So much to do...

I think I'll be going back to what I originally loved doing... drawing homes. Nothing permanent... I'll give these "altered" eyes a rest for now. HA! I find myself constantly dabbling in so many different art mediums and go crazy wanting to create so many different types of art...I've realized that I have way too many unfinished projects going on. Ahhhh, this takes me back.... I really love the old architecture~ especially in our small, historic town! Here are a few examples of my work.... not the best quality photos, but hopefully, you can at least, see the detail. Excuse the "Windows and Doors", my flash bounced off of the glass pretty badly....A special thank you to Liz and Linda for commissioning me to do this~ about 5 years ago! :) I sketched our Abbey, an old house on the corner and the home that we rented 14 years ago is at the very top~ it was never inked, so it's a bit hard to make out, sorry! The gazebo was changed a bit from the original view. I've done a handful of commissions and it's always a joy to see the owner's face upon completion. The Holidays are right around the corner~ what a unique gift. I can sit on location or draw from a snapshot. If I do have photos, I just ask for a clear frontal view and possibly, an up~close of ornate details around the home. I have so much fun doing these, I'll keep you posted on my progress! Thanks for looking!
Hugs,
Christina

Pretties today...

Pet butterfly...

My totally awesome daughter was lucky enough to have a butterfly land right on her hand.... and guess what? It remained content right there for longest time... she finally had to MAKE it get off of her hand by scooting it onto the school desk on the porch~ after about a half an hour! (She was SO over entertaining me by that time.) I ended up taking 46 pictures of this beauty... yes, 46! I know.... BUT~ I have a good reason, some didn't turn out...and I just couldn't get enough of it... let alone the fact that it had the fastest little wings ever! This is actually the image I wanted to capture. Every time I snapped the picture, she would close her wings. Only a few turned out this pretty with a flattened, clear view! Of course, my daughter got pretty frustrated with me and lost interest after the first 20 pictures... "enough already!!!!!"

Hopefully, you can't see all the dog hair on the porch runner! :)

Happy day!
Christina OxOx

Very special thanks to Amy at Such a wonderous place this faerytale space!

I never really thought that it would be possible to make such lovely friends online. Most of my friends...I don't know on a personal level. I've never even met them, but for some reason, I feel very close to most. This package came in the mail today... it really, could not have come at a better time. It was a bad day and when this package arrived from my dear, sweet friend, Amy... to say the least, it really cheered me up! Amy is so creative, so wonderful. Whenever she pops by for a visit to this place, she signs her comments to me with the words "Blessings and light". Today, when I really could have used some Blessings and light the most.... there it was! Thank you dear, Amy from the bottom of my heart! My treats are beautiful, the most wonderful and softest colors and look.... even the giftbag was decorated beautifully with real clovers! My necklace, tin, sea glass and your amazing illustration are all treasures to me. I just love my friend, Amy! Thank you so much!

pinkie...

I've gotta get a bunch done today, so I'll make this quick.... but, I'll be back later on. Hope today brings you happiness and enjoy this beautiful Saturday! See you in a while....

Why am I taking pictures of my chandeliers?

I'm not really sure... they just make me very happy. You know how I feel about anything that SpArKlEs!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure if you can tell from the photos, but I still haven't taken down the icicles and snowflakes that were hung from them last Christmas!! UGH! Didn't I just recently have a conversation with someone about this? The hidden, leftovers from the holidays? About how occasionally, I run across a tiny elf or reindeer or whatever~ that may have been tucked away in that secret spot~~ in the dead of summer!!!!! Pretty funny... I guess if I didn't have so much crap, things would be so much easier to find and put away! :) I must admit, though... the chandelier "danglies" were planned...I don't think that I even had the desire to take them down. Ever. (and still don't~ I like 'em that way) Why, how convienient, the holidays will be approaching again soon.... One less thing to decorate! I like the silver and whites~ AND It makes me feel a bit cooler looking at them on hot days! Yeah right.............. :) Lame excuse, but at least I don't still have Christmas lights hung outside of the house, right? :)!
Hugs, Christina

hmmm, not the best day ever... good finds, though!

