Multiples

Isn't it funny how, all of a sudden, you find things in multiples that you've never even seen one of before? For instance, those large paperboard churches I have pictured. I've never seen large ones before. Only little ones. This weekend I found two! One at an auction and one at an estate sale. Random!

Oh, what fun the auction was!! Bill and I hadn't been to an auction in years and years. On a whim we decided to go take a peek at the preview. You know, just to see if there was anything of interest. Well, you know how that goes. Before you know it you're signed up with a number in hand looking for a good seat!! Yep! Oh, but the treasures to be had!! Things sold in lots....as in many treasures in one box. I was like a kid in a candy store!! I had my auction list in hand, items circled and the price I was willing to pay noted. Bill did the bidding. Teamwork! :o) Three hours went by lickety split. Oh, and the treasures!! One of the best bargains was a whole box of vintage Christmas items for $2.50. $2.50!!! I know!!

Some of the other lovely things I found this past weekend were stacks of early leather bound books with beautifully detailed spines. The perfect thing to use when decorating. Never mind that they're written in German and I can't read a word of it. They're really beautiful books!! Then there are the old dominos....great for mixed media projects. Oh, and bundles of clothespins that are worn smooth from years of use! All tied up with string, they look marvelous in an old ironstone bowl. And last, but certainly not least, boxes of pink and aqua ornaments. Soooo pretty!

Anyway, it was a very good treasure hunting weekend. Most of which will go up for sale at Flourishes flea market June 21st. Bill says that I can't keep everything and that I must do a better job at sharing these goodies with everyone else. Party pooper! I wouldn't buy them if I didn't like them for myself. (sigh) At least they're mine for a little while! :o)

Oh, and I finally figured out how to do a picture link to somewhere else.....like my other blog!! Now you can click on the upper left hand picture (under the title Flourishes) and it takes you right to my other blog. Mind you, I'm not so chatty there. It's just a place for pictures of past events until I can afford to move ahead with a proper website. It's kind of fun to have the pictures of the shop in one place rather than having them scattered here there and everywhere. Now it's all neat and tidy! A little blog housecleaning, if you will!!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

The note said.....

"Hey! What is the big idea of the lack of blog posts?" This note was from Mini Me...my sister, Michelle.

Well. Where to begin? I'll give you the speedy version. Auction, estate sale, estate sale, estate sale, barbeque with the kids, estate sale (where Bill and I bumped into the dear and talented, Christine LeFever), toured Christine and Greg's beautiful victorian home, played a round of ping pong at Brittany and Jeremy's (went there to see her bedroom and office make-overs).....all the while making trips back and forth to Mt. Pleasant. Whew!!

And holy macaroni, was it warm!....a skosh over 100 degrees on Friday and Saturday!! It dipped down into the 90's yesterday. I absolutely will NOT complain about the heat though. With the miserably cold winter/early spring we had.......bring on the heat!! I can say that you know, because we rarely get the high humidity with the heat. :o)

Okay, so, now we're all caught up with each other!! Yet, I still find myself behind. All the treasures I found need cleaning and pricing. The gardens need attention. And, the bears need noses so they can be airbrushed. It looks like I will have to squeeze 36 hours into a 24 hour day. Now how am I going to do that when all I want to do is go blog hopping? Ha!


Warmest Monday bear hugs, Aleta

P.S. Good grief, I nearly forgot to say a little something about the pictures!! These were taken yesterday at our home on Mt. Pleasant, also the home of Flourishes. Isn't that view incredible? That's what I see when I look out my studio window. It's a view looking out across the Columbia River Gorge into Oregon. The first and last pictures are for Linda and Ludmil (Willow Nest). Ludmil built that gorgeous birdhouse and left it behind for us to enjoy. I'm thinking they planted the snowball bush too. It's just a wee thing....but absolutely loaded with blooms!! Enjoy!!

A dash of purple!

The lilacs are finally starting to bloom on Mt. Pleasant!! Oh, the scent of lilacs after a spring rain!!! YUM!

Happy Pink Wednesday!! Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Bits, bobs and a square bear?

How was your Mother's Day weekend?!! Fabulous, I hope!! Mine consisted of a little brocante shopping and a "Creative Day". The perfect weekend!!

