South City Hues

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T08:35:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas Buttons!

2011-12-04T09:25:00.026-06:00

While surfing some favorite websites, I stumbled across a button ornament swap over at Button Floozies. I have not participated in a swap in a very long time but there was something about ornaments with buttons that I could not pass up. Looking through my craft stash I found some chipboard dress forms purchased at Red Lead where I always buy my favorite supplies.

Here are the ornaments I made to trade:

Along with this tag:

In return I receive these three special ornaments:

The cute little burlap stocking on the left was from Terri. It is adorable. The lace and buttons she sewed on are just perfect!

The little round ornament in the middle was made by Wendy. It is very sweet and hand sewn with vintage buttons.

The ornament on the right was sent by Joni. Isn't it fabulous and creative? I just love the little muff the girl is holding.

BCS Three Years and Counting!

2011-09-18T15:53:00.003-05:00

Three has always been my lucky number.

The New Mr. & Mrs. Phil Alles Jr.

2011-09-11T14:55:00.003-05:00

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley!

2011-08-24T18:46:00.012-05:00

A longtime friend had this Thomas Merton quote hanging in her office. I loved it the moment I read it. The picture is a trolly station in Memphis.

"You do not need to know precisely what is happening or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope."

Happy Birthday America!

2011-07-04T15:09:00.003-05:00

Baubles Bracelet

2011-07-04T11:29:00.003-05:00

This bracelet sure was fun to make. It is a bit different than my usual bead stringing. Copper and silver colored buttons were glued into bezels and connected with copper rings. In the center bezel is a piece of cut crystal for a bit of glitz.

Getting Closer

2011-03-31T20:39:00.008-05:00

Soon after learning about the fun of antique mall shopping I began looking for a special kind of bowl that belonged to my grandmother. My mom cherished it until it was sadly broken long ago. A couple weeks back I stumbled across this pretty little etched pink depression glass bowl very much like it (if not identical) only much smaller. The minute I picked it up I could not set it down and knew it was coming home with me. It even has a couple little character chips to add to its charm.

Crafternoon Fun Folder Journal!

2011-03-14T19:42:00.003-05:00

My sister hosted a fabulous afternoon of fun for her knitting clutch and invited me along. She showed us how to cut, paste, sew & glue this colorful folder journal from a manilla file folder. Mine turned into a birthday gift for a friend. I may have to make a couple more of these! Thank you Linda : )

Altered Book Cover

2011-02-21T11:39:00.002-06:00

My first altered book cover.

A Stitch in Time Red Lead Tag Swap

2011-01-11T18:05:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas Cardinal Cone

2010-12-18T20:03:00.002-06:00

I've Got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skates (You've Got a Brand New Key)

2010-12-12T10:10:00.002-06:00

OMG...I stumbled across these on eBay. Underneath the rust and dirt is a little slice heaven. I wore out a pair of these exact same roller skates when I was a little girl. I can still hear the sound of those metal wheels barreling down the alley at blazing speed trying to make it home before the street lights came on. When I was down to my last skate, my dad took it apart and made me a wooden scooter with it. It did not take me long before I was back barreling down the alley at blazing speed on my scooter.

Memories in Bloom

2010-11-28T09:30:00.003-06:00

A Christmas Cactus of my moms......what a wonderful treasure! Thank you Barb for taking such tender care of it all of these years!

Crafternoon Fun!

2010-11-24T08:00:00.003-06:00

Every so many months my friend Becky hosts a fun crafternoon at her place. About a dozen or so gather for a playday of a delicous lunch, followed by a few hours of paper, glue, & scissors. Becky always choses the best of projects to make and this time was no exception. I met Becky a few years back while she was teaching art techniques and doing product demos at Red Lead, my favorite local place to shop. Thank you Becky for another great afternoon!

BCS Two Years and Counting!

2010-09-19T09:34:00.002-05:00

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew." ......St. Francis de Sales

Lesson C6 - Layers w/Glazed Background

2010-09-14T22:11:00.001-05:00

Lesson C5 - Packing Tape Transfer

2010-09-10T20:19:00.003-05:00

Lesson C4 - 3 x 3 Composition

2010-08-30T21:36:00.002-05:00

Lesson C3 - Shapes

2010-08-29T18:55:00.005-05:00

The background is reassembled. Looking it over, I wish I would have reassembled the label as well. I tried to stick with rectangles and circles.

