it just doesn't get anymore exciting than this!

Temporama by Cannonsburg Pottery

Blue Heaven by Royal China

Informal True China by Iroquois - a Ben Seibel Design - USA

back and bottom of above

Magnolia by Homer Laughlin - Lifetime China Turquoise

Autumn  Franciscan Earthenware by Gladding McBean & Co.  1950's - USA

Oasis by Franciscan sold by Gladding McBeam Co. 1954-1962 - earthenware

Informal True China by Iroquois a Ben Seibel Design

Poppytail by Metlox - California

Biscayne by Salem Royal Windsor - 1958

North Star by Salem China Co.

Tracery by Royal Doulton - England

Cathay by Taylor Smith Taylor - Taylorstone

swiss alpine (found this in a little shop in St. Johnsburry, Vermont

Royal Stetson, Royal Maytime

Rhythm, Homer Laughlin

 Starburst by Franciscan China 1954-1966

as promised...my very cool cup and saucer collection. The only criteria that I have is that there must be some aqua or turquoise coloring,  it must be vintage, and mid century modern.

I am a collector

it's a blessing...or maybe a curse? My husband would agree with the latter!
I collect many things; mostly vintage goods.
Two of my favorite  things to collect are Fenton hobnail glass, and mid-century tea cup and saucers.
The biggest obstacle to overcome as a collector is display space.
I have been inspired by the likes of these.

I gave myself a budget of $200.00, and went out to find my cabinet.
Well...add a 1 in front of the 200, and maybe I would have found one.
So, I went on craigslist, and found a few prospects.
There were loads of second hand cabinets for sale...but they were still out of my price range.

I found one that was really well made for $200.00, but talked her down to $170.00.
Which left me just enough to by Ben Moore's alklyd paint (a must have for painting furniture!),
and a decent paint brush.
BEFORE

I am sure some of you are saying how could she paint such a lovely maple cabinet?
I struggled for a moment or two, but knew I couldn't dawdle, because my husband was on his way home, and I needed to get the first coat on before he gave me the (are you insane) look.

I am just thrilled with the results!
I am thinking about lifting the top off the bottom,
by building a shelf- like structure (see second photo from the top). 
Anyway...
Be sure to come by tomorrow.....
I will post individual pictures of all my tea cup and saucers !
EXCITING STUFF!!!!!!!
NEXT WEEK MY FRIEND CHARLOTTE WILL BE DOING A GUEST BLOG FEATURING HER ROCK COLLECTION! seriously!
I am laughing so hard as I write this...good lord I am so funny!

the studio

I designed some new cards for my "studio shop"
They are from Zazzle....and are so affordable!

Love them! They are charcoal gray, ivory and a light grass green.

Now that the Christmas holiday is over it is time to get the shop ready for spring.
One of the key areas I re-decorate for the different holidays is the entry space.

So, away with the greens and berries.....
time for valentines day, and of course the anticipated arrival of spring(which I am ready for now)!
I have a few of these Christmas balls left over from the holiday sale....

My clever friend Charlotte commented on how they resembled the flowers on my cards....
hmmm... I think she may be right!

I have this planter (which is out side my entry) which was full of greens and berries, but now empty!

So, I took the ornaments, and drilled a hole in each with my Dremel
(a must have a for any Goddess crafter). Oh' how I Love my Dremel!

I went to the craft store and bought 3 dowels (.79 cents each).
I placed them in the hole and cut them to various lengths.

....arranged them just so, and.....Taa Daa!!!!!
so easy! so inexpensive!

a peek at the shop

work area...two huge walls in the studio were the tomatoe soup color...now they are white

handmade pin cushions at bottom of the photo

handmade scarves

blue!

embroidery wall

There is still so much organizing and setting up to do.....this is a sneak preview!!!!!

a bit of what's happening

So Christmas is over, now what?

It takes me a while to decompress.

I moved my studio up to the main floor at the inn, and opened a retail area.

I was quite happy with the sales, but good lord that was a lot of work. I will post some photos.

I did get some good loot for Christmas.

My friend Becky got me these from

Angela Adams...a killer beach towel, and a dish towel. A DISH TOWEL! WOOT!

It is far to fabulous to dry dishes...I have big plans for this towel!

My friend Charlotte(who rocks) gave me this killer tunic from here,
the Green Rainbow Shop

My hubby got me a Kindle

I do like it...I don't Love it. I guess after spending so much time on a high definition color computer the kindle seems a bit dull. I have downloaded a couple of books, but none of them have fully engrossed me....maybe it's just me.

Both books are good...but, I am not 100% yet.

I am so loving this show!!!!! I watch it on Netflix on my laptop...

I think this fossil bag

and theses Anthro shoes

are fabulous!