Welcome Everyone!

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I have been blogging for only 2 weeks, so I am still learning the protocol. I have noticed in the blogs I am following that often when a new person joins a blog they are welcomed warmly in a short post by the blogger. This is great because it introduces them to the rest of us as well.

I haven't been doing this so far, but I did want all my followers to know that I am very happy to have them here.

So, Welcome Everyone!!!

I have tried to list all your blogs or websites on my blog list below. Have a look. If I have missed you, please send me a note and I will add you to the list.

Thanks to you all for joining my blog and your wonderful support. I love to read your blogs and see your comments.

Love and hugs to all,
Susan

April showers bring May flowers

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A good Thursday morning!

I've been working on this card for a couple of days! Finally done! Am using the sketch provide by Mumur for the Friday Sketchers Challenge # 49. I am using a standing tall Tilda image--it's long vertically--so I've turned the sketch on its side.

There's a lot of hmm...something there at the bottom that I have to put and all I could think of was flowers. But that was okay, because I was also thinking about a May card with lots and lots of flowers for the Magnolia-licious Yahoo Group. I spent hours, days it seemed, fiddling with the placement of the flowers. I found out it's not easy trying to cram so many flowers into one space and making it look somewhat presentable. I keep arranging them, walking away from it and coming back for another look, re-arranging them. Agghhh!!! Probably made the flowers to big. Ah well, too late now! That's the end result. Hmm... Does it look okay or just comme ci comme ca?

I had actually planned to use another Tilda image on this card. But yesterday Carole has picked the Tilda image with the Flower Garland in Hair for their CBCJ Old Magnolia Challenge. I had ordered this stamp, but didn't have it yet. And I kid you not...when I came home from work yesterday there was a package in my mail box and this stamp was in it!! I took that as a sign that I'm supposed to use this stamp instead and play along with their challenge--LOL. And she is so adorable here. I just luv this image--it's sure to become one of my favorites.

I really really tried to match the orange and blue to the designer paper and I thought I had it, but as you can see I'm still off there!

And this is what the inside of the card looks like.

Have a wonderful day!

Stamp: Magnolia #214 Flower Garland in Hair

Designer Paper: Daisy Bucket Designs Cool Dude Collection Mondo Matt

Mexican memories

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Mexico is in the news every minute this week. Pandemic awareness and preparedness is extremely important on our small planet, but even so, it makes us uneasy.

I wanted to blog today about nicer thoughts of Mexico. Last February I was lucky enough to spend a week on the Mayan Riviera with five of my best girlfriends. We had a riot. We enjoyed the luxury of a five star resort and had the the most wonderful time, enjoying sun, sand and sea, plus all the food and drink we could manage to consume.



Even when I go on vacation I can't forget my mini-mania. One of our expeditions was to an authentic Mayan village. (at least they told us it was authentic. We wondered if it was just for the tourists and all the Mayans went home to their air conditioned haciendas each night.)

The lovely young lady in the picture below is wearing traditional Mayan dress and gold jewelry. Our guide told us that the embroidery on her dress means she is single but spoken for - probably engaged (or maybe that was the other girl's dress - if anyone out there reads Mayan embroidery let me know). She is inside a Mayan house with the family's pet deer. It was so tame and friendly that I hope it isn't some future dinner.

So, inspired by our field trip, I went out looking for souvenirs and, of course, found miniatures.

My own Mayan girl is not as lovely as the real thing, but still I find her quite charming. She is about five inches high.

I couldn't resist the hand painted blue chairs. The Mayans we visited didn't have furniture like this in their huts, but I don't mind improvising. 

The Chihuahua is a bead. You can't see it from this angle, but there is a good sized hole right through his middle. I figured I could fill it, or ignore it. Whichever I prefer. He's cute though, don't you think?

The rooster is another bead. He has a hole too, to fill or not, whatever. The little Mexican rugs were quite a deal. Four for a US. dollar. The pots I already had, but I think they work with the scene.

I love the little 'Day of the Dead" cabinet. It is made of cardboard and hand painted. The little figures inside are made of some sort of sculpty clay.

So now all I have to do is gather twigs and grass and create a Mayan house. Yeah, maybe, after I finish all my other projects. Plus, the Mayan doll needs a baby or two. We were told that they love children and often have large families of 10 or more.

