We are there ----

I took off from my grown up girl job yesterday and zipped across the street to Junk in the Trunk and set my cute little space up. A quick and simple background of book pages (ya'll know I love 'em), kraft paper and some rusty tin.

Got it all together --- what do you think?

Spoon bracelets and pendants.

I added a padded background of flour sack material to the drawer -- I love how the little shelf looks.

here is an overall view of the area - the boxes you see under the table are extra nativity set I left at the owners request.

Now for my favorite thing. The snowflakes really "pop" against the tin background. I think I gasped audibly when I hung them up.  I'll make more of these over the weekend because I sure hope they sell well out of the booth.

Have a great Thanksgiving. I am blessed.

love, t

Junk in the Trunk

I am taking pictures of rusted metal. Actually this is just the view into the very back of my vehicle today.

This is the view out my rear view mirror --- book page backdrops for my booth piled on top of a crapload of other stuff.

But i am so hoping the hanging of this works out like I want it to. An old drawer I've been hoarding for years. No more.

I am setting up my booth today at

Junk in the Trunk
Olympic Drive
Athens, Ga.

More pictures tomorrow ---

hey ya'll - it's the weekend

I've got a full schedule myself. Tonight there will be frosting made and some seriously good baked sweet potatoes for dinner.

I'll also be pondering exactly how to do all of the background stuffs for this.... 

My booth space at Junk in the Trunk. The new Antiques/craft mall on Olympic Drive in Athens, GA. I committed to a 4x6 space. I have some rusty tin and plenty of craft paper and book pages and I am thinking that will be used on these walls.

Stay tuned, I'll be updating on that new venture here, regularly.

I'm off to Chateau Elan -- EARLY in the the morning for a fundraiser 5K. See the elevation in this picture - Seems the last 3/4 mile of this run is up this LOOONNNGGG hill. But just look at the view we will have as runners.

Then I'm off to get ready for this concoction to be dinner --- Low Country Boil with a group of friends.

 There will even be a drive on what is know as the "dirt road to heaven."

Saturday night's dinner gonna end with some of this - Fresh apple cake. I simply cannot wait.

Sunday will include church nursery - then a nap - then actual work on the booth display materials.

Yup --- full full weekend.

Hope yours is wonderful too.



Show time.

Friday night found me doing final prep for the Holiday Artist Market.

It was a really long long day and evening.

A minor little twist on Friday evening gave me a wonderful helper.

Luke came to hang out with me -

We made signs. He helped place things on my mock up display.

 He even came back on Saturday and helped and hung out with me ALL day. We had so much fun.

Mind you it was 29 degrees F when we were setting up on Saturday morning. But he didn't complain.
Later in the day - several of my Sunday School kids showed up and they all played in the crepe myrtle tree. I know several kids who slept really well on Saturday night.

My spoon pendant display was made from the lid off an ammo box. Now - I had great help adding those tacks across the top. Gave Luke the hammer and he hammered while I held the tack with some pliers (finger protection). I am a firm believer in enabling kids. Yes, often it would be SO MUCH QUICKER and maybe even SO MUCH EASIER to DO IT MYSELF, however allowing a child to take ownership of part of a project is way too important to geve into the other feelings. I try really hard to never use the phrases "that is the wrong way to do it" or "you didn't do it right". If there is danger in the way something is being done, simply show them the "better" way.

Kids need to be involved. Kids need to learn to do things and they can't if the adults in their lives constantly get in the way. Kids also need to climb trees and run laps and swing on a rope and roll around in the dirt. They need to make messes and clean them up and they need to learn responsibilty for how to accomplish things, from planning, to processing, to completion. As adults we are to make all that learning fun.

Now having Luke to help was so much fun for me. He was eager to help, he listened and followed directions as we did things. I got to play. He got to help. and I got to see the expressions on his face as he learned and accomplished things.

THAT PEOPLE -  IS A SERIOUS WIN - WIN SITUATION.

I'm hoping I get to spend a lot more time with that kid.

Now more show pictures - I had a 10 x 10 space, but I only used part of it. Here is my display.

The painted nativity scenes were the popular ones.

I still like the stained ones too, but in the future the painted ones will be the production ones.

My friend Marilyn posted a picture of hers. I love the quilt hanging in the background.

I had a very good show. Now to decide how to complete my new booth display at the antiques/handcraft mall across the street from the store.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Where I was.......

I haven't posted a BootCamp update in forever.

I have let some unhealthy eating habits slide back into my life since my surgery last spring. Partially because of one of the lifestyle rules -  No artificial sweeteners. But I am still exercising regularly and I have not gained any of my weight back. Haven't lost any more - but still.

I am much more able to run distances now. My 5K time is still much like the plodding of a tortoise, but hey, I am out there and i just keep doing it. I say - I am doing better than that person sitting in front of the tv.

The time change has made it difficult to get the long runs in. We use a cross country trail at a local private school. I have purchased a lightweight LED light wand. Last night I tested it. Carrying the light like a relay baton was very effective and will allow me the ability to continue my running.

I use my smartphone as my running playlist.  Pandora is my choice for variety - last night I set it to the Drivin' and Cryin' station and left out. As I emerged from the woods and started across the first field, I noticed the moon - oh how stunning - so I planned a stop on top of the dam at the lake. I snapped that picture with my phone.

It was a beautiful run. Crisp fall air. Clear sky. Full moon reflecting off the water. Breathing just right. Mentally let the junk of life go and just put one foot in front of the other. I have discovered that I really do like to run.

