Sunday, August 14, 2011

Time with Zoie our new family member

Hello everyone I have been out of the loop for quite awhile spending time with Zoie.


Some of you may remember our loss of Lily in December, 2009.
Lily was a puppy mill breeding dog that spent her first six years
of her life in a cage.  She was quite surprised to feel grass under
feet unlike Zoie who came from a pampered home.


Here I am meeting Zoie for the first time.

A few days later Zoie modeled for me.
Showing her various hair styles.


She smiled.


Did some fancy moves.

Then got bored

and decided a nap would be good.

She looks like an Afghan and walks very stately like one.
 She must know that at a whopping 8 pounds it is necessary
to think and act "big".


She steals toys from our other Dachshund, Molly and hides them in her
crate.  I'm the bad guy that removes said toys in question and
explains that's Molly's toy while putting Zoie's toys in front of her.

Like she understands this.  It's an effort to stop Molly's mourning over
her toy loss by the thief who is also a tiny taunter to Molly.  Zoie pokes her nose
in Molly's ears and yaps.  Oh no!


Molly at twice the size could easily grab Zoie's neck between her teeth
and shake her like a rag is so well behaved she simply whines and tries
to get away. Molly looks at me with big sorrowful eyes
that ask "What have you done?"

We have never had a problem introducing a new family member.  It simply takes time.
Zoie is only two years old considerably younger then any dog
we have adopted before and some things I admit have caught us off guard.


Meanwhile Zoie and Noelle have no issues at all.
Noelle is older and more feeble due to spine injuries.
Out of eyes clouding over she simply watches it all.

Noelle knows she will always be "queen" so
maybe Zoie has sensed this too; or more likely that
Noele is simply not a worthy opponent to be
bothered with since she simply fails to get a response.

 (little devil in disguise)


I'm cute and spoiled rotten she laughs with glee.

Update 11/27/15 over 4 years have passed since writing this post.  Zoie is now over 6 years old and is doing great and remains as beautiful as ever. Days of poking her nose in Molly's ears are long over and I often find them both curled up together.  New toy battles continue and in the middle of the night Zoie drags them into her crate and hides them under the blankets and yes she does inventory of them too.


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Contemporary nautical scrimshaw artist Linda Layden

It's a pleasure to introduce Linda Layden, a self taught contemporary artist from Harrison, Maine who crafts some of her wares by recycling vintage ivory piano keys.



Taking keys from her own old piano or keys given to her by others or that she purchases her process begins of cleaning, prepping, sanding, etching and coloring to create vivid colorful bookmarks such as these.


Linda was inspired by her time spent in Massachusetts near the historic New Bedford whaling port where at one time whale men spent their idle hours on long trips etching bone or carving ivory.  Linda decided she would learn this craft and has been creating scrimshaw pieces as a full time profession for over 30 years.


Linda also crafts on mother of pearl; like this pendant,


old ivory becomes earrings

 

 An old bone ginger jar becomes a piece of art.


Linda also makes molds to create these wonderful mermaids cast in
resin and then etched in the traditional manner of scrimshaw.


Linda's work is found in private collections, fine gift shops
and galleries around the globe.

Now, Linda may call her recycled piano keys bookmarks


I call them fascinating and see them as wonderful embellishments to nautical decor such as stringing several of these on some rope criss crossing a ceiling in a room, using them as ornaments or to dress up a gift box.

You can purchase Linda's work here


The fine yet, required print.  This is not a paid endorsement or advertisement. I wrote to Linda Layden and asked if I may feature her piano key bookmarks and she graciously agreed and allowed the use of her photos. I've been blessed to have my work featured by others.  I'm simply doing the same.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Cast iron mermaids. Flower pot decor.

I found these petite cuties about six years ago to put into my flower pots.  

Ask me why it took me so long and I haven't a clue.  


I confess. I like mermaids. Not fantasy style just simple mermaids and these
 were in part the inspiration for my "mermaid garden" spoon.


Deciding against their pretty lifeless original color, I primed and then painted them with a few coats of aqua paint. I distressed one to see if  I would like the look.


The non distressed version is below.
Either way, they seem to like their new home amidst flowing white flowers,
geraniums, and some beach grasses swaying in the breeze.


I liked how they looked in the 18" pots on either side of the front door
so much that I think I am going to get some more

After a makeover I may offer them in my Etsy shop.

What do you think?

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Giveaway reminder in honor of World's Oceans Day. Ends June 8, 2011

I am sure hoping the recent problems on blogger might be the reason this giveaway hasn't had as much of a response as ones in the past. If it's because it's been handmade by me let me know that too so I don't make the mistake again in the future.

If you decided to enter please visit the link below and be sure to read "the rules of engagement" so your entry counts.

http://beachhouseliving.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaway-enter-to-win-give-back-no2-in.html