with a single flower in each bottle too.


A collection I have laid on the table at the moment...


Also on the table is paper and more paper! I am currently making vintage paper packs up for the Squam art show. Haven't heard of it? It's a great art workshop in the lakes of New Hampshire in September. Check it out.

A butterfly we found in the road. So pretty.


Thanks for visiting and I hope to visit some creative spaces too!

One last thought...


A mantra I have on my lamp so it is the last thing I see at night when I turn off the light.

Have a good day!

Fantasy in the Forest

Yesterday, a friend and I went on a tour to the Fantasy in the Forest. It is an art show for the weekend at a wonderful location on the side of a lake. Neat little buildings where different artists were set up and also over the grounds in tents.

Here are some shots...


This is when you first walk in and a path to the lake. I love the pergola over the dock! Made with cedar posts and driftwood.


This is one of the little buildings. This one was made of plaster and wood ends and the gables were bottles on their sides. It made a nice effect inside.






This is the screen door of the house going to the porch - which they had set up as a little tea room with homemade goodies. We couldn't resist the apple cheescake! yum.


And this mermaid saying goodbye... If you notice, her hands and hair are all driftwood. Amazing! To see more of Jamie Bricks work - go here.

Amazing!

This is a cool pic right?

Look closer...

This is a PAINTING. Unbelievable.

Alyssa Monks - remember that name. More of her work here.


I found her from a great blog called paint blog.

He features artists all the time - almost daily and another bonus is he's Canadian! So some great Canadian artists on there too.

Take a peek. I have him on my reader now so I get new artwork almost every day. Love it.

Homemade Pizza!

I decided to make home made pizza the other night and it turned out great!

Now I am thinking of all kinds of ideas- like chicken, olives, goat cheese - ohyeah...



The best part was that this recipe was so easy! Just mix and press in the pan. You could roll it really thin too for a thin crust pizza and I used olive oil instead of vegetable. I also used a stone which made it nice and crispy without burning.

INGREDIENTS
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)


DIRECTIONS
Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in oil and warm water. Spread out on a large pizza pan. Top as desired.
Bake at 375 degrees C (190 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes.


Recipe from allrecipes.

YUM.

New on Ebay and ETSY

Listed right now on ebay...


tiny brass rings,

Vintage set of 4 hardware,

Country Home from 1987!


Vintage clothespins. All here.

And a new addition on etsy.


A neat calendar from 1940 with King George.


Plus more at the shop!

Happy Friday!

And the sun is shining! for now - ;)

Here are some funnies for ya - advertising from Steven Heller's blog from "back in the day"







I better get me some of them.



And if I don't check for the freshest coffee...







Oh, but this is the best one.






Yeah, I'll follow you to the door after I slap ya in the face.

Seriously?

Like another day of RAIN? After the last 3 days and 2 more to go?

WHAT is goin on?

Not a happy camper here.