Wishing you All a very wonderful New Year!

Well, you would think that things are winding down, but here we are in the verge of a new year and I'm still trying to deal with 2011.  I have a friend that is not expected to live over the next 6 months, but she will see herself into 2012.  Instead of becoming down when given her test results, she simply replied that she would spend Christmas 2012 with Jesus and Warren (her husband that passed earlier), with a sweet smile on her face. She is ready, and I admire her courage and positive outlook.  I know that she is correct in her statement.  She will be present with her beloved Lord and her husband in 2012. 

2011 has seen my husband and I through a difficult transistion, but not one so tough as my friend.  Gary was laid off from work in November 2010, but kept consistantly looking for work until he found a job very similar to the one he had, only in Florida, so 2011 saw us through a move from Tennessee to Florida.  We were 3 or 4 months apart, but we made it through.  We still own our property in Tennessee, and we are still renting a small place here in Green Cove Springs, FL.  2012 will continue to be an adventure for us as we see where this is all taking us.

My brother's barned burned down about a month ago, and in it tons of personal items and property of his, and our tractor and tiller.  $9000 worth of equipment for us, and that doesn't even scratch the surface in what my brother lost.  Insurance companies and adjusters......fighting us, and we are fighting them....Bottom line, he and I both got dropped by the company, Tennessee Farmers Insurance.  I don't suggest anyone insuring anything with them after this ordeal.  After almost 20 years with that company they dropped him, and after 8 years, they dropped us.  Why?  Because they actually had to pay out on a claim.  What a mess!

But, we all managed to come to the end of 2012 intact. My family is healthy, we are safe.  My son Travis is still deployed overseas aboard the USS The Sullivans ship.  He made Chief this year after only 10 years in the Navy.  We are proud parents, and wishing him everything he wants from his career, and thankful that we have our own children and yours serving to protect our country.  I tip my hat and heart to all active duty military, veteran's and to those who lost their lives doing so.

So with that, I pray you all have a wonderful New Year! 

Time To Sneek Away For Some Last Minute Shopping

Time for me to sneak away today, over to St. Augustine, Florida, and do a little last minute shopping.  Getting my crazy jingle jangle bracelets on, my oh so short sleeve Christmas shirt, cause it is going to be in the 80s today and I'M LOVING that warm weather!  Have to get ready for some baking also, and cooking.  Plans are to pick up my 14 yr old grandson from the airport on Saturday, then Christmas Day, head to my Mom's in Tallahassee Florida, with 3 grandkids in tow.  I'm sure my Mom will love all the activity, but probably thankful it will be for 1 night only!  Have to get back home for work on Tuesday. 

Hoping to find some crazy fun stuff today!

I Can't Get Away from Tradition!

Well, it is for sure, I cannot get away from my traditional "wait to the last minute" to get things accomplished before Christmas!  The shopping isn't finished, the baking hasn't begun, and I still have to cook several dishes to take to my Mom's in Tallahassee, Florida.  But one thing is for sure...obviously things are not out of the ordinary for me right now! LOL....seems I'm always running behind at Christmas time. 

Today I'm babysitting 2 of my grandchildren so that their Mom can do some last minute things herself.  I found myself getting short tempered with their interuptions and finally just put all my work down, walked out on the porch, and decided to give those kids some undivided attention!  It worked...they are great, just needed to know Grandma was there for them. 

I have so many ideas running through my head, that I'm looking forward to January for new beginnings and lots of creativity flowing around here.  However, I still have some major organizational things to finish, giving me more room to bead, design, and draw.  Moving to a smaller place has been difficult for this old pack rat!

Holiday Preparations

It has been a long time since I've posted here on my blog.  So many changes and things going on in my life!  But....I'm back a little at a time.  Am I ready for Christmas?...."NO!"....but slowly getting there.  I have suffered a creative lull for the past 3 months, and hope that the first of 2012 finds me working away on new designs.

