Not Your Average Sock Monkey

Pear and Apricot tart

2010-11-07T01:03:00.000-07:00

I have looked for a good Pear tart for a while and this might just be the ONE.

Ingredients*

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pan*
1/2 cup raw almonds*
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar*
1 large egg*
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract*
1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled*
1/2 teaspoon baking powder*
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt*
2 pears (such as Bosc or Bartlett)—peeled, quartered, and cored*
1/2 cup dried apricots, halved*
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice*
1/4 cup apricot preserves

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Butter a 9-inch removable-bottom fluted tart pan.
2. In a food processor, process the almonds and ½ cup of the sugar until finely ground. Add the butter, egg, and almond extract and process until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and pulse a few times just to combine (the dough will be soft).
3. Spread the dough in the bottom of the prepared pan.
4. In a small bowl, toss the pears and apricots with the lemon juice and the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Arrange the pears in the dough. Scatter the apricots over the dough, pressing them in gently.
5. Bake until the pears are tender and the center is firm, 50 to 55 minutes (cover the edges with foil if they brown too quickly).
6. In a small bowl, combine the preserves and 1 tablespoon water. Brush over the warm tart. Let cool in the pan before unmolding.

Photo and recipe found at this site :

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/holidaymoments/5-tempting-thanksgiving-desserts-2406392/#photoViewer=1

She'll grow into her wings

2010-09-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Digital Collage, just finished yesterday

Boys With Attitude

2010-09-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

In preparing for Halloween. I have created a serie of collages titled "Boys With Attitude"

Image of the chimney sweeps was found on the Library of Congress Media file.

The young "newsie" also comes from the Library of Congress, in the Child Labor section

This imperious looking child was a freebie from Mrs Inman (Flickr)

And the grumpy boy is also a Mrs Inman'special.

tah, tah for now.

Colors on the Water (Free to use)

2010-08-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

Looking at the water is for me an endless source of fascination, how the objects get reflected and the colors become fractured into many facets flowing into one another. I had myself a merry time creating these backgrounds/textures . Feel FREE to use them for backgrounds or textures.

Now, go do something creative.

Toodles

FREE for your enjoyement

2010-08-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

With summer ebbing (somewhat), I already miss the carefree days at the beach, so I found a collection of ladies happily enjoying the sunshine.

She is the epitome of bathing beauty, I think: great legs, darling, frilly swimsuit, and adorable little shoes; she make me want to return to the BEACH.

Now for a snarky moment : While modesty is a very good thing, for the camera, what about all those guys, in the background and the hundreds of windows from the sky scrappers? I'm just saying... She is really cute though.

Okay this is not very beachy, but I simply could not let the Big Hair slide by.

Those pix were gleaned from the fab site VINTPIX : http://www.vintpix.com/

Thousand of pictures free for the picking.

TTFN

Won't you come and see my garden?

2010-05-08T10:45:00.001-07:00

My garden is just gorgeous this time of year, and I absolutly love it. I have magnificent irises .

Mon jardin est si beau en avril et may, j'ai des iris superbes.

And some wild flower that just decided to grow here, and I don't know what it is but I like the happy yellow flowers anyway ( I just have to cut off the spent flowers so it doesn't reseed itself, one never knows with those volunteers:)

Et puis ya cette plante sauvage qui s'est installee sans permission, mais j'aime bien ses jolie fleurs jaunes. (sauf qu'il faudra que je retire les graines pour qu'elle ne se reseme pas, ces fleurs sauvages sont souvent trop envahissantes)

And then my favorite pink rose. Oh she is so gorgeous, and the fragrance is amazing!!

Et enfin, il y a ma rose rose, reine du jardin. Elle est si belle et elle a un parfum incroyable!!

Y'all enjoy our beautiful spring.

Je souhaite a tous et toutes un bon printemps

New Digital collage in Photoshop

2010-04-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

This morning, before breakfast I put this collage together to try out my new Photoshop (words cannot express how much I love this thing.)

I like this captain, got him from the Library of Congress photo files, great ressource, and the gorgeous parrot was borrowed from The Graphic Fairy (thank you Karen.)

Toodles

Ce matin, avant le petit dejeuner, j'ai fait ce collage digital pour essayer mon nouveau PhotoShop

(j'adore ce programme) L'image du capitaine vient de la Librairie du Congres, et le perroquet a ete emprunte de chez "The Graphic Fairy".

Baille baille

Our Visit to the Renaissance Faire

2010-04-19T12:37:00.001-07:00

This week end was the opening of the Renaissance Faire in Fairburn (GA) and we were there bright and early, we come every year and we love it.

Ce week -end nous avons ete visiter le Festival Renaissance ou nous allons tous les ans. Sa majeste est venue en personne nous souhaiter la bienvenue:

Here is the welcoming commitee (his majesty in person, came to meet us.)

We saw wonderful and strange animals,

Nous avons vu des animaux tres beaux,et parfois quelque peu etranges

we saw acrobats and musicians and jousts.

Nous avons admire les bateleurs, les musiciens et les tournois

The King and queen were kind enough to let us take pictures.

Le roi et la reine ont eu la bonte de nous laisser prendre des photos.

There was examples of Charming architecture.

Il y avais des exemple de jolie architecture .

And splendid costumes,

Et des costumes superbes,

Very dashing gentlemen.

Des messieurs fort galants

And of course, the three musketeers.

Et bien sur les trois mousquetaires

Et un prelat ou deux.

Our boys had a wonderful time.

