Friday, March 18, 2011

Pink Adventures…always another new way to spread the Pink

Spring is a season with a true Pink Attitude…we start our spring cleaning and spring gardening…looking forward to the rebirth of our seasons… it’s such a “Pink” time of year. I started getting into the spirit of the season early in March with an Easter egg painting class offered here in New Braunfels.

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We’re very proud of our German heritage and this class at the Sophienburg Museum and Archives celebrates the ancient spring ritual  known as Osterbrunnen during which time the village wells were cleaned and decorated. Eggs were painted during the winter months by folk art clubs (Volkskunstvereine). In the spring fountains, homes and parks are decorated with the painted beauties.

After a short history of the tradition, Karen Baese, our instructor taught us a few basic strokes and techniques for making dots and simple folk designs.

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The easiest and most versatile technique was the simple dot!

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Of course, our favorite color was pink!!!

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See what I mean about the dots?

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The kit came with a dozen eggs to make a smaller version of this hanging wreath.

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Really stunning! In Northern Bavaria they use evergreens as the greenery. This was one of my favorite examples…

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And check out this detail…

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But my favorite picture of the holiday has to be this amazing example…

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Is this “over the top” or what? I have one last picture to share… this is no “tea party’…look at their beverage of choice…

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I think of beer and all sorts of celebrations, but painting Easter eggs while having a brew was a rather new idea…however,   we saw lots of pictures of egg painting-beer drinking ladies…so I bought a six-pack (my choice was a Mexican favorite not a German ale) and I have my paints in several shades of pink all set to create my own version of an Osterbrunnen decoration.

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to thank Beverly for hosting as you make the rounds today. Have a lovely Pink Week. http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Friday, March 11, 2011

Panchita Plays Lotteria

The Happy Homemaker Tag Along Swap is into the third month and it’ posting day…Here at Riverside Studios  Panchita is all dressed up with no place to go…yet…I’m a bit behind on my tags this month and so I’ll post later, but here’s a hint:Panchita will be all decked out in a traditional sequined falda and sombrero…but poor thing, she’s got to wait until I can get to embellishing and staging the tag. She is such a good sport as she holds the pose with a big sonrisa on her face until I get back to her.

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She plans an evening of Mexican Bingo called Lotteria with her friends….It’s played with picture cards that are very colorful…Sorry for the delay, but life got in the way this week.



Limping Deer and the Twins

Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.

Show and Tell Sunday June 15

Flea Market Finds...sounds like my whole house and yard...

Milk Glass Collection

Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.

These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.

Mexicana Dishes

Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.

Mexicana

Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.

Vintage Kitchen Hutch

Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.

Nancy made me save the vine

Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.