I wanted to share with y'all our newly named Chicken Yard/Coop.  I have spent along time thinking of what I would call our little hens' haven...I thought of many cutesy, french, funny names but none seemed to capture the heart of the henhouse  "Feathered Dreams" came to me and was so perfect.  You see,   I have dreamt of having sweet little (bantam) hens, affectionately known as "Our girlies"  for over 20 years.  Last April, my husband said that I didn't need his permission to have them but I sure wanted his blessing! And I definitely received it.  We built a wonderful chicken yard complete with a small starter coop, grass, colorful mexican heather growing in pots, and 2 wonderful iron chairs for us to sit and  chicken watch.  IF you haven't done this, it is way better than people watching.  Presleigh and I even go out there and do some of our school work.  We read aloud novels, work on  math and all of us share fun times.  We have happy (and smart) hens!   The sign above has a dual purpose...our name but also shelter in the time of rain...This however is one area that the hens don't seem to understand-when it rains, they stay and get wet.  I guess they love to play in the rain! Stay tuned for more pictures of this wonderful feathered dream as the new larger coop arrives in about 2 weeks.  Until next time,

here are 4 of our girlies...

Blessings,

A new date for A Spoonful of Art Class

Please join me for a Spoonful of Fun and Creativity as we alter a vintage silver spoon. We will learn to make our own nests from gatherings such as tissue, paper, twigs, and string. Also, as a part of our class, we will learn wire wrapping with beads for the handle and the silver wire nest holding precious pearl eggs. Lastly we’ll finish off with a sentiment tag secured by a vintage button. Your class kit will include all the materials needed for this one of kind art creation. You may bring some of your treasures and trinkets if you would like - but I will be supplying all that you need. Here are the details.

Date: Saturday, April 14, 2012

Time: 1:30pm -4:30pm

Where: My Art Studio, Rowlett, TX

Cost: $45.00- this includes all supplies as well as afternoon refreshments

Registrations/payment begins March 27. Please click on the link at the top right of my blog.

Once registered, I'll be emailing everyone with my exact address and further details.

Hope to see you soon! Until next time,

Creative Chemistry Class with Tim Holtz

I finally understand Chemistry...Creative Chemistry that is. Tim Holtz is teaching a ten day Online Course, showing the how's and why's of inks and stains and how they work the way they do and how we can stretch and play with the results. I am loving the content, the connection and the refresher course on things that I have known in the past. I thought I would show you my renditions of Day 2 - working with Distress inks. It is wonderful to get in the studio to play and create and to venture into new territory....I love distress even more now!! We will start Day 6 on Monday, so I better get busy on the techniques from Day 3- Day 5. Here they are....

This is a spritzing technique that creates

wonderful backgrounds

A close up of what the water does to the ink

when spritzed and then heat set.

A water color effect using distress inks, water

and a floral stamp on watercolor paper.

a close up of the flower and

the blending of colors.

This is called wrinkle free distress..

It's a layered technique creating

incredible backgrounds.

a close up of the layering...gorgeous!

Hope you are inspired to go and play with inks, paper and your creativity!

Until next time,

Blessings,

Annie Sloan redo....

I recently (well not recently, actually about 2 months ago) bought a wooden magazine holder for $1.98. at one of my favorite treasure stores. However, it was definitely dated and did not suit my decorating style. It has sat in the garage for awhile and as I passed it, I knew what I wanted to do but just didn't find the time or rather make the time. Here is the before picture....

It was barn red with Noah's ark on both sides...Now I do love Noah and the wonderful promise we receive from that Biblical event...but nonetheless, it did not go with our den. So with several days at home (in a row-that's the key), I gathered Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Old Ochre), brushes, rags, the dark wax and began to transform Noah and the animals into a great magazine holder.

I have refinished many furniture pieces through the long process of stripping, sanding, priming and then painting, varnish, gloss or wax finishing. However, Annie Sloan paint is all the rage, so I wanted to try it on something smaller before I venture to a coffee table that is waiting in the garage...I am here to say that --IT IS AWESOME!! Two coats, dark wax for the finish and it is done.

**One key tip to pass on is to use a brush for the wax, especially the dark wax. I brushed it on and then used an old t-shirt to buff. For the brush, dip it in the wax and get a small amount. Then brush in the direction of the grain until there is no more wax. Then with the used t-shirt, buff into the wood and let dry. It only takes a little while to dry. Here is the finished result...

Now to fill this with great reads, inspirations ---I think it turned out great. Now onto the coffee table. Until next time,

Blessings,

And the winner is....

Congratulations to Carol Mae.

She is the winner of my "Thrifting" giveaway.

I'll email you right away for your address....Thrifty Chic is on it's way to your home. Thanks to all who left comments on my blog and fb. Happy Thrifting y'all!!

Blessings...

Thrifting give away

I love to go treasure hunting...When I see a treasure (thrift) store, my heart skips a beat and then my mind races to the possibilites that lay in "store" for me... I have found furniture, clothes, amazing fabrics, re-do projects (some are still waiting for their redo), books, everyday objects, glass, vintage china..One time I found Wedgewood plates that were 33 cents each!! I have loved garage sales, flea markets, antique fairs and the like since I was a little girl. We would go with my grandmother (who was born in 1906) and she would tell us if the items were authentic, some she had when she was little, some she knew of the history, and of course, just like today, some were not the real deal! She had a wealth of knowledge to impart to me. Oh, how I wish she could still be with us especially at treasure shopping times like when we head to Round Top later this month. Right now, thrifting is becoming the "in" thing. Catch phrases like "upcylcing", "repurposing" are everywhere. My mom even saw a story on The Today Show this past week about thrifting and those that do are Savvy shoppers. So in honor of our savvy shopping, I am giving away a book entitled Thrifty Chic to one of you!!

I would love to hear about your treasure shopping experiences....Why do you like it? What has been your best find? Do you have treasure hunting friends? Tips?...Leave a comment to be entered to receive this wonderful book! We will draw the winner on March 15th!! Until next time, Happy Treasure Hunting!

Blessings,

P.S. Still looking for 100 followers..see earlier posts on the great giveaway when we reach 100!!