Nos garcons se sont bien amuses .

It was a perfect day! !

Hugs to all

Happy Birthday Chase ! !

2010-03-26T08:35:00.001-07:00

Our Chase just turned 9. His birthday cake had something of a space ship theme and was made by Mom. He is so bright and responsible. It amazes me, 9 years old already! It seems like only yesterday he was a itty bitty baby. Oh, and we forgot the candles, so we used a tea candle, he didn't mind; he was only interested in doing some damage to that cake.

A great day!

Toodles.

Did I Miss The First Day Of Spring ?

2010-03-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

Yes I think I did, The crazy things going on in Washington are distracting me, but IT IS SPRING anyway... even though it is snowing.

Est ce que j'ai oublie les premier jour du printemps? Oui je crois, je suis distraite par les folies de notre capitale mais le printemps est avec nous quand meme... meme si il neige ce matin.

And it is time to go out and pay our tribute to nature.

Il est temps de sortir de nos maisons et faire honneur a la nature.

Time to start being aware of the sun and don a large and lovely hat.

C'est le moment de faire attention au soleil et de se trouver un joli grand chapeau.

Time to rejuvenate our wardrobe and to look sharp and fresh.

Le temps de rafraichir notre garde-robe, et de se trouver une nouvelle elegance.

But it is also the time for new love, or renewed love, romance and tenderness.

Mais c'est aussi le temps des amours nouveaux et des amours renouveles.

Thank you to : http://magicmoonlightfreeimages.blogspot.com/ for the gorgeous free images of spring.

Hugs et tendresses a toutes et tous

Freebies by the hundreds

2010-03-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

My cup runneth over! We can never have enough old wall papers, biology/botany plates, antique book covers, vintage letters for our art, or simply to admire. I just discovered this fabulous place where you can see, covet and grab many of those goodies, and they are FREE.

Not Your Average Sock Monkey hearts (drum roll, please,) vintageprintable.com
http://vintageprintable.com/wordpress/

I picked up a few examples of the lovely stuff they offer, and that you can use for your own art work. I suppose that make them "second hand freebies" :-)

I just love this french poster urging us to save petrol and gas...Although I would certainly not advise to store the stuff in containers in your garage. But the poster is great!

Texte en Francais : Je viens de trouver ce superbe site pour les images gratuites, il y en a des centaines que vous pouvez utilisez dans votre art et vos collages gratis. Tres bien, tres bien !

j'aime beaucoup. Il y a beaucoup de gravure francaise. Je crois que les francais, au 18eme et 19eme siecle etaient les rois de l'image imprimee (un petit peu de chauvinisme, la, mais enfin c'est pas trop mechant ;-)

http://vintageprintable.com/wordpress/

I guess today is the big day when the do their Big Vote in Washington. So what do you think? are we going to get Health Care or are we going to remain a free people? All this depressing stuff make me want to go and do art some more.

Toodles For Now

More Snow... But at home this time

2010-02-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

It snowed yesterday, and it got very dark. This is actually a color photo but looks like a black and white. This is a sight we see maybe once every five years, so we really enjoy it!

What a difference a few hours make ! Today everything is so bright and the sky is the most gorgeous cobalt blue. The old homestead is framed in snow covered trees. Now I am hoping that those huge trees can shed their great load of snow smoothly rather than crack under the load or even break at the base, like they have been known to do once in a while. because our house wouldn't have a prayer...

I feel closest to The Lord when I witness the beauty of Nature.

This is the lake just down the street from us.

So this is it for today. Now I am going to see if I can drive up our driveway.

TOODDLES.

GATLINBURG Mid Season Break

2010-02-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

We rented a cabin in Gatlinburg Tennessee and were lucky to see some snow, (quite a rare treat for us Atlanteans) Our three muffins, Chase, Kai and Fox really enjoyed the snow and the tubing down the slopes at Ober-Gatlinburg, snow angels, snow balls fights, snow man, with hot chocolate and hot tub to warm up afterward. It was all great stuff.

Here my Sweetie, Tom (aka Poppy) and our daughter Belinda and SIL Shane leaning against the mini van.

We had some emotions getting to the cabin. The road was VERY steep and pretty iced up, well what can I say, we're city slickers, we don't know any better. So at one point the van stopped going forward, and with the wheels spinning freely, WE BEGAN SLIDING BACKWARD... Very scary, especially with the road lined by a deep canyon on one side.

So, after we managed NOT to get killed, we decided that our choice was to either find chains for the tires or go home(not an option.) We turned around went to 3 stores in Gatlinburg, all were sold out, It was looking pretty grim when, finally,we found our chains at a Walmart. We learned how to install them in pitch darkness (reading the instructions with a flash light) and in an 18 degrees temperature. After that, the van scampered up them steep inclines like a young mountain goat . Good Times!

The cabin was beautiful with a 3/4 wraparound porch, a hot tub and a very cozy interior. The scenery was just breath taking.

Now for something completely different: I changed the name of this blog and rather rudely neglected to mention it. "Mes Petits Papiers" was my favorite name, but after some digging I found out that it was already in use... by someone who had not posted in 5 years, I wish Blogger would put a statute of limitation on unused titles. So I went about to find another name. Then one of our grand sons said something that made me smile. Kai, the middle boy has quite an imagination and a great way with words. They had found an old sock monkey in my closet and were playing a game of cops/robbers or cowboys/Indians or Transformers vs whatever , when Kai said "I shall nevair surrendair for I'm just not your average sock monkey," all with a french/ pirate of the Carribeans accent to make your head spin. And that's how I found the new name for my blog.

