I'm having a sale!!!!

I've decided to have a sale!!!! My tutorials, for one week only.....will be just FIVE DOLLARS EACH!!!! So if you've been wanting one.....or would like to visit so see what I have to offer just visit
LESSONS FROM THE NEST

If there's a tutorial you've been wanting to buy.....now's the time!

xxoo, Dawn

Pure randomness ~

I've been working on an article for Somerset and don't have a lot of wonderful creative things to show you but when this happens I just love to start looking through my files and pick random things I want you to see or have.....right click what you want and save to your own computer!!

A few photos of when I was working on the art quilt ~

Dried hydrangeas in my home ~

Pillows I made a while back to sell at The Plum Tree ~ The one in the back is an old feedsack with a feather pillow insert inside, simply cinched up with ribbon ~ no cutting required!

Crazy post, huh? I just love beautiful things and love sharing them with you ~

Have a great Tuesday precious friends,
xxoo, Dawn

Thoughts on creating ~ Plus a few giveaways!

I guess you all know I love treasure hunting for art supplies, whether it's at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or even in a junky ol' antique mall. These days money is tight for so many of us or you may live in a remote area where you can't get to craft stores. I wanted to share a few ideas about supplies.

Supplies can be found all around you. Say you don't have matte gel medium, just substitute wallpaper paste or even thinned down Elmer's glue. Test out what you have on hand and see what the results look like ~ you may be surprised!

Step outside. Branches from trees and bushes are wonderful to use in your artwork. Press flowers in between paper towels in an old telephone book. Weeds have the most precious small blossoms ~ I love looking around on the ground for sweet gum balls or acorn caps.

In Savannah I found gorgeous bark from palm trees on the ground and coconut fibers as well.

Strong coffee and a q-tip can age papers and other items that you'd like to antique. Put some coffee in an old spray bottle to mist your item. Always test this first to see what kind of result you'll get. Use eye shadow or blush to gently alter a monotone print from your printer.



Look through your junk drawer or coffee can that you keep odd things inside and see if there's anything unusual that you can use in your artwork. I've used old springs from an old broken playpen in several pieces that I've made. Going through odd junk in the garage can be fun too!!



If you need thin cardboard for bookmarks, tags or other projects....save those cereal boxes or other food packaging and use them!! Cut it to size and coat one side with glue then press face down onto the paper that you're using to cover it. Trim out with a utility knife or scissors. Repeat for the back side too! Find beautiful images in old magazines, old gift wrap or greeting cards .

What I'm trying to say is, you don't need all the bells and whistles to be an artist. If you want to create ~ just look around you and use what you have. I'm sure you've heard all of this before but rather than worry about what you don't have to make things, use what you DO have ~ experiment, you'll be surprised at what beautiful things you can come up with!!




And a few giveaways for you:


Blanca at Magic Moonlight Studio is having a beautiful tag giveaway!!!
Just click HERE to visit her blog and comment to win.


AND





And Angela Harris is have a beautiful tag giveaway as well!!!
Click HERE to visit her blog....I just love giveaways!



If you have any other wonderful ideas on using things around the house in your artwork, I'd love for you to let me know in a comment!!!!

Hoping you have a wonderful and creative Monday sweet friends ~
xxoo, Dawn

The many faces of our baby Clara ~

Pure sweetness . . . don't you think?
xxoo, Dawn

Second Summer Contest!!

Cindy at The Plum Tree is hosting her second summer contest!!!
She has gathered a pile of sweet prizes for the winner too ~
Just CLICK HERE to go to the summer giveaway post!!!
Love you Cindy . . . hope to come hunting for treasures SOON!

xxoo, Dawn

My gift for you ~

I made this just for you sweet friends for my 1000th post giveaway prize!!

This artwork is very similar to a piece I recently created but much larger. It measures 11" x 14" and is created on a stretched canvas. I've covered it with wonderful old sheet music using my Liquitex Matte Gel Medium, then embellished with a favorite angel image framed by a page from an antique photo album. Old lace, ribbon and baubles finish it off. I even used my new pins!!! If you click the photo to enlarge, you'll see them holding the knots of the hanging ribbon ~

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GIVEAWAY POST :)

I do hope you like it ~ and I will make a few more smaller goodies just so I can draw more than one name!!!

