meet Helene......

It's been a while since I've mentioned any of the fabulous artists that post over at my Flickr group Studio Works. I like to take my time and visit the artist's sites and journals before I post. Wasn't I pleasantly surprised to see that I'd been surfing about for an hour, reading Helene's different blogs, and viewing her many sites where you can find her work! She is also one of the top contributors to the Studio Work's photo page.

Adorable ATC set by Helene Deroubaix

By Helene Deroubaix

Not only is she a wonderful artists, she's a Darling to have as a Flickr friend!

 ~ Helenina Sanctuary ~ Antique Fae's Shop ~ Antique Fairy Art Shop ~

~ The French Fairy at Cafe Press ~ The Fairy Attic ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are off to do some boating for 4 days with Jon's Dad and Girlfriend Jen. I am excited for many reasons, the biggest being, I need a break. I plan on bringing just a bit of work with me, some writing I have to do for one of those "secret projects" I am always talking about. Being on the boat for a few days, clears the mind and puts things in a new light. We also socialize with folks we may see but once a year, yet you feel like it was yesterday when you last saw them!

I love that Big Daddy is always in rare form when he is on the boat. I love to sit and watch him and his Dad stand side by side at the helm. I wonder if they realize their similarities? LOL...I should try to remember to get a photo of this!

I look forward to good food, drink, dancing & relaxing.

Hope your weekend can be just as delightful!

xoxoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at June 28, 2007 16:23 | link | comments (6) |
studio works

sunroom redo....

I guess I really can't call this a "redo", I've never really finished the sunroom. We still need to get floors, but the rest can look pretty while it waits!

I've been pushing to get it done so I can give small workshops of about 6 people at a time here. I'd like to teach kids, teens and adults how to find their creativity with mixed media jewelry. I want the space to be a comfortable hangout for them.

It's also been a wonderful room for entertaining, reading a book or taking a nap!!

This little corner was not coming together. The wall that the mirror is on is a 19 FT. wall that has no windows, and I have a kitchen table along that wall too. So I was having a hard time breaking it up a bit. In this old farm house, we don't have the problem of big long walls, as each room is small and filled with windows and doors. The challenge is to actually find wall space in the rest of the house!

I found the big mirror, vase, & palms at TJ Maxx. The batik came from friends who went to someplace tropical.

BEFORE

AFTER

I must admit, I'm not one for fake tropical flowers. But I saw them, and decided to go outside of my own little box for once!

xoxoxoxoxoxxo

I just wanted to thank all of my wonderful bloggy friends for your well wishes. Your kind words meant a lot, and got me through this strange little experience. It is not like me to say things about my private life like I did in the post below, but perhaps I knew the support of you Dear~Ones would get me through!! I felt very disconnected from everything up there in Bangor, but Mom and I laughed, shopped and got through it in our usual good natured state.

Thanks!

posted by: sweetpeas at June 24, 2007 13:49 | link | comments (9) |
decorating it s a passion

a final goodbye......

I want to tell you a bit more about my Stepfather who passed away last Friday. He is NOT my current Stepdad!! (for those of you who know my Mom and Cubby, I don't want you all to freak out!)

Bob was the man who raised us through our teen years. Even after he and my Mom split up, we remained close, and hung out together. He was pretty cool, extremely leniant, and spoiled us rotten.

Bob was in the broadcasting business, running radio stations, building new towers, etc. At 14 I had a job at the station. We were the only cheerleading squad, (that I know of) who got to make radio commercials whenever we needed to raise money, etc.

As I got older, and decided I didn't want to be a cheerleader, that I was into the arts, music and theatre....Bob was there cheering me on. When I decided to leave home at an early age, and start my adult life a little earlier then most, Bob encouraged me to do it.

He was always there for me. Everything I did was was perfect in his eyes.

An old friend, and a close friend of Bob's once told me that the sun set and rose on me in Bob's eyes. I know that's true, I would never doubt it.

