Recent Wins

Okay, I’ve been very remiss.  I’ve won several blog prizes lately and haven’t posted about them.  They’ve all been wonderful and the ladies that gave them away should have their hard work acknowledged.

First

I won this AWESOME necklace from LULU Kellogg – wore it to work yesterday and got all kinds of compliments.

Cool Scarab necklace from Barb’s Botanical Gardens – will be wearing this one real soon!

 

Beautiful Journal, plaque and the sweetest birds from Fairfield House – Journal is going to be for my dream studio.  I’m going to start planning it & THEN convince hubby that I NEED one inside so he doesn’t feel so “neglected”  HEHE. HE ASKED FOR IT (look at yesterday’s post).

Awesome handmade stationary set from Hope Filled Living – now I can send all kinds of letters.

Plates, napkins, recipe cards and TWO Rachel Ray DVDs from North Dakota Kitchen – WOO HOO! Recipes galore.

 

Beautiful necklace from Dara through The Creative Connection – won’t fit around my head, but will hang in a prominent location in my studio so I can drool over it.

FOUR Collage Sheets from Create with Joy – great for my ATCs
A $25 Gift Card to Michaels from The Graphics Fairy – got my list ready!
AND a wonderful Gardening Kit from Vintage Linen Treasures (see sidebar) – now I can get the rest of my containers potted.

So, I’ve been doing the HAPPY DANCE a LOT lately.  I want to publicly say THANK YOU to all of these awesome ladies for hosting some wonderful giveaways!

I will be drawing the winner of the Cavallini butterfly stamps shortly.

Until Later………………………

He Said, She Said

My husband and I are arguing.  I never spend any time with him.  I say, he never spends any time with me.  I have my studio, my blog, my likes, my junkin.  He has fishing, hunting, and football.  We like NOTHING the other likes!  Okay, we can’t even agree on what type of hot dog to eat!  Yep, talk about night and day.

He wants ME to spend time with HIM. NOT the other way around.  I hate hunting, can’t stand going to football games, think shows about hunting and fishing on TV are stupid AND I can’t fish because of my health (allergies & riding in the boat would literally kill me right now).  Would it kill him to take me to the antique malls around where I live every now and then (I’m agoraphobic to a certain degree and going places is always anxiety-attack inducing) or go to some yard sales?  Take me to Michaels or Hobby Lobby?  Hmmmmm?????

Have any of you ever experienced this?  I  read so much about how husbands are so supportive of their wives’ hobbies.  Well mine isn’t.  Insecurity?  Jealousy?   Probably both.  But, it’s a two-way street.  I tried the one-way street for over 18 years…….our marriage almost didn’t last.  So it’s no more of that now that I wrestled an identity back (which he FULLY supported me doing!).

Sorry for the venting, normally I try to keep this blog upbeat, but it’s reaching critical mass.

So, chime in!  Does your spouse think you’re ignoring him when you are in your studio?  Does he want you GLUED to him 24/7 after even 22 years of marriage (yep, just this May)?  Or does he go with you as much as you go with him?  Inquiring minds (well mine LOL) want to know!

Until Later……………………………

Smiles~

Surprise in the Mail Today

My Giveaway closes at Midnight, June 20th, CST - Go HERE to enter.

Okay, so I’ve discovered on-line, live auctions. AARRRGGHHH!!!  Not bad enough there is Ebay, Etsy, garage sales, estate sales, etc., nope I had to go and find out about ON-LINE LIVE BIDDING AUCTIONS!
You know, the kind that you can attend while sitting in the comfort of your own home on a Saturday night, 2,000+ miles away from where the action is.  Get your auction fix if you will (especially where I live where there are NO auctions to speak of).
So, I get a notice that Westsound Auctions up in Washington state of all places is having an auction.  I’m perusing their catalog and there it is!  A GOLD Dragonware cup and saucer in a lot of other “vintage” items.  Namely two alphabet ceramic blocks and a hammered aluminum basket.  Now, everyone that knows me KNOWS I’m “el cheapo”.  I don’t spend a lot on any one item & I didn’t want the other three things in the lot. Okay, no chance to win this for my mom, who collects this wonderful stuff (dragonware that is), and who has a birthday next month, and who deserves a gift from a very grateful daughter. 
But, I bid.  Then, I go to bed.  Heck, we are two hours ahead of Washington and this was one of the last lots.  The auction didn’t start until late my time as it was.  No way was I staying up until after midnight to see myself lose.
I wake up the next day, check my messages while at the ballpark (son was pitching) and surprise of surprises, I WON!!!!!!
Yep, this little jewel just arrived
  
If almost MINT condition!  Now, I paid out the wahzoo for shipping, that’s the drawback of having something shipped halfway across the country, but my mom will soon be the proud owner of something she loves.  PRICELESS.
Oh, and did I mention a little SURPRISE!  Yes, the nice folks at Westsound included this little jewel in my package and she’s all mine!

