Arrtwork on the Fly

After spending over 20 years creating some kind of art in some form or fashion, selling my art or not, running a brick and mortar store, running an online store, teaching live classes, teaching online classes I think I am finally learning something.

There are things you know intellectually in your head and then there are the things you know in your heart your soul, your gut. For a very long time I have known and understood that you can not "wait" for inspiration to smack you upside the head with an idea.

How many times have we all said and thought and felt...oh I just can't create today because I'm not inspired. I'm just as guilty as anyone else. It's a very good and acceptable excuse right? People are understanding about not being inspired right?

So what has finally crawled it's little whiny self out of my head and I truly think finally into my heart, my soul, my gut?

You. Can. Not. Wait. Don't feel like creating? Do. It. Anyway.  Don't know where to start?  Start. Anywhere. It will lead you somewhere. And guess what. Where it leads doesn't have to be a perfect masterpiece. It only has to be.

Creativity is a great feeder upon itself. If you start something, anything, even if you are apathetic about what you are doing, if you start, the inspiration will start to come. It may not be a big lightening hallelujah strike. You may not even realize how creative you are being until you are done. But one thing is for sure. If we sit around whining about it, it will definitely not show it's face. Who likes a whiner right?

Know how this piece got created?

It got created because I got up off my lethargic feeling hiney and told myself all I had to do was go into the studio and take 3 colors and my fingers and smear them around  on this piece of wood I had laying around, and to have no expectations. In the smearing of that paint something took hold. I don't know what it was but when the paint dried I wanted to come back and try something else to see where that would lead. And this is the way it went. One step at a time leading to a next step. I had no clue where I was going, I just let myself be led.

I like where I landed. And I think it finally opened my eyes to my heart.

xxoo Gail

Gelli Print on the ipad

No it's not what you think... I did not Gelli print my ipad! :)  But I did get an ipad last month. I've been learning and having fun with it since. And if you've been around me for any length of time you know that not only do I love to create art, I also love to create art digitally. So I decided to indulge myself in a Traci Bautista class and signed up for her Digital Canvas e-course.

What I was looking for in this class was how to "paint" on an ipad with apps. It sounded like a very cool idea to me. And the thought of being able to actually design and create art even when I'm not in the studio excited my muse.

After I design digitally I often use that digital work in my 3D work. Traci calls it leveraging your artwork. I like that term and didn't realize that's what I have been doing. I also do it the other way around. I take artwork I have created in the studio, scan it and then use that in my digital work. I am "leveraging" my artwork. :)

For this print I scanned two gelli prints I created and liked a lot. I put them into my ipad. I brought both into my Procreate art app as separate layers, then blended them to something I liked and used that for my backgorund. Then  I started to paint the face. I think she turned out pretty well.  I find the stylus I to be clumsy fat as it is hard for me to see where my lines are when trying to do finer line design. I am looking at a stylus that has a fine point tip but it's expensive so I will continue to learn how to use the one I have for now.

I hope you like her.

xxoo Gail

Weekend Worktable

I seem to have birds on the brain. Could it be that Spring is singing loud in my ear?

Spent the weekend dabbling in paint, ink, stamps and some thermofax screen designs from Margaret Applin. I just love her designs!

Happy Monday my friends. I hope yours is well.

xxo

Gail

Art Play

A little escape to the studio. Gelli printed cardstock background. Birdy pieced together with Gelli printed paper. Gelli printed ledger paper for words background.

I painted myself another color.

Happy Sunday my friends. Spring has finally spring in the mountains of Tennessee. The vegetable garden put in yesterday. Now comes the hard part...waiting.

xxoo Gail

Art Is You

Whoo boy time is leaving jet trails in the sky it is moving on so fast! I was surprised that my last blog post was back in early March.

The Spring Fling workshop at Liz's Artful Endeavors studio went smashingly well and we had a messy good time as we sprayed and stenciled our way to fun!

Then I came home and started getting ready to pack up and head to Art Is You with Liz. We went as students and it was a pure joy for me. I did not take one electronic device, I unhooked from business and the computer and grooved to being in the moment the entire 4 days. I took a class from Sunny Carvalho (I still have to finish my doll because I broke her arms...I'm such a bully lol) and a two day class from MaryBeth Shaw (also known as Stencil Girl Products...and yes I indulged in my stencil addiction while attending lol). Here are two boards I created in MB's class. Such. A. Blast.