So we say goodbye to our lovely Mayan hostesses for today, and hope that the bad old flu goes away quickly so we can visit again soon. Adios!

Chateauesque II

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Steeply pitched hipped roofs serve as a backdrop for busy roof lines, punctured by towers and turrets with bell-shaped or candle-snuffer roofs, pinnacles, and finials.

Perhaps L.A.'s best high-style example of the Chateauesque, the Rindge House, designed by Frederick Roehrig (top).












This example features Italianate modillions (or ornamental brackets beneath a cornice), nicely emphasized with a dark blue, movement inducing, accent.












16th Century France on Bonnie Brae. Azey Le Rideau and Gilles Berthelot meet Merithew and Haley. Parapeted dormer, hood molds with label stops, the whole deck of cards, a royal flush.

A long overdue thank you to...

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the fabulous Courtney at Style Court...

...the talented Megan at Beach Bungalow,

...and the classy Judith at Paris Atelier...

for their kind posts about Paris Hotel Boutique. If you haven't checked out their blogs, be sure and add them to your reading list!

Thank you girls!

The Ed Hardy Collection

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Antiques buyers from around the country are expected to attend the auction of antiquarian, Ed Hardy. Ed Hardy has been a fixture here in San Francisco since 1976. His studio is built like an Italian palazzo and is filled with the most outstanding and unique examples of period furniture and decorative arts from the 17th through 20th centuries.

Partly due to the declining economy, Hardy will closing his studio and auctioning off over 700 items through Bonhams & Butterfields on May 5th.

An Italian Restrato glass five light chandelier
circa 1950, in the manner of Barovier
estimate $4,000 - 6,000

This is so sad as Ed Hardy has been among one of the most respected dealers around the world. He still plans on consulting after giving up the studio.

Here are a few previews I've selected among the hundreds of items at auction. If you can't make it to San Francisco, you can bid online here. Also be sure and sift through the items on Bonham's website as well. Amazing things!

A pair of American terracotta lion form architectural elements
New York
last quarter 19th century
estimate - $3,000 - 5,000

A Burmese gilt lacquered seated Buddha
19th century
estimate - $2,000 - 3,000

A pair of French cast iron, brass and glass side tables
circa 1960, in the manner of Maison Jansen
estimate - $3,000 - 5,000

A superb French Baroque blue and white faience pharmacy vessel
Montpellier
early 18th century
estimate - $3,000 - 5,000

An Italian Rococo style green painted commodino
mid 20th century
estimate $1,500 - 2,000

A magnificent pair of Venetian tempietto tôle, clear, amber and cobalt glass lanterns on botticino marble bases
19th century
estimate - $70,000 - 90,000

A pair of Murano glass and giltwood lamps 1940s
estimate - $3,000 - $5,000

An American or English scrimshaw hourglass

Capt. John Reuter, 1817
estimate - $2,500 - $3,500

Photos from Bonhams & Butterfields

IT'S WHEELY WEDNESDAY!

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Hey Pals,

It's me Dr. Pierre. Can you believe we have another patient here at the Snitchybug Dog Hospital??? The wheelies have been giving me lots of guff cause I've been on my cell phone a lot lately, even speaking in French. I've been talking with some people up in Canada. My wheely friend Bea Sally over at the Secret Schnoodle has been helping out with some of these calls too.


Remember in one of our last Wheely posts I found something sticking out from under the rug in the hospital room?? Well, I grabbed the little white tuft of hair & out popped Brownie!

And who is Brownie you ask??? heheheheh, it's a very long story. You see, Brownie is one of Brody's siblings. (Brody from the Secret Schnoodle) Brownie decided to run away from home due to the abuse he was suffering. He could no longer put up with the cruelty and set out to find his brother Brody.

From searching the web he found all of the dog blogs & stumbled upon Butchy & Snickers blog talking about having some Poodle friends. He thought that maybe Butchy & Snickers could help him find his brother Brody. Plus when he read about Dr. Snitchybug's miraculous surgeries, he knew he needed to find the doc. Brownie was suffering from malnutrition for one thing, and was in pretty sad shape. So he set out on his quest.

It was a long journey from Canada down to Iowa. Brownie had to trek through mountains of snow & suffer the burning sun rays. After 2 long weeks, Brownie arrived at the Snitchybug Dog Hospital. He was so worn out & could barely woof, so he crawled under the rug to rest. And that's where I found Brownie.

