Fannie & Fairy

Fannie and Fairy were twins, separated at birth.

Fairy lived a fairy tale life in a big city in California.  

She took ballet lessons and learned how to play the piano.  

Fairy took years of art lessons, learning how to paint and draw and how to stretch her creative wings, from the time she was 6 years old.

Fannie lived a modest life far down a country road outside a small town in Texas.

Little did each one know that they had a sister.  Let alone a twin sister!

But one day in August of 2011, they found out the truth....as Fannie came to town.

When Fannie was a little girl, she longed to live in the big city.

She dreamed of the bright lights and big tall buildings.  

She desperately wanted someone to play with, who lived right around the corner from a house in town where she lived with her parents.

Someone to ride bicycles with and to go shopping with at the nearby mall. 

She longed to take art lessons...lots and lots of art lessons.

And, certainly would have loved to take ballet and piano lessons. 

Fairy longed to live in the country, where she could breath pure country air.  

Where she could take a simple cane pole and run down to the bottom to fish for perch in a creek that ran through the woods.

She longed to live on a ranch where she could ride horses and raise lambs to show at the county fair.  She wanted to climb trees to her heart's desire.

Each one longed to live the other ones life.

Imagine that...if you will.

Somehow I can relate.

I longed to be a girl like Fairy.

Fannie's not dreaming any more =) 

*****

Thank you JoAnnA for sharing your knowledge of doll making with me.

I am so glad I came to play with you in your beautiful studio in Phoenix!

 I ♥ed every minute!

(p.s. JoAnnA and I are not really twins *wink* =)
* Fairy designed by JoAnna, Fannie designed by Diane *

time

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

 Time has a way of passing by so fast, 

sometimes I have to look back to see where I've been.

I know because I have been there this year.  

Each month of 2010 seems to melt away faster than I imagined, 

yet slower than I want it to.

I (continue) to count the days, hoping with all hope, 

that I can indeed retire at the end of this year.

I have been at my full time job for 21+ years.  

Not a long time to some, but long to many.   

Just this last weekend I sent off five more class proposals, and do hope they are accepted, as the additional income will be so appreciated.  The fact that amazes me the most is that I BELIEVE I will finally have the opportunity to make art full time,

(teaching included)

which is really what I have wanted to do all my life.

Just this last weekend, I attended a class in Austin with the talented Stephanie Rubiano.  My friend, Agnes and I drove up on Saturday to take Steph's class,

which she will be teaching at 

Art and Soul Las Vegas and Art and Soul Hampton in 2011, 

called

"House of Cards".

It was one of the most fun classes I have taken.  

Partly because of just being in Stephanie's home (presence), 

where not only her art resides, but art of fellow artisans, 

in great abundance.  I respect her for that.

And, you have no idea what you just might see in 

Studio Rubiano!  Pure magic =)

It turned out to be a full day, 

in which I didn't completely finish my project (I was close), 

until Tuesday night.

I always tell myself to relax, have fun...visit more...take more pictures, 

but remember the time word?  

There it was again, 

staring at me with that beady "i"!  

I knew I wanted to finish (in class), because once home, I have jewelry to concentrate on....Marburger is on the horizon!

Oh well, it worked out in the end, and here it is, my

"House of Cards" 

called 

"Time".

The fun part of this little piece (extra trim from the roof) which I added, is that it actually had the word "time" one it, 

and I didn't look for it until I had already attached it!  

Oh, I love it when that happens!

I went into class that morning not really knowing what I wanted the theme of my piece to be.  But, once I started looking into my bag of goodies, I found some vintage watch faces and parts I had brought along, and then it just took off from there.

Each side has either a watch face, and/or clock hands.  

The words I used also have something to do with time, which btw, I took way too much time (in class) trying to find the words I wanted to use from an old book I had stuffed into my bag the night before.  

But, I have this thing about using original vintage text...there is nothing like it!

I had just gotten some beautiful, odd shaped mother of pearl oyster shell buttons from an Etsy dealer, MyraMelinda,  so I used them here, and then as a border trim here.

 

 And here.

See the aluminum initials?  
It is a D and a C which Stephanie gave me in class.
Letters that are actually used on telephone poles!
Perfect!
I signed my piece by the initials....
(don't forget to always leave your mark =)

 We, of course, had to make and add one of Stephanie's signature crowns somewhere!  

