One Fine Day

Hello Lovelies!

Hope you are all doing fabulous today...

Last week I received a call from my sweet Mama, and she let me know, that the Lilac's were blooming again!  For several years now,this has always been  such a joyous occasion,  and a wonderful reason for a road trip. So we set out for our adventure, last Saturday morning.

Whenever we travel to my home town, we usually start with a stop at Cascade Locks, to a great little drive through, called the East Wind Drive -Thru. It's a little town, in the Columbia River Gorge. A great little place for a quick lunch on the road.

 It's the only one in town, and it appears it will be the only one ever in town. The Gorge commission has banned any drive thru's from being allowed, as to preserve the natural history, and scenic preserve. Lucky for us, as they have to most wonderful milkshakes and the best BLT's,  I have ever ate. 

We always head down to the Marina, on the Columbia River, and have a little scenic lunchtime treat.

This day, they were have some type of races, or training in these little sailboats. It was fun to watch.

Yuuummmm......

I love that little aqua sailboat at the far right! How cute! 

As you can see, very stormy and low clouds... That's Oregon.

And a bronze cougar leaping from a mossy rock, we didn't share our lunch with him though.

Taken from the Highway, as we get closer, the clouds part and the big blue sky opens up. A very welcome sight. The Columbia River Gorge is such a beautiful place, and the new leaves are such a bright lime green. So nice to have life again. We have so many months of barren trees,low clouds, and rain. I love springtime!

We were also excited, this trip, because the cherries are in full bloom. 

We wanted to try and get some shots of these lovely trees and ended up finding some pretty great views, and miles and miles of blooming trees.

Ahhh... Aren't they beautiful? 

Bet there are a lot of Happy Bees!!!

We came across this old barn at the end of a dead end road, and of course my mind raced with the possibilities that could be created with all that wonderful aged wood. I had to remind myself, this was a sight seeing trip. 

lol!

Then as we circled the back, I saw it! 

This was painted on the door. I couldn't help but chuckle. 

Well, good for Gary and Curtis, we all need someone right?

Cherries have always been big business in town, there are so many of these tiny cottages out in the country, that were used for the migrant workers to stay in, and work,work,work. 

These of course, are not in working order anymore, but you could imagine what life must have been like, living in these type of conditions, when these were in their prime.

From the looks on the inside, not much more room,than a place to sleep and some small counter space for preparing a meal possibly? 

That chippy paint on those old planks had my mind wandering again with possibilities...

As we traveled on, we took a road that lead down into a valley, and this is what we saw...

Can you see it?

A hot pink barn! 

How adorable! 

Oh, the fun I could have in there!

I felt so blessed to take in all this beauty...  It was glorious.

I was hoping to get some photos of some horses, or cows, but they were all too far away, hanging out under the shade trees.

But...

As we headed back to town, for some treasure hunting at my favorite haunts, we drove past the church, and saw this guy all 

beautified up, for a wedding. As I stopped to snap a photo, turns out it, was our old friend's brother, that was getting married that day. That's the thing about growing up in a small town, you always come across someone that you know. :)

I had to take his sons photo too, how cute is he? 

He was the ring bearer for their ceremony.

Back to Mom's, to take her to dinner, and gather up a bag full of beautiful Lilacs to take home.

yummmm...

Hello.

Time for some food, and an Ice cold beer. Perfect... 

I took several of these home, and had them for dinner the next day,  with the soup we got to go. It's a most delicious seafood bisque. We sometimes drive 180 miles round trip just for this soup, and home made bread! So, it was a nice treat to have dinner already planned out after work the next day.

My sweet Mama. 

It was a nice visit, and a busy day indeed, but what a fine day it was....

The next day after work, I arranged all my lilacs, and unloaded my finds from the day.

My favorite find, was this fabulous aqua metal ironing board, that I plan to keep for Jewel.It was a steal @$1.99! And Halloween is just around the corner,right? So I had to get the Ouija Board. And this tray and coaster set, was absolutely adorable too!!! Oh OK,  I will probably hoard all the linens too, I am such a sucker for linens. Ha!

Hope you have a wonderful week, and don't forget to drop me a hello in the comments.

~Susan Xo

Having Some Fun

Hello Lovelies!

This week I am feeling so much better, a bit more me time.

 I love "me" time.

It's always fun to play!!!

My sweet Mr., painted me some new lovely aqua stripes on my Jewel for Easter, and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE!

It is sometimes amazing, how one little thing, can spark a new idea for something creative. I was so inspired by the new aqua stripes, that I decided to create a pillow for my little Jewel this past week.

