Welcome To My Week...

not my house

still not my house

but you get the drift.

***my house***

see ya on the other side!

Bittersweet

So yesterday I began the process of moving stuff out of my booth.

It's bittersweet, but I'm confident that it's the right decision.

Still...

I hate feeling like a quitter.

Not a failure, mind you.

But a quitter.

Before buying the new house...and getting ready to move...

and working a good bit more at the hospital...
and about a million other things...

I was able to devote time to keeping my booth fresh, 
and to re-stocking and re-foofing and all that.

And my monthly check from the mall reflected that effort, absolutely.

But since about late July, the booth has been neglected, 

another casualty in my search for creative fulfillment.

In my blogging journey of self-discovery, 
more than a few identities lie by the wayside.

Shop Owner
Booth Owner
Mixed Media Artist...

Tried on and discarded like so many pairs of shoes.

But now?

I realize now where my dreams lie,
and feel not only confident
but invigorated and excited at what lies ahead.

The best part?

You are all coming with me!

Happy, Happy Thursday!

White Wednesday at Willow Nest

Happy White Wednesday!

And who better to feature on a day devoted to ethereal whites,
than the masters of wonderful, wintry whites,

Linda and Ludmil of Willow Nest.

I was so thrilled to meet these two
at the Accumulations show a couple of weeks back,

and found their space to be every bit as lovely as I had imagined it would be.

Take in the beauty of Willow Nest...

{click pics twice to super size}

Thank you Linda and Ludmil, for allowing this budding photographer
to shoot your glorious space...you made my job soooooo easy!

Happy White Wednesday!

Linking with Kathleen  

at Faded Charm

Gratitude, Part One...

I have some long overdue thanks to give
to a wonderful group of ladies,

generous gals who have blessed me beyond measure in recent days.

I've been the recipient of some amazing bloggy love,
and it's my privilege to now share

their generosity with all of you.

From the beautiful Tracey at French Larkspur

I discovered a little something extra tucked in when I received my issue

of Jeanne d'Arc Living last month...

{over-the-top incredible presentation as always, Tracey!}

You see the smaller package on the right?

Know what was inside?

Look what Tracey tucked in as an amazingly thoughtful housewarming gift...

What a fabulous little book this is! I've worn it out from thumbing it so much.
Thank you, thoughtful, dear Tracey!

But lest you think she's the only generous blogger out there, think again.

One of the sweetest gals ever, Shelly of Bungalow Bling,
mailed me awhile back to say that she had
thought of me right away when she came upon a completely darling vintage cocktail dress.

So whaddaya think Shell did???
That's right, she sent  it to me!

It's *perfection* Shell, I adore it and all the other
incredible goodies you tucked inside, gracias!

But the love doesn't stop here, no ma'am...

My lovely friend Melanie of Pretties and Posies not only sent me these

wonderful tulip bulbs...

But she also made a donation to the American Cancer Society in my name!

Darling Melanie honored several of her friends with this incredible gesture, 

and I really cannot think of a better gift. Thank you, Mel!

So do I have some fabulous friends or what ???

I still have a whole 'nother post coming up filled with even more  riches 

I've received from blog buddies in recent days, and I can't wait to share it all with you!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Justified

Why, doesn't it seem like only yesterday 
that I was proclaiming a complete fast from spending?

Oh okay, day before yesterday, but so what?
Nitpickers.

Anyway...

I'm not really spending here,
just thinking out loud.

About wants and needs, and what truly differentiates them,
and ultimately, what justifies them.

As an artist, what would help you 
to create your art in a more efficient fashion?

What would push your art to the next level?

If you're a seamstress or textile artist, is it a new sewing machine?

Do you paint? Would better brushes do the trick?

How about German glass glitter
instead of the el-cheapo Wal-Mart variety?

And for me?

I'd like another camera lens.

Either a Nikon 50mm 1.4 AF or a Nikon 55-300mm, to be exact.

Neither are cheap.

But do I really need  a second lens?

Objectively, no.

Not like I need food, water and oxygen.

But would it be justified ?

Yes.

Maybe not in a grand, obvious way right this very moment,
but most definitely for the future.

Things are happening behind the scenes here....
big, exciting things that I can't share just yet....

but things that will most definitely make investing in a second lens 

and ultimately a second, better camera a logical progression for my art.

But for now, I'm content.

Sort of.
{grin}

Can y'all relate?

What would help you  in your  creative endeavors?

Happy Sunday!

Buried Treasure

chippy paint....check!

iron....check!

wood....check!

rust....check!

industrial....check!

totally freakin' cool....CHECK!

While cleaning out the barns today at the new homestead,
feast your eyes on what we unearthed...

My husband saw it the other day, but didn't tell me about it...on purpose, I think.

He knew I'd flip when I saw it,
and would want him to stop working immediately

to move it into a prime photo-op location. 

And he was right. {grin}

It was supposedly used to cart big blocks of ice
or served some such utilitarian function.

But I'm thinking coffee table material.
I'll just need to clean it up and get a nice piece
of glass cut to put on top and voila! 

Instant, industrial chic, Restoration Hardware style coffee table....

What are you  thinking?

Have a wonderful Sunday,
and don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight! 

Remarkable Restraint

...that's exactly what I showed at the Accumulations show last week, 

when I limited myself to only three  purchases.

Sheesh, I think I deserve a medal  or somethin'
for not spending more, don't ya think?

And because so many of you have asked,
here's what I scored...

From Theresa Cano's space, I grabbed a couple
of wonderful creations from the oh-so-talented

Brenda Harding of Penn River Designs. 

This divine burlap pillow...

Ain't she purty?

and this whimsically wonderful altered birdcage lamp...

Theresa has started selling Brenda's creations,
and it's a true match made in Heaven.

And from the marvelous Michele Brown,
I nabbed this irresistible enamelware pitcher...

And now begins my fast from shopping, junking, thrifting...
going cold turkey, I tell ya.

And it's gonna be brutal, but it's time to be an adult and deny myself just a bit.

Painful words from an entitled only child, but I can do it...
with your support...

with your encouragement.

BWAAA, HAA HAA !!!
I just cracked myself up there for a sec!

I forgot I was talking to a wonderfully delightful group of enablers here...  ;-)

Love ya's anyway, tho!

Linking with My Romantic Home