With a little push...

I managed to clean my "studio."

HA! Bet you all thought I was going to say I finished my exam. Nope, not yet, but I'm aiming that way.

Some friends are coming over, some who have NOT seen our house before, or my "studio." That always makes me laugh to say "studio" because for real? NOT!

We have a nice sized raise ranch style house. We have a nice sized basement, an "L" shape comprises the finished area. The unfinished area holds: my "pantry" (large metal shelves to hold my dry goods, canned goods, boxed goods, extra pans, paper goods, etc.) a washer/dryer, storage, hanging racks, a storage closet, NEW water heater, furnace and a "dorm fridge" which holds soft drinks and bottled water.

The "L" shaped area holds: craft storage, craft storage, art storage, art storage, shelves of stuff, weight bench, Pilate's equipment, antique rockers, wall to wall book shelves, doll house, large TV for games, videos, etc. and two computer desks... oh and a file cabinet and more shelves for homeschooling books, supplies, curriculum, etc. As you can see.... A LOT. Next to the fish tank I have my vintage enamel topped table set up, and next to that in a recessed area in the wall I have some book and board bookcases using baskets to keep supplies sorted. Tonight I emptied each and every basket, wooden box, sewing drawer and enameled pan in order to sort, organize and clean up. If someone wants to look at my work area I'd rather them study what I have made or am making rather than to study my HUGE PILE O' MESS! Oh yes! The last 6 buying trips I have just dumped bags, bins and boxes on the floor and left them. I have walked around, worked around, piled around and all but lived around those piles.

Today they are gone! I have only three teeny tiny piles on the floor: one for a friend to sort through, one for gifting and one large enamel ware basin which I have yet to decide on (it's holding my knitting and a piece in progress at the moment).

And yes, I said the last 6 buying trips. Although I have quite a bit here I don't necessarily have all I need for what I'm working on at the moment. So, this past weekend my dearest sweetie took me to a large antique/collectibles show in order to fill up a bit. I spent just about what I had budgeted, but HALF of that was for Christmas presents for the kids and my sweet in-laws supplied funding for a portion of the rest. (It was my birthday gift from them.) THANK YOU!

I found BUTTONS and BUTTONS and BUTTONS and ... well, more stuff. I can't list the presents because the kids read this. But, I did find two mini lanterns... pencil sharpeners which the girls loved, a mini photo in a metal frame circa 1857, a vintage shoe buckle all sparkly with rhinestones, vintage leather baby shoes (was looking for those for my next piece), post cards (of course!), and... well, hmmm, that's about it. I know I know.. but that's really all. I think...

Seriously, the last button man about put me into button overdrive. I spent over $50 on his buttons and that was AFTER he marked a $55 button card down to less than half-price, sold me 12 bake lite buttons for less than the first 6 cost and generally made me giggly and happy like a little kid when mom hands him a dollar as the good humor man drives up. Yes... as a good as ice cream on a hot summer day. I have christened this man the "button king"... maybe I should call him the "button emperor." I have never met anyone more knowledgeable about buttons. I am so glad I did my homework! (Thanks April for telling me any number of times to "look it up in a book" because I did and I knew more about the buttons than I had before. ) He made a profit, but I spent less, CONSIDERABLY less, than I might have. And now I hope to complete more of what I have been working on. When I do you'll see pictures here.

Speaking of which... I'm still trying to learn about generating traffic... both here and at ArtFire and Etsy. If you all have any good advice I'd love to hear it. But, in the meantime I'm reading blogs and not being so all-fired stuck on myself. I'm enjoying reading others' posts and I'm trying to step outside of my little world I had built.

Well, those are all things a little push will do. Now if I would only take that test...

Blessings, Kim

This and That

What an odd day... kind of a relaxing day of much work. Weird, huh?

