Happy Birthday to my little big guy 15 years young blonde Pomeranian So Long August. HELLO SEPTEMBER!!!!

Happy Birthday FURBY! Time is flying by and I'm not dedicating much time to this blog unfortunately lately. That will surely change very soon. I've purged a TON of useless crap and my workspace has migrated downstairs to the basement. I'm downsizing and simplifying my life and selling my home of 11 years. Daughter is finally going back to college and my dear pal Furby is 15 years young this month. Family life and the lengthy process of preparing a house to move is stressful, but, it could be worse. I have a home. And I am blessed to have lived in it with the people and pets that have come and gone. So long August. HELLO SEPTEMBER and my favorite season (and holiday-Halloween) Fall. Love. Furry friend who sticks by me unconditionally. More love.

Celebrating Independence Day by playing with fire!

It's colorful and bright and fun and loud and dangerous. Kids are lighting off explosives by age 5. Yep, that's not uncommon. Not my kid. Wasn't able to hold a sparkler until age 10. Maybe.
Today I will enjoy some picnic food and fireworks without having my kids fingers severed. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Old Man Pugsley the Pug Painted Pet Portrait

 
 An oldie but goodie. This old man Pugsley like most Pugs, sat obediently for his close up. Transformed this photo into a painted portrait with love. Vibrant colors. Loose strokes. Folk art whimsy. Acrylic on 12X12 Canvas board. Pugsley boy.

Norcross Pop Ins Vintage Pop Up Cocktail Invitation Cards Rooster and Whale!

My darling cocktail invites from Norcross Pop-Ins New York. discovered at an estate sale back in the day. NIB. They had two sets of each. For a whopping .10 cents each. So unique. So fun. So whimsical. And oh so psychedelic! Totally from the 1960's era. You'd have to get all gussied up in your fancy fineries to attend this type of swingin soiree. Super neat. In love with the graphics! I predict a whale of a time indeed.

Buttery and Fluffy Double Daffodils and Tulips growing in front yard

 I meant to post this in April then of course life flies by and you get side tracked. These lovely guys pop up every year in March and bloom for a whole month in my front yard. Gorgeous double daffs that were a gift from a friend. I've flagged them and as soon as the leaves die back (gotta give em their nutrients) I will dig em up and plant in selective spots throughout the yard. It seems to take at least three months for the leaves to turn brown and shrivel up. I dig up all kinds of stuff and transplant to a different location--hostas, irises, tulips, day lilies, perennial grasses. The amount of suffering and beating they endure is incredible. Still, they rise again each and every year bigger and stronger. Perennials sleep the first year. Creep the second. And then leap the third. Sleep, creep and LEAP! Digging in the dirt is a delightful feeling.

Vintage Forest Creature Collectibles Inspire Acrylic Painted Portrait of Baby Raccoon

The Raccoon that got into the trash was a naughty raccoon. At age 10, I wrote a short story about a naughty raccoon who got into the trash and caused a lot of trouble in the quiet neighborhood of Rockbrook. Oh such an original title. I was a huge collector of anything with a raccoon on it. The Westroads Shopping Mall in the 70's and 80's had a store called 'It's a Small World" where Hello Kitty and rainbow shoelaces lived. Yes please! I visited this fine shoppe as often as a free to roam child from the 80's could. This is a small assortment of my lovelies from those retro days. Inspired to paint a creature of the forest, This darling (and quite naughty) baby raccoon has come to life on a 11X17 canvas. Not only are the 80's one source of inspiration, but I've discovered this amazingly talented Chinese duo who currently illustrate adorable animals. I just LOVE them! Here is a link Xue Wawa . They bring such delight and cuteness in their paintings that I was immediately drawn to them. The raccoon painting was the ultimate inspiration! And forever will my guy live on this canvas of mine. Baby raccoon LOVE!

Vintage Norwegian Folk Art Tile of Girl and Fish Stavager Flint

Lovely Folk Art lady from Norway. The crooked smile and a slight eerie look on her face, she is preparing to slice and dice her ginormous fish from the Nordic sea. It's a simple, symmetrical design with primary colors that I am drawn to. Used as a butter dish in the olden days or kitchen decor in a traditional Norwegian home. Hand painted screen print from Stavanger Flint in Norway. This was a purchase on eBay years ago. The damage on the top and crazing only decreases the value, which does not bother me. I like her just the way she is. Sweet and maniacal girl from Norway. This week marks Norway's Day of Independence. (17th of May, 1814) Girls were not permitted to celebrate or march in the children's parade for many years-only boys were allowed. Seriously? My how times have changed. So sharing this work of art is fitting. Girls rule. Boys drool. Nordic Folk Art Love.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the World's Greatest Mom's out there!

This totally awesome 1980's retro coffee cup is my all time favorite mug. It ties with my vintage 'Happy Steak' mug. A thrift store find again for about a dollar. It's got great retro graphics. The colors are so early 80's with gorgeous tones of brown and orange. And the cartoon Mom is well, very stereotypical. I would go as far as to say MANY Mom's from the 1980's looked similar to her. She resembles a character from Garfield the cat cartoon. Oh so totally like 80's. Happy Mom Day to all the World's Greatest Mom's out there! Retro Love. 

Real Neat Vintage Snapshot Envelopes and Coupons Collectible Paper Ephemera 1960's for sale on Ebay

Do I have too many collectible pieces of paper? Yes. And I have adored these for years. Except it's time to let it go. The latest listings are mostly paper. Paper sells like crazy. Unique paper is always sought after. Gee, I do miss the good old days of waiting patiently (we were very patient unlike today) to pick up your fab prints from the local photo mat that are carefully placed in this nifty envelope. Of course this one is from the 1960's and mine would've been in a retro 80's envelope. I purchased this on eBay for nothing years ago. So now I'm reselling it back. Feels good to sell to someone who may start a new vintage collection of their own. In photography always remember: focus, aim, steady and clean! Retro Photo vibes. Neat.