Happy Holiday List

My Adventures in December:

1. Last week, we spent a couple of nights at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. This is a holiday tradition for us and we enjoyed it very much as usual!

Holiday Crafts

I've had fun making holiday crafts lately. First of all, I made these little yarn hat ornaments that came across my Facebook page. They are made with a toilet paper roll and leftover yarn. I got my directions from this YouTube video here. Aren't they adorable!?

My Happy List: Acquisitions

1. Here are Ashleigh's latest commissioned pieces. They are portraits of one of my dearest friend's two sons. We're so glad they got completed in time for the holidays. We love how she captured Brad's beard. And Ashleigh remarked that Beau must be a really cool guy since he has Bill Murray on his shirt. Ha!

Vintage Christmas Costume Ladies

Here is a little garland I made with costume lady images from The Graphics Fairy blog. 

Melody of Love

I really enjoy the creative process. It takes quite a bit of time to design a project, but the satisfaction it brings cannot be measured. I'll show you how I transformed the card on the left into the card on the right. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Waltz of the Flower Fairies

I added some fun and whimsical things to my Etsy shop this weekend. First of all, I cut these vintage snowmen out of extra heavy cardstock so they can be used at gift tags or tree ornaments. Having just spent a week with my little 18-month old grandson in California, the snowmen remind me of his cute little face.

Sunny San Diego

We escaped from Indiana for a few days to San Diego to visit our son and his family. What a nice change of weather, from cold and falling leaves to sunshine and the ocean.

When we arrived at the Indy airport for take off, I saw this adorable retro bus full of cosmetics in the hallway leading to the gates. Have you heard of Benefit Cosmetics from San Francisco? Much thought went into this adorable packaging for beauty products! (Later, while shopping with my DIL at Ulta, we saw this brand that took up a huge area of the store! Oh, well - where have I been?) Sometime I'd like to try it out.

My Happy List: Art, a Book, and Pretty Chairs

1. Ashleigh Antle Art: Here is one of Ashleigh's latest commissioned charcoal drawings. Dan had her draw his colleague's family to take with him on his business trip to Korea. Her art always makes me happy. The recipients of this drawing were happy too!

Indiana Antique Guide: Covington Serendipity

On the last beautiful Fall day in Indiana, Dan said, "let's go to one of your little towns in the Indiana Antique Guide." I chose to explore Covington, which is west of Indianapolis. What a fun day it was discovering Covington. There are two antique shops that I want to share with you today.

The first one is House With the Lions ANTIQUES on 314 Liberty Street on the town square. 

A Trip to Chicago & Frankfort, Indiana

I recently got my Chicago fix when I joined Dan on a business trip. We stayed at The Drake Hotel. The late September weather that week was really fabulous. Chicagoans were relishing in the last bit of enjoyable weather. Some were walking the streets wearing T-shirts and shorts, and some bare-chested guys were playing volleyball on the beach.

There are always a few things I have to do once I step inside The Drake Hotel: check out the huge floral centerpiece in the hotel lobby (where soon an enormous Christmas tree will stand), marvel at the chandelier, gaze at the tea room cherub fountain and note any other fresh flowers sitting around. As you can see, the lobby was colorful and ready for Fall!

French Lick Fix

We recently spent a weekend in French Lick, Indiana, with some friends. At the French Lick Resort there are beautiful rooms, grounds, good food, shopping and a casino. There are two gorgeous places to stay: French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel. I wrote about our stay last year at West Baden Springs here, so now I will show you some scenes from our stay at the French Lick Resort. 

iPhoneography Class

This past weekend I took an iPhoneography class at Conner Prairie (an outdoor living history museum), taught by Rad A. Drew. Since I have found that I use my iPhone pretty much exclusively for taking photos for my blog, I wanted to learn how to use it more effectively. Some of the things we learned in class were: using iPhone apps such as Snapseed, Bracket Mode, AutoStitch, Impressions, Vintage Scene, Retouch and Frontview; and practicing taking photos using the panoramic setting on the camera.

The most exciting thing I learned was how to edit photos directly on my iPhone. Instead of having to download my photos to iPhoto on my Mac and then edit them in PicMonkey, I can now edit them directly on my iPhone using the app Snapseed. That will save me a step. Also, I think this will save me time as I can edit photos right away instead of having to sit down at my computer and do it later.

