Paper Cowgirl Altered Art Retreat - More work to do

The Paper Cowgirl Art Retreat is fast approaching.  I have sequestered myself in my sewing room getting ready for the many swaps and trades that will be happening that weekend.

One of the activities we can participate in while in Waxahachie will be an exchange of tokens of friendship.  We will swap tokens as we meet new friends and reacquaint ourselves with old friends.

I had an idea of what I would create my "tokens" from...shells that I collected from the beaches of Pensacola.  I knew exactly what I wanted my tokens to look like and set to work creating them for the "cowgirls" I will meet that weekend.

Since my sister and I will also exchange friendship "tokens" she came over and "blinged" the token she already received from me so it would stand out and be highly personalized!  (I personalized mine also!)

She is now working on her friendship tokens, so I'm sure I'll "hype" mine up before we get to the retreat!

I've finished my Inspiration Board for the swap...

my apron is finished, and my box swap project is in process...

For each of the art classes that weekend there is a list of supplies we each need to bring with  us.  I had an idea to create a bag we could haul all our supplies to class in, so I began work on a bag for each of us.

I have completed my sister's bag...

I used oil cloth for the inside so it can be easily cleaned, and for the outside I used vintage linens, trim and buttons.

My bag is still in process...

I had an old piece of cowgirl fabric from another project, so we each have a cowgirl decorating our bag.

Now you know, we can't just throw our supplies into our bags all willy-nilly, and I knew we needed some kind of container to hold our items.

I spotted these little "gems" strewn about the lawn when  my husband was working on the new deck area.

I snatched them up all the while thinking they were the perfect size to fit in our bags and hold the smaller suppliess we will need to take along with us to the retreat.

I decorated the tops of the plastic boxes with scrap paper and bits of trim, then I used my
"big bite" to punch two holes in the top so I could affix the metal label holders.

I used small scrapbook brads to hold the metal piece to the box top. 

I decorated each box and have only to print the labels now.

The boxes are a perfect size and our bags will each hold two perfectly!

I have already begun to fill mine up with the items I'll need for class...can't wait!!!

Of course, in the midst of all this I have started working full time!  

The day after I began my full time schedule I was asked if I was interested in selling my purses in a local  boutique!  Really?

Once the all the details have been nailed down I'll let you know the shop name and location!

Well...I'm off to the sewing room!

But, even while sewing,  my brain seems to be working overtime with some new ideas.  

I have started working on a new collage' and I am hoping (with everything else to do today), I'll have a little time to work on my canvas.

Well, off to work.  Hope you have a great Memorial Day!

till tomorrow...

debi

Sunday Thoughts - Memorial Day!

TAPS

- Major General Daniel Butterfield

Day is done...

Gone the sun

From the lake...

From the hills...

From the sky.

All is well...

Safely rest

God is nigh.

Fading light....

Dims the sight

And a star....

Gems the sky....

Gleaming bright

From afar....

Drawing nigh

Falls the night.

Sunday Thoughts

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” - Galatians 5:13

Beach Break and Paper Cowgirl Art Retreat

I've been busy, busy...but Peter and I were able to take some time away to get to the beach this past weekend.

A great book an umbrella and endless beach.  No one could ask for a better weekend!

A small cool front blew in, so the temperatures were on the cool side and no humidity! PERFECT!

We were also able to re-connect with a young woman we have not seen for 29 years!

It was a very sweet reunion and I was happy to be able to attend her birthday party this past weekend.

Coming up in June...I've signed up for the Paper Cowgirl Altered Art Retreat!  I'm so excited to be able to hang out with other artists and learn some new techniques, make new friends and spend some time with my sister!   

I'm really looking forward to some of the challenges and swaps that will be happening.  One of the challenges has to do with a Velveeta Box!

The challenge is to make something out of a Velveeta Cheese box. (2 lb size)  It can be anything decorative or utilitarian.  The main rule is that the bottom of the box (brown corrugated part) must retain its form so that it will still be recognizable as a Velveeta box.  You can cut holes in it, or take it apart and reassemble as long as it keeps its shape and app size.  The lid can be used or not and can be cut up to use in any way.  The lid should be incorporated into the design, not a separate item. 