Toodles For Now

My Tiny Christmas Village

2009-12-10T13:47:00.000-08:00

I've always dreamed of owning one of those adorable Christmas villages all sparkling and smothered in snow. I did not want the fancy porcelain ones, I wanted to make it my own, but

the building of one seemed a little daunting.

When I found this great web site about Glitter houses (a.k.a Putz Houses) :

http://www.bigindoortrains.com/primer/glitterhouses/glitterhouses.htm

That also provided a few plans, I was inspired to try my hand at building one.

Well it went okay, not perfect but not awful either, so I did a few more, using Mr Paul D. Race's plan of the basic cottage. Eventually I modified the basic cottage to give it a somewhat pointier, taller roof (reminds me of Europe) then I saw that I needed a church, so I designed one (it's pretty easy really, the basic shape is a box with a slanted roof) I wanted something a little more "cathedrally" but I chickened out at the last minute and stuck to basics, probably a good idea ; )

The pink house was my very first and I made a mistake : I put the back of the house in the front yard when I glued the house to the base, so I slapped a door over the "light hole" and called it a day, it turned out alright, what do you think?
Below are my 2 modified cottages. The light aqua one has a wee problem with the roof, I used a card stock, apparently too thin and it buckled after painting it. Maybe after Christmas I'll give it a new roof

Anyhoo, This is a lot of fun (very messy too) so I also built three Halloween houses, two following the "Big Indoor Trains" plans, and one of my own design, they turned out quite brilliant (bow, bow, ever so humbly :) I'll post them when we are out of the Christmas season, I dont want to detract from the mood.

Addendum : I just finished the Big Indoor Trains' "Little charmer" and I love it; gotta take a picture. Thank you Mr Race and Mr Lamey for the great tutorials. I think I'm going to keep doing this.

TTFN.

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS

Il y a longtemps que je reve d'un petit village de Noel, mais je n'avais pas envie d'en acheter un(car ceux qui me plaisent vraiment coutent tres cher) Alors quand j'ai decouvert ce super site:

http://www.bigindoortrains.com/primer/glitterhouses/glitterhouses.htm

qui donne des plans pour des petites maisons, j'ai decide de faire un essai de construction... Ca n'a pas trop mal marche. J'ai construit six maisons et une eglise, j'ai bien fait quelques erreurs, mais c'est comme ca qu'on apprend.

Ca m'a tellement plu que j'ai aussi commence a faire un village d'Halloween qui est d'un esprit completement different, je vous les montrerai apres Noel (Je ne veux pas gacher l'humeur de fetes :)

What I am thankful for

2009-11-26T02:49:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for my family, and the Lord that watches over us .

I am thankful for our grand children

I am thankful for this great country that welcomed me, today so fearfully threatened. It shall overcome. God Bless America, and its people!

I am thankful for my home, the beautiful state of Georgia, the superb sunshine we enjoy here.

I am thankful for my ability to create and have so much fun with it.

Last but not least I am thankful for ...chocolate double fudge brownies.

Have a great joyful, filled with gratitude day.

A Little Fashion, Today

2009-11-02T04:40:00.000-08:00

Today I was enjoying in the splendor of Alabama Chanin designs. Not only are they gorgeously feminine but they're also wearable; things you wouldn't mind throwing on to do your grocery shopping, or romping in the park with the children (or grand children:-)
http://www.alabamachanin.com/

They also have the whole "ecology/social consciousness thing" down pat. Part of their mission statement says:
"We dedicate ourselves to producing quality products that become a part of daily life in this generation and beyond. From farmer to fiber to artisan to home, our products are “grown-to-sewn” in USA."

And I love the needle work.

Timeless beauty from the trail to the city. Yumm, me likes.

TTFN

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS

Aujourd'hui je voudrais vous presenter la mode d'Alabama Chanin:

https://alabamachanin.com/

Leurs vetements ne sont pas seulement tres beaux, ils sont aussi facilement protables. Ils peuvent aller du supermarche, aux rues de la ville, au terrain de foot sans problemes.

J'aime aussi le fait que les tissus sont faits de fibres locales, les couleurs sont de teintures naturelles, et la fabrication achevee par des couturieres du coin.

Et puis l'ouvrage fait main est incroyable.

Tout plein de Bisous

A Bandolier Bag : Saying Good Bye

2009-10-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

This is called a "BANDOLIER BAG" it is an American Native ceremonial clothing item that indians wore around their neck being worn up front and hanging about waist high. I have owned this particular one for about 30 years, it dates probably to the start of the 20th century, and it is magnificent, entirely beaded, yes, all the colored parts that you see are tiny beads, thousands of them.
I have kept it in a closet for all that time, although I loved it, I never really felt that it was mine. So one day I began to do some research and determined that it was of Ojibwe origin, in the Iowa/Minnesota area. So I contacted a Native American museum. they concured that it was probably from the Ojibwe/MilleLacs nation, and after some correspondance, they agreed to give it a new home.
So I have parted with this beautiful artifact. The museum curator told me that they had a lady who could do the repairs needed to really make it shine. I am a little sad that it is gone, but also pleased that it will be displayed in a style more suited (than my closet) to its majestic origin.
TTFN

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS
Ce sac est un BANDOLIER, et etait porte par les indien d'Amerique pour leur evenements importants (enfin je suppose car il est tres lourd) Je l'ai eu dans mon placard pendant presque 30 ans. Je le regardais de temps en temps je n'ai jamais senti qu'il etait a moi. C'est un ouvrage superbe qui date sans doute de la fin du 19eme siecle, entierement couvert de perles minuscules. Un jour je me suis mise a rechercher son origine, et ai decouvert quil etait sans doute de la tribue des Ojibwas. Apres des pour-parles avec un musee des Ojibwas, Ils ont accepter de le reprendre , et meme de le reparer. J'etais un peu triste de le laisser partir, mais je suis contente de savoir qu'il sera mieux apprecie dans un musee que dans mon placard. Bisous

2009-10-19T13:19:00.001-07:00

The Best of Fall

2009-10-14T07:02:00.000-07:00

This elegant lady reminds me of Fall.

