ladder plant stand with ❤

i found this sweet old ladder (already painted) at a consignment shop in Portsmouth, NH.  Shell and Bruce transported it for me and it has been in the basement for over a year now.  Had to have it, but I hadn't planned to do this with it.  Was ready to go buy some boards to make the shelves when i decided to use two of my vintage ironing boards (Rog disassembled the boards and built brackets to help position the boards on the ladder from the ironing board legs).  NOW, for the best part of the story ... LOVE when stuff just comes together!

this ironing board came from Kevin's grandmother ... Helen Veronica Lasky Beloin.  Kev swapped me for a brand new ironing board and iron.

this ironing board came from Irene Newsome Munson.  I had helped Irene with her housework and told her if she ever wanted to get rid of the vintage board I would be interested.  Shortly after she passed away, her daughter called me and said that they had found a note taped to the back of the board to give the ironing board to me.

both ironing boards were manufactured by the same company.  both Helen and Irene were very best friends while they were here on earth.  Irene was 90 and Helen was 91 years old when they departed from this earth. 
Can't wait til it warms up a bit and I can fill these shelves with flowers and herbs and treasures!

Paint Party Friday Check In and ...

 It's PPF's week 5, year 2 check in!  Check out featured artist, Marcia Beckett and the works of many other artists.

 The Ladybugs have landed!  Sunflower bird cottage in the morning sun. 

 LOVE Ladybugs!

 Will add a wire hanger and embellish with some beads

 Had to share pics of my NEW Easel ... It's the BEST!  Did a lot of research to spend these pennies and I am very pleased with it.  Very well made in the USA and very sturdy.  Husband says, "now you can start producing some quality art."  What the heck have I been producing until now?

 playing with painting on driftwood and LOVING it! 

The canvas is next ..

have a sweet, successful, healthy and creative week!

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!