The boxes will be voted on at the retreat then sold through a silent auction with donations going to Tina's Scholarship Fund.

Here's a sneak peek of mine...to be revealed at the retreat!

I'm also participating in a couple of the other swaps...

The Inspiration Board Swap,

The Apron Swap

and the Altered Box Swap.

I've been spending every afternoon in my sewing room...creative juices flowing.

I've also working been working on a couple of  "bags" that

  my sister and I will use to carry our supplies to class.

Of course, I think our supply bags should have a "Cowgirl" theme!

And...last but not least, I've been working on some new purse ideas.

I'm hoping to have some things ready to put in the shop by this weekend...

I only need some more hours in the day!!!

Till tomorrow...

debi

Sunday Thoughts - Mother's Day

 Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her:

 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

but you surpass them all!”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

Reward her for all she has done.

Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Proverbs 31:28-31



Bless you Mom!

Patios...

Before the Monsoon rains started last week we were working on finishing the new covered deck area (just the roof is new, the deck is left over from our old hot tub.)

I did decide to move my patio furniture outside under the cover and move my table and chairs onto the patio closer to the house.

There are still some things to do.  I want to hang curtains along the west side of the patio so they can be pulled to cover the sun shinning in when it begins to sink beneath the tree late in the afternoon.

I found these shutters at a gargage sale and Peter hung them along the one edge of the patio.  Same as the outside patio...the sun shinning in the late  fternoon gets really hot.  I can now close them and keep this area cooler so we can sit out here in the early evening.  Once my vine grows more it will take over the bare areas and give even more shade.

I have more pots to add that will give more color, but they were not dry! (I spray painted some old pots to give them a new look!)

I need to repace my old screen door, but that's another day!

Thanks to all the rain this spring this project has gone rather slowely, but my roses are going crazy!!

They fill both sides of the fence.

So much to enjoy outside....and thanks to Peter and Jared, I can sit outside and enjoy it all.

till tomorrow...

debi

Sunday Drive - Continued

Once we left Sugar Hill (Farmersville) we headed South on Hwy 78.  We drove along the East side of Lake Lavon down into Rockwall, through Heath and on over to Forney!

So many beautiful homes along the way...I could almost live in any of them!

Once we arrived in Forney we headed to the Jot 'em Down Antique Store and to the East Fork Mall.

The Jot 'em Down Store has massive quantities of large European furniture.  It is a huge warehouse filled with row up row of huge, oversized pieces of furniture.

I found this large "kitchen" piece...and I'm in LOVE!  I NEED to build a kitchen around this piece.

It is so massive...and all the drawers are already marked for me!

So many nooks, drawers, shelves...I need a plan!!!! (I think I need to convince Peter first!)

I didn't take too many pictures in the Jot 'em Down, but you can go to their website and check them out.  It's well worth the drive...especially if you are looking for that really special piece you won't find any where else!

The East Fork Mall is attached to the Jot 'em Down Store, so it's only a matter of wandering next door.  With it being a rainy, cold day...it was best to be inside!

I found this big stack of old luggage...again, reasonably priced for those looking for a vintage piece.

I found several stacks of plates that were this "greeny-blue color". (You can't really tell the color in this picture, but they lean toward turquoise!)  I told Peter I think I needed a whole set of these!  He rolled his eyes (what's up with that?)

But...I always gravitate back to the "real" blue dishes.  There is something so wonderful about a whole table set with blue dishes.  Maybe I need more blue?  (More eye rolling!)

Anyone need a honey pot?  This was just one area where they were displayed.  Again...there are many, many European antiques displayed throughout the mall.

Look who I found shopping! (I'm still looking for George Straight!)

We left Forney about 4:30 and headed back around the top side of Dallas.  Heading North again we ended up at Plano Antique Land.  I love the people there, they are soooo friendly!

I found these cute birdhouses made from Golden books.

How very cute and clever!

NOW, for those who ask me to specifically shop for you (you know who you are, Margritty!)

These are the only Tasmanian Devil glasses I saw!