Things that make autumn wonderful :
- Cooler days
- Multicolored leaves
- Cozy sweaters
- New England asters in bloom
- Hot chocolate
- Squash recipes
- Pre-Chrismas sales
- Planning ThankGiving
- Decorating for Halloween
- Fire in the fire place
- Softer, gentler nature
- Misty mornings
- Glorious motorcycle rides

Enjoy the subsiding of the light.

TTFN

Fun with Textiles

2009-10-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

I really dislike throwing away my pieces of fabric from old clothes or sewing projects, so, over the years, they have accumulated a bit. Here is one of the boxes where I keep my little treasures (yeah it's another of my painting projects) It is a smallish trunk... okay nothing impressive so far. But the really large trunk (I mean coffin size large) below it is also filled with odds and ends fabrics, like I said : a lot of fabric.
Recently , I started making things with them.

One day I got away from traditional embroidery, and I never looked back. Now it is quilting and embroidery, and layering and layering, all free form. I make small pieces and add them later to larger projects, and so on, til the cows come home. A work in progress.

A humble washer made noble by rust was found on one of my walks and salvaged to be added to an embroidery project . I spritzed it a little it in the hope that it will bleed some rust onto the fabric, for a more organic look.. so far, no luck .

At last I also used my fabric bits to give a new face to this very old evening bag by trying my hand at crazy quilting. It is not quite finished yet, but I really like it.

Our Furry Friends

2009-09-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

This is Wilburforce, a.k.a. Wilbur. Three years ago he took refuge in our garage for a rest. He was brutally emaciated, mangy, wounded, but so sweet and friendly, after a perfunctory search for his owners (he did not have a collar) we just adopted him. He is noble and beautiful and it breaks my heart that such a splendid gentleman of a dog should be mistreated. Since then, I have decided that I would never again buy a dog from a breeder or a pet shop, there are too many dogs that need help in shelters.

This is Boots (so called because he is nearly all black but for the white booties on his feet) he is a bit of a brat but so cuddly you cant hold it against him.

Meet Norman, a lab mix, he has beautiful eyes and the most laid back personality; the other two make his life interesting but you can tell he'd be just as happy napping on a fluffy cushion.

Playing Tourists in Washington

2009-09-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here is my favorite monument, the Jefferson Memorial, unfortunatly the weather wasn't the best, but it is still lovely.

A botanical garden on our way to the museum.

Here is the original Smithonian , know as "The Castle," a very beautiful building. I think it is home to the American History Museum, but I'm not certain, and the inside is really interesting as well Finely carved ivory artifacts.

porcelain, a gift from France, I think it might be Limoge. but what do I know?

And the architecture of the place is pretty stunning as well.

TTFN

RAINY DAY, BROODY DAY

2009-09-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

Beauty of form and function, a delicate hand made quilt

Beaute de forme autant que de fonction , un vieux patch fait main.

If you stand very quiet and stare at one spot for a long time you might see some of the Fey People dashing by :-)

and old mill grind stones, mandala like , heft and order in the world.

It is raining today, not not our habitual vapor fine rain, more like the "soak you in two seconds"
rain. Time to be brooding and do small and useful things...and to enjoy this superb cup of tea.

Later

Deux anciennes roues de moulins qui ressemblent a des mandalas : poids et order dans le monde.
Il pleut aujourd'hui, pas la pluie fine habituelle, mais des cordes. Cest un bon jour pour rester a la maison et faire des petites choses utiles... et deguster cette merveilleuse tasse de the.
A + tard

Our Wacky Trip to New York

2009-09-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

Faces on the subway. Yes we rode the subway too. We even took a cab.. two actually because there were 7 of us and we got separated and we thought we lost half of our party.
This trip to New York was worthy of the National Lampoon's Vacations "The Griswolds go to New York" It was a great time!

Arriving at Time Square.

A quieter little side street off Spring street. Spring street was the best part of the visit : Chic and Bohemian .

New York is wild and exciting, so much to see, SO much to do!

(I CANNOT believe I duplicated this photo. Now I have to figure out how to replace it.)

Walls and ladders.

Canal Street where you can buy anything and everything... At a 90% discount . At one point. Tom tried to buy a little $6. scarf from a tiny chinese lady. He offered her $3.oo and she got highly offended and shoed him off, yelling "Go away, no 3 dollar merchandise here." we got quite a giggle a bout this.

The World Trade Center, a "cavity" in the face of the city.

Miss Liberty was in fine shape and enjoying the sunshine (view from th Staten Island Ferry.)

The New York skyline never fails to steal the show : Gorgeous.

Tooddles.

Enjoying the Beach

2009-09-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Row of beach houses (ours is a few steps to the right.)

Baby Surfer Dude ; Fox.

Beautiful, and busy, Midway Beach at summer's end .