Thank you so much for your absolutely wonderful comments,
YOU are why I want to blog!!
hugs and love,
Dawn

ps. My giveaway post is the post below this one :)

This is it........the BIG 1000th!!! & a GIVEAWAY!

How in the world did I get to a thousand posts??
I just love blogging, that's how!

I love my friends here and love the interaction of blogging.
You lift me up, you inspire me, you encourage me more than you will ever know sweet friends.
I can only hope and pray that I can give just a little of that back to you!!!
Here's to 1000 more!!!!

Here is the giveaway artwork created on an 11" x 14" canvas:

I will be making a few more smaller goodies so I can pick more than one name!

All you have to do is comment on this post.
That's it.
Nothing more.
Nada.

I'll draw a few names next Thursday night, July 2nd and post the winners for my Friday post!!
Thank you so much for visiting me ~

love and hugs,
Dawn

Some wonderful goodies I found!

I took a little trip to Michael's and found some of the best stuff!!! Some of the items were on clearance....not the bird cage thing but I did use my coupon for it!

These blank tags were on clearance ~ love the shape!
And the little paper pad with nursery papers....clearance too.

These precious flowers were on clearance ~ why, I don't know but I'm not complaining. I'm not sure what I'll use them on but love them and will add them to "the stash"

These were a new item on the end cap, some vintage style items. Don't you love these pins? I thought they'd be neat to use on my art quilt.

Do you check the wedding section in stores? I LOVE these paper roses....in the wedding section. Not on clearance but they were just wonderful....could I spray them with coffee? :)

Don't you love this precious paper?

And someone wants to say hello!!! 3 months old 3 days ago ~ sweet baby Clara . . .

This is really my 1000th post but I just had to share these goodies before the actual giveaway post!!!

Wishing you a wonderful Friday dear friends ~
xxoo, Dawn

The sweet smell of lavender ~

I'm feeling so much better and actually finished a project I was working on. These are little lavender sachets I started making a few days ago.
I've grouped them in sets of threes and put them in my
Feathered Nest Shoppe for purchase.

I don't know why in the world I made these except that I ran across the fabric squares the other day and wanted to play with them!
They measure about 3 1/4" square, are filled with fragrant lavender buds and accented with vintage buttons.
It always feels so good when I make something!!

This is my 999th post!!!! I can't EVEN believe that.....
I guess I love blogging :)!

Wishing you an amazing Thursday sweet friends,
xxoo, Dawn

A giveaway too!

Andrea at Vintage Bella Studio is celebrating her 100th Post with a wonderful giveaway!!!
JUST CLICK HERE TO VISIT AND ENTER :)

Spreadin' the giveaway love!
xxoo, Dawn

A few links for you ~

First, I want to thank you so much for your well wishes, you all are absolutely the best friends EVER! I have a horrible u.t.i., which is really t.m.i. but it has knocked me down. But I'm taking really good care of myself now and hopefully this thing will be gone soon!!
I love you all so much ~

I want to show a little link love here and point you to something wonderful that KC Willis is offering now, Studio Retreats!!! She's offering retreats to go and visit with her in her Colorado studio and learn her techniques in person!!

A small excerpt from her Retreat Page:

"I have never opened up my studio space for teaching before...and no it is not the same little studio you saw on the Collage Camp videos...it's a whole new place. (Pictures of its awesomeness coming soon.) I have had such a great time working with over a hundred artists and soon-to-be-artists over the Internet. To work side by side with you is going to be amazing. Even if you have participated in Collage Camp...this will be different. This will be an opportunity to further explore the techniques you learned at Camp, as well as learn new ones as you work directly with KC."

KC's artwork is just amazing so I can't imagine how wonderful these retreats will be!!

