Customizing Pins!

Fabulous Pins!!

I had designed this one for Joanna, who married our son, Christopher a few months back. 

I love the book concept which was incorporated into the pin.  Do you have a story to tell or favorite saying? 

How wonderful to wear this type of pin on a jacket! Create a custom piece and wear it next to YOUR heart!

In March, I designed a pin similar to the one below for an organization that raised money for folks on chemotherapy called ChemoComfort.

I liked it so much, I had to make another one.  Think I will be using this one as a sample in a class.

Splendid!



Heart & Soul

Unconditional...



Copper Cherub Journal

Unlock The Prose

Below is definitely one of my favorite eclectic journal pieces.  This is a substantial journal, graced with an etched cherub on a copper cover.  Unlock the book and you will find a few of my most favorite verses from some long ago poets...

Although I cannot give this one up, I did want to share. Can you blame me?

Finding Frozen Charlotte

My First Frozen Charlotte!!

ou la la, I found her.............at the Art and Soul Retreat.  She was the last pitiful one on the table and I had to have her.  She has now become one of the pieces in my simply pretty stuff collection, just waiting to be graced and adorned with design.

As the Frozen story goes, Charlotte went out with her boyfriend in a carriage into the cool night's air.  Her mother urged her to take a wrap to stay warm, but Charlotte chose not to follow that advise.  She died from the cold, alas.  With a sad heart, her boyfriend died of the news.

Nothing like a good German folktale tragedy.  I can say this because I grew up in a German household, with interesting bedtime stories.

Yesterday and today have been crazy busy days between the garden and the studio.  Just love to be busy letting those creative forces work.  A mouthful of Ghiriadelli chocolate caramel squares sure do have a place in all that too  ; )

Spring Surprises

Sometimes the spring plan for posies is made in the fall, in anticipation of a bountiful spring splendor.  It works half of the time here...well...yep, about half the time.  This year the several year old wisteria out did itself.  This was a plan and a hope we had when we transplanted the young sapling into so very sad and brick hard dirt ~ in a drought year.  I watered with the laundry rinse water that year!  Alas, now I can say it was soooo worth it.

As well this spring, there were some sweet surprises.  Blooming Ajuga found its way to the front yard between the blades of virgin grass.

Another find this spring was of the reptile type.  A family of brown water snakes made their home in our pond this year.  Back to the wetlands they go.

Peace Journal

A Simply Pretty Stuff Peace Offering!

This metal book is a special gift that was made for a special young artist!!  The pages are just waiting for her sketches of dragons and fairies.  The perfect birthday piece, wouldn't you say?  I think this budding artist will love how she can tuck her ideas away in this personal journal.  Perfect! 



Art From The Masters

Miniature Art Collection

These pieces of art are fabulous in miniatures.  I have begun collecting... so to speak.  Let me know if you want some too from Simply Pretty Stuff.  All artwork is in 3-D.  Personal photos would be terrific in these little frames as well.  Imagine!!

Other Book Samples



Furry Family Picture Book

Metal Photo Album You Can Wear

Our boy has grown and has a wonderful home and beautiful wife of his own.  However, there are several furry children who remain in our household.  Proud mama can now wear this brood in a photo album around her neck! How absolutely cool is that?

If you want one too, let me know.  These specialty items make wonderful gifts.  The cost for a book necklace of your own with six blank pages is $75.00.  With picture transfers of your choice add $25.00 more.  I will photo edit to black and white, sketch or full color.



EaSteR ChiCk Pin GiveAwAy

Easter Pin!!!

OK, I have spring FEVER and I am delerious!!

I am giving away this little piece of Easter-ness to the first person who leaves a comment on my blog saying why they love Simply Pretty Stuff!!

"I love Simply Pretty Stuff .....because"

; )  Good LUck!!

Holy Chunky Metal Monkey!!

Write Your Own History...



I love scrapbooks, and photographs, and story telling and, oh yeah, glitter!  The pages of history are yet to be written in this little book.  Contact me if you want a book of your own for story telling.  The pages will support ink, paint, collage and emboidery....OK, simple, little embroidary. 

This has to be some of the most Simply Pretty Stuff!

Simply Pretty Stuff Secret Journals

Pages Yet Written

Handmade canvas pages, bound with knotted twine, between brass book covers wonderfully patinated, provide wonderful journals for the designer in you!

Add pictures or artwork and tuck away in a secret place or set prominantly on the coffee table.

You can also see this piece on the website

http://www.simplyprettystuff.com/

A Special Pin

A Special Donation To Support The Chemo~Comfort Organization

I was lucky enough to meet a fantastic and passionate woman last year as I became involved in an organization called Chemo~Comfort.  A cancer survivor herself, Anne Marie Paolucci has developed this organization that caringly assembles boxes of items persons going through chemotherapy may find useful to use as they receive treatment for their cancer.  Based in New York City, Chemo~Comfort has grown to provided boxes to hundreds of patients everywhere. 