Children and grand father in the surf

The Last Of Summer

2009-08-28T04:59:00.000-07:00

Catching the last of summer bounty.

We are leaving today for the Jersey Shore. The rain is coming down in ropes here in Atlanta and there is a hurricane looming over the East coast, but we are going because we aint chicken.
It is going to be interesting, I can tell .

I don't mind walking on the rain soaked beach, by the moody sea, in fact I love it. The ocean is in its glory on those stormy days, But the boys are going to get restless cooped up in a fisherman cabin. I am stocking up on hot chocolate fixins, clam chowder and PG Tips Tea, And of course , let's not forget the games, Monopoly, Risk, Imaginiff and checkers, that should cover it for a week, I think.
TTFN

C'est la fin de l'ete, Nous partons pour la plage dans le New Jersey, Il pleut des cordes et un ouragan approche de la cote, mais ca fait rien on part quand meme.
J'aime la mer quand elle boude, les grandes vagues, la brume et le brouillard, marcher, etre mouilles. .. Mais nos garcons vont avoir du mal a rester dans la cabane. J'emporte du chocolat des boites de soupe et du bon the. Et surtout ne pas oublier les jeux de Monopoly, la Conquete du Monde, et les echecs, ca devrais pouvoir les occuper.
A Bientot (dans une semaine)

POOL PARTAY !!!

2009-08-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

Last saturday, we hosted a pool party for the our grand sons boy scouts pack .

There was racing, canon ball and belly flop competitions, and assignement of swimming belt loops/patches ; it was a lot of fun.

A lot of splashing and confusion, we are thrilled to say that no one jumped on anyone else, which was a minor miracle, with some 28 boys, and all.

TTFN.

Something Wild

2009-08-26T06:01:00.000-07:00

Some time ago, I became fascinated with the african textiles their graphic brilliance and the colors... those colors that resonate, something earthy within the soul, something basic. I made a quilt (about 3 by 5 feet) based on this feeling of spontaneity. Probably the only one of its kind for me, since I usually prefer softer tones, for once I I gave a voice to the wild heart in me ... hidden somewhere.

TTFN

Of Old Skeleton Keys

2009-08-19T04:33:00.000-07:00

I have a thing for keys, the promise of an open door, the hope for a new freedom or an exotic discovery. Old skeleton keys made noble by rust, the substantial weight of the iron and their inorganic scent that makes the teeth tingle a little, I own a few of them. Some are very pretty, and some are highly historic , some of mysterious origin. I can't let them rust away in a drawer,I shall use them in silly and unexpected ways.

J'aime beaucoup les vieilles clefs : La promesse d'une porte ouverte, l'espoir d'une nouvelle liberte, ou d'une decouverte exotique. Vieilles clefs annoblies par la rouille, le poids de l'acier, la legere odeur metallique qui fait envoient des frissons dans nos dents, j'en ai quelques unes. il y en a qui sont tres jolies, d'autres sont historiques, et certaines d' une origine mysterieuse. Je ne peut pas les laisser rouiller dans un tirroir. Je veux essayer de les utiliser.

The above key holds a lot of memories for me. It is the key to the flight deck (aka the cockpit)from the time when I worked as a flight attendant . Sometimes the flight deck was the only place to catch a couple of minutes of (relative) silence. On a twelve hours overseas flight with three hundred restless passengers, it had an almost meditative quality.

TTFN.

Le cle ci-dessus est un souvenir de mes jours comme hotesse de l'air. c'est la cle du cockpit. des fois c'etait la seule place ou l'on pouvait se trouver deux minutes de relatif silence sur un vol d'outre-mer de 12 heures avec 300 passagers fatigues et irritables.

Finished : The Family Chronicle Quilt

2009-08-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

It is finished, FINISHED ! Not a bad performance, in view of the fact that I started it 4 years ago :-)

Okay, It still needs a little more quilting, but I can do that at my leisure during those long winter evenings while watching tv.

Enfin termine : Le Patch de la famille Henry !!! pas trop mal comme cela m'a pris (seulement) quatre ans a finir. Il a besoin d'un petit peu plus de matelassage, mais je peut faire ca durant ces longues soirees d'hiver au coin du feu (devant la tele, plutot)

Boys, boys everywhere you look.

2009-08-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

Kai's Birthday Party: Seven Candles

Fox is such a pretty little imp, and a big fan of chocolate frosting

Fox est un bien joli petit diable qui estun fan du chocolat

Chase, who wants to be grown up in the worst way , but is not above licking the frosting off the candles.
Chase qui veut etre grand, mais n'a pas oublie comment lecher le glacage au chocolat sur les bougies.

Kai on his birthday , August 2nd, with a chocolate cake, custom made for him with 7 candles.

Grand sourire (un peu edente) de Kai le jour de son anniversaire. un gateau d'anniversaire fait a la maison pour lui... avec Sept Bougies

I'm Baaaaack : a BORO textile experiment

2009-08-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

I t's official, I deserve the title of "Bad Blogger" of the month. I've got excuses, but I am not going to bother you with them, because, they are after all, well, excuses. So I'm back after a long hiatus. I've finished a few projects that I now need to photograph.

