Oh La La...

I am sure that many of you heard about the "Fabulous Oh La La contest" the "Fabulous Fifi" had last month. I recognized the work of some of you out there ~ all the entries were wonderful to look at in the slide shows she presented on her blog.

Well, I took the plunge too...and entered a piece of furniture that I had refinished and hand painted.

~ Before ~

~ Authentication ~

It is a vintage sheet music stand, I believe American made in the 1920s ~ 1930s.

~ After ~

~ Detail of Top ~

~ Detail of Front Door ~

I purchased it because it was such an unusual piece and now have it in my guest room. That and the fact that my mother said that if I didn't, she would. {Somehow that comment always gets me to do it!}

~ Detail of Side ~

Obviously, I do not regret this purchase and had a lot of fun painting it in pastel shades of white, cream, ecru, mint, and celedon roses and vines.

~ Detail of Top ~

~ Detail of Drawer ~

It is a perfect piece to hold pretty linens, doilies, sachets, books, scarves, anything lovely.

~ Detail of Interior ~

These shelves were to hold the sheet music.

~ Interior ~

This is one of my favorite pieces of furniture...

...and even more so now, because I was fortunate to have been chosen as one of the winners and am the recipient of one of the lovely gifts awarded to me ~ this oh~so~French pillow...

...in the perfect colour!

Thank you Fifi ~ it was fun and I loved being a part of your event.

Ciao amici,

Suzanne

Hotel California

We've been reminiscing around here lately...last year about this time we were packing our passports and stuffing our suitcases with swimsuits and tropical "resort"wear getting ready for our very first international family vacation. {Our little guy happily got his passport stamped at the age of four!} We had the pleasure of being invited to join some friends in Cabo San Lucas for Thanksgiving week. And...we could not refuse.

What a great way to spend the holidays ~ away from shopping frenzies, turkeys, obligatory visitation, and all the hoopla. Since we are not able to do this again this year {ooh, how we would love too!}...I thought I'd re-visit one of our favorite spots we went to while south of the border.

The town of Todos Santos, or "All Saints" is about a one hour drive north of Cabo San Lucas and the home of the original Hotel California. Yes, the Hotel California that the Eagles sing about. {If you turn on your volume, I've got the tune playing for you.}

As soon as we arrived in Todos Santos, we serendipitously parked our car smack in front of the Hotel. Gorgeous!

Stunning colour and interior design in the lobby.

Oversized papier mache wild watermelon slices sit atop a table.

Simple art objects are set in alcoves throughout the hotel.

Check out this spectacular bouquet of hand made glass apple blossoms...

...and these ruffly hand made glass chandelier pendants.

Iconic folk art was displayed throughout the hotel.

This sunny courtyard adorned with colossal ceramic blue and white urns, palms, and canvas market umbrellas greeted us as we chose a place to sit and have some refreshments.

Another beautifully crafted hand made glass chandelier.

Look at this colour! I want a room like this.

Such fabulous style.

Afterwards we walked through the town for a little culture and shopping...

'Love these mermaids! So voluptuous...

...as are these lovely pouty pieces.

The local cafe.

Pretty hand crafted market bags and a sweet mermaid hanging in a bowl. I brought her home and she sits in my bathroom.

Pick a hat, any hat. One size fits all.

Hearts on fire.

Back to our favorite spot...but now on the other side of the street for a Mexican feast...cash only, please.

Perfect margaritas...salute!

The walls were full of graffiti...showing sentiments of those who have been here...that is not blue sky above, but trompe l'oeil painting.

And before driving back to Cabo, we picked up a copy of the local news. What a fabulous day this was ~ and a fabulous Thanksgiving week.

Ciao amici,

Suzanne

Thank You Veterans and Troops

Thank you Veterans and troops for fighting for our freedom.

You are appreciated...

...and we love you.

If Only...

my writing desk and creative spot could look this good!

I can dream though and in that process create some pretty things that I might use and not just look at, right?

