Hi, hope you're doing well. We're all great here...it's another
teachers work day, I swear, the kids are home more than they're at school!
I took this picture of Lily last night while she was sitting in her daddy's lap.
She's so shaggy, but it works for her.
oxoxox
Happy Tuesday...I'm up and running this morning...so much to do.
I set this little display up using some of my favorite things before leaving for France. The plan was to use it as a backdrop for taking photos of things I was selling on my Etsy and Ebay.
When I returned from France, it was just like I'd left it...in the kitchen, on a stool. I thought it was sweet that my family didn't gather it up and put everything back in my studio.
Do you mind if I share these treasures?? Well, if not share THEM...share about them?
1. The little teddy is my one and only Jennifer Murphy bear. I love her and her work and was so happy to get this from Earth Angels. I used birthday money last March. I added the antique beaded flower to his hand because he looked like he needed something to hold. :)
2. He's on a sweet vintage tin I found somewhere that's sweet and something I couldn't cut up for jewelry.
3. I have a gorgeous cut glass bowly thing filled with vintage mercury glass balls that I found at a thrift store...
4. an unused pink 5yr diary that a sweet girl, Stephanie Brockway, gave to me earlier this year.
5. The little white bird is a bakelite teapot whistle which I bought the same weekend as the
6. cast iron victorian picture frame when Stacie and I went to Centralia. (Stace, I've told you about this frame, bought at the corner coffee shop on main street...remember? You'd just left for home and I shopped a little longer :)
7. Of course, my sweet pink ric rac chair
8. and the sweet in plate with flowers...
that's it. Some stuff I love.
Have a wonderful day!
OH...I almost forgot. I've added new favorite books on the right...
and I'm going to try to answer emails today and tomorrow...still have returned almost none since getting back from France. I suck when it comes to emails. oxoxox
~You're invited!~
Help me celebrate the birth of ~
Audrey Peyton Rife
Born October 24, 2007
6lbs 13oz
Born to Jeff and Stacie Rife
If you'd like to participate please
email me for more info!
Everyone welcome ~ please help spread the word!
I've been pondering the above post title "The Thrill of the hunt" for a few days lately. I've
actually used that phrase while sharing my experiences hunting for treasures at thrift stores, estate sales, antique shops, etc.
There is definitely a thrill to happen on a piece of something...be it a book, piece of bakelite jewelry, a set of cornishware mugs. The thrill of the hunt is when something is found that you truly LOVE or feel pretty confident that if you want to sell it, you can make a profit.
Over the past several years, I've come to discover that there are even greater thrills in treasure hunting besides the hunt. I can't count the number of times I've bought something on a hunch....not knowing exactly what it was but having a "feeling" that it was something special. In most of these cases, I'll bring home my stash and kind of toss the mystery item in the corner with an afterthought of..."I'll research that thing later." The little unwanted but "it could be something" items have been known to be forgotten for sometimes over a year....just sitting in a box full of other treasures that haven't quite pulled me in.
One of the first of my OH MY GOSH! afterthought items was this little cutie... I'd grabbed it at an estate sale and gave it to kimber (who was little and in a stroller) to keep her quiet. It wasn't priced so 
I offered a dollar, which was accepted. Soon after, while researching something totally different at the bookstore, I flipped a page and there was a picture of this! It said the value was $200 (I've seen them on ebay for much less). It's a tiny steiff lamb. The second I got home, I grabbed it off the floor and it became my new treasure! Fortunately Kimber was too young to even miss it. :)
To shorten this post, I'll picture just the facts on some other gut instinct treasures I've found and let sit around before feeling moved to research. I can assure you, this THRILL is actually even greater than the hunt thrill because you have something that's no biggie, on a personal level then Wham!! It's suddenly very personal and special and "I can't believe I've let it sit in that corner with all my other crap for so long!"
Bakelite chess set purchased for a couple of bucks at an estate sale. Listed it on ebay last December and it sold for approx. $450. THRILL!