A vintage postcard!  I think the folks over there deserve a Thank You note from me, because I’m very appreciative.  And I just sent them one.
Oh, and the other items,  they’ll be up on my Etsy store soon.
Until Later……………………………

Experiments with Envirotex Lite

I’ve been doing experiments lately (insert evil laugh).  I purchased some of this 

so I could make some of these

and these

(camera flashed)

and these!

I would say it’s ALIVE a SUCCESS!

Since my light box hasn’t arrived yet (expected date, June 15th), you really can’t see how CLEAR these are.  They are crystal clear and hard and very glossy.  Well, except for the rectangular ones.  Those were part of the first batch and were too near the surface of the container I was using.  Some of the roughness I attribute to the paper.  But, I’m looking for a deeper rectangular holder.  I’ve got my eye on some candy molds on Amazon right now!  I see more experimenting in the near future.

Now, these aren’t perfect, but I think with a little tweaking, I can get them exactly like I want.  Plus, I’m going to try using different media.  For these, I used laser printed images on the rectangular pieces and silk flowers on the others.  Think next I’ll try beads, dried flowers, ANYTHING I can get my hands on (& you saw pictures of the inside of my shop in a previous post, there’s LOTS for me to use).

So, I have to decide what to do with these.  Maybe include them in with some orders from my Etsy store (I did send out two today in separate orders), or put mini magnets on them and use them. HHMMMMM.  I REALLY want your feedback, good OR bad. 

Also, I’m looking at being out of commission AGAIN!  I found out yesterday that I’m having surgery next week.  My knee specialist has to scope my right knee and see why I have such a huge knot on it and lots of pain.  Looks like someone inserted an egg under my skin at my knee cap.   So, surgery and then crutches for three or four days.  What do you want to bet I hobble out to my studio, prop my knee up, and play?????  But shhhhh, don’t tell hubby or he’ll blow a gasket. LOL  I’m supposed to keep it propped up and not do much (therefore I won’t be at work next week) so by extension I’m not supposed to play in my shop.  BUT………….

Until Later…………………………………

The Bloggerette Sorority

If you are looking for my Giveaway, please go HERE

 

Okay, so I never was in a sorority.  At 19, I was married, working full-time, and going to college at night.  That didn’t leave a lot of time for joining anything, not to mention I just wasn’t the college sorority type (I was really, really, PAINFULLY shy). 

 

So, when I saw there was a blog Sorority starting up, I was intrigued.  Was it for me?  Could I finally, possibly qualify?  HMMMM, it’s for people with my likes…..HMMMM, I’m not shy anymore can basically carry a convo if I need to…..HMMMM, I think it’s for me! 

 

So, if you would like to join the Bloggerette Sorority, click on the link below and check it out!  But hurry, Rush is approaching and you don’t want to miss this!

   Won't you join us?

Until Later…………………………………………..

 

 

I’ve Been Busy Today

If you are looking for my 100+ Follower Giveaway, please click HERE.

So, inquiring minds want to know, what has she been up to today?  Well, maybe you don’t wonder what I’ve been doing on an overcast, rainy, south Louisiana Sunday afternoon, other than watching the LSU Tigers play baseball (GEAUX TIGERS!  LSU!!!)

Well, I’ve been getting my fingers inky and sticky.  Yep, I’ve been playing in my studio.  Couldn’t yesterday since the back and neck were really acting up after two hours sitting in an uncomfortable chair at my son’s baseball game, trying to stay dry (yep, it was raining off and on), and keeping score (I’m the scorekeeper for the team).  So, I had a LOT to make up for today.

So, here’s my current studio – the storage area.  It takes up half my studio which is a built-out 10 x 20 portable building.  Yes, it’s as packed as it looks!

One desk Another supposed computer/video desk center except my computer can’t get a signal there.

Gratuitous shot of the dollhouse I’ve been working on FOREVER and my other desk that looks out over the backyard toward my house. I have another worksurface that sits perpendicular to this one and separates the working half of my studio from the storage half.

Oh, would you like to see a picture of my little friend that kept me company all day?  Sure you would.

  HEHEHE, bet you weren’t expecting that!  Yep, this little fellow ran all over my worktop today while I was playing working.  No, I’m not particularly bothered by spiders.  They eat bugs and as long as they stay off of me, I leave them alone.  Considering it was smaller than the diamond in my wedding band (tiny) he wasn’t any danger to me.  He kept scurrying all over the place trying to avoid my fingers as I reached for things.

