Oh! the places you’ll go ……Books on the wall?
Altered books look fantastic on walls. Take it from Joanna Gaines.
Altered books look fantastic on walls. Take it from Joanna Gaines.
Books ETC opens at Short Pump!
Creations from the Outer Banks sea glass and drift wood. Wild horses and mermaids are here!
See the shelf with drawers covered in original house plans
DIL was invited to a birthday party in Richmond and needed a sitter. Yippee! A sleep over for the granddaughter! Like every little girl she loves cupcakes. I had just gotten them out of the oven when she arrived. What’s better than a nice hot cupcake? One down. A little while later, “Noni, can I …
Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the mornin’
Book hooks are useful, colorful and of course FUN.
Lazy Daisy in Chester houses my shop of 6 walls full of handmade and up-cycled items.
Honeysuckle! After every Memorial Day Harley trip, I totally LOVE the smells of honeysuckle. This year’s trip was eventful and the weather was wonderful. I had planned to have a picture here of the honeysuckle near our yard, but I managed to miss the blooms. Here are pictures of flowers I have made for the …
A new item this spring are Book Hooks.
Back to back art shows left me “busy.”
The last thing your family sees before they leave the house
“Noni, can we play with the Easter Decorations?”
Birdhouses, warmer days, and spring sunshine are on their way.
Cheer up by viewing some lovely European photography.
Several years ago my daughter-in-law, Heather – gave me a lesson in altering books. These easy and simple folds inspired both of us to more creating and upcycling. Heather moved into sculpting; sculpting books. While living in Germany she sculpted and hung books on the many empty walls of their home. Currently a local art …
Visiting different places and enjoying different activities with a toddler brings so many creative interactions to light. Like pennies. Keeping her active and happy brought us to the smashing a penny machine. The first one was at the Lews Ginter Botanical Garden when out our Cutie Patootie was only two. Next came many travels in …
Time for a great trip to a side street. Isn’t that where you fine the most amazing items, ideas and inspirations? Of course you do. One of the owners of the local Side Street Gallery approached me before the holidays. When she called after the holidays Heather (D-I-L) and I visited. Now we both have …
Trees and outdoor living are important to us.
Yes, today is New Year’s Day 2015; my “hangover” does not include a headache or sick stomach. I am feeling the residue of the holidays. Putting away Christmas decorations causes the “hangover” sensation – dread for the work involved, but happiness and smiles at the fun these decorations evoked. Our “learning to read” granddaughter was …
This short time working at home has given me insight to the obsessive schedules of artists and writers. I totally LOVE working in my studio for hours on end. Papers and my ideas are all over the place. One new project inspires another and soon my hands have paint, glue & even glitter on them. …
Looking forward to a doctor’s visit – I do! One of the two Anthropologie’s in VA is near my doctor’s office! These shops have the most unusual window decorations and display backdrops! Just going in to walk around always makes me feel inspired and creative. Wave like stacks of water soaked books in the windows …
The big skedaddle Love this phrase from the Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls – not the context there. I’ve made my big skedaddle from gainful employment, YES! Last spring my employer offered a retirement buyout package and I applied. Found out late in the summer the long shot came through. Last week, my first week …
Not exactly sure that’s a word, but spell check didn’t click in. While “thrifting” in June I saw the most original book. How to be a Nonconformist! It’s a little paper back with flip pages written in 1968. The sketches are pen and ink by a teenager! I giggled as I flipped through the …
I’m on my way to a cycling adventure. Not on a bicycle seat, but as an artisan at the high Point Cycling Classic on September 6. http://hpcyclingclassic.com/ A friend of my Aunt’s is an organizer for the entertainment portion of this large national championship. How exciting to part of something in my home stomping ground. …
Clearance racks are such an obsession with me, I had to browse a few yesterday after my dermatology appointment! And I found the PERFECT things! Butterfly clothes pins! Aren’t they sweet? A wonderful co-worker had vented one day this week over a text from her hubby? “What do you want for your birthday?” She …
Not Viva Las Vegas – like the Elvis song, but the Virtual Library of Virginia. Yes, pretty forward sounding – a virtual library. VIVA has been in existence since 1994, twenty years. It is an organization of academic libraries in Virginia. Partly funded by the state’s general assembly VIVA provides all college students with outstanding …
It’s seriously hot and humid in the South in July and flowers pay the price. Watering is constantly required. Several years ago we added window boxes to the front of our cottage home and I have loved them. They added so much softness and personalization. The flower boxes themselves are beautiful and a huge advantage …
My sister and I have always loved “junk” shops. Not fancy expensive places but places you have to dig through to find treasures – see my smile! We were able to go through many “junk” shops last week on a wonderful birthday vacation trip. And Shop we did! By the end of the week, we …
These are our wishes for every couple getting married. June is such a lovely month for weddings; the start of summer, vacations, and lives together. Maybe you have invitations and need something special for your special couple of friends. Weddings go in trends also; the huge formal wedding and even larger reception parties seem to …
Success! The VIVA 20th Anniversary Dinner books are complete! Delivered and arranged on each table. The tablecloths were all royal blue which really accented all the crazy blue and green flowers the committee requested. These blue chevron flowers had button centers Not my usual embellishment, but appropriate. The graphic novel with pinwheels was probably the … Continue reading
Love that honeysuckle smell!! Ahh. Memorial Day in our neighborhood looks like this. An American flag from the center flagpole, flags flying in most yards, and along the entrance the American flag and flags of the branches of the U.S. forces. The retired Air Force F-100 pilot next door led the way with the plan for … Continue reading
Dance recitals are happening all around. The young dancers are so lovely, feminine, and dainty. Or that’s how I visualize them; I’ve never been to a dance recital. Back in the day, my car could almost drive itself to every soccer field within 75 miles; soccer fields were my geographic point of reference! Having only … Continue reading
Home of the free BECAUSE of the Brave Arts in the Park was fabulous!!! The compliments came my way and they were so wonderful to hear. My crazy art work is totally not the norm and trained artists have not appreciated these creations. Hearing the compliments definitely boosted my spirits. Honestly, my helper friends and … Continue reading
It seems I’m overwhelmed with B’s this month! Butterflies, birds, books, Bird houses, Blooms, balls, boxes. Did I mention books? All of these things are projects in the making for ARTS IN THE PARK!!! This is so fantastic for me! The Richmond Arts in the Park is a juried art show that has been going … Continue reading
Not a battle with books, but a battle of books. And this battle features SNACKS! A creative, motivated, driven, National Teacher Certified middle school librarian, I’m lucky enough to be related to has been prepping her students for the North Carolina School Library Media Association Middle School Battle of the Books. Students must read the … Continue reading
Goofing off when the boss is away has been known to happen. Honestly, it isn’t my practice. But while he was away last week I….. Added art on the meeting room wall! All lovely conference rooms we see on TV does NOT resemble the meeting rooms in this building made from cement blocks. I’m not … Continue reading