Marie Antoinette Tree Redux among the Breeze

Yes, she was a bit of a tragic figure in history... the glamour, the decadence, the richness, the poor crying out for bread as the wealthy rode in their sleds dressed in their white furs, snow falling, yes, heading to Paris for the Opera during the winter months. In the beginning, she was a beloved princess and later on a Queen. However, eventually the mood of the country turned on the Queen and King and an era of bloody revolution crept into the kingdom........

But this Christmas we will remember the beauty and glorious revelry of her court. And so the Marie tree saga begins. When first you saw it, I had thrown it together and really did not have enough ornaments or silver leaves. Back to Michaels and another redecorating began in earnest the day (Friday) before the snow storm moved in. Here are the results of the white tree....... Larcy provided the jewel initial "M" and up it when right by the tree.

Next the tree topper .....

Found a wonderful Santa on sale and how could I resist him?

We can't forget the "Snow Queen" which I have had for several years. She worked out well in the Marie landscape....

And, of course, the mantel had to come along for the silvery ride this year. Yes, I got the staple gun out and proceeded to staple everything including my thigh.... cute, very cute....

So this year's tribute has been paid to Marie....

tomorrow the "Red" tree and dining room..... As I have been posting I have had a little white puppy watching my keystrokes. Yup, Oliver is visiting while daddy and mommy catch up on Christmas shopping....

watching the snow is so much fun..... OK, not melting, you think maybe it's the birds? I think we need some cuddle time....

One lollapalozza snow storm in the Breeze

I'm sure many of you have heard and some of you are living through the snow storm on the East Coast. WOW, WOW, WOW, snowed and snowed and snowed starting Friday night at 8pm and ended at some point Sunday morning in the early am. Today was the dig out day. Yesterday, it was beautiful and kept me inside to decorate...... which is a good thing.....

Two decorated trees later (Marie and Red tree) and many decorations more, I had to face the Piper this afternoon and dig the car out. Yes, my car is under one of those snow piles.....

Here is a recap of the snow of my century! This is the biggest snow storm I have experienced. Out here in Sterling at my condos we had close to 24" - all on my car.

My car - one wiper standing up above the snow.....my brave little shark....


Row up on row of cars, all buried......


The calm after the storm.... or the "morning after" ......



This bush has never looked more beautiful. And Sir Gargoyle Sr. sat and kept watch over the condo no matter how deep it piled up! I'm a lucky girl.....


After all is said and done, the car got dug out thanks - yes, many many many thanks to Oliver's daddy - Phil, who literally shoveled me out. Yes, I tried to help with my trusty dustpan and broom.... and then baked him a homemade pumpkin pie with whipped cream and hot chocolate....... Love that guy - and Larcy and Oliver tooooo.....



Tomorrow you will start to see the fruits of my labor in decorating - yes, this coming from the one who said Bah Humbug No Decorating this year..... We will start with the Marie tree revisited. Yes, I took it all apart and put more stuff on it.....

Until tomorrow, stay warm and cozy!

This one is dedicated to Marie A, wherever you are

Marie Antoinette has been very good to me this year. I have created three separate works and each one has been published by either Somerset Studio or Somerset Gallery. So having trouble this year getting into the spirit of the season, I stopped at two different Michaels last night after work and found exactly what I needed to honor the lady.

At one Michaels I found the lonely and only three foot high prelit white Christmas tree - no box - took it from the display, and then proceeded to walk around the store decorating it, kind of.

Yes, I am one of those old women you see in craft stores and you cock your eyebrow wondering which asylum let her out.... yes, that's me when I am on a mission. Out of my way or I'll run you over with my darting cart. Will publish more photos for you tomorrow, but you get the drift? I may even get under the stairs and pull some other stuff out and decorate tomorrow since I have the day off and it is the beginning of my vacation. Ho Ho Ho........ instead of ....... Bah Humbug...... Yes, I'm smiling....

Waxing Wanly - Oh My.......

OK, who wants to come and play with me at a Claudine Hellmuth workshop in Alexandria, Virginia, February 6th???? Come on, you know you want to do it. We will have so much fun playing together and getting waxie and then we can feign our wanness and have tea brought to us by Claudine.... Okie Dokie, I'm waking up from the dream right now.

I really love playing with wax. The photo to the left is a work I created following a workshop at Angela's Happy Stamper several years ago. It was a gift for my aunt. The photo I used is one of Aunt Mary around four to five years old and my mother, between the ages of one-two. I love it so much and you can see I use the image a lot.... like in the blog banner...