1. I should have mentioned that we are hosting an Indiana Christian Birthing Expo on March 27. Would be great to be a full fledged doula by that point. And, by all means, if you are expecting or hope to be sometime in the near future please join us. Please email and I'll be happy to share details.
2. I LOVE my mentoring time with young women. I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! Spent a great day with Becky, and her precious Isaiah today. Such a blessing!
3. After a nap... yes at almost 47 I do enjoy my naps... the girls and I did some "running around." We hit an antique store and found some things (folio, silver skeleton keys, bottle, book, "pink elephant" juice glasses and books-last two items belong to MMH, then on to Michael's... at least two of us have some major projects in the works. (Watch my shops!) Sahara Mart... YUMMO! A new jar of honey... orange blossom, a new big bag of rice (we were out of both) and treats for each of us (Thanks Dear!): rice crackers for WeeOne, 68% with nibs dark chocolate for me and dark chocolate with orange rind for MMH. OH YES!!!!!!! Then home to get library books and drop off MMH (she's made her fried rice for dinner... from scratch... best we've ever eaten including time in China!), while she cooked WeeOne and I stopped at gas station then library. Now home.
4. Took apart an antique photo album (see above). Hope to have projects finished by tomorrow.
5. Got a bunch of school done.
6. Piano tuner came... if you need one in our area I'll happily recommend him.
7. dishes, vacuuming family room and picking up.
8. Now it's off to dinner and to watch "Monsters vs Aliens" a dreamworks video with the girls.

Happy Monday. We're getting SNOW!!!!

Blessings, Kim

Road Trip

Today we took Young Man to the airport so he might return to school and studies. His classes resume tomorrow. Although we are sad to say good bye it's so exciting to see a young person who is HAPPY to return to studies, hard work and achieving life goals as set by the Lord. We'll miss him, but pray he is doing well. Hopefully he's all the way back now, although I am missing the calls he was SUPPOSED to make to inform me of the fact. Oh well... he's almost 20 and I can't hold his hand forever.

On the way home I thought we'd try a new antique store. Apparently that was NOT a good idea. Or, it was not a good idea with MY Garmin. Ahem! Bad directions, missing roads, dead ends, construction and 35 minutes later we ended where we began... never having arrived at the antique store which was supposedly a "mere" 5 miles away. Umm...yeah. So, back on the road south and I decide to give it a third try... and BINGO... it says one of my favorite stores is a mere 9 miles away. YEAH! And SCORE!

Found a bunch of good stuff... sorry, no photos yet. MMH found some sweet sheet music, but poor Wee One found nothing which she could afford. (However, she is still piecing the quilt from the pieces she found last visit.) The BIGGEST (literally and figuratively) item we found was a Victorian photo album covered in velvet. Not totally full of photos, but enough. Each page is like the inside of a cabinet photo or photo folio. So, my folio cards will become wall hangings (i.e. I'm taking this baby apart!) The cover has some incredible metal work which will also be used and even the hinges and lock will be used. SCORE! I think the velvet may end up on a bottle... we'll see. Additionally ... well, I'll show you all later.

Meanwhile I've been pondering my interest in things vintage. Dear once said he enjoyed watching me as I shop in an antique mall. Time basically stops for me, a half hour is in reality several hours and I've been in another era. Part of my love of vintage is the color... it's soft and not jarring. It's harmonious and there's no "apology" for using color...

The soft patina of wear and tear on each item lends it beauty and dignity... well, as much dignity as a "thing" may have. There may be a scratch from a knife slip... perhaps the first time a new husband carved the roast. There may be a ding from where a newly toddling baby caught something and dropped it. Images may be fading from photos of long ago celebrations, but the smiles and joy are still obvious. All a reminder that life is not just here and now, but has been going on a for a while. We are not alone in our joys and sorrows. Others have come before us, and unless the world ends tomorrow others will come along after us. All that passes through my head. Then I hear, "It's time to go." And I have to jump back to today.

Today's focus seems to be all polish, no showing of age, all new new new... no value to things of age. No value to aging people. I'm vintage. Actually, I'm approaching antique... if that means 50 or more years of age... and I too am showing signs of wear and tear. The hair has a bit of tinsel when I miss my salon appointment, the eyes droop a bit... age, sorrow, weight; my once slim curves are now CURVES in all caps with maybe some BULGE thrown in... age, strain, stress, fatigue. Does God value me less because of my age and the signs of age that I bear?

