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Ornaments Suess-i-fied
For this year's Art Is You, aka the gathering of East Coast artistic like minds conference, all were invited to make several Dr Suess inspired ornaments to swap out at the big event in Danbury, CT, the week of October 6th, this year.
I couldn't wait to share mine! Tah Dah!
Did I also mention I am vending there October 9th? Yep, come fall, I am soooo THERE to Danbury, Connecticut! AND next year I will be teaching too, so it will be, OU LA LA even better!!!
Click on the side bar link to find out more about that particular venue. Hurry and register if you are going as workshops fill up fast!
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The Smallest Book of Poetry Ever Worn Around Your Neck!
I have had soooo much fun making these little books. They have certainly filled a niche for my little book, secret note writing passions. They are just simply pretty stuff............
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This Pocket Sized Book Is Full Of Parchment
For Love Notes Or Pearls Of Wisdom
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Yet Another Gem......
Oh My Word!
I absolutely loved how this precious piece turned out. The little silk ribbon makes it dance, don't you think? This book is blank with a suggestive theme in resin which sets the stage for anything and all things hopeful to place inside.
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Art And Soul Retreat
Set For 2012!!
But Hurry!! Classes Fill Up Quickly!!
So Sign Up Now !!
I am so VERY excited to be among the chosen list of extraordinary instructors teaching at the 2012 Art and Soul in Virginia Beach!! How wonderful to teach one of my favorite classes........ The Metal Chapter Book. These simply pretty books are so itsy bitsy, they can be worn around your neck ... and are so very personal. Keep a secret, a favorite poem, or pictures of the kids tucked inside and close to your heart. In class we learn to prepare the metal as well as create the pages, then assemble and embellish. Ouuuuu, what fun!!
This chapter book is definitely close to my own heart. It carries the deets of all my little biddie kitty cats.
click this picture for a 3D view
Here are another few ideas! Oh, the choices!!
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New Pin
There is a little bit of myself in this design. Definitely the dress.....and the little bit of glitzy bling! I just love making the 3-D aspect of these pieces. Its like wearing around a miniature diorama or little story perhaps. Of course, even though you don't see the back, I can't help designing something for it as well. Hmm, a secret message maybe.
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Simply Pretty Stuff
A Few New Charms
Okay, of course, I am going to say 50 is beautiful, so these are an obviously a good pairing. They are two of several new little charms to be sold at The Foxxy Moxxy's Boutique in Gettysburg, PA.
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Simply Pretty Stuff
Tulip Poplar Attracts Orioles To Our Suburban Nest
These blooms are substantial. Funny, but I never paid much attention to their brilliance, until recently, when I heard the Baltimore Orioles as they darted in and out of that tree. I plucked a few for pictures and set a few in some water. They are fabulous flowers!!
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Simply Pretty Stuff
French Inspired And Palm Sized
The pages are waiting for your art or your musings.
The aged patina is just the right finishing touch!
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Simply Pretty Stuff
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Chatelaine Line For Simply Pretty Stuff
At last these delicate little books are unveiled as a part of my new line where fashion meets function.
Wear this delicately designed little pewter notebook around your neck. It contains 20 tiny stock weight pages that await your written word, be it a secret thought or a grocery list.
click the picture to view all sides of this piece
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Simply Pretty Stuff
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!
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Simply Pretty Stuff
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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?
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Simply Pretty Stuff
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 ; )
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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.
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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!
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Simply Pretty Stuff
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!!
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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.
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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!!
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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!
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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
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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.
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Simply Pretty Stuff
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
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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!
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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.
