Frippery

Entry Closet Makeover Progress

2012-01-26T15:33:00.000-05:00

It may not seem like a biggie but this closet can make my life miserable.

So I emptied it.

Pulled out the pole holding up a thousand pounds of coats and the shelf that held things I didn't ever remember owning.

Are you with me on that one?

Just so you believe me...

A Thousand Pounds!

(Give or take)

Yep.

All. Of. This.

was in that tiny itty closet.

I have been drooling over the closet makeovers using hooks instead of hangers.

More sensible.

Easier access.

Hooks though...

I saw lot's of super cute ones...

Ummm...kinda expensive for a non existent budget like mine.

Plus who really looks at them once a coat is hung?

Along comes Hobby Lobby clearance.

Yeah!

A little bit country, not very rock n roll if you get my drift.

But the hooks...

looking pretty useful...

$15.00...

I had to do it, made in China or not.

Took the hooks off the back piece and sprayed them a nice medium gray

from my paint stash in the garage.

Don't worry, I have plans for the back piece in another room.

Waste not want not.

I painted the closet interior a nice french gray left over from my hallway redo.

So far it is a million times better.

I will be adding hooks to the side walls that I have had around for a while.

Another clearance purchase that I have been looking to use somewhere.

They will be perfect for short jackets, purses, umbrellas...

I plan on attaching two inexpensive (cheap) towel racks to the inside door for our multitude of scarves.

Oh yes...

the door handle in lovely glaring brass is going to be sprayed...something else.

That is a project for another day.

For now let me enjoy the empty space.

It will be filled soon enough.

This project took me all of half a day working continuously.

A few more tweaks and we can call it complete.

So just begin! P.

Icy Winter Palette

2012-01-24T18:05:00.000-05:00

Winter's icy palette encases a promise of spring.

Freeze, thaw, begin, P.

Meanings

2012-01-19T14:53:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite bowls was broken a day or two ago.

Beyond any reasonable repair.

I gathered the pieces.

Maybe this chipped object could be reshaped.

Made anew in a different configuration.

The pieces are still lovely, just a bit worse for wear.

The new creation might become even more than the old one ever could have been.

This break was a eureka moment for me.

A new direction that I hadn't completely formed in my head became quite clear.

I am beginning to take the steps toward change.

Broken may mean split, torn, rent or cracked.

A break could be an accidental misfortune.

However a break is also a stroke of luck,

an advantage, chance or opportunity.

This little slip from the hand to the floor is just that.

I am going to take advantage of this break to try something different.

We are all broken in places, but those breaks can be forged into a

new configuration of the person we were.

A plan, a model, a framework for something better.

Take advantage of the breaks life puts in your path.

Begin, P.

Stop SOPA

2012-01-18T11:43:00.000-05:00

Hi friends,

I would not normally post something like this but I think this is important.
I am not tech savvy enough to blackout but I want to share this info on SOPA.
Another freedom taken away because a few "bad guys" might be doing something illegal.
Consider this my blackout.

I understand copyright infringement but we already have laws against it.
Why should we all have to be punished for the acts of a few?
If you agree Go Here to take action.

Begin, P.

Clean Winter Decorating

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

We finally got our first snow.

Snow?

Maybe more like a quick dust.

Last year we were measuring in feet by now.

This year not even an inch.

A girl can still pretend she is snowed in and get all cozy and domestic.

I cleaned and cleared the counters.

Only left the things we use on a daily basis.

A few of my not useful but loved pieces went up to the high shelves and tops of cabinets.

Now everything not necessary is out of the way.

Easy to maintain.

This will free up more time to play.

Calm and clean.

Maybe now the rest of the family will be more than happy to tidy up...

kidding.

Rid myself of many tschotskes cluttering other surfaces as well.

Ahhh simplicity reigns.

At least on the table tops.

A flick of the duster and done.

Ok winter, bring on more snow!

What feels better than a good de-clutter at the beginning of a new year?

Just begin, P.

P.S. If you are in Southwest Ohio, Ohio Valley Antiques is having a huge sale Today and Sunday.

The sellers will be wheeling and dealing.

I have marked down many items to prepare my space for a make over.

Booth 127.

Stop by and find a treasure!

Lift Up a Blog Neighbor

2012-01-13T18:03:00.000-05:00

Hello sweet friends,

This community is always ready to jump in and support one another in good and bad times.

There has been so much joy added to my life from being a part of this Blogland ...place, idea ... neighborhood?

Yes I think neighborhood is what this is.

There is a neighbor who could use a visit, a kind comment, perhaps an uplifting message.

I met a delightful and artistic woman several years ago at Silver Bella.

We were able to reunite the following year and it was like we had been old friends.

Unfortunately, since last we met, Sandi of Victorian Gypsy has had two of the worst years anyone can ever imagine.

In 2010 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and started a new much needed job during treatment.

In the fall she lost her youngest son unexpectedly and in the spring of last year she lost her husband to cancer a month after he was diagnosed.

She has been much on my mind.

She is a strong woman and is moving on as best she can for the sake of her other four children and her beloved grandchildren but how much can one lady take?

Yes she does have friends and family who are a major support system but we all know how lovely it is to have a blog and know someone out here is paying attention and has your back as well.

One of her wishes at the beginning of 2011 was to grow her blog to 200 followers.

With the trials life has thrown her way recently that just hasn't happened.

I am not asking you to follow

(although she is a very talented crafter and shares her beautiful work on her blog),

just stop by here and give a kind word.

If you find a new blog to follow that will be the icing.

Oh and a prayer never hurts.

Begin again today, P.

First Home Project of 2012

2012-01-11T11:07:00.001-05:00

Hello friends,

Here is a simple, cheap way to dress up a schmugly pendant lampshade.

Sorry Ikea.

We do not have a light above our family room table and I had tried several awkward fixes, such as a floor lamp whose cord was always a trip hazard,

cute lamps on the table, same problem.

Temporary solution, two Ikea hanging pendants with super inexpensive shades.

Light issue solved, but schmugly issue not so much.

Although I have been slipping back and forth into the realm of contemporary in my decorating these shades were just...yuck.

But they did give us much needed light.

An actual hardwired light would involve an electrician.

That is definitely not in the budget.

A half pack of shims that was laying around the garage gave me an idea.

Unfinished wood contemporary shades with a rustic edge to the look.

I purchased two large packs of shims from Lowes and cranked up the glue gun.

First try, fail...

do not begin stacking one on top of the other.

This would have led to an wonky gap when I placed the last shim or the possibility of having to cut a shim lengthwise.

Zero in the style department.

Oh and this is a quick as well as cheap project.

No pesky measurements.

Instead, evenly space the first row around what ever shade you may be using.

I just kind of eyeballed to be sure the shims would go completely around the shade with equal gaps between each shim.

My shade happens to be smaller at the bottom than the top.

Stagger the second row with the center of the second row of shims on top of the seam of the first row, then repeat with the top.

I simply layered each row to have an equal reveal at the bottom and

still end up even with the top of the shade.

I hope the photos help you get the idea.

There will be gaps at the widest part of your shade.

I planned to use burlap strapping with the cool little lines as a cover for the gapped section.

I went to my local JoAnn's and they didn't have it!

Being too impatient to shop around I took some plain burlap I had at home and cut a strip to fit around each lamp.

I doubled the width of the area that had gaps and folded it in half.

You can see what I am talking about better in this photo.

(The sun actually came out for a day. Go sunshine!)

OK so I folded the strip and hot glued it around the top shims to cover the gaps.

Here you can see the parts of the Ikea pendant that hold the shade to the light.

My plan was to have the fringe as a design element but in my frenzy to finish

I was not exact in my placement.

It looks OK...but I am going to come back and add something...???...

to cover the unfinished burlap edge.

Ruffle, maybe, grosgrain ribbon in chocolate brown, probably.

I had also considered staining but I kind of like the blond wood look.

How about you?

A vast improvement don't you think?

These have so many possibilities.

Spray paint, stenciled words, different fabric trim.

I am loving shims right now.

I have a whole package left!

Now where did I put that glue gun?

I will post some better photos if the sun ever reappears

and I decide what trim to use.

Until then I am quite happy with this treatment.

Cost?

Package and a half of shims: $3.87 for a package of 42.

Ikea Skirma shade: $5.00 each (already had)

For me the final cost was less than $6 because I had the pendants and shades already.

If you needed two shades you will still come in at just around $15.00.

I can't find the pendants on Ikea's website anymore but they were under $9.00 each.

I think you could find something similar at Target or Wallyworld.

I plan to make cord covers some day soon to finish the look.

Pretty quick fix for a nagging decorating problem and a non existent budget.

Just remember to begin, P.

I will be linking to

Whisperwood Cottage

Winter Mantel

2012-01-10T09:55:00.003-05:00

Hello friends,

Couldn't do it.

Simply had to keep a tiny bit of Christmas.

My evergreen garland remains on the mantel as part of a winter vignette.

A winter camp out in the woods.

One of my little assemblages.

The words say "Cherish these moments..."

I had considered a string of marshmallows but thought that might be taking things too literally.

Plus my real life giant marshmallow might just decide to pull the whole thing down in her quest for random snacks that might be eaten when those pesky humans aren't looking.

Just keeping it real.

Other news...

We may get our first real snow of the year this week!

Not that I hate the springlike temps but it is January, right?

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Don't forget to begin, P.

A Few More from Hammersong Farm

2012-01-09T10:33:00.001-05:00

Sadie snapped a few photos on her iPhone of our metal sculpting class at Hammersong Farm.

They turned out quite well.

Maybe I need to ditch my Canon and start taking my shots from my phone!

I thought I would share them just in case you thought I didn't do any of the work...

err... I should say play.

This was my favorite toy.

Plasma cutter I love you.

(Not loving my lumber jack ensemble so much, hee hee.)

Welding with Jay.

