Last July I moved from a 1/4-acre yard to a 7-acre yard and a house under additions/renovations. So, needless to say, I have spent a lot of time outdoors during the past 10 months. I'm also having menopausal hot flashes/sweats so I even spent the winter piddling out there during the daylight hours.
I am currently obsessed with yard art (which I like to call YaRd ArT). While I realize some folks may call this tacky, I am in love with it and can't seem to get enough. Having a few acres sure helps to fuel my fire too. I dream of it looking like a page in Southern Living, but since I am a self-employed small business owner, that's probably not gonna happen - unless I'm fortunate enough to win some $1 million dollar sweepstakes and take early retirement. In the meantime, I'll just keep obsessing and repurposing 'junk' to some 'treasures' to others and spreading it around my yard!

This is 'Harold' (yes, I named him)!

Repurposed lamp outside my studio.

Old trumpet case & camping coffee pot.

One of my toolboxes turned planter.

Starting a succulent garden. I was given a lot of shells so I used them!



Pitcher repurposed with old metal table - these are 'spiderweb' hens & chickens. Love the touch of white!

Old cast iron kettle.



One of my favorites (besides Harold) - this is a large vintage light cover
 and a little stool I had to make a mushroom base!

Moss garden resting on bicycle seat.

Love this one :)







I adore ferns so anytime I get one to grow makes me smile!

Galvanized bucket used as planter.

 





My mother, who is a retired school teacher, once said "I wish they would have known about ADHD when you were in school, because I'm sure that was why you had so many issues." ha! Well, they didn't and I'm not too sure I would have wanted to be on the medicine. I'm not sure if it's ADHD or just creativity plus the innate feeling that I should be doing something which I'm sure came from my maternal ancestors. I don't remember my mother ever sitting down. She, and her mother as well, always had to be doing something. Their homes were spotless, they served home-cooked dinners to their family promptly at the same time each night, and both of them held full-time jobs as teachers. My sisters and I have inherited this gift....or possibly a curse?
It's hard to relax when you have the constant feeling that you are not productive if you just 'sit'. Add to that the fact that I have a very creative mind and the fact that after sitting behind a computer in an office job for 25+ years means a lot of 'catching up' to do and there's simply no rest other than sleep, which is achieved only through medication and pure exhaustion of the mind and sometimes body. I am very thankful to God that I have been blessed with the gift of creativity and I now am able to use it as a career. I sometimes wish I would have started this career many years ago at a younger age. There are days that I tell myself - 'you're too old to have started this', but most days I am in a spirit of thankfulness. My latest project has been making paper flowers. Of course, I have 50 other projects going on as well! :)

Wow, I have really neglected this blog. But, in my defense, I have had a little bit going on. Including moving my shop and home and now adding on to a house. Trying to do better now. Plus it's been a bit too cold to do too much. :-)

I've been working on a few things though.

I use Mod Podge a lot and just learned this quick time & water saving trick. Instead of cleaning out my brush, only to use it again in a few hours, I just set it outside in the freezing weather. When you're ready to use again, simply let it thaw and it's ready to use! (freezer works just as well also, it‘s just more convenient for me to use the outdoors!)

October 25, 2013

Yesterday, I spent the day at the hospital with my mother and my sister while my dad had knee replacement. As my dad 'came to' and feeling the pain, it hurt my heart to watch him be in pain.
I then begin to think of all the times over the years when my parents had ached because I was in some type of pain, whether it be physical or the result of my (many) bad decisions. Then, I thought about the horrible, wretched pain God must have felt when he watched his only Son be crucified. I can't even fathom that much pain. I think about the pain my family (especially my sister and brother-in-law) has been through and still feels every day from losing Gary.How thankful I am that I have HIS reassurance that one day all that pain will be gone! Physical pain, heartache, and all other suffering will disappear.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

Candy basket I made up for my Dad from his 'girls'!

April 18, 2013

http://stores.ebay.com/laninkboutiqueinc 

With my recent move into another store with multiple booths, I've had more 'time' (haha) to do a few creative things. Found a vintage wooden magazine rack at a local rummage sale a lot like the one I have of my Nanna's. I am loving blues right now so picked a light breezy feeling one but thinking it could easily be used in a baby boy's room for books too!

I'm really bad about jumping right into something which makes me not good at having 'before' pictures. This was a scuffed-up brown wood holder. I painted it white and then blue on top of that and then lightly sanded corners for the distressed look I love so much!

For the Love of Flowers

After They Bloom -

Walked three miles today picking flowers to dry for various DIY projects (mostly potpourri scented with all-essential oils). Got a few good pictures too!

 

 

I love flowers. There's something so peaceful and soothing about them to me. I guess that's why I started drying them and making potpourri. I am most comfortable outdoors (unless it's 90o+) and at one of my most relaxed states 'piddling' in the flower beds.

Spring means lots of flowers!! Starting with pansies (which are one of my favorites and so easily cared for). My first plants this spring in between the freezes and lots of rainy days -

Store Displays

May 26, 2013

 

My husband and I usually go on a 'Memorial Day' motorcycle ride, but this year as we are both self employed, work prevailed so just chilling at home this weekend. Might be able to squeeze in a ride for a little bit tomorrow though and if we do, of course, taking photos will be a high priority. Thought I would take a few minutes to post a few pictures of my store :)

And, just in case you see something you like......it's for sale, so contact me :)

 

Last manual typewriter I have left!

Console radio with turntable. All that's needed is.........

Swan Creek Candles are absolutely the best!!

Classic Vinyl :)

Kid Stuff - Plush by Mary Meyer Toys are sooooo soft!

PARTY!

Purchased this display case from previous owner....LOVE it!

Small antique tables.....can you EVER have too many?

Aaaawwww.....vintage jewelry!

Magazine holders.



Cute little side table. Kinda 'beachy' feeling :)

Painted, distressed coffee table would make a PERFECT big screen TV table ;)

Painted Duncan Phyfe two-tiered table.

Antique table with drawer.

Painted & dressed vintage dressing table.

Cute green table with large 'double' drawer.

 

Shabby Chic vintage table.

Dearly love vintage suitcases.

 

Love Colonial Tin Works antique reproductions like these bowls.

Made this table from an old clock I picked up at a local antique store.
It had been sitting outside and didn't work, so I got a pretty good deal on it!

 

Three-tiered Duncan Phyfe table.

Painted table with 'sea foam' green top and black tile in middle.

Vintage kitchen cart.

So much jewelry, so little time.

 

 April 18, 2013



Love old typewriters of any kind!

 

 

 

April 18, 2013

Had a burst of energy this morning and took some items outside for street view and thought I would take a few pictures. Love having this much room!