TRASH TO TREASURE TUESDAY

This is my first trash to treasure this week, a cheese box that I have painted with a large sunflower and checks.  I purchased the box at a rummage sale for $1.00 and presently use to hold Christmas cards received .  My Great-Grandmother Baugh dyed, spun, and wove this wool coverlet.  My sister had the coverlet and due to the poor condition chose to cut into pieces, mat, frame and give to relatives.  I was lucky enough to receive this one.    This is very dear to me and hangs in the hallway of my home.   Sorry about the flash.

Join Diane for more Trash to Treasure at:

http://diane1876.blogspot.com

Sunday

We had a partly sunny day here in Missouri as witnessed by the picture Pat took from our deck.  If you could see the thermometer it says 46 degrees.  We have a much better view of the river and fields in the winter.  We often see an eagle in this area.  When we hear the crows getting noisy that’s a clue that an eagle may be near.

This view is looking east of our home, our neighbor’s house can be seen.  The river is on right side of the picture. 

This picture is northeast of our home and the highway is visible in the picture.  When the leaves are on the trees it is beautiful, but an entirely different looking area.  We haven’t had much snow ,so far this winter, but it isn’t over yet.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week.

Flea Market Finds

I wanted to show what I purchased at Bear Ridge Antiques near my home.  The rooster pitcher was $1.50(a good buy).  I will add him to my rooster collection.  Two weeks ago I was wanting to give away all my roosters, I thought I wanted something else in my breakfast room and kitchen.  Apparently I changed my mind and started buying more roosters.  Oh, well  a lady can change her mind. 

The carpenter’s ruler  was $1.00 and I will use parts of it in my art.  I was surprised as usually they are priced higher, they have become a collector’s item.

The vintage valentine was in a friend’s booth and I love the colors, the fan is separate from the card .  In the same booth I found a pint jar filled with beads and jewelry.  Almost everything was a keeper, especially the vintage earrings.

Oh, I didn’t mention the glass dome.  Wonder what I will do with it?  I will make a glass cloche.  I will have to find a base and some type of glass knob or crystal, maybe an earring for the top.  Next I will find some treasure to display.  See why I am so busy all the time?  Sometimes the answer to my creations come when I think about some treasures I have stowed away from an earlier trip to a flea market, garage sale, or thrift store.

52 Questions and Answers this year

I am starting a mini journal to give an answer to 52 questions posed by Emily.  This is a challenge I need to motivate me to journal, after all it is only once a week.  Go to her blog and join the challenge.  At the end of the year you will have completed a journal.  Emily suggests using a small journal as you won’t think you need to write and write.  I don’t have any problem talking, but when I write I go blank.

http://embers.typepad.com/e/2009/01/52q-beginsa-year-of-questions-and-answers.html

More later…..

Trash to Treasure Tuesday

I purchased these bookends at a yard sale a few years ago for approximately 2.00 and have seen them at antique stores  for much more.  I  think they are keepers.

I found this at a thrift store recently for 1.00 and now is one of my favorite things.  It is 8 inches tall, just wish I could find one 5 feet tall.  It looks as if it is crooked, it isn’t, just the photographer.

I did some painting(rosemaling) on this vintage sewing machine drawer and keep it in the front hall for letters to be mailed, favorite snapshot of family or old books for display.  Check Diane’s blog for more trash to treasures at http://diane1876.blogspot.com for January 13,2009.

Shelby’s Birthday Party

We celebrated Shelby’s 18th birthday at Lebanon today.  Her birthday was yesterday, January 9.  The immediate family was there except Jeff,Patsy, Janey, Trent, and Kyle.   It is difficult to get that many people together at the same time.  Shelly served tacos  with all the extras, and finished with cupcakes and birthday cake.  Shelly had the best coffee, Starbucks Christmas  blend,  I must buy some if they have any left.  I made Shelby the birthday crown just to reminds us she is 18.  This was my first try and I thought it was cute.  She said she was going to wear it all week end.    

Trash to Treasure Tuesday

I have been turning trash to treasure for many years so I have decided to join Diane’s weekly blog.  I have been collecting bottles and here is my first try at turning a bottle into something I can use as home decor.

The following picture I have added a paper sculpture made from an old book.  I think they look good together.  What do you think?

This is a vintage jewelry box from the 50’s.  I should know as it is mine.  It was split down the side; I decoupage wrapping paper to create stability; kept it red(the original color); and painted roses on the top.  I will pass it down to a daughter, someday.

Go to Diane’s blog:  http://diane1876.blogspot.com to find the links to other Trash to Treasure.

Painting With Donna

First, I must say I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR.  My holidays have been so much fun being with my family and the grandkids being on vacation from school.                                                                                                   Today seems almost back to normal as I attended our monthly meeting of Ozark Hills Decorative Painters in Lebanon.  We had a wonderful day together painting, talking, and laughing.  Donna was our teacher and I must say an excellent painter and teacher.  She taught a class in leaf study.  The information given can later be used for reference when painting realistic flower.  I tried to take pictures of all the ladies in attendance, but when viewing the pictures I have left out some ladies.  Please, forgive this amateur photographer as I truly wanted to get everyone in the pictures.  Enjoy the pictures.   

 

These dedicated artists are a wonderful group of people to paint with.  We meet the 1st Saturday of each month at the Southern Heights Christian Church in Lebanon, MO.  Come and join us for a new learning experience.

Altered Christmas Cards

I have been working on altering some Christmas cards.  This is so much fun, just try.  I start by  cutting elements from old cards, divide into categories such as borders, verses, pictures of angels, santas, etc. and arranging on blank cards.  Once I like an arrangement I glue everything to the card and if needed I ink ,chalk or tear edges. I always have the gold, copper and silver paint pens and edge the card, elements, or envelopes, this gives the card a finished appearance.