I got to finally meet and hug and talk in person to my very longtime online friend Pam Carriker. Some of you may remember Pam and I offered the very first classes at Creative Workshops.  Even further back Pam and I first met and started talking back when we were both on the ZNE design team.  Wow have things changed since then. And boy do I look tired in these pictures. Pam as usual looks beautiful.

And I finally got to meet and hug Nellie Wortman. I am such a huge fan of Nellie and her work. When you meet Nellie you immediately feel as if you have known her forever. And if you have only seen Nellies work through a photo there is no comparison to the real thing. When you see Nellie's amazing work in person you just want to pick it up, reverently hold it in your hands and ooo and aah over every little thing, We had many laughs.

You know. Looking at those photos makes wonder if I should go back to coloring my hair. :) I wanted to see what stage of gray I am at, I guess now I know. lol

I've been busy with computer work since we got back and I'm grateful I have my Art Is You Memories to treasure. I'm also so grateful that Ellen and Sallieanne decided to open Art Is You Nashville. I don't travel much these days. I am having some vision issues so my driving pertains to the roads I know. And when flying became such a hassle and the budget became limited I gave up flying. So having Art Is You only five hours away means a lot. Liz and I plan to go back next year. Poor thing, she didn't know having me as a friend would one day require her to be a chauffeur. But she is most likely glad I didn't do the driving with my eyes. lol

I have more news but I'll save that for  another post.

xxoo  Gail

Weekend Worktable

Here is what is sitting on my worktable after a weekend in the studio. These two fabric panels are 24"x24" muslin and first printed using my Gelli plate then screen printed and stenciled over the Gelli background. Since my Gelli plate is only 12x14 doing such large sheets of fabric was a bit challenging but one I had fun with. You just have to recognize that the fabric is not going to be a uniform pattern all over and go with the flow, using color and pattern to tie it all together. Going with the flow and not worrying over how something turns out is often foreign to me and I can't say it enough...the Gelli plate takes those concerns right out of my hands and it is a really fabulous feeling.

I think the camera make these look less vibrant than they are in person. I need to get a better handle on my photography skills!

Wishing y'all a wonderful Monday! xxo Gail

Gelli on my Fabric

Yes I'm guilty of  deliberately adding Gelli to my fabric. And no I'm not spelling it wrong. :) I am just so in love using my Gelli plate from Gelli Arts to create my own fabric surface designs. There are other things I should be doing but every time I wean myself from my Gelli plate it is like a siren calling me back and I get impatient to finish what I must and get back to the Gelli.  Here is a new cuff I just created using fabric I Gelli printed.

I used the raw edge of one side of the whole fabric sheet before I cut it all down for other projects. I loved that it went from bright bold color on one edge to no color on the other edge. I like my cuffs on the raw, organic side so I usually tear my fabric and let the edges show in all their glory. :)

So I'm off. I hear a Gelli plate calling my name. 

xxo Gail

Bring on the Gelli

Are you a fan of the Gelli plate yet? If you are then you know that wonderful patterns and colors can be created simply, and with much joy. Pulling prints on my Gelli plate is therapeutic for me. I don't over-think, which can be my downfall and that which I try to guard against...but not always successfully.  With my Gelli plate I just go to town and feel free to let things simply be what they are. And I have pulled some prints that makes my heart go pitty pat. I love these three and see them as journal pages, backgrounds for collage, used in jewelry...whatever my heart desires.

Oh gosh but these excite me! But you know a Gelli print can be subtle too depending on how you use your patterns and colors. I printed a piece of fabric using blues and greens for a layered subtlety that you really have to see in person. And then this is what I created with that fabric. I never made a coin purse before. But I will again!

Playing with my Gelli plate has been more joy than I've had in quite a while. Thanks to Gelli Arts for bringing us this bodacious tool!  I probably would not have gone to the trouble of making my own gelatin plate and missed all the fun. If you don't have one yet and you are stuck in an "I feel so un-creative"  zone, I say save your pennies and indulge your muse. She will thank you. Mine loves me. :)

xxo Gail

Wednesday Worktable

I was playing around painting tissue paper last night and used a sheet of freezer paper under my work. I love the way the freezer paper ended up looking from the bleed through of the tissue papers. This is the shiny waxy side. I wonder if there is any way to preserve this so that it is workable in a piece of art. Since this is a coated surface the paint will scrape right off. I don't know if something like a varnish would do the trick or not. hmmm....

