COLLECTING OTHERS PEOPLES PAINTINGS

Hello Everyone:)

Do any of you paint? Or do you collect other peoples paintings? I am a self taught painter. Or at least I like to think I am;) lol

I do like to scour markets and tag sales for paintings done by others. Usually flowers and people speak to me.
I have many hung up on the walls like my own little art gallery. Some lean against furniture and yet there are a few on shelves.

This is one of mine. See, I told you I was self taught:) Roses are my favorite thing to paint, which is strange because when I use pastels I tend to do only portraits. Pastels I understand how to use.With paints I am still learning. I wish I had more time to practice my painting. The more you do something the better you become, right?

 This is another one of mine. Don't ask me what style I paint in. I have no idea. Do you? It may just be my own. I'd love to know.

 I fell in love with this painting of a little girl. She is so sweet, don't you think? Most of my paintings are not framed. I like them that way.

This painting of a beautiful woman, I did frame because I just happened to have a great old frame to fit her. Love the colors in it.

 This is the second picture I've ever painted. I love old cars and trucks and a photographer friend of mine gave me a picture of this old truck that he photographed, so I decided to try my hand at painting it.

 Here are a few more I have acquired. The pink roses and the white ones are mine. I believe the child is a very old painting.

I painted the top one and bought the bottom. See, I told you I like painting roses;) So what have you self taught yourself to do?

'Till next time................
~Debra xxx

A WONDERFUL INTERVIEW WITH THE ONE AND ONLY CINDY ADKINS

              Hello Everyone:)
Nicole and are were very fortunate to get an interview with the multi talented Cindy Adkins!!!

Cindy Adkins is one special lady. She is smart, talented, inspirational and along with so many other wonderful attributes Nicole and I consider her our friend:)

She has graciously agreed to an interview about her new E-Books, 'BLOGGING: IT'S A WOMAN" THING', 'BLOG FROM THE HEART: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO BLOGGING', AND 'FOR BRIDES ONLY' CREATING A WEDDING BLOG.If you haven't read them yet, you are really missing out. They are short (you can read one in 20 minutes)and sweet and jam packed with fun information about blogging. Really they are fabulous!
You will want to print these out for future reference.

Cindy doesn't just have one blog she writes for three!!! I know right? I sometimes have problems keeping up with just one;)
http://whimsicalmusingsmagazine.blogspot.com/

http://shabbychicgirlsclub.blogspot.com/

http://cindyadkinswhimsicalmusings.blogspot.com/

So without further delay, let me introduce to you; CINDY ADKINS!

Nicole and I first want to thank you so much for letting us interview you on your fabulous E-Books. We loved all three of them!

Cindy: Oh Debra and Nicole, thank you so much. I am so glad that you had fun reading them. They were intended to give women inspiration so that they could create the best blogs possible. Blogging not only opens up a whole new world to women, but unlike other social media, with a blog someone is the “star” of their own show. It is their private space and just like a home, women can make them whatever they want them to be.

One of the most common concerns women have about blogging is content. They often fear that they will run out of things to display or talk about. My books offer a whole new slant and help them relax and enjoy the process. They are not technical, but rather, inspirational. To me, blogging is like one big pajama party--it is a blast!

Debra & Nicole: How long have you been blogging and why did you start?

Cindy: I actually started blogging about a year and a half ago. Prior to that, I had a website for my mixed media art for a year. Visitors came to the website, but when I started my blog, it’s as if “the lights went on” and the traffic was amazing. I was finally interacting with people daily and it was a whole new exciting world for me.
But, blogging not only opened up contacts for personal reasons, but also, it was through my contacts in the blog world that I came in contact with art galleries and stores. For any women interested in working from home, I think that a blog is definitely one of those “must-have” items that can help jump-start their careers.

D&N: Tell us a little about your background.

Cindy: I have a Master’s Degree in Humanities and am a newspaper writer in New Orleans, as well as a mixed media artist and professional photographer. My work is featured in art galleries and I also have an Etsy store. In addition, I create digital art and am on 3 design teams. One of my favorite things to do is to create custom blog buttons and headers for people’s blogs.

Also, I enjoy helping people learn how to get more traffic to their blogs and understanding the “techie” part of blogging too. I have a seminar called Blogging 101: A Seminar for Women on my Whimsical Musings blog. I created a static page, so if anyone wants to take the class, it is free and is always available at the top of my blog.

The week of November 4, I am planning a week-long set of activities, including a giveaway and tutorials for “Victorian Christmas” week. There will be numerous projects that crafters can make with instructions.

