OWOH Winnings and New Friends

I enjoy participating in the OWOH event each year. I have meet some of the most interesting, generous and kindhearted people but this year had to top them all.

I was the lucky winner of not one but two heart necklaces. Holly's Folly made this lovely glass heart pendant. The photo cannot do it justice as it is far lovelier in person.

This winged heart pendant is from Ametista LLC. I can hardly wait to wear this with my Steampunk outfit that I am wearing to Abeny Park in April.

Due to a slight mishap I was introduced to someone I may not have meet any other way. Waxela from Spirit Mama sent me this package of goodies as a thank you. Look at these clever fabric coved buttons and this handcrafted goddess.

Winning beautifully handcrafted items is always fun, but more importantly OWOH has introduced me to some wonderful people who have replenished my faith in human kindness, and for that I am truly grateful.

I Got a Job!

I got a job! This is one of the reasons why I have been an absent blogger. Between work, running after a 2 year old, house chores and the occasional sleep I have had little time to do much of anything else. But I got a great job at the Tinman Gallery. Sue Bradley is the owner and she is so wonderful to work for. The gallery features the work of local area artists. Sue is such an avid reader that she also carries a wide selection of book and just this summer she added Tinman Too, which is the most enchanting children’s book store. Did I mention that I love my job? Nothing could be better than working in an art gallery AND a book store.

Witches Ball

Thanks to everyone who left their kind words on my blog about the hat for the ball...
Now for the bad news. I have no pictures of myself from the ball. I was so preoccupied with everyone else’s costumes that I forgot to take one of myself. Silly!!! Here is a picture, minus me, of my corset.

We had the most amazing night. I was fortunate enough to see Koreshakti Tribal Fusion which is a remarkable blend of contemporary belly dancing accompanied by industrial, traditional, hypnotic live music. Another reason as to why I forgot to take more photographs. I was so enthralled with their performance that I did not want to miss one moment of the entertainment.
If a picture ever pops up of me I will post it



West Port Pirates

Ever year we like to take a trip to the ocean. I am particularly fond of the Washington Coast. In the past years we have stayed at Kalaloch, but this year my mother-in-law wanted to go to Pacific Beach. I had never been there, but I have an adventurous spirit and am always ready to go anywhere on a moments notice. This is the first year that the annual trip was made into the Davis Family trip. All of my husband’s family was able to attend. Right before we left one of my sister-in-laws informed all of us that there was to be a Pirate Festival in West Port. One to never turn down the opportunity to dress up in pirate garb I packed my gear with excitement.

The Streets were lined with celeabrating pirates

The Famous Seattle Seafair Pirates made an appearance

This two man craft came ashore

There was live music.

Saddly I can not remember the name of this fabulous duo.

Even my little one got into the spirit

He fished for treasure with his daddy

We had a great day looking at landlocked boats

Not Again...

Please excuse spelling and other dumb grammar mistakes.


I have often gone back over old blogs and wondered where my head was at when I wrote them. After 6 years of college, you would think I would have a better grasp of the English language, but apparently not. In my own defense I do have a two year old who requires my constant attention. So please keep that in mind when you find that I have composed a bit of misspelled twaddle. Speaking of which, his majesty is in need of my services. I must be running along.

Mother's Day Gifts

Look at my beautiful Mother’s Day Gifts. I know that Mother’s Day was weeks ago but the last gift just arrived in the mail and I had to share. The pendent is from Stephanie Pui-Mun Law. She is the creator of the Shadowscapes Tarot Deck. If you have not seen this new deck it is stunning. Stephanie is a prolific watercolor artist and her work is quit affordable. I am lucky enough to own several of her prints and now this lovely pendent.


My second gift is from the very talented Fairsteps. If you have not visited Mrs. Fairysteps site before I highly recommend taking a look. She has the most charming line of leather and knitwear goods. From the very first time I saw this web site I was in love. I hope that someday I will be able to purchase a pair of her handcrafted shoes, but for now I will happily settle for this darling pouch.

