Mural, Mural On the Wall...

I've written here about one of my very talented friends, Rosann, before. Let me share what she just finished. She did this mural as a birthday gift for our friend, Sherrie on a blank wall under her staircase, and has been kind enough to walk us through it! So please, take it away, Rosann!!!

Well, you could say this mural was a labor of love....but really it was so much fun and I love to paint!

A friend of mine & Jan's, Sherrie, had her 55th birthday last August, and I wanted to do something really special. And as Jan can tell you Sherrie is a little sweetie...and creative too. Sherrie had seen some of the hand painting I have done at my house and wanted to pay me to do a mural.So I gave her a ROZ ( that's me) Gift Certificate for her birthday to paint the mural...all she needed was to buy paint.

(You can click on the photos to see more details!)

Sherrie showed me some photos of what she wanted. I drew up a drawing to show her & her husband, Jim. Then it was time to get started. First I projected the drawing on to the wall and got the lines roughed in. Started with painting the stonework to match up to the fireplace wall in the living room (see the last picture.). Next the archway. That was a lot of fun making it look 3-D, like you were really look through to the arch.

(I love the way the light falls on the bottom bricks--it looks so REAL-Jan)

The Bougainvillea was a challenge....getting the color right. Sherrie found a photo of the perfect color Bougainvillea then it fell into place.

The sky, and landscape was next and went smoothly. I had a lot of fun with the color of the Villa....like the door and windows?

Last, the little fountain.....the hardest thing about that was trying to get it to scale and the placement of it. Once that was set it was time to break out the tiny brushes...and a real steady hand!

Happy Birthday Sherrie!!

Tiny Tea Time Thanks

I had a short and sweet visit from my blog buddy Connie this morning before she made her way back home. Look what she brought me! She made a (funny & touching card from a photo she took of her window sill, and I thought it fitting that the sweet tiny tea cup & saucer, which used to be her aunt's sit on my sill until it finds a permanent home.

Here it is in my (illusionaly meaty) hand, trying to give you some perspective as to how petite it really is. You might be able to see the paint and raised detailing if you click on the picture.

And although we didn't really talk about it, I hope her troubles will always fit in a cup this small.

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Cheap Vintage Finds

I was out and about two weeks ago looking for deals to sell at the shop. I sure didn't find much, but I did find these! Funny how most of what I got was red, white & blue.


I think these little wood people on picks are for a cake (?) They are angels, and there is a baby in the crib.
That's a little child's blue checked half-apron there. Cute, huh?

Love the bird graphic on the the package of rick-rack. Anyone have any great projects that involve rick-rack, but NO SEWING? Please send me a link! I have quite a collection now and I'm determined to use it!!!

Share your vintage goods! Go to Colorado Lady's blog this and every Thursday and sign up!

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Hat Trick

(You can click on the photos to see more details)

Every once in a while when I'm out combing the estate sales, I'll come across a cute little hat. Not being a "hat person" I always figure I can take it apart and use the elements to decorate something else. I get them home and think, "My gawd, that's a cute hat! What could I possibly make with those vintage flowers and leaves that could be any cuter?!?!?", finding the answer that comes back is always "NOTHING!!! "Add to this that now every Thursday night opening at the shop I am required to wear a cute hat, and you will have the reason for my small collection of hats. I've become a regular Lucy Ricardo, sneaking them into the house past my Ricky, who just rolls his eyes. But I don't have to whine, stamp my feet and take them back because they are too 'spensive--the most one has cost me EIGHT DOLLARS!!!

Get your VINTAGE ON! Visit Colorado Lady's blog every Thursday to see more, and share what you've got!

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Little Pink House's Little Blue Kitchen

You'd think everything in my Little Pink House would be PINK, right? Well, wrong. Too much of a good (pink) thing can be boring all the time. My little vintage kitchen is clean, so I thought I'd share. Grab a piece of pie from the counter if you like. Darn kid left his greasy smear on the refrigerator again!

Would you like a cup of coffee? It's on the stove-help yourself. And watch that knife in the bread-sorry about that.

Join me at the table. Here's a plate for you.

Shoot, I forgot to get up there and arraign those cookbooks.

That turkey was on sale at Costco. It's almost done resting. Oh, hey! There's that quarter I thought I lost! Looks like I'll be going to the bank today.

Get your vintage on! Go to Colorado Lady's blog every Thursday and join the fun! This little room was a recent ONE DOLLAR find at a garage sale. I've gotten at least $50.00 worth of fun with it. It measures 3 1/4" square!

Passed Down

Do you ever get creative & feasible ideas that magically POP into your head causing a euphoric synergy? Where do those ideas come from? Personally, I do believe some of them are heaven-sent but most of them must be formulated by what's already in your brain. And so how does what's in your brain get there? Your parents must have a huge part in it. I got lucky with mine. Yes, I got my dad's hay fever and hairy arms, but I think I may have received something else too. Here's what my talented father has been working on:

He has been into rocks and gems for a very long time, and I think everything he's listed in his Etsy shop at Macgems (http://www.macgems.etsy.com) displays his expertise as well as his talent. He facets gemstones such as colored quartz, laser ruby, tourmaline, amethyst, citrine, CZ and many others. He's also an expert at cutting & polishing opals and making them into pendants. PLUS most of the settings they are mounted in are square wire wrapped designs of his own making!

As a retired architectural engineer in his eighties, it's the perfect hobby for someone who thrives on perfect precision.

And Mom, (a retired RN with a masters, who in her 80's is earning a doctorate in Psychology) calls me "the clever one"?

Really, Just Floored

I've been down on my hands and knees giving thanks that I have such a great job at Room With A Past, and I thought that while I was down there, I might as well paint something.

Before (you can click to make the photos larger)

If you haven't seen the new addition, you've got to get in there for the next sale on June 11, 12, 13 & 14th. If you already have been in, make sure you take a look at the new marbled floor I just finished last week.

During

Susan had painted the black & white diamonds a few months ago after I penciled it out for her, and it was time to add the painted faux marble.

Seal

Actually, I'm not positive that it's complete. I may need to add a little more depth and detail. That's the excuse I'll use anyway just so I can take off my shoes, run around in my socks and lay out on the floor some more!

Seal twice more....



I mean how many other jobs can you say that about?!??!

And finished!!!

Yes, I do love my job.