And for those who are bargin shoppers...I saw these bowls in Plano for $89.  However, I saw them earlier in Farmersville for $35!  It's all about where you shop!!!!

Well, all in all it was a fun "Sunday Drive"!

till tomorrow...

debi

Farmersville - Sugar Hill Cafe

Occasionally, after church on Sunday, we will drive over to Farmersville, TX to eat at Sugar Hill Cafe.

It makes for a nice Sunday drive across Lake Lavon and we usually end up driving in the country along the back roads to return home.

Jean, the lady who started this restaurant used to own the Opera House in McKinney.  (It is now Rick's Chophouse and the new boutique hotel in McKinney.)  Jean moved her restaurant to Farmersville several years ago. 

I always loved the ambiance of the Opera House...so much so that I had one of my birthday parties there!

Sunday's menu is always a Buffet (you cannot order off the menu on Sunday.) 

There is usually three to four kinds of meat, vegetables and always sweet potatoes (with praline topping.)

There is a salad and fruit bar, soup and bread plus at least three to four kinds of dessert.

The food is down home...and this last Sunday I would give the food 4 stars out of 5.  (It's been hit or miss the last few times we were there.)

The dining room is large and can accommodate a lot of people.

The buffet area is not large, and I have not seen a large crowd there on any of the Sunday's we've been for lunch.  Most of the diners we in groups of four or more looked like they had just come from church to have an enjoyable lunch together.

You need to NOTE:  When the food is gone on Sunday...that's it!

There is a separate patio area, but I think it's strictly for large and/or private parties.  I've never seen anyone using this room (except a squirrel family on one occasion when I was there!  The staff were frantically trying to figure out how to evict them!) 

The large building that houses the restaurant also houses the Shops at Sugar Hill.

The shoppes appear to be run by many small shop owners housed under the one roof.

There were lots of great things to look at, and the area is quite large. I didn't feel like each vendor was right on top of their neighbor, and it was a pleasant shopping experience.

Of course, the big display of red in the middle drew me right in!  What is it about red that just makes me happy?

These great old suitcases were less than $50 each.

I loved this little egg crate filled with spring blooms.

Farmersville, as a whole, is in process of re-inventing itself.  Many of the buildings are being rehabbed and updated. 

This building has recently been brought back to it's former glory and it has been beautifully done, both front and back.

While browsing in the shoppes after lunch I met a lovely lady that told me about the Bain-Honaker House located around the corner from Sugar Hill Shoppes.  It's owned by The Farmersville Historical Society, who are dedicated to the preservation and restoration of this historic house (which is located on College Street in Farmersville, Texas.) I did not ask the ladies name, but she was very passionate about the house and the happenings there!  She must be a spokewoman...she got me to drive by.

The house looked like it was well kept and I loved the wooden sidewalk leading up to the door.

The wooden sidewalk also extended across the front of the house along the street.

There were also several historic homes nearby...

I love this one!!!

This home had a historical marker noting their historical significance to the community.  The Farmersville Historic district is not as large as McKinney's, but there were some very lovely homes that have been restored.

Of course, there was one property nearby...I thought at first they had added a screened in porch to enjoy our mild Texas Spring.  But no...it was for their chickens!  Must say, I had to laugh out loud!

So...if you're looking for a nice Sunday drive, with an enjoyable lunch to boot...you should head to Farmersville on Sunday.

Sugar Hill Cafe is also open during the week and you can order from the menu.  I have not been for a weekday lunch in awhile, so I can't speak to what's on the menu anymore.

My husband says it's a "ladies" place.  It does have the air of a Tea Room, but it's a fun destination.

There are also several antique shops on the square, but they are not all open on Sunday's.

Next weekend (May 7th) Farmersville will be hosting their Farmers and Fleas Market.  It's a combination of Farmers Market and Flea Market featuring fresh produce, plants, food, crafts and more.

It's held at the Onion Shed in downtown Farmersville.

I have not been to their Market...but you might look for me!  Maybe I'll make a Saturday drive to Farmersville!

Tomorrow...I'll take you along on our (long way) drive home.

Till then,

debi