THE HEART OF ROCK N' ROLL IS STILL BEATIN'...

A HUGE thank you, and a tip of the sunglasses, to our "hostess with the mostest" this weekend...Jackie, for having a 46th birthday...and her husband Charles In Charge, for treating "The Girls" to a fabulous dinner at Claim Jumper.  And then, for treating us to an even fabulouser (yeah, made up!) evening at Green Valley Ranch Casino, with Huey Lewis and The News...the boys can STILL rock the house!  What a GREAT evening we had!

Jackie got some beautiful gifts - yes, she is apparently loved by ALL who know her.  Wanted to share the new bag I made her - the fabric was SO yummy - heavy, but soft, home dec chenille - quilt batted and free-motion quilted.  The last bag I made her survived an entire year of wear, and I'm hoping this one does, too.

Detailing included the quilting, and this huge, crochet covered antique coat button.  Happy Birthday, dear friend...here's to another 46, and here's to me being around to see it!  Thanks for everything, Charlie - had the most FABULOUSO time!  You ROCK!

HEAD OVER HEELS...

I was gifted with a little something the other day that prompted this post (that, and "Vintage Thingie Thursday" at The Colorado Lady), and renewed my interest in finishing up a long-shelved project. A grand art retreat, "Art and Soul", was held in Las Vegas last week...while I did not attend, I had a few lucky friends who did...lucky, and extremely thoughtful.  Colleen (La Dee Dah Day) brought me a handmade replica of the antique China head dolls popular in the mid to late 1800s. I don't know that Colleen knew I loved these dolls and have been gathering them for some time, but her addition to my collection stands head and shoulders above the other diminutive ones and, henceforth, shall be referred to as "The Boss", in Colleen's honor - that's her in the center. The rest are antique, and include a male doll that oddly resembles Abe Lincoln.

Blue eyes; amber eyes; raven black hair; rouged cheeks; and red, bow shaped lips...each one slightly different from the next, dependant upon the individual artist's hand.  Check out the cheeks on the tiny charmer in the lower right picture.  These range in size from 2-5/8" to 1-1/2" tall.  All waiting for renewed life...it's about time they were taken from their shoebox home - this is the year, thanks to The Boss, and "The Boss", for renewing the spark of interest I've long had for these tiny treasures.

Which brings me to The Sisters.  These three surely need some tender loving care - they came to me very time worn (and mouse chewed) - but I probably love them the most.  I acquired them a few years back, from an eBay seller who had purchased a property that had an old barn on it.  As they were clearing the barn they had come across these three dolls, laying together on the wooden floorboards...placed carefully, way in the back of an overhead loft.  The seller did not want them and did not take the time with photographs, to my advantage (oh, I love when that happens).  They were kept as the set they were found in, thankfully, and I got them for a song.

Identical in size (their bodies are approx. 12 inches from head to toe - the heads are 2-5/8" tall)...were these, perhaps, the beloved playthings of three little sisters?  I do wish I knew the whole story, but my imagination has had a hey-day on its own, in any event.

This sad girl is a little worse for the wear than the other two...her poor neck has been broken but she puts on a brave face. Her feet and hands also have not fared so well over time, but replacement parts have been purchased, and I hope to have her feeling more like her old self, soon.

Stuffed with the original excelsior, I have left them as they came to me (including the years of dirt on their lovely faces), until I could research enough to do a proper (or reasonable) restoration, fairly accurately. One body has been removed already, to use as a pattern - yes, this is the year!

The original clothing must have been beautiful.  The one remaining dress, almost intact, shows some remarkable detailing of a pleated bustle, and tiny silk bands around the waist and wrists.

And this dress must have made quite the fashion statement...fleur de lis are still plentiful among the tattered remnants.  Yes, my mind wanders, wondering about the little girls that loved these, long ago.  And yes, they will be sitting on a shelf anew (gifts of the littler ones to loved ones, perhaps, but The Sisters will stay together, with me), by the end of this year - this IS the year!

And I leave you with this...the "Odd Man Out".  This one is unlike any of the others I have seen, or have in my possession...a male doll of the same age, given to me in a box of antique treasures, by another friend.  His name is Abe...he might just have to be finished along with the girls, but it's gonna' take a little more research on his account, I'm afraid.  This might just be his lucky year, too!  Be sure to drop by and check out the wonderful posts at Vintage Thingie Thursday.  Thanks for providing me a New Year's Resolution, Boss!

B IS FOR...