Not so long ago Somerset Life Magazine had a challenge in the back of one of their issues that I decided to try. I do not usually spend the time doing these "challenges" but this one I felt was practical and useful (I am so practical ~ too much so, sometimes). It was also fun and creatively stimulating to work on something that I would not necessarily sell in my shops ~ not having to be concerned with what buyers might want. That, and the fact that my letter to the editor saying that I would be working on this project was published in their most recent issue. So I got busy.

I have always loved the tradition of buying new school supplies in early autumn, whether or not I am even in school. This year, however, the Somerset Life challenge inspired me to create some “school supplies” for myself and my workspace.

Although I have a passion for colour, I chose to use a palette of neutrals ~ mocha, bronze, silver, taupe, cocoa, graphite, rust, cream, ivory ~ and a combination of textures ~ organza, grosgrain, pearls, twine, mother of pearl, paper, wrought iron, hand made paper, chicken wire ~ for my supplies.

I grabbed an old and dark brown masonite clip board with a silver tone oxidized clip on which I tied a soft and shimmery organza fabric bow (left over fabric from my wedding dress), a dangly pearl earring, and some checkerboard grosgrain ribbon stripes.

That rusty wrought iron medallion is a remnant off of a vintage garden gate. I have used it here it as a paper weight on top of some sheets of my hand made cotton rag paper.

For the pencils, I snatched a tarnished silver cup out of our cupboard and tied a grosgrain ribbon around it to use as a pencil container.

My art eraser has corrected many mistakes, and I stamped it appropriately with the word, “oops.” I wrapped a couple of plain charcoal coloured pencils in twine and topped each with a delicate mother of pearl button.

The ornate gold vintage frame became a desk top inspiration and memo board when I attached two layers of chicken wire to the back and used miniature wooden clothes pins as clips. I also added the pretty mother of pearl buttons to the mini clips.

I made the one of a kind paper booklet (and sell these in my Etsy and Art Fire shops). The cover is a giclee print one of my original gouache designs on watercolour paper. The inside cover has a hand cut scalloped edge pocket for the enclosed giclee print bookmark adorned with ribbon and twine. The pages are acid free sketch paper and tracing paper. I have hand bound the book with a floppy grosgrain bow. For more details on my booklets, here is a recent post I wrote about them.






This collection turned out so lovely that I decided to submit the photos to Somerset Life and then they wanted me to mail everything to them. So now they have a pretty desk and mine still looks crazy.


Perhaps this will inspire you to make your desks pretty too ~ just for you!


Ciao amici,

Suzanne

The Old Black Witch & Jack Pumpkinhead of OZ ~ A Halloween Holiday

I am so glad you have joined us for our Halloween Holiday ~ thank you for stopping by. Do turn on the music...I've selected some haunting melodies.

The gate is not locked...please come in.

{I know it squeaks, but don't let that scare you.}

Up the stone steps is the front door...I love the crackle of fallen leaves, don't you? {Be careful and do not fall through that missing step.}

Welcome!

Oh, this is Fido ~ he tries to spook everyone, even me. Do not worry, his roar is more fierce than his bite and he does not scratch too hard ~ you never need more than one teensy weensy bandage...

{FYI My Friends ~ This is not my pet...I do not like cats. I figure that you are either a "cat" person or not. I am not. I saw this feline lurking at me this week as I was walking through the neighborhood. Perfect timing, huh? }

Ring the bell loudly ~ don't be shy. I am in the dungeon doing some last minute preparations.

That light mysteriously burns out every year during Halloween week...the bats are happier when it is dark.

Do come in!

I've even dusted my family portraits...

{This was actually hanging in some one's home in Middle Georgia...ugh! I found this and the one below at a local antique collective. Who in the world would have a skull portrait in their home?}

She is lovely isn't she? But no, this is not a portrait of yours truly, but of my great, great, great, great, witchie Auntie Susie from Salem...we have heard lots of stories about her...

{I had to include this uh, "pretty" girl just because of her name.}

The black chandelier is dimly lit for just the right mood and ambiance.

Only the finest monogrammed linens for my lovely guests.

Gotcha!

Not to worry...you all have met some of the guests who will be here and even tasted some of the concoctions I created...just for you.

