So Many Pictures...So Little Time!

Before I'm off and running with this blog post, I must share with you that  I'm currently a participant in a challenge. This is the Door Tag Challenge at All My Art - you can click on the icon on my sidebar to get to the website.  Here's my entry... I call it Bee Bizzy.  I altered both front and back.  The hive cells have a beeswax coating for authenticity!

front

back

While on the subject of beeswax, I've created some encaustic ACEO's for MMU.  I got a little carried away, but this kept me busy assembling the collages while at the Scrappin' to the Oldies Retreat last Saturday. Then all I had to do was the beeswax last week.

I amazed even myself when I began uploading photos for this week's blog...holy cow!  But then, I told myself you would probably much rather look at photos than read my rantings!!   So, here's how the week began ~ with a fabulous girls' road trip to Phoenix...to visit with two of our favorite girls, Nancy and Ashley!

backseat Kiki the prankster

Me as co-pilot (PK in the back)

Captain Schotzie who said "Stop it Mom, I'm driving!!"

We arrive at our destination - the queen mother of all bargain basement stores -
Nordstrom's Last Chance!  Here we meet up with our second family, Mama Nancy and daughter Ashley.

checkout time after 2+ hours of shopping!

can you spell "happy?"  (can it be all those Tory Burch shoes we got "on the cheap"???)

Ash and Momma Nancy

lunch at Ajo Al's

adorable couple Nancy and Mike in their gorgeous kitchen!

the stars of the show...Campbell and Cayden - TOO  CUTE!!!
These twins totally rock it!!

Of course after an amazing day like Monday, the rest of the week kinda pales by comparison.  On Tuesday Melissa and I made our way over to the brand-new Costco.  So big, clean, closer to home,  and pretty awesome! 

Always a treat to be able to buy a delish cheap-o lunch...I think they do that because you wind up spending SO much money on everything else!!

Remember the St. Vincent de Paul trip last week? And I promised you pictures of my buys this week?

Take a looky here!

tiny tin clip-on candle holders 

vintage Holy Cards, vintage books ~ Devotions to Mary and Logarithms

tiny binder clips and a box of real lambs wool!

these called out to me and asked if they could come home to be pincushions ~ how could I say anything but "YES!"

waiting for me were these 2 little wire cages.  I thought they spell "n-e-s-t."  I'll paint them white and build a bird's nest complete with eggs and birds in each

this darling aluminum cup comes from the now-defunct Tucson branch of Shamrock Dairy

hmmmm - I wonder how a cloth transfer with a vintage image will look in this embroidery hoop?

Not too bad for a thrift store fly by!

Well, the week came to a close very quickly with all the hustle and bustle and once again, Mr. Muse was home to rest after his 4th week in San Fran.  Somehow "date night" was even more special this Saturday with a movie thrown in for good measure.  We highly recommend a fun, sweet, light comedy - "Something Borrowed."

Before I leave you, as this week is already stacking up before my eyes...I promised a craft and this one is from Jen over at Tatertots and Jello....you can click her link in my side bar.  Be sure to tell her I sent you!

Just in time for Spring, and so easy to make! (it's actually from her sister Ashley, but you can read all about it on http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com)

PB-Inspired Butterfly Wreath

Here are the supplies she used:

Here’s what Ashley says:

• I had 2 kinds of moss. Spongy moss and large sheets of moss. Both were preserved but real.
• I took a grapevine wreath form and started hot gluing the sheets of moss onto the wreath, wrapping each piece around to the back. It took probably 10-12 sheet pieces to cover the wreath.
• I then took the spongy moss and glued that in the gaps and crevices to give the wreath depth and dimension.
• I found white butterflies in the floral section of Michaels. They were attached to 12 inch long wire. I thread the wire through the moss and into the back of the grapevine wreath, wrapping the ends around a piece of the grapevine to secure. I left 2 inches of wire between the butterflies and the wreath so they could hover above and create depth.
• Finally, I attached a large piece of satin ribbon at the top and put it on my door. Voila!
• The project took a total of 20 minutes and was super simple!

{You can also find these wreath forms at the Dollar Store.}

I love the organic simplicity of this wreath!!!

  

So, there we go...be sure to let me know how you do with your wreath.

Congrats to all the new grads - school's out for summer before you know it - vacations are right around the corner - and for most everyone, relief from winter weather is in sight!  Have an absolutely, fantastic week and thank you so much for sharing today with me!!

Love you all!

xoxo

Karen