D&N: You are such a giving person. What drives you?

Cindy: I would say it is my love of art, as well as my love of people. I have met so many wonderful friends through blogging.

D&N: What inspired you to write these wonderful books?

Cindy: I wanted to create a vehicle whereby women could be inspired to produce amazing blogs no matter what their interests are in life. I think that blogging is extremely empowering and gives women an individual, as well as a collective “voice.”

I have received so many emails about the books since I wrote them. In fact, I rarely check the stats on my books, but when I looked the other day, “Blogging: It’s a Woman Thing” went up 100,000 ranks on Amazon.

I think that it is rare to find material that is for women written by a woman that speaks to their needs and concerns, including time management and balancing home and families while blogging.

D&N: What is the main thing you want people to take away from these books?

Cindy: I want them to know that no matter who they are, they have a story to tell and people who will be interested in reading it and meeting them personally through their blogs. To me, blogging is about value and worth and knowing that each of us has our own talents and gifts and we grow so much from meeting others with similar interests.

D&N: We are curious, how do you remember everything about all of your followers? Do you keep some sort of journal or do you just have a great memory:)

Cindy: Oh my goodness, I don’t know how I remember everyone! I would say that it is usually because something about their blog makes it stick out in my memory. I remember the first time I saw your blog. Do you want to know what I thought? lol I adored your header. It is completely dreamy. Then, when I saw your home, I was in awe. I remember saying to my husband, “Honey, come look at this--it is astounding!” That’s how I remembered you, Debra. And how do I remember Nicole? It’s because we are Twitter pals and she taught me all about using Twitter--Did I mention that I think you are both awesome?

D&N: What is the biggest thing you have taken away from blogging?

Cindy: I have gotten so much from it, but I would have to say that it is the connection with other people that makes it so meaningful.

D&N: How do you organize your thoughts.

Cindy: I have been so used to writing academic papers, as well as a Master’s thesis, that writing my new books was actually pure FUN! Because blogging is something that I truly enjoy, it is very easy to write about.

D&G: And lastly, do you have plans for future books?

Cindy: I have 2 books in the works at the present time. One is about men’s blogging and it is very entertaining, especially because I am interviewing men with some interesting stories to tell. I am also writing a book called “Angles at my Door” and because I have had so many spiritual experiences happen in my life, I am excited to be able to put them into words to inspire others. I am hopeful that it will be released in time for Christmas.

Thank you once again, Cindy. Nicole and I just think you are an amazing,creative and giving woman. Thank you for your time.

Oh Debra and Nicole, thank you so much for this opportunity. It has been so fun talking to you about things that I feel are so passionate about. I want to thank you not only for this interview, but also for all you do on a daily and weekly basis for all of us who have Etsy stores. You have such a generous spirit and it is so apparent the minute that anyone comes to your blog.

Didn't I tell you she was great?!?! And fun. right?????
(All photos were taken from Cindy's blogs:)
Thank you for stopping by and meeting Cindy if you haven't already met her. Check out her blogs and her etsy.

'Till next time..............
~Debra xxx and Nicole

WHO LOVES RUST AND TIN?

I do! I do!

Happy Tuesday:)

If you have been reading my blog for a while you know how much I love rust and tin. Who would have thought. I wanted to show you some of the pieces that I have had the pleasure of buying.

 These galvanized tins and sap bucket are fairly new to my collection.  What will I do with them you ask? Well the large one will hold my winter shoes and boots in my bedroom. The smaller one may hold extra pillows until I put a Christmas tree in it and the sap bucket will be filled with a plant or Holiday decoration. Can you picture it?

 There is a sweet woman who cuts these tins out and sells them at Brimfield. I LOVE them!!! This one is  pretty pink perfection.

                           This one is galvanized too. Saw it and had to have it. Can it get any rustier;)

 This white one is one of my favorites. Just look at it, it's gorgeous!!!!! The vase is pretty great too.

                          I bought three of these stools for my kitchen island. The top fabric needs to be changed but the nuts and bolts don't look like they will be easy to get off. So for now I put some pretty vintage doilies on top. I'm happy with this look for now. Perfect for extra seating and they are my color:)

 Got this beauty from Maine this year. I was so excited when I saw it!!! And for $10.00, how could I not bring it home;)

               Chicken feeders are great for plants. A bunch of Sea Onions make their home in this one.

                                I wonder what this tin was used for originally. Love the chippy paint.

        OH!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE THIS COLOR and just look at the  French embellishment.