My oldest son Travis, did make Chief this year, in the Navy.  We are very proud of him.  He is currently deployed and will not be back in the States until April of 2012.  He received his orders recently to report to San Diego, CA once he returns, and that transistion will begin.  It is bittersweet news to me, as we have had him on the East Coast for 10 years, and have been so blessed to be near him.  We will just have to make it a plan to travel to the West Coast at least twice a year if possible.  My youngest son Ben and his family are still in Oregon, so we will at least get to see both.  Very hard to have your children 3000 miles away and not be able to hug them, but we still can love them wholeheartedly and stay in touch by phone, email, text, etc.

This Christmas, we will not get to spend it with them.  But we are very thankful for their health and pray for their safety and prosperity for the upcoming new year.  So I guess that explains me having my "tinsel in a tangle" for sure.  They are so loved and missed.

We have tried our best to downsize our "things" since my arrival here in Green Cove Springs, Fl.  I have had 2 yard sales with my Mom, and 1 with my daughter-in-law.  I had 2 before I left Tennessee.  I still have a shed full of "stuff"....and plan on getting rid of what I can emotionally part with early in 2012.

On Christmas Eve, our 14 year old grandson Tristan, will be flying into Jacksonville, FL.  We will pick him up that night, and then travel to Tallahassee, Fl on Christmas Day, to spend it with my Mom and Paul. I think if I had to speculate on what I've learned through this move to Florida, and the transistions, mistakes and problems that resulted, I would give everyone of you this advice that you have heard before.  "Don't Sweat the small stuff, and don't stress over the big stuff!".....It will all work out!  So MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Oh, and by the way!  My brother's barn/apartment combo burned down over Thanksgiving.  We lost our tractor that was in it, and goodness knows he lost so much more property and contents than us....BUT WE ARE VERY THANKFUL no one was hurt, no pets, no lives lost, and grass will grow and be greener underneath the pile of rubble where the barn once sat. 

I have some photos to share in my next post, but trying to resize them and arrange them for you.

FALL Autumn Halloween Changing Leaves Empty Birdhouses

I feel like I have been in Florida for a year now, but it has only been 4 months.  Not even sure where summer went, but now it is offically Fall.  I have seen some trees turning in color, but mostly we stay pretty green all year.  I did see a sweet bluebird flittering around the back yard, and wondered if my birdhouses in Tennessee are all empty now, and everyone gathering up to snuggle in for cooler weather or headed out in their migration pattern.  I love birds. 

Tonight as I was winding down from a full day, I began playing with some bronze wire and blue beads, and created these two bird nests.  They fit perfectly on these filigree based bobby pins.  So sweet. You'll find these in my etsy shop.  http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/

The Skeleton Key Altered Repurposed Assemblage Necklace

This morning the air is so much cooler, so no excuse not to go outside and get some photographs done of some of my creations today.  I love old skeleton keys, and keep them on an old circular wire, tucked away in an old field desk from the Civil War Era.  A little hiding spot just for me. 

One of these Victorian relics has now been embellished with a piece of vintage olive green crinkley seam binding ribbon, vintage filigree brass and an old teal flower cabachon.  A sweet vintage inspired necklace.  A generous amount of ribbon, so you can tie it to the length you would like. 

The key measures 3 inches long, and this vintage assemblage can be worn with casual as well as dressy clothes.  You'll find it in my Etsy shop:   http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/

Now, to go enjoy more of that little nip of Fall in the air.

The Backyard Garden Flag and Snake Event

Well, I really haven't felt good for the past couple of days, but slowing getting better.  I have been filling orders and going about my daily chores.  We did have a venomous snake, a Moccasin, come crawling into the yard.  I was surprised as it was, when I walked out on the back porch and see it only 5 to 6 ft away headed to my steps...YIKES!...I was on the phone with my sister.  Well, my old 14 year old Jack Russell was under the porch staying where it is cooler in this Florida weather, and nothing I could do but kill that thing before it went under there and bit her.

