Happy Memorial Day to you all

It's been quite awhile since I've actually sat down to enjoy this lovely time of year, and what better time
than on Memorial Day to reflect on how lucky we are to live in this great country of ours... Have a wonderful day with family, friends, or however you enjoy this day of reflection..

Early this morning...

The anticipation of Spring.. and now it finally arrived... could their be a more beautiful time of year....Happy May Day everyone!!!!!!!!

On my walk..

Oscar and I have been noticing these magnificent birds on our daily walk. The Sandhill cranes have been back for over a month now, and we've had some pretty unwelcoming weather here in Michigan. Yet, this pair seems to come up with enough to eat each day, and I think they are going to make a comfortable nesting site in this bit of cattail marsh. Last year they raised one little guy sucessfully, and hopefully this will be an even better year for them. They have grown accustomed to seeing us everyday. Oscar would like to chase them, but those long beaks look lethal.. Can you find the hidden birds in photo #1. That's the road edge in the lower left corner of that photo.. Close, right?

A little shopping fun ...

 I think that perhaps Paul, Jody and I were as excited about shopping the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Mrkt as we were coming out to see all our friends.. Jami Santos (next to Jodi -Jodi's the one with the biggest smile on her face), and Nancy Michler are two of our dearest friends.  They take us everywhere, and love antiquing almost as much as we do. We love that they take time off from work to play.. The Flea Market was chocked full of fleas, but we did find some noteworthy treasures..

   

 This was my "find" of the year.. Just when you tell yourself that you "need" nothing else, you come across a certain treasure. This is a Black Forrest piece that I had never seen before. Black Forrest were made in Germany and Switzerland and many were souvenir pieces made into sewing, and desktop items.. Those are the ones that I can afford. They also made huge hall trees with exquisite carvings, but I would need to win the lottery or to sell my first born.  This one is missing it's ink bottle, but I like it with the little carved ball that I just happened to have. My great grandfathers old pen (with his name inscribed on it) looks is perfect.

Paul and Nancy spent alot of time in this wonderful booth. I had to leave before I got into trouble.. the booth was chocked full of antique trims from Europe and it was certainly a feast for the eyes, and hard on your wallet.

 This little treasure went home with Jody.. Please Jody, remember to  put a post it- note on it with my name should you  you have any second thoughts.. My blue eyes are still green... Oh, the fun we had.. I'm still smiling...

Oh the fun we had...

I am finally able to put it all together.."A Gathering of Friends" show was just that. It is difficult to put it all in words how wonderful a show this truly was.  I am always awed and humbled to be amongst such talented artists.  Tomorrow I will share with you some of our outings with friends from sunny southern California... oh, the fun we had!!!!  From big belly laughing, to great eats and fabulous antiqueing... oh, such a time ... truly, this was a  gathering of true friends.

California kids...

Back home after a whirlwind time in Costa Mesa.. here are some of the fellas that took up residence there..

And we're off....well, almost!

Finishing up the last little morsels.. I am lovin' the little photo disks that I made. I thought that the "worn and loved bears" needed a little remembrance of their past.  Sunny California, here we come....hope to see you there!

4 more days until "A Gathering of Friends"

 Arbutus Hunter's spun cotton.

 Paul Gordon's creations extraordinaire..

 Jody Battaglia's fun and whimsical creations..

 Alan Cunningham's brillant works..

And yes, these fellas will be traveling to sunny California..

 It's almost here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  "A Gathering of Friends" is a special showing of these artists who will come
together Saturday, April 13th from 10-2pm at the Ayers Hotel in Costa Mesa.  I cannot wait to see everyone.. Are you coming?????  Grab a friend and come and see us this weekend..  It will be a grand time..

Happy Easter...

 I finally finished with a little decorating yesterday.. here are some of my favorite things. who can resist
a few bunnies and some handpainted eggs.. ahhh, spring. I hope it's a beautiful day wherever you are today.

Who doesnt love an Easter bunny...

I had such fun making these velvet bunnies.. these and a few other goodies are still available for your Easter baskets...

Spring Web Sale tonight 6 pm EDT

It's beginning to look alot like spring here... but inside and out..
                                  Join us tonight for some springy fun .

A Spring Websale a'coming tomorrow...

It's coming, it's coming. Lots of goodness..tomorrow night Spring Websale 6pm EDT

Spring Website Update coming up... Tuesday

  So tiny for me.. 7" is a bit of a stretch, but I wanted a tiny teddy for a sweet little vintage Easter container.
 I've been likeing these little things that have been happening this week in the studio...
Now that "spring" has officially "sprung", I began thinking of all the things I love about this time of year..
begining with longer days, and more sunshine.. and the rebirth of everything.. new beginnings so to speak.
And so, if you would like to see more of what I've been up to for Spring, join us for our
Annual Spring Website Update on Tuesday March 26th @ 6pm EDT.. we're hatching some sweet little goodies...

Happy 1st Day of Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Oh Happy Day..it's here, right? Even though it's snowing as we speak,
I do know that within a few short days, we will see more signs of spring..
Like these branches that I picked just last week, and today, yup,
 the leaves are just popping out.... and who doesnt love a tiny bunny that
just hatched... ah yes, spring is certainly upon us...

 A springy day here in Michigan.............. sending spring wishes your way.

Postcards have arrived: 3rd annual "A Gathering of Friends"

 
Yipee.... the postcards have just arrived for our "Gathering of Friends" trunk show in Costa Mesa. This is just the best show, full of fun treasures and great people. If you would like more information, or want to join our mailing list, just contact me.

        

Polkadot Club hits NYC

Congratulations goes out to Jen this week as she launches her amazing Polkadot Club
in NYC.. everything looks so great!!!!!  Wish that I could be there..

Is it March already?

If you all have been wondering where I've been, or if I've fallen into this tub and not come up for air, you may be relieved to hear that it's non of the above.

I've been ailing..

no fun, this flu, and I did take preventative measures, like getting my flu shot..

I've been spending alot of time here, reading, drinking tea, and luxuarating in water full of bath salts and infusions..

All in all, it could be worse.. but this morning, I decided, enough...

be gone.

So here i am,

thank you one and all for your emails..

Just know, I miss everyone, and today, I'm up and ready to spend my time 

fully dressed, and out of the water..

How are you all???