LOOK!!!! I found a roll of this fabulousness last week at the market. Isn't it great? Not sure what I am going to do with it yet. It has to be special. What would you do with it? Do you have tin pieces in your home too?

Well, I'm off to get my tetanus shot so I can continue to live with all of my rust;)

Hope you are having a wonderful week:)

'Till next time...........................................
~Debra xxx

AN AWARD AND BLOGGER'S BODEGA

Hey Everyone:)

How was your weekend? Mine was great. Went to the flea market, did some things around the barn and went for Chinese food at my Son Deg and Marci's house. Delicious!!!

I checked my email and guess what!!!!!

Revi from Revisionary Life gave me an AWARD!!! She is so sweet:) If you haven't checked out her blog you are missing some fun.
A BIG THANK YOU REVI!!!!!!

              
Now I am supposed to list 7 things about me that you may not know. Hmmmmmm
Well, here goes...........


1.  I used to own a Pet Shop. Loved it but working 7 days a week was a killer.

2.  I witnessed the birth of my three grand daughters. Is that too much info? Nicole and I were actually able to be silly and laugh during the births. She had great Doctors who laughed along with us. But I think I can deliver the next one myself.

3.  I always have projects going on and have the messy house to prove it. Happiest when I am creating.

4.  I love chocolate peanutbutter ice cream, is there any flavor better?

5.  When I do something I am committed. I put my all into it whether it be a relationship, a project or eating chocolate peanut butter ice cream;)

6.  I am a news junkie and love listening to talk shows all day while working or cleaning my house. Love to learn what others are thinking.

7.  Don and I are getting bikes in the Spring and will be cycling together next year. Get ready for lots of funny photos. I'm already stressing about what I will wear because in this little town, bicyclists are very serious and wear those stretchy pants. You know the kind that just look like you want to drive up beside them and pinch their butts. lol Well, Don and I will not be wearing that look. It would be totally inappropriate for young children to see;)So I will be doing some research on the right look for us.

Hope I didn't bore you;0

Now the hard part.  I am supposed to pick 15 of my favorite blogs. I struggled with this so much. I finished my list and came up with 32!!!!!! It's like picking my favorite child. I can't do it. The ladies I follow are all so sweet and funny and inspirational in their own special way. I learn every day. Then there is the "What if I forget someone". Seriously, I will lose sleep over this part. I love that Revi was able to pick her favorites. She is kind and brave. I am honored and humbled and really appreciate the award. I hope she will not be upset that I just can't pick.


         BLOGGERS' BODEGA
 MAISONSTGERMAIN.COM IS STILL HAVING A 50% OFF SALE. STOP OVER AND SAY HELLO.

This is where you will find FABULOUS SHOPS that our fellow Bloggers own, every Tuesday!!! Everyone can visit and anyone can link up. Advertisement is FREE!
Why is it FREE ?Well, we know what owning an on- line boutique and etsy is all about. All the work and creativity that goes into it all. We wanted to be a place where you get a break from expensive advertising and just do it for FREE. No catches or jumping through hoops. We won't even ask for your first born;)


All we ask is that you grab the link and/ or button and put it on your blog. This will help in sharing these wonderful sites. This is a great way for your online boutiques, etsy shops, ebay, Bonanza etc. to find the cream of the crop shoppers. For more information, please click the BLOGGERS' BODEGA on our side bar.

`Till next time.........
~Debra xxx

VICTORIAN SETTEE REDO!!!

Hello Everyone:)

This week I am joining WHITE WEDNESDAY and FURNITURE FRIDAY! This is the  first time I have ever joined two fabulous blogs.

Remember I told you that I am switching things up a bit in the library?
OK, so I've had this Victorian Settee in my garage just waiting for me to come to its rescue.

 When I found it I was amazed at how sturdy it was. It didn't move at all when I tugged at it. That and the fact that the price was great,  well it was a no brainer.

 I don't do tufting, yet. And I don't paint every piece I find but this settee had a strange shiny type of wood that I didn't care for so I painted it white. So happy that I did. Then I gave it a deep distressed look by using my little Mouse Sander. I love that sander.

         I found this great nappy fabric from my favorite fabric shop for the front of the settee. I used simple tacks. Nothing fancy.

 But you know me, I do my own thing and did the back in one burlap bag. LOVE this color of the stripe And I do love my burlap. It matches the little table that I showed you in my last post. I seem to be so happy doing furniture like this, smiling at every tack I nailed in:)

 I picked up this gorgeous wooden trim at the flea market from a  gentlemen, Matt, who sells fabrics and trims. He always has a great selection to choose from.  Guess how much I paid for this piece which is only a part of a piece. Only $3.00!!!!! for the whole piece. Love the markets!!!!