What a great teacher!

This was one of the most enjoyable days I have had in ages.

Especially because I got to spend the day with my daughter creating something.

We have such fun together just makin'.

Sadie was like an old pro within minutes.

What a day!

Just begin, P.

Magical Weekend Project

2012-01-08T12:50:00.000-05:00

Hello my friends,

Sadie and I are home from our mom/daughter mini trip.

What a weekend.

We spent our Saturday at the most charming place,

with equally charming people.

Hammersong Farm is the home of Tom and Linda Bland.

Tom is a talented metal sculptor who sells his amazing art at shows as well as imparting his vast knowledge to people lucky enough to get a space in his quickly filled workshops.

We were two of the lucky ones.

When we pulled up the drive we were completely enchanted by this magical place where an artist's dream is truly being lived.

We got to play with the most amazing "toys" while being taught new skills by Tom and his assistant Jay, a young man who is a patient and wonderful teacher in his own right.

We bent metal bars.

We cut with a plasma cutter.

We welded.

We sawed.

We recreated one of Tom's fantastic designs in metal.

Oh yes, and we ate.

In the shop...

on white linen...

a gourmet luncheon...

prepared by Tom!

Another of the many talents this artist possesses.

Four courses no less.

This couple knows how to do life right.

They also have a guest house on the farm

and they treat their guests like long lost friends come for a visit.

Next time we will plan farther in advance to take advantage of a little extra helping of Linda and Tom's hospitality.

I feel like we learned so much in a single day.

Tom is a teacher who knows how to share his talents with grace.

He takes a genuine interest in each of his students.

We felt so at ease and welcome all while learning what may become a new passion.

Just what a teacher is meant to be.

On top of the charm and hospitality and new skills learned, we came home with this...

It was dark when we pulled in the drive but we were so excited we had to place our piece in the yard.

Probably not it's permanent place but...

Gaaahhh....

AWESOME!!!

If you have a chance to visit or better yet get into a class at Hammersong Farm

I would urge you to do so.

Now.

Before 2013 fills up.

But not before Sadie and I can book our next class...

Thank you Tom , Linda and Jay.

We had a truly marvelous weekend because of you and your good and sharing spirit.

Just begin, P.

P.S Here is a video from Hammersong Farm of this leaf sculpture in action.

Love!!!!

First 2012 Project Tease

2012-01-07T10:02:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

While Sadie and I are off welding I wanted to give you a hint of my first 2012 home project.

Uh, no...

Chloe is not the project.

I just had to snap this shot of her because this is what she does.

She takes naps...on her back... in the middle of the floor... anywhere.

The cat has no sense of self preservation (or modesty for that matter).

Oh yes, the project.

It involves this fairly ugly but inexpensive lamp shade.

Sorry Ikea.

It also involves these handy dandy and very inexpensive little beauties.

Enjoy your weekend.

Don't forget to begin, P.

Bye Bye my Pretties

2012-01-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

Happy Epiphany!

Sadie and I are off to take a metal welding class at Hammersong Farm.

We will be making a wind sculpture.

A BIG wind sculpture.

As in here's hoping we can fit it into the Subaru to haul it home.

We are taking steps to learn a new skill.

Perhaps another beginning?

It is good that I will be away for a day or two.

I won't feel the loss of my Christmas baubles so keenly.

I know I mentioned my issue with endings.

Each year these are the pieces I put away last...and miss the most...

They are the sparkly reminders of childhood wonder and I always feel a bit bereft when I pack them away.

They were so pretty all gathered on the dining room table

that I took a few shots before I tucked them in.

(Would it be weird to keep these photos in my wallet? Ha ha heehee, just kidding.)

Bye bye my pretties.

I will see you next Christmas.

I have been working on a winter mantel to tide me through January.

Just a glimpse here.

Carrie, do you recognize those thermos bottles?

I get the best junk from you!

They are just the right touch for my cozy winter theme.

See you when we return filled with new knowledge and a little mother/daughter girl trip fun too.

I will content myself with the knowledge that the bright winter sun will provide enough sparkle to get us through 'til spring.

See you next week!

Let's begin, P.

Hold on It's About to Get Bumpy!

2012-01-03T11:42:00.001-05:00

Hello my friends,

A new year has arrived and the past one is, well, in the past.

These last two years have not been red letter, barn burner years here at Frippery Farmhouse.

Needless to say my hopes for 2012 are for better days.

However I hesitate to use the word "hope" because in a way it connotes things that are out of our control.

I do not want to look at things as beyond control.

Not any longer.

As many of you have been traveling along side me for a while know, for the past two years my hubs has been job hunting. To no avail.

He has started a business of his own but that is slow going, with little income and nothing steady like the "good old days".

The good old days being ones where hubby was traditionally employed and bringing home a paycheck which allowed me to stay home and raise our children in a quite comfortable way.

To have family vacations and not hesitate over every small purchase.

Days when he drove a company car and had good health insurance (not free mind you, but good).

Those days ended 2 years ago when he was downsized...

in his fifties...

when no one wants to hire you anymore.

At first we were like "no problem, someone as successful as he is will surely be hired right away"...

Then reality slowly creeped in.

I have spoken to so many of you in the same situation.

Many more than I would have dreamed possible a few years back.

Now we share a single car, try to cover the necessities without emptying our savings and pray.

Yes, we have had a better life than many and still do.

I don't want you to think I don't realize we have been blessed,

but it was a life altering change none the less.

I will not stop praying but I will stop hoping.

Not giving up, just letting go of the thought that the old days will return.

I have spent too much of the past year in wailing and gnashing teeth.

Fighting against something that I could not change.

It happened, it was in the past, I needed to let it go.

I have a problem with letting go.

Endings of any kind cause me to go all weepy and emotional.

Talk about no control!

I even have issues with turning off the Christmas lights each year for the final time.

That's why I haven't started taking things down until today.

Today is the day to let go.

It's over, say goodnight to that old life and those expectations.

That past has gone, it is time to begin without baggage.

Start a new way of doing and being.

Instead of worrying about what is going to happen, start today to make it happen.

Take a step in the direction that will create that new life I want to live.

I know, babble babble, yada yada...

But I feel intuitively that this may be the path I need at this time.

I feel that I am being led.

People have been appearing with their oh so wise words lately.

Thoughts and ideas that seem to come just at the perfect time.

I will heed them and go where the road leads.

There will be changes here.

I hope you will stick with me through the process.

If I trip up along the way I will just pick up, dust off and start over as our old pastor Father Rudy used to be fond of quoting to the kids.

As I said, it may get bumpy, but what fun is a roller coaster without all the bumps?

That simile is appropriate to this different approach to life.

If I start to falter I will try to reach back to those childhood days.

Days when every moment was an adventure, wrongs were quickly forgotten, all friends were best friends and the next great thing was right around the corner.

Begin...take a step... and see what is waiting for us.

I will encourage you and I would love a few words of encouragement too.

This community is so much about sharing.

I want to say thanks to all of you who have given me the gift of your personal stories.

It is always good to move forward knowing we are not alone.

Not sure where the road will lead but that is half the adventure.

Let's hold on tight over the bumps and enjoy the ride.

Take the first step.

Put it out there and see what comes back

Let's begin, P.

The Beginning and 500 Posts!

2012-01-01T10:00:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year my friends,

Have you made any resolutions?

I don't do resolutions anymore.

I find they rarely make it past March.

Why set myself up for sure failure?
How many times have I promised myself a set amount of weight or a fitness level and when I don't reach that goal I throw the whole thing out the window?
How about the time frame for creating or taking a business step?
When it isn't reached by a specific deadline I'm all, "Oh well, it wasn't meant to be."
At one point I planned to train to participate in a run.
As soon as I missed a few days training I just plain quit.
So no more resolutions.

I do try to chose a word or phrase as my reminder of how I would like to live.
A word that works as a prompt to keep going.
A talisman for staying the course.
With no deadlines it is a way of starting over from today.
Say the word and know you can accomplish what you have chosen to do.
No set backs, just new starts.

My 2010 word was Gracious and the year before was Be Real.

The word for 2012 has been tossed back and forth in my mind for a while.

Actually part of the reason I chose my touchstone word is that very indecision.

I can think a thing right into the ground.

Then the old saying, "Thinkin' ain't doin'."popped into my head.

Precisely!

I spend so much time pondering every new step, weighing the possible consequences, that I just never start.

That, my friends, is over.

No more wasted time worrying about moving in new directions for this girl.
No trepidation.
Each day is a new opportunity to start again.

BEGIN!

To begin is the only way to accomplish anything good in life.

If I fall on my face, so what?

I can get back up and begin again.
No fears.

Horace said, "Who has begun is half done. Have the courage to be wise. Begin!"

I kinda think old Horace could have been a great blogger.

He would just put it out there for all to read...umm, I guess he actually did that anyway.
I feel that this word is appropriate for my 500th post.
A new beginning.
Some changes to be made and chances to take.
No deadlines just new opportunities.
Instead of waiting for the right time or considering every possible outcome I will take the first step
Just begin.

Horace also said "Carpe Diem."

Usually translated as "seize the day" but literally meaning "pluck the day" and actually closer in meaning to "enjoy the day".
Great advice.

Day seizing is just another way of saying begin.

Begin it is.

What word or phrase have you chosen for 2012?
Please share.

To new beginnings and a Happy New Year, P.

Good Bye to 2011

2011-12-31T17:21:00.003-05:00

Another year counts down to it's close and I have great hopes for the new one.

Thank you for sharing your journey and traveling along on mine.

Peace, joy, magic, and a dream or two come true, is my wish for you in 2012.

Good Night my friends.

See you in 2012, P.

My Christmas Wish for You

2011-12-24T11:48:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas sweet friends,

It is time to put down the dust cloth, wrap that last package and call it done.

No fretting about what isn't "perfect".

