all about Pretty!

our 1st Vintage Chicks sale!!!

I believe I've mentioned in an earlier post how my friend Pam & I are starting our own "Farm Chicks" type show up here in Canada and our plans are well on their way. Hope to see you all there!

THE VINTAGE CHICKS SPRING FAIR

June 12 &13, 2010

Priddis, Alberta, Canada

 

Well we were just too excited to wait till June 2010 so we did a mini Vintage Chicks sale right in my own backyard and studio and I have to say it looked pretty dang pretty considering the crazy Lethbridge wind gusts kept blowing everything everywhere. I'm a little late posting but right after the sale I had to head out to Portland for an art retreat which was fabulous! We're so excited about the big Priddis June 2010 show coming up so fast. We might have another spontaneous sale before Priddis and will post any details of upcoming sales. Also we're looking for more vendors so if you know of any creative collectors/restylists/artists, please send them our way.

 

and after a hard days work I made Pam a lovely dinner

my secret recipe...

Alphagetti & a spoon!!!

Have a Pretty day!

Tu-de-lu,
Laura
xo

my first published article, woohoo, thank you Jesus!

 

I do have some exciting news, my very first article in Somerset Holidays & Celebrations. I was honoured and thrilled when they asked me to do an article about my lace cakes. I've never though of myself as a writer and find it daunting writing my blog posts so I never thought I could write an article for a magazine. I had been thinking of submitting my artwork for months but I keep trying to create the perfect piece first. Yup, life as a perfectionist can be tough, recognizing this fact is the first step. I’ve taken that first step...still on the road to recovery and I know someday I will be the perfect imperfectionist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that my garden has slowed down I'm finally getting back into the studio. Almost finished some new lace cakes and will list on Etsy soon along with some other new creations I've been working on.  I've been off work struggling with fibromyalgia for the last few months and thankfully getting lost in creating really helps me forget the pain. Yesterday I was informed that my services were no longer needed after almost 15 years of dedication to my job so I guess I'll have even more time in the studio now. My dream is to someday be able to work full time as an artist but I guess that's not a path that all artists are blessed with. So hopefully this will be the last bit of bummer news I will share for a long, long time. I love upbeat blogs that enlighten, make ya smile, and are beautifully poetic but I also admire blogs that are honest and real about life so I hope you understand why I’m sharing the bad as well as the good. It does help getting it off the shoulders so thanks for listening! I am trusting God is taking care of me and has a wonderful plan for my life. I’m trying to stay positive and hope to be sharing great news with you soonJ.

Have a PRETTY day!

Tu-de-lu,
Laura

My favourite dream of all!

I have to apologize for not being a faithful blogger for some time now but I have times where I fall way behind with life. I seem to always have a big "to do" list but not enough time and energy to get it all done, especially in the summer.  My garden has been a big part of my busyness and it seems to take all my spare time (I'm not complaining, I love gardening!) so that leaves me with a messy house and studio and not enough blog posts but what I miss most is creating. I like to blame it on the pain I have from fibromyalgia, it really slows me down.  My close friends keep telling me to not be too hard on myself for getting behind so I've decided not to beat myself up anymore and will get stuff done as I can. I'm starting pain managment next week so I'm hoping that will give me some tools to cope better. I just wanted to let you know so hopefully you understand why I don't blog as much as I'd like. I'm still believing for my healing and then look out you won't be able to shut me up or slow me down. I have many dreams for my life (yes, even at 46) but finally getting to live my life with energy and no pain, that is my favourite dream of all!

I never like to post without some pretty pictures. Here's what I harvested from my flower crop this year.

 
 

 
 

 

and one not so pretty pic of me and my garden pickins

Have a PRETTY day!
Tu-de-lu,
Laura

Farm Chicks Yippee Yahooooo!!! PART 2

The next day was more relaxed, took it slowly and we hung together. I had time to chat with a few blog friends Amy & Kris, Isabel & Lisa. You know what I like about the Farm Chicks over the "things" (although the things are very pretty) is the "people" (pretty people too!).  Isn't it marvelous to hang with like minded creative souls who get you? I always feel so at home at the Farm Chicks, accepted, where my wacky creative ideas are actually understood and they get me just like I get them. Does that make sense? Everyone is so in tune there, on the same wave length, peas in a pod etc. etc.  It's wonderful to see how humble and gracious everyone is. It's such a pleasure, wish there was a town called Farm Chicks, I'd move there in a heartbeat. 

I got the chance to meet in person the lovely Beth Quinn. Her booth was divine and I did take a picture but it turned out all blurry. if I wasn't allergic to metal I would have spent so much there. Her work is uber-pretty!!! Lucky me she had one of her paintings only the one so I know it was meant for me.