And for starters, I have found this japanese textile art form, that I find fascinating. It is called "Boro" which translate into "rags" or "waste fabric" in English. The story behind the Boro textiles is a little similar to our quilting tradition. When fabrics were rare and expensive, poor people in Japan did not throw away any of them. Instead, they patched and mended, and replaced and added to the garment until it looked a bit like Joseph's Coat of Many Colors. I find this art-craft form poignant since it represents a history of the person, or family that owned it. You can see a few exemple of beautiful Boro pieces here :
http://www.kimonoboy.com/catalog.html?category=Sold_Boro

Anyhoo I tried my hand at making a New Boro (and as you can see I just I love Indigo.) I realize that it is cheating, for the value is in the antiquity, but, in my defense I want to mention that all the fabrics I used are quite old, leftovers from dress making and faded tea towels and old blue jeans. There's something so primeval about the rough, visible stitches and the raw edges, it has inspired me to do other pieces, not Boros, but, my own creations. So much so that the title of this blog "My Little Papers may no longer be appropriate, and perhaps should be changed to "My little Stuff," Whadaya think ?

Toodles

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS

J'ai decouvert cette forme japonaise de Patchwork, qui s'appelle "Boro" qui se traduit a peu pres par "Tissu perdu". Il y a un ou deux siecle quand le tissu coutait tres cher, les pauvres gens reparaient et ajoutaient des pieces avec un resultat tres interessant. Bien sur, les Boros authentiques coutent les yeux de la tete, et sont tres recherches par les les collec-

tionneurs, alors, pour rire, je m'en suit cousu un (voir photo.) Il n'est pas trop mal reussi, meme si il lui manque la patine de 2 siecles.

Vous pouvez voir des Boros authentiques dans le lien si dessus (au milieu du texte Anglais) je les trouve superbes, si touchants, et personnels, et en meme temps, tres graphique et modernes enfin c'est le design Japonais... imbatable.

A plus tard.

More of Burgundy,

2009-05-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

To say that wine is important in Burgundy is a gross understatement: In Burgundy wine is a religion.

Here is the chateau of Meursault where we visited the cave and sampled some great wines.

The chateau of Meursault is built on top of an 11th century monastery of which only the magnificent vaulted cellars are left.

This is the vineyard of Meursault, right next to the castle.

Vineyards are everywhere scaling up the hills, as far as the eye can see. It is interesting to see the names on each vineyard, legendary names like Pommard, Meursault, Gevrey-Chambertin, Puligny-Montrachet, and to see that their vineyards are relatively modest in size, (I sort of expected immense, impressive fields matching the world famous reputations.)

TTFN

More of Beaune ...To market, to market

2009-05-05T04:27:00.000-07:00

Yes the weather was pouting a little that day, but I really enjoyed the Beaune market. It is so colorful and lively with gorgeous displays, friendly people, merchants that offer to let you taste their products (I stilll dream about that "pate en croute" that I tasted ... and bought, the "charcutier" was truly the Da Vinci of pork products )

I found this plaque that says that Arthur and Gaston Chevrolet (Yep, the car and truck guys) lived there at the end of the 19th century, before going on to bigger things I guess.

I like the old fashioned french boutiques, so quaint ! and most aren't especially high-end,

they can be bakeries, and delis and real-estate offices, nothing fancy, just charming.

I took a pic of this building and forgot what it was (I'm hoping Sis can tell me soon)

Well that's enough for today.

Tooddles.

Trip To Beaune (The Hospice)

2009-05-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

Beaune is reknown for its ancient hospital ( Hospice) build in the 15th century. It is truly magnificent, both inside and out, It was built at the time by a local nobleman and his wife to atone for their sins, and provided free health care for the poor. It was a working hospital as late as the mid 20th century.

Below is the room for the poor people, quite lovely accomodations, I think.

Alright now for an anecdote. In one of these huge rooms, there is a grate in the floor (a beautifully ornate one, of course) and through that grate, you can see a river running beneath the building. That room was where surgery was done, and whatever was.. removed was tossed into the riverbelow. As the legend goes, the trouts downstream of the hospice were the fattest and the sweetest tasting in all of Burgundy...omg, I cannot believe I told that story!

The kitchen was renovated in the 19th century (I want that stove!)

The Hospice is especially famous for the stunning roof of glazed, multicolored tiles.

More to come later, I have hundreds of photos.

TTFN

Trip to France (visiting BEAUNE)

2009-05-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

I have been absent for a long time, I know. I went to visit my sister in Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy country. It is a gorgeous little town which blends the charm and laid back life style of the country with the sophisticated elegance of far larger cities. Castles and mansions are everywhere, beautiful shops, a killer outdoors market on saturdays, magnificent, ancient architecture ... I was impressed!

A New Little Card

2009-03-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

I made a new card with a vintage photo from my Vintage Collection cd and a Morgue.com FREE Grunge background. This photo reminds of my MIL and the time line is about right as well.
TTFN.

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS

J'ai fait cette carte a partir d'une photo de ma collection sur cd . et l'arriere plan vient de chez Morgue. com. La photo me rappelle beaucoup de ma belle mere qui etait tres jolie. et le commentaire dit: "quest ce quelle etait bien notre grand mere!" A bientot.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME !

2009-03-07T07:18:00.000-08:00

Yep, that it is (my B'day) but at my age we don't count them anymore.

Yada, yada... B'day gift, B'day card, B'day song etc... Nuf said, more interesting things to do.

Today I did some exploration in my linen closet, and made some interesting finds.
I took out of a box this pretty table cloth, bought for a song at the flea market. I can't exactly date it perhaps the forties or fifties but it is still fresh and pretty despite it's age .

I'd love to use it on a table but it is square and not too large while my table is oblong and very large. Oh well, back in the closet it goes.

