Keep the kettle on...

1.  Seems crazy to think that we were under this very gazebo not too long ago painting in the sunshine with the floral scents Two Crow Cottage gardens surrounding us!

2.  With all the snow we have here in New York, it may be awhile before we can venture out for another Arty Tea Party.  But the kettle is always on, and we are gearing up for the busy spring and summer events when we take our Arty Tea Party on the road.

3.  During these snowstorms, Nina is busy shifting around her soap room and re-vamping the clay studio in the loft.  I am currently burning her  "Winterspell" incense as I write this for the group of talented chics.  

4.  Andrea is nursing a fall from snow skiing out with her little darlings.  No doubt, she is crocheting something gorgeous with her leg up, sipping a nice apricot brandy, I hope!  Cheers My Friend!

5.  We had a lovely time at the Valentine's Day Boutique sponsored by the local library where Nina always finds books to read, and I always find books to alter.  We have such a great time when we all go out together and put up our wares!  Yes, what fun, indeed with Victoria, Kitty, Judie, Nina and moi, hula~la Vicki.

I'm linking up for Random 5 Friday...on Saturday.  Hope you will stop by to visit Nancy and the gang at A Rural Journal.

Grow Your Blog Party

We are happy to be joining Vicki at 2 Bags Full for this terrific event!  Thank you, Vicki!

We are the talented chics of the Arty Tea Party Guild. The parties are hosted at different locations depending on who is teaching or sharing a project or technique. We also love to take our show on the road for fairs and festivals.  I'd like to introduce you to a few of our members...

Painting under the gazebo at Two Crow Cottage Gardens

Starting with Nina, the Proprietor of Happy Herbs Soap at Two Crow Cottage.

At Two Crow Cottage, when Nina is not tending to her many gardens, she can be found in the soap room whipping up some of her fabulous herbal soaps and all natural incense.

The wonderful smells when Nina opens the door to her humble abode will ground you and let you know that you belong.

Here is a glimpse of just a few of her drying racks and her wonderful incense crows preparing for flight.

Next up we have Judie, gourd lady turned stained glass lady...

Some of Judie's stained glass creations...including my little pineapple and 

ukulele with tiny copper strings!

From miniature glass boxes and ornaments, to mirrors and many other gorgeous glass creations...this flower pot is AB FAB...Absolutely Fabulous!  Nicely done, Judie!

Sandy Rosebud Scarano really needs no introduction, because her name precedes her.  She is a Victorian Goddess and she will paint on anything.  Even one of my ukuleles...

Can I get an Aloha here or what???  Nicely done, Sister.  You deserve a lei and a pineapple!

Her home is Victorian through and through, beginning at her front porch.

Come, sit a spell...

There is no end to Sandy's creative touch.

Next up we have Kitty who can be found regularly on the pages of Art Doll Quarterly.  Her dolls come with such incredible detail and personality. The best part is you get to name them yourself.

You can see some of Kitty's work, Santos Doll on page 75 of Art Doll Quarterly Aug/Sept. issue, and her very cool Captain Hook in the current November issue of Art Doll Quarterly.  WAY TO GO, KITTY!

Dear Andrea's gardens belong in a magazine, but she makes time for us to share her intricate crochet flowers that match the beauty of her gardens.

There are many other members of our Arty Tea Party Guild.  Pour a cup of tea and take a look around the blog for other party members and their works.  Thanks for stopping by!

Aloha, I am Vicki, aka hula~la and you can find me here...OUTOFHAND

Lace, Lace, and More Lace

Lucy hard at work...layering her vintage pieces.

I have never seen so much lace in all my life.  First, you have to know that in Rosebud "Sandar's" home, the walls, the lamps, the curtains, even the little laundry room/guest bathroom is covered in lace.  A true Victorian home with so much to see and "copy" by way of inspiration.