Lesson C2 - Color & Contrast

2010-08-26T20:56:00.004-05:00

Lesson C1 - Blended Background

2010-08-26T20:53:00.004-05:00

A bit heavy handed with the gesso.

Lesson 9 Background

2010-08-22T19:41:00.002-05:00

(Under construction)

Lesson 8 Making It Work

2010-08-22T19:37:00.002-05:00

Lesson 7 - Paper

2010-08-22T15:15:00.007-05:00

The Lesson 7 challenge was to create a gluebook page with ONLY original paper. No copies but vintage papers, phone book, newspaper, magazines or whatever we have around. I looked through my cabinet cards, old magazines and books and just had trouble wanting to cut into anything. I mentioned to my husband how difficult this was for me. He said if you never use up the things you have, you will never have room for or need any new and fun stuff. I was shocked to hear such sound reasoning coming from someone who thinks 'shop' is an ugly 4 letter word.

For this page I used a not-to-old dictionary page for the background. The picture I found in an old magazine. I tore a piece of blue wrapping paper to use along the left border. I have a 1949 World Atlas book. From that I took the little map on the lower right. Behind that is a torn piece of the library pocket. There was a hand written note tucked in between 2 of the pages. I tore a piece of the note for the right side.

Lesson 6 - Visual Weight

2010-08-22T13:30:00.001-05:00

Lesson 5 - Pieces in Composition

2010-08-20T21:46:00.005-05:00

Lesson 4 - Positions in Composition

2010-08-08T21:22:00.004-05:00

Lesson 3 - Patterns

2010-07-20T22:04:00.007-05:00

Lesson three is a two page spread. This was fun. Fighting the urge to pull out paint, buttons or embellishments is much harder than I thought. I moved everything around at least a dozen times. I like it... but I still need to loosen up a little. I think I will try to do another spread using no people pics and make the background the main focal. Oops... that might be the reason for Lesson 3.

Gluebook Lesson 2 - Size

2010-07-13T22:07:00.008-05:00

This is a 3 piece challenge... a background and two others. I made two pages. With the elements I chose they almost look as much like a scrapbook page as a collage, but that's okay. I like the one on the right the best. It must be the softer colors. Need to chose them more often. Having fun learning!

Miss Mary - Green Paper Challenge

2010-07-10T21:44:00.013-05:00

Mary at Green Paper issued a challenge to make an ATC, assemblage, gluebook or journal page using three pieces or elements of the 3 pieces. The rest is up to us to use what we wish. Since I am just beginning my lessons, I decided to work on a gluebook page. Drop by Green Paper download a "Miss Mary Hayes Challenge Sheet" and play along.

My Vintage Gluebook Lesson 1 - Composition and Color/Materials

2010-07-10T21:36:00.009-05:00

Ugh... Mary was right. Not so pretty. I think I cut off the part of the color that actually coordinate. I need to chose better materials. Good thing I signed up for lessons in collage.

2010-06-23T19:19:00.004-05:00

It Had to Be Harry

2010-06-17T19:52:00.006-05:00

Last Friday night I got to meet one of my favorite singers.... Harry Connick Jr. My daughter and I saw him perform at the Fox Theatre. The show was fabulous! We left after the crowd and stumbled on three busses parked around back packing up the band gear. It was not long before Harry came out to greet the crowd and offer his signature. He was quiet but friendly and had a sweet smile. Thank you Harry!

Come Fly with Me!

2010-06-17T19:17:00.003-05:00

All you need is faith and trust, and a little bit of pixie dust… P. Pan

Focus

2010-06-13T22:30:00.002-05:00

A canvas board for a friend.

Something New for Tobi and the Gang

2010-06-05T11:13:00.007-05:00

Hope they like it. Making a Pixie House was a first for me. Is there enough glitter on it? Pixies love glitter I heard.

Book Page Thongs for Swapping

2010-06-05T11:10:00.002-05:00

Altered Houses

2010-05-23T07:57:00.003-05:00

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T09:28:00.006-05:00

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into his sixth day of “overtime” when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, “Have you read the specs on this order?