After an hour and a half of class, we were given time to go out onto the Conner Prairie grounds to practice taking photos using what we learned in class. Conner Prairie was a great place to take photos as you can see. Here are some I edited via Snapseed.

The Children's Museum Guild's Haunted House: Creepy Carnival

Oh My Goodness, as an Indy blogger I got to preview the Indianapolis Children's Museum Guild's Haunted House. And what a treat that was! This is an annual event and would you believe, I have never been to it before! I've been missing some good stuff! Even if you are not a child, you will enjoy it because it is VERY well done!

Another Doll Tree

Last weekend, Dan, Ashleigh, Tangerine and I attended Earth Day in Atlanta, Indiana. It's an amazing outdoor festival filled with flea market booths and food trucks. One of the things I found was this metal doll bust with the word Minerva on it. I was told she was discovered inside the walls of an old house that was being remodeled. I immediately did some research on her and found that she is German and from the early 1900's.

Indiana Antique Guide: Fountain Square & Irvington

When Ashleigh asked me to join her in having a booth at an art fair called Art Squared in Fountain Square, I wasn't sure where that was. After she briefed me on where it was located, I noticed there was a Fountain Square antique shop in the Indiana Antique Guide. It is called Days Gone By Antique Mall at 1028 Virginia Avenue. I decided to take a drive down there a week before the art fair so that I could not only familiarize myself with the area, but also to visit another antique shop in the Indiana Antique Guide.

Art Squared Art Fair: My Experience

Since Ashleigh and I had registered for a booth at the outdoor art fair called Art Squared in Fountain Square two weekends ago, I was a bit concerned about the Hoosier September weather. Would it rain, or be too cold? We had purchased a canopy but there's just so much a canopy can do during inclement weather. Well, as it turned out we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for the event as you can see.

Images of Fountain Square, just southeast of downtown Indianapolis

Greeting Cards from The Primrose Stack & More

Recently Michaels had a terrific sale on 12" x 12" paper packs so I treated myself to some. I really was low on printed papers anyway. I spent a blissful afternoon making cards with them. These papers came from the DCWV The Primrose Stack.

Snippet Roll Swap

I was invited to join in on Heidi Meyer's (Sugah Beez) Vintage Darlings Snippet Roll Swap. A snippet roll is a compilation of bits and pieces of vintage embellishments attached to a narrow piece of fabric that can perhaps roll onto an old wooden spool. It was something new to me and once Heidi sent me a link to see some examples, I got really excited about making one for my swap partner, Gypsy Rose.

I started out with a piece of old fabric 2 inches wide by 24 inches long, layered a piece of crocheted lace and sewed a piece of pom pom fringe on top of them. 

Indiana Antique Guide: Farmhouse Cafe & Tea Room

On our way to a recent getaway weekend with friends to the French Lick Resort in southern Indiana, we decided to see if we could visit some antique shops in the Indiana Antique Guide. Time is running out and I still have many places to visit in the booklet before the end of the year.

We found The Farmhouse Cafe & Tea Room, The Flower and Herb Barn, and Old Stuff Antiques in Nineveh. They all are on the same grounds on Bean Blossom Road, just north of Nashville, Indiana. If you don't look closely, you might miss this awesome retreat because it is way out in the country and camouflaged by trees and bushes. You don't want to miss it though, in fact, you must go, because it was one of the best places we've been to in a long time and we cannot stop talking about it.

Dan & me in the Farmhouse Cafe & Tea Room - check out that colorful chandelier!

My Happy List: Being Creative, Healthy & a Recipe

I was excited to deliver my first custom Patty's Pretty Things order: 3 personalized banners for college students' dorms.

Indiana Antique Guide: Kirklin, Indiana

Dan took me to Kirklin, Indiana so I could cross more pages off in my Indiana Antique Guide for my 2014 Passport to Pleasure adventure. Since this old Chevy truck was the first thing we saw when we arrived in Kirklin, I knew it would be a fun and interesting visit!

Frozen Charlotte Head Tree

I mentioned in my last post that I would show you more pictures of my frozen Charlotte head Christmas tree that I made during my visit with Becky. 