JUST CLICK HERE TO VISIT HER RETREAT WEBSITE :)

KC is having a giveaway for all those who post about her new retreats ~
You can read about it: HERE!

I have a couple of new bloggers that I've come across too, and I LOVE introducing new blogs!!! The first one is Kim at Fille de Fleur ~ I can tell already I'm going to love visiting her blog ~ I love her taste!!!! I'd love for you to stop by and say hello sometime.....just CLICK HERE to visit ~

This next new blogger is Virginia of Made with Love! She lives on Tybee Island and my son David who lives in Savannah is friends with her son Josh, how cool is that???

I can tell she's such a sweetheart and loves being creative. She's just started blogging too ~ I'd love for you to stop in and say hello to her as well when you can.....just CLICK HERE to visit Virginia!!

You all are absolutely WONDERFUL!!!!
xxoo, Dawn

Hi sweet friends....I had every intention of creating today and sharing....but I'm a little under the weather ~ hoping to be good as new soon. I'm approaching my 1000th post and have been thinking of what I'd like to give away to celebrate!!

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday ~
hugs and love, Dawn

More sweet birds & a new friend!

My little house wren quilt has finally arrived at its permanent home with Marcy of Queen Marcy Originals ~ I'm so glad you like it Marcy, I love knowing that it's hanging in your home.
Thank you so very much for purchasing it!!!

I've just got to share another wonderful find with you!! Can you believe this precious bird book? It has a copyright of 1921... I believe I officially have a collection of bird books now ~ I found this one on Ebay as well, not for .99 cents but still less than ten bucks, so I'm a happy girl!!

I scanned three of the images for you to have too ~

Here are the three scanned images below,
just be sure to click to enlarge then right click to save!

You already know how much I enjoy blogging and meeting so many precious friends.....well, I also love to help someone else start blogging too!! I guess I want them to see what a wonderful community it is ~ the inspiration that is shared here as well as the kindness and generosity.

We have a new blogger in our midst that I would love for you to welcome....Rose at Bella Rosa has just started her blog this week!!!
She has such a sweet spirit ~
Welcome to the Land of Blog dear Rose!!!

I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday sweet friends ~

xxoo, Dawn

A poem and a few images for you ~

I just love what this poem says. It is the way I feel about you ~
my precious blog friends...

The images below are for you ~
Thank you always for encouraging me and
for your sweet comments about my artwork,
you truly nurture my creative soul.

(Click to enlarge then right click to save a copy to your own computer)

Wishing you a beautiful Monday dear friends,
hugs and love, Dawn

She sells seashells . . .

Have you ever had an idea rolling around in your head forever? When I bought this beautiful shell, I knew I wanted to transform it in some way ~ I'd thought "pincushion" before and finally I just picked it up and did it!

I wanted to use a fabric that was subtle, like the colors in the shell ~ I'd found this beautiful satin awhile back at Joann's in their remnant bin and loved the neutral color so it ended up being my choice. Tiny pearls, beautiful old lace and an old watch face embellished it beautifully.

Why does making stuff make me feel so good?! :)

It's going to live with a precious blog friend in California ~

I hope you have a great Saturday sweet friends!!
xxoo, Dawn

A couple of great giveaways for you!

First, is Lynn's giveaway on her blog Trash to Treasure Art!
She's celebrating 200 posts and recently won one a tutorial from my Lessons from The Nest blog ~ the nest assemblage.
Lynn created her own.....
and just LOOK at it!!!! I love it Lynn!!!
She's giving it away and a few more goodies as well.....
JUST CLICK HERE TO ENTER HER GIVEAWAY!

Another giveaway I found is on Melaine's blog, My Sweet Savannah ~

Melaine's offering this beautiful pillow and
has other gifts she's adding in too!!!
Just visit her blog HERE TO ENTER!!!

I just love giveaways....
xxoo, Dawn

Such simple things can be so special ~

Do you feel that way? I find that the most simple, commonplace items make me smile now. And group several of these gathered treasures together?? Pure sweetness!!

