MY MISSING MONTH...

Or, what I've been up to...a friend brought it to my attention last evening, that I have missed an entire month of blogging, and wanted to know if my arm was broken.  I'm sure I've broken some very cardinal rules of blogging...no, my arm is not broken - in fact, it's been a very busy arm this past month, but it seems I've missed quite a few things, in the interim.

I missed my first born's birthday wishes on here...it was a grand 25th birthday (yes, I had him when I was 12), regardless of missing it on the blog...Happy Belated Blog Birthday, Louie!  Though not on his birthday, this is Louie and my Joe, relaxing in the summer heat; and Louie and Big Papi/David Ortiz of Boston Red Sox fame, at his job this year.

Louie and his motley crew, after his arm surgery...I didn't blog about that either, but it was in July, and is all better now!

I missed Halloween...and I LOVE Halloween!  My kids always had home made costumes (plus handing them through the neighborhood for years...the costumes, not my kids), and though I never expected it at this age, I am still getting the occasional request...two years ago it was actually to outfit him and his buddies as Motley Crue - this year it was the Jersey Shore gang...fist pump, push-ups, Chapstick.  A grand time was had by all then, too, even though it didn't make the blog when it should have.

And I'm sure there's much more that I missed...just make it up and fill in the blanks.  Imagine me some place wild and exotic, if you wish - that would be grand, too.  But it would be a lie, and that brings me to this - what I've actually been doing with SOME of my boring, non-blogging time.  This photo was posted, last month, as a potential outlet for some creative beading.  I've been invited to share a booth at an upcoming show, with a dear friend who keeps me supplied in antique buttons.  Yes, I would probably have to admit she's a "pusher"...but she doesn't seem to ever have to push too hard.

I've been transforming the tintypes from the prior photo, into these beaded creations...still not totally complete, and lacking neck chains (as they will all be pendants by the time I'm done), 16 of the 20 are completely beaded and "buttoned up"...the time consuming work, anyway.  All buttons are antique/vintage; tintypes are all original (and sealed), from my collection of old photos; and the woman here has what just might have been the first "B-52", ever!  That's her hair - not a hat! 

Add to that, this second grouping below (plus 4 more, not pictured here) and yes, I've been keeping my mind and unbroken arm busy...if only to have an excuse for not keeping up to date on the blog. 

In addition to the handmade chains, a few of these will, undoubtedly, be adorned with some of the beautiful dyed, acrylic flowers from Vintage Meadow Artworks, as well.  Finished photos will follow, before they are carted off to the show.

These women were all beauties...

  

 While one here could have benefited from a good hairstylist.  A beauty, nonetheless.

I've pulled photos already for an end of summer travelogue (something else I missed this past month), and promise to get back in the saddle again.  Wishing you a creatively happy Thursday...

ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS DANCE...

"She wants to party.  She wants to get down.  And all she wants to do is - all she wants to do is dance..."

Don Henley, the founding member of The Eagles, performed at The Joint/Hard Rock Hotel on Friday night, and we were lucky enough to be in the audience.  Let me tell how he was, other than FABULOUS!  We were treated to his solo hits..."Dirty Laundry”, “The Boys of Summer”, “All She Wants to Do Is Dance”, “The Heart of the Matter”, “The Last Worthless Evening”, “Sunset Grill”, “New York Minute” and “The End of the Innocence”, among them, along with some new stuff.   AND, a few of The Eagles' biggest - "Hotel California" and "Desperado" - LIVE!  Told you it was fabulous - yeah, Henley ROCKED the sold out house!

I also got to meet up with another Internet friend this week, who I had the pleasure of meeting here about three years ago, when she came through town.  Suxie Hamill (Yankee Lane Primitives) , and her delightful Mom, came for a few days of gambling and Vegas lights (Suxie is actually Susie, but in a bit of a rebellious moment a few years ago, over people being too lazy to actually write out "Christmas", took to using X in her own name).

I spent a half-day (plus an evening trip to old downtown, before depositing them at a show) with them, chatting, catching up, and enjoying the company...they went to a big concert the same evening we did, before flying out, and I am anxious to hear how it was.  Her Mom has a photo on her camera, since mine was left on the kitchen table.  Great seeing you again, Suxie - here's hoping you left with loads of cash in your pockets, as well as that song in your heart!

THE NEW BLACK...

Actually, OLD, new black.  It didn't take me long to find that perfect black bangle, and it arrived yesterday.  But first, I wanted to share a new/old rosary I made for my daughter this past month (and humming the Gaga song about "Jesus is the new black", as I write - I think Gaga would like this one).  I found the antique marcasite cross pendant awhile ago, but it seemed to get pushed to the side...probably in a frenzied attempt to find more Bakelite bangles.  The cross is a beauty, and can be used as either a pendant or a pin - perfect for the rosary.  I purchased the sterling center connector in Denver this summer, and then made my own rosary chain - each and every one of those bead links was hand made and I think the end result was well worth the effort.