I am not sure when it happened because this is how it used to be.

I am grateful for my health. I am grateful for the fact that great medical care was available. I am grateful that I didn't die from an internal hemmorage. I am grateful for the tiniest things. I am grateful.

I am grateful that I have now decicded that I do like to run.

lots of snow.....

I hang them from the light fixture --- my work light at the table got dimmer and dimmer. These are all for sale.

I am pretty well complete on making things --- tonight I do displays, tagging, and packing.

let it snow ....

Go here for more info including a link to the tutorial I used.

The prep for my art show continues. I'll be ready just in time. Isn't that always the way it works.

Here's the latest of the items......

It all starts with the visits to the thrift and junk stores. I poke around and poke around and buy up things that I plan to work with.

I love paper - old paper ephemera - books - stuff.

I also love the internet - and all of the inspiration and instruction available there.

I learned how to make these in a tutorial I found online. I have LOTS of old paper. So here we go.

These pictures are of the huge batch of these I (we - I had help) just finished.

First - I suckered the help into cutting an entire Baptist Hymnal into 4.5 inch squares.

Then fold all of those in half to make triangles.

Repeat - Repeat - Repeat ---- until you are simply sick of it - then finish the last of them. (note the baby wipes are what I keep handy for wiping glue stick off my fingers.

Then you cut and twirl. Cut and twirl. Cut and twirl.

Again repeat repeat repeat. Think you are all done. Fine ONE more stack of those danged triangles. Say UGLY words. Repeat repeat some more.

Those nice little folded triangles fluff up and become ------ this.

Big piles of this. Like boxes and baskets full.

Then - if you get really really lucky - some one will help you glue and glue and glue all those little twirls into snowflakes and pile them on top of the spoiled dog's big old crate - and the desk and the sofa. You get the picture.

 At the end of all this repeating - and smoke breaking - and coffee and Coke drinking - and laughter (never forget the laughter) - you will see several of these.....

So - if you are in the Danielsville, Ga area on Saturday, please stop by the old courthouse on the square. I'll send you home with one of these for a mere $7.00.

Have a wonderful afternoon.

special places

We all have them. Those places that make you feel like all is completely right with the world. Well look at these --- the colors are stunning.

Turn off the road on what I now refer to as the dirt road to heaven. Funny thing is - you can hear the traffic from the main road as you make your way down here. Still - it is beautiful.

Looks like this tree is glowing -- I love the fall light -- and the colors -- and the cool mornings -- and the sunny, warm afternoons. It is all beautiful to me.



Celebrate one of your special places.



Happy Friday

These two are my pride and joy.

Abby - aka - softball princess - is embracing college life and I miss her.

She rejoins us at home occasionally.

Can I say again that I miss her?

But allowing kids to grow and expand life experiences, that is what parenting is really all about.

College Girl - my oldest - she is applying to grad schools - some a long long way from home.

I miss her too

But allowing kids to grow and expand life experiences, that is what parenting is really all about.

Oh and that random kid up there -- she's really cool too.

She's not mine, but I would take her.

I love these two.

They make their mama so very emotional.

Imma keep on lovin' 'em.

That's what Mama's do.

Friends

These two are friends. Have been for many years. There were stories being told at this moment. I slipped my phone out and snapped this.

The really cool part - they are both my friends. They are both special to me. I am blessed to have them and so many others in my life.

This morning I sent out a block of text messages to several friends. There is an email waiting in my draft folder for several more.

Today I am thankful for my friends.

So much love -- so many blessings.

thankful for inspirations

I read a lot of blogs. I love my blogging friends. I am closer to one of them than I am even my sister. And the inspirations I find there really help keep the creative muses dancing.

I also have a pinterest account --- OMG how much inspiration is there? --- And it is so easy to use.

This image is from one of my pinboards. I cannot get the link to work, so here is the direct link to Melissa's blog post.  I love the same kinds of things she does and I pin her images over and over.

Today, i am thankful for the internet and all the fun inspiration and information that is out there.

BEWARE - I have google and I am not afraid to use it.

Have a wonderful day.





Thanksgiving Month

It's November - wow. As we speed into the holiday season, November shows up with beautiful colors and wonderful foods and celebrations of Thanksgiving here in the good old USA.

I'm going to spend my November recognizing some things that I really am thankful for ---

Starting with this -----

I love coffee - however; I rarely made coffee at home because no one else loved coffee like I do. Then I was gifted with this beauty.

That's a Keurig Mini Plus single cup coffee maker. I cannot express how much I love this. It was my birthday present. I now say ALL the time. I LOVE MY COFFEE MAKER.

Hot chocolate - no problem - daughter uses it for that.

Hot tea - got that one covered too.

Plain old coffee - yes - I keep the Millstone Coffee Breakfast Blend for that.

But I do have an absolute favorite. It's....

Wild Mountain Blueberry from Green Mountain Coffee. Wow. Love this stuff. Just enough berry flavor to make me a happy girl. It is rather difficult to find locally, so when I do, I stock up. But you can order it directly from Green Mountain. Being a true southern girl, I'm also going to try their Southern Pecan as well.

I'll brew a big cup - add my creamer - grab a blanket - and head for my porch swing. What a great start to my day.

Just so you know - None of these folks have any idea who I am nor do they know that I am seriously in love with their product and singing their praises. I'm simply sharing this because I am so very thankful that I was gifted with this coffee maker. I am also celebrating the way a nice cup of coffee adds beauty to my life.

Have a great day --- why don't you help me celebrate some things this month.