The candles are lit...be careful and do not burn your fingertips.

Oops! Who spilled the beans?

It must have been the "Old Black Witch"...

Or perhaps it was "Jack Pumpkinhead of OZ."

No, no, no, not me...I just ate all the black jelly beans.

May I offer you a goblet of some pinot NOIR?

It is chilled to just the perfect temperature.

Or would you prefer some delicious and hauntingly hot cocoa?

Since this is just a spooky story time party and not so scary after all and considering that my head is a bit wobbly, I will have the witches brew of hot cocoa ~ thank you very kindly.

I think this party is coming to a close...and it is time for me to roam the neighborhood.

Thank you for your visit. I hope you sleep well tonight.

~ ~ ~

Happy Halloween! I'm off to take my little pirate out to walk the plank...

Ciao amici,

Suzanne

{My first painting of a jack~o~lantern. My mother kept this for decades and I have recently added it back into my portfolio.}

A Hay Ride Through the Corn Maze...and a Tribute to Wooly

'Just got back from a day on a working Fun Farm with my son's kindergarten class. This is the second year we have trekked up to the small town of Forsyth, Georgia for this afternoon of play, feeding goats, hay rides, and picking out pumpkins.

"Wooly"

Last year I wrote about this place and you may remember my friend, "Wooly." I asked the proprietor, Chuck, about him ~ telling him that his portrait {Wooly's that is} was up on my blog and that he had a little fan club. Sadly, I was told that last December some dogs attacked the sheep, as well as the goats and they were killed. The llama escaped from the dogs and was found running down the country road. These were not wild dogs, although I hardly think that they were domesticated ~ hunting the farm animals as they did. The farm acquired some new goats, but the sheep {there were two} were not replaced.

Last year it was a bright, warm, and breezy Indian summer day when we were here. This week however, the weather was a complete contrast ~ drizzly, foggy, and chilly autumn day. I was pleasantly surprised at how moody these photographs turned out. I hope you will enjoy your visit.

The Pumpkin Path

We were the first to arrive, so I was lucky to capture these images before dozens of little people were running all over the place.

Big Blue Tractor ready for the hay ride...

About twenty five or more of us piled in the trailer and sat on the bales of hay for a bumpy ride through the corn maze.

They offer "Flashlight Corn Maze" tours in the fall, but that idea sort of gives me the creeps...I am not a bug person, and who knows what creatures could be crawling around in the mud and fields at dusk...

After a snack and some hot chocolate to warm us up, we picked out some pumpkins to take home.

Wishing you all a pleasant weekend...

...and dedicating this post to "Wooly."

Ciao amici,
Suzanne

Don't Be...SCARED!

Because I have something to offer you...

No tricks, just treats...But first, I thought I would show you some really spooky stuff...

How adorable are these? I was in McDonough, Georgia recently snooping around in some antique stores and found these precious Halloween witches and vintage style decorations.

I just love the tilt and lilt of this little witch...looking as though a spell has been cast on her.

This old crow below did scare me a bit...but I dig the old typewriter on which he is perched. I know my friend Grace would covet that vintage typing machine. You should see her collection.




This past weekend I was participating in an outdoor art show {I really do not do many of these ~ now I know why} and although it had been raining here all week long, buckets and buckets of rain, it was not predicted to rain on Saturday. Therefore, the show went on as planned...until the drizzle became sprinkles and the sprinkles became rain drops and drips all over my art work. {I was even having a good hair day.} UGH! I packed up after about an hour {this was supposed to be an all day show} called my husband for some help and when he showed up, looked at him with the understanding that we both knew what we wanted...margaritas, chips and salsa at the local Mexican restaurant.

I was done.



Needless to say, I did not sell much in that brief and damp period of time.
Therefore, my offer is not tricks or treats, but this:



For a limited time in my Etsy and ArtFire shops I will be offering my photographs two for $50 or $30 each as they are currently priced and no secondary shipping charge. This was what I was selling them for at the show, and since I have some inventory left I want to continue the offer through the holidays. None of these photographs are rain damaged ~ they are in perfect condition, professionally printed in a photo laboratory, matted to 8" x 10", and wrapped in acid free sleeves. Included in this group is some new work that has not been listed before now. I hope you will be able to take some time to visit my galleries.