No last ditch effort to add one more "little" project.

Just rest and savor the days.

No worries about that bit of cat drool sliding down the window.

Who will even notice once the lights are lit and the candle's glowing?

The joy of being together is all the "perfection" we need.

So what if that suction cup holding the star didn't get covered by a beautiful brown satin ribbon?

This season comes and goes too quickly to get caught up in minutia.

We love the part of the season that calls for decking the halls and making our homes lovely for visitors.

Now it is time to relax.

What didn't get done is not important.

Life and hope and joy are.

So light those candles and put on some beautiful music.

Revel in the beauty.

Laugh with friends.

Shed a tear for Christmas memories and make lovely new ones.

If a bottle of Febreze shows up in a photo of your Christmas home tour, hey, at least we know the house smells fresh!

If an angel is missing an arm or a wing those chips and imperfections show how well loved the pieces of Christmas past have been.

I wish you joy in your hearts throughout the season and my hope for you is that all is calm and bright.

Take it slow and taste each delicious moment.

Drink in all the faces of loved ones.

Be at peace.

I will see you in the New Year.

Love and hugs, P.

This post is linked to Donna at Funky Junk's Home Tour

More Favorite Things

2011-12-20T11:52:00.001-05:00

Hello my friends,

Why is it when I say I am taking break I post more than ever?

Must be the season and being surrounded by so many pretty things.

It makes me want to sing, and play, and visit with you all to see what scrumptious bits you are posting.

So...indulge me in sharing just a few more.

You will notice they all have one thing in common.

This one is my favorite of all hubby's Radko ornaments.

It reminds me of over the top Christmas displays from childhood...

a gorgeous illustration from a children's picture book...

some of our first Christmas's as a young family...

All lovely memories.

Pink Ornaments, gaaahhh, I just can never get enough.

My mom had a white flocked tree that stood each year in the picture window of our

little suburban ranch house.

The tree rotated in a white stand with gold stars and my dad hooked up the revolving cellophane covered pink and white spotlight to shine in just the right spot.

While he was taking his time finding the perfect angle for the spotlight, my brother and I would play in the big tree box.

The tree was covered in pink ornaments of varying tones.

Very 60's.

I know I am telling my age but what a wonderful time to grow up!

Pink ornaments will always say Christmas to me.

(Oh my, I wish I had that tree now!)

Silver, gold and red.

Grandma's house.

I made these candlesticks from two wooden goodwill finds, glittered until they could not hold anymore.

Then I needed a flame.

Serendipity.

Two red strawberry pincushions on the drawing table in the studio.

A glittering flame now tops each one.

When I think of my grandma's house I always associate the colors of red and gold at Christmas.

Not sure if that was her main color scheme but her warm and welcoming home always glows with sepia tones in my memory.

She was often at her sewing machine when we stopped by

so the strawberries evoke those memories as well.

Oh, can you just die over that glitter?

Silver, gold and red mixed with old paper.

Not sure why this gets to me but I think of all the childhood Christmas's and the shiny department store displays downtown...

Christmas's long gone still living in our hearts.

Those we love who are no longer with us but still a huge part of our lives.

Oh and let's not forget glitter...

and sparkling glass.

I am like a moth to a flame when it comes to shiny things.

There is no resistance.

Since this is the most glitter filled season of all...

well you get it...

I am off to hunt down more glitter.

Speaking of which, Laura reposted some perfectly lovely words.

Stop by for a moment, I think you will be happy you did.

"Silver and gold, silver and gold,

Everyone wishes for silver and gold,

How do you measure it's worth?

Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth."

Johnny Marks (sung by Burl Ives)

Yours in glitter and kitsch and the Merriest of Christmas's, P.

A Few Favorite Things

2011-12-19T13:49:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends,

Can't seem to stay away.

You have probably heard the quote from William Morris concerning the decoration of a home.
"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."
A perfect golden rule.

I have been trying to cut the excess from my surroundings and take a careful look at what I have both on display and stored.
Taking measure of each thing and appraising it's value as useful or beautiful.

What can be let go of and what would be missed.

What someone else may cherish for a time that may have lost it's luster to me.

A year end exercise in taking stock.
A form of inventory for collectors.
Making room for new vintage obsessions.
I have found much I do consider to be beautiful still.
The top of the family room desk contains all the things pictured here and it brings me joy to see each one displayed. The sweet little thermos bottles and the owl silhouette are new to me and make me smile.
Thanks to Carrie and her wonderful eye I picked these up at the City Flea last weekend.
The stack of crafty books from an Omaha antique shop reminds me of all my Silver Bella friends.
The cocktail glasses etched with K are from my in-laws and the shaker reminds me of
my parent's parties in my
childhood home.
The old typewriter from Joe's mom and dad's attic because how could it not make make me happy?
The burlap shaded lamp from TJMaxx that I couldn't pass up on clearance...yeah!

I was thinking of you and wanted to share these with you because you "get it" too.
I hope you are enjoying this week before Christmas with a twinkle in your eye and a carol in your heart.
I am.

"The things that we love tell us who we are."
St. Thomas Aquinas

Yours in being, P.

Thoughts on Christmas Fluff

2011-12-16T13:42:00.000-05:00

Hello my friends,

Now that every little corner reflects the shiny bright memory of Christmas past it is time to do a bit of personal reflecting.

Decking the halls with trinkets and baubles brings much pleasure once the work is finished.

However I sometimes get testy while in the process. How un Christmas like is that?

Is all the fluff worth doing if it isn't a joyous process?

Once complete I would have to say yes.

Visual people need to create just to fill their eyes with something that speaks to them.

So we do this thing once a year that really has very little to do with the real Christmas.

Perhaps though, the fact of bringing some cheer to a dark world, hope for something better, is all a part of Christmas too.

My nativities are always on display but so is all the candy colored, sparkling finery.

I think it is OK to love both sides of the season. The celebration of Christ's birth and the hope it brings each year as well as all the tinsel filled memories of our childhoods.

To savor the peace of the season as well as the hustle and bustle of preparation.

We are preparing to celebrate the greatest birthday of all so let us do that each in our own way.

When the big day ends, my favorite time is the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany when Christ is revealed to the Magi.

Time to reflect and enjoy family and friends and the last days before taking it all down and starting with a clean slate in the new year.

I will be taking some time from posting to reflect and enjoy this wondrous season.

To visit with more of you and revel in the ways you celebrate in your homes.

To go out and enjoy the season stripped of baubles. Just the clear, crisp beauty that nature brings.

Have a blessed Christmas, a sparkling New Year and all the happiness that simply living brings.

"Epiphany: A sudden, intuitive perception into the essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely or commonplace occurrence or experience."

Yours in reflection, P.

Frippery Farmhouse Christmas Tour

2011-12-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

The halls are, for the most part,decked and I am ready for some downtime.

Hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows and white chocolate chips and an old movie.

My latest sugar, carb and calorie laden indulgence.

Please disregard the crazy path through the rooms.

Apparently NO attention was being paid to the layout of Frippery farmhouse when loading these photos.

Must have something to do with all that sugar

I made a conscious effort not to give in to my tendency to use every ounce of Christmas decoration in the bins this year.

They really need to be de-stashed. A chore for later days.

I just fluffed and added to those things that I display, love and use on a daily basis.

Peppermint stripes in the kitchen. What could be happier?

Simplicity in the lavender gray stairway.

(I have a story about that tree stand for a later post.)

View from the kitchen to the much more subdued family room.

Back to the entry, are you dizzy yet?

Just a small touch or two on the black shelves.

(That box? Part of the tree stand story. Later...)

Looking from the entry into the dining room.

I will post glimpses of more detail this week. I didn't want you to end up head down on your keyboard, drooling and softly snoring from photo overload.

Back to a view of the family room through the kitchen.

This year a woodsy themed walk in a snowy forest.

Turn around and you can see the entry, vintage pastel against black and white.

A color scheme that I have fallen in love with.

A second look at the owl mantel in the family room.

Okay, I really must lay off the chocolate, my head is spinning from running back and forth.

Even the typewriter is dressed in vintage finery.

Tiny winter scenes under glass.

The watercolors have a snow theme too.

My husband's Radko ornaments are displayed in the pink dining room this year.

Such a happy little tree!

Back to the entry to say a fond farewell for today.

Candy colored dreams to send you on you way.

(Poet and don't know it.)

I am linking to these fantastic Holiday Home tours today.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and go visiting.

Take my advice and leave out the white chocolate chips.

Too much of a good thing you know...

Jennifer Rizzo's Virtual Holiday House Party

Hooked on Houses Holiday House Tours

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.

In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."

Larry Wilde

Yours in evergreens and fairy lights, P.

Tablescapes and Mantel Parties

2011-12-07T11:27:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

Craft show season has ended with a sigh of relief.

Now I can play!

Slowly making Christmas is like rearranging toys on a shelf.

Fun, joyful...relaxing?

Let's not get carried away.

I am feeling a touch behind but no rush.

I am going slowly, using less, and savoring each little snippet.

Using more of what is already on display and leaving that multitude of bins fairly untouched.

I did however, want to join the Holiday Home Link Parties being hosted by Layla, Rhoda, Kate and Sarah.

Nothing I love more than peeking into other's homes at Christmas.

Well, maybe less creepy, but you get my drift.

So...Better late than not at all, I am sharing two posts in one.

A little intimate buffet at the breakfast table.

I am going in a different direction this year.

Colors of the woods surrounding Frippery Farmhouse.

Everyday items that will last past Christmas and into the winter winds of the New Year.

Colors of warm cognac and bare winter tree limbs.

Soft paisley pashmina used as a runner.

A rusted metal garden tote from my friend Carrie holds glittery florals.

(Side note, I had filled my home with fresh greens from my trip to the garden center. Due to severe allergic reactions from a few family members they are now lovingly displayed on the porch.

