Patty Van Dorin

happy monday

Baronne Henriette de Snoy

keeping busy without much to post about

3 B's

Big Bead Bangle

love these big lampwork glass beads

I am thinking an armful of these big bead bangles would be fun.

large tribal beads from etsy, click here if you need some big beads

These would be interesting on a journal or any kind of mixed media, they have large holes so I can picture them laced with leather. All kinds of possibilities. In this mix there are a couple of pendant foil glass beads (with a single top drill hole).  So I am thinking.....

oh, yum

Homeade pork and beans, so yummy and easy.

I used this recipe as a starting point and didn't change it much.
In place of the meat that was called for in the recipe, I used a few smoked ribs that were left over from Saturday's meal.

Homemade pork and beans is a perfect way to extend meat or to use a small amount of meat leftovers. The other change was that I added an additional 1/2 teaspoon of salt, omitted the cilantro and Tabasco sauce. The next time, I will add one more jalapeno pepper, as I couldn't taste the one that I used. I think one more will be perfect without making it hot.

I didn't have rice made in time for the beans but this recipe makes enough that I can have beans and rice tomorrow. This is a perfect make ahead or freezer meal as it is better the second day or when reheated.

beads

A common question I am asked is, where do I get my beads?
My favorite beads come from Mumbai India that I found on recent trip.

At the Chor Bazaar, in the heart of Mumbai, I stumbled upon a street vendor that had barrels of beads for sale and was able to purchase a container to ship back home.

These beads are rough, and have flaws but they are a perfect bead for tribal and urban gypsy jewelry.

For a limited time, I will offer one pound scoops of these glass lampwork and trade beads on my Etsy supply and stuff shop.

If there is enough interest, I will bring back more on my next trip.

and some finished pieces that I have added to the Tuscan Rose Etsy shop

Ocean Blue

another

It appears that the Easter bunny left a vintage rolodex on my door step Sunday.

So this can only mean that another rolodex project will start soon. Maybe not right away, but in the near future there will be a rolodex project starting. I am thinking this time there may be spray paint involved.
Only the most rudimentary of ideas forming.
Feral inspiration at this point.


With the perfect weather, all I can think about is being outside. The window boxes have been planted, the potager has tomatoes nearly two feet tall with an abundance of basil. This year, I added cinnamon basil to my favorites of sweet basil and Thai basil.

All I can say is, pesto, lots and lots of pesto.

And a new rose bed has been started.

So when the heat and humidity force me indoors, expect to see a new vintage scrap-o-dex project.

Renaissance Rose Journal and one crazy smiling dog

it was time for a new inspiration journal
the old was has been filled

so I made a new one using an old chipboard picture that was found at a thrift store
and hand torn pages from watercolor weight paper

back cover
nice heavy pages to stitch photographs, jot down ideas and hold all the ink from doodling

Bangle Stack 118b
available on etsy

loving dark muted neutrals lately
loving old tarnished silver, vintage creamy colored thread and wisteria


a bit of loveliness

six years ago today, I found my best buddy

find your new best friend at your local animal shelter or rescue

Gallon Club

Little bits and pieces have been collecting that I have set aside to make a necklace for myself.

Last summer, my favorite garage sale find was this vintage Blood Bank medal. It is perfect for a vampire necklace. Along with the gallon club blood bank piece, I have added found items like the crumbly remnants of an old cross, a found tiny medallion, evil eye bead and some lovely pieces of kuchi that arrived in the mail from someone who knows what I love without even realizing it (did that make any sense).

The black and white stripped beads seemed to really need the tiny red beads in between even though black and white stripes with red is such a clique but a classic combo for a vampire themed necklace.

Also a couple treasured pieces of Roman glass beads, some old watch fob chain, and a huge carnelian bead that is a second because of the chips but I think the chips give it character. The rings are old grommets that pulled out of my greenhouse cover during the last tropical storm and a tiny bird charm with an itsy bitsy vintage mercury glass bead.

So this is my new talisman necklace.


and I have added a few new pieces to my Etsy shop also

Taking Flight
triple wrap bracelet or necklace