Victorian Oomph!

A friend of mine in Kalispell, MT recently gave me this beautiful victorian pincushion. I don't know if I will be able to keep pins sticking in her or not. She is just so darling to look at.



Another victorian find at Salvation Army recently was a DVD of a movie I had never heard of called: The Lady and the Highwayman with Hugh Grant starring. This was one of his first acting performances for the screen. It is now added to my collection of Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, Cranston, and so many others I keep close at hand for repeat viewing.



I just simply love the hairstyles and costuming used in these pieces. Yet, I am so glad not be wearing them personally!

What is your style? Have you received or found something recently to bring that "IT" back to you? I just won an auction on shopgoodwill.com of a beautiful framed piece I can't wait to receive in the mail. Bet you can guess what flair it is from this blog.

Rainy Dreary Days - Time To Sew

Saturday was perfect! I even got out and played ball with my son a couple of times. The weather was right for cooking chicken on the grill.

Sunday rolled around and the wind got to kicking up. We were still able to get outside and play ball and have some laughs at our lack of graceful dance in trying to hit it.

Now Monday rolls around and it is cold, damp, and just plain blah . . . I understand some friends of mine in Tennessee have been experiencing this for quite some time now. I hope it is sunny and pleasant your way today.

I am in the mood for a big pot of soup. I think it is going to be a combination of creamy potato and cheesy broccoli with some corn and crumbled bacon thrown in. My family really enjoys soup on cooler days.



On my sewing side -- last week I completed another embroidery & applique' quilt block called Blue Nile. I decided to try using some batik fat quarters I picked up recently. I think it turned out splendid, except I did decide to give another sewing foot to my machine a try after completing this block. Also, I am going to start playing around with using different color threads in the future.




One good thing women are good at is changing their minds . . . I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.

Alice Wears Couture (My Kind of Wonderland)

Alice Wears Couture, originally uploaded by ClearJadeStudio.

From ClearJade Studio on flickr.com: Waiting the release of Tim Burton’s new film "Alice in Wonderland" – I was also motivated to reinterpret Alice into an edgier, modern version.

This Alice wears eyeliner, high heels and couture. Instead of tea, she will probably have a non-fat latte and there is always time to read Vogue. Inspired by the world of high fashion – from Gemma Ward to Alexander Mcqueen, elegant gothic darkness, and the richly textured fantasy world of Lewis Carroll.


Clear Jade Studio has this listed on Ebay from October 12 - 19th for sale if you would like to see the whole painting.

Hope you have a little "Alice" in your day today!

The Emerald Stare - OZ Halloween Flaire

The Emerald Stare, originally uploaded by ClearJadeStudio.

Inspired in part by The Wizard of Oz, Gemma Ward and Medusa, the goddess whose gaze turns every man to stone.

I just love finding talented people. This artist is no exception. I love the vision an artist has and then to be able to put it on paper or to use a brush to bring their visions to life is so amazing to me.

This artist is known as ClearJadeStudio on flickr.com and I am adding her as a contact to see what other new creations she comes up with.

I am going to be adding her Alice in Wonderland interpretation here shortly. Everyone knows I love finding unique and beautiful "Alice" items.

Really Good Advice

Someone sent this to me in an email today. I need to read this often and live it more closely.


ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO ... Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR . When you say, 'I love you ,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX ... Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN.. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE . Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. . In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.


FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.


SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson !

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN... Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship..

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY.. Smile when picking up the phone.. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.