Mine landed atop this little girl's head, which I adorned with cute little star brads.

Did you see some of the other stars I used?  

You can find them on three of my pictures above.

(If you can find them, let me know *wink*)

Here is the finished piece.

(Click on pics to see the bigger picture =)

"Time"

 

~ Side One ~

~ Side Two ~

"Time"

tears of a clown

Bud's Clown

Royer's Cafe, Round Top, Texas
I have long returned from teaching in Fayetteville a week ago Saturday! It was wonderful, as usual, to watch the students work their way thru the class, this one being Etched and Layered. Each one using their individual talents and style to design a cuff, beginning with beautiful brass components I brought in from my friend Jill at Brass Bouquet.  Some added additional layers of rhinestone or vintage lace~like Charlene, or perhaps a gorgeous vintage button that was her grandmother's~like Pat.
Lookie at the picture Charlene took of her cuff.  Isn't it gorgeous?  She used a piece of Jilll's brass, called Kathleen, on top of her etched cuff.  Below it is a single layer of vintage tulle, some like I will have listed in my etsy shop beginning in June.  (I will have just a limited supply of goodies I will be listing).
You can see more details and pictures from our class on Charlene's blog.
************** 
You know how I love to share my photographs!

I took lots of photos at the end of class, including a couple of great group shots, which also included pictures of each of their beautiful cuffs.
This past weekend was no different.   Almost.
Most of my pictures are gone. Poof ***in thin air*** not there. 
Actually, only two pictures were on my camera when I downloaded the photos, one being Bud's Clown, which I actually took at the end of the day on Sunday.
I am crying just a bit, as you have no idea where all I traveled this past weekend.  And, not alone mind you, as after the class on Saturday, my good friend Charlene and her dh, along with my dh and I, went out to dinner. Then we stayed in one of the best B&B's in Texas, called The Outpost at Cedar Creek.
I do have one great picture of Lenore's activity center, which in fact is a converted horse barn (and is simply gorgeous inside), only because I had visited the property last September and taken some pictures then.

We stayed in The Shelby Guesthouse.
I so wish I had photos to share with you, as it was amazing. I loved everything about it. From the wide planked wooden floors, to the softly gathered gauze curtains hanging from one piece of rusty wire above each window. Can you say, French Farmhouse~with a Texas flair? Quite unique and one of a kind. I cannot even tell you the photo ops I grasped that day....taking pictures as if I would never ever be able to take another picture~ever!  Charlene does have some posted on her blog, so please hop on over there to see pics of our great adventure!
 The next morning we went down to the activity center for breakfast. It is just the coolest. And, the breakfast was scrumptious.  Then we jumped into Charlene's minivan and headed to nearby Burton to visit with Linda Marcov, of Willow Nest Farm.  We toured the property she has for sale, which includes a potting barn, gorgeous garden, two workshops, a large storefront and a gorgeous "B", as Linda calls it. Not a B&B, because as the owners they bring the breakfast in, but do not stay on the property. It is simply gorgeous......just like Linda. 
Just watch her blog banner, and you will see pictures of it there.  

I bought some gorgeous silk ribbon, vintage corset ribbon and this stamp set, 
which I love!

  After we left Burton, we drove to Leftovers Antiques just outside of Brenham. I told Charlene it was an amazing store. It is. If you ever have an opportunity to visit, you won't regret it.

 This is a picture I had taken last fall when my dd and I stopped there on our way to or B&B.

After pulling ourselves out of Leftovers, we headed back to Round Top to eat at Royers.

That is where I took the picture of the (creepy) clown.

Oh, did I tell you I started the Digital Layers class of Susan Tuttle's on Sunday?

Yes, I did, and it is great FUN!

walk the walk

"Road to Fayetteville"

The first weekend of May I participated in the Fayetteville Art Walk. It is a juried show which for the second time, I had the honor of being a part of.