She has to be completely washable, but not plastic;
Have 180 movable parts... all replaceable;
Run on black coffee and leftovers;
Have a lap that disappears when she stands up;
A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair;
And six pairs of hands.”
The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands... no way.”
“It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.”

“That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. “One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ’What are you kids doing in there?’ when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, ’I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, “Go to bed. Tomorrow...”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick... can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger... and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower.”

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed.

“But she’s tough!” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.”

“Can it think?”

“Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told You You were trying to push too much into this model.”

“It’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”

“What’s it for?”

“It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”

“You are a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. “I didn’t put it there,” He said.

by Erma Bombeck, Mother’s Day column for May 12, 1974

For Becky

2010-04-25T11:57:00.002-05:00

Butterflies are free!

2010-04-21T21:59:00.004-05:00

Look at the fabulous tussie mussie Becky sent me in the Swap for All Seasons swap. Each butterfly is sewn on and the pompom is handmade. I only wish I could have taken a better picture. Thank you Becky :)

Happy Anniversary to My Favorite Couple

2010-04-13T22:22:00.008-05:00

25 years and still going strong!

My Spring Story

2010-03-20T08:06:00.003-05:00

~ Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" - Robin Williams

2010-03-08T18:42:00.004-06:00

For Linda F.

2010-02-15T08:03:00.002-06:00

Pretty on the Outside...

2010-02-06T09:25:00.007-06:00

and the inside. Look at the delightful package that arrived in the mail this week from my swap partner Linda F. I just had to open it from the bottom. The inside contained another beautiful box full of treasures. My favorite was this pink round box perfectly decorated with the sweetest little girl tucked inside. Thank you Linda for such a fabulous swap!

Happy Birthday Johnny

2010-01-25T18:24:00.003-06:00

Oh yah!!

Vintage ATCs for Red Lead Swap

2010-01-16T10:21:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T09:14:00.000-06:00

A Morning Wish
~A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.
~A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.
~A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.
~A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.
~An understanding heart.
~A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.
~A sense of humor and the power to laugh.
~A little leisure with nothing to do.
~A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.
~And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come.
by W.R. Hunt

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T23:12:00.001-06:00

Welcome Christmas!

2009-12-23T12:41:00.015-06:00

Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas,
Come this way!

Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas,
Christmas Day.

Christmas Blessings from my house to yours!

Oh Christmas Cone, Oh Christmas Cone!

2009-12-13T18:51:00.009-06:00

These are fun to make. I actually started this last year and did not know what I wanted to do with it so put it away. The paper I chose seemed so dreary. But adding a bit of feather boa and a cute litte girl edged with glass glitter perked it right up. One of the words on the paper is in an unwelcome spot, but unfortunately it won't be moving any time soon.

My Altered Cabinet Card for Marie

2009-12-05T22:29:00.004-06:00

Marie's Altered Card

2009-12-05T22:27:00.002-06:00

What a treat!

Marie's Treasures

2009-12-05T22:13:00.006-06:00

A Swap for All Seasons hosted an altered cabinet card swap. What wonderful treasures I received from my swap partner Marie. I love the Instant Ancestor she made. I am not sure what is all in the little gold sachet, but it made everything smell heavenly.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T11:45:00.003-06:00

"Thanksgiving"
The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.'
The harvest all is gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway~
Thanksgiving comes again!

Happy Haunting!

2009-10-31T08:40:00.003-05:00

Winter White Wonderland ATC

2009-10-27T17:03:00.010-05:00

It has been awhile since I posted. We had a critical family medical issue. To those who have been asking, my husband is slowly but surely healing and on the mend. My heartfelt thanks to everyone whose has sent healing thoughts and prayers his way.

After dusting the cobwebs in my craft room, I was happy to work on making my ATCs for Red Lead's Winter White Wonderland ATC swap. The blue in the photo was a bit darker than I wanted, but I could not resist using it.

Tin Swapping!

2009-09-26T13:29:00.005-05:00

A Swap for All Seasons had an altered tin swap. Above is the beautiful green tin made for me by my partner, Maudina. The purple crackled tin is the one I sent to her. What a fun swap.

BCS One Year and Counting!

2009-09-18T20:39:00.007-05:00

Once you choose hope, anything's possible... Christopher Reeve

Guarding Angels

2009-09-13T12:29:00.014-05:00

My sister and I shopped our way back from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. We stopped at Nell Hill's in Kansas City. They had room after room of decor eye candy. Linda discovered this print on canvas of a cemetary angel hanging in a staircase. I had to have it.

