Delicious, Delectable Books...

"Let books be your dining table,

and you shall be full of delights,
Let them be your mattress,
and you shall sleep restful night."

~Author Unknown~

(Aren't these yummy? I ordered them on Etsy, can't wait til they arrive!)

Hi Sweet friends,

This morning I got up before the chickens, well, at least I was up before the neighbors rooster crowed. In general I am not a morning person but I was excited to get up and get things done so I could share some fun finds with you and get busy resettling the studio so I have two full days of play in there! This is a very good thing since the Artist Class is in full swing and I can't wait to try out some of the tutorials over there.

While I was was rearranging my art supplies on the new closet shelving I came across a painting my daughter did several years ago, it was tucked in between some of my canvas'. Don't tell, but I am going to keep it! Hard to believe that was six years ago, we were homeschooling, and I was giving her and a neighbor girl painting lessons. Big sigh, how time flies!Today when I run errands I want to find some velvet ribbon to glue around the outside of the canvas and to use for hanging. I think the colors are perfect for decorating for autumn. I will hang it in the dinning nook. Possession is 9/10 of the law, she cannot steal it back can she? I'd better practice my puppy dog look and play the "But it reminds me of you and I miss you so much since you moved out." card, then she might let me keep it. I am going to remind her that She didn't like the way it turned out but I do!Last evening when Handy Hubby came home from work, he made me an offer I could not refuse. He suggested driving into the city for dinner and maybe I would want to go to the books store. Are you kidding, I would never ever in a million years pass up an offer to go to the bookstore. Forget dinner when there are books to satisfy my appetite!

I was quite the greedy girl and chose the two course meal. Would you like to see what I feasted on? Well, at least my eyes did. We made a stop in Tuesday Morning looking for a box to match some that I had previously bought, I found a small one but I wanted a larger one too, no luck. I did find this book by Rachel Ashwell, Sumptuous Settings & Other Lovely Things. It is dreamy and I did not have this one. Love those Tuesday Morning bargains, a $34.99 hardcover book for $9.99. How sweet is this shower gift idea? Sorry the scans have a shadow on them, I didn't want to bend my new book. A pretty party idea...How is this for framed art?I also got a set of K&Co. rubber stamps, a $12.99 value for $1.99! That was a great appetizer.We stopped and ate dinner, sneaky me, I chose a restaurant right next door to the book store ;c) I was getting kind of impatient that they were so busy because I knew what awaited just on the other side of the wall. In spite of my anticipation, we had a leisurely dinner. Now for the real main course, delectable books, a whole store full of them.

I feasted my eyes on some magazines, but they were not very palatable so I moved on the the bargain section but found that unsatisfying as well. I tasted tid bits of fine art books but no, that didn't hit the spot either. Perhaps my taste buds would be tempted by something in the crafts and hobbies section. Not so much. I sampled gardening, cooking, photography, nature, writing resources, and then made one last swing by home decor.

There before me lay the most tasty treat, Merry & Bright, a Country Living publication. Ah, my appetite was sated with all the festive ideas AND the special bonus. If you buy the book, you get a one year subscription to the magazine for free! Cool huh? Too good of a buffet to pass up!I don't usually buy holiday books because looks and styles change so much that they can look dated. Our local library has tons of holiday books and I usually check out some of those for inspiration. This one was my exception to the rule. The ideas in here are so simple, so timeless, and so easy to create that I just fell in love with it. The book includes a few recipes and crafting idea as well as page after page chock full of gorgeous color photos. Yes indeed, I was filled with these delicious delights.I'm off the shove, er, organize my supplies in the closet, the faster it is done, the faster I get to play. Kind of makes me feel like a kid with chores again. Man, I thought I'd out grown that!

So, what are you going to do today?

Blessings
Miss Sandy

Autumnal Glory.....

"I love to wander through the woodlands hoary

In the soft light of an autumnal day"

~Sarah Helen Whitman - Still Days in Autumn~

I seem to be all caught up in the glory of autumn. I am trying to cloak myself in the warmth and richness of all that this season has to offer before the bare threads of winter are woven my way. Sunny days with crisp blue skies have been scant. We are experiencing a soggy autumn. However, yesterday was bright and cheery, with a hint of warmth in the winds. I took advantage of the opportunity late in the afternoon to crunch about the new carpeting of leaves here at the Quill.