Decorating buzz kill!)

Simple, everyday festive.

Of course I must have that glitter fix.

Loving the sequin tips.

Won't you join me?

On to the mantel.

(Keep in mind the fragrant greens that had to be removed. OK just let it go Pam!)

Actually I have found the white mantel to be quite soothing.

Winter on a snowy evening.

Owls keeping watch over us all.

A quiet woodland scene.

I can almost hear the snow falling, that hushed magic.

Black, white and brown, the colors outdoors in the frosty months ahead.

Plus, no evergreen needles to sweep.

(See, I couldn't let it go.)

I hope you enjoyed your little peek inside Frippery Farmhouse.

I am linking to Layla and Rhoda's parties today. Go check out all the other lovely homes.

Really...it's OK...they invited you in...you don't have to peek through the windows...

"Christmas is the time for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart."

Washington Irving

Yours in hospitality, P.

Christmas Fluff and Finery

2011-12-03T06:51:00.004-05:00

Hello dear friends,

I am off to the craft shows this weekend. No time for posting.

Instead, how about a little Christmas decorating inspiration from our local garden center,

McCabe's Greenhouse.

No more blathering from my end, just enjoy the gorgeous display of Christmas fluff and finery!

Your's in glitter and glue, P.

Interrupting this Blog for a Happy Birthday!

2011-12-01T06:38:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to the best son any mom could want.

Thoughtful, brainy, funny, full of hugs and kisses.

Dad's Bengal companion, win or lose.

Neuroscience and Biology Major, (minor in Chem), musician, big brother and oldest cousin, loving grandson and

our "little buddy, Jobie."

Happy 24th Joe!

Love you more than ever, mom.

Crafty Fun!

2011-11-30T10:11:00.002-05:00

Hello my friends,

Frippery farmhouse has been filled with glitter while I craft away for two events.

If you are in the Cincinnati Tristate area stop and say hi!

I will be at the Black Sheep Bar and Grill for ladies night on Friday Dec. 2nd with fashion accessories.

I will be making merry with my vintage Christmas decorations at the event below, at Redtree Gallery, on Saturday with fellow blogger and vintage shopping buddy Angie of Hopemore Studio.

Should be a fun weekend!

"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing."
Dale Carnegie

Yours in enjoying the ride, P.

Christmas Mantels Past

2011-11-29T11:42:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Friends,

If you are a blogger, do you use your blog as a diary of sorts?

A way to revisit where you were in life at a given time of year?

I love that aspect of blogging.

Seeing the changes from year to year.

As I plan my Christmas decorating for this year I thought it would be fun to review years past. Maybe reuse what was loved and see what directions things go this time around.

In 2008...My photography skills obviously needed work.

Red and white with a vintage feel has always been my go to color scheme.

I have tried to change it up but it always comes back to peppermint colors.

Must be the reference to food.

Candy and holidays just go together.

Always a hint of outdoors as well.

Pine cones and greenery are a must.

2009 I tried my best to go with the all white scheme but red just snuck right in again.

No self control when it comes to red.

Like a bull.

Or maybe just a girl who loves bright and shiny.

Let's go with that, shall we?

2010 I only managed a distant photo of the mantel for some reason.

Peppermint striped candles, candy canes and a small tree with a star were the main elements last year.

I have started my basic design for 2011 but haven't yet dug into the Christmas boxes.

I am going for a look that with a few tweaks can remain all winter.

Thinking woodsy, outdoors in a softly falling snow kind of feel.

With candy canes of course.

After Christmas I find it hard to part with all the festive decor.

I have to leave a touch or two of sparkle to brighten the winter days.

Is your mantel bedecked with finery yet, or are you still in the planning stages too?

Please share, I could use a little inspiration!

"Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind."

Mary Ellen Chase

Yours in a Christmas state of mind, P.

Decorating, a Long Process

2011-11-26T15:45:00.000-05:00

Hello my friends,

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with love, laughter and lots of deliciousness.

Ours certainly was.

So much so that nary a picture was taken.

We were having way too much fun.

Now I am desperate to get to this...

However I am still working on these...

I decided to keep the steps white.

The black seemed too harsh, plus every little scratch and ding were highlighted.

There are a lot of them.

Day before Thanksgiving I was hurriedly putting a coat of white over the wear and tear.

Now they look fresh and clean (for a bit).

I had already painted the landing black and not one to waste perfectly good paint I chose to leave the center black and just paint around it. A very basic faux rug, so to speak.

Frog tape and white Rustoleum. Could it get any simpler?

I plan to stencil something in the center area. Hubs suggested a monogram which was brilliant. I had a modern floral circling around my brain originally.

I believe the monogram may win.

A few touch ups and a couple coats of poly and call it finished.

Now I have to tackle what to do with those freshly painted and newly bare walls.

I do have two more craft shows next Friday and Saturday and my corner of the studio looks like this...

I am only showing you my corner because the rest looks worse!

I think the Christmas decorations must wait a little while longer.

How about you?

Are you decorating this weekend so you can enjoy it longer or taking it slow and savoring each step?

Either way, don't you love this time of year?

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."

W. T. Ellis

Yours in the heart of the season, P.

Glitter is my Friend

2011-11-22T11:18:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

I have been on a glitter binge, immersed in the craft show season.

One more show is behind me.

My table looked quite full at set up in the (very early) morning.

Often I may appear to have rolled on a barn floor, what with all the burlap fiber that has become part of my attire lately.

Don't get me started on ink stained fingers and the trail of paper scraps following wherever I go.

Just know that this is more fun than a girl should be allowed to have.

Who can keep from smiling when covered in sparkles and surrounded by pretties?

The best part is the lovely people I get to meet and the friends who stop by.

Fellow blogger Carrie of Junque Magnet is one I was so happy to see again.

She and her family are just adorable. I mean seriously storybook family cute.

Thanks Carrie, I will see you at Wrapped Up City Flea .

Carrie will be a vendor there. Stop and see her if you are around the Cinci area.

She does some fabulous work with vintage pieces.

Oh, and at the end of the day my table was hardly full at all.

Yeah!

I have two more shows to go so I must be off to the glitter mines.

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Yours in making joy, P.

Creating Christmas Cheer in the Studio

2011-11-17T14:35:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

Lest you think I am wallowing in self pity about the furnace demise...

nothing could be further from my mind.

The Frippery Studio has been a whirlwind of glitter and snowflakes.

The merry little elves (AKA Sadie and me) have been snipping and gluing their

crafty paint stained fingers away.

Sparkle, glimmer, glisten...

favorite words around this cozy artspace.

Mixing up the new and vintage to create just the perfect Christmas mood.

How could anyone not be filled with joy here?

A merry place indeed.

There has been some singing...

even a bit of dancing.

That is until mom was told never to do that move again.

Did that dampen my spirit? (Or stop me from dancing?)

Never. The happiest, most glorious season is fast approaching and I am right in the midst of my favorite spot, creating pretty things for the pure pleasure of the task.

Some of these glittery goodies will end up at my booth space and the shows listed on my sidebar.

Some will remain with me because I just can't let them go!

What does one wear while dancing on a floor of glitter you might wonder?

Ah yes, what lovely slippers.

Befitting an elven queen.

Is it just me or does anyone really like to put their toes in toe socks?

I kind of like this look better.

"So practice happy thinking every day, cultivate the merry heart..."

Norman Vincent Peale

Yours in cultivating happiness, P.

Forward and Backward On the Path, but Never Alone

2011-11-16T22:48:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

Can one be completely discouraged by setbacks and still excited about tiny steps forward?

I am all about maintaining a bright outlook in the face of disaster.

Well, perhaps I am overstating.

We learned this week that we need a new furnace.

Not really disastrous except for the fact that we have had little income for the past two years and have steadily been trying to maintain Frippery Farmhouse as frugally as possible.

Fortunately we have been savers all these years

but seeing our little nest egg flying slowly out the window as we try to stay above water is discouraging.

I share this because I know many of you are facing similar issues and there is some comfort in knowing you are not alone.

I have connected with many other bloggers in the same circumstance and I know that I have found comfort there.

When life hands you one more lemon you search out old friends to make you feel a little less sour.

Here is one...

Not really my first choice but I happened to have a roll of bead board wallpaper left over from the bathroom and dining room ceiling projects. (Also used as a kitchen backsplash.)

I like free.

I envisioned a paneled wall beneath the sconce in our upper hallway.

This will do just fine for the present.
Quicke and easy.

We had some molding hanging about in the garage as well.

Ta freakin' da!

Perhaps I mean FREEkin'.

Finished with no outlay of money except paint.

I had planned on replacing the sconce with something a bit more farmhouse.

I can live with this one a while longer.

Speaking of paint, this is the color I used on the hallway walls.

Behr Natural Gray.

It has just a hint of lavender in keeping with the muted pastel look. Plus it picks up the purple tone in my Kona Brown floors.

Now on to painting the stairs...again...

The white looks nice in this picture but believe me, not so nice in reality.

It has scuffed and worn and shows every speck.

Brown it will be.
Then a little something for those bare walls.
Give me a moment to savor that fresh paint first.

I promise a whole reveal when I get my act together and finish up all the crafting I have been doing in my SPARE? time.

Until then buck up and carry on.

We can accomplish much with support and encouragement from friends

and a little old fashioned elbow grease.

"We make ourselves rich by making our wants few."

Henry David Thoreau

Yours in a rich life, P.

Autumn Around Frippery Farmhouse

2011-11-11T20:26:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends.

As I confessed earlier, I completely skipped the Halloween dec this year.

No one eyed porcelain dolls in bird cages or glitter beaked ravens.

Not even a grinning jack pumpkin.

However, I could not allow the season to pass without a bit of Thanksgiving finery.

Autumn is just so lovely on her own that I could not resist asking her to grace the porch.

She willingly obliged.

I became bolder and she didn't flinch.