You may just find the perfect gift for someone or for yourself.

Ciao amici,

Suzanne

Potions for Your Palate

I've been concocting a few potions in my kitchen lately...

combining delicious delicacies from all around this old house and basement...

The beverages are chilled and chilling...

so please stop by for a bite or two and rest your bones...

...if you dare.

Mia casa e tua casa.

Here's the old skeleton key...don't forget to lock the gate behind you.


Things are starting to look a blurry now...it's time for me to depart.

~ ~ ~

Please forgive me for my lack of sophistication on this post...silliness is going around this house with my little goblin, who is going to be a pirate this Halloween.

Ciao amici,

Suzanne

Under Cover ~ My Messy Palette

'Just picked up the current issue of Somerset Life...

not only because I recognized the work on the cover ~ beautiful velvet and rhinestone bookmarks made by Andrea Singarella ~ but also to find out when I opened the magazine that a recent thank you letter to the editor I wrote about my previous feature, was published...

and then further into the magazine, saw that one of my favorite photographs was published on page 129 in the Miscellany department.

Thank you to Somerset Life for placing my "Messy Palette" among such other lovely photographs.

~ ~ ~

Coincidentally, I have just recently offered this image on photo note cards and mousepads, as well as some other fun products in my Zazzle Gallery.

Photo cards for the artist who writes...

Mousepads for the artist at work...

and an apron for the artist at play!

Thank you all for stopping by.

Ciao amici,

Suzanne

The First Days of Autumn ~ Time in Gig Harbor

Earlier this month I packed my bags...

filled my carry on luggage...

...and headed to the cool and refreshing and sunny Pacific Northwest {Gig Harbor, WA} for a visit with my parents.

My little guy was my companion for the week and was a perfect non-stop talking travel partner the entire time.

After all the fun activities planned for their grandson ~ fishing for sharks with my Dad on a boat in the Puget Sound with a captain named Doc; the wild Olympic Game Farm in northern Washington where buffalo and bison came to our car window and grabbed some food while the llamas stuck their wet noses in and wanted some of the action too; then heading to the zoo at Point Defiance where he took a ride on a camel and had budgies eating from his hands; and the last day spending some time at the small private community beach playing with the dogs and looking for sea glass...

...it was time for my Mom and I to do a little antique shopping in

Historic Gig Harbor.

We knocked on some doors...



and found some pretty things ~ new and old. I purchased four of the flax coloured monogrammed linen tea towels and am going to use them in my dining room this fall. The lady in the foreground reminded me of my friend Jennifer.




This chandelier did not even have to be illuminated to make this pretty old glass fixture sparkle.





I loved how the crocheted doilies were displayed haphazardly in the glass urn. And of course, the rose coloured velvet hat is so stylish.




These rustic silver votives are not old, but their patina is lovely with the vintage clock and shabby frame.




What a wonderful way to display random crystal beads and chandelier pendants. Just tossed in a tarnished silver bowl. So effortless on the part of the designer, yet a deliberate and an intentional juxtaposition of elegant elements.



I found these vintage pearl and rhinestone chandelier pendants for my ears and took them home with me.





Pretty cotton coverlets hanging on a simple curtain rod. The layers created such an interesting pattern with the light coming through the window.




More of these doilies tossed in a tiered wire basket. I have so many of my own put away in a drawer, that I am going to have to do something creative with them like this. Maybe I'll save that idea for my Christmas table or mantle.






I do not know why I did not purchase some of these wood block rubber stamps. The patterns would have been great to use on notes and in my booklets or something.





The clock was ticking...we were with the short one and I had run out of Tootsie Rolls so it was time to go. It was fun to do this with my Mom ~ she's the one who got me started in my love of antiques in the first place years ago when I was a young girl. Now whenever I go to their home, I ask her if she "is tired" of anything yet...hint, hint.




Bye for now. Thank you for your visit.

Ciao amici,
Suzanne