Poor Brownie was immediately checked out by myself & Dr. Snitchybug. He is soooooo skinny, no wonder he could hide under the rug. His paws are raw from climbing the mountains and walking on black top roads for many miles. He also has burns on his corneas.


We immediately placed black patches over his eyes to help them heal. We treated his paw pads and wrapped them up in gauze. Unfortunately, his nose is pretty scuffed up too. So we had to treat & wrap his nose. We feed him every hour since he is so malnourished.

He seems to be recovering well. Sylvester is studying to become a nurse so I let him check on Brownie each hour.



Sylvester decided he needed some one on one patient skills, so he crawled in bed with Brownie to keep him company.


We'll have an update for you next week on his progress.

Now yesterday, Snickers went to the vet to have the vetpire remove her blood for lots of tests. One big test was sent off to a special lab. The results will be back either this Friday or Saturday. If the results are normal, Snickers will start on the additional anti-seizure drug Potassium Bromide sometime next week. The drug is liquid form & needs to be made at a compounding pharmacy for her exact weight. So it takes a few days to get the drug to our vet. Once it arrives, then she will start the daily dosage. It generally takes 4-6 weeks for the drug to get to the correct level into the bloodstream. Then the process of waiting begins to see if she has anymore seizures. The drug might need to be adjusted a few times. But the vet is confident that this additional drug should keep Snickers from having anymore seizures. So now it's just a waiting game & MAMA HATES WAITING!!! hehehehe! She could get a bit cranky in this waiting process. Hmmmmm, maybe we should borrow some of that purple duct tape that Lacie used on Butchy, tee hee! Gotta get wheelin', Aire Ruby will be here soon to take us to Myrna & Gilbert's wedding!

Wheely Hugs,
Dr. Pierre

etsy.com

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A creative mind never rests....................

I opened a store on etsy.com. If you are not familiar with etsy pronounced like Betsy without the B, it is a totally addicting site of all hand made or vintage items for sale. It is amazing to browse the site and see all of the creativity and talent from around the world. It has many features that you will find intriguing, you can search by whatever interests you, like jewelry, clothing, craft supplies, hand knit or crocheted items - even being more specif and search hand knit scarf wool, etc. You can also do a search by city so that you can see who in your area is making what - check out Grand Rapids, I am so proud of what is made here! There are thousands of items listed per day. Just go look!

You can look up my store by going to www.hattiemae.etsy.com

Leave me some feed back, add me to your favorites and check back often to see what else I have added. I will be adding new things all the time, hand made, vintage, craft supplies etc.

My store name is the beekeepersdaughter. Hope you like it!

SUMMER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

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I am very excited to tell you about the summer classes and workshops that both Dan & myself are teaching through Continuing Studies and Kendall College of Art & Design. I have been teaching there for many years and it is one of those wonderful experiences of my life. Now you also get the benefit of Dans mountain of knowledge too.
I (CJ) am teaching two sessions of "The Fundamentals of Interior Design" for Adults. This is a 7 week class covering the elements of design, the history of furniture, color, fabric and fibers, creating your own floor plans, selecting furniture etc to design a room. This is a very interactive and exciting class that meets in the evenings from 6:30 - 9:30 on Tuesdays. The first session is May 11 - June 22. The second session is July 6 - August 17.
I am also teaching 3 workshop intensives and one of those I am co teaching with Dan.
"Cottage Style Design" will explore cottage styles from the US including lake cottages, camps, cabins, ocean cottages, Maine style, Nantucket style, New Port Road Island styles, shingle style, rustic, Adirondack, Southern, California, Carpenter Gothic and of course Michigan! You will design your own dream cottage learn about cottage furniture, fabric and interiors. We will take field trips to great antique shops, patio shops and tour some of my favorite cottages.
This class meets from 9 - 5:00 June 15th - 19th

In the "The Art of Outdoor Living: Designing Your Own Patio or Porch" will explore all kinds of outdoor living areas, porches, pergolas, patios, decks and gardens. You will design your own outdoor living space and garden. We will also take many field trips in this class too.
This class meets from 9-5:00 June 29- July 2

Dan & I are co teaching " Old House Detectives". In this class you will learn how to identify all of the different historic house styles and their elements from the exterior and the interior. You will learn about the correct use of materials and how to identify what is original and what is not to and old house. We will explore all of the material, tile, plumbing, flooring, lighting, moldings, wallcovering, historic color palette and period furnishings. This class includes historic home tours as well.
This class meets from 9-5:00 June 22 - 26th

All of this information is available on the Kendall website www.kcad.edu or by calling 616-451-2787 ext 2012

So come join the FUN! and expand your knowledge :>

Feed Sack Chic

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The May issue of Country Living features some great uses for feed sacks. I've sold "feed sack" chairs before and love the juxtiposition of the feed sack on a fancy French chair. Perhaps a bit uncomfortable, but has a unique look for sure!