She was such a gracious guest that I invited her to tiptoe gently through the door.

Quietly she graced a nook here and a table top there.

Her bold color outside my windows is brilliant enough to see that a quiet indoor palette will suffice.

Just enough to enhance this season of gratitude.

Plus, when Black Friday hits, I can crank the carols and swiftly transform to a Christmas Wonderland.

So much for my moment of grace, heehee.

"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace, as I have seen in one autumnal face."

John Donne

Yours in autumn's splendor, P.

Super Low Budget Floor Solution

2011-11-09T13:46:00.002-05:00

Hello my friends.

Hope your November is as lovely there as it is here.

I have been spending much of it indoors.

Often taking advantage of rainy outdoor weather.

Attempting to fluff the inside for the holidays when the weather isn't permitting any garden tasks.

(Not to mention craft shows and prepping the antique booth for Christmas.)

Anyhoo, we had 18 year old nasty berber carpet upstairs which we had mostly pulled up in the thought of replacing it with hardwood.

Not foreseeing that the employment/income situation would still be close to non-existant two years after hubs was downsized.

Suffice it to say we would rather eat than walk on nice hardwood floors.

Rustoleum to the rescue. Once again paint is my ally in all things frugal.

Painted right over the plywood subfloor. I saw Roeshel's fanfreakintastic floors on her blog,

DIY Showoff.

Cue angels singing, there was the solution.

Minus the gorgeous painted rug and any bothersome prep work. I am lazy AND impatient!

One little quart of RustOleum Kona Brown.

Under ten dollars.

Not perfect but 100% improved.

I wish I had taken a before picture, but you have all seen funky plywood carpet underlayment before.

Just imagine the ugliness.

I also had a half gallon of poly left from the hardwood floors downstairs.

Two coats of paint, (I was going to make it three but kind of loved the way the very rustic subfloor showed through) and 3 coats of poly, I can live with this indefinitely.

Miracle under $20 including the Home Depot $10 rug for the doggies to lay on.

I am still in the middle of wall painting and I have a little FREE plan for the yellow wall under the sconce. Hint, the yellow of course will be GONE!

Ignore the sloppy baseboards, those are next.

I have much to show you in the next month or two.

It just takes time.

Lot's. Of. Time.

"Nothing lasts forever-not even your troubles"

Arnold H. Glasgow

Yours in having fun with frugality, P.

I am linking to:
Thrifty Decor Chick
UTTD Sunday Showcase

Frippery is on a Roll

2011-11-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

Yes, on a roll...

of wallpaper.

How about you?

I am bored to big drippy tears with plain old painted drywall.

I love the creative paneled walls I see everywhere in blogland but...

I crave pattern...

color...

Waverly's new Evolution Collection has me hooked.

Emom pointed out a Waverly ad here and I realized just how happy it makes me to see wallpaper reemerging as a design choice.

I could love this on a wall in a bathroom.

Oh, my entry is crying out for this one!

Now the floral,

I adore but really it just wouldn't fit anywhere in my home.

Maybe inside my coat closet to give a delightful boost each time the door is opened.

Hmmmm.......

I have been busily and VERY thriftily making some changes to Frippery farmhouse.

I will be giving glimpses over the next few weeks of maximum change with minimal bucks.

Think browns, greys, black and white with hints of palest pink and mossy green.

I also found several rolls of English wallpaper at GW...for the princessly sum of $1 per roll.

Probably circa the 80's.

I just may get brave and paper a wall or two.

Dare me?

"Don't be afraid to go on the occasional wild goose chase, that's what wild geese are for."

Unknown

Yours in taking chances, P.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T21:19:00.000-04:00

Just made it!

Or maybe not.

For the first time in over 25 years I did nothing to decorate for this spookiest of days.

The spirit just wasn't in me this year.

So a bit of witchiness from the past. I could not let this evening pass without a boo or two.

Hope your night is filled with sweets and treats.

A trick or two and a boo.

Enjoy the night!

The holidays are on their way!

Stay spooky my friends, P.

Where's Frippery?

2011-10-27T16:56:00.000-04:00

Busy busy fall.

Just wanted to check in.

Saturday we set up at the Factory Flea.

What a fabulous event!!!

Creative people.

A lovely fall day.

The industrial space was inspiring.

The crowd was there to shop and meet and enjoy the day.

What an event! I was sad to tear down and head home,

but there was another vendor show to set up for on Sunday.

My friend Pam held a fundraiser for local food pantries at her farm on Sunday.

Smaller and more low key but equally creative. I had a blast!

I thought I would leave you with a bit of Halloween horror.

I am working on my upstairs hall (because I don't have enough to do)

It ain't a pretty sight.

Stay tuned!

Have a Happily Haunting weekend, P

Photos from the Road to the Rural Society Show

2011-10-21T09:43:00.001-04:00

Small change of plans due to way too many projects.

I am taking the rest of October off from the blog.

I will be at the Factory Flea tomorrow, stop by if you are in the area.

Section two on the left wall from the main entrance in the American Can Lofts.

I will leave you with a taste of autumn in Ohio.

Nothing like October skies.

Breathtaking!

Colorful Vintage at the Rural Society Show

2011-10-18T16:06:00.000-04:00

The Rural Society Fall Show

2011-10-17T10:56:00.000-04:00

In the interest of keeping to my October plan, I will be posting a photo...

make that several awesome photos...

a day through October.

The remaining month will be filled with images of the

Rural Society at Warwick Farms.

Fantastic!!!

Thanks to Page and Pat and all who made this show such a fun and fabulous weekend event.

Can't wait for the Spring Show!

I will also be participating in two local shows this weekend.

The Factory Flea produced by the City Flea, and a small fundraising event for the

new food bank in Cleves, Ohio.

That one will be held at a friend's home in Sunman, Indiana.

Busy busy busy.

Back to work.

"It is your work in life that is the ultimate seduction."

Pablo Picasso

Yours in enjoying the seduction of creativity, P.

My Swan Song (or Thrifting is doing me in)

2011-10-12T18:09:00.000-04:00

Not actually.

Just the fact that the Rural Society fall show is HERE and I am packing and hauling.

No time for photos. Something has to give.

Back Monday with tales of a wonderful time.

(Or maybe just a photo a day right?)

Art and Alchemy

2011-10-11T07:23:00.001-04:00

Bits and pieces for my upcoming shows.

Check my sidebar to find Frippery this month.

Happy Faces

2011-10-10T06:26:00.000-04:00

Nature's Lace

2011-10-09T06:28:00.001-04:00

Just thought I would check in and ask if you enjoyed the guest post yesterday?

If so I may consider doing that occasionally.

Something from another person's perspective is always refreshing.

Let me know if you have any interest in being a guest as well.

Have a restful Sunday.

Something Different Today

2011-10-08T07:53:00.000-04:00

A guest post for today with lot's of inspiring photo's too.
Today's guest post is from Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a must-shop resource for beautiful light fixtures. Inspired by the blooming zinnias and marigolds in the garden right now, Susi found interiors that draw upon the bold, bright colors of these two garden favorites. Yellows, golds, oranges, pinks, and fuchsias combine into lively palettes for any room of the home. Enjoy!

Pinterest†via

Zinnias are an old fashioned flower like marigolds that have a depth and richness of petals and colors that inspires bright, happy spaces. So incredible!

Brabourne Farm via

Pale pinks and yellow, swirls of colors seen in certain zinnias are a nice offset to the marigold orange painted cabinet.† Love the riot of colors.

Home Interior Designs via

Muted shades of zinnias and marigolds color this living room from the marigold yellow sofa to the zinnia-inspired accent pillows in fuchsias and oranges.

Houzz via

This unabashedly pink and feminine bedroom has lovely, rich accents of marigold and deeper pink and red zinnias in the linens and accessories to balance out the pink walls. Always aware of a room's lighting, we love the tiny wall sconces above the bed.

Pinterest via

When combined, orange and fuchsia have a vintage feeling to them. This lively marigold sofa is paired with pinks and fuchsias in the rug and throw pillows.

House and Home via

We love the way that marigolds and zinnias dot the garden with bursts of color. This library has the same feeling. Pinks and orange accents and a yellow sofa pop against the black shelves.

Ohdeedoh via

The cluster of globes and pompoms resembles a bouquet of marigolds and zinnias fresh from the garden in this kidís room. Orange curtains add more color to the mostly white space.

Pinterest via

Layers of garden pinks and oranges fill this bedroom: marigold orange and pink and white zinnias in the wallpaper; deep pink zinnia headboards; a marigold yellow lamp that brings even a light fixture into the color palette. All the warm hues work in harmony.

Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality lighting fixtures at extremely affordable prices. If you like this post, be sure to stop by the Arcadian Lighting blog and say hello!
I have not been compensated in any way for publishing this post.
Just liked the idea of something different.
I really love the orange and fuchsia living room. Delightful!
So what room is your favorite?

"There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world, that is not intended to make us rejoice."
John Calvin

Yours in happy hues, P.

Sun and Shadow Mystery

2011-10-07T06:23:00.000-04:00

Confection

2011-10-06T06:21:00.000-04:00

Scrumptious Colors

2011-10-05T06:19:00.000-04:00

Faces to the Sun

2011-10-04T09:19:00.000-04:00

Spice It Up

2011-10-03T05:50:00.001-04:00

Simplicity

2011-10-02T05:48:00.001-04:00

Harvest

2011-10-01T05:45:00.001-04:00

For Time's Sake (and my sanity)

2011-09-30T09:37:00.000-04:00

Too much to do. The litany of modern days.

The craft room is coming along.

The Rural Society Fall Show is fast approaching.

The bedroom is getting an overhaul. The deck needs staining.

The garden must be put to bed.

Haven't even begun to decorate for fall.

Furniture for my Ohio Valley Antique Mall space (127) is waiting for paint.