I read the obit yesterday. My sister and I were not mentioned in it. I was furious. It was written about a time long before we came into Bob's life. WTF? I wanted to start making calls and start telling people off! (no-no, I didn't!) Take a few deep breaths and move on Jes.

I felt so damned hurt.... it was almost like it never happened.

whatever

It did happen. And some of who I am today is because of Bob.

Friday late afternoon I plan on going to one of his favorite bars in Bangor where I will drink a cold beer to him.

Cheers Bob Mooney & thanks.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at June 19, 2007 12:37 | link | comments (13) |

goodbye......

Something sad has settled upon my world like a coat of yellow pine pollen. It feels like a heavy blanket has been thrown over all of us. It's not something I can dwell on, and it's not something I feel like getting into a lot of detail right now.

I'm having to say goodbye to a very special person in my life. I suppose that I am lucky enough to have the chance to say goodbye. This person did so much for us. He made my teen years, happy years. I love him dearly.

I am O.K.! (really!) I just have this strong melancholy feeling to my days. I go about what I would normally do, but there is a movie reel of memories that flash right before my eyes. I have no experience with death either. I'm sure this is normal. At least the memories are happy ones, and you might find me in the grocery store laughing right out loud at a can of beans.

I guess that's all I can muster for now.

I have been in the studio, creating like a little machine. It's my private place, and I'm lucky to have it. It helps.

I've enjoyed this little project. I worked until it was time to go to bed on these, and didn't I sleep heavenly that night!

Heidi is hosting a tag swap. I love the chance to play with my collection of paper. I really used up some scraps on these tags. I also used up some of the freebies from Art Chix! The ribbon is vintage seam binding.

This was a nice little peaceful project to work on. I may make more, just for fun.

If you're feeling sad, try playing with glue and paper. It really does help.

xoxoxoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at June 13, 2007 16:35 | link | comments (15) |
artsy fartsy, nothing much, bloggy projects n such

note~worthy mentions.....

Heidi is hosting a fabulous tag swap and I'll be particpating of course!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Susan is creating beautiful blog banners for sale!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leslie has some adorable new lines

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soooooo go give 'em a looksie, there's something for everyone!

 

 

 

posted by: sweetpeas at June 09, 2007 17:34 | link | comments (2) |

Girls Rock....

We really do kick some major ass.

Tammy and I had a great time in Beverly, Ma. last weekend, where we hooked up with Mindy and the gang.

Tammy and I met for the first time in Auburn in front of T.J. Maxx, where we shopped for bras. Yes bras. You know you've made a friend for life when they are willing to discuss cup size with you.

We antiqued our way down to Beverly, and found a few treasures. Another way of telling if you'll hit it of with someone or not, is to see if they grab up all of the treasures before you do. We shared.

That night we went to Mindy's Wish Studios. She's renting a spot at the Red Brick Center for the Arts in downtown Beverly. What a fabulous spot to be in! 3 floors of glorious art. I hope to make it back soon, as I may be teaching a class or two there in the future.

Leah, Melba, Tammy & Jes

We all went out to eat that night, Leah, Angela, Kelley, Melba, Tammy & Mindy. (minus Heidi, who's yet another doll!) I could go on and on about each one of you. Sweet, funny, smart, talented & creative. You are all beautiful ladies and I can't wait for our next meet up! I AM planning a little retreat here at The Plenty To Do Farm, will keep you girls posted.

While at the show I did buy a GORGEOUS clutch from Karen of Simply June. Such beautiful handiwork....everything is lined, and the materials she uses are primo. I couldn't resist a pair of her bobby-pins either!

These little babies are only $6.00 for the pair!

You know you want to.

photos courtesy of Karen from Simply June.

You see that all-rose clutch center right?

  It's mine.

I just want to give a BIG THANKS to all of you, it was a fun mini-adventure, and I really do look forward to more!

xoxoxo

As you can probably hear, I've added music to this site. I'd really LOVE an HONEST opinion from you all! Is it too much or OK? Mom says it makes her dizzy.

posted by: sweetpeas at June 07, 2007 19:16 | link | comments (13) |
artsy fartsy