They can be old, ragged, worn or stained...it doesn't matter one little bit. As a matter of fact, that makes me love them all the more!

After finishing up my tiny glass cabinet, I filled it with some of these things. Items that when I glance at them in the studio, they make me smile ~ scuffed baby shoes, old spools of thread, tiny little cardboard boxes and even stained china.

In your creative space, whether it be a small desk in a guest bedroom or the breakfast table in your kitchen, surround yourself with a few gathered treasures that make you happy!

I'm so thankful for each of you wonderful friends.

I look forward to sharing some little something with you every day and appreciate you taking the time to stop by and see me ~


Wishing you a very happy Friday ~
hugs and love, Dawn

Little flowers.....

My violets ready for pressing.....

And the most beautiful flower of all ~

Happy Thursday sweet friends,
hugs and love, Dawn

Freedom isn't free ~ be sure to pause my music

A tribute to a father, son, husband and soldier that gave his life for his country ~ Sergeant First Class John C. Beale

Still fluffing ~

I'm still playing around in the studio....doing a few projects that I've been meaning to do for awhile. I finally put a back on this precious little cabinet I bought a few months ago. I covered it with embossed wallpaper first ~ just to give it a little interest. Plus, I added a shelf too.

Now to figure out what little treasures I want to display inside :) ~

I hung a few more things up on the walls ~ they've been just laying around and it feels so good to finally have them up so I can enjoy them!

Some tiny shelves displayed with a few pincushions that I've made and one antique pincushion. And you know I love baby shoes, these sets I couldn't bear to turn into pincushions though.

The beautiful woman is my paternal grandmother who took the time to sew clothes for my dolls and always nurtured my creativity ~ She's been gone twenty years and I still miss her so ~

Little by little this room is getting a personality and I'm loving the way it "feels"!

I hope your week is going great and I wish you a wonderful Wednesday dear friends ~
xxoo, Dawn

A sweet little girl for you ~

It's not the best image that I've scanned and I tried to make it a little better in photoshop but she's such a sweetie and look at her little coat, I think it's buttoned wrong! Click to enlarge then right click to save to your own computer ~

So what did I do today? (Monday) Sometimes I just can't tell you....the day seems to evaporate! I did work in the studio hanging more things on the walls ~ my sweet Diary of an Edwardian Lady plaques or placemats were hung.

Then I hung my recently finished canvas from the ceiling and added an oval botanical above it ~ it just hovers in front of the drapes! Sorry about the glare from the lamp ~

Of course I won't show you the folded laundry and taco stuff that I made for dinner.....
doesn't it seem like our days just fly by???

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday dear friends,
xxoo, Dawn

What else can I hang from the ceiling?

I've been playing again in my studio and thought I'd try something new to hide the dark cords of my paper lanterns. My solution? Cheap and easy.....more pattern tissue!! I just cut 6 inch wide strips and doubled the length of the strip of cord I was covering. Then just stood up on the ladder and used my lovely FabriTac to glue the sandwiched edges together!! I can just rip it off when I'm tired of it ~ Oh well, at least it looks better than that dark cord :)

I hung a few umbrellas from the ceiling too ~ I saw this at The Plum Tree and loved the idea!

One more precious photo of sweet pea Clara.....it looks like she's watching something scary!!

I hope you have an amazing Monday dear friends!!
xxoo, Dawn

Sweet blessings ~ I have the most wonderful friends!

I heard the doorbell ring and ran like a chicken to see who it was.....
we live in the country so when someone's at your door, you know it's something important! Well, it was Fed Ex delivering two quite large boxes!!! Of course, they ring the bell and run because they have tons to deliver and we're quite far apart out here.
I opened the door and pulled the boxes in and proceeded to cut them open ~ just look at what was inside!!!!!

ps.....they weren't delivered on Sunday......
these packages arrived last week :)

A precious friend Sandy that I met through my blog send Emily and Clara the most amazing gift basket from Johnson & Johnson!!!!! Can you believe this gift????? What an angel....Emily had a fit!
She's just loving all of the wonderful things for sweet Clara ~