And with that one idea, I was contacted to start a line of these pillows, for a posh boutique in sunny California!!! How exciting!  So... now I am sewing up tons of these, in all different color palettes.  

They will all be Handmade, and one of a kind, and will have a touch of Vintage flair to each one.

Super exciting! 

Perfect for the Glamper in all of us!

I have also been busy making plans for my daughter's baby shower this weekend, which I am super excited about! 

It will be nice to visit family that I haven't seen for far too long. And so wonderful getting together, and catching up with everyone.

I got to visit with my daughter Alicia, for awhile yesterday, it was so nice. 

Oh, and her baby bump is ADORABLE!

She is due in June, and we could not be more excited to be Grandparents!!!

 It's been so much fun, and challenging, collecting baby stuff for the past few months. 

The challenging part, is that we still don't know yet, on the boy or girl. It's difficult to find neutrals, when there are some many cute things geared towards one or the other. 

But, still having a ball, oohing and awwing.

Grandpa to be, is excited too! He is hoping for a new racing buddy, and picked these up the other day from a friend of ours.

He's planning to restore the old Mercury, complete with custom paint for a boy or girl.

  

So darn cute!

So... it will be a surprise either way. 

We do know one thing for sure, that baby Kai or Shaylyn will be welcomed with open arms and open hearts. 

Have a great weekend !

~Susan Xo

Happy Easter

Hello Lovelies, are you still there?

 I have been neglecting my blog this past month, everything just got so crazy. Life in general, lots going on. Trying to find my balance between work, putting my father's house on the market for sale, and dealing with having a room mate. 

And I must say, I haven't been a very good one. And that part of me, I am ashamed of. I have realized that I am a creature of habit. I like my own space, and I need my own space, my routines, and with that, everything has gotten blurry. My balance has shifted into a not so familiar ground at times. But, I am trying my best to handle it all. And I know that I will get through it, and this too shall pass. 

The weather here this past week has been exquisiteness, the trees are in bloom, and it has started to become warmer, so wonderful to feel the sun upon my face again. Such a welcoming sight. 

And this weekend is Easter! I can hardly believe how fast it has come. I am working that day, so no big plans for me, however I do love the sweetness of Easter. The pastel colors and blossoms, and all the darling little girls dresses with ruffles, and the dapper young men in their ties. Just precious!

I even had to dress my little Tonka man, up in his tie, just for such an occasion....

LOL! Isn't he just Handsome? I think so, but a mother is always a bit bias, you know.

He get's this little chick in the basket, after the photos... 

It's his Easter reward for being  such a good boy!

I have had a few days in between for some Artsy fun too. It's good therapy... I have joined a few swaps this past month. These are for the ArtChix Blue ATC swap. I love how she turned out.

Mermaid-ens riding sea turtles...

Water fun...

Blue Faeries, but of course...

I love this image, and the words seem so fitting for me this past month...

And a little tree faerie... And YES! 

A dance in the warm sun is just what this artsy girl needs...

And, maybe some chocolate peanut butter eggs! 

Ha!

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter weekend, and much love.

 ~Susan Xo 

Sprucing up my nest

Hello Lovelies! 

 Hope you have all had a wonderful week. 

I am into my second week of working again, and I must say, I am loving it!

And at the end of the day, I would like to think that when I lie in my bed at night, reflecting upon my day, it's the small things, like giving a  compliment, or a smile. Lending a welcoming ear, that somehow may make a difference. 

You never know how some one's life is, and what they are going through, and to think that I, could provide some sort of sparkle to their day, is very rewarding. 

I even got a nice compliment from my boss, as I left for the day. She told me that I was picking up on things better than most people that have been in my position before me. Oh my, that meant the world, as I have been hoping that I would be good at my job.

 I somehow have to feel, that, as smooth of a transition as it was, to be hired, it must have been meant to be for a reason. And that makes me feel good.

I have had a few days off, to recharge, and do some spring decorating, I just love sprucing up my nest! 
Especially for spring.

That's when the faeries re-appear you know?

I took a fabulous trip to the craft store yesterday, for restocking on supplies, made a few home cooked meals for the man, (which he greatly appreciates), and, have even squeezed in some time for ArT!! 

All of My favorite things!!! It's been a great week!

Spring is almost here!!!

For spring time decorating, I like to add lots of nests, incorporate birds,eggs and faeries, into my little vignettes. 

It's fun for me, and you know I am a faerie lover...

Glass cloches are filled with nests and faeries

And lets not forget the butterflies, gotta have lots of those fluttering about too...

And Mushrooms and mosses sprinkled around, for a woodsy feel.

I know I have mentioned before, about gathering mosses from the old tree, when my niece comes to visit. So I thought I would share a few photos of the old guy I have been referring to.