Only thing handy enough without us both going in different directions, was the garden flag.  Ironically, Gary had not hung it for me yet, since moving here.  So, slowly I ease my arm out and then the fight was on!...WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK!  I missed more times that I actually hit my target, but enough to take care of that horrible thing.  When it sensed it was in danger, the crazy thing flared out his neck like a cobra does, only not as round in shape.  I was shocked.  My sister was on the phone and she said all she could do was think about people who go berserk and won't let up you know? Rosie, who is deaf felt the vibration from the beating the ground was getting and came out from under the deck.  As soon as she saw that thing, she pounced on it.  Well, it was by this time dead, but she gave the thing its last dose of life, swinging it back and forth in her teeth.  I was screaming at her to drop it....remember I said she's deaf....LOL...but the neighbors aren't, so I'm sure someone heard the action.  I brought her in, and now will have to be very careful out in the yard.  Hot weather, rain very much needed.  Needless to say, everytime my hair even swished past my face or a blade of grass brushed my leg, I jumped all afternoon. 

At least I forgot how sickly I was feeling.  Adrinaline took over for awhile. 

FALL come Quickly

Now that I'm living back in my home state of Florida, I love the warmer weather.  Yes, even when the highs are in the 90's and 100's.  However, it is taking its toll on my power bill...LOL....so hoping for cooler weather.  I know that is a long shot this time of year.  I do love Autumn/Fall,  and being that Fall is my favorite time of year, and after encouragement by friends and family to paint, I finally finished a vintage looking primitive folk art painting that I'm offering on Ebay, that is vintage Halloween in style, 8x10 on stretched canvas.  I love primitive and vintage findings, and thought this turned out pretty cool, or should I say, ghoul?  LOL
It is in my Ebay store, pumpkinmoonstudio. 

FIRKIN HUNTING IN FLORIDA

Today, my husband Gary, had the day off.  We decided to take a short drive south of Green Cove Springs, and check out any antique or junk shops we could find. 

Have you ever saw something, didn't buy it, then later regretted it because you just couldn't get it off your mind, only to go back several days later and the item is GONE!  Well, I have.  After seeing a neat old antique firkin, and after Gary convinced me that I didn't "need" it, we left and went to another store.

On our way back home, I just flat told him, "I'm going back for that firkin!".  Of course, he sat in the truck because he was not very agreeable about it, but he knows by now, that when I'm determined, he best just let me have my way, LOL.  He argued a little asking why I needed it, when I had so many already.  But, I convinced him it would add to, or complete the stack.

I used to be embarrassed and too shy to ask if vendors give discounts, etc, but not today.  I managed to get a nice discount off the price, and carried my treasure back to the truck.  I don't think Gary believed me, so had to show him the receipt.. :)

After getting home, and cleaning off the dust, I sandwiched it in between the others in my stack!  The "new" old firkin is the second one from the bottom, and Gary finally nodded and agreed it did seem to complete the graduated stack.  Of course, I will always be on the watch for another because I feel one more may squeeze in there. ; )

VINTAGE COTTAGE CHIC CHICKEN POTHOLDERS

Adorable!  Gotta have me one of these.
They are available from http://www.farmhousepantry.etsy.com/

COBALT BLUE SLIP CROCKS

I love antique crocks.  I collect as many as I can, but my favorite are those salt glazed ones with cobalt blue slip decoration on them.  They are very expensive, so I only have 2 that I managed to acquire over the years.  As I was working on a painting myself today, I spyed 2 small crocks sitting on my child size stepback cupboard......**hmmmm**....I think I can paint on those to make them look like the ones I adore so much.  These are pint size small crocks, but now....look so much better displayed with a little touch of the paintbrush.  If I were to leave them this way, I would need to seal the paint, but I don't think I will.  I might want to use them as a palette and practice more, so will leave them as is, for display right now.

So here are some before and after photos for you.  What do you think?

FREE FEEDSACK DIGITAL ARTWORK FOR YOU

Well, I'm feeling much better today, and figured I would design a vintage type feedsack design for you to use for your crafting needs. This would be so cool as the front of a primitive pillow.  Just right click and save this to your files.  You can purchase ink jet iron on transfers, which work great for pillows, primitive sacks and more.  This is my own original graphic design just for you!  Have fun and email me photos of your finished projects.  This is a jpeg file, 300dpi.

Check back for more freebies!  Have a wonderful Thursday!

