~ Patients IS a Virtue ~ A Garden Party Gazebo

I thought I'd share the beauty of this darling miniature Garden Party Gazebo that I have finished up and entered into a contest. I was rallied & cheered on by my granddaughter.

I designed a place that I could imagine myself entering and lounging around in with my favorite magazine or book and a cup of freshly brewed coffee!

The only rule for the contest was to start with this particuliar building/gazebo. It came in pieces -raw wood. I crackled and antiqued the frame in a creamy white over vintage green. It turned out fabulous, I was very pleased. The flooring was done with a paintable fresco wall paper that I cut & pieced together. I also antiqued that. I used fresh wispy birch branches to enter-twine in and around the roof and around the posts. They emerge from a pair of "cherub" column planters that I painted black and gave a gold highlight to. I attached the various pink paper roses all around on sprigs of baby tear and pepper berry greenery.

I used 2 victorian wire chairs, a victorian bird cage (decorated in roses & birch too) and a baker's rack, all of which I painted black. I made a chair cushion for the fan back wire chair and even little bow ties hanging from the back. I created the swing by removing the legs from a cottage style "sofa"... I punched holes on the back and arms & used eyelets and rings to attach & hold the vintage pearl and wire loop "chain" hangers. I hand made the sofa cushions and throw pillows from things I had on hand and hand painted the frame in black with gold accents which matches the little table where you'll find waiting a cake and pretty tea cup and saucer.

I had a lot of fun designing this and my granddaughter is so pleased. I can't wait to find out where (or if) we'll place in the contest. No matter the outcome, we've had a great time doing this. I'll keep you posted, I 'm not sure when they announce the winners.

The scale is 1 inch = 1 foot.

Marie Antoinette Christmas at Versailles

I finished my pages for the 4x4 Book Swap. We had to do 12 pages (there were 12 members who joined this swap.)

This is what we had to do:
Create one original Marie Antoinette 4 x 4 page and then make x number of color copies (one for each member) via your local copy center OR your home printer. Please use card stock or heavier, no paper pages. Embellish your copies to you heart's content. You can use any type of embellishments. It can be a digital page, you can cut and paste to collage, or make a copy on your printer and add to it. Whatever you like. You just need to make sure that each participant has your page for their book.

Put your name and any other info you would like to share (email address, blog/flickr page) on the back of your page, and feel free to decorate. Please remember that this is a book and both sides of your page will be viewed.

Send your finished pages to me. I will then bind all participant's pages into a book and send one book to each participant.

Exciting isn't it!!

Here are the pages I sent:

I finally got some things Listed to eBay

After a very busy summer (so far) I finally got some things listed on eBay. Hope you have a minute to stop by and take a peek at the latest treasures.

Special Order For Michelle

Well I finished up the Sewing Chair that Michelle sent me for a NW Pretties make-over. I thought I'd share it with all of you! Hope she loves it!

Sweet Eddie

Here's a Cool Picture of Eddie, our Chow Chow trying to stay cool on these hot summer Seattle days!

"DOG hiding in bush... KNOWS you're there! "

He's a sweetheart.

Remembering days gone by.

The roar of the Blue Angel’s jets after-burners are rumbling through the skies today. It’s Sea-Fair in Seattle. Hydro Planes ~ Blue Angels, etc… Port Orchard must be like their U turn zone or something! Reminds me of the days I would climb to the top of mom’s roof (in Sunnyvale, CA) and watch them practice out at NAS Moffett Field, Sunnyvale and directly over our heads as they would Maneuver over the Valley.

Remembering Days Gone By.

On July 1, 1994, NAS Moffett Field was closed as a naval air station and turned over to the NASA Ames Research Center. NASA Ames now operates the facility as Moffett Federal Airfield.

Smile to the Sound of Music

I came across this video on Katie's blog and had to snag it share too. This is way too much fun and if this is what might happen when riding a train in Belgium than I'm so there☺ I just love how it spreads a little happiness and we could all use more of that, right?
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A Sweet Taste of Summer

Straight off the tree from My Garden and into my mouth! Oh these are the BEST! I wish I could share them with you!!

I got my art Cards all Finished up

THEME: Create a card combining Marie with birds, birdcages and/or aviaries. All mediums welcome.

This is a 3 for 3 ATC swap. Your cards must include birds, a birdcage or aviary and be Marie inspired.

This was my first attempt at such a swap and the art on an ATC (Artist Tranding Card) which are made on a playing card size card (or whatever). I was really lucky when I found the deck of vintage scalloped edge playing cards, which are a child's game. I used found images, stamping, vintage metal glitters, crystals and painted roses... not to shabby for my first attempts. I'll keep at it.

I'LL Miss You *~Michael~*

I've always been a fan of Michael Jackson. I grew up with him. He's only 10 months older than I am. My heart goes out to his family! I've lost a brother, I know how completely sad it is. My prayers are with them now.

When I was about 11-12 years old, my girlfriends and I put on a show for our parents, in the garage of our suburban house~ using white sheets as a back-drop, card table folding chairs and picnic table benches for seating. I had a large (probably 4 foot fury purple foot rug that we centered for "stage" appeal. After everyone was seated, (my brother) lifted the needle onto the spinning 45 record and we all set off to pretend to sing and dance to Michael Jackson's "A B C" & "Rockin Robin" songs ....it was quite the show!!! And it has always been a very fond memory of childhood days gone by!!