Cute little pin cushion...

Corkboard made from a Guatemalan coffee sack!

Old French chair upholstered in a 1906 feed sack...

All photos courtesy of countryliving.com

Lord of the Dance was WONDERFUL!

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Last night was FABULOUS!

My Mother's Day gift to my mother came a little bit early this year.

I decided to take her for a girls night out to see Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. A couple months back I saw the advertisement for the show and told my sister-in-law about it so she decided to take her mother too! Katie also got to go. I thought that she would enjoy it and it would create a wonderful memory for her of an evening out with Mommy & Grandma.

I can't even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this. The costumes, dance and music were awesome. I just sat back in amazement in the coordination, strength and talent that these dancers displayed. This was money well spent (to me) and we all enjoyed every penny of it. Here are a few pictures that I took. They aren't the best. I sat on an end seat with an usher standing right above me so I didn't really get many chances to sneak a picture. :0)

for you

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Happy Wednesday everybody!

A new challenge blog for us Magnolia addicts, Just Magnolia--Happy Week Two! Their theme this week is a colour challenge, so no sketch to follow. Yes!!! as I've been meaning to do another buckle card. I first saw this card at Claudia's blog and love the style because it's different. If you wish to create one, you can go to her blog Pretty Pressings and she's posted the instructions and measurements to make your own card. Just type in "buckle card" in her 'search' box. I've made some alterations for my card however.

I love this combination of of pink and green. I started thinking of soft pink and pastel green, but found this Basic Grey paper instead with a brighter pink and sort of a lime green colours. (Although you can't really tell from the pictures. How come the cards in my pictures never look exactly like they do in real life? Agghh!! Must be my camera...or the lighting...or most likely it's just me!!! LOL)

I'm using this Heart Jumper Tilda. It was the very very first Tilda that I ever coloured. I was making a Valentine card and it was the only stamp I had with a heart in it at the time. It's still one of my favorites. Anyway, here's the pink and green card.

There's a strip of paper that fits into a slot like a belt, thus the name "buckle card"--I thought that was a very appropriate name.

And the inside of the card is decorated a bit also.

Have a very nice day!

Stamp: Magnolia #215 Heart Jumper Tilda

Designer Papers: Basic Grey Archangel, Momenta A Family Affair Relations, Making Memories (pink green white stripes--don't know the name)

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button

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Ok, so maybe no one plays that game anymore.... but I thought it sounded cute.

So, I was in one of my favorite antique stores in Ridgefield, The Silver Lining, and found some great vintage mother-of-pearl buttons... and of course I can't pass some things up. Of course, then I had to come up with something to justify my purchase....

And I'm not the only one who thinks they are cute - I just sold the one I was wearing right off my neck at the grocery store! Too fun!

Check out my new button necklaces.. super cute and can wear with anything...

Jack Daniels Bread Pudding

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Took a break today to make a delicious Jack Daniels bread pudding. A dear friend shared this fabulous recipe:







6 eggs (whipped)
2-1/4 cups sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla
2-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2-1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 stick butter (melted)
4 cups milk
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup pecans
12 cups bread cubes

Add sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter to whipped eggs and beat the mixture. Add the milk, raisins, pecans and bread cubes.

Soak all together for 30 minutes.

Spray baking pan with no-stick cooking spray and pour in mixture.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

SAUCE:
1 stick butter (melted)
2 cups dark corn syrup
1/2 cup Jack Daniels
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 cup sugar

Combine butter, corn syrup, Jack Daniels, vanilla and sugar.
Heat and allow to thicken to taste.

Makes 12 servings.


For other great recipes, check out cookbooks available at:
Tennessee Antique Shack
http://www.tias.com/stores/tnantiqueshack