Garden Art

When we were at the Bartlett Arboretum a couple of weeks ago, for their kickoff weekend, I ran across an amazing artist!  She creates some amazing metal sculptures for house and garden.  Of course, I couldn't resist picking up a couple of pieces.  The first one, I call "purple woman" will find a place of honor in my garden.  The basket on top of her head will become a bird feeder or bird bath, I think. 

I'm sorry that you can see the detail in the pic, but in the little cup (and her hand) are some red painted bells..... she is eating "cranbellies"!  That is too cute!

The second one (a gift for a friend), I call "red head".  You take her hat off and she becomes a planter.  Again, too cute!

The wonderful artist is Joann Ryan.  If you would like to get in contact with her, please send me a note and I will hook you up!

Happy Gardening!

Sleeping Puppy

Truly, is there anything better than a sleeping puppy???  This is our Gabi, after a particularly exhausting (apparently) long walk.  Life is good.

Art at the Arb weekend

Art at the Arb weekend. Tulips in bloom at the stunning Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine KS.

And Now a Short Rant

Yes, I need to rant.  Just a little bit.  Don't you just hate it when a product that you have grown to love over a period of years is changed or discontinued?!?  Yes, I know, change is good.  Supposedly.  But for me, I'm just pissed.

Downy changed.  I've been using the regular Downy for I don't know how many years.  Love, love, LOVE the smell of freshly washed and dried clothes that have been done with Downy.  And now?  They've added those darned scent pearls that supposedly extend the scent for a full week.  Well maybe it does extend the scent, but now the scent absolutely reeks.  I bought a bottle of the stuff, washed and dried a load of clothes, and about gagged at how they smelled.  So I'm thinking, ok, maybe they had a production problem.  So I bought a second bottle.  Same reeking scent.  And now?  Well, now, I have to use Bounce dryer sheets.  Just NOT the same. 

And then there's the perfumed body lotion that I use.  Thierry Mugler's Angel.  I absolutely ADORE this scent.  Some time back, they changed the body lotion.  Added scent pearls to extend the scent.  Imagine that.  And now the lotion stinks.  BUT, they assured me that they would continue to offer the "classic" lotion for those of us that prefer it.  So I went to order some today.  And guess what?  They've discontinued it.  Argh!

And those are just two recent examples. 

I've bitched, I've complained, I've even posted on their Facebook pages -- but to no avail.  In these cases, I really hate change.

Ok, I feel a little better now.

Still Stuck on Chainmaille

Yep, I'm still stuck on chainmaille jewelry over in my shop.  I've been experimenting with different materials, different chainmaille weaves, and different colors. 

This is a great example of the European 4 in 1 chainmaille technique.... but updated with modern colors.  This dang bracelet would go with everything!  <grin>

If you are interested in seeing other view of it, you can find them here.

A Beautiful Chandelier

A beautiful chandelier at a lovely old hotel in OKC.