This guy has warty bumps all over him, I just love this old tree...

And if you look close, there is an all mighty eye staring back at you.

I am not certain of it's age, but it's gnarled branches and huge trunk tells me he's been around awhile. This house was built in the 40's, so it very well could be that old. 

If I were 80 + I would be a little crooked too!

I started taking a class before I started working again, and I have just been dying to start on it. This process is so much fun, it's collage work, and mixed media. I pencil colored the eyes, and I painted the  background with acrylics, then added some textures with bubble wrap, and some varying stamps.

It's actually been quite therapeutic for me, to spend hours cutting out all these flowers. 

I added words from a Country Home advertisement...

And cut out the butterflies from this fabulous wrapping paper I stumbled across the other day. Don't you just Love Love Love? 

And Here It Is!!! 

I just love how it turned out, so bright and fun!

It was just the kind of art project I needed. As a matter of fact, I had so much fun making this, I woke up early this morning and made another one too!

I could just keep going on these. 

They make me so Happy!!

The Perfect project for a gray rainy day, here in Oregon.

Thank You for stopping by, and don't forget to leave your comment below, if you would like. :) 

Til next time...

Have a Beautiful Day!

~Susan

Potted Faeries

Hello again everyone! 

My first week of training had me feeling a bit overwhelmed, and excited at the same time. I have been blessed to have had several months of being wild and fancy-free. No set schedule, up late in the studio when the mood struck, and sleeping in if need be. Now... however that has changed. Set bedtime, and alarm clocks singing and ringing  in the new day. I know this is all good for me, however, I am adjusting to this all familiar old routine. lol! 

It is a great feeling though, to be back to working a "real" job. I still have my second job, which is my etsy shoppe, that of which, is creative and fun, and the best job of , being an "artist."  I'll get adjusted in a few weeks,I am certain of that.

I spent a few hours in the studio last night, and that felt soooo wonderful!

 I had gone in there, the day before, only to find myself tired, and a bit non- creative. So, I just did some reading, and looked through some old papers, and books, and enjoyed the feel of my space. I gave myself permission to be tired, and not feel guilty, after- all I am changing and with change, I would expect to be tired. Right?  

Anyways, I had a bunch of faerie stuff left on the work table, so I ended up doing some more potted faeries.

  I just love faeries!!!

Here are a few of them, that I finished up. They turned out so cute! I will try and get them listed in my shoppe this week.

I love the winter whites, and gold sprinkled magic, in this one!

Vintage millinery leaves, and velvet soft sparkling flowers were added. The white velvet flowers, were a gift from a friend, and they are so much prettier in real life. Gold sparkling acorns and mosses gathered from the old tree were added at the base, for nesting.

This little pixie, is really cute! Holding out her little dress, as if she is introducing herself to you!

Aqua feathered butterflies, and blue and yellow millinery flowers were sprinkled around the base, and I couldn't forget that little magic mushroom, that has sprouted out of her nest. I love the way this one turned out, super cute and whimsical.

I also love her little antenna's peeking out the top of her hat.

Well, that's it for today, hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Until next time...

Hugs.

~Susan  

Potted Faerie Magic

Hello Lovelies. 

It's been a bit since I last posted. Been busy, and getting adjusted to the new living situation. Well, at least trying, anyway. 

I just got a new part time job this week, and am really excited to start this new chapter, it will be wonderful to have an escape a few days a week, and I am looking forward to meeting the new people that will be there, to greet me. 

Trying to make time for art too! 

I once read an interesting statement somewhere... When asking an artist,why do you create art? Is like asking someone, why do you eat or drink? 

I thought that was perfect!!!

So true!!

I am planning to get involved with some swaps, here in the near future, as I do miss them so. In the meantime here's a little something my niece and I worked on, over the weekend. 

Faeries!!!

She did a remarkable job on her potted faerie on the right. We had fun gathering mosses from the old tree, and incorporated flowers and hand spun cotton mushrooms, that were made in Germany. They really add that little magic touch to the piece.

Here is a closer look... I admit I didn't do a very great job of vignetting for the photos, as I snapped a few shots quickly, while we were working.

And of course lots of faerie glitter magic too! We were both covered in faerie dust by the time we were finished! It was so much fun!

I used a Vintage tart tin for the base. It has a great weathered patina.  I then added a little sparkling nest,vintage millinery, and a pretty paper butterfly, made of German Scrap.

These were just too fun, to make. I want to make several more!!!

Hope you enjoy them.

Wishing you a wonderful week! 

Until next time... 

Create your own magic!!!

~Susan Xo