Please excuse my absence lately as I have taken on the job of archiving the family photo collection. What I thought was going to be a maybe a few hundred photos, has turned into more like thousands. I have been diligently working on this project for weeks… estimated date of completion, fall of 2015. You think I jest.

...and My Parents Come Through

As I have mentioned before there are 3 of us that live in 855 square feet. We have been living on top of ur mess for years and it has only gotten worse. At this point we cannot afford to sell our home and move into a bigger one, so here we stay. I have spent countless hours downsizing and consolidating, yet there is still a lot of stuff in our home. My husband is a musician and I always laugh because he couldn’t play something small and easily portable like spoons, no he is a drummer. And he does not own just one kit but three, along with keyboards, guitars, and sound gear. We sold our upright piano after our son was born because there was just no longer any room for it. Let’s just say our basement is full. I will only venture to the pit if I have laundry to do.


Several weeks ago I had a fit; well it was really more than just a fit. I had a full-fledged temper tantrum after I could not find my sketchpad. I hate when I have an idea and cannot find anything to sketch on. Clif agreed that it was time to look for a solution. I have so many supplies that One day my mother-in-law recommended that I put everything in the closet of our son’s room. When I told her it was already full she would not believe me and went to look. Let’s just say that she was lucky that she was able to close the door and that she did not obtain a concussion from falling objects. If I had just one hobby the mess might be better, but I have several and I always have more than one project in the works, my kitchen table can contest to that.

We had been searching high and low for a piece of furniture to store some of my supplies in. I needed something that was sturdy, all important as I hate spending money on junk that falls apart within a year. I wanted something astatically pleasing to the eye and it had to fall in to a price range that didn’t throw my husband into sticker shock. Not always an easy task, he is cheaper than I am. After hitting second-hand shops, estate sales and perusing Craig’s List my parents came through. 40 years ago my dad bought this piece of furniture for 30 dollars. It was in bad shape when he brought it home, but my dad, the ever handy-man went to work on it. He refinished it. In the pictures you can see the dark wood, that is the original color and those decorative pieces are untouched. Behind the mirror my father found a 1910 newspaper and so we know that this dresser is at least 100 years old. This old dresser brings back a flood of memories. It was always in my parents’ bedroom and as a little girl I use to stand on the top and look in the mirror (what a vain child).

I have already filled every nook and cranny. In front of the mirror is the print I won from Marie Otero at Lost Aussie. I have gotten the mat and am still waiting to find and appropriate frame. The lily pad lamp was bought at a yard sale for a dollar. I have been looking for a glass shade that will not break the bank. The shade I wanted was $125; I think I will keep looking. The hand-blown hookah has been with me for years. I had my dad cut the bowl off the top. It was to be a small table, but my son cannot keep his hands off of it. So I put it up for safe keeping.

I am very happy that my parents have decided to let me become the caretaker of such a piece and look forward to having many years of memories with it in our home. Now I can get back to work.

A 4th OWOH prize...

Just when I thought it was over, I got another wonderful surprise. Last week I received an email telling me that I had won yet another OWOH giveaway. The original winner had failed to reply, there was an additional drawing and my name was selected. Yippee, well I mean I am sorry that the original winner lost out on her chance to win this bundle of goodies, but I am thrilled to have had my own name drawn. There is obviously some amazing talent over at Etsy Team Columbus. Look at all of this fun stuff.

A big thanks to the artists from ETC.

Another OWOH Prize Arrives by Post

Looky, looky at what I received. Another One World, One Heart giveaway prize in the mail. Boy, my mail carrier must be getting tired of delivery packages to my door.

This came from the very talented Regi at Southern Ooaks.

Regi has just opened an Etsy shop. Go check out her handcrafted goodies. Best wishes to Regi on her new adventure!