My much coveted black Bakelite bangle was found last weekend, and arrived just yesterday...hand cut in the shape of a bow - shiny, thick, 3/4" wide, and all mine.  The race has slowed for now - famous last words.  The final photo is a grouping of a few of my antique tintypes that will be undergoing a beading transformation in a few days...new stock for the shop, and a show I have been invited to participate in, come December. Hope your Thursday is creative...we are looking at blue skies in Vegas today - not the black clouds of yesterday!

A FIVE HOUR CONCERT - Justin Timberlake and Friends Old School Jam...

Unlike a three hour tour, we did get to go home at the end of it all...channeling my younger days when we would sit at Grateful Dead concerts and begin to wonder if they were ever going to leave the stage (even though we loved them), this past Saturday night, for us, was "off the hook"!

Ginger, Mary Ann, and I were lucky enough to take in the Justin Timberlake and Friends Old School Jam, at Planet Hollywood...raising money for Shriner's Children's Hospital.  Five...yes, FIVE...incredible hours of some of the best Old School Hip Hop and Funk performers from my youth - ahhh...heavy sigh (I remember those evenings on the dance floor).  These were performers who had influenced Justin Timberlake as a kid (a lot younger than my youth) - ahhhh...even heavier sigh!

An outstanding line-up that was hosted by Justin, and comedian Wayne Brady, we were treated to lengthy performances by TURBO B (of Snap); COLOR ME BADD ("I Want to Sex You Up); SUGAR HILL GANG ("Rapper's Delight"); SISTER SLEDGE ("We Are Family"); CHARLIE WILSON (formerly of The Gap Band, and probably my favorite performer of the evening!); EARTH, WIND & FIRE (how do you choose their biggest hit?!); VANILLA ICE ("Ice, Ice Baby"); and THE COMMODORES (ditto, EW&F).  SO great, that we never looked at our watches until the 4-hour mark, and then realized just how long we had been enjoying ourselves.  No gaps longer than a few minutes in between performances - just one smooth production, from start to finish!

Halfway through Charlie Wilson's set, we were treated to this..."Doo Wah Diddy/Blow That Thing".  Our view was better (though a bit back from the stage...dead center, second row balcony - GREAT seats), but when you're too chicken to pirate videos from actual events, you have to rely on others posting to You Tube...and you're thankful for it!  VERY cool, just the same - turn up your volume.

And there was this little A-cappella number that Color Me Badd threw in, in addition to their biggest hits.  Thank you to Justin, Shriner's Hospital, and Planet Hollywood for one of the most spectacular concert evenings we have happily sat through - definitely the longest...I think Mrs. Howell would have even enjoyed it!  "Word to your mother!"

VINTAGE MEADOW ARTWORKS AND HAPPY HEARTS...

My heart runneth OVER, with happy, this week...lucky in family and friends - a windfall of special artworks, and more.  Happy, indeed!  Let me start with these STUNNING, hand dyed acrylic flower components.  After months of hit and miss dates on both of our calendars, I finally got together with Suzan of  Old Grey Mare Primitives, for a really wonderful breakfast, on Monday...and was delighted that Heather French could join us.

Some of you may know Heather from the quilting world, and her beautiful, original quilt pattern, "French Roses".  Heather is mega-multi-talented, like the ever-prolific Ms. "Z" (quilters, bakers, candlestick makers...jewelry artisans, incredible teachers, and friends...OK, I was just kidding about the candlesticks, but they both can probably do that, too), and has started a new venture, just finishing up two major nationwide bead shows, with an incredible reception for these breathtaking pieces!

I had been hearing about how beautiful these were, for months, from Z...nothing compared with actually having them in my hands, however.  They are GORGEOUS...no two are alike - the colors are to die (dye) for - I could go on and on, but just look for yourself...

These are all mine - told you it has been a windfall week! "Create", she told me - and create I intend to. I have rolled them over and over in my hands for the past few days, still marveling at the rich hues, and the fact that they are mine. Heather, I can't even begin to thank you enough...you ROCK, girl!  I will make you proud.

While her Vintage Meadow Artworks website is still in the construction stages, you can contact Heather directly, at french_roses06@yahoo.com, regarding pricing and availability.  Trust me, you will be glad you did. 

I have a friend that has a little quote on her blog that says,  "I love my computer because my friends live in it".  I have truly met some of the nicest people through my computer.  This afternoon I opened my mailbox and found a package from one such dear soul, in Denmark...Dorthe, of Den Lille Lade.  Dorthe and I found each other, out in "blogland", a few months back - she makes beautiful dolls and mixed media creations. 

Inside this surprise package, I found this...one of her delightful little driftwood dolls (Little Miss Happy Heart - her arms and body are actually driftwood pieces from across the ocean), and a beautiful collage piece, complete with a vintage photo of a little girl and her doll, laces, silk, rhinestones and papers.  These pieces will be cherished, Dorthe...thank you!  You needn't have, but I must say, I'm glad you did.  I think I have found another pretty great friend through my computer, for sure! 