Busy...too Busy to have posted recently, But seemingly doing not much of anything at the same time.  I gathered everything I had going this past week, and was amazed at how many B's there were to start the month of March off.  This is the Busiest Birthday month for me...family and friends, alike...9, in all.  1) Happy Birthday (the BIG 5-0) to my Brother, Arvid, who is holding his first grandbaby, Brooke.  Here's to another 50!;  2) Me, my folks, and Arvid, when he was a Baby and looked like a sister  And, if anyone is doing the math about now, yes, I am older, But only By 7 months;  3) Birthday names on the calendar...a few can't be seen, but they are there, and;  4) I Baked you Birthday cookies tonight - I know it's not a cake, But I'm not sending them anyway!

1) I finished a commissioned, Brown and Black leopardskin fabric Bag this week, for a friend, with;  2) A silk, Bias-cut, handmade, flower Brooch with a Beautiful Black, vintage glass Button in the center - yummy colors and oh, so soft;  3) Mulled over more Black, antique Buttons and Buckles - put them Back in the Bucket;  4) Beaded with a friend.

Received two gifts this week...one from myself, and one from my friend, Jackie.  1) Bought myself a Butterscotch Bakelite Bangle Bracelet, to go with my growing collection, paired with a Beautiful copper and Beveled glass Bauble (this was the "Jackie gift"), with the phrase "Believe in Yourself" on one side, along with four, tiny Bronze rhinestones;  2) The reverse side of the Bauble has a Beautiful crowned heart - lovely, and fit for a queen - thank you from the Bottom of my heart, Jackie;  3) BANGLES - lots and lots of Beautiful, Bright, lucite and rhinestone Bangles - earrings, too!  Went to the ASD trade show with Wendy and couldn't resist the temptation of color for summer, and;  4) a Boxwood Bead in the shape of a rhino...someone knows who it is for - act surprised when you get it, Barb.  I needed an extra picture!

1) A vintage, marcasite cross pendant/Brooch in the shape of a Bow, for a rosary in the planning stages for my daughter, and last But not least;  2) A vintage, rhinestone Bird Brooch (on an antique Bluebird Button card) - another thoughtful and Beloved gift from Jackie on a recent antiquing junket through town.  I slipped a small set of cut glass salt and pepper shakers, for her new kitchen, into her Bag...she did the same to me with the Beautiful Bird.  Boy, oh Boy!

Heading off to Bed - Best weekend wishes to all - kisses on your Birthday faces at tomorrow's party - Be happy - Be safe - Be and let Be - Be fabulous!

A CRACKER JACK DAY, AND THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL...

I'm a day late (and usually a dollar short...yesterday was one of those wild and crazy Saturdays) on posting the Rhinestone Cowgirl Crackerjack Giveaway winner, though I did have my daughter pull a name and I contacted Amanda, at Girl In Pink, to give her the news yesterday afternoon.  Amanda has a beautiful blog...a 'pink', girly girl in a household of 'boys'.  A heartfelt thank you to all who dropped a note in the comments section on the giveaway post, or signed on as a follower - I had 67 entries...and you're all winners in my book!  We'll do this again...I promise.

Yesterday afternoon found us driving to Primm, NV (Stateline, as it's affectionately known in Vegas circles - the border of NV and CA, and the last chance for those looking to leave some cash behind before exiting the state.  Or, your first chance to drop it off, depending on the direction you're driving.  Stateline sits approx. 35 minutes south of Vegas) to enjoy the fabulous BONNIE RAITT in concert (not my video, because you would have, undoubtedly, heard me "shhhhhhhhhhhhhhing" the talkers in the background.  One of my favorite Raitt songs, "Angel From Montgomery", written by John Prine).

Have loved her voice and guitar work for-evvvvvvvvvvvvv-er.  I wore out three of her albums driving back and forth on countless trips from St. Louis to Denver, and back, in the late 80's/early 90's - of course, those were cassette tapes and would need to be replaced with CD's eventually, anyway...yes, I had 8-tracks at one point, too - when I was four. Shhhhhhhhhhh! I am NOT that old), and was SO excited to get the chance to see her perform in person. It was a wonderful way to spend an evening - dinner, drinks, friends, and kick-ass blues - wish you could have been there!

Back atcha' in a few days - it's raining outside, and a great day for a nap (maybe the rest of those cracker jacks, too)!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY...

...to family and friends, near and far...KNOW YOU ARE LOVED, plain and simple.  Frankly, my dears, I DO give a damn!  Happy Valentines Day, 2011 ~ XOXO

THE SHIRT OFF HER BACK...