The sweetie even included a basket for me ~ I didn't even know that Johnson & Johnson made some of these products! Sandy should have her blog going soon and don't worry, I'll be sure to introduce you to her!
She has an amazing story that you all will just love ~

You're an angel Sandy for being so thoughtful ~
each and every item is so appreciated!!!!!
Thank you dear friend,
xxoo, Dawn

Sunday sweetness ~

Little Clara and Emily have had an upper respiratory infection this last week and are slowly getting better. Noah and I watched her for awhile Saturday so Emily could get some extra rest.....of course you know I had to grab the camera! Clara will be 3 months old June 23rd...can you believe that??? A few photos for you ~

She absolutely loves Noah! She knows he's a kid too, I think. Of course Noah corrected me. He said, "mom. I'm a kid, Clara's a baby!" Funny, huh? But he truly does entertain her....

Wishing you a restful and peaceful Sunday dear friends,
xxoo, Dawn

A couple of great giveaways!

OK....you KNOW I love this pillow....well, a beautiful blog Petit Coterie is having a giveway and she's giving away TWO of these pillow slips!!!! You just have to be the one who sends the most people to her giveaway post!

Just CLICK HERE to visit the beautiful blog and please tell her I sent you!

Cindy at The Plum Tree is having a giveaway contest TOO!!!!
She's also having several more giveaways in the coming weeks ~

Just CLICK HERE to visit The Plum Tree blog to see what's going on!!!

Just spreadin' the giveaway love ~
Happy weekend sweeties!
xxoo, Dawn

Bird gifts and my creative process ~

I scanned a few more images from my new book for you!! What is it about the sparrow that I'm always drawn to?

I'm in the thinking stage of a new art quilt.....thinking and playing ~ piling things together, taking things away, nothing's really attached but everything that coordinates is being considered.

It's so much fun to find the items that work and that your mind saw before you ever physically placed them together. The creative process is soothing therapy for the soul ~

I hope you have a wonderful Saturday sweet friends ~
hugs and love,
Dawn

Got cold feet?

A boot company based in Australia contacted me via email to let me know that if any of my readers would be interested in buying their boots,
they would offer a 30.00 coupon to spend on their website!!!!

You know I had to tell you.....so.....if your feet are cold right now, or you want to be stylin', maybe you'd like a pair of these ~ Oh, and they ship to all countries too!

If so, just enter in the code THEFEATHER
into the cart when you check out at

Whooga.com

Loveliness ~

Having been a graphic designer in the past, I have a weakness for things that have any kind of lettering, especially in beautiful antique fonts.....

Teresa Sheeley has created some of the MOST WONDERFUL tea towels!!!!
I'm in love with them ~ you can visit her Etsy store HERE......
aren't they wonderful??

xxoo, Dawn

To honor a fallen soldier ~

I received an email the other day about the first soldier from Henry County, Georgia that had fallen in the war ~ the email stated that they wanted to line the streets with so many people when they brought his body home for burial.

Well, my husband received this email as well from someone different and we decided to go to show our respect and thankfulness. Thursday evening the plane landed several counties away but we knew approximately when the processional would be coming through our area. As we drove to the spot where we were going to meet Dennis' mother, we couldn't believe the people that were out to pay their respects to this wonderful soldier and the sacrifice he had made for our country.

Look at the soldiers in uniform saluting ~ beautiful ~

We honor and thank Sergeant First Class John C. Beale killed in action last week in Afghanistan....

he gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom ~

To you....from me ~

A wonderful find & a sweet gift from a friend ~

I was looking around on Ebay the other day because I just love searching for certain things and came across the most wonderful book with bird illustrations AND poetry!!

Guess the price....you're not going to believe this but.... .99 cents!!! The shipping was a couple of dollars so I was one happy girl! It's in wonderful condition and just look at a few of the illustrations inside ~
I guess it was just meant to be mine!

