Roundtop - Warrenton Junking Trip

Well I finally made it down to Roundtop - Warrenton, TX for the mother of all antique and junking shows. My friend Robin and I left on Thursday with plans to come home on Sunday but were having so much fun, we didn't make it back home until Monday night.

There are a gazillion vendors set up in tents along the road for miles. You never know what treasures are waiting for you under the next tent or piled up in the pasture.

Here are a few of the things that made it back home with me:

 A pile of vintage laces and trims.

 Some of these are French, some are Irish and all of them are gorgeous!

Love the bottle with the spider webs...perfect for my witch's apothecary for Halloween.

I love vintage tins and boxes whether for the kitchen or bath.

Saw tons of old pictures but couldn't bring all of them home so picked a few that said "pick me, pick me".

I bought a few more things but already have them cleaned and in their new home.  My hubby was surprised that I didn't come home with more......I'll know better next time *wink*.

Aloha

Location: Kahana, Oahu, Hawaii

This was my home for the last couple of weeks. Our condo was on the 14th floor.

When you stepped out on the lanai and looked to the right, this is what you saw. The rainbow was a pleasant surprise.

When you looked straight ahead, it was all water...and the other end of the rainbow.

When you looked to the left, you had a view of a small mountain. We were told that at the base is an old burial ground...that explains the rock walls and unusual rock formations.

It was a long way down from the 14th floor.

Not to be outdone by the lanai, this was the view from the walkway to the front door.

Almost paradise...pina colada missing!

Kualoa ridge on the 4000 acre Kualoa cattle ranch.

Hangin' loose on the Kualoa Ranch.

Some of the trees there just begged to be climbed.

The windward side of Oahu.

We watched green sea turtles and whales on their daily excursions.

This fellow was rescued from a tangle of fishing line by some guys that were spear fishing. He was taken to a sea life rehabilitation center until well enough to be released back into the ocean.

Came across this beautiful tide pool.

A little beauty where you least expect it.

Found among the sand and rocks.

The only sunset while we were there that was not totally cloud covered. What a wondrous sight! There is something so beautiful about seeing paradise go to sleep.

Now it's back to reality and the grandkids coming for their spring break.

Guest Blogger

I am honored to be Vicki's guest blogger today on This Art That Makes Me Happy.

Free to Use Collage Sheets

On my recent trip to Italy I was fascinated by the beautiful doors that I saw....I know, I am easily entertained. I have taken a few of those pictures and made collage sheets for you to use in your artwork.

You can play around with some of these in Photoshop and come up with some spooky doors to use for Hallowe'en.

Click image to enlarge and then save to your computer.
If you click to save, please be sure and leave a comment. Thanks and enjoy.

Window Shopping in Italy

When shopping in Rome, don't miss the Via Dei Condotti. On this street you will find the shops of Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuiton, Bulgari, Ferragamo, Prada and many more. Some of these stores only allow a few customers in at a time and several of them had lines of people waiting to get in to shop.

Some of my favorite window displays were those of the pastry, candy, and gelato shops. Yes, they taste as good as they look!


There were so many stores selling masks for carnival (Mardi Gras)as well as those selling and renting costumes. Jewelry stores were in abundance also with their window displays a sparkling delight. Personally, I enjoyed a little shop that we found on a back street that sold vintage hardware and lighting. Unfortunately, it was closed or I would have purchased one of those old water closet pulls that you see in the upper left.

Sights of Europe

Got in late Friday night from a fabulous trip to Italy and Germany. Here are a few of the photos from our 11 day trip.

Vatican City-Ceiling of the Hall of Maps


Rome-Artists set up in the Piazza Navona


Rome-Ercole Ferrata's Angel with a Cross


Assisi, Italy


Siena, Italy-Siena Duomo (Cathedral)


Florence, Italy-The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore


Padova, Italy


Venice, Italy-Courtyard of Doge's Palace


Oberammergau, Germany-Flower shop

Destination Florida

A couple of weeks ago we headed to one of my favorite "do nothing" destinations, the Florida panhandle. The beaches are beautiful with their powdery white sand and the fresh seafood is pure heaven!
After the sky opened and drenched us one afternoon at Pensacola Beach we were treated to a beautiful rainbow.

I prefer going to the beach in May before they are so crowded with all of the vacationers. This is a fairly deserted beach that we have not visited before but definitely will put on our list. It is Navarre Beach located between Destin and Pensacola. We had a lot of fun shelling in the gentle surf and even found some perfect sand dollars!

This beach collage is compliments of Mother Nature...exactly as the tide had deposited these beauties.

Nothing creative to show you today. I am still in the process of organizing my studio and trying to put away all of the goodies that I purchased at the Great American Scrapbook show that Robin and I went to Thursday.

While I Was Away

It is amazing how much you miss when you have been gone for a week. Some very talented ladies mentioned my blog for the latest cycle of blog awards.

Brilliant Weblog Award from Kris at Nostalgic Collage

BFF Gold Card Award from Robin at A Robin's Nest

Wylde Woman Award from Alexandra at WaldfrauAlexas Art Blog and Kris at Nostalgic Collage

Check out their blogs to see some amazing work. It's a pleasure having such creative and supportive friends. Thanks to all of you.

Here's another picture from way up north in Alaska. If you look in the lower left hand corner you will see two yellow dots. Those dots are actually 2 Kayak Rangers on their way to the island to camp for several nights and do their ranger duties.

I'm Back!

I'm back after a fantastic trip to Alaska. We won't talk about the 70 degree change in temperature! This picture is one of many "Kodak" moments that presented itself on our trip.