Happy Thursday my friends!

xxo Gail

Gelli Junkie

The word junkie indicates someone with an addiction, or consumed with an obsession. I thought it was a totally apropriate title for this post. My name is Gail and  I am a Gelli junkie. I resisted long and hard. I thought, oh I simply don't need yet another toy.  And then I saw a blog post by Roben-Marie Smith demonstrating the Gelli plate and it was like I was literally sucked into the computer screen, and before you could even say Gelli plate, I owned two of them! I do not want or need a twelve step program thankyouverymuch, I am happily ensconced in my addiction.

So I thought I would share something I recently did with my Gelli plate. I've been playing a lot with using it to monoprint on fabric. You know I love fabric! And now I have my lovely new tall counter I can stand and work at, so I got to it and laid out my plate.

I got out the brayer and some paper I use to clean my brayer on...can't let that paint go to waste and I've ended up with some beautiful papers.

I had some canvas wine/bottle bags that have been hanging around for years and I thought it would be fun to see what I could do to improve them?

So I cut the ugly rope handles off.

I got out some stencils and some of my  favorite mark making tools.

I then put paint on the plate.

And after I mixed the colors with the brayer I started laying out some pattern.

Now, as so often happens, at this point I was too caught up in pulling prints to do a step by step but I do have the final results for you. The last two things I did was use a couple Thermofax screens to print the black skeleton flower and chickadee, and  then I added black ribbon to replace the rope handles.

What do you think?

I think I love them and shall list them in my Etsy store tomorrow.

xxo Gail

Studio Make Over

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....ok, ok, yes, I stole the line,but I have always loved the opening of Tale of Two Cities and wanted to use it. And it has kind of felt that way around here since the beginning of December. Sit back, relax, have a cuppa, I'm heavy on photos here.

First I moved my store site. At the beginning of the holiday season? What... was I crazy!! Yeah, kinda. :) A move of that magnitude is really the same as setting up a total new website from scratch. I admit there was cursing and headaches and feelings of "what have I done?" involved in the month of Dec. And lots of emails flying back and forth between moi and my new support team. But they were GREAT! Patience is what is needed with me and new technical learning curves, and they had it in spades. And right after the New Year, labor ended, and a new baby was born.

I love the new store. I think it is simpler, more streamlined, and hopefully easier to understand that Shabby Cottage Studio and Creative Workshops are all me, just two different sites that have grown intertwined. And I love that now I can offer customers instant downloads. No longer am I tied to manually sending digitals, my store automatically does that for me. Happy dance here!

In the middle of all that I decided one side of my studio/workroom was no longer working for me and it was time to face facts and ask Mr Shabby for a custom overhaul. Several years ago I has asked my sweet hubby to creat a custom work table for me.  I have loved it ever since. One end wraps into the closet and is my sewing area. The other end wraps a small section of wall left for a small space to work on jewelry.

But the other side of the room...not a total lovefest. Here is a photo from my blog studio tour and believe me this is only cleaned up for guests. My mama taught me well.

This did work for a while. But the problem eventually became apparent it was turning into a dumping ground for anything I didn't know what to do with.

I had also simply outgrown my paint area.

Mr Shabby and I discussed what would need done to accomplish my vision and how much money I would have to spend buying wood and such for him. Luckily I don't have to pay for labor. ;-) And then, first and always, comes the cleaning out and finding a place to put everything until it can be moved back.

Now this is all taking place near the beginning of January and we are working with iffy weather conditions. Poor Mr Shabby does not have a heated wood shop and he uses a spray system to paint so everything was dependent upon the weather. And as long as the new area was not built I could not work in the old area since it had became a storage space.

The weather stopped us at this stage. There is some building going on in the barn at this point, just no painting. So no moving forward for quite some time and  I am now asking myself..."what, you couldn't wait til Spring? Are you crazy?" Well yeah, kinda. And I see I have to buy a rug to cover paint stains from the old table.lol  Finally a few good weather breaks and some movement in the right direction. We're into Feb. now folks and not being able to create has been making me a batty old woman. Although I was able to spend some of that time updating the blog so all was not totally lost.

Twenty four drawers! I feel sooo lucky!

Now to tackle the shelves.