Amazing what one ponders upon while on a road trip. Speaking of which, "How's your patina?"
Blessings, Kim

Post Script...
Hey All, Just to let you know... I'm not sad. I'm feeling comfortable with who I am. Much like the vintage items I enjoy I realize I have many stories to tell. My life is full and I look forward to sharing stories with those who want to listen. My kids laugh at how I love words... I love books, word games, new words, stories to share that have something to ignite your humor, curiosity or a longing for Jesus. It's all about words... "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God and The Word was God." ... words.... His story, our stories, history... that's what I'm trying to say....

New Head Needed

Ah... sounds like I'm about to break into a poor me pity party. Not actually.

I had one of those AHA moments in my art recently. One of my bottles just decided to create itself. Sad thing is I need a HEAD, more specifically a Frozen Charlotte head. I think this bottle will be an "angel." And yes, I KNOW that what I make and what angels look like are LIGHT YEARS apart. How?

Well, have you ever read biblical accounts of men encountering angels? The first thing the angel says is, "Fear not." Why would that be? I don't think it's necessarily because their appearance would be frightening, although if you read the account of "wheels within wheels" and "clouds of smoke with many eyes" that might very well be terrifying. However, what I know would be true is that their very purity and holiness would set them apart from us. We would recognize them as being of God and therefore something to fear in the good and right sense.

This morning while reading Isaiah 6: 1-6 we encountered seraphim. Ezekiel 1: 1-28 shares an account of a vision experienced by Ezekiel. In Revelation 4: 5-11 we find another vision filled with angels. What we see is that these servants of God inspire both fear and a desire to worship them, but in their humility and truth they always turn our worship back to God, the only one worthy of our worship.

So, back to the bottle...hmm, that sounds bad. But you know what I mean. My bottle has a beautiful heart already adhered to it. I can't remove it, I've tried. But, then I realized that the very things that make us fear angels are both their purity and our sinful nature. Kind of like holding a big dirt ball over a beautiful white linen cloth... you know they don't quite belong together. Hence my need for a head... I want the beautiful heart to be the focus of this piece, an angel with a servant's heart that is pure and holy ready to serve God alone.

If anyone has an old Frozen Charlotte head they're willing to part with, just let me know. Believe me, I've kept my eyes open. The ones pictured above are on display in Illinois at the Lincoln home site in Springfield. I must have talked about them a time or two because the last antique mall I visited with Dear he called, "HEY... FROZEN CHARLOTTES!" And I came running... I know, sad isn't it? What did I find? My husband and my daughters laughing hysterically. Okay... it was funny. I mean seriously, a 46-year-old woman running to see an old doll? Still... I keep looking because I want others to think of the beauty of the Lord's servants as they really are.

Have a great and creative day!
Blessings, Kim

Altered Bottles

So, way back this summer I hit my first ever auction. Then I went to my second auction and it was in a home. And I was sooooo surprised, because everywhere you looked were bottles... all shapes, sizes and colors. Now, I love my ball jars, and there are some awfully pretty bottles around, but we're talking thousands of bottles and I'm not exaggerating. I, of course, did NOT bid on any.

HIT MYSELF IN THE HEAD!

Because, a few months back I did bid on some bottles at an auction and won them and had a GREAT idea for "altering" them. But, it wasn't quite complete. What I really wanted was some way to "finish" the look. Then, lo and behold I discovered Joanna Pierotti's art journal blog online. Her blog is my new "go to" blog for visual beauty. Her art is incredible. When I first visited her blog she was was using encaustic (molten beeswax mixed with damar resin) on her "flat" pieces... often using old book covers and many layers of wonderful cloth, ribbons, charms, and other ephemera.

I finally got up the nerve to write to her to ask a bit about encaustic art. Well, before she wrote back I had already been reading a number of books and researching online and decided to try the "cheap" approach... i.e. not rush out to buy everything new. SO, with an old used griddle, washed out tomato paste cans (in which to melt the wax), some inexpensive camel hair brushes and old wax crayons and beautiful aromatic pure beeswax I began. I altered my first three bottles. Then I heard back from Joanna and found her next online class is in altering bottles. How cool is that?! She actually shows four of them on her blog. While our finished pieces are different I definitely think she gets the credit for my vision for my bottles. And now, of course, I could just kick myself for not bidding on at least a couple of boxes of those bottles! Oh well...

Here are my first three altered bottles. I hope you enjoy! (And, if any of you have antique or vintage bottles with flat fronts please let me know, I'd be happy to "dispose" of them for you. HA!)