Everything beyond my door stoop is cloaked in autumnal glory. The trees were in a talkative mood and offered up their sacred story. They invited me to sit awhile... to observe, listen, and learn from their sage advice. Clearing their throats with a rattling clatter they whispered on the wind, excitedly gesturing as they swayed, quivering with emphasis, showering me with leaflets speaking of their seasoned lives.
A few brave trees were trying to hang onto their vestiges of summer greenery like some try and hang on to their youth, clinging, yet painfully aware of the passing time and seasons with the inability to stop the inevitable... Others were giving up the bounty of their beauty most freely, accepting their fading and imperfections as badges of honor, sharing the wisdom of their ages, offering up the fruit of their experience, emptying themselves effortlessly to embrace the seasons yet to come...Some embraced their scars earned through the ages by flinging their arms wide open to cradle and nurture others, housing them in the shelter of their bosom... These delight in handing out little nuggets of truth to the fledglings that fly their way, assuring them that all is not what it seems... They were young once too with hopes and dreams and wishes...The path to maturity did indeed get murky at times...There were days when they felt a mere shadow of their former selves... Where their usefulness felt spent, crisp, brown, dried up, barren and exposed for all to trample upon... They stood stoically around me, deeply rooted in thought, as I listened to them breathe... Remembering when unwanted things crept up on them... Joints that began to creak and bend in unwelcome ways... Oh, how some of them longed for those golden halcyon days... Those with a brighter countenance lifted up their arms in praise for each and every one of those golden weeks...crimson months...apricot years...saffron seasons...and dappled days... They dropped at my feet a little nugget of truth... True beauty is not found in youth, where skin is flawless and bodies show no effects of aging. True beauty is found in the taking of joy in living. It is mirrored in the eyes, a reflection of what is in the heart. True beauty is a beauty of the soul and it far outshines the exterior of the package it comes in. Every season has its pleasures, spring may boast of its flowery prime, yet the ruby treasures that brighten autumn, what fruitfulness is on the vine of time. The dear season of autumn with its blessings take not away but add to depth and hue of beauty, "it fills the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lays as if new, created in all freshness of childhood"(Longfellow ~ Evangeline), that beautiful still useful season of life.

These are things the trees whispered to me, that, "Sweet and smiling are thy ways, Beauteous, golden Autumn days." (Will Carleton ~ Autumn Days)

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

P.S. Don't forget the sign up for the Autumnal Banner give away, just visit this post link to leave a comment for a chance to win.

A Few Goodies and A Give Away......

(FREE IMAGE)

So sorry to have gone MIA again but I have been one busy beaver getting everything perfect for my Artist Class tutorial. Let me tell you it has been a huge undertaking, not putting together the class instructions, BUT the technical side has been a challenge to say the least. I think I need an Everything Dummies Need to Know About Technical Stuff guide! I am every bit as tuckered out as the sweet little gal in the image above. Feel free to save her and use her in your art.

I won't bore you with the details, let's just say I have about snatched myself bald. Luckily I have a computer guru son who bailed me out and this afternoon Mary will have my contribution in her hot little hands and I will swoon with relief.

Talk about coming in under the wire, the Artist Class starts tomorrow! I wanted to share a few more goodies from the class with you. What can get better than books and cake? How about a cake made out of books? Look at this yummy project by Martha! Martha once made a Christmas tree from book pages that is to die for, you must visit her fantastic blog, Vintage Trifles.

Also, Joy is going to show us some tips and tricks with digital art to make ATC's. She will be using elements and backgrounds from Mary's French Dictionary collection and is including a mini digital kit you can use. Obviously I need all the digi help I can get and I will be so happy to learn some simple skills in this area. I can't wait! It is not too late to sign up. If you use my discount code, quillcottage, you will save $10.00 off the tuition price.

Now, I'd like to offer a little goodie of my own to one of my blog readers. It's time for a give away! My project for the class is an Autumnal Banner. I will be giving away the sample banner I made for the class! To sign up just leave a comment on this post. You do not have to have a blog to enter. There are no shipping restrictions. I'll leave the sign up open all week, posting a winner on Saturday, October 31, 2009.