Victoria was on a mission for her wreath.  It is beautiful and will be perfect for Valentine's Day!  It was nice to see so many different takes and ideas on "Straw Wreath Workshop".  Yes, tons of lace!!!  I had a hard time with mine because there were so many vintage crochet doilies and tablecloths, that were torn and tattered that were being further ripped and torn and used to make these lovely creations, that I had a hard time choosing.  When Sand'ar' (joke) pulled out a crochet doily ready to cut into, I grabbed it and stuck it on mine whole, just because I couldn't bear to see her cut into it. (no photo of mine, as it is not finished).

Now Andrea had it in her to cover her whole straw wreath in burlap before layering her black lace and ribbons on.  She was set on a Halloween theme for hers and as always, her talents are ramped up and she delivers, glue gun in hand, while everyone else used pins...watch out!

Kay is thinking Spring...(we all are here with more snow on the ground this morning) and she set out to make 4 matching wreaths for her home, though the birds for her nests seemed to have flown off, because she searched and searched for them and could not find them.

Lucy's final take before parting.  Nicely done!

Thank you SANDAR Rosebud for hosting such a wonderful Arty Tea Party at your lovely home.  The food was outstanding, starting with Nick's Pork/Kale soup with rice noodles..delish!  And what would a Thursday tea party be without Nina and Bob's roast beef!  Lot's of fingerfoods, and way too much dessert.  But, hey that's what we do best...EAT, DRINK AND BE EVER SO MERRY!  

Aloha for now...affectionately posted by Vicki...hula~la...

Wreath Workshop

Lace, lace and more lace...ooo la la...

Rosebud Sandy will be hosting the next Arty Tea Party, weather permitting Jan. 9th.  Gather up your snippits of baubles and beads and ribbons and lace to make this lovely wreath.  

The Talented Chics of the Arty Tea Party will be finishing up their Art Journal Hop/Swap and all the books will be posted here.  Can hardly wait to see all the fine additions to my own Art Journal...btw...who has mine now???

ONWARD TO 2014...HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY...AND PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL!

Tea Time

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

We GEEK Art and Lou Reed

Rest in peace, Lou...no doubt resting on the Wild Side and having a Perfect Day!!!

I was fortunate enough to take part in this GEEK THE LIBRARY campaign that featured Lou Reed as one of the celebrity endorsers.  I have my Lou poster proudly displayed in my own art studio.  I was also fortunate enough to see Lou many, many moons ago live at the Roxy Theater on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood with my childhood BFF... Thinking of you, Nay Nay!   Back in the day...the good old days!
   

The Music and Art world pay tribute...

affectionately submitted by hula~la

Soy Candlemaking Again!

What wonderful colors and scents.

The talented chics of the Arty Tea Party, once again, stepped out to the Big Red Barn to learn Lynn's process for making Soy Candles.  Rosebud Sandy had everyone cracking up with every little thing that comes out of her mouth. Laughter is good for the soul.  It was a great turn out, as everyone chose their own colors to go with their chosen scents.  In the foreground you will see Cranberry color to go with cranberry scent, the caramel colors are mine and 1 for Nina that are Cedarwood Vanilla scented, with a touch of Fig scent mixed in.  They smell amazing.  Thanks to Lynn for opening up just for us!

Fun group of Talented Chics...(yes, I'm behind the camera)

Miss Kitty showing off her dolls

Kitty Mitchell, one very talented chic, for sure was pleased to share her dolls with the group.  You can see some of Kitty's work, Santos Doll on page 75 of Art Doll Quarterly Aug/Sept. issue, and her very cool Captain Hook in the current November issue of Art Doll Quarterly.  WAY TO GO, KITTY!

   

  Meet Jan, our newest member with her newly acquired doll from Kitty, that she named, Willow.

   

And after all is said and done, we must take deep breaths and remember what truly is important in our lives.  The Universe is allowing Mother Nature to display all of her Autumn Glory.  Get out there and enjoy what is left of it before the dreaded "s" word comes with the cold winter winds. 

SIMPLIFY!  AND GIVE THANKS!

Joyfully submitted by Vicki, hula~ la...you can find me here.

 Long Overdue/Book Renewal