The End of Wednesday

My Mid-Day Wednesday Look

What can I say, it has been a difficult day.....

My Early Morning Self Portrait

Second cup of coffee and I'm worried where Tuesday went?  Much less 1/2 of this year!

GET UP AND GET GOING

Wow, this year is now 1/2 over and it has been a roller coaster.  Moving from Tennessee to Florida zapped me, drained me physically and emotionally, but just about the time I start poking my head back into my world I realize 1/2 the year is gone.  So, its time for me to get up and get going here, and with my art.

All the boxes are still not unpacked, but enough to start some new projects.  I wear many hats when it comes to creativity.  I like too many different mediums, but its all good.  Maybe it is best that some boxes remain sealed until I have more room to spread it all out. LOL.  We are only renting here for a year, so we'll see how it goes.

I have been doing some graphic design work.  My friend Susie needed a new banner for Etsy, so here is the end result.  You'll have to check out her offerings there when she gets her Etsy shop up and running.
http://www.farmhousepantry.etsy.com/

A little primitive and a little vintage retro, but all good things from the old farmhouse pantry and kitchen. 

Also, I've been working on my new picturetrail for Pumpkin Moon Primitives.  I love early primitive decor and collectibles, and decided to expand my presence online by trying it.  I have wanted to have my own website, and this is the next best thing for me. 

This is my ad above that will appear in the August issue of Mercantile Gatherings magazine. http://www.mercantilegatherings.com/   Hopefully, it will generate customers to my picturetrail site and encourage other prim lovers to swap banners with me.  The treasure hunt itself, to find neat primitive items is a wonderful hobby that my husband and I enjoy together. 

So here is a link to:

www.picturetrail.com/pumpkinmoonprimitives

I hope you will check it out.  Right now, I'm still photographing and frantically listing items, so that when the August issue is shipped, I'm ready.  Of course, I still continue to sell my personalized items on Ebay and Etsy, but I'm excited about this new venture.  Well, the coffee cup needs to be refilled, the hubby is off to work, so best get busy myself.

~Robbie~

THE FURNITURE IS SOMEWHAT ARRANGED

Boy, moving all my "stuff" after 15 years in 1 place has been a REAL hassle.  I have unpacked and unpacked boxes and have no more room to unpack another.  So, back into boxes a great deal of "stuff" is going, and will be labeled "YARD SALE", which I will have with my Mom later in the year.  But, at least you can get an idea of my love of primitives from these few photos.  Some items will be sold on etsy and ebay.  "sniff"..."sniff"...it can all be replaced one day, when I get a larger place, if blessed to do so.  Just wanted to keep you posted as I move forward on this move!  I cannot wait until I have time for creativity again.

SUN & FUN and the MOVING IS ALMOST DONE

The Furniture Got Moved

Well, you may have wondered where I've been for months now.  It all started back the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend.  My husband was laid off from his job of 12 years. The remainder of 2010 and the holidays really sucked as far as the news of the layoff.  Gary and I had been discussing for 3 years, our wishes to move to Florida to be near family.  I grew up in Quincy, Florida, and my Mother and my sister still live in Tallahassee, Fla.  So the job hunt was on for Gary.

He spent most of January and part of February in New Orleans, LA, working a temporary job in an oil refinery.  We are blessed to have friends there that helped him get the job, but it only lasted about 3 weeks, being a temporary inspection type job.  But, Gary got his TWIC Card which was needed to work in ports around the country, so that was a plus, because Florida is surrounded by water..LOL.  

With the encouragement of friends and family, Gary landed a job in Green Cove Springs, Fla, doing the same work he had here in Tennessee.  He stayed with our son and his family in Mayport, FL, and commuted for the past 3 months driving over an hour one way to work and back each day, in heavy traffic.  That was a nightmare and the gas consumption sure didn't help.  As for me, I remained in Tennessee working and packing the house.  Gary's parents drove out from Oregon and stayed almost 2 months helping me.  Finally, I went down and stayed with our son for about a week to a week and 1/2 looking for housing in Green Cove Springs.  God really blessed us and answered prayers that trip.  We had prayed that doors would open to find a place to rent for a year, until we could see if we liked the area.  Ironically, a small 2 bedroom place came available, on 2 acres of land.  The rental contract was signed for 1 year, and Gary now only has to commute 5 miles to work.  It has been over 15 years since he had such a short commute to work.