So the question arises, "would I miss a Claudine workshop on waxing?" Oh no, not on your life. Yes, I know I have her collage book, Collage Discovery Workshop, and her DVD, Beeswax Collage, But....... I can work with her in person and ask questions. So.... on Friday, Claudine posted a new workshop in our area titled Waxing Poetic -- The Art of Beeswax Collage. It will be held all day on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. I hope someone will come out and play with me and Claudine. Yes, I have already signed up. She writes, ". . .Learn how to create a collage entirely with beeswax - no other glues or adhesives are necessary! You'll learn beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage, glazing colors and more!...."

To read more about this workshop: Beeswax Collage Workshop in Alexandria.

Go here to register: Waxing Poetic - The Art of Beeswax Collage.

Come on, you know you want to go........ So, come and join me!

Bring on the Holly in the Honeysuckles!

Ahhhh, Yes, today was a new day and I got done what I wanted to. Nice. Managed to work on five envelopes, address them, stuff tags, and now I'm ready for my bubbles as in bath..... but first boys and girls,

Drumrolllllllll, envelope # 1 ...... This one will be flying its way to California and a saucy sunny girl.

Envelope # 2 ...... This one will be truckin' its way to Washington, DC, to a kind, gentle, and beautiful soul. I love her.

Envelope # 3 ..... Yes, the garter is headed to Missouri - the show me state - well she can show it!

Envelope # 4 ... This little watercolor gal is headed to a neighboring county - the artist - absolutely amazing. We want to try to get together next year for a tea and play date.

Envelope # 5 ...... Ohhhhh, my Marie is flying her way to North Carolina to a very special angel on earth who has touched many artists in a short period of time.

AND, now for me...... I'm really trying to get in the Christmas mood. Have not decorated - don't know if I will - not worried about it because it happens every once in a while and doesn't mean much! LOL. I hum bug it just up until about Dec 22 and then go OH no.... no decorations up. It's a toss up what I do after that. Hey, I got the Christmas dishes out for lunch today.

And, now for me -- again, headed to the bubble bath. *Grin*

Saturday has come and is almost gone!

Some days I just wonder where the day has gone.... like today. Got up early. Had coffee, watched a video, planned my day, got the laundry started, sewed a little on an ornament I am going to give away, went to lunch with my BFF and then stuff kind of came to a screeching halt.

My BFF went off to Michaels for a demonstration (should have gone with her) and I went to the grocery store to look for bread making stuff. Got eggs, oil, bread mix, etc, into basket and then went on the search for little bread loaf pans..... not one in the store... Not one. So, why buy all them fixings when I have nothing to bake them in.



Humpfffff, left cart - did buy a few things, put eggs back, put bread back, not a happy camper.

Went to another grocery store that does not have any variety in the quick breads. Found loaf pans bought plenty. Did a bank deposit, went back to first grocery store, gathered everything up I have gathered the first time around. Bought it. The day is gone. Went to a lovely party.

Came home and started working on what I really wanted to work on. A lovely friend of mine sent me a lovely package this week with the most beautiful ornament in it. I loved this when she featured it on her blog, Artful Affirmations. Terri is a beautiful soul and she creates with that beauty that God has given her. I wanted to find some kind of greenery to feature this star with. I played with it and am not done but wanted to share it with you.

Thank you Terri! I know you don't have a clue how your gesture touched me. You too will be receiving a little package in the mail soon. I promise. Cross my heart, after I find those dingy dangy bread loaf pans! Ho Ho Ho. Are we having fun yet. Ah shucks, I'm going to bed.

The last Sentry standing in the Honeysuckles

Walked out this morning at 7:30 am and the "last sentry" caught my eye as I looked to the left. This snowman was created on Saturday in the big wet snow (see Saturday post) by my neighbors (daddy, mommy, and the two year old little girl) .... and last night we had around 1.8 inches of rain and there he is.... still standing. Love it - I'm so happy I caught this photo this morning because tonight even after 50 degrees and wind -- a little bit of him is still left - more than I imagined. Godspeed my Sentry, I know you will return at the next snow.

Am getting ready to work on some "blank canvas" tonight.... starting to decorate envelopes for the tags to be sent away (see Saturday and Sunday posts). I hope to place them in the mail on Monday. I won't be back with you until Saturday. Tomorrow I have tennis and on Friday I have both a workout with my trainer and tennis.

I love my {S}crap zine...... my volume II-2009. There are a few still available and these are well worth the money. Head over to Amy Steinberg's Etsy Shop to see more images.

Monday night had to run over to the mall and you will not believe what I found on sale at 40% off the sale price........ lounging pants - hot pink - using images from the Cavallini & Company Paris Rubber Stamps (yes, I have the stamps and was so laughing out loud at L&T) - one pair only in the whole wide store and in my size...... yes, it was meant to be and I have them on right now! So, will see you on Saturday - in the meantime me and my lounging pants are headed downstairs to fix dinner....
Chuckles! Here's to hot pink! Have a great eve and for those of you in the eye of the storm that is moving across the country.... stay warm and for those in the blizzard in MN and WI, stay inside!