Indiana Christmas

Attending art retreats in my first year of retirement was a very fruitful thing for me to do. I met my friend Becky from Alabama last October at the Sweethearts On The Homefront in Atlanta, Georgia. I also met Jennifer Grenko there, who I will tell you about in a bit. I flew to Alabama in January to visit Becky and now Becky flew to Indianapolis to visit me! At Sweethearts on the Homefront, Becky and I learned that we needed to name our visits because they really are art retreats, so we named the January visit Alabama Holiday. That was because of a Jenny Holiday (of Everyday is a Holiday) project we wanted to make. This time we named our get together, Indiana Christmas, because we wanted to make a Christmas tree created by Jennifer Grenko of Marshmallow Creations.

Leading up to our visit, Becky and I had many ideas that we wanted to make in addition to the top priority, the Christmas tree. We found, however, that good use of creative energy can be very draining and we needed to get out to explore a little and just have fun. Here are the trees we made, Becky's beautiful pink and aqua lady on the left and my white (frozen) Charlotte head on the right.

Indiana Antique Guide: Southern Indiana

It's been awhile since I have written a post about my visits to Indiana antique shops. This year I've had a goal of visiting all of the shops in this Indiana Antique Guide

Goodnight Moon

Another Patty's Pretty Things creation: a Goodnight Moon wallhanging.

Photos from Korea

Since I am only one of two people who have never been abroad, I always enjoy seeing the pictures Dan brings back from his business trips. Here are some pics he took during a recent trip to Korea. 

Sunday Pretties

I spent this afternoon making these pretties.

My Happy List: Green & More

Ashleigh wanted to make lanterns for her back porch so I gave her my green Ball jars.

Lucky Me!

I've received some special treasures in the mail lately. First, I won a Jewelry Affaire magazine from Petite Michelle Louise. What is so special about the magazine is that Michelle's silverware bracelets are featured in it. In celebration of her work being in the magazine she drew names for a copy of the magazine and mine was drawn! You can click here to see more about her beautiful bracelets.

Walking Tour of Front Royal, Virginia

When we stopped at the Visitor's Center in Front Royal, Virginia, we found that they offered a walking tour of the quaint town. The Visitor's Center is actually the old train station from the 1850s. A gazebo sits in the Village Commons area. Front Royal, founded in 1788, was restored by the Downtown Revitalization Project in the 1980s. I'll show you some interesting things I saw while there.

Journaling Through Pittsburgh, Front Royal, Raleigh & Charlotte

Dan and I just returned from a fun-filled, whirlwind road trip through the cities of Pittsburgh, Front Royal, Raleigh and Charlotte. The 2000 mile trip centered on a family wedding, so I searched for a vintage wedding photo for the cover of my travel journal.

Hamilton County Museum of History in Noblesville, Indiana

I'm on a museum kick. I toured the Hamilton County Museum of History on Conner Street in Noblesville, Indiana. The building was the Old Hamilton County Sheriff's Residence and jail built in 1875-1876. The Hamilton County Historical Society has restored most of the interior and developed the museum for the citizens of Hamilton County. I was eager to see the old jail.

Kokomo Opalescent Glass, Cook McDougals, & the Seiberling Mansion

Wow, that's a mouthful for a blog title, isn't it! My friend, Anita, and I had an interesting jam-packed day with Lois, the lady we met at the Kokomo tea in May. We had such a great time with Lois at the tea that she thought Anita and I would enjoy seeing more of Kokomo, Indiana!

We met at 9:30 AM at the Kokomo Opalescent Glass factory for a tour. We didn't know that the rest of the day would build upon seeing the beautiful glass that was hand made there.

Some creations made out of Kokomo Opalescent Glass for sale in the OP Shop

Art Squared: Make Art, Be Art, Buy Art

Ashleigh and I have dreamed about selling our art together for awhile now. She suggested we have a booth at a local event called Art Squared: Make Art, Be Art, Buy Art. This will be our first adventure of this kind together.

Images via

Hiking Traders Point Creamery

The thing I like the most about being a part of the Indianapolis Hiking Club is exploring places that I didn't know existed. This week we hiked on the Traders Point Creamery farm which is located just a couple miles west of I-465 off of 86th Street in Zionsville, Indiana. What a neat place for a hike, and knowing we would have lunch (and maybe ice cream) afterwards there made it all the more interesting!

My Happy List: Faces & Places

Finding a large milk glass type vase for 49 cents at a garage sale made me happy.