"Dreamer"

This is actually my third bottle. The woman's picture is an actual postcard piece from the early 1900s, the buttons are vintage buttons from the collection given to me by a friend from her friend. The crystal is from an old chandelier and the paper is from an old journal I found at a fun antique mall. The little copper tag says "dream"... I keep thinking she is dreaming of the man she loves... she just has that look. You'll be able to purchase her at the "Art and Soul" show on November 28 at the Pour House Cafe. (If you're interested now please leave a comment and I'll get back to you.)

"The Harvest"

Here again is another vintage postcard. I just cut it apart and collaged. The picture was so sweet.. I'm not sure whether the harvest is the grain or the girl, but either way it works! I added glitter, and some copper colored wax crayon to the beeswax. The ribbon is kept very simple as the picture is not one that calls for a lot of bling. I loved the vintage earring to cover the knot... just the right touch.

"The Fairy Song"

This is such a sweet picture of a young child... turned fairy with the simple addition of delicate golden and lacy wings. The song title behind this little fairy is "Twilight: Song Without Words". That sounds like a fairy song to me... something beautiful and magical being sung in the garden as the birds and bees settle to rest.

I hope you've enjoyed my latest creations. As Joanna told me in her email, encaustic is very addicting. I'm not sure whether it's the texture of the beeswax, the rich aroma or simply the joy of creating, but I'm fairly sure I'll be making more altered bottles if given half a chance. See you at "Art and Soul" in November. Please come, it will be my first time to be part of a show and I'm getting more excited every day!

Blessings, Kim

And a little bit of fairy dust for magic...

Nope, I'm not reading Peter Pan. I've just completed 4 of 6 memory boxes which will be listed for sale in the "Art & Soul" art and craft show two days after Thanksgiving.

For months I've been stockpiling all sorts of things: buttons, marbles, postcards, folios, ribbons, thimbles, antique quilt blocks, sewing needle papers, window frames and much much more. I even managed to snag that gorgeous vintage enamel ware table my mother-in-law wanted to leave behind in the old house. Thank you Sue! That table became not only my work space but also "collection central" as I hit garage sales, auctions and the occasional antique store.

Last Friday I began to create again. It felt wonderful. And, I owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to my Friday co-op ladies who are covering a month of Fridays for me so that I can finish prepping for this show... my first (and only?) show.

I thought it might be fun to show at least one more of the collections I am working on. Before I've shown my "simple faith" note cards, and even my vintage folio cards. This next set of creations begins with vintage cigar boxes, vintage post cards and reproductions of period photos... plus a bit of ribbon, buttons, bling and then a sprinkle of fairy dust. I was able to buy the boxes from Mama Magpie and looked at them for weeks before I realized that they were just right to hold memories and mementos of a special day... cards, invites, photos, a faded flower, flattened balloon, or maybe a few journal notes.

Okay... here goes. This is the grouping of the boxes I've completed so far. I love the boxes they're resting on... boxes used by Dear's father and grandfathers over the years. That's his dad's old childhood rocker peeking from behind the wooden boxes.

This is my only wedding memory box so far. It's not exactly traditional colors... the box is gorgeous pumpkin orange and dark navy... but the advertising piece on front worked so well. Not everything has to be traditional.

Inside you find a lovely photo of a newly wedded couple. Judging by the flowers and her dress I'd guess it was the late 20s or early 30s when this was taken. Note the sweet little tag where you can add the date, and even a few thoughts, or your names... the inside edges are covered in words that add to the sweet loving feeling you get as you view this lovely photo.

This is MMH's favorite box. She loves the pastel buttons on the side. I'll admit I thought of her as I created this box... it's a little bit playful with the brightly colored ricrac and the vintage buttons, but still quite sweet with the vintage birthday post card. And inside of course the birthday fairy helping your birthday wishes to come true. That or adding a bit of magic to make this memories stay so sweet. I loved that this cigar box had "favorita" on the inside lid and around three of the sides outside... your favorite memories of a special day! I love birds and so this was an obvious pick for me at least!Inside is another birthday fairy... and of course...She's sprinkled her fairy dust to keep your magical memories magically alive!And finally, the box that started the whole idea... good things come in little packages!And this is what awaits you as you open this box.

