Check These Out!

I have had the best time playing with new ideas for my spring line of soaps. I was really going after a very prim effect, so this is what I came up with. I applied crackle to each one, let the black show through, and then antiqued, shaded, and washed, until they were very old in appearance. I really like the way they turned out. I have a crow, sunflower, pipberries, rusty tin star, black star and pips, and a willow tree. These soaps make the cutest little tuck in gifts to add to gift baskets, or I have had many customers purchase these as house warming gifts....just that little something. I am hoping to add to this selection with a line for fall, halloween, Christmas, and winter, so be sure to stop back by and see what new designs I have added in a few weeks........hope you enjoyed browsing!

New Soaps!

Good Morning! I hope that everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! Today, it is rather chilly again, so I am going to use the day to get back to painting. On of my favorite things to paint on are soaps. I have several ideas running around in my head today, so I want to get them down in paint before I forget....LOL. As with most of my art, all of my soaps of late are painted with the primitive or cottage style home in mind. These little soaps make wonderful gifts for co-workers or just those hard to buy for people that have everything. They also make wonderful stocking stuffers around the holidays. Be sure to stop back by, and see my new additions. It won't be long and I will start my holiday soaps too, so there will be lots of new pics to view. Have a blessed day........God Bless.

Oh my, I have found muscles that I never knew I had! After the long winter's nap, my body was not ready for gardening.....:) It was a beautiful day, so I headed to the greenhouse to get my endless supply of annual color, and made it back in record time to get these beauties in the ground. I look forward to this trip every year, and the minute that calendar page turns to May, I count the hours. There is just nothing more rewarding to me then to add beauty with flowers. I know my neighbors just giggle as every year they see the truck come in just loaded down with every kind of blossom available. Some people love clothes, I love flowers. It is heaven on earth to go out in the morning with that first cup of coffee, turn on the fountain, and listen to the morning sounds of nature, and just reflect. It is my favorite part of the day.

I truly believe in simplicity. It is reflected in my home, my garden, my art, and in my lifestyle. I love to repurpose old things, the wonderful aroma of a scented candle, and music that is soothing to the soul. I believe in the neccesity for quiet time, just those few precious moments of the day that are yours, and yours alone. So grab a few moments each day, your spirit will thank you, and so will your family.

It has rained here again, great for the plants and flowers but sure does change my plans for the day. So thought it would be a great time to add to my blog. I received the nicest gift this morning! Carol, a friend from the OFG Gathering group, sent me the cutest little siggy with my name! Isn't it adorable? I love cottage style decorating, so this little jewel was so me. Thank you Carol!





So this brought to mind a great topic for discussion.......what are your favorite things to decorate with? If I had to describe my home, I would have to use the word cottage country style. I have a mixture of primitive, antique, colonial and cottage. Sounds like quite the mixture doesn't it, but it all seems to work. I believe that your home should reflect who you are, and if you love it, it works. I tend toward the the simplistic way of life. I love the hardwood floors, old cabinets to hold my treasures, and lots and lots of light. I am forever moving pieces and collections around just to get a different look. Most of the things in my home are treasures,that have come from the hearts of family and friends. Everywhere I look is a memory of how blessed I am to have had such wonderful people grace my life. So how about you? What are your favorite decorating styles? I would love to hear all about it. Along with painting, and gardening, I am always looking for new and different things to add to my home, so I would love to hear about yours!