A bajillion green tomatoes to be canned.

Oh yes, and then I would like to take some time to enjoy the October weather.

Therefore I am embarking on a little blogsperiment.

Posting a photo a day for October.

No words...well...mostly...

31 photos for sanity's sake.

If you feel the need join me.

I give you permission to let something go.

For the sake of your sanity.

Peace.

"An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth."

Bonnie Friedman

Yours in a wealth of time, P.

More Scrumptious Eye Candy

2011-09-21T21:37:00.000-04:00

Country Living swings by here only once a year, but the Springfield Antique Show Extravaganza is now happening 3 times a season!

Not to mention the regular months when much loveliness can still be found.

Pretty, colorful, enticing goods.

Sandy and I brought home quite a few.

Stacks and piles of tempting vintage goodness.

Creative upcycling makes for eye catching displays.

Vendors have really been upping their game the last few years.

Candy colors make me happy.

Fantastic use of fabric and paint in this combination.

Sold.

Boohoo.

No lack of shiny objects to distract one from the loss of that brightly painted bench.

Simple pleasures.

Shopping with a dear friend for pieces of the past and knowing just how we will use them.

Here's to friends that "get"it.

"Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods."

Aristotle

Yours like peas in a pod, P.

The Happiest Place on Earth

2011-09-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

No sillies, not Disney.

Country Living Fair!

At least one of the top 10, right?

Sandy and I did a nonstop tour.

Walked a thousand miles in a weekend.

Stocked up on supplies for mixed media.

Junk Art if you will.

Wish I could shorten that and coin a new word.

Jart? Nope, already taken.

Arunk? Definitely not!

JA? Too Germanic.

Let's just say, no need to restock our supplies in the very near future.

The creativity was inspiring.

Found myself absolutely geeking several times.

Loved it immensely.

Seeing Sandy again just iced the cake!

One day here, one day at Springfield Antique Show and Sunday morning at Dick Blick, what more can a girl ask for?

If I could fly (I mean literally, with wings...my own) I would be in Atlanta.

Can one be a Dead Head for Country Living Fair?

Not even going to try for an acronym for that .

Just a lovely place to be.

"The only difference between an extraordinary life and an ordinary one is the extraordinary pleasures

you find in ordinary things."

Veronique Vienne

Yours in finding the everyday marvels, P.

Wednesday Word Love

2011-09-14T12:31:00.000-04:00

Skimble-Skamble

adj : rambling and confused:senseless

This almost describes the gathering process here at Frippery.

If not the process, the end result, when all the flotsam and jetsam are scattered across the workspace.

(Flotsam and jetsam, more word love, sigh...)

Bits to sell as is, paint, redo, add to...

If you could see the piles you might exclaim "What a skimble-skamble collection of frippery."

Somehow, with a touch of alchemy it falls together into a cohesive inventory of craftiness, vintage fluff, some spankin' new finery and a few pieces you, my friends, just cannot live without!

At least that is my vision.

Perhaps you can look through these fuschia colored glasses of mine and glimpse a trace of magic as well.

My Silver Bella friend Sandy and I will be hitting the yellow brick road to Springfield Antique Show and Country Living Fair in Columbus this weekend.

We hope to load the Subie with a skimble-skamble pile of frippery to be transformed.

"Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

Roald Dahl in The Minpins

Yours in believing, P.

Deconstruction, Reconstruction

2011-09-03T09:59:00.000-04:00

Thank you for the many compliments on my garden in the last post...sigh...I wish I could take credit! Alas, those flowers and that home are not mine. I shot those photos at our last New Richmond show. Such lovely historic homes front the Ohio River in that quaint tiny town.

Maybe I could sneak there under cover of darkness and ...

No I guess not.

Instead, my yard has been looking like this...

Deconstruction and then reconstruction by a really fabulous contractor. If you are anywhere near the Cincinnati area this is the guy to call! Steve Wendling Remodeling. Fantastic job, on time, knows his stuff and a genuinely nice human being as well. Call him. I mean it!

So, here we are, a week and a bit later.

Just a glimpse mind you.

Love!!!!

Now on to staining and landscaping before the big reveal.

Big plans I tell ya!

Well, at least in my head.

What's up in your backyards?

I know Sue has a huge project.

Tell us what is happening at your house.

"May our home know joy, each room hold laughter, every window open to great possibilities."

Unknown

Yours in the delight of home and garden, P.

Dreaming of Endless Summer

2011-08-29T22:25:00.000-04:00

That bittersweet sense of loss that comes with summer's end has been tugging at my heart.

Why does the change of seasons bring this touch of melancholy?

Life is busy here at Frippery Farmhouse, son back home today after we moved furniture and boxes for two days. My house is filled with stacks of things to organize and find places for.

I am working on the new art room and the swiftly approaching craft show season. My Ohio Valley Antiques booth is doing well and the Rural Society Show will be upon us before I can blink.

The new deck will be complete before Labor Day and I can begin my landscaping plans for the yard.

Life is full.

Yet this time of years still brings a touch of melancholy.

Do you get that hint of sadness this time of year?

Is it that endings are always fraught with a sense of loss?

Let's enjoy the beautiful September weather and all of the abundance summer's end brings.

Have a lovely Labor Day weekend with friends and family.

I will be bringing some semblance of order to this house for the next week.

Not giving in to the blues.

We still have loads of warm sunny days ahead.

See you after Labor Day!

"When summer gathers up her robes of glory and like a dream, glides away."

Sarah Helen Whitman

Yours in summertime dreams, P.

Friends Along the Vintage Trail

2011-08-24T14:13:00.001-04:00

Many new friends have been made in the shared passion for all things vintage.

Few as adorable as these lovelies we met in New Richmond at our Sunday show a few weeks ago.

Look at those eyes. Are you melting?

Oh and a milk mustache to complete the look!

You never know who you will meet while junking.

I did have the pleasure of shopping with a blog pal this past weekend and she was delightful to spend time with.

Angie of Hopemore Studio met up with hubs and I at Burlington Antique show this past Sunday. I will share more about this fun and talented artist in a future post.

For the moment I am caught up in these furry little faces.

Oh and that hairdo!

Speaking of furry little faces (kidding) and lovely hair, beautiful soulful eyes and friends I have met through blogging. Ms. Talking Trash herself has put a letter out that I simply must share.

Girlfriend should totally have her own pickin' show. I say we get behind her and Cat Daddy and tell the producers what we really want to see!

Are you with me?

Check out Debbie's post, you will not be able to resist. Just look into these eyes and try.....

Yes'm, old friends is always best, 'less you can catch a new one that's fit to make an old one out of. ~Sarah Orne Jewett

Yours in friendship old and new, P.

Sharing Vintage Tips

2011-08-20T17:35:00.000-04:00

Need a little advice.

I love sharing tips and hopefully so do you.

Let me preface by saying I have been gathering and shopping madly for all the fall shows coming up, my Ohio Valley Antiques booth and specifically The Rural Society Fall Show.

I plan on a offbeat theme incorporating holidays.

Today at the Springfield Antique Show I may have made an impulse purchase that could be one I will rethink later.

No, you are not seeing ghosts. I purchased not one, but two, talking Casper the Friendly Ghost dolls. I should say, one talking, one screeching unintelligibly.

I may have overpaid a bit as well.

Why, you may ask?

I adored Casper cartoons as a child. Many, many, many, years ago.

I could not resist.

Halloween being the favorite holiday of all in my mind, I figured what the hey, I will love them myself if no one else chooses to take them home.

Now for my question to you.

Any tips on how to clean their grubby little terry cloth bodies?

If so please do share.

Now for my tip to you...

Have you ever been in desperate remodel mode, wanting to hang or rearrange a painting or wall accessory and cannot find the gosh darn hammer anywhere?

Cannot wait to pound that nail and get your newest vintage acquisition placed just so?

Today I was in just that position.

When in need, improvise!

An empty wine bottle will serve nicely as a hammer as long as you are just tapping a small nail into drywall. I happened to have one conveniently at hand. Problem solved.

A warning though, do not leave your dead wine bottle where little ghosts could get hold of it.

Who knew wine really had spirits?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Let me know what magic cleaning solutions you have for your vintage finds.

I have to put the Casper's to bed now.

"I'll never be nuthin" but a scary old ghost without any friends..."

Casper the Friendly Ghost

Yours in shared passions, P.

Frippery Farmhouse Porch Transformation

2011-08-17T20:56:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time many years ago, when Frippery Farmhouse was being built, a very naughty builder filed bankruptcy and left the families he was building homes for high and dry.

These people had already released their money to this bad man and now had to finish their homes without the help of the subs who also had not been paid.

We had to settle for some things that were not our original choice when we began envisioning our American Farmhouse style home.

At that point we just had to get the house finished so we had someplace to live.

Stuff happens. We got over it and moved on.

We have slowly been upgrading over the years as money and time permit.

Which leads us here.

We hated the fact that instead of nice chunky wood porch posts we had aluminum wrapped 4 by 4's.

Time to change that.

Meanwhile why not paint the railings while we have them dismantled?

What? Some are rotted?

Hey, look, the porch seems so much bigger and airier without those railings.

I had recently been reading Tara Dillard's landscape blog. She often removes the railings from "jailed in" porches for a more open view of the garden.

Love it!

Next job is washing the siding.
(Another compromise, but I will live with that one for a while.)

We had to leave the left side railing because of height concerns, but I am conjuring a remedy for that too.

Work in progress but I can see an organized kitchen garden with a step down for next year.

Or maybe a courtyard with a pergola.

Oh, it would be wonderful to cover that concrete with wood...maybe stone just around the entry...

Getting way ahead of myself as usual.

First I need to concentrate on the project at hand.

Which of course has to be put on the back burner for still other things that need doing.

Does all the "tending to" ever end?

Hope not...

What would occupy us then?

