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July 21st, 2017

7/21/2017

Pottery Update .....I created a slightly complicated bowl this week.

Here is the bowl I made at pottery this week ...it is of course in it's raw clay state ...waiting to be fired in the Kiln.
I took ages making the shape of the bowl but although not perfect I am very pleased with it.
I don't like to do perfect anyway ...I like pottery that is rustic and unique.
Fingers crossed that it doesn't warp in the kiln.
I have no control over that

It's a nice deep bowl ....I had fun making the 3D bee ....I hope that he works out ok.

I then put on some extra detail of vines, hearts and flowers ...

This was super fun.
It was also a bit challenging.
But that is the best way to learn and improve.
To stretch yourself and not to be afraid of going that little further.
I am glad that I did.
I can't wait to see it come out of the Kiln ..hopefully in one piece.
You never know what can happen in the Kiln.
Then I have to choose a glaze.

Thanks for popping by today.
And letting me share my love of pottery with you.
Have a happy day whatever you are doing.
Why not sign up for some pottery classes.
You won't regret it.

Kindest Regards

Janet

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July 18th, 2017

7/20/2017

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Part III and final part of Birthday Break at Sparrow's Nest, Tennessee

This view is of the Tennessee River ...one of our picnic spots that we so enjoyed on my Birthday Break to Tennessee.

The very cute bathroom with it's frilly shower curtain and it's roomy shower....all cute fixture and fittings ..note that the shower curtain rail is a plumbing pipe ....

A vintage bathroom cabinet and I love the light fixture ...only problem was the mirror was too high for me to use ...ha! ha!

A repurposed cabinet now houses the pipes for the wash hand basin ....I love this basin ..and would like it in my house.

The back of the house was really cute and the roof was amazing ..look at the lovely copular with the weather vane on ...super cute.

We also had a BBQ grill as well as a fire pit with tree stump seating.

The surrounding garden ..that is not a really deer , I wish it was ..it's a plastic one for shooting bow and arrows at. .. we did get a Turkey that visited us though.

Oh Dear !!!

The front porch was great to just sit for a while ..it did lack a little table to put your coffee cup and breakfast plate on .....but I contacted the Owner and she said she would be supplying one in the future.

The air was not so humid as in Alabama , being up a small mountain helped ...so we were able to enjoy picnics etc...
This view is of the Tennessee River and was the view that we found on Signal Mountain.

How gorgeous is this ...the mountain in the far distance is Lookout Mountain that looks over Chattanooga

We enjoyed a lovely picnic here.

This is my final posting on my lovely Birthday Trip.

I hope you enjoyed it

I enjoyed spending some time with you all

Come back soon

I made something exciting at Pottery Lessons yesterday

Can't wait to share it with you in my next post

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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July 15th, 2017

7/15/2017

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Birthday Break - Tennessee Mountains - Sparrow's Nest Cabin - Part II - The Bedroom.

After showing you the sweet kitchen in Sparrow's Nest Cabin ...situated at the top of the Tennessee's Signal Mountain up Suck Creek Road and there on the edge of Prentice Cooper State Forrest in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Chattanooga is our little cabin for a short while.
This is the bedroom ..totally adorable as you can see and beautifully presented.

I just love the choice of pillows ..so sweet and tasteful .
Also loving the iron bed, headboard and foot board.
It was really comfortable too !
So quiet not a sound all night long.
The air conditioning was perfect so a wonderful sleep was had by all.

Such a lovely wardrobe ...but useless as there were no clothes hangers inside of it ....on the listing it said there were 'clothes hangers'.
So I had to keep my clothes in the suitcase .
Luckily all of my clothes don't wrinkle.
It was pretty to look at though and looked perfect in the Cabin's bedroom.

I loved the bedding and the quilt spread over the bottom of the bed.
The lovely oval full length mirror was gorgeous too..
I could had done with a little dressing table and mirror to put my make up on.
The bathroom mirror was on the wall cabinet and I couldn't see myself it was so high ..so I ended up putting my make up on at the Kitchen island with a tiny, tiny mirror that is inside of my make up bag. Not that ideal really.