Farm Chicks is a super girls weekend, truly worth the trip. Just remember to bring a uhaul!!!

Sorry I was so busy having fun that I didn't get pictures of all the booths like I wanted and many of my pics are the 2nd day when the booths already sold lots. You can check out the Farm Chicks blog, they have tons of links with lots more pics.

This is Miss Molly, I met her in the line up, isn't she just the sweetest Farm Chick you've ever met?
 

Isabel's stunning booth!

 

 

Lisa had such pretties!

 

Here's Today's Country Store from Sumner, WA, one of my fave shops! Amy's in the apron. My pics didn't turn out the best this year, really do have to do a photography course. Check out there blog for better pics.

 

 

Teresa Sheeley, I bought that sweet little stand on the right (top) and one of her darling tea towels

 

Debi Ward Kennedy had a wonderfully creative booth this year, loved it and my pics do not do it justice. bought a sweet collage from her

 

 

 

 

I always love Cindy's booth, she's a creative genius!

 

 

  

 

Junebug lovely, lovely, lovely!!!

 

 

I purchased a beautiful pin from Colleen, loved her use of lace/fabric in her collage.

 

 

 

 

I met Sheri this show and loved her booth and she was such a delight, very talented! unfortunately by time I took these pics she sold so much. Check out her blog for better pics. 

Me & Sheri
 

 

 

 

bought a pretty hanky and pink chenille from Happy Endings

 

this is the only good pic I have of Bella Shabby but this is where I purchased the most from. I guess we both have the same taste & style. she had some amazing lace so I can get busy making more lace cakes and I bought the cutest little baby booties from her.

 

First time I've seen the Barnhouse Boys live and WOW, an amazing booth...and they're so cute too boot, definitely a treat for the eyes!!! 

 

 

The "All That Glitter" booth, look at that architecture! 

Val & myself at the picture booth, she came down with me from Lethbridge and owns Antiques on 9th here. Her first time to the Farm Chicks and she really enjoyed it. I'm the one with the silly face.

 

me (with another silly face) & Pam, we're putting together the first Farm Chick style show in Alberta,Canada next June in Priddis, Alberta called the Vintage Chicks! I'll post more as we have more details. The Farm Chicks has truly inspired us.

Well that's it for this year folks. I know I missed so many other fabulous vendors but it's so hard to fit everything in only 2 days so you'll have to come see it next year for yourself. You'll just love it! See you there!

Have a Pretty! day,
Laura

Farm Chicks Yippee Yahooooo!!!

Last year, my first time to the Farm Chicks, I was standing in line with Mom & Auntie we could see the outside booths and they looked so fabulous! Just my cup of tea and that gave us a hint of what was inside. I was so thrilled with anticipation and after stepping inside I declared, when I die I know this is what heaven looks like!

This year did not disapoint, it's still just as fresh, exciting and gorgeous as the first time I went, just a tad bigger. I went with my friend Val we had a marvelous time of course we both shop at different paces, so the first day we had to split up to do the power shopping. I purchased such pretty finds. Here's a few...

what a delight to find this beauty! she's smaller than most I've seen

lots of lace, my fave

who can't resist a sweet doll head... see my Beth Quinn painting!

the cutest little stands

Tomorrow I'll post my pics of the show.

Have a Pretty! day,
Laura

I've fallen and I can't get up!

Just wanted to do a quick post to let you know where I've been since I haven't posted anything for awhile.  A few weeks ago on my way out to my backyard studio I tripped over a cement sidewalk block stumbling for what seemed like minutes trying to keep from falling but alas my face hit the concrete then the rest of my body came tumbling down hard. I was in horrible pain and my friend who witnessed my clumsy episode rushed me to the hospital. Needless to say I looked a mess, my teeth went through my bottom lip so they swelled up so big I could hardly talk. My nose swelled up and I had cuts, bruises and scrapes everywhere. The emergency Dr. said it was actually a good think I fell on my face as it protected my brain from damage but with so much pain and the face of a beat up boxer I couldn't really agree with him. I did end up with a concussion and whiplash so I'm off work and healing slowly but surely. I can't spend time on the computer right now but I hope to be back on-line in a few weeks.

I always like to post with pictures but I haven't completed any creations lately except for a pretty snowgirl in a spring snowfall we had in April (notice little Daisy attacking her) so I'll leave you with this and hope to be in tip top form soon and get back to the studio.

God bless!