A special package arrived from a sweet blogging friend....Sharon of SharDon Exclusives ~ she's so sweet to me and wanted to send me a goodie box, just take a look at the treasures!!! All kinds of bits and bobs to use in my artwork, this little wrapped box held even more gifts!

She's not only an amazing jewelry designer but wonderful with paper too!! Look at the precious bookmarks, embellished crystal
and my very own nest pin!!!!
Thank you so much sweet friend, I absolutely love it ALL!!!

"Friends are the flowers in the garden of our lives."

Happy Thursday sweet friends!!!
hugs and love, Dawn

What an honor!

Stampington.com is a wonderful site filled with information about each of their publications, tons of art supplies and so many other neat things ~ They now have an Artists Emporium where they sell chosen pieces of artwork that has been published in their magazines.....well, my sweet House Wren from the current Art Quilting Studio is in their shoppe!! I am truly honored that they consider my work worthy to be on their website ~ thanks so much Stampington!! OH, and part of the proceeds are donated to your choice from a list of wonderful charities!!
If you'd like to take a look, CLICK HERE :)

Another wonderful blessing......THE ART QUILT SOLD!!!!!
Thank you so VERY much!!

If you've been thinking of creating something for Stampington to be published, I encourage each of you to DO IT!!! It's so much fun....they are wonderful to work with and will show your artwork beautifully. Gather together several different pieces each using different mediums, package them beautifully and ship it to California!!!! The address is in the back of each publication, as are the different challenges and requests for artwork ~ I suggest creating something just. for. them.....that way you're not in a rush to receive anything back because publishing takes time.

So, think about it and then....DO IT!!! I can't wait to see you in print!
hugs and love,

Dawn

Such a sweet expression ~

I finished another piece of artwork! She's a favorite print of mine that I bought at an antique sale and now have it scanned into my computer. Don't you love the look on her face? I've added her to The Feathered Nest Shoppe for purchase too.

Seems as though creating is therapy to me, it makes me smile, it makes me easier to get along with, it makes me feel accomplished, what is that?? I'm a wife, mother, and now a grandmother but to create a simple piece of artwork makes me feel as though I have really "done" something ~ I can't really explain it but it is just the way I am.

Maybe though by showing you what I've put together, you will gather your things, sit down, use a little glue, a little ribbon, a few buttons and create something of your own....and THAT my friends would be wonderful!!

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday sweet friends!!!!
xxoo, Dawn

A few little things ~

I received an email this weekend from Joy, a sweet reader that generously gave me the link to a tutorial on Cathe's blog, Just Something I Made.
I love Cathe's blog and don't EVEN know how I missed this, but I did!
You can check out the tutorial HERE for yourself.

I made an attempt to make my own little wire nest and it turned out OK!!
I really don't have any egg shaped beads but I did find a pearl that did the trick ~ I love the look of the dark wire too.....
Don't you love how information is shared between bloggers???
Thank you Joy and Cathe....these are so neat!!

I did create a little artwork this past weekend too! Here is a plaque that I've added to
The Feathered Nest Shoppe

I love fairies and it was time to make some fairy art!
You can visit the shoppe HERE ~

Wishing you a very happy Monday dear friends!
xxoo, Dawn

Giveaway alert!

Kathi at Vintage Inspired Jewelry is having the SWEETEST giveaway.....it's a Win One, Give One giveaway ~ wonderful, huh???

Just click HERE
to visit and comment to win one for you and one for someone you love!!!

Small town charm ~

Saturday we decided to drive to Carrollton, Georgia to visit the University of West Georgia campus! Chase has been accepted there and will be attending in the fall. His orientation is in a couple of weeks so we wanted to make a dry run for him to see where it is. Carrollton is quaint little country town and Chase really liked it!! I took a few photos of the beautiful old homes to share with you ~

I love the architecture of this wonderful old building!

West Georgia has a very pretty canvas, not too big either ~

I fell in love with the little town square ~ it was quite elegant!

The little grill that we ending up have dinner at ~

Cute, huh?