These super barn doors were a great idea ...the children can be in the same room as you but feel like they aren't ...it's such a great design ...we loved them.

See how pretty it all is ....heavenly.

Cute beds, cute pillows.

There is so much wood in this cabin ...it's all amazing craftsmanship ...look at the bedroom ceiling ...the cabin looks smaller from the outside but when you step inside it ..it is very roomy ....
A bit like Dr. Who's Tardis ...is you know who that is ...ha! ha!

The lighting was perfectly wonderful too ...
These are the stairs leading down from the bedroom.

Thank you for popping by..
And taking a look at Sparrow's Cabin.
I hope you like it as much as I did.
I will post more about the cabin and some places we visited sometime in the next few days.

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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July 14th, 2017

7/14/2017

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Sparrow's Nest ....Perfectly built with ideas from Pinterest - The Kitchen

Danny & I have just got back from a lovely break up in the Tennessee Mountains , Signal Mountain just on the edge of the State Park.
We stopped in a gorgeous little cabin in the woods ...this was our view from the front porch.

Here it is ..with Danny peeking from the door after coming to see what I am up too ...I was walking up and down here and there to get the right light and angle ...ha! ha! .

This is the lovely view we spied through the trees as we first drove up to the property ...the cabin is called 'Sparrow's Nest' how cute is that.
It is super quiet ....as we were at the top of the mountain so not many cars went up the road.

I am just including photo's of the Kitchen in this blog and will do the same through out the house so you don't get too bored,
As we opened up the front door this is what we saw ...this gorgeous hand crafted wooden kitchen ...it had floor boards from a barn I would have thought for the kitchen counter tops ...lovely.
The whole house seemed to be designed from photo's on Pinterest ...just glorious.

I just love this light fixture over the wooden kitchen island ..it was made from three vintage rusted metal funnels with thick twine wrapped around the wiring ...amazing.

I fell in love with this cute tea kettle light ...I must look out for an old kettle when I am at the Thrift Store.

This gorgeous island made from a plank of wood and then the legs and frame were made of piping ...it should last for years and years ..what a clever idea.

The view underneath the island ..of the curtained cabinet beneath the sink.

These are the incredible stools for the kitchen seating ...they were so very comfortable.
Made of large old milk churns.
With tractor seats ....they were in 4 different designs.

Super comfortable ...

These cute vintage objects sit on some shelving in the kitchen ...
They are a lovely little collection ...we used the pig timer ...very good ....the wooden box was a canoe dispenser ...it had bubble gum in it.
The Betty Crocker's Cook Book was a 1850's first edition.
I took some photo's and will show you it in a later blog.

Two of the kitchen cupboards had chicken wire in them allowing you to see the dishes beyond.
A lovely happy, positive saying stands on the kitchen counters.
Below is a photo of the vintage turquoise kitchen sink ...only problem is that the plug didn't fit.
The owners need to buy a larger rubber one for that fits.

A happy kitchen mat greeted you every morning.
And there is a lovely large tree trunk holding up the hallway ceiling.
It was so smooth and tactile
Thanks for popping by and taking a look at Sparrow Nest's cabin with me.
In the next few days I will blog and show you around more of the cabin we had lots of fun in.

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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July 13th, 2017

7/13/2017

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Quick update on Pottery Lesson 17

If you remember this was my first attempt to throw on the potter's wheel that I did last week.
Really not good at all but this week I trimmed it,shaped it and added a flower and here it is ready to go in the Kiln.
It is upside down as you need to dry the base of the pot before it goes in the kiln.
But at least I will have something to say 'this was my first throw on the wheel'.
I just need to glaze it prettily and then keep it forever.

The Wild Flowers have been loving a few days without soaking rain ...they are really glorious

Here are some of my Wild Flowers that I grew from seed ...produces more and more flowers everyday

The Crepe Myrtle loved the recent down pours of rain ...they are heavy in flower ..I have one here at the bottom of the driveway overlooking our back deck and one at the top of driveway that we have to drive under when leaving or coming home.
I have never pruned them like they like to do here in the South ...these are natural just as God intended.

