The Dream Home!

Here it is! 

It was built in 1922 by a company that provided most of the brick for Franklin's downtown buildings. The last of the bricks were used to build this house. It has had some changes over the years. The kitchen was made bigger by converting what was the "morning room", and the back porch was turned into an enclosed sunroom ( my favorite room!). What was a garage in the 1950s is now going to be the "music room" for us.

It is just 7 blocks from downtown Franklin. We'll be able to walk to the farmers market, shops, restaurants and bars, and coffee shops. We'll also be able to walk to the grocery store and Post Office ( handy for me!).

( By the way, all the pictures have the current owners stuff. We don't move in until June!)

 I love the backyard. It even has a koi pond with fish in there! You can't tell from the pictures but it's a big lot. There will be plenty of room for gardening.

 The sunroom! I love the white painted brick in here.

 The formal living room. There is a working fireplace here. The family room has one that's filled in.

All the upstairs bedrooms have transoms. I love all the little details.

An old switch they left for decoration in the living room

One of the 2 stained glass.

Remodeled bathroom. I love the all white! 

This upstairs window is where my studio will be! I'm taking the biggest room! Besides, another bedroom has a walk in closet! There is a surprising amount of storage and closet space for a house this old.

We are excited to get moved in! 

It has been a whirlwind of appointments, packing, cleaning, and stuff. Also, I'm feeling hopeful about a job. I'm hoping to have it all put together by July and I can relax. 

A Slideshow with Ford

Last weekend, a friend and I went treasure hunting at the Indie Arts vintage Marketplace! 

I am always attracted to old photos and film...it's sort of my version of "bright shiny objects".

A small box of old slides caught my eye. Upon further inspection, I realized they were old slides from the Ford Motor Company. There were all kinds of factory shots, men working, and only one with an old truck in it. The slides are 4'' x 3'' and framed with a thin metal. 

I gathered up a pile of some of my favorite images, not knowing what I will be using them for. I believe this is how I acquire most of my art objects. I just know i want to use them. I have visions of some kind of window panel or light box.  Maybe a stained glass lampshade for a shop light. Oh yea, Dad would love it!  Truthfully, it could be years until they work their way into my art, but I am guessing they will.

What do you bet this first slide says, "Safety is everybody's business"?

I love images from big industry. The machinery fascinates me.

Moving to Indiana has been great for the vintage shopping alone! 

Are there no "normal" pictures of me?

So, I am making a LinkedIn account and trying to find the most professional looking picture of me. After scrolling through tons of photos, I realized that I am usually being silly when the camera is pointed at me! It's not as though I have those horrible drunken pics that people regret putting out in the world....there are just a lot of me jumping...doing yoga poses in the middle of nowhere...eating (lots of those!)....totally bundled up in big cozy hats...doing my "Lewis and Clark" pointing....and so on. 

 I would like to point out, MOM, that there are a lot of you like this, too! Does the apple not fall far from the tree?

While I may be the kind of person who would hire someone sticking their head through the cut-out of a wooden snowman or chili pepper, I'm not really in that position, am I? 

I thought I would share some of these random shots!

Here I am in Roslyn, WA, pretending to be the DJ for the TV show Northern Exposure. 

Would you hire her?

Pretending to be one of the goats!

Leavenworth, WA

Oh, you didn't see boat captain on my resume? How strange. You can see from this picture, I have a lot of experience. I sail around to coffee shops.

Who doesn't hug and kiss George Washington?

Olympia, WA

And, I have been doing a little painting.

Now, back to the job search!

Day 2: Raw Food ( Let's soak some stuff)

It's only Day 2 of my Raw food challenge, and I must admit, I was tempted to give it up by breakfast ( I love my bagels!). But, I didn't. Instead, after another kale and orange smoothie, I got to work on a dinner and dessert.

I swear I could have made an entire Thanksgiving dinner in the time these two things took! I wish I was joking! Raw food has a lot of "soaking" in the instructions! Soak almonds. Soak quinoa (that has actually been soaking since yesterday!). Soak celery and leeks. I had a million bowls lying around half the day, just soaking. In between soaking, I was chopping and blending, warming up my coconut oil, cutting up the mango, marinating mushrooms, measuring out ingredients,  and trying to keep up with all the dishes I seemed to produce.

After much preparation, I have made a "stuffing" to plop into veggies. And, I even got to warm it up in the oven for a little bit.

And here is the mango and mixed berry "parfait" w/ "Chantilly creme" ( a delicious blend of almonds, almond milk, and a bit of agave). It  didn't hold up like in the book's picture, but it was really good. I'll try it again.

In between all the chopping and blending I did find time to do a spread in my art journal.

Tomorrow? I may have to do something besides a smoothie for breakfast! 

Day 1: raw Food (Okay, Let's not even pretend this is pizza)

DAY ONE

I have decided to do a Raw foods challenge! 