So, I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my "studio" or to be more precise... my table by the fish tank in the basement!
Blessings, Kim

Don't hold your breath

You may not see many more posts in the next few months. Then again you never know!

I have been SOOOOO busy this summer. Then there were some days where I totally just did NOTHING. It was great.

The big change this summer was helping with my in-laws' move across town. Now, you would think that with all the "junk" I collect for art projects I might have paid a bit more attention when we were cleaning out their house. But, at that time we were moving in a hurry. We had exactly 2.5 days in common with Dear's brother and his wife and that had to be the time in which we did the final big move. So, MANY trips by the men to Salvation Army and Goodwill later... I thought, "Hmmm, I bet some of this would have sold for a good price." Ah well... water under the bridge and hopefully someone found a great treasure for very little money. Live and learn.

I have also now been introduced to the world of auctions. Now, lest you wonder if I have nothing but spare cash and spare time, the answer is NO to both of those questions. However, you would have been assuming that I was going to auctions of "ART" and "ANTIQUES" when in actuality I was going to rural auctions looking for such things as: buttons, button cards, needle cards, thimbles, old papers, and old bird houses. Those are just a few of the things, junk, that I look for both at auctions and garage sales. As the summer has wound down I began to worry that I had not looked diligently enough to accumulate what I needed for my work. So, I might have, maybe, just a little, obsessed about auctions and sales.

And, I want to brag a bit... twice now Dear has accompanied me. The first time... oh my! I was sure he would never ever ever go again. It was long, slow and my items came up at the end. Then, as things have been I lost each and every bid I made. I did manage three needle papers. Yep, that was it after sitting there for longer than I will admit here for all the world to learn. However, the next time Dear joined me we had a GREAT time with many treasures.

I bid on a stack of old records ( we love them in this house and have three turntables to prove it!) and won 10 records for $5. Couldn't decide if I wanted another pile for that price, so waited for Dear who was graciously hauling my "treasures" to the van. By the time he got in the bidding was non-existent and he kept saying, "Bid on it!" And I kept asking, "WHAT?" not knowing it was what was up right then. So at last I raised my hand when I heard "$1.00." And I won. Then I was really curious what I had won because I honestly had never turned around. Lo and behold I had bid, and won the bid, for every record there... all for a total of $1. Can you beat that?

I know, pics would make this so much more interesting, but I really don't have the time at the moment.

I attended Mini Pie's second birthday. I adore her! After all I am "Zee Mama" ( translated that means "Godmama"). We had a fun afternoon watching her enjoy life, eating cake with her family and friends and visiting with friends we had not seen in a while.

Wee One had her China Sisters reunion. They went horseback riding nearby. I know pics... maybe I'll post them in a week or two. Or not... no promises.

Now I am living with the beginning of the school year, getting ready for the art show and trying in between times to remember to love my family and take care of them. (It was a disaster here last week, however we did clean up most of the mess... minus my "studio"... aka the tables shoved against one side of the basement, plus the piles underneath that keep taking over all available floor space!)

I am actually beginning to believe I will have enough projects for the show. It's kind of incredible. I had 4 ready last spring. Then I completed two more one day when Mama Magpie came over. Then recently my brain has just been exploding with ideas. I know... pictures! So, if I post these pictures will you come to the show? My booth is "Whimsy and The Word" and it will be cute... I promise. I've got many different sorts of projects... cards from vintage folios, dressed up Shiny Brites for trees, a bit of jewelry I've created, note cards, framed quilt squares, altered bottles, etc. I'm having fun finally and that's a nice place to be and to get the creative juices flowing.

School began very well by the way. Young Man headed back to Texas for another VERY busy year. He is loving it and looking forward to the next mission trip he may take, hopefully to Africa again. Senior Son is in town, being a "Bobbite", working at a part time job and attending Ivy Tech, and the two girls began their school year in August. We began slow and picked up a bit more each week, last week we added their final classes of Latin, Science and Art. MMH also joined the volleyball team at a local Christian school. She has made a lot of new friends, renewed some old friendships, learned how to play volleyball and generally enjoyed the season so far. We hope the school will not join the IHSAA next year as that would disallow her from playing since the rules state that all student athletes must attend the school 50% of the day.... We'll see.

