WAX TARTS AND HANDMADE SOAP MOLDS

I've been wanting to try and make a silicone mold.  I've reviewed the "how-to's" on youtube, I've read, I've studied, and then I finally have begun the process.

First of all, these are my first attempt at sculpting something that I plan on making a mold from.  I've made figurines, doll heads, etc, but never something that I planned on actually pouring silicone over... LOL

I could have just used an item from my home.  A figurine, or something else, but I wanted these to me my own designs.

I love primitive things, and after finishing these, I realized the bee skep needs to have the flower removed as it makes it too cutesy.  The prairie girl, she may have to stay that way.  She is for soap only.  But, the bee skep and the log cabin, they are actually for a silicone mold to make good smelling wax tarts that you melt in a burner, to fill your home with fun and yummy smells. They are not tiny, but they are not oversized either.  The prairie girl, well she is about the size of a standard bar of soap, so that may give you an idea of the sizes of these.

I will have to dry these in the oven, then let cool.  In the meantime I have to figure out what sort of flat bottom plastic container these will sit and fit in appropriately, so that the silicone can be poured over them, and actuallly cover them completely.

I'll post a photo of the actual silicone molds when they are done.

BEJEWELED STARFISH WITH BUBBLE MESSAGES

I haven't gotten to the beach as much as I would have liked so far this summer, but I love my short day trips to St. Augustine, Florida, where I stroll through the old city and those fun little shops.  I have taken time for those days of searching for treasures and trinkets to play with.

One little tourist shop in particular, sells gorgeous seashells of all sizes, shapes, and colors, including these wonderful pencil starfish.  Of course, they come plain, but I embellished these with glass 1/2 bubbles, messages, and accented with vintage rhinestones.

A light coating of the finest glitter I've seen is the first step.  I might experiment with colored glitter on some others I have, but this sweet simple shimmer just reminded me of the sparkling seaform of the ocean.  The 1/2 bubble glass domes remind me of water bubbles and of course, little messages underneath make me think of mermaids, sending messages ashore.  Yes, I guess I'm dreaming of the sea right now. My next day trip that I can squeeze into my schedule, may have to include a stroll down the sandy beach for more inspiration.  Thought I would share these with you. 

I think these turned out quite BEACH CHIC! :)
If you click on the photograph, it will enlarge so you can see detail.

SHABBY PINK REPURPOSING GOING ON

Some vintage 1950s pink pearls, a pair of vintage beaded cluster clip on earrings, and an old chain sweater guard, now............THIS TOTALLY AWESOME new Retro Pink and so Rockabily glamping shawl clip, sweater guard, vest closure, or simply clip to your blouse collar for a fun necklace look.

I removed the clip on the backs of the earrings, took the chain off the old sweater guard, harvested the clips, tossed the chain, glued the beaded earring clusters to the clips, and added those wonderful I LOVE LUCY! PINK pearls and restrung them, graduated in size, resulting in this very pretty repurposed gem.

I have listed it in my Etsy Shop.

JUNKIN' AND TREASURE HUNT'IN

Each Saturday morning, Gary and I have our coffee while searching for estate sales, tag sales, and yard sales,  via the internet, in our area. We love "junkin"....and "treasure huntin' ".....its our "thang" you might say.  Then off we head, winding here and there in the North Florida area, with our treasure map (list of addresses LOL) in hand.

My son Ben, he loves Geocaching....I have never gotten into that yet.  His satisfaction is the success in navigating geographically for the secret cache, ours is the treasure that someone else looked over and we can find, and resell for a profit.

Two weeks ago, we hauled our 15 year old grandson with us, and believe me when I tell you he was very very reluctant to go.  I don't blame him, what 15 year old boy wants to hang out with his grandparents while they are digging through old boxes and junk????

That weekend, I managed to find this....(see picture then keep reading LOL)

It is a vintage 4 piece set of Revere Ware Refrigerator storage dishes, stainless steel.  I paid $2.00 for the set.  It was the last day of an estate sale, and all the junkie but funkie kitchen items had been untouched.  I saw the set, figured "hey it says Revere Ware, it is stainless steel, obviously refrigerator storage pans w/lids", so I bought it for the $2.00 as mentioned.  If I couldn't sell it, I knew I could use it!