1 dorky brass skull & crossbones ring with red eyes....cost me less than $1. After discovering this little ad online somewhere, I listed it on ebay and it sold for $450! THRILL! Who'd have thought?!?! *I've looked everywhere and can't find a picture of it...shoot*
These two pieces were stuck inside a big sun tea jar of costume jewelry I bought for $12 at Goodwill. I thought they were pretty, but could see that the metal was brass or something similar and not real gold...so, put them aside as a keep and deal with it later. Learned about a year later that they're Victorian Era Bohemian Garnets. I've hung onto them because I want to use bits of the necklace for jewelry. The garnets are such a beautiful red...
Vintage sterling Cosmopolitan, Martini Bar charm. $10 at an antique show at the convention center. In a weak moment, in need of money and following a hunch, I listed it on ebay and it sold for $150. Not so much of a thrill, but hey, we needed the money!
Okay, I could go on and on, but pizza is ready and I'm being called to the tv. I'll now tell you about 2 of my newest HUH?? treasures...
I got this cutting at the Goodwill Bins along with some other vintage ephemera scattered in the book bins. One day I pulled it out of it's hidy hole and did a search for Georges Boria...HERE and HERE's what I found.
Finally....the top photos of the book Miroir des Ames. Something I picked up at an old bookstore in Revel France. I think it may be a really big deal. I'll keep you posted! oxoxox
~Click the image above for the full view~
I made this jewelry during my Obrien workshop in Durfort, France. I loved the workshop and actually loved spending time with Linda and Opie and the other students as much as the class, working in the studio and traveling around together. The gorgeous leather book below was a found treasure! More pictures of this book are right under this.
This book is just gorgeous. It's dated in the 1800's, the leather cover is all hand tooled. The marbled end papers are amazing. All the pages are illustrated and there are about 10 full etched illustrations throughout. The icing on the cake...one of my favorite things about old books...I discovered a gorgeous old bookmarker within the pages. :)
There were several things I found at the flea market that I'm not sure I'll part with....
This beautiful victorian piece is actually an early collage. Someone used wallpaper with roses and birds, cut and pasted and about 10 different pieces then placed the religious image on top. This was made to fit the beautiful plaster frame. It's quite large measuring 20" x 26". It was either 5 or 10 euros at the market.
I can't even tell you the number of religious antiques there were....I'm not catholic but since becoming an artist, I've grown so appreciative of the beauty and craftmanship put into these pieces. Here are a few things I found...
These two are my favorite...the 1st is a very old plaster statue of Mary holding baby Jesus. The 2nd is of St Theresa. In the picture below, the kneeling chalkware piece is St. Bernadette. She was the young nun in Lourdes who saw Mary...(Our Lady of Lourdes....lots and lots from Lourdes)
Everything inside this printer's tray I got at the flea market. (Except for a couple of charms I made at the workshop). I have them divided into groups such as...crosses, popes, Lourdes, St. Theresa, misc. saints, misc. non religious charms and jewelry, Notre Dame charms, etc.
These gorgeous rings held heavy curtains in a medieval church perhaps? 
St. Peter? 
Gorgeous bronze crucifix mounted on a red velvet covered wooden cross.
Some other treasures? 
My husband asked for 2 things....a tablecloth & napkins from Provence and some Herbs of Provence. Here's the tablecloth. It has a 17th century design that was from Provence. 
I came across this beautiful set of porcelain cannisters for $6 euros. I originally got them for my sister but my mom didn't think she would use them so, they're mine. I love them.
These are incredible. A set of 13 old crosses. (there should be 14). These are "Stations of the Cross". You'll see a light colored circle at the top which has hand writing "Bois de Gethsemani" which translates into "Gethsemane wood". I'm guessing the Gethsemane wood is the inlaid circle. The crosses are hand carved and stamped Jerusalem at the bottom. A roman numeral representing a station is marked just below the top circled inlay. In the center of the cross, (these aren't complete on all 13 crosses, btw) there is, under glass, a paper with handwritten roman numeral (the same as marked on the wood above) and a tiny relic that looks like fiber. Over the glass, there is a mother of pearl circle which signifies Mary.