I've been talking about it for a long time, but never took the plunge. Today, after a trip to the grocery store, I am ready to --- uh, NOT cook. 

I grabbed my new book, Raw Food Kitchen by Dunja Gulin, and gathered up my produce and grains. I decided to ease into it with a kale an orange smoothie. I do love smoothies. 

Then I moved on to what the book called "pizza". I wouldn't call it that, but it turned out good. The crust is a mix of oats, ground sunflowers, and flaxseed. The toppings are marinated mushrooms, tomatoes, and something not even close to cheese---it's cashews, lemon juice, and chopped onions ground in the food processor.  Here it is!

My goal is to do all raw foods for at least a week, then I may add in some other things. It really is just for fun so I'm not too worried about it. Last summer a friend and I did a challenge where everything we ate had to be from the farmer's market. I liked how it made me find new recipes and get more creative and healthy. I am going to have to get pretty creative with the raw foods. I'll keep you posted on how it's going!

I love Craft Fairs!

The craft fair was so much fun!

 

My little table turned out nice and I had lovely neighbors, most of whom were doing their first craft fair too. I went in not knowing what would sell, how many people would turn out, how the whole experience would be,  and how I would do...but I had hopes. I feel like like those hopes were exceeded! I met so many wonderful people- customers and vendors alike. It was great to get feedback on my artwork and display.

The most wonderful part was hearing why people were buying any particular item. A woman bought one of my sketchbooks because she LOVES to make lists and wanted one place to keep them. I am crazy about making lists! I love to plan something just to make the lists! It made me happy to know the sketchbook would be a list keeper for someone!

A young woman stopped by and purchased several cards to send to her boyfriend, a Marine being deployed overseas soon. I love the idea of this heart card carrying romantic messages to her man.

 

I had so much fun making the cards and was glad that people seemed to enjoy them.

 

One of my dolls also found a home with a wonderful woman. There is something extra special about the dolls. Once I paint on a tiny face and give them a personality they become more than a "thing". I am always so happy when a doll goes to live with a new friend.

 

I am already looking into next year and what craft fairs I may do!

 

Thank you everyone for the well wishes and luck! xo

It's starting to come together...

My new Indiana home is coming together. Most importantly, the craft room is unpacked and usable! I have a big room here for it. In Washington, the guest room was doubling as a work space and my crafts seemed to be more in the living room, dining room, and all over!

It's not completely organized, but here are a few pics!

 

 

So many work spaces!

 

Got to work on mail art envelopes!

 

Here's the painting/ collage I bought at the auction in Olympia! It is called

"Woman" by Judy Cook!

I love it!

"Woman" by Judy Cook, Olympia, WA artist

 

More to come soon. I am still busy with all kinds of moving stuff. Also, the local shop owner I met when we were here for the interview, asked me to make Christmas ornaments to sell there. I am so excited...and busy sewing little quilted decorations. I'll post them soon.

 

Forgive me for not being a very good blog friend these days. I need to visit eveyone!

 

Mail & Mail Cat

I was so excited to open my mailbox today and see that my new little pincushion had arrived....

my adorable mail cat!

Isn't he the best?! I think so! I am somewhat of a pincushion collector and when I found this shop, Fat Cat Crafts , on Etsy, I had to see if she would do a mail carrier cat. She was up for the challenge, and I would say she exceeded it! My mailman, Pete is happily home on my sewing table ready to help me with my crafts. Thanks so much, Kathleen.

Check out her shop- there are the cutest cat characters!

Made by Fat Cat Crafts

And, speaking of mail... I have been making more mail art books to send out soon. I did have to set this project aside to get started on an art quilt for the auction I hope to be in this September. I'm pretty excited to have the bonus day off Wednesday for the 4th of July! I'll be at my seewing table with mailcat!

When I'm stressed...

I SPEND MONEY!

Ha!

This week was one of those stressful, busy, everything going wrong kind of times. But, I made it to Friday and was looking forward to relaxing and staying in my pajamas a lot. It didn't turn out that way (not yet...I'm heading there soon!).

My husband commutes by bicycle, and last night had stopped at the grocery store on his way home, but when he came out, the bike was gone. The lock was cut and all evidence of ever even owning a bike were gone. I hate thieves! I feel sick about it.

I have done all those games we do: "it's only a bike.", " At least we have the money to replace it.",       " Maybe the person who stole it will get their karmic revenge.", " maybe we'll actually get the bike back some day if they try to pawn it.", and so on....

But, instead of being in my pajamas today, we had to buy a new bike. I do always try to find a silver lining or two in these things. One of them is my new bracelet! I have been eyeing this at a shop downtown (right next to the bike shop!)  for over a year but kept resisting because of the price....but, wouldn't ya know, it was back in the little Sale room today for 50% off! Meant to be?...or me coming up with a way to justify it?  Ha!  Either way, I love it!!  And, I was so glad they still had the deer!