I plan to try this with all occasion cards.  What do you think, would people like to receive  a card of this type?  I suppose you would pick and choose who get these cards.  Please let me know what you think and if you make some let me know. 

Jack and Granny

Jack is visiting with Grandma and Grandpa and we are making cookies tonight.  I am sure they will turn out very good as we have made them before and they were delicious.

I am still learning to insert picture within the blog.  I had worked for some time trying to do this and am anxious to see how it looks.

And the Winner Is!!!

The winner is Maija,so if you can let me know your address I will send you the ornament, tomorrow. I know the weather in Arizona is so much better than in Missouri. We have had snow flurries since noon today, but not freezing, therefore not sticking to anything.
Thanks to all that interred the drawing. Please, if you would like follow my blog. I plan to follow your blogs, I have enjoyed each one I have read.
I have been busy putting items in my store, Art by Arlene, on Lollishops. Check it out!! I will be adding more items as soon as time permits.

Christmas Ornament Give Away

Lollishops will be opening for business very soon. In honor of the opening I have decided to have a give away. This spoon Christmas ornament has been handpainted by me, the artist and embellished with a red ribbon. Make a comment for a chance to win. I will draw the name of the lucky winner, Wednesday, December 3, 2008. For an extra chance to win all you have to do is mention my give away and a link to my blog. Good luck!!!

It was a pleasant but windy day for our parade. There wasn't any school Monday and Tuesday so the children participated in the parade. Jack was in the parade and following the parade he came home with Grandpa and me, in Jack's words, "I want to spend some time with you." We played on the computer, made cookies,ordered pizza and had a good afternoon together. Jack and Jo Ann are going on a cruise and then to Disney World to visit Trent next week. They wanted grandpa and me to go, but we decided we would stay home, one cruise a year is enough(especially for Pat). We would love seeing Trent, but we hope he will be home Christmas.

Fall Farm Scene

The weather is chilly in Missouri this morning as I prepare to go crafting today. There are three shows in this area today and I must be there, talk with my vendor friends, see what's new, and check out the food. I may even stop at a few flea markets and antique shows. I have been looking forward to all of this.

War Eagle

It has taken me a week to let everyone know about my weekend in Arkansas as I have been catching up on my work and have had somewhere to go most of the past week. We saw some outstanding crafts, but was disappointed to see items in the show that were not handmade. It is a difficult business at best, but when we have to compete with large companies who can mass produce these items(poorly)it becomes next to impossible. It is left to the customer to decide what they want, quality or quantity. Enough, I will get off my soap box.
The craft that stands out in my mind was the jewelry. So beautiful, I wanted one of each, but my budget wouldn't allow. There wasn't a lot of mixed media or vintage. There was a lot of pottery, paintings(most was watercolor), distressed furniture,food and jewelry.
It was awonderful weekend to get away from home, shop, meet old friends and relax.

Good morning, Have been up since 4:30 A.M.(the dog got me up)and have accomplished a few things such as adding pictures to my blog. These are some ladies I have been working on for a couple weeks. My dear friend, Carol, gave me some magazines from the 20's and I have been sketching and painting. I love the way each girl has her own personality. I haven't named them, but am considering some names. I will let you know when I decide.
We have a busy week end planned and will be heading south to Arkansas for the annual War Eagle Craft Show east of Rogers, Arkansas. This is a girl's week end planned for a year ahead. We will leave early tomorrow(Friday) morning for a three day trek. I am beginning to get excited! There will be lots and lots of people, many large white tents, and crafts galore! This is a juried show so we will see quality work and will return with lighter wallets, but some wonderful works of art. Fourteen people are planning to meet in Bentonville, most from Missouri, two from Oklahoma. I will report on our trip and hope to take a lot of pictures.

Beautiful Weather

The weather in Missouri has been perfect all week-end, in fact, we have had very pleasant weather all summer. There has been a lot of rain so there is garden produce that in any other year would have been burned up by the heat and lack of rain. My hubby and I went to the small town of Dixon to the church's sausage and chicken dinner. They had fresh green beans, sweet potatoes, apples, green peppers, house plants, mums, and needle work for sale. That was my favorite part of the day. I enjoyed the meal and visiting with people I had not seen for some time, probably since last year. We use to live in Dixon when the girls were young, so there aren't alot of the same people living there now.
Yesterday was a wonderful day of painting and visiting with the members of our painting chapter. Our teacher did a wonderful job of teaching, making it easy to follow her directions.
I am posting some pictures of art work I have done the past few months. I am trying to create Christmas ornaments, decorations, and cards for the opening of the Lollishop Guild which will open in November. I am so thrilled to have been selected to be a vendor. I hope I can fill my shop with goodies to sell.

Promises, Promises, Promises!!!

I promise that(hopefully) next week I will have some pics of my work on my blog. I have to rely on my hubby to post pics, but I need to learn and next week he will have time to teach me. We got a new computer and now I have to learn all over!!
My belief is that a blog is not a blog until you have pictures to show. I am not one that enjoys typing(never was that good in class)and am not interested in learning to be faster. So for me pictures can tell the story. So, until later.......
I am so happy to be a part of Lollishops Guild and have been chosen as a vendor. I have added followers and hope more join my blog.

Surprise!

I am so sorry I haven't been posting for a long, long time. I have been dogsitting, gone to painting retreat, and Silver Dollar City and have just returned. Oh, I forgot to mention I have become part of a jury pool for our county and will be serving through Dec. 31. I received good news this afternoon that the trial I had been called for on Monday has been cancelled. What happened to retirement? Maybe I will be able to return to my studio and create some art.
I am still learning new things that work on this blog and somethings that don't work.