The furniture has been moved, but I'm back in Tennessee winding up some priorities here.  We will either list our home for sale or rent it out.  Just not sure yet, but doing some cosmetic things to it right now, small upgrades, etc.  Gary and I have been apart more than we like, but this challenge has pulled us closer and within 2 weeks, I hope to be back down in Green Cove Springs, unpacking and getting my "art" and "office" set back up and get back to creating.   I will post more as these next 2 weeks progress with the work here.  As for Gary, he is enjoying his weekend, planting a garden and flowers down at the place in Green Cove Springs.  I'm excited that we will only be 1 hr from our son and his family, and about 2 1/2 hrs from my Mom and other family in Tallahassee area. 

So with that, I best get busy.  Thanks for your patience during this move!

SWEET REDWORK TEA TOWEL & Yo Yo's

http://busyascanbe.blogspot.com/

This blog is just plain eye candy, and her prescious redwork tea towel complete with sweet calico yo yo trim is just plain cottage-y to the max!  Love it!



Those Boots Are Made For Walking But The Earrings are for GO-Going

I love vintage beads and this pair of deco pink ones from the 1950s inspired a pair of rocking GO GO earrings.  I couldn't resist pairing them up with this photo of a pair of pink books.  NO, the boots are not mine, just a photograph I found out in space.  This is simply a fun pair of earrings, and reminds me of the days of Goldie Hawn and the show Laugh In.  Sometimes my creative side migrates back in time to the 1960s....oh I guess I'm telling my age now..!  I have these listed in my etsy store.  More later, it has been a very busy day, and this new time change always messes me up until I can get adjusted to it.  Seems the day just goes so fast.

She Sells Sea Shells

The tiniest shells I've ever seen, about the size of a grain of rice.  After acquiring these, I filled these 4 glass vials with them, and they are about 2 inches tall, and perfect for altered art, or vintage assemblage jewelry making.  I'm selling them in my Etsy store, and they just shout "BEACH"...LOL.

I guess after another day of violent storms, and going from 65 degrees to 45 degrees all in a matter of hours, the thoughts of spending a few days combing the beaches kept running through my mind all day!  Check them out!

The White Rabbit

Handsculpting again, and wanted to share him.  I scuplted his head from paper clay, air dried, then painted, given an aged look.  Then I handpainted the paper mache box, added vintage pearl jewels and glitter.  He is ready for Spring!  Then I made some rabbits that are actually soy wax melts that smell so yummy and accented with sweet glitter.

MONOGRAMMED BOTTLE LABELS

Good morning!  I'm not feeling to well today, some allergies kicking up after a blustery 2 days.  Seems when the wind blows, it stirs up stuff that disagrees with me.  So a few allergy meds and I'm on the mend.  I wanted to show off this bottle charm I created.  I have saved some old apothecary medicine bottles for my bathroom re-do, and will make labels like this for them, only they will have words associated with the contents of the bottles.  I think it will give old world charm to the vintage look I'm going with.  These soldered labels also are great for wedding, hostess, and more type gifts, and can be used as an ornament too.  When the weather warms up, I plan on searching out the Nashville Flea Market for wire baskets to use for storage such as towels etc, and will create a soldered charm label for each.  Do you remember the metal wire baskets in gym where you stored your belongings?  Well, those are the type baskets I'm looking for.  If I find some, I'll post them here for you to see.  Guess I better get ready and head to work.  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Vintage Chandeliers and Mardi Gras

Good morning all!  My hubby got home after being gone for a month.  It is great having him back for a few days before he heads out to work again.  My honey-do list grew so long, and since the weather is somewhat warmer, he said he would try and tackle a few of the major issues around the ridge today. 

