Flatwoods Folk Art

Studio Retreats.....

Good Eveing Everyone!!

As promised I am back to do the What's Next Post but really these are ongoing so that makes them very extra special indeed.

Okay, you all know KC Willis and if you have read my blog for any time now you know that I am a true fan and cheerleader of her online classes.  She started out with the Collage Camp where KC divulged all of her secrets to making her beautiful fabric collages.

 

Then KC expanded on her online offerings and began Mixed Media Mania where she once again spills the goods on her Shrines, Altered Books and other works of art.  How cool is that?  Believe me, if you thought going to Collage Camp was fun you will not want to miss out on her Mixed Media Mania....

 

Okay, so you've attended camp, you've broadened your horizons and jumped right into Mixed Media Mania and now you are asking yourself can it get any better.....and my answer to you is a thousand times YES!  Not only can it get better it can get extraordinarily and stupendously better!  KC is offering Studio Retreats at her beautiful studio in Colorado where you can come and learn from her along with other artists.  She is offering 2 day, 3 day and 5 day retreats as well as one on one sessions.  Didn't I tell you this was amazing? 

There is so much more information about these wonderful ongoing retreats on her site so be sure to visit her today.  Just to whet your appetites a bit I want to tell you by registering now not only will you ensure your spot in one of her workshops, which are currently limited to around 5 students, but you could also benefit from early registration incentives such as discounts and gift certificates.  These classes are going to fill up quickly for the remainder of 2009 and I know you won't want to be left out.

 

Click on the beautiful piece above to get swept away to KC's Studio Retreat site so you can read all about it and get signed up before all of the spaces are gone, gone, gone.

In addition to this fantabulous news there is just a bit more for me to tell you....KC is asking for help to get the word out about her wonderful offerings and she is offering the most wonderful of incentives to you bloggers and facebookers out there.  Take a look at her Lipstick Ranch Blog to read all about it.

Please go to the Studio Retreat site and pick out which retreat you want to attend and get signed up...you will not want to miss out on this.  For me, I think I am going for the 5 days....I want the whole shabang!  Remember, click to visit the site....

 

Blessings to everyone!

xo,

Lesley

 

"Piano Guts" the image....

Good Morning Everyone!

I have a special post coming later this morning but I wanted to make sure I posted a photograph of the "piano guts" I scored yesterday at lunch.

Tom took a photo of them for me this morning....

 

This is just one section of them.  Aren't they too cool?  I just know that some interesting things will be made from these beauties!

Thanks to Tom, who I just happen to believe is the best husband in the world!

Be sure to come back for my What's Next post later this morning.

Blessings to you all.

xo,

Lesley

 

I scored at lunch!

Hey Everyone,

I scored at lunch on a visit to one of the little local antique malls.  I had picked up a few goodies as I was strolling through some of the booths and as I rounded a corner I saw this contraption that I could not identify.

Well, you know I had to go closer and the little sign read "Piano Guts".  No joking.  I looked at it and thought that the pieces could make for some really cool additions to some altered art pieces (already have Leighanna and Kerin & Charley in mind) or just as a great vintage additive to a vignette.  The price was already great but this booth was also having a 20% off sale so woohoo big SCORE!!!  After getting it into the car (it is one large piece weighing about 30 pounds) I started wondering how I would take this thing apart.  But I know I can and I know all of those little pieces are going to make some great art for me or others.  As soon as I arrive home and after I convince Tom that I truly did pay good money for these piano guts I will shoot a photo and post it here.

I'll also post a photo of some of my other finds too.

Now back to work.  *S*

xo,

Lesley

It's baaaaaaaaaacccccccck....

The website maintenance has been completed and everything is working beautifully!  Tom has added some new items so be sure to take a peek.

Bell Jars

Vintage Bingo Cards

Small Female Glass Bust

Bird Votive Candle Holder

www.flatwoodsfolkart.com

xo,

Lesley

Monday's Musings....

Good Morning Everyone,

Normally on Monday's I take a trip around the shops of Etsy to find unique and one of a kind finds to showcase here.  Today I am going to do something just a little differently, today I am going to focus on one shoppe and will be showcasing several items that they have currently for sale.

With Father's Day just passing and missing my Daddy I have to say that Louisiana has been very much on my mind.  Always when I think of Louisiana I think of New Orleans, a place I lived for a while and a place that is very near and dear to our hearts...it is one of our favorite cities to visit (pre and post Katrina). 

The first purchases I ever made from this shoppe were little Christmas trees that were made from salvaged wood from New Orleans and part of the proceeds benefited a NOLA Foundation to help restore the city.

 

Bayou Salvage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please visit the Bayou Salvage Etsy Shoppe and support someone who is supporting the rebirth of a wonderful city.

