Trash as treasures and thoughtful gifts

I hate it when I leave a blog post dangling, especially when a project is unfinished. Today I'm trying to get everyone caught up on a few things that I left hanging last week.

First up is a gift I received from Kathy last Friday. I didn't have time to photograph it until the weekend, although I briefly looked through it at Dana's. I still haven't had much of a chance to go through this packed-to-the-gills bag of birthday fun. There were decorated papers, images, lots of fabric, embellishments, and GRUNGE PAPER, something I have wanted to try since I first saw it at Christmas on Tim Holtz's blog. I am really looking forward to diving into all these art goodies from her stash, specifically picked out by Kathy for my enjoyment.


Last Wednesday, I promised to show what I bought at the Goodwill. These are the clothes I plan to deconstruct and turn into art quilts. I must be on a dress theme, here. The necklace, which I picked up for a quarter, had


a ton of gold plated seed beads and buttons. This was the first time I felt remorse over taking something apart, but the necklace was broken and it was hemorrhaging buttons each time I picked it up. I felt bad because I know some human went to the trouble of making it, and how long it must have taken.


Not long after I took the photos above, a good friend's mother and grandmother (who were visiting for the weekend) stopped by to visit. My friend had to work, so couldn't join them before they left town, although she called just as her mom and grandmom knocked on my door.


They brought me a sack of their "trash" thinking I could use it. To be honest, some of it was trash, but some was quite useful. It was the first time they had ever brought me anything, so it was understandable that they had no idea what type of "trash" I prefer. OK, I know it sounds like I'm a trash snob, but I'm really not.


Even more surprises and fun waited for me when I checked my mailbox later in the day. From lower left I received a wonderful envelope decorated to the nines from Margaret at Alice and Camilla all the way from Switzerland. What a wonderful first package from that country. Margaret is really sweet and thought I needed a bit of Swiss goodness. I could barely wait to open this decorated beauty. Above that was a package all the way from New Zealand. This one was from Debrina at Debrina's Altered Art Diary. I have never received anything from New Zealand, either, but you can be sure I'll use the canceled postage stamp that is hidden by the box. I was anxious to open it, too, since it was a "mystery envelope." Finally, the box is from Gina who lives in the United States, and it is a birthday gift. Gina sent me alterable goodies that didn't cost anything (at least according to her e-mail. Gina doesn't have a blog yet, but I'm trying to encourage her to start one.


On Sunday, my friend Donna and I went grocery shopping and she also picked up the Plarn I had ready to go. I'm not sure what she will make from it, so you, my blog followers, and I will have to wait till whatever she crochets is complete.


Donna also brought me a box of goodies put together by her daughter and daughter-in-law. Her daughter-in-law, Helen, who lives in the Kansas City area, sent the wallpaper samples, along with a lovely and thoughtful note saying she follows my blog. I had no idea, since she has never left a comment. Helen wrote she was anxious to see what I made from these goodies, which included broken jewelry, material, and other art fodder I know I'll be using in the near future. The wallpaper book on top was quite unusual, in that it had small bits of matching fabric swatches with it. Look for me to use some soon.


And finally, an update on my garden. Peek closely and you'll see some onions coming up along the back fence. I'm surprised they are growing so well since they get so little sun each day. I put the string in the ground so I would know where they were and not step on them. You can also see my lettuce, which is in the lower left of the above photo, needs thinning.


And finally, the snow and sugar snap peas are doing quite well. They even made it up above the leaves, which I can't seem to keep under control along the fence.

That's it for today. I'm still working on a project I hope to show on Wednesday. Tomorrow we'll be having tea with Kimmie and other wonderful artists. And look for another interview on Thursday. It's a busy week, so thanks for stopping by and seeing what's up around my place.

Today's blog is by Debra Cooper who makes my kind of art. Her mixed media art often contains recycled materials. Not only is she a fabulous artist, she is a fantastic seamstress and art journaler. She also home schools her two children. By sheer coincidence (since I just found her blog), today is her birthday. So go check out Debra at A Little Imagination and a Pile of Junk. You know you're going to love it from the title alone.