Artful Bird Cottage & PPF #46

 i was amazed the first time i saw an apple gourd ...

it looks just like a giant apple!

 a perfect critter cottage for my bird friends

has a 1&1/2 inch centered hole

about 3 inches above the floor

wire hanger with wooden beads

a natural twig perch

 "an apple a day ... keeps the Dr. away"
somebody said!

heart shaped apples in the tree

finished with organic shellac to seal the surface

complete with 4 drainage holes
in the critter cottage bottom!
up for sale in my Etsy studio soon!

Visit Paint Party Friday where artists have been gathering for 46 weeks (painting and partying!).  Kristin and Eva's creation!  I've been there since the beginning!  Sure I missed a few weeks ... and I really missed them during those weeks.  Wish every day was Paint Party Friday!

Have a GREAT weekend!



Vintage marbles, discarded Patron bottles and light from darkness!



  Repurposed some Patron bottles into oil lamps!

... had done the one on the right a few years back

and decided to make use of some vintage marbles

washed my vintage marbles ...

and voilà !

with fiberglass wicks

and brass and ceramic wick holders

 just add WOLFORD Lamp Oil! 

... waiting for my order to arrive

 still need to embellish the necks

 of these beautiful bottles

 and WHO drank all that Patron?

... save YOUR bottles for me!

 happy marbles have a new purpose!

I'll list them in my ETSY shop when they are all done!

"... let light shine out of darkness..."

2 Corinthians 4:6

a Leprechaun ...

Irish fairies gave the Leprechaun magical powers to use if ever captured by a human.  Such magic the Leprechaun would perform to escape capture would be to grant three wishes or to vanish in thin air.  Mischievous and intelligent, these self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure avoid humans at all costs.  Leprechauns regard humans as foolish, greedy and often ‘flighty’, hmmmmmm.   Leprechauns are solitary creatures, whose principal occupation is making and mending shoes.  What an interesting wee character!

It’s time to create a new magical LEPRECHAUN … this time made from a repurposed piece of wood ...

I'll keep you posted on how it goes ...

for me ... PPF #43

... bought these sweet vintage sock stretchers in New Hampshire at a consignment shop just before Christmas 2010 (was visiting my sister's home on moose mountain).  The puppy chewed the toe of one of the stretchers which I sanded down and you can barely tell it was a teething toy.  Painted the below words quite some time ago ...

finished the 2nd sock this week

(a tad late for Christmas ... but DONE)

 Peace On Earth Good Will Toward Men

Luke 2:14

They'd fit well hanging by the chimney with care, but I don't have a fire place ... and they are not perfect ... didn't plan my letters well on the 2nd sock ... see how I have to squeeze in the word 'men' in the toe.  Poor planning on my part ... although I am too much of a perfectionist, there is a special place in my heart for things that are not perfect.  They will decorate my Christmas home for years to come.  Now go visit Paint Part Friday, it's a new year, there's new incredible stuff there, new inspiration, new artists, new pieces from old artists ... just go visit and see!

Without change ...

Found this picture dated 09.09.98 ... what's with the attitude face?  Gotta definitely lose that in 2012.  Painting Santa 14 years ago ... somethings never change!  But some things must!  Just sent a memo to my work peeps this past week that started with this quote ...

Without change, there would be no butterflies.
- Anonymous

There needs to be some changing going on in 2012!

There needs to be more butterflies!

Wishing you all a happy,
healthy and creative 2012!
and thank YOU much for your support and inspiration!