Changes for Ashleigh: Painting Furniture

Ashleigh has had some exciting changes in her life lately. She got a new job and apartment. With the move into her new apartment, Ashleigh and I have given life to old furniture with a fresh coat of paint.

I'm All Shook Up at Jungle Jim's International Market

If you ever need groceries when you are in Fairfield, Ohio, you might want to explore Jungle Jim's International Market. We lived in the area back in 1988 and shopped there many times, but now being there after 25 years I see that Jungle Jim's had grown tremendously. While I was visiting my Mother who lives in Cincinnati, she wanted to buy a jar of watermelon pickles. So while she was hunting down the pickles, I took lots of pictures to share with you. 

Cavorting Carlsbad Village

In May, Dan and I traveled to Carlsbad, California and explored the beach village.

The Indy 500 Race is...Over!

Last Wednesday, I finally joined in on my first hike of 2014 with the Indianapolis Hiking Club. We started at Leonard Park and walked through the streets of Speedway to our destination of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Even though the race was over, it was a neat time to take this hike as there still was excitement in the air with Ryan Hunter-Reay winning his first Indy 500 race. 

Painting the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® Way

After writing about ReStyled Vintage and French Decor in this post, I was invited to take an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® class at their Carmel, Indiana location. ReStyled is the Central Indiana area Stockist for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. They have had great success and now have four locations: this one in the heart of downtown Carmel's Arts and Design District, Franklin, Noblesville and in Zionsville.

Cars, Crowns & Cupcakes

While I was in Charlotte, North Carolina, my friend Anita took me to her Father's home for a visit. I was very impressed with how he refurbishes vintage cars. He does an impeccable job and his red 1937 Packard is gorgeous.

Before and after photos of the Packard

10 Ways to Make the Guest Room Great!

I am always searching for ways to make my guest room more comfortable. When I recently stayed at my friend Anita's home in North Carolina, I got all kinds of good tips that will help me with that. Anita is a great entertainer and makes her guests feel right at home. Here are some ideas I learned from staying in Anita's Biltmore Room that make a guest room a top notch place to stay:

1. Have local books for your guests to peruse and good lighting next to the bed. I read the book about the Biltmore estate in Ashville, North Carolina that was sitting on the nightstand. Anita also had a Bible in the top drawer and some Better Homes & Gardens magazines available.

Tea at the Elliott House

I attended another Downton Abbey tea but this time with my friend Anita. It was hosted by the Kokomo library and held at the Elliott House. I didn't have too far to travel this time! 

Anita and me at an Affair at the Elliott House

Bridal Shower Invitations & Banner

I love crafting with my daughter Ashleigh. She's very creative too so it's fun for us to bounce ideas off of each other. She needed to make bridal shower invitations for a wedding she will be witnessing soon. Since the wedding will be held at a library, she wanted an open book cut out for the top of the card to announce the bridal shower. It was no problem with the Silhouette Cameo. We found a book and font that we liked and we cut out 32 of them.

Vintage Button Bouquet

Since I have collected so many wonderful buttons by now, I've been trying to figure out how to make a button bouquet so I could enjoy seeing them more in my creative space.

My Happy List: A Happy Home

My friend Becky sent me some accessories for my doll house. The dog resting on the rug resembles her dog that I met when I visited her in January. Becky understands how I have had difficulty relating to dogs after suffering a traumatic childhood bite to my face by a German Shepherd. With her help, I was able to see that her dog is sweet and gentle and he and I quickly became friends. The magazines reminded Becky of my recent trip out west to attend An Affair at Downton. Becky's thoughtfulness means so much to me. What a sweet token of friendship from her.

My Courtyard Poem

What do you do when you have checked out of a hotel two thousand miles away from home and you have a couple hours to fill before the start of an exciting day? Your husband has taken the rental car to make business calls so you must rely on a taxi to take you to your next destination...in a few hours. 

I was sitting in the courtyard while on vacation at the Ayres Hotel in Manhattan Beach, in Southern California. I didn't want to go back to my room because our bags were all packed and in the car. I was ready to go but it wasn't time to call the cab just yet. I wanted to sit in the courtyard but I needed to find a way to relax and occupy my time. I decided to write a poem!

The table all metal with filagree

Holds my hat, my purse, and my hot tea.