And, I also found these great buttons!! Me? I think so!

So, I am moving on with my day....going to make some tea, sit and relax for a bit, and get back to my silk cocoon books (missed that deadline I set for myself!).

Hens get cold too!

I was flipping through a National Geographic at the doctor's office and came across a picture that caught my eye- a hen in a little knitted sweater. Naturally, I had to tear out that page (sorry next patient!) and research this some more. It led me to info about the UK rescuing battery hens, and to groups who knit sweaters for them. You can even get the pattern and directions here. I wonder if I could felt one instead? I'll be sure to post it if I make one!

  Also, I read more about the British Hen Welfare Trust.

I imagine most of you in the UK have heard of this. Okay, for all I know, everyone has heard of this, but I hadn't.  I think it's a wonderful organization and project. And as someone who hopes to have a couple chickens some day, it was really appealing. I'm still looking into anything like this in the US. Anyone know?  Just wanted to share! :)

click the links to learn more.

What do think...they need some felted bead embellishments?! Hee!

a little bit about a book...

I was reading the other night and it got me thinking. Books do that (hee!).

Who do you think of when you hear the word "fearless"? A lot of people come to mind, both living and dead, immediate friends, and people I've only read about. I think of some of my favorite courageous women- Emma Goldman and Beryl Markham, and some of my favorite adventurers- Ernest Shackleton and John Voss-men of the sea. I am amazed by people and their stories all the time.

I consider myself pretty adventurous, up for new things, and taking risks and never consider it to be scary at all. It depends. Maybe it's because I've had a fairly charmed life and have generally had positive experiences at every turn. The closest thing to scary ( I prefer "intimidating") I've done was, after college, I decided to NOT put my new History degree to any real use, and I was dropped off at a truck driving school in Salt Lake City. Yes, a bit out of my comfort zone at 22. And it turned out to be the most amazing experience driving the lower 48 states and living in a semi for a year.  We all have different fears...I can back a truck into a beer distributor in Brooklyn, NY., but please don't make me speak in public!  I have a wonderful network of family and friends to cushion any blows in life, and in this modern world I rarely find myself in a situation where I would truly be venturing out alone-no phone, no access to money, food, shelter, and people to help me. I often find myself searching for a new challenge, and sometimes after reading a great autobiography, I want a "real" challenge...a "turn of the century traveling to a new land" challenge, "this might get ugly" trek, a journey...a test? Something without a safety net? The reason I am thinking of all these things may have a little to do with my last book being about the men of the ship "Essex" ( uh, don't want a "Let's draw lots to see who lives" journey!) and now I am reading a wonderful book about an Iranian woman.

It is Daughter of Persia by Sattareh Farman Farmaian with Dona Munker.

Sattareh was born in Iran in the early 1920s in a very traditional family, except that her father insisted that his sons and daughters recieved an education. She was also one of those children who questioned everything, pushed back a little, and wasn't interested in settling into marriage. While studying at a school taught by Americans, she received help in getting accepted to study at a college in the US. Okay, I am skimming over tons of the book here because what has most inspired me is her actual journey from Tehran to America in 1942. As I am reading I keep thinking "how amazing! how amazing!"- a woman in her early 20s, raised to not leave home without a male escort, who has never been far from Tehran, in the midst of WWII, is about to leave the safety of her home completely on her own. I love these women from history. I adore them!

By train, truck, and train again, she makes her way across Iran and India to Bombay, where she will have to find passage on a ship to America. I really had to stop and consider the time, and her upbringing, and it only made her more amazing. I could picture her on the train she described, talking to a young man, one of Ghandi's followers. Ghandi! She was fascinated with their movement- maybe as I am fascinated with her life.  Once in Bombay it is several weeks before she is set to board a French ship to America. In the middle of a war they set out, and are torpedoed the first evening and the ship sinks! Sinks! They are rescued by a British destroyer which brings them back to Bombay.A couple weeks pass and she is once again called by the port and told if she can be there within 4 hours she has passage on another ship. A bit hesitant ( ummmm,her first ship sank!), but anxious to cross the ocean, she heads to the harbor where a huge American ship awaits- and I mean huge- it must be a carrier as she describes her ride as having 6,000 Navy sailors aboard!

As she walks up the gangplank the captain shook her hand and said, "Welcome aboard!" I can picture that scene (or so I think) with this friendly Navy captain and a Muslim woman raised to not even make eye contact with men she didn't know now on a ship full of sailors! She was so confident and brave. She fearlessly sought out an education and an adventure. And she writes about it like it really wasn't such a big deal or scary per se. Maybe we all look back after we leap with a more grounded memory of things. But I can't imagine how she must have felt along that (roughly) 3 month journey from her home in Tehran to boarding an American warship in Bombay.