Oh yeah, more vintage cards... baggie for a quarter!! L.o.V.e. my new curly~cue mirror... now, THAT was expensive... ONE dollar! :))))) Man! Last week I bought a small chest (bottom left) for 4 dollars... not knowing the drawer didn't fit, it was still quite a steal, I think~it's actually pretty old, but most importantly, I like it. Welp, this is what it looks like now~after a coat of black spray paint on the top of it, and adding a separate shelf on top, kinda like a hutch or something, I guess. I really don't mind if it's not perfect... nothing is..............even I have a crack! HA! Sorry... I hope that wasn't offensive to anyone. I'm just being silly. Had a bad day....
Hugs!

I wish I could grab a button!

Happy Sunday to all of my fantastic friends! Just an idea for all you glam~junkers out there...here is one awesome chickie... you should really check out this place: http://glamarellajunk.blogspot.com..... it's wayyyyy cool!!!! I am totally and uncontrollably falling in love with this style... feeling like quite the gypsy these days~can't get enough!!!! Just click on the title of this post to take you on that trip to funland!
Hugs!

Pink!

Say hello... to my hairy little friend!

He keeps me company in my studio..... I hope that everyone is doing well...happy Wednesday! ~ I had a moment that made me just want to scream! Well, actually, a few moment-s! This may sound kinda lame, but you have to understand, I'm totally in love with all in blogland now. Last night when I logged in, my dashboard said that I was not following any blogs! I thought, ok..... it's just temporary, the site must be down or something. I logged out and restarted.... still, no blog updates. This morning, the same... I really thought that I had lost all of my favorite links to you forever! Believe this or not, that made me very sad! I love knowing what all of you are up to, I keep tabs on you guys... all of my favorite blogs. Not being able to reach you with just a click really did upset me. How else was I supposed to know when you had something new to say?! Turns out, it must've been a glitch.... thank goodness, it's up and running again for me! WHEW! That made my day....... petty, I know....................

Hugs! Christina :)

Look what else came in my cake decor loot! :)

Eeeeeeeekkkk! I forgot to show you this, and then I promise I'm done with the garage sale, loot-box, jackpot find from last Saturday....deal??!! Now, as much as I love the traditional vintage wedding stuff.... THIS, to me is........... *sigh*............. PERFECT!!!! (whatta bonus round!)

Hugs!
Christina

"BLiNg RiNgS"...

Okay, all... take a looksie at these *fantabulous* rings made by one of my favorite local artists around! Belinda makes THE most whimsical and beautiful rings... the colors and crystal cuts on these cuties just make my head spin!!! Whether you like large, dainty, loud colors or modest jewelry~~ she's got the designs for you! Sized to fit and plenty of eye~candy to pick from, you can find these fun rings at Cottage of the Seasons... located in downtown Atchison at 515 Commercial. Check this gal out at Melissa and Karen's shop, wouldya'! Hugs! :)

Wedding bells and bluebirds... what a mix!

Well, here is what I've been up to this morning! My~unusual love for wedding decor~ collection has grown and, I still have many wonderful pieces left to create with~~ Woo!!! Can't wait to get that going. This afternoon, I hope to get some projects started, my only problem is, where to begin... so much great new silly stuff to choose from! Have no fear, I'll think of something!

You know, most people don't "get" me and my decorating style... they wonder why I tend to collect such useless and random things. I have a love for collecting and I know exactly what inspires me~as soon as I see it~ and that's why I have such an eclectic home!!! Mix it up, more is more, remember? The biggest and most common remark and question that people ask me when they come into our home is "Wow, so THAT'S what you did with that thing!!!" or "How do you dust all of this stuff???" Ha! The answer... not that often! So, please don't ever zoom in on any of my pics... you'll be sure to catch a glimpse of dustbunnies the size of Connecticut!!!!!!!!! HAhahaha ~~~ jk. :)

Are you ready for this?????????