For now this is a nice place to sit and dream of what is to come.

Dream?
Who has time to dream?
We gotta get to the lumber yard and

the garden is calling.
Not to mention the indoor projects.

So this will suffice for the present.

How do people live without a project or two churning in their brains and a few in progress?

I know you know what I'm sayin'.

So what's on your plate at the moment?

Please share.

"Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary and everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self."
Iris Murdoch

Yours in the business of being happy, P.

Stop and Smell the Flowers???

2011-08-15T17:25:00.000-04:00

Absolute chaos seems to be reigning at Frippery Farmhouse lately. Maybe Frippery madhouse would be a better word.

Lot's of craziness, mostly sweet with a bit of sour thrown in for balance.

Spare time is being devoured.

Actually right now it doesn't exist.

So just a quick post to say hey.

A peek at marigolds and zinnias flourishing in a garden in New Richmond, Ohio.

Candy Apple Red and Cotton Floss Pink.

Luscious Lemon.

I will share more when things calm down at the end of the week.

Until then my friends.

"Know how to live the time that is given you."

Dario Fo

Yours in a rush, P.

Winner!!!

2011-08-13T09:45:00.000-04:00

Can I get a fanfare?

How about a woot woot?

Three cheers for Sissie's Shabby Cottage.

Winner of my giveaway and lucky number seven!

I adore visiting Sissie and her feminine coastal style. Her soothing and chic home is just gorgeous.

I will put together a soldered charm necklace and package full of goodies just for her. Photos to come.

I am frantically setting the finishing touches on a few more pieces for my monthly New Richmond, Ohio show tomorrow. If you are in the area and fancy a day along the river, come and visit! The vendors are set up all along Front St.

Plus my SIL will be visiting next week and the vintage mess has spread across every surface.

Super crazy clean up time!

Gotta go tend to business.

"Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday."

Unknown

Yours in no worries, P.

Blogversary Give Away

2011-08-06T11:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my 3 year Blogversary.

We celebrated quietly ay home with a few good friends.

Hahahaha, heeheehee.

Actually I was too busy clearing out my craft studio so my son can move in when he comes back home in a few weeks. Sadie and I are moving to the second floor and starting over.

No sorrow, the room is bigger, plus we can spill over into the guest room too.

And college boy will have his own entry to come and go without mom laying awake and wondering about the time.

He will be 24 in a few months for gosh sakes.

I have also been trying to keep up with my space at Ohio Valley Antique Mall.

I have been keeping a summer, vacation, travel kind of vibe for now but I am itching to start throwing in a little fall.

I have also signed up for a space at The Rural Society Fall Show in Mt. Vernon, Ohio and I am beyond excited to start gathering and upcycling and creating for October!
Carrie, of Junque Magnet shared this with me and I took the plunge.

Of course we had to hit the 127 longest yard sale this week as well.

I picked up a few goodies, but most are just for me me me.

I know, selfish.

I will call them blogversary gifts, haha.

Most notable was an Adirondack style white porch swing for $15!

Needs a bit of work but I couldn't buy the lumber to make it for that price.

I have also been playing with Chalk Paint.

Love the different looks you can create.

There is nothing like the glow of a wax finish on furniture.

I would be remiss not to mention the world that has opened to me since I began blogging. I have gotten to know so many lovely people who share the same interests and passions.

I have had the privilege of meeting a few in person and have made some lifelong friendships as a result.

The courage to start my own business was also an offshoot of blogging.

For all of this I will be forever grateful

Thank you.

OK, yeah yeah, blah blah blah, what about that give away you may ask?

Well, I have not chosen everything that will go into your package, but one of my microscope slide soldered necklaces will be a part of the package, as well as some carefully chosen bits of vintage goodness.

How may you win?

Simply "like" Frippery on facebook then leave a comment that you have done so.

The give away closes at midnight on Friday the 12th of August. Good luck!

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
William A. Ward

Your's in gratitude, P.

Heaven on Earth

2011-08-01T06:26:00.004-04:00

Sunshine in the garden.

Bring on the heat, you can't stop Marigolds from blooming.

Maybe I will stick to the Mari's and Zinnias next summer.

They seem to be scorch proof.

Oh, and did I mention beautiful?

Of course, sunflowers are the true summer beacon.

A taste of sunshine come down to earth.

Hope you haven't wilted yet!

"I walk without flinching through the burning cathedral of the summer."

Violette Leduc

Yours unflinchingly, P.

Garden 180

2011-07-30T06:56:00.001-04:00

No, that's not quite the temperature, just feels that way by noon.

Therefore I have been getting out to tend the garden at the crack of dawn lately to try to salvage what is left after this broiling midsummer has baked every bloom to toasty brown.

The only thing the heat hasn't stopped is the weeds.

After making a bit of headway I took a much needed rest for coffee. (I know, hot, but remember the whole crack of dawn thing)

Of course my camera is always by my side, so as I wilted into my chair I took a few shots in a semi circle.

Hence the 180.

This area of the garden is a patio off of our walk out basement. It has some semblance of shade for much of the day.

It is still somewhat lush.

So I thought a would share a bit of cool morning greenery.

Especially for us parched midwesterners.

The heat isn't that unusual for this time of year here, but every July we complain that it has NEVER been this hot.

Oh, and you southerners too, who are used to this. Sheesh, I do love the south and plan to be a belle in my next life, but how do you take it?

Well, back at it. I refuse to let the heat get the better of my garden.

Even if it kills me.

We still have August...

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."

Russell Baker

Yours in sunny days, P.

Thrifty Turns to Gold

2011-07-28T08:32:00.001-04:00

Not really gold per se, more like bone china.

M'kay, I was at a favorite thrift store looking for supplies to transform and found two somewhat cute but really not my style, Coalport English bone china cottages.

Very inexpensive. In fact so cheap that I bought them because they were...well...so cheap!

I have passed these up before at Goodwill because they were asking too much. (In my humbly uninformed and VERY cheap estimation.)

So, I looked them up on ebay.

WT...?

Then on Replacements.

Really?

Ummm...they are in my china cabinet now.

"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get."
Warren Buffet
(See, no more Tolkien. Quite far from Tolkien as a matter of fact.)

Yours in thrifty surprises, P.

Thrifty Finds Transformed

2011-07-26T07:33:00.002-04:00

A bit of alchemy in the studio.

Not sure what these were. Perhaps trinkets for the tables at a wedding?

Kinda schmugly but with potential.

The bases are actually metal.

Definitely a good thing.

Sorry. I am in the process so the finished result isn't available as yet.

Just a sneaky peek.

They will find their way to New Richmond for the Arts and Antiques show on August 14th.

Who doesn't love a treasure under glass?

A box without hinges, key or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid."

J.R.R. Tolkien

Yours in transformation, P.

P.S. OK I will knock off the Tolkien now. (At least for a bit.)

Dinner is Served

2011-07-24T19:21:00.003-04:00

A feast for two at Frippery Farmhouse.

Add a glass of chilled wine and dinner is served.

What could be more luscious?

Summer's bounty is such an amazing gift.

Mmmmmm...

Let's eat!

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a much merrier world."

J.R.R. Tolkien

Yours in cheer and merriment, P.

Shopping the House for Summer, Vintage Style

2011-07-22T14:15:00.000-04:00

Free decorating by shopping the house is the best.

I was ready to change the feel around here from July to August.

Jumping the gun a bit, yes, but hey, it was time for a more serene look.

A fireplace mantel or shelf is always a prime candidate for a quick change.

July's mantel consisted of red, white and blue vintage books and my favorite little figurine. Having a boy and girl this has been one of my best finds.

A thrifted glass vase (or my size wine glass, haha, hee hee, I crack myself up) is filled with vintage art and craft supplies. RWB of course.

A postcard and luggage tag (thanks Deb) are propped with a wooden measuring tape. (Tape, stick? what do you call those folding things?)

Just a gathering of vintage pieces in the correct color scheme or theme can make a statement.

Patriotic July moves into sand and sea August.

Colors of the beach, and of course some vintage cameras, give that vacation feel.

Dried hydrangea and some grasses in an aqua jar are reminiscent of sea grass and water.

Simple and calming, oh yes and thrifty.

What vintage bits do you have at hand to stage a summer space in your home?

Do tell...

"Thrift is not an affair of the pocket, but an affair of character."

S.W. Straus

Yours in the love of vintage, P.

Another New Junkin' Blog Friend

2011-07-20T05:49:00.003-04:00

In the quaint little town of Burlington...

I met a charming junk dealer...

and her adorable young son...

and her very helpful hubby.

The end.

Or maybe the beginning. Sunday morning, hubs and I went shopping at Burlington Antique show in Kentucky.

Of course I did shop, but mostly I went to meet a Buckeye Blogger who couldn't make it to our get together.

I had been reading her blog forever.

I was so glad to meet her finally.

Yes and she really is delightful in person.

Funny and with a great eye for the good junk.

Oh, I guess you are dying to know who.

Ms. Junque Magnet herself, Carrie.

I only took one photo of her space because, well, once again it was sweltering and I was just too dang lazy to lift the camera.

However I did snag some good loot from her.

You are also wondering perhaps, why there have been no photos of all these delightful Buckeye girls?

Seems they are a bit camera shy.

I know the feeling.

It seems all of my worst poses end up on friend's blogs. So I get it. No face time here.

Carrie was a pleasure to meet.

I look forward to getting to know her better and checking out some great junking spots with her!

"Make new friends, but keep the old.

One is silver and the other gold."

Unknown

You know I couldn't resist singing a corny friendship song for two whole posts. You were singing too...don't deny it...I could hear you...

Yours in the joys of junk and those who love it, P.

Ohio Bloggers Gather

2011-07-18T14:48:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the ever so fun and feisty Ms. Sue of Sullivan and Murphy, I was fortunate to meet a lovely group of girls on Saturday. We are all on the same page with our passion for vintage, our burgeoning businesses and our joy in reclaiming pieces of the past and refreshing them for new use today.