Plaster heads mounted on marble blocks.
This is unbelievably beautiful...it's a cast bronze frame mounted on wood. The photos came with this piece.
I know that I said I'd write about the details of my trip, but after posting the first day, I had a change of heart. I will share more but not quite so detailed. oxox
Good Morning! The time is just passing by....I had a list of to do's for last week and think I did maybe two.
This past week was a family week. The below post is for the benefit of grandma's and pa's.
Kimber has started an internship at our Vet's office which began last week. She's 14 and started the Medical Magnet high school this year. (a program in our school district offers several specialized high schools for students...there is an arts & communications HS, a science/technology, medical, etc..basically college prep but free :)). Once kimber is 16, she'll be hired as an employee but until then, she'll be "interning". She'll be able to suit up and observe during surgeries, etc. She's gone in 3 times staying approx. 2-1/2 hours each day. This is all very exciting for her...and me. :)
Katy took the above photo on Saturday morning. Kimber started riding lessons just before I left for france. She replaced piano lessons for this and even forfeited her allowance to help pay the difference in cost. I just don't see how parents with kids involved in a million sports and lessons can juggle all the expense.
Katy is 17. We found out right before the school year started that she had enough credits to graduate a year early. She was reluctant to forgo her Sr. year and signed up for a reduced schedule. It took about 3 weeks for her to begin feeling trapped. I finally called her school counselor and discussed Katy's desire to just be done and move ahead with her life. She was given the option to finish at the end of the quarter (this friday). She will graduate in the spring with her class, but is basically finished with high school on friday. It's been exciting and a little unsettling for her. She has never really been one for change and throughout her first 7 years of school would cry at the end of the year, not knowing how she would go on without her friends, schedule, etc. She was so certain after starting school this semester that she wouldn't be allowed to finish early without taking withdrawal/fails for the classes she'd started. After talking with her counselor and with assurance that she had goals and plans if she was released early, it was approved. She was given a 2 week notice that she'd be finished at the end of the quarter....which means this friday. We spent the week soaking that in....discussing plans, etc. She has been working at Al's Garden Center since the beginning of summer in the espresso bar. She's been doing the whole training thing for other positions in the shop and will continue working there, picking up shifts, etc. She is learning how to drive (FINALLY!) and will be taking her driving test by Christmas, if I'm lucky...we know for sure she will be starting Portland State in the Fall 2008 living on campus. What we're not 100% on is if she'll be taking some classes at the community college before Fall.
She's been wanting a career in Social Services/Psychology for a few years but for a year or so has been leaning towards biology/genetics...this morning over starbucks, sitting in my van in her school parking lot, she was telling me about her desire to combine genetics and psychology, moving towards genetic counseling (not to assure people will have a blond hair, blue eyed baby, but for health reasons).
My babies are growing....
xox
hi...hope your well and having a good week. It's just after 11pm Tuesday. I've officially been home for a week as of 1am. It actually feels like I've been home 2 weeks...things have been so intense. Today has been nonstop with taxi cab driving kids all over the place, working on some mini rubber stamp designs for Alpha Stamps, had an appointment with Susan today, the first time since getting back...(she's my therapist). After that, stopped by the bookstore and then grocery shopping. I got home at 10 and am about ready for bed. I've not emailed anyone since returning home but promise to return emails this week. I'm such a crappy emailer. Okay, feel pretty crappy at lots of things lately...well, except motherhood. I'm a great mom. :).....depending on which kid you ask. I know I rank really high with the 17 year old....the 14 year old would probably give me a 7...you know how 14 is. The air around here has been charged. I think our house is in pms overload...makes hubby want to hide and makes the girls and I want to hide too.....or scream, we have been doing quite a bit of both. Us and a million other households, I'm sure. I know one day when the girls are grown and gone, I'll miss it. I'm just thanking God now for each day... for my husband, my daughters, of course Lily and the boys (murphy and muffin, the cats)....for the REAL boys...my stepsons and their wonderful mom. okay, I'm now starting to feel pressure to type every single person I'm thankful for....why do I do this to myself?