Well, now that I've made this out to be a totally, won't want to miss, phenomenal post, this may not be that wonderful for some after all...but for me..... whatta jackpot, baby!!!! This morning, I went to a neighbor's yard sale and ran across a tub (yes, I said a TUB~ it's big, like one of those under the bed storage boxes) of bridal cake decorations!!!!! This treasure trove is full of wedding cake toppers, bells, commemorative anniversary numbers, pillars, angels, doves, curly-cue gate~ type thingies, crosses, vintage foil number stickers, etc., and about 10 differently sized bride and groom couples!! Oh, just wait until you see them when I get them unpacked, cleaned up and cute-ified!!! I really can't believe it!!!!! I am SO excited to get these beauties organized and sorted...altered art, here we come! Almost all of the decorations are vintage~there are a couple of newer ones tossed in~ like a hideous, new, gag thing that said "older than dirt", I still have to go through it all. Oh, and you know the sweet ballerina toppers?? I found a huge one inside! That is a real BoNuS!!!! She is sooo sweet... she's already found a spot in my dining room so, sadly, she was left out of the picture... but don't worry, she'll get her spotlight tomorrow! I really can't believe that I have aquired a collection this large- all at once... obviously, someone had a wonderful business at one time. A big thank you and hug to Marianne for allowing me to snag my new toys for only $4.00!!! Big thanks to Kim, also... these were part of her contribution to the sale. I can't remember who it was that was the cakemaker (mother or grandmother) but please know, they have definitley found a good new home. I cherish them so! Can't wait to use them..........in and ON everything~ like my life is just one gi-normous cake!!!! :)
Christina

This is a picture of my favorite spot in my studio...

Why do I love this spot???!! The colors, I think and my toys... and my party~guy! This vignette just makes me really happy, so this rack has a special place right next to my art desk. Call me crazy... but it inspires me!

After all, "It's all about me", right? *giggles* Xo

My daughter loves to doodle just as much as I do!

Check this out~ what talent!!! I actually took these pictures a while ago...we have a garage out back...Beth and her friend, Rachel went graffiti cRaZy with sidewalk chalk! LOVE IT!!!! I told her to have at it! She even got ahold of our front porch! Hehehehe... Love you! XoXoX I know that these are older photos, Beth~but hey, they are too great not to post! :)

Wow! It's been a couple of days... hope all's well!

Silly doodles and dreaming of Paris.... :) I've always had a fascination with antique rod iron... fences, gates, whatever.... if it's old, black, ornate and rusty, I love and simply want to have it! There's just something very striking about the metalwork, in my eyes. Whenever I stumble across a wonderful piece of ornate iron~ which is very often in this historic small town that we live in, I take a photo so that I can scribble those same wonderful lines later on. Although, at times, I've even been caught "camping out" across the street with my sketchbook... *giggles* I enjoy the detail so much! I'm actually working on my next tattoo....ironwork. Go figure.

The quartet of mini frames....Oh, La La!!! These small ~sillies~ along with a few other goodies will be going to the shop~ I read that comment, Melissa... no worries! :) Very simple and sweet~ I just had to get Halloween out of my head real quick. There will be plenty of time to work on the ghoulish. I'm trying really hard to hang on to the last little bit of summer that we have left! Yes, it's still pretty hot, but I cannot be thinking black and orange already! That'll come soon enough... Hugs!

Christina :)

made quite a bit today~ didn't do anything around the house, though...

Hello to all of my friends... I can't believe this! I have not even given Halloween a second thought, and after the last few weeks of surfing all of the fantastic blogs out there... Now, I've gotten the fever~bitten by that same Halloweenie bug! Seeing all of the great spooky stuff being made recently, I've too, been busy making ghostly goodies...only did three, though. Melissa, Carolee, etc. Ok, I'll stop for now...Back to the sunny and whimsical stuff. Bye for now, I've got to go and eat some Count Chocula!!! HA! Talk about creating a monster... :)

A tale of two... birdies.

In the pink...

Happy Saturday! I'm feeling a bit better today, but still not quite back to my old self. The good news is... it's a gorgeous day today, the weather here couldn't be any nicer! :) I slept in again this morning... I guess that I really needed it or, am I just a lazy~ bone!? Now it's time to get up and about and do something productive. Who knows, after tidying up the house, something pink just might be made this afternoon. :) If so, you'll be sure to see a photo later! Oh, and that's not a thrifting find... (go figure) that's actually MY baby book given to me not too long ago by my parents! Isn't it precious? I love you sooo much Mom and Dad~ and thank you!!! Hugs and happy day to you all!
Christina!