All this excitement and inspiration and I still have half a book to finish! I'd love to hear your stories, and who you admire. What's the scariest thing you've ever done? What do you want to try but haven't quite found the courage to leap yet?

I say, Leap, friends, Leap!

And the Winner is....

Corrine from Dosfishes!

I had so much fun reading all the wonderful comments on the Giveaway post about how our blogs have changed and challenged us.  It seems many of us came to blogging for the same reasons and all of us discovered a supportive, creative, and welcoming community. I sure am glad to be here!

Corrine, I will pop the box in the mail by Saturday!

*Thanks again everyone*

A Giveaway to Celebrate One Year!

In celebration of one year of blogging, and a big "Thank You" to all my lovely new friends who drop by, I wanted to do a GIVEAWAY!

 Sometimes, I can't belive the changes The Red Tin has brought to my life. Aside from actually learning a little bit about computers ( and the mystery of HTML), I have met so many wonderful people through this community. So many blogs have inspired me to try new things and opened up new worlds of possiblities with art. I may not have been making art dolls, trying more mixed media and altered art, painting, have done the Sketchbook challenge, participated in all the fun challenge blogs out there, discovered the vast creativity of mail art, and explored so many new mediums this year!

For this, I am grateful!

My blog has often given me a creative push when I was feeling a little lazy or my muse got away from me. And all your comments and words of encouragement have really kept me going and made many days better! I wish I could give you all hugs through this machine...but you will just have to settle for trying to win some goodies!

To win, please leave a comment with HOW YOUR BLOG HAS CHANGED YOU...

and you could be recieving a box with...

embroidered ribbons, hand dyed fabric I made, vintage buttons and postcards, and I'm sure I'll gather a pile of fun papers and things from the stash....

fabric postcards and one of my lavendar sachets...

A great, little wooden frame that is perfect for altering,

...and I am going to round up some more fun artsy stuff to play with...and, of course, a jar of the raspberry jam I made last week.

Thanks again to everyone for all your support and kind comments! Every day you are inspiring me!

I also look forward to hearing how your blog has changed your life too!

I will pick a winner next Thursday, September 8th. 

Good luck!

We Be Jammin'

The quest for healthy, homemade living continues...and a trip to visit my parents taught me the art of making jam! Mom and I made a batch of blackberry jam yesterday, and today I went it alone, whipping up some raspberry. Lucky for me, their neighbors have an abundance of raspberries, which we happily picked.

Yummmm!

Seven little jars ready to eat!

Also, I just realized my 1 year blog anniversary is next week. Look for a giveaway in a few days...one of the items will definately be a jar of jam! See you soon.

I won't even pretend to be healthy

Last weekend, I was sitting with my friend, Jodi, at the Olympia Farmer's Market. Whenever I go there I feel a little push to eat that way more often. I'm not ready for any raw food diets or anything, but I decided to challenge myself to cut out all the junk, and try to only eat with what is available at the market. Okay, for the most part, anyway.

 I'm not about to start churning my own butter and I won't know how to begin producing flour for the bread, scones, and things I want to make! But I thought it would be fun to challenge myself to healthier eating. If you know me, you know I am the kind of person who could have M&Ms for breakfast, a slice of pizza and a Snickers for lunch, and a bowl of ice cream for dinner. I sometimes (ok, often) eat like a 12 year old left home alone. Not this month!! All those packaged, processed foods are out. Enter leafy greens and things grown locally.

My friend has decided to do the challenge along with me! We did decide coffee and tea are fair game- no restrictions. Her biggest challenge will be not going out to eat. Mine is going to be all those candies and pastries...oh, and the pizza! We did agree that pies and other sweet things were okay, but it all had to be made from scratch. This is only week one but I already feel better about moving away from all these convienent foods I seemed to eat in abundance.

Today, I headed down to the market again and had bags filled with beets, kale, swiss chard, mushrooms, tomatoes, and fresh fruit. Here's what I made for a late lunch; sauted onion, mushroom, garlic, and kale. I also used some of the filling for a stuffed portabella mushroom with some of my favorite cheese over top (Seattle's Beechers Flagship). It's a pretty delicious adventure so far.

ps. We'll see if I can keep this up all month...and maybe (fingers crossed) beyond.

I would love to hear about what YOU eat!

Gifts from Donna

Last week I was extremely lucky to win Donna's giveaway over at Donna Did It!  The box of goodies made it from Mexico today and I quickly tore into it---- Donna has outdone herself with treasures! Thank you, thank you! Here's a look at some of the loot.

This ribbon may be my favorite. And would you look at all these interesting shrines and frames!

A pouch full of charms and beads...

Fibers!! My dear fiber!

There was a whole assortment of postage stamps, postcards, and paper goodies...

Thanks again Donna! I will put it all to good use and maybe you'll see some of it used in mail art for you too!