I talked to stacie on the phone today. I'm SO dying for the baby to get here. She's due in 1 week and learned today that if she doesn't deliver by wednesday, her dr. is going to induce!~
I need to make an official announcement that I will be having a virtual baby shower for her......hopefully tomorrow....it'll be for any of you who want to celebrate the upcoming birth of Stacie and Jeff's little girl (she told me her baby name today! shhhh....it's a secret!). If you would like to be involved in the shower, I'll be posting the details in the next day or two.
That's all for now...have sweet dreams (or a good day, whenever you happen to be reading this) and thanks for taking time to peek in here. oxox
Our first dinner in France just 3 weeks ago.
We chose this for dessert. This yummy goodness features cream brulee,
ginger ice cream, double chocolate cake and espresso.
Hi, happy monday. I've been home a week now and am feeling much better than when I
last posted.
I feel more settled...I've completely unpacked as of a few days ago and now just need to find a place to put all my treasures. I will take pics eventually to share. I'll also be listing some of them on ebay in the next few days, Lord willing.
I thought I'd share bits of my first days of travel to get to france. I'd actually left my house at 4pm Friday Sept. 21st, eventually flying out of Portland to San Francisco. I caught a connecting flight to Boston and from Boston caught a puddle jumper to Raleigh Durham, NC where I was met by my parents who live in NC. My flight arrived around 10 am Saturday morn and I was so happy to see Mom & Dad. I'd slept on and off on all three planes but that's not saying much. My next flight left later that night and Mom was flying with me. We had 7 hours to kill so my parents had made plans to visit some close friends who lived near the airport. They let me borrow a bed and a shower while they went out to lunch. Such a treat! Actually sleeping horizontally! 
I've slept a little and showered...but still wearing the same clothes...
*note to self....never again wear overalls on a plane...the security alarms get unhappy*
Upon checking in for our flight to London, I was told that we had a problem. Seems my passport had my maiden name for my sur name and my tickets had my married name. I stayed calm and eventually had my tickets updated using my maiden name to match the passport. phew!
The London airport was HUGE....after clearing customs we were released into this huge two story mall where everyone flying out would remain until their gate # was posted on the tv screens that filled the place - 45 minutes before departure. This was a hard one for Mom to swallow because she felt like she was dangling in limbo with no place to go....which was true. I was happy 'cause of the shops, relieved to find a starbucks and other than every muscle in my body being in pain from the 4 previous flights, was able to entertain myself. During the layover, I bought a westie magnet for Tami, a westie keychain for me as well as a wonderful round box of pink champagne truffles from Harrods. I browsed through an awesome book store, bought some funny postcards of the queen and prince charles, just big heads....found a shop that had Beatles souvenirs (Kimber's a huge beatles fan), I got her a box of ceramic beatles magnets. During my shopping time, my mom was exchanging US $$ for Euros, sitting on some benches reading a book and eventually guarding my carry on luggage. We had breakfast and then sat around more waiting for gate info. I sat and filled out 3 postcards for my girls and hubby, stood in a horrific line to buy stamps and by the time our gate was given, I grabbed my stuff, headed to the huge round post box, slipped the postcards inside and headed for the gate, TOTALLY proud of myself for mailing my first postcards before even reaching my final destination! (I'm postally challenged, btw) The walk to the gate was brutal....took ages to get the the escalators and once there, they were SOOOO TALL! we went up....walked a few feet and then went down another set. Once at the gate we had about 45 minutes to wait before boarding....(there were some delays, I think). While sitting together and chatting up an English woman who lives near Montpelier, I got a call from my hubby. He and Lily were just waking up. I put them on speaker phone so that mom could hear Lily (she's my dog) say "I love you". It's the kind of thing no one believe if they didn't hear it. Honestly, she said it clearer than she had ever done....my mom freaked! it sounds kinda like....."rrrrrriiiiiii rrroooo roouuuuuu!!"
