our home in lone tree

I get such a kick out of lou's paintings, we had to get him to do a commision for us. i wanted a scene of our house with lots of flowers and put in all the kids, dogs birds and fat cat.Lou had had his paintings in a few magazines. country living for one. But, i'm very happy with it. bill and i look like thugs.

Folk art

For fabulous folk art, stop by west branch, Iowa and see Lou picek.His own art work has a unique quality. I love his subject matter. But, his shop is alot of fun. Stuffed to the gills with fun and unusual things.I loved the old clown costume. I want it!!! Here are a few pics of his shop.His shop is main street antiques and art.

The Scrap Princess Blog: Obituary for Common E. Sense#links

The Scrap Princess Blog: Obituary for Common E. Sense#links

sunroom mosaic

Wow! i took a week off from work to get this thing done. i did it. i finished yesterday. I still have to grout (just the tile parts). but that won't take long and i think we'll put some sealer over all of it. It will bring out the color of the limestone. I'm real happy with it. i can't seem to find small projects. Next big project, well, let's seeeeeee. The wall above the mosaic needs a touch-up. After a over zealous helper got carried away with mortar, putting the limestone floor in. What a screwed up mess that was. But, the floor some how came out alright.

the raccoon whisper?

We have a friend named Doug, He lives in a commercial building in lone tree(mayberry)in the top level.He also has family farm, that he frequents for firewood or mushrooms or arrowheads. what ever the season. On one of his farm visits he found a baby squirrel. He named her Suzie, She had free run of his place, raised on walnuts and a wide variety of foods. she turned out to be a great little pet. but, she had access to the out side whenever she wanted, she goes out and has raised 2 litters of babies (in the apartment), when they are old enough she hauls them outside and shows them the ropes. Doug never see the babies once the are outside and she won't let them back in.that's her roost they have to find there own place. It's the craziest thing. she's been around now for going on 3 years. She's got the best of both worlds.
this year he found a baby raccoon. eyes still shut. He take little Ralf every where he goes. sits on his shoulder. He follows Doug around like a dog. He also has free run of his place. He goes in a cat box and sleeps with Doug.He's never caged. He will never be. When ever he poops in the cat box he runs over to a tub of water and washes his hands,every time.

mosaic marathon

Well, today i rented a huge water saw. I'm doing a cutting marathon. I've got the saw for 2 days. I'm working on a 12" x 26' space in my sun room. I've been putting it off for some years now. But, i took a week off work and I'm going to get that thing done. I've layed out a design or two trying to get the right look.i want it to look kind of natural. Like a photo of a topography of a river.I've got limestone and marble,river rock and tiles in shades of blue, rust and tan. once i get going and i know what i want. it's alot of fun to do,the hard part is doing all this cutting.
i was checking out Sharon's blog, please check out sweet repose. Sharon is writing some beautiful poetry. i can't even write legibly on my blog let alone write poetry.i tried to enter Shelly shell shock in the staff art show. they told me it was objectional subject matter for a hospital environment. It might offend some one. i get so sick of that. Might offend some one. SO WHAT!!!! What ever happened to "If you don't like it don't look at it".

Black Market - Multimedia - World environment - MSNBC.com

Black Market - Multimedia - World environment - MSNBC.com

MORE FLOWERS PICS

The elephant ear has been a favorite for many years, i have been bringing one potted up ear in the house for the winter,going on 9 years. It's huge! I can get the tropical feel here in Iowa.
i also scored on a gorgeous bird bath!! "the Seahorse bird bath". I've spotted them while on "RAGBRAI" in southern Iowa. i fell in love. So when i spotted it at "SISTERS", i said "SOLD".

Lillies are blooming

My favorite flowers are starting to burst open. i can't have to many lilies. Every year i say, "i need more lilies" When i was growing up in coucil bluffs,my dad had the most beautiful gardens. I remember him out there every morning making the rounds with 2 pekin ducks waddling right behind him, rooting for bugs.He always wore suits, he just wore old suits out in the gardens. He didn't own anything else. white shirts and suits and new and old Florsheim shoes. But, could he tend a garden and grew the most beautiful iris and lilies.

cherry pickin

Ohhhh, the taste of sour cherry pie!!! it make all the sweating and messes of all messes worth while. i try to get most of the worms out, but......The invention of the good good old fashioned cherry pitter was so good that it has never been improved upon. i don't know what i would do without mine. I'm very selfish with my cherries. i freeze them so i can savor cherry pie all winter. the last pie i made, i ate the whole thing. poor bill didn't get a single piece. (better luck next time bill) Does any one know the secret to getting cherry stains off your hands?

got time, make a hair wreath

For those of you who have never seen "the art of hair work", I'll give you a little history.In the Victorian era, mid 1800's, hair work was a ladies drawing room pastime. saved hair was intricately woven into wreaths and jewelry. Mementos of deceased loved ones as well as symbols of love and friendship. they were usually placed in shadow boxes with a picture of the deceased or loved one. i can't imagine the hours it took to make these. but, with no other form of entertainment, it definitely passed the time.i don't see many of these any more. Alot of people are grossed out by them. One guy i know compared it to saving finger nails in a box.I think they are beautiful.

"more busts"

"collection of busts"

this is my collection of female busts. it started with my largest one about 8 years ago. I've been searching ever since for new and different ones. Only vintage , no repros please. My only problem is finding a good spot for new ones. Bill keeps complaining he has no room for "HIS" stuff. poor fella.

flaming bust

Give me a mannequin and I'll cover it with something!I seal it then out side it goes, so people driving by can scratch there heads. I'd like to do a sculpture with a cement mixture of large phallic symbol, that would really get the tongues a flapping.

doll collections

I want to show some of my stash, my many collections. I love dolls. all kinds, all ages, all conditions. I want to start a collection of creepy dolls. I see alot of Really creepy ugly dolls and think if i had a collection of ugly dolls, that WOULD be mine. SO i decided to start one. I really like boy dolls and boudiour dolls. Unfortunatly i have'nt added many lately, to exspensive.I want to know what other people collect. leave a comment and let me know.

bills cave

bill's cave, what can i say. he would'nt want to know i even put these pic s up. no one sees his room. He has the coolest stuff. But, everything is on top of every thing and very dusty. He'll sit in his chair with all his stuff all around him. Arrow heads antique kids games, pin backs and old radio premeiums. Old kites, great turn of the century books and tin toys from the turn of the century. a mother lode of wonderful things BUT>>>>>What can i do. It's his room. or cave.

craft books galour

my studio?

Help, i need i bigger room. i have all my stuff crammed into this little extra bedroom, with no room to spare. but, an abundance of natural light. i can stand in the middle of the room and work on stained glass or my mosaics and turn around and work at my desk on collages. At least it not on my dining room table like alot of folks. But, it's "MY ROOM". A girl has got to have a room of her own no matter how small. Filled with my stuff, creepy, weird or stupid stuff, cool stuff, or stuff you like but, don't want others to see it.I'm a natural hoarder. but so is bill. our house doesn't have paths thru it yet. but, give it time. I will post a picture of bills room later. WOW!!! he's got me beat on disorganization skills.
I have so many books, i tend to do more looking and reading than doing sometimes.

i snuck one in

The rain just keeps coming. but, there was a break today. i rode my 20 miles today. i surveyed the farmland on my way. it's pretty well under water. the farmers were out with shovels trying to divert the water out of the fields. looks pretty hopeless. we are pretty high. i don't anticipate any flooding, although some people are getting water in there basement.