Many years ago, my MIL gave me a large piece of cloth all embroidered with the birds and flowers of each state of the union at the time : 48 in all, I suppose it was made prior to the entry of Hawaii and Alaska (a date, anyone?) For a long time I had no idea what to do with it and then I started cutting each embroidery into 8 inches squares and fashioned it into a quilt top. The other fabrics (the flowery bands and green squares) are more or less contemporary to the embroidered patches, so I hope they don't clash too much.

It is a quilt TOP but not a quilt yet. So it is to be classified under the rubric "Unfinished projects" that I must finish this year. I have my work cut out for me, this one is HUGE.

TTFN.

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS:

C'est mon Anniversaire aujourdhui, et je prefere ne pas y penser.
Pour me distraire, j'ai farfouille dans mon placard a linge. Trouve cette jolie nappe des annees quarante ou cinquante. J'aimerai bien m'en servir mais ell est carree et plutot petite alors que ma tables est rectangulaire et tres grande... Dommage.
Autre trouvaille : ce patchwork brode avec tous les oiseaux et fleurs de chaque etat des Etats Unis : 48 en tout , ce qui indique que la broderie a ete faite avant l'admission d'Hawaii et de l'Alaska (oublie la date). La broderie etait faite sur une espece de grand drap que j'ai decoupe en carres et transforme en patchwork (avec des tissus contemporains, sil vous plait, rafine, hein?)
Maintenant, il faut que je me mette au matelassage, encore un projet a finir , celui-ci va etre du boulot... aille!!!
Abientot

Another Unfinished project

2009-03-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

Four years ago for Tom's Mom's birthday, I decided to make a family quilt with the signature of every body, that was there at the party.
I asked everyone to sign the little pieces of fabric and I started the quilt, but I abandonned it

(fickle me) So I re-started working on it again.

The picture doesn't do it justice, for some reason my flash did not go off. The color scheme is blue and white. and in real life the blue is a lot truer than in the picture. But it's okay because it is in pieces, so hopefully I will take a nicer picture when it is finished. To be continued.

TTFN

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS

Il y a quatres ans, pour le 80ieme anniversaire de ma belle mere , j'avais decide de fabriquer un Patchwork avec les noms de tous les membres de la famille qui etaient chez nous. Tout le monde a signe son petit bout de tissus et je me suit mise a coudre. Apres un petit moment j'ai abandonne et puis le projet est parti dans un tirroir ou il a ete oublie. Maintenant je m'y suis remise. La photo n'est pas tres bonne, un peu sombre, en realite le bleu est beaucoup plus bleu, mais ca n'a pas trop d'importance car il est tout en pieces. J'espere prendre une bien meilleure photo quand il est fini. Histoire a suivre.

A Bientot

Snow In Georgia

2009-03-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

My last post bragged about Spring; well, today, it is snowing, large, fat snow flakes that cover the ground rapidly, and we have THUNDER with it too, have you ever heard of such a thing? Strange Days Indeed!
This inspired me to do a "Still-Winter-but-in-the-mood-for-Spring" card. The picture is of our little grand daughter Sydney, in her beautiful chrismas outfit The background is painted in water colors, the stamp is mine and the cut-outs are from my collage sheets.

TTFN.

Texte En Francais :

Dans mon dernier article je parlais du Printemps, apparemment un peu tot, car aujourd'hui, il neige: Une grosse neige drue qui couvre rapidement. Il y a aussi du TONNERRE que je ne crois pas avoir jamais entendu pendant une chute de neige : Les temps sont etranges.

Tout cela m'a inspire a faire une petite carte dans l'esprit "Le Printemps arrive mais, vetu d'un gros Parkaa et de bottes d'eskimau" La photo est de notre petite fille Sydney, n'est elle pas mignonne dans sa belle robe de Noel? le fond de la carte est peint a l'aquarelle. le tampon est le mien, de meme que les images decoupees.
A Bientot

Is Spring Springing, Yet ?

2009-02-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

Hellebores "No rain, nor frost, nor gloom of night" seems to bother you.

Sweet and timid Hyancinths try to be brave, like your yellow fellows, the Daffodils

We are still getting many cold nights here in North Georgia, and nature looks rather grim.

But there are signs that Spring might be getting ready for The Big Show. Here and there I have flowers popping out, blooming boldly in spite of getting frozen a couple of times a week.

Tooddles

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS

Nous avons encore beaucoup de nuits tres froide en Georgia, mais il y a des indices que le printemps se prepare. Ici et la, j'ai des fleurs qui sortent et bravent les gelees blanches du matin. Mes jonquilles sont vraiment en grande formes. ainsi que les Hellebrores,(que rien ne semble deranger,) alors que les jacinthes sont un peu plus timides.

A Bientot

Monday Image Freebie (belated)

2009-02-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

Here is a freebie to use in your art work . It should be a Monday Freebie but on monday things just got a little too crazy, then on tuesday .. one thing led to another, and I missed it too. But I finally got around to it. YEAHHHH ! I think she is very beautiful, what an amazing profile, and the hand coloring is exquisite. Enjoy.

Tooddles.

TEXTE EN FRANCAIS :

Je vous offre un petit cadeau (Freebie) pour vos projets
artistiques. En general je les affiche le lundi, mais cette
semaine j'ai rate mon affichage du lundi et puis celui du
mardi aussi, (ce blog machin n'est pas encore entre dans
mes habitudes, et il faut que je fasse plus attention.)
Alors ma petite Freebie est sortie du four avec trois
jours de retard. Elle est vraiment jolie, vous ne trouvez
pas? Son profil est superbe et les couleurs, appliquees a
la main sont d'une delicatesse exquise. A Bientot.