Once it looked as if we would be boarding shortly....I began looking for my boarding pass....and looking...and then, the light bulb came on. I'd last seen my boarding pass when I was filling out postcards. I felt quite certain that yes, I'd dropped my boarding pass in the Post Box. I know me enough that I didn't freak out...things like this aren't too unusual for me. I got up, went to the desk, showed my passport and explained what I thought I'd done. The ladies at the desk totally cracked up and printed me out a new boarding pass.....phew #2.
The flight into France was the best one of the trip up to that point...not only did they feed us, all alcohol was free. Mom and I celebrated with 2 tiny bottles of champagne each. :)
oxox
This tiny old house was in a rural part in the middle of France
between Limoges and Paris.
hi....I'm home. It's been 2-1/2 days now and it's very nice seeing my family after almost 3 weeks.
This has been the longest we've ever been apart and I'm happy to say it was as hard on them as it was on me. :) Heaven forbid I leave for over 2 weeks and they feel it's as if I'd never left!
I've got a range of emotional and physical feelings regarding my trip and being back. I'm happy
to be home where I feel safe and loved. I can actually remain in one place for days with no future
plans to board an airplane anytime soon...that's a relief.
I feel I've been physically and emotionally tested in so many ways, good and not so good.
Since I'm an emotional person, that basically means I've cried a lot since I've been back.
I'm feeling pretty fragile at the moment and will certainly need to work this out over time.
My hubby and I have poured over so many of my experiences in France....he asked me what
my hopes were for this trip....besides the obvious such as seeing France again, flea markets, time with friends...Linda and Opie O'Brien....my most important and most anticipated hopes surrounded the time spent with my Mom, whom I love with all my heart. I imagined that we would, for the first time in our lives, take a trip together as two adults (I'm nearing 44 yrs of age), as two friends. I imagined an adventure together and bonding closer than ever before. While we had bits and pieces of good times, in reality, it wasn't an easy trip.
Tell me this....when do we, as daughters, give up the dream that a day will come when we will be respected as adults by our mothers? That as adults we are used to making our own decisions, taking care of our own messes, raising our children, etc.? We have our own ways of doing things that are different than how our Mom's do things. And....within these boundaries, our Mother will love and accept us, respect the fact that we (ok, me) not only have adult lives apart from them, but actually are raising wonderful kids, have an amazing marraige, are capable of making decisions....Honestly, I'm venting, so it seems I'm talking in circles.
I'm now closing in on 44 yrs of age and I find that coming to the realization of an adult friendship with my mother, the one I was hoping for, isn't meant to be. I know and believe that we love each other....but am resigning myself to the fact I will always, in the eyes of my Mother, need to be parented when we're together.
oxox
The Creperie we had lunch at yesterday afternoon...
We took this right after lunch...we're full and happy!
Bonjour! I've just finished the last of my packing here, in Limoges. I'm off to shower and then we drive to Paris. The weather has been wonderfully cool, which helps with 24 hour hot flashes.
I'll try to post more tonight, but wanted to give THIS LINK as I've uploaded some of the pictures I took yesterday to my flicker site.
On a different note, I'm so proud of my new rubber stamp designs....here's a peek....you can find them at AlphaStamps!
oxoxox
For the Love of Old
I love this book!
French-Inspired Jewelry
Beautiful and easy designs!
The Art of Personal Imagery
I'm dying for this one!
The French-Inspired Home
Gorgeous!!