I snapped a quick picture of some of the treasures I found on Saturday. It's a rather eclectic mix isn't it? An old falling apart dictionary, funky spigot knobs, the letter "Q", a silver cake plate, paper florist boxes, glass chandelier prisms and a plump ironstone pitcher. Eclectic indeed!!

And what pray tell is a "Creative Day"? It's a day when Brittany and I get together in my studio to work on projects, chat, drink coffee and listen to music. Britt works on her scrapbook....all over the floor.....and I work on bears. Goodness knows, I have a few bears to work on!! ha!

Yesterday's project was a wee bit different though. I started working on a mixed media bear inspired by Lisa Kaus's art dollies. This is as far as I was able to get. The actual mohair bits are done....all except for the facial features. Which, I suppose, I'd better attend to before I go much further. It would be a good idea to know whether to paint a dress or a pair of trousers, wouldn't it? ;o) I'll keep you posted on the progress. I'm waiting for the absorbent ground to dry.....waiting and waiting and waiting.....

Warmest bear hugs on this fine Monday! Aleta

Starting more....finishing nothing.

I had a conversation on the phone with my daughter last night, telling her that I have multiple bears in all phases of unfinished and, for some unknown reason, I keep starting more. Knowing me better than I sometimes know myself, she said it was because that's what's going on in my life right now. The whole living between two homes, having one on the market, running two businesses...and everything being so unsettled. She's right! Smart cookie, that girlie of mine!

Thinking along these lines then.....if I finish all these bears (and don't start any more) will life BE more in balance......OR, will I just have a bunch of finished bears?!!! HA!! *wink*

A lovely Friday to you! Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Pink Cake, Pink House

Happy Pink Wednesday!! Did you think I got lost? I'm not lost.....just exploring! Exploring new art mediums and learning a little more about myself. So, what did I learn in Lisa Kaus's class this past weekend? I learned that coloring with water soluble art crayons is amazingly fun! I also learned that even though I may be taught something new, I tend to stay in my comfort zone. In this case, a light color palette.

Upon further examination of this point I realized the only time I really like bold color is Halloween and Christmas. And even then, I use an ample dose of white, cream and tarnished silver to soften it up.

One thing I really enjoy about taking classes is learning from other women attending the class. Just walking around looking at the other women's work I was picking up bits of knowledge here and there. I love to see what other women create!! This class was chock full of wildly creative ladies!! I came away feeling exhilerated and exhausted all at once!! There was soooo much energy in that room!!

Now it's back to the real world. As much as I would love to, no more playing with crayons for at least a week. I have bears to finish and Flourishes needs attention as well. My cake box will have to wait for it's last details until next week. I'm still formulating what I want to do with the top......I keep arranging it and rearranging it. It's acting a bit as dressing one of my bears. Sometimes it sits awhile until I come upon just that right finishing touch.

Oh, before I run off to work in the studio, I want to thank Lisa Kaus for opening her home and studio and offering such fun workshops!! I'd also like to thank Terri Brush for the rhinestone and silver pendant. What a very sweet thing to do for all the attendees of Sunday's class!! You gals left a huge imprint on this chickiedoodle's heart.....bless you!

Warmest Pink Wednesday bear hugs,
Aleta

A sweet little prototype!

Isn't it fabulous when you design something and it turns out right the first try? Let me tell you, it doesn't happen all that often for me. When it does, like in this instance, I'm tickled all shades of pink!! Yippee!! Happy, happy, happy dance!

Now keep in mind this little bear hasn't been airbrushed or had his eyes pulled.....er, sewn in. (Pulled? Where did that come from? Ouch!) I was just so excited about this wee little bear I had to take a quick picture. These little bears will be available on my website soon and at my next Flourishes event, June 21st. There will be brown ones and white ones and pink ones and.....

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention.....I'm taking two classes this weekend at Lisa Kaus's studio with a bunch of other gals!! How supremely fabulous is that?!!!! I'm soooooo excited!!! So, off I go in search of treasures and trinkets for my projects. Wheeee!! :o)

Have a simply delightful weekend!! Warmest bear hugs, Aleta