New Family Member

For a year or so now Eric and I have talked about getting a small dog to add some excitement to our lives and to keep Murphy entertained.    Right after Christmas, opportunity struck - so - now we've added a new member to our new family.

Meet Maggie.  She's only about 3 months old, a Boston Terrier.  My nephew and his wife raise these sweet little dogs in Ripley, Tennessee.    So far, Maggie has been a real bundle of joy.

It doesn't take much to keep her occupied.

As for Murphy ....

He's still here and just as ornery as ever. 

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.