 

By the way, if you purchase one of the little pink houses shown above 50% of the proceeds go to the Make It Right Foundation to support their effort to rebuild homes in those areas of New Orleans hardest hit by Katrina.  Also, these houses (and others) were on display and for sale at the Civilian Arts Project Gallery in Washington D.C. as part of the exhibit..."Way Down (Yonder) in New Orleans".

Thank you everyone and blessings to you all.

xo,

Lesley

 

Website Woes....

Hey Everyone and Happy Saturday Night!

We are having a few website woes that our webhost is dealing with at the moment so we have blocked access to the website pages during this time.  We've been assured that this issue will be taken care of in just a few days so I will announce when the shoppe is open once again.

Thanks and blessings to you all!

Lesley

What's Next.....

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope this Wednesday finds you doing well.  I am feeling fantastic this morning, truly blessed in so many ways.  *S*

First off, would like to share a few things that Tom is preparing to place onto the website....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next I want to remind you of a few events that are just around the corner.....

Cindy and Tina will soon be hosting the Paper Cowgirl Retreat in Waxahachie, Texas.  Check them out here.....

 

 

Mixed Media Melange will be right around the corner in September.  This is the inaugural event so you won't want to miss it.  It promises to be loads of fun in a beautiful setting in LaGrange, Tennessee.  Be sure to check them out here and register to be a part of this super retreat....

 

 

Then, truly just a hop, skip and jump away, will be Art & Soul in Portland, Oregon.  I love the Art & Soul events!!  If you have not attended before I promise you will not be disappointed!  If you have attended in the past but aren't registered yet please go check out the wonderful classes that they are offering.  It is an amazing line-up of offerings topped off with the Rock N Roll theme.  I know you will want to come and join us!  Take a peek here....

 

 

Then, jump down the rabbit hole and take a look at what the girls are offering up in Cromwell, Connecticut at Art Is You's Taking Tea With Alice.  So many amazing artists and fun events planned...you will not want to miss out on this tea party!

 

 

Whew!!!  Now onto some in the kitchen creativity!  Mr. Lesley has been posting some truly yummy recipes on his blog.  The two appetizer recipes that he posted yesterday are sooooooo good and super easy to make.  Then, he shared his chicken salad recipe that everyone I work with loves!!!

Check him out at his blog, Mr. Lesley Cooks.

Have a very blessed day everyone!

xo,

Lesley

 

Yummy, Yummy....

Good Afternoon Everyone,

It feels so good to be back after dealing with the stressors of the past couple of weeks.  Illness and things beyond don't quite like to share time so I do apologize for my sporadic appearance here.

Today's Yummy, Yummy post is about two blogs that are true soul inspiration.  When I step through the doorways of these two Land O' Blog spaces I can feel the stress begin to evaporate as I lose myself in the magic that they contain.

  

Each photo and word are a loving invitation from Madai to relax, unwind and breathe....

 

They are symphonies of textures and perfumes that will seduce your senses.....

 

They are gardens of imagination borne from a love of literature and nature......

 

The brightness of the newly bloomed plants marry well with the roughened surfaces of aged vine and the beautiful patina of aged metal......

 

They are planted rainbows waving a welcome for the weary traveler....

 

They are memories plucked and taken home to savor.

 

There are stories and poetry shared.....

 

Little notes to pass along.....

A sharing of beauty in the smallest of things... 

  

It is a welcome stop along the way.  A haven for smelling the roses and tasting the sweet essence of a romantic poem.

 

These beautifully serene worlds are the home of Madai.....

 

 

 

Please stop by and visit Madai at her beautiful blogs and her Etsy Shoppe.

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone.

xo,

Lesley

 

Monday's Musings.....

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope your week is getting started off on a very positive note. 

I have a love of all things old, items with a past that cloaks them.  I truly love bringing these items into our home and I love going on the hunt to find that special something to give as gifts for friends.  With that in mind the shops that I am featuring from Etsy today all provide items that are aged, that show the mysteries of their past and that touch my heart.

Enjoy!

 

Old Crow Farm

 

 

The Art of Wood

 

 

Thimble Biskit

 

 

Rhinestones N Rust

 

 

Bella LuLu

 

 

Best of the Nest

 

 

Black Sheep Yarn

 

 

Recycled Relics

 

 

The Fox and The Bird

 

 

Gypsy Market

 

 

Joy Frame Works

 

 

Rust Chic

 

 

Have fun shopping everyone!

xo,

Lesley

A few things from this weekend...

Happy Sunday Evening Everyone,

I will be posting a few images of things I worked on this weekend.

Here are three sets of earrings I completed....

    

xo,

Lesley