As you will know I recently had a birthday and to my great surprise and joy I walked in to pottery today and there where Birthday gifts from several of my Pottery Friends.
Super thoughtful presents showing how much they know me.
First I had a Vintage Teacup,Saucer & Cake plate to add to my collection
Also it will be great to use in my upcoming Downton Abbey High Tea Party ..so very kind and perfect..Thanks Cindy.
Secondly another very thoughtful gift of a Guernsey Flag ..from my home island ...to think that Heather went on the internet to research which flag it was and ordered it ...wonderful ..it came along with some Macadamia Nuts from Hawaii and some Mango Pineapple Jam also from Hawaii .
The third gift was from my Pottery teacher and dear Friend Faith who made me a wind chime ...it has pottery birds hanging from it and says 'Sing to the Lord'..very precious and she knows my love for birds.
Plus new friends joined our pottery class today ...a sincere welcome to Sharon ...she will fit in nicely with our little pottery family.

I will of course photograph these gifts and show you in a few blogs time.

I am working on blogs about my birthday break in the Tennessee Mountains with my darling Danny..I should have some ready in a few days time.

Thanks for popping by

Without you I would be talking to myself !!

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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July 08th, 2017

7/8/2017

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Pottery Update ...my First Pottery Throw Down

Now don't laugh ...I at last after 16 weeks got the courage to use the potter's wheel at pottery ....it was very interesting and lots and lots to learn ...all involving a lot of strength to get the clay prepared and to stop it wobbling ...then learning to bring it up and pull it out to make the bowl .
I know it's not very good ..infact it's terrible but I am still proud of it ..
I am thrilled to find that I can use the potters wheel with my injured arm ..that is a great find
I will of course give a wonderful glaze and will treasure it forever as my first throw on the wheel
That is if it hasn't collapsed before I get there next week !!!!

A little peek at the invitations I have hand made for my High tea Party for my Pottery friends.

I had to block out our home address for safety and of course my telephone number can't be shown but you get the idea ...I had fun making them.

I can't wait to start getting ready for the party.
Choosing the linens.
The teacups etc
And making all of the cakes, scones etc
Thanks for popping in
I hope you are enjoying your day.
If you are an artist or craft person I hope that you have a wonderful day of creation

Happy Days

Janet

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July 07th, 2017

7/7/2017

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Flower Power at Maisonvogue

Maisonvogue's flowers are struggling to survive all of the rain we are having in Alabama this year ...but some of them are loving it.
This shows part of my Wild Flower garden that I planted from seed this Spring ...
I wanted a garden I could cut flowers to bring in to the house.
And that is what I am getting ..a huge variety of colors and plants.
Despite all the storms we still find that Flowers have the Power.

I have Morning Glories climbing up the railings on one side of the front porch ..they are in 4 different colors

Some of the Wild Flowers

The birds planted this Sunflower ....straight from the bird feeders ..or could it be one of our Cats or Raccoons carrying it on their fur ..we will never know ...but it is beautiful.

A beautiful delight in the Wild Flowers ..I have no idea what it is called ..along with lots of lovely white daisies.

Another view of the Wild Flowers.

Some Wild Flowers that I cut and brought inside to put on the window sill in the kitchen.

Black Eyed Susan's and fuchsia pink Impatiens (we call them ' Busy Lizzie's' in England as they grow so quickly).

I have no idea what this is called...if you know
Please leave me a 'comment' as I would love to know.
I just found it on the internet ...
Pimpernel (Anagallis Arvensis Caerulea) - This unusual little plant is originally from Europe. Known as Blue Pimpernel, it has a spreading habit which makes it well-suited for edging a border, as a general ground cover plant, and in pots and hanging baskets. The Blue Pimpernel flower is open only when the sun shines. The habit of closing in dull weather and when rain is approaching has given the plant the name Poor Man's Weather-Glass.Pimpernel (Anagallis Arvensis Caerulea) - This unusual little plant is originally from Europe. Known as Blue Pimpernel, it has a spreading habit which makes it well-suited for edging a border, as a general ground cover plant, and in pots and hanging baskets. The Blue Pimpernel flower is open only when the sun shines. The habit of closing in dull weather and when rain is approaching has given the plant the name Poor Man's Weather-Glass.