Now, six weeks later...ahhhh, there it is. Yesterday the last items found a home and we call it done. This was last night in the clean stage. Look at that counter space!

It really is the small things in life. I love the fact that now I can walk right up to my paper cutter and work without having to dig it out from somewhere. And I do think that back wall is crying out for an inspiration board of some kind. Don't you?

And I love that the items I use all the time are now within easy reach.

Okay, now I have to get things set up so I can work!

Thanks for stopping by my friends, I value each and every visit!

xxoo Gail

Change is good. I think.

First I want to thank everyone who stopped by the blog party and left a comment. Michele was the winner of our Giveaway and it is winging it's way north to her today.

2013 seems to be starting out as the year of changes around here. First I rebuilt my web store and re-opened it the beginning of January. That was a wild ride. lol Then my Square Space blogging platform upped and went to a new platform. Another wild ride there. So if you've dropped by before and wonder if things are different looking. The answer is yes, I had a facelift. :) We'll see how I like it. Some things seem more time consuming to do now.

Another change going on is in my workroom. Challenged with a small room and always needing more space I put my thinking cap on and took a long hard look at the way I work. For me, at the end of the day, if your workroom is not helping you, then it is hindering you.

This corner finally began to hinder me...

because it usually gets jammed with "stuff". First we removed the cabinet.

Then we removed the dresser...

And now we're at this stage

This is the first part of a wrap around L shape counter that will have storage drawers below and cabinets and shelves above. It is going slow because of the weather and the painting being limited to certain days because Mr Shabby uses a spray gun. It's driving me crazy waiting, but it's all good. I'll post more pictures as it progresses.

Here is a cuff I did manage to get made over the weekend. I monoprinted and overpainted muslin and used that fabric to create this cuff. Bright and spring like for a cold snowy day project.

Til next time sweet friends, thank you so much for stopping by.

xxo Gail

Grow Your Blog Party with a Giveaway!

Hello, Hello! I'm so glad you stopped by on your round of the Grow Your Blog party!

 Come on in and make your self at home. We're very casual and informal around here.

  

My name is Gail and when I read about Vicki (she makes the most amazing fiberlicious nests you have ever seen. And you have to get on a list to even buy one) of Two Bags Full blog party I thought what a fun idea and signed right up! It's always so lovely to meet and make new friends and I am always open to the opportunity. In my eyes it is one of the best perks of blogging. I feel sometimes that people are so into Facebook they forget about blogdom and I want to help let people know we're still alive and kicking! ;-)

I live in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee in a shabby old farmhouse, shared with my hubby and our beloved 4 legged kids.  I've been into creating and selling art in some form or manner for the past twenty years. I have a passion for things vintage and can go gaga over things textured and tattered and layered with age. Especially fabric and laces!

I have been painting and decorating in a shabby chic kind of style since it first lifted it's head way back when. When I go shopping my favorites places to shop are antique malls, thrift stores, and flea markets. The thrill of the hunt can leave me breathless. And I've been "upcycling" with my finds since before it got a trendy new name. lol

I thought a nice way to thank you for stopping by would be to offer up a giveaway. I know some of you have done this before...purchased an item only to find out you already purchased it at an earlier time. :) So I decided, rather than return "said item" I would give it away to one lucky person.  

 Yep...I'm not sure how I could forget but I purchased this Martha Stewart Wild Flower punch set some time back and then turned around and did it again! I could claim senior-itis but I won't go there. ;-) Let it suffice to say I apparently hadn't used the punch enough to realize I had this particular design.

And now one lucky person will win it by simply leaving a comment on my blog. You do not have to follow me, you do not have to have a blog, you do not have to do anything but leave a comment. But please make sure if you don't have a blog that I have a way to get in touch with you if you win.

I will use a random number generator on Feb 1st to decide the winner.

 I know you have a lot of parties to visit but I do hope you will look around and hopefully enjoy my blog.

I really am thrilled you stopped by and so happy to meet you all!! Come back any time.

 

Custom Fabric Journal

So the new store is up and running and except for some little to be expected bugs it seems to be moving along just fine! Hallelujah! Did I tell you that now when you purchase my digital images you get instant downloads? YES!!!! This feature excited me more than I can say. Who doesn't love instant gratification? :) I hope you stop by the new store and look around.There have been a lot of changes. I have pared down so I can focus more on what I really want to sell and I am gearing up to add my own hand made supplies. Check out the Clearance page while you're there!

