Sharing - and We Have a Winner, Folks! ... and One More Contest

Okay. Let's face it. Some sharing just isn't all it's cracked up to be. Such as sharing kitchen duty after dinner. It always looks like such fun in the movies. They lie.



And, though one's heart may be in the right place, I don't know that I could ever feel truly appreciative of somebody sharing their nits and body lice with me. No matter how hungry I might be.

But one kind of sharing that is terrific is being able to share how smart our readers are! (and - I swear! - the costume has nothing to do with the fun!)
So, without further ado, let's crown the winner of our last contest ....

Sue Barton of Barton Originals! Not only does Sue make the most exquisite art dolls (which she shares on both her blog and her website) but she knew that the men in the last contest photo were members of the Mongolian Folk Wrestling Team! Now, really!, why didn't more of you Canadians know that?! You were the hosts to the Olympics, you know! It would seem that Sue was not only the first person to know the answer - but the only person who knew the answer! So, I say 'bravo!' to her. Of course, I had no idea who they were either when I first saw the photo - which is why I made it a contest question! I have sent off Sue's prize to her ... I don't want to spoil the surprise yet, so I'm not going to say what it is. You understand!

With a heads up alert from one of my favorite design blogs, Habitually Chic, comes these wonderful photos of the stocked and stuffed shelves at Second Hand Rose.
New York City's Second Hand Rose sells vintage and antique wall papers and linoleum - 1000's of rolls and patterns and colorways.
As their website shares, "

More than 1000 original vintage wallpaper patterns. Antique wallpaper in original rolls. Quantities of Victorian antique papers, Damask wallpaper, 1940's florals, L'art Deco geometrics, novelties from the 1950's, 1960's Op Art, 1970's Mylars. For immediate delivery. Largest collection in the world."

I could spend hours looking at every shelf in every aisle!
Samantha or Serena? Can we ever truly know?
I love the way the French share information and directives...
How many hours could YOU spend in this shop? It's Gertrude Zachary's fabulous showroom of American and European antiquities. She always has an interesting selection of religious icons, which I find fascinating.

How about this Louis XV gilt-and-silk sofa and armchair suite?! Not to mention, that charming 24k gold leafed hand-carved table. Not too shabby, eh?
Seriously, I want need this. I'm in total awe. What splendor! Of course, what a pain in the ... neck ... to make the bed in the morning.
Now this is even a little over the top for me! Another Louis XV suite - this time for dining. It's all very impressive, of course, but frankly, I don't like the table. I hate sitting at a table that has that shelf towards the floor. I'm always kicking it and feel badly that I'm destroying somebody's table.
OH! Did I mention the above three photos are of hand-carved reproductions created in China by ECVV. I don't believe I've ever seen such remarkable reproductions. And even knowing that it's not old, I still want need that bed!

Just in case you're trying to brush up on your dance positions ... remember the figures are not the correct position! Be sure to enlarge this one - the coloring of the plate is especially lovely and delicate.
Ran across this photo last evening, waiting for American Idol to come on. How depressing is it to have to travel to Athens to find something older than you are?!
I ordered this trash can for my studio yesterday. Isn't it cool? It's going to look so much better than the plastic swing-top IKEA one that I use now. I got it on sale from Victorian Trading Co. I love this shop. They always have terrific things on clearance ... and I love me some sale!
Also at Victorian Trading Co. is this charming Paris inspired wire bench and plant stand. At times like this I really wish we had more of a lawn. But, then, I think about mowing, and think maybe not so much.
... couldn't you sit in this swing with a cushion, a tall cold lemonade, and read away a lazy summer afternoon?
some people share their whimsies - I thank them for it.

Oh, I mentioned I was finishing up a wall hanging collage yesterday - here it is. I took it outdoors in the sun, and the colors bleached out quite a bit, but you get the idea. I'm happy with it - it looks like decayed splendor to me.

NEW CONTEST!
What is the model and year of this car? What is its significance?
First person to guess accurately will win a little prize from moi!

Update! omg - we have TWO winners that posted at the same time!
The contest has ended!

Now, go make something beautiful! - and share it with us!

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