ART on the Farm ...

Last spring I was privileged to sell my wares at the Nada farm event and I'm happy to report I'll be heading back to Nada this fall not only to sell, but I'll also be teaching a jewelry class!

Spending time creating with new and old friends is very special to me ... so, to have 3 hours of pure creative uninterrupted fun is my idea of BLISS! 

My class will be held on Friday evening, October 7th, from 4pm to 7pm ... after class you'll have time to shop the opening night at the sale. 

So, would you like to make it a Friday night date? 

Me, you and a few of our closest new friends ... drinks, munchies and jewelry!? Sound good? I thought so ... 
registration will open this week with ALL of the details.

There will be much more "Art on the Farm" to enjoy this year ... 

after my jewelry class on Friday night why not sign up for Jen Rizzo's Saturday morning class: 
Reflections of the Prairie Mixed - Media Art Class.  

Then there's Jeanne Oliver's two amazing classes on Saturday afternoon: Vintage Art Journal and Vintage Mixed Media Art

Art on the farm
Art, friends, shopping ... what more could a girl ask for?

xo

Jill

Wondrous Strange

Wondrous and Strange ... 

in more than one way ..

this past week I have experienced an earthquake, a fire, and a hurricane...

each wondrous and strange in their own right, none I want to repeat.

ever.

However ...

My fourth encounter with the wondrous and strange I embraced with open arms ... this by chance pairing was a welcomed one.

Meet my Bead Soup Blog Party swap partner, Dorcas from

Wondrous Strange Designs

 Take a peek at her wonderful handmade beads she creates ... below is a package she put together especially for me to create with!!

 Dorcas uses a richly textured and colored Raku glaze on her beads. The colors are just stunning and even better in person!

 She even makes her own little frozen Charlotte dolls ... and wings ... and leaves ... if you would like to create with such items, you can find a bevy of treasures on her Etsy shop for yourself.

 How pretty are these bundles of silk ribbons? The possibilities are endless ... I have to admit, I'm nervous that I'm not going to do her artisan beads justice ... but I sure am going to have fun trying!!

 This is my first year playing along and joining the BSBP ... hosted yearly by Lori Anderson ... this lady deserves some sort of medal organizing OVER 360 participants ... that is a lot of work!! Thank you Lori!

You can visit all the participants here.

Below is what I sent over to Dorcas to create with.

Quite different than what she is used to, ya think?!

I hope she likes working with a bundle of my found gypsy treasures.

I think this is the most fun,challenging, and rewarding part of the party ... reaching outside your "familiar" box and working with items you would normally not try.

Well, I'm ready and up for the challenge.

Wish me luck!

and THANK YOU Dorcas for sending such beauty to me and willing me to stretch my creative imagination ; )

One last note to Mother Nature ... thank you for showing me your force and beauty, but that's enough already!!

xo

Jill

Mid Summer bag Giveaway ...

It's time ... for three things, a.) join up with my friend  Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday and b.) do a fun little mid summer {white} giveaway, inspired by my friend Kathleen at Faded Charm  and ... c.) link on up with a new friend Jen at Jen Rizzo for her latest linky party ~ an entire party dedicated to givaways!!!

I've been mostly absent from the blogworld this summer ... spending some downtime with the family and sewing like a mad woman !! 

I figured it was about time to surface, say hello, and host a giveaway.

 Here's what I'd like to give one of you {wish I could give ALL of you one!!} ... a Gypsy Carpet Bag ... All rocked out in shades of white,cream,and brown with a dash of lace and leopard ... true prairie gypsy style!

 The back of the bag has two outside pockets for convenient access ... trimmed with a vintage doily, so pretty against the tan and white ticking.

 A white vintage millinery rose and bud adorn the tassel style embellishment of seam binding and crochet on the front flap.

 I'll be running the giveaway the entire month of August, a winner will be drawn randomly from all the entries on Thursday, September first and announced the same day. You have lots of time to get your entries in and spread the word!! 

You'll earn chances the usual way:

Leave a comment on this post earns 1 chance.

Become a follower earns 2 chances.
Already a follower? Let me know, earns 2 chances for you .
Mention and link to my give-away on your blog, earns you 3 more chances.

Good luck!!

xo

Jill


ps. make that 4 reasons d.)Freckled Laundry's Textile party!!

Porch of the Month ... August

 Hey all! I have been super excited to share this month's featured porch with you ... and ... I purposely waited to post it on the first "White Wednesday" of the month.

Why? Because it is {drum roll, please} our very own Kathleen's porch!!  

Kathleen's porch has proved to be the perfect choice for these long hot dog days of August ... her white themed porch looks like just the right spot to sit and cool off for a while while visiting with a friend!

Tucked behind an enchanting garden lies a sweet spot of serenity ... come on up and I'll let Kathleen begin the tour ....

 {all photos courtesy of homeowner}

"A porch was a necessity when building our house since I had always dreamed of having one.  It is an area that is used by my whole family including our animals.  You can usually find the dogs napping here in the afternoons and the kitties love to snuggle on the cushions.  My girls also love to read out here......

I've had fun collecting items over the years including architectural pieces, statuary, birdhouses and urns. .....

 My favorite part of the porch is the metal loveseat and chairs, not only for their comfort, but they also hold a special meaning as well.  I bought them from a friendly lady who owned a junk shop close to my home that I would frequent often.  She died of cancer a couple years ago and I really miss stopping in to visit with her.

I like to fill my pots every year with different annuals and the wisteria is finally grown up enough to provide a nice amount of shade. ....

The perfect place to relax on a warm evening and read a good book or browse through the latest Jeanne d' Arc magazine."

So, there you have it ... don't you feel just a few degrees cooler already? I do!

I have to extend a really big thank you  {plus hugs and kisses} to Kathleen at Faded Charm for not only sharing her porch with all of us this month, but for also inspiring us EVERY week with a bounty of "white"!

Kathleen has also inspired me to do a new purse in white ... here's a little sneak peek

I'm thinking it's about time for a little ol' white giveaway...

I'll be revealing the details on Friday over at

Vintage Inspiration Fridays

Enjoy all the warm sunshine!

xo

Jill