I had a request for a custom fabric journal before Christmas and finally had the opportunity to get it finished for a sweet Etsy customer. I thought I would share a few pages with you.

 

Spring ArtFling 2013 Registration

Artful Endeavors Spring 2013 ArtFling 

with Gail Schmidt and Liz Miller.  

March 16 and 17, 2013.

Save the date.

 

 

 

Saturday, Mar 16, 9a-5p. Playful Color with

  Gail Schmidt

$115 includes all papers, paints, mediums, and most supplies
Are you ready for some inky, painty, spraying good fun?  Ready to reach down and grab the hand of your inner child? Then come play with Gail and get ready to delve into a riot of color! And what better way to welcome Spring than with some bodacious color! You're going to create several playful backgrounds with inks, sprays and stencils, stamps and more. Then we're going to turn those backgrounds into two separate books. We'll learn how to make an 4" x approx. 34" accordion style book for you to add your fav photos, quotes, poems, whatever your heart desires. And then we'll make a single signature, pamphlet stitch book approx 5"x8" and ready for any kind of notes to yourself. Don't let the name scare you because it is such an oh so super, easy peasy binding.

Supplies will be provided for us all to share, but there are a few simple items you are asked to bring:

Palette...any kind you like
An old scruffy brush, an old chip brush is great, the scruffier the better. A good size is anywhere from 1" to 2".
An old credit card, key card, or similar.
Small awl...need a sharp point for poking small holes through paper for our binding.
Clear ruler
Scissors,
Pencil
Gloves if you don't want to get your hands messy. A must for those of you with manicures! ;-)

Spring Greens by Liz Miller CDA

Sunday, Mar 17, 9a-5p.  Spring Greens

with Liz Miller CDA.

$85 includes paper, texture mediums, and paints

This refreshing painting was inspired by a beautiful photo of spring flowers in an old chair. Using terrific Golden texture products on watercolor paper along with easy washes we'll instill a feeling of spring freshness for our background.
Easy techniques are then used to create our center of interest.
No prior experience is needed to complete a successful painting.
Paints, texture products, and paper are included.
Brushes and supplies are available but if you have your own please bring them as well as your waxed palette and general painting supplies.

Both Days!  $195 
Get your Muse on and plan to join us for a fun and creative weekend.

Register HERE now!

For travellers there are hotels in the vicinity. Contact Liz at Artful Endeavors for recommendations.

Merry Christmas

Hello my friends. I have truly been MIA from my last post, as had mentioned I might be. I had an unexpected opportunity to move my store and there was a deadline involved to be able to reap the benefits of the opportunity. So suddenly, something I had planned for maybe later this Spring was suddenly uprooting all my plans. Thank goodness we won't be home for Christmas because I have been to busy at this computerer to even decorate. That's right, not one light, not one trinket. Call me Scrooge. :) 

Moving an online store after five years and lots of products is a major undertaking and I hope I never have to do it again. Because basically it is starting from scratch. So maybe it is a good thing I was kind of forced into it by the deadline deal. So I "think" I finally have the majority of it done. I keep checking and rechecking, and some things can't be done until the 1st. But hopefully right after the New Year you will be able to visit our new look. The address will remain the same but it definitely has a total new look.

I want to to take a moment to wish all of you a Wonderful Holiday and a Joyous New Year. It is hard after the tragedy in Sandy Hook to feel like any celebration, but we must not give evil and the bad guys a toehold in our life. We must always hold on to Hope that things will get better. I believe that Hope and Love is man kinds strongest strength and courage in the face of adversity. So we will hold on to our hope and let those who are near and dear to us know just how much they are loved. I love all of you who stop by and visit or leave a comment. You all mean the world to me.

My blog tradition seems to have become to share this video at Chrismtas. the song and video have become a favorite of mine. So I am sharing it again.

Merry Christmas and I will be back in 2013!

Art Day Play/A Possible Move

Hello dear sweet  friends! I have been a little MIA but I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one. It's that time of year when our time gets appropriated by all holiday related things. And I have a little secret to share with you. I may be a little more MIA in the next month or two as I am looking to move my online store to a new host. Aiyiyi...just  the thought scares the livin' you know what out of me as I think of all that entails. But I've been feeling it is time. I have been happy where I am but I have reached a stage where there are ways I want my online store to perform and I keep being told why I can't do this or that. Can't and Gail don't mix well. :) I do believe I have found a new home, I am just waiting on some answers to some questions I have posed. I hadn't planned to do it this time of year but I was made an offer that ends the end of Dec. and I feel I simply can not turn it down as it would save me time and money in the long run. So in the meantime I wait to see if everything goes through.