Our two youngest boys, Noah and Chase (the future college student!) ~

I can hardly even believe Chase is old enough to go to college!!! It was really a nice day we spent together seeing his new campus ~ I hope you've had a wonderful weekend dear friends.....

hugs and love, Dawn

Tomorrow's the last day to enter!

Sharon from SharDon Exclusives is having her Bloggiversary AND her 100th Post Giveaway and tomorrow is the last day to comment to win!!!!

Just click HERE to comment to win!!

You gotta love a great giveaway ~
xxoo, Dawn

The sweet smell of lavender ~

When I met Tammy, Lee and Judy the other day I wanted to take them a little goodie. You know that I love printing images on fabric right? Well I decided to try some of the fabric sheets that are sold on The Vintage Workshop's website. They're ready to feed into the printer (you do have to know how paper feeds in and prints from your printer first) so that was a good thing!

So, I chose the images that I had downloaded on my computer from The Vintage Workshop site and used my photo editing program to size them....then placed the vinyl backed fabric sheet in the printer (my paper has to feed in face down, top first) and printed them right on the fabric!

The sheets have a clear backing on the fabric so you can peel it away when it's finished, then you can go ahead and sew with it! The images are from The Vintage Workshop too ~ so after a little stitching, and filling with lavender buds, I had three sweet lavender sachets for them!!

Thank you always for stopping by to see me and what I've been up to ~ I treasure each and every one of you and your sweet comments!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend my sweet friends!
xxoo, Dawn

A wonderful day!

It really was!!! It was cloudy and drizzly here in Georgia but it didn't matter...meeting good friends and shopping for goodies always makes for a wonderful day!

Tammy, Lee, Judy and precious Shelby met me at The Plum Tree Thursday for a fun day of shopping and searching for treasures. Cindy was so sweet to us and the store looked amazing as usual. I had to take a few photos to give you an idea ~

Here we all are! Look at Tammy's precious daughter ~ she was a real trooper letting us shop!

Here are my treasures from The Plum Tree....a few little pots, an adorable photo I'll have to share with you, a vintage umbrella to hang from the ceiling of the studio, an old book for $2, a couple of neat pants hangers and a snippet of lace....pretty good, huh?

We went to another wonder antique spot in McDonough, Planter's Walk Antique Mall and I found these goodies....a kitchen gadget that will be a great foundation for a piece of art, more lace and THE. BEST. FIND of the day..... a vintage photo album with beautiful floral pages sprinkled throughout ~ and I love the fact that it is falling apart!

We really did have a great day shopping and digging for treasures ~ and Friday Lee and Tammy head to the big Farm Chicks show! Have a wonderful time girls and please take plenty of pictures for us!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful Friday sweet friends,
xxoo, Dawn

Puffy is good!!!

Don't you agree?? Well, maybe not on our faces but chairs, yes! I finally got to it and made a new foam/feather insert for my new studio chair. I just love the way it turned out!! I was determined not to spend any more money on it as it was only 19.99 and I hated to buy a thick piece of foam that would end up costing more that the chair did!

I had a large piece of foam that was only 1" thick and made a pattern from the old yucky foam before I ditched it. I washed the cover on cold and let it air dry too. Then I cut 2 pieces of the 1" foam and used spray adhesive to glue them together!

I had some fusible batting too and added a layer of that on top and bottom then ironed it so it would fuse to the foam. Still it wasn't quite thick enough.

I had some material that was really just to be used for inserts for feather pillows so I cut another two pieces out the same shape as the cushion, sewed around and left a big opening on the straight side. I left the seam on the outside because once it was crammed into the cushion cover you wouldn't even know it!

THEN, I always shop at Ross and Marshall's, searching on their clearance racks for feather pillows that have been drastically marked down, say 6.00 or 7.00 and buy them. They could look hideous but it doesn't matter because I like to make new covers anyway, I just love the insert!! I had a giant one in my closet and proceeded to dump it's entire contents into the new cushion "pillow", once it was full, and many feathers in my hair later, I pinned it shut and quickly sewed the opening closed. I laid it on top of the foam cushion and wrapped it well with thin batting and then crammed it in the cushion cover!!! WHEW! I'm tired just telling you about it!