Cemetary sculptures are beautiful works of art, altered by mother nature.

Birthday Treasures!

2009-08-31T18:46:00.009-05:00

A couple of my favorite things..... doilies and glassware, both from my sister for my birthday. Don't you just love the color of the green thread used in these doilies? Green is probably my favorite color. These doiles might just have to find a home on the wall in my craft room.

The Fenton hobnail salt and pepper shakers are beauties. I have been admiring this very set of shakers in area antique malls but always set them back down not wanting to slurge.

Last but not least is the fabulous tchotchki pin Linda made. I love the little picture of my smiley kids she used from an old photo. Hiding under the ribbon is a little sewing machine charm & under the photo charm is my lucky number 3. I had to wear this to work today just to show it off. Thank you Linda! You're the best.

ATCs for the Red Lead Holiday ATC Swap.

2009-08-21T21:23:00.003-05:00

You've Got a Friend.

2009-07-19T09:52:00.023-05:00

In the mail this week arrived a wonderful chunky book full of love, good wishes and friendship from my favorite fabulous sister, the Sunshine Club at Follow Your Bliss, and other art friends. Thank you for such a beautiful special gift.

Some of the best lessons in life are often acquired during our most challenging times. In the past year I have come to realize the greatness and importance of family and the many friends I am blessed with. I treasure and value all of you.

Tchotchke Shmotchke

2009-07-11T17:41:00.010-05:00

This was a first for me. I made a tchotchke pin for a swap Red Lead is doing. Looking for the origin of this word, I learned that a tchotchke is Yiddish slang for an inexpensive souvenir, trinket, or ornament. Fun!

More Antique Ancestors

2009-06-28T11:50:00.001-05:00

Antique Ancestors ATCs

2009-06-25T07:36:00.005-05:00

It has been awhile since I made ATCs. These are my first four in a Red Lead ATC swap challenge. Four more to go. Running out of time so I better hurry!

Butterfly Wishes Itty Bitty Book

2009-05-31T09:39:00.002-05:00

No Genie in this Lamp!

2009-05-28T18:42:00.007-05:00

Even though it needed some TLC this lamp caught my eye at one of my favorite thrift stores for the total of $3.01. My heart pounded! When I got my lamp home I cleaned it up, played with the wiring a bit, and threw on a harp and the too small of a shade I had around the house. Not only does the top light up but a tiny bulb in the bottom lights up too! This little gem will be going into my new/old sitting room. I may not have any funiture to sit on, but at least I won't be standing in the dark.

Swap for All Seasons Vintage Swimwear Tag

2009-05-11T19:57:00.003-05:00

The Gift of Friends

2009-05-02T07:00:00.007-05:00

I have been blessed with many wonderful friends. Waiting for me when I arrived home from work Wednesday was a small package and a card from one of them... MaryLou. She was wearing 'Flower' parfum the night before at bunco and I kept sniffing her out to enjoy the scent. In my package was a brand new bottle of 'Flower' in one of the most adorable bottles ever! But even sweeter then the parfum was the wonderful card offering these words of cheer and encourgement "a new month, a new day and a new parfum". So I am taking her advice. "Put a smile on, enjoy." You rock MaryLou!

4x4 Birthday Chunky Page

2009-04-26T22:29:00.002-05:00

A New Treasure

2009-04-19T22:54:00.003-05:00

Today I dropped by an estate sale in the neighborhood and acquired a new serving fork. I am finding myself drawn to random old silverware lately. Many of the old vintage patterns are so full of style and glamour. It will eventually get polished, but first I will just admire its charm for awhile.

Spring Is in the Air

2009-04-18T13:59:00.006-05:00

Take a sniff of the lilacs from my yard. When I open the window on that side of the house, the fragrance of lilacs drifts in with the breeze.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T11:37:00.003-05:00

RAKs

2009-04-04T08:48:00.009-05:00

When life gets a bit topsy-turvy, trying to jumpstart creative mojo is not easy. Thought I could give it a kick by reorganizing my little 'craftcave' and then making a couple RAKs. (I also discovered all those scraps and little tidbits too good to throw away have a worthwhile purpose.)