 Life is such a waiting game sometimes isn't it! :)

The weekend before Thanksgiving my bff Liz came to spend some time with me. We were working on plans for a live workshop we're going to tag teach in March, at her Artful Endeavors Raleigh studio. More info on that very soon. We actaually ended up creating the protoype for my portion of the class. Oh my gosh there was a ton of spraying,splattering, stamping and stencilling going on, and a big gloriously beautiful painty, inky mess! 

And here's what came out of our mess and what I will be teaching in Raleigh in March 20123.

I am going to teach how to create thes fun kind of backgrounds and then we're going to turn them into two projects. A 4"x4" accordian book and a easy peasy single signature phamplet book. 

This is the accordian book I made from the backgrounds I created. I really love that front page. When we made the backgrounds we didn't know where anything would end up, so this sweet spot made the perfect cover for me. 

I chose this particular part of my background for my pamphlet cover because of that big inky pearlescent drip down from the top. It spoke to me. Loudly. And the stamped saying spoke even louder I think..."Inspiration exists...but it has to find you working." PicassoI added one of my rolled ribbon roses and added a little "fanciness" on all the page corners. Inside I randomly stamped a page corner here and there.

This is the accordian book Liz created, she agreed with me that the sentiment was perfect! :) I love the way she used one of my punches to chew away a corner of her book to give the tiniest peek to what was inside when the book is folded up.

 Liz's pamphlet book...isn't it stunning! I made a Snippet for her to put on her cover. 

Okay now I have to go to my workroom and get working so that inspiration finds me waiting. :)

Wishing you all a beautiful upcoming weekend!

The Winds of Change and a Huge Holiday Sale!

• EVOLVE (verb) [ih-volv]
  The verb EVOLVE has 3 senses:

1. work out
2. undergo development or evolution
3. gain through experience

The word evolve happens to be a favorite word of mine (along with juxtaposition, but that is another story).

What does that have to do with a huge holiday sale you ask? Well it's because in the coming year you are going to start seeing gradual (and then hopefully not so gradual) changes in my online store.

This is not something just off the cuff but has been "evolving" at the "think" level for about a year now. And now it is time to begin to put thoughts into action. To begin to evolve once again in my business. I am not a fast acting person in regards to getting things done, and I admit to admiring those of you who have a thought, and the ability to act on it right away and simply get it done. I can do that in some areas of my life, but it seems not in the business area of my life. I have to give things a lot of thought. Sometimes that works well for me and sometimes it is to my detriment. But it is what it is.

So this sale is part one of my plan and I'll tell you more later. ;-) Part one of that plan is to start to get rid of a big part of my physical inventory. And what better way than to offer you a fabulous deal during this holiday time. So the details of the sale are this:

40% OFF all PHYSICAL inventory

Nov. 19 through Nov. 26

We'll roll a Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale all into one and run it all week!  

This does not include digital products, classes or gift certificate. The prices have already been figured for you and a visit to the Shabby Cottage Studio store will offer you some HUGE savings!

So please come help me move out inventory and we'll all be happy and benefit! :)

Newest Journal

Tra-la-la-la-la I'm in a happy place these days, spending a lot of time in my studio. It feels fabulous! Here is my latest journal I just finished and listed in my Etsy store. This journal has 39 pages (includes front and back inside covers) and these pictures are by no means every page. I never know how many photos to put up. I want you to be interested, not bored. :)

 

I've been invited back to Artful Endeavors in Raleigh NC to teach in March. Yay! Thank you! So now I'm in the studio working on a class project.

Happy Wednesday y'all!

Upcycled Vintage Window

I finished this yesterday and really like the way it turned out. It started as one of those projects where you just scratch your head and wonder how it will end up. :) A vintage window Mr Shabby repainted, added a shelf and brackets and then brought to me the with the command...here do something with this. LOL  It is headed down to our antique space at the Corner Nest tomorrow.

 Today I also finished this cuff bracelet and listed it in my Etsy store.