Bit by Bit

Bit by bit, tackling the small stuff first.

Doing a little each day, so I'm not overwhelmed 

and there is no mess in the house.

As is my pattern, I do not remove decor,

I just add to it.

Trees, greenery, houses and stars will be once 

again on pete and repeat.

Getting cozy in here.

Z

 

Get Ready - It's Coming

Needing a pick me up, I popped into 

Ralph Jones Display on my way

home from a Dr's appt.

I could have snapped 100 photos.

I wanted to look around more than I wanted to 

snap, so here is all you get.

Gets one in the mood for sure.

It's coming...

 

More Studio

I had some questions and requests, so here are more views. 

Made this out of a vintage metal laundry stand years ago.

Bears were my children's

The studio is tiny as you can see.

Curtains frame the hallway to guest rooms.

For privacy those curtains are dropped so they

can move to and from bath etc. 

Barn painting from DD

and because someone will wonder why the white cup thing on the side?

For years it held my drink when the cabinet was behind my desk.

 I was going to remove, but found it a perfect spot to park my cell

when I'm upstairs.

The stairs view

Rennie / Brooks gallery

My father's smoking cabinet- copper lined

and his favorite chair.

Two quilts of mine and a vintage wool made by Grandmother.

My Pap Pap Rennie's bible and my dad's.

This is old chicken coop turned vertical.

Holds overflow fabric that doesn't fit in large green cabinet

 or open one on wall.

All vintage buttons.

One gray jar, the rest black.

These two photos from hallway going into master.

More family gallery of photos

and memorabilia. Growth markings of kids.

Red plaid bear is made from flannel robe of PapPap Rennie's.

I made one for dad and one for me.

There are special things tucked into every space in my home.

All day, every day, one will catch my eye, and I'm 

reminded of a loved one.

A modern "designed" home would not work for me.

I go to turn on a light and there is a heart shaped rock,

 a flannel bear, a crystal paperweight my mom loved,

my father and grandfather's bibles.

Comfort and joy is not just for the holidays.

I'm still enjoying playing with paint.

Each of these strips starts as a geli printed, painted piece,

that is then strip cut by hand and woven.

Hours pass as I'm lost in the process.

Till next time

Z

 

At It Again - No Surprises There

Walter watched me tweak the studio the past two days.

Purged a lot more and then got a bee in my bonnet to set

up a coffee/tea/cocoa bar.

Works great for me and great when kids visit 

for a morning joe or night time cocoa.

Lugging this cart up from back porch wasn't the 

wisest thing I've done lately but not the worst.

After struggling just to get it inside I realized

I could remove shelves but the damn 

thing still weighed over 75 lbs.

Halfway up the stairs I thought

"I'm gonna die doing this stupid thing."

Obviously I survived. 

Those of you who have been around a long time or seen the mags

and book will recognize many of the same things,

there just aren't as "many."

Everything has a place and a purpose for being 

where it is and as always I tuck in things that

make me happy. 

This is the view from my chair.

Note the "Tonys"  (elephants) I knew they would be friends.

You met the new Tony when I visited CA in August.

More about them at a later time.

I've added paints to the studio upstairs as I am using them 

more in the on line classes I've taken.

This lamp was on my father's nightstand 

for as long as I can remember. 

I have some mementos of him tucked into the glass holds.

I have kept this near me for nearly 55 years.

It was made for me by my oldest and dearest friend Macky.

It is priceless. That's what I mean about tucking in 

special things. I do it all over the house. Most 

would go unnoticed but they comfort me daily. 

I'll show the hallway where the other 

two cabinets are later on.

Right now I'm headed up to geli paint some 

papers for my current class.

Learning to mix all colors from

just three primary is a learning curve for me.

Also using heavy body acrylic paints is new. 

I think I do fabric selection for quilting,

 primitive crafting, and home decor 

fairly well 

 but this - jeez I've had some epic fails.

Which is a good thing I know.

It is said

You "learn more from your mistakes than successes" 

I should be a bloomin' genius by now.

Z

 

The Light

I was all set to talk about the light coming into my dining room 

and then darling daughter sent me these photos.

The light in their eyes beats everything else hands down.

They are traveling thru northern CA on vacation.

They are simply mad for each other.

How can my sweet girl be this beautiful woman already.

I had just taken her to college when I began the blog. 

My dearest son and Helene have been happily married for over a year!

They went deep sea fishing to celebrate.

I am so blessed. 

Here is the dining room anyway..

Pop into my IG to see what I've been doing in the studio. 

oldgreymareprimitive

 

Reboot on HULU

It's streaming now

Reboot on HULU

Yep those are the girls!

Screen shot as their "card" rolled past

Mama so very proud of them

First three episodes are on now

The couples at last nights premier

Will, Jenny, Hannah, Nick

 

I'm Here

Quick trip to LA to see kiddos in August

Hot Hot Hot in La La Land and LA land

Fabulous food and a first meeting with

Hannah's beau Nick.

He is wonderful and she is glowing.

Hannah and I did a little thrifting, hit a few small shops in Culver,

  we always do a Target run,

and some fabulous meals out and at their homes. 

Today I'm laying out a few fall looks.

The small framed piece I found thrifting in CA

The dried flowers are from the bouquet Nick gave me

 the moment we met- very classy 

Gave this piece in my powder room a refresh

This was also in the bouquet. I just let them dry in the vase.

I love the sculptural effect they have. Those leaves!!!

The happy couple

The very happy couple 

And a sweet story.

While shopping I saw this elephant in a shop, and for

 some reason was very drawn to him.

I reminded Hannah of my Dad's toy elephant Tony,

and his subsequent gifting me with elephants,

and then I became very weepy.

We left the store and sat right outside for a happy hour drink.

Suddenly I remembered it was dad's birthday.

Aha! So that's why I carried the elephant

 with me all around the store all weepy.

Hannah took a quick run to the ladies,

or so I thought.

Not five minutes later she gave me this.

My girl is such a sweetheart.

Now - full out weeping.

You can see my new "Tony"peeking out of the top.

My small world is doing alright.

As for the rest of the world;

 man, are we in trouble. 

We all need to make better choices for the planet.

We all need to care for those less fortunate.

We all need to search out the truths,

not follow blindly leaders who care only for their wealth and power.

We all need to be prepared for disasters, as we can afford,

so as not to tax services that others need more

than we do.

We all need to donate to causes that affect change,

even if it is a mere $5.00 a month.

We can make a difference, 

and we should certainly try.

Much love

z