Have a Pretty! day,
Laura

sTUDIO sWEET sTUDIO

Last year I built a new garage and a little over half was designed as studio space. It has nice windows and a 10ft ceiling, a cottage style door with a window and a little veranda. This year I'm adding shutters and window boxes. God has blessed me so! Thank you Jesus! Being so excited I got ahead of myself and hauled all my "stuff" out there then after thinking it over I realized that my new space would be a great place to hold my "Vintage Pretty Sales". So I decided to set it up as my very own boutique instead of a workshop. Unfortunately I then had to turn around and haul everything back into my basement and now I have a VERY MESSY workshop and studio. Before I can do any more creating I have to get the workshop sorted out so that's my next big challenge. I'm a bit embarrassed sharing these pics that show my chaos but then the after pics will be that much better. I can't tell you how long this is going to take because my garden is calling me and so much of my time in the spring goes to the garden but I'll keep on cleaning up the clutter and some day it will be totally organized & PRETTY! one can dream can't they!

Here are some "before" pics of my soon to be "boutique" right in my back yard.

 

 

and here are some "before" pics of my MESSY workshop in my basement. Can you see my work table, not one bit of free space to work on. To make it more inviting my Dad sprayed the entire basement white with pink floors. 

 

 

Have a PRETTY! day,
Laura

SPRING IS HERE!!!

Spring is here!!! This is all that is left of last year's garden and I can't wait to start digging and planting again.

I've been busy planting seeds in mini greenhouses

 

Wow, it's been over one month since my last post. I've been so busy organizing, spring cleaning and starting my garden.  I've finished my seeding and now I'm heading into the danger zone, my workshop & studio. I'll post the before pictures tomorrow and then depending how long it takes I'll post the after pics.

Now I'll leave you with some pics of my garden from last year. It's a very big yard, tons of work, and I inherited a bit of a mess. Slowly but surely I'll be filling it full of trees, shrubs, perennials and ground cover so eventually I won't have any lawn but a lush fragrant park like yard that surrounds all who visit with God's presence & beauty!
          

HERE ARE THE BEFORE PICS OF MY YARD.

The biggest change was getting rid of the long driveway that went from the front street right through to the back alley and into the old garage. The backyard was so open to the alley and my driveway looked like an alley so people were always driving & walking through my yard. Now my studio is here and it's completely fenced.       

God bless you!

Have a Pretty! spring,
Laura 

Lace Cupcakes ... less calories than Lace Cakes!

Happy Wednesday!

I have started to work on my next set of lace cakes and hope to list more shortly.  Over the last few months I've had some friends suggest trying a cupcake or two so I gave it a whirl and here's my first lace cupcake, just listed on Etsy.

"bloom, and reveal yourself in all your beauty!"

this beautiful quote on my cupcake is from X. B. Saintine's (a well known French writer) most famous work "Picciola"

 

 

 

 

Have a Pretty! day,
Laura 

My First Swap

I had so much fun doing my first swap ever with my very talented Canadian artist friends. They turned my least favourite holiday into something special.  I wanted to post all the wonderful pretties I received and introduce you to my lovely friends.

Mar created this elegant book mark, lovin the pink/black & white with a touch of my fave, lace! 

Holly sent me these creamy soft pink pearl earrings, aaahhh, so Grace Kelly with a modern twist 

Martha's stunning fabric valentine hanging has such amazing detail, layers & texture. I have it hanging in my studio, it inspires me so!
  

I adore this lacey, frilly, sparkly bookmark Lisa sent me with this beautiful quote "Life is to be fortified with many friendships. To love and be loved is the greatest happiness of existence." - Sydney Smith 

Vanessa wrapped her gift with a lovely quote and such precision it was almost to pretty to open. I'm glad I did. She sent gifts for the garden, seeds with lovely watercolours, such a cool idea.  
 

Sabina was truly a bonus. We got to open her gift on our day and then keep it a secret until the swap was over. How hard was that!  Her pretty stylish collage below included my faves, buttons, flowers, feathers and of course, lace!
   

Dawn created a glittery altered key with pretty lace, a dangly gem and a bauble charm that reads "more glitter please". You're so great at restyling and thinking outside the box, you inspire me, thanks Dawn!
 

 Kim made this sweet little love & trust charm and generously shared her technique for making these.

Nicolette sent this pretty ATC with a poem
Where true Love burns Desire is Love's pure flame, It is the reflex of our earthly frame, That takes its meaning from the nobler part, And but translates the language of the heart. Samuel Taylor Coleridge
 

Arlene sent this scrumptious fabric journal with such pretty touches of vintage crochet, I just love it! I can't wait to  use it to sketch all my dreams & ideas.
 

and my giveaway was my aromatherapy hearts and a valentine magnet
   

Thanks gals! for helping me get through Valentines with a smile on my face and you've al l inspired me so much.

Have a Pretty! day,
Laura