Sugar Lump Studios - Artwork by Nancy Maxwell James

This week (July 13th – 16th) I had the wonderful experience of getting away with my girlfriend since 6th grade to celebrate our 50th birthday’s (belated) in Traverse City, Michigan. Merilee had booked our lovely room at this B & B back in December and selected it because of the Scottish motif it was decorated in. It was such a charming place to rest and take in the area.

You can learn more about it here: http://www.aberdeenstonecottage.com/

The yard had many cute little accents, plantings, and statues throughout. It was a pleasure wandering around outside.

We stayed in the “Heather room” which was filled with “quilts” that the owner’s Mom had made. A cute little room was also off our main room – perfect for any child (or short person) to hide in.

One of the neighbors homes had this amazing vignette on her front porch. We stopped to talk to her about it, she “rock stacks”…if you Google it you can see all sorts of forms and their are videos on how to do this as well. What intrigued me was the chicken wire is actually filled with unpolished Petoskey stones — quite collectible and only found in Michigan.

This gorgeous funeral home is located in Traverse City and was built by lumber baron Perry Hannah. The Queen Anne is over 43,000 square feet. I have never seen a home so gorgeous. We asked about getting a tour — but they need to be scheduled in advance.

More on the house here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Hannah_House

One of our main reasons in going was so I could visit Sleeping Bear Dunes and check it off my bucket list. I have been within a mile or two of this place before during my previous lighthouse adventures, but was not able to stop and see it. This National Park is amazing and goes for miles and miles and miles. Standing and looking over the dunes out on to Lake Michigan was surreal. I still am pinching myself wondering if it was real!

A bestie selfie of this majestic place!

After visiting the dunes, we drove up to Northport, Michigan to visit the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. A gorgeous drive along the Leelanau  peninsula with beautiful bodies of water, quaint villages, summer homes and scenery to take in.

On day #2, we drove up Old Mission in search of Merilee’s Grandfather’s cottage home. We were pleased to find it, still standing along the West Bay and it brought back many happy memories. We journeyed further north to Old Mission lighthouse on this rainy day and took photos under our umbrellas of the lighthouse. It has now been opened to the public as well.

Just a few days away – not nearly enough time and home again! But the sweet memories of being with my bestie and taking in the beautiful sites around the area are priceless!

This is my project for the Paper Whimsy Inspire Project this week…hope you can stop by their web site!

At this time of year I long to be along the beach, specifically the Great Lakes. They are located in my home state and I have felt most content along their shores since I was a wee girl. My project was inspired in thinking of cute beach side cottages, lake/sea air, and summer breezes.

I used a palette of soft robins egg blue, lavender and periwinkle. I wanted to keep the houses simple – like a quaint little cottage. But, the marvelous part of alterables is creating the art to the extent that pleases you. Add more baubles, sparkles, and bling if your heart desires.

I hope you will have fun created this set. I altered each side so they could be changed from time to time wherever they should be displayed.

Technique:

(1) Paint house edges with craft paint of your choice. I used a robins egg blue hue. Once dry, add pattern paper to front and backs with matte gel medium. Add torn strips of coordinating paper, sheet music, etc. to add dimension to each piece. I covered both front and back of each house.

(2) Paint shapes with craft paint. Add images to insides using matte gel medium. Add words to each house.

(3) Glue shapes to front of each house with E6000 glue. Add buttons, paper roses, and other embellishments.

Supplies Used:

Baxter September 2000 – June 2014

Yesterday, June 18, 2014 I had the difficult decision of putting my cat Baxter to sleep after he was diagnosed with an illness in April. The weeks leading into my final decision have been agonizing, but I know it was best to not make him suffer any longer.

He was a cat like no other that I have owned in my lifetime. So docile, never angry, always snuggling with anyone and everything. He even shared the dog bed with my boxer Hailey each night, and quite often I would find the dog on the couch in the morning always forfeiting the bed over to Baxter.

My daughter and Baxter – August 2013

Baxter would also “trill” at a moments notice when he was happy or excited about something. I have buried him along the treeline on my yard, and when weather permits will start building more around his little area there.

Goodbye Buddy – my heart is shredded in a million pieces today looking for you in my routine around the house. I will miss you always…thank you for all the love and joy you gave me for nearly 14 years! Your sisters Hailey, Millie and best kitty bud Sophie Lou will miss you dearly too!

I completed a couple altered canvas pieces over the past few days and wanted to share this one with you. I haven’t worked with this size in awhile (6 x 6) and forgot how much fun they are to work with.

The canvas sides were covered with lace, and I painted everything in a neutral shade. I added a Paper Whimsy wood alterable to the center and the image is from Red Lead. A small vile was filled with rusty pins and mother of pearl buttons attached along the edges.

And here are a few new cabinet photos I received at Mother’s Day. My daughter, Alli picked them out and I think she found some really sweet photos.

Hello… from a negligent blogger and blogging friend! Each day, I vow to visit my friends out there in blog land and I may get to one and then something interrupts me or I get pulled in a different direction.

Today I am sharing this little fabric book that I as able to finish using sweet little faces. I named it “Puddin’ Faces” because they remind me of my favorite childhood doll – Jenny. She was a Madame Alexander “Puddin’ Face” doll.

The book is filled with these little faces, antique doilies, hankies, and of course mother of pearl buttons. I am really trying to get my art mojo back here…and hopefully blogging mojo too!

Have a happy Wednesday! <3

I received the Sew Somerset Summer 2014 Issue in the mail last week and was delighted to see my article “Love Fabric College Heart Pockets” on pages 32-33. I had sent the hearts to Somerset over 14 months ago, so it was quite the surprise to see them in print. I also loved the way they photographed the projects.

I found this on Pinterest and just had to share it!