Ready, Set, Goat!?

Yep, I said Goat!

Today, my sister and I are off on an inter-state adventure with Granny and Wilber.

Let me start at the beginning. I don't remember who 'friended' who first on FaceBook, but Katherine Dunn of Apifera Farm had me at "Where art and animals collide", and then it just got better from there. She rescued Itty Bitty Etta, a rain-soaked itty bitty kitten around Halloween. And she has a one-eyed pug; and makes puppets; and raises weed-loving donkeys; and lives on a lavender farm; and makes pie....sigh....

A couple of weeks ago she announced on FaceBook that she is adopting some rescue goats from New Moon Farm Goat Rescue & Sanctuary in Arlington, Washington and wouldn't it be nice if someone will volunteer to get them to her in Yamhill, Oregon. So I did. I volunteered and have been looking forward to this road trip like I can't even explain. I am thinking there is some good medicine for the soul there...

So, Ophelia and I are bringing the goats to Apifera and like I said, are making an adventure of it. Once the goats are safely delivered, a pie is in our hands and Itty Bitty Etta is snuggle-bunnied, we are going to Portland to stay with our cousin and family. We will take in the sights, do a little shopping, eat some good food and laugh and giggle like the super, silly sisters we are.

I will post photos of our Goat Adventure and let you know how it went when we get back!



A Tutorial and Christentine Greetings

 Back on December 20, 1990 when we bought our Little House, we didn't have a Christmas tree. It just wasn't going to happen that year. So when I came home from work on January 25, 1991, Doug had purchased a living evergreen tree and had decorated it with Valentines and proclaimed it Christentine! So tomorrow is the 20 year anniversary of the first Christentine. We celebrate it every year with a 'Happy Christentine!' and some kind of blended decor. It works for me...no rush to get the holiday tree down and I love red! Our newly redone bathroom is the perfect Valentine-y space with its red ceiling and black and white accents so the tinsel tree that was in there was the logical choice.

Pink dove from Ormolulu,
Red Feather Butterfly from Bountiful Home
and
Valentine Fat Book from a Red Lead Swap.

For the December 2nd Saturdayz Urban Market I had made some Ribbon Wrapped Wire Stocking ornaments and then for gift pizzazz I made some Initial ornaments. So here is a quick tutorial for Ribbon Wrapped Wire Hearts.

You will need:


18-gauge wire
Pliers (round nose, smooth nose, or needle nose)
Wire cutters
Ribbon (I used Midori silk, double-faced satin and velvet)
Ruler
Scissors
Bling

Cut wire to about 14" long. Use round nose pliers to make loop and then bend wire by hand into your shape.

Attach end of wire around inside of first loop and crimp closed with pliers.

Cut 1 to 1 1/2 feet of ribbon to wrap around wire (depends on  how large you make your heart).
Tie around wire at top of heart. Leave a little tail at the top.

Wrap, overlapping slightly each time around.

When you reach the end, tie off at the top to the existing tail of your starter knot.
Trim ends as you like.

A group of hearts....
You can add bling to your loop or bend up with pliers for hanging.
Here I added a chandelier crystal to the pink heart.
But it could be beads, charms, another heart.

Happy Christentine!

Ah...Spring

It is just around the corner...

I strategically placed a Witchhazel (Hammemalis mollis) across from my kitchen window so I could see it during these grey days of winter. This weekend it popped during the warmer temperatures here in the Pacific Northwest. It is a beautiful winter flowering tree/large shrub with these funny, crepe papery, stringy, sweet smelling flowers. I LOVE it!

I combined it with a yellow-twig dogwood. I think witchhazel smells like Trix cereal!

Now is the time to buy one in the nursery. You can pick your color (yellow, red, orangy) and make sure it is fragrant! And the Washington Park Arboretum has beautiful specimens in the Witt Winter Garden. I highly recommend it as a field trip!

Mark your calendars!

It is time for the Ruffles and Rust Spring Event. And I am so pleased to be a vendor again...

And visit Come Junk With Us to get the details for Friday night's Hat Spectactular!

Here is a coupon for $3 off of Saturday's entry...courtesy of moi...would love to see you!


{feel free to print out as many of these babies as you like to give to friends!}



Brave Girl!

I am so giddy!

Awhile ago, I signed up for the Brave Girls Club online workshop 'Soul Restoration'. I feel more relaxed, grounded, restored and plain darn happy just saying it (or writing it!) out loud. This blends perfectly with and supports my earlier declaration of Back to Basics: Tending My Soul and Surroundings!

I have been gathering art supplies from their suggested list (OMG! do I have a lot of stuff to draw from...I am just sayin') and making a cozy space in the back bedroom to make some art-mess-goodness. And I have been watching the awesome videos they have been sending out...paving the way for what is to come.

My life has been filled with amazing people coming into my life at exactly the right time, exactly when I needed them. This next chapter of my life is gonna be a good one! Thanks for joining me....

Back to Basics

This week between Christmas and New Year's is always a reflective time. After the parties, presents and festivities of the preceding 6 weeks are over, I am always ready for the peace and quiet. This past year has left a lot to reflect on.

After a long, fun run of Salvage Studio retail goodness and book writing over the past several years, I was looking forward to slowing down a bit. 2010 was slated to be a year to renew my soul and spirit; work in the garden and 'just be' in my nest.

But, as we all know, sometimes the Universe has other plans for us.

In the early spring, we decided to officially retire the Salvage Studio and I started Lisa's Little House.

And in April, Rod, my step-dad of nearly 40 years died unexpectedly a week after retiring, shaking our family to the core.

My beautiful, baby sister got married 3 weeks later.

And I spent most of the summer traveling back and forth to eastern Washington, helping my mom with long-overdue projects at her house.

In the fall, I prepared for my first solo show. A huge success, but stressful nonetheless. And then I did it again in December.

During this roller coaster ride of a year, I learned how strong and determined I could be. And I learned what my family is made of. My Mom and sister are amazing women and the men in our lives are amazing, too. My friends have been angels on earth; listening, loving and ready to help with a meal or a perfectly timed hug. Gifts to offset the grief and I am so grateful. My family is too...

And I realized that my original goal for 2010 was true and valid and worth another shot.

So....it is time to get back to the basics...

2011 is slated to be a year to renew my soul and spirit; work in the garden and 'just be' in my nest. Amen!