Tattered Saints

A Few New Things...

I've got a couple of new goodies to share.  I got this blue seltzer bottle at an antique shop down the street a couple of weeks ago.  I've wanted one for a long time, but they always go for too much money.  This one was about half the price they go for on eBay, so I grabbed it and gleefully trotted off to pay for it, brought it home and cleaned it up...love it!!

Then I found this cool decanter on the internet.  I have three glasses that go with this that hubby bought for me awhile back...now I have sort of a set.  Love it, too...I mean, SKULL and cross bones!  What's not to love?

When I found the decanter, I also came across this set of nine bottles...I'm not sure if I would classify them as apothecary bottles or speciman bottles, but they're cool as all get out no matter what you call them:

I'm working on a few art projects right now, one of which is another handpainted sign that hubby asked me to make.  He wants to give it to someone...and I made this today, just for fun.  It's scrapbook paper decoupaged on a 5x5 chunky canvas:

Other stuff is in the works, but time goes so fast and I don't seem to get as much done as I would like...I'll keep plugging away, though. 

Happy weekend, everyone.

 

 

 

 

Road Trip...

We decided to toddle off on a road trip last weekend and went to Renninger's in Mt. Dora Florida.  I've been missing our trips to the Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market in Ohio...there's nothing like that around here.  We checked out the Keller's Flea Market here in Savannah a couple of weeks ago and it was a joke.  I didn't hear anyone there speaking English, which is very disconcerting when you are in the midst of it.  The whole place reminded me of a marketplace in a third world country...anyway, Renninger's was great and I was thrilled with all of the vendors and the cool stuff they offered.  We were so busy gawking around that we didn't take many pictures.  Hubby took this one of the crowd:

And I took one of a bear crossing sign on the road that we both found interesting, having never seen anything like that before. 

The only things we purchased were a few bottles for our bottle lights project and I bought two old dresses for my giant dolly.  We had fun, though and it was a great way to spend a nice Saturday. 

In other news, I'm working on some creating (finally) and the third floor art room annex is coming along.  I'm pleased with it so far.

Cheery pip.

 

Please Don't Sell Us...

Awww, who can resist these pathetic faces?

This is why I can't sell them...

The Reprieve...

I've worked my magic (!?!?!?) on the third floor and things are shaping up.  I have two tables set up...one is a card table that I'll use for various mixed media projects and the other is a wooden antique table that was used previously for the television.  It will now be used for my sewing machine since it's nice and sturdy.  I did have the sewing machine on the card table, but it would shake and shimmy every single time I fired up the sewing machine...not good.  My next step is to take most of the art supplies that have migrated from the studio to our bedroom/computer area and move those up to the new studio annex. 

For now, the dolls have been granted a reprieve.  They will stay until I develop the time and energy to do something else with them.  They might end up in their boxes for awhile or I might sell a few of them.  Still undecided about that...

As soon as I get more supplies put where I want them, I plan to start working on all of the unfinished projects that are sitting around out in the carriage house studio.  A couple of them are clay creatures, one is a clay Santos or cage doll that I started eons ago and never finished.  I also have some ideas for jewelry that I want to try that may even involve some soldering.  I have tons of books and magazines that I would like to rearrange and have all of them in one central location where I have easy access. 

The handyman didn't show up again today, so the mess out in the carriage house continues.  If it's done by the time company comes in March, I will be surprised, amazed and gob-smacked. 

Toodles.  

Transformations...

I made the decision today to transform the third floor in our house.  It was supposed to be a media room originally.  We have a television that's not hooked up to cable but is used for dvd movie watching and X-box Kinect games.  And it's also been my doll room, for lack of a better place to put my ball-jointed dolls and all of their stuff.  I'm just about the only one who goes up there, unless you count our handyman, who goes up there to use the roof access occasionally.  Anyway, since my so-called "STUDIO" has been in an almost constant state of unusability...is that even a word?  Basically, it means I've been unable to use my studio for literally several months...first, due to company, then due to construction issues...drywall repair, tile repair, electrical repair and so on...and before long, it will be more company, against my wishes, but there you have it...everyone else's wishes take precedence over mine, of course...SO...I plan to move much of my studio to the  third floor.  That way, no matter what in the Sam Hill is going on out in the carriage house, or who is lodged out there like a tick on a hound dog, I will still be able to work on my art.  In a relatively quiet, peaceful spot.  Unfortunately, most of my supplies and my big tables will have to stay out in the carriage house...but I hope to learn to plan ahead a bit and will be able to bring stuff that I need over to the new studio and tote and carry back and forth as needed.  That's about the best I can do under the circumstances...adapt and overcome.  The disrespect on this rock is criminal. 

This is the new movie/game area:

That's about all I was able to accomplish today.  The next step involves setting up a small table to work on and placing my sewing machine on a more stable surface.  I'm on the fence about my dolls...I still wobble back and forth on getting rid of them or keeping them.  They take up some valuable space and I don't do much with them.  I did sell one awhile back and tried to sell another one but after listing her twice, she didn't sell.  I may put them in their boxes and see if I miss them or not. 

This will be the new studio area when it's finished and the dolls will either fit in somewhere or not:

More to follow.  Happy Wednesday.

Don't Try This At Home...

I've found so many good recipes on PINTEREST lately and one that I've had my eye on for some time now is that "cake in a tin can" recipe.   I decided to try it today.  It did not work out...first, the recipe says it makes 5 or 6 tin cans worth of cake...nope, not true.  It makes only enough batter for ONE tin can cake.  Then, it says bake it at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  No way...it was nowhere near done...it took more than twice that long.  When it finally was done, I let it cool and tried to remove it from the can...that didn't go very well, either.  I had planned to cut it into three slices and then frost it and put jam between the slices...I did manage to do that, but it looks a little wonky:

It may look awful, but it tastes pretty good, sort of similar to the Victoria Sponge Cake I used to make, once upon a time.  I'll finish eating it for afternoon tea...

Cheers...