Garden Art and more....

I've still got gads to yikyak about at my outing at La Casa Verde. No surprise I know, but I am with the utmost resolve going to do it in portions more easily to digest.(not a promise though) I am what I am.

So just a couple sights to share, the first this whimsical pair of birds from recycled garden implements that I am sure any self respecting farm has laying around in rusty piles. I was really inspired to find myself a welder and get to it.

Hmmm.. I have all these elements on hand, but I wonder how much work goes into removing layers and layers of rust, or would I just forgo the paint and leave the years old rusty patina intact? Oh whirly whirly!

I visited this cottage three times. I was just magically drawn to it. You think because I live in a cottage just slightly bigger and it made me feel at home maybe? Maybe. First visit I browsed at the eclectic collection of vintage finds. The second, I munched on an apple and browsed some more. Third visit I bought a new but old potato masher. The heavy gauge wire masher part was wider and appeared more durable then my plastic handled one at home. And the worn red paint on the wood handle? What's not to love about that.

I love this! This old truck represents all those faithful and rusty farm relics you are likely to find on most farms. A vision of days gone by. This one was faithful to it's calling and now stands sentinel here. It's pastel and rusty colors are beautiful to me. And of course the little signage on the door. ooohh....

do I like a little signage?

Let's just say me, a piece of chalk and a rusty old Chevy. Simpatico!

P.S. Gads more to come ;)

Y IS DER?

Old Fence boards are one of my favorite choices for signage. This particular one I have hanging in my workshop. Not studio, a workshop okay? I just can't go there. My hillbillyness won't abide it.

So in my workshop, above a window, is this sign. I have made this sign for a few friends too. Friends who have barns. Friends who have barns with horses in them. Friends who know what this sign means and totally get it.

Like Biff and Lorie of C-ing Spots Appaloosas. If I saunter into their barn for a visit with the ponies and see my sign there, Well, it's makes this cowgirl wannabe happy.

And after much thought I really have to ask you friends,

YISDER?

Inspiration

I'm gettin' the bug. The restless, I need some inspiration itch. I'm thinking I need Aurora!
Aurora Oregon is not to far from home, about a 45 minute drive. But a fun day trip, that would jump start my creative urges. At least fill my brain with new ideas and inspiration.

Aurora was established in the 1860's. An community of christian followers of Dr. William Keil. The history of the defunct Utopian settlement is evident the moment you drive through this little community. White clapboard homes and buildings clustered together now house quaint antique shops and coffee spots. And there are treasures to discover as you climb narrow stairways in search of that special what-not, displayed perhaps in a tiny cupboard on an upper floor. Or it may be a little something tucked into a vintage armoire, near a window, where you can peer down onto the street below. I've done that. Peered down onto the street below. And my mind wonders (wanders) if a kindred spirit stood by this window so very long ago.

I imagine....

Imagining is my favorite activity when visiting this once upon-a-time village.

The trip would not be complete though without scouring my favorite shop in Aurora. A barn, a barn shop actually. It's the Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage. They have two floors of eclectic vintage home building supplies and accessories, in a cool vintage barn. You'll need well over an hour to see all they have, it is nearly bursting at it's weathered seams. I am content to rifle endlessly through bins and bins of old address numbers, hinges, doorknobs, and the like. What? You like to do that to? I like you!

Friend, take a look at a sampling of the goodies Aurora Mills has to offer, and get a sneak peak into this historical old barn.

I was piqued at the possibilities of re-purposing some old weathered door panels. Old crackling paint, I dig it! I came up with a little "welcome sign".
I hope you like it.







And being that.. ahem... I am smitten with all things red, I couldn't resist this piece of old baseboard painted in shiny red enamel. A few vintage hooks I scrounged from the bins and Ta da.

Ahhh... feelin' much better now.