      The settee comes out a little in the front which is why the trim looks higher in the middle.

                                                                    Nubby love

                                         Love the deep distressed curves.

                                                 Gorgeous rose sits on top:)

                                     Don't you just love that stripe?????

The wrinkles will eventually relax. They don't bother me a bit.

                             So what have you been up to?
`Till next time...............
~Debra xxx

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Hello Everyone:)

I wanted to show you one of the 'treasures' that I found at the flea market this weekend. I am doing some changes in the library and was looking for a small table to replace the big round table that we had in front of the sofa. I was thrilled when I saw this little number. I couldn't wait to bring it home and work on it. Now stay with me, I know it looks horrible.

 But I saw potential. And I was right:) Someone had put this fabulous contact paper on it. lol I'm sure it was spiffy in its day;) But it needed to be cleaned up a bit.

First I took off all of the contact paper, cleaned it again and again and then sanded it for a more distressed look.

 Look at this great drawer. I love that it is so big. And I also love the knob. The more I sanded the more I could see the different shades of green and blue coming through. Looooove it. (It doesn't take much to make me happy).

    It is the perfect size and height for the space. And you know how much I love this color:)

 But LOOK at what I uncovered! When I sanded the side, the word SCIENCE came through!!! It must have been a child's desk. I was so excited as I sanded and found this happy surprise.  Isn't it great ?

 

 The color matches the colors in the pillows that I have on the sofa. I just love it. I am probably the only one who would have bought the table/desk but I am glad I did.

What treasures have you found lately?

I am going to join Furniture Friday over at Miss Mustard Seed on Friday. I have something else to show you then. You won't want to miss it. I can hardly wait to show you!!!!

`Till next time............
~Debra xxx

CLEARING WAY FOR NEW STOCK AT BLOGGERS' BODEGA

Hello Everyone:)

AWESOME NEWS TODAY!!!

MAISONSTGERMAIN.COM IS HAVING A 50% OFF SALE!!! WE ARE MAKING ROOM FOR AN ALL NEW STOCK. PLEASE VISIT US AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SALE.

Also welcome to BLOGGERS' BODEGA. Stop by the many shops that advertise with us for free on Tuesday and get started with your Christmas shopping.

                                BLOGGERS' BODEGA


This is where you will find FABULOUS SHOPS that our fellow Bloggers own, every Tuesday!!! Everyone can visit and anyone can link up. Advertisement is FREE!


Why is it FREE ?Well, we know what owning an on- line boutique and etsy is all about. All the work and creativity that goes into it all. We wanted to be a place where you get a break from expensive advertising and just do it for FREE. No catches or jumping through hoops. We won't even ask for your first born;)




All we ask is that you grab the link and/ or button and put it on your blog. This will help in sharing these wonderful sites. This is a great way for your online boutiques, etsy shops, ebay, Bonanza etc. to find the cream of the crop shoppers. For more information, please click the BLOGGERS' BODEGA on our side bar.





`Till next time........................
~Debra xxx

P.S.  Check back on Wednesday. I want to show you what I got from the flea market this week:)

LIVING WITH HOUSEPLANTS

Hello Everyone:)

Have you ever noticed that house plants are rarely shown in homes in decorating magazines? I mean, maybe one here and there but it seems like no one really 'collects' houseplants. Well, I do, always have. I find they bring life into a room like nothing else can.
During the Summer, many of them go outside to enjoy the sun and rain while I tend to the garden plants. Mother Nature takes care of them for me:)

 I bought this vintage green table from the flea market specifically to hold my houseplants in my living room window. I can put plants on top and underneath since my windows go to the floor in here. The little white bench holds my white throws.  Watering cans sit under it.

 My loft is a favorite place for my plants. It has been getting chilly at night now so I have brought most of my plants inside. It is amazing how much they grow during the Summer. This window gets direct sun all day and the plants just love it. This hallway leads into the loft bedroom where I just added more plants.

This is another view of the loft. I can't squeeze many more in;)

 A happy fern lives here in the solarium with my flower  frogs.

 I like to put taller plants on the back of the stone pond in the solarium. (which needs more water) The Begonias love this spot and continue to flower all year. I just love them.

                 A couple of plants on the table in front of the sofa.

And, of course there are plants in the kitchen where ever I can find a place that they will be happy in.
So, do you live with house plants too? I would love to know:)

'Till next time.................
~Debra XXX