Last night "Spanky" called, a truly wonderful friend of ours from the days that he and Gary served in the Navy.  It seems those Navy boys all seem to have nicknames for each other, and Randy has always been affectionately called, "Spanky" by Gary and of course me.  Well, the call was an invitation to attend Mardi Gras, and as much as I would love to, just once in my life, sadly we cannot, as our jobs won't warrant that at this time.  Maybe next year Spanky!!! :)

I do love New Orleans!~  I have been there twice in my life and the architecture and wrought iron ornate balconies against old clapboard and brick buildings is so romantic and old world.  Crowns abound everywhere along with the famous fleur de lis, and the downtown sparkles to me.  I look past all the voodoo shops and avoid that part, but all the bright costumes, beads, and anything that sparkles catches my eye.  I think New Orleans has recovered much better than expected after Katrina, and if you ever get there, make sure you go to the French Quarter that I'm so infatuated with and sit and have a cup of coffee and one of their famous beignets, at the Cafe Du Monde.   Be prepared to step into white powdered sugar everywhere!  Very sticky place, but ooo lah lah, the coffee is GREAT, the beignets are great, and it is a landmark for sure.  But go during the day! 

And of course speaking of sparkling....I used an old vintage aurora borealis faceted crystal chandelier prism as the focal point of a necklace I just listed in my Etsy Store.  Accented with a crown charm and silver chain.  It catches the light and sends rainbows of sparkles all over, surely an eyecatcher and like a suncatcher..LOL...  I have a thing for glass as you might already know.  Old prisms are stacked in small boxes and drawers, and I buy any that I see that are unusual in color, shape, and size. I guess I'll have to admit being a hoarder of sorts. LOL...

Have a wonderful Thursday!  Still looking for fabric for that shade.  Might have to wait until my hubby goes back to work.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY MY SWEETS

A red glittery heart, encased between glass, soldered, and Valentine Red chain to match.  A sweet little necklace especially created by me, for my Grandaughter, Miss Moo Moo.  Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  And here is my little sweetheart, Myla, who I affectionately call Moo Moo.

WIRE WRAPPED BRIOLETTES

Wire wrapping a side drilled bead seems easy when you see someone else do it, but for me it is challenging.  Getting that perfect wrap is difficult, but I think teardrop briolette earrings are so sweet, and these remind me of a sweet pink drop of dew falling from your ears.  Simple sparkle, with a blush pink hue.
These are available in my Etsy Store.

......an excerpt from the diary of Ole Sista Ardee, and her memories of her life in the Quarter....


Well, a little refreshment and I'm better now, and after a sip or two of that fresh lemonade, I got to giggling as I began to remember a day Mr. Duke had come for his occasional visit with his cousin Miss Whittington. Now child, that young buck knew he liked to flirt with all the girls in Miss Whittington's employ, and yes child, ole' Sista Ardee got included in a few times, but all in jest ya know! But, day had it back then in the 30's when he shows up with not only a hamper of peaches, but a bucket of lemons to go with it. Now, the lemonade was a flowing for a week or two, and so was all the citrus sweets and goodies we could dream of to put those lemons to good use before they spoiled. And all the girls so giddy running around trying to out cook each other to get just a little extra attention from the Guest.


You know child, a wink and nod, or a pearly white smile, Lord that young man knew how to ruffle the feathers in that hen's nest. But Ole' Ardee was one up on him. There he came sashaying into the kitchen with his bad self, wanting to sneak a taste or two from the stockpot, and I shook that old stained wooden spoon a few times to warn him not to come near that pot, and there he comes anyway, grabbin' old Ardee and spinnin' me round and round, taking my old spoon and dipping it into that pot anyway! Oh goodness, I can't hardly contain myself, cause little did Mr. Duke know, but that stock pot was full of bluing that I planned on using that next morning to help whiten the Whittington household linens.

And you know, from that day on when he come sashaying into my kitchen during one of his visits, he'd holler out, Miss Ardee!...are you in there conjuring up some of your cobalt caramel today?

Oh, I must go, tea kettle is a whistling and a little chamomile tea is just what I need this evening......