It is so striking ..it makes me smile every time I see it ...I think I will buy lots of them next year to place all over our garden ....they are my new favorite flower !!

I put Fuchsia Pink Impatiens under trees or amongst other plants ...they look so lovely ..don't you think ??

Rose of Sharon is really a member of the Hibiscus family ...I have many in my garden all taken from cuttings from my Husband's childhood home.

I love these two plants ..they are new to me but are total winners ..i will buy them again next year.
I have no idea what they are called but they are stunning.

As you can see I have it in purple as well ...just glorious!!

My silly little wicker bird house is filled with lovely yellow blooms.
I have no idea what this plant is either ...but I think it is great in this bird house that I am using as a hanging basket.

Wild Flowers

We would not have flowers if it wasn't for the bees ...I am very happy that my flowers attract so many insects, butterflies and humming birds.

Thank you for popping by and looking at my Flower Power.
I hope your are enjoying the flowers in your garden too.
Have a wonderful day.
Please 'comment' if you know the name of some of the flowers I don't know.
I would really appreciate it.

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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July 04th, 2017

7/4/2017

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Happy 4th July, Independence Day...ideas for your Celebrations Decor

I thought I would just show you some of my favorite ideas for your 4th July celebration decor curtesy of Pinterest

I just LOVE this idea of sewing lovely Bandana Scarves to make a one of a kind patriotic tablecloth ...such fun and so impressive

This must be one of my favorite ideas of giving all of your guests their own little bucket full of everything they will need to have a wonderful time ...I just LOVE it ...I should think that the buckets can be bought at Christmas Trees Shops, Target, Michaels even Walmart might have them ...you can make them ahead of time and just put them out either on the table place setting or just on a side table for guests to pick up

Get the men in your life to make this very simple game for your guests to enjoy and do some simple painting ...you will need to cut out some star shapes to put on the wood before you spray paint it blue ..great project for the children to join in with

Most food ideas depicting the American Flag seem to be desserts but this time it's savory ...love it ..cheese, pepperoni or salami and blue corn chips

Great decor ...I just love the lanterns and the hydrangea's are a great touch ..you could buy some red spray paint that is for flowers from Michaels Craft Store and spray a few white hydrangea's red ...all of this decor would be available at somewhere like Pier1 Imports I would have thought ..or even Christmas Trees Shop

We all have these tin stars ...just have to spray them with matt paint in red, white and blue

Hope you have been inspired with these great ideas ....have fun getting ready for the big day

Thanks for popping in

Janet

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July 2nd, 2017

7/2/2017

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Pottery Update on Week 16 of my Pottery Lessons...A Tray and a Cacti Planter came home this week.

Week 16 of my pottery lessons and I was so happy to bring home two of my finished pieces with me.
I am so pleased how my tray came out ....I love the colors and I am so pleased in how I placed all the colored glazes ...they look nice and uniform ..very happy.

These are the first two stages of making my tray.

As you can see I only glazed the flowers and left the rest of the tray raw clay, unglazed.
I used a pink clay with speckle's in it .....the clay doesn't come out pink but it has a warmer glow than the grey clay...

I will find this tray not only practical to use as a tray but also to decorate our home ...I am going to put it on our coffee table and will stand this gorgeous French Breton pottery cider jug that I bought many years ago in the 1970's in France ..I have several pieces of it ...I just love the dark brown glaze and the little cider apples on it.

This is the underside of my tray ....I glazed the underside of the handles too both in a lovely turquoise glaze.

Here is my finished planter pot ....The glaze is wild ....I overlapped lots of glaze in just two colors.
I used Textured Leopard and a Raku Turquoise ...it was the Raku glaze that made it go crazy in the kiln.
I love how it created a bright turquoise puddle in the bottom of the planter..unfortunately once I have put in the soil and the cacti we won't see this glaze.

Here is the before planter ..waiting to be glazed.

One of the outside walls stayed just Textured Leopard as you can see.