Each year Anne Marie and her team conducts a spring fundraiser and gives away wonderful goods and services donated from local and not so local retail merchants.  http://www.chemocomfort.org/

This will be my second year participating.  I will be sending several glass ornaments and one special pin, made with buttons, tulle and antique lace, particularly for this event.

Giveaway Tiara!

Simply Pretty Stuff Tiara Giveaway

Coming up in April, this fabulous tiara will go home with a lucky Foxxy Moxxy customer in Gettysburg, PA.  Stop in and ask Bobbi Becker or Carol Novak how you can win this extra special piece!

And don't forget to order something special for Mother's Day because it will be here before you know it.  One of these added to a mother's bracelet or as a single piece on a necklace chain would be one of a kind and a treasured gift.  Or how about a custom photo charm or ornament of the family or family pet?   Stop in at a very newly desgined website at http://www.simplyprettystuff.com/ or contact moi at las@simplyprettystuff.com

The Carriage House Is All About Local

The Carriage House

Hanover, PA

Tucked behind the grand Sheppard Mansion

in Hanover, PA is a honest to gosh Carriage House, turned carriage house market shoppe, by manager Heather Sheppard.

Inside there are fresh cuts of beef directly from the local Sheppard farms, as well as a variety of milks and cream, all in stout glass vessels!

The cuts of beef and soon to arrive fish are the same wonderful pieces prepared by the chef in the mansion's own restaurant.

Each Saturday there are fresh warm sticky buns and always locally produced coffee.  Mmmm.  

The real prize for the customer who happens into the Carriage House is the wonderful selection of local art and products displayed between two huge rooms.  Lotions and soaps,  scribed birdhouse gourds, dinnerware, pottery..........and much more!  

Spooky Puss

purrrrr.



New York, Old As.....Dirt?

Aging Grace

Not everything ages gracefully.  Not everyone would consider an inanimate object as something having age at all.  However, things like buildings and trees, surely do age, flying through time along side their human counterparts.  In the usual city, one can find spectacular architecture, with or without facelift, or the remains of a crumbling ruin, once something spectacular, but now neglected, as it was abandoned in time.

New York has some wonderful surprises and things that warrant a stop to ponder their designers, builders, planters, caretakers.

A good friend, New York's Mindful Walker (http://www.mindfulwalker.com/), and I spent some time a while back, beating the pavement, discovering and admiring the living, breathing city of New York with a unique eye..............AND with a hearty appetite for tea and biscotti stops along the way one cold, brisk day in the Village. Check these out. Each speaks.

La Dame

La Dame

It is difficult to see the dimension here but, ou la la, turned out nicely!  It is a substantial pin that makes a statement : )

I love the mixed metals and media I used in this piece. Let me know if you love it too!



CUPCAKES IN NEW YORK

Cupcakes Like No Other

Alright, I like cupcakes.  They are terrific with, say, COFFEE...have I ever mentioned  that I do love my coffee?

OK, now I am on to these cupcakes.  How good should a cupcake be before they are considered.........mmm, ah, mmm, sinful?

Totally ate this last night.

 

Connected with a really good ... no, great friend last night for a V-day meet up and was doubly surprised to receive these cupcakes from none other than CRUMBS here in NYC. How simply wonderful and what a perfect ending to a great night out.

If you get a chance get your own sweet morsels from Crumbs, at least once!  Go ahead and DO IT!

I LOVE MOM

A MOM LIKE NO OTHER

The latest of one of a kind Victorian brooches.  Before they were mom's, they were......Sweet Hearts, Matrons, and Oh, yes, Garden Dwellers...

These are definitely simply pretty!



Tiara's Most FaBulous

Tiara's Tiara's Tiara's

This would be the best day perhaps to wear one of these around town!!  Contact moi through

simplyprettystuff.com

if you would like one perfectly made for you

Valentine FUN with Danny Seo

Recyclables Make Cool Valentine Gifts

Check out Danny Seo.  I just found this guy on television today at the Hilton as I catch up on design work and computer clean up.  http://www.dailydanny.com/

There were some oh, so fun things he did with old legos like making journals.  And what mom or dad hasn't thought of taking all those broken crayons and melting them down into BIG ones......or ones shaped in hearts.

As soon as I get a handle on my work, I am out and about in NYC today.  There are a few retailers I am anxious to meet with my simply pretty stuff brooches.  Nervous and excited there.

SARK

Welcome to Planet SARK!

Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy (aka SARK) is an artist with over a dozen books about life, love, children and art.  She has an honest to gosh magic cottage and has aspired to what most of us strive our whole lives to become in our art. Susan and her talent are both accepted and celebrated by many.

I found Susan today.  Yes only today.  Better late than never I do say!  Her fun words, videos and web site were worth the trip to get to know her, see her work and share in her enthusiasm for life.

Check out her books and other stuff at www.planetsark.com

Books Include...