My Grama's Soul

It does not matter what age one is......you can still have fun with color. I have lived in 10 houses during my lifetime and I have pretty much decorated everyone of them myself.  Now, mind you, I am NO DECORATOR.....but I do know what I like and how I want to live. Each time I have moved, I certainly have not been able to afford new things....so I just keep recycling them same old things I love. Getting out the paint and changing up my color scheme to match my mood is something I have done in each home.  Lately, my mood has been pretty lively if I do say so myself. Little table above used to be a boring brown...lamp...a navy blue..got tired of both..so changed the color on both. Yellow chest below used to be red....then a rusty orange and now sunny yellow. Have used all the art from my other houses in new rooms and in new ways...just to mix things up.  I like shopping from my own home to change my feel. My beautiful husband accuses me of ...

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions~~ but in having few wants." Epictetus Right now as I'm going through our home and purging things ...... it has occurred to me that we spend most of our younger years acquiring things and a good part of our older years trying to rid ourselves of all the "stuff" we have managed to accumulate. I don't know if it is keeping up appearances or just the human desire to have "more".  I had a very dear friend once say to me that "it is good for the soul NOT TO GET EVERYTHING one wants".  At this stage I would more than agree with her...because as you collect and collect...there will come a day when you will have to give away and give away. In fact, when you really think about it..  "LIFE" IS A LOT LIKE THIS.  In your younger years you are vibrant and healthy and as you get older...more and more of your body betrays you....you cannot hold onto your looks ...

You know what they say......"one man's trash is another man's treasure". Wanted to show you what could be done with an old farm implement gear from a tractor or combine...not sure... This particular piece is way to big and heavy for any jewelry making....so I thought it would make a wonderful candle holder.  No worries if the wax melts on it.....it will even become more "funky". Just me "out pickin'". xo Jo

I have had this leopard lampshade forever....it was in storage and since I have always loved it...I decided to give it a fresh new life. Fringe comes from an old scarf that I no longer use...but I have always loved, loved, loved this fringe.....sewed it onto the bottom of the shade..it can be removed with a little snip  if I get tired of the look.  I've had the floor lamp since the mid-nineties and it is actually pretty special in its own right...but I thought it needed a little more drama. When I looked at it with its original finial...I realized that something had to be done with that.  So.... painted the existing finial a ebony black and glued on a small crystal ball that I found at a garage sale many moons ago... I have to say....at night....when this lamp is illuminated....it is pretty spectacular.  I really am pleased with how it turned out....just recycling and reusing... hugs, Jo

I have collected fancy scarves for years...I think a scarf can really complete any outfit.   The one's shown here are but a few of the one's I actually own.  They have been stored away in a drawer for many a moon so I decided to do something creative with them. This window is in my studio and it is my spot, so anything goes..... At the moment they are cobbled together with safety pins....but when I finally get the time and have the curtain finished I will hand stitch it together. As I was doing this...it brought back wonderful memories of when we had our company and we would have to get all gussied up to entertain at home or a night on the town with clients. I'm so pleased I saved all of them...I think it turned out pretty sexy....what do you think? hugs, Jo

You know me.....if I can make something instead of buying it....I will. It's the end of the year....and I did not have a new 2013 calendar...but I had already booked some 2013 appointments.....so....I made my own. Downloaded some free printable calendars on google....covered an old composition book with some old papers and lace I had on hand.....and instant calendar for 2013. I didn't really care if it was the "prettiest" calendar on the block....I just wanted something I could use....and NOT PAY $15.00 to $20.00 for. Being frugal ROCKS!! hugs, Jo

Been messing around with "junk" again. What do you think? Beads from old necklaces taken apart and reused in new ways..parts of an old earring and bracelet.  The silver piece is not one I made..but I liked how it looked so I added it. We will be leaving for warmer weather soon...on a little trip...this necklace should fit right in!! Hugs, Jo

I have posted before about my love of recycling materials into art.....We really have so much "stuff" on this planet of ours....that it is really terrific when someone is able to creatively use something old....in a new way. O.K......this piece was made in Haiti....from an old car or truck body.....cut out and welded to make this cute, cute piece of funky art!  It is one of my favorites and I hang it right up there with my other art pieces.   Makes me smile. Keep smiling, Jo