Well, that's enough for now. The Lord continues to work in our lives. We are learning about His faithfulness to all generations, how what we believe directly impacts what we do, think, read, and watch (our fruit will tell about our souls), and many other things. I am so grateful that each day the Lord is with me and guiding my steps. I may wander from the path but the Lord has always pulled me back.

Blessings,
Kim

Why I don't post more...and other fun items

I moved back to blogspot because it's easier to use than Wordpress. Sadly though, I'm still delinquent in my posting because the pictures... well, I have to use an online photo service and it just takes so long and I'm so far behind. Well, I'm sure you really aren't interested in my whining, so I'll move on.

My in-laws recently, as in today, closed on a condo. They have lived in the same house for 40 years and are making this HUGE move... about 3 miles away. But what is huge is that they are drastically downsizing. Dear and the girls and I, and Dear's brother and his wife have been helping them to go through, sort, throw out, donate, and pass on items to those of us with a desire for more stuff.

Yep, I know. Just spent nine months stock piling stuff to sell in our garage sale and now I am beginning to gather things again. But who could pass on items such an old fashioned scale... wood base, brass fittings and beautifully maintained weights? Or, look at this:



Okay, the table, not the laundry. Seriously... do you see that lovely enamel top table? I've been pricing these for a year in antique malls and this one has just "fallen in my lap." I was so excited I started jumping up and down when I saw it. Now, mind you, I have been visiting this house for perhaps 28 years and I just then realized what kind of table it was. Go figure.

Of course, there was also the famous "pink thing" that I laughed at each time I saw it. Take a look:



I dearly love my MIL... she is an incredible woman and I hope she forgives me for posting this picture of the pink thing. It just really makes me laugh. Those things inside the thing are candle stick holders. Ideas anyone? The pink thing left the house. I'll probably find out it was valuable and I could have had my MIL sell it and pay for their condo, but we just couldn't picture using them, or anyone else using them for that matter.

We're looking forward to the end of this move in July and seeing them all happy and settled in their lovely new home. We are very excited and hope they are also. I know we pushed "a bit" to have them move, but it's only because we love them and aren't right there in their home town to help out and want them safe and sound.

Okay... on to the next post.
Blessings, Kim

Second Time Around Tuesday

I just saw this meme on "The Happy Wonderer" and I'm laughing because I posted a HUGE LONG post last night about scads of treasures I recently found. But, I'll focus on one.

Recently I've been putting more vintage items into the house. Typically I'm a wood lover, and really love the primitive look. However, I discovered you can definitely mix and match styles to suit.

So, this is our dining table.... it's not the second hand find... the items on it are the finds....


Okay, so second hand use. The table cloth is vintage, found while junkin' with Mama Magpie. On top is another smaller cloth and then under the tea towel I have a tea chest to give it some height. The candle sticks aren't vintage. But, the blue ball jars are vintage. Inside are vintage buttons to add some color (I played with those when I was just a wee little thing), then the silverware is my MIL's, given to me years ago, and now finally put out for use. Isn't it pretty? I love the play of blues and pinks.





These sweet little love birds are old salt and pepper shakers. I can't use them as there are no plugs in the bottom, but the color is so cute and I LOVE birds. (I have 7 living in the corner of our family room, on eggs, but that's another post.)

I am enjoying finding old/vintage things and re-purposing or reusing them. So much fun. Please stop over at A Picture is worth 1,000 words for more Second Time Around Tuesday finds.

Blessings, Kim

Fun finds at local sales...

Okay, for those who know me REALLY well you know that I am getting quite hooked on things vintage, specifically, Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments, table cloths from the 40s and 50s, vintage kitchen/tea towels, old silver, post cards from the EARLY 1900s, photo folders, and other things as they intrigue me. Currently I have a desire to find some McCoy pottery... but I'm picky, and cheap. We'll see.

So, went garage saling for two weekends and hit the local shop as well. I found some fun things. Take a peek.. this past weekend was the BEST and I am so happy with what I found.

The hankies are mine... either from childhood or from Gram. But, the silver pieces were a dollar each. Well, not the cracker server. But isn't it cute? Can you see it with Ritz? Or pieces to sell at the art show?