...is now the apron around her waist.  My friend, Jackie, and I ran across a darling apron idea in a magazine last week, repurposed from a man's shirt.  Telling me she had an old shirt that no longer fit her, I was gifted with it the following evening, after an impromptu Friday night of drinks and laughter.  Not thinking she wanted me to actually wear it, as it was about 80 sizes too small (she definitely needs to grow a body), I took it home and tore into it.  A soft, white, pinwale corduroy it is...the ruffle (made from the corduroy on the back of the shirt) was added to give it some width, and I added a loop at the waist, to accommodate a hand towel for keeping hand prints off her pretty white apron.

Finished just in time to join in on White Wednesday fun, at Faded Charm.

And, every once in awhile I finish up a piece that I feel like keeping for myself (or it's so obnoxious that I know no one else wants it).  I actually finished a piece a few weeks ago, as the precursor to the Rhinestone Cowgirl necklaces (one of which I am giving away next week - see how to enter above), and knew it was destined for my own jewelry box.

My very own "Rhinestone Cowgirl Godfather Necklace"...the disembodied horse heads were given to me some years back, having come from a vintage conch belt.  The necklace sports a large, 2" crystal with cowgirl and cowgirl definition (ripped from my dictionary, much to my daughter's horror), underneath; a beautiful vintage rhinestone earring; hand-formed silver loops, turquoise; red fire-polish beads; a stunning, antique, aqua rhinestone button; more crystals; and sterling silver wire and components.  The three strand crystal necklace belonged to my Mom, in high school.

The Key to Her Heart necklace was headed to the shop until my daughter got ahold of it, and I offered it up as restitution for desecrating the dictionary - fashioned from discarded, vintage jewelry pieces - a 1-3/8" gold plated heart hangs beneath a gold tone mesh bow; gold metal rose with a sparking rhinestone is another old jewelry piece; 2-3/4" antique skeleton key; and various crystals, fire polish beads and vintage rhinestone buttons join up with hand formed loops and brass chain - Happy Valentine's Day, Jaci.

Entry for the Rhinestone Cowgirl Crackerjack Necklace Giveaway ends February 18th, with the winner announced on the 19th.  Have a wonderful week...stay creative - and warm, to my family back in Denver.

EMPTY BOWLS LAS VEGAS - APRIL 9, 2011...

Challenging myself to find something profound or, at the very least, heartfelt, that would live up to some pretty high blog post standards this year, (Project Genesis at Old Grey Mare), I finally hit upon an event that we participate in locally, though a nationwide grassroots effort to help feed the homeless - the Annual Empty Bowls Benefit.  I have already had a few 'locals' ask that I remind them, so here's your first reminder...and the perfect opportunity to join in on Suzan's monthly mission.

This will mark the eleventh consecutive year that the Nevada Clay Guild will have cosponsored the Annual Empty Bowls Benefit, (Empty Bowls flier for 2011 - check out the Soupline Facts) which helps to feed the hungry of Las Vegas. In Spring 2009, the bowls made by the members of the Guild, and students of Donna Potter (artist and Green Valley High School pottery teacher extraordinaire) helped raise over $34,000 in one afternoon (growing from $9,000 raised in its first year, and rising exponentially each year), which directly feeds the homeless and hungry who visit the Las Vegas Catholic Worker soup lines five mornings a week, year round. 

The event is held in the cafeteria of Green Valley High School, with student and teacher volunteers, Clay Guild Members, and LV Catholic Worker members pitching in to line tables with bowl after bowl, during the afternoon. As one bowl is taken from the table, another takes it's place. These artisans work year-round to make sure this event has enough on hand - each and every one of these bowls is beautiful and unique, making for a pretty tough decision. There are also silent and live auctions of incredible, donated pottery and art pieces.

Once you have selected your bowl (or bowls - extras are there for the buying and remember, all monies go directly to benefit the hungry), you head to the soup lines and pick out your soup, a roll and a glass of lemonade...undoubtedly a lot more than most homeless get daily.  An extremely worthwhile local effort, that is conducted nationwide...please, look for it in your area.

Nevada Clay Guild Annual Empty Bowl Benefit Luncheon & Auction

Helping to Feed the Hungry in Las Vegas

11th Annual Empty Bowl Benefit

April 9, 2011

11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Green Valley High School Cafeteria

460 Arroyo Grande Blvd. (just North of Warm Springs Rd.) Henderson, Nevada

Adults: $15 Children 12 & under: $12

Additional bowls available for purchase