Vintage Spring Sweetness!

2009-03-28T12:40:00.007-05:00

This week in the mail my Vintage Spring Sweetness package arrived from Terri at Grace Notes. I could not have been more delighted when I opened it. She knew just what I liked from pink glassware (with candy inside) to old sewing trims. Included was an adorable spring bunny and some vintage dainty embroidered luncheon napkins. Thank you Terri. I luv it all!!

Spring Showers

2009-03-15T19:45:00.005-05:00

What is it about this cute little gal with the umbrella that calls to me. Maybe she reminds me of my daughter when she was small. At the first drop, she would run to the back porch with her new umbrella and stand in the rain. Or maybe it reminds me of my son when he was little. He had a new Cardinal Baseball umbrella from his grandmother and immediately took it outside to climb on top of the air conditioner and jump off in hopes to float like Mary Poppins. The umbrella did not survive the first attempt. There is nothing better than a good umbrella.

Pig on a Blanket!

2009-03-01T12:57:00.008-06:00

Over the years one of my favorite people has acquired the ability to turn shopping into a form of art on an admirable scale. There are very few I know who come close to being in her league. For years I made fun of her for it. Now, I am just in awe. Being her sister, I often find myself the recipient of some of the loveliest treasures she finds. For awhile now Linda has decided that for my personal sake I should collect pigs and always manages to slip one in no matter the occasion. This is one of her best efforts to convert me. This little gilt is so cute I have to smile when I look at her.

New Charms for Swapping

2009-03-01T08:25:00.003-06:00

These are my latest batch for a charm swap. Next round, I would like to step out of my safe little box and try something different and more creative. Just not sure how or what yet.

What a Croc!

2009-02-17T06:45:00.000-06:00

For the last dozen years or so, President's Day weekend has been an outlet mall shopping spree for me. A number of friends and I head down to the Lake of the Ozarks for a few days of shopping, food and fun. This year we did more than our part to help the sluggish ecomony. One of the many deals purchased was at the Crocs store. I have never owned a pair before, but for a total of $13, now I own three pair to slump around in. What a deal!!

Play Date

2009-02-08T21:22:00.000-06:00

What a day! My friend Becky invited me over for a play date along with 4 other gals. The table was full of paper, felted hearts, beads, wire, buttons, glitter, charms, magnets, thread and every other goodie on the planet.....including chocolate. We stamped, cut and glued the delightful afternoon away. Then we feasted in the kitchen on fruit, veggies, nuts, and cheese along with homemade pumpkin bread and cherry cheesecake cupcakes...YUM! Thank you Becky for inviting me. You are the best!

My Treasure Box

2009-02-08T00:59:00.000-06:00

Putting away some clutter today brought me to a treasure of mine...my thread box. It was handmade by my sweet, dear father-in-law for me many years ago. He loved to work with his hands especially if wood was involved. There is barely a room in my house that does not have a touch of his handiwork. Charlie taught me how to two-step and never said a cross word about anyone. He was quite a gentleman. God blessed me with the best of in-laws. I could not have hand picked them any better.

Charming Swap

2009-02-05T06:57:00.001-06:00

Every other month or so there is a handmade charm swap with the Red Lead group. It has been fun and challenging trying to come up with something different each time. These were made from a small piece of an old quilt picked up at a local antique mall bought for making eye glass cozies.

Hurry Spring!

2009-02-04T18:34:00.000-06:00

I have on two pair of socks with shoes and my feet are still cold! Spring is not getting here fast enough for me this year so I am waiting for my next hot flash!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-03T21:45:00.000-06:00

Dominos

2009-02-01T19:01:00.000-06:00

Dominos for a Red Lead swap.

Winter Whimsy Mitten Swap

2009-02-01T18:20:00.000-06:00

A Swap for All Seasons hosted a Winter Whimsey Mitten Swap. These are the items I sent to my swap partner.

My Newest Treasures

2009-02-01T10:23:00.001-06:00

While Christmas shopping, I drug my sweet husband into a local antique mall for a browse and was oogling a beautiful depression bowl in one of the cases. Guess what I found under the tree this year paired up with two equally lovely etched candle holders! So begins my new passion!

Happy Winter

2009-01-31T13:37:00.001-06:00