New Year's Eve Walleye Drop!

Welcome 2012!

Best wishes to all my blogging friends and family! Thanks so much for your friendship, support, feedback and inspiration this past year! I'm taking the next couple days off from blogging, so "see you next year!" First, though, I'm leaving you with a photo taken in the small town of Port Clinton on the shores of Lake Erie (near where I live.) Known as the "walleye capital of the world," the citizens of Port Clinton know how to party on New Year's Eve. Times Square has their ball drop at midnight...well, the people of Port Clinton drop a giant fiberglass walleye fish from the sky!

 

Photo Courtesy: Bill Gordon, Cleveland.com

Happy New Year from Cindy and the "staff," Buster, Rudy and Sam!

Linking to: Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound!

             Seasonal Sunday on The Tablescaper

In and Out My Nest: R & R Weekend Link Party

Spring-like Weather and a Collage

Hello Everyone,
Our weather forecast yesterday was for snow last night...between 2-4 inches. Well, I awoke this morning to bright sunshine and this is how it looks outside right now:

I know this isn't unusual for some parts of the country, but it is for northern Ohio in late December. I'm not complaining, though, as I know we'll most likely have plenty of snow in January and February.

I'm also sharing a collage that I made for a friend for New Year's.

I found the vintage postcard, with a horseshoe on it for good luck, in an antiques shop. I glued it to a piece of chipboard, and then added the vintage buttons, glitter and other embellishments. The bit of lace originally looked too "white" and didn't blend with the overall look, so I stained it in a cup of tea!

I hope everyone is having a good "in-between Christmas and New Year's" week!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to: Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Teapots and Teacups ~

Hello Everyone,
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas weekend!  Today, I'm sharing photos of my niece's collection of teapots and teacups. As some of you may recall, the women in my family gathered at her home a couple of weeks ago for our annual "Girls Only Holiday Party." For those who missed it, that post can be found HERE. Just like her Aunt, my niece enjoys collecting pretty tea things, especially exploring thrift stores and antique shops for that "special find."  So, of course, I had to take photos to share with you!  I have several nieces who enjoy drinking tea, including my 9-year-old grandniece, Chloe. Humm...it must run in the family!

This is an "Alice in Wonderland" tea set - really darling!

More...

I hope you've enjoyed this wee look at part of my niece's collection!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to:

           A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life

            Teacup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

                Miss Spencer's
Potpourri Friday at 2805

A Special Gift ~

I want to share a special gift that I received from my good friend, Cindy Adkins, who has a fabulous blog called Whimsical Musings. This beautiful collage was created by Cindy on a vintage book cover and has a little charm that says "know" hanging from the ribbon.

This image reminds me of my dear mother. It exudes such peace and the "know" reminds me that she is one of my angels, watching over me as I go through life.

Cindy is a best-selling author and very talented artist. More importantly, though, she has such a generous spirit, as all those in blogland who know her would agree. To read her post about our special friendship "A Tale of 2 Cindys," click HERE.

Until next time, Merry Christmas Everyone! 

Cindy

 

"I Played My Drum for Him"

 Tonight I'm sharing the 3rd painting in my Christmas Carols series - "I Played My Drum For Him." It's larger than the other two (which were approximtely 5 x 7 ) This one is painted on a round, 11-inch wood plaque. I first covered the plaque with black gesso, then used acrylics and added glitter to the star.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

If you missed my first two paintings in the series, and would like to see them, they can be found here:
" Do You See What I See?"  Click HERE
"And Heaven and Nature Sing!"  Click HERE

Until next time, I hope everyone has a blessed, happy holiday!

Cindy

Linking to: Potpourri Friday at 2805

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Miss Spenser's Blog

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

Cats on Tuesday - A Long Winter's Nap

What is that odd-looking lump in my bed??

I'm sure I made my bed this morning!

It's Buster!

"Please, Mom - enough of that clicky thing in front of my face! Is cold outside and I'm trying to sleep!!"

For more cat stories, click on the orange cat to visit Gattina's blog, "My Cats and Funny Stories."

 We are hoping Santa brings us some new toys and maybe some catnip!

Merry Christmas, friends! From Buster, Rudy and Sam

Altered Birdhouse

Hello everyone,
Tonight I'm sharing photos of a mixed-media, altered birdhouse that I just finished. I started with a plain, wooden birdhouse that I bought at the Dollar Store and painted it white. I glued sheet music to the roof, covered it with Mod Podge and sprinkled it with glitter. Then I added all of the other embellishments, which I already had in my craft cabinet, including the vintage buttons. I also already had the little bird, but I painted it white and sprinkled with glitter.

My inspiration for this little birdhouse is Gayle Page-Robak.  Gayle is a wonderful mixed-media and digital artist who creates all kinds of beautiful treasures. I've especially always admired her altered birdhouses. To visit Gayle's blog, A Tasteful Touch, click HERE. You'll enjoy your visit, I guarantee!

This was such a fun project! I can hardly wait to make another one, now! Happy Friday, everyone!

Until next time,

Cindy


Linking to What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
     White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Pink Inspiration ~

Not a lot of words today, just a lot of sweet pink inspiration, especially for Beverly and all the participants of Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound! Enjoy your weekend!

Photo Courtesy: DIY

Photo Courtesy: Martha Stewart Handmade Holiday Crafts

Photo courtesy: HGTV.com

Photo Courtesy: Home Decor.net

Photo Courtesy: makingitlovely.com HERE

Photo Courtesy: bhg.com

Christmas Mouse Courtesy: Me!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound!

Kingwood Center Christmas ~

Hello Everyone,
I have photos to share of my trip to Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio on Tuesday! A brief history: Kingwood Center is a 47-acre estate, built in 1926 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley King. The couple never had children, so most of their estate was left to a private foundation that continues to operate the center today. Mr. King made his fortune working with the Ohio Brass Company. Staff and volunteers go all out with decorations for the holidays! The home consists of three floors, with most of the main living area being on the second floor. Bedrooms are on the third floor, and the first floor contains the Assembly Room (or Ballroom.) To visit Kingwood Center's website, click HERE.  Now, on to the holiday tour!

A 14-foot Christmas tree greets you as you enter the foyer.

The "marble" staircase.*
*After my original post, I received a comment from one of the wonderful volunteers at Kingwood Center. She informed me that the marble banister is actually a faux marble. It's wood painted with a feather to give it a marble look. I had no idea! It looks exactly like marble!

Second floor hallway, showing stairway going up to third floor.

The dining room - Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the table!

Handpainted wallpaper from France in the dining room

Many of the original furnishings are still in the mansion. This is in the second floor hallway.

All of the following photos were taken in Mr. King's personal "sitting room," which I might add, is one of the larger rooms in the home. He would go there to relax, read, and occasionally entertained guests there. The antique cabinet to the right of the first photo still contains some of Mr. King's personal books.

The library, which is right next door to Mr. King's sitting room.

I hope you've enjoyed this brief tour of Kingwood Center! If you missed my post of the outside gardens when I visited the center in October , you can see it by clicking HERE. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to:    Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage
Miss Spenser's Blog

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper