The Best Part Of My Day

Although there is still a bit of frost and ice here in the mornings, and their are still no leaves on the trees here, I know it's Spring, because I found these.

They are from our small group of fruit trees.

I'm not sure which fruit.

It really doesn't matter.

They're my favorite shade of pink.

And they smell heavenly.

My walk with Jack and finding these beautiful blooms were the best part of my day.

What was the best part of your day?

karen

Estate Sale Art

Yesterday we went for a drive. Even though it was snowing and blowing, it had been a rough week and we really needed to get out for a bit.  We happened  upon the remains of an Estate Sale in Brookeville, a small town just north of here, and stopped in to have a look.

It was the 2nd day of the sale and there wasn't much left, but I did find these sweet woven pieces.

I wish now that I had taken more time to ask about the pieces.

The women having the sale were sisters and I gathered from their conversations that the estate had belonged to their mother. 

I think she must have been an interesting woman who appreciated art and all things handmade.

I was lucky enough to purchase two beautiful handwoven jackets, some lovely pieces of pottery, and these paintings of Village Life in Mexico as well.

The woven pieces and the colorful paintings will adorn the walls of my studio.

How lucky I was to have found such wonderful treasures!

karen

World Turned Upside Down

Let me start by saying that my heart goes out to everyone who has suffered a loss this past week.

It's difficult to stay positive when there is so much sadness and madness going on around us.

What is wrong with people? Has it always been this way?

Senseless acts of violence. Thoughtless actions.

Even in my own small world the grief caused by the insanity and selfishness of others has turned everything upside down. I've run out of tears and I feel sick.

Yesterday I watched the news all day and cried.

Today I sat in my studio and tried to make sense of it all.

But, there is no sense in any of it.

We can't escape it.

I still have hope that things will get better in your world and mine.

Hugs to all of you.

Thanks for listening to me ramble.

Love

karen

Bliss

I found this little book of "Bliss" on my bookshelf and thought I might share an occasional quote from it with you. 

Life is short. Let yourself feel bliss.

If you haven't got all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don't have that you don't want.

-Anonymous-

Have a lovely day!

karen

Random Salvage Spring Pieces

Oh, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it makes me want to get up and do things!

How was your Easter?

Is everyone exhausted from all the planning, shopping, running around, cooking and cleaning up?

I figured after all of that, I deserved a break, so I took some time to make myself a few new pieces of jewelry.

These hammered copper earrings were made from salvaged bits of wire left over from the work we are having done on the house.

These were very therapeutic to make. All the pounding and bending of metal was just what I needed.

I love the rustic quality of these and I was very excited to have finally made some of my own findings.

 These ones were simple to do as they didn't require anything but to choose the parts and put them together. Everyone likes a little bling now and then.

 I love the rustic clay beads on this pair.

They are from an old necklace that I found on one of my junkin trips.

It's always fun to recycle something old and ugly into something that you love.

 Another pair of put togethers.

Some of the parts were ordered from Etsy and others were from Michael's.

No matter...These will be great for Spring and Summer.

I hope you take some time out to do something nice for yourself this week.

Hugs!

karen