Arts 'Round the Square

Getting ready for "Arts 'Round the Square" and the Eyeful of Paris weekend.  Right now, in the middle of my living room, I'm setting up an art display.

We've been walking around this for a few days now.  It's a lot neater now than when I started.    This seems to be the only way I can make sure I take everything I need and that I have a place for everything.

The jewelry, which has temporarily(?) been titled "Doo Dads & Thingys" was particularly challenging since I have never displayed jewelry at a show and had nothing upon which to display it.  I really got panicky over this yesterday when it dawned on me that I couldn't just throw the stuff on a table.  

So I got to exploring for possible jewelry displays.  Started looking in the shed.  Really studied some chicken wire.  Then I went out to Eric's shop.  "Honey, those big teeth on the front of that backhoe bucket would be kind of neat to hang necklaces."  Finally settled on this ....

An old, beat up picture frame spray painted with flat black paint and a piece of black mat board criss-crossed with fishing line.  (Fishing line is my duct tape.  Can't live without fishing line.)  You can see some of the fishing line in the photo because of the camera flash, but it is actually almost invisible.  I'm impressed with my creativity ... aren't you?  I hot glued a piece of black cardboard over the back to help secure the fishing line and there is a row of nails on the back, top edge to hang necklaces.  And believe it or not, if I am just a little careful, I can pick it up and lay it flat without removing all the Doo Dads and Thingys ... so I won't have to re-hang all that stuff tomorrow.

Now, if just won't rain or the wind doesn't blow too hard.

Hope to see you there!

Women and the Flag

You have to see this!

Wouldn't you love to win this canvas art print? 

You can sign up to win at the Paris/Henry County Heritage Center.  It's part of their display:

America the Beautiful

Women and the Flag

Here's the scoop:

Presented by:

The Paris-Henry County Heritage Center

Courtesy of the Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum

July the 1st through September the 14th, 2011

(Not much time left, better hurry!)

Exhibition Hours: 10:00 - 4:00 Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 - 2:00 Saturday.

Cavitt Place  ~ 614 N. Poplar Street, Paris, Tennessee ~ 731-642-1030

There is no admission charge.

This gorgeous collection of vintage Americana-themed imagery tells a nostalgic and passionate story of womanly involvement during war years, on the home front, to buoy their troops abroad.

This is a beautiful, inspiring exhibit.

Elvis At The Paris City Auditorium

I know you ask sometimes, “Where does she get these ideas?”  Well, this is how “Elvis at the Paris City Auditorium” came about.

During the North Poplar Street Yard Sale last month, my Aunt Jane took me on a tour though some back yards. There was a sign she wanted me to see at the old Paris City Auditorium. The sign had something to do with Elvis.

We traveled down the driveway of Carol & Kenny Doster. We passed this Peace Sign.

Then we passed this really big paw print.

Did you know Bigfoot lived on North Poplar??

Then we came upon the old Paris City Auditorium.

It was a little sad to see it this way. According to Visit Downtown Paris - “This building was used for everything from basketball games to concerts. In its hey day of the 50’s and 60’s, everyone from Elvis to Jerry Lee Lewis to Flatt and Scruggs performed there. There are a million memories and songs permeating that building!”


We went inside.

 
There was a little old ....
 

And some new ...

 

And then,

I saw this.

 

 

And ... well, I became inspired.

So, I took this photo ....

And turned it into this.

Then I added the Elvis sign I had seen inside....

 

and put it on the front porch to get this.

And then I really got carried away. It just needed a little more Elvis. I won’t keep you in suspense anymore. This is the final product.

Hope you like it. I’m adding it to my “Windows On The Square” series. Please contact me if you would like a print.

Rufus on North Poplar

As some of you may know, North Poplar Street in Paris, Tennessee is one of my favorite places.  Every year the folks on North Poplar have a yard sale and I always try to go.  I seldom buy anything because I get so carried away taking photos.  And that's exactly what happened this year. 

Meet Rufus the Gardner

Rufus resides on North Poplar Street in the backyard  of the home belonging to Tae & Karen Eaton. 

The Eatons have transformed their backyard into a magical haven which would befit the finest landscaping magazines.

And they did all this work themselves.

I love this backyard and want one just like it.

More photos from North Poplar to come!

What Have I Been Doing????

What have I been up to lately you ask???

Watching it snow.  Took this about 3 weeks ago right after it snowed.

Doing a lot of letter art.  This one was for Jack Jones Flowers & Gifts.

Feeding the fat little birds over at Mother's house.

Making pendant jewelry.  This one is over at Jack Jones Flowers & Gifts.

Watching it snow!

Yipes!  Exploring "Snake Jewelry" at Paris On The Square

Watching it snow!  I think this was last week.

Making more jewelry.  This one is at Schemes & Themes.

Wondering what kind of critter left these tracks in the snow in my back yard.

  Making More jewelry!!!  I think I'm addicted.

And of course ... watching it snow.
I am so ready for spring!!!!!

Winter Doldrums

Had the Winter doldrums the other day and went exploring shops in Paris. Found a new one … Schemes & Themes at 1042 Mineral Wells. It’s been there a while but it’s tucked away off the main street.

Love this place! Really brightened my day.

What did I like the best????

 










Prom dresses!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know, I know. I’m a little old for the prom, but where were these beautiful dresses in my high school days??? There are also pageant dresses.

A closer look. Yum!

However, I really liked this little fella too.  You know what a sucker I am for animals.  This is "Lover Boy."

Oh! Did I mention the shop is owned by LaDonna Tidwell.   You can visit her website at  http://www.schemesandthemes.com/

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

What a beautiful weekend!!! 

Fall is in the air and the trees are just starting to get some color!

Anne has started decorating for fall.

But someone forgot to tell the impatiens - it's fall. 

Paris Twilight

Trying something a little different here in the latest addition to my "Windows On The Square" series.  Going for sort of an old world look.  Can't decide if I like the horizontal or vertical version best. 

Paris Twilight - Horizontal

Paris Twilight - Vertical

Horizontal - vertical - can't decide.  Either way it would look great on canvas as shown here.  Buy Print. 

"Windows on the Square" is a series I started several years ago showing off my very picturesque hometown - Paris, Tennessee.

Traffic! Who Needs It???

Eric and I recently made a trip to the Atlanta, Georgia area and I was reminded of one of the major reasons I like living out here in the boonies - TRAFFIC - or rather, the lack of traffic.

I lived in Memphis, Houston, and Dallas where I had to fight the traffic everyday to get to and from work. Houston was probably the worst. It took about 45 minutes for my daily 5 mile commute. Here it takes me about 20 minutes to go 15 miles.

This is the Lake Highway at about 7:20 am on a Tuesday morning. It’s the only road running from the lake to Paris.

School Zone!

Here it is just a few blocks from downtown.

Out here at the lake we love to tell stories about how two passing cars can stop in the middle of the road. The drivers can have a full conversation, just sitting in the middle of the road, before another car comes along. It’s true, except around July 4th or Memorial Day or just about sun up in the spring when the crappie spawn. Then you just might get run over by a boat.