Friday, August 21, 2009

Absolutely, Positively, 100%, Complete and Total Truth

... about a few of our rural neighbors.


I have a feeling they have not stolen my vision for the perfect bathroom...

I know this is the shortest post in Enchanted Revelry history; but, I'm off to be semi-productive - you go and make something beautiful - NOW!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

It's Wednesday, So It Must Be 97 Degrees Outdoors...

Last night, as I was getting into bed to read a while before falling asleep (which seems to take a much shorter time than it did twenty years ago!), I realized that my stack of bedtime reading was getting out of hand. So this morning I gritted my teeth, girded my loins (what does that mean exactly?), and started to shelve the bedside leaning tower of light reading.
But where? I realized that every shelf on my bookshelves were not only completely filled ...
...but that books were piled in front of the shelved books ... so I went searching for another place to store my store ...
however, all the limited space on my art supply shelves was already taken up with books, ....
... and even the drawers in all the chests were stacked with books. What's a boy supposed to do?

Then I saw this fabulous photo on Leslie Austin's charming blog, The Bower. I was so excited to find somebody whose bedside reading pile far surpassed my own! All of a sudden, I was no longer alone in the world with more books than shelving!



She also quoted Sydney Smith: "There is no furniture so charming as books ... even if you never open them, or read a single word." I breathed another sigh of relief that Mr. Smith, the noted clergyman and writer understood. What better permission to come than from a man who can actually make poetry from salad dressing ingredients!

Two boiled potatoes strained through a kitchen sieve,
Softness and smoothness to the salad give;
Of mordant mustard take a single spoon,
Distrust the condiment that bites too soon!
Yet deem it not, thou man of taste, a fault
To add a double quantity of salt.
Four times the spoon with oil of Lucca crown,
And twice with vinegar procured from town;
True taste requires it and your poet begs
The pounded yellow of two well-boiled eggs.
Let onion's atoms lurk within the bowl
And, scarce suspected, animate the whole,
And lastly in the flavoured compound toss
A magic spoonful of anchovy sauce.
Oh, great and glorious! Oh, herbaceous meat!
'Twould tempt the dying Anchorite to eat,
Back to the world he'd turn his weary soul
And plunge his fingers in the salad bowl.


So I have decided that, until I am blessed with an 18th century mahogany bookcase to house my written sleeping aids, I shall simply enjoy the stacks of books that are starting to find their way into every room in the place!
Oh! Before I forget - I found this remarkable treasure at 1st Dibs antique center. Isn't it WONDERFUL?! I would love to have room for it (and an extra fifty thousand to buy it!). I think if anybody deserves an art deco ticket booth (easily converted to a mini-bar or sauna!), it would be me! Not to be selfish or self serving you understand - simply because it's only fair.
Speaking of fair. Somebody else actually owns these exquisite painted and silk upholstered Louis XVI Beechwood Fauteuils. If there was fairness, I'd have them in my bedroom - with books stacked under and beside them, of course!
I have known many weavers and spinners in my time. I am so admiring of their work - and patience! I've tried doing both - not my cup of tea. I've also known several people who have raised their own sheep for their wool.

However, I have yet to see a wedding gown made with the luscious strands from a Lincoln Longwool! This spinner/weaver/shepherdess in Lincolnshire had her gown created from her beloved wool ... and I think it's a stunner! Click on the photo to get a really good look-see! (Whoever came up with that expression?)





Well, I must get my day moving along. Since I didn't accomplish shelving my books, I must go on and see what else I can not get accomplished. Perhaps I'll just lay in my plain simple down home everyman bed and ... read one of those books!


Actually, I'm going to finish some art projects ... why don't you go make something beautiful, too!

...Did you notice I got through this entire post without whining like a third grade girl about the heat and humidity and mugginess and unpleasant weather we're having?

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Monday, August 17, 2009

Art Treats In the Good Old Summertime

I hope everybody is having a wonderful summer, frolicking out in nature, and moving with the rhythms of the breezes ... and wearing lots of sun screen, of course!

As promised about a bazillion years ago, I'm posting a few photos of the art swaps I've been involved in during the past couple months...I've received such wonderful little treasures!!!

First, in the Mad Tea Party Hat swap, at Mad Tea Party Mail Art, I was gifted this outrageous Tower of Pisa hat by Rebecca of Sugar and Spice Art Confections. Isn't it fun?! There are layers and layers of ruffled crepe paper and ball fringe and paper embellishments and ... LOL. It's loaded with goodies!


...and take a look at the top! A complete Alice in Wonderland court scene! I just love it.

This was my contribution, which was sent off to Deborah of The Painted Nest. I got a little carried away, and I think it's way too heavy to wear in the Halloween parade! But I couldn't resist putting the entire tea set on the hat!

This beauty was a private swap with K.C.Willis of Lipstick Ranch. Be sure to click on the photo to see a larger image (as with all photos here!), and look at all the delightful details. This is such a beautiful piece ... it's hanging in my studio now, and I always get inspired when I stop to examine it!
Now, take a look at this absolutely exquisite and lavish masquerade diadem, which was part of a swap at Marie Antoinette Mail Art group. This beauty was created by Cassandra, and I'm just enchanted with it! Feathers and sequins and gold, oh my! It really is extravagant, and the photo just does not do it justice. You can see more of Cassandra's creations by clicking here.
Several months ago, I participated in a 'tag,' in which we were to offer to give a piece of art to three people, who would then gift you with a piece of their art. How lucky was I to have my friend Anne Huskey-Lockard of el Milagro Studios take up the challenge!? I received this evocative piece from Anne. It's a two-sided canvas - with the 'back' of the canvas serving as a shadowbox. It is wonderful wonderful wonderful! I wanted to hang it in my studio, but there was a bit of a tussle over it here, so we have it sitting in our bedroom. I'm not going to hang it, because I was the freedom to turn it from front to back and then reverse it again as the whim grabs me. If you haven't been to Anne's blog, be sure to pay her a visit. Not only is she a fine artist, she's a delightful writer who always can bring a smile ... and be sure to check out her religious vestments - ooh la la! Quite proper, yet oh-so-glam!

This is the piece I sent to Anne. The little saying under the photo is "I know I missed the boat called perfection; but my errors are portals of discovery; and there are times; when a little madness sets me free."

Well, that's it for the art show today! Aren't I the luckiest of boys?! ... so many talented and generous friends!

OH! I have to share with you a recent sale I made!
This came out of the blue - no previous discussion about the work or even a query as to shipping costs! I was quite pleasantly surprised (to say the least) - for a minute. Then, I remembered the old saying, 'if it's too good to be true, it probably is.' When I took it to the bank, I asked the teller if there was a way of verifying it before I deposited it into my account. She called the bank manager over, who told me that there was no way to actually verify it, as it was a computer generated check without an original signature. Then she informed me if it were fraudulent, Bank of America would close my(?!) account for depositing forged checks. I chose to get in touch with the "buyer" and explain the problem. I have never heard from them since. Four-thousand-dollars-easy-come-four-thousand-dollars-easy-go!

Before I head to the studio, and leave you to your own summertime devices, I'm sharing one of the most exquisite pieces of work I've seen in some time. Just look at the detail and workmanship! Astounding...and to be worn UNDER clothing! Nobody would ever see it! I can't imagine the sleeve pouf big enough to cover those shoulder embellishments!

Now, stay cool - and go make something beautiful today!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