~ And with her story still lingering, it was the inspiration and the thoughts of daffodils popping their heads up, for these lemon swirl earrings~....I should have added a tiny cobalt blue bead, to match the stains Mr. Duke probably had from tasting that old wash house bluing  ~

VALENTINE GIVEAWAY

Okay, a little fun here this morning.  Be the first person that reads my blog today, and make a comment at the end of this post, and you'll receive this handmade Valentine from me.  I have taken a vintage valentine, embellished with glitter, sandwiched between glass, and soldered, making a sweet Valentine's Day Cutie!  If you are the first to comment on this post, then I'll ship your Valentine's creation to you.  I'll contact you and get your mailing address.  HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FUN GIVEAWAY, just today!

It All Starts with a Little Black Line

Yes, it is that simple!  I start with a simple black pen and ink drawing.  A "toon" so to speak.  Whimsical and from my heart.  My siblings tell me that my artwork makes them smile.  They have never seen what originally gets thrown onto the drawingboard, and jumps back off into a finished little work.  So, here goes.  Yes, a simple black pen and ink drawing.  All lines must close...no gaps!   Then I scan it into my computer.  Then I proceed to digitally color it.  I then print it out, and begin to highlight with magic markers and colored pencils.  Once again, scanning into my computer to "save" and "tweek" my finished product.  It will be used on note cards, calling cards, labels, stickers, or whatever.  So, here is a finished work, that started with a simple black line.

I DIDN'T GET IT....The Owls you Know?

When I first started seeing all the owls on Etsy.com, I just didn't get it.  Owls?  Whoo-Knew? LOL  But they took off and of course eventually, though I didn't get the attraction, it was contagious to say the least, and to the drawing board I went and started creating some personalized products with of course, "OWLS"...

Then just when I think, wooo-hooo, I'm trendy again, my niece tells me the next craze will be peacocks.  So what is it with the birds?  And peacocks now?  Just when I'm trying to be creative with OWLS?  .... :)

So, now I have owls, and I guess the peacocks will have to wait.  I have note cards, address labels, calling cards, whatever you might want personalized, WITH OWLS...and a little damask.

So, I'm wondering what matter of fowl will be next????  How do I start my own trend?  I guess that question is for "the birds"......

LOL...address labels are available in my ebay store:  pumpkinmoonstudio

~time to fly~!
Robbie

VINTAGE CAMPERS AND TRAVEL TRAILERS

I have such a desire to restore a vintage small camper, and go camping with it this summer.  My sister has one for sale, and I'm trying very hard to talk my husband into buying it.  I want it restored into retro colors.  I know I can create the new curtains, upholster the benches, refloor it, and have new cabinets built, etc.  It would be fun, just gotta convince my hubbie to dive into this with me.  Here is the vintage little guy, that I want to "fix up" and use.  I tease her and call it "Red Rover".  The first is her trailer, and the second photo is what this camper could become!  When she first got it, I teased her and drew a cartoon, put it on a coffee cup, with the caption, "Hitched By a Bitch"....which made us both laugh and crack up over it.  Neither of us right now could probably hitch it to our vehicles without a little help from the husbands. LOL....  So here is how Red Rover looks now....and below it, how it could look. The second photo is of a restoration I saw on the internet. I'm always surfing the internet, looking at vintage trailers and campers, and information on how to restore them.  I think I would go with a pastel color instead of the red.

And here a drawing I created, vintage inspired of course!

I actually have note cards that I sell with the vintage camper on it, in different colors in my Ebay Store, which are personalized with your name, or quotes.  The link is on the right side of my blog.  I also used the above image, along with some tropical palm trees, etc, and had my own fabric designed at spoonflower.com  I plan on making myself a blouse out of it.  Pretty cool to have fabric with my own artwork on it.  I'll post a of photo of the fabric soon.  The pattern you see below repeats itself, so hard to imagine without seeing the finished product.  But below this, you will see how the pattern repeats, and makes GREAT fabric.

So, I hope you all are having a great weekend, and dreaming up
Spring and Summer projects like me LOL.....