The Raku glaze ran everywhere and even created adorable bubbles in the glaze.

Here it is all planted up ....I am very, very pleased with it ...this photo shows it little wonky..but it must just have been the angle I took it on ....as it's not wonky at all.

I have it sitting on the coffee table next to the tray ...it is raining so much at the the moment in Alabama that I fear I will loose my cacti so this planter is staying inside for the moment.

Thanks for popping by and looking at my pottery creations.
I made a load of jewelry this week mainly to give to friends or neighbors.
And a little trinket tray that has lady bugs on it and I carved out two flowers with dandelions in mind

Have a wonderful 4th July Weekend

Happy Days

Janet

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July 01st, 2017

7/1/2017

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Violet brightens up a rainy day in Alabama

Not very much going on at Maisonvogue at the moment .
In Alabama we are experiencing a very unusual pattern of endless rain ...it just won't stop!
For weeks now we have had grey looming clouds dumping heavy relentless rain on our State.
My beloved garden is getting very little love at the moment ...my Wildflower garden is being beaten down to lay flat on the ground.
It is full of flowers and buds but most of the flowers are having to fight to be able to stand up
The lawn grass is really enjoying it though ...but it may cause a lot of moss to grow ..
Shopping on Friday's for our weekly groceries etc..is just a day of dodging the rain with my umbrella up.
Last year we had an awful drought ...so I guess this is better than that.
I just want to say to the sun that we would love you to come back!!
So I have found all of these violet photos from Pinterest to brighten up my day and your day.

I am just loving this door ...the color is amazing ..and I just love the little off set window ...the flowers.. it's just beautiful ...

I need to start to get ready items for our vacation break for my Birthday next weekend ... I can't wait to go and have a lovely time.

I am also going to start to make cakes, cookies etc ..for my Downton Abbey Tea Party for my Pottery friends.
I will make everything except the sandwiches before hand and freeze them .
So that it's not too much work on the day.

I am going to make the invitations for my Downton Abbey tea party this weekend...a lovely thing to do when it's raining outside.

I bought home two finished pieces from my Pottery class this week ...I will photograph them and share them with you in the next day or so.

I am at last coming in to this century with my phone ..I am awaiting the arrival of a lovely iPhone and have ordered a lovely sparkly, glittery pink cover for it.
Then I will have to learn how to use it but apparently it's not much different to my iPad so that will be ok.
I am excited !!

So I have plenty to keep me busy and amused in the wet weekend we are promised by the weather channel.
Tuesday is the 4th July , Independence Day here in America .
We are not doing anything exciting but I do have some delicious items to cook and eat.
Danny wants to cook hot dogs on the BBQ (grill)
Red potato salad, special recipe for baked beans and all the lovely goodies that 4th July brings.
Let's hope there is a clearing in the rain long enough for people to fit in their BBQ ....
I wonder if fireworks will be lighting up the sky.
Whatever you are going to do,
Have fun and stay safe.
The interstates, when I was out shopping yesterday, were full of cars .. filling up my mirror when I looked behind me ...all seem to be racing down to the South to the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico ....hopefully not too much rain will spoil their fun.

Thanks for popping by

Happy Days

Janet

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June 25th, 2017

6/25/2017

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I am Preparing to Host a Downton Abbey Type High Tea Party for my Pottery Friends.

I have not had a fancy Afternoon High Tea since I made one for our Daughter's Bridal Shower in 2013 would you believe.
Having been ill for such a long time with my injured arm ...I haven't dared to take on such an endeavor.
But now as I am getting a little stronger ...I have asked some of my friends at my Pottery class if they would like to come along to my home and I would host a Downton Abbey type Afternoon High Tea for them.
They all ask me about being British and all of our customs and about the Queen and the Royal Family, etiquette etc...that what could be better than showing them some of our traditions inside of my home.
I am not able to work for hours on anything these days as it I get tired so easily but I look forward over the coming weeks to make items for it in dribs and drabs ...to eventually get to the finish and host the tea.
I first intend to design some cute invitations to send out to them, within my craft room.