The broach was all I found at this sale I went to WAY out in the country... but for only $2 I was fairly pleased. Can't figure if it will end up as art, or on my coat collar. What do you think?





The games pieces I have looked at while shopping at the shop nearby for several months. The price came WAY down and I was sold. They will definitely become altered art projects of some sort. The red Bingo cards will be great wall hanging backgrounds for Christmas and Valentine's Day.

Next are things from this weekend, some free, some cheap at sales and two from the local shop. (Yes, I went again. I wanted to look at a $12.50 "Tom Thumb" typewriter for an art project. Glad I looked... it won't work, but the one for 50 cents from the garage sale will work. YEAH!)

The first of three boxes of stuff. It had treasures in it. It also had "treasures" in it. Ah well...

Shiny brites anyone? Each of the tissue wrapped pieces is an ornament. I've not even unwrapped them all yet. I want to wait till I can sit and enjoy what I find. Or laugh. Whichever.

These are some of the "treasures". I guess they'll just go right into my garage sale. Or to Etsy.

See those bent spoons in the front? Joe of Joe and Joella made two of them for me, and gave me one he had previously made. You drill a hole in the bowl of the spoon, hang them from they wall, and voila, a vintage hanger. Tea towel and vintage napkins just 10 cents each. Ditto for the wheelbarrow and cow bell.


What do you think of the gorgeous lantern for the picnic table? Someone was trying to tell me how to get it shiny again. NOT! I LOVE the patina, age, whatever.

I know I spent a LOT on these, but they are PERFECT in my new yellow kitchen. So sweet sitting up by the sink.

And these little lovebirds look fab on the dining table. They're right next to blue ball jars full of buttons and vintage silver flatware. Cute!


These cloths should have cost a LOT more. But SCORE! Just $1 a piece. One will replace what's been my favorite on the table so I can cut that one up to make curtains for the kitchen.



This is for April. I called and asked. Perfect color for her vintage kitchen.


She might want these also. We'll see... What do you think? If not her then it's the garage sale or Etsy.


And a few more boxes of ornaments.Not Shiny Brites... so they're up for grabs. Any takers?




This is the top of the bottom tin from the picture just above this one. Isn't it sweet? I love the colors.


And finally, what started it all. I needed a typewriter. I was up for hours in the night for an idea for an altered art project.


This is the inside. It's perfect. Even still works. If I get brave enough to make this project I'll show you all here.

Okay, that's enough photos for now. More later...
Shalom,
Kim

Beauty in the mundane

I've been studying about who I am lately. Sometimes this question seems so self-serving. At other times it is a fun adventure. Mostly, I want to find who I am in the Lord so that the work of my hands, my heart, and my mouth will be honoring to him and bring beauty to those around me.

One of my recent "discoveries" about myself is my pleasure in creating something new from something old. I've tried painting, writing, beading, and more. But, now, I am learning that if I can find that old piece of something and look at it for a while it can become something new and beautiful. At least I think so.

I'm enjoying this time of seeking out beauty in the mundane, the old, the ordinary. Today Wee One and I spent our first day of summer break junkin', as my friend April likes to say. We visited a local antique store, made friends with the owners and found some neat things. Wee One doesn't usually like this, but she said, "I LIKE that store Mommy." Aha... high praise indeed. There were so many varied things to look at and think about and discuss and touch and plan for. We even had fun running out in the rain to the buildings out back to look at more "stuff" and singing while we ran. I think we just felt free and it was so fun to be together and not feel we HAD to be home doing work. (We can't clean house because it is undergoing repairs, is full of Young Man's stuff he brought back from Texas, and piles of garage sale items. We literally can't clean the house till next week. Too bad, so sad. NOT!) Anyway, we felt a freedom we've not felt in a while, we were having a mommy daughter date and it was gloriously fun. We ended up grocery shopping and buying ice cream and ice cream cones as a treat later on and we still had fun.

Hopefully I'll get my photos taken and deal with photobucket so I can get the photos posted. Till then you'll just have to picture us running in the rain, singing, and carrying our treasures. Such bliss to find that I am a happy woman who enjoys beauty in the mundane.
Shalom,
Kim