My object of desire.

After helping my friend, talented artist Jennifer Paganelli, in her latest endeavors, I was rewarded with my object of desire. The girl in the shadow box. I have hinted, not too subtly at times, at how I love this piece she made a while back. This shadow box lined with the vintage Barbie image, embellished with her signature glitter and a glamorous brooch at the hollow of her throat is the perfect addition to my dressing table. I love Jennifer's fresh spin on folk art... so inspiring. I'm ready to glam it up once again!

And now for something different.

Just in case you thought that all I do is baby quilts and dorm sets for college bound girls- here are a few pillows and throws that I have made up recently. I'm always looking for something new to work on. Wouldn't these look great in a bachelor pad? The found objects, like the horse skull, the lobster buoys, riding boots, etc. , give the room a more individual flair- uncommon products for the unique room. My favorite pillow is the zebra pillow. I used Steam a Seam fusible bonding to iron and then raw edge appliqué the zebra onto the vintage Vera tree fabric. I love raw edge applique- instant gratification at it's most gratifying! A cat is always a nice touch.

Back in the saddle- literally and figuratively.

Don't know why I've been singin' the blues lately, but I have. I have been pulling out all the stops to try and pull myself out of the mire, short of eating ice cream out of the carton. My usual mood elevators weren't working, so after a visit with my buddy Jennifer Paganelli, I pulled myself up by the boot straps, (really, here are my boots!), went for a ride, and got out my glue gun. One great ride, 6 hours, and a gold leaf mirror later, and I think I feel a bit better. This is my affirmation mirror that is in the hallway, where i keep my boots. Now, before I go out to ride, I will look in the mirror and say my mantra, "Ride with wild abandon!", and do it! And I will have to put Burt Bacharach and Billie Holiday away for a while... they were not helping! Jennifer, you did. Thank heaven for good friends.

I've been back at MaryJane's Farm.

This month treat yourself to MaryJane's Farm magazine and enter her world of down- on- the farm, nostalgic, organic goodness. It's not just me who checks the mailbox early every other month to see what knits and purls of wisdom she has to offer. Even super model Carolyn Murphy takes MaryJane to the beach on the days she has to indulge in her favorite things. This issue she has one of my saddle pads that has "repurposed" an old wool blanket. I've had the pleasure of doing custom work for her in the past, and she always sends me incredible vintage goodies to work with. In the the time you have to wait for your subscription to arrive in your mailbox, you can go visit her website http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/and watch her videos, read her recipes, order her baking mix, and wonder - like me- how long would it take to get to Moscow, Idaho???