Finishing Up Projects.

2009-02-23T03:31:00.000-08:00

This was my New Year Resolution : To finish up what I started.

Well there are a few projects that I need to finish, but this little cabinet is what I have done so far. I bought it for $20. at the flea market some years ago. I loved its shape, but it was a dark, dark brown. I planned on painting it, but things being as they are, it remained half painted (in the ochre background color) for a few years . A few weeks ago I finally tackled it... in a garden scheme, I always wanted a topiary, so, now I have one, faux as it may be.

Yes. it is all free handed, with nary a stencil in sight. And lemme tell you, the arlequin pattern looks easy, right? I thought so, but I was wrong, wrong, wrong. That's why The photo taken is from a fair distance : To hide the imperfections; everybody tells me it looks fine, but I know better.

Then for the fun of it I added the painted tassel to the knob. I kind of like it, I think I'll practice a little more with them.

Texte En Francais.

Pour Ma Bonne Resolution de nouvel an. J'ai dit que j'allais finir tous les projets que j'avais commence. Je sais que c'est ambitieux, mais si je prend un projet a la fois, ca devrait pouvoir se faire.

Alors, voila mon premier projet fini. C'est un vieux meuble ramasse aux Puces pour 20. dollars

que j'avais commence a peindre dans la couleur ocre que vous voyez, et que j'avais abandonne.

Ce mois de janvier, je m'y suis remise. je voulais un theme de verdure, alors j'ai fait ce petit arbre taille, en pot. Pas utilise de pochoir, je sais qu'ils se vendent, mais comme je suis radine, je l'ai dessine a la main, et ca a bien marche. Pour le dessin "arlequin" sur le cote, un conseil : Dessinez avec des lignes bien geometriques avant de peindre, sinon ca devient un desastre tres vite, et quand ca commence a mal aller, c'est pas "rattrapable"

Quand j'ai fini, j'ai ajoute, pour rire, un pompon a la poignee (euh je sais que c'est pas le nom correct, aussitot que je m'en rappelle je le change) encore une fois tout a la main. Je trouve ca mignon tout plein. J'ai fait tout ca a la peinture acrylique, facile a utiliser et pas cher.

A Bientot

Monday Image Freebie

2009-02-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

Please feel free to use this photo for your art work. I just ask that you don't resell it or use it on collage boards. Have fun with it.

Miss Phyllis Dare was a stunning young actress. In this photo she looks very young, maybe her early teens. I have a couple of her pictures and I wish I had more. You can find one or two more of Miss Phyllis shots on The Graphic Fairy. blogspot.com

Toodles.

My Pretty Marguerite

2009-02-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

I did this card on water color paper. The pretty young girl with the humongus bow comes from my collection of vintage photos on CDs. The report card comes from my collection of ephemera
as does the sparrow. The roses were cut out of one of my many flowers and seeds catalogues. the butterflies were colored by myself out of a children book. The stamps were purchased as were the small lock and key.

Ooops is it time for Monday Image Freebie already? Coming right up... well providing my computer doesn't act up on me.

Let's think positive thoughts, shall we .

FREEBIE MONDAY.

2009-02-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share a little photo from my collection. I think this girl is so precious and her dress is

very pretty. Also, I love the hat at her feet. I wonder if someone could manage to place it on her head

JACK IS BACK ! !

2009-01-18T03:26:00.000-08:00

If ever I have had a guilty pleasure, (ouside of Belgian chocolates and flea market finds, that is,) the television show 24 would have to be it.

I know, I know there is too much violence, and the action is dissected into one hour segments which can make the suspense excruciating. But the action is.... WOW! What a roller coaster ride! It is nice to see the good guy kick butt and take names once in a while. The bad guys are so horrifying that I tend to forgive Jack Bauer for his rather strong harm techniques. What's a little torture when a deadly virus is about to be launched onto Los Angeles, right?

Kiefer with his sweet, geeky Sutherlands looks doesn't look like he's built to take all that much punishment, but he is like I don't know , the energizer rabbit of secret agents, he keeps going and going. Maybe that's his secret weapon : I'd be cranky too if I had to stay up for 24 hours

I must have been Nice (rather than Naughty)

2009-01-03T04:13:00.000-08:00

Okay so I haven't blogged during this Christmas season. It was busy and stressful, and I found myself with the choice of DOING Christmas stuff or talking about it, and I chose the former.

Chrismas cookies, I made a lot and I have modified my color scheme a little, from red and green to pink, pale green and white with a lot of sparkle (which doesn't show in the picture) My hubby finds the colors "girly" but so what, I am a girl, I make the cookies, I am entitled.

Santa has been good to me this Chrismas (bless his tinselly, fur trimmed heart.) I received a Canon "Rebel" XSI, This puppy rocks, and I am hoping to learn how to use it any day Now.

I am still learning how to use this blog thing so don't be surprised if the format changes at a moment notice. I am a sampler through and through and I like to try everything, so I hope that the aspect of my blog doesn't suffer too much of my dilettantism.

My grand sons posing in front of the White House

2008-12-18T06:51:00.000-08:00

Here are our grand sons Chase, Kai and Fox (l. to r.) at the White House (background;)

said White House to be shortly, and mercifully, vacated . I hope and pray that the new administration will bring us all the change that is needed and none of the change that is feared.