"Happy Heart", indeed...it's been a great week to be me!  To family and friends alike, I love you all, dearly...even the ones that live in my computer.  Happy, happy, joy, joy!

BAKELITE BEAUTIES, A COPPER CUFF, AND A WALLET NAMED TERRY...

When I started my vacation this summer, I knew I would be searching for that perfect red carved Bakelite bangle...just one, was all I was hoping for.  Not only did I recently find one, but I ended up with two!  OK, two red ones, and a handful of others that I could not bear to leave behind...yes, apparently I do seem to have a small problem with the thermoset plastic baubles of yesteryear.  Don't judge - I could have far worse vices, living where I do!

Yellows, caramel, deep brown, red...it didn't seem to matter this trip.  Carved, smooth, double laminated...I believe I picked up a little of everything.  It's a good thing "stacking" bracelets is "IN" this season!

This SPECTACULAR find came into my possession before leaving on vacation, actually.  Painstakingly hand-etched (all of the carved Bakelite bangles were sliced from blanks and then hand carved/sculpted, so no two are identical, ever) with a tiny honeycomb pattern across the entire face of the bracelet, and then carved with 12 sets of bee's wings -  I LOVE this one!

This fabulous double-laminated green/gold bangle was found in an antique store in Florence, CO.  All Bakelite bangles have developed beautiful patinas over the past 75+ years - this one is a pale chartreuse/pea green and the typical mustard color you see so much - two bracelets in one, really.  The laminates are harder to come across - this was a very lucky day, even if we didn't make it to Cripple Creek because I missed the sign (OK, I admit it, Dad).

Along with the "funtastic" plastics, I was gifted with a SERIOUS bit of arm candy from my parents, on our trip through Santa Fe...an early birthday gift, that I have tried to convince them is actually my Christmas, also.  It's STUNNING - heavy, bright, shiny copper...the very same bracelet Daniel Craig wore in Cowboys and Aliens (not really, but let's pretend, shall we?!).

2-1/4" wide, Native American made - the rising prices of silver have recently forced a new usage of copper and brass...a gorgeous, substantial piece - it's a beauty, and loved almost as much as the people who gave it to me!

These arrived within the last two weeks...gifts to myself, all.  The brown is carved on the opposite side, also...the three Caramel Swirls came together, and match a fourth one that was already in my possession.  I was done for awhile, at this point...

...then came this!  Last evening, I went to dinner with my friend Jackie, and her husband, Charlie...and, SURPRISE!  Another red bangle fell into my possession!  This one is a yummy, faceted red!  And, as if that wasn't enough, they also added a new, old wallet to my quirky collection of "named", tooled leather accessories. 

Another beautifully hand-tooled, vintage wallet - unused (probably by someone with seemingly better fashion sense, but also infinitely less fun, I'm fairly certain) until now.

So, Terry it shall be, this season...with Squirrel Nutkin, no less!  My daughter recently made the comment that I was rather "squirrel brained", one day while antique shopping with her...a reference to the fact that small oddities (it doesn't take much) seemed to delight the hell out of me as I traveled along that day.  Jackie picked right up on that one and ran, full bore...and look what she found!  I have a network of some of the greatest friends, ever - thank you, Jackie and Charlie...for the Bakelite; for the wallet; for the dinner; for the friendship!

Yep, it was a very good summer.  I found my red "one"...I think I may need a black "one" next.  Happy Monday!

VEGAS VACATION...

...with some of my very favorite people in the whole, entire world, last week.  My summer is officially over now, with the September/Octoberish arrival and departure of my Mom, which happens every year during deer season back home in CO.  Back to reality this week...along with a blog that has been, sadly, neglected.  I still need to catch up on the big summer trip photos!

Our Vegas Week together this year included nightly trips to The Strip; a wonderful dinner with Jackie and Charlie (they are slightly older now, but you gotta' love that wedding picture), at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, before a "girls outing" to the fabulous Viva Elvis Cirque du Soleil show at the new Aria casino and hotel. 

A show with a headliner in the making, Rick Faugno's Body & Soul (he is leaving Jersey Boys to strike out on his own), at the Las Vegas Hilton; the visually enchanting Broadway musical, The Lion King, at Mandalay Bay; an evening with the HILARIOUS Anthony Cools, at the Paris Hotel/Casino...a "not your run of the mill" hypnotist show that had us in hysterics, and glad we had not volunteered (AND had worn appropriate underwear anyway); and a newcomer to The Strip...a delightful sleight of hand magician named Stephane Vanel, also at Paris.  There wasn't a show we saw that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend, if you're in town...Anthony Cools is more of an "adult" themed show (and I took my MOM - I know!), but hilarious, all the same.

We walked, and walked...laugh, ate, drank...took in all the sights (it's fun to act like a tourist once in awhile)...won a little cash to fund the fun...came home to find Louie and Joe swimming a time or two...and had a ball doing it all!  To all of you who added to the fun during the week, many thanks for giving up your daily chores to join us.  Thanks for the fun, Mom - love you AND the week I get you to myself, each year.