Okay, so first, I played around with some High Gloss stuff by Envirotex.   Lisa at Tarnished and Tattered makes the most awesome Resin Bobbles using it (& now I just read she found some stuff that’s even clearer-gotta get me some).  Since you have to work fairly fast, I didn’t take pictures, but this is what I am waiting on:

 
I’ve approached it somewhat differently than she does since I don’t want to copy her, but learn from her.  So, I read her tutorial, ask a question or two, then went out and decided to experiment.  Once these dry, I’ll show you the results & give you a review of the product.  Nope, Envirotex isn’t a sponsor or anything, they don’t know I exist!

Then, it was time to get inky!

Some worked (love this one)  Some didn’t Some are okay These crosses are some of my favorites.
Some women-themed Love the chandelier

As you can see, I love Tim Holtz Distressed Inks.  They work so wonderfully!  I’m also in love with some wonderful Lampblack black ink (can’t remember the maker).  Makes the most wonderful image.  No, Tim Holtz doesn’t know I exist either, so I wasn’t paid to say wonderful stuff about his ink LOL.  It is marvelous though.  I also use a combination of his felt pads for blending and baby wipes.  Yep, baby wipes give you a wonderful blended, softer look.  Does make the tags a bit damp (though I try to use wipes that have been setting out for a bit and have dried some).  I may have to iron a few to get them back flat.  I also LOVE baby wipes for cleaning my stamps.  I just get the unscented cheap ones, blot the stamp (both rubber and acrylic) then blot on a paper towel.  I’ve even cleaned USED stamps that I bought and had all the ink just magically come off.

Okay, I’m also participating in an ATC swap that happens every two months. As you may be able to tell, the theme was CATS.   These aren’t due until July, but since I’m ALWAYS turning them in at the LAST minute, I decided to get July’s theme out of the way.  The only one I’m not sure about is the Photo Op one.  I think I need something in the lower left corner, just not sure what. 

Oh, and in case any of you are interested, I listed a bunch of tags I made a few weeks ago over on EPOCH JUNKTIQUE.  Please let me know what you think about them.  The ones you see above will also be listed there soon.  Prices are listed on my selling blog linked above. 

Whew!  That’s a long blog post for me.  Now, I need a break and some food.  Except for two tiny pancakes this morning, I’ve not eaten all day. 

Sorry I haven’t been able to show any dolls or miniatures that I’ve worked on.  I just haven’t been in the mood to do them, but sooner or later, the mini bug will bite and I’ll be off working on them.  I can feel it nibbling at my toes right now.

Until Later………………………………….

ANNOUNCING – EPOCH JUNKTIQUE (vintage junk)

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY 100th FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY HERE

Okay, I’ve done it.  I’ve opened a second blog that will be a “selling” blog.  I’ll place items on it before listing them in my Etsy stores (or may do both simultaneously).   My mom has been wanting something like this for a while and I finally had made the time.

Why have a selling blog?  Well, 1)  I wanted a place where all my Etsy stores could be shown in one location; 2) a place to quickly list my latest finds for sale until I had time to write out nicely worded listings & take all the fancy pictures (I need to get a photo light box made) for Etsy ; 3) list items that didn’t sell on Etsy, 4) where" “make an offer/choose and item for $X” could be placed; & 5) items that didn’t quite make the 20-year cutoff for Etsy (I have a LOT of Madame Alexander dolls that fit into this category).

Having a selling blog seemed to fit the bill.  So, the name of it is Epoch Junktique (epoch meaning “vintage” – like y’all didn’t already know that).   Currently, all four of my mother’s and my Etsy stores are listed as well as a couple of games and books.  I’m playing around with the Pages Gadget and with adding a PayPal link under each listing.  Once I get it all figured out, things should run smoothly.  I also take checks and will ship Worldwide.

Down the road, I hope to use it to announce blog-only specials, as my business grows.  

See, there’s a method to my madness.  When I retire in 14 years (13 years, 11 months, and 25 days but who’s counting?)  I plan on antique hunting or junkin’ being my “second career”.  I also dream of owning my own booth in an antique mall.  So, I’m taking my first “baby steps”.  I want to travel around the US with my mom if she’s still able and with friends I meet through the years that share my love and passion for vintage/antique items.  Considering the lack of anything down here vintage except furniture and glass (which I avoid), I have to travel.  My motto will be Have Truck, Have Trailer, Will Travel!  Okay, so I have to get over the fear of towing things – I totaled out a perfectly good boat I was towing several years ago – can’t tow a dern thing now!

Back to my new blog - At first, the going will be slow since I don’t have a lot of free time on my hands, but hopefully, I’ll be able to list more and more.  Plus, if I can ever teach my mom how to blog, she has TONS of vintage items she can list.   It takes a combination of Windows Live Writer and Blogger Editor to get things just right.

Now a big SHOUTOUT to Karen at The Graphics Fairy for all the help she gave me in getting my new blog set up with three columns.  She a WONDERFUL, SWEET person.  THANK YOU KAREN!

Here’s a peek at something that will be up soon: 

Until Later ……………………………