OK, a plug for another fellow artist and blogger

Look at this lovely pendant being givenaway at Prairie Thisle. She is celebrating her 400th blog. Who would not want to win this handmade pendant by this talented Kansas artist. You have until March 21 to enter. Make sure to read all about Julie and everything she put into creating this piece.

...and yet another gift rolls in...YIPPEE!

The packaging is so pretty with a Paris label.

Look at all of the little lovelies that arrived for me in the mail today!

Juliet creates the most darling felted items. Go check out her blog JulietKBears

Thanks JulietK, I love them all!

My First Prize Arrived Today!

I just recieved my first prize from the One World, One Heart giveaway. I am so excited that I had to show all of you.

I received a print that was created by Marie Otero. Marie is a mixed media and a digital artist. Her work is quite fascinating and has a vibrancy all its own. Make sure to check out her blog, her Etsy Shop, Lost Aussie Designs and her web site .

Check out this image on the back of the print; it's just as cool as the image on the front.

Here is the NY sticker on the mailing envelope

Thanks Marie!

New Knitting Needles

Several years ago I bought some very nice wood knitting needles in Walla Walla. I loved them. They were hand turned and I spent a small fortune on them. Yesterday my son jabbed one of the tips into the keyhole on the bathroom door and broke the tip off. After many tears and a solemn farewell I had resigned myself that they were no more. Today my husband, who felt sorry for me, took me to buy a new pair of knitting needles. While these are not my old tried and true, they work great. These needles are a pair of Lantern Moons and are made out of Rosewood. They are light and soft in my hands. I am sure that after many projects I will be just as attached to these as l was to my old ones.

As this year ends and a new one begins my mind sifts through all that has happened in this last year. I find myself counting my many blessing more than ever. So my wish for my blog friends is that, I hope you have more to be thankful for, than sorry for, and that the New Year brings you and yours many blessings and joy.

Our Tree is Up

We got our tree up today.

After much debate we came to the conclusion that we needed to put up the little tree and save the big tree for another year. Over the years we have collected enough ornaments to decorate several trees, but we toned it down this year for our 19 month old son. The tree this year is a combination of vintage and new ornaments. My mother-in-law cannot help but buy every ornament she sees for her only grandson, so this year our tree is decorated for him.

There are bubble lights, the angel moves her wings and the tree spins.

Many of the ornaments were made by my husband and his brother when they were little. Under the tree is a small collection of houses that light up.

While the little one napped his father and I raced against the clock to get everything decorated. Neil was filled with wonder and delight when he saw our efforts.

Starting to Feel a Lot Like the Holidays

With the holidays fast approaching I have decided that I had better start decorating our home. Keep in mind that there is three of use living in 855 sq feet, so this year I am only putting up one tree. Yes, we have two trees:) One tree is traditional and the other is a Star Trek/Star Wars tree, we know, geek comes to mind. And the snow village will stay packed away this year, my son will miss it, be we just do not have the room. I LOVE vintage ornaments, wreaths, gaga and anything that screams tradition. I have been holding on to a box of vintage silk thread covered apples for years. I have tucked them here and there over the years but they have finally found a more permanent spot. An old beat-up wreath, some ribbon, lights and a vintage elf who has been in my possession for many a moon and Neil now has a wreath all his own.

We also added a new addition to the holidays this year, an advent calendar. I didn’t what something that was thrown away after all the candy was eaten. I wanted to be able to fill the calendar with tidbits of my own and have it be something that Neil could look forward to every year. I searched high and low for a nice, higher quality advent calendar. I looked all over town and when that was a bust I started searching the internet. I found a hand-crafted one made in Germany, but $600 didn’t sit well with me. After months of looking I found this one at Costco. Let’s just say Neil LOVES it, and I am happy with both the price and the quality.

Now off to do more decorating.

Pinecone Hunting

I took Neil to the ranch to go pinecone hunting. Grandpa, Neil and I walked up through the old cow pasture. It was a cold clear morning and we had an amazing view of the valley.

Here is out booty, pine needles and all