It was also my first opportunity to use my new banner, which I am so in love with.
(I even had a customer ask if he could take a picture of it Susie!)
I am so pleased with how it turned out, and it hung so perfectly at the back of my tent.
The weather had been threatening rain every day heading into the show, so we were really biting our nails hoping the clouds wouldn't crack open until after the weekend's event. Turns out we had two days of mostly overcast weather, which was great, but wow....the humidity!
Sunday was simply the best.
I have come to know, and should have way before now, that if one day is not that great, then the next seems to make up for it double time. It did, once again.....on Sunday.
I left that weekend with very tired feet but smiling happily to myself, thankful for new friendships, and so very happy to come home with a little lighter load than when I left.
This little etched & layered cuff came home with me.
I am so in love with etching. It is by no means a walk in the park, but the results far outweigh the steps to get there.
(I am teaching this class in Fayetteville, at the art guild, on May 22nd.
There is still room. For more details, look on my left margin).

I remember exactly where I found the gorgeous vintage art deco brooch I used in this piece. It was lying in one of the large glass jewelry cases that stands in the front of Uncommon Objects in Austin. This store is so chic and so organized that all their vignettes are color coordinated. So, yes, even the jewelry in their cases are coordinated, which makes for quite a display.One of the nicest surprises I had that day, was when I looked up and saw this lady walking into my booth. I knew her. "Are you Annie?", I asked. She said, "Yes!"
It was indeed Annie Lockhart.
I jumped up, ran around the table, and we hugged like we had known each other for years! It is just that way isn't it? We read about each others lives so much, that we come to know each other way before we may actually meet. It was a great surprise to have her and a friend stop by and visit. She has a beautiful spirit about her. We didn't get to talk near enough, but I believe one day we will meet again.
I just know it.
I also had the pleasure to meet Deb Taylor. She is quite the spunky lady! I didn't get a picture of us together, and I am so sorry I didn't. She and I visited several times during the weekend, and even did a little tradin'. She and her partner own a gorgeous B&B in Round Top, and she is quite the artist/photographer.There were 65 artists represented in this 11th annual event.

I used my vintage card rounder for the first time. I picked it up from a vendor outside of Cole's in Warrenton this Spring. I think I paid $16 for it. Quite the bargain! I love how it sits on top of my table and can easily spin around. It holds my earrings perfectly. I think I will dig out my grandmother's old wooden clothes pins to use as clips next time.

I can't begin to tell you how soothing it was to hear the beautiful harp music each morning.
The notes seemed to float thru the air like butterflies. And, I have been sewing!
I am smitten with all the vintage lace, netting, ribbon, tatting, silk and buttons I scooped up in Warrenton and Marburger Farms. Remember in the previous post where I told you about the bag full lying on my studio floor? Well, it has slowly been landing on top of pieces of soft leather and is now part of my romantic line of cuffs.Yes, there was also lots of great food, including a sea of pies being served by the famous Royers Round Top Cafe. I managed to resist this time.
But a piece of it really looks good right about now....

Second Street Antiques in Katy

I really did go in just to buy some chandelier crystals. But, I had to look at everything while I was there. Some colorful toys caught my eye. The worn look of this xylophone.....

.....and how about this jack (rabbit) in the box?

I thought for a minute...could I possibly sneak this in the house without my dh seeing it? Honestly, I know where this possibly might work!

Okay, I did buy this. It now sits on top of our mantel. The framing was so nicely done. I was drawn to the rustic and earthy look of this antique spinning top that Jae brought back from Africa. She & I made an excellent deal. And, I love a deal. Love it.

Mosey 'n Me

Am I the only one who has never watched Trading Spaces? And Frank Bielec? I had at some time ago heard or read about a man who lived in Katy who was part of a home re-decorating show. I went downtown, there to restock some jewelry in Dovetail, and had stepped across the street to 2nd Street Antiques. It is a really nice antique store, and I always come home with something. Just near the front of the store, I came to a booth that cried out my name. Chocked full of colorful & primitive pieces of art and home decor. I stepped back up front, "Who is this Mosey 'n Me?", I asked. "He is Frank Bielec, from Trading Spaces." I walked back to the booth, looking and searching for something I could afford. He had quite a few wonderful primitive-style paintings; both hanging and piled in a thickly painted primitive wooden box.

I loved this girl picture.

I did pick up these two small prints. I believe they will travel with me to my office in downtown Houston. They make me happy.
*******
And, just in case you are in Katy this week, in celebration of a now Texas Tradition of Tax Free Weekend in August, I am having a Tax Free Week Sale at Dovetail~