Christmas Santa Collection and Charm on the Tree

Decorating at Christmas allows me to add the magic.  Some years though, are better than others.  This year, while not entirely into it the way I wish I could have been, I surprised myself by putting up my entire Santa Collection and making quite a nice tree.  Next year's hope is to put every single ornament on the tree along with colored lights.  I think my Grand-Daughter will really like that.  Enjoy this magic though from Christmas 2011.

 

 I made the little elves about 20+ years ago when the kids were young.  Now my Grand-daughter likes them.  They make an appearance though every Christmas.  Thier names: Winken, and Blinken.  Oh Christmas, come back come back! 

Thanksgiving Pie

I meant to post these picutres right after Thanksgiving but somehow it just didn't get done.  I hit the fail button by not taking a picture of the pie after it came out of the oven.  Oh yeah, it was beautiful, you'll have to take my word on it though.  Golden brown with the fall leaves around the edges.  Oh well. I will do better, I will do better, I will do.....

A Memory Box

While strolling the ideas of the hobby shop one day last summer, I was inspired to make this little memory box.  I bought a few things that I thought might work and over the next few weeks it became a labor of love.  I would do a little here, a little there.

My Retro Kitchen

Here are some of my kitchen collectibles.  I am inspired by the lighthearted optimistic and fun colors and shapes.  Don't they just say, "Not a care in the world"?  They brighten up my kitchen and bring me joy from the past.

Route 66

I have become addicted to images of vintage travel trailers.  My favorite I think is the Shasta.  I dream about having one to put my art studio in.  Of course there are inconvenient truths here, the need to buy, gut, renovate, and restore.  Sweaty work is icky and mold makes me sick.  My little dream trailer would need a place to park her butt, and that's not available.  But a girl can dream.  This dream is parked up on that shelf by my "Living on a Houseboat" dream.  Oh well.  Here are some images to inspire. 

 

 http://rvision.daydreamlabs.com/user/24732850@N00/favorites

 Maybe because these little living spaces are so private and personal.  No connection to the real world.  Not much room and mobile to boot.  Could I be from the turtle line and not the salamander line of evolution?  

http://airstreamcamperss.com/2011/05/23/vintage-travel-trailers/

http://oldtincans.blogspot.com/2010/06/1964-shasta-exterior-paint.html

http://www.vintagetraveltrailer.net/

The above kitchen is from a Vintage Cardinal travel trailer.  Devine.  Truly the dream Route 66 icon.  Camping in Style with a capital S. 

http://1964shasta.blogspot.com/2010/05/applying-pink.html

I would fill this with all things retro.  Table cloth with state map, pink gingham pillows with chicken scratch embroidery, pink melmac, atomic design glasses, a vintage apron, cute vintage radio, aluminum kitchen ware and containers, granny square afghan...Yum Yum!

Here it is on Etsy at lauraslastditch

Happy trails!

A new Russia?

This is not the Soviet Union of my youth. This is Russia, THIS Russia, even has a beautiful sound to the name of it now.  Say it, "Russia".  No longer "Soviet Union or the Soviet Bloc".  Yes, it's back to Russia.

It has been decades since they had their ballistic missiles trained on my grade school. Let's go back in the recent past when Ronald Reagan, that chipper man with a blush in his cheeks, stood up and shouted, "Mr. Gorbechev, tear down that wall!" Remember that? Or if you're really young, you might just remember hearing about that. Well anyway, back on topic... I recently ran across a most beautiful photo story on  Inhabitat , an online zine related to eco awareness.  

The picture is of an architectural proposal for the Primorskiy Zoological Park, to be located in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Now this is some kind of beautiful.  The ethereal quality of the naturalistic geodomes is amazing,  I really, really, hope they can pull this off and build this zoo.  The plans are amazing.   Check it out.

More Jewelry I've made

Just a few pictures I ran across of some jewelry I have made.  

 

I had to take a hiatus from jewelry making to concentrate on working.  It is my dream to be able to do it again.  I am a nurse practitioner though, the job saturates me.  Need to pay bills, buy food, gas, and most importantly, health insurance.  Is more than a job, is a career and I have established a practice I have to maintain.  

Not much energy left over for creative efforts.

Someday... 

If you read this and like these designs let me know and give me hope that it is all worthwhile to keep hoping and dreaming. 

Indiana Artisans Expo

Yahooooo!  I just got this hot off the press...er... internet.  Anyway, I am clearing my calendar next weekend.  What more could I want Art + Food .  Wow!  Who came up with that idea?  I can't wait and if you are able to go and got a lick of sense, you will be there too.  Or be square.  Oh, I'm showing my age.  I can't wait to see the artwork, wine, chocolates... um what a combo.  Quick, hit the link below for more info.

Indiana Artisan Marketplace

The Indiana Artisan Marketplace is a chance to buy one-of-a-kind artwork and artisan food directly from the Hoosiers who make it, to meet the artisans and to share their stories. Visitors will be able to watch artisans create their food products and artwork, cultivate relationships with their favorite artisans and celebrate Indiana talent and creativity.

WHAT:	Indiana Artisan Marketplace
WHEN:	Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE:	Indiana State Fairgrounds, Expo Hall, Indianapolis
COST:	$8 admission (free for children 15 and under) and $3 parking





My house boat life

I don't really live on a houseboat, but if I did, I would be a full time artist.  I really don't know anything about houseboats or boats in general but living on a boat sounds so romantic.  I'm pretty sure it's not.  I bet there are really hundreds of reasons why one would not want to live on a houseboat full time.  But I can dream can't I?   Here is a boat I found that might do.  It's for sale and can be found at Elite Boat Sales .  They have lots of really neat boats for sale.

 I would string up some colored party lights in here.

 Doesn't this look fun?

 This would be a great place to sit and work on my watercolors!

 Wouldn't these beds look great with colorful quilts atop?

 The galley (hey that's an official term) is tiny but efficient.

Some vintage kitchen ware would light this up wouldn't it?

Check out these items from the Lake Forest Kitchen Lady's Ebay store

or at Retro Redheads Vintage Home 

Once I got the tiki lights up, the quilts on, the retro kitchen and bathroom goodies in, art supplies on board then I would have a party of course.  Cocktails, appetizers, and interesting people.  I would chart a course out of her slip and sail her to the a beach spot where we could have a bonfire and party into the night. 

I guess it costs a lot to park a boat in a Marina though, and I don't know what I would do with my husband and dog Max.  Just another daydream I guess.  But really, check out those retro shops above, you'll love them.