It will be so great to select some of my favorite teacups and saucers from some of the ones I have photographed above.
Pretty Linens, plates, silverware etc...from my collection,
Floral arrangements,
Fabric shabby chic flag buntings that I have hand made and sewn,
Gorgeous perfumed candles with English garden flower scents,
All that make a great High Tea so special.

My guests (those that I have spoken to so far about the subject) look forward to dressing up in 1920's
clothes or just wearing an afternoon tea hat ..it will be such fun.

This collection of Downton Abbey cookies are adorable but too detailed for me to ice these days with the weakness in my arm and hand

My 1920's clothing choice is very simple for me as I bought this charcoal one above for our daughter's wedding ...I just am sorry it's grey now ...it was great for the theme of the wedding but I prefer something pastel and pretty ..perhaps I can add a lovely peach or green scarf ..I will have to look and see what I have in my collection of scarves.

This is one of my favorite teacups I intend to use on the day ..it's Royal Albert 'New Country Roses'

My Grandmother gave me a full tea set of this Colclough 'Wayside' teacup and saucer, with the templates,bread and butter plate etc..

Here is a cute invitation I found on Pinterest

I could make these cute 'Teabag' Cookies.
I will make the food in advance and keep it in the freezer so it's easier for me on the day.
Dainty sandwiches, cookies,rock cakes, wedding cookies etc ..can all be made in advance along with delicious Sultana (Golden Raisin) scones to be served with Devon clotted cream and homemade Strawberry Jam.

These are some of my teacup collection I will use on the day

I don't think I will be wearing white gloves for the occasion but wouldn't it be nice.
We need a butler don't you think ??

As you may already know I won't be using tradition vases for my floral table decorations.

So that is some exciting news I have .
Here I am at the Bridal Shower Tea in 2013 ...that was a buffet;
But for the Downton Abbey Tea Party we will be doing it properly;
And will all sit down at the tea table just as if we were in Downton Abbey.
I hope they aren't expecting a castle instead of our humble abode !!
I can't reveal too much more to you before the day as it will not be a surprise to my guests.
I do however promise lots of photo's and a full posting of how the party went.
After the event.
I am expecting anything up to around 12 guests in all

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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June 23rd, 2017

6/23/2017

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Tropical Storm Cindy dumps way too much rain on the South.

Morning....Just a quick post to show you how much rain we have had thanks to Tropical Storm Cindy .
This is the lake that has spilled over our main road ....and making it impassible ..
We live up a road just past these cars.
We have had days and days of relentless rain .
Storm Cindy has been dumping rain on us without stopping and is going to carry on today and on Saturday.
The lawn is very green and now of course needs to be cut.... but that is impossible at the moment
And my flowers are down on the ground looking very sad.
But once the sun comes out on Sunday I am hoping that they raise their pretty heads to the sun .
Each plant seems to have doubled as they are being fed by the rain.
I have a shopping day today ...so guess I will have to find a different route from our home that is not flooded.
We have had a tornado as well that damaged and wiped out a few business's
4 people were injured but nothing serious thank goodness.
Wherever you are stay safe
Thanks for popping by

Kindest regards

Janet

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June 20th, 2017

6/20/2017

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Pottery Update Week 14 ....Finished Log Vase came Home to Maisonvogue.

I finally bought home my unique Log Vase ...I was told it was a 'Masterpiece' by my Pottery teacher and Friend Faith.
I am very pleased how it turned out.
First you see the raw clay on the day I made it.
Then the bright orangey brown of the glazing stage.
Then the first photo shows the finished article.

Before !!!
And below is after !!!
The finished article.
Do you see how cute my little bird turned out ??

My sweet little Turtle survived the journey.
As you see it was glazed and looked plain turquoise.
But look how it turned out.
All mottled and lovely almost like marble.
I think that Horatio the Turtle is very pleased with his new look .
Don't you.

As you can see it looks really lovely with a few of my Wild Flowers in it.
It was made just for flowers that have snapped off leaving short stems in the wind.
Or when I go to pick them and I cut them too short for other vases.
It's doing it's job well.
Don't you think ??