I had no way of knowing it was from the 1950s.  I just knew the name was maybe "good".  After doing some homework so to speak, on Ebay, seems this set could sell anywhere from $25.00 to $125.00 on Ebay.  So, the set got listed with a BUY IT NOW option, and EEEGADSS!.....it sold for $75.00.  I figured, "why not list it somewhere in between, move it fast, and get back to my treasure hunting!".....Not all "finds" make it into my "haul of all hauls"...hee hee......but this is one that did.

With my $75 in hand, I then headed to a Goodwill store south of where I live.  There was a big jar of junk costume jewelry.....$49.99.........YIKES.!!!!!!!!!....did I dare risk buying a dog gone gallon size jar of junkie plastic and who knows what lay within?....I shrugged my shoulders, took a deep breath and bought it!

Sitting at my dining table, the jar was turned upside down, and out spilled some of the most obsurd whackie costume jewelry, some broken, some good, some bad, and then the items that you think "might" be something.  With jewelry loupe in hand, bright light and lots of patience, I spent about and hour and 1/2 sorting my "find"........then I headed to our local Pawn/Gold Buying shop.  About 20 minutes later, I'm walking out the door with $120.00 cash!

Yep, that bag contained numerous orphaned pieces of 10K, 12K, and 14K gold.  They didn't look like much, but with that "loupe" I have grown to love, I was able to find some pieces that were sellable.

So, my $2.00 investment for the Revere Ware, then the jewelry....well here is the breakdown.

-$2.00 - Revere Ware
+75.00 - Sale of Revere Ware
-$50.00 - Purchase of jar of jewelry
+120.00 - Sale of gold that lay within
$143.00 profit (minus my gas of course - all within 3 days)

Now do you see why it is addictive?????
My son Travis thinks I should get on that Bartering show LOL.....I just think I need to keep treasuring hunting myself.  We don't always have a profitable weekend, but it is cheap entertainment for Gary and I, that is for sure!

Oh, you want to know what happens to all the other "junkie jewelry" from that haul???  Well, good wearable pieces are carded and priced for my Mom, who LOVES to have yard sales herself.  Any vintage beads are saved into my BEAD collection for future jewelry projects, and then the remaining "junk", is destashed and sold by the pound.  So, I guess that is a write off for the gas spent to find my "treasures"......there are few pieces that actually are wasted or thrown into the trash, but very few.

I'll try and keep you updated on my next "finds"....
Weekend is about over....Monday is on the horizon!

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH PERSONALIZED BACKPACKS

Well, my Ebay sales have picked up with the frantic "BACK TO SCHOOL" rush.  Waterproof  labels are shooting out of the printer left and right, and the Bag Tags are being packaged for shipment today.

What is a BAG TAG???
Well, it is basically the same thing as a luggage tag, but more fun, personalized, and kids and adults both love these.  What a great way to make sure your child's backpack is labeled with their name, and on the back I put whatever the parent requests such as "If Found, please call....", etc.  I even process ones that give Medical Alerts.  I've been designing and selling these for about 5 years now, so I have literally hundreds of designs that I created.  They are also great for lunch bags, coolers, camping equipment, diaper bags, strollers, etc.  Just about anything you want to take "Personally" :)
They are heavy 10 mil plastic, laminated, and come with color coordinated loops.  Here is a sampling of 2 orders going out today.

Well, back to those orders.
Have a wonderful Friday!

I AM BACK !

Wow, I cannot believe how time flies, and how bad I have been about keeping my blog updated.  MY BAD!  I won't drag you into a lengthy novel about how the past months have been, I'll just start fresh!

Our 15 year old grandson is starting school here in Green Cove Springs.  He'll be a 10th grader, and is already practicing football.  I haven't been to a high school football game in YEARS...should be interesting and fun for both Gary and I. 

Though I love the hot summer days, I'm already thinking football now, stadiums, cooler nights, and of course PUMPKINS.  If you know me well, you'll know I love Autumn.  I keep some wooden pumpkins out inside my primitive home, all year.  There is just something about a pumpkin.  One of my favorite children's books, was Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor.  Tasha was a very wonderful artist and grand lady.  I suggest reading up on her and her life.  She was very special.  I still have that childrens book, and was the inspiration for my studio name, Pumpkin Moon Studio.