Now, I am off to continue to sort through all my own goodies and get them organized on the new closet shelving, making room for more fun stuff in the room! I'll see you on the flip side of the weekend. I hope you all have a happy Saturday!

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

Closet Dreams.....

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau..."


~Dan Rather~

(Beth ~ Altered Tin)

Today feels like a closet cleaning kind of day. The kind of day where your hands are busy doing the necessary work set before you while the heart and the mind are free to dream. Darling Daughter came and got the last snippets of her life here and packed them in a box, toting them out to her car. With a slam of the trunk, she was gone...almost. The hall closet still houses her special quilts made my her great aunt and her great grandmother. Her warm flannel sheets are tucked in there too as are an assortment of curtains from bedroom decors of the past and I am not sure what else.(Lori ~ Beautiful Box)

Yesterday I spent the afternoon teaching her how to reupholster chair cushions for her antique dining set. They came out great and she has given me permission to photograph her post stamp place and share it with you once she is finished unpacking boxes.(Dawn ~ Fairy Baby Jar)

I also have to tackle the closet in the studio because there will be some major changing going on in there. All my nice clean tall white cupboards that house supplies will be moving out. Handy Hubby is going to install shelving all the way across the current closet and all my supplies from the cupboards will then fit in there. YES!!! That will give me more room for pretty yet practical around the room.(Dawn ~ Paper Clay Snowman Ornament)

Since Darling Daughters Closet is now empty, all the extra storage that was not studio related can can now move into her previously occupied space. I don't have any current plans for the room itself right now, just the closet. I want to plan the space very carefully. You see, I have a dream. A dream that has been kept in the secret closet of my heart for some time now.(Karla ~ Paper Doll)

In that dream I want to host and teach small open studio art classes here at the Quill but, living in a cottage in not very conducive for crowds of any sort. If I had an actual dining room then there would be no problem.(Nerissa ~ Vintage Bling Rings)

I have considered the writing cottage but with no easy access to bathrooms, water, etc. necessary for such a thing makes that not a viable option. So, this new spare room seems to be my solution, but I need to have everyday function as well. It needs to be a room that can easily be converted from grand kid space to studio event space.(Nerissa ~ Vintage Stamped Keys)

I could just reserve a room at the library to hold classes in, which is what a lot of artist in our area do, but it is so impersonal and uninspiring. The first issue I need a solution for is a bed for grands or guests. I am thinking of a Murphy bed. I have done some research and found a kit that lets you make your own and since I am married to a very handy man, I am going to pitch the idea to him. I think this would make a great winter project and that man does so love to build things.(Robin ~ A Pocket Full of Treasures Scrapbook)

This would solve floor space and leave room for a table and chairs to be set up in the center of the room for classes when needed. A couple of cute flea market finds could serve as cupboards for class supplies and flank each side of the window on the short wall with a nice window bench built in between for snuggling up with grand kids to read and a lift top for toy storage underneath. Sounds good so far, now to just get Handy Hubby to sign off on the plan.(Tammy ~ Homage to a Loved One Assemblage)

My biggest obstacle is to convince him to let me get rid of the carpeting and put in a floor better suited for a studio space in both rooms. So, as my hands are busy culling and sorting closet contents, my brain will be brewing up plans to make my closet dream come true.(Tia ~ VooDoo Heart)

Did you notice all the pretty photos in this post? These are a few of the projects for the Artist Class. Aren't they fantastic? There is still time to sign up. Class details can be found HERE. Be sure and use my discount code, quillcottage, if you sign up and you will receive a $10.00 discount off the class tuition price.

(Autumnal Banner taught by me as well as few small bonus projects with an autumnal theme)

Mary is doing such a great job of coordinating this event and she has been seeking out a variety of media and projects to suit all types of interest for the students. Although I don't have photos, Lisa will be demonstrating a Project Sampler Book and Karen will be supplying a bonus Marie Antoinette Collage Sheet for your artful pleasure.

Each of these projects began with a dream, an idea that tugged at the heart and pushed itself to the surface, leading to its creation, and the artist to a new plateau. Dreams are like that. A part of mine is being fulfilled as I join the teaching team of the Artist Class. Now to get down to the nitty gritty of pushing the new idea that tugs at my heart forward and see if it will reach the next plateau.

Blessings,
Miss Sandy