We also happen to be from the great state of Ohio.

Buckeyes all.

We met in charming Tipp City and from the first, as we strolled the farmer's market, I knew we would find fresh friendship in one another.

That old Silver and Gold, new friends and old saying is so true.

We need both in our lives to keep things from becoming stale.

When I ventured into Blogland a few years ago I had NO IDEA what a bounty it would bring.

I have connected with so many women I would never have met otherwise.

We all share common threads in what we love in life.

A harvest of new friends far and near has been such a reward.

The best part is to meet in person and share laughter and stories and sew the seeds of lasting friendship.

I know you want to meet them too, if you haven't already.

Lettuce begin...(Sorry, I might be taking the harvest theme a bit far, teehee.)

Of course sweet Sue, who brought us all together. What a ball of fire. She had me in stitches!

Jo, from Jo's Second Act, thoughtful and funny. A pleasure to meet.

Pam of House of Hawthornes, sunny, cute and full of fun.

Debby of Cozy Blanket, what a doll. Just charming.

Darling Susie Q from Rabbit Run Cottage. Sweet and genuine.

I feel abundantly blessed to have met these chickadees and hope we will be seeing more of one another in the future.

Fall will be here soon, girls!

I could now break into a rendition of "Friend's are like flowers, beautiful flowers..."

but I wouldn't want you to gag on your beverage.

Suffice it to say I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these soul sistas.

We had a fun filled (and junk filled) day.

There were a few Buckeye Bloggers who couldn't make it Saturday. I do hope we will meet next time.

(I did meet one on Sunday morning, more later...)

A bouquet of new friendships, an introduction to a charming small Ohio town, some delish food and scrumptious vintage goodies, that's what I call bounty.

Thanks girls!

"We need old friends to help us grow old and new one's to help us stay young."

Letty Cottin Pogrebin

Yours in friendship old and new, P.

Hot Sale...I Mean Really HOT!

2011-07-11T22:27:00.003-04:00

A beautiful sunny summer day in New Richmond, Ohio.

Art and antiques along the river.

Not too many photos of our space however, because the sun was glaring.

Too intense to get anything but brilliance and shadows.

I think it was something like 900 degrees.

Well maybe more like 109.

Gladys here couldn't seem to keep herself covered.

It was that hot!

The meltingly humid day was not meant for sitting under a tent at noon.

Or shopping for that matter.

We persevered though.

We did not do badly but I think the scorching day drove many indoors to the cafe.

If I was not manning the space I would have followed.

That said, this is a lovely event. There were almost 3 times the vendors this time and lot's of scrumptious bits of vintage and crafty goodness.

I took no photos of any of those items, just my own.

Selfish me.

Actually, the few times I ventured from the shade to try shopping, I only lasted a few minutes before rushing back to the...relative...comfort of our canopy.

I did want to share sweet daughter's adorable polymer clay earrings.

Darling little trinkets in the shape of one of my favorite things, food!

She will be stocking her Etsy shop, Sadie Flo Studio, at the end of the week and I will share the link then.

I will, meanwhile, be stocking my space at Ohio Valley Antique Mall.

You will find Frippery in booth 127 at the corner of Arizona and Virginia Ave.

The mall is separated into rows with street names to make it easier to find a specific favorite space.

Once again I will be up to my elbows making this all work.

If I am scarce for a bit, know that I am still checking in on you all.

Just keeping mum with my nose to the grindstone.

"To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth"

Pearl S. Buck

Yours in getting younger every day, P.

Antique and Art Show Crazy

2011-07-09T09:56:00.000-04:00

Busy...

Moving into Frippery's space at Ohio Valley Antique Mall .

Painting doors from the ReStore for my backdrop.

Pricing, setting up a mock up space in the garage to make for a smooth move.

Plus, New Richmond Ohio's Art and Antique show is Sunday.

Separate mock up space in my entry for that one.

Busy enough that I am skipping Bunco next week!

Gah!!!!

Dining table covered in soldering supplies, family room table covered in paint and polymer clay.

Studio room being moved upstairs for college boy's imminent return to the nest.

I need my house back!

In the midst of this I couldn't resist playing with my newly received order of Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint.

Adore it!

Painted my mom's "seen better days" hope chest.

Perfect now as a sofa table in Provence and Duck Egg.

Busy...

I needed a break, some laughs. They came by way of my dear friend's email (No names to protect the innocent, har har)

I want to preface this by saying my gorgeous friend is no where near the description she gives in the email. Slightly chubby, beautiful and hilarious. A perfect package.

So here it is...

I work on the second floor of a mostly medical building and on the way into work this morning, I was running my usual couple minutes late, so I was trotting up the stairs and not walking up them, I was also carrying my purse and a attache type bag over my shoulder as I rounded the corner on the landing of the stairs, there was a thin lady, my age, in gym shoes and tennis shorts and a tee shirt going down the steps and she mentioned how hard it was to run steps and looked at my obese body and said "good for you" and that is how my day started. I realize that I should have used my immense whale like body to crush her, but I was caught so off guard by her comment.

Ha ha hee hee.

Crush her...

Too funny.

Well, hopefully you thought so too.

"A sense of humor...is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life."

Hugh Sidney.

Yours in shared laughter, P.

Frugal Fun in Cincinnati

2011-06-29T10:02:00.000-04:00

So much for blog breaks, right?

Met some friends on the Square last night.

The sun was shining, the breeze was fresh and everyone was out enjoying summer.

We met for dinner at Rockbottom.

I had this awesome wedge salad smothered in blue cheese. The price was right too, under $6!!!

This one is for you Debbie, I know you love these.

Plus a beer special. Equally important on a summer evening with friends.

After dinner we strolled the Square for a bit of people watching.

These gorgeous animals enjoyed the cool water and the spray on their faces.

I loved this moment of caring between the officer and her horse.

Robin Lacy and DeZydeco were playing their brand of Louisiana music and we took a seat and sang along.

There is never a face without a smile in the crowd when these talented musicians perform.

Wish I could share a bit of the sound with you here. Visit their website for a taste.

A little walk down memory lane. One of my besties, Kathy, was my roomie way back when we were in our early twenties. We live on the first floor of a century old victorian five family. Joani and Robin Lacy lived upstairs. The other tenants were also a mix of musicians and a couple who were landscape designers. Creative people close in age. We had some good old times together. One of those magic pockets of time that is remembered fondly. I have had more than my fair share of those and am so grateful.

Beautiful Joani can really belt a tune.

She is also the author of a wonderfully spooky book, The Legend of Hollister House.

If you love a good ghost story with atmosphere galore, this is a must read.

What a talented pair. The music this couple puts out is just a ball of Cajun style fun.

My bestest Cajun pal Jodie has endeared me to Cajun country forever. We had an awesome time last August on our 10 day Southern road trip.

The music really brought the memories back.

Live music, by the best local band around, for free! That is what I call a thrifty night out!

If you get a chance to see Robin and Joani perform, jump on it!

The music ended all too soon.

The lights came up and made the evening enchanting.

If you are in the area check out our fantastic city. Meet up at the Fountain.

You will not be sorry.

"Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul."

Plato

PS I have lots of links posted in this one. I guarantee each one is worth clicking, Just sayin' is all.

Yours in summer frolics, P.

Thrifty Find Oversized Mirror

2011-06-26T19:02:00.005-04:00

Still on my quest.

You didn't think it would only take a day or two to find myself, did you?

However, another quest has been fulfilled and I had to share it.

I have been on the hunt for an oversized mirror to lean against the wall for ...like..forever.

OK, only since I have been seeing Pottery Barn Knock Offs on all the blogs.

See what I mean about influence?

But I really do love them so that's OK, right?

Argh, more acceptance anxiety!

Back to the subject.

Looking at ReStore for doors to line my OVAM booth we came across this beauty.

A mirrored door.

A seven foot tall mirrored door.

Guess how much?????

ONE DOLLAR!

She needs a tweak or two but come on! One dollar!

I just had to share.

Don't hate her because she's cheap and beautiful.

I could say the same for some of my friends.

Harrharrharhahahaha!

"People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself.

But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates."

Thomas Szasz

Yours in continuing creation, P.

P.S. In the name of creativity I may continue to post an image or two while I am off creating my new self. Practice makes perfect after all.

Stepping Back to See the Big Picture

2011-06-24T11:51:00.000-04:00

It has been raining forever.

Seems like summer will never begin.

Time is passing and July will be here before we know it.

Lot's of time to ponder the wet garden from the porch and list all the things that need doing.

Which leads to one conclusion that has been nibbling at the back of the old brain.

I need to step back from the blog.

From both writing and visiting.

Just for a bit. It is too much of a distraction...from life...from creativity...from deciding what comes next and making that a reality.

I adore browsing all of your fabulous blogs, the sharing of ideas and thoughts, tutorials and just plain connection with like minds. Sometimes it feels that as good as all of this is, true self can be lost.

The need to find one's own way, an authentic style.

Many times we share the same sense of what is loved, true sisters and brothers in spirit.

I just need to try to find exactly what it is I really want without being influenced by the delicious visuals and tempting ideas of someone else.

Do you understand where this is coming from?

The need to find "me" again.

Time to actually live my life, not vicariously through others.

Taking care of business here, in this place, in my own way.

As you know it really is all about ME!

Hee hee.

That said, I need time to take care of this...

and also grow this...

and find more of this...

oh and let's not forget girl time...

I love Blogland and have made friends near and far. Some connections have literally changed my life.

I will not abandon this wonderful and inspiring place.

I just need to reconnect with the real world.

Make some things happen.

Spend time with family.

Grow something.

Create.

And definitely more girl time!!!

"This above all:

To thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man."

Hamlet, Shakespeare

Yours in the quest for true self, P.