And now here is my cozy reading nook!!

I'm so excited, today I'm meeting Tammy from The Other Side of Me and Lee of Weber's World - The Way I See It in downtown McDonough for a little shopping at The Plum Tree!!!

They are heading to the big Farm Chicks show together Friday morning but Lee's arriving here in Georgia today so that gave them a little extra time to do some antiquing on the way home from the airport!

Wishing you an amazing Thursday dear friends,
xxoo, Dawn

A bird lover's giveaway!!

Sandi at Wayside Treasures is having her over 300 Posts Giveaway!!!!

Just visit her giveaway post
HERE

and leave a comment to win these amazing goodies!!!

I just love giveaways!
xxoo, Dawn

There is a time for everything.....

Can you believe this sweet angel??? Laying in her crib and loving the mobile her daddy bought for her! Just click on the photo to see her long eyelashes....she's really such an angel and growing SO VERY FAST! She's going to see her other grandmother and her great-grandmother this weekend and they are in for such a treat!!!!

And what is it time for you ask? Time for our baby bird to be free ~ Brent released the sweet bird this evening ~

Mama bird was not too happy with us, yelling every moment!!!

Do you see the sweetie in the center of the photo?

And then it flapped its sweet little wings and flew off!!! Mom was still close by though.....I never realized what wonderful parents birds are ~ (see the blur in the center of the photo)

Happy Wednesday sweet friends!
xxoo, Dawn

Your blog is "you"!

The wonderful thing about having a blog is that it is usually a representation of you. Who you love, what you love, your taste....all of these things show up in our blogs at some time or another. Another wonderful thing about having a blog, and really the BEST thing, are the friends that I've made in the last few years. Near and far.....from Georgia...to France...to Australia....to Denmark....to California and all in between! I'm so very thankful for each and every one of you ~

My sweet friend Dorthe in Denmark and I traded bookmarks and just look at hers that she sent me ~ It's so very "me" I can't believe it! Oh dear friend, thank you so much, I just LOVE IT!

The sun was going down but I wanted to take a photo of a little chair I found today at the thrift!!! I just love it ~ it needed a good washing so I have ditched the foam cushion and will cut another, washed the cushion cover in the washing machine and then totally sprayed down the rest of the chair with upholstery cleaner, scrubbed it and I'll do it again tomorrow. So we'll see how this little sweetie turns out.....to go in the studio!

I wish you a great Tuesday dear friends ~
hugs and love, Dawn

Another great giveaway!!

You will not believe this but KC Willis of Lipstick Ranch is having another wonderful giveaway!!!! She's offering THIS gorgeous piece of artwork for a giveaway!!!

Just comment on her blog to win HERE and visit the workshop site HERE!

Sharing the giveaway love!!
xxoo, Dawn

Happy June!!

Look what arrived in my mailbox the other day....the beautiful magazine that I ordered from Carol of Raised in Cotton! I took a few photos so you could get an idea of what's inside ~ pure beauty!! Even the ads are gorgeous! I can't understand it, but it doesn't matter, I mean it, it really. doesn't. matter!

Look at the photo below....see the chicken wire inside the wooden frame?? I'm in style!

I've been wanting to make a few pom poms like what I made for Emily's baby shower. I find cheap, ugly patterns at the thrift store for 10 cents each and decided to use some of that tissue instead of the pastels. I've taken photos of the steps, and you may have seen this before but it's a little bit of a smaller version to hang from the horizontal windows in the studio.

First, I cut a bunch of rectangles, maybe about fifteen or so ~ about the size of a manilla file folder.

Fan fold them all together starting at one of the short sides.

Tie off with hemp or thread.

Cut the ends into a pretty curve.

Begin separating each sheet of tissue, carefully pulling away from the bunch.

It takes awhile but the result is so neat!

This is just my first one....I definitely need more!!

I hope you have a wonderful Monday sweet friends!
xxoo, Dawn