What a photo can say.

Sometimes you don't need fancy cameras or software to get just the right photo.  Sometimes its just luck and sometimes it's the subject. My sister Anne snapped this photo of my great niece, Elle a few weeks ago.  And I mean, she just pointed the camera and snapped the photo.  But ... it's a fabulous photo and it says it all.

Merry Christmas!

New Jewelry

These pretty green leaves are hand painted by me on heavy watercolor paper and sealed to make them water-resistant.  Surprisingly light weight but sturdy.

Necklace and matching earrings made from vintage buttons from Grandma's button jar.

This pendant looks like marble - but it's not.  Visit my jewelry store and get the details. 

Classic black and brass made from vintage buttons.

If you haven't visited my little store on Etsy, you should really take a peek. Here's the link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/leeowenby Here are a few of my new pieces of jewelry.

UT Fans

I'm always amazed at how people choose to show they are UT fans.  We see their logos all over Paris Landing.

But, I think this one - which is embedded in concrete -  might win the prize!

I'm Still Here!

Yes! I am still here! I have been so involved in the pre-Christmas rush - I just haven't had time to post.

Saturday, I participated in what I think will be my last art/craft show of the year. It was an Arts & Crafts Bazaar at the historic Robert E. Lee Academy of the Arts here in Paris.  This used to be known as Lee School and my step-father actually went to grade school there.  Since then it has been converted into and academy for the arts.  Visit their website here.

This past Saturday they sponsored a fund raiser for their scholarship fund by holding an Arts & Crafts Bazaar in the halls and what used to be the old lunch room.   If you missed this event - it's your loss.  There were a good variety of high quality arts and crafts - mostly by members of the Tennessee River Fine Arts League. 

But if you hurry maybe you contact one of these local artist to purchase unique, one-of-a-kind presents for Christmas.  Unfortunately, I did not get contact info for all these people, but I will be happy to track them down for you if you have an interest.

Ann Stapp

Ann has lots of reasonably priced miniature paintings (yes, she painted them very small) as well as note cards. And there probably isn’t time before Christmas but Ann does pet portraits which make wonderful presents. Ann is a true animal lover. Some of my favorite pieces by Ann are her paintings of cows and goats. I don’t know how she does it, but she gives them personality.  You can visit her website here: http://annstappart.com

There was jewelry, stained glass, quilts.

Alice McCuthcheon's gorgeous hand-wrapped gems.

I think this may be the prettiest gourd I've ever seen.

And this is probably the most imaginative!

Donna Revelee needs to be named the Queen of Gourds!

And then we had the Bryants!

This was the first time I had seen any of their work.  They had beautiful hand made

jackets, scarves, and hats.  Beautiful things!

Pottery by Robyn

Beautiful stained glass by Sandee Green

And then of course - my stuff.

Foggy Morning

This morning the fog was beautiful!

Settling Into Fall

We've had a lot of rain the last few days and it has just about knocked all the leaves off the trees.

Fishtale Lodge

But, it's still quite beautiful here at the Lake.

Little Sulphur

Pineview Road

The leaves may be gone but they left us this beautiful black lace.

Fall

Regardless of whether your are looking at a whole bunch of leaves ...

Or just one ...

We're having a beautiful fall ya'll!

Welcome to the Lake

Folks who live at the lake are always on the look out for just about anything that says, "Welcome To The Lake."  Emily Bolding of Russwood decided to create her own welcome sign when she bought this set of plain - unpainted lawn furniture.  That's right she did all this painting herself.

I love the way she decided to highlight the skeletal look and the little air bubbles on all the legs.

Love the details.

Flags

One of the things I've always liked about ...

Paris Landing - my neighborhood ...

is the abundance of American flags.

You don't have to go far to find one.

They're everywhere!

They're everywhere!

Isn't it wonderful!

Thanks to our Veterans!

Beautiful Day

All the following photos were taken today at Paris Landing State Park.

Sometimes ....

It's so pretty around here,

It takes your breath away.

Hope your day was as pretty as mine. 

I think we're going to have more of the same weather tomorrow.

Murphy Look-A-Like

I didn't take this photo.  I got it here.

But the cat on the left could be Murphy's twin. 

I know, all you can see are eyes, but they look just like his. 

The white cat is so gorgeous.

Murphy is currently laying in the middle of the den floor, basking in the light of a floor lamp. I would post a photo but he is showing the bald spot on his tummy ... and we all know he is a little sensitive about that.

Sunset On The Lake

We can never have too many photos of Kentucky Lake - especially when they are as beautiful as this.

A great photo by Kathi Stofel.

Playing Catch Up

Since my last post … first of all it takes me a few days to get over an art show. I have to put everything back where it was, or at least place it with a vendor. It has to be for sale somewhere. Just having artwork and jewelry sitting around my house doesn’t do me a bit of good. But before I can put it back on display I have to clean everything. You’d be surprised how much dust you collect in an outdoor show and how many finger prints you get when food is for sale and you have lots of kids who want to touch everything. I’m not complaining - it’s just a fact of life.

So - got the prints and print rack all cleaned up and took in back to Homestead Gardens & Gifts. Took some photos while I was there … and haven’t posted them yet, but I will.  Maybe in November.






Talked with Treva Tayloe over at Paris On The Square. She agreed to carry my jewelry and letter art.

Click here for more information.

And then of course, in the middle of all this I was trying to get the maps published for the Paris Landing Area - which I accomplished, but then I had to hand them all out to my wonderful advertisers which you can see here on my blog about Paris Landing.  And of course, I have also been taking photos for the Paris Landing blog … which … I need to post.  Maybe in November.

I also dog sat for 3 weeks for  my sister, Anne, who took a wonderful trip to Ireland. Murphy tried hard to ignore a sweet little dog name Lady. (Earlier this summer I dog sat for my little brother Art. Maybe I’ve found a new career in dog sitting.) Anne has photos, lots of photos of Ireland which I want to see and play with. Maybe in November.

Then on one of several trips over to the Fishtale Lodge, my looney friend Sharon tried to convince me to create jewelry for your boots.

Sharon multi-tasking - modeling, answering the phone, making reservations.

I think the boot jewelry is wonderful idea.  Maybe in November.

While I was there I woke up Jewels just to catch a quick snap shot.

Murphy wasn't as cooperative.  He said he's just not quick anymore.

Did I mention I also hooked up with this California Girl?

Her name is Alysia Sofias and she is here because Google sent her here to write a book about Paris.  Yeh - that's right, Paris Tennessee.  You can read about her on the Simon & Schuster website.   The above photo was taken at the Paris Winery.  I also gave her a tour of downtown Paris and lots of other places.

Don't you just love the new signs they have in downtown Paris?  And of course, on this grand tour I took more photos that I might get posted by November.

More to come .....