Here is the floral tray I made last week and showed you ...it was then fired in the Kiln for me to glaze this past week

I could not decide what color to glaze it ..so I asked lots of my friends and they came up with so many colors that I just went along and incorporated some of them.
I have put in the glazes and will leave the raw clay around them.
Here it is fully glazed.
I have put in a deep blue, Turquoise,Deep candy pink,a yellowish green and a proper green.
So when it is fired it should come out with lots of bright candy colors all shiny and glazed.
The underneath is glazed in a Turquoise and so are the underside of the handles.
I can't wait to see how it turns out ...

I am as you can tell enjoying immensely my pottery lessons.
The creating, trying to tame the clay.
As it has a mind of it's own.
The companionship is most dear to me.
I have met lifetime friends and deeply cherish their friendship.
And the laughter ...so enjoying the laughter

Then just when I can't think it can get any better.
I get to bring my items home to enjoy.

Go see if there are pottery lessons near you.
You will never regret it and will learn things about yourself you never knew.

Happy Days

Janet

Thanks for popping in

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June 18th, 2017

6/18/2017

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Maisonvogue Flowers and Handmade Jewelry Gifts

My very needy Wildflowers are just coming on very, very well.
With lots and lots of tender care and water ...they are growing like mad and I can't wait till I have an endless show of glorious flowers.
The Cosmos showed it's beauty first and then the Zinnia's and Cornflowers are now showing their happy colors.
This is just one of our Zinnia's ...there are many buds almost ready to burst open.

I made some pottery jewelry about 8 weeks ago but have not been able to post a photo of them as they were gifts and I wanted the recipients to receive them first.
This one I made for my Sister Sue ....She loved going to Thailand and Sri Lanka and riding Elephants so that is the theme I did on her necklace.

This one I made for my dear Friend Mary ..
I was very pleased to see how the glaze worked out .
I used just two glazes.
Where the glazes overlap you never know what color they will create.
This time they created a wonderful turquoise.
It was a total surprise ..very happy with it.

It is hard to see my lovely Mexican Pottery planter as the flowers have just over taken it all in all of their glory.

Here is Sue's finished pendant complete with little Elephants

I thought that the Nuthatch Bird had forgotten us then all of a sudden there is a nest ...built in to my faux window on the front porch.

Here is Mary's pendant ...finished off with a sweet heart and a little metal turquoise rose.
Mary received it last Friday and sent me the sweetest email saying how much she loved it
And that I had captured her personality perfectly.
Let's hope so we have been friends since we were little children at school.

The Nuthatch picks the safest place to have a nest ....it's covered and weather proof as it's under the large roof of our front porch.
It's impossible for the rascally Raccoons and the cats to get to it ...just has to put up with us humans passing it through out the day and sitting chatting on the front porch .
But that doesn't faze it at all as it keeps returning with new nesting material whilst Danny and I are chatting away ..joyfully watching it build a safe haven for it's soon to be precious babies.

I hope that you are going to have a great day whatever you are planning to do.
I have some pottery things to finish off ready to get fired next week.
It's also Father's Day today.
So I will light a candle for the day in honor of my darling sweet Best Dad in the World
Who left us far too early in 1988 at the young age of just 62 and 2 months.
I think of him almost every day and can still hear him giving me advice when I am remodeling our home or trying to do something handy around the house.
As Dad taught me how to paint, hang wallpaper,use power tools etc...
So glad that he did I have used those skills many, many times since he passed.
Also remembering my dear Father in Law who I only knew for a few short years as he too passed at a young age ..leaving me with lovely memories of a sweet, loving man.

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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June 11th, 2017

6/11/2017

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Faith's new Shabby Chic Guest Room & Pottery of Hers that you can Purchase from Her.

Faith as most of you know by now is my lovely Friend and she is also the lady that teaches my Pottery Lessons.
Faith recently decided to redecorate her Guest Bedroom on a Shoestring ..using inexpensive items and repurposing or vamping thrift store treasures.
This incredible head board was Faith's own idea and creation...She made it from garden fencing panels as you can see.
Cutting each one 3" shorter, she graduated the fencing slats ...
Before she assembled it she washed them over with a lovely paint combination making them look worn etc..
Faith also said that she sanded them down so that the wood was no longer rough as it was going to used for sleeping.
Then Faith put a piece of wood on the wall behind the bed and hand screwed each fencing panel to the wood ...the bottom of the head board panels are all the same size making a straight cut across the bottom.