VICTORIAN LAMPSHADES

Well, the weather has taken a turn for the worst again, rain, sleet, now snow.  Unfortunately, the local salt trucks never came our way today.  Not sure if they are out of salt, or if no one knew about the weather change.  Alas, we are inside and warm.  With the arrival of January comes TAX preparation, and I have been so busy with my "regular" job.   Tonight I plan on previewing fabrics online, trying to decide on the lining and the outside cover of the lampshade I'm working on.  Again, I cannot wrap the frame with silk yet, as I haven't decided on the fabrics. 

I thought I would at least try and keep you interested by showing you a lamp shade that I did finish awhile back.  It now graces my bedside end table.  The beaded fringe is about 6 to 7 inches long and captures the light so well.  After finishing it, I proudly showed it to my brother, who immediately commented on the shape resembling a woman's hips.  GO FIGURE...typical male....but it does resemble an old fashioned courset I think.  My hips haven't looked like that since I was as teenager..LOL...

Oh, and so you know, every piece of a handmade lamp shade, is completely handsewn.  It took me 3 weeks to complete this shade.  I worked an hour or so each day..  You can click on the photograph so that it will enlarge so you can see it better.

If you know me well, you will know that I love primitives, and my home is full of vintage old primitive collectibles.  But when it comes to my bedroom, it is "foo-foo girly and shabby chic" in looks.

Handcarving Your Own Rubber Stamps

Just a quick update for you.  I haven't wrapped my lampshade frame yet, and that is because I have to pick out my fabrics for the lining and the outside.  The silk ribbon that I will wrap the wire with, will have to be dyed to match the fabrics.  Just so you know, I haven't put that project aside, just haven't gotten my fabric choices.  Hard to get out of here and go shopping to find some, with the harsh winter and snow we've had. 

So, onto a quick project that I "tried" today while Gary had my computer occupied.  I have seen some of the cutest handcarved rubber stamps on Etsy.com.  I thought it would be a neat little rainy or snowy day project, so out came the linoleum cutter, tracing paper, and pencil.  Of course, you need some red carving rubber.  Had to order that online, but it is inexpensive.  Now, believe me when I tell you this is my FIRST attempt, and the stamp is ugyly ugly, but I like the fact that I tried...**gulp**.  I cannot stand not knowing how to work in a new medium that I have noticed out there in the creative land. 

I have some vintage images from the 1940s that I have saved, and I chose this little bird on a branch.  Overall about 1.5 inches wide.  So you trace the image on tracing paper, then you turn it upside down on your rubber and use your fingernail, or a bone folder to rub the image onto the rubber.  Then you begin to carve.  I know, I know, the finished stamp is ugly and I need to clean it up and make the edges of the image more sharper.  Also, I didn't have a good ink stamp pad, only this turquoise thing.  But, you can at least get an idea.  Gary will cut me a small piece of wood to mount it to, and I'll treasure it as my first attempt.  I hope to get better, as I would like to hand carve one for each of my grandchildren, with a drawing of my own, and their names.  A keepsake of sorts.  Ok, now for the photos.  LOL....you can laugh, but not too hard please LOL.  Oh, and there are some good tutorial videos on youtube.com of artists showing how to do this, and if you want to see some of the cute ones out there, just do a search on etsy.com for "hand carved rubber stamp"....

Kitschy Retro Red Mood

Maybe it is the overcast gloomy cold weather with 4 inches of snow on the ground that has set my mood, wishing for Spring with flowers, color, and fun.  I know for sure, I'm tired of winter.  I recently saw the book, The Naughty Secretary's Club, and thought it was very fun, and so while the snow is coming down, I used some fun bright vintage plastic beads and jewelry pieces that I had, to make a fun sweetheart of a bracelet, a fun daisy and mum necklace.  Both are available in my Etsy store, http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/ .  I also had these vintage lucite confetti, sweet cottage chic old clip on earrings.  There are just some pieces of vintage jewelry that I cannot disassemble for other projects, as they stand alone in whimsy and these are so Kitschy and retro.  They are also available in my Etsy store.  As for the photo of the book, you have to go to Amazon.com to look inside the book.  It has fun simple projects, so bright and retro in color and design.  You never know what you have in your stash of crafts supplies, that can be turned into fun jewelry.