Well, creativity has been flowing this morning, along with filling some personalized orders.
Here are a couple of 2.5" round labels I put in my Etsy Shop this morning.

Chocolate Mint Owls

Chocolate Mint Owls....my newest stationery note card design with matching round 1.67" round return address labels.  You can find sets available in my Ebay Store, and also my Etsy Store. 

ROVING RETRO

Well, those dreams of owning a vintage small camp trailer are still lingering, and since I don't have one, I'm still designing new personalized items with the theme to keep my interest going LOL.. 

I've added these return address labels to my Ebay Store.  Fun Fun Vintage labels!

Help the Smoke Alarms are Going Off!

Yikes!  Today is it!  Double Nickle Time!  I think I'm the speed limit now...LOL... Yes, today January 9th, is my 55th birthday.  I'm very thankful to see another year.  The grandkids got me the sweetest little tea rose bush to keep in the house.  I'll have to take extra care with it.  My husband got to work this morning, and made a quick call back home....Ooops...forgot to tell you Happy Birthday!  He was so scared I would tear his head off on the phone....LOL...Lots of friends and family on Facebook have been wishing me well, and it is greatly appreciated to be greeted with so many wishes for a great day this morning!  So, with that, I'll quickly close.  Got orders to fill, and jewelry to design. 
~robbie~

My Palm Tree Froze!

It was so cold here last night, my begonias turned black.  I brought them up on a covered porch, but forgot to cover them.  ***sniff***  Gary babied those suckers all summer, just to lose them because I forgot!  Well, I guess a trip to the nursery around March will find me buying more Dragon Wing Begonias.  I love them!  They get so big and beautiful.  We stashed our ferns in the shed, and I'm so hoping they made it.  It went down to 22 degrees here in North Florida area!  I've seen colder growing up here, but was so hoping not to have to deal with anything below 32 degrees this winter.  But, can't be helped and I'm thankful the water pump didn't freeze, crack, break, lose water etc.    Nothing like going to the grocery store this morning all bundled up with scarf, gloves, long sleeve shirt, but wearing capris...LOL....Just couldn't pull those long pants out just yet! LOL....

January 1st, 2012 Brings Many Changes

Happy 2012!  It is the first day of January 2012, and this morning I'm thinking about all the changes coming our way. 

1. Our son who is a Chief in the Navy will be coming home in May or June, but will then be transferring to another ship, another base, far from us.  We are on the East Coast, he will be stationed in San Diego, CA. He is excited, and we are happy for him.  Bittersweet to say the least, but we are very happy for him.
2. One of my closet friends, Susan Grant of Country Presence, my favorite folk artist will be closing her internet presence for at least 3 years.  She and her husband are ranchers, and have decided to take a new adventure working for a cattle rancher/businessman on a ranch in "gulp!"...Russia.  They leave in a couple of days.  Hopefully, they will have contact with family and friends via Facebook, but all that is unknown right now.  I wish them great blessings with this adventure, but sure will miss my friend. 
3. I turn 55 in less than 10 days!  Yikes!  I'm glad I made it this far.  I cannot complain about getting older!  At least I'm still here, still healthy and very thankful to God for that.
4. My StepDad is still battling Alzheimers at 91 years old, and terminal cancer.  He still works in his yard daily come rain or shine.  There is no stopping him! LOL....
5. My Mom, well she is worn out from being caregiver 24/7 to my StepDad, so my brother, sister, and I are hoping we can convince our Mother of some alternative options she has for her relentless determination to care for him alone.  She won't accept help, but yet she has reached the end of her rope.  So, we plan on taking a little more charge to help her whether she likes it or not.  We'll hold that rope for her in other words, if she won't battle us too much...LOL

So, life goes on, and with 2012, I'm hoping that good changes are in store, and patience with the ones we think stink! LOL...All in all, I love my family and friends.  It has been a busy 2011 and with that I was horrible about keeping in touch, sending out birthday greetings etc.  I'll try and be better this year.  No resolutions for me, just hope that I'll do better.

Tomorrow, I'll be taking our 14 yr old grandson to the airport for his flight back to Missouri where he will finish out his school year. 

And we are determined to fly to Oregon this year, to see our son Ben and his family.  It has been way too long since we have seen them.  August was a year! :(

Blessings and patience everyone!
Robbie

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. ; )