I just love how it looks ...well done Faith ....it's just too adorable and cost very little, in a high end home decor shop they would be asking high dollars for the same item.
I love the color of the bedding with the headboard and one of my own French peacock pillows (a gift from myself to Faith) just looks at home on the bed doesn't it.

This super cute lamp with it's lovely shade and finial was a thrift store find ...great buy.

I am featuring lots of Faith's Earth Art Pottery that she has for sale in various shops but would love to sell to you ..if you contact her by either of these ways on her business card above you will find Faith a wonderful lady to talk to who will bend over backwards to make you happy..give her call or email her ...she is also available on Etsy.com as you can see.

I believe that some of these pots that Faith has displayed in her guest room are for sale.

In the guest room Faith has the bottom half of a Vintage Singer Sewing Machine ...found at a thrift store ...she placed this lovely box on top of it and shabby'd it to match her room.

Faith very cleverly is displaying some of her stock of pottery, all made by her own hands, on shelves, that decorate the guest room ...she has white washed stacks of red bricks and placed painted turquoise wooden boards for shelves ...I think it looks great and very economical..the vintage windows were also thrift store finds.
Faith also uses wooded crates to create shelving to display her beloved pottery ..each item is made with great love and attention.

The cute bedside table was also a find as an unwanted table ...and Faith shabby'd it to suit the room.
The lovely lamp also found at the thrift store Faith cleverly crochet'd a cover for the shade and added beads to the bottom of it ...it looks really great.

I believe that all these items are ready for sale ...Faith wraps them very carefully to ensure they arrive at your door in perfect condition.

How gorgeous are these plates with all the beakers and bowls to match ....I just love them.

The items on the top shelf ..the 'cat', 'sunflower','blue bird' and 'pig' are all for sitting your Smart Phones in and make the most wonderful gift for adults and children...there are other designs that I believe Faith can make ..I know there is a 'dog' with it's tongue hanging out ..you can see it on the wooden crate shelves next to the bedside table in previous photo's.

Faith has a mug tree full of lovely mugs and gorgeous Jelly Fish chimes.
They all come at very reasonable prices.
Especially as I now know how long it takes to make pottery items and what skill is required.
Worth every penny for a one of a kind item.

I hope you enjoyed me sharing my Friend Faith's home and art work.
Please don't hesitate to contact her if you would like to discuss purchasing anything.
She could even list it on Etsy.com for you if you prefer to buy through Etsy.com.
Go on her Facebook Page and please share the love by 'liking' her page.
I have enjoyed telling you about my wonderful dear Friend
Happy Days

Janet

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July 21st, 2017

Pottery Update .....I created a slightly complicated bowl this week.

July 18th, 2017

Part III and final part of Birthday Break at Sparrow's Nest, Tennessee

July 15th, 2017

Birthday Break - Tennessee Mountains - Sparrow's Nest Cabin - Part II - The Bedroom.

July 14th, 2017

Sparrow's Nest ....Perfectly built with ideas from Pinterest - The Kitchen

July 13th, 2017

Quick update on Pottery Lesson 17

July 08th, 2017

July 07th, 2017

Flower Power at Maisonvogue

July 04th, 2017

July 2nd, 2017

Pottery Update on Week 16 of my Pottery Lessons...A Tray and a Cacti Planter came home this week.

July 01st, 2017

Violet brightens up a rainy day in Alabama

June 25th, 2017

I am Preparing to Host a Downton Abbey Type High Tea Party for my Pottery Friends.

June 23rd, 2017

June 20th, 2017

Pottery Update Week 14 ....Finished Log Vase came Home to Maisonvogue.

June 18th, 2017

Maisonvogue Flowers and Handmade Jewelry Gifts

June 11th, 2